This news first surfaced two weeks ago when County Council and West Easton Borough Council candidate Tricia Mezzacappa's application was anonymously leaked to my attorney, Rick Orloski. Amazingly, Mezzacappa listed Orloski and Executive John Stoffa as references. Neither was contacted. Both would have panned her.
Though a Pennsylvania State Trooper told Shortell that the failure to check these references might in and of itself be contrary to law, the Deputy who blew the whistle is in trouble.
That's the way government works. No good deed goes unpunished.
But before criminal charges are filed, I'd like you all to know that Mezzacappa publicly advertised her application nearly a year ago. In an email to the Sheriff, she demanded an explanation for the time that had elapsed since she had filed her application. To give the impression that she's really important, she cced a number of people: Easton Mayor Sal Panto, State Rep. Bob Freeman, Assistant County Solicitor Jill Mancini and Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo.
On June 12, 2012, Sheriff Miller answered her email, and copied all of those people.
Tricia Mezzacappa
[redacted]
West Easton, PA 18042
RE: License to carry a concealed weapon
Ms. Mezzacappa I have received your e mail and I have looked into the situation. I have been informed by my staff that your license to carry a concealed firearm has been approved and you should be receiving it today or tomorrow. I checked into the situation and why it approached the 45 days as prescribed by section 6109. The Northampton County Sheriff’s department takes the issuance of a license to carry a concealed firearm an important task and conducts an investigation as required by section 6109. The burden of the investigation and issuance is on my office, not any other agency. It appears from my calculation it was about 38 working days from the time of application to the time of issuance, and I apologize for your inconvenience but you always retained your 2nd amendment rights to carry a firearm, open carry, and the sheriff's department would never infringe on this. We are usually quicker than that but the workload in our office gets very hectic which delays the issuance. There has also been an unusual number of application and investigations this year; they are up 70% from 2011.
If you have any questions or your permit does not arrive this week please give me a call at my direct number, 610-559-[redacted]
Randall Miller
Randall Miller
Sheriff
County of Northampton
So thanks to Tricia Mezzacappa, there was a public disclosure of her LTCF application last June. Under these circumstances, I believe a criminal prosecution is unwarranted against the Deputy who obviously was trying to point out a problem. Rather than violating the public trust, he was upholding it.
96 comments:
This county loves to persecute and prosecute whistleblowers. This is a travesty of justice, if what you say is true. My guess is that the deputy pissed someone off in the past and is being harassed for that.
I guess we will see. 8
He broke the law, period! It doesn't matter if it was O'Hare's old girlfriend or yours. Grow the Hell up!
Ever since I fell down and tapped my head against the concrete sidewalk things haven't been going so good. My neighbors claimed to hear screams at night of me and young children coming from my house. But I am single and live with no one else. So what does this have to do with this post. Well they called the sheriff on me. And it was this cRaZy chick that you write about so much that is my neighbor. I can't prove it, but I believe she pushed me off of the porch when I wasn't looking and I hit my head again. She was upset that I didn't want her to touch me and something about paying her money that was owed. I never did business with her. And when the officers arrived the told me that everyone has problems with her. They said to just ignore her and leave her alone. But I have to live as a captive on my own property. And now someone is making up stories that I touch little kids. It isn't right. I might not be feeling well, but I know write from wrong. She has been poisoning my pet gold fishes. I can prove it because I caught her on my 8 track video cassette disc planting nails under my car's tires. And I have her voice on my answering machine making threats. But somehow she broke into my house and erased the messages and stole my 8 track video cassette disc player and camera. Now I can't record or play the diskettes. When she came after me the other day, she broke one of her heels trying to hit me with it. Now she tells me that I have to pay for the repairs to her shoes even though it was her fault. And every morning she steals my newspaper the the newspaper boy named Mike F. leaves for me on my porch. I can't get win for losing.
Dear 12:19 and 12: 25,
You need a valium, desperately. Call your psychiatrist. I am certain he will prescribe one for you immediately. Or maybe a few, lol.
Anon 12:49, eat me, lawbreaker lover!
A case can be made that Tricia Mezzacappa voluntarily waived confidentiality. By sending copies of his June 12 email to third parties, Sheriff Miller acknowledged this waiver. If there was no waiver, then the Sheriff should be in trouble for releasing confidential LTCF information to Sal Panto, Bob Freeman and others.
