Gang Strike Force cops shredded documents
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posted by Bob at Friday, May 22, 2009
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Friday, May 22, 2009
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88 Comments:
Actions by some officers in the Metro Gang Strike Force prompted shutdown.
By RANDY FURST, Star Tribune
Last update: May 21, 2009 - 11:08 PM
Officers in the Metro Gang Strike Force shredded documents at its headquarters late Wednesday night, hours after the state Commissioner of Public Safety announced plans for an internal investigation after a government audit found that the Strike Force couldn't account for $18,000 in seized cash and at least 13 vehicles.
A written account by the Strike Force's commander said a dumpster behind the Strike Force's offices in New Brighton and two garbage cans contained many shredded documents. Paper residue from shredding was found in the office and garage.
Details of the destruction were in an e-mail sent Thursday by Strike Force commander Chris Omodt to members of an advisory board that oversees the Strike Force, which is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement agency that targets gangs and drug dealers across the Twin Cities metro area.
The Star Tribune obtained the e-mail through a request to board members under the Minnesota Data Practices Act.
The shredding appears to have been a major factor in Omodt's decision to immediately suspend operations of the Strike Force, pending a meeting of the advisory board next week. The original plan was to allow it to operate for another week.
Omodt also said someone apparently shut off a computer that records when someone enters the building with a security card. "My prior understanding is that this computer is not intended to be powered off," Omodt wrote to board members.
Asked about the e-mail Thursday night, Omodt said "The e-mail stands on its own."
Michael Campion, the Public Safety commissioner, announced Wednesday that he planned to name a former federal prosecutor and a retired FBI agent to conduct an inquiry into findings by the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor released earlier that day, and implement its recommendations.
Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles and Deputy Auditor Cecile Ferkel revealed a litany of problems at the Strike Force, including missing and misused funds and property that had been seized during investigations. In many cases, the seized money and property later were forfeited to the Strike Force by courts.
Manila (Bud) Shaver, chairman of the Strike Force advisory board, told the Legislative Audit Commission on Wednesday that major changes already were being instituted under the board's and Omodt's supervision.
Campion's original plan was to keep the Strike Force going until next week's meeting, then to suspend operations for several weeks while his team did its work, and to reactivate it in time to deal with gang problems that often proliferate during the summer. During the closure, officers would return to their agencies and continue to work on at least some investigations.
In Omodt's Wednesday message to board members, he began by saying he was "sorry for the late hour of the e-mail, but I felt it necessary to get this information out to you tonight."
He said he was informed Wednesday afternoon that a couple of Strike Force officers came to the agency's office and "removed what were described as files, work product, and were essentially packing up their desks."
Omodt wrote that one member commented that "he would not be back, or words to that effect." Omodt wrote that Shaver went to the offices in New Brighton and found that several more officers had come in after hours and started to remove property and belongings.
He wrote that Shaver asked them to stop, pending a meeting with the officers the following day.
According to the e-mail, Omodt later arrived at the office and learned that Strike Force officers had shredded files.
He wrote that he found "the dumpster behind the building contained many shredded documents," and that there was shredding debris in the office and garage areas and that two additional garbage cans were full of shredded documents.
Omodt, a captain in the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, became commander of the Strike Force in late January, after a preliminary audit by Campion's office discovered about $400,000 cash in a Strike Force safe. That audit was unable to account for the whereabouts of some money taken in seizures.
Omodt wrote in the e-mail that he had been assigned by the board to be in charge of both day-to-day operations and overseeing the legislative auditor's recommendations. But he said that based on the auditor's findings, "and some of the events from tonight," he was unable to do both.
"In light of the board meeting scheduled for next week to discuss an action plan, I made the decision to suspend day-to-day operations pending the board meeting," wrote Omodt. He said he discussed it with Shaver, who concurred.
Omodt concluded his comments by writing that he considered the Strike Force "an essential entity that has proven time and again its effectiveness in fighting gangs." But he said that suspending operations was necessary and that he appreciated the board's confidence in him.
In a separate e-mail to the board, Shaver wrote that "both the legislators, the commissioner [Campion] and, I suspect, the advisory board, believe we need to temporarily suspend all the activities/investigations we can and concentrate on correcting the identified deficiencies."
Shaver said time to do that was short, and "although the board cannot take official action on suspending operations until our special meeting on May 27th, the commander or chair can. Since this is the commander's operation, I advised him that I would support his decision."
He wrote that several officers told him that "they were cleaning out their desks to report back to their home agencies."
They must have learned a thing or two from the thugs in St Paul governemnt. Whenver you are about to get caught at something just start destroying the evidence. Scorched earth brother.....nothing left so nothing to find. Works every time.
Yeah right, except it didn't work. The city destroyed stuff thinking it wouldn't be found but the landlords attornies found incriminating things in other city files they looked at. Things the city thought was destroyed. So do the math. They got caught cause there was something to find.
Eric Hate to say I told you so, W. St.Paul Police Chief Manila"Bud"Shaver has caused such Heinous actions against Alice Krengel re: Nuisance Ordinance's
Anti Trust_ tying into the LandLords RICO Claims of Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, Disparate Treatment etc
Its no wonder that on Shaver his watch Cars,Cash were stolen.http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Bud+Shaver+MN&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
The only good Sheriff is Don Gudmonson who years ago involved in the Greylord Cases to bring down Corrupt JUDGES There are a few honest employees in the State
Bob, Your a real patriot for giving Jeff Matiatos the ax here.
Really, if your going to ax him, you should ax Eric and perhalps yourself.
You know this blog you started is like most media outlets that are there to simply aggitate its readers with some controversy and the inciting of hostilitys and biggotry that you yourself support when it is convient for you.
No one would pay you a dime to read the shit that is posted here most of the time.
At best,you have 5 to 10 every day readers. Do you call that a success ?
Make that 5 to 9 with Matiatos gone.
Practice what you preach and start being equal.
Ax those on both sides of the bullshit if you think that way about Matiatos's posts.
There is no way in hell that everyone in your mixed race family are not biggots ! Thats what you said and how how is it that you know so much about who they are ?
You admit you have a shady past so what did you do, have a sighting of God ?
The shredder never talks. Get rid of it all and just call it the timely destruction of documents. No one will ever know.
Whoever 1:39 is you should know that there are 10 readers of this blog in my office alone. I suspect there are many more than you try to elude to.
As far as being equal there are some posts that should be taken down. Keep up the good work. Thank you.
I didn't "axe" ANYONE! Jeff is welcome here. I deleted "many" comments by "several" posters under the fair housing appeal topic. "JEFF" was NOT singled out. The comments had absolutely nothing to do with the fair housing subject. I was getting pissed off emails from property rights advocates who were upset the subject had changed. I know often we post off topic. BUT, it is never a good idea to do so on a topic that concerns so many people.
Jeff's off topic comments were deleted. Sharon's were deleted, Eric's, and Bill's. Of coarse we can't forget that anonymous guy that post more often than anyone here. I deleted a handful of his, hers, or it's. I am FAIR!
ANYONE can request a topic to be posted. SO, there is NO need to ruin a topic for others.
1:39, as to the rest of the angry comments you posted, I won't waste my time entertaining your angry mind.
so you are a equal oppotunity deleter?
Sharon,
When did I ever support someone named Bud? Why are you trying to call me out on this? I was pointing out this corruption when you all were telling me that the Sheriff is the only cop who arrest criminals in town. I don't get two cares about 'Bud' or that drunk, Alice. Nobody does outside of you and Alice.
1:39
Bob deleted a lot of my comments. However, the difference is I have never written anything bigoted on this blog. YOUR side goes there every time they have no substance to back up their point or when I've once again pointed out the emptiness of their bitching. Get it?
The comparison with RICO is so stupid. Again, this is a real issue. Why haven't the press covered anything about RICO as closely as it covers- everything else?
