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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner trashes justice and gives DFL party a bad name

Please click onto the COMMENTS for the story.

85 Comments:

Anonymous Link here said...

story linked above

10:55 AM  
Blogger Bob said...

Hi All,

Folk's I am not politically correct. I say it like it is!

Susan Gaertner is a PIECE OF SHIT!

She has a long history of unethical practices. She is a disgrace to justice and the good DFLers who she aspires to represent.

There is a small group of influential, unethical dirty DFLers and Gaertner is part of this group. Finney is part of this group. This small group of DFL scumbags need to crawl under a rock someplace.

It is a disgrace Congress woman Betty McCollum and other high profile democrats would even associate their names with the likes of this group.

11:10 AM  
Blogger Bob said...

From Minnesota Public Radio

"I was surprised that Gaertner, chose to oppose the motion for a new trial," Mark Cohen wrote on the Minn Lawyer blog. "This ruling, coming at the tail end of her time as county attorney, can't help but having something of a tarnishing effect on her legacy. It was an odd choice to go out like this."

My response;
Mark, people in the know KNOW Susan Gaertner has tarnished her legacy for a very long time.

Leslie Davis's book Always Cheat

Describes how Jesse Ventura and Dean Barkley committed bribery.

Explains how prosecutor Susan Gaertner fixed the bribery investigation.

There is more tarnish!

3:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow Bob, I have had similar court experiences with Ramsey County Attorneys office Civil division.

They ruthlessley fight evidence contrary to the law and facts of the case.

I really am repulsed by this story in the sence that Gaertner want's to ruin this mans life forever by tagging him with a felony just to save face.

She narrowly got re-elected and God help litigant's that my be innocent being prosecuted by her office if she ever got another term.

I am sure she will NEVER be elected to any other political office as long as her political opponents can expose the repulsive manner in which I feel she conducts herself proffesionally.




Jeff Matiatos

3:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's not just Ramsey county, most prosecutors do not give a damn who they lock up. They just need lots of good things in their resume. Being a prosecutor is just a stepping stone for most of these people and they are going to step on whever they can to get to where they want to be.

8:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well we have the chance to elect a new county attorney. So lets get it right this time and elect the most qualified candidate. Otherwise we don't have the right to complain.

3:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What about when noen of the candidates are qualified and all we get to vote for are political hacks?

7:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You guys had several months to ask questions and get out to support the candidate you wanted. I left the board to see if all of this talk and concern would add up to something and there was nothing. So, now you have two good DFLers to choose from.

Both of these guys would make great public servants. However, I've been friends with Choi for years and know he understands things like people who have to work everyday. His record as city attorney earned him national recognition and honors.

Besides his work at preventing domestic abuse and action against criminal gangs, John has used his office to make the process better for citizens. Any lawyer can stand up and say they're tough on crime or have been putting people in jail, but John has taken it further to address some complaints I read about right here.

In police work, you can be arrested for something called 'obstructing legal process'. Bob talked about this when the cops were harassing his son and his girlfriend was being threatened with arrest if she interfered. If the cops pull you over and your friend ask too many questions, he can be arrested under this. Almost anything you do, or don't do, while the police are questioning, observing or investigating can be charged with olp. John brought the cops and NAACP together and created a training that has decreased these arrests by more than 30%.

The are other things he tackled like creating a national multi-city litigation working group to combat the foreclosure crisis, and innovative diversion and restorative justice programs in the area of bad check prosecutions, invalid license cases and obstructing legal process arrests.

John Choi has been doing excellent work without searching for headlines or the next political gig. He came out of a private law firm where he worked his way to becoming one of the youngest partners before accepting an appointment as the city attorney.

He is the best choice for Ramsey County.


Eric

9:27 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric said :

" I left the board to see if all of this talk and concern would add up to something and there was nothing ".


Well Eric, this topic focuses on Susan Gaertner and you seem to be just endorsing your candidate.

I don't have a problem with that really or Choi for that matter but your always putting yourself above the posters here and cutting on them when they stray from the topic.

Why don't you stick your neck out and give Gaertner the dis credit she deserves.

She was narrowly re-elected and probably by some sort of fuck up when the votes were counted.

Not everything Gaertner did was bad or wrong, but my opinion of her profesionally based upon my experiences with those who work for her and what we know in the press, is that those under her and herself perhalps. seems to have their hands in the pants of the court in this town. Or it could be the other way around.

Have some balls Eric and I know you can do better to respond to this topic about how negative Susan Gaertner has been in her role as County Attorney.

Your just to afraid to do so.



Jeff Matiatos

9:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jeff,

If you haven't noticed I don't engage here much. Not because I'm better than anyone, apparently I have different views on how to get things done. And, it was Bob who first stated that this group does not get active behind the values they support or say they support. Bob actually wrote it on a concurrent topic.

Now as far as my balls go, wheel-barrel size Jeff. If you were reading this four years ago, you'd know that I was supporting Cory Tennisson over Sue Gaertner. I worked the delegates and ran part of the endorsement process at the convention for him. We barely lost. Cory is now supporting and running Choi's campaign. If you ask someone who was there, you'd know that it wasn't easy for Susan at all.

Now, as far as this case goes, I think she was stubborn and callous to the evidence and impact all in the name of 'being tough on crime'. There are other cases that that office prosecuted that I don't agree with and think because they were high profile she helped navigate it into a political entity. However, that's what you get when elect someone who runs on being tough on crime.

I support Choi because he understands that, and more importantly- has acted on, every case is different. The players are different and everybody has rights.


Eric

11:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I see nothing wrong with being staunchly pro-active in prosecuting crime but the history of Gaertners tenure has been in conflict with the publics perception of her as a prosecutor and perhalps of those under her .

If Choi wins, then hopefully he will transform the Prosecutors office into one that stands for who Choi is as a prosecutor. He seems to have the popularity and awards that back him up and he dropped charges against 300 or so demonstrators at the RNC so that would seem to tell me he is not afraid to oppose the conduct of over zealous law enforcement hell bent on arresting those just out to make a statement.

Change is needed and Choi just might be the best candidate out there right now.


Jeff Matiatos

12:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If Eric is for Choi then I am for David Schultz.

Choi has no criminal courtroom experience, but he has lots of political experience. Choi was only appointed city attorney because of his political connections. Choi has has little courtroom experience.

1:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well what about that Eric ? Is 1:52right ?




Jeff Matiatos

4:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Saying that he wasn't qualified fr the appointment or, that he was only appointed because of politics completely ignores the RECORD he has compiled in the years that he's been city attorney represented the city and PROSECUTING crimes. You know, the job of the City Attorney.

Nationally recognized by other city attorneys as one of the best in the country. He received an award from them back in December.

He's led in implementing programs addressing domestic abuse, restorative justice and combating gang activity. And, as you pointed out Jeff, he tries to be damn sure that people are actually guilty (like he did with the RNC arrests)before wasting the public's money.

