State Association Honors Placer grand jury for Report Chastising Klein and Simmons

State association honors Placer grand jury

By: Loryll Nicolaisen, Journal Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 14, 2006 11:30 PM PST

The California Grand Jury Association recently awarded its "Success 2006" recognition to the 2005-06 Placer County grand jury for the members' report "Refutation of Trustee's Charges Against Former Sierra College President."

The California Grand Jury Association designates three awards each year for best report, best media and the success story, and the 2006 awards were announced at the group's annual conference last month.

To qualify for an award a report must demonstrate a well-documented and thorough investigation, significant response from the community, notable media coverage and appropriate results.

"The 2005-6 Placer County Grand Jury is recognized for its quick and successful reaction to a situation that endangered the relationship of Sierra College with its community," reads the award.

The grand jury report, released in March, states charges made by Sierra trustee Aaron Klein against then-Sierra Joint Community College President Kevin Ramirez were "utterly without merit" and asked for an apology from Klein for harming Ramirez's career, the Auburn Journal previously reported.

In the complaint filed Dec. 20, 2004 against Ramirez, Klein stated that Ramirez violated campaign finance law, using a "money laundering scheme" by accumulating funds from the Sierra College Foundation and directing them on to the Measure E bond campaign.

"The real success of this unusual investigation is that the fine reputation of the College president has been restored, student enrollments and donor contributions have returned to their pre-controversy rate after a significant slump, and the complaining trustee and his board president are both facing recall in the fall elections," reads the award. "Congratulations to the 2005-6 Placer County Grand Jury for recognizing a critical community situation and taking immediate successful action for resolution."