Friday, January 31, 2014

Greetings Friends of Archangels Of Justice                  MCSO - PART 4


“Archangel with Horns” was going over some public records the other day when he uncovered another travesty perpetrated by the so-called sheriff of MCSO, Bill Snyder.  It seems that Snyder has an affinity for people that have questionable moral character as his support staff.  To make it worse, he actually rewards these people instead of punishing them for their bad deeds.  The particular individual of today's topic has a history of misconduct that predates Snyder coming onto the scene, but as you will see Snyder has rewarded him the most.  Why?  Aren't we supposed to be able to trust our police not to break the law?

Some twenty odd years ago the deputy of today's article had a marked police car issued to him by MCSO, then Sheriff Holt.  It seems that the deputy did not like the hubcaps on his shiny police car and wished for another set.  Inside the MCSO locked fenced compound was a shiny, brand new Ford Crown Victoria that caught his eye.  He lusted for those pretty hubcaps that adorned that new police car, which he coveted for his own.  He climbed the fence with burglary tools in hand and removed those hubcaps to put on his car.  While removing the hubcaps, he noticed that there were inventory labels on the inside of the hubcaps.  In his excited state of mind he decided he should remove those labels as to disguise the identity of the hubcaps in case he was caught at a later date.  Satisfied with his act of subterfuge, he placed the hubcaps on his car and replaced the new ones with his old ones on the new car. {no one is ever going to notice} Wrong!  The Fleet Maintenance supervisor was a stickler for keeping the police cars in pristine condition and noticed there was something amiss with the new police car.  He called detectives and the crime scene unit responded.  They took pictures and observed on the ground the torn labels from the stolen hubcaps.  Very quickly they surmised what had happen and all that needed to be done was find the shiny hubcaps on an old police car. The not so intelligent deputy that took the hubcaps was rounded up very quickly.  The hubcaps were removed from his car, where lo and behold the crime scene detectives noticed the remnants of the torn labels.  A fracture match was made by the comparing the torn labels from the ground to the remnants left on the hubcaps. The culprit was caught, admonished and allowed to keep his job, since honesty isn't all that important. 

A few years later under a new sheriff this neophyte, whom really didn't like to work real hard and was sort of a rabble rouser, got involved with the Union {PBA}...Well, he never really had much going for him, but this put him in the limelight so a promotion was in order to shut him up. Not satisfied with sergeant stripes he decided to marry a prominent politician where upon he miraculously was promoted to Lieutenant. {Yes. promoted again for doing nothing}  As time rolled on there were the assorted rumors and car crashes that normally would cause a lesser deputy to be in trouble, but this guy was connected.

Interestingly enough, the sheriff {Crowder} was retiring and an election was going to take place. Enter Snyder, Dees, Ski and some unknown friend of Snyder.  At any rate this fast moving, do nothing Lieutenant saw an opportunity to move up another rank. Taking the bull by the horns he decided to back Snyder's bid for sheriff with gusto in the hope and promise of another promotion.  Posting signs and campaigning like a madman he happily whistled while he worked, much like one of Santa's elves as Christmas nears.  Oh no!  Two people have decided they are not going to support Snyder's campaign for sheriff.  Who are these deviates?  As a campaign manager he must find out, this person could destroy his chances at promotion if Snyder doesn't get elected..Run, Run to the DAVID (Drivers And Vehicle Information Databank) System and look up these non believers to identify them.  Those people are a normal family with children, one who happens to be a police officer in a nearby town.  Thus a complaint is filed against this Lieutenant who illegally used the DAVID system for political reasons and while on duty to boot. An Internal Affairs investigation ensues, but alas, his connections are so strong that he simply is reprimanded even though he broke the Law as a police officer.....He even very apparently lied to the internal affair’s investigators but that too was covered up.  The victims are brushed aside, even though their complaint is valid and nothing happens to the criminal, except a little reprimand.

Snyder wins the election!  Yippy, the lieutenant is so happy he can't contain himself and he struts around like he owns the place.  There is, and was, an MCSO written policy in place that states no one can be promoted within one year of any disciplinary actions.  He has no fear since his boy won the election and he knows he's getting Captains bars and at least a ten thousand dollar a year raise even though his misconduct would have been the downfall of any other deputy.   Sure enough a whole 5 months after his illegal acts, he is promoted by Snyder the day he takes the oath of office of Sheriff.  Since then, he has already received a citizen’s complaint alleging that he pushed and chest bumped that individual without proper cause.  That complaint went nowhere.   Presently, this new captain is instrumental in the destruction of the traffic unit, training, and school resource unit as he promotes people that only have his interests and their own in mind.  Excellent deputies with great track records and exemplary training are being forced out of jobs, to be replaced by the captain and sheriff's "Good Ol Boys."   Disgusting.

