Deputy Sheriff’s Association lodges complaint with state political watchdog over unreported Rich Colwell properties
The Placer County Deputy Sheriff’s Association has filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission against Placer County’s former No. 2 administrator Rich Colwell. The association’s complaint revolves around what it says is Colwell’s failure since 1999-2000 to disclose reportable real-estate holdings on annual conflict-of-interest filings. But Colwell said the issue is a minor one and the complaint is indicative of negativity emerging between labor and management during difficult fiscal times. A deputy’s association spokesman said this week that the state commission was poised to consider the complaint – filed last April – this month. Andrew Scott, the deputy’s association vice president, said the complaint was the result of an examination by his organization into county finances. The 280-member deputy group is in a protracted dispute over contract adjustments. “We came across something we felt violated the law and referred it to the agency that could investigate it and make a determination,” Scott said. “As soon as we discovered it, we reported it.” Colwell, 53, abruptly resigned from his $243,000-a-year job, submitting his notice Nov. 30. He left his job the same day. In an e-mail response Thursday to the allegations, Colwell said the complaint “is without merit and has been filed by a labor organization that has not been able to reach agreement with the county on a contract for the past three years.” “There is no allegation of conflict of interest, only of non-reporting the properties which are located with the city limits of Lincoln and are not within the unincorporated area of Placer County,” Colwell stated. “I have been in discussions with the FPPC staff and they have indicated that the reporting requirements may not be clear regarding such a situation and they are researching the issue.” Characterizing the issues the deputies group reported as minor, Colwell said it is “unfortunately indicative of the negative environment which tends to emerge between labor and management during difficult fiscal times.” The deputy association’s complaint with the state political watchdog’s enforcement division includes information on seven homes in Lincoln. Backup documentation indicates the properties, described as rental homes, once were or are now held in joint ownership by Colwell or with his wife, Nancy Colwell. Colwell, who has worked for the county since 1989, oversaw county operations in County CEO Tom Miller’s absence and provided policy direction and operational oversight of law enforcement and health services. He was also director of the Redevelopment Agency. Scott confirmed that Colwell was not involved directly in CEO’s Office discussions with his association. He added that the complaint wasn’t made public until now because the deputy’s organization didn’t want to be perceived as politicizing allegations. The properties listed in the association’s complaint are all located in Lincoln. Two are on Navigator Drive. Others are on 4th Street, 6th Street, Santorini Lane, Red Clover Way, and Inverness Drive. Filers are not required to report their personal residence. Colwell is a lifelong Penryn resident. The Deputy Sheriff’s Association list of Colwell properties indicate they were bought between 2000 and 2005. Between 2000 and early 2006, Colwell was director of the county’s Administrative Services Department as well as deputy county executive officer. He was promoted to the newly created position of chief assistant executive officer in early 2006. What the association alleges in its complaint is that Colwell violated provisions of the Political Reform Act by failing to disclose interest in seven rental properties on his FPPC 700 form since the 1999-2000 reporting year. “The 700 forms,” the commission states in its overview for filers, “ alert public officials about their own economic interests and potential areas of conflict in relation to their duties, and provide information to members of the public who may monitor official actions for any conflicts.” The Fair Political Practices Commission filing was new news to at least one county supervisor. District 5 Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery said Thursday that she had heard nothing about it until contacted by the Auburn Journal. She added that Colwell’s retirement wasn’t surprising. He had mentioned his desire to devote more time to his mandarin orchard over the past year, she said. Montgomery added that the timing did take her by surprise, though. Colwell also said in his e-mail that the county is “well-served by Miller and the board in their efforts to protect levels of service while maintaining the fiscal integrity of the budget. “I have been very fortunate to have served this organization for more than 20 years, always working with very talented and dedicated peers and staff,” Colwell said. “I have chosen to retire and direct my efforts toward my mandarin ranch and other family related activities.” Because of vacation and sick pay accruals, Colwell won’t actually leave the county until early spring. After that he will start collecting a state PERS pension estimated at between $92,000 and $102,000 annually. While his duties with the county are already being covered by other managers, Colwell isn’t cutting ties with local government. He is in the third year of his sixth term as a Placer County Board of Education member and was elected Dec. 10 on a 6-0 vote by other trustees to serve as board chairman in 2010. He represents District 2, which takes in Penryn, Loomis and Granite Bay.
