Bill Barrett - Please go

On this blog I post what happens and what is true.

If people don't like it - then change your behavior! Easy

Mike Merritt asked me to contact him regarding a LAG auto theft in December. I appreciate that Mr. Merritt. I know too that Mr. Merritt dutifully attends crime watch meetings.

              Kobby talking to a smug and disinterested Barrett

Bill Barrett, the President of City Council... is another story. I e-mailed him 5 times regarding this stolen vehicle. He never responded. He would not even tell me why he didn't respond.

I rarely "toot my own horn"... but here I find it to be appropriate. Conservatively, I have spent $15,000 of my own money helping WB corruption victims back on their feet. And this guy can't return 5 e mails regarding a crime victim?

The thought of this very arrogant man to not even recognize me or a crime victim... is enough to make my blood boil. 

Barrett sucks from the public tits of several agencies... and all he has to show for it is a sports car more suitable for my son, a teenager, than a 70 year old man. He looks like an idiot. The first time I saw the car I thought... "real nice public servant." Maybe you can still get in on the LAG loaner (Mercedes) Cop Collins was driving.  

Of course Barrett may be upset because I pointed out his married  buddy Marty Kane can't keep his tongue in his mouth in public. That is... with someone other than his wife. Perhaps, Mr. Barrett, you can choose friends who aren't degenerates. Ever occur to you?

He is a hack. A phony. A sycophant. His only success is that he has gamed the system for himself... and not others. Please go away.

Blood in Blood Out

Blood in… Blood out

Gang members frequently refer to joining a gang as "Blood in - Blood out."  This is particularly true of prison gangs.  "Blood in" requires the prospective member to shed the blood of someone by assaulting them or murdering them.  "Blood out" refers to the only way a member can leave the gang - either by his natural death or his death at the hands of the gang.

This analogy fits with Mayor Thomas Leighton and Chief Dessoye. No, nobody has been murdered. But their inner circle clearly represents a gang. If you don’t think so… I ask you to read my July 15 blog whereby the city willfully and systematically “took down a business” using city police. These police knew they would be fired if they were not to obey a command. They have been forced to act beyond their personal scruples… for years.

City Council President Bill Barrett, Controller Kathy Kane, Councilman Mike Merritt, Head of City Operations Buth Frati, and the Sherriff are all “bedfellows” as part of the civil lawsuit against them by Thom Greco. This is the one of the most righteous and just lawsuits I have ever seen. I believe Greco will win.

“Blood In” – Corrupt one’s self to “get on the ins” with Leighton… or simply lie and cover for him as a spokesman or manager. Do you think city manager Maureen McCormick knows nothing about the 7 year LAG reign of terror… or Gas Gate… or the many other scams? How about solicitors Henry and Vinsko?

Does anyone honesty believe that as a cop, if you weren’t part of corruption – that you have had any chance of being promoted?  

Leighton and Dessoye are out to protect themselves – not others. Please do not be fooled.

“Blood out” – This represents the financial devastation one would experience if one were fired. As a rule, city employees would find it impossible to match their salary elsewhere.

Please see the excellent post by Betty Roccograndi today (7/17). And read my comment if you wish.

http://purebunkum.com/

Wilkes-Barre, The Land Of Milk And Honey. And Drugs. And Murders. And Knifings.

From Mark Robbins:  Betty, you hit the nail on the head when you said, “And, Mayor Leighton, you should be working in tandem with Ms. Raup’s Crime Watch Coalition.”

Crime watch could add hundreds of eyes and ears every night… but Leighton won’t work with them.

Why? The only ones who get near the “King,” to include cops, are those who are corrupted. Who was pegged as the next chief (before nobody would hire Dessoye)? Captain Robert Hughes – the ultimate LAG insider. (Google “WBTruth” and go to July 15 to read more.)

I believe Leighton is far more responsible than you think. The honest cops don’t rise through the ranks and as for the honest citizens... Leighton will not work with them.

He MUST BE removed before this city can heal. We have no shot while he is in office.

VIVA MORABITO

Assistant DA Molly Morabito stood on principle. And she lost. She refused to take money from other attorneys in her run for one of the Judicial openings almost two years ago. She lost by the skin of her teeth. Some of the winners collected thousands of dollars from fellow lawyers. 

Two Things:

1)    We the citizens will not forget Molly Morabito’s principled stand. There will be other elections and we will remember! Molly - you make us proud!

