Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Talk, talk, talk
Indicted Fayette County Detention Center guard Lt. Kristine LaFoe won't talk now, but she was pretty chatty as recently as last week.
When asked about the federal investigation into inmate abuse at the Lexington jail, she was telling co-workers that the investigation was going nowhere.
"That shark's belly-up. It's dead in the water," she said.
When asked about the federal investigation into inmate abuse at the Lexington jail, she was telling co-workers that the investigation was going nowhere.
"That shark's belly-up. It's dead in the water," she said.
You want to stay current, don't you?
With the Kentucky General Assembly set to go in for a special session and spend a bunch of your money on June 23, wouldn't you like to have a good way to keep up with what they are actually doing?
The mainstream media is mostly giving them a pass on the details of the upcoming pension bill. But you don't have to be left out in the dark. A non-biased website that makes it easy for you to keep up on your own is www.kentuckyvotes.org.
If you sign up for a free account on Kentucky Votes, you will receive an email each day there is legislative activity (including the pre-filed 2009 bills which start appearing soon!).
The mainstream media is mostly giving them a pass on the details of the upcoming pension bill. But you don't have to be left out in the dark. A non-biased website that makes it easy for you to keep up on your own is www.kentuckyvotes.org.
If you sign up for a free account on Kentucky Votes, you will receive an email each day there is legislative activity (including the pre-filed 2009 bills which start appearing soon!).
Unanswered questions at the Fayette jail
There are a lot of unanswered questions about the inmate abuse scandal in Lexington. Here is one I'm anxiously awaiting the answer to:
I just sent this one.
And, the plot thickens...
I just sent this one.
And, the plot thickens...
Fayette jail whistleblower is the real story
The mainstream media has had twenty-four hours to get the Fayette County Detention Center prisoner abuse story right. For the most part, they failed.
While nearly every other local reporter covering the story scampered to Mayor Jim Newberry for his whitewash, WTVQ reporter Kellie Wilson took a drive out to Nicholasville and knocked on the door of federal whistleblower John Vest, who was quoted in her story.
While Newberry was busy suspending the five indictees with pay "pending an investigation," Vest remains on administrative leave without pay and without the benefit of a credible internal investigation. And all he did was present evidence to the FBI that was then dismissed sight unseen by former Mayor Teresa Isaac and FCDC Director Ron Bishop. In fact, the one official investigation so far vindicates Vest, paints Bishop and Isaac as shameless liars, and leaves observers wondering why Newberry tried to fire Vest.
That's why Vest is suing all three of them.
If you think this story has run it's course, think again.
While nearly every other local reporter covering the story scampered to Mayor Jim Newberry for his whitewash, WTVQ reporter Kellie Wilson took a drive out to Nicholasville and knocked on the door of federal whistleblower John Vest, who was quoted in her story.
While Newberry was busy suspending the five indictees with pay "pending an investigation," Vest remains on administrative leave without pay and without the benefit of a credible internal investigation. And all he did was present evidence to the FBI that was then dismissed sight unseen by former Mayor Teresa Isaac and FCDC Director Ron Bishop. In fact, the one official investigation so far vindicates Vest, paints Bishop and Isaac as shameless liars, and leaves observers wondering why Newberry tried to fire Vest.
That's why Vest is suing all three of them.
If you think this story has run it's course, think again.
Federal search warrant remains sealed
FBI Chief Division Counsel David Beyer told me this morning the sealed search warrant that kicked off the 2006 raid of the Fayette County Detention Center hasn't been unsealed and probably won't be for a while.
That sheds light on two lies that have endangered lives in Lexington.
Despite Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry's ridiculous claim that the federal investigation of FCDC is somehow limited to the third shift at the facility and former Mayor Teresa Isaac's ridiculous claim that her twenty five years as a civil rights attorney qualified her to say definitively that no violations happened at the jail, the fact remains little is really known about how far the dangerous behavior at the jail goes.
That's Reality 2, Lexington political hacks 0, if you are keeping score at home.
That sheds light on two lies that have endangered lives in Lexington.
Despite Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry's ridiculous claim that the federal investigation of FCDC is somehow limited to the third shift at the facility and former Mayor Teresa Isaac's ridiculous claim that her twenty five years as a civil rights attorney qualified her to say definitively that no violations happened at the jail, the fact remains little is really known about how far the dangerous behavior at the jail goes.
That's Reality 2, Lexington political hacks 0, if you are keeping score at home.
Who are the others, Mayor Newberry?
Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry gave the city council Thursday night details about the Little Abu Ghraib action at the Fayette County Detention Center. One part of his statement deserves further scrutiny.
According to the Lexington Herald Leader, "He said the problems seemed to be contained to the third shift at the jail."
That's interesting. Can't imagine who or where he got that from. He should tell us how he knows this, or at least who the other criminals are.
Not that someone who is being sued for abusing a whistleblower will understand this, but in the interest of public safety, Mayor Newberry really should spill the beans about who else on third shift is involved, and here is why:
From the United States Department of Justice:
So Newberry says he knew what was going on at the jail all this time, yet he left the five indictees on the city payroll. Now we find out that he has the remaining unindicted co-conspirators "contained" on third shift. The public needs to know, Mayor. Who are they and when will you be placing them on leave with pay?
According to the Lexington Herald Leader, "He said the problems seemed to be contained to the third shift at the jail."
That's interesting. Can't imagine who or where he got that from. He should tell us how he knows this, or at least who the other criminals are.
Not that someone who is being sued for abusing a whistleblower will understand this, but in the interest of public safety, Mayor Newberry really should spill the beans about who else on third shift is involved, and here is why:
From the United States Department of Justice:
"The first count of the indictment alleges that the five defendants conspired with each other and with other unindicted individuals to assault inmates without justification, and to cover up their conduct by filing false reports and charges."
So Newberry says he knew what was going on at the jail all this time, yet he left the five indictees on the city payroll. Now we find out that he has the remaining unindicted co-conspirators "contained" on third shift. The public needs to know, Mayor. Who are they and when will you be placing them on leave with pay?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
You've got a funny way of cooperating there, Mayor Jim Newberry
Just got the following statement from civil Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry in my email. His statement needs a little clarification:
Right. You also have proactively tried several times to fire whistleblower John Vest and have fought him vigorously in his civil suit against the city. How has that made anyone safer? No, I'm completely serious. How does abusing a whistleblower make anyone safer anywhere?
And you left Director Ron Bishop and Deputy Director Don Leach in place to continue the same policies that caused the problem. Wonder why?
How have you cooperated with the investigation? Name one way. Who did you speak to and what did you say? And it is very interesting that Scott Tyree was allowed to transfer out of the jail while whistleblower John Vest was put on the street. The taxpayers of Lexington will be paying the upcoming civil judgement to Mr. Vest (who never got the benefit of an investigation) for years to come and you could have avoided the whole thing. "Aware?" Care to rephrase that, Mayor Newberry?
"While the alleged violations occurred in 2006, prior to our administration taking office, we have over the past 17 months proactively implemented various measures to help ensure a safe and secure facility for both our employees and the inmates."
Right. You also have proactively tried several times to fire whistleblower John Vest and have fought him vigorously in his civil suit against the city. How has that made anyone safer? No, I'm completely serious. How does abusing a whistleblower make anyone safer anywhere?
"In 2007, we installed video cameras in the intake area, one site of alleged criminal activity, and have completely restructured staff in intake."
And you left Director Ron Bishop and Deputy Director Don Leach in place to continue the same policies that caused the problem. Wonder why?
"We have been aware of the ongoing investigation at the jail and will continue to fully cooperate. Sgt. John McQueen, Corrections Officer Clarence McCoy, Sgt. Anthony Estep and Lt. Kristen Lafoe are employed by the Division of Community Corrections. Scott Tyree is a former corrections officer who has transferred to the Division of Water & Air Quality. The employees will be suspended with pay, effective immediately, pending further investigation."
How have you cooperated with the investigation? Name one way. Who did you speak to and what did you say? And it is very interesting that Scott Tyree was allowed to transfer out of the jail while whistleblower John Vest was put on the street. The taxpayers of Lexington will be paying the upcoming civil judgement to Mr. Vest (who never got the benefit of an investigation) for years to come and you could have avoided the whole thing. "Aware?" Care to rephrase that, Mayor Newberry?
INDICTMENTS!
The United States District Court in Covington this afternoon handed down indictments in the Fayette County Detention Center inmate abuse scandal. Indicted were: John McQueen, Clarence McCoy, Kristine Lafoe, Scott Tyree, and Anthony Estep.
Charges include conspiracy, falsification of records, and obstruction of justice.
Now is when the fun starts because the heat is on Mayor Jim Newberry, who gets to see his role shift from mayor to defendant in the civil case which just got a serious boost. And what about former Mayor Teresa Isaac and FCDC director Ron Bishop, who both said two years ago there was nothing to this and that whistleblower Cpl. John Vest was lying about the whole thing?
