Newsletter Text V807

Liberty In Peril

... Formerly

The Llano Ledger

Newsletter Text V807 ©2023 All Rights Reserved
January 20, 2023

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Publisher's Note: This publication receives no financial support through advertising. Although shaken down, looted, and abused by corrupt government, area businesses remain unwilling to stand up. Locals are too gutless to donate financially, cowardly fearing retribution. For this publication to survive, national readers need to contribute. Liberty In Peril is, has been, and will always remain beholden to NO ONE. -- Precisely why there is no financial assistance. ... From day of launch and certainly a no-brainer to this very day, firmly resolved to walk away first rather than compromise principle. -- To the chagrin of many and delight of few. T.C. (5-7-13).

For new readers: Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

No matter what, no matter where, this publication will remain up and running. For it to remain centered here, however, financial and/or material support must be provided. Status quo, unsustainable. Time to step up. Now.

5-25-18

... Hey, Sheriff? Is it true Llano County Attorney Becky Lange has advised you to stay out of the "Berardi Property Rights Denial-Damage To Pace Arrow-Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764" fiasco? That right, Bill? Isn't that obstruction of justice? Also true your deputies have advised the Bolens to accept the status quo and not force the no-trespassing issue with Greene? If so, isn't that also obstruction and official oppression? When will you do your job, Bill? As an elected official, you answer to the public, forget? -- No honor? ... No honor at all? If the foregoing allegations are indeed true, didn't you swear an oath to uphold the law and Constitution? Why aren't you doing so? No guts?

Your deputy has been accused of abusing authority. What action have you taken other than ignore the complaint? Why aren't both Rodriguez and the County Attorney under criminal investigation? The County Attorney appears to be obstructing justice, accepting the word of Greene in lieu of two surveyor companies who strongly assert otherwise. Both the County Attorney and District Attorney have ignored complaints. Par for the course in Llano County, isn't it? Failed to do their jobs. No surprise there, right, Bill? Both receiving 'special consideration' up to and/or including a bribe from Greene? Regardless, clearly, no justice in Nazi Llano County. Bottom line? Desperate need for an outside criminal investigation. Conveniently, forget? This County is ruled by men, certainly not rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Precisely, why there is desperate need for a new federal agency whose sole function would be to investigate, arrest, charge, and prosecute criminal law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges in a special court whose only mandate would be to adjudicate such cases. Total independence. Until that happens, the criminal bastards who falsely believe they run and own this hell hole County will continue to do as they please.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril

Some salient quotes occurring later on in this edition vis a vis unfinished business County officials continue to ignore:

... "No justice. Precisely, why there is desperate need for a new federal agency whose sole function would be to investigate, arrest, charge, and prosecute corrupt, abusive, criminal officers, prosecutors, and judges in a special court that would adjudicate only these cases. Total independence. The only way to rein in these criminals, particularly the murderers in blue.

Sadly, the achingly clueless bastards in law enforcement don't need a legitimate reason to kill. Enjoy carte blanche to murder on the job. Nearly always, with impunity. ... Right, Sheriff? Sue the living shit out of the jackbooted motherf--kers, the department, and the city. Any officer engaged in, or threatening this kind of unnecessary violence needs to be criminally prosecuted. Not protected and coddled. Not put on paid leave, -- no more than a paid vacation. Not sent home without pay to catch up on his beauty sleep.

Firing is egregiously insufficient. How can the law enforcement community be trusted? No foreign power, no terrorist organization, not even the criminal element presents a greater threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties than the criminal jackbooted bastards in law enforcement. ... Right, Sheriff? Madam County Attorney? "Sonny Boy?"

These are extremely dangerous times for our formerly great country. ... Hear the rumble? An unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming. -- As our legislators and other government officials figuratively 'fiddle while Rome burns.'

Not good enough. Nowhere near. Short of an unwanted dreaded second American revolution, only one way for these atrocities to end. Again, time for a new federal agency whose sole function would be to investigate, arrest, charge, prosecute corrupt, abusive, criminal officers, prosecutors, and judges in a special court whose sole function would be to adjudicate such cases. Total independence.

Local and state authorities are egregiously incapable of handling these cases. Tend to protect their own. ... Right, Sheriff? Goes with the territory, doesn't it, Bill? Precisely, why there is no faith or trust in your criminal jackbooted bastards. Local authorities here in Nazi Llano County have their heads figuratively, securely lodged so far up their clueless ass their eyeballs are turning inside out. Protect and coddle your clueless, out of control officers. Imagine that.

Unadulterated, blatant ongoing horse shit. ... Right, Bill? F--k these jackbooted bastards. Aren't worth a crap. Continually abrogate their oaths of office to protect and defend the United States Constitution. ... Right, Sheriff? Includes not only deputies, but the brass as well. No principles. No honor. Lying, conniving, abusive, murderous jackbooted thieving thugs. The American Civil Liberties Union needs to step up and represent the victims of abusive law enforcement.

To say nothing of innocent civilians all across our formerly great country who are victimized by abusive police. Need far better representation than a public defender. Forget? It's how the bastards in government line government coffers. All too often, looting the innocent. Those on the bottom of the food chain. ... Right, Sheriff?

No justice. The American Way. Nazi America. When is this shit finally going to end? All of it. Wake up, Sheriff. Again, where is dashcam video of the killing of Jeffrey Gray Wise, 52, of Austin by DPS and the Llano County Sheriff's Office? Three hundred fifty two weeks, now. A goddamned disgrace.

Why are you still sitting on this information? What are you hiding, Sheriff? What is the identity of the officers who killed Wise? Too gutless to release this information to the public that pays your salary and that of your goons? Reportedly, there were three officers involved in the shooting. Who the hell are they?

When will the goddamned 'law' 'enforcement' community finally stop making excuses for engaging in outrageous criminal activity including blatant murder, violent assault, sexual assault, theft, drug trafficking, etc.? List can go on and on. Protecting its own no matter what it does or doesn't do? Convenient, isn't it, Sheriff? Again, no foreign power, no terrorist organization, not even the criminal element presents a greater threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties than all branches and levels of government, -- including law enforcement.

Corruption within law enforcement remains an existential threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties. So what else is new? ... Right, Bill? Same old duplicitous, aggressively stupid shit occurs right here in Nazi Llano County. ... Doesn't it, Sheriff?

Think it'll change any time soon? Don't hold your breath, readers. Not how things work in Nazi America, right, Sheriff? Highly reminiscent of how your goons operate though, isn't it, Bill? Forget? 'Stupid is as stupid does.' F--ked up is f--ked up no matter where, no matter how. Problem throughout all law enforcement.

Including right here in Nazi Llano County, right, Sheriff? Too many officers clearly have their heads securely lodged where the sun seldom shines. Egregious insanity continues to be perpetrated by the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue. Ongoing issue. All over our formerly great country.

Not just in Dallas as in the Guyger case, but all over the nation. No end to it. Surprised? Why? In today's increasingly national socialist climate anything goes, right, Bill? Live in a de facto fascist police-state, quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich. Certainly, a problem here in Nazi Llano County, isn't it, Sheriff? Your goons, however, aren't held accountable when they egregiously f--k up. Ever.

Precisely why you refuse to release information on your deputies to the long-suffering public? That is, employment history, criminal background, results of drug testing, etc.. ... Got to protect your criminal jackbooted thugs preying on the citizenry with virtual impunity, right, sir?

Equally pointedly, why hasn't Llano County Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764 been held criminally accountable for egregious abuse of power involving denial of property rights to a Kingsland property owner? To say nothing of consequent resultant physical damage done to a motor home on that property. Why are you protecting this clueless son of a bitch, Sheriff?

Why hasn't he been prosecuted for official oppression? Where is financial compensation for the damage this jackbooted piece of human excrement is responsible for? Ferociously pointedly, why are the District Attorney and the County Attorney continuing to protect this jackbooted piece of shit? He and others like him present an exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

Equally to the point, why are your jackbooted pieces of human excrement refusing to enforce Berardi's property rights? Your goons have failed to take action against Theresa Ahrens when she tore down a no trespassing sign and barrier on Berardi's property. Have you, your goons, and/or Madam County Attorney been bribed by Johnny Greene?

Ahrens frequently drives all the way through Berardi's property. Coup de grace? When Berardi complained to Llano County Deputy Idle about the trespassing, the officer's response was insane. Said the Sheriff told him to tell Berardi since Ahrens believes she owns his property she can't be charged with trespassing. Perfect Catch-22, right, Sheriff? You're not fit for office, Bill. Bribed by Johnny Greene?

Why is Theresa Ahrens allowed by your goons to dictate what vehicles can and cannot be parked on Berardi's property? Ahrens claims she has proof the property belongs to her where the vehicle was parked. Has failed to produce it. Surveyors say otherwise. Back up Berardi. Yet, your jackbooted bastards refuse to enforce Berardi's property rights. Why? Somebody lining somebody's pockets, Sheriff?

Ms. Ahrens micro-mini portable 'house' is parked on an unused unmarked Llano County road. Imagine that. Madam County Attorney well-aware. Has done nothing. Shit squat. Egregiously ignored her oath of office. Someone bribing you, Becky? Lining your pockets, Counselor? Paying you not to sell the unused unmarked County road to Berardi? Doesn't the County want and need the sale money, to say nothing of the resultant tax income?

No question, County and State agencies remain determinedly, concertedly, achingly incapable of criminal investigation of their own. Precisely, why a new federal agency desperately needs to be created whose sole function would be to investigate, arrest, charge, prosecute corrupt, abusive, criminal officers, prosecutors, and judges in a special court whose sole function would be to adjudicate only such cases. Total independence. Certainly, go a long, long way to cleaning up this cess pool County. Rein in the outrageously corrupt, abusive, achingly inept, self-serving assholes who run and own this hell hole.

Sheriff, you falsely claim the Kingsland County Commissioner has the authority to resolve this ongoing property rights issue. Clearly, doesn't. You, Madam County Attorney, and "Sonny Boy" are certainly an egregious impediment, continue to determinedly stonewall. Someone's pockets are being lined. Again, where's financial compensation for the damage Llano County Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764 is directly responsible for to the Pace Arrow? Why hasn't he been prosecuted for this damage, to say nothing of infringement of Berardi's property rights? -- Just getting started, Sheriff. Far more to come.

