Surprises keep coming in Strike Force inquiry
Please click onto the COMMENTS for the story.
posted by Bob at Saturday, December 19, 2009
Custom Search
Saturday, December 19, 2009
A DEMOCRACY TOWN HALL HOME
Do you have a topic you want to discuss at the Town Hall? Email your request to A_Democracy@yahoo.com
“A DEMOCRACY” Disclaimer- While the administrators and moderators of this forum will attempt to remove or edit any generally objectionable material as quickly as possible, it is impossible to review every message. Therefore you acknowledge that all posts made to this forum express the views and opinions of the author and not the administrators, moderators (except for posts by these people) and hence will not be held liable.
You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-oriented or any other material that may violate any applicable laws. Doing so may lead to you being immediately and permanently banned
THE ROOF GUYS
Mickey's Diner 1950 7th Street West, St Paul, MN
(651) 698-8387
AX-MAN SURPLUS
1639 University Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104
Tel:(651)646-8653
LANDLORD.COM LINK HERE
SHHHH! While we listen to words of wisdom from a wise man.
Conscience is the light of the Soul that burns within the chambers of our psychological heart. It is as real as life is. It raises the voice in protest whenever anything is thought of or done contrary to the righteousness. Conscience is a form of truth that has been transferred through our genetic stock in the form of the knowledge of our own acts and feelings as right or wrong. A virtuous and courageous person can alone use the instrument of conscience. He or she can alone hear the inner voice of the soul clearly. In a wicked person this faculty is absent. The sensitive nature of his / her conscience has been destroyed by sin or corruption. Hence he or she is unable to discriminate right from wrong. Those who are leading organizations, business enterprises, institutions and governments should develop this virtue of the ability to use their own conscience. This wisdom of using the clean conscience will enable them to enjoy the freedom.
Dr APJ Kalam, President of India given during the inauguration of the seminar on “THE EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION ON GOOD GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Previous Posts
- Proposal would label ash borer public nuisance in ...
- Landlord of the Flies! GARY
- State to Gang Strike Force: We want our money back
- Council approves sustainability rule
- Officials investigate St. Paul house fire
- Are text messages sent on company devices private?
- Search for St. Paul police chief expected to skew ...
- Ramsey County property tax hike nears approval, bu...
- St. Paul / University businesses balk at rail amen...
- Harrington won't seek reappointment as St. Paul po...
22 Comments:
Authorities pursue reports of missing, sold or poorly tracked evidence -- from watches to furniture to drug seizures.
By RANDY FURST, Star Tribune
Last update: December 19, 2009 - 8:16 AM
One member of the Metro Gang Strike Force allegedly stored illegal drugs in his file cabinet.
The force's office manager was being investigated in connection with the disappearance of several watches.
Also probed was the sale of a throne-like chair, seized in a raid, to a Strike Force official to give to his wife.
These are among the leads that internal affairs officers from three law enforcement agencies have pursued as investigations quietly continue into the activities of the members of the defunct and disgraced Metro Gang Strike Force.
Because the FBI is conducting a separate criminal investigation, it has declined to provide law enforcement agencies with files it has obtained. Those agencies have had to file data requests with the lame-duck Strike Force advisory board.
The Star Tribune obtained copies of the law enforcement inquiries under the Minnesota Data Practices statute.
Some of those involved have already been disciplined. Former Strike Force officer David Garman was fired by the Minneapolis Police Department. Another Minneapolis officer on the Strike Force, Randy Olson, resigned while under investigation. The Strike Force's office manager, Cindy Gehlsen, was fired by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department.
Two Ramsey County deputies and a Minneapolis police officer were suspended. No St. Paul officers have been disciplined, though that department's internal affairs inquiry continues, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, St. Paul police spokesman.
The Strike Force was formally disbanded on July 17 by state Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion after a series of allegations of misconduct.
On Dec. 2, Jim Decowski of the St. Paul police internal affairs unit e-mailed Kori Land, the Strike Force advisory board's attorney, asking for "files about [the Strike Force] shutdown and dope being found in filing cabinet belonging to" a Strike Force officer, a member of the St. Paul Police Department.
It is not known whether the officer faces discipline in connection with the drug allegations, so the Star Tribune is not naming him. Reached by phone, the officer declined to comment.
Decowski also sought information on nine cases involving the same Strike Force officer going back to 2002. All appear to be drug cases. Drugs were stored in the evidence room of the Strike Force offices in New Brighton, but it was not a secure room, and some officers expressed concerns about leaving evidence there, sources say.
In a separate inquiry in October, Brenda Brozik, an inspector for the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, sought information on some missing watches in connection with "an internal affairs investigation into alleged misconduct" by Gehlsen.
"I am looking for copies of reports related to the Strike Force case that involved missing watches (50)," she wrote.
The Strike Force sent her reports about a 2006 drug raid on a house on the 200 block of Irving Avenue N. in Minneapolis in which watches were seized.