So breaking the law is rewarded by this new sheriff.  But wait he only rewards his friends.  He fires young, single, mothers, that used the DAVID system.  Do you still think the new sheriff is a winner?   Or a Loser?  Where has integrity gone?  Where is the trust?  Where is honesty and truth?  We've spoken before about his shared vision.  Is this another example of shared vision? Corruption?   Law breaking?  Look at Snyder’s past promises; saving money, best of the best, supporting local business and infrastructure.  Is promoting liars, thieves and cheats a good shared vision?  Do you know that being a leader, you must set goals by example?  So by promoting people like the ones we have exposed to you, actually promoted Bad Behavior.  How long will it be before our good cops turn bad, just so they can be rewarded?

Archangel With Horns and Archangel With The Bad Attitude

IT’S GOOD TO BE ARCHANGELS!

QUESTIONS:  Are these the same people who "enforce" the law?  Did you know that their families are also immune from prosecution?  Did you know that Archangels Of Justice will soon be reporting about how they cover up the criminal conduct of their friends?

Authored by:  Ira B. Robins          Salvatore Rastrelli

www.irarobins.com

www.rastrelliinvestigation.com

www.innocenceconsultants.com

www.salvatorerastrelli.com

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

A Letter From Salvatore Rastrelli To Ira Robins                   MCSO - PART 3

Dear Archangel with the Bad Attitude, 

Once upon a time a young dashing man decided he wanted to become a police officer.  He didn't really think he would have to work for a living he thought he could just bully people and have his way with them.  This young man also was very into himself, actually competed in the Mr. Hollywood contest in the 1980's. {Put that on his police department application, guess he thought that was important} At any rate this self absorbed young man thought he was the perfect policeman.  He got into a few scrapes early on, some are rather amusing; getting into an argument with a man over the fact that a man was staring at him, since he was driving a police car while not in uniform, but in some ragtag workout clothes.  He must have figured the good citizen should just mind his own business, not that a citizen shouldn't be concerned when someone is driving a marked police car that he believe may be stolen. Then in the 1990's during a drug bust he was accused of stealing some money from the dealer's house. But I guess that could be a bogus complaint, since the dealer went to jail.

Now let’s move onto a spouse who called the police while this fast moving cop who worked in Miami would commute from his home in Port ST. Lucie where he allegedly punched her in the face.  She claimed he came home from work and accused her of cheating on him after someone left a picture of her on his patrol car.  She claimed he punched her in the face. {PSLPD case P943-020318} the medical report stated the injuries were consistent with a fist strike to the nose.  The medical report stated her nasal bones were fractured and she had two black eyes.  The wonderful brave macho policeman stated that his wife was intoxicated, tripped and fell face first into his elbow.  Wow that is amazing.  How does one trip and fall into an elbow?  They bend don't they? 

Subsequently the pretty young wife decided not to pursue the charges which is pretty typical in domestic disputes and especially when the “perp” is a cop.  At any rate she declined to prosecute but she never said it didn't happen.  Maybe a little coercing from the bully helped her with that decision.  Well the Miami Dade Police Department case didn't fair well either.  Since the wife had signed a declination of prosecution the Internal Investigation at MDPD{1994-0048} was a wash too.  Well let's fast forward a few years where the young lady wasn't going to let it rest and she re-filed her complaint to MDPD in 2002.  The Miami Dade Medical Examiner confirmed after reading the medical report and viewing the pictures taken in 1994 that she suffered a strike to the face with a fist or elbow. Strike!  Not tripping into an elbow.  Try it sometime.   There is no way you can generate enough force to trip, strike an elbow and break your nose...At any rate Mr. Teflon walked away again from another complaint.

Then of course we have the infamous misspent money from the federal grant of in excess of 1.5 million at MDPD {IA2010-0241} and Mr. Teflon resigned before the investigation got started.   It is pretty amazing that this guy can be so slippery.  The result of the investigation was he would have been "Terminated" for his part in that fiasco if he had not resigned first.

