Behind Closed Doors They Become Co-Conspirators

Now the City Council is Acting as Judge and Jury? WRONG>>>>>
The City Council should turn the case over to the Grand Jury, and the FBI and perhaps the State DA's Office for investigation. ANY Behind Closed Door Conversations on the Matter may make them co-conspirators in the squashing of a Criminal Investigation.

Berry's action may be cause for termination. So is Schwab's in his Cover Up of the Actions. Both should leave the City with EMPTY POCKETS and await for further actions by a COURT of LAW not the City Council of Grand Terrace.

Getting something "Free" for the City? What about the fact that Berry reported that an "Employee" of the Convict broke his car window. Then he paid a different company to pay for the replacement and tinting. What was the intended job the "employee" was doing and where is the work order and bid for that job on his private car?.

There is much more under the rugs of City Hall... This Blog and many others have been pointing this out to the City Council for YEARS, but not until this issue was first in the SB County Sentinel, then the Sun Telegram did the Hear No, See No, Speak No Truth City Council pay attention. There is a pattern of conduct here that needs to be addressed by LEGAL AUTHORITIES and the Voters.

BOO HOO for the guys who's conduct is at issue that they waited for a resolution for 7 years is not the Citizens Fault or the Fault of who ever brought this issue to the "Real Press" in order to get attention of the Council and Public.


Grand Terrace to discuss Berry's performance
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/04/2009 07:07:15 AM PDT


GRAND TERRACE - The City Council will have a closed-door meeting later this month to discuss the job performance of acting City Manager Steve Berry.
Berry was suspected of embezzling city funds and filing false records in 2002 when he was assistant city manager.

The scandal, published in a June 30 story in The Sun, has created "a huge distraction" for the city, said Mayor Maryetta Ferre.

"We definitely know there's a problem that needs to be addressed," Ferre said. "The city is suffering as a result of this. It's very distressing to the community, not to mention the staff, the council, and the people involved."

Ferre said the meeting will be held either July 14 or 28 when the full council is present.

"We would address it sooner, but it fell on a holiday weekend and we have three council members on vacation," Ferre said.

Former City Manager Tom Schwab said he covered up a potential scandal by quashing a criminal investigation against Berry, who was assistant city manager at the time.

Schwab said he didn't recommend criminal charges or discipline Berry because he wanted to avoid bringing embarrassment to the city.

According to sheriff's reports, Berry was suspected of having a work-release inmate tint the windows of city buildings and Berry's personal vehicle for profit when the inmate was supposed to be performing community service.

Berry said the inmate, John Carranza, did not profit from his work for the city and did not tint the windows of his car.
"It was bad judgment," Berry said Thursday. "The intent was not to try to steal money from the city. The intent was to get free window tinting for City Hall.

Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz, who was elected last year, said the city might need to hire an outside firm to investigate what happened.

"I'm very disappointed," Stanckiewitz said. "I can't tell you what's going to come of this. As a council, we need to take action. I don't mean we start swinging an ax and all that. We need to get our act together and find out exactly what happened, then make the appropriate decisions once we have that information."

Ferre said she couldn't comment on what the council might do.

"We need to be fair to the individuals involved," she said.