Reporter Debra J. Saunders wrote a recent column laced with facts, some of which were reported in the Wall St. Journal last week. The article sights the Moonlight Fire case in California that involves Sierra Pacific Lumber Co. and Cal Fire, the state forest fire fighting dept. As she reports, it appears that Cal Fire and the Attorney general's Office pursued Sierra Pacific for no other reason than to fatten the coffers of the department(CalFire). Part of the case involves the federal government and its own asset seizure efforts on behalf of local jurisdictions, often arranging percentage splits that benefit the accusers.
Sierra P. agreed to a settlement: paying$55 million and forfeiting 22000 acres of their private property to the Feds. And then, a key witness testified that the Ag's office attorneys changed evidence, withheld evidence, and proceeded to lie in front of judges assigned to the case. All of this is now falling into the lap of Kamala harris, the State Ag, who has announced a possible run for the US Senate seat of retiring Senator Barbara Boxer. This one case could be her downfall, as it should.
Lawyers for Sierra P. filed a brief last Thursday that maintains:" The prosecutorial misconduct associated with the Moonlight Fire matter was not comprised of mistakes on the periphery. It was not errors of judgment. Instead, it was systemic, pervasive, and purposeful, with each act aimed at affecting the administration of justice through the use of thoroughly corrupt investigation designed to frame these defendants."
All Tahomans know Cal Fire: all property owners have to send Cal Fire and annual check of $135. as a fire PREVENTION fee. Despite having the largest natural firefighting reservoir in the state, a community supported full time fire department, and a seasonal Federal fire fighting crew during the summer. These fees alone add over $140 million to the state budget annually since inception in 2011. The reach knows no bounds. Government response is due in court on feb. 17, 2015. We'll be watching, waiting, and reporting.
Does the word "Shakedown come to mind?" It should in this case. sfchronicle.com
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