Judicial Council Watcher has been the recipient of several anonymous messages asking both us and judges and court executive officers from around the state to “expose TCAS for what it is”
Added: A tribute to those who will shuttle the new SEC committee out to their meetings.
We want to know more about TCAS – and think you will want to know more about TCAS too if you’re in the trial courts. These messages tell us that this hundred person AOC organization led by Curt Soderlund has the sole function to creatively part trust funds from trial courts. If this were standard accounting for trial courts, it seems to us that a whole lot less beancounters would be required to perform this mission of moving funds when necessary. However, the allegation is that this hundred person organization sits on their hands for most of the day billed entirely against court trust funds and enjoying two hour lunches because managing just one or a few siloed accounting codes each on some days, requires no effort at all to be expended towards performing your job because there is no work to do.
Other information coming into us anonymously says that the BSA should look into these accounting practices of siloing accounting codes to analysts with only a few key people knowing the whole picture. Yet other information indicates that in the past when certain analysts have compared notes, improper A/R or A/P was caught and the analysts were fired. Not just in this organization of the AOC – but in the finance department as well.
This all sounds like that funny math News 10 and Courthouse News found out about when they sent the information out to Karen Covel.
Tell us- What do you know about TCAS(S)?
Edited to add and hot off the presses courtesy of JusticeCalifornia is the new SEC committee who will be looking at AOC’s operations like they were a star in another constellation. Of particular interest to us is that Jody Patel, whose brainchild is TCAS(s) is leading this effort as a liason on behalf of the AOC. In our opinion, these operations of the AOC are administrative operations that should be subjected to workflow analysis and business process engineering by someone outside the branch.
Nathaniel Woodhull
March 29, 2011
Lots of time was obviously spent to ensure that a “fair and balanced Strategic Evaluation Committee (SEC) was formed. See the usual suspects:
Art Scotland (Ret.) Chair
Verna Adams – Marin
Angela Bradstreet – SF (how long has she been a judge?)
Judith Chirlin (Ret)
Ronald Christianson – San Bernardino
Sherrill Ellsworth – Riverside
Ramona Garrett – Solano
Suzanne Kingsbury – El Dorado (is there any JC/AOC committee she isn’t on?)
Brian McCabe – Merced
Bill McLaughlin – LA (one at least)
William Pangman (Ret) – Sierra
Donald Shaver (Ret) – Stanislaus
Richard Sueyoshi – Sacto
Charles Wachob – Placer
Jody Patel – Advisory Staff Lead
Sheila Calabro – AOC Staff
Chris Patton – AOC Staff
Yup, fair and balanced!
judicialcouncilwatcher
March 29, 2011
What are the chances of the ACJ forming a similar committee and publicly approaching CJ and indicating “We want to make our own analysis” because when I look at this committee, the AOC might as well spit the materials out and send an email of unanimous consent out and say they did their job. The end result would be less costly and equally as credible.
Rupert Murdock himself couldn’t have made better picks.
Nathaniel Woodhull
March 29, 2011
I expect that the appointed committee will find that the AOC is perfectly constituted, does an outstanding job, yet are in need of more personnel and greater levels of funding!
wendy darling
March 29, 2011
As well as ironclad control over the trial courts and the entire branch, with no adminstrative oversight or accountability whatsoever.
In other words, another reiteration of The Emperor’s New Clothes.
SF Whistle
March 29, 2011
I believe you have just written the press release….they are also to be thanked for the personal sacrifice involved in serving on such an important committee and doing such a fine job…
High-fives all around and back-slapping praise—Now –please let the CJ get back to running her little theocracy with no more of this nonsense like legislative interference…
wendy darling
March 29, 2011
One of the “accounts” that TCAS likes to play around with/move money in and out of, is the Trial Court Worker’s Compensation account – and one of the “accounts” the State Bureau of Audits or the State Department of Finance should take a real good look at in the comprehensive audit of the AOC that the State Legislature recently ordered in that trailer bill. FYI -the Trial Court Worker’s Compensation account is administered through the HR Division, via none other than Mr. Fuentes and Mr. Couch.
