BOB CONAWAY POSITION STATEMENT

1. WE CAN'T AFFORD 4 MORE YEARS OF MIKE RAMOS

Putting aside the $140k spent investigating only one of Ramos' abuse of his position (a married man having an intimate relationship with a County employee he wasn't married to), the $1.5 million civil claim the County will have to defend, Ramos' department is currently running 14% overbudget;

Bob's view: I took the oath to uphold and defend the Constitution and laws of the State of California when I became a lawyer. I considered that oath no less sacred than the oath of marriage and have not, unlike Ramos violated it, nor will I because I am elected and have a position of power over women in the workplace. Unlike Ramos, I have overseen eight figure litigation budgets and reserves and stayed within the employer's budget, accomplished my mission and did not abuse my management position over women (or men) I worked with.

2. BUDGET REFORMS, UNIQUELY IN RAMOS' HANDS, HE WON'T MAKE

A. Ramos should pay half of the $140k investigation costs resulting from his sexual indiscretions with County staff;
B. End politically motivated prosecutions;
C. The DA's office needs to make reforms consistent with the recommendations of the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice, including looking at the cost-benefit of opting to pursue life-without-the-possibility-of- parole sentences (as opposed to the death penalty) -- why?? it would reduce selected capital crime case costs in this County over 90% per case;
D. The DA's office needs to get some of its prosecution costs back as part of the sentencing process in those areas our codes/statutes permit;

Bob's view: I would scrutinize the cases in which staff is recommending the death penalty, to see if the budget can support the request; I would rather retain (or hire) a qualified Deputy District attorney and support staff rather than face lay offs to pay for a death penalty prosecution.

3. WITH THE MONEY SAVED, WE COULD HIRE MORE STAFF & STAFF ENFORCEMENT UNITS THAT WE NEED

We need a civil rights unit so violations of Unruh Civil Rights Act,Ralph Act, Bane Act and other rights protected under the Civil, Health & Safety, Election and Government Code are prosecuted when violated.

4. RAMOS' IS UNIQUELY UNQUALIFIED TO HANDLE THE COLONIES INVESTIGATION

Many of the people named as witnesses or defendants in the Colonies "matters", are former political allies--people who he sought endorsement from & gave his endorsement to. His allies fleeced the County under his nose. Putting all that as an aside, he asks for a waiver of attorney client communications AFTER naming the various entities in a felony complaint. Why wasn't he using the power of his office to get the records two years ago? This mother-may-I (and closing the barn door after the cow left town) approach shows either a raw level of unsophistication or a fear of the players--neither scenario is good for those of us that want the corrupt players and conduct identified and the innocent exonerated.