THIRTY MILES OF CORRUPTION WANTS TO THANK THE FIRST THOUSAND PEOPLE TO HIT THIS ARTICLE BY 11:00 A.M.!
Subject: Press Release for Immediate Distribution – Lawsuit filed challenging City of Riverside Electric General Fund Transfer as a violation of Proposition 26
In a complaint filed yesterday in Riverside Superior Court, the Law Offices of Raychele B. Sterling brought allegations that the City of Riverside, through its ownership of Riverside Public Utilities (“RPU”), violated Proposition 26, approved by voters in 2010, when the City Council in December of 2013 changed the formula by which it calculates the tax generated from electric utility operating revenues (known as the General Fund Transfer), so as to increase taxes paid by its ratepayers to its general fund. The complaint contends that the City Council changed the formula to pay off a settlement agreement involving the City’s water utility, and did so without a public vote as required by the State of California Constitution.
According to the filing, the City of Riverside violated its City Charter for a decade by transferring a portion of the monies it receives annually as part of its participation in the California Independent System Operator system, referred to as the Transmission Revenue Requirement, to its general fund instead of keeping those monies at its electric utility. Further, the City classified the Transmission Revenue Requirement as non-operating revenues for a decade before intentionally misclassifying them as operating revenues for the sole purpose of extracting higher taxes from its electric utility customers.
The plaintiff seeks to halt the approximately $40 million/year the City collects in taxes from its electric ratepayers as part of its General Fund Transfer and to return the $115 million in transfer taxes taken the past 3 years from RPU.
“For years city officials have ignored near-constant complaints by members of the general public that Riverside Public Utilities has been overcharging its customers in order to support the City’s general fund,” Ms. Sterling said. “Today, we begin to shine a light on the hidden taxes the City of Riverside has imposed upon its RPU’s customers – particularly the elderly, poor, and disabled – causing them considerable economic and personal hardship. It was particularly sickening to discover that this illegal tax increase was a scheme devised by the City to avoid having its general fund pay off a settlement agreement regarding an illegal water utility tax. These financial shell games must end.”
Established in 1895, Riverside Public Utilities is a consumer-owned water and electric utility governed by a Board of nine community volunteers that provides services to over 105,000 metered electric customers and 63,000 metered water customers throughout the City of Riverside.
The Law Offices of Raychele B. Sterling is located in Riverside, California and provides law services to victims of government fraud, abuse and corruption.
Again I believe we have a disconnect between the ratepayers and the City. The City created a situation whereby no one had any other choice but to bring forward a lawsuit due to concerns of RPU monies, it seems this is the only way they listen. We cannot wait another 13 years before our voices are heard. What will Michael Colantuono have to say about this?
MICHAEL COLANTUONO, ESQ.
Again, most of this occurred under the watchful eyes of former Public Utilities General Manager Dave Wright, who left (maybe saw the writing on the wall) to ‘sin city,’ Las Vegas, then to Los Angeles, where recently they have had there own set of embarrassing problems.
DAVE WRIGHT, FORMER RPU GENERAL MANAGER
But, Wright came back to write a contributing editorial, titled “Riverside Water for Responsible Development,” back in 2014. Was Wright simply worried that what was concealed would be exposed? Why was he so concerned about the Prosecutorial Issue of Measure A?
And Don’t forget to VOTE for Vivian Moreno Mayor 2016…..She will definitely keep everyone HONEST!
UPDATE: 05.02.2016: HUMAN RESOURCES BRENDA DIEDRICHS LEAVES THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, TO BE RECYLED TRASH AT A NEW JOB IN ORANGE COUNTY.
Will the City Attorney’s Office Audit show that her law firm, Law Offices of Brenda Diedrichs, was paid indiscriminately with tax payer monies, due the fact there was no contract? While working as Human Resource Director? This while on Councilman Davis’s and Mayor Bailey’s watch. Which were told, but did nothing…
What is really telling is that Senator Roth’s Law Firm is on this Audit, whom did legal work for the City. His wife, Cindy Roth, Riverside Chamber of Commerce, was taking taxpayer handouts to keep her organization afloat. The question, if you need hand outs to sustain your business in the form of taxpayer subsidies, are you a good business? The rest of us, true entrepreneurs or business people, must make it within the free market by our own perserverance or just dissolve.
TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST, “NEGATIVE,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “FILTHY,” “SICK,” “PERVERTED,” “DEFAMATORY,” “STUPID,” “PATHETIC,” “DESPICABLE,” “DISAPPOINTING,” “BELOW THE BELT,” “A NEW LOW,” “SHOCKING,” “OFFENSIVE,” “OBNOXIOUS,” “INAPPROPRIATE,” “HURTFUL,” “MEAN SPIRITED,” “DISTASTEFUL,” “EMBARRASSING,” HORIFFIC,” “SLANDEROUS” “FIT TO BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! YES WE ADMIT WE OUR ALL OF THAT AND MORE, WHICH IN CURRENT TERMS IS KNOWN AS “UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT.” TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU. RATED ONE TWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. … AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! CONTACT US: thirtymilescorruption@hotmail.com
jehunter51
TMC: Thirty Miles of Corruption 
BOOM!