Long live the ACJ and JCW.
judicialcouncilwatcher
March 29, 2011
This workers compensation account stuff on behalf of the trial courts is interesting all on its own and something else we would like to hear from others about. The stories we’ve heard is that legitimate claims for workers compensation have been shredded by those who run the program and the workers have been told “tough luck, we never got your claim on time”.
JCW would be interested in hearing from Court or AOC workers who had problems with workers compensation issues and to seperately substantiate these claims.
courtflea
March 29, 2011
No CEOs on this committee? hummm that sez a lot. The AOC staff is going to spoon feed these judges a bunch of crap (in which the “RADS” excell), as stated above by Mr. Woodhull. The AOC knows if CEOs are involved, they would see that the emperor is really naked and help the judges/justices see the light.
CJ, you are taking backwards steps in gaining any street cred.
JusticeCalifornia
March 29, 2011
The Judicial Council already has two of CA’s most reviled CEO’s –namely Michael Roddy and Kim Turner — on tap. They brought Turner in right before both the Marin Family Court and CCMS audits, and at a Judicial Council meeting they talked about her experience having gone through prior audits.
I was trying to figure out why they would bring in Verna Adams- THE most hated and brutal custody judge in Marin County, who has ruined so many lives– and who also took part in the Marin child custody evidence destruction so the horrific acts she and others committed could never be fully traced.
Duuhhhhh. . . . .as the Marin presiding judge she went through and survived that 2009 audit, and can give hints and tips to the CJ’s new SHAM investigative group as to how to FAKE-cooperate, and destroy evidence in the process.
I do fear the CJ’s SEC is really a glorified eat-the-dogpoop mission.
http://www.pet-comfort-products.com/why-dogs-eat-poop.html
SF Whistle
March 29, 2011
Verna Adams is all about making a statement—-this is a statement of war….
Last Fall there was a call for recall of this very twisted Judge–now the CJ is rehabilitating her image with this appointment. The CJ is also making a statement to “court critics”—informing them that it is business as usual and get screwed……
wendy darling
March 29, 2011
Published late today on Courthouse News Service: A Tight Spot By Bill Girdner, regarding Terence Bruiniers and CCMS.
Long live the ACJ.
(edited by JCW to add a link directly to the story, since I was about to post it…)
CCMS Insider
March 29, 2011
As to the CHN piece on Judge Bruiniers; a fair and honest assessment – I’ve often wondered the same.
Court Broom
March 29, 2011
Their first choice for a CEO (that is already in step with the AOC) was Kiri Torre from the CC Court, but they already have her so busy giving her expertise and flag waving prowness to the CCMS program.
JusticeCalifornia
March 29, 2011
Kitty (KT as in Kiri Torre and Kim Turner) litters and dog poop eaters.
Just what the judicial branch needs, to gain the respect and trust of everyone.
The judicial branch has become sanitation experts.
versal-versal
March 29, 2011
Things up at 455 Golden Gate aren’t working out too terribly well. The new CJ appears to want us to think that she wants to take a fresh look at things but sadly she has rushed important decisions without a good process. The first huge problem was to embrace CCMS and then reorganize the various CCMS committees putting J. Bruiniers in charge. That hasn’t worked well as objective observers are wary of the Justice’s claims that all is well with CCMS and his unnecessary public attacks on the State Auditor were counter productive. The second problem is the process used to select the new Strategic Evaluation Committee. The CJ’s idea is great in concept but there was no need to rush to put the SEC together within a week of its creation. The Chair the CJ picked , Justice Scotland is outstanding. He is bright , fair and open minded. Once the Chair was selected the CJ should have asked for applicants from all levels of the court system, Judges, Commissioners, Court CEOs, AOC and court employees . By interviewing those concerned enough to apply the CJ could then have reached out and put together a committee of fair , honest and experienced individuals from the above groups and asked them to serve on the SEC after assessing their ability and interest to work on such a critical committee. Finally the CJ should have included a Board member of the Alliance ( 2 outstanding Alliance Judges are from Sacramento) and the CJA. This process would then led to the creation of an SEC which would have been fair and balanced and unafraid to give an honest assessment of the role of the AOC.
