Judicial Council Watcher has just been forwarded 3 job vacancy announcements from a consulting firm currently doing business with AOC information Services. All three positions are related to CCMS. All three openings were announced today.
One is identified as being a temp to permanent position and the others are identified as being three year contracts, the longest period the AOC has identified it can contract for.
Meanwhile, they have announced layoffs and a hiring freeze to their own people and the rest of the judicial branch. As usual, this hiring freeze continues to be meaningless.
These jobs are all being offered on a members only site specializing in finding work for top dollar Information Technology consultants. (better than a hundred grand a year….)
Judicial Council Watcher 
Judicial Council Watcher
September 14, 2011
Let’s make that four positions. One additional position has cropped up in Burbank recruiter direct to one of our many IT people that keep us informed.
“Our prominent Burbank client is aggressively seeking a Sr. Business Analyst with Judicial/Court systems experience for a 3 year contract!”
“As part of the AOC Burbank Product Support team, provide support to the San Diego, Orange, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Joaquin and Sacramento courts for the AOC-supplied Civil Court Case Management System. Initial assignment will be to transition maintenance and support to the AOC from an external vendor. Tasks will then involve the on-going maintenance and support of the application interacting with the courts as well as the ISD team.”
Courthouse Mouse
September 14, 2011
Disgusting…
keeping the FAITH
September 14, 2011
This is really disgusting.
Seventy five people in SF are set to lose their jobs in two weeks, and many in LA will soon lose their jobs…….yet the AOC continues to waste millions of dollars each day.
I for one have lost ALL faith in our executive and legislative branch of govt of this state.
They continue to allow this highway robbery of the trial courts to happen, and will not step in a put a stop to it.
This is really disgusting and truly sad.
Judicial Council Watcher
September 14, 2011
When it rains, it pours. One thing about laying off a whole bunch of court workers is that some of them are bound to be looking for jobs during AOC’s “hiring freeze” and are bound to be recruited from headhunters.
Information Technology position number 5 has been announced, identified and forwarded to JCW from another regular reader.
This position is located in San Francisco and is a three year contract. This one indicates time is of the essence in applying for this position (since the lizard Roberts has determined that all contracts signed after Oct 1 will be the only contracts that will be publicly disclosed)
Michael Paul
September 14, 2011
There’s 1/5th of San Francisco’s loan in them temps. I was personally recruited to the position identified as number four. That would be the 4th time in less than a year that an AOC head hunter has recruited me for another position within the AOC.
Wendy Darling
September 14, 2011
The AOC isn’t just still hiring like crazy — the AOC is also still passing out promotions and raises. Congratulations to Christine Patton on her promotion to “Interim” Chief Deputy Director of the AOC.
Long live the ACJ.
Wendy Darling
September 15, 2011
Published today, Thursday, September 15, from Courthouse News Service, by Maria Dinzeo:
Court Repair Includes $2,500 to Paint Closet
By MARIA DINZEO
http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/09/15/39802.htm
Long live the ACJ.
Judicial Council Watcher
September 15, 2011
$2,500.00 to paint each of two closets. Add a zero to the real costs and share the wealth…
Please keep in mind that what is NOT INCLUDED in this priority list are those jobs already approved because they were considered category one and thus were automatically approved.
Only category 2 thru 5 repairs are located on the list cited by Maria.
antonatrail
September 15, 2011
Anyone want to let SacBee what’s happening? http://blogs.sacbee.com/the_state_worker/2011/09/poll-whats-the-hiring-temperat.html
I’m sure the AOC will appreciate the input/info. Always happy to help.
antonatrail
September 15, 2011
Uh-oh. Anyone want to let SacBee KNOW what’s happening.
Sorry.
Judicial Council Watcher
September 15, 2011
Done. Thanks!
Judicial Council Watcher
September 15, 2011
Another search at many of the same sources we reviewed yesterday that outlined these five new positions within the AOC have mysteriously deleted those announcements they made just yesterday. This was not a coincidence as they want this hiring to happen as fast and as quietly as possible. Having multiple technology placement firms advertising the positions wasn’t helping the AOC either.
A call into one indicated that the positions are still available but they’ve been removed from their site at the clients’ request.
anonymous
September 16, 2011
22nd century technology announced these jobs on their website on Tuesday and removed those jobs on Wednesday. There is still two other firms posting jobs for an AOC network engineer to support CCMS.
sharonkramer
September 15, 2011
Judge Maino’s letter to fellow judges alerting them to the waste is very well written.
tony maino
September 15, 2011
Thank you Ms. Kramer for your kind remarks. I would suggest that everyone who reads this blog should send the Maria Dinzeo article to their local newspaper and to their represenative in the Legislature and to the Governor. Her article allows one to click on to various other transgressions of the AOC such as the pay raises.
