Friends For Fullerton's Future
FFFF supports causes that promote intelligent, responsible and accountable government in Fullerton and Orange County
Tonight the council will rush to promote captain Hughes to police chief; the very man who was supposed to be leading the patrol division when his officers earned themselves murder charges just last year.
Please take a look at this piece by Ryan Cantor titled “Fullerton: Don’t Railroad Dan Hughes.”
Back after a month in eastern Nevada, I picked up some information about Fullerton’s cop union president.
We first met Barry Coffman on these pages as the carb-packing ticket writer for “excessive horning,” a charge made up by the FPD as tickets were being handed out to honest citizens honking their horns in support of Kelly Thomas murder protesters outside the Fullerton Police Station. That strategy was organized by then Captain “Danny” Hughes who got to act as both bad cop and good cop all by himself by thoughtfully tearing up the tickets he himself had ordered handed out. Hughes and Coffman. What a team.
But back to the egregious Coffman, himself.
I have it on good authority that Coffman was re-elected as head man of the Fullerton Police Officer’s Association, proving that being an otiose fathead who won’t even stick up for one of his own members is no obstacle to leadership in the FPOA.
Coffman had no opponent; apparently another cop challenged Coffman and was told he couldn’t run without naming a Vice President candidate. Whether or not such nonsense is actually memorialized in the FPOA by-laws in anybody’s guess, but I would bet not. Yes, the FPOA resembles nothing so much as a small, corrupt banana republic.
Yes, Friends, elections do have consequences. But you already knew that.
The results of the November election mean that the tepid and incompetent reign of Fullerton City Manager Joe Felz and City Attorney Dick Jones will continue as they preside over policies (or lack of policies) meant to evade accountability for your employees and electeds in City Hall.
Acting Chief Danny Hughes, the legacy boss of the FPD Culture of Corruption will soon see his title made permanent, even as the accusations by Ben Lira about Hughes’s direct involvement in cover-up and brutality, continue to swirl.
(No, you will not get a refund in any part for the illegal $27,000,000 tax that City Hall stole from you. But in the larger scheme of things, that’s small change)
I want to talk about justice.
In our State the cops can do damn near anything they want with impunity. Our spineless politicians have given them wealth, influence, and most importantly, virtually no accountability to anyone. The justice system itself, run by District Attorneys surrounded by ex-cops, has little interest in pursuing justice against their own allies, even when this means coddling the very perjuring cops that have scuttled many of the DA’s own cases. And when the cops themselves actually commit crimes, the law enforcement establishment immediately springs into action to defend the indefensible.
Think about what happened to Veth Mam. An innocent man was assaulted, arrested and falsely prosecuted. Fullerton cops knew the real truth and lied under oath to hide the fact that they beat up and arrested the wrong guy. Were there any repercussions? Of course not. Remember the Martinez kid who spent five months in jail thanks to the Fullerton cops? Well, Goodrich said everything was just fine – a slight error. Trevor Clarke says the FPD beat him, gave him a few sadistic “screen tests” just for fun, threw him in jail, and robbed him for good measure. Ben Lira says Danny Hughes was one of the instigators. Will anything happen? Not very likely, is it?
Let’s let the Albert Rincon case be our guide: we know that Albert Rincon serially molested women in the back seat of his patrol car. We know because of the depositions of just two of his victims (there are said to be a dozen). But the obscenity of what occurred, and importantly the roles played by Patdown Pat McKinley and Mike Sellers in covering up the whole mess, and worse, putting the creep back on the streets shall never be known. Why? because there was a settlement; a settlement approved by by-then Councilman McKinley himself.
The lawsuit settlement is the mechanism to hush everything up, from brutal and sadistic cops and an immoral FPD leadership, to a feckless city manager and city attorney who condoned the Culture of Corruption. If you wondered how the FPOA and the FPD/City Hall crowd could share a common goal, this is it.
And the path to settlement is the route no doubt most favored by Garo Mardirossian, the lawyer who is representing a whole slew of FPD/FPOA victims of brutality and perjury. For a lawyer a big payday without having to risk anything is a gift. And co-incidentally the same result will be a gift for Joe Felz, Pat Mckinley, Danny Hughes, Barry Coffman and the rest of the gang.
Your new council majority of Chaffee, Flory and Fitzgerald will make sure that Fullerton returns to the normalcy where no bad deed goes reported.
Of course it won’t be their money that goes to pay off Veth Mam and Kelly Thomas’s relatives. It will be yours.