lando
March 30, 2011
Great comments Woodhull , Wendy and Versal. Here is the problem. The AOC/JC is not to going to change. Check out CC Judge O’Malley’s comments attributed to her in the Met News today. Essentially she dumps on the LA Court without basis and claims AB1208 is unfair to our new Chief. She also appears to claim its wrong the Alliance sought out a member of the legislature to address their concerns. Thats incredible as in our great democracy thats exactly what we all get to do. We get to speak freely about ideas and solutions to problems and seek legislative change . What a concept Judge O’Malley – the free expression of ideas to benefit the public and in this instance the citizens of California.
judicialcouncilwatcher
March 30, 2011
We would like to get a list of those who oppose SB1208. From what we’ve collected as far as information, we feel relatively certain we can outline the motive behind opposing 1208. We’ll give you a hint: It has a whole lot to do with using courthouse construction funds as a political tool over the judiciary.
Nathaniel Woodhull
March 30, 2011
Here ya go JCW! We get most of them…
March 25, 2011
Dear Colleagues:
Assembly Bill 1208, the “Trial Court Bill of Rights” is a bill that should be of great concern to every judicial officer in the State of California. This proposed legislation would transform the judiciary from a cohesive and co-equal branch of government into 58 fragments. This diminution of judicial unity and power will be accomplished not through the acquiescence or consent of the judicial branch, but through legislation.
If you believe, as we do, that the collective voices of the judiciary should determine the future of the judicial branch, we urge you to type this link in to your browser and read the bill:
We are also concerned about the fundamental fairness of the timing of this legislation. Our new chief was sworn into office on January 3, 2011. AB 1208 was introduced in the Legislature on February 20th. In our view, legislative reorganization of judicial branch governance without meaningful judicial input is wrong. Our new Chief should be afforded a fair opportunity to address the important issues of branch governance and build a consensus among judges after the issues have been fully and candidly discussed.
Decisions about judicial branch governance should be made by judges, after discussions within the branch. If you want the third branch of government to remain strong and independent, we urge you to voice your opposition to AB 1208.
Kevin Enright, Presiding Judge San Diego County
Mary Ann O’Malley, Past Chair of the Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee
Robin Appel, Presiding Judge San Joaquin County
David Warner, Assistant Presiding Judge San Joaquin County
Brian Hill, Presiding Judge Santa Barbara County
Art Garcia, Assistant Presiding Judge Santa Barbara County
Jim Herman, Judge Santa Barbara County
Steve Crandall, Presiding Judge San Luis Obispo County
Barry La Barbera, Assistant Presiding Judge San Luis Obispo County
Richard Loftus, Presiding Judge Santa Clara County
Brian Walsh, Assistant Presiding Judge Santa Clara County
Gary Nadler, Presiding Judge Sonoma County
Ron Chouteau, Assistant Presiding Judge Sonoma County
Vince O’Neill, Presiding Judge Ventura County
Brian Back, Assistant Presiding Judge Ventura County
Don Byrd, Presiding Judge Glenn County
Peter Twede, Assistant Presiding Judge Glenn County
Cindee Mayfield, Presiding Judge Mendocino County
Richard Henderson, Assistant Presiding Judge Mendocino County
David DeVore, Presiding Judge Alpine County
Thomas Kolpacoff, Assistant Presiding Judge Alpine County
Chris Yeager, Presiding Judge Imperial County
William Lehman, Assistant Presiding Judge Imperial County
Diana Becton, Presiding Judge Contra Costa County
Barry Goode, Assistant Presiding Judge Contra Costa County
Douglas Elwell, Presiding Judge San Bernardino County