David does has more experience prosecuting felonies. That is true. David graduated from Stanford's law School and has 25 years experience. David has led legal classes and seminars all over the world. David worked for the AG in the past too. He's a great attorney, I've got nothing bad to say about him.

Aside from me knowing John, I give him the edge because of his experience leading the public office and working with a public budget while managing these attorneys. John Choi has led a government office of attorneys and managed it budget well enough that his own peers across the country nominated him as one of the best. The county group of attorneys can use that leadership and experience.


Eric

8:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric, your own words, "David does has more experience prosecuting felonies. That is true. David graduated from Stanford's law School and has 25 years experience. David has led legal classes and seminars all over the world. David worked for the AG in the past too. He's a great attorney, I've got nothing bad to say about him."

Choi is a political hack who got "appointed" to the position of city attorney, not based on his skills as a lawyer, but because of his political connections.

So what if he got an award. The DFL passes these awards out like candy through their different councils, boards and committees.

Choi has not set foot in a courtroom while ha has been city attorney. Choi has not tried a case, unlike past city attorneys. Choi follows what his boss the mayor tells him to do. As an officer of the court, Choi had a responsibility to keep politics out of the courts, but under his leadership, Choi become one of the most political city attorneys in recent memory. Choi was doing Coleman's dirty work instead of doing his job. Now Choi wants to be the top attorney in the county, but being so political only spells trouble.

11:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just went to Schultz' website. I did not realize how extensive and impressive his experience is. I'll paste a few things fromt eh website here but there is far too much to post. So go see for yourself.

Education:
Carleton College B.A. 1981

■Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
■Awarded Distinction in Political Science, Distinction on Senior Thesis
Stanford University Law School J.D. 1985

■Awarded Holmes Oehlman Prize for excellence in legal research and writing
Bar Admissions:
David is a member of and licensed to practice before the following courts:

Federal Courts

■United States Supreme Court
■7th Circuit Court of Appeals
■8th Circuit Court of Appeals
■Wisconsin Federal District (trial) Court
■Minnesota Federal District (trial) Court
State Courts

■Minnesota Supreme Court
■Minnesota Court of Appeals
■Minnesota District Courts
■Wisconsin Supreme Court
■Wisconsin Court of Appeals
■Wisconsin District Courts
■In addition, David has handled cases in 14 other states.
___________

Types of Cases Handled (criminal):

■Animal Cruelty
■Assault
■Criminal Syndicalism
■Death Penalty
■Disorderly Conduct
■Drugs
■Eighth Amendment
■Fifth Amendment
■Forgery
■Fourth Amendment
■Medicaid Fraud
■Medicare Fraud
■Murder
■Perjury
■Ponzi Schemes
■Rape
■Sexual Assault
■Sixth Amendment
■Theft by Swindle
■Unlawful Gambling
■White Collar

http://schultzforcountyattorney.com/resume/

11:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Litigation and Trial Experience:
David has been a trial lawyer in public and private practice for twenty-five years, with experience in private practice and the attorney general’s office in felony criminal matters and all manner of civil cases. During his quarter century in the courtroom, David has handled virtually every kind of case that comes through the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. He has represented every kind of client – from the largest corporations and their CEO’s to the most disadvantaged members of our society.

Types of Cases Handled (civil):

■Antitrust
■Breach of Contract
■Breach of Fiduciary Duty
■Civil Commitment
■Class Actions
■Commercial and Business Litigation
■Constitutional Law
■Consumer Fraud
■Copyright Infringement
■Defamation
■Employment
■Environmental
■ERISA
■False Claims Act
■Health Care Fraud
■Insurance Coverage
■Internet Disputes
■Legal Malpractice
■Mass Torts
■Medical Devices
■Medical Malpractice
■Negligent Design and Construction of Roadways
■Patent Infringement
■Personal Injury (including domestic violence)
■Physician Licensing
■Police Misconduct
■Products Liability
■Real Estate
■RICO (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act) Cases
■Section 1983 Civil Rights Claims
■Sexual Psychopathic Personality Commitment
■Shareholder Disputes
■Software Licensing
■Tax Appeals
■Theft of Trade Secrets
■Toxic Torts
■Trademark Infringement
■Unfair Competition
■Wrongful Death

11:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Court Appointments:
Federal Public Defense Panel – District of Minnesota

■Appointed by the Federal District Courts in Minnesota to represent criminal defendants in Minnesota federal courts
8th Circuit Court of Appeals Civil Justice Act Panel

■Appointed by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to represent defendants in criminal appeals
Board on Legal Certification

■Appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to serve on the Board of Legal Certification, the agency that certifies attorneys as specialists in a particular practice area
Committee on Appellate Rules

■Appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to serve on the committee which reviews and proposes changes to the rules governing appeals in Minnesota
Other Appointments and Board Work:
Board Member, Council on Crime and Justice
Board Member/Chair, Innocence Project of Minnesota
Board Member, Theater Space Project

11:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Education:
Carleton College B.A. 1981

■Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
■Awarded Distinction in Political Science, Distinction on Senior Thesis
Stanford University Law School J.D. 1985

■Awarded Holmes Oehlman Prize for excellence in legal research and writing
Bar Admissions:
David is a member of and licensed to practice before the following courts:

Federal Courts

■United States Supreme Court
■7th Circuit Court of Appeals
■8th Circuit Court of Appeals
■Wisconsin Federal District (trial) Court
■Minnesota Federal District (trial) Court
State Courts

■Minnesota Supreme Court
■Minnesota Court of Appeals
■Minnesota District Courts
■Wisconsin Supreme Court
■Wisconsin Court of Appeals
■Wisconsin District Courts
■In addition, David has handled cases in 14 other states.

11:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Choi is a nothing and he's not going to win the election

11:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

International Experience:

Kosovo
American Bar Association (ABA)
Central and Eastern European Law Initiative (CEELI)

David was asked by the CEELI Country Director in Kosovo to recruit and direct a small group of lawyers to assist in the development of the manual for criminal procedure used by judges in Kosovo. This project involved meeting with and teaching judges in Kosovo how to reestablish and implement the Rule of Law after the war. The bench book was accepted by the United Nations mission in Kosovo and adopted by the U.N. General Assembly.

Nairobi, Kenya
Upon the recommendation of Senator David Durenberger, David was hired by the family of a slain priest, Fr. John Kaiser, to assist the lawyers in Kenya with the official inquest into Fr. Kaiser’s murder. As a result of their combined efforts, Fr. Kaiser’s good name was restored as it was determined that his death was homicide, not a suicide.

Prague, Czech Republic
David was asked to spend a week in residence teaching law at a University in Prague.

11:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wasn't Choi the guy who helped the city council justify and develop their abusive housing policies?

11:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Apparently, this is more about winning a popularity contest for the DFl than it is about electing the most qualified candidate. Schultz can run circles around Choi. Choi is a popular lobbyist and he panders to the DFL. And he might get a lot of the DFL vote in the general election. But Choi will never get the vote of Republicans or Independents. I predict that Schultz will win this election.

http://schultzforcountyattorney.com/resume/

11:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Shadow agrees with:

11:42, 11:43, 11:44, 11:46, 11:48, 11:52, 11:53 and 11:57 PM

12:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like Shultz !!! His experience is overwhelming considering the many types of cases he has handled.