And you will be poorer but no wiser.
The fine state of Washington recently made the bold move to end the senseless prohibition on marijuana. Not only will citizens who want to enjoy a puff o’ pot in private be spared being processed through the legal system, it also sets the stage for the state to collect up to 500 million dollars annually in taxes.
So if you’re in Washington, it’s now legal for adults 21 or older to consume marijuana in private, and to possess up to an ounce for personal use. And, like alcohol, open consumption in public can result in a citation.
On the Seattle police department’s blog, Jonah Spangenthal-Lee explains how the department views these recent developments:
But the police department believes that, under state law, you may responsibly get baked, order some pizzas and enjoy a Lord of the Rings marathon in the privacy of your own home, if you want to.
Hmm, what are the chances for our own men in blue to sport such a sensible attitude? Could it ever happen here in Fullerton?
The union brother Fullerton cop union boss Barry Coffman says is a cancer talks to The Fullertonian, here.
I was struck the other day by a post on the Voice of OC(EA) about Sharon Quirk that started out with Q complaining that there is now a target on her back by the GOP who want their Republican seat back. The rest of the post is the typical mush-drivel we’ve come to expect of the local media so I’ll let that pass.
What intrigued me was the absurdity of making yourself out to be a target by the very sorts of people who got you elected. What am I talking about? Check out this post from OC Political. Quirk got almost $300,000 funneled into her campaign account over the course of 18 days – laundered through various county Democrat Central Committees, including obscure Del Norte County – 800 miles away.
As expected, a lot of it came from public employee unions. But a lot of it also came from giant corporations like AECOM, Blue Shield, AEG, and of course, our good friends at Disney. So it would appear that Quirk was obviously looked favorably upon by these corporate behemoths, despite their subsequent attempts to distance themselves from their odd gifts to distant Democratic County Central Committees.
Which brings me to the point of this post.
The whining lefties are forever complaining that the lavish benefits, pay and massive pensions showered upon public employee unions are somehow a necessary counterbalance to all the misfeasance and excessive compensation of those greedy private business exec bastards. Of course it was always a false choice, but that falsity has never been made clearer by the fact of big corporations bellying up to Quirk’s bar.
The fact of the matter is that big corporations like big government. They are comfortable with it; they profit from it. Whether Republicans or Democrats are at the helm matters not a whit. Think big corporate subsidies, tax loopholes, and onerous regulations that chase small businesses out of business and you will start to get the picture. Big business likes balanced government budgets, and if that takes raising taxes on the rest of us, so be it. The very last thing they want is a small government advocate like Chris Norby. Think OC Business Council and you will understand that these people have no interest in anything other than a smoothly run plantation. You and I are the coolies that make the thing run for the benefit of our overseers.
Or to put it another way, the public employee unions and the big corporations both regard the taxpayer the same way: we are just pigeons to be plucked.
It’s actually rather amusing that Sharon Quirk is trying to gin up sympathy for her re-election against the big, mean Republicans, even before she is sworn in. Her dim-witted supporter may fall for that. She really doesn’t have anything to worry about.
Just ask Mickey Mouse.
Yep, he said it. In reference to his own union member, Benjamin Lira.
Listen to the Barry Coffman interview on KFI, here. Scroll to the 23:40 mark and enjoy the Fullerton cop union boss try as hard as he can to bad-mouth a dues paying member of the FPOA!
First he says Lira is on the way out, a POBAR violation if uttered by anybody in authority; and of course after the embarrassing question about how come he isn’t defending his union member, and an awkward pause, we learn from Barry that Lira is a real malcontent, a cancer in the presumably healthy body tissue of the FPD. Which is pretty hard to swallow given the evident Culture of Corruption in the department.
Comically, Coffman asks us who are we to believe, his own man, or the upstanding Michael Gennaco Report – a bucket full of pabulum coughed up by a paid hack in order to whitewash the felonious FPD and its command structure.
Say, what’s going on here? A union boss siding with management? Huh?
In response to the tricky question about how come his union didn’t bail out Ramos, Coffman (after another painful pause) exclaims that he and his boys just wanted the justice system to play out, a non-answer if ever there was one. He does admit that when the Thomas murder hit he and his fellow FPOA leaders were completely useless. We do know that they came onto this blog to post vulgar obscenities.
It’s hard not to relish the delicious double standard of the oh-so-ethical Barry C who never said a single word in public about Todd Major, Kelly Mejia, Albert Rincon, Vincent Mater, Kenton Hampton, Frank Nguyen, Cary Tong or any of the other FPOA miscreants whose behavior has been so amply demonstrated on these pages.