Chris Chandler, Presiding Judge Sutter County
Donald Sokol, Presiding Judge Lassen County
John Kennelly, Presiding Judge Sierra County
Steven J. Howell, Presiding Judge Butte County
Stephen Kroyer, Presiding Judge Napa County
Janet Hilde, Presiding Judge Plumas County
Laura Masunaga, Presiding Judge Siskiyou County
Molly Bigelow, Presiding Judge Shasta County
Tom Anderson, Presiding Judge Nevada County
Scott Daniels, Presiding Judge Solano County
Richard Scheuler, Presiding Judge Tehema County
Jim Wagoner, Assistant Presiding Judge El Dorado County
Kathleen O’Leary, Justice 4th District Court of Appeal
Douglas P. Miller, Justice 4th District Court of Appeal, former Presiding Judge Riverside Jeffrey King, Justice 4th District Court of Appeal
Ron Robie, Justice 3rd District Court of Appeal
Elena Duarte, Justice 3rd District Court of Appeal
William J. Murray Jr., Justice 3rd District Court of Appeal
Laurie Zelon, Justice 2nd District Court of Appeal
James Lambden, Justice 1st District Court of Appeal
Maria Rivera, Justice 1st District Court of Appeal
Mark Simons, Justice 1st District Court of Appeal
Terry Bruiniers, Justice 1st District Court of Appeal
Tom Maddock, former Presiding Judge Contra Costa County
Sharon Waters, former Presiding Judge Riverside County
Ronald Taylor, retired former Presiding Judge Riverside County
Ira Kaufman, former Presiding Judge of Plumas County
Adrienne Grover, former Presiding Judge Monterey County
Steve Baker, former Presiding Judge Shasta County
Scott Kays, former Presiding Judge Solano County
Mike Welch, former Presiding Judge San Bernardino County
Winifred Smith, Judge Alameda County
Steve Brick, Judge Alameda County
Manuel Covarrubias, Judge Ventura County
Ana Espana, Judge San Diego County
Lon Hurwitz, Judge Orange County
Erica Yew, Judge Santa Clara County
Margaret Johnson, Judge Santa Clara County
John Pacheco, Judge San Bernardino County
Clare Maier, Judge Contra Costa County
Steve Austin, Judge Contra Costa County
John Kennedy, Judge Contra Costa County
John Molloy, Judge Riverside County
Craig Riemer, Judge Riverside County
Becky Dugan, Judge Riverside County
Elizabeth Sichel, Judge Riverside County
Dale Wells, Judge Riverside County
Sarah Christian, Judge Riverside County
James Cox, Judge Riverside County
Dallas Holmes, retired Judge Riverside County
Larry Fry, Retired Judge Riverside County
Richard Couzens, retired Judge Placer County
Terry Friedman, retired Judge Los Angeles County
Socrates Peter Manoukian, Judge Santa Clara County
Jerome Brock, Judge Santa Clara County
Franklin Bondonno, Judge Santa Clara County
Kevin McKenney, Judge Santa Clara County
Stephen Manley, Judge Santa Clara County
Kenneth Barnum, Judge Santa Clara County
Jerome Nadler, Judge Santa Clara County
Deborah A. Ryan, Judge Santa Clara County
Linda R. Condron, Judge Santa Clara County
Constance Jimenez, Commissioner Santa Clara County
Steven Yep, Commissioner Santa Clara County
Kenneth L. Shapero, Judge Santa Clara County
Mary Arand, Judge Santa Clara County
Mary Ann Grilli, Judge Santa Clara County
Javier Alcala, Judge Santa Clara County
Thomas E. Kuhnle, Judge Santa Clara County
Patrick E. Tondreau, Judge Santa Clara County
James P. Kleinberg, Judge Santa Clara County
Patricia M. Lucas, Judge Santa Clara County
Marc Poché, Judge Santa Clara County
Gilbert Brown, Judge Santa Clara County
Hector E. Ramon, Judge Santa Clara County
Ron Del Pozzo, Judge Santa Clara County
Shawna Schwarz, Judge Santa Clara County
Ronald Toff, Judge Santa Clara County
Thomas Cain, Judge Santa Clara County
Carol Overton, Judge Santa Clara County
Joyce Allegro, Judge Santa Clara County
judicialcouncilwatcher
March 30, 2011
Santa Clara Courts have been heavily lobbying the AOC to re-order the courthouse list. Internally in the AOC there is talk of taking one new courthouse away from Los Angeles and giving that courthouse to Santa Clara County.
