Bureaucrats Behaving Badly -- SUPERSIZED!
Lowlights in 'public service' for the week ending 01 September
Know about a bureaucrat behaving badly? Got a link to a maddening, disturbing, or hilarious account of an out-of-control “public servant”? Contact me at dowd@dowdmuska.com or @dowdmuska.
Former Edinburg CISD teacher charged with improper relationship with a student (KRGV)
“The wife said she found handwritten love letters between Rojas and the female student. The love letters ‘speak of their love for each other’ and the times Rojas and the female student spent together before and after school, according to arrest records.”
“Police said Burns sent the two minors sexually explicit messages and solicited sexual acts over text. Additionally, Burns engaged in a video chat with one of the former students where he allegedly exposed himself.”
Payson teacher arrested on suspicion of sexual conduct with former student (The Arizona Republic)
“Payson police asked that anyone contact them if they have more information about this case or if they believe they might be a victim of these crimes.”
Edison teacher arrested on child porn charge (Courier News)
“The individual has been placed on administrative leave and barred from all school grounds until this matter has been resolved by the courts. The safety and security of our students continues to be our top priority.”
Former Wauwatosa teacher accused of having sex with 8th grader will stand trial (WISN)
“Police say after the relationship was discovered by his parents, the boy told investigators the pair had sex in her car and in a park. Further, he said Bolden gave him a handgun for his 14th birthday in June.”
Suffolk County teacher arrested after allegedly raping a 16-year-old student (WABC)
“Sperl has been charged with four counts of rape in the third degree and seven counts of criminal sex act in the third degree.”
Pemberton, NJ, School District Employee Charged With Attempting to Meet Student For Sex (WPGG)
“When he arrived, instead of meeting the student, he was taken into custody.”
Teacher charged with public intoxication at Fort Payne school (WHNT)
“Officers said Harris had prescription medication she did not have a prescription for.”
CLEVELAND COUNTY DEPUTY ACCUSED OF SHOOTING, KILLING WIFE (KWTV-DT)
“I’m going to be honest, I’m pissed off. I’m mad at him for taking her life.”
Former River Bend police officer, sheriff’s deputy arrested for indecent liberties with a child (Sun Journal)
“According to court documents, Adams attempted to take indecent liberties with a minor under the age of 16 for the purpose of arousing and gratifying sexual desire.”
Off-duty correctional deputy arrested after a fight (KATC)
“She was booked into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center, with one count second-degree battery ... and one count riot, also a felony.”
Ex-Middlesex deputy charged with threatening to destroy Plymouth courthouse, kill people inside (Boston Herald)
“The rant gets more expletive-laden as it continues, but he encourages anyone listening to ‘lock and load,’ specifically to assemble a SWAT team and ‘grab’ armored personnel carriers, explosives and gasoline.”
Soda Springs middle school teacher arrested for meth possession (Idaho State Journal)
“The officer noted that Cook appeared to be under the influence of narcotics, as her eyes were bloodshot and dilated, she was extremely talkative and speaking faster than normal, she had jerky movements, was unable to focus and had sores upon her face that that appeared to be from picking or scratching.”
Hudson teacher put on leave due to alleged ‘concerning’ comments, behavior before arrests (Akron Beacon Journal)
“His resume states he was named teacher of the year as a high school geometry teacher in Florida, where he also served as a men’s tennis coach and led the men’s tennis team to a district championship.”
Princeville art teacher arrested for making students feel ‘uncomfortable’ (WMBD)
“The sheriff declined to elaborate further, citing the ongoing case.”
Summer camp coach accused of striking child (Las Vegas Optic)
“Ramos told a Las Vegas Police Department investigator that he’d been ‘messing with’ the child by hiding his shoes and that he’d found a belt in the locker room and may have ‘accidentally’ hit the boy with it, according to the affidavit.”
Report: Durham ADA showed up at scene of coworker’s arrest, demanded to speak to officers (The News & Observer)
“Burnette didn’t move the vehicle until Faison threatened to charge her with resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer, the deputy wrote.”
IMPD officer arrested on domestic violence charge (WXIN)
“Officers saw visible injuries on the woman’s eye and neck when they arrived.”
Keys deputy arrested for battery in Florida City, sheriff says (WPLG)
“Deputy Wardell Hanna was wanted in connection to an Aug. 12 incident at a car wash parking lot.”
Cullman Co. Sheriff’s Office detention deputy arrested for distribution of marijuana (WBRC)
“During a brief investigation ... investigators say Kirkland propositioned a member of law enforcement to sell marijuana. As soon as the act was committed, police say Kirkland was taken into custody.”
Warwick Water Chief Charged for ‘Anti-Semitic’ Slap (Warwick Post)
“Terry DiPetrillo is currently a city employee. Our office is not commenting any further at this time.”
Questions raised about Gov. Cox’s knowledge of Investigation on Maj. Gen. Michael Turley (KSL-TV)
“The substance of the whistleblower complaint centered on allegations Turley engaged in a multi-year extramarital relationship with an enlisted soldier. This relationship, the complaint alleged, continued even after Turley became Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard in November of 2019.”
Tehama correctional deputy arrested for Workers’ Compensation fraud (KRCR)
“The investigation … revealed that Bline had committed fraud in excess of $500,000.”
IRS agents are getting paid by private accounting firms: watchdog (The Hill)
“Almost 500 IRS employees have been getting paychecks from big private firms before, during or after their time working for the government, according to the agency’s internal watchdog.”
ICE lacks automated technology to identify imports at high risk for money laundering, watchdog says (FedScoop)
“Those technology and staffing issues mean imports related to trade-based money laundering schemes ‘will continue to go undetected, thus allowing transnational criminal organizations to finance activities, threatening U.S. national security,’ the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general found in a recent report.”
Audit cites lack of oversight in Minnesota grant program for firefighter health (Star Tribune)
“Trust me. This will be a teachable moment of monumental importance to us in the Department of Public Safety.”
EDD added to list of high-risk agencies in California by state auditor. Here’s why (KCRA)
“EDD is ‘unable to reliably estimate improper payments under the UI program, thus adversely affecting the State’s financial statements as well as impairing efforts to independently evaluate the efficacy of EDD’s own fraud prevention activities.’”
DC Auditor report says half a billion in federal COVID money was spent without approval (WTOP)
“Patterson said that D.C.’s Chief Financial Officer failed to exercise his independent role when the appropriation went from the U.S. Treasury to D.C.’s treasury — without the council’s approval.”
Audit: Town of Farmville improperly administered $520,000 in block grants (North State Journal)
“The audit says the town could be required to repay grant funds that were not spent in accordance with the grant agreement.”
San Diego City Auditor’s Office repeatedly warned city about withheld water bills (KFMB-TV)
“Five years is definitely an outlier. It’s not that uncommon for things to take a little longer than they initially anticipate when the audit is released, but I would say five years is definitely an outlier.”
Maybe you should just put down the decent people. The list is a lot shorter!!