I've known mendes for a long time. He's arrogant. I never did trust him.

Probably a "Conservative" too.

gulliver

Good point...good post.

2049er... No way is he conservative...he would have took a pay cut... seems he was liberal with the money :)

How many people think that we should pay a local bureaucrat $162,000 a year and cut bus rides for poor kids? Raise your hands?

Until the government cuts fraud, waste and abuse, I am not for increasing taxes by one penny.

The pro-tax people ignore stories like this. They pretend that every dollar spent by the government is a dollar well spent. In fact, this is the tip of the iceberg.

There is nobody to regulate government except us, and the way we do it is by voting, and by restricting their ability to tax.

Yea and if you read the whole article in the Bee you will see that the Judge who requested the investigation has been, "demoted" for a lack of a better word. This story is going to have legs forsure.

BTW, forgot to mention before I hit the enter key.... Not a comment or story in the AJ regarding this... HMMMM wonder why?

Yosemite: I am a proud, card-carrying liberal, and therefore by your definition, am "pro tax." Not only did I not "ignore" this story, I brought it to your attention. Only a fool, liberal or conservative, would argue that "every dollar spent by government is a dollar well spent." But only a fool would suppose that any government--or business--can operate without some waste. We can do our best to minimize waste and corruption, but it does nothing to further the dialog for you to try to link governmental inefficiency to political ideology.

I couldn't find the article in the Bee. Is it possible he could face criminal charges?

Analyst: (1) Here is the link: http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/1949732.html. (2) The DA is investigating, according to the Bee article. The local DA should probably turn this over to the State Attorney General, because any prosecution would make witnesses of (and possibly implicate the conduct of) every Placer County judge who has served as presiding judge from 2001 to 2009.

I never know this was going on. Thanks for posting this gulliver.

I never knew this was going on. Thanks for posting this gulliver.

Thanks for the info gulliver.

gulliver, kudos for posting the story.

The problem with government providing services (banking, health care, etc), products (GM Cars, digital TV converters, etc) or jobs, is that government is like any other business, inherently subject to regulation.

The one good thing that government can do is regulate and even that is suspect due to corporate, union and special interest involvement in the system.

But when the government provides services, or regulates ITSELF, we can count on them to fail.

We need an honest and critical media, restraint imposed by electoral controls (ie: Kicking bad pols out) and as many watchdogs as we can get.

I've heard nothing but awful things about this guy from his co-workers. Many have been upset that he's above the law... looks like he's not.

I'm sure more heads will roll than just the two executive perps and the Judge. Looks like the good 'ol boy convention is over.

What ever happened to oversight?

I agree with your last paragraph 100%. It may not be a good idea to make judges responsible for oversight of the "business" operations of the court system. Our Placer county judges are generally wise and good at deciding cases, but most have never balanced a checkbook. They either came from the DA's office, or if they were in private practice, theyhired a bookeeper. As judges, they hired a court administrator......and we can see how that turned out.

What does a court administrator do? I think 162 a year is more than the judges make.

AB 233 gave the Judicial Council of California and it's administrative body, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), responsibility for financial oversight of the trial courts. It was passed in the 90's and provided a window of "opportunity" as the courts were consolidating, one phase at a time, under one umbrella. There was very little oversight on operational procedures, for quite a few years and there were some who, it appears, took tremendous advantage of it.

This article doesn't say the half of it concerning John Mendes and those involved in his actions. It will be very interesting to see how this unfolds...

Bluebird - A court administrator is supposed to prepare/administrate the budget and have oversight of the operations of the Court. He is supposed to be reporting to the judges, giving them accurate information by which they have certain responsibilities. The judges hire the Court Administrator and are his boss. I have serious doubt that all of the judges would have approved such a salary. Superior Court judges are appointed by the Governor to fill positions and elected officials otherwise.

Judge McElhaney has always been an upstanding man and I hope he prevails when all this is said and done. He is to be commended for what must have been a difficult decision

Gulliver - The judges have plenty to do just being judges. They depend upon court staff to not only support the everyday operations, but to conduct themselves in a manner that will be ethical and non-biased. The honest judges, which I am sure most of them are, deserve people they can trust.

Observer: I don't disagree. The point I was trying to make is that most judges want to be judges, not bean counters.