Bingo. And that should end any thought of criminally prosecuting the Deputy.
Hey Tricia,
Care to explain why you chose to list Rick Orloski as a reference, or as you are fond of calling him "Sick-O Rick-O."
To prosecute or not will be up to the district attorney. This is not the first time LTC files left the office though. Sheriff Miller gave permission to some of his minions to take files home and perform "checks" in the comfort of their homes for overtime. Why not do them in the confines of a secured office for overtime, only he can answer. But if one of these guys were to get in an accident and the paperwork blew out of their vehicles, would Miller look to prosecute them. And if you believe these files were secured at all times, you would have to be crazier than Tricia. Looks like the DA better expand his investigation to include Miller and all those involved in removing these files from the office, as well as their families, to ascertain if any of this confidential information was ever shared. Hell, every deputy who took a file home should be ordered to take a lie detector to determine if this confidential information was shared with anyone.
Obviously, under those circumstances, there would be no criminal intent. I would argue there was no criminal intent here, too. This is the DA's call.
Something obviously missing here is what inspired this or these detectives to send this information you your lawyers. Yeah his name was on the application, but why nor follow the chain of command.
Ultimately if Sheriff Miller is appointed by John Stoffa (who was also named on this application) and the sheriff or sheriffs felt that this situation was not being handled properly they could have gone to John Stoffa. This way they would have been covered, doing the moral or correct thing and clearly would not have had criminal intent.
I'm curious as to what or who might have caused he or they to choose to send this e-mail to Mr. Orloski.
That said I hope some people do in fact get on the stand. I think there is way more to this story. Especially if you read the ET account. People are falling all over themselves to not name people or themselves and that people are apologizing left and right.
This story is radio active and there is way more yet to come.
I do not know this, but believe the Deputy leaked this to cast a public spotlight on a public safety problem. There also might have been a desire to embarrass the Sheriff. As you can see from some other comments here, some of the deputies obviously dislike him.
I agree that he should have gone through the chain of command. But that is a civil, not a criminal, matter.
The Deputy broke the law and must be prosecuted. Of course if you are not interested in the rule of law if it is igonred for those you hate, you don't care.
The deputy who released the application did not release the thousands of other applications, so he only broke the law a little bit. The judges will understand this and throw the case out.
Deputies do not have the right to pick and choose where they may commit a crime in the name of whatever they believe is right. Government officials like this do the same harm to gun control efforts that clinic bombers do to the pro-life cause. Attempting to solve a perceived problem outside of the law does far more harm than the good that was intended.
BUT, there is a self proclaimed unstable, threatening lunatic running around out there carrying a concealed pistol.
Is the general public entitled to safety?
43 P.S.§ 1423. Protection of employees
(b) DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED.-- No employer may discharge, threaten or otherwise discriminate or retaliate
against an employee regarding the employee's compensation, terms, conditions, location or privileges of employment
because the employee is requested by an appropriate authority to participate in an investigation, hearing or inquiry held
by an appropriate authority or in a court action.
Change the rules instead of breaking the ones with which you disagree. She's nuts and may be dangerous (although she's been in the presence of more law enforcement and judicial system employees than any hundred of us); so is the kind of sworn public official who releases confidential information. I don't like her and I don't like violators of the public trust.
Between the camera's & security; in the Prison, as well as the Courthouse....the flow of contraband in, and the flow of sensitive information, out,___Do we recieve any National Security Agency Allocation's/Funding-for-Governance Effectuation?
Getting back to the Sheriff's June 12 email which O'Hare quoted verbatim, how is that not a violation of confidentiality? Apparently confidential information about the applicant, including her name, address and approval of her LTCF, was released to Sal Panto, Bob Freeman and others who had no right to have it. The Sheriff knows the law. He is no different than the Deputy in that regard. Is the Sheriff also facing a felony charge?
Bernie,
I have heard that you and Rick Orloski made several complaints to Sheriff Miller and DA Morganelli about Mezzacappa's LTCF. I understand that others complained as well. Why didn't someone in authority look at the application, discover the bogus references and take appropriate action to protect the public? Isn't the real problem that when proper complaints were made, including by Orloski himself, they were not investigated? That may not excuse the Deputy but it certainly provides some "justification" for what he allegedly did.