Big difference with this and your RICO/Fair Housing suit is, well, there seems to be quite a bit of evidence here, enough for a criminal investigation. Your lawsuit is ass-backwards with the civil trial first- that was dismissed. That makes it damn hard to find a criminal charge.
Even on here, who has presented the RICO evidence? Who? No one has, this blog is about one thing, griping about the city. So far, all talk no action because for the most part, what most complain about is something of their own doing. Clean up your property- lessen the load of problems.
Back to this topic,
This ties in as the Ramsey County Sheriff is the fiscal agent for the Strike Force. They were in control and responsible for the money. It seems like as soon as Ryan (Ramsey County) stepped down as Commander, and Hennepin County's Omodt became Commander, the shit hit the fan on the way things were ran.
Fletcher is up for re-election next year and having these multiple investigations just getting started now, right after the sentencing of two of his deputies, may cause him not to run again. Even if he is not directly involved.
Eric
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Eric said, "Fletcher is up for re-election next year and having these multiple investigations just getting started now, right after the sentencing of two of his deputies, may cause him not to run again. Even if he is not directly involved"
Yes, this all a Finney power play to get elected. Finney ran more scams while he was a St. Paul cop. Just look at come of Bill Finney's closest friends, John Clark (service time for drug running), Plukie Duke, (service time for running drugs), Aaron Foster (Drug runner), Kenny Pluff, Jr. now goes by the name Kenny Brennan, (former cop and drug runner), Clem Tucker (Former Finney police partner and serving time for major drug running, Tucker was arrested at Finney's house).
The whole story is going to come out in very short order. I see in the papers last week Finney wants to be US Marshall and his friend Sheldon Anderson is holding press conferences promoting his run for US Marshall.
This is a presidential appointment. Our current US Marshall, Mike McGinn is a stand up guy, unlike Finney. We will see if President Obama appoints the best person or just a dirty cop.
12:04
Let me say this:
IF everything you write is true, what has that to do with this?
What do you mean "Yes, this all a Finney power play to get elected." ?
I don't see how Bill Finney has anything to do with Fletcher's Office mismanaging the the Strike Force and its funds. Or, the arrest and conviction of the two deputies, or the missing $18,000, or the 13 misplaced vehicles. Fill us in. The FBI, Office of the Legislative Auditor and Hennepin County Sheriff all have launched investigations.
For once, can we focus on what's happening at the Sheriff's Office without worrying about Finney? He hasn't been police chief for what, six years? If you got a problem with the US Marshall appointment call Amy Klobuchar. The President makes appointments based on recommendation from the Senators of that state. Just like he does for US Attorney and the Federal bench.
I'm curious at how Finney set this whole investigation up as a private citizen.
You really make the Sheriff's Office look weak when you blame every pitfall on the Sheriff's political enemy. I guess Finney had his friends shredding records while dressed up like deputies too. Boston Tea Party style.
C'mon, give us a break.
Eric
Also, you said this was all Finney's doing to get into elected office (Sheriff), then you say that he's working on becoming Marshall which is an appointment. Which is it?
By the way, I know that there are four serious candidates right now for that post.
Eric
"We will see if President Obama appoints the best person or just a dirty cop."
Bet the farm on the dirty cop. You'll be a winner every time.
"I don't see how Bill Finney has anything to do with Fletcher's Office mismanaging the the Strike Force and its funds"
RESPONSE: Fletcher and the Ramsey County Sheriffs Office was NOT the oversee this office or the missing $18,000, or the 13 misplaced vehicles.
RESPONSE: The person in charge was Ron Ryan.
The FBI, Office of the Legislative Auditor and Hennepin County Sheriff all have launched investigations.
RESPONSE: This was a Stanic and Champian deal. Finney was behind Stanic in this. Both Stanic and Finney teamed up.
The other things have all the world to do with the Sheriff's race. Finney was a dirty cop. The Pioneer Press and Minneapolis did extensive stories on Bill Finney. Do you want me to reprint them for you?
"I'm curious at how Finney set this whole investigation up as a private citizen."
RESPONSE: Bill Finney was no private citizen. He has been active in trying to throw dirt on Fletcher for a long time. Eric you and Finney's brand of politics is why St. Paul is in the fix it is in.
Yes, I have proof Finney was a crook, a dirty cop, and soon the whole world will know what a slimeball he really is.
I say Great, Finney run for Sheriff or US Marshall. Finney's closet is full and I am going to be happy to let the public know what a dirtball he really is. Finney may have been St. Paul's first black mayor, but what a stain on our community he was.
Eric said:
"Also, you said this was all Finney's doing to get into elected office (Sheriff), then you say that he's working on becoming Marshall which is an appointment. Which is it?"
You must have missed this story Eric.
http://www.twincities.com/ci_12406800?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com
"Finney also hasn't ruled out running for sheriff again in 2010, Anderson said."
Finny was in charge of the Police when the landlords were racketeered
Delete Posts if you must to save your hide:re: Michael Campion www.dps.state.mn.us also Licensed Psyxxx
Once a mole always a mole
http://www.telladf.org/UserDocs/CampionComplaint.pdf
Fletcher and the Ramsey County Sheriffs Office was NOT the oversee this office or the missing $18,000, or the 13 misplaced vehicles.-
-
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Why are so invested in changing what the facts are to this point? You blame Finney for having some kind of influence with a crowd that owes him nothing and deny some basic operations which are documented. Then you come after me.
Take a deep breath, and read this.
-
Sheriff tried to STOP the audit!-
Some important paragraphs in the story:
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher repeatedly tried to prevent a state investigation into the financial operations of the Metro Gang Strike Force, over which his office has fiscal oversight, according to officials directly involved in the state probe that led to the sudden shutdown last week of the unit's activities.
Fletcher's office also did not undertake an in-depth review of how hundreds of thousands of dollars, personal property and vehicles were being accounted for after his office learned last fall that state Department of Public Safety investigators were raising concerns, the officials said....
...The officials who described Fletcher's effort to block the audit spoke on the condition of anonymity. They described a nearly out-of-control unit led by Ryan until he retired in October. They said that Ryan, loyal to Fletcher and employed by the Sheriff's Office, failed to manage and track the flow of cash in complex investigations. And they said that Fletcher's office should have been on top of the problems, because he'd put two of his employees in supervisory roles at the strike force: Ryan and Cindy Gehlsen, a clerk who handled paperwork and evidence....So, back to my first point: Ramsey County Sheriff's Office was the fiscal agent and apparently in charge of the supervisory role. It will be hard for the Sheriff to run again with this kind of investigation going on so soon after losing two deputies to corruption convictions.-
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Eric you and Finney's brand of politics is why St. Paul is in the fix it is in.-
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I'm an unapologetic Democrat. It doesn't control everything I do or see or say but, it certainly defines my politics. Campion and Stanek are Republicans. Stanek was a hardcore Right-winger that supported nothing I did when he was in the legislature. Campion is the bulldog for Pawlenty- another Republican I don't agree with. Bob Fletcher claims to be an Independent but ran as a Republican when he ran for the legislature and beat two candidates I supported for Sheriff. Heffelfinger is a Republican who was a Bush appointee.
This is not the Democrats problem. Its not really a Republican problem. Its a problem with this task force that leads back to the Sheriff's Office. You are acting like Bob Fletcher in your response by trying to blame everyone but the people who were responsible. Fletcher is now blaming Ryan- well, Ryan was one of his deputies. Another one of his closest deputies.
Other news:
What the hell was up with all of the shredding of documents once the audit was announced? That's a felony.
Why did they shut off the security system so that no one would know who came in and out of that building the night of the shredding and removing of evidence?
Why did they shut down the system that tracked the evidence AFTER they logged it in?
You seem greatly invested in changing the story here. You wouldn't happen to be a certain t-shirt salesman from WBL, are you?
Eric
Oh, and Finney's 'buddy' as you call him, Anderson, is a conservative Ronald Reagan Republican. He was gunning for a friend of mine in the legislature just last year.
