-
Thursday, January 27, 2011
ERIC JACKSON UPDATE: ANOTHER ONE FOR THE "ONLY IN HARTFORD" FILE
Well, it seems like many of the comments and phone calls on the previous Eric Jackson post had hoped that Mayor Segarra would take the high road and do what had to be done to protect City of Hartford employees during the sexual harrassment investigation.
Sorry to dash your hopes, but apparently the answer is no.
City Hall sources are confirming for me that Eric Jackson is on "extended" sick leave as of the time of this writing. Another travesty and a fraud being imposed on the people of Hartford, all at our expense.
There is no word yet as to whether Chief Roberts and the Hartford Police Department will step up and accept their responsibility to investigate alleged criminal behavior by Jackson.
Extended sick leave might actually be appropriate, his alleged victims might agree that he is ill.
Councilman Painter and Councilman Brinson, now's your opportunity to show us what you are made of. I don't think many of us have confidence in the existing Council to take action, or even speak out. Let's see if you two have anything to say when Hartford employees are allegedly victimized, or is it more business as usual.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
WE ARE "FRUSTRATED AND FEEL HELPLESS"
That was a comment left earlier tonight by an anonymous poster on the Eric Jasckson story. Actually the full context was "the rest of is frustrated and feels helpless with all this sort of behavior from our leadership".
The fact of the matter is that we aren't helpless, frustrated maybe, but helpless... not at all.
Less than 10 months from now every Hartford voter will be able to send a message loud and clear that business as usual, the way it has been conducted for the last 10 years is totally unacceptable. All of the City Council seats and the Mayor's Office are up for grabs. It is time we reach out and take what is ours back.
We need to say no to the special interests, say no the the big money donors from outside Hartford trying to buy their way into City Hall and say no to politicians who care more about their own interests than they do the residents and business people who make Hartford what it once was and can become again.
We need to remind our elected officials that no one group "owns" any of the Council seats or the Mayor's Office. Racial profiling by our elected officials is just as wrong as racial profiling by our police. And the fact of the matter is that there is far more evidence of the political profiling than there has been of police profiling. 2,2,2 needs to be gone and we need to find the best possible candidates willing to serve Hartford for the right reasons.
The days of our elected officials using City Hall as their personal travel agency or "jobs for relatives" employment service needs to end. We need elected officials who are able to make the tough decisions based on the best ethical and moral reasons, not what is in their best interest or which decision will best serve their political interests and futures.
We have less than ten months to organize these efforts, bring forward excellent people willing to serve and then make it happen. It probably sounds naive but I think people have reached their boiling point with the level of incompetence and corruption flowing from City Hall. And after the last few years some might even combine the two into "incompetent corruption".
The encouraging part though is that I have spoke with several people over the last few weeks that want to try to work together to start that change. Some I have had bitter differences with, but in the end we can all put that aside and try to work together for what is best for our city, not ourselves.I'll make sure to put information here as we move forward and try to get others involved.
We may be frustrated, but we are far from helpless.
The fact of the matter is that we aren't helpless, frustrated maybe, but helpless... not at all.
Less than 10 months from now every Hartford voter will be able to send a message loud and clear that business as usual, the way it has been conducted for the last 10 years is totally unacceptable. All of the City Council seats and the Mayor's Office are up for grabs. It is time we reach out and take what is ours back.
We need to say no to the special interests, say no the the big money donors from outside Hartford trying to buy their way into City Hall and say no to politicians who care more about their own interests than they do the residents and business people who make Hartford what it once was and can become again.
We need to remind our elected officials that no one group "owns" any of the Council seats or the Mayor's Office. Racial profiling by our elected officials is just as wrong as racial profiling by our police. And the fact of the matter is that there is far more evidence of the political profiling than there has been of police profiling. 2,2,2 needs to be gone and we need to find the best possible candidates willing to serve Hartford for the right reasons.
The days of our elected officials using City Hall as their personal travel agency or "jobs for relatives" employment service needs to end. We need elected officials who are able to make the tough decisions based on the best ethical and moral reasons, not what is in their best interest or which decision will best serve their political interests and futures.
We have less than ten months to organize these efforts, bring forward excellent people willing to serve and then make it happen. It probably sounds naive but I think people have reached their boiling point with the level of incompetence and corruption flowing from City Hall. And after the last few years some might even combine the two into "incompetent corruption".
