News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman Pleads Guilty

Former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman Pleads Guilty

Scheduled to Testify Against Former Colleagues

By Michael P. Neufeld
Wednesday, July 1, 2009

San Bernardino, CA - After agreeing to testify against his former colleagues in the County Assessor's office, Adam Aleman entered a plea of no contest to four felony counts in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Former assistant assessor Adam Aleman. (Photo by SB County.)

Aleman, who entered the plea exactly one year after his original arrest, will have the four felony counts reduced to a misdemeanor offense if he cooperates fully with the District Attorney's investigators.

Two of the felony charges are related to the theft, destruction, alteration, or falsification of a public document. Another felony count was for presenting a false claim to a public board or officer, and the final felony charge was for vandalism. Five of the original felony counts against Aleman were dropped.

As part of the agreement, Aleman must truthfully and fully testify against former employees of the Assessor's office including Rex Gutierrez and Jim Erwin.

Judge John Martin explained the consequences of not cooperating with the prosecution and trials of his former colleagues. Should the judge rule he didn't comply with the terms of the plea bargain, Aleman's original felony counts will stand and he will be sentenced January 7, 2010.

Judge Martin also informed Aleman that his sentencing date could be changed if the investigation and prosecution of the other defendants has not been concluded.

This article was first published on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 6:59 pm. This article has been viewed 322 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

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