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Was there quid pro quo on some his rental repairs done pro bono by developers in Western Placer?
More to come on exposing unethical behavior of county officials. This will surely draw fire from Miller and the BOS. Look for their next move. Miller's ego is too big not to retaliate. Mark my words. He will begin laying off county cops now under the guise of 'budget cuts'.
“unfortunately indicative of the negative environment which tends to emerge between labor and management during difficult fiscal times.” is what Colwell says. Not accurate. The discrepancy was discovered last April. Before the county Imposed their will
on the DSA. Why even say that Colwell? Was it because you were aware of the negative environment you were creating. County leaders have singled out the DSA from the beginning and treats them much more different than other bargaining units. If they do feel negative it's because they have every right to considering the different treatment they get.
Talk about fat cat bonuses. Collects $243,000.00 salary until Spring of next year and then just 20 years of whatever upwards of
$100,000.00 a year. That's the government at work. I worked my tail off for 50 years as a union construction worker and end up
with 1/2 of that. Anytime I hear any public employee complain about their job that is almost impossible to be laid off and all the perks
days of with pay and they complain about furlough days boo hoo. In construction most rainy days are furlough days , lack of work or sick days are not paid days. Besides you have to produce or you are out of a job.
This man starts out with the County as basically a computer snake oil salesman. He spent years maneuverings and stepping on other people to claw his way to the top of the County staff's political dung heap. He reaped in $240,000 a year which he did not deserve and created an aura of fear in his office. Now I read that this man suddenly retires on November 30th and leaves the same day. That does not seem like a fitting departure for such a highly paid, high placed man. It must have been too much for his conscious to go on any longer.
Question?
If Colwell was making 240K a year how is it that during the most expensive times to buy a home in Placer Co. he was able to purchase 7 homes from 2000 to 2005? Now, I am not a brain child here, but I do not see how one could qualify for that many loans with that level of income. Yea, maybe he could have bought one or two... but I don't see how he could manage buying 7....... Unless they are under somebody elses name. Any ideas anyone? I can't figure it out.
So, one of the supervisors claims Collwell has been talking about retiring for almost a year. People don't just jump into retirement especially if they have been in a position like Mr. Collwell. They usually give plenty of notice and have the retirement party! Maybe he is retiring for personal reasons, but he may have wanted to state that. It does seem like something is up when someone in a position like this retires without warning. I feel his comment regarding labor and management is uncalled for, did he forget that PPEO members worked with the county to stop layoffs by taking a furlough day each month? Does he not think the county was dealing in bad faith with the DSA, by not agreeing on a contract for 3 years and then imposing a bad one?
What was going on 1999 onward? Oh yes, Bickford Ranch, Penryn (where Colwell resides) and the Silver Bend Affordable Housing Project where Colwell negotiated to put Bickford's low income housing. And who headed up that mess? That would be Mr. Colwell himself. Anyone smell something dirty here? Why did Colwell push the county to purchase Silver Bend property when they lost a lawsuit regarding the property? I think the Elks are somehow mixed up in the deal. Who were the consultants for Bickford? Could there be names we recognize? I think this bares outside investigation. Attorney General, FBI, someone with the guts and clout to look into what appears to be blantant corruption.
Thanks to the Deputy Sheriffs for sticking up for the people in Placer County. Keep it up.
Transparency in government, the people deserve it.
Looks like the County fat cats messed with the wrong people and are getting Schooled. If you poke the sleeping tiger with a stick long enough it will wake up.
Blah, Blah, Blah......and Tiger Woods slept with 10, 11, 12, 13 different women...who the hell cares?!?!? In addition to his job as the Director of Administrative Services, the guy has owned a successful Mandarin Ranch for years...so he invested his money in property instead of the Stock Market or sticking it in some bank so they could make bad investments for him...again, who the hell cares?!?!?