2)    We would like to know if the “winners” are fully disclosing “who gave what to whom.” At least one attorney claimed that he/she would disclose to both parties in a hearing if he/she received money from any of the counsel. That would seem to be minimally appropriate. Is it being done? ... or were these hollow words to get elected?

How about disclosing money received from the attorney and/or the defendant/plaintiff?

Shortly letters will be sent to all Judges to see what their practices are regarding this disclosure issue. The Wilkes-Barre Independent Gazette and Wake Up Wilkes-Barre may assist in the process. Other media outlets will likely be apprised of the results. What's at stake?  A fair justice system. That's all.

Leighton Campaign Contributions – Keeping them honest

Tonight (Thursday 7/16) at WB City Council Mayor Leighton says he’d be willing to sell the Municipal Golf Course ("Muni") and the land around it. This is 500 acres – the size of Ashley. This represents a change of face from when I last saw him deny that he would sell it.

The Mayor admitted he had a fundraiser last Thursday. A very, very, very private meeting. To Frank Sorick, he very arrogantly said, “Yea, I had a fundraising event – a very successful one in fact.”

We anxiously look forward to the next report to find who slithered out to "Muni" to grease the Mayor's palm. It was so secretive one wonders if the lights in the club house were turned on. I heard donors had to wear masks so they wouldn't be identified as  Leighton donor.

I believe the filing deadline is September. We will print names and numbers.

So what's on tap for the weekend, Mayor? Going to the shore at your city solicitors/ cousin's (Vinsko's) beach house? All in the family.

How WB cops are promoted

WB Handbook – How police are promoted.

This post written for those officers who try, as best they can, to work honestly as a cop while knowing that honesty, dignity, and integrity is not a recipe for advancement. I speak for myself and other activists when I say we are stridently working to see that the tables are turned. Your day is coming.

Crime pays   Officer John Majikes was driving with illegal tags (LAG’s tags). He was also riding LAG’s Dodge Ram which could easily be seen as a bribe. His consequences? He is moved from the graveyard shift and given a much sought after position on the daytime “tactical unit.”

Omerta    A cop on the rise won’t talk. They will conceal the drinking of Dessoye and Leighton, the shake-down of prostitutes, the use and sale of steroids, and anything else where they are to keep quiet.

Black market    They will facilitate the LAG Auto Theft Ring. If you are one of the best – like Captain Bob Hughes – your involvement will be immersed further. He actually sold cars on consignment from A1 Auto sales. Therefore he was penciled in as the next chief – until Dessoye couldn’t get a job because of his sordid past. Now they are stuck with this do-nothing chief.

Good soldiers    You will be a good soldier. You will give Leighton rides home when he is too drunk to drive himself. You won’t mention that Dessoye… according to word on the street… is in the process of drinking himself to death. (note: I personally tried to get him some help... but no one would come to his aid. His "friends" would rather see he die an alcoholic death. Who needs enemies with friends like this?)

Push the good ones out    The Mayor and Chief will make sure the truly good ones are pushed out. Officer Don Crane was highly respected for his integrity. But it is this integrity that has him no longer part of the force. He was literally “too good” for the force.

“Clear the call”    Efforts will be made to lie about crime. The shredder is our friend. Bogus crime reports will be submitted.

“Crime Watch”    Significant distance will be put up between officers and Crime Watch. Not because Crime Watch is ineffectual – but because they are too effective. Allowing residents within "smelling distance" of the corruption at the top is too risky. Crime watch – keep your distance!

Focused raids    The drug house that has more than one hundred 911 calls will be left alone. You see, Dessoye’s “heroin honey” lives there. But a bar that has a sterling record is intimidated into submission. See previous story.

“Dirt” is the key   Like a gang that has a “murder bounty” on its members, a cop can prove his loyalty to Leighton/Dessoye by corrupting one’s self. These are the only ones Leighton/Dessoye  feel comfortable with and are the ones to be promoted.

Biggest Civil Rights lawsuit in NEPA annals

PART 4 of 4  (scroll down to see earlier parts)

TOUTED AS BIGGEST CIVIL RIGHT’s LAWSUIT IN NEPA HISTORY

THOM GRECO   VS   CITY/COUNTY/KING’S COLLEGE

Thom Greco should be hailed as a hero for standing up to the “city gang bangers.” 

Thom Greco... you started this lawsuit well before all the corruption that we now know of. You stood for what is right and true and for this… I salute you. You once stood alone. Now you have an army behind you. I know I will support the restaurant you run (Oysters in Genetti’s).  If others feel strongly about justice and civil rights– I hope that they too will support you.

