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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

EXPANDING MY HORIZONS, AND THANK YOU

Last week I posted an entry entitled "Whaddaya know" and it has turned out to be well worthwhile. To those of you who provided information and tips, a sincere Thank you. The parts of the puzzle are coming together.


This morning I received a phone call that I should be in the Hartford Federal Courthouse for 11:00am. No further details. Needless to say, I was at the Federal Courthouse at 11:00am.
I felt a little odd when I approached the Federal Marshal at the metal detector and he asked where I was going. My response surprised him I am sure. "I don't know where I am going, I got a call to be here at 11:00am. I gave him a couple more details as to why and for who I thought I was there and was pointed to a courtroom.. Luckily I wore new socks because they made me take my shoes off also to make it through the metal detector. And no cell phones allowed, leave it in the car


The expected event didn't happen as planned, but apparently lawyers and the US Attorney sometimes work out deals for their clients to surrender, so be patient.I would love to elaborate on the reason for being there , but that will come soon. Be patient.


While I was sitting there in the gallery with NBC Connecticut's Max Reiss, we watched the arraignment of the Finance Director from the Town of Plymouth. Again, not much on details, more procedural than anything else. After the court recessed, The US Attorney handling the case came over to us and introduced himself. I was a little surprised when he asked "Aren't you Kevin Brookman?"  When I answered yes, he replied "I read your blog occasionally" Who doesn't?


He then handed myself and Max the arrest warrant, or whatever the terminology is in FED talk, indictment maybe?


Later when I read it, I thought heads should be rolling today in Plymouth. How does the Finance Director of a little town write almost a million dollars in checks to himself and no one notices. One of the checks was reportedly for $300.000. No one noticed? Who monitors their budget?


The really interesting part to me though was the FBI Agents explanation of how the case began. There apparently was no complaint from the town of Plymouth. The investigation began based on Media reports.


If that is the case and the US Attorney had just told me he reads the blog, the FBI must be crawling all over Hartford City Hall by now. If it works for Plymouth, I am sure it can work for Hartford.. If you ever wondered how to blow a million dollars, read on




Saturday, January 17, 2015

DO COPS HAVE RIGHTS ALSO?

As the debate continues to record every action a Police Officer makes with body cams and dash cams, what measures are being taken to protect the Officer's rights, as well as those of the community.

The video below is a perfect example. Does the officer have a reasonable expectation of privacy while in his cruiser as long as his actions are legal, or should every police officer now plan on showing up on you-tube at some point during his or her career embarrassing themselves on a dash cam video.

And where is the right to privacy line drawn? Is a police officer on his  meal break in his cruiser fair game for public humiliation if he is having a discussion with his wife or partner about their sex life caught on video?

Should these videos be released if they don't involve elements of a crime or a civilian complaint, no matter how funny they are, without the officer's permission?

Imagine what can be recorded on body cameras. Bathroom breaks, phone calls, personal conversations

And I do have a sense of humor , the video is hilarious.

DON'T DENT MY SHINY BMW

Add caption
Dunkin Donuts, Capitol Avenue 1:47PM Friday
 
UPDATE: MONDAY1/19/2015
to follow more about this and watch the video be sure to check out NBC CONNECTICUT on Facebook.com and read the over 600 comments
 
One of my pet peeves are people that  abuse Handicap parking spaces. It is even worse when it appears that it is a state legislator, proudly displaying his legislative plate. I am told that the same vehicle apparently as stopped recently at an HPD checkpoint while talking on his cell phone.

I guess if you are elected to make the laws  you aren't expected to obey them also.

And no, there was no handicap tag hanging in the vehicle

Legislative plates are assigned to Representatives and Senators numerically by the number of the district they represent

Friday, January 16, 2015

DOES ANYONE THINK?

I have been watching all the commentary about the anger that our French Ambassador was the highest ranking American Diplomat in Paris last weekend. Whether you like President Obama, or not, is that a climate we want to send our president or Vice president into. What was the final body count of victims and hostages killed by terrorists in Paris? These were vicious terrorists intent on achieving their goal at any cost and going out as martyrs to their cause. And is there anyone with half a brain that thinks that to terrorists there is any greater achievement than the President of the United States of America? Anyone that even thought about encouraging that trip ought to be under psychiatric  treatment about now

THE REGISTRAR INQUIRY REPORT, VAZQUEZ AND ASSISTANT REFUSE TO TESTIFY

The report is complete on the Registrar of voters mess. Click on the link below to read it. the following foot note is an interesting note . The two Democrats most responsible for the mess refused to testify. Only two persons who were asked to interview with counsel before the hearings failed or refused to do so, Olga Vazquez and Garey Coleman (the Democratic Deputy Registrar). 2The December 22 and 23, 2014 hearing transcripts are Exhibits A-1 and A-2 to this Report. 3Joseph Wilkerson’s position as deputy Democratic Head Moderator is also known as a “spare” Democratic moderator. Wilkerson had responsibility for overseeing the absentee ballot counting throughout November 4 and therefore was also known as the “central counting moderator.” (Tr. 12/23/14 at 155.) The Council should be taking immediate steps to remove them both. They clearly have no desire to fix the problem or to protect the voters rights to make sure this doesn't happen again. And why would Garey Coleman be directly overseeing an election involving his brother. Does anyone understand conflicts of interest? Only two persons who were asked to interview with counsel before the hearings failed or refused to do so, Olga Vazquez and Garey Coleman (the Democratic Deputy Registrar). 2The December 22 and 23, 2014 hearing transcripts are Exhibits A-1 and A-2 to this Report. 3Joseph Wilkerson’s position as deputy Democratic Head Moderator is also known as a “spare” Democratic moderator. Wilkerson had responsibility for overseeing the absentee ballot counting throughout November 4 and therefore was also known as the “central counting moderator.” (Tr. 12/23/14 at 155.)    READ THE FULL REPORT HERE .

 More thoughts on this later this weekend.

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