In California victims have rights, too. Unless the perps are cops, it seems.
The other day the defense team of three of the cops charged in the murder of Kelly Thomas asked for, and got a time extension on their own motion to dismiss. You can read about in the Register, here, if you don’t mind getting a bit nauseous.
It is now 17 months since Thomas was brutally beaten by six Fullerton cops and left in the Fullerton Transportation Center gutter to drown in his own blood as the six goons got their scratches band-aided.
The District Attorney sure doesn’t seem to be in any big hurry, either, which might make a cynical person question his real dedication to prosecuting these malefactors.
We just received a copy of a message to city manager Joe Felz from a Fullerton police officer making specific allegations of corruption, brutality, racism, cronyism and cover-ups under the leadership of police captain and current acting chief Danny Hughes. I also hear that officer Lira has been discussing these issues on KFI AM 640 this afternoon.
From: Ben Lira
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 12:42 PM
To: jfelz@ci.fullerton.ca.us; City Manager
Subject: message/information from Benjamin LiraMr. Felz
My name is Benjamin Lira, and although we’ve never met, I’ve been a nearly 17 year dedicated employee of the Fullerton Police Department. Recent events have left the city, the Police department and it’s employees in turmoil. I’m saddened to think I’ve had anything to do with that.
I apologize for reaching out to you via email but myself and my colleagues have stood quiet long enough. I ask that you PLEASE take the time to read this email and reflect on it’s contents.
If my name doesn’t ring a bell, then let me introduce myself and tell you I am the person who drafted the email to solicit bail funds for Manuel Ramos. I’m not writing you to debate the KT events; they speak for themselves. I’ve said all along that I didn’t condone the actions of the Officers, but Manuel Ramos is my friend and I did it to help a friend. Not only did I try to help a friend I checked with then Acting Chief Hamilton who told me, “I can do whatever I want as long as I do it on my own time.” Employees at the PD were confused because having not seen the video where told by Captain Crum, “that’s what happens when you fight with the Police.” On my own time I drafted an email and distributed via PORAC. I didn’t have any intentions other then to solicit donations through union members. Unfortunately, someone from LAPD put the email on his facebook page, Big City Cops. I do not have any affiliation with BCP nor do I agree with their views.
Since drafting this email I’ve been demoted. After my demotion I was placed on paid leave for a text message I did not send and was distributed by members of the FPD. It’s unfortunate that I and on my own time am held to higher standards then some on of the members of the FPD while on duty. Many in the public refer to the “culture of corruption” in the FPD and I’m here to tell you it exist. I’ve resisted long and hard the “culture of corruption” and I can no longer sit back and allow this to ruin the reputation I spent long and hard building with the community, my co workers and my colleagues in the LE profession. Which was once a childhood dream to become a Police Officer has now become a nightmare.
Up until now I’ve decided to remain silent, mostly at the advice of my attorney’s. I can no longer remain silent and my passion to clean up the Police department and re store it’s reputation remains stronger then ever. I feel it’s ironic the person now in charge of the Police department, Dan Hughes, has led the way in the culture of corruption and now makes the decisions for the Department. I implore you to please continue reading and know that against my attorney’s wishes I’m reaching out to you to give you information you may find useful.
When I first began my career in 1995 I was eager to make a difference and that difference started in my assignment at the FPD jail. While working in the jail I watched then Senior Officer Dan Hughes slap an inmate 6-8 times in the face. I thought to myself this person doesn’t need to be a Police Officer and never did I ever imagine this person would one day be in charge. The assault was investigated and as a probationary employee and only 19years old I feel as though I was told what to say and not asked what I saw.
During my career I worked up the ranks from Cadet, Sr Cadet, Jailer, Reserve Officer, Police Officer and Corporal. I attended CSUF and obtained my Bachelors degree in hopes of one day promoting. Sadly I was wrong because I soon realized there was a culture at FPD where a group of White Officers would promote and then promote their friends leaving the rest of us on the outside looking in. If you look at the make up of the PD it’s made up of Supervisors, their family members and friends. I know it’s hard to believe but as you continue to read on I hope you see the evidence I show to support my claim.