Nowhere in his record do I see a distinct background that connects him closly with local Government and could this mean he will be a prosecutor that upholds the constitution in high regard ?

I would like to see Choi's resume !!!!!





Jeff Matiatos

1:19 PM  
Anonymous Leslie Davis Write In 2Nov10 said...

Choi may win with Asian Vote?
Leslie Davis Write in
http://www.scribd.com/doc/35967300/LeslieDavis4MNGovWriteIn-2Nov10

1:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well if Choi wins by a narrow margin, you can bet it's because he got the vote of these Asians who frankly could care less about any other candidate so long as their not of Asian decent.

Not a very intillegent way to vote I would say.

It figures though.




Jeff Matiatos

2:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with Jeff. I am impressed with Dave Schultz's experience. And yes. Lets see Choi's resume!

8:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Choi's resume (I think) off of his website.

Experience
Demonstrated Leadership
As the former Saint Paul City Attorney, John is an experienced manager of a public law and prosecution office of 70 employees with an $8 million budget. Throughout his tenure, John brought innovation and reform to the criminal justice system.

Proven Results:

◦Combatting Criminal Gangs. Criminal gangs threaten the safety of our community. John worked with the Legislature and Police to develop a new tool - civil gang injunctions - to prevent gang members from associating with each other at neighborhood festivals. By sending a message to gangs that we will not tolerate criminal gang activity in our community, Saint Paul residents have been able to enjoy these events without fear of gang violence.
Read more:
◦Lesson from L.A.: Gang 'safety zones' keep the peace
◦Cities to Gangs: Stop or We’ll Sue
◦First Ever Gang Injunction Declared Success
◦Watch John discuss the injunction

8:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

◦Leading in Restorative Justice. After learning that obstructing legal process (OLP) cases were at an all-time high in the city, John brought the NAACP and Saint Paul police together to discuss perspectives and develop a training for police. As a result, these cases have decreased by 30%. In addition, John used a restorative justice model to bring the police, prosecutor, and offender together to resolve several pending cases.
Read more:
◦Let's Hope Maturity is on Agenda at Suds Summit
◦Creating Innovative Diversion Programs. Created innovative diversion and restorative justice programs in the area of bad check prosecutions, invalid license cases and obstructing legal process arrests. Courts are burdened by a revolving door of unlicensed drivers who get caught in the system, many of whom lose their licenses due to unpaid fines for tickets. Previously, the City would fine offenders and repeatedly suspend their licenses. Wanting to end the cycle, John worked with Legislators to create a diversion program to provide these individuals a responsible path to get their licenses back. In addition to paying off their fees, offenders must take a class to learn how to manage their finances and make better life choices. This effective intervention will result in decreased court costs, and more valid drivers on the road who are not only paying for their consequences, but are also educated to prevent them from coming back to the system.
Read more:
◦Editorial: Breaking the cycle of lost licenses
◦Watch KSTP story on Driver Diversion Program

8:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

◦Preventing Domestic Abuse. An average of eight times a night, Saint Paul police arrive at a domestic abuse call to find that the offender has left before they arrive. In the past, the files for those cases could sit on an attorney’s desk for weeks before being reviewed. John worked with the police department to create Blueprint for Safety, so now a police officer and prosecutor personally review those files each morning and evaluate them according to a threat assessment. For those victims at greatest risk, officers are sent out to apprehend the perpetrator the same day and file charges immediately. Because John made these cases a priority, Blueprint for Safety is effectively saving lives and keeping victims and the broader community safe.
Read more:
◦These abusers hurt and hurt again
◦Editorial: Take Steps to Curb Domestic Abuse
◦Watch Testimonials of Retired Family Court Judge Mary Louise Klas and Domestic Abuse Prevention Advocate Shelley Johnson Cline

8:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well when you campare the two, somehow Choi just doesn't seem to have much experience.

8:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WOW Chio has so little experience. The Resume posted is a political Resume, made possible to his political appointments.

Choi does not have more experience than Schultz. Choi is way to political for my taste.

8:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

But wait, there's more! If you order now, Choi will throw in some additional experience!:

Additional Experience
In collaboration with other public safety officials, Joihn has worked tirelessly to reform the criminal justice system. John’s innovative efforts include:

■Fostering the creation of the first elder abuse prosecution unit in Minnesota;
■Working with state legislators, developing civil gang injunction legislation to fight criminal gangs;
■Creating a National Multi-City Litigation Working Group to combat the foreclosure crisis; and
■Leading a successful effort to ban imitation toy guns that threaten the safety of police officers and residents

9:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anything posted about Choi from 8:50 p.m. to 9:11 p.m. is purely opinion based on someones impressions.

Until I see the resume or someone like Eric can post facts, I am voting for Shultz.

To tell you all the truth, I have an extensive background in litigating AGAINST the forces of evil that roam in local and city Government and wouldn't mind running for this position myself.

Hell, it was only about 35 years ago where in Minnesota you didn't have to be a lawyer to become a judge.



Jeff Matiatos

9:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jeff,
Except for the comments at 8:54, everything posted about Choi's experience came from his own website. The funny part of it is that the page this info is found on is called "Experience". Literally, everything copied here from Choi's website is all that he posted on his experience page. This is who the DFL wants in the courthouse.

http://www.votejohnchoi.com/experience

10:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it have been Choi who advised the city of St. Paul to ignore Morris v. Sax? Is this the kind of innovation he brags about?

8:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know this is off topic, but what I have read this morning just continues to dampen my dark view of illegal border crossings into this country from mexico.

According to the story about a Minneapolis woman raped by an illegal(s) at a UW campus, this guy was caught and jailed and given ONLY given bail of ten thousand dollars PLUS he had already commited crimes here and was on a hold by immigration authorities.

Our system has yet failed again and sad to say people like Eric and Chuck throw parties for St.Paul and it's sanctuary city.

You would have a different view point I assure you Eric if one of these punk ass Illegals ubducted and raped your wife or daughter.

I request you get the story on here Bob so we can hash this shit out and give St.Paul Sanctuary city the dis credit it deserves.

Go Arizona !!!!



Jeff Matiatos

11:27 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

By the way,A Democrat from Michigan recently got an Apple Pie in his face the other day and the woman who threw it was put in jail and NO BAIL was authorized by the court.

Yet this Illegal fuk was given bail at ten thousand dollars for ubduction and rape charges and this is totally fuked up !!!



Jeff Matiatos

11:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First, I said I had nothing bad to say about Schultz. He is a DFLer too. He's not exactly un-political and got his start working with Skip Humphrey over at the AG's office (I believe Matt Entenza may have been there too at that time).

Second, on experience, John is like 12 years younger and his experience is about the same. You have to judge on accomplishments. If you feel that David has BETTER accomplishments, then vote for him. If you feel John's are BETTER, then voter for him. David will always have more, because he's been involved longer.

