The City of Troy, New York, "Where Henry Hudson Turned Around."

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

THE TPD NEED TO CLEAN UP THEIR ACT...

...but maybe not. Councilman Doherty just can't decide.

On Thursday night the City Council Finance Committee tabled a vote to approve a $23, 000 settlement in a civil rights case. Got the Times Union story is right here.

Councilman Robert Doherty, chairman of the council's Public Safety Committee, pushed to temporarily halt the settlement.

"I have some concerns about this," Doherty said about approving settlements without reassurance that the issues raised in the lawsuits are addressed internally by the police department. He said it's important to avoid same situations in the future.

So, here's the lineup: Voting to approve: Gordon, Bodnar, Kopka, Galuski. Voting to table were Wiltshire, Teta-Sullivan, Doherty, Robertson and Zalewski.

Corporation Counsel Ian Silverman recommended settlement and suggested this would save the City some cash. Now, Silverman isn't running the show on this. He's getting a recommendation from outside counsel, hired by the insurer. John Bailey usually handles the police cases. He's good and he knows how to fight. Ask some of the cops he has successfully defended.  If Bailey recommends settlement its not because he's rolling over. In fact, a trial just lets Bailey bill a ton of hours.

In addition, lets not forget, if the plaintiff prevails, her attorney will receive attorney fees. In this case, probably considerable more money than his/her client will see. I know, fuckin' lawyers, right?

The idea that Councilman Doherty wishes to table the vote and not settle a case that the lawyer believes should be settled, "without reassurance that the issues raised in the lawsuits are addressed internally by the police department," is absurd. Doherty seems like a nice individual. But, he sometimes acts like  a guy with Attention Deficit Disorder mixed with Tourette's.

Why would Doherty and crew expose the taxpayers to a potentially high verdict unless the police address the issues raised in the suit? They are two separate issues. Either it should settle or it shouldn't settle. Police Department issues, if any, can be addressed  at a later time. Doherty is essentially saying, 'We may take a verdict we shouldn't take unless I'm satisfied that the police fix what they did wrong."

What did they police do wrong? Maybe Doherty should ask the police. They'll tell you how they screwed up and how they're fixing things. Well, Doherty did:

From: Bob Doherty
Date: 09/17/2015 11:19 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: Tedesco Chief John , "Ian.Silverman" , Rosamilia Lou
Cc: "Liccardi Joseph B."
Subject: Doherty Ordinance 92 - proposed settlement of violation of civil rights - Federal Court

Chief,
I know you are on vacation and sometimes read your email.  I’d like to avoid avoid delay in settling this manner, if answer is available before the City Council Finance meeting tonight. 
I asked in the Mayor’s public safety, meeting, if management actions to prevent re-occurance of violations had occurred.  There was no information available.  Deputy Chief McAvoy did provide details about the seriousness of events that motivated the department to take spirited actions in fact finding and attempts at interrogation.
My concern in settlements is, to a degree reasonably possible, assure preventive or remedial steps have been taken. In part, this is to avoid increasing penalties for future or continuing violations.  In today’s climate of scrutiny of Police/Community relations, I also do not want to gain attention to matters in this area as well.
Ian said he does not run the Police Department. I said in the absence of prevention or corrective action, i would want to table this until you can provide that information. The Mayor told me I could to that if I wanted. The discussion ended on that note.
Reading the Memorandum in Support, reviewing the imposition of charges for impounding a car for investigative reasons might be an opportunity for revision, in cases where there are no charges or violations forthcoming.  Although the more serious aspect of the case appears to be unlawful detention.
Has there been any management actions to remedy or prevent additional violations or settlements?  Thank you, Bob Doherty


Tedesco then comes clean, setting forth all the remedial measures that have been taken:

On Sep 17, 2015, at 8:05 PM, John.Tedesco wrote:
Bob,
 
I personally witnessed the detention of the plaintiff while in the Detective Bureau. Her claim of being handcuffed while there is a lie. She was transporting known shooters and the detectives would have been derelict not to detain and questiontion her.
 
As for her vehicle, Jessica Ashley (plaintiff's morher) has been seeking reimbursement of the tow and storage charge in numerous public settings for several years. The vehicle was legally towed and held until the detective deemed the release appropriate.
 
