Jim Erwin, Chief of Staff for San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry now says that he received a $13,000 Rolex and a trip to New York City as compensation for consulting work he performed over a six-month period for Colonies Partners, a developer at one time engaged in a protracted and expensive legal battle with the county. Erwin has not been charged with any wrongdoing at this point, but an expanding investigation continues into possible embezzlement , fraud and public corruption activities of other current and former county officials.

The county settled the suit filed by Colonies Partners for more than $100 million in November 2006, during the time when Erwin was employed as a consultant. Erwin was also employed by a labor union that represented county workers at the time he accepted the consulting work. Erwin’s consulting duties involved helping the firm negotiate flood-control issues with the county for a development in Upland.

Erwin said he accepted the gifts as compensation because he was doing a favor for a friend, and knew all parties involved in the dispute. Erwin was hired by the county as a regular employee in 2007 by former county assessor Bill Postmus and assumed his current duties on Derry’s staff in September 2008. Erwin’s home and office were raided last month as the subject of ten separate search warrants in an ongoing investigation involving potential political corruption. The same day, officials raided the Postmus home and arrested him on drug charges. Postmus later resigned amid allegations of drug abuse, and abuse of office.

Adam Aleman, a third employee or former employee of the county assessor’s office was arrested and charged with destruction of evidence, altering documents that were the subject of a grand jury investigation and vandalism. Adelman faces up to 18 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Public corruption, embezzlement and fraud are all serious charges. Depending upon the circumstances, these charges can result in prison terms and substantial fines. In addition, these charges, even if proven false can have an immediate and negative impact on your career and long-term ability to work.

When you’ve been accused of these crimes, or even implicated in an investigation, you need the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney like Robert Michael Helfend. Mr. Helfend is a practicing criminal defense attorney and takes cases in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and Ventura County. He has nearly 25 years’ experience in successfully defending clients in both state and federal courts. If you’ve been accused of a workplace crime or believe you may be, don’t wait. Contact Robert Helfend today.

Photo Credit: Henk L