More proof that this isn't political. However, since the Sheriff is an elected political position, political savvy is probably a good tact to have.
Eric
Ignorance of RICO Laws are no excuse Deletion of Case Law which may be applicable is Duhhhhhhhhh
DSI HAS BECOME A TRADE ORGANIZATION
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/circs/dThe United States initiated this civil action under the
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”),
18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968, in 1999. The government alleged that
nine cigarette manufacturers and two tobacco-related trade
organizations violated section 1962(c) and (d) of the Act. Those
subsections make it unlawful for “any person employed by or
associated with any enterprise engaged in, or the activities of
which affect, interstate or foreign commerce, to conduct or
participate, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of such
enterprise’s affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity” or
to conspire to do so. 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c), (d). The eleven
Defendants were Philip Morris, Inc., now Philip Morris USA,
Inc. (“Philip Morris”); R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, now
Reynolds American (“Reynolds”); Brown & Williamson
Tobacco Company, now part of Reynolds (“Brown &$Ò™[\pc/065267p.pdf
Sharon (we know its you even when you don't sign)
Your post at 7:26am is about another Michael Campion. Look at the date Sharon and think, how can this Doctor in Illinois sign an affidavit at the same time he is supposed to be in Minnesota working as the head of Public Safety?
Your post at 3pm has nothing to do with this topic. Stop spamming the board. The more you post, the more ridiculous you confirm yourself to be.
Eric
Eric 9:36 AM
Do you want me to start on all the stuff your pal Finney did?
Make my day Eric. You and your band of DFLers are a bunch cow sh-t.
You come here and try and bad mouth Fletcher, where were you when Finney was Chief? You didn't then and you don't now have the guts to do what is right, you are only concerned with protecting a bad cop [Finney], I should say a DIRTY cop [Finney].
I worked with Finney, saw what he did first hand. For you to come here and keep hitting on Fletcher when Finney did the things he did is really laughable.
Eric you are a big phony!
Eric is very quiet, looks like 6:27 PM shut him up.
Keep talking. So, you use to work for Finney and now work for Fletcher. That narrows it down.
If you read, I gave Bob the benefit of doubt of not being directly involved with this and it being the possibility of mismanagement. And now, Bob Fletcher agrees with what I wrote a couple of days. He said that it was the commander, his deputy (under-Sheriff) Ron Ryan who was in charge of managing the operations and finance.
Now to your post, point by point:
Do you want me to start on all the stuff your pal Finney did?
Make my day Eric. You and your band of DFLers are a bunch cow sh-t.-
-
I'm not telling you to shut your mouth about Finney. Talk if you want to talk.
I'm not writing on every comment section about Finney when Fletcher's name is mentioned.
You act like a damn fool who's guilty of something but haven't been accused of anything.
Here's the deal, for ten years I've been hearing Finney 'this' and Finney 'that'. I have yet to open the paper and see his name as being directly involved in anything. What in the hell are you waiting for with all of that evidence? I find it amazing with the close race in '06 that it didn't come out. Stop talking and make a move- go to the press and do something about it.
I thought it was a crime to hold information relating to corruption or a felonious act?
As far as the DFL involved in this- guess again. All players are Republicans or have ran for office as a Republican or been appointed by Republicans. You'll have to excuse my ignorance and tell me how the DFL is able to manipulate a bunch of Republicans but can't win the Governors office? I really need to know.
-
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You come here and try and bad mouth Fletcher, where were you when Finney was Chief? You didn't then and you don't now have the guts to do what is right, you are only concerned with protecting a bad cop [Finney], I should say a DIRTY cop [Finney].-
-
Umm, no. I came here and commented on a story that's being written everywhere from the major papers to the Republican blogs (Mitch Berg for instance). Although I haven't read about on the Democratic blogs. Again, what don't you get about Finney not being investigated and the Office that Flether runs and has run for 13 years is under investigation for some pretty tough abuse and mismanagement of tax dollars. Not to mention two deputies going off to prison just last month. Its news Deputy and you can't change that.
Where was I when Finney was Chief? Living in the burbs with Stanek as my state rep. I don't know why that matters as I'm not a cop and I think Harrington is a pretty good Chief too, so what does it matter.
I'm not protecting Finney. This story doesn't mention him. I read the findings of the audit, it has nothing to do with Finney and everything to do with shitty management. -
-
I worked with Finney, saw what he did first hand. For you to come here and keep hitting on Fletcher when Finney did the things he did is really laughable.-
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I'm 'hitting' on the story. Its leads where it leads.
You'd do yourself some good and read the audit. Ryan, clearly had some issues with management and accountability. Fletcher appointed him to oversee the strike force. He also appointed his sister in law to be the record keeper over there. We know today, that didn't work out well for the taxpayers.
Eric
Is that the point, to shut me down?
I'd say you have bigger fish to fry.
I'm just one commenter in the minority of thought on this board. However, there are those who are not on this blog who are known anti-DFLers that are not OK with this story.
Conservative Joel Rosenberg -
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Conservative Blogger and Radio Host, Mitch Berg(with well known DFL-hater Swiftee commenting) -
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You can click on the subtitle topic to view all of the media coverage on this.
Its not about me and whether you can shut me down or not. I'm just not that important. However, I used to think this blog had a concern with governemnt corruption.
How wrong I was.
Eric
Democrat's do the same Eric.
Maybe more so.
Do what? Rise above party politics? That's what's happening here. Republicans are not caring what party someone belongs to, they seem to be following the money trail, even if it leads to one of their own.
You still don't get it.
Eric
Eric,
You said, "Keep talking. So, you use to work for Finney and now work for Fletcher. That narrows it down."
Sorry I don't work with Fletcher.
I am a city guy. Can you guess who?? There are only a few of us to pick from, only 635 or so.
Eric,
You said: "Here's the deal, for ten years I've been hearing Finney 'this' and Finney 'that'. I have yet to open the paper and see his name as being directly involved in anything. What in the hell are you waiting for with all of that evidence?"
This evidence has been written about since 1992 in the papers, it has been posted here on Bob's blog.
It seems you have a very short memory.
Finney was a DIRTY cop. You can say there is no evidence all you want, but the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune have published numerous articles on Finney behavior while in office and before he was chief.
Eric you can be blind to the facts all you want and this proves my point you are nothing but a lacky for Finney and the DFL.
Eric said: "As far as the DFL involved in this- guess again. All players are Republicans or have ran for office as a Republican or been appointed by Republicans. You'll have to excuse my ignorance and tell me how the DFL is able to manipulate a bunch of Republicans but can't win the Governors office? I really need to know."
Finney DFL, supported Mayor Chris Coleman. Sheldon Anderson, a tin pot mayor in the north metro, ran Finney’s campaign. Finney's co-campaign manager, Kenny Brennan AKA Kenny Pluff and the Pluff family ran one of the largest Drug operations in St. Paul. Kenny was a cop who used his position to RAT on his fellow law enforcement officers investigating his drug running family. Finney then hires Ken Brennan [Pluff] to guard the police impound lot.
Finney's drug running friend, Aaron Foster who ran drugs for Plukie Duke worked in the police property room where the evidence to his murder case was kept. It is funny that the evidence disappeared from the property room.
Foster used to hit women. One such person, Linda who works for the city (DSI) asked Finney for help. Finney rebuffed her and kept issuing Foster a permit to carry in light of his knocking around women.
There are numerous police reports detailing this. Many have been posted here under Justice for Barbara Winn. If you don't believe me look at the actual police reports, www.justiceforbarbara.com
Eric, DATELINE did a whole program on Foster and Finney. Here is a like you might find interesting that shows Finney in a much different light than you put him in. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24796236 Page four is interesting or you can watch the whole thing. Eric here is a link to page 4, www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24796236/page/4
“Cop awarded $55,000 for sex harassment”
Star Tribune July 23, 1998
“St. Paul police officer Tamara Hopwood has been awarded $55,000 plus attorney fees in a sexual harassment lawsuit after a judge ruled that fellow officers spread rumors about her sex life and made sucking sounds over their police radios to ridicule her.