Please remember that this is about the public. They deserve courts that are open and properly staffed. Generations of Americans have died face down in the mud so that we will have a fully functioning, with all of the defects that it has, a system of justice. I have to wonder if the AOC believes this or if they believe that they are somehow entitled to abuse the public by thinking only of their self interest.
sharonkramer
September 15, 2011
You are welcome, Judge Maino. Thank You for taking the time to sift through the info, write the letter and send it to your fellow judges.
James Madison
September 15, 2011
If the poster her with the handle Tony Maino is a Superior Court judge, please write on letterhead of a Superior Court judge your posting here with claim of authorship so I may report you to the Council of Judicial Performance for severe admonishment not for the content of your speech but for sheer stupidity to issue a statement with absolutely no authentication and certification.
Sharonkramer, you may know somethings of value, but your acceptance of this poster as a Superior Court judge without certificate show you the naive whether or not tony maino is or is not actually Judge Maino.
It is the Internet people, not a witness under oath.
Judicial Council Watcher
September 15, 2011
I would recommend you re-read the letter. It’s not on faux letterhead of any judges organization. It’s not done on court stationery as an official speaking for the court. It is composed as a letter from a concerned citizen who has been tracking these costs for some time now. You’re off base Mr. Madison.
courtflea
September 15, 2011
Wow Wendy Darling are you sure about the Chris Patton appointment??? Cause something is fishy about that. Chris is intellegent and hard working but Ron O the clown has rudely shut her down more than once in a forum with CEOs recently. Is this just another pre-retirement reward thing? Iknow that Chris was kicked around by a few justices/judges for being too vocal (apparently for a female). I know in the case of one committee that Chris was on, Ron O (also a member of the same committee prior to his employment at the AOC) was called in to get her to tone it down. things change a lot over the years, but this does not make sense. I don’t see Chris as having the cut throat, I am on a power trip kinda gal to be the assistant director of the AOC. Although I must say that Dennis Jones in the same position at one time seemed an unlikely canidate for the same job many moons ago. Can you give us your inside perspective on this??
courtflea
September 15, 2011
James M, for any judge to claim that they are a judge on this blog and profess to be in oppostion to the AOC and what the JC is doing is pretty brave. Therefore, I would not doubt TM’s identity as a judge. If you are really concerned, check out the roster of CA trial court judges on the AOC’s website. Do your research first.
sharonkramer
September 16, 2011
Hi Mr. Madison,
I happen to know that Judge Maino is a real person, a real judge with a real courtroom. I sometimes park in the dirt lot to which he refers in his letter because its close to the front door, I don’t have to drive around to find a spot and its easy to remember where I parked my car. (am usually thinking about other things when I drive up to that building). I think I have only parked there once out of necessity and don’t recall ever seeing more than about 15 cars in that lot.
As stated in Judge Maino’s letter, the courts do not own it and do not have a long term lease – yet the AOC is budgeting to spend $210K to grade and black top it.
Its a prime piece of commercial real estate. When the market turns, I would think it would be easily sold. Seems not a wise investment to spend that kind of money on a temporary lot, (where the preoccupied park).
It could stand to be graded, but the cost of grading plus recurring $72K p/year to lease it could also be used for other needs. Like maybe to reconfigure the lot that the courts do own. I think it looks like there is some wasted parking space.
As I understand it, Judge Maino did not send that well researched and written letter in any official capacity. I believe that he stated in the beginning that it was simply a letter to one’s peers evidencing fiscal irresponsibility and a padded budget plan by the AOC.
If you search Judge Maino’s name on the net, you’ll see that he is one of the good guys who is working to stop fiscal irresponsibility with our tax dollars. Hope that helps.
Sharon
sharonkramer
September 16, 2011
Correction. Judge Manio didn’t state “padded budget”. I did when interpreting his letter regarding the $2.5K x 2 to paint a closet, etc.
James Madison
September 16, 2011
Re-reading the letter provides no information about the true identity of the poster here who used the handle “tony manio”. In point of fact, the letter is signed not by “tony manio” but by “R. Manio”.
I question not whether a Judge Runston G. (Tony) Maino exists, nor whether the *letter* was authentic. The letter was introduced by reporter Maria Dinzeo and published by Court House News Service. The letter is authenticated by the protocols of Court House News Service whatever they be.
The posting on JCW however, is not visibly authenticated. Perhaps an administrator of JCW did some checking of the email address claimed by poster “tony maino” and decided to allow the post. But it is not obvious JCW has in place such a protocol so strong trust of identity is unsupported.
Whether speaking as a private citizen or ex cathedra, the name Tony Maino innately carries influence in any context of discussion about California judiciary. It is therefore attractive to impostors and its integrity as authentic is too easily compromised for use by a person who does happen to work as California Judge no matter that use is solely as a private citizen.