"The Deputy broke the law and must be prosecuted."
If he lacked criminal intent he did not break the law.
"Isn't the real problem that when proper complaints were made, including by Orloski himself, they were not investigated?"
I made one or two complaints to the Sheriff, providing him information that in my view justified a revocation. But that's his decision and I understand his reluctance to move quickly.
"Getting back to the Sheriff's June 12 email which O'Hare quoted verbatim, how is that not a violation of confidentiality? Apparently confidential information about the applicant, including her name, address and approval of her LTCF, was released to Sal Panto, Bob Freeman and others who had no right to have it. The Sheriff knows the law."
It is something that Mezzacappa created herself. She made her application public, and I believe the Sheriff had a right to respond publicly. I believe this application has lost ts confidentiality because the applicant herself disclosed it.
It's outrageous that the person who revealed the sheriffs office wasn't doing reference checks has been suspended.
Get your head of of your asses! What a bunch of buckwheats running the show over in Easton.
"I understand his reluctance to move quickly."
I don't. Two quick phone calls, one to Orloski and the other to Stoffa would have exposed the fraudulent nature of the application without even getting into the specifics of your particular complaints.
Unless you work in the Sheriff's department and are part of the investigation, I feel you have no right to comment. What the deputy in question did was illegal. His intent was not to "blow the whistle" on the way LTC applications are handled. If that were the case, why wait so long to do it. As the security camera clearly shows from that day he was looking for one application in particular and once he found it, he showed it to two other deputies who were in the office with him after hours. May I add, that they were all laughing as they were apparently reading it.
Fortunately, this is still America, and people have the right to comment, whether you like it or not.
My guess is that Mezzacappa is the one who sent a copy of her LTCF application to attorney Orloski. After all, she has been taunting him on her blog for many months and this could be part of the sick game she is playing with him. Orloski represents O'Hare and she despises them both. She wanted to let Orloski know she used him by listing him as a reference, and maybe this was her way of throwing it in his face. If you spend some time reading Mezzacappa's blog posts about Orloski, this scenario is plausible.
It certainly is a possibility.
Anon 11:52 AM - Maybe the Deputy's intent was to "blow the whistle" on how that one particular application was handled because it involved a candidate for public office. Nothing more, nothing less.
Unless you are directly involved in the investigation I don't feel you have any right to comment on the situation. If the deputy in question was trying to "blow the whistle" on how LTC applications were being handled, then why wait this long to do it. Obviously someone asked him to look for her application specifically. In case you are not aware, there is security footage of his actions from that day. Being in his position, he knows the difference between right and wrong and what he did was wrong. That is why he is under criminal investigation.
I don't think this is any different than other state and federal permits that have time requirements. In many cases if the state DEP or DOT do not issue a permit it is automatically issued.
There is no crime committed here
Like I said, this is America. This prevents people like you from making sure that only your side of the story is told.
The Sherrif Deputy may be Granted Immunity from Prosecution for a Federal Inquiry into Lawful Adherence to the Administration & Issuance of Concealed Weapon's Permit's.
Yes, you are right this is America and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I completely agree with that. What bothers me is that if you are not directly involved in the situation and don't know all the facts, you really shouldn't comment. There is more to the story than what is in the paper or on this blog.
The issue I have with misaffective administration of Permissions....having lost my priviledge to carry, is this: As the Representation-of-Law, The Sherriff in Northampton County P.A. should protect Police Officer's & Public alike by the Judicious & Lawful Administration of the Permitting process, uniformly. Criminal's don't follow Law's. Neither, ostensibly, does the Authority Structure in NORCO. The Judge's always say it's about sending a message to society. Right?
The above comment was brought to you by the Blog Mentor.
The blog mentor's new FB photo is pure gold he looks like a forlorn, new age metro sexual pirate.
Unless you are directly involved in the investigation I don't feel you have any right to comment on the situation. If the deputy in question was trying to "blow the whistle" on how LTC applications were being handled, then why wait this long to do it. Obviously someone asked him to look for her application specifically. In case you are not aware, there is security footage of his actions from that day. Being in his position, he knows the difference between right and wrong and what he did was wrong. That is why he is under criminal investigation.