-- You're not doing your jobs, Sheriff. You've got a loose vicious dog problem in Kingsland, Bill. When will you and the troops finally do something about this ongoing issue? Certainly, a recurring problem on Skyline, particularly on occasion at the intersection of Odessa. Pedestrians, runners, and cyclists are at risk. Too busy lining County coffers with bogus tickets?"

... Hey, Sheriff? Reportedly, promote Llano County Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764 to Sergeant? If true, yet another classic example of survival of the unfittest in the law enforcement community. Readers are reminded this is the very same idiot, clueless asshole responsible for thousands of dollars of damage to the Pace Arrow as reported in each edition of this publication. Far more to Kingsland property owner James Berardi in a property dispute. -- A dispute engineered by Johnny Greene, apparently financed by a bribe to the former County Attorney, current District Attorney, and Sheriff. A federal investigation of Llano County government and the aforementioned allegedly corrupt and abusive bastards in this ongoing fiasco is desperately needed. Tim Chorney.

... Small sampling of what's to come in this edition. Read on.

The following email was sent to the District Attorney:

Wiley B. "Sonny" McAfee
District Attorney
33rd and 424th Judicial Districts
Llano, TX 78643

March 9, 2018

Re: Berardi Property Rights Denial-Damage To Pace Arrow-Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764

Counselor:

The enclosed emails were sent to the Llano County Attorney and Sheriff, respectively, vis a vis the above matter. Remain unanswered. The County Attorney appears to be protecting and defending the deputy at behest of Kingsland property owner Johnny Greene. May have received some consideration from Greene up to and including a bribe. Are the County Attorney, Greene, and the Deputy under criminal investigation? If not, why not?

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril
Formerly,
The Llano Ledger
www.libertyinperil.com
P.O. Box 151
Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609

c. Liberty In Peril

*********************************

Rebecca Lange, Llano County Attorney
Llano County Attorney's Office
Llano, Texas 78643

February 9, 2018

Re: Berardi Property Rights Denial-Damage To Pace Arrow-Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764

Counselor:

As you're well aware, we have an outrageously corrupt, abusive, achingly inept Llano County Sheriff's Office here in Nazi Llano County. Worse, you and your office aid and abet these SS jackbooted bastards in black. The issue at the moment is the same it's been the last six months.

How is it two surveyor companies, the Appraisal District, the Tax Office, the Precinct 3 Commissioner, even the goddamned Sheriff himself now states Kingsland resident James Berardi owns the lots in contention all these months?

Yet, you ludicrously assert that's not the County's legal position. It's not? Why not? You claim you're not a real estate expert. Rather than accept the advice of two surveyor companies, the Precinct 3 Commissioner, the Appraisal District, the Tax Office, and even the Sheriff himself, you've inexplicably chosen to follow the advice of property owner Johnny Greene, -- who conveniently happens to be reportedly in the oil industry.

Question to be asked. Could you have received any 'consideration' in return, -- up to and including a bribe? Only way to know for sure is for the District Attorney to conduct a criminal investigation. Apparently, there has been none. If not, why not?

Equally pointedly, why hasn't Llano County Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764 been held criminally accountable for egregious abuse of power involving denial of property rights to this Kingsland property owner? To say nothing of consequent resultant physical damage done to a motor home on that property.

Our achingly useless, worthless, gutless Sheriff has ignored an email vis a vis the damage this jackbooted thug is responsible for. Interestingly, his fellow officers believe him to be an idiot. Yet, the Sheriff continued to defend this piece of human excrement until he realized this entire fiasco would not be swept under the carpet.

Rodriguez is indeed an idiot. Would you believe this piece of crap ordered the motor home to be moved on to an unmarked unused Llano County road? That motor home has indeed been moved back to where it was parked before Rodriguez forced it to be moved. Why hasn't the County paid for the cost of moving it back? To say nothing of the damage.

Equally pointedly, why is it the County has allowed Theresa Ahrens to park and live in her tiny cottage on that very same road? Why hasn't she been evicted by the County? Why was she assessed taxes on an adjacent improvement she doesn't own?

Why is it, Counselor, Johnny Greene is paying for the attorney retained by Ms. Ahrens? Is Greene attempting to make this all go away by bribery? Greene has also informed Berardi he is going to sue. For what? Has Greene lost his mind?

What about Wells who installed a $4500 septic system on a lot turns out he does not own as a result of Greene, an outrageously inept County, to say nothing of the Llano County Attorney who remains equally determinedly clueless?

How about Bolen who hasn't a pot to piss in, but was nonetheless f--ked over by Greene to say nothing of an egregiously inept County, to say nothing of you and your goddamned equally incompetent office?

None of this is going away, Counselor, -- any time soon. Will not be swept under the carpet as all the other crap going on in this hell hole County. Not a chance. Expect a full expose in this publication whether or not this outrageous fiasco finally gets resolved. Including full public exposure of both the Sheriff and his jackbooted thug.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril
Formerly,
The Llano Ledger
www.libertyinperil.com
P.O. Box 151
Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609

c. Liberty In Peril

*******************

Bill Blackburn, Sheriff
Llano County Sheriff's Office
2001 N. State Hwy. 16 Suite A
Llano, Texas 78643

August 23, 2017

Re: Damage To Pace Arrow-Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764

Sheriff:

Archive and retain all reports vis a vis damage to the Pace Arrow resulting from egregious abuse of authority perpetrated by Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764, on the Berardi property in Kingsland on 8-16-17.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril
Formerly,
The Llano Ledger
www.libertyinperil.com
P.O. Box 151
Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609

c. Liberty In Peril

Wake up, Sheriff. Again, where is dashcam video of the killing of Jeffrey Gray Wise, 52, of Austin by DPS and the Llano County Sheriff's Office? Three hundred fifty two weeks, now. A goddamned disgrace. Why are you still sitting on this information? What are you hiding, Sheriff? What is the identity of the officers who killed Wise? Too gutless to release this information to the public that pays your salary and that of your goons? Reportedly, there were three officers involved in the shooting.

Who are they, Sheriff? Their past history? An ongoing investigation remains a lame bullshit excuse. How can you and your goons be trusted when you refuse to disclose information? Three hundred fifty two weeks. Especially, your egregious failure to disclose the identity of the officers who pulled the trigger. To cover your sorry ass, Sheriff? Those of your thugs? The people have a right to know what happened, how it went down. You don't understand that, Sheriff? Sadly, clearly, you answer to no one. Including taxpayers. Especially, taxpayers.

Until you and your goons come clean, doubt will remain this was indeed a good shoot. The longer you drag your feet, the greater the doubt. Think not? Wake up. Your credibility has tanked. Isn't getting any better as this bullshit continues unabated. Three hundred fifty two weeks. Still no identification of the officers involved ... Can't get your stories straight? In line? Discrepancy between LCSO and DPS? Wake up, Sheriff. The public no longer buys the bullshit. No longer trusts you. On this and many, many other issues. You have no credibility. Absolutely, none.

Readers, this is but one of about four other highly questionable killings by law enforcement in Llano County in the last decade or so. There was one within the City of Llano, another in a field near Fuzzy's Corner, Buchanan Dam, yet another in Point Tella, Buchanan Dam, still another in Tow. If there are any others I may have neglected to mention, kindly email.

It's time the public be fully informed. -- Know what we're dealing with here and how 'law' 'enforcement' operates in this hell hole County. If these jackbooted bastards are not reined in, the life lost could be many others courtesy of a law enforcement system that is no longer accountable to anyone. ... Right, Sheriff? TL? "Sonny Boy?" Madam County Attorney?

The Sheriff seems to have no clue the people who pay him and his goons are entitled to know whom is killing whom and why. This shit always seems to be swept under the carpet. Ignored. The attitude of these jackbooted sons of bitches is trust us. They can't be. They've lied too many times. Refuse to be accountable to anyone. We live in a goddamned fascist police-state where law enforcement does as it pleases. Usually, with impunity. This has to change.

The Texas Rangers have become rubber stamp to atrocities committed by law enforcement. This also has to change. No one is holding law enforcement accountable any longer. No one. No one in state or federal government. This is precisely why Ferguson triggered such an uproar. There was no justice there. None here. None anywhere. Officers are abusive, corrupt, inept.

Falsely ticket and arrest the innocent to line County coffers. Court fees charged continue to be horrendous. -- Aren't taxpayers already looted to pay these costs? Aren't you not only double f--king those falsely accused, but taxpayers also hellaciously looted to pay the very same costs? Yet, the criminal bastards in power in Llano continue to pile on the fees. This is nothing more than goddamned bullshit. This money finds its way into the pockets of the corrupt, abusive bastards who falsely believe they run and own this hell hole.

Would you believe the last time the Sheriff's Office happened to be 'audited' during the Garrett regime, reportedly, auditors couldn't figure out what went where and why? Yet, surprise, surprise. Nothing was done. There has to be transparency. There is none. Why would these thieving bastards want any? ... Right, Sheriff? TL? How else could they so easily steal and loot with virtual impunity? Worse, this reinforces jackbooted power in this goddamned, godforsaken hell hole County.

The public has a right to know the histories of the Sheriff's goons. Clearly, the Sheriff doesn't think so. That is, where they came from. Why they left where they were. What is happening here is the Sheriff is using 'personnel matters' as a convenient excuse to deny the public access to the history of outrageously corrupt, abusive, inept officers who are no more than criminals themselves.

He's protecting his outrageously corrupt, abusive, inept jackbooted bastards. Worse, the standards imposed by sheriff's offices statewide with the exception of metropolitan counties are well below those of DPS and city police departments. Why? So the corruption, abuse, ineptness, and outright stealing can continue unabated? This has to change. ... Can't have that, can we? Sheriff? TL?

The public should understand Llano County authorities have it all sewn up. Did you know the Texas Attorney General does not have the authority to investigate and prosecute County authorities on his own? The District Attorney has to call for an investigation by the Texas Rangers. Then, the State can prosecute if it so chooses.