Now he is the illustrious second in command at the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and just another of Sheriff Snyder's “best of the best” that share is vision of what a law enforcement agency should be.  Really?  And what might that vision be?  We've had call after call from irate citizens and disgusted deputies as working, trained officers are shuffled about to make room for his political supporters.  Is this what people want from their police agencies?   Or do they want professional officers that have done a good job to remain doing it? 

Archangel With Horns


QUESTIONS:  Does “Birds of a feather…” seem to apply here?  Are the facts being overlooked by the County Board?  Or are they just turning their eyes away from them?  Are the County Board members violating their fiduciary obligations?   Do they even know what their obligations to the community are?  STAY TUNED!


Authored by:  Ira B. Robins          Salvatore Rastrelli



Saturday, January 25, 2014

The Tale Of The Second Story Detective                                    MCSO - PART 2


Leadership is a quality that not all people possess; It requires honesty, courage and shared vision to do what is ethically and morally correct. It is not to have a shared vision of what is best for oneself or a small circle of friends. Law Enforcement is a unique culture of diverse individuals that are exposed to some of the worst human depravities. It is demanding physically and emotionally. Individuals that answer the call of duty must be honest, and above reproach. What happened in the following story is an example of poor decision making on the part of an MCSO Detective, then Sheriff Crowder and the new Sheriff Snyder.

The MCSO detective in question made a severely inappropriate decision the night he decided to visit a married lady friend. While visiting with this lady friend his visit was interrupted when the estranged husband unexpectedly arrived at the home. The SWAT trained detective then escaped the wrath of the husband by jumping from the 2nd story balcony of his lady friend's bedroom to the ground wearing only his underwear. The SWAT detective was in fear of his own safety, when his lady friend told him her husband might be armed and become violent.   Instead of standing his ground to protect the lady, or even taking her with him when he escaped, he abandoned her.  As a police officer it is a serious conflict of integrity and ethics to leave a person in possible danger to fend for themselves.  Domestic disputes result in many serious injuries and even death when human beings passions become inflamed.  The scared detective ran to a neighbor's home to call the police and Sewall’s Point Police and the MCSO responded.

Before they arrived, the angry husband luckily did not hurt his wife, but he did however find the detective's keys to his unmarked police car in the trousers pocket that the scared detective had left behind.  The husband then retrieved a badge, cell phone and a few other items from the unmarked police car in his driveway.  In anger he threw the badge and keys into the river behind his home, then spoke with arriving police units.  At this time, it is not known by “Archangels” exactly who gave the underwear clad SWAT detective some suitable clothing to wear during this portion of the events.

The next day the 2nd story detective just happen to call the Team Leader of MCSO's Underwater Recovery Team {Sal Rastrelli-AKA now known as Archangel with Horns}. His question was; “Can the dive team recover small items in the river?”   Rastrelli’s response was; “How small and what exactly?"  His response was, “Keys and a badge.”   Rastrelli responded with a chuckle (and with a lucky guess by the way} asked, "Are there a pair of panties wrapped around that badge?” Quietly and dejectedly the detective related some of his woeful tale over the phone.  Rastrelli’s response was, "I'd like to help, but I can't just call out the dive team without permission from a higher authority for something like this.  Call the Colonel and ask him to authorize me directly and I will call them out."  Well needless to say Rastrelli did not hear from the Colonel or anyone else to call out the dive team.

The resulting Internal Affairs complaint initiated by the irate husband on or around April 28, 2006, simply resulted in a written reprimand from Sheriff Crowder, for misuse of department equipment and embarrassing the agency.  In reality the detective should have been charged with Willful Neglect of Duty, Official Misconduct and Abandonment, since his actions could have resulted in serious injury or death to his lady friend.  However, as you have observed from our other posts the truth is only half told by those in charge. Remember, when you're politically connected to so many wonderful people in the community, things tend to get glossed over.

"A half truth is the same as a whole lie." 

As you will see when you go to MCSO to read the Internal Affairs report, this is actually a travesty of justice, neglect of duty and official misconduct. What you won't read in the IA report is that the husband had to pay for a dive team to recover the items or 'face possible criminal charges'.  Archangels interviewed the husband a few weeks ago and was apprised of that bit of information.  A public records request for that particular file will reward your efforts with the whole sordid tale.