Keep pushing it, tough guy. The real story here is the Sheriff's office handing out permits without fully vetting people. Do you know how this will play in this climate? I'll send it myself to HuffPost and other blogs.
BOH, why not blow the lid off the Sheriff on your blog during working hours?
atftips@atf.gov
To whom it may concern,
The Northampton County Sherriff's Office, Easton P.A. 18042, has been revealed to be criminally delinquent in administering Background Checks-on-Applicant's-for-Concealed Weapon's Permit's. Lawful Compliance with Issuance-of-Permit's is not being Administered on an Administrative Level. The local media discovered it. We are in an anti-gang initiative corridor, with heavy straw-purchaser activity on the border with New Jersey.
Thank You for your time,
Clinton D. Oxford
While my sympathies lie with the Deputy, the bottom line seems to be that he broke the law. It really doesn't matter why he broke the law. Surely there were other ways to handle the situation to affect change.
Fact: Tricia filed for a RTC permit and used Stoffa and Orloski for references. Fact: She was issued a RTC permit. She did not break any laws. She can put anyone as a reference. That doesn't make her a criminal. Besides, no one has convicted her of anything that can take away her right to carry.
Bernie,
Can you explain to me the difference between the deputy not breaking the law because he lacked criminal intent vs. claiming ignorance of the law yet ignorance is not allowed to excuse the criminal intent?
To Anonymous 3:29 PM -
Fact: There is an implication in the word "reference" that the persons listed will vouch for you.
Fact: If Orloski and Stoffa had been asked, they would not have vouched for the applicant.
Fact: The LTCF would have been denied on the basis of two negative references.
Fact: The applicant engaged in a deliberate attempt to mislead by listing Orloski and Stoffa.
If You all must know FACT: this deputy pissed off several of Randall's buddies and Sheriff Randall "Barney Fife" has been waiting for this very type of situation to make room for more of his buddies!!!!! He was not a good Police Commish what the hell were they thinking when they made him sheriff of Hazard.....
Monkey momma, I think this is the kind of case which would be very hard to prosecute.
4:05, Your anonymous comments are doing nothing to help the Deputy in question. With friends like these ...
"Can you explain to me the difference between the deputy not breaking the law because he lacked criminal intent vs. claiming ignorance of the law yet ignorance is not allowed to excuse the criminal intent?"
Ignorance of the law and criminal intent are two different thinngs. A person who lacks knowledge that his actions are criminal lacks criminal intent. A person who knows it is illegal but releases it in the public interest may very well lack criminal intent.
Security footage of the deputy in action. This is the first this has been revealed. Looks like someone in the Sheriff's department is leaking confidential information. Get the district attorney on this case.
I have to agree with Anonymous 11:54 AM. There is a chance the person who sent Orloski a copy of Mezzacappa's application for a LTCF was Mezzacappa herself, just to rub his nose in it. The timing fits.
Lots of people were copied on a contentious email exchange that occurred between Orloski and Mezzacappa on March 20 and March 22.
On March 20 Orloski said to Mezzacappa: "I have tried to ignore your rantings as expected abnormal behavior from a deeply disturbed mentally handicapped person. Nuts is nuts ... but even nutty persons respect some personal boundaries...Your fantasies about killing Bernie and/or me transcend civilized behavior. Your verbiage '...put a hollow point in the skull...' is colorful and actionable."
Mezzacappa responded the same day: "I would love another lawsuit from a purely disgraced loser such as yourself." She didn't stop there, however. On March 22 she sent out an email blast to about 75 other individuals in which she accused Orloski of being "childish and unethical." The blast contained copies of their previous exchange.
Did Mezzacappa follow up that email blast by anonymously providing her LTCF application to Orloski? We know she loves the spotlight and thrives on confrontation.
Title 18 § 4904. Unsworn falsification to authorities.
(a) In general.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the
second degree if, with intent to mislead a public servant in
performing his official function, he:
(1) makes any written false statement which he does not
believe to be true;
(2) submits or invites reliance on any writing which he
knows to be forged, altered or otherwise lacking in
authenticity; or
(3) submits or invites reliance on any sample, specimen,
map, boundary mark, or other object which he knows to be
false.