Consequently? Guess what? Nothing will happen. Nothing ever does. The goddamned corruption continues unabated until you, the public, pressure authorities. Precisely, why we all enjoy the 'best' government money can buy. Literally. Without question, the corrupt, abusive, inept sons of bitches are all bought and paid for. Firmly clamped to the taxpayer tit. Dependent on money looted from innocent citizens caught in their web. Phony fines and court costs cleverly designed to f--k the innocent and enrich the pieces of shit who falsely believe they run and own Llano County. Right, Sheriff? TL? "Sonny Boy?" Madam County Attorney?

Interestingly, the former Sheriff and District Attorney were reportedly forced to retire after an outrageous scandal involving a drunk driving police officer from out of town. Including special treatment of the drunken son of a bitch that no other citizen caught doing the same would have been afforded. An honest, honorable Llano County Deputy suffered the consequences. Forget? Great officers do not last in this hell hole County. ... Right, Sheriff? TL? "Sonny Boy?" Madam County Attorney?

With all ongoing abuse in this goddamned County, one thing remains for damned sure. We're just getting started, Sheriff. You will continue to be exposed for whom and what you and your corrupt, abusive, inept jackbooted bastards have become, truly are, not what you phonies purport to be, that is, how you continue to f--k over a public you've falsely sworn to protect and defend. -- Exposure, the only way short of an unwanted dreaded revolution to force desperately needed change in a goddamned fascist police-state. The Fourth Reich.

Have your jackbooted thugs been tested for steroids, Sheriff? If you've nothing to hide, Bill, release the results of all drug testing. 'Personnel matters?' Bullshit. Looted taxpayers have the right to know. They're footing the bill for all this goddamned corruption, abuse, ineptness. When will you and the boys end the shakedowns? Looting of the innocent to line County coffers? No honor at all?

Where are your swastika armbands, you fascist son of a bitch? You and your thugs remain out of uniform. Once again, Sheriff, and ad nauseum, did you and/or your goons pressure Schilling to exit the race? Did you steal the election? If so, an aggressively stupid, achingly gutless public gets what it truly deserves. One of the most corrupt, abusive, inept 'law' 'enforcement' agencies in our formerly great country.

While the business and church communities stood tall during the recent Kingsland flood catastrophe, there was one glaring exception. On 10-17-18, the Antlers Coffee Shop closed due to storm-related failure of the Kingsland water system. Patrons, however, are routinely allowed to get online outside even when the shop is closed.

A long-term coffee shop customer entered the hotel lobby to ask the desk clerk whether wifi was still up and running after the catastrophe. She said it was and told the patron he could get online inside the closed shop. She then asked him to have another regular customer who had just arrived outside to come in and get out of the cold as well.

Antlers co-proprietor Rick apparently quickly got wind of both customers, made quite a jackass of himself emulating the petulant narcissist currently occupying the Oval Office. Aggressive stupidity at a time the Kingsland business community is indeed suffering, can least afford it. Further proof positive of the old adage 'can fix ignorant, can't fix stupid.'

Why would, why should both customers put up with this? Think this hasn't happened to others?

TC 10-19-18

8-30-19

Highly reminiscent of our outrageously bought and paid for judiciary, Llano County prosecutors, Sheriff Bill Blackburn and his criminal SS jackbooted bastards in black who continue to egregiously disgrace themselves and the badge, do as they please regardless of the law and Constitution, carefully consider the following. It's appalling. Runs against the grain of everything our formerly great country once stood for. No longer.

Llano County DA "Sonny Boy" is in the news. Received an award. The DailyTrib reports:

"The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recognized District Attorney Wiley “Sonny” McAfee on August 22 for his efforts in prosecuting natural and cultural resource violations as well as environmental crimes. The commission named the 33rd and 424th district attorney the 2019 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prosecutor of the Year. McAfee serves Burnet, Llano, Blanco, and San Saba counties. Elected in November 2012 and taking office on January 1, 2013, he has been instrumental in a number of high-profile cases involving Texas game wardens and Texas State Park police officers."

The District Attorney has ignored a complaint filed earlier by this publication regarding special treatment accorded Texas oil man Johnny Greene by the Llano County Attorney and Sheriff vis a vis a property dispute involving a local banker, three other local property owners with homes encroaching on land they don't own, one of which is on an unused Llano County road. To say nothing of damage to a Pace Arrow motorhome on that property. All a result of egregious abuse of authority by Llano County Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764. The circumstances of this fiasco can be found above in each and every edition of this publication since this happened two and a half years ago. The Sheriff, the County Attorney, and the District Attorney have all determinedly, concertedly ignored this ongoing, unresolved fiasco raising one ferociously pointed question. How much were they bribed?

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk? Get what you truly deserve.

Newsletter Text 807
January 20, 2023

Think the following an example of Texas law enforcement at its very best? Not to neglect to mention that of Philadelphia. NBC News reports:

"A Philadelphia woman visited a police station to find out why she appeared to have a police record despite having done nothing wrong — only to be arrested and put behind bars for nearly a week in a case of mistaken identity."

Think the idiots in law enforcement responsible for this will ever smarten up?

"Julie Hudson, a 31-year-old Ph.D. student, had visited the Philadelphia police station on Jan. 5 after discovering she appeared to have a criminal record when she was repeatedly being denied jobs, she told NBC Philadelphia. Her hopes of resolving the issue were dashed when she was arrested and taken into custody. Hudson, who is Black, would soon learn that she had been mistaken for a suspect with the same name. A surveillance photo from an alleged shoplifting incident at a sports store in Webster, Texas, near Houston, in May of last year was determined to appear similar to social media images of Hudson, NBC Philadelphia reported."

Think this an acceptable excuse for this innocent woman unjustly losing her freedom for nearly a week? Falsely incarcerated.

“When you know that you didn’t do anything wrong, it makes you feel crazy,” Hudson told the news outlet, adding she has never been to Texas. “Everybody is sure that you did something, that you’re [a] criminal, but you know that that’s not who you are," she said. Following her arrest, Hudson's family contacted law enforcement in both Texas and Philadelphia in a bid to clear her name. The Harris County District Attorney's Office in Texas said that after learning about what happened it dismissed the case "within five minutes," citing insufficient evidence. “We accept charges based on the sworn evidence presented to us by law enforcement,” a spokesperson for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office wrote in a statement to NBC Philadelphia. “Tuesday, Webster Police notified the court of the error. We dismissed the case within five minutes and immediately contacted Philadelphia Police to release our hold on Ms. Hudson.” The Harris County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to overnight requests for comment from NBC News."

Other than empty, hollow, meaningless rhetoric, what do you intend to do about this outrageous travesty perpetrated by Texas law enforcement, Mr. District Attorney? Shit squat?

“Ms. Hudson was in custody since 1/05/23 in Philadelphia on charges of FOJ based off of an active arrest warrant out of Webster, Texas,” the Philadelphia Police Department said in a statement. “PPD became aware of the warrant being dismissed on 1/11/23 at approximately 5 PM after receiving a media inquiry,” it said. “At that time, we immediately requested that Ms. Hudson be released from custody and worked with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons to process her release in as expeditious a manner as possible. In addition, the PPD has opened an investigation into when communication was sent from the issuing jurisdiction stating that charges were dismissed.”

When are you going to investigate law enforcement personnel responsible for this travesty of justice and hold them accountable? Never? Clearly, Philadelphia law enforcement failed to investigate the veracity of the false warrant.

"While Hudson was finally released Wednesday night, almost a week after being jailed, her family told NBC Philadelphia they were still working to get the mistake removed from her record. They also said they are considering taking legal action over the incident as Hudson continues to search for answers over what happened to her. “I want to find out what happened,” she said. “I want to find out how this happened and I want it to not happen to anyone else ever again.” Her sister shared that sentiment, saying: “Julie just so happened to have a family that was able to get the information together, if we needed to get the funds together." “It’s so many people out there that don’t have that. And that’s what struck a chord in me," Charon Hudson said."

Time to sue the living shit out of the bastards. Settlements in these cases need to be so expensive the sons of bitches think twice.

"In a statement Thursday, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner apologized for Hudson's ordeal."

Nowhere near good enough, Counselor.

“The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office became aware of Julie Hudson’s predicament last evening, thanks in part to media reports out of Houston and in Philly,” Krasner wrote. “I am not aware of any efforts by Texas authorities to contact my office directly about the misidentification of Ms. Hudson, which led to her arrest by Philadelphia Police on January 6 based on a fugitive warrant." "Once the District Attorney’s Office independently became aware that Webster Police had confirmed to local media that they had wrongly sought Ms. Hudson for arrest, we mobilized quickly to make sure Ms. Hudson was released from custody as soon as possible," he said."

When will you investigate Philadelphia law enforcement for its failure to determine the veracity of the false warrant?

“Julie Hudson is a Philadelphia resident who has no criminal record and is pursuing a Ph.D. What happened to her should not have happened, and her family deserves a great deal of credit for successfully advocating for her freedom with the media in Houston and in Philadelphia," he said."

You failed to do your job, Counselor. The following is far from sufficient:

"Krasner said Philadelphia police had followed standard protocol, but he said changes in how information is shared between jurisdictions could help prevent similar incidents from happening again, appearing to criticize the way social media was used to mistakenly identify Hudson as the suspect. “If somebody wants us to send someone back, which we will do, under the detainer, there’s nothing wrong with letting us read your affidavit of probable cause,” he said. “At least we might have picked up the phone and said, ‘You did what?! Let me get this straight. You used social media to make an identification? Why else do you think this Philadelphian is committing retail thefts in Texas?’”

Not good enough, Counselor. Nowhere near.

"In a statement shared by the district attorney's office, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenny commended the "rapid response and coordination between the Police Department, Courts, District Attorney’s Office, and Department of Prisons to ensure that Julie Hudson was released as quickly and as safely as possible."

What a goddamned crock of shit. Forget? This woman was falsely incarcerated nearly a week. You're covering your sorry ass. Wake up, Mr. Mayor. Time to remove your head from your ass, sir.

"However, he said: “We are dismayed by the ordeal that she and her family went through due to an erroneous warrant from another jurisdiction, and thankful that she is now home.”

Nowhere near good enough. You've done shit squat to ensure this never happens again. Shit squat. -- Other than empty, hollow, meaningless rhetoric.

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk? Get what you truly deserve. Forfeiture of liberty. At the hands of outrageously corrupt and abusive government.