People on these blogs having been calling for Colwell to quit or be fired almost since the day he took the Assistant CEO job.....so now he has retired...I would think most of you would be happy he's gone, but no...now everyone wants to know "why"....lol...who the hell cares, he's gone!
Well something is suspicious with his leaving. It's good to see someone is watching the henhouse and holding people accountable.
Irritated...here's the reason why. BECAUSE IT IS WRONG AND UNETHICAL. Kudos the the poster who talked about waking a sleeping tiger. RICH Colwell (perfect first name for him) quit because he could smell the gauntlet that was coming down. There was another reason he quit but I won't speculate on it because I heard it third hand. Do some snooping.
Miller smells it too. Of course Miller's ego overrides his judgement and he will layoff deputies regardless. That's when the public needs to voice their opinion on it. Miller won't be able to help himself though. He'd rather shoot himself in the foot before admitting what he did was wrong and illegal.
This guy gets $100k a year for twenty years work, err employment. Thats great. Like most at the top he will rationalize and blame disgruntled employees. So typical...
Harley....suffice to say, you only assume what he did with the properties in Lincoln was wrong and unethical, but I imagine to FPPC will be able to shed additional light on that. The "other reason" he quit, which you have rightly chosen not to speculate on, is more likely a LOT closer to the actual reason.
Regardless, I'm not saying he wasn't grossly over-compensated, I'm not saying he shouldn't have left County employment...all I AM saying, is who the hell really cares "why" he left....he's gone, so in my opinion, the end has justified the means....Rich Colwell is yesterday's news...done, gone, buhhh-bye........
Using "irritated's" rational would that also apply if a person who broke into a house and then decided not to do it again do we just forgive the crime he already committed. I beg to differ with that way of thinking. I believe the deputies are on to something. I applaud them for looking into whats going on with the leadership of the county. As i stated in earlier posts when the county chose to unfairly negotiate with the deputies this is going to get good. I think this is just the beginning of what the deputies have un-covered in the county political folks. I think more will be coming out.
According to the article:
1) The DSA & County were in contract negotiations. 2) The DSA did an examination into County finances. (Ok that seems reasonable that the DSA would look into the County's spending in a time said County says it needed its employees to give up money.) 3) As a result of the investigation a possible violation a law arose which the cops reported when noticed back in April (isn't that what cops are supposed to do?). 4) The County imposes a contract. 5) The DSA files an action against the County. 6) Mr. Colwell ups and retires (maybe ask some of his employess why Mr. Colwell 'retired'. Perhaps 'in lieu' of something?). 7) Mr. Colwell says the "issue is a minor one", but then says the complaint "is without merit" (Mr. Labouf your attorney speak is getting too redundant. Seems like everything is 'without merit'... the old O.J. conspiracy defense).
Either Mr. Colwell reported his interests in accordance with the law or not. If it is deemed to be violation of the law, only an arrogant person would deem it as "minor." Harley & henry- you may have hit it on the head.
I have to agree with Henry irritated. So if a guy murders someone or molests a child but up and moves to Brazil, should we just write it off? Now I'm not saying RICH commited as horrible a crime as the two I mentioned but where do we draw the line? Illegal, is illegal, is illegal. And the way the county treated the DSA over the last three years was illegal as well. Turnabout is fair play. Miller and company are reaping what they sowed. Folks, it's gonna get even better. Break out the popcorn.
Hey irritated We don't need either one of them to survive. and as far as I know I wasn't paying part of Tigers salary. I don't see no mad rush to replace Colwell so it's obvious he wasn't needed in the first place. so blah blah blah
I believe my comments have been taken out of context....to clarify my earlier remarks...IF Rich Colwell is ultimately found to have engaged in illegal activity in obtaining and/or the reporting of his multiple properties in Lincoln, then yes...without question he should face whatever consequences might come with those illegal activities! My point was/is that at this stage, it is purely conjecture....innocent until proven guilty, isn't that the creed our criminal justice system is supposed to live by?
