[Vision2020] More: Oxycodone Gate

[Art Deco]

Joe,

I have expressed my opinion on this matter in several threads as clearly as
I am able.  I am sorry that I have appeared to have expressed them clearly
or forcefully enough to engender your question.

w.

On Wed, May 23, 2012 at 8:37 AM, Joe Campbell <philosopher.joe at gmail.com>wrote:

> Is there evidence to think that there were serious laws broken by
> Carscallen or Button -- something beyond some bad decisions and a
> cover up? Or do you consider that to be serious enough?
>
> On Wed, May 23, 2012 at 8:22 AM, Art Deco <art.deco.studios at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Below is an article from today's Daily News on Oxycodone Gate.
> >
> > I have no idea what course the investigation has taken or any findings
> that
> > may be made.  Most of us eagerly await the release of the investigative
> > report to see the results.
> >
> > Another element of the discussion on this issue has arisen.
> >
> > "Shambaugh and Kimberling also allege they felt intimidated and
> threatened
> > to keep quiet during meetings they had separately with Carscallen and
> Button
> > the day after the incident."
> >
> > If the whistleblowers were discouraged or threatened to prevent them from
> > going to law enforcement with their concerns of a possible crime by
> > Carscalen and/or Button, then the question of whether a criminal
> conspiracy
> > has occurred arises.  And if such intimidation occurred, then clearly
> > besides other issues of bad judgment in not reporting the incident
> > immediately to law enforcement, and its reflection of incredibly bad
> > management practice, the tort of creating a hostile work environment
> appears
> > to have occurred, especially if punitive measures were threatened and/or
> > taken to silence the whistleblowers.
> >
> > The legal issues in this case are complex, and especially so since
> evidence
> > was ordered to be removed/destroyed and the amount of time that elapsed
> > before the city was compelled by the investigative reporting of the Daily
> > News and its aftermath to finally notify law enforcement.  Let's hope
> > sufficient facts were discovered in the investigation to add at least
> some
> > clarity to this matter. The name of Gary Riedner, Moscow City Manager,
> can
> > now be add to those of Dan Carscalen and Ed Button in this
> > coverup/mismanagement of the scandal.
> >
> > Thanks again to the Daily News for their role for keeping attention on a
> > problem that without their diligence would have remained swept under the
> > rug.  Illicit narcotics use by an ordinary citizen is bad enough, but
> such
> > alleged use by a resident emergency responder and the subsequent coverup
> and
> > intimidation of the whistleblowers is a serious issue of public safety
> and
> > public health.  If any of the buzz is correct, this incident may be just
> the
> > tip of an iceberg.
> >
> > w.
> > _______________________________
> >
> > Sheriff's office plans to finish investigation this week
> >
> > Staff report | Posted: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 1:00 am
> >
> > The Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office expects to complete its
> investigation
> > related to allegations of a drug cover-up at the Moscow Volunteer Fire
> > Department by the end of the week.
> >
> > Complaints filed with the city by volunteer firefighters Bonnie Shambaugh
> > and Emily Kimberling allege they found suspected drugs and paraphernalia
> in
> > a resident firefighter's desk Feb. 14. They say they were told to "treat
> the
> > drugs like a bottle of whiskey, and give (the firefighter) the
> opportunity
> > to get rid of it," by on-duty fire command officer Dan Carscallen under
> > orders by Fire Chief Ed Button.
> >
> > Shambaugh and Kimberling also allege they felt intimidated and
> threatened to
> > keep quiet during meetings they had separately with Carscalen and Button
> the
> > day after the incident.
> >
> > To avoid conflict, City Supervisor Gary Riedner said he authorized Moscow
> > Police Chief David Duke to seek an outside law enforcement agency to
> > investigate the claims.
> >
> > Nez Perce County Chief Deputy Alan Johnson said the investigation should
> be
> > wrapped up by the end of the week and the report will then be forwarded
> to
> > the Latah County Prosecutor's Office for review.
> >
> > Prosecutor Bill Thompson said he will check the investigative report
> first
> > for any potential conflicts of interest and proceed with reviewing it for
> > potential action if none are found. If a conflict is determined, he said
> he
> > would seek another prosecutor's office to take over. The report is not
> > expected to be released to the public until a decision has been made,
> > Thompson said, adding he is unsure how long the review process will take
> at
> > this time.
> >
> > "It's really difficult to predict until you actually see the referral,"
> said
> > Thompson.
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
> > art.deco.studios at gmail.com
> >
> > =======================================================
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>



-- 
Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
art.deco.studios at gmail.com
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