Another needless death courtesy of a jackbooted bastard in blue. NPR reports:

"A cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors died after Los Angeles Police repeatedly tased him in the middle of the street last week, according to police body-camera footage and his family's account. Keenan Anderson, a 31-year-old high school teacher and father, was trying to get help after a traffic collision when he was chased, held down by multiple officers and tased for over 90 seconds as he begged for help. Anderson's death, one of three fatalities stemming from the LAPD's use of force already this year, is sparking fresh calls for police reform in a city that's long been calling for racial justice. "I've been challenging law enforcement for the last 22 years [...], but I've never had someone this close in my family be killed by the police," Cullors told NPR. "It's a devastating reality that any one of us could be impacted by the crisis that is the U.S. police system," she added. "We have to do something."

The following is outrageously unacceptable. Read the quote very, very carefully:

"LAPD released edited body camera footage for all three of the deaths on Wednesday. Police Chief Michel Moore said they'd forgone the usual 45-day window for keeping the video private due to intense public interest."

The deliberate lack of transparency courtesy of editing calls into question the validity of the footage.

"According to the accompanying police statement, an LAPD officer, whose name has not yet been released, first encountered Anderson at 3:38 p.m. PT on Jan. 3, when Anderson flagged him down for help with a traffic collision."

The public is entitled to know the identity of this officer. Not only does this son of a bitch work for the public, the public pays his or her salary.

"The officer found Anderson "running in the middle of the street and exhibiting erratic behavior," the account reads. Cullors, who watched the video with family just hours before its public release, says she recognized a sense of fear on her cousin's face. "When you get in a car accident, your body is in shock," she said. "I don't know what my cousin was going through, emotionally and mentally. But what I do know is that he got in a car accident. That's scary. And when you get in a car accident, you need help." Others involved in the collision said Anderson had caused it, Moore said during a news conference Wednesday. Moore also said that Anderson had committed a felony hit-and-run and that another person involved in the collision said Anderson tried to steal a vehicle. The released footage starts with the responding officer ordering Anderson to get out of the street and up against a wall. Anderson, looking back at the scene of the accident, initially kneels with his hands up, shouting, "I didn't mean to. I'm sorry." After Anderson complies with later orders to sit, the officer requests additional units to help with a DUI test. The seven minutes the officer waited for backup were not released as part of the footage. Footage after the seven minutes shows Anderson standing up again, saying that he needs to get some water, then that he wanted to make sure people could see him. "You're putting a thing on me," he says, backing away from the officer as the officer tells him to sit back down. Anderson proceeds to run into the street and crosses a busy intersection as the officer pursues him on his motorcycle. Two more officers arrive on the scene, blocking some of the surrounding traffic."

It is always a mistake to run from law enforcement. Always. The jackbooted bastards in blue take it as carte blanche to murder on the job. Get their cookies off. Usually, with impunity.

"The officers tell Anderson to get onto his stomach. When he doesn't fully comply, the officers push him onto the ground and attempt to use their body weight to restrain him. One officer appears to put his elbow across Anderson's neck. "Please, please, please, please, please" Anderson yells, adding, at one point, "They're trying to George Floyd me."

That's a problem. A big problem.

"Footage shows officers threatening to tase Anderson at least 12 times before the officer finally fires the taser. The officer then activates the taser on Anderson at least six consecutive times, at one point holding it against his back while the weapon buzzes for roughly 30 seconds straight. At Wednesday's news conference, Moore said only a "single taser activation" had occurred, elaborating later that he believed several attempts were ineffective and the officer used "a series of dry stuns" following the first full activation. Moore also said the department has no preset limit on the number of times a taser should be used in a situation."

So it's okay to torture a suspect with a taser as many times as they choose?

"Following the tasing, footage shows the officers placing Anderson in handcuffs and ankle hobbles. At least eight officers appeared to be on the scene by the time Anderson was restrained. Paramedics arrived at Anderson's side within a minute of being called and, five minutes later, transported Anderson to a local hospital, the LAPD says. He died four hours later after appearing to suffer cardiac arrest. A formal cause of death has not been determined. Justice advocates criticized the LAPD for releasing a preliminary toxicology report, which showed Anderson's blood samples tested positive for cocaine and cannabis."

Couldn't be the jackbooted bastards were doing all they could to protect their sorry asses by intentionally releasing a preliminary toxicology report that had been deliberately false, could it? The jackbooted bastards would never do anything like that, would they? LOL.

"Melina Abdullah, a friend of Patrisse Cullors and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, described the focus on narcotics as an "assassination on Keenan's character after they've already stolen his body." "Keenan was the one who flagged police down in the first place," she told NPR. "And then he was treated as the criminal, as most Black men are." Cullors and Abdullah both said concerns about Anderson's mental state should've been handled by trained mental health professionals, not an armed traffic cop."

Goddamned right.

"The LAPD's Force Investigation Division is still investigating the incident. Once the investigation is complete, Moore will make a recommendation to the civilian Board of Police Commissioners, which, in turn, will decide whether the use of force and police tactics were appropriate for the circumstances."

Fox guarding the chicken coop.

"Anderson considered becoming a police officer when he was younger, but he realized his impact would be greater in his ultimate career choice: teaching 10th grade English at a charter school in Washington, D.C. In a statement to students and their families, Digital Pioneers Academy said Anderson was the third member of the school community to fall victim to violence in the past 65 days. Two high school students died in separate incidents of gun violence last fall. Mashea Ashton, the school's founder, wrote that the grieving community is also angry: "Angry that, once again, a known, loved, and respected member of our community is no longer with us. Angry that another talented, beautiful black soul is gone too soon." Cullors said she wants to see LA reorganize its relationship with its police department, starting by reducing the LAPD's size. "I think what's most important for people to organize around right now is 'no cops at traffic stops,'" she said. "My cousin would be around right now if he hadn't had a police encounter. Professionals who know how to deal with a crisis should've been at that scene."

No shit. Time for desperately needed change.

"Cullors also says the department needs to have a conversation around its lack of a clear policy on tasers. Though the weapons are often portrayed as a safer policing tool than handguns, a 2017 Reuters investigation found more than 1,000 people in the U.S. died after being tased or shocked with a stun gun. There have also been shootings by police in which officers claim they were reaching for a taser when they actually pulled a handgun, like the high-profile killing of Duante Wright in Minnesota. Analysts question why an officer would reach for a taser when suspects are fleeing in the first place: The weapons inflict neuromuscular incapacitation, which isn't an incentive for de-escalating a situation. Moore said the LAPD had reduced the use of tasers by 20% over the last five years. The tool is only effective about half the time in actually helping officers restrain suspects, but that's a better percentage than other weapons, he added."

Not good enough. Nowhere near.

"In the same week they tased Anderson, LA officers fired handguns at 45-year-old Takar Smith and 35-year-old Oscar Sanchez, bringing the LAPD's fatal encounter total up to three in the first week of the new year. LA Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement that she had "grave concerns" about the footage of the three fatal police incidents and called for the officers to be placed on immediate leave."

Paid vacation?

"I will ensure that the City's investigations will drive only toward truth and accountability," Bass wrote."

Hopefully, that's true.

"No matter what these investigations determine, however, the need for urgent change is clear. We must reduce the use of force overall, and I have absolutely no tolerance for excessive force."

Needs to be more than empty, hollow, meaningless rhetoric.

In follow-up to the above, time for desperately needed change in LA. The Washington Post reports:

"The deaths of three men in rapid succession this year after encounters with Los Angeles police officers has exposed a distressing lack of progress the department has made reducing police violence and managing people in crisis, despite a years-long effort to lessen the risks in such cases. The killings occurred in the first week of January, and under pressure, a department with a problematic history of violence released body-camera footage of the fatal encounters in recent days. Two of the men suffered from mental illnesses, while a third, a D.C. schoolteacher, died after officer used a Taser on him as he allegedly fled the scene of a car accident. The last case, which ended in the death of 31-year-old Keenan Anderson, revived grim memories of the murder in Minneapolis of George Floyd in May 2020 at the hands of police officers, which Anderson cited in chilling body-camera footage of his encounter released this week. It also evoked the LAPD’s violent past, most recently its harsh response to the large demonstrations following Floyd’s murder and the videotaped police beating more than three decades earlier of Black motorist Rodney King, which also set off violent protests. The department has been a flash point in the city’s political and social life for decades and was once subject to Justice Department oversight after the discovery that one service area, known as Rampart, had routinely engaged in corrupt practices that included false arrests, excessive force and unreasonable searches. A succession of chiefs since the early 1990s has pledged to change LAPD culture."

Empty, hollow, meaningless rhetoric devoid of substance.

"The LAPD’s handling of the new cases, which even LAPD Chief Michel Moore criticized in a public appearance this week, also comes at a delicate political moment for the agency and for the city’s new mayor, Karen Bass (D), who was sworn into office last month. Moore, who became chief in 2018, is in the process of seeking a second, five-year term with uncertain support from the city’s new leadership. Bass campaigned in part on a platform to make the department more responsive to the public’s demands, which include a far less aggressive approach to policing, especially in neighborhoods with a high concentration of people of color. Two of the men killed were Black and the third was Latino. A former community activist, member of Congress and state legislator, Bass is the first Black woman to be elected mayor. Bass won the open seat in the November election. As she settles into office focused primarily on corralling the city’s homeless crisis, Bass is also confronting the fallout from a leaked audio tape of a trio of Latino city council members and a prominent labor leader using racist language to criticize council district boundaries, which help portion out power between the city’s Black and Latino neighborhoods. Two of the council members have departed, but the killings this month have added an additional layer of racial tension to the city’s already fraught debate over political power and accountability."

This remains a problem all across this country.

"In a statement this week on the killings, Bass said that “no matter what these investigations determine … the need for urgent change is clear.” “We must reduce the use of force overall, and I have absolutely no tolerance for excessive force,” she said in the statement. “We must also lead our city forward — finally — on the mental health crisis that has been allowed to grow, fester and cause so much harm to individual Angelenos, their families and our communities.”

Needs to be far more than empty, hollow, meaningless rhetoric.

Think the following isn't an extreme abuse of power? The Washington Post reports:

"Keith Davis Jr., a 31-year-old man who was jailed for seven years as he underwent four trials for the same 2015 homicide case, was freed Friday when Baltimore prosecutors dropped all charges against him. Ivan J. Bates (D), Baltimore’s newly elected top prosecutor, said in a statement that the decision was made after a thorough review of the prosecution against Davis. Bates said his predecessor — Marilyn Mosby, whom he did not name — had made missteps and pursued “conviction at all costs.”

