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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

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

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.

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.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

HARTFORD POLICE OFFICER "ACCIDENTALLY" SHOOTS HIMSELF

A Hartford Police Officer apparently accidentally shot himself early this morning at the HPD Community Office at 500 Farmington Avenue.

Details are somewhat sketchy at this time but police sources said the officer had unholstered his department issued weapon when it discharged and the officer was shot through the hand. The unnamed officer was treated and released from Hartford Hospital.

Hartford Police Internal Affairs and Major Crimes divisions are investigating.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

ANOTHER STUPID QUESTION.....

Sometimes I think I am a little too rigid , I try to look at the total picture, but that doesn't always happen. I also know that I have some great readers with good common sense. With that being said, I'm throwing this question out there to solicit your responses.

I fully understand that Wednesday's storm was a record snowfall. Although most city streets have been plowed, it seems that the response was far from stellar. Most major streets are opened to only one lane each way, but at least they are open.

I can't seem to figure out the strategy behind Hartford's plowing operations and the number of plows I saw during the storm driving on city streets with their plow blades up in the air and not moving any snow. I posed that question to Mayor Segarra during a conversation Friday evening. He said he had the same question and when he posed it to Hartford's D.P.W. Director Kevin Burnham, he was told it was to save wear and tear on the plows as they traveled to their assigned routes.

I would file Burnham's response in the "do you really think we are idiots" file and move on. Some things will never change in Hartford. I also told the Mayor that even with the record snowfall, it was quite clear when you cross the Hartford city line. Entering into any of our neighboring towns, the streeets were plowed "curb to curb" and looked much better than Hartford's.

Ok, so now to the question I would like your comments on. If you were the Director of Public Works for the City of Hartford and knew that a sold out UCONN Women's Basketball game was being held Saturday at 12 noon at the XL Center, how would you handle snow removal surrounding the XL Center?

A.) Since Hartford's streets are pretty much empty after 1 or 2:00am, that would be the best time to remove the snow and make Hartford accessible and clear out all intersections so that the area would be clear in advance of the sold-out crowd and traffic and pedestrians could move about properly

B.)Why worry, spring will be here soon enough and snow eventually melts.

C.)To show that Hartford D.P.W. does actually plow snow, do it at the height of the crowds arriving and tie up as much traffic as possible and show the 16,000 people coming into the city that something is being done. People are used to being inconvenienced by Hartford's incompetent leadership so at least it will show consistency to everyone.

D.) Both B and C would combine for a reasonable solution.

Not to influence your decision, but C was apparently Burnham's solution.

Needless to say, Hartford's DPW crews were making a nightmare of traffic as the sold out crowds arrived and I'm not even going near downtown as they leave the City after the game. Maybe it is a decision to keep them all gridlocked in Hartford to visit Hartford's restaurants downtown.

At least we can be comfortable in knowing that the DPW Director is enjoying the day in front of the fireplace at his home in East Haddam, free from the troubles and worries of Hartford. If only he lived in Hartford, he might see what many of us see day in and day out.