Thank you for explaining Observer. I would hope Judge McElhaneys departure had nothing to do with the issue at hand. Thank goodness he did something about it, that is an enormous amount of money. I don't know Judge McElhaney but I have been before Judge Couzins and Judge Wachoeb, they both where fair and ruled according to the law.

Bluebird - I don't think Judge McElhaney has departed, although I may be wrong. The article just says that he was taken out of his position as Presiding Judge, which may be due to a conflict of interest or damage control on the court's part?? I do not know Judge Wachoeb, but I do know Judge Couzens and he is one of the finest and most fair, of criminal judges that Placer County has ever had, perhaps that California has ever had...

I was in front of Judge Couzins on a civil matter but up against someone who was a former police officer and well connected politically. Another portion of the county seemed intent on helping her retaliate against me so I had no idea of what to expect from the judiciary in the county. After a trial he ruled both her, and her husband, had fabricated evidence etc. That is one reason it is so important for good ethical police officers, DAs. judges, etc speak out against corruption in their own profession. It is not only a crime against the person they are victimizing, but hurts honest people in their own profession, and the public trust.

McElhenny is still a judge--it would take action by a state judicial commission to remove him, and even that sometimes takes years. Remember Judge Willoughby? The judges take turns being the presiding job. It's a chore for them, and some do a better job at it than others. I believe all of our judges are fundamentally honest and competent at being judges. Whether they are good at ferreting out dishonesty among the subordinates in their own professional household may be another matter.

Gulliver have you thought about applying for a position at AJ as a reporter? You would be a good one. Or start your own internet news blog.

I would read it.

Bluebird - It wouldn't take much to ferret out corruption within a government entity, if employees felt that anyone in higher positions above the suspected, really wanted the truth. What you find, much of the time, is that government executives "cover up" for each other, unless it goes public. Perhaps they feel it would make them look bad to keep bad company, but that isn't due process, it isn't justice and it does very little for public trust.

Employees can't speak up and usually, those who do, regardless of the laws, get demoted, start getting unsatisfactory evaluations, receive disciplinary letters and the "pressure" heats up until they leave. It's a calculated move on management's part in both government and private sector. There are many government employees who know this.

It's time that those in power are held accountable...

Gulliver - Yeh...remember Judge Willoughby? Do you know what happened to him? He got to retire on his full pension, courtesy of the Judicial Review Board (?). Know what happened to the bailiff whom he was accused of sexually harassing? She got a small settlement, it ruined her career, she suffered severe stress and she had to take a job outside of the profession she loved, being a deputy sheriff. All because...

Bluebird: Thanks for the kind words, but I don't think the AJ is hiring.

Observer: Yes, I know what happened to him. I was on a committee to have him recalled when he announced his "disability" retirement. My point was that it can take years to discipline a judge, and a judge can goof up pretty bad and still keep his or her job. Richard Ryan is the only local judge I can think of who was actually removed in the last 30 years. Willoughby got a proverbial slap on the hands, and O'Flaherty, who still serves, was mildly reprimanded for giving improper instructions to criminal juries on 2 occassions.

It's normal practice to pass around the title "presiding Judge" to all the judges. However, they may have replaced Judge McElhaney as "presiding Judge" to protect him as he may now become a witness in this case. He is still a Judge. Judge McElhaney did the right thing by looking closer at something that could be embezzlement. He is not going to be removed. The other Judges are behind him 100%.

BLUEBIRD, I too was a plaintiff in a civil matter in this County. Although I won, the Judges (we saw several) actually were harder on me because I've worked in the system, and they didn't want be accused of bias. The rulings were fair though.

Analyst I was the defendant. I was sued civiliy for making a report to the police. Of course they fabricated a bunch of other stuff to make their complaint seem legitimate. I am now the plaintiff in a malicious prosectuion against both the lawyer and the person who sued me. I am waiting for some rulings from Judge Garbolino to allow my case to move forward. I can only hope he has the integrity that Judge Couzins and Judge Wachoeb had. Believe me Observer I understand the consequences of trying to do the right think. It can literally devestate your life and your professional reputation.

This investigation should go deeper, much deeper.... Perhaps AOC ought to check Mr. Mendes claims against the county/state over the last 8 years. During this same period, perhaps AOC ought to look at each new "benefit" allowance that Mr. Mendes initiated and see if Mr. Mendes benefited in each case. Perhaps they would find even more...

