From the Press Enterpise ... Jim Miller Case

02:29 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 30, 2009
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise

Grand Terrace City Councilman Jim Miller pleaded not guilty this morning to a felony conflict-of-interest charge.

San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Douglas Elwell entered the plea on Miller's behalf and set Nov. 3 as his next court appearance. Miller is accused of voting to approve payments totaling about $18,000 to his wife Margie's newspaper, The Grand Terrace City News, for the city's legal advertisements.

After the brief hearing in a San Bernardino courtroom, Miller's attorney said that prosecutors haven't proven the felony conflict-of-interest charge against his client.

Miller's attorney, Richard Ewaniszyk, of Victorville, said outside the courtroom that Margie Miller's publication is the only newspaper authorized to publish legal notices for the city. He said that, in order for Miller to have a legal conflict of interest, the councilman would have had to vote to approve a contract to pay the newspaper. Prosecutors have not produced such a contract, Ewaniszyk said.

He praised the San Bernardino County District Attorney's desire to handle accusations of public malfeasance, but he believes the charge against Miller "is a misunderstanding."

The deputy district attorney handling the case could not be reached for comment.

Reach Darrell R. Santschi at 951-368-9484 or dsantschi@PE.com