Goddamned outrageous abuse of power. Founders? Likely spinning in their graves.

"Bates also said he recognized the pain of the relatives of the homicide victim. “Still, as State’s Attorney, I have a duty to ensure justice for all, not just the victim but also the accused,” he said in a statement announcing the dismissal of charges."

Where the hell was local law enforcement all these years? Sound asleep on the job?

"Bates, who began his term this month, is a former defense lawyer who made a campaign pledge to reconsider the charges against Davis. On June 7, 2015, Baltimore police arrested Davis on suspicion of armed robbery, after a taxi driver informed authorities that someone had tried to rob him at gunpoint that day. During efforts to apprehend Davis, officers fired dozens of shots, three of which hit Davis, including in his face, court documents show. Davis — who was acquitted of the armed robbery charges and has said he was the victim of mistaken identity — said in ensuing trials that he ran away because seeing police running toward him had scared him, The Washington Post previously reported. The taxi driver also testified in October 2015 that Davis did not resemble the person who had tried to rob him. But Davis was found guilty of illegal gun possession, a charge that he denied, and sentenced to five years in jail. Davis said he had no weapon, and expressed suspicion police had planted the gun after he had been shot. The Baltimore Police Department could not be immediately reached Friday evening."

How about that? Gutless jackbooted bastards.

"Davis’s legal challenges grew after the robbery trial. Hours before Davis was arrested for the alleged robbery, Kevin Jones, a security guard at the Pimlico racetrack in Baltimore, was fatally shot. Prosecutors alleged that the weapon found on Davis, whom authorities charged with first-degree murder, was tied to the Jones shooting. Davis’s initial murder trial in 2016 resulted in a hung jury — 11 of 12 jurors voted to acquit him. Three more trials resulted in a mistrial and two overturned guilty verdicts. Mosby, the former Baltimore State’s Attorney who sought to prosecute Davis, told the Associated Press that the case against Davis “has always been about the pursuit of justice for Kevin Jones and his family.” She could not be reached for comment early Saturday. Jones’s family told the AP their loved one was not “getting no justice whatsoever.”

Again, where the hell was local law enforcement? Out to lunch?

"Upon release, Davis was shown hugging his wife, Kelly, and his supporters. The Maryland Office of the Public Defender, which has represented Davis, welcomed Bates’s decision in a statement, saying Davis had won after “four trials for a crime he did not commit.” The office did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Friday."

The following? Appalling. Seatbelts on. The Washington Post reports:

"Iris Price remembers her brother-in-law as a towering figure who despite his size was gentle and loving, especially when it came to his five nieces. Larry Price Jr., 51, was funny, kindhearted and a “big guy” — 6-foot-1 and weighing more than 185 pounds. By the time Price died alone in a Sebastian County, Ark., jail cell in 2021, he weighed 121 pounds. Autopsy images show his emaciated body, his cheeks sunken, his collarbones and ribs protruding through his skin and his legs wasted away. The soles of his feet were swollen, white and wrinkled from standing in water in his jail cell. Price’s relatives allege in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed Friday in an Arkansas federal court that Price, who was unhoused and lived with severe mental illness, was allowed to starve to death over a year in pretrial detention due to neglect by jail staff and its private health contractor. It names the jail, Turn Key Health Clinics and several staffers — both named and unnamed — as defendants."

How does something like this happen? How?

"An administrator with the Sebastian County Jail said in a statement Friday it had medical personnel available to treat inmates in need of care and was conducting an internal review of Price’s case. Representatives for Turn Key Health Clinics did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the complaint. To Price’s family, his death is especially painful because of how easily it could have been avoided — starting with the decision to put a man with schizophrenia into a system that was never designed to treat him and then holding him without trial for a year over the $100 bail he couldn’t afford. The pain is compounded, they say, by details like the dozens of prison logs that suggest either no one was watching or no one cared as he wasted away, the logs that continued to list him as “OK” — even after he had died."

Jesus Christ. Think there isn't a serious problem?

"The family’s attorney, Erik Heipt, whose Seattle-based practice Budge and Heipt specializes in wrongful death and police brutality, called Price’s death one of the worst he’d seen in almost 20 years of handling these cases. Price is among the 1,200 people known to have died in local jails, according to 2019 figures from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. A 2022 Senate subcommittee on investigations report indicated the figures are significantly uncounted, and watchdogs, reform groups and lawmakers have noted long-standing problems with collecting accurate data. Though the specifics of Price's case are more unique — his autopsy lists his cause of death as “acute dehydration and malnutrition” — jails and the broader criminal legal system have struggled with how to address health needs of detainees, particularly those with mental illness. “There’s this overarching point that Larry Price didn’t belong in jail,” Heipt said, arguing Price was “essentially jailed for being in a mental health crisis.” In August of 2020, Price walked into a police station in Fort Smith, Ark., and began acting erratically, at one point mimicking shooting a gun with his fingers and verbally threatening officers, according to the complaint. Family said he was well-known to those in the community and would bounce around between shelters, sometimes visiting an aunt who lived in the area for a meal or shower. Price’s brother, who lives in California, would call and check on him to keep tabs on his whereabouts. They said he was well-known to local police as well, as officers were often the ones to find Price, who had schizophrenia, in the throes of a mental health crisis."

Get this:

"On that day, officers decided taking him to the jail would be in his best interest, according to the lawsuit. Price was booked on a first-degree felony charge of making terroristic threats. His bail was set at $1,000, meaning he needed to post just $100 for his release, but he didn’t have the money. He would spend the next year in the jail, largely confined alone in a cell, until his death in August 2021. Price’s family said they began to worry when they weren’t able to locate him and when he didn’t show up at his aunt’s house in Fort Smith; they were unaware that he had been jailed. Iris Price said when they called the jail to ask if he was there, staff wouldn’t confirm his status or allow them to leave information for Price, saying he would have to reach out to them to connect."

Goddamned outrageous.

"The Sebastian County Jail did not respond to questions about the Prices' claim or clarify protocol for next of kin seeking to share information with detainees. Jail and health records obtained by The Washington Post, which include interviews with jail staff after Price’s death, show Price exhibited repeated signs of acute mental health distress: He would become agitated, eat his own feces, eat the Styrofoam boxes his food came in and refuse to take his medication. Nearly five months after he was detained, Price requested a medical visit because he was “sick and had lost a lot of weight,” according to the complaint. Jail and health staffers noticed Price was visibly thinner, having dropped more than 30 pounds since his intake. But even as he continued to lose weight and act more erratically, Price was not moved to a facility that would be able to care for his specific mental health and physical needs, the complaint said. Due to his mental health issues, Price spent much of his year in pretrial detention in segregated housing, which requires well-being checks every 15 minutes. Heipt said jail staffers were either falsifying the reports and not checking on him, or ignoring his deteriorating condition. According to the complaint, staff logged more than 4,000 entries for well-being checks between Aug. 1 and Aug. 29, 2021, when he died with the same entry, “Inmate and Cell OK.” Ten more identical entries were logged after Price had been pronounced dead."

Think there isn't a serious problem here?

Think there isn't a serious problem in law enforcement? The Washington Post reports:

"A woman from Costa Rica who said she was coerced into commercial sex work in the United States alleged in federal court this week that a former Fairfax County police chief and three former officers paid for sexual acts and protected a human-trafficking ring in Northern Virginia before federal prosecutors busted it in 2019. Testifying under the pseudonym “Jane Doe” in an explosive civil trial in Alexandria, Va., the woman claimed that Fairfax County police chief Edwin C. Roessler, captain James Baumstark and officers Michael O. Barbazette and Jason J. Mardocco violated federal law by obstructing efforts to investigate and prosecute a madam named Hazel Sanchez, who called herself “Andrea Fairfax” in online ads. Doe claimed the four officers, who are all retired now, hired women through the same madam. Attorneys for Baumstark and Roessler forcefully denied the claims against them, calling them “preposterous” fabrications that did not surface until late in Doe’s litigation. A defense lawyer for Barbazette and Mardocco said that they each hired sex workers but that Doe’s specific allegations were false or barred by the statute of limitations."

Give me a break. Called desperation.

"Doe filed a lawsuit in October 2021, seeking monetary damages that have yet to be determined. After extensive litigation, a judge let the case proceed to trial, and jurors will now have to decide whether Doe’s claims have merit. In emotional testimony, Doe described the degrading sexual acts she said Sanchez forced her to perform under threat, and alleged that the officers failed in their duties. At one point, the judge called a brief recess as she broke down in tears. “They had to protect us,” Doe said of the four officers. “They had to not be the clients. They didn’t have to protect the Hazel ring.” Her attorney, Victor M. Glasberg, has said the FBI’s public corruption unit investigated the allegations involving at least Barbazette and Mardocco before referring the matter back to the Fairfax County Police Department. Neither they, nor Baumstark or Roessler, have been charged criminally. “They were police officers sworn to enforce the law, not to break it,” Glasberg argued in his opening statement to the jury. Doe’s case was about “compelled, forced sex done under threat,” he said. Kimberly P. Baucom, a Fairfax County attorney representing Baumstark and Roessler, argued Doe was “not a trafficking victim” but a “voluntary sex worker” who fabricated claims in her lawsuit."

Think so?

"Roessler, who retired as chief in 2021 after more than three decades in the Fairfax County Police Department, and Baumstark, who retired as a captain in 2015 after nearly three decades in the department and is now deputy police chief in Asheville, N.C., were added to the lawsuit even though “there isn’t a shred of physical evidence” linking them to the case, Baucom said. “Not a single piece of paper, not a phone call, not a text message, not an email,” Baucom told the jury. “The claim that either Mr. Roessler or Mr. Baumstark were somehow involved in a sex-trafficking organization is preposterous. It’s made up of whole cloth. It’s simply false.” Sanchez pleaded guilty in 2019 to a charge of interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises. She was sentenced to 2½ years in prison after admitting that she managed “unlawful prostitution activity” for five other women, who are identified only by their initials in Sanchez’s case documents. Appearing as a witness at Doe’s trial, Sanchez said that of the four defendants, she recognized only Barbazette. Glasberg asked whether Sanchez had sex with Barbazette for money or directed other women to do so, but the judge ruled repeatedly that Sanchez did not have to answer under the Fifth Amendment. The judge, Anthony J. Trenga, also ruled that Sanchez did not have to answer questions about whether she ever discussed with Barbazette or others the issue of police officers providing protection for her sex-trafficking ring."

