Here is the Press-Enterprise's take on the Postmus drug abuse story. It is Interesting that Minaya and Ghori write that Chairman Biane's statement was released after 5 P.M. I have seen the forwarded email of the release, which shows that it was originally emailed to Duane Gang of the Press-Enterprise at 2:15 P.M. Perhaps there was a delay in getting that release to Minaya and Ghori.

Regardless, here is the PE's story:

Chairman of S.B. County supervisors asks assessor either to refute drug-use allegations or resign

10:12 PM PDT on Friday, August 8, 2008
By ZEKE MINAYA and IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

The chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Friday called on embattled county Assessor Bill Postmus to either respond to published allegations of illegal drug use or resign.

In a brief statement released by e-mail, the chairman, 2nd District Supervisor Paul Biane, said his former political ally should "publicly and personally refute this allegation if it is untrue. Otherwise, the assessor should resign his post today."

Biane's challenge tests the silence that Postmus has maintained amid media reports that cite anonymous sources alleging the assessor has battled drug addiction.

"Assessor Postmus has no comment on either the story that was published today in an area newspaper and he has no comment on Chair Paul Biane's statement that was issued today," said Ted Lehrer, the assessor's spokesman.

Postmus, 37, started a 10-week medical leave July 23 for an undisclosed ailment.

Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who was Postmus' chief of staff when he was a supervisor, said Biane's demand is premature.

"I don't know if he's (Postmus) even in communication with anyone in the county," Mitzelfelt said. "Illegal drug use is a serious charge."

Neither Biane nor his spokesman could be reached to elaborate on the statement, which was released after 5 p.m.

Postmus took leave less than a month after a grand jury report concluded that the assessor's political allies had been given high-ranking jobs despite their lack of experience.

The probe also found that staff members engaged in partisan politics during work hours, a misuse of public resources.

The same day the report was released, Adam Aleman, one of Postmus' top deputies, was charged with six felonies, including presenting false evidence to a grand jury and destroying public records.

Last month, supervisors discussed a provision of the county's charter that allows them to remove an elected county official but decided not to take that step. Instead, Biane called on Postmus to appear before the board Aug. 19 to explain the recent troubles in his office.

Bob Stern, president of the Los Angeles-based Center for Governmental Studies, which studies ethics in government, said public officials have a responsibility to explain their actions.

"Obviously, the board is feeling pressure from people saying this is hurting the reputation of the county," he said.