You are wrong. I spoke directly to DA Bob Kochly on this very subject and he would not discuss any details about Kramer. He would only say that the investigation is “ongoing.” I have never been told on or off the record by anyone in the DA’s office that the DA cleared Kramer on the deed question or any other details that the DA may or may not be investigating.

Throughout the CCTimes multi-part series, Kramer asserted his innocence and publicly stated that Bourque fabricated the tale, for reasons only she could know. At the center of Bourque’s story was the claim that her signature had been forged on the property’s deed. In true Gafni-fashion, it was reported that the notary involved in the transaction was ‘nowhere to be found’ along with her signature journal, creating the appearance of a smoking gun. This lead readers to believe a conspiracy occurred between Kramer and the notary to defraud Kim Bourque. The Times story ultimately resulted in an inquiry by the DA’s Office.

Here’s the rest of the story . . .

Soon after the story broke, the DA’s Office located the notary along with the signature journal used during the transaction. Steve Weir, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder, assisted in the DA’s inquiry by reviewing the recorded property documents between Kramer and Bourque as well as determining the authenticity of Bourque’s signature on the deed and notary signature/identification journal.

The fact that the notary’s signature journal was found and analyzed with a definitive result was NEVER shared with the CCTimes readers even though this information was shared with multiple CCTimes editors and writers (including Dan Borenstein). One can only guess why they decided to withhold this key piece of information. Perhaps it was because it wouldn’t support their exposé piece or their intended endorsement?

I follow this blog regularly and see posts from Steve Weir whenever clarification is needed related to the Recorder/Elections department. Steve Weir is a well-respected official in our County with no personal interest in this issue. Let’s ask Steve Weir what the outcome of this review was and if this information was shared with the Times. Also, if this was shared with the Times, when was it shared and what was their response? Let’s hope this will be one of those times Steve reads the blog and chooses to share enlightening information with the readers. It’s clear the CCTimes has no intention of printing this long-overdue piece of information, especially when it may exonerate Kramer.

Inquiring minds want to know . . .

Based on what I have read about Brooks and his being a yes man to Chevron and/or other oil company appeals, Contra Costa and everyone living here will loose alot more than the Bernice peoples settlement, they say the county paid. When the economy comes back, and the property values are suspose to be retored what will Brooks do “decline” Brooks and Nedjley can’t pay their taxes on time, don’t or won’t is more my question. I guess you can say they all come with their baggage but I had lot rather have the experience of Gus Kramer to see us through this ecomomy downtime than have a couple of guys that looking for a job.

Hmmm..cheap shot? I don’t think so. They rushed their endorsement of Brooks without due diligence.
Research is part of good journalism and what makes a paper credible. I feel they missed the mark and I would not consider using any of their endorsements when voting. Reading above that Garamendi pulled his endorsement would have been valuable info for CC Times to publish.
I agree with Rajah regarding the fact that if Brooks can’t scrape up $2K a year to pay his taxes, that’s a problem. I found this link which verifies his and Nejedly’s deliquent taxes – http://www.site.saveourccschools.com/

Practice responsible voting!

Clearly a man of Integrity and Ethics like Congressman John Garamendi would have felt the same way if Bob had not been delinquent in his taxes for years – and that’s why Garamendi pulled his endorsement from Bob.

Like Lisa Vorderbrueggen’s article quotes, “I have never heard of a Realtor employing as a consistent strategy the postponement of the payment of their taxes,” said Chuck Lamb, a Walnut Creek Realtor, past president of the California Association of Realtors and member of numerous industry groups. “I do know when Realtors get under economic strain, they have to postpone payments or they charge the taxes on lower interest credit cards. But it is not a tax strategy.”

Try again Etta. Let’s face it, if a guy like Brooks derives income from Social Security, Real Estate Broker and a Bail Bonds company and can’t scrape up $2,000 every six months for a tax bill – then there’s something wrong here…

Gus Kramer: Education…Unverified. Experience…15 yrs. Cost to Taxpayers…$993,880,00

Bob Brooks: Education…MBA. Experience…6 yrs. Cost to Taxpayers…$0.00

Ross Butler: Education…BA. Experience…None. Cost to Taxpayers…$0.00

John Nejedley: Education…JD. Experience…None. Cost to Taxpayers…$0.00

John Nejedley PAID his delinquent property taxes and penalties.
Bob Brooks PAID his delinquent property taxes and penalties.
Gus Kramer PAID $21,000.00 in delinquent property taxes and penalties as the result of a retroactive reassessment forced by a CC Times investigation.

Gus Kramer COST the county $993,880.00 to settle his retaliation lawsuit.

Gus Kramer refused to make payments on a home he owned and it was seized by foreclosure. He DID NOT PAY loans and fees of approximately $345,788.13, which included property taxes that were advanced on his behalf.

Gus Kramer was fined $5,000.00 in 2008 by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for demolishing a house that he owned in Bay Point without first properly notifying the agency or surveying the site for asbestos.

The clear alternative to Gus Kramer is Bob Brooks.

After reading Lisa’s Blog I decided to do my homework before voting. Lisa, is there anything we need to know about the other County positions before casting votes? I’ve looked up, as best I can, other candidates County Tax Records and have found it pretty clean. But of course I don’t have everyone’s address.

As to the Assessor’s race – I’m going to vote for Ross Butler.

Gus Kramer:
1. Still being investigated by the D.A.’s office and has not yet been resolved.
2. Close to $1 million of County money to pay on Assessor lawsuits
3. And the list goes on… Just Google “Gus Kramer” “assessor” and that will keep you busy
4. Has been given a great rating from the State for running the Assessor’s Office.

Bob Brooks:
1. Lisa says it all in her Blog and video about being a Tax Deadbeat
2. I found out Bob is a “bounty hunter” and has a defunct real estate business too. I wonder if he’s on Social Security???
3. What does being an airplane pilot have to do with the Assessor’s Office? John Nejedly should push that he has a Contractor License, which trumps the Airplane License…
4. He is part of the Appeals Board, but how can he be qualified for the Assessor’s position if he only meets once a month for the past five years?? Does that make him an expert?

John Nejedly:
1. Another Tax Deadbeat that has taken money out of our schools during a time of need.
2. Has been in Politics with the Contra Costa Community College district.
2. He’s a lawyer and owns his own construction company. How does that remotely qualify him for the Assessor’s Office?

Ross Butler:
1. Has been in Politics
2. Holds a California Real Estate Licenses and seems to understand Commercial and Residential Real Estate
3. In his web site he’s dealt with large budgets and staffs.
4. Graduated in Business Finance
5. Has owned a number of successful businesses and seems to know how to run an office.
6. I can’t find anything controversial about this guy – which is something our Government Officials should all have… A clean bill of health. And He’s paid his taxes.

Lisa – Please give us more on the other County Office Candidates…