What webs we weave.

"Another woman from Costa Rica who said she was referenced in Sanchez’s court records by the initials C.V.A. appeared as a witness for Doe and accused the same four officers of paying for sexual acts and protecting the Sanchez ring. She described similar coercive conditions, alleging Sanchez forbade the women from eating during daytime hours and confiscated their passports while they were in the United States. The woman said she had sex with Mardocco for money, and he complained when she refused to have unprotected sex. She said she once saw Barbazette enter a room with Doe. She said that Baumstark was a Sanchez client whom Sanchez described as “another protector of ours.” The Washington Post is not naming the woman because it generally does not name victims of sex trafficking without their consent. The woman said Roessler also was “a client of the operation,” whom she once saw in an apartment with an inebriated Sanchez. She alleged Barbazette and Mardocco thwarted efforts to investigate the trafficking, or claimed to be able to do so. She said Mardocco once called Sanchez and said “there’s going to be a sting in your building apartment, do not let the girls work.” Barbazette, who was not her client, once told her that he would alert Sanchez to impending sting operations by police, “so she doesn’t work and we don’t work, so no one is arrested,” the woman alleged."

More of the same. CBS News(AP) reports:

"Protests broke out near a police station in Memphis, Tennessee, over the weekend, as community members called for the release of body camera footage recorded during a traffic stop earlier this month that directly preceded the death of Tyre D. Nichols. Family, friends and supporters of Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man from Memphis, released balloons to honor his life on Saturday, while protests took place near the site of the traffic stop. On Jan. 7, Nichols was arrested after officers stopped him for reckless driving, according to authorities, who said later that a confrontation occurred as officers approached him, and Nichols subsequently ran from the scene. They have also referenced another "confrontation" between Nichols and the responding officers before he was ultimately caught and arrested."

Never, ever, NEVER run from law enforcement. It is always a mistake to do so. Always. The jackbooted bastards in blue take it as carte blanche to murder on the job. Sadly, how at least some of them get their cookies off.

"Afterward, the suspect complained of having a shortness of breath, at which time an ambulance was called," and Nichols was taken to a hospital in critical condition, police said. On Tuesday, he "succumbed to his injuries," the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported last week without describing the nature of those injuries."

No transparency. Consequently, no faith or trust in these bastards. Couldn't be protecting and coddling one of their own, could they?

"The state agency is conducting an independent investigation into the use of force by Memphis police officers involved in Nichols' arrest. The probe came at the request of Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy, bureau officials announced, noting that police contacted Mulroy's office due to the severity of Nichols' condition."

What a goddamned crock of shit. Fox guarding the chicken coop.

"While the state investigation is underway, authorities at the Memphis Police Department said they are taking "swift and deliberate action to maintain transparency, accountability, public trust, and legitimacy amongst our community." The department is conducting its own internal administrative investigation into potential policy violations by the officers who arrested Nichols, and expects that the process will be completed by the end of this week, the Memphis Police Department said in a news release issued on Sunday."

No credibility. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Empty, hollow, meaningless rhetoric.

"After reviewing various sources of information involving this incident, I have found that it is necessary to take immediate and appropriate action," Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis said in a statement included in the release. "Today, the department is serving notice to the officers involved of the impending administrative actions." "Make no doubt, we take departmental violations very seriously and, while we must complete the investigation process, it is our top priority to ensure that swift justice is served," said Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland in another statement about the investigations. "We want citizens to know that we are prepared to take immediate and appropriate actions based on what the findings determine."

Hard to believe that's true. We'll see.

"Rodney Wells, Nichols' stepfather, told CBS affiliate station WREG-TV on Saturday that his stepson ended up suffering a cardiac arrest and kidney failure because of a beating by officers. "When we got to the hospital, it was devastating," Wells said. "All of that still should not occur because of a traffic stop. You shouldn't be on a dialysis machine looking like this because of a traffic stop. That's inhumane."

Sadly, how at least some of the jackbooted bastards in blue get their cookies off.

"Protesters said authorities should release body camera footage of the arrest. "The least they can do is be transparent with the mother, father and the family and show that video to them about what happened to their son," community activist Kareem Ali told WMC-TV. Nichols' older sister, Keyana Dixon, said during the balloon release that the officers who pulled Nichols over were in an unmarked vehicle, according to The Commercial Appeal. "If he did run, it was because he was scared," Dixon said. "A traffic stop is supposed to be a traffic stop for anybody, and they were in an unmarked vehicle, so I already knew what he thought." The newspaper said it couldn't independently confirm the details described by family. The Memphis Police Department referred questions to the state bureau, which said it was still investigating."

Quite sad the public has so little faith or trust in law enforcement for damned good reason. Law enforcement needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror.

Has the nazi element in the Republican Party lost its mind? The Associated Press reports:

"A failed Republican candidate who authorities said was angry over his defeat in November is facing numerous charges in connection with drive-by shootings targeting the homes of Democratic lawmakers in New Mexico’s largest city. Solomon Pena, 39, was arrested Monday evening after SWAT officers took him into custody and served search warrants at his home, police said. Pena, a felon whose criminal past had been a controversial issue during last year’s campaign, repeatedly made baseless claims that the election was “rigged” against him as he posed with “Trump 2024” flags and a “Make America Great Again” hoodie. “I dissent. I am the MAGA king,” he posted the day after the election. And on Nov. 15, he added: “I never conceded my HD 14 race. Now researching my options.” He was being held pending an initial court appearance Wednesday on charges including multiple counts of shooting at a home and shooting from a motor vehicle, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina described Pena as the “mastermind” of an apparently politically motivated conspiracy leading to shootings at the homes of two county commissioners and two state legislators between early December and early January. No one was injured, but in one case bullets passed through the bedroom of a state senator’s 10-year-old daughter."

Readers will recall:

"Pena ran unsuccessfully in November against incumbent state Rep. Miguel P. Garcia, the longtime Democrat representing House District 14 in the South Valley. Pena got just 26% of the vote, but refused to concede. Pena then showed up uninvited at the elected officials’ homes with what he claimed were documents proving he had won his race, police said. There was no evidence of widespread voter fraud, or any irregularity involving enough votes to change a result, in New Mexico in 2020 or 2022. The shootings began just days after those conversations, according to a criminal complaint. “This type of radicalism is a threat to our nation and has made its way to our doorstep right here in Albuquerque, New Mexico,” said Mayor Tim Keller, a Democrat. “But I know we are going to push back, and we will not allow this to cross the threshold.” The New Mexico Republican Party condemned Pena in a statement Monday night. “If Pena is found guilty, he must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” Four men conspired with Pena, who is accused of paying them cash to carry out at least two of the drive-by shootings in stolen vehicles, while Pena “pulled the trigger” during one of the crimes, Deputy Police Commander Kyle Hartsock said. Detectives identified Pena as their key suspect using a combination of cellphone and vehicle records, text messages that included the elected officials’ addresses, witness interviews and bullet casings collected near the lawmakers’ homes. His arrest came one week after Medina announced they had identified a suspect in the shootings."

The rise of fascism in our formerly great country presents an exigent threat to a democratic republic. Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter. Carefully consider the perspective of a 102-year-old Nazi prosecutor. NBC News reports:

"Ben Ferencz, the last surviving prosecutor from the Nuremberg trials, answered the phone in bright spirits. “Good morning,” he hollered. “Ask your questions.” Nearly 75 years had passed since Ferencz secured convictions against 22 Nazi death squad commanders responsible for the murder of more than 1 million Jews and others. The trials marked the first time in history that mass murderers were prosecuted for war crimes, and Ferencz was only 27 at the time. He went on to play a crucial role in securing compensation for Holocaust survivors and in the creation of the International Criminal Court at The Hague. Now, at 102 years old, he was sitting at his desk in Delray Beach, Florida, answering a reporter’s questions with wit and remarkable recall. What were his final words to the lead defendant after a judge sentenced the man to death in 1948? “Goodbye, Mr. Ohlendorf.”

Indeed.

"What did he think about the war in Ukraine and the uptick in antisemitic incidents around the globe? “The world has still not learned the lessons of Nuremberg.”

No question. ... Sadly, as we see fascism embraced by a growing number of clueless Republicans here in the United States falsely labeling it 'conservatism.'

"What was described as “the biggest murder trial in history” was in fact Ferencz’s first case ever. The son of Hungarian Jews, he was 10 months old when his family immigrated to the U.S. in 1920 and settled in New York City. He grew up poor on the rough and tumble streets of Hell’s Kitchen, where his father worked as a janitor-turned-house painter. Ferencz attended the City College of New York, which was free for bright immigrants, earned a scholarship to Harvard Law School and enlisted in the Army after graduation as World War II engulfed Europe. He landed on the beaches of Normandy and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. With the allied forces closing in on the center of Nazi power in Berlin, he was transferred to a unit responsible for gathering evidence of war crimes. Ferencz traveled to multiple concentration camps — Buchenwald, Mauthause, Flossenburg, Ebensee — often within days and sometimes hours of their liberation. The scenes he witnessed would haunt him for the rest of his life. Skeletal figures with hollow eyes pleading for help — many too weak or too sick to move. Others crawling around garbage piles, digging for scraps of food. And bodies. So many dead bodies — in some cases stacked like firewood in front of the still-burning crematoriums."

Time to wake up. Think history can't, won't repeat itself?

“Grim as hell,” Ferencz said. “I had to refrain from letting it get to me emotionally.” He had a specific job to do. The Nazis were well known for keeping detailed records. Ferencz was tasked with securing them before they were destroyed. “My goal was clear: Grab the documents,” he recalled. “I headed straight to the main office and closed it off. ‘Nobody goes in or out without my permission. No German, no American — nobody. I want complete control of the archives,’ which I got.” Ferencz said it took immense effort to keep his emotions in check. “I knew that what I was seeing was horror,” he said."