That explains the pre-emptive attack on Los Angeles County you’ve seen elsewhere and the wide support of judges from Santa Clara County you see here. Many of the others have courthouses under the hammer, in design or already built.
This accounts for 2/3 of these supporters who would likely not have the privilege of re-ordering the courthouse list if SB1208 passed. 🙂
The rest are fluff.
lando
March 30, 2011
The sad funny and insightful video ” put the money in the bag” hits the nail on the head. The JC/AOC drive to create CCMS at the expense of keeping courts open and furloughing or laying off staff is at the heart of the conflict that has led to AB 1208.The result is now people all over the state are seeing very real problems with the undemocratic system former Chief Justice George and his supporters created with a JC and AOC that has no legislative mandate to control an entire branch of government.In my opinion to maintain control, the JC insured no dissent and those that were “selected” appeared to benefit. That is the at the heart of the current problem.
SF Whistle
March 30, 2011
Where are we today—-? We write about people from all over the State “seeing problems with the undemocratic system designed by CJ George….”
Ok—-what the hell are we going to do about it? CJ George was actually somewhat of a genius. He managed to create a theocracy that is strong and able to fend off any threats, or attacks—There is absolutely NO question that CJ Mini has no intention of any change at the JC or AOC and no intention to divest power and the centralization of power that CJ George was able to gather up…
Yeah—we can all whine about how it is improper that one person and a small circle of sycophants control an entire branch of government—-yeah—we all know it’s wrong…but what are we going to do about it?
Shall we punish them with a letter writing campaign asking them to do the right thing and change their evil ways?—-How about a bunch of letters to Senators and Assmblymembers asking if they will step in and ask the bullys at the Judicial Branch to stop beating us up? Perhaps the nice people at the legislature can ask the mean people at the Judiciary to follow the constitution and think about following the law?
Did anyone actually expect that this SEC to be some cleansing wave of blue-sky and Springtime purity–
HEY—-THE FACTS ARE THAT PEOPLE THAT HAVE POWER DON’T GIVE IT UP VOLUNTARILY—–CJ GEORGE CREATED A FORTRESS THAT IS INSULATED AND WELL-PROTECTED FROM ANY ATTEMPTS TO TAKE AWAY POWER AND CONTROL HE GATHERED UP—
So—-what’s the score today?—-They dumped a couple of bodies over the wall—a couple of retirements—-But has there actually been any power or control surrendered?—-No way—-Just like Gaddafi the AOC / JC / CJ are prepared to do battle a long time—
I don’t see any efforts to actually take on a well-organized war machine—I think the Judicial Branch will weather this storm and keep doing exactly what they want–I think that all the power that has been centralized will remain in the firm hands that have seized it—-they are far more capable and facile than the those that might pose as “opposition”…
The facts are what they are—and the simple fact is that most people in this fine State have no idea that over the last 15 years the Judicial Branch has been taken over by persons that pose as benevolent and keepers of the law—The facts are that this same small group is convinced that they can do any damn thing they want because they are above the law…..
I have said it before–I will say it again—nothing will change until such time as there is organized opposition—-I truly appreciate all the wishful thinking that happens here—I wish for change as well—but we all know it will not happen without a higher level of activism–
judicialcouncilwatcher
March 30, 2011
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