In John's 15 years as an attorney, he's had five in the public sector. The other in the private sector. At Kennedy and Graven, he worked long hours and out performed many of his more seasoned colleagues to become on the youngest partners in that firms' long history. He became an expert on government operations which was a reason he was appointed to the city attorney's office.

The mayor brought in a private sector attorney to run the government attorney's office. How did it work out?

As a public attorney and head of a major city department, he received the International Municipal Lawyers Association award as the BEST attorney in North America.

Many republicans say that government would run better if its leaders were experienced in private sector. The mayor appointed an attorney from the private sector, instead of promoting one from within the department, and a few years later he is considered the best municipal attorney on the continent.

So, now the best city/municipal attorney in the country wants to run the county attorney's office and some are trying to say that he is not ready? Or just a political appointee? He's only had one appointment, and he excelled at that appointment. 2/3rds of his experience is in the private sector.

The county attorney will rarely if ever enter a courtroom. I think the point is over played of who has the most courtroom experience. Its important to understand the procedures and process so that you can correctly guide your attorneys, John has done that for 5 years straight. You're managing the biggest office of attorneys in the county, a massive budget, legislative priorities and a relationship with the courts and sheriff's office. There really isn't enough time to prepare for a single case thoroughly and argue it in court (don't you folks watch law and order? When did you ever see Arthur Branch in a courtroom?), unless its high profile.

That's all I have to say about this. David has a lot of legal experience mostly due to his longer time practicing law. John has direct experience leading a government law office, the second biggest one in the county, that he's received awards for being outstanding at, and now wants to lead the biggest one in the county.

They're both excellent candidates and represent the DFL quite well.


Eric

11:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First, I said I had nothing bad to say about Schultz. He is a DFLer too. He's not exactly un-political and got his start working with Skip Humphrey over at the AG's office (I believe Matt Entenza may have been there too at that time).

Second, on experience, John is like 12 years younger and his experience is about the same. You have to judge on accomplishments. If you feel that David has BETTER accomplishments, then vote for him. If you feel John's are BETTER, then voter for him. David will always have more, because he's been involved longer.

In John's 15 years as an attorney, he's had five in the public sector. The other in the private sector. At Kennedy and Graven, he worked long hours and out performed many of his more seasoned colleagues to become on the youngest partners in that firms' long history. He became an expert on government operations which was a reason he was appointed to the city attorney's office.

The mayor brought in a private sector attorney to run the government attorney's office. How did it work out?

As a public attorney and head of a major city department, he received the International Municipal Lawyers Association award as the BEST attorney in North America.

Many republicans say that government would run better if its leaders were experienced in private sector. The mayor appointed an attorney from the private sector, instead of promoting one from within the department, and a few years later he is considered the best municipal attorney on the continent.

So, now the best city/municipal attorney in the country wants to run the county attorney's office and some are trying to say that he is not ready? Or just a political appointee? He's only had one appointment, and he excelled at that appointment. 2/3rds of his experience is in the private sector.

The county attorney will rarely if ever enter a courtroom. I think the point is over played of who has the most courtroom experience. Its important to understand the procedures and process so that you can correctly guide your attorneys, John has done that for 5 years straight. You're managing the biggest office of attorneys in the county, a massive budget, legislative priorities and a relationship with the courts and sheriff's office. There really isn't enough time to prepare for a single case thoroughly and argue it in court (don't you folks watch law and order? When did you ever see Arthur Branch in a courtroom?), unless its high profile.

That's all I have to say about this. David has a lot of legal experience mostly due to his longer time practicing law. John has direct experience leading a government law office, the second biggest one in the county, that he's received awards for being outstanding at, and now wants to lead the biggest one in the county.

They're both excellent candidates and represent the DFL quite well.


Eric

11:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jeff,
A criminal is a criminal. Does it matter their citizenship? Would you feel better if it was an American that raped her, or your wife or daughter? No you wouldn't. Like me, you'd want blood not only from the perp but, from everyone who was responsible for letting this happen.

According to the FBI, 600 women and girls a day are sexually assaulted. We already live in a sick society. What are you doing to change that?


Eric

11:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric, your really asking me if it's about ethninticity rather than citizenship. Fact is, these thugs that allegedley raped this woman were here illegally and thats my point, only not because their of mexican decent. BUT, they are mexicans tied to the broader issue of illegal immigration and citys like St.Paul do nothing but harbor them and throw tax dollars their way.

Unfortunatley what I would like to do and what I can do to help curb the instances of crime by illegals cannot, and may never have an effect since the decision to harbor them at all cost is a Government one where the Democrats and Republicans REFUSE to address this issue to the satisfaction of the people.

Why is it so fuking hard to warn the Government of Mexico that any illegal crossings into the United States represents a threat to National Security and that our military already has constitutional powers to repell them with deadly force ?

I know part of the answer and it's because we need mexico as an ally to our southern border incase war breaks out.

It's so sick.



Jeff Matiatos

12:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would declare war on Mexico claiming that they are insurgents invading our country to starve it of it's financial resources trying to make our economey so weak we become vulnerable to foriegn countrys.

That these Mexican insurgents are here murdering our citizens just like the terrorists that allegedly brought down the towers in New York.

You getting my drift now ??


Jeff Matiatos

12:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Go ahead.
What will you do when you find out that crossing the border is is on the books as minor misdemeanor?
What else are going to do when you find out that its also spelled out that the law of the land is that illegal border crossing is punishable by deportation after dur process?
What are going to do when asked to explain what crime surge from illegals are you talking about?
What are you going to so when you read that deportations are at an all time high and border presence is too?

You questions you ask are not based in fact so why answer them? You will find plenty of people here who go along with you (Bill, Swiftee, Bob, Leslie etc) but, I'm not one.

I'll ask again, you're pissed off about the woman that raped in Wisconsin. What are you going to do about the 600 women and girls that the FBI say are assaulted everyday here?

Criminals need to be punished and they come in the legal and illegal form. 99% of them are here as LEGAL citizens because they are born and bred Americans. I repeat- Illegal or not, criminals need to be punished.

As far as 9/11 goes, every last one of them entered this country LEGALLY.

Mexican illegals come here for work for the most part. Plain and simple. The only way to stop that is to crack down on the employers from restaurants to construction sites to meat packing plants. Hurt their ability to do business, and they'll be hiring more Americans faster than you can say "Andele Muchachos!"

But, don't come here, or come to me with your fake outrage over a particular crime. We got so much home grown crime that you don't give a crap that outweighs anything the illegals do 99 to 1. Don't try to sell me that its such a crime to cross the border when its not.

How many Americans were murdered by illegal Mexican immigrants this year? Last year?

If you bother to look that up, then tell me how many Americans were murdered overall. Then try to tell us with a straight face that shit you did in your last two posts.



Eric

4:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jeff said:
Why is it so fuking hard to warn the Government of Mexico that any illegal crossings into the United States represents a threat to National Security and that our military already has constitutional powers to repell them with deadly force?