Bluebird - Come to the meeting on Saturday and perhaps we can share stories :-)

BLUEBIRD, all the Judges you speak of have incredible integrity, including Judge Garbolino. You'll do fine with him. Even if he rules against you, just know that he is honest and fair.

Analyst, I can take a loss as long as the ruling is not influenced by other factors. Observer, thanks for the invite but I think I had better lay low. I think Analyst may remember a rather intimidating blog I recieved on another story. Tthat is the kind of stuff I have had to put up with

for several years now.

Bluebird - I totally understand. You hang in there and keep the faith no matter what happens. As we can see...according to this article, the mighty do fall, eventually. They think they are so crafty. They do not care how many innocent they trample along their path, but in truth, they are blind and do not see. I have hope for those whose deeds come into the light...

Good luck to you BLUEBIRD.

Observer, I agree, the investigation should go deeper. They also should look into this Jim Perry guy. It's strange that he would hire Mendes knowing there's an ongoing investigation, unless he is somehow involved.

Analyst - If Mr. Mendes is held accountable, there will be parties all over the County, from top county executives to those who are "nobodies." The sad thing is, he probably won't lose his job in Yolo County and in fact, will probably get a better job somewhere else.

When people do their dirty deeds together, they know too much about each other and therefore it gives them leverage and "favors". Jim Perry's explanation in the article in the Sacramento Bee is just rhetoric...and laughable. Jim Perry is also under the umbrella of the AOC and considering the apparent guilt of Mr. Mendes, it seems odd that Perry would defend Mendes. In fact, it seems odd that Perry would not be concerned about his own reputation and the inquiry from AOC. Uhmmm...could it be that Jim Perry and Mr. Mendes feel quite safe under the magnifying glass of perhaps the most powerful entity in the State of California? Uhmmm........................?

Mendes' conduct is sociopathic. He thinks he's smarter than everyone else, knows he did wrong and has no remorse. Thank goodness we have a Judge who was smarter than Mendes and saw that something wasn't right. Hopefully criminal charges will be filed and he'll go to jail.

Analyst - Mendes should be so lucky! His reputation is not one of a merciful man. If charges ever are brought up against him, I am quite sure the witnesses will come out from hiding, everywhere.

Considering that most, if not all the judges, conduct themselves with the utmost integrity and clarity, the judges do expect and receive visible financial records (from their administrator) as to budget, expenditures and revenue, among other things. It is HIGHLY LIKELY that Mr. Mendes may have more than one set of financial records (actual and then the ones given to the judges) and people, in close proximity, to help him create these. In all fairness, most of those helpers probably do not know how these records will be used. Guarantee, however, there is definitely, one or more who will know. Someone needs to look at this with a huge magnifying glass.

Observer, I agree. And I need to correct myself, Mendes does not think he did anything wrong. A sociopath justifies in their mind that their actions are justified. He has justified in his mind the these "self authorized" raises and compensations were entitled to him.

Analyst - Good point, but any of us who have worked next to the big guys, knows who does most of the work, get little credit and usually take the fall when something goes wrong. He ain't all that!!

Since you work in the system, you probably ought to cool your heels a bit. Unless Mendes gets brought up on charges, anything anyone directly says that may "tarnish" his illustrious reputation, might be used against them. Mendes hates to have anyone say ANYTHING about him, no matter how true it is, so most of them say it behind his back. He can be ever so ruthless...

I should add...that's just what I have heard. It may be heresay

I understand what you're saying, but I don't work directly in the system, I work with victims in the system, he can't touch me, and he's up a river anyway. I will say that I am a long time friend of the DA. I called him a while back to ask him about the mother who claimed that her little girl was being molested by the father and that the mother was ignored. (Now remember, the DA's a friend of mine). I asked him if I should be fighting for the little girl. He said, "I would love to tell you what's going on, but I can't because it involves a minor". He showed the utmost professional integrity as he always does. We also talked about the Billy Moon case. He said, "they cut the dead guy out of the passenger seat". I told him, "isn't it funny that the people who lose a case or get convicted always say that the judicial system is corrupt?' After we got done laughing he said," and why would I put my career in jeopardy and allow my DDA's to do something unethical?" And he's right.