(b) Statements "under penalty".--A person commits a
misdemeanor of the third degree if he makes a written false
statement which he does not believe to be true, on or pursuant
to a form bearing notice, authorized by law, to the effect that
false statements made therein are punishable.
Kiddie Games are being played by adults here. Makes a person Proud, to be a TaxPayer!
A rash of violence directed at law enforcement leaders including prosecutors and corrections officials has become too significant for even these leaders to ignore, according to Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli.
With regard to the Route 78, 22, & 33 anti-gang initiative corridor, & Straw Purchaser's; Police Officer's are harmed by Issueing Authorities whom are not in Lawful compliance or derelict in their respective Duties for Issuance's.
Convict's are the silent Majority. We have no say in Politic's, but your politic's are made because of us. Think about it.
Clinton,
I take from your post, you are a convict. Are you?
If your answer is "yes," in my mind you have practically NO legitimate opinion to offer. You gave up that status by thumbing your nose to existing laws. Laws intended to make life for all of us better.
Serve your time, come out and live a decent life for several years. Then, only then, do you have a voice.
If you are NOT a convict, Clifford, I apologize for recognizing you as such.
Legitimate or Relevant....it's not about Opinion now.
I filed a complaint with the ATF. The Fed's will decide the Lawfullness of the situation.
Title 16 § 1124. Official security and officers.
(a) Official security.--Each county shall obtain official security in the form of bonds, a blanket bond or a crime-fidelity insurance policy, which is endorsed with faithful performance of duty coverage, that protects the county from losses caused by acts of the officers set forth in subsection (b) or the equivalent officers in home rule or optional plan counties, whether elected, appointed or appointed to fill a vacancy, before those officers begin their official duties.
What if Easton's Insurance Carrier denies coverage for gross negligence/dereliction of duty claim's?
Title 44 § 7172. Incompetence.
(a) Inquiry.--A court of common pleas with competent jurisdiction may inquire into the official conduct of the constable if any of the following apply:
(1) A surety of the constable files a verified petition alleging that the constable is incompetent to discharge official duties because of intemperance or neglect of duty.
(2) Any person files a verified petition alleging that the constable is incompetent to discharge official duties for a reason other than intemperance or neglect of duty. This paragraph includes an act of oppression of a litigant or a witness.
Clinton, Not sure where a constable fits into this story at all. Also, the funding for the 222gang initiative dried up a few years ago. So do some more research and get back to us staying on topic.
Title 18 § 4702. Threats and other improper influence in official and political matters.
(a) Offenses defined.--A person commits an offense if he:
(3) threatens unlawful harm to any public servant or party official with intent to influence him to violate his known legal duty.
I believe Mezzacappa's LTC application does constitute a falsification of documents seeing as how both parties listed as reference were not asked nor did they consent.
She lied about her references. That should merit a criminal charge.
She listed two references. he did not say they would support her. So I think a prosecution on that charge would fail. But there are numerous instances in which she has made demonstrably false statements under oath and in unsworn statements to authorities.
Anonymous 12:32 seems to know a lot about this investigation. Probably exchanged reach arounds with the Sheriff while they watched the video footage. The truth has already been told, and it is nowhere close to the rumors spreading throughout the Courthouse. Problem here is an incompetant ass kisser who never did any real work got promoted to sergeant, assumed the Napolean alter ego of the Sheriff, and now believes he heads internal affairs, acts as judge, jury, and executioner through his ability to read minds, but fails to properly supervise the LTC division he is in charge of. This individual should be thoroughly investigated for leading the DA in the wrong direction to save his own ass and cover up his own negligence.
Let me tell you something. While that sergeant is nothing but trouble to everyone, I have very high regard for Sheriff Miller. I have found him to be a man of honor. I understand that some of you have different views and want to trash him, but THINK! One of your own has his head on the chopping block right now. This is not the time to taunt the man who holds the ax.
I think that an issue has been raised and the Feds have to come in and straighten this problem out. Let all involved the right to fair due process. And if there are violations of laws then ALL who did commit them be prosecuted.
Why would the feds be interested in violations of state law?