In their investigative report on the Strike Force for the Department of Public Safety, former assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger and retired FBI agent John Egelhof said 20 watches worth as much as $2,000 were missing from the evidence room. The report said a Strike Force employee, whom the report did not identify, wrote in a case file that the watches were given to a jeweler to be sold. But the jeweler never received them.
The report also said that an officer reported seeing two unidentified Strike Force employees and a relative of an employee in a conference room, looking at the watches. One of them held a watch to their wrist, the report said. "Upon seeing the officer in charge of the case watching them, one of the employees stated they were not doing anything wrong," Luger and Egelhof wrote.
Gehlsen was fired in November for several cited reasons including mishandling evidence, although it is unknown if the missing watches were a factor.
Decowski of the St. Paul police internal affairs unit also sought information on a case in which Strike Force officers seized $4,500from two Honduran men in the Minneapolis auto impound lot. No drugs were found in their possession.
Sgt. Jason Case of the Minneapolis police internal affairs unit sought information from the force on Nov. 24 about a "large chair." Luger and Egelhof wrote in their report that a Strike Force officer bought the chair for $190 as a present for his wife.
Sources have told the Star Tribune that Lt. James Heimerl, assistant Strike Force commander, was being investigated for buying the forfeited chair for his wife, who refinishes furniture. It was a popular chair at Strike Force headquarters; officers enjoyed being photographed in it because a bundle of cash had been found under the upholstery. Ron Ryan, Strike Force commander, was particularly fond of sitting in it because it portrayed an image of power, a source said.
Staff writer Paul McEnroe contributed to this article.
Randy Furst • 612-673-7382
Dirty effin' pigs.
Nothin new here Bobby! Just another example of Government doing the same things they accuse others of doing and it's a lot more wide spread than this example.
I think the title of the article is deceptive. There are no surprises revealed in this article. Furst wrote about all of these incidents already in former articles. I really don't see what the point of the article was. Maybe the Strib didn't have any new news to cover eh?
I am waiting for the arrest of Finney and Fletcher.
I am waiting for the return of my deceased fathers watch.
I waiting for a clean government,
that's when you'll get the watch back.
Dirty Cops and Dirty Deputies are nothing compared to the people who are elected, there are more crooks in "government" then on the streets and that don't look good for the people in power that's paid to "Protest and Serve the people.
5:43 PM concerned citizen said...
I am waiting for the arrest of Finney and Fletcher.
Chris Coleman is the boss of the St.Paul's Police Department and the Polices that work there, so if drugs and whatever is missing or just not mentioned in their reports.
Does the St.Paul Mayor and his DFL friends who got him elected, they own the mayor and he does as they say!
That why Jesse as governor had to go, because he couldn't be controlled.
If you want to get rich quick just run for office in St. Paul and win. Then you can steal and extort all you want with no consequence.
"I waiting for a clean government,
that's when you'll get the watch back."
Then you'll wait forever. The time to get clean govenrment in Saint Paul was this past november. You had your chance and you blew it.
Saint Paul is a city led by cumguzzling scumbags. We know this. The last election showed us that there's no kind of corruption too serious for the stupid people of saint paul to just plug their eyes and go "I don't see nothing" or "my union told me to vote for Coleman so it must be OK".
Saint Paul is doomed. There is no hope. I am glad I am not there anymore.
I must say that I agree with Bud Lightning
I'll 2nd that 7:27! I moved out long ago and have never regretted it. The only ones left are the freeloaders, stupid and governemnt workers. I watch with glee as they run the city right into the ground.
I'll 2nd that 7:27! I moved out long ago and have never regretted it. The only ones left are the freeloaders, stupid and governemnt workers. I watch with glee as they run the city right into the ground.
------------
You agree that: "Saint Paul is a city led by cumguzzling scumbags. We know this. The last election showed us that there's no kind of corruption too serious for the stupid people of saint paul to just plug their eyes and go "I don't see nothing" or "my union told me to vote for Coleman so it must be OK"."-?
No one on the city council is rich or close to it. Neither is the mayor.
Most of the city employees live in surrounding suburbs.
There are 290,000 people that live in St Paul. They are not all 'freeloaders'. As a matter of fact, taxes from St Paul leave the city in social service rather than stay within.
Bob Johnson still lives in St Paul and I'm wondering which group you think he falls in? Freeloader or city worker?
The stupidity shown here is just plan amazing sometimes.
8:07 AM said;
Bob Johnson still lives in St Paul and I'm wondering which group you think he falls in? Freeloader or city worker?
My response;
I am in exile in an undisclosed location. I couldn't live in a politically corrupt city any longer. In fact, my whole family moved away from Saint Paul.
All this stuff that has come to light concerning the strike force is "very OLD news" to us in the know.
Citizens have been complaining about the strike task force long before it ever became public. And the powers that be have done nothing to rein in the abuses of power.
Why should anyone be surprised when we have a city leadership who is setting an example of civil rights abuses in housing. Illegal search and seizures. Innocent citizens condemned to the streets under the false pretense of safety. The mayor, city council, police department and sheriffs department are all complicit in the cover up of this issue and "MORE!
I will return to Saint Paul to live in the future. I love the city of Saint Paul. When ever I have been away for periods of time, upon my return I have always felt as if I was coming home.