Courtflea: The September 15 post under the handle tony maino did not “claim [it was created by a real judge] that they are a judge on this blog”.
We certainly need more judges to speak out publicly as has Judge Runston G. (Tony) Maino just as we need more private citizens to speak out as has R. Maino.
sharonkramer
September 16, 2011
I think what might be missing from your understanding, Mr. Madison, is that Judge Maino posts here on occassion and has for awhile.
anna
September 16, 2011
I don’t understand the outrage of Madison. Who cares who wrote that letter? What matters is the content in it. Is it true? You can’t report to the JC what you propose. Judges aren’t allowed to use their official letterhead, [paid by taxpayers] unless it’s official judicial business. They can have their own letterhead, and write as concerned citizens, or they can write under their own name, or initials. Unless they are lying, does it matter who informs the public? Under the schemes the AOC and the JC operate, judges who are whistleblowers face tremendous retaliation, which is not reviewable by anyone other than the supreme court. Please don’t mention the CJP. they dispense punishment only on those who “aren’t” in the loop. They went under Wagon for abuse of the Contempt power, however, in last years “private” discipline, they only strongly advised a judge who committed perjury about a disqualification, and stated that he retaliated against a lawyer who filed one, when he knew the allegations were true. [the thing is they had to alter the facts as they published them, they stated the judge replied to the disqualification. He didn’t, if he had a neutral judge would have ruled on it, and the retaliation would have never occurred, what he did was strike the challenge so a neutral judge never even saw it,] As to “someone” who keeps claiming that Judges on the JC and CEO who would never engage in wrongdoing, all one has to do is cross check, what cases these judges and CEO’s have pending in the court system, and if they are on committees to see if “hanky panky” is taking place.
It’s easy to claim conspiracies don’t exist, it takes a great deal of cross checking and knowledge of all the duties of judges, along with the cannon of ethics, history, statutory restrictions, statutory procedures, to connect the dots.
Considering who reads this blog and the comments supporting the AOC, it’s easy to deduce that they don’t know statutory procedure.
That is another reason the AOC and the JC have overstepped their jurisdiction, and have interfered with the actual carrying out justice.
Administration of justice, or the obstruction of it, is a term of art, and has a legal meaning. It does not include conflating what the AOC or JC do.
The AOC and JC conflate these terms to create confusion, which they have done, successfully, to prevent oversight.
It’s what they used to give themselves permission to create a CCMS, which should have been done only by the actual “clerk of courts” of each county. They are not allowed to touch “actual” court records, let alone alter or remove them, or instruct the actual clerks, what to do.
The AOC supporters know this and are just trying to sow doubt, and confusion. It’s the oldest trial tactic in the book.
anna
September 16, 2011
The fact that the writer does not use an official title, means, as a matter of law, they are not attempting to use their position, if they even have one, to influence anything. The fact that someone else did some cross checking and assumed that the person might be a judge, means nothing. Someone or some persons are a bit too sensitive.
“Does thou protest too much?”
sharonkramer
September 16, 2011
Anna, could well be – along with Mr. Grimm. From listening to the audio of the JC meeting, diid hear the AOC and CJ were miffed at the negative press, etc. Did hear they felt that stopped the legislature from giving them more money. So how does one convolute that at information central?
“Long live PB&J” (Pseudo Bloggers & Jokesters).
anna
September 16, 2011
Ms. Kramer, my comment was not directed at you. The fact that you cross checked the information, and came to the conclusion that the writer was a judge was your right, and is circumstantial evidence that the writer could have been a judge. However, the conclusion that the writer did not use their title, means that the writer’s intent was not to use his/her position to influence the reader about their information. The information stands alone. Either it’s true, or not. The fact some don’t want this information out there is the issue.
The fact that others jumped to the conclusion about any malfeasance on the part of the writer is the problem, and is what they want. They want to discredit the messenger. The Greeks used to “kill the messenger”.
Your right, the more the legislature finds out about the abuse of these “administrative” agencies and the more the public is informed about what is going on, there will be repercussions.
These naysayers float this crap in the comments section to see if there will be any “blow-back” and if, no one challenges their sophist arguments, not to mention, just flat out specious, they think they have a winning argument. Hey, they are trying out their arguments here, before they go to their bosses,
However, arguments are just that, arguments. Facts are the stubborn things, and the law is the law. Neither, the AOC or the JC like either one.
sharonkramer
September 16, 2011
Hi Anna,
That is exactly how I took your post. Didn’t think it was directed at me. I was agreeing with you. I also know that one who posts here as tony maino for his wordpress gravatar is a judge. But back to the point form which trolls distract:
Its important that the info get out to the public of the continued waste of tax dollars by the AOC/JC as courts struggle. Again, here is a good run down, not including all the continued hiring for (Mis)Iinformation Services:
James Madison
September 16, 2011
Sheeezzz…sharonkramer addressed an author here with a title that it is now said matters not.