The Sheriff turned the investigation over to the DA. Morgenelli actually holds the ax. The Sheriff could have handled this but chose not to. Instead, he listened to his Napolean alter ego and was sure the union was behind this. This is the farthest from the truth, and remember, the truth is the ultimate defense. While you may have respect for this man, what has he done for the department since becoming Sheriff. Finished an accreditation process that was nearly done when he took over. Outfitted his deputies in blue shirts. Formed an honor guard that has not performed in over a year. Put stickers with his name on it throughout the office. Dropped the ball on LTC permits. Lost revenue in civil process. Spent a lot of money on a CODY reporting system that now takes deputies 3 hours to do a once 15 minute report. His list of accomplishments are endless.
Bernie, Here's a question I haven't seen addressed. The application for a LTCF requires two references, but it also asks for employment information. Do you know who Tricia Mezzacappa listed as her employer and do you know if the Sheriff contacted her employer? The Sheriff has admitted he doesn't routinely check references, but does he at least verify the accuracy of employment information?
Does Mezzacappa still have a permit to carry permit or not ? Can these insiders answer this with just one word/ yes or no. Thank You !
10:23,She listed her employer as herself.
BERNIE WHAT YOU NEED IS TO GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS AND START REALIZING MILLER WAS'NT ANY GOOD IN BETHLEHEM THEY WERE GLAD TO SEE HIM GO AND ALL HE HAS DONE FOR THE NCSD IS CONTINUE TO LOSE MONEY THE VERY SAME WAY HGE DID IN BETHLEHEM...IE CODY, ACCREDUDATION...ETC SO STOP PAMPERING HIM OR IS THERE SOMETHING WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TWO OF YOU ????
Bernie,
Tricia Mezzacappa's lawsuit against the Express Times alleges that after she was cited for disorderly conduct in August 2012 she lost her job at a nursing home. You say her LTCF application "listed herself as her employer." So when she applied for the license in April 2012 she was self employed, but four months later she was working at a nursing home? Considering the two phony references, I wonder if Tricia was truthful with the Sheriff about her employment situation.
I'm a little more concerned that she failed to list that nursing home as a source of income in the statement of financial interests she filed. This is on top of her failure to list her income from the Joseph Mezzacappa estate in a prior statement of financial interest.
Title 65 § 1104. Statement of financial interests required to be filed.
(b) Candidate.--
(2) Any candidate for county-level or local office shall
file a statement of financial interests for the preceding
calendar year with the governing authority of the political
subdivision in which he is a candidate on or before the last
day for filing a petition to appear on the ballot for election. A copy of the statement of financial interests shall also be appended to such petition. Failure to file the statement in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall, in addition to any other penalties provided, be a fatal defect to a petition to appear on the ballot.
4:35 It's not confidential. They obviously have security cameras because some deputies cant be trusted.
File a complaint with the State Ethics Commission authorized by Title 65 § 1108. Investigations by commission.
(a) Preliminary inquiry.--Upon a complaint signed under
penalty of perjury by any person or upon its own motion, the
commission, through its executive director, shall conduct a
preliminary inquiry into any alleged violation of this chapter.
The Feds need to come in and straighten out all this corruption in NorCo. Just like in Lackawanna Cty
Bernie, keep praising Sheriff Miller without knowing the facts. On paper, he looks good. In reality, he took a department with some problems and turned it into a pile of shit, but a good looking pile of shit. Fitted uniforms, fancy vehicles with useless accessories such as sledgehammers and entry bars at $250 a pop, Flat screen TVs in the office, a $8000 keybox, assault rifles that less than 1/4 of the department are trained in, and the list goes on. Revenue for civil process has dropped yearly since he has been Sheriff, yet the number of full time deputies has increased. The answer to this is simple- MISMANAGEMENT. The transport sergeant IS NOT in charge of vehicles. The court sergeant IS NOT in charge of courtroom security equipement. And the training sergeant IS NO LONGER in charge of training. These duties are all performed by the LTC sergeant and his lackeys. Doing everything but their primary duty until they can sit at home on their couch earning overtime. This job was done by one man previously, and now there are four assigned to the division. Yet, the permits are backing up.
Make your case to County Council.
I can only go by what I see. I have an immense amount of respect for Sheriff Miller. After his appointment, I noticed a near immediate improvement in morale among deputies. Certification was started under Jeff Hawbecker, and Sheriff Miller continued and completed it.
