Council member Don Robinson bounces several checks to Banning Utility  – apparently without any consequences

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4/26/10 – Don Robinson’s business, Renaissance Pet Resort and Spa,  has bounced several checks to the Banning Utility . Contrary to the Utility’s written shut off policies ( view ), they did NOT tag Robinson’s business for non-payment nor was his business ever shut off . Unlike any other utility customer that fails to pay, Robinson was able to enjoy uninterrupted service for his business and did not have to stand in line to pay in person either …..

If a customer of the Banning utility bounces a check, regardless of the reason,  he or she has to “re-establish” credit. This is done by making the customer pay in person for an extended period of time. This customer can no longer mail in his or her check. That is why you often see long lines at City Hall of people trying to pay their utility bills. But Don Robinson is not one of the those people. Apparently he can bounce not one but three checks – without any consequences.

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WHY WERE SHUTOFF AND CREDIT POLICIES  NOT FOLLOWED IN THE CASE OF DON ROBINSON ?

The office of the City Attorney of Banning, David Aleshire, has responded to our public records request regarding Don Robinson’s payment history (view letter). The response clearly indicates that Robinson’s account bounced 2 checks in June of 2008  and one just recently,  in February of 2010.

The City attorney has made it very clear that Don Robinson has acted in violation of Banning Utility Policy. How was Robinson able to get away with it ? Also keep in mind, Robinson ran for election when he bounced  2 checks in June of 2008. If the matter would have become public at the time, it would have been a huge embarrassment for him and could have cost him the election (which he only barely won by a few votes anyway).  Did Bob Botts fix the credit issue for his “Mini Me” , Don Robinson, in 2008 – in order to protect Robinson’s candidacy ?

To this day, you will not find Don Robinson stand in line at City Hall to pay his bills. Apparently the Banning Utility continues to accept his (bad) checks, no questions asked. In the meantime, the average customer has to stand in line after bouncing only one bad check.

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AS  THE OWNER OF A “MILLION DOLLAR” BUSINESS,  DON ROBINSON HAD THE ABILITY TO PAY

According to his latest “Statement of Economic Interest” ( view ), Don Robinson owns  Renaissance Pet Resort. His wife Katryn is not listed as receiving any income from the business, nor is she listed as an owner. Robinson claims that his business is worth in excess of one million dollars – a claim that somewhat stretches the imagination. But by making such a claim, Don Robinson must be considered as clearly having the ability to pay his utility bills. Did he bounce the checks just “because he can”  ? Does Robinson feel he is above the law ?

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NO EVIDENCE OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTION

If one bad check is written it can be an oversight, but there is no excuse for three bad checks. Writing bad checks is a misdemeanor under Sec. 476 , Penal Code . The Riverside District Attorney has as special program in order to swiftly prosecute those bad check writers. A research of court records, however, fails to yield any criminal cases against Don Robinson for writing any of the bad checks. Who in the Banning City government is  protecting Don Robinson from being prosecuted ? Is this another issue of “Council Pressure” ?

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NOW, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF DON ROBINSON SOON VOTED TO INCREASE YOUR ELECTRIC RATE ?

Instead of being criminally prosecuted, will Don Robinson soon be voting to increase your electric rates ?

In the past we had identified Don Robinson not only as a military imposter who falsely claimed he was a Navy Seal,  but also as a tax dodger : Robinson owes over $ 22,000 in property taxes going all the way back to 2005. As chairman of the Banning Redevelopment Agency, Robinson currently presides over the spending of millions of our tax dollars, without paying his fair share.

In addition to being a confirmed tax dodger, Robinson has now also been identified as a “deadbeat” that does not even contribute his fair share to the Banning Utility. Having Don Robinson now voting to increase Banning’s utility rates  would be the ultimate insult to every Banning rate payer !

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WILL THIS MATTER BE ADDRESSED PUBLICLY ?

Is this yet another case that will be swept under the rug  in Banning ? Will at least one City Council member stand up and ask questions regarding this issue ?  Why was Robinson treated differently and who authorized his preferential treatment ?  Why was he not “shut off” ? Why does he not have to stand in line at City Hall, like everyone else who needs to re-establish credit ?  The ratepayers of Banning have a right to know.

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THE CITY COUNCIL MUST CENSURE DON ROBINSON

If this City Council wants to have any credibility left with the public, they need to investigate this matter by having the Utility Director address the issue in public session.

The Council needs to enter a finding of “Censure” ( view definition ) . By issuing such a finding, the Council would reprimand Don Robinson for having bounced multiple checks to the Banning Utility and would clearly distance themselves from his unlawful actions. After all, as shown above, writing bad checks constitutes a criminal offense.

If the City Council fails to censure Robinson then they are sending a message to Banning ratepayers that it is OK to bounce 3 checks  – but only if you are a Council Member, of course !