Ramsey County District Judge Bertrand Poritsky pointed a finger at Police Chief William Finney, saying a series of retaliatory acts aimed at Hopwood could have been avoided if the chief had taken more immediate action when she first complained in 1992."
“Had Chief Finney acted promptly and directly ... it is more likely than not that the sexual harassment would have stopped,” Poritsky wrote in a seven-page order signed Monday. “Immediate and informal action by Chief Finney would most likely not have caused the antagonisms.”
”Harassment continues to this very day, but [other female officers] are too afraid to say anything because they’ll be treated the same way I was,” she said Wednesday. “They took my complaints as if I were the perpetrator ... instead of like a victim.”
Lets not forget the lawsuit several members of the police department brought against Foster and Finney, this also cost the taxpayers over $20,000.00.
That’s right you NEVER heard about it. The better answer is you ignored it because Finney was black and DFL. Yes, Eric I know you are black. It was a shame Finney used the black community to defend himself against the investigation into Barbara Winn also a black woman by Aaron Foster. Where was the black community standing up for a black woman who was murdered? The only thing the black community did was stick up for a DIRTY black police chief. Norm Coleman did not have the guts to fire Finney behind, even when he had ample evidence. Tom Fable covered Norm's rear on that one. Care to check city council records Eric. Jim Reiter and Dan Bostrom lead the investigation of Finney and Fable ran cover for Finney. Coleman was running for governor and he did not want to upset the black community.
Eric you must have your head in the sand or someplace else to nor open your eyes to what was really going on under Bill Finney.
How can you come here and say you didn't know. You are just a shrill for the DFL.
Oh and one more thing Eric. There are NO Republicans elected in St. Paul. The last one, Tom Conlon has just resigned, Mary Jane Rachner died over the winter and Bob Fletcher has not been a Republican for over 20+ years.
Tony Bennit is the only Republican elected in Ramsey County.
So please tell me how the Republicans are responsible for all of this?
Get a fricking life!
"Eric you can be blind to the facts all you want and this proves my point you are nothing but a lacky for Finney and the DFL."
He does the same damn thing with the landords lawusits. There's been fact after fcat produced and even testimony from the cities own damn inspectors that these guys were good landlords, not to mention the testimony from the tenants who siad they were good guys, but Eric? Well he's another kind of guy......a St. Paul DFL kinda guy. He just keeps singing the party song all the while thinking as long as you say it's not so.......BINGO......it will be as said!
Now he's doing the same thing with this. They'll say anything they can to remain in denial because that's where they are comfortable...........while all the others hurt.
People like Eric and Chuck will do whatever they can or say whatever they can to advance the "status quo." Their reputation with the elites depend on it. Don't expect anything decent out of these people. They don't have it in them.
8:27 PM
Hi All.
Do you think a fox can guard a hen house, Finney and his friends that guarded the impound lots.
Who was in charge of keeping a eye on the drugs.
The business model for crime has changed drastically in the last couple of decades. Thugs don't have to worry about the powers that be cause they just run for office and take over. It's a lot cheaper than paying bribes like they did in the old days.
1.This is a story highlighting the corruption that continues to pour out of Fletcher's Sheriffs Office.
2. I have said nothing to defend Bill Finney because he wasn't mentioned in the story. You've done a shitty job of trying to make this about me.
3. Let's say everything you said about Finney was correct, why is that a reason to ignore the the abuse of taxpayers funds and corruption coming out of the Sheriffs Office?
4. Instead of defending Finney, I suggested you come out with what you know and take it to the press. Can you say the same about Fletcher? No. You can't even admit that he dropped the ball on this Strike Force fiscal agent responsibility. I bet you still stand behind Nails and Hacker.
5. Sheldon Anderson is a republican. Not just a Republican but, the former co-chair of the McCain Palin campaign. He is a county co-chair for Tim Pawlenty. He ran as a Republican for the legislature less than one year ago.
His aide with the Finney camp, is also a republican who has Bush stickers on vehicle bigger than her license plates. I don't know or care how those other people vote, if they can vote, that you named.
6. Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek was the Republican Assistant Leader in the House and appointed by Pawlenty as Public Safety Comm. Public Safety Commissioner Micheal Campion is a republican who is friends with the governor. Those two triggered the investigations.
7. Fletcher was an endorsed Republican.
8. Finney was born and raised in St Paul and as a police officer, was always friendly to the public and responsive- that's what made popular. Not just black community supporting him. He won like 98 of the 103 precincts in St Paul. Blacks that kind of vote sway across the city? He lost the entire county by less than one half of a percent. A lot of people thought highly of him- after the cold case was reopened.
How is this a DFL plot again to protect Finney?
9. Personally, I don't think either one will be the Sheriff at the end of next year. I think Finney would have been excellent at the job but, his political crew cannot deliver. I, and other DFLers, will not work with Republicans, or for Republicans to get him elected. Besides, I'm pretty sure he's not thinking about being Sheriff. Fletcher is not running again. He says he will because you have to. There's just too much going on for him to make clear case. His profile is pretty high now and it rose on issues he'd rather people not associate with his work.
I've got a different candidate I'm looking at. So I don't have anything to gain by bad-mouthing Fletcher or speaking up for Finney. I'm just commenting on the story.
Eric
Is your candidate going to clean up the corruption in St. Paul Eric?
"Eric you can be blind to the facts all you want and this proves my point you are nothing but a lacky for Finney and the DFL."-
-
-
What are you talking about? The corruption is with the Strike Force and you want to respond to an unrelated rumors about Finney? I can't- I wasn't involved and only keep reading hearsay.
Try these facts:
Strike Force was mismanaged so bad that almost $400,000 cash was not properly tagged and at least 13 confiscated cars are still missing, and property was given away before the owners could prove they had a right to ownership.
The board was ignored as cash was doled out for Hawaii 'training' sessions, personal loans and money for 'CI's with no proof of the ci getting the money.
With the announcement of an investigation (stupid move), under the cloak of darkness, the security system was disengaged and electronic locks turned off- then the removal of materials and shredding of documents ensued, for hours.
The FBI is now involved in the investigation. Shredding documents after the announcement of criminal investigation, is a felony. This is not over.
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office is the Fiscal Agent and directly involved with appointing the former Commander and the records clerk (turns out to be a relative to the Sheriff).
Those are the facts that matter with this story.
If that landlords had a federal CRIMINAL investigation, proof of employees shredding documents and employees with confiscated property on their person- then their claim would have been a slam dunk and not dismissed.
I don't understand where are the RICO proponents are. They are so damn loud about rumors of corruption but when they have facts like this in front of them, they can't speak up because they like the Sheriff and its 'different'.
Bunch of phonies.
Eric
I'm not talking about the candidate until the candidate makes an announcement and I talk with that person. Hell, she/he may not want me anywhere near their campaign.
'Cleaning up the city' is not under the jurisdiction of the COUNTY Sheriff.
I'm more concerned about the patronage within the Sheriff's Office and intimidation factor that has stretched from the citizenry to the even a couple of county commissioners. I'm concerned with a Sheriff that can manage an office with almost 500 employees and know how to enforce the law with equity as well as, manage professionals with the respect they deserve.
As I pointed out a few months ago, St Paul is considered one of the best managed cities in America. The bond houses still hold us in high regard. The mayor received an award last year for innovation. Oh, and the slumlords are pissed off. St Paul is moving in the right direction while so many others head the other way.
Eric
"I don't understand where are the RICO proponents are. They are so damn loud about rumors of corruption but when they have facts like this in front of them, they can't speak up because they like the Sheriff and its 'different'
Don't get your undies all bunched up Eric. They're working on uncovering new conspiracies and a multitude of RICO events.