The Sheriff is well educated and highly qualified and in my opinion is a consummate professional. I believe he is among Stoffa's best appointments.
Most of the deputies appear to share that view, although most of them would agree about that sergeant, if he is who I think he is.
In light of the problem with LTCs, I would urge you to make your concerns known to County Council. The personnel committee meets tomorrow at 4 PM. I believe Stoffa intends to ask for more people, but you are suggesting something different.
As you know, an anonymous comment on a blog is worthless. If you are concerned about repercussions, make your concerns known privately to a member of Council or to Stoffa.
In an environment where our elected politicians tread upon us, anonymous comment definitely has a place.
Those of us fearing individual repercussions are able to get a point or two out here. others in the same boat will not be made to believe that "they" are the only one with a particular belief.
Make your concerns privately to local government royalty is akin to speaking to a wall.
"The Sheriff is well educated and highly qualified " is a totally unqualified statement. Is this true simply because you sign your name to it?
It's not true bc I sign my name to it. But it has more credibility bc I am willing to take responsibility for my words, unlike you. In addition to being the Sheriff, Miller currently chairs the NC Police Chefs Ass'n and the NC criminal Justice Advisory Board. He was the choice of both the courts and John Stoffa. After his appointment, morale among deputies improved almost overnight.
Personnel committee meets 4 PM today. If you feel I have it wrong, make your concerns known, publicly or privately. An anonymous comment on a blog means next to nothing.
Bernie, you can believe whatever you want; but that doesn't make it so. It makes it your opinion, and we all know the saying about opinions. I would like to thank you for publishing the Sheriff's letter, though, as it clarifies a point of which many are ignorant or misinformed. Open carry, or the right to carry a firearm unconcealed, is legal in PA and one does not require a permit to do so. That's how I've always interpreted the law, and it's good to know the Sheriff concurs.
Jim Gregory said...
The deputy sheriff should receive the same grace. He has put his job on the line to bring out something that the county was hiding. I like Randy and I understand why this happened , like Cusick said, it was his fault and he was right, it was CUSICKS fault for cutting the funds. That aside, this deputy is being unfairly punished and I wish him the best. Anything I can do to help , I will. $
12:28 PM
Bernie-can you remove my post from 11:32 am? It was a rumor that I had heard and should not have posted it. It was not a fact.
Thanks.
11:52am
here is no 11:32 AM comment. I suspect that one of the "investigators" has been talking here a bit too much.
I don't think so.
No, Im just a friend of someone who works at the courthouse and should not have gotten involved in this blog. I am asking you kindly to remove it. 11:52
I don't believe you. I have read similar comments on the ET web page by someone from Bushkill Tp who claims to "know" someone in the Sheriff's office.
It is pretty clear to me that you are one of the so-called investigators, and have it in for certain deputies.
I'll let the comment stay so you can deny you wrote it during the trial.
I wouldn't deny that I wrote it, my husband would just be very pissed off at me for posting anything on here. I'm not who you must think I am. I have nothing against any of the deputies involved.
I think you're a coward, and I'm right about that.
Why am I a coward?? Because I said something I had no right to say and now I regret it?
You are a coward be even anonymously, you can't take responsibility for what you write. You ought to take a good look at yourself in a mirror.
Well, what I said in that post was partially incorrect, yes there were 2 other deputies with Darin that day in the office which everyone already knows. The part about them laughing I don't know if that's true or not. I didn't see the video with my own eyes. So if it goes to trial I'm not worried. What confuses me though, is how would your blog be involved in a trial?
Because of comments from people like you, who are involved in the so-called investigation. You obviously have a disdain for these deputies and that's why you claimed they were laughing, without knowing whether that is true. Instead of being interested in justice, it appears to me that people like you are looking for a few heads.
I believe Deputy Stewart's attorney will question the so called investigator about these comments to show bias.
Lets be clear, I don't have a distain for the deputies involved. I am actually friends with one of them. All three of them made a bad choice that day. One broke the law and the other two didn't report it. While I feel bad for them possibly losing their jobs, they only have themselves to blame for their poor decisions. They really hurt the integrity of the Sheriff's Department.
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