Think it can't, won't, couldn't happen here?

"He told himself: “Just get on with the job, Benny. Just get your evidence. And get your ass out of there.” Ferencz and his men collected thousands of documents at the camps and facilities in Berlin. They included detailed reports on the Einsatzgruppen, special SS units that roamed Nazi-occupied Europe and killed more than 1 million people. The Nazis’ studious bookkeeping would soon seal the fate of some of Hitler’s most infamous henchmen. The first and best-known trial in Nuremberg kicked off in November 1945. It ended with the conviction of Herman Goring and 21 other top Nazi lieutenants. The U.S. decided to hold 12 more trials in Nuremberg against Nazi judges, doctors and other top figures. By the time Ferencz found the Einsatzgruppen records, the U.S. had already finalized plans for the other trials. “I knew I had a hot potato,” he said. He flew to Nuremberg and told Telford Taylor, the chief counsel for the prosecutions, that they must add another trial. But Telford said it wasn’t possible. The budget had already been set and the Pentagon wasn’t keen on any more trials. “I got a little bit indignant,” Ferencz recalled. “I said, ‘I have in my hand here the mass murder of a million people. Don’t tell me we can’t put them on trial.’ “He said, ‘Well, can you do it in addition to your other work?’ I said, ‘Sure.’ That’s how I got my first case.”

Think this couldn't possibly happen here?

"The trial began on Sept. 29, 1947. The defendants were imposing figures — middle-aged men who had overseen the mass slaughter of innocent civilians. Ferencz was six months shy of his 28th birthday and stood barely 5 feet tall. He was so short he had to stand on books to reach the courtroom lectern. But he spoke with the power and eloquence of a seasoned litigator. “The defendants were the cruel executioners whose terror wrote the blackest page in human history,” he said in his opening statement. “Death was their tool and life their toy. If these men be immune, then law has lost its meaning and man must live in fear.” Ferencz called only one witness — a man who verified the authenticity of the records that documented the “cleansing” of Jews in cities across Europe. All 22 defendants were convicted, with 14 sentenced to death. But only four were executed, including Otto Ohlendorf, a notorious SS commander."

Get this:

"After the sentencing, Ferencz decided to meet with Ohlendorf in a courtroom holding cell. Not to elicit a confession or probe his mind. Ferencz wanted to extend a favor. Would Ohlendorf like him to deliver a message to his family? “I had in mind that he had a wife and five children,” Ferencz said. “Would he like me to say that he was sorry that he brought disgrace on the family or something along those lines?” But Ohlendorf wasn’t interested. He launched into a diatribe defending the Nazis, saying they were right to resist the “communists” seeking to take over Germany and the rest of the world. Ferencz cut him off midsentence and ended the conversation with three words uttered in German: “Goodbye, Mr. Ohlendorf.” “There was no remorse whatsoever,” Ferencz said. “No regrets.”

Sound remarkably familiar? Republican defense of the Trump nazi since he took office. Even after the clueless, fascist bastard treasonously, traitorously incited the 1-6-21 Capitol insurrection. Time to wake up. Before too late.

"Over the years, Ferencz has received a boatload of awards and honors. Most recently, he was selected in December to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’s highest civilian honor. Ferencz has donated millions to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and other organizations that promote peace, vowing to end his life the way it started — as a “poor boy.” And he traveled the world into his 90s, spreading his motto of “law, not war.” “I was damn lucky to live this long,” said Ferencz, who turns 103 in March. “I hope that I’ve done some good during that lifetime.”

Time for the national socialist, fascist, nazi element in the Republican Party to finally wake up. Before too late. Sadly, we remain a democratic republic in name only. In reality, a de facto fascist police-state. Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

Biden to be investigated by Justice Department special counsel. The Associated Press reports:

"Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appointed a special counsel to investigate the presence of documents with classified marking found at President Joe Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware, and at an office in Washington. The announcement followed Biden’s acknowledgment Thursday morning that a document with classified markings from his time as vice president was found in his personal library, along with other documents found in his garage. Garland said Biden’s lawyers informed the Justice Department Thursday morning of the discovery of a classified document at Biden’s home, after FBI agents first retrieved other documents from the garage in December. It was disclosed on Monday that sensitive documents were found at the office of his former institute in Washington."

Needs to be equal treatment from the bottom of the food chain to the very top. No matter party affiliation. No matter whether it's Trump or Biden.

"Robert Hur, the former Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Maryland, will lead the investigation, taking over from the top Justice Department prosecutor in Chicago, John Lausch, who was earlier assigned by the department to investigate the matter and who recommended to Garland last week that a special counsel be appointed. Hur is to begin his work soon. “The extraordinary circumstances here require the appointment of a special counsel for this matter,” Garland said, adding that Hur is authorized to investigate whether any person or entity violated the law. “This appointment underscores for the public the department’s commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters, and to making decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law,” Garland said."

Hopefully, that's true.

"Biden told reporters at the White House that he was “cooperating fully and completely” with a Justice Department investigation into how classified information and government records were stored. “We have cooperated closely with the Justice Department throughout its review, and we will continue that cooperation with the special counsel,” said Richard Sauber, himself a special counsel to the president. “We are confident that a thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced, and the president and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake.”

Hopefully, that's true. If not, Biden needs to be held accountable. -- Unlike Trump who to date has been protected and coddled.

"Biden’s lawyers found the first set of documents in a locked closet in the offices of the Biden Penn Center in Washington on Nov. 2, just before the midterm elections, but publicly revealed that development only on Monday."

Fascinating, isn't it? Think the long delay justified? Or, simply no more than political expediency?

"Sauber said that after Biden’s personal lawyers found the initial documents, they examined other locations where records might have been shipped after Biden left the vice presidency in 2017. Biden did not say when the latest documents were found at his home, only that his lawyers’ review of potential storage locations was completed Wednesday night. Sauber said a “small number” with classified markings were found in a storage space in Biden’s garage in Wilmington, with one document being located in an adjacent room. Biden later revealed that the other location was his personal library. Garland said Biden attorneys located documents in the Wilmington garage on Dec. 20 and that Federal Bureau of Investigation agents took custody of them shortly thereafter. The Justice Department was informed only on Thursday of the latest found by Biden’s lawyers."

Why the delay? Political expediency?

"The appointment of yet another special counsel to investigate the handling of classified documents is a remarkable turn of events, legally and politically, for a Justice Department that has spent months looking into the retention by Donald Trump of more than 300 documents with classification markings found at the former president’s Florida estate."

Quite a bit of foot-dragging to date. Time for it to end. No matter party affiliation. No matter whether it's Trump or Biden.

"Though the situations are factually and legally different, the discovery of classified documents at two separate locations tied to Biden — as well as the appointment of a new special counsel — would almost certainly complicate any prosecution that the department might bring against Trump. Hur was a close ally of former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, a key figure in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and contacts between then-candidate Trump’s associates and Russian officials. He also worked as an adviser to FBI Director Christopher Wray in the Justice Department. “I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial and dispassionate judgment,” he said in a statement after his appointment. I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service.”

Hopefully, that's more than empty, hollow, meaningless rhetoric.

The Associated Press reports:

"The White House brushed aside criticism Tuesday of its fragmented disclosures about the discovery of classified documents and official records at President Joe Biden’s home and former office, saying it may withhold information to protect the Justice Department’s investigation."

Buy it?

"Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsel’s office, told reporters that the White House was releasing information as it deemed it “appropriate.” Responding to criticism of the piecemeal disclosures, Sams said the White House was trying to be mindful of the “risk” in sharing information “that’s not complete.”

What a crock of shit.

“We’re endeavoring to be as transparent and informative to you all in the media, to the public as we can consistent with respecting the integrity of an ongoing Justice Department investigation,” he said."

Not credible.

"The discovery of the documents in Biden’s possession complicates a federal probe into former President Donald Trump, who the Justice Department says took hundreds of records marked classified with him upon leaving the White House in early 2021 and resisted months of requests to return them to the government."

Rings hollow. Why should one case have anything to do with the other? No more than an example of political considerations trumping principle. -- No pun intended. Sadly, this bullshit line of reasoning is precisely why the top of the food chain quite often intentionally escapes accountability for its crimes. Used as a convenient excuse to do nothing. That is, to protect the high-level offender from prosecution. Sadly and precisely why to date, Trump has escaped legal accountability for his crimes while his minions have been quickly prosecuted and convicted.

"While the two cases are different — Biden for example, willingly turned over the documents once found — it still has become a political headache for a president who promised a clean break from the operations of the Trump administration."

Called hypocrisy.

More on all this as the story develops.

Trump company fined. The Associated Press reports:

"Donald Trump’s company was fined $1.6 million Friday for a scheme in which the former president’s top executives dodged personal income taxes on lavish job perks — a symbolic, hardly crippling blow for an enterprise boasting billions of dollars in assets. A fine was the only penalty a judge could impose on the Trump Organization after its conviction last month for 17 tax crimes, including conspiracy and falsifying business records. The amount was the maximum allowed by law. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan gave the company 14 days to pay. A person convicted of the same crimes would’ve faced years in prison."

Was Trump himself protected and coddled? Why wasn't he on trial? Forget? He signed the checks. LOL.

"Trump himself was not on trial and denied any knowledge that a small group of executives were evading taxes on extras including rent-free apartments, luxury cars and private school tuition. Prosecutors said such items were part of what they dubbed the Trump Organization’s “deluxe executive compensation package.” The company denied wrongdoing and said it would appeal. “These politically motivated prosecutors will stop at nothing to get President Trump and continue the never ending witch-hunt which began the day he announced his presidency,” the company said in a statement after the fine was announced."

Give me a break.

"Neither the former president nor his children, who helped run the Trump Organization, were in the courtroom."

None of them prosecuted. How about that?

"While the fines — less than the cost of a Trump Tower apartment — aren’t big enough to impact the company’s operations or future, the conviction is a black mark on the Republican’s reputation as a savvy businessman as he mounts a campaign to regain the White House. Outside the courtroom, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, said he wished the law had allowed for a more serious penalty. “I want to be very clear: we don’t think that is enough,” he said. “Our laws in this state need to change in order to capture this type of decade-plus systemic and egregious fraud.” Besides the company, only one executive was charged in the case: former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, who pleaded guilty last summer to evading taxes on $1.7 million in compensation. He was sentenced Tuesday to five months in jail."