OK Eric, lets try this if you think you are so smart. Let's say it can be proven that Fletcher copmmits a crime in St. Paul. Who can arrest him in this corrupt cesspool you call a city?
First, he's not going to get arrested. So far at worst, he's guilty of shoddy management and financial oversight. At best, he's appointed people that are either incompetent or corrupt.
Second, the city is not a cesspool. Anyway, basic government functions- he's not involved with the city!. The Justice Department is investigating and in some twist, had to make an arrest it would be the FBI or U.S. Marshalls. Whomever gets the arrest warrant issued will make the arrest.
Third, the feds will bring charges. Soon.
Eric
"Whomever gets the arrest warrant issued will make the arrest."
WRONG Clarabell.....only the Corner has the legal authority to nab the Sheriff.
Can't anyone arrest a criminal?
Eric you said St. Paul is one of the best managed cities in the country.
What a crock of BS.
Put Finney in as U S Marshall, he makes the arrest.
Then Finney get charges for his past, some things has no time limit.
MURDER is one!
I have been a Ramsey County Sheriff Deputy for over 12 years now. I don't know about St Paul's government but, I do know the Sheriff. I know exactly what I'm talking about when I say "Bob Fletcher is the most corrupt elected official in Ramsey County."
Bob promotes on both a friendship basis and who works for his re-election. Look at the recent facts:
He appoints his best friend and guy who stood up at his wedding as a deputy. Even though this guy could not pass the background check to even take the exam and get a license to be a Peace Officer. This guy is supposed to be a pr spokesperson for the department but, he was a high school dropout with no public relations experience and no policing experience. Bob paid him $80,000, gave him a badge, gave him a cruiser, signed off on a weapon, and allowed this goon to go out on arrests. He did this for years until he fucked up an FBI investigation and they set a sting to prove he was a dirty unprofessional. "Nails" is now in prison.
How many dirtbags were arrested that will now have their cases reviewed because this idiot was arresting people when he had no legal authority to do so? How many police reports were altered to exclude his role in dozens of arrests? We all knew what was going on, when he was confronted, he told them "if you got a problem with it, talk to Bob."
There have been some recent retirements of his top deputies. Take a list of hist of his top deputies from 2007, and crosscheck it with his public finance campaign report. How many times were people accusing his deputies of pounding in lawn signs while they were on the clock? How many businesses felt pressured by the Sheriff to give to his campaign?
Now, Look at those deputies who supported Finney and Deputy Moore four years before Finney. Where are they now? Working the shittiest assignments in spite of the needed experience and expertise they have. Why is that?
I don't know who this person defending Bob Fletcher is but, it appears he is a Deputy that calls himself DAWG on the message boards (Lydon, I'm thinking of you).
It appears that some of the missing cars were found over the weekend. I could have told the auditor where to find them and that's in the garages and up at the cabins of some of these guys. They also seemed shocked that $400,000 cash was kept on hand- that's only what they wanted them to find. How much money do you think they took from non-drug dealers? Who's going to complain?
What do you think they were shredding that night? You think that's the first time they waited until night to go and shred evidence?
Have all of you forgotten that Bob was under questioning for his ability to have almost 1 million dollars in mortgages out there on his salary? What about all of the vehicles and the very nice cabin that his close deputies own? Phony paperwork for vehicles and confiscated property. Selling illegally confiscated property for next to nothing to their friends. Almost new cars for a couple of thousand dollars, big flatscreen tv's for $30. Ipods for $5. They used the confiscated cash as a personal bank. Borrowing when they needed to and paying back, if they paid it back, when they could.
There are several deputies now talking to the feds. Eric is wrong. This does go back to Bob Fletcher and he is responsible. This is the tip of the iceberg and before its over, Bob Fletcher will be taken into custody.
St. Paul Police Federation President Dave Titus has said at least two officers present were St. Paul officers who told him the documents being destroyed "were completely unrelated to anything to do with the audit."
I just got off the telephone with the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and Santa. All three confirmed, everything shredded/destroyed was unrelated to the audit.
-------------------------
Fletcher and Titus asserted Tuesday that Omodt should have accounted for the cars when auditors told him about them, before the report was released.
Titus said he believed "there are political motives behind it.
I don't get why anyone would go to this level or this extent, but some wanted the old regime to look bad."
Look bad? What about Ron Ryan selling big screen TV's out the back door for 30 bucks?
Look bad? How many guns confiscated were "Drug Fired" under the watchful eye of Big Shirt/Little Hat Ron Ryan?
Look bad? Why didn't Ron Ryan keep records? Wasn't that part of his job? This clown is still costing people money and he's been retired for 6 months.
Look Bad? Where is the missing $18,000
---------------------------
The two strike force investigators brought information to the sheriff's office at 9 a.m. Tuesday, and the case was assigned to the sheriff's office Special Investigations Unit at 10 a.m., Fletcher said. By 4 p.m., all the vehicles had been accounted for, Fletcher said.
How much did this independent investigation cost the taxpayers of Ramsey County?
I wonder if the owners of TCR are on the Fletcher campaign donation list. I also wonder what the value of the salvaged vehicles was? Who are the new owners of these vehicles?
How can Ron Ryan donate cars to charity? This is taxpayer money and should have went back into funding the only State Sponsored Gang in Minnesota.
Campion, Stanek and Omodt, you need to get their shit wired tight when dealing with Lord Fletcher. This guy doesn't play by the rules and the sooner you figure it out the better. Being made out to be the 3 Stooges in the paper should be a wake up call. Being outdone by this pack of Keystone cops doesn't look good on the resume. Godspeed!
JUSTICE is knocking on the door, he's been out there a long time, and he's really, really pissed.
http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/fad/pdf/fad0918.pdf
How did they use the confiscated funds?
* $1,807 for evidence room shelving.
* $1,000 advanced to the assistant commander without sufficient documentation.
* $850 advanced to investigators for evidence purchases that were not supported by information in the case files.
* $600 for a travel advance.
* $279 advanced to the former commander [that's Ron Ryan. SR] in violation of the oversight council’s guidelines, which prohibit a strike force commander to disburse confidential informant funds to himself.
* $250 to purchase beverages at a bar for an investigator and/or informant.
* $138 reimbursed to the council’s statewide coordinator for office supplies.
* $103 for a canister vacuum.
* $72 for doughnuts during a search warrant briefing.
Now, at least some of that would be a legitimate expenditure of public funds, except . . . let's get to that. But some of it would be reasonable. After all, the evidence room probably does need shelving, and Team Metro needs office supplies and a vacuum -- although, in context, that does really suck.
Again: this is just what they got caught spending their CI money on; these are only the documented wrongful expenditures, and it's not all that they got caught on, even in that Finding.
No, it's not all about the doughnuts; that's just the most blatant, stereotypical thing that they did wrong. I mean, guys, what were you thinking? Spending your snitch money on a round of doughnuts?
Hey, the comments on the Pioneer Press web site got so nasty on today's story they took down the comment page.
Good work knuckleheads.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Let's go back to an article in the Pioneer Press by Jim George from November 13, 1991 titled DRUG RING MEMBERS GET PRISON SENTENCES.
"Seven members of a St. Paul-based ring that distributed large amounts of cocaine in the Twin Cities area received federal prison terms Tuesday ranging from five days to 10 years."
"Investigators' affidavits alleged that another Cynthia Pluff, who lived in Illinois, coordinated shipments of cocaine and money between Minnesota and sources in Chicago and Miami. The indictment alleged a conspiracy to distribute at least 5 kilograms - or 11 pounds - of cocaine during a period from 1988 to early 1991."
"Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Riley, who is prosecuting the case, said Cynthia Pluff now appears to be the ring's organizer and worked closely with April Tapa to keep the drug pipeline operating."
"Riley said most of the gang had provided valuable assistance in other drug investigations here and in Chicago."