The second story detective resigned from MCSO two years later to pursue a career that he has a natural affinity for; politics. With his good looks, smile, charm and uncanny ability to escape scrutiny he could very well be the next Sheriff or even worse.

There was an article in the local waste of paper The Stuart News, regarding this debacle shortly afterwards.  Don't waste your time looking for it on line in archived news articles, it’s not there.  People like this individual have political and press connections and apparently had the story removed.

Fast forward to Sheriff Snyder's campaign promises of bringing the best of the best to MCSO. He stated he wants people that share his vision of what a law enforcement agency should be.  Is the marvelous SWAT trained detective that fearlessly jumped from the bedroom in his underwear, a person who shares his vision? You decide, since he returned to MCSO to a nice fat paycheck with benefits in a leadership position, under Snyder. Interestingly, his required background check, polygraph and drug screen were “WAIVED.”

We promised you the post would be entertaining and educational. Now put on your detective hats and take the clues one by one and figure out for yourselves who we are talking about.  You come to your own conclusion after you discover the evidence yourselves.

{Hint-April 28, 2006-Sewalls Point is where the incident occurred.  MCSO maintains IA reports in the professional standards unit.  The Stuart News articles can be found in the public library where they are stored for posterity.}      Now get to work!!!!  You all can work together on this too.



Questions: Is this the type of police officer you want coming to your aid when in danger? Is this the type of person you want leading a law enforcement agency? Is this what we have come to expect from the law enforcement community? Or should we demand change? How about a citizen review board that oversees Internal Investigations? How much input should they have? Did you know that many times the brightest, hardest working and honest officers get passed over for promotion since they refuse to play politics??? After all, you’re the taxpayer that ultimately foots the bill for this nonsense.  DEMAND Change for the better, not the Smoke and Mirrors your getting.
Authored by:  Ira B. Robins                                                 Salvatore Rastrelli

www.salvatorerastrelli.com

TAGS:  Martin County Sheriff’s Office, MCSO, Sheriff Snyder, Sheriff Crowder

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

SPECIAL: Things Sheriff Snyder Wants To Keep Secret   PART 1

(Thank you to all of the MCSO personnel, past and present, for contributing to this article)

On December 31, 2013, Major John Pietruszewski passed after a long courageous battle with Cancer.  For 30 years Major John “Ski” Pietruszewski, known by his nickname “Ski”, was a well respected member of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and admired by many colleagues and citizens

Major “Ski” began his career at the Martin County Sheriffs Office as a reserve deputy in 1983 rising to full-time road patrol Deputy within a year.  He worked in different areas within the agency such as the Criminal Investigation Division and he was Director of the Operations Training and Emergency Management Division and other management positions.   He enjoyed serving and protecting the citizens of Martin County.   He was strict when it came to enforcing the laws in order to keep the residents of Martin County safe.  He developed the reputation among criminals that crime would not be tolerated in Martin County.   He was known for performing his job duties and responsibilities to the best of his abilities and became a highly respected role model for his colleagues.   Many deputies looked to him for advice and guidance.  He would always emphasize that no matter what stress comes your way, never lose the public’s trust, saying “Once you lose that trust, it is very hard to get back.”  He added, “If you screw up, own your mistakes” together keeping honesty and integrity in the department is what makes us worthy.  He carried these traits into Martin County Sheriffs Office.  His strong leadership and guidance kept the public trust because he believed in not sweeping things under the carpet when it came to errors within the department. He refused to develop the “Good Ole boy system” everyone was treated equally and fairly especially when it came to promotions.

Major “Ski” ran for Sheriff of Martin County and while campaigning was diagnosed with cancer, losing the election.  William Snyder was elected Sheriff and immediately made an example out of Major “Ski” by demoting him from the rank of Major to Sergeant.    He then assigned “Ski” to work at the shooting range.  Apparently to get “Ski” out of the way because his disdain for deceit would not be a good fit with Snyder’s new command structure.   “Ski” performed his duties to the best of his ability until he passed away. 

Once “Ski” was gone Snyder promoted him back to the rank of Major (posthumously) and recommended that the shooting range be named in his honor.  Many believe that Snyder acted in a manner inconsistent with what “Ski” would have wanted and strictly to gain political points.


