GSO not cooperating with DOJ
Posted May 6th, 2009 at 7:37 AM by SamHThe U.S. Department of Justice says the City of Greensboro, citing state personnel laws, is not cooperating with its investigation of black police officers claims of discrimination.
Justice officials cite city attorneys’ refusal to allow investigators with Risk Management Associates to discuss employees by name as the reason for leaving town before completing its investigation. RMA — for those who need a refresher, authored the report on which former City Manager Mitchell Johnson based his decision to suspend then- Police Chief David Wray.
That RMA is central to this latest twist adds considerable irony to attorney Julie Theall’s concern that Justice’s investigation “would really be an unbiased assessment of the situation,” considering the fact the RMA report showed considerable bias against Wray.
What a mess.
May 6th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
The unanswered question is why are these people here. ? Did Mayor Johnson or some other pol, unhappy with the vote of the Council to withdraw the settlement offer, make a sub-rosa contact with some of their friends in the Obama Administration, on behalf the black officers frivilous claim. If so, that seems to be directly against the interests of the taxpayers. The citizens of Greensboro deserve to know why the sudden interest by Washington in a matter that was doomed. Smells like identity politics at its worse.
This DOJ investigation is highly unusual , almost surreal. It seems that the next logical step should be a courtroomwith a judge and jury to listen to witnesses and sort out things. The RMA report and Longmier, both of which have aleady been discredited, would fold like a cheap suit under cross examination. Mitch Johnson’s sworn statement acknowledges ( with some waffling and Clinton like parsing ) that he is unaware of any solid undisputable evidence that the so called black book was used for any other purpose than a legitimate investigation.
The quote in the N&R by attorney Jullie Theall, who represents the City, seems to suggest the fix may already be in by the DOJ hacks to rehabilitate the Joe Williams/Linda Miles et al report and conclude that David Wray was an evil person. Ms. Theall did demonstrate a degree of courage and independence in uttering that possibility and challenging the government attorneys to do a fair and impartial review.
Mike Barber is correct in calling for the officers to withdraw their complaint. He is way off base, however , in suggesting that Ken Free’s attorney fees be paid by the City, to assist Free in his own legal difficulties. The only attorney fees that should be paid for by the public are those of David and Scott Sanders.. Period !
This is truly Théâtre de l’Absurde. Who will be Berenger ? Who will make a stand with him ? ( in the play ” Rhinoceres ” by Eugene lonesco ).