It so hard because that power does not exist. What side of your ass did you pull this deadly force thing from?

Mexico is in the middle of a civil war with drug lords and gun runners. SO much so that we are lending them support.

If you lived there with your family, and these murders were going on and there was no legal work for you to do, would you wait the 9 to 11 years it would take become a citizen and live among that war zone with your family, or cross the border and keep a low profile and find a job to take care of them? Me? I'm changing my name Charles Davenport or something and getting to the nearest place that will hire me without any questions.

Oh, when you're looking up murders, look up Russian gang murders and Armenian gangs. Hell, look up the big dog of all of them, American gang murders.

You emotions betray you. The facts are not as you present them Jeff.


Eric

4:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, here you go again Mr.Democratic philosopher demanding statistics.

You and your pathetic mode of border patrol that consists of wanting to police the employers that hire them, I laugh all the time when you respond that way.

You tell me at the name of at least one employer that has ever been prosecuted when the Immigration and ICE authorities have conducted a raid and aprehended illegals ????

How many buisnesses that have been raided for hiring illegals have been prosecuted by the IRS ???

It's so fuking sad to hear Mexico has a civil war that we didn't start.

You want numbers from me to show how many murders and felonious crimes have been caused by illegals ???

Your asking me to produce that is just a your way of saying you just don't want to believe what you already know to be true.

I will agree with you that our own crime levels by our own natural born citizens may in fact be lot's higher than those commited by illegals entering the United States, but the issue of illegal immigration is not just about crime. It's about preserving our American way of life and National security.

You politically charged assnine Democrats and Republicans are just hooked on manipulating the black and minority votes to keep power and snuff out any third party running for the presidency.

You want these people here for that very reason no matter what the price to the Americans that died and were out of a job's due to this intentional ignorance in failing to protect the borders.

Lending the Mexican Government support ???

How about a military occupation !!!

Let's go in their with our military and impose martial law !!

Were doing it all over the world in the name of democracy and we no longer have the support from the civilized world because of the way we do things.

Eric your pathetic remedy's are juvenille and you really need to check again about that big set of balls you say you have.

Let's go in their and shake up that Mexican Government with military force.

Place landmines at the border with signs warning them that they are there and if they wish to come here, to apply for residency at their local immigration office.


I am sorry if my ideas are to revolutionary for you but most americans are getting fed up with our Governments handling of this and I am convinced my proposals for a solution are much better than yours.

Now about them balls Eric !!!!




Jeff Matiatos

6:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Right on Jeff

6:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ummm your ideas are not too revolutionary, they are anti-constitutional and your whole reasoning is not based in fact. Its just pure bullshit. I know, there I go again with stupid stats and facts when you really know what's going on. Why can't I be a man and go out and shoot some mexicans, huh? Well, jeff, you're an ignorant dick and I have a pesky problem of wanting to know what the fuck I'm talking about before I pass it along.

I don't know how many business were busted but I do know since Obama has been in office, the flow of illegals has been slowed down to its lowest rate in decades. DECADES! Deportations are at record numbers so, I guess business are being busted at record numbers. Problem is there is no teeth in the law to stop them from being busted the very next month.

I'm glad you think its a national security problem because the FBI, CIA and Dept of Defense does not find it so. However, they do think the drug war is of our concern which is why we lent the Mexican government drones, other weapons and even assistance from our satellites.

Since you're to busy oiling your gun and preparing for the 'invasion', I'll do the research for the sane people who respect the constitution and aren't scared chickenshits. Here's the facts:

According to FBI statistics, violent crimes reported in Arizona dropped by nearly 1,500 reported incidents between 2005 and 2008. Reported property crimes also fell, from about 287,000 reported incidents to 279,000 in the same period. These decreases are accentuated by the fact that Arizona's population grew by 600,000 between 2005 and 2008.

According to the nonpartisan Immigration Policy Institute, proponents of the bill "overlook two salient points: Crime rates have already been falling in Arizona for years despite the presence of unauthorized immigrants, and a century's worth of research has demonstrated that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes or be behind bars than the native-born."

So where does all of the hysteria come from? People like Jeff.

This is your world Jeff here at A-Democracy. I started this thread off pointing out how all of this shit ALL of you talk on here, you've gained nothing and continue to lose influence with every election here. That was my point for reappearance. I'll go back to winning elections and you all can talk about how St Paul is the worst city in the world and Bill Dahn and Sharon Anderson will rescue you.

Give me a response when you walk into the real world.


Eric

6:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

FBI,CIA,and Department of Defence ?

You actually put your trust in these agencys to get anything accomplished other than failed and corrupt covert operations hell bent on just doing what ever Uncle Sam wants in the name of this so called democracy !!

I live in the real world Eric and so do the majority of us who can at least step back from the anals of all this political hype and corruption that seems to have over taken your sence of understanding about what it truely means to be an American and what it stands for.

Calling me a dick means nothing to me or any other name so you might as well cut the crap.

Centurys of immigrants ? You know very little about immigration as we all know it.

Let's see, real immigration as we know it occured around the turn of the 19 century. Before that, there was the wild west and there were still slaves in the south so what type of immigrants are we talking about here ?

Do you mean the immigrants from Europe ?

Well Centurys of immigration studys really don't include The Mexican's I can assure you and if anything, what studies have been compiled on mexican's immigrating to this country consist of what has transpired in the last 20 years and we know what the contributions have been from them NEED I SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU !!!

I have no problem with any persons from any culture immigrating here so long as they follow the laws and rules to enter this country but if Mexico is so fuking bad, how come we don't see the United nations getting involved ?

Why is it always us to the rescue ?

We don't have the answers and economic ability these days to fix everyones civil wars and economy let alone fix our own.

So you go ahead and try to get votes on your position here and if you ad i were running head to head for political office on just this issue alone i would walk all over you. You would be luky to get 10%




Jeff Matiatos

7:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am voting for David Schultz after hearing what Eric had to say.

9:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think someone should push the "IGNORE" button on Eric. Apparently, he seems to think everyone here is an idiot and he comes here only to educate us. Eric would do well to remember the saying "If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything".

Eric stands for nothing as seen in this one paragraph he wrote:

"Aside from me knowing John, I give him the edge because of his experience leading the public office and working with a public budget while managing these attorneys. John Choi has led a government office of attorneys and managed it budget well enough that his own peers across the country nominated him as one of the best. The county group of attorneys can use that leadership and experience."

The job of the county attorney involves a hell of a lot more than making political friends and managing money. In order to properly manage the budget of a major county attorneys office, you have to know something about prosecuting crimes, making appropriate charging decisions, etc. If you don't know how to do that, you cannot know how to allocate funds and manage the county attorneys office. We don't need a county attorney who doesn't know shit about practicing law. Choi has no experience in this area, but Eric is stupid enough to think it doesn't matter.