Think the family wasn't protected and coddled?

Get this:

"The criminal case involved financial practices and pay arrangements that the company halted when Trump was elected president in 2016."

Most convenient, no?

"Over his years as the company’s chief moneyman, Weisselberg received a rent-free apartment in a Trump-branded building in Manhattan with a view of the Hudson River. He and his wife drove Mercedes-Benz cars, leased by company. When his grandchildren went to an exclusive private school, Trump paid their tuition. A handful of other executives received similar perks. When called to testify against the Trump Organization at trial, Weisselberg said that he didn’t pay taxes on that compensation, and that he and a company vice president conspired to hide the perks by having the company issue falsified W-2 forms. Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass told jurors Trump had a role, showing them a lease that the Republican signed himself for Weisselberg’s apartment. “Mr. Trump is explicitly sanctioning tax fraud,” Steinglass argued."

That's not illegal? Trump has no culpability? None?

"Weisselberg also attempted to take responsibility on the witness stand, saying nobody in the Trump family knew what he was doing. He choked up as he told jurors, “It was my own personal greed that led to this.” At the trial, Trump Organization lawyers repeated the mantra, “Weisselberg did it for Weisselberg.” In its statement Friday, the company took a different tone. “Allen Weisselberg is a victim,” it said. “He was threatened, intimidated and terrorized. He was given a choice of pleading guilty and serving 90 days in prison or serving the rest of his life in jail -- all of this over a corporate car and standard employee benefits.”

Think Weisselberg not the fall guy for Trump and kin?

"A jury convicted the company of tax fraud on Dec. 6. The Trump Organization was charged through two corporate entities: The Trump Corporation, which was fined $810,000; and Trump Payroll Corporation, which was fined $800,000. Those fines “constitute a fraction of the revenue” generated by Trump’s real estate empire, Steinglass said in court. It could face more trouble outside of court from reputational damage, such as difficulty finding new deals and business partners."

Tough shit.

“We all know that these corporations won’t go to jail, as Allen Weisselberg has,” Steinglass said. “The only way to deter such conduct is to make it as expensive as possible.” The Trump Organization’s sentencing doesn’t end Trump’s battle with Bragg, who said the sentencing “closes this important chapter of our ongoing investigation into the former president and his businesses. We now move onto the next chapter.”

LOL.

"Bragg, in office for little more than a year, inherited the Trump Organization case and the investigation into the former president from his predecessor, Cyrus Vance Jr. At the same time, New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing Trump and the Trump Organization, alleging they misled banks and others about the value of its many assets, including golf courses and skyscrapers — a practice she dubbed the “art of the steal.” James, a Democrat, is asking a court to ban Trump and his three eldest children from running any New York-based company and is seeking to fine them at least $250 million. A judge has set an October trial date and appointed a monitor for the company while the case is pending. Trump faces several other legal challenges as he ramps up his presidential campaign. A special grand jury in Atlanta has investigated whether Trump and his allies committed any crimes while trying to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia. Last month, the House Jan. 6 committee voted to make a criminal referral to the Justice Department for Trump’s role in sparking the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The FBI is also investigating Trump’s storage of classified documents."

The Washington Post reports:

"The Trump Organization was sentenced to pay $1.6 million in fines to the state on Friday — the maximum allowed by law — following its December conviction on tax crimes carried out by two of its longtime executives. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office argued for the top possible financial punishment for the former president’s private company, describing egregious and deliberate long-term conduct that both benefited former president Donald Trump’s namesake company and the executives involved in the cheating. “The sheer magnitude of this fraud merits the largest financial sanction authorized by law,” Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass said at the company’s sentencing. Steinglass said the company “cultivated a pervasive culture of fraud, underreported executive compensation, falsified business records and otherwise helping their senior management evade taxes to keep their own costs as low as possible.”

Trump had no knowledge of any of this? Believe it?

"Longtime Trump Organization finance chief Allen Weisselberg was the key witness against the company. He pleaded guilty in August to 15 felonies and agreed to testify in exchange for a significantly reduced sentence of five months in jail and five years of probation, which was imposed in court on Tuesday. He also paid the state more than $2 million in back taxes, fines and interest. He faced up to 15 years in jail."

Fall guy for Trump and kin?

"Trump Organization spokeswoman Kimberly Benza said in a statement Friday that the verdict would be appealed. In brief remarks after the company’s sentencing, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the company’s punishment was “not enough” and said state laws for corporate tax fraud should carry harsher penalties. Trump was not charged in connection with the tax fraud scheme. Bragg’s office still has an open investigation into Trump’s business practices and other matters."

Why wasn't Trump charged? Protected and coddled?

The effort to expose Wells Fargo egregious deceptive trade practices continues. Several years ago to determinedly apply renewed pressure on our truly worthless, egregiously self-serving Texas Attorney General, now Governor, an excoriating email was sent to the bastard. Copies of which were also passed on to both offending Wells Fargo officers. A copy was also sent to the Davis campaign and others at the time.

Voters did have a right to know as Attorney General, the GOP candidate for Governor apparently selectively investigated, or not, bona fide complaints filed by citizens against banks too big to fail. Possibly, Wells Fargo could have lined his pockets in some fashion. That has yet to be determined.

The bastard and his office, no matter what, failed to respond to the complaint originally snail mailed several years ago. This material, figuratively targeting Wells Fargo and the governor 'wannabe' now Governor, had been posted and can be found by scrolling all the way down and clicking on the links well below. ... Governor? Wells Fargo bribe you to look the other way?

Will continue to do all I can to publicly expose this to all, both in this publication and elsewhere. Have done precisely that with the following email sent to Matt Turner, Matt Turner Video Services, Marble Falls, TX. A copy of it was also sent to Wells Fargo officer Amanda Wright. She has, indeed, been promoted branch manager. Reverse Darwinism. Survival of the unfittest.

This young woman has indeed been rewarded by the Wells Fargo corporate management suite for engaging in criminal deceptive trade practices and her undying loyalty to her corporate masters. The process to update those already informed of this fiasco has finally been completed. This latest material can be found by clicking onWells Fargo Deceptive Trade Practices Salvo 240, 2-8-19 .

The name of this publication was changed some fifteen years ago from The Llano Ledger to Liberty In Peril. The reason? Simple. Cowardly failure of this community to stand up to tyranny that has only exponentially worsened the last decade and a half. Clearly, demonstrated as well by the cowardly failure of businesses to financially support this publication. Either through advertising or other financial support. Too afraid doing so would enrage the bastards who run and own this hellhole County.

-- Despite the fact these businesses were, and are, being egregiously f--ked by these very same bastards. Tough, isn't it? Impossible to entertain any sympathy for cowardice, however. Especially in view of the fact this writer has placed himself in great jeopardy taking on these corrupt, abusive, inept criminal bastards. Alone.

Exactly, why you see no investigative material highly critical of these sons of bitches in other local rags. Sadly, cowardly, all advertising income immediately dries up. Consequently, the bastards continue their criminal chicanery with impunity. On a rampage. Thus, you get what you truly deserve. Always. Precisely, why this earlier name change to Liberty In Peril remains appropriate. -- Despite the fact this writer has not yet left the area. Ten years after originally intending to do so. Thirty years in this goddamned godforsaken hellhole.

This writer, then and now, remains primarily interested in state, federal, and international issues. Another reason for this publication name change. Despite the fact I stupidly cluelessly remain here, local issues must be addressed. Can't be ignored. That's where you come in dear readers. Have the courage to inform this writer of local abuse, corruption, ineptness you are aware of, have personally experienced.

... Information these criminal bastards do all they can to conceal, cover up. Otherwise, how can they effectively sustain the charade and intended result? Loot confiscation through a boot heel on the throat of the citizenry.

The only way, short of an unwanted dreaded second American revolution, to force badly-needed change is to expose all this to the light of day. These bastards are beginning to understand they have a problem. No question, the growing rage of those they've abused, looted, egregiously f--ked. It's time to stand up. Expose this corruption to glaring sunlight. Otherwise, as fools, cowards, you will remain under their thumb. From the loftiest business owner to those on the bottom of the food chain. Wake up. Grow a pair.

Still don't think that likely to happen. After all, you're bought and paid for. Owned. Not only by your government masters, but their masters. The corporate management suite. Your employers. Think not? Wake up. You're human chattel. Corporate-owned, bought and paid for. Precisely, why you cowardly, compliantly, literally bare your asses for corporate inspection by the company doctor. Willingly, compliantly, cowardly piss in a cup under employer supervision. To sit in front of a keyboard or stock shelves all day. You have no control of your lives. You're owned. Forget? For a measly salary, no job security, reduced to no benefits. At a time of record corporate profits and cash reserves.

Then, you gallingly complain about the oppression as you tolerate egregious theft of your labor. Not only by your corporate masters, but their bought and paid for government lackeys. Too cowardly to stand up, allow disclosure of your identity when you rightfully complain to this publication of being mercilessly f--ked. Some of you falsely arrested, criminally assaulted, bogusly fined for 'offenses' you did not commit. To line County coffers. Keep the peasants in line and under control. A fascist police-state. Nazi America.

Again, yet another reason why this publication is called Liberty In Peril. Most galling? Nothing changes if you fail to step up and challenge corrupt, abusive, inept authority. Too afraid, cowardly compliant to let the bastards know who you are. Did it ever occur to the cowards out there if the identity of the accuser is kept under wraps the bastards will falsely claim it's all made up by this publication? Thus, conveniently killing all credibility. Wake up.

Cowardice is unbecoming, unworthy of our formerly great country. Insult to injury? There are the hopelessly deranged who believe the chicanery reported here to be manufactured anyway. No matter the effort. No matter the research. No matter the proof. Wake up. This writer cannot do it alone. Snowball's chance in hell. Then again, cowardice, delusion is always amply, justly rewarded. Always. You continue to 'enjoy' the very best government money can buy. Literally.

Tim Chorney

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril
Formerly,
The Llano Ledger
United States Of America

Cannot do it alone. Impossible. Not sustainable. This publication needs your financial and material support. Both. Time to step up.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril
... Formerly
The Llano Ledger

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Tim Chorney, Publisher
libertyinperil@protonmail.com