I point out dangers of claiming title, e.g., excessive credibility of the statement, and I am labeled as venting “outrage”.
Did Anna not read that I support Judge Maino and the person of R. Maino?
And I go much farther than does JCW — the *entire* judicial *system*, sans a few radicals such as Judge Maino is operating a RICO.
Justice? No. We have merely a legal system, not a justice system. And even the law is corrupted by most judicial officers.
Send your fusillades against the rampart of AOC, and JC, for you will crack corrosion which now dresses Lady Justice. Bared naked, her beauty will finally grace us all.
Delilah
September 16, 2011
I think you and your posts are way cool, James Madison. I think it’s just a misunderstanding which is as SKramer pointed out above: “I think what might be missing from your understanding, Mr. Madison, is that Judge Maino posts here on ocassion and has for awhile.” I would politely suggest that you drop the issue about who Poster Maino is or is not, and carry on. 🙂
Judicial Council Watcher
September 16, 2011
James Madison, General Woodhull, Thomas Paine
https://judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com/2011/06/11/the-echo-of-revolution/
We appreciate the posts of our forefathers, even if some (including ourselves) may not necessarily appreciate the message. Mr. Madison is correct insofar as we believe that there is a few dozen bad apples that -appear- to spoil the whole bunch.
We will let others nip at the heels with individual cases and causes. Our target remains the head of the snake with the belief that when the head is removed, the body will die and cure what ills everyone else. Democracy may be slow and Americans are famous for doing the right thing only after all else fails – but we’ll get there eventually.
sharonkramer
September 17, 2011
You’re are doing a fantastic job, JCW. Thank you. Keep up the good work.
antonatrail
September 26, 2011
I don’t get it. Perhaps I am just simple. But the link below talks of other govt agencies begging for exemptions from the hiring freeze. And the AOC just goes ahead and hires and makes contracts for IT persons with impunity. Is it the old case of, Plead ignorance initially, then apologize later and go on with the crafty naughtiness?
http://blogs.sacbee.com/the_state_worker/2011/09/hiring-request-department-health-care-services.html
Oh, and the sweet Tani speech to the state bar … glad I hadn’t eaten breakfast yet when I watched the video. [hurl]
Judicial Council Watcher
September 26, 2011
Jim Hightower used to end his radio show with “Sometimes it’s just easier to ask for forgiveness than to request permission”.
At the AOC, they don’t even bother to ask for forgiveness. Who is going to hold them accountable?
How has the Judicial Council handled their vote to pause the program for a year….?
(we speculate an AOC maneuver purely to avoid further legislative scrutiny because a recent quiz of a few legislators indicated legislators believed the program paused for a year pending legislative appropriations) How has the governance of the Judicial Council addressed the AOC choosing to move forward with “your vote didn’t matter. We never intended to pause the program and by requesting various budget line-items and you having the vision to approve them all we have ample funds for ccms to push forward, so a pause really need not be a pause at all…….”
They are able to hire at will because they are the “co-equal branch of government that holds the purse strings”. If you really think about it, it is the AOC that controls and disburses all judicial branch funds, not the council. No council signature is required to make a disbursement of judicial branch funds to anyone or any body. The council is merely an inconvenience that they have to half-heartedly appease six to eight times a year. It isn’t a governing body and serves none of the functions of governing bodies.
antonatrail
September 27, 2011
JCW, good reasons for a forensic audit of the AOC. Every cent, every dollar that the judicial branch has received going back as far as possible. Definitely as far back as any statute of limitations covering misuse of public funds, misappropriation of publics funds, fraud, conspiracy, usurpation of the legislative power … and on and on.
Been There
September 27, 2011
And, Antonatrail, if there was any misuse or misappropriation of federal funds by the AOC perhaps Sen. Boxer or Sen Feinstein, whom I am sure has heard a lot about these issues :), would be willing to investigate.
The leaders who created this mess are not honorable people. At many steps along the journey to this debacle they had clear opportunities to make decisions that would have saved funding for the courts and served the people of the State of California. But to do that the “Builder/Dreamer” and “The Visionary” would have to have the courage to acknowledge a program was fatally flawed, improperly managed and a financial sinkhole. Instead they sacrificed a court system and negatively impacted the lives of their employees and denied access to the courts to the citizens of this state. And for what? Their legacy?
JCW and others must keep up and diversify the pressure to correct this travesty. This dishonorable and cowardly duo figured they could get away with it. Don’t allow that to happen.