Let's take Choi's decision to NOT charge his friend Bobby Kasper for engaging in prostitution. Now, Kasper was caught on video tape attempting to engage in prostitution with an undercover St. Paul police officer. But, at teh request of someone at SPPD, Choi dropped the charge against Kasper. When you catch someone beaking the law on video tape, it is a slam dunk conviction. At the very least Choi could have gotten a plea deal. But, he dropped the charges against self proclaimed wannabe mob type Kapser and THEN--LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER--Choi supported Kasper serving on the board that chose our police chief.

The handwriting is on the wall. Choi's agenda is clear. And his INEXPERIENCE is in sharp contrast to Schultzes experience.



Eric>>>>>>>IGNORE<<<<<<<<<<<

1:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric, looks like you tucked your tail between your legs and hit the road .... LOL

9:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think 1:48 has made his point.

Eric, if what 1:48 says is true, looks like your candidate has got some explaining to do and maybe you can help clear up this matter LOL !!!

BUT, your probably beating your brains out looking for some stats to contradict what's being said about Choi. GOOD LUK !

12:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not answering because it doesn't matter. I answer this, someone else throws something else out there. But, here goes:

The job of the county attorney involves a hell of a lot more than making political friends and managing money. In order to properly manage the budget of a major county attorneys office, you have to know something about prosecuting crimes, making appropriate charging decisions, etc.

That's exactly what the city attorney does too. EXACTLY. I didn't think I needed to name the basic functions. You know its what they do too because in the next paragraph you accuse John of dropping charges against Kasper. With the RNC arrests, Choi went through the facts and in spite of pressure from the County Sheriff and Attorney, his office chose not to charge them.

Let's take Choi's decision to NOT charge his friend Bobby Kasper for engaging in prostitution. Now, Kasper was caught on video tape attempting to engage in prostitution with an undercover St. Paul police officer. But, at teh request of someone at SPPD, Choi dropped the charge against Kasper. When you catch someone beaking the law on video tape, it is a slam dunk conviction. At the very least Choi could have gotten a plea deal. But, he dropped the charges against self proclaimed wannabe mob type Kapser and THEN--LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER--Choi supported Kasper serving on the board that chose our police chief.

1. I'm a friend of Choi. He was not and is not friends with Bobby Kasper.

2. The members of that board were chosen by the mayor and council, not the city attorney. The city attorney was appointed as the co-chair.

3. He was off the board when it was found out he was arrested for solicited prostitution- the previous year. He actually was off before the first meeting of the group so he never did serve on that selection committee.

4. The police dropped the charges against him, citing only an "investigative rationale." Still don't know why since it was on tape but, it wasn't the city attorney's doing.

5. He bounced out of the union too.

All of this can be found in the Pioneer Press on 03/13/2010 in a story written by David Orrick.

Again, I'm fine with both of these accomplished DFLers, I just happen to think John is better suited because he has already led a public attorneys office and considered to be the best in the country.



Eric

8:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric,

You are FULL of shit again.

Bobby Kasper is STILL president of the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation.

http://mn.aflcio.org/stpaulunions/index.cfm?action=article&articleID=849880cb-b3fe-4921-bde3-0bd53abd2f04

Officers, board members and staff
OFFICERS
President: Bobby Kasper, Laborers Local 132
Executive Vice President: Tom Edwards, American Postal Workers Union of Saint Paul
Secretary-Treasurer: Bernadine Engeldorf, Minnesota Nurses Association
Sergeant-at-Arms: Beth Branca, OPEIU Local 12

2:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN) - February 10, 2010 - B1 Local

Member of police chief search panel quits Labor leader confronted with prostitution, gambling arrests
A member of a committee to help select St. Paul's next police chief resigned Tuesday after the Pioneer Press confronted him about his own brushes with the law, including arrests on suspicion of soliciting a prostitute and of cheating at gambling. Bobby Kasper, 51, of Forest Lake, the newly elected president of the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, wasn't convicted in either incident and pleaded with the Pioneer Press not to report on them,

2:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric,

The key word you left out was the union "URGED" Kasper to leave, but did not force him to leave.

Details, details, Eric you and your DFL buddies sure know how to twist the truth.

St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN) - March 13, 2010 - A1 Main

Locals urge labor leader's ouster Some threaten to pull out of federation in wake of arrests; Kasper refuses to step down
The conduct of a top officer is threatening to fracture St. Paul's most prominent labor organizations as the political endorsement season heats up. This week, several locals, including a large union of government workers, issued ultimatums to the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation demanding the resignation of its president, Bobby Kasper, following revelations that he was arrested on suspicion of soliciting a prostitute and cheating at gambling. Police dropped charges

2:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The problem with Eric and the so called facts and statistics he trys to push on everyone here is that they are mostly twisted and distorted to suit the whims of his political agenda and Bafoons he claims to support.

St.Paul is littered with questionable corrupt individuals from Kasper to the likes of Foster.

This Kasper sounds to me like he should be sitting on some board in Chi town working with Al Capone. If he were alive LOL.

But he resigned and did the right thing but I think this reflects badly on those who elected to put this guy on the board in the first place. I think those that put him there also knew about Kaspers run in's with police.

But if I am reading it right, the statements here also says he was urged to QUIT his role as president of his labor union party so there.....

We don't need people like Kasper on any board to elect one of the most powerful positions in St.Paul... Police Chief.









Jeff Matiatos








Jeff Matiatos

8:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

See what I mean? I answer, and you keep throwing stuff out there until you can find something that looks like it may stick. Until I answer, then you move to the next thing using the same process.

There was a connection by 1:48 that was trying to make between Choi and Kasper through the Police Chief Selection Committee. 12:27 asked was it true. Its not.

I said there wasn't, and now, no one disputes that but, they have moved on down the road on to Bobby Kasper who has absolutely nothing to do with the candidates running for Ramsey County Attorney.

Well, I don't give two craps about Bobby Kasper and it does look like he saved his own ass and remains President of the Regional Labor Federation. I am familiar with AFSCME, which are a majority of the city workers, and they were clear that Kasper needed to go. I guess they lost that vote.

Point is, there is no connection between him and Choi. He's from Forest Lake and and doesn't live in St Paul.


Eric

4:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric,

You are missing the point totally. John Choi failed to prosecute Kasper because of political pressure from the Mayor's office. The mayor, Chris Coleman appointed political lawyer John Choi to be city attorney. In turn Choi failed to prosecute Kasper even when he was recorded on tape. That is black and white baby.

John Choi is a political hack who is inexperienced for the job of county attorney.

David Schultz is more qualified and has more experience in the courtroom. David Schultz is NOT a political hack like John Choi.

5:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The labor boys talked to Coleman who talked to Choi.

Choi failed to to his sworn job by not prosecuting Kasper.

City Employee

5:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

For the last time, as the article reports- THE POLICE dropped the charges. Usually that happens when they screw up the evidence.

Next, how the hell is Choi a political hack? He worked ten years in the private sector and was a great attorney then he was appointed the city attorney (a public law office)an went on to become one of the best in the country- according to the other city attorneys in America and Canada. That's it. He was an outstanding lawyer in the private and public sectors. Now he running for a political office that happens to be a public attorney's office, like the one he was recognized as the best at.