In my nearly 17 years as an employee of the Fullerton Police Department I have received one citizen complaint and it was at the beginning of my career. I personally think this is impressive because all of my career but 2 years has been spent in patrol because I’ve never been given a chance to prove myself in details, assignment, training, etc. This frustration grew in to depression and in 2005 I took a leave of absence. Embarrassed as to how I was feeling I didn’t tell anyone. I did what I had always told people and that’s if your not feeling well then seek counseling, and that’s exactly what I did. Unfortunately, this didn’t meet the mold of the culture at FPD because when I returned to work I had 46 metal hangers intertwined on my locker preventing me from opening it. I reported this, but of course nothing ever happened.
Throughout my career I watched as this Culture of Corruption grew and they became increasingly racist. Mexicans would be referred to as “wetbacks” and African Americans would be referred to as the “N” word. I voiced my displeasure but to no avail. On July 22, 2008 a departmental photo was scheduled and during individual photos a group of Mexican Officers were called, “wetbacks,” “where’s your oranges,””Where’s your Chiclets.” For the first time in my career, while in uniform and not on the scene of a tragic crime, I wanted to cry. I filed a complaint and my frustration grew when the FPD brass deemed my complaint “spirited bantering.” I was mortified and couldn’t understand why this could be. From then on I suffered even more ridicule by colleagues teasing me for making a complaint.
Since this time I’ve continued to suffer discrimination. I’ve reported this and ultimately then Chief Sellers scheduled an independent investigation. RCS investigating and consulting ultimately met with me and the results of this investigation have never been given to me. During this investigation I reported how supervisors would leave early and go drinking downtown. I reported how the supervisors would then have Officers take them home in Police/City vehicles. Ironically these same officers who would give them rides home would begin to get promoted and preferred details in the Department. I reported how then Captain Petropolous would teach at FJC and allow FPD members enroll in his class and never show up and get A’s in the class. Doesn’t sound like much until you consider Officers would use these credits which led to certificates and increase pay.
This investigation went on and I reported a laundry list of incidents which largely alleged supervisors were derelict in their duty. I reported how supervisors would go and teach at FJC academy when they should be working at the PD. I didn’t feel it was fair to the citizens that the watch commander was getting paid to teach at FJC instead of being at the PD, but this was the norm and til this day hasn’t changed.
10 days after this interview I was called in on a Sunday to the Watch Commanders office. I was met by an angry Dan Hughes. Hughes told me I was ordered not to talk about the above mentioned investigation and that someone had filed a complaint against me. I was never given a copy of the complaint, I was never told what the complaint was and a follow up investigation took place. I later learned from the Association that it was Dan Hughes attempt to cover up the interview which in turn led to his promotion to Captain.
The more I look around I can’t help but feel Dan Hughes is the common theme amongst corruption that has occurred. For instance, the city is being sued by Clarke, a citizen who said he was assaulted on St Patrick’s day 2010. All those involved know it was Dan Hughes who initiated this contact and took Clarke down to the ground causing him injuries yet no record of this ever exist. In fact, this arrest was followed by Officer Cary Tong purposely slamming on the brakes and while recorded on DAR you can hear Officer Tong allowing the inmates face to slam on the “cage” three times in the Police car. I think it’s sad and ironic how now the city is being sued but up until now Hughes’ involvement is not known. To me this shows what kind of person he really is. In addition to that during this investigation he had Sgt Chocek secretly/privately go up to each officer involved and promise them lenient discipline in return for not reporting Dan Hughes’ involvement.
These are just my stories and quiet frankly I have several more and so do other members of this department. Theres employees that are afraid to come forward in fear of risking their career like I have. There’s a lot of good employees at the FPD, one being Captain Lorraine Jones. Sir, whether you agree with me or not I ask that you please consider the common goal we have and that’s to clean up the Police Department. It breaks my heart to have to listen to the advice of my attorney’s and prepare for lawsuits because that’s not what I’m about. If you question my intentions please ask my friend, Captain Lorraine Jones. She speaks highly of you and it’s for that reason I’ve chosen to reach out to you.
On May 17 I met with the FBI and reported what I’ve said along with other things. The FBI, like yourself, have the opportunity to make a difference for this city, it’s citizens and it’s employees and I urge you to please consider that. I think at the very minimum I’ve given you some evidence of the misdeeds perpetrated by Dan Hughes and I’m hoping it’s enough to launch an investigation and place him on administrative leave. I hope that if at any point you want to meet with me and or use me to help, that you know I’m committed to you and this city and it’s citizens.
I’m sorry for any inconvenience any of my actions have caused.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Lira
An article from Yahoo on the best and worst run states.
Naturally ours is the worst run. Number 50. Check out the top and bottom five and see if you can discern any commonalities.