Stay tuned to Kentucky Progress as the prosecution phase begins and the investigation continues. The behind the scenes scrambling right now is hilarious and suggests Newberry and friends really convinced themselves this thing was going to dry up and blow away. Newberry didn't even know that any of these indictments were about to hit until someone in his office read it here this afternoon. His efforts to separate himself will only make him look more foolish than he already looks.
Don't just stand there, Jim, fire somebody!
Charges include conspiracy, falsification of records, and obstruction of justice.
Now is when the fun starts because the heat is on Mayor Jim Newberry, who gets to see his role shift from mayor to defendant in the civil case which just got a serious boost. And what about former Mayor Teresa Isaac and FCDC director Ron Bishop, who both said two years ago there was nothing to this and that whistleblower Cpl. John Vest was lying about the whole thing?
Stay tuned to Kentucky Progress as the prosecution phase begins and the investigation continues. The behind the scenes scrambling right now is hilarious and suggests Newberry and friends really convinced themselves this thing was going to dry up and blow away. Newberry didn't even know that any of these indictments were about to hit until someone in his office read it here this afternoon. His efforts to separate himself will only make him look more foolish than he already looks.
Don't just stand there, Jim, fire somebody!
Pins and needles
The federal grand jury considering the two year investigation of the Fayette County Detention Center inmate abuse scandal is working at this very minute and may be doling out some indictments at any time.
We aren't solving the pension crisis
We have been down this road before. Every time the projected growth of a government program is trimmed even the slightest amount, the "stakeholders" clinging to that government program scream bloody murder that people will die in the streets because of the cut.
The same thing is happening in reverse with Kentucky's public employee fringe benefits crisis, now $27 billion in an ever-deepening hole.
House Dems are talking now in terms of "saving" $500 million a year and "fully funding" the programs by 2025.
Don't be fooled. All they have agreed to do is "cut" the growth rate of the $27 billion hole that needs so desperately to be filled up. They aren't really cutting anything or saving anything, unless you really want to get excited about the possibility that in a few years things won't be quite as horrible as they will be if we do absolutely nothing.
The teachers union giving their stamp of approval to this agreement should have been a dead giveaway.
The same thing is happening in reverse with Kentucky's public employee fringe benefits crisis, now $27 billion in an ever-deepening hole.
House Dems are talking now in terms of "saving" $500 million a year and "fully funding" the programs by 2025.
Don't be fooled. All they have agreed to do is "cut" the growth rate of the $27 billion hole that needs so desperately to be filled up. They aren't really cutting anything or saving anything, unless you really want to get excited about the possibility that in a few years things won't be quite as horrible as they will be if we do absolutely nothing.
The teachers union giving their stamp of approval to this agreement should have been a dead giveaway.
No, state government websites weren't hacked
If you need to go on the legislature's websites this morning, you may be in for a little wait. Or it may be a long wait. No one knows for sure.
It seems BellSouth is having some technical problems. Just a quick taste of the technical problems state government is going to have waiting for 2025 when Speaker Jody Richards says the public pension systems will be fully funded.
It seems BellSouth is having some technical problems. Just a quick taste of the technical problems state government is going to have waiting for 2025 when Speaker Jody Richards says the public pension systems will be fully funded.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
No education in the second kick of Draud's mule
Education Commissioner Jon Draud could have avoided his whole tearful "I have sinned" moment today if only he had supported putting the education department's checkbook on the internet.
Bruce Lunsford knocks himself off message
Bruce Lunsford got a baptism by fire today when he forgot where he was, tried to cover it up, and then tried to blame it on Republicans.
First, he went to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond:
Then, he got his story straight:
And then, after the Republican Party of Kentucky had a field day with the slip-up, Lunsford campaign spokeswoman Allison Haley tried to blame the whole thing on Republicans when she told the Lexington Herald Leader "their time would be better spent trying to address the energy crisis."
That's just it, though. While the Lunsford campaign thinks botching a photo-op at a gas station is going to change something, Republicans in Congress have been prevented by "environmental" zealots from expanding energy exploration.
Another thing: as fun as Lunsford's misstatements are, some of the things he has said on purpose have been even better. Like this and this.
First, he went to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond:
Then, he got his story straight:
And then, after the Republican Party of Kentucky had a field day with the slip-up, Lunsford campaign spokeswoman Allison Haley tried to blame the whole thing on Republicans when she told the Lexington Herald Leader "their time would be better spent trying to address the energy crisis."