Investors have approached me with a willingness to finance rental properties on my behalf, so I will have a big stake in Saint Paul in the coming years. And believe me if you think I have been determined to stop some of these shenanigans in the past imagine how determined I will be if I have a personal stake in all of this. IF, you are an investor and want a proactive partner to invest with contact me. I want a BIG piece of Saint Paul.
Personally I don't have any faith in the FBI investigation into the strike force. Sure some heads will roll but, not the ones that need to go. Why hasn't anyone been arrested? If this was you or I an average Joe citizen, our names would be all over the news. We would be in jail waiting for the charges to pile up.
8:07 said;
"The stupidity shown here is just plan amazing sometimes."
My response;
Even more amazing is the truths that have been told here.
Investors have approached me with a willingness to finance rental properties on my behalf, so I will have a big stake in Saint Paul in the coming years
------------------------
No, you won't have big stake, they will. You'll be used a stooge front man for a bunch of wayward investors who still don't give a damn about the people they rent to.
And we'll be there to cite you and shut you down for trying to profit off of poor people with property that is not fit for human habitat.
Yes, we are glad you will be around and continue to pump this dribble into the blogosphere so they we are alert that slumlord investors are making a move.
I guess wasting their money in the courts wasn't enough. Now, they want to set up a shell ponzi type organization to keep investing. For a bunch cowards who complain anonymously about how bad St Paul is, you sure can't wait to keep investing in it. How about taking that money to Shoreview or Arden Hills and come back and tell us how far you'll get.
10:56 said;
No, you won't have big stake, they will. You'll be used a stooge front man for a bunch of wayward investors who still don't give a damn about the people they rent to.
My response;
I have heard of landlords who could be considered slumlords however, I personally do not have any kind of relationship with any. All the investors I know are responsible property owners.
10:56 said;
And we'll be there to cite you and shut you down
My response;
You, they, whoever, would have to illegally cite me and be stupid enough to violate my rights too. You do not know me. I am responsible. I know the codes, and will keep properties above the standards held to private homes in the area.
This is the story you want folks to believe---> "trying to profit off of poor people with property that is not fit for human habitat"
I and anyone who has taken the time to read the fair housing lawsuits, talk to witnesses, knows the city was using these so called safety issues to rid the neighborhoods of low income citizens deemed undesirable.
This town hall is one of the few places this story is being told. Obviously the issue of housing here is embarrassing to you.
I get it you are one of those folks on the crusade to make Saint Paul "the most livable city" at all cost! Even if it means making innocent citizens homeless or raising taxes to the point that most citizens are starting to feel they are leasing their property from the city.
Whether you will admit it or not, the city's polices have added greatly to the vacant housing crisis.
10:56 said;
Yes, we are glad you will be around and continue to pump this dribble into the blogosphere so they we are alert that slumlord investors are making a move.
My response;
You are desperate to kill the messenger. :)
The REAL objective of the city of Saint Paul was to remove the bottom rung of rental properties to supposedly make Saint Paul "the most livable city".
Well folks that isn't what happened in all the years the powers that be have worked this madness. Saint Paul is the only city crime has risen in. The policies that have brought about the fair housing lawsuits have condemned innocent woman and children to the street. The policies have condemned handicap people to the streets from their home. "No place to go"
I will admit there has been some changes, and those changes would have never come about if it weren't for a lot of good citizens putting the city's feet to the fire. It is a damn shame it took public spitting post and law suits to get some folks attention. Those in positions of power past and present were pleaded with to make change in the aggressive code enforcement that had violated so many citizens rights. We, US were met with arrogance and condescending verbal abuse. There is a lot of public support for a politician who can find a foe to fight. This time it was GOOD landlords made to look like slumlords. Some of the plaintiffs in the Fair Housing lawsuits against the city of Saint Paul are class acts. They are still in business and provide safe affordable housing.
10:56 said;
I guess wasting their money in the courts wasn't enough. Now, they want to set up a shell ponzi type organization to keep investing. For a bunch cowards who complain anonymously about how bad St Paul is, you sure can't wait to keep investing in it. How about taking that money to Shoreview or Arden Hills and come back and tell us how far you'll get.
My response;
NOBODY with lawsuits against the city offered to invest with me.
I don't blame you for not using your name 10:56.
"
My response;
I am in exile in an undisclosed location. I couldn't live in a politically corrupt city any longer. In fact, my whole family moved away from Saint Paul."
There ya go........whole families forced into hiding from the DFL corruption machine. I thinks it's terrible.
We'll see if the landlord lawsuits were a waste of time. They're not over yet as far as I understand.
The suits are over and Bob has ran out of town. The fat lady has sung and left building with Swiftee.
6:59, that is a damned lie.
I haven't seen your mom since she got shooed off Payne Ave. and I have no idea where she is turning tricks today.
Have you called animal control?
I didn't run out of town. I still have business to tend to in Saint Paul.
I have volunteer work that I am solely responsible for, I couldn't let these folks down.
Post a Comment
<< Home