There have not been nor will there be any revisions in policy as the fault lies with the system, not the actions of the officers.
 
In my opinion, this action is nothing but a money grab.
 
John

Then:

From: Robert Doherty
Date: 09/18/2015 9:41 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: "John.Tedesco"
Subject: Re: Doherty Ordinance 92 - proposed settlement of violation of civil rights - Federal Court

 
If there is no fault or any concern of treatment, why pay out taxpayer's money?  Bob
 
 
Councilman Bodnar finally chimes in:
 
On Monday, September 21, 2015 5:45 PM, Dean Bodnar wrote:
 
OK, somebody needs to say this, so I will.

We wouldn't need this damn Special Finance Meeting if not for the nonsensical vote to table this at Finance last week. We could've voted to approve this, and then those who had concerns had two weeks to get their concerns addressed. It's time to let the professionals run  the police and law departments. Council members who chair committees don't have the legal authority to "supervise" the pertinent departments. Deal with it!

Dean Bodnar
  
 
 
Doherty responds:
 
From: Bob Doherty
Subject: Fwd: Doherty Ordinance 92 - proposed settlement of violation of civil rights - Federal Court
Date: September 21, 2015 at 11:51:08 PM EDT
To: Troy All City Council
Cc: Tedesco Chief John
 
Dean, 
First of all the vote carried, so it was not only a Committee Chair.  
            As stated in my remarks, the Chief is top flight in running the TPD and therefore we should know why we are paying out tax payer dollars. Or, if there is cause, it has been corrected by supporting and acting on the Chief’s recommendations.
             The Chief seems puzzled as to why we would make a settlement in a well handled particularly serious crime investigation.  These matters deserve our attention and the Chief worthy of our attention and support. 
            Given the type of issue involved here- investigation of gun violence- it needs cool heads, civil and thorough discussion, and support for TPD. Continued cash settlements to persons involved in criminality of this nature may open up a flood gate and actually make the police job more difficult, particularly investigations.  Bob Doherty


Bodnar says it best: You came to class unprepared and then waste everyone's time.
 
Isn't it curious that Doherty starts out assuming that the police did what the Plaintiff says the police did. He wants the police to clean up their act and address the issues raised in the suit so it doesn't happen again.
 
Then, one e-mail from Tedesco and Doherty is almost offended that the case might settle. One gets the impression that if the Plaintiff e-mailed Doherty her version of events, Doherty would call for Tedesco's resignation and the abolition of the department. So much flip-flopping. He'll show up at the next council meeting in a back brace and cervical collar. It's almost as if its election time.
 
Wiltshire and Zalewski also went along with Doherty. Why not have the Council use its investigatory powers and hold hearings on possible civil rights abuses by the police department?* They're fond of hearings. Are civil rights abuses more or less important than demolishing a building? 
 
Perhaps Council District 4 deserves a representative that does his homework before the meetings. One who doesn't waste his colleagues time or disturb the Police Chief while he is on vacation.**
 
* Sarcasm intended.
 
** We are not fans of Tedesco but should Doherty be asking the Chief to do Doherty's job late in the game?
 
 

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Outside of the Team Troy inner circle the residents of Troy despite party affiliation view Bob Doherty as a total embarrassment.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, is the Jessica Ashley who's daughter is suing the police department the same Jessica Ashley on Rodney's Team Troy, running for council? Funny how Rodney claims to support the TPD, but chooses running mates with a seething hatred of cops.

Anonymous said...

You guys continue to be awesome. Keep up the good work.

MachineWotMachine? said...

Gosh, the Team sure sounds kind of Machine-ish! Good thing there's an Engineer at the top of the ticket, lots of moving parts.

Anonymous said...

I been rooting for Rodney, not so sure now

Anonymous said...

I expected more from Doherty. He acts like a well educated fool at times.

Anonymous said...

Yes, he does. He's not a strong leader. I think he does try to do the right thing but with a spine of jelly.

Anonymous said...

He's losing it. My 89 year old father tries to do the right thing, too. Doesn't mean he should be making important decisions.

Anonymous said...

Rodney's a laughingstock. Is he even campaigning?

Domestic Violence Awareness said...