(Note-That is just the opposite of what former Sheriff Robert Crowder did when Snyder ran for Sheriff against him. In 1994 Snyder lost to Crowder but was brought in to the MCSO by Crowder and given the rank of Captain.)

QUESTIONS:  Does Sheriff Snyder really believe that we don't know that he is using "Ski" for his own political gain?  Is his picture in the dictionary next to the word insensitive?  How about hypocrite?   What kind a guy is he, really? 


Authored by:  Ira B. Robins                                                  Salvatore Rastrelli
www.salvatorerastrelli.com

TAGS:  Major John “Ski” Pietruszewski, Sheriff William Snyder

Friday, January 17, 2014

How many of you have the courage to write a letter like this?


January 13, 2014

Attorney General Pam Bondi
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050
Sent Via Certified Mail

Dear Attorney General Bondi,

Recently, I read an article featured on Ocala.com published on January 2, 2014
and written by Bill Thompson in which it was reported that you are asserting the
Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) is not enforceable in the State of
Florida as it violates the 10th Amendment and federalism. If this is true, how is it
that the State of Florida and specifically the FLHSMV have clearly adopted the
DPPA into law as noted in Florida Statutes, numerous written publications, on
their website, in their training materials and Policy Manual? Florida adopted and
came into compliance with the DPPA in 1997, having fully implemented the law
and all of its subsequent amendments by the end of the legislative session in
2007. In addition, the DPPA was not enacted in response to interstate commerce
violations as you asserted but instead was enacted under the Violent Crime
Control and Law Enforcement Act in response to numerous instances of stalking,
harassment and brutal attacks on innocent victims. These violent and disturbing
instances were perpetrated by individuals who obtained the personal information
of their victims from their state driver's license agencies. The most notable case
and the catalyst for the legislation was the brutal murder of actress Rebecca
Schaeffer.

As a domestic violence survivor who almost didn't survive thanks to the abuse of
the state database by a law enforcement officer, I am appalled at your lack of
concern for the safety of the citizens of which you were elected to serve
impartially in order to attempt to abrogate the prosecution of yourself, your
friends and your colleagues who have committed this egregious crime against
innocent persons at epidemic proportions. I would love for you to sit down with a
domestic violence or stalking victim whose offender was a police officer, look
them in the eye and tell them their safety doesn't matter to you and attempt to
minimize the role these databases have in these horrifying and life-altering
cases. Your opinion of and inaction regarding these offenses is a slap in the face
to any woman or child who has suffered unspeakable brutality at the hands of an
abuser who located them using these databases.

Since January 3, 20l4, you have been in receipt of two criminal complaints that 
have been filed with the 19th Judiclal Circuit State Attorney, Bruce
Colton, by me and my spouse, a law enforcement officer. As of the date of this
letter, we have not been contacted by Mr. Colton's office or yours. Once again, I
am victimized by the unlawful use of a state database, this time as retaliation for
me and my husband rescinding our support for the Sheriff campaign of your
friend and former FL House Representative William D. Snyder. The individual
who repeatedly and unlawfully accessed and used our highly protected personal
and confidential information, Michael S. Ewing, a sworn law enforcement officer
certified by the State of Florida and campaign staffer for William D. Snyder, was
not terminated or suspended, didn't have his access to the DAVID database
revoked, was not criminally charged under numerous applicable Florida Statutes
as he should have been, nor was he reported to FDLE for his multiple moral
character violations as required by FDLE Rule. What DID happen as a result of
his unlawful acts will shock even the most corrupt of government officials.

Lieutenant Michael Scott Ewing was promoted to Captain by your friend, Sheriff
William D. Snyder, immediately upon taking office. Even though MCSO policy
prohibits any promotion for a minimum of one year following any disciplinary
action, those policies apparently don't apply to Ewing, who was promoted just 2
months after several disciplinary actions against him as a result of his unlawful
acts against us. He lied during the Internal Affairs investigation yet was never
held accountable for his untruthfulness. He also received a pecuniary benefit
from Sheriff Snyder as a result of this promotion in the amount of no less than
$16,252.08 per year in salary increases (annual salary of no less than
$109,844.84). What were you saying about the Commerce Clause again? Ewing
certainly has reaped an economic benefit from his unlawful acts during his time
as a William Snyder for Sheriff campaign staffer. The harassment, intimidation
and threats we were subjected to following our decision to rescind our support for
William Snyder was the reason we suspected someone had illegally accessed
our information and requested a state audit. The most absolutely unbelievable
aspect of this gross injustice, as if the other facts of this case were not disturbing
enough, Captain Michael Ewing has NOW been given access to the State of
Florida Prescription Drug Database, e-Forcse, as an ADMINISTRATOR! How on
God's green earth is an individual who committed theft in his early years as a
Deputy Sheriff and then illegally accessed confidential database information
multiple times for political purposes given access to yet ANOTHER state
database containing even more personal, confidential and Constitutionally
protected information on private citizens?