For all of his many shortcomings and faults, one thing Rich Colwell ISN'T is "stupid"....I'm not saying his arrogance may not have played a large role in potentially pushing the envelope, I'll simply be very surprised if he left any stone un-turned and/or has put himself in any sort of an exposed postion. That said, if the SOB did in fact do something illegal....I hope he gets every bit of what he deserves.
Oh, and Watchit.....not to be presumptive, but for the record......if you have ever purchased a Nike, EA Sports, Buick, Gillette, etc product, attended a PGA Tour sanctioned event, or even so much as watched a golf tournament on TV...you most certainly WERE paying part of Tiger's salary....just for clarification.
If the DSA is being vindictive against the county regarding unsuccessful negotiations as Mr. Colwell claims, why wouldn't they go after someone actually involved in the negotiations process? Mr. Colwell's excuse does not hold water. Furthermore, they filed the complaint 7 months BEFORE the county imposed a contract on them! What were they retaliating against then? The county hadn't imposed yet. Then Colwell abruptly retires? Colwell's rational is getting weaker and weaker. I think his explanation is nothing more then deflection from the real issue, which is his apparent violation of the rules. I agree with abc123def, they are cops. They are supposed to report possible criminal acts/ rule violations. Colwell has a lot of arrogance to believe no one should report him to the authorities when possible malfeasance is discovered. And when someone does report him, it's only because they are vindictive. Get real.
Watch a golf tournament jez I don't even watch Bowling let alone Golf. Are you sure they put those on tv??Must be in the middle of the night or early Sunday morning. I can't hardly believe it. What's this world coming to.
Irritated and harleyrider, the conflict of interest disclosures that are filed every year are done under the penalty of perjury if information provided is incorrect or incomplete. Each page has detailed instructions of how to fill it as well as to what is reportable and what is not. Real Estate holdings have to be reported with the exception of the person's personal residence, it is there in black and white in the instructions.
I felt compelled to explain this since nobody had addressed it before. Again, when you sign the sheets you do so under penalty of perjury, it is serious matter unless your arrogance is such that you feel you are untouchable and nobody in their right mind would consider crossing you and risking retaliation. If that attitude fits Mr. Colwell he should at least man up and admit it, but then, snakes slither on the grass.
Through the years Mr. Colwell ran his Division through fear, performance was second to adulation of the Divine Director. Many good people were fired or quit simply because they didn't fit in Mr. Colwell's mold but I will let them if they care to do so write about it.
Merry Christmas to all and congratulations to the DSA for possibly uncovering what may just be the tip of the iceberg, specially if what Rabiddog wrote actually took place and can be proven. Happy hunting.
Loomisresident, thanks for explaining the 700....and the penalty or perjury...and the form is not difficult to list other income sources (I'm sure the Mandarin Ranch was included) for possible conflict....regardless of their location, especially seven rental properties....I'm not sure at wha point you would consider yourself to be in a secondary "property management" business...but seven would seem like a rational number.
What would be interesting to know is if he bought those properties in Lincoln using any special/undisclosed knowledge from the county. I'm doubting he paid FMV.
I have done several 700's and I find them cumbersum yet very easy to do. Reporting the correct and accurate information is the key. Having said that, any real estate agent can find the sales information on these seven homes and determine the exact market value at the time of sale. It would be a simple manner to determine if there was some inappropriate activity going on. These reports also state who the previos owners were. Given the fact that all of this information is available to the public, it is hard to imagine fraudulent activity happening. On the other hand, reporting all sources of income is paramount. We need to hold our elected officials to high standards without demonizing them for honest mistakes or explainable oversights.
So is Colwell saying he thinks committing perjury is a minor issue? Does his former boss Miller feel the same? AJ, ask Miller his opinion about that. County employees sign their timecards under penalty of perjury. If they make an honest mistake while doing so is it minor? Could they face discipline? Let's get a consensus on it on the record.