I'd like to know where the candidates stand on using city resources for alleged spousal abuse.

Raja said...

Why is this council always, and I mean always, sticking their noses everywhere? Can't they get they read the lawyers memo and vote? Enough handwringing. Nod at is right.

Larry Johnson said...

Whats not being Told is That Jessica Ashley Seniors Brothers who are Black I will add were beaten repetitively by Members of the Troy PD Back in the 60s and 70s
So don't kill the messenger and who is Bashing Jessica Could it you Harry or You Jim Gordon Or You Bill Dunn All The White Racists all don't want any blacks to be in Troy Politics I will give you a prime example

Ernest Everette who is Black got numerous endorsements by Non Racists Whites and Non racists Blacks But the Trouble comes When you have Tom Wade Using Everett as leverage to take Black Votes away from Rodney who is Half Black and PS I met his Father who is a vary genuine good person and is a Collage Educated Man and also a vary Good looking Handsome Man as you can see Rodney got his looks from and his Mother who is a vary Striking Woman herself.

So the moral of this story is If Madden gets in Your Going to have a Lou Clone in City Hall and If Gordon Wins your Going to Get A Harry Clone Pick your poison People and Carmella is telling all the people who Voted for her in the past Mayors Race To Vote For Gordon who is a nasty Vindictive Man just Like His Daddy Harry !~~!

Larry Johnson said...

Whats not being Told is That Jessica Ashley Seniors Brothers who are Black I will add were beaten repetitively by Members of the Troy PD Back in the 60s and 70s
So don't kill the messenger and who is Bashing Jessica Could it you Harry or You Jim Gordon Or You Bill Dunn All The White Racists all don't want any blacks to be in Troy Politics I will give you a prime example

Ernest Everette who is Black got numerous endorsements by Non Racists Whites and Non racists Blacks But the Trouble comes When you have Tom Wade Using Everett as leverage to take Black Votes away from Rodney who is Half Black and PS I met his Father who is a vary genuine good person and is a Collage Educated Man and also a vary Good looking Handsome Man as you can see Rodney got his looks from and his Mother who is a vary Striking Woman herself.

So the moral of this story is If Madden gets in Your Going to have a Lou Clone in City Hall and If Gordon Wins your Going to Get A Harry Clone Pick your poison People and Carmella is telling all the people who Voted for her in the past Mayors Race To Vote For Gordon who is a nasty Vindictive Man just Like His Daddy Harry !~~!

Larry Johnson said...

Whats not being Told is That Jessica Ashley Seniors Brothers who are Black I will add were beaten repetitively by Members of the Troy PD Back in the 60s and 70s
So don't kill the messenger and who is Bashing Jessica Could it you Harry or You Jim Gordon Or You Bill Dunn All The White Racists all don't want any blacks to be in Troy Politics I will give you a prime example

Ernest Everette who is Black got numerous endorsements by Non Racists Whites and Non racists Blacks But the Trouble comes When you have Tom Wade Using Everett as leverage to take Black Votes away from Rodney who is Half Black and PS I met his Father who is a vary genuine good person and is a Collage Educated Man and also a vary Good looking Handsome Man as you can see Rodney got his looks from and his Mother who is a vary Striking Woman herself.

So the moral of this story is If Madden gets in Your Going to have a Lou Clone in City Hall and If Gordon Wins your Going to Get A Harry Clone Pick your poison People and Carmella is telling all the people who Voted for her in the past Mayors Race To Vote For Gordon who is a nasty Vindictive Man just Like His Daddy Harry !~~!

Phana24JG said...

Raja, when it comes to settlements the Council must be involved. I hate to play grammar police, but a couple of these emails raise a serious red flag about the people in leadership.

Anonymous said...

Seriously. These emails almost make Kevin Mcgrath look smart.

Iman said...

I'm voting for the most good looking handsome man!! Every candidate should be required to post pictures of both their parents so we can make sure that they are good looking too. And at the very least their mothers should be striking, or I won't vote for them!!

Anonymous said...

Bob, if we only elected good looking people in Troy it would wipe out 95% of the current candidates. Get a grip, man.

Anonymous said...

Bob chews the boy

Anonymous said...

Boo boo !