Speaking of the Constitution ... why are you not defend ing the 4th and 14th
Amendment rights of citizens under the US Constitution? How about defending
Article I -23 of the Florida Constitution? I believe these words were spoken by
you on January 4, 2011 as you took your oath of office as Florida's Attorney
General: "I do solemnly swear that I will protect and defend the Constitution of
the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida.".

The responsibility for the appropriate criminal prosecution of these cases lies with
the State of Florida according to your proffered argument in Truesdell vs.
Thomas. You, Madam Attorney General, have an obligation to assure the safety
and security of ALL citizens of the State of Florida, not to protect yourself, your
friends and political cronies from criminal prosecution. You are very well aware
that the abuse of several of the state's databases is rampant and has shown no
sign of ceasing. This lack of adherence to the law by an alarming number of
Florida law enforcement officers is a direct result of lack of prosecution or
consequence as well as negligence by the State of Florida for failure to make the
necessary changes to the system to prevent these unlawful breaches of
confidential information. It is time for you and the State of Florida to take action. I
am begging you to protect the citizens you serve once and for all and prosecute
these rogue law enforcement officers who are tarnishing the badge and eroding
the public trust in our law enforcement officers. There are numerous agencies
throughout Florida who immediately terminate the employment of any officer
found to have illegally used a police database. Unfortunately, there are far too
many who actually promote the illegal use of the databases, with the Martin
County Sheriff's Office being one of them. This is evidenced by the well over 30+
Sheriff's Deputies from MCSO being named in Federal lawsuits or Internal Affairs
complaints so far. How this particular agency continues to even have access to
the DAVID database is an abomination and violates the MOU between the
FLHSMV and the MCSO as well as the FLHSMV's own written policy. This isn't
about politics.  Put aside your pride, your feeling ofindebtedness to those that
helped your career and your fear. Regain the tenacity and integrity you once had 
by doing the right thing, enforcing the law regardless of who the perpetrators are.