I have to agree with all of you. I do know Judge Mac. He is a very good, honest and fair man. So is Judge Cousins (spelling). Gulliver, this was a great post and service to all of us. Thank you for bringing it to everyone’s attention. I would add, however, that it was 2049er that brought up the political influence, not lonewolf. He/she was just responding to 2049er’s comment.

I would not say that the system is corrupt, but there are some who are corrupt and they need to be rooted out in the best interest of everyone. Too often, justice does not get served and that goes for the prosecution also. We should never put our interests ahead of doing what is right when it involves an innocent person, no matter which side they are on. The "system" has an enormous responsibility in carrying out it's duties and should never be taken lightly...

As a long time friend of the court system, it can be said that this bench has long been divided. Why doesn't someone ask Judges Mcelhany, Kearney, Gaddis and Nichols why they blocked inquiry into mendes' actions? Why doesn't someone ask why Judges Gaddis and Mcelhany signed some kind of contract with mendes without authorization? Why was the court system of Placer County allowed to be slowly drained of public funds while these bench officers sat back?

Gees. auburn49er what else is going on behind the scenes that we should know about. How did they block the inquiry? This is not good if we can't trust our courts we are in big trouble. Observer I agree with your caveat. With that kind of salary this guy probably has a nice fat bank account to pay lawyers that can make your life miserable.

Analyst since you work in the system I recently came across some information that I was very surprised to learn. I was told by a reliable source in the system that CPS and APS workers are not required to have an formal licensure by the state. Minimum training standards are left up to each county. Is that true? I think a humble and open mind is always required when dealing with issues relating to the story you mentioned above. I suspect you saw all of the articles in the Sac Bee regading the kids in Sacramento County that are now in cemetaries because the CPS workers did not properly investigate and intervene. Many of the reports that E.R docs made regarding severe broken bones, burns, and other clear evidence where not followed up on. The docs where never even contacted. I am not sure I would call it corruption. I suspect these workers are severely burned out and may have their own psych issues from all of the trauma they deal with. Combine that with little or no training and eggregious incidents are going to occurr.

auburn49er - oooo, you ask some revealing questions, ummmm....ok, so Mendes works for the judges, no one has any paperwork, judges block inquiry, AOC does all the auditing without any oversight from anyone else and Mendes is working for his former employee after being brought into the "light", former employee defends former employer who gets caught red-handed...ummmmmmm

Geez guys.....does the man get to defend himself before you hang him?

Do you really believe EVERYTHING printed by a newspaper? I don't.

Mendes has been fired from his new job in Yolo County, according to an article in the Bee yesterday (Saturday). It seems that the Yolo Court administrator who hire Mendes and the Presiding Judge in Yolo are taking a lot of political heat for hiring Mendes without bothering to read the audit report that was generated by Mendes' mendacity.

Does it bother anybody but me that I have to look to the Sacramento Bee to find out what is happening in my own back yard? Is the Journal ignoring this story for political reasons, or is it just embarassed that it was scooped so badly by the Bee?

Or is the Auburn Journal holding off until more of the true facts come to light? No, I'm not John's mother or any other relative. I just feel like there must be more to this story. Don't you think so Gulliver?

Undoubtedly there is more to the story, just as on December 8, 1941, there was "more to the story" about the attack on Pearl Harbor. But the fact that there is more to a story does not excuse a newspaper from totally ignoring a story of considerable public interest. Nobody is out to hang Mendes, but, like Lucy, he got some 'splainin to do.

See, I think someone is out to hang the guy! But yes, I do agree he has some "splainin to do".

The Auburn Journal has never been known to report fairly when it comes to the elite in this town. I am surprised they don't pull this blog

mizBhaven - don't you find it interesting that Mr Mendes initiated many of his own raises and especially the change in payroll issues that ultimately wound up benefiting him like a lottery winner?

And Observer you know this for certain because...........? Oh. You read it in the paper?

mizBhaven......................Many people know and have worked with Mr Mendes in this county and state. Guarantee they will be watching this case very closely. If the paper trail left by these actions does not include reasonable common sense as well as glaring audit truths to what is happening here, then it would be justified to come to the conclusion that there are serious problems with the auditors in charge and the practice of GAAP. Missing support documentation for ANY new action that is a direct violation of a conflict of interest, is like raising the "skull & crossbones" flag over your sailboat!!! If the county or state does not do a complete audit from 2000 to the present, including a report that is made public record, then I would be willing to bet there are more players in this story. It doesn't add up.