The encouraging part though is that I have spoke with several people over the last few weeks that want to try to work together to start that change. Some I have had bitter differences with, but in the end we can all put that aside and try to work together for what is best for our city, not ourselves.I'll make sure to put information here as we move forward and try to get others involved.
We may be frustrated, but we are far from helpless.
HARTFORD MHIS DIRECTOR ERIC JACKSON UNDER INVESTIGATION
Eric L.Jackson, Director of MHIS , picture from hartford.gov
Over the last couple of weeks, numerous people have contacted me regarding sexual harassment allegations against the City of Hartford's MHIS Director Eric Jackson. Apparently several female employees have now filed actual complaints with the Office of the Corporation Counsel alleging sexual harassment by Jackson.
These allegations are said to include improper behavior by Jackson both in the workplace and outside. The allegations include charges of improper contact and advances towards female employees in the MHIS offices as well as "late night" text messages, phone calls and visits to employees.
Both Union representatives as well as City Hall staff people confirmed that numerous employees have made claims that are being investigated. A representative of the Corporation Counsel's office, Gilberto Cortez, today confirmed the existence of the investigation but would provide no timeline as to the completion. Cortez also refused to provide any further information other than that the investigation exists and is ongoing.
Beside City Hall staff, apparently Board of Education employees assigned to MHIS have also made complaints against Jackson. According to one source, staffers in MHIS have been instructed to "keep a log of any further harassment or any retaliation".
At least two other persons I have spoke with claim to have been victims of Jackson's actions but they are not willing to come forward in fear of retaliation. Jackson is still active in the MHIS office and has not been placed on any type of Administrative suspension while the investigation is conducted.
According to several people who spoke with me on the condition of anonymity for fear of losing their jobs, the fear of retaliation is clearly obvious in the office. They have also questioned why this has not become a criminal investigation. Some of the allegations being made would clearly fall under criminal statutes.Those that I have spoke with indicated that Jackson's presence in the office is clearly creating a hostile work environment.
Repeated calls to Eric Jackson for comment have been unanswered. Text messages and e-mails to Mayor Segarra have also not been answered
To read about more of Jackson's escapades as a City of Hartford department head, click here
Over the last couple of weeks, numerous people have contacted me regarding sexual harassment allegations against the City of Hartford's MHIS Director Eric Jackson. Apparently several female employees have now filed actual complaints with the Office of the Corporation Counsel alleging sexual harassment by Jackson.
These allegations are said to include improper behavior by Jackson both in the workplace and outside. The allegations include charges of improper contact and advances towards female employees in the MHIS offices as well as "late night" text messages, phone calls and visits to employees.
Both Union representatives as well as City Hall staff people confirmed that numerous employees have made claims that are being investigated. A representative of the Corporation Counsel's office, Gilberto Cortez, today confirmed the existence of the investigation but would provide no timeline as to the completion. Cortez also refused to provide any further information other than that the investigation exists and is ongoing.
Beside City Hall staff, apparently Board of Education employees assigned to MHIS have also made complaints against Jackson. According to one source, staffers in MHIS have been instructed to "keep a log of any further harassment or any retaliation".
At least two other persons I have spoke with claim to have been victims of Jackson's actions but they are not willing to come forward in fear of retaliation. Jackson is still active in the MHIS office and has not been placed on any type of Administrative suspension while the investigation is conducted.
According to several people who spoke with me on the condition of anonymity for fear of losing their jobs, the fear of retaliation is clearly obvious in the office. They have also questioned why this has not become a criminal investigation. Some of the allegations being made would clearly fall under criminal statutes.Those that I have spoke with indicated that Jackson's presence in the office is clearly creating a hostile work environment.
Repeated calls to Eric Jackson for comment have been unanswered. Text messages and e-mails to Mayor Segarra have also not been answered
To read about more of Jackson's escapades as a City of Hartford department head, click here
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
SOURCES: "ROBLES ARREST IMMINENT"... BUT ARE THERE OTHER VIOLATORS?
Sources on both the State level and the local level are telling me that the States Attorney's Office is nearing completion of its investigation into former Hartford Police Officer Hector Robles's "double dipping" allegations and an arrest is likely.