"Still to be sentenced are Cynthia Pluff, 26; Kenneth Pluff Jr., 29, of St. Paul; John E. Clark, 25, Maplewood; and Danny Lee Givens, 31, of St. Paul."
Also from January 24, 1991 Pioneer Press, by Mike Sweeney (page 1D) 6 IN FAMILY HELD ON DRUG RING CHARGES
"The affidavit alleges that Kenneth Pluff Jr., a licensed police officer in Minnesota, checked license plate numbers provided by other members of his family doing countersurveillance and gave them information about the owners of the vehicles. Kenneth Pluff Jr. was a Ramsey County Reserve deputy for almost four years, worked part-time as a police officer in White Bear Township and was working as a part-time private investigator when arrested."
NOTICE TWO NAMES:
Kenneth Pluff Jr. and John E. Clark
Kenneth Pluff Jr is now known as Kenneth Brennan, a security guard for Capital Security. Finney hired this convicted drug runner to watch the police impound lot.
John E. Clark
St. Paul Police Sgt. Benny Williams and John E. Clark
Here is another article from the St. Paul Pioneer Press, titled, ST. PAUL OFFICER PUNISHED FOR DATA RELEASE//DOCUMENTS SENT TO JAILED NEPHEW
"An acting sergeant for the St. Paul Police Department was handed a 30-day suspension and reassigned after sending confidential police and sheriff's documents to an imprisoned nephew. St. Paul Police Chief William Finney suspended Benny L. Williams, despite the police-civilian review panel's recommendation to fire the nine-year veteran, according to police documents."
This imprisoned nephew is John Clark a nephew of Plukey Duke, who is currently servicing a 20-year sentence in federal prison for narcotics trafficking. Chief Bill Finney disregarded the civilian review board recommendation to terminate Sgt. Williams and only gave him a 30-day suspension instead. Chief Finney was just looking out for his friend, a pattern that Finney has been doing for a long time.
By St. Paul Police Sgt. Williams sending this confidential police information to his nephew in jail, he put St. Paul Police and Ramsey County Sheriff Deputies at risk. Sgt. Williams’ actions are treason, he is a spy within the ranks. Chief Bill Finney has let his friendships with numerous underworld drug figures over the years get in the way of his professional judgement as Chief of Police. It really makes you wonder just whom Chief Finney was really protecting, you or his friends?
Also interesting reading:
St. Paul Police Supplementary Report, C/N 5-024-520/638/639
Maplewood Police Supplementary Report, C/N 81005328
Would someone tell me why the actions of a currently unemployed former police chief always end up in the discussions about Sheriff Fletcher?
That election contest ended two and a half years ago (FYI Fletcher won). Why is it that whenever there are questions about Fletcher there has to be a comparison to Finney?
I have to assume that all of you that bring up the former police chief - out of office for FIVE YEARS - are saying that we are to disregard whatever is wrong in Sheriff's department because there might have been issues in the Saint Paul PD five or in the last post EIGHTTEEN years ago?
That excuses everything that happens under Bob's watch?
It makes no sense and it isn't any kind of a defence for Fletcher. It is childish and petty. It damages everyone that serves.
Look I am a Democrat, but when I read what has happened, there is a pretty good case that some of this is a management issue that could have been corrected if there was better staffing in the unit. Not enough administrative staff to make sure proper accounting was done, might very well be the case.
But the excuse that Finney may have had issues twenty years ago is no excuse for Fletcher.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Let's go back to an article in the Pioneer Press by Jim George from November 13, 1991 titled DRUG RING MEMBERS GET PRISON SENTENCES.
--------------------------------
Fair enough- lets go back 91 days:
2 Ex-Ramsey County Sheriff's Employees Sentenced
Two former members of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office were sentenced to nearly three years in prison Friday, after each being convicted in August of stealing government money and conspiracy.
U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz gave former sheriff's investigator Timothy Rehak a 35-month sentence.
Mark Naylon was sentenced to 30 months. Naylon had been hired as spokesman for Sheriff Bob Fletcher.
Each was ordered to pay a $7,500 fine. They have until March 9 to surrender.
Rehak and Naylon were each convicted of one count of theft of government funds and one count of conspiracy to violate the civil rights of Minnesotans for a November 2004 incident, where they searched a motel room where the FBI had planted $13,500 in supposed drug money to conduct an "integrity test" of the two men.
The FBI recorded the entire search of the hotel room, and the videotape was presented to the jury.
The men admitted taking some of the money during the search, but insisted they were playing a joke on a third officer. They were indicted in March.
The men are close friends of Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher. Naylon was the best man at his recent second wedding.
After the verdict was read in August, both men resigned from their positions with Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. Their employment was terminated immediately.
Prosecutors said a convicted meth dealer working with the FBI called Rehak and told him a fictitious drug dealer named "Vinnie" had left drugs and money at a hotel room, but had been arrested in Wisconsin and wanted someone to get his stuff.
Rehak and Naylon went to the hotel with their supervisor, Sgt. Rolland Martinez, who had a search warrant. The three found a bag of money and some drug residue and dumped it on one of the beds.
In the video, while Martinez is in the bathroom, Naylon can be seen pointing at the money. Rehak gives a roll of bills, containing $6,000, to Naylon, who puts it in his jacket pocket.
The FBI had placed $13,500 in the bag. But Martinez, who was not a target of the integrity test, counted only $7,500 and wrote that amount on the search warrant receipt.
Rehak and Naylon say Naylon took the money to play a practical joke on Martinez, with Naylon planning to hide the roll of bills and force Martinez to return to the room later to retrieve it. Rehak testified in court that when Naylon couldn't find a place to hide the money, he took it with him.
Martinez testified that the pair told him later that they'd found $6,000 in a mattress or a box spring. So the three went back to the hotel room. Rehak changed the copy of the search warrant receipt which said $7,500 by writing a "1" in front of the "7" and changing the "7" to a "3." The sloppy receipt -- still signed only by Martinez -- now read that $13,500 had been recovered.
Rehak maintained his police report was accurate -- minus details about the practical joke. He said there was no intent to keep the money.
------------------------
Or how about 9.1 days?
Sheriff tried to dissuade Gang Strike Force audit
Chuck to answer your question as to why does Finney's name keep coming up. The answer is simple. The DFL Party thought too much of their minority police chief to hold him accountable for his actions. Finney was DIRTY to the core. Protecting his drug dealing friends who sold this crap to our children. Finney was on the St. Paul School Board, all the while protecting, the Pluff family (East Side), Tucker his partner, Brennan, Duke, Foster. Hell, Finney he even hired his drug running friends to work at the police department. Finney allowed his friends abuse women. This cost the city $55,000.00 and $20,000.00 to settle. The judge even scolded Finney in court for his behavior.
Chuck, it has taken me many years to let the stuff Finney go. Being a cop is an honor, and to allow a person like Finney to wear the badge and get away with his behavior just because of his political party and race is WRONG.
I also know Bob Fletcher. Bob is not perfect, we all are not perfect, but what Finney has done and continues to do is a major crime on society.
2:38
Unfortunately, your whining about Finney does not explain the constant string of corruption coming from Fletcher and his friends today. you can't defend Bob in court by saying Finney did it too. Finney may have but, he wasn't caught or criminally investigated by the DFL city, or Republican Feds. Bob is under the gun from all sides.
So stop being a p*ssy and man-up to Fletcher's corruption. If you were a real cop, you would have spoken up when it would have made a difference, not 17 years later from the computer under and anonymous moniker. Didn't you say you worked for Finney? Why are you speaking up now when you could have had federal whistle blower protection and a pension for life?
All of you punks are going down two by two.
FBI joins in probe of Metro Gang Strike Force
----------------------
By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune
Last update: May 27, 2009 - 2:32 PM
The FBI is the latest agency now investigating the Metro Gang Strike Force, a law-enforcement coalition that has come under fire amid allegations of mishandling money and property, destroying documents and disconnecting computers.
State Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion, along with making the request, also has asked the strike force's advisory board to halt the unit's daily operations to allow Campion's department to implement more than two dozen recommendations made by the state Office of the Legislative Auditor. Campion's requests follow allegations that some strike force officers shredded documents and disconnected computers at the its headquarters in New Brighton last week. According to reports that came to Campion, the incidents occurred hours after the auditor released findings from a special review of the unit's accounting practices.
Campion said that the FBI investigation will begin immediately.
"The strike force is an important resource in our statewide gang enforcement activities and has had a history of successful arrests and prevention efforts," Campion said in a news release late this morning. "Our goal is to reorganize and reopen [the force] as quickly as possible, but not before we restore the integrity of the overall operation."
Last week, after the auditor's report, Campion said that his department will withhold about $840,000 in state funding that supports the unit, effective in 30 days. Thatr amount represents the remainder of the strike force's $2.2 million operating budget for 2009.
Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles and Deputy Auditor Cecile Ferkul revealed a litany of problems at the strike force, including missing and misused funds and property that had been seized during investigations. In many cases, the seized money and property later were forfeited to the strike force by courts.
Read the Audithttp://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/fad/pdf/fad0918.pdf
St. Paul Police Chief Finney hired his close friend and drug runner Aaron Foster to run the police property room in 1998.
Sgt. Sam Caron questioned why Foster carried a gun at work, as he was a civilian employee. He also drove a squad car to work. Finney called Caron into his office and told Sgt. Caron that Foster had his permission to drive the squad car and carry a gun.
After Sgt. Caron questioned Foster’s actions, Sgt. Caron’s immediate supervisor came down on him. In a two-month period Sgt. Caron received two letters of reprimand, a two-week suspension for referring to Foster as "chief" and an unsatisfactory job evaluation after what he said was 14 years of exemplary service.
Sgt. Brian Reed, who also supervised Foster, stated "If Foster had a disagreement with an officer regarding any issue, his tactic was to invoke Chief Finney's name and end the discussion."
Sgt. Reed asked for permission to suspend Foster after Foster cursed at him and wouldn't complete an assignment. Higher-ranking officers told Reed he couldn't suspend him.
When Sgt. Reed was assigned to investigate a verbal exchange between Foster and a sergeant, he said, he sustained the complaint. The commander said she concurred with his findings and was going to pass it along to the assistant chief who under Finney’s direction dropped the complaint.
Sgt. Reed was then assigned to work at the front desk, an assignment "widely known throughout the police department as being punitive." Sgt. Reed was doing his job and Finney put him at the front desk as punishment.
In 1999, Sgt. Robert Winsor went to the property room to get extra film for patrol cars. Foster told Sgt. Winsor he couldn't have more film, which Sgt. Winsor disputed.
As Sgt. Winsor was walking away, Foster picked up the phone and said, "Here, I'll tell you who to call, you call the Chief, you talk to the Chief, go ahead, let's see if you're brave enough to call the Chief."
A lawsuit filed in 2002 by the St. Paul Police Federation and Sgt. Ann Bebeau against the city, the police department and Finney alleged, "Finney, acting directly or through his command staff, has allowed - Foster to harass and interfere with St. Paul police officers."
The suit also claimed Foster had "been protected from the consequences of his actions because of a close personal friendship" with Finney.
Five more police officers filed affidavits in the suit about what they considered problems with Foster at work from 1999 through 2001.
The 2002 suit centered on an argument between Bebeau and Foster in the property room. At one point, Bebeau stated in an affidavit filed as part of the suit, Foster said, "Let's take it up to the third floor, and we'll see who wins this one."
Sgt. Bebeau said she interpreted the remark to mean Foster would take the matter to Finney, whose office was on the third floor.
In the end, Sgt. Bebeau prevailed against the city and the police department, but only in the accusation that the city [Finney] violated the Minnesota Peace Officer Discipline Procedures Act and not in any claims against Finney. This cost the city just under $20,000 with Sgt. Bebeau receiving $1,620 in damages, and the city was ordered to pay her attorney's bill.
Another convicted drug runner that Finney hired to watch the police impound lot is Ken Brennan. His real name wan Ken Pluff Jr., now he is known as Kenny Brennan, security guard. The Pluff family ran one of the largest drug distributing operations on the East Side of St. Paul. Pluff [Brennan] was a licensed police officer who worked for White Bear Lake Township and Ramsey County Reserve Deputy. He ratted out his fellow police officers and turned in this information over to his drug running family on the East Side. Pluff [Brennan] used law enforcement resources to spy on the cops doing their investigation on his family’s drug business. Pluff [Brennan] was co-chair and worked on Finney’s Sheriff campaign.
Another article in the Pioneer Press, February 26, 1998, page 1C, FINNEY LETTER SMACKS OF SPECIAL TREATMENT, by KATHERINE LANPHER
"St. Paul Police Chief Bill Finney's epistolary skills were called into question this week when news surfaced of a letter he had written for a so-called ''friend'' of the department, a police informant and convicted arsonist who liked to keep an eye on his neighborhood for the cops.
"The note, addressed to ''any police officer having contact with Mr. Cornelius E. Brown Jr.,'' describes Brown as a good friend of the department and instructs officers to call Finney if any ''adverse'' police action needs to be taken against him. The letter also includes Finney's cell phone number.
"Let's be clear: The letter stinks to high heaven."
A lot of us would love a letter like that to carry around.
Hey I got it!
Let's just ignore Bob Fletcher being the most crooked politician in the state because an unelected police chief- that's right, and unelected police chief, did some stuff back in the 80's and 90's.
Never mind Fletcher's goons have become as bad as the gangs, thugs and losers they are supposed to be protecting us from- Finney did something in 90's and now all of the punks who claim they knew Finney at this time never spoke up until now. Well, he's been out of office for over five years. Fletcher is still in office.
A bird in the hand, beats talking about what another one did 15 years ago.
Robert Fletcher is the most dangerous man in the county. His ex-wife is still scared to speak out.
This has been going on since Finney was hired until 2002 when Finney was fired or should I say let retire by Mayor Randy Kelly.
Just because it happened some years ago, still does not absolve Finney for the crimes he has done.
As for Linda, Bob's ex wife, you are wrong. Finney made up this BS story about Linda. I know both Linda and Bob and you are dead wrong!
As for the comment on most dangerous man in the county, that would be William Kelso Finney who lives in the Battle Creek area of St. Paul.
Once Plukie Dukes gets out of jail alone with John Clark and Clem Tucker Sr where do you you think they will go first, that is right, Bill Finney's house. Tucker was arrested at Finney's house by the way.
The crap is going down hill and the mess is going to be on Bill Finney the dirtiest cop in St. Paul, present, retired or passed on.
Everything you keep writing, does nothing to address the current corruption in the Sheriff's Office.
If St Paul kept saying, well its worst in Minneapolis or West St Paul, then they wouldn't still be facing charges from the rico people. Pointing at another injustice doesn't OK a current injustice.
Throw them both in jail. Just one problem.
Problem is, criminal investigation is now going on with the Sheriff and nothing is going on with the Chief and most of that stuff was out there.
People liked Finney- except those who he fired and were then hired by Fletcher. Finney only had to answer to the mayor when he was Chief. He wasn't an elected official. His budget was dictated to him by the mayor and council.
The sheriff is an elected official directly accountable to the voters and confidence of the citizenry. He is an executive. When the police chief is out of control, its the mayor that appoints him who is responsible to the people. He's the one that ask for their support based on the decisions he made. Coleman is the only one who was re-elected while Finney was there and he kept him. Even though all of that came up while Coleman was mayor as a DFLer and Republican. He did nothing.
Finney missed his reckoning. Fletcher is not going to be so lucky.
"Can't anyone arrest a criminal?"
Only the Coroner can arrest the Sheriff should his arrest be required or ordered.
