CLibertyC

2nd trial begins for officer accused of robbing motorists

"A suspended Indianapolis metro police officer accused of robbing motorists during traffic stops went on trial Monday. David Butler, 53, is standing trial for the charges for a second time, after jurors failed to reach a verdict the first time around. Butler is charged with three counts of robbery and three counts of official misconduct. He is accused of robbing three Hispanic men during traffic stops. In opening statements, prosecutor John Kieffner sharply criticized Butler, saying he took advantage of his power and his badge to serve himself instead of serving the public." Continue reading →

Continue Reading2nd trial begins for officer accused of robbing motorists

Cop who coerced woman into sex in East St. Louis only one of many public-sector criminals

"A former East St. Louis police officer who lied to federal agents about demanding sex from a traffic violator was vilified in federal court here Thursday as a prime example of poor law enforcement that fosters rampant crime in his community. Carpenter did more than violate and degrade a woman by using the threat of an arrest to intimidate her into giving him oral sex in an isolated, closed park, they said. As part of the sentencing process, prosecutors listed police officers, politicians, businessmen and others who had lied, cheated, robbed taxpayers, threatened witnesses and committed other serious felonies." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCop who coerced woman into sex in East St. Louis only one of many public-sector criminals

Sexual predator investigator probed for sex with teenage boy

"The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office is investigating misconduct by a longtime Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy for allegedly having sexual contact with a teenage boy. Lt. Rick White, 51, who investigated sexual predators in his 24 years of service, was placed on paid administrative leave on Oct. 23, 2012 after the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office initiated an investigation, according to Sara Balmes, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office. She said that while he was on paid leave he submitted paperwork to retire on Dec. 26." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSexual predator investigator probed for sex with teenage boy

Cop charged with stealing from home he was sent to check on

"A 12-year veteran of the Northbrook Police Department charged with felony counts of residential burglary and official misconduct has been put on unpaid administrative leave, officials said this morning. The charges were announced Thursday after investigators allegedly caught Patrol Officer Enrique Guzman on video stealing jewelry from a home he had been sent to check on. Northbrook police and the FBI recorded Guzman, 34, stealing a fake diamond ring from a Northbrook residence where he had been told that a door had been left open Wednesday afternoon, according to court documents." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCop charged with stealing from home he was sent to check on

Death of man beaten by North Chicago police classified as homicide

"Lake County Coroner Thomas Rudd has reversed his office’s ruling from 'undetermined' to 'homicide' in the case of a man who died after North Chicago police restrained him, hit him with batons and shocked him with a Taser. Rudd said the blows 45-year-old Darrin 'Dagwood' Hanna absorbed from police batons initiated the string of medical events that caused his death in November 2011. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office in March 2012 declined to charge any of the officers involved, saying they used 'reasonable force' after responding to a domestic incident. One officer was later fired in connection with the incident and another was suspended for 30 days." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDeath of man beaten by North Chicago police classified as homicide

Honesty is Not a Job Requirement for Police Officers

"If you lie to a police officer, you can be charged with a crime. When – not if—a police officer lies to you, he’s carrying out a legitimate function of his job. That’s what former prosecutor Val Van Brocklin explained in an essay. Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper estimates that the typical police officer will lie several times during his daily duty shift. In a 2009 ruling, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld a decision by an arbitrator reversing the termination of Kitsap County Sherriff’s deputy who had been fired for lying and other misconduct. The court agreed that honesty was not an essential function of a law enforcement officer’s job." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHonesty is Not a Job Requirement for Police Officers

Judge calls D.C. police officer charged with child sexual abuse a ‘danger’

"A District Court judge Tuesday ordered a veteran D.C. police officer to remain jailed after a second woman came forward to say he had sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager singing in a church choir he directed. During a preliminary hearing, D.C. Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz called Wendel Palmer a 'danger' who targeted adolescent girls. The hearing was for a charge that he repeatedly sexually abused a girl, beginning when she was 11 years old and lasting nearly three years." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJudge calls D.C. police officer charged with child sexual abuse a ‘danger’

Colorado cops wrongfully shoot second dog in just two months

"For the second time in just two months, law enforcement officers in Colorado have been accused of wrongfully killing a man’s best friend. Business owner Jeff Fisher told KUSA that his 8-year-old dog, Ziggy, was shot and killed when Adams County deputies ended up at the wrong address while responding to a security alarm. Fisher recalled that Ziggy ran outside to check things out after deputies reportedly forced their way into his business. Seconds later, the dog was dead. In late November, home video showed officers in Commerce City shooting a pit bull named Chloe after she had already been restrained." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado cops wrongfully shoot second dog in just two months

It’s Funny? Even If Medicaid Expansion Saved Money, Citizens Wouldn’t See a Penny

Politicians, government bureaucrats, and the growing class of largely nonprofit corporate types who live off revenues siphoned from government entitlement spending make many a bizarre argument and manage to do it with a straight face.  It’s a rare moment when you can catch them chortling over the idea of pulling [...]

Continue ReadingIt’s Funny? Even If Medicaid Expansion Saved Money, Citizens Wouldn’t See a Penny