What is with you?
Listen I work in politics and when people are tearing down the opposition with lies, then they have nothing strong going for them. I've said nothing negative about Schultz in building up Choi. Of course David has more experience in law, he's older.

However, what Choi has that David does not is five years running a public attorney's office. That's a five year record that was recognized a few months ago as being one of the best in the country and Canada. Not by political hacks but by City/Municipal attorneys across the land.

David Schultz has not run a public or private law office. The Ramsey County Attorney's Office is the biggest entity of lawyers both public and private in the county. It'll be nice to have someone there that has already distinguished themselves as outstanding in taking on that task. John Choi has done that.

I've got nothing else to say about it except, good luck.


Eric

8:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We don't need any more of Choi's "creativity".

10:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric,

The City Attorney, John Choi dropped the charges against Kasper at the direction of the mayor's office. Mara (SPPP) is working on the story.

Several city attorneys are very pissed at Choi for dropping the charges against Bobby Kasper when it was a slam dunk case. SPPD does not make the choice to charge or not charge. That is left up to the city attorneys office, as we are the ones that do the leg work. Kasper was caught red-handed and Choi bent to political pressure from his boss, Chris Coleman.

Eric you said, "Listen I work in politics and when people are tearing down the opposition with lies, then they have nothing strong going for them."

Eric, all you do is tear down the opposition, spread lies about them. You have done it here numerous times. I have caught you several times.

Davis Schultz has more experience than John Choi has. I really don't give a rat's ass as to how much private political lawyering Choi has done. His political crap doesn't mean anything when we have a case to charge. That is where Schultz has experience. Schultz has actually tried cases, Choi hasn't. Choi is wet behind his ears when it comes to experience. All Choi has under his belt is his political work and that is all. I wouldn't want him to running the county attorneys office.

11:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric, you left out most of the article Gottfried wrote about Kasper. You also said that

"The police dropped the charges against him, citing only an "investigative rationale." Still don't know why since it was on tape but, it wasn't the city attorney's doing."

Well, be sure to read the entire article and don't miss the part that says

"St. Paul police asked the city attorney's office to drop the misdemeanor charge of engaging in prostitution, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, police spokesman.

"All I can indicate is there was an investigative rationale for requesting dismissal of the case," he said. Schnell would not comment further."

12:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Member of St. Paul police chief search panel quits
Labor leader confronted with prostitution, gambling arrests
By Dave Orrick and Mara H. Gottfried
Pioneer Press
Updated: 02/10/2010 11:35:10 PM CST

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_143693

Bobby Kasper, 51, of Forest Lake. A member of a committee to help select St. Paul's next police chief resigned Tuesday after the Pioneer Press confronted him about his own brushes with the law, including arrests on suspicion of soliciting a prostitute and of cheating at gambling.

Bobby Kasper, 51, of Forest Lake, the newly elected president of the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, wasn't convicted in either incident and pleaded with the Pioneer Press not to report on them, emphasizing he was apologizing to Mayor Chris Coleman and would resign from the committee.

"If it's gonna be put in the paper, I'll get off," Kasper said. "I don't want to give the mayor a black eye."

Kasper was one of 23 prominent community members — from business groups to social service agencies — named by the city council and Coleman to an advisory committee to vet candidates seeking to replace St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington and make nonbinding recommendations to Coleman.

In December, Harrington announced he wouldn't seek another term.

City leaders said they were unaware of Kasper's past and were caught off-guard Tuesday. A spokesman said Coleman was "shocked," and city council President Kathy Lantry said she was "surprised and disappointed."

The gambling charge was dismissed after Kasper agreed to meet certain conditions, court records show.

Why the solicitation charge, which includes videotape evidence of Kasper paying an undercover cop $80 for sex, was dismissed remains murky.

St. Paul police asked the city attorney's office to drop the misdemeanor charge of engaging in prostitution, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, police spokesman.

"All I can indicate is there was an investigative rationale for requesting dismissal of the case," he said. Schnell would not comment further.

One year ago today, St. Paul police officers netted Kasper in an undercover "john sweep" at a hotel in the department's Western District. Police reports give the following account of the case:

12:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Member of St. Paul police chief search panel quits
Labor leader confronted with prostitution, gambling arrests
By Dave Orrick and Mara H. Gottfried
Pioneer Press
Updated: 02/10/2010 11:35:10 PM CST

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_143693

Bobby Kasper, 51, of Forest Lake. A member of a committee to help select St. Paul's next police chief resigned Tuesday after the Pioneer Press confronted him about his own brushes with the law, including arrests on suspicion of soliciting a prostitute and of cheating at gambling.

Bobby Kasper, 51, of Forest Lake, the newly elected president of the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, wasn't convicted in either incident and pleaded with the Pioneer Press not to report on them, emphasizing he was apologizing to Mayor Chris Coleman and would resign from the committee.

"If it's gonna be put in the paper, I'll get off," Kasper said. "I don't want to give the mayor a black eye."

Kasper was one of 23 prominent community members — from business groups to social service agencies — named by the city council and Coleman to an advisory committee to vet candidates seeking to replace St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington and make nonbinding recommendations to Coleman.

In December, Harrington announced he wouldn't seek another term.

City leaders said they were unaware of Kasper's past and were caught off-guard Tuesday. A spokesman said Coleman was "shocked," and city council President Kathy Lantry said she was "surprised and disappointed."

The gambling charge was dismissed after Kasper agreed to meet certain conditions, court records show.

Why the solicitation charge, which includes videotape evidence of Kasper paying an undercover cop $80 for sex, was dismissed remains murky.

12:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

St. Paul police asked the city attorney's office to drop the misdemeanor charge of engaging in prostitution, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, police spokesman.

"All I can indicate is there was an investigative rationale for requesting dismissal of the case," he said. Schnell would not comment further.

One year ago today, St. Paul police officers netted Kasper in an undercover "john sweep" at a hotel in the department's Western District. Police reports give the following account of the case:

Vice officers had posted an ad on craigslist.org and backpage.com stating, "Blond's Always Have More Fun ... Check it out!!!" and included a phone number."

An undercover female cop got a call from a man who identified himself as "Bobby." He agreed to pay $80 for a half-hour. "He said he was from the East Coast and was Italian," a report said. "He said he was sort of like an Italian mob type. He said he was on his way to see me."

A decoy officer directed the man — later identified as Kasper, who is originally from New York — to a hotel, and he followed her to a room, which was wired with audio and video.

"He asked me if he looked like a mob boss," the undercover officer wrote in her report. Kasper showed the officer $80 and put it on the bathroom counter. "He said he wasn't a weirdo," the report continued. "He walked toward me and hugged me. He said he was nervous."

The officer gave a signal, and an arrest team entered the room, nabbing Kasper at 11 a.m. He was booked and bailed himself out. A month later, the charge was dismissed.

12:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kasper, who is not married, declined to discuss the bust.