Possibly Nancy Lazaryan would also be able to effect the arrest.
Eric said;
Its not about me and whether you can shut me down or not. I'm just not that important. However, I used to think this blog had a concern with governemnt corruption.
How wrong I was.
My response;
Speaking for myself as host of this town hall. If someone we trust in publically goes bad, I could care less who they are.
Cops, politicians, and others in government, when these folks commit a crime connected with their public service, it is worse than a THUG selling drugs on a street corner.
It is a good thing we talk about these issues here. It let's some folks in government know we are watching them and it let's others know of our concerns.
Ramsey Countey and St. Paul are so full of corruption it'll take them the rest of our lives to sort it all out. If they want to sort it out. My guess is that the Feds will just cover it up to spare the embarrasment. Time will tell.
It's the trickle down effect! Don't make no difference if it is Republicans or Demorats. Congress and the White House is full of it and it all trickles down to the States, Counties and cities. Some here try to discredit the landlords suing like it's nothing, but how can they when you look at the major law enforcement agencies and they're dirty as hell and have been for a long time. Why wouldn't it be in DSI like the landlords say it is. Corruption is like cancer. It speads when let to go unchecked and it's been unchecked for too long in St. Paul and Ramsey County. Some here will stop at nothing to preserve the status quo while mothers are murdered, kids gunned down and "throw downs" planted to make it look legit, honest businessmen crushed and their businesses destroyed, cops out of control seizing and selling people's shit, pocketing cash, etc. and it all good cause they all just protecting each other. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. The FBI's not going to do anything but whitewash the whole thing just like they did with the Mayors aid some years ago. It all good in all the hoods......if your politically connected that is.
And don't forget about the city stealing Sharon's car! Which politician has that parked in their garage?
Yes Eric and Chuck
And don't forget about the city stealing Sharon's car!
The Corrupt City Leaders in City Hall!
Rehak and Naylon, former Ramsey County Deputies now in prison due to FBI sting seem to think differently.
This has to be the dumbest group of computer users older than five.
Wow, I can't believe it but it may be true. Last night the police showed up because there was a report that a car (that matches the discription of my car and maybe a dozen like in in Minnesota...if you know my car you know what I mean) had been stolen from my block.
You idiots aren't crazy enough to be calling in false police reports now are you????
This is the insane assylum on crack here isn't it?
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
They switched to steroids last year Chuck.
8:20 AM Anonymous said... JMONTOMEPPOF Chuck Repke
Wow, I can't believe it but it may be true. Last night the police showed up because there was a report that a car (that matches the discription of my car and maybe a dozen like in in Minnesota...if you know my car you know what I mean) had been stolen from my block.
You idiots aren't crazy enough to be calling in false police reports now are you????
This is the insane assylum on crack here isn't it?
Now what are you talking about Chuck?
Please tell the rest of us what you mean by your post.
Sheriff Fletcher's performance appraisals while at St. Paul Police Department show leadership and dedication to the profession.
Lieutenant Fletcher was assigned to the Burglary Unit upon his promotion and immediately set out to make an impact on burglaries in the city. Under his command, the unit has achieved an M.C.I. clearance rate of 29% and burglaries decreased by 6.4%. Lieutenant Fletcher adopted a strategy of targeting known burglars; coordinating the surveillance efforts; and after the arrest, demanding skillful interrogations to identify the extent of their criminal activities. He is not content with merely investigating the immediate case but in pursuing the suspects total criminal involvement. His management style is hands on and hard driving which inspires his subordinates to participate and be productive. Lieutenant Fletcher has received three letters of appreciation from citizens during the past year for the work done by the Burglary Unit. He has performed all the duties of Lieutenant well above the level of most of his peers.
Deputy Chief Ted Brown
February 11, 1988
Lieutenant Fletcher is one of the more progressive supervisors on the department. He has a unique ability to digest complicated situations into simple terms and develop plans and strategies. He has a deep concern for the city as a community and the crime problems in particular. Lieutenant Fletcher used some time for leaves of absence to run for public office and still kept abreast of what was going on within the Team Area. He has an excellent working knowledge of the criminal elements in the Team in particular, and the city in general. He keeps excellent channels of communication with other police department units and community organizations. He is cooperative, knowledgeable, aggressive, intelligent and a genuine credit to our police organization.
Captain Dick Ekwall
March 14, 1990
Lieutenant Fletcher has an extremely strong sense of duty and a quick mind. He has a unique ability to sense that which is most important or has the potential to become a future problem of significant magnitude. His enthusiasm has proven to be motivational to those who work for him. During this rating period, Lieutenant Fletcher has been assigned as the commander of the departments Juvenile Unit. During that period he was able to identify a major forgery ring that had some juveniles involved, although it turned out to be an adult centered case. Lieutenant Fletcher was instrumental in organizing a joint federal task force and he assisted in managing that investigation over the period of a year. He often worked throughout the night and on weekends as did a number of the investigators with him. His efforts were, in a large part, responsible for the very successful conclusion of that investigation. During this period, Lieutenant Fletcher has developed a keen interest in the citys Asian community an has taken an active role that has included enhanced intelligence gathering initiatives, community outreach, the development of a Boy Scout Troop, and he has made a significant contribution to the departments in service Asian training. Lieutenant Fletcher's managerial skills are excellent and his performance during the rating period in managing the Juvenile Unit has been excellent in all respects.
Deputy Chief John Sturner
May 20, 1992
Lieutenant Fletcher commands the St. Paul Police Juvenile Unit, and as part of the said assignment, he participates in numerous juvenile justice and other committees and forums. He has a thorough understanding of current police issues and is capable of formulating and directing appropriate responses. He is not wedded to fixed ideas. Lieutenant Fletcher has high level supervisory skills and is conscientious about developing subordinates. He is a high energy person who performs well under pressure. He is enthusiastic about the St. Paul Police Department and is truly a team player.
Deputy Chief Steenberg
October 23, 1992
Anonymous said...
Wow, I can't believe it but it may be true. Last night the police showed up because there was a report that a car (that matches the discription of my car and maybe a dozen like in in Minnesota...if you know my car you know what I mean) had been stolen from my block.
You idiots aren't crazy enough to be calling in false police reports now are you????
This is the insane assylum on crack here isn't it?
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
My response;
Chuck, anyone who has ever lived in a low income crime ridden neighborhood, "KNOWS" this is a tactic (lie) used by the police to check out suspected criminals.
Ask the driver of the car where and what, was he or she doing.
Better yet! Ask the cop who pulled the vehicle over. You may not like what you hear.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
What's up Krenik.....you trying to kiss up for Nylons job now?
What up Finney?
Frank Jackson here. You don't remember me do you?
Hint, I am someone from your past.
Well Frank, go and find a Finney topic. This topic is about the continuing imploding of the Sheriff and everything he touches.
Let me guess, you're another coward who had proof of Finney being dirty orsaw it for yourself but, only think its important to bring up when Fletcher gets in trouble?
Fletcher will rise up from the ashes and win again. People like him. He arrested his own damn kid for the pete sakes. What's not to like?
Earlier today I emailed Bob Johnson asking him to take down the post from 12:18AM. Someone, using my name posted this letter. It is sad that certain members of Finney’s group feel they have to post such posts.
I am not sure why Bob has not removed this post yet, maybe he is out fishing. I hope he catches a big one.
Thank you for your time.
John Krenik
Hi John,
I did go fishing right after work today. :-) I didn't catch a big one but I did catch some nice size bass!
I deleted the post. Please folks do not assume someones identity and post here. It isn't a good way to win an argument.
How's the mayor's race coming John? Didn't kiss enough ass to get that Republican endorsement huh? Years of carrying their water they toss you to the side for a newcomer.
What's the world coming to.
Eric
Krenik is a mouth piece not a leader Eric. That's why they threw him to the side. It's hard enough for a Repub to win,
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