I want to know who is responsible and when will we get our money back!
As a consequence to the City’s violation of Government Code 53730, the City is subject to and bound by the provisions of Government Code 53728 requiring a dollar per dollar reduction in the amount of property tax revenue. This is one of the ways that the taxpayer can be refunded.
I hope a book will be written about the Real Riverside! There us enough people and they have information of all the deception of City Administrators preyibgbkn the City residents as a benefit and the Council at that time just took whatever lie was told to them as justification for the City to continue its operation. I think this could be the third book because of the deception has been going on for decades. As long as the Council looked good, no questions asked. And, if the residents argued, their homes or livilhoids would be in jeopardy.
Historically speaking about books of Riverside, they have all omitted the corruption in Riverside. Riverside was very elitist! The common resident were suppose to be their admirers. Keep them happy enough to get what we want our of them. Until the residents realized that they were being taken advantage of by taking their monies, lands, and their jobs away from them tobthe point people were leaving Riverside! And, currently, this was going to happen again.
Our City Council are looking for ways iof making money off of their residents again!! You kind ID notice this when alit of houses go up for sale.
The people become victimized when they can’t leave the City. For one thing, the City’s location is beautiful! Secondly, the people are usually friendly and have many schools and churches to make a fine community to set down roots and make a hone for your family.
Then, the bills come in and more and more yoyvare wondering what you’ve gotten into? But, you’ve signed for the house, you have a mortgage, and your family have friends here or more family here.
Nothing has really changed in Riverside. The procedures for citizens to complain are still in effect! They have them followed, checked out, and badger them enough to stop questioning authority! No hope.
But, laws get passed, some good and some bad trying to protect the cirizens. But, the citizens have to unite, become aware of these laws,
and while providing for your family.
It us hard work and many years have passed for the average cirizens. Many have passed on and will not see any justice in the fight for Riverside. And, now, currently, does Riverside have the wisdom for change in their election practices for representation? The candidates have become more sly and pleasing to get your vote. It is NOT easy to pick from a list of candidates. But, you have to do your homework! It is important! Your vote can change the direction of our City! Don’t give up. Don’t let some sly cowpoke get your vote to reign over your head and make you a shame that you voted for them.
I keep telling people their funding is part of the budget or Tues to grants that the City must disperse. Look for integrity of the individual. How do they operate? Have you caught them in a lie? Is what thwy say all gave been saud before to gwt your vote? Why are they running? Do they have another reason that they are not telking you about? Trust your gut feeling because it is usually right. And, we hope that the ones elected will help the residents of Riverside have a better future!
I hope a book will be written about the Real Riverside! There us enough information of all the deception of our City
Historically speaking about books of Riverside, they have all omitted the corruption in Riverside. Riverside was very elitist! The common resident were suppose to be their admirers. Keep them happy enough to get what we want our of them. Until the residents realized that they were being taken advantage of by taking their monies, lands, and their jobs away from them tobthe point people were leaving Riverside!
And, currently, this was going to happen again.
Our City Council are looking for ways iof making money off of their residents again!! You kind of notice this when a lot of houses are going up for sale.
The people become victimized when they can’t leave the City and are at their mercy.
Many years have passed and many will not see any justice n the fight for Riverside.
And, now, currently, does Riverside have the wisdom for change in their usual election practices for representation? The candidates have become more sly and pleasing to get your vote. It is NOT easy to pick from a list of candidates. But, you have to do your homework! It is difficult for change in our community.
I keep telling people their funding is part of the budget or tied to grants that the City must disperse. Look for integrity of the individual. How do they operate? Have you caught them in a lie? Is what they say all gave been said before to get your vote? Why are they running? Do they have another reason that they are not telking you about?
Trust your gut feeling because it is usually right. And, we hope that the ones elected will help the residents of Riverside have a better future!
Good job
Wow! Good job! This piece should be brought up in the next Mayoral forum. Can’t wait for the result of the audit of the Riverside Public Utilities. Don’t think it will be good.
(Richard) Roth, Carney, Knudsen in on the racket also. These people have no shame
They arrest and send people to prison for petty crimes and thefts, but these public officials and their cronies steal much more and nothing happens to them. So much corruption.
Was an official audit ever performed at Riverside Public Utilities? If so, what was the outcome? If not, how come?
What gets me about Riverside Public Utilities is you can’t get a straight answer out of them. Once I called specifically wanting to know exactly what “Customer Charges” and “Reliability Charge” are (off my utility bill). Customer Service tried to tell me something, but really they were baffling me with BS with double talk. Unsatisfied, I asked to speak with someone in management. I received a call back and again they tried the BS approach which I didn’t buy into & asked for someone higher up on the ladder. That phone call I never received. My anger is all about their billing practices. What starts out as a $79.00 electric bill, ends up at $149.00. The additional amounts they add on, yet RPU brags they have the lowest electric rates around. Look at your most recent utility bill from Riverside Public Utilities…your electrical usage is one amount and the rest is all added on. I want to know EXACTLY what “Customer Charges” and “Reliability Charge” are. It’s sad this is a municipal-owned utility, otherwise I would have already contacted the Public Utility Commission in Sacramento.