That's just it, though. While the Lunsford campaign thinks botching a photo-op at a gas station is going to change something, Republicans in Congress have been prevented by "environmental" zealots from expanding energy exploration.
Another thing: as fun as Lunsford's misstatements are, some of the things he has said on purpose have been even better. Like this and this.
Only one way to take away Jon Draud's fancy car
Education Commissioner Jon Draud has announced his study group on educational assessment. That's the CATS test Senate Republicans tried unsuccessfully to get rid of earlier this year. Draud is the arrogant SOB you are paying $220,000 to drive around in a luxurious car you bought for him. Your elected representatives voted to fatten his pension (HB 470). And this morning, you bought him a tankful of gas.
Blog readers may remember that we got rid of the last creep who came in here to blow smoke at us in the name of our children. I don't see how anyone can take Draud seriously to really address education issues at a time in which doing so couldn't be more important.
Do you?
Blog readers may remember that we got rid of the last creep who came in here to blow smoke at us in the name of our children. I don't see how anyone can take Draud seriously to really address education issues at a time in which doing so couldn't be more important.
Do you?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Pucker factor Thursday
This will drive the hater bureaucrats in Lexington crazy, but I'm hearing a lot of chatter around the Fayette County Detention Center about the first round of federal indictments coming down this Thursday.
After so many false alarms, I'm not exactly holding my breath. But after two years of investigation, getting the prosecution phase of this saga going would provide a welcome pressure release for the good guys. And an even more welcome punch to the gut of those who have lied, obstructed, and intimidated their way through life for way too long.
The pusillanimous FCDC Deputy Director Don Leach may have buried the latest sexual harassment complaint, but several employees who claim to have suffered his bullying for years are encouraged that the questioning of his various activities by officials seems rather precise.
After so many false alarms, I'm not exactly holding my breath. But after two years of investigation, getting the prosecution phase of this saga going would provide a welcome pressure release for the good guys. And an even more welcome punch to the gut of those who have lied, obstructed, and intimidated their way through life for way too long.
The pusillanimous FCDC Deputy Director Don Leach may have buried the latest sexual harassment complaint, but several employees who claim to have suffered his bullying for years are encouraged that the questioning of his various activities by officials seems rather precise.
Skippy can't dance
Gov. Steve Beshear may have missed the irony of putting the same guy who ran the KAPT program into the ground in charge of his study group for public employee pension reform.
But as the General Assembly moves toward to a special session for the purpose of putting a Band-Aid on the bloody mess, the possibility exists Jonathan Miller and Beshear could become accidental heroes for fiscal sanity.
The closer we get to insolvency of the fringe benefits systems, the more discretionary spending will get crowded out in favor of piles of cash for employees and retirees. Heck of a way to instill discipline, but with these guys it's surely our only shot.
But as the General Assembly moves toward to a special session for the purpose of putting a Band-Aid on the bloody mess, the possibility exists Jonathan Miller and Beshear could become accidental heroes for fiscal sanity.
The closer we get to insolvency of the fringe benefits systems, the more discretionary spending will get crowded out in favor of piles of cash for employees and retirees. Heck of a way to instill discipline, but with these guys it's surely our only shot.
Will Obama mess up KY's pension reform party?
The mainstream media is pretty excited to see the General Assembly, the teachers union, and other "stakeholders" join hands over their latest plan to tweak our way out of the $26 billion public employee fringe benefit disaster.
The reason for all the hand-holding and singing is that Frankfort is counting on President Barack Obama to implement a federal universal health insurance plan, thereby removing the states' responsibilities for employee health coverage. Since most of the actual problem with the "pension" mess is the opulent health insurance benefits given to public employees, we continue to celebrate official inaction.
Maybe President Obama will make corruption illegal in our public school systems so we won't have to worry about that, either.
The reason for all the hand-holding and singing is that Frankfort is counting on President Barack Obama to implement a federal universal health insurance plan, thereby removing the states' responsibilities for employee health coverage. Since most of the actual problem with the "pension" mess is the opulent health insurance benefits given to public employees, we continue to celebrate official inaction.
Maybe President Obama will make corruption illegal in our public school systems so we won't have to worry about that, either.
Anti-smoking Nazis ride north
County officials in Kenton, Campbell, and Boone counties are trying to spring public smoking bans on the people of their counties simultaneously this summer without much public discussion.
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