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Special prosecutor accuses defendants in Bosse Ranch case of 'statutory schemes'This article was originally published in the the Amador Ledger Dispatch on June 4, 1999, and is reproduced here with its permission. By Diane Smith JACKSON—Robert Womack, who has pleaded "not guilty" to charges of illegally removing a gas tank, his wife June, Womack's adult children, Larry, Roland and Luke, and several defense attorneys involved in the case, have each received letters advising them to schedule an appointment to give statements regarding "alleged violations" that may have occurred at the Bosse Ranch. The letter was signed by San Joaquin Deputy District Attorney David Irey and typed on Amador County District Attorney letterhead. The letter outlines the district attorney's intention to file more charges involving environmental issues. "After our initial investigation into the alleged violations which have occurred regarding the property located at 17560 Bosse Road, Jackson, California," the letter states, "it has been determined that you and/or your business have violated numerous statutory schemes. "In order that no injustice is done to you, a decision as to the filing of charges by this office has been delayed until your statement of the facts regarding these alleged violations has been received. Additionally, as there may be liability for the other partners, both past and present, in 'K-R-L Partnership' could you please notify them of this request and have them contact our office." Irey's letter went on to state, "The liabilities in this case vary, and as you contact counsel, I am confident that the conflicts already discussed with Robert R. Womack will be explained in more detail. The letter concluded, "You may wish to consult an attorney, and have an attorney attend all meetings with this office. If your business is incorporated, an attorney for the corporation will have to sign agreements reached in this matter." Robert Womack said this week he has not discussed "all and any conflicts" with the prosecutors. In Fact, he said, "On the day of the digging at the Bosse Ranch, Paul Bosse and I went to the ranch to try and tell Russell Moore where the electrical line, water lines and culverts were. Russ Moore told us to leave. He added, there has been no official specifics of what what is expected in the way of clean-up although officials in the county land use agency have been asked. The former Bosse Ranch was the subject of a two-day excavation project in February, arranged by Irey, Moore who is a California Highway Patrol investigator, and Mike Israel of the Amador County Environmental Health Agency. Excavators were brought in and giant holes were dug, as the result of a tip received by D.A. investigators from John Malmquist, the stepson of former owner Paul Bosse. Statements about a buried 60-foot trailer, alleged to have belonged to Malmquist, were reported to have been the reason for prosecutors to bring in two large excavators to dig holes on the front portion of what was the Bosse Ranch. After a 1996 sale, Malmquist refused to vacate the property along with his trailer and strewn auto parts. After the Womacks failed to get him and what neighbors called a "junk yard" off the ranch, Malmquist then became the object of similar efforts by the County code enforcement people. By Feb. 3, 1997, county records show the cars were still a nuisance and the subjects of demands by Linda Van Vleck, county enforcement officer. The large earth movers were supposedly called in to find evidence to bring against Robert Womack in an ongoing investigation which started as allegations that he had illegally removed a gas tank in Jackson. In April, a superior court judge determined the Bosse Ranch is a matter separate from the 21 felony "gastankgate" charges to be tried in September. Roland Womack, who is a contractor, asked to look into cleaning up the mess but said he was told by county officials that they may not be through digging yet. Prosecutors have said they would not clean up the mess—that it was the family's problem. Copyright © 1999 Amador Ledger Dispatch |
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