"I wasn't convicted," he said. "Just leave it at that."

In 2007, Kasper was arrested at Canterbury Park in Shakopee after allegedly getting caught on camera "bet capping" — placing a bet after looking at his cards in a game where that's not allowed — resulting in his winning a $175 pot.

Kasper pleaded guilty to cheating at gambling, a gross misdemeanor, but the charge was dismissed after he met certain conditions, including six months' probation and steering clear of the park for six months, court records show.

"It was a $5 bet," Kasper said. "It was an honest mistake."

Harrington, Lantry, Coleman, and City Attorney John Choi, who co-chairs the committee, all said it was appropriate for Kasper to resign.

In an effort to include representatives of so many interests, city leaders said they didn't vet members of the police committee. "Bobby wasn't put on the committee," Lantry explained. "The president of the Regional Labor Federation was." She said it's unlikely he'll be replaced.

The Pioneer Press searched Minnesota court records for the names of the 22 other members of the committee. Four of the names were too common to determine whether the committee members had criminal histories. None of the other members appears to have faced criminal charges.

Known for his boisterous personality and commitment to unions, Kasper, a former laborer who came up through unions in New York, said that as a recovering substance abuser, he's made plenty of mistakes.

"I been sober about 18 years," he said. "I've done fivefold good things for each bad thing.... I wouldn't have got elected (to the Labor Federation) if people didn't think I believe in what I'm doing. You put that (the arrests) in the paper, I'm finished. How about I get off the committee and you don't run anything?"

12:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

0St. Paul police asked the city attorney's office to drop the misdemeanor charge of engaging in prostitution, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, police spokesman.

"All I can indicate is there was an investigative rationale for requesting dismissal of the case," he said. Schnell would not comment further0

Looks like its the police department that fumbled this one. Kind of hard to prosecute when there is an investigative rationale for requesting the dismissal. The cops asked the DA to dismiss the case over something called an investigative rationale. What is that? I'll tell you. The connection is with the cops, not the attorneys.

1:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

1:11 said:
0St. Paul police asked the city attorney's office to drop the misdemeanor charge of engaging in prostitution, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, police spokesman.

"All I can indicate is there was an investigative rationale for requesting dismissal of the case," he said. Schnell would not comment further0

Looks like its the police department that fumbled this one. Kind of hard to prosecute when there is an investigative rationale for requesting the dismissal. The cops asked the DA to dismiss the case over something called an investigative rationale. What is that? I'll tell you. The connection is with the cops, not the attorneys.

________

The point is this:

Eric stated that the cops dropped the charges when in fact it was the City Attorney who dropped them. The city attorney did not have to drop the charges. But he did. And then Choi did not object to this slimeball serving on the police chief committee less than one year later.

1:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You got it right, "The city attorney did not have to drop the charges. But he did. And then Choi did not object to this slimeball serving on the police chief committee less than one year later."

Choi served as co-chair on the police selection committee. He knew who served on the police chief selection committee and he did NOTHING. Choi could have asked Kasper to leave the committee with his knowledge of Kasper's case.

Coleman and Lantry are good friends of Kasper's. I like the line Lantry and Coleman used, they didn't vet the committee members of the police chief selection committee.

BTW - The police selection committee was selected the next day after Harrington anounced his retirement (Tuesday), at the Wednesday the city council meeting the council had already put forward a list of members to the police selection committe together for a vote by the city council and Kasper's name was on that list. The police selection list was stacked by Liberal-Progressive DFLers.

5:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

5:54

Interesting time line! Makes you wonder why Harrington never said anything about Kapser's arrest in the sting operation. After all, he was the sitting police chief and IF, as Eric wants us to believe, the charges against Kasper were dropped for investigative rationale purposes, then one would think that the charges against ALL of the people caught in the sting that day were dropped as well. And, IF that were the case, then Harrington would have had to known that his officers botched up the sting operation, in which case he would have known about Kasper too! So something stinks about the whole thing and it makes you wonder who it was at SPPD who asked Choi to drop the charges in the first place. Could it have been one of the assistant police chiefs? Maybe Di Perna or even Bostrom?

9:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm getting a little slow in my age and it took me a little longer to pick up on this.

This is guilt by association. Except, there is no association.

John Choi ran the city attorney's office with over 100 attorneys prosecuting crimes and enforcing ordinances. Other city attorneys who know the job better than Jeff and whomever the anonymous snipe is voted John Choi as the best in the country and Canada at doing that.

Kasper has no connection with him. One of the 100 attorneys was assigned to that misdemeanor and the cops asked them to drop the charges because of some investigative infraction. It was dropped. Kasper was off of the selection committee before it met. Its in the article. Kasper is a non factor.

You forget that Schultz is also a DFLer and will probably make similar appointments to head different divisions but, will certainly support the cause of disenfranchised and make sure that say, renters and the are not taken advantage of by the absentee landlords. You can bet that either one will be supportive of code enforcement prosecutions.

One other thing I remember about this group is that you're all talk. You haven't won one election you supported in four years. This is why in this case, both, actually all three contenders before the primary were DFLers who have been active in the party.

So, carry on with your allegations of this and that, when November 3rd rolls around, you'll be sitting around scratching your head creating new conspiracies on why you yet again, lost.



Eric

10:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric may be right that Choi will win. The slimeballs hold on St. Paul, before the fall, may be too much. This discussion impacts a wide range of decisions besides the vote.

11:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Choi may carry the majority of the St. Paul vote. Big deal. But beyond St. Paul, Schultz will get the most votes and he will win the election. The folks in the suburbs don't like what goes on in St. Paul politics. Thats a fact.

3:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

bobby Kasper is from the suburbs.

8:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bobby Kasper may be from the burgs, but he was caught with his pants down in good old St. Paul.

He offered just $80.00. What an insult to female cop. She is a babe.

1:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He offered just $80.00. What an insult to female cop. She is a babe.

1:38 PM

Yeah. What a cheapskate!

11:40 PM  
Blogger Bob said...

Eric said;
If you haven't noticed I don't engage here much. Not because I'm better than anyone, apparently I have different views on how to get things done. And, it was Bob who first stated that this group does not get active behind the values they support or say they support. Bob actually wrote it on a concurrent topic.

My response;
I better give credit where it is due. "Some" property rights advocates have put their money where their mouth is and paid for things like distribution of the Watchdog and other efforts that require cash resources.

A larger number in our group of property rights advocates were encouraging Mitch Berg to run for mayor last election. Mitch would have received great financial support from this group if he had decided to run.

9:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Doesn't Mitch Berg have a radio show?

10:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

YEP!

11:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, how come Mitch hasn't talked about our issues on his show or interviewed some of the victims of the out of control government in St Paul?

11:46 PM  
Blogger Bob said...

Mitch has been outspoken on housing issues at his blog, other blogs, and his radio show.

Mitch participated in a Round Table discussion of housing right here at A Democracy Town Hall with City Council President Kathy Lantry, and Bill Cullen of Cullen homes.

Link to Round Table here .

8:53 AM  

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