Sources who spoke to me on the condition of anonymity have explained that the state Inspectors apparently expanded the scope of their investigation into allegations above and beyond those originally outlined in the HPD internal affairs investigation.
Robles was terminated from the Hartford Police Department after the IAD report and subsequent departmental hearing showed a pattern of larceny involving Robles's double billing for his regular hours at the same time he was billing for overtime work , or "PJ's".
Although Robles has been the only one charged so far, it seems that it may potentially be a wider problem. At least one officer was found this week to have submitted time cards showing that he was working two overtime jobs during the same overlapping hours. Unlike Robles, this "indiscretion" was handled by a quick correction by a supervisor with no additional action or investigation according to a police source. That is only one example, but where there is smoke there is usually fire.
Robles still serves in the Connecticut General Assembly as the State Representative for the 6th District.
To read more about the Robles termination and IAD report, click here
HPD PROMOTIONS TO BE ANNOUNCED
Apparently the word this afternoon coming out of HPD is that Chief Daryl Roberts has decided on the filling of vacancies in his command staff.
Jennings Road sources are telling me that Deputy Chief John Horvath will be promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief. Captains Paul Ciesinski and Scott Sansom will be promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief. Sansom will be assigned to cover the North half of the city and Ciesinski will be assigned to the South half of the City.
Jennings Road sources are telling me that Deputy Chief John Horvath will be promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief. Captains Paul Ciesinski and Scott Sansom will be promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief. Sansom will be assigned to cover the North half of the city and Ciesinski will be assigned to the South half of the City.
Monday, January 24, 2011
THE COUNCIL OF FRAUDS
The Hartford City Council once again showed their true colors tonight and for anyone that thinks that Eddie Perez is not still running Hartford City Hall, think again.
In a move void of any public comment or any transparency, two loyal Perez allies were slammed down the throats of Hartford's residents tonight.
Robert Painter a former Republican Councilman was re-appointed to the Council tonight, now as a Democrat. Painter, by his own admission to me a few months ago, had blindly offered his allegiance to Perez ignoring all the signs of corruption that were apparent to others. Painter had apologized to me for not listening to what I repeatedly said to the Council about the corruption and criminality of Perez.
Painter had stated to me that I obviously had some "outstanding" sources and he now realized that I knew what I was talking about when it came to allegations against the now convicted felon Perez. Is that the type of judgment we should look forward to leading our city?
Then we have the Republican replacement Corey Brinson. Brinson has blindly supported his corrupt aunt, former Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson, who was also arrested along with Perez.
I guess the question is to what degree are we looking for change? If we are willing to appoint individuals to the Council who clearly lack any integrity or judgment when it comes to calling out corrupt officials, are we really going to change anything?
This entire Council needs to be replaced in November by individuals willing to step up and do the right thing without playing the political gamesmanship.This includes Dr. Deutsch who was a willing pawn in tonight's escapade and eventually voted in favor of the actions even though he put on a good show of appearing disgusted.
In a move void of any public comment or any transparency, two loyal Perez allies were slammed down the throats of Hartford's residents tonight.
Robert Painter a former Republican Councilman was re-appointed to the Council tonight, now as a Democrat. Painter, by his own admission to me a few months ago, had blindly offered his allegiance to Perez ignoring all the signs of corruption that were apparent to others. Painter had apologized to me for not listening to what I repeatedly said to the Council about the corruption and criminality of Perez.
Painter had stated to me that I obviously had some "outstanding" sources and he now realized that I knew what I was talking about when it came to allegations against the now convicted felon Perez. Is that the type of judgment we should look forward to leading our city?
Then we have the Republican replacement Corey Brinson. Brinson has blindly supported his corrupt aunt, former Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson, who was also arrested along with Perez.
I guess the question is to what degree are we looking for change? If we are willing to appoint individuals to the Council who clearly lack any integrity or judgment when it comes to calling out corrupt officials, are we really going to change anything?
This entire Council needs to be replaced in November by individuals willing to step up and do the right thing without playing the political gamesmanship.This includes Dr. Deutsch who was a willing pawn in tonight's escapade and eventually voted in favor of the actions even though he put on a good show of appearing disgusted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)