Respectfully,
~~~
Diana M. Blackard

CC:
Governor Rick Scott
US Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.
US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Wilfredo A. Ferrer is" Judicial Circuit State Attorney of Florida Bruce Colton
Martin County Sheriff William D. Snyder
Martin County Board of County Commissioners
Martin County Administrator Taryn Kryzda
Martin County Attorney Michael Durham
US Senator Bill Nelson
US Senator Marco Rubio
US Congressman Patrick E. Murphy
FL Senator Joe Negron
FL House Representative Mary Lynn Magar

QUESTIONS: Which one of the recipients below has the courage to respond to this letter?  Don't you think they should do something about this?  Or should they do as they usually do?  Or should they ignore it as they usually do, and coverup for their political cronies?  Stay tuned!

Archangels Of Justice by:  Ira B. Robins          Salvatore Rastrelli

www.salvatorerastrelli.com

TAGS: 
US Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.
US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Wilfredo A. Ferrer is" Judicial Circuit State Attorney of Florida Bruce Colton
Martin County Sheriff William D. Snyder
Martin County Board of County Commissioners
Martin County Administrator Taryn Kryzda
Martin County Attorney Michael Durham
US Senator Bill Nelson
US Senator Marco Rubio
US Congressman Patrick E. Murphy
FL Senator Joe Negron
FL House Representative Mary Lynn Magar


Sunday, January 12, 2014

One Woman's Story About Police Corruption:

I’ve been following Archangels of Justice’s articles, posts and comments.  In fear of retaliation by the offending entities, I’ve remained behind the curtain watching as these warriors expose statewide corruption.  However, after reading their posted article out of Ocala.com titled Bondi objects to lawsuit, by Bill Thompson, my “curtain” is unveiling in hopes that sharing my story will bring forth awareness on the abuse of power taking place amongst us.  Police officers are violating a federal law that Attorney General Pam Bondi not only declines to enforce but has a gross lack of empathy for the impacted victims.
Bill Thompson writes in his January 2, 2014 article, “Attorney General Pam Bondi asserts in court documents that law enforcement officers throughout the state can freely snoop into the records of 15 million licensed Florida drivers — so long as the prying is not done for economic gain.”
If Attorney General Bondi believes Law Enforcement should not be held accountable for misuse of drivers databases unless used for “economic gain”, not only is she in violation of law herself, she’s committing a great injustice to victims of Stalking/Harassment and their families.  Her belief defeats the purpose of why the Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) was established in the first place.  It’s enactment had nothing to do with economic crime;  It was specifically created to protect people from violent crime- Stalking and Harassment in particular, as it falls under Title XXX of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act and was later amended to reflect stricter guidelines and punishment following the 1989 Homicide of Rebecca Schaeffer, an innocent actress/model killed by a stalker who used the driving license database to locate and murder her.    

So… back to Archangels of Justice and my story-

I am a former Deputy Sheriff and although still certified am unable to ever work again.

The irony of Attorney General Pam Bondi “objecting to lawsuits” as stated in the above article is compelling.   I know of one lawsuit in particular that wouldn’t even exist had Pam Bondi taken appropriate action following the written request for help she received.

In 2011, Bondi was one of 18 different government entities and agencies I contacted for help in fear for my life after learning more than 120 Law Enforcement Officers from 2 local Sheriff Departments used their federally funded computer database, known as DAVID, to illegally obtain my personal information in excess of over 500 times. These same officers then used my information to also illegally obtain my husband and two sisters private information- information protected under the DPPA Amendment- nearly 300 times. 

After an entire year of reaching out for help with negative results, I filed a Federal lawsuit against the offending entities.  This was a last resort effort for help.  

For anyone insinuating my lawsuit to be frivolous- perhaps you think I saw it as an opportunity to “get rich”, well you are sadly mistaken.  I ask you this, “If you were a victim of a crime, who would you call for help?  The police, right?  Well who do I call for help if the police are the ones committing the crime?”  I was left no other choice but to hire private investigators and pay thousands of dollars to attorneys in effort to seek help and protection for my family.  

They advised me that by filing a lawsuit it would expose the behavior and perhaps motivate the police to stop the harassment in fear of consequence- wrong; there was no consequence, but rather conspiracy.

I’ve learned the “good ole’ boys’ network” goes far and beyond 2 local Sheriff Offices.  Of the 18 agencies I pled to for help, including Pam Bondi and her Victims Advocacy Division, not a single one of them would help me.  Instead, I was told to report my allegations to the offending Sheriff Offices’ administration.  Since when are criminals permitted to investigate their own crimes?  As crazy as it was, my husband and I did as instructed.  We reported our findings and expressed the severe distress we were suffering as a result to both Sheriff Offices. 

The corruption continued and a conspiracy began to evolve. 

Mock Internal Affairs investigations were staged, deputies fabricated [verifiable] lies under oath, I.A. reports had a “copy & paste” effect duplicating multiple deputies’ statements.  Investigators made no attempt to verify the statements given or cross reference dates/times & method of database inquiry with DHSMV’s computer records.  The security breach committed against my husband was never even addressed despite formal request.  And the big question to this day still remains- Why?  I have yet to know the reason WHY mine, my husbands and my 2 sisters’ privacy have been so brutally violated. 

Why are we being stalked and harassed by local Law Enforcement? My sisters did not even reside in Florida during the majority of the 200+ DAVID inquires made against them.  I am a mother in my 30’s and have no criminal history whatsoever.  Many of these deputies were my co-workers- surely they already knew what I looked like, so why the need to access my driver’s license photos dozens of times?  My poor husband….Apparently being married to a female cop means you relinquish any expectation of privacy. 

What’s even more disturbing is the fact that every single deputy who abuses DAVID is doing so with deliberate intent to break the law.  Access to DAVID and similar databases designed for Law Enforcement purpose requires training and certification.  During that training, I and every other deputy were specifically told, “DO NOT access DAVID for personal use.”

Funded by tax payer dollars, DAVID was not designed to be used as a “Facebook for Cops.”  Looking up the address of a girl you find attractive is NOT permissible under the DAVID User Agreement- the same user agreement officers must click an acknowledgment icon before accessing.  So why knowingly break the law?  Evidently, the law doesn’t apply to the “good ole’ boys.   

Despite several cries for help, little to no discipline was imposed on the 120+ offending deputies, let alone criminal charges.  I was a victim of a Federal Felony yet the State Attorney ruled that the 800+ unexplained DAVID inquires made against us were “not criminal” and should be dealt with “administratively” by the sheriff’s office themselves. However, this same State Attorney ruled in a coinciding case involving a female deputy that it WAS “criminal” when she used the database to look up her child’s father and his affiliates following ongoing harassment surrounding their custody dispute.  Surely that complainant was not in fear of his life… so why did the State Attorney’s office investigate his accusation and not mine?  Why was that female deputy persecuted to the point of being fired, yet male deputies, some in which searched me over 20 times each, were given no more than a verbal warning?

What adversaries fail to realize is the life-altering physical and emotional impact this has had on my life.  One afternoon in particular, my 6 year old son was playing outside when we noticed an intruder on our property.  It was a large, angry man (whom I didn’t know) at the foot of our driveway acting aggressive and appeared to be under the influence. I quickly grabbed my son and ran inside to call 911.  I then thought, “I can’t call 911; I can’t have those deputies come here!”  Thankfully, the intruder wondered off without further occurrence.  However, that incident made me realize the severity of what we’re dealing with.  I wasn’t comfortable calling the police in an emergency situation and that is dangerous!

I live in constant fear and paranoia every day.  My social activities have become virtually non-existent.  My depression is unbearable.  I suffer such severe nightmares that I’m reliant on anti-anxiety and sleep-aid medications.  I have frequent flashbacks of the constant harassment I endured while working as a deputy.  Any reminder of my former work in Law Enforcement triggers post-traumatic stress.  I have chronic diarrhea, debilitating migraines, suffer severe nail-biting, teeth grinding, skin rash, insomnia at night and extreme fatigue during the day.

Patrol cars routinely creep past my house on a quite dead-end road forcing me to keep video surveillance.  My husband has received harassing emails that traced back to a sheriff’s office computer IP Address.  

The 24/7 stress of the ongoing lawsuit and legal process in itself is the most stressful thing I have ever experienced in my life.  The effect it has had on my marriage and family makes me question, “Is it even worth it?”  But then I reflect on everything they’ve done and realize there’s no telling what else they are capable of.  I have to protect myself!  And I’m going to need the public’s help in order to do so. 

Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, I discovered that in addition to my 2 former employers stalking me, several other surrounding agencies were also violating my right to privacy.  Officers I had never even met had also searched my husband and I on DAVID numerous times.  Again, the question remains- Why? 

My health continues to deteriorate.  Regretfully, we were forced to relocate out of Florida.  We left behind our beautiful home on 2 acres, many close friends, our loving family- including our beloved grandparents who may not have much longer to live, and our pet horse- a retired champion race horse who we loved dearly.  My husband had to leave behind his career (our only source of income).  And our son left behind his private Christian school and wonderful teacher.  We literally are starting all over in another state, away from the warm Florida weather we so enjoyed.  And for the record… we have NOT received a single penny of compensation from the offenders.  This entire move was paid for out of pocket. 

Despite being nearly 1000 miles away now, I still hyperventilate every time I see a patrol car.  Will I ever be able to live a normal life again?  Will the intense fear & paranoia ever subside?

I don’t know which is scarier… Being stalked on a continuous basis by a Sheriff’s Office I haven’t worked for since 2006 or desperately seeking help from government agencies supposed to protect me but instead I watch as they protect the stalkers.

It’s bad enough that the Sheriff’s Office unjustly robbed me of my lifelong dream in becoming a police officer; but to further terrorize my family and I, destroying our lives- placing fear and confusion in our children without consequence, brings this to a whole new level of battle. 

If it weren’t for Salvatore Rastrelli and Ira B. Robins standing by me since day one, assuring my family and I that “justice will be served”, I don’t think I could ever survive this nightmare. 

Thank you, Archangels of Justice, for your continued dedication in unraveling a pervasive epidemic of Official Misconduct throughout Florida.  Thank you for helping protect my family from an army of attackers.  I pray that one day, very soon, all of your courageous hard work will result in the political change you strive for.  Above all, I pray something this horrific never happens again to anyone else, especially at the hands of what should be our “protectors.”


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