Summary of Counts (against city)

Count1 (City)    § 1983 & 1985    Violation of 14^th Amendment (Equal Protection under the law) bars selective enforcement and provides that business be treated as others similarly situated. The Mines was subject to far harsher law enforcement than similar business (to say the least)

Count2  (City)    § 1981 & 1982    The Supreme Court has noted that these statutes protect an individual (Greco) who suffers retaliation by virtue of  protecting others from racial discrimination (The “Mines” patrons).

Count3 (City)    § 1985    What is alleged here is a conspiracy motivated by discrimination to deny equal protection.

Count4 (City)     14^th  Amendment claims of alleged abuse of police power in order to destroy Plaintiff’s (Greco’s) business along with harassment and stigmatization of business.

Count5 (City)    14^th  Amendment due process clause prohibits law enforcement from depriving “any person of life, liberty, or property without due process od the law.”  It bars arbitrary and wrongful govt actions. This deprivation of liberty rises to the level of “shocking the conscience.” (see below)

Count6 (City)    Tortious (a civil wrong; “sue-able”) interference with business relationships

Count7 (City)    Mr. Greco’s claim against Mayor Leighton and Chief Dessoye (in Count VI of memorandum).

JUDGE CAPUTO’S RULING   Plaintiff Thom Greco’s above civil claims will be upheld (to proceed with) against the following parties below. 

Individual City Defendants T Leighton, G Dessoye, JJ Murphy, T Thomas, K Kane, W Barret, R Cronauer, M Merritt, B Frati, and the city of Wilkes-Barre

Individual College Defendants (4 counts to proceed in lawsuit going forward): Father Thomas J. O’Hara, Robert McGonigle, Paul Lindenmuth, John McAndrew (4 counts to proceed similar to the ones below)

Individual County Defendants (2 counts to proceed in lawsuit going forward): Luzerne County Sherriff  Michael Savokinas and Luzerne County  (2 counts to proceed similar to the ones below)

WHAT IS “SHOCKING TO THE CONSCIENCE?” (see Count 5)

1)     It is governmental conduct intended to injure that is most likely to rise to conscience-shocking level.

2)     Allegations of corruption, self-dealing, or bias against an ethnic group suggests conscience-shocking behavior.

3)     The merits of the city’s conscience-shocking actions was upheld by virtue of Federal Judge Caputo’s allowing the many counts above to proceed in court. 

Questions citizens should be asking:

Based on the counts above, how can we describe our city leaders?    Racist thugs

Who is paying the 5 attorneys to cover for this "conscience shocking" racist thuggery.?
Who do you think? 

City: Donald H. Brobst and Thomas J. Campenni of Rosen Jenkins and Greenwald
County: Deborah H. Simon and John Dean of Elliot Greenleaf Law firm

College: David L. Schwalm of Thomas, Thomas and Hafer, LLP

NOTE: 7/15/2013  I submitted this Right-to-know request for:   The retainer paid, the cost to date, and the payments made to date in regards to Civil action NO.  3:11-617 to Donald H. Brobst and/or Thomas J. Campenni and/or the Law offices of Rosen Jenkins and Greenwald.

PART 3 of 4

Put yourself in Thom Greco’s shoes.

A “supposed” friend (Greg Skrepenak) asked for Greco’s restaurant experience to open up the restaurant/bar “Big Uglies.” Greco procured glassware, equipment, and TV screens for Skrepenak expecting to be paid back. He was only partially paid for these items. Greco was understandably angry. He chalked up “being stiffed” to a business loss.

So who is the criminal here?

Skrepenak? Nope

Greco? Bingo. He was charged for the felony of “imprision.” He was guilty of not filing charges against Skrepenak – a politician - who cheated him.

The thinking behind this twisted and completely obsolete law is likely that…

 “Being stiffed” could be seen as a roundabout way of bribing a politician.

 “Being stolen from” could be a way of providing value to someone.

This most certainly was not Greco’s motivation. He was genuinely angry for being cheated. FBI Agent Joe Noone was also cited as one who made the charges happen.

FROM BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY

Misprision of felony  -   Concealment or non-disclosure of someone else's felony

Commentary:  "In fact, whatever the law may be, it is not the general custom to prosecute for misprision of a felony, even where a person knows of a felony and is questioned by the police and refuses to make a statement. Indeed, Stephen, writing in the 19th century, regarded the offense as practically obsolete. American courts have refused to recognize it as subsisting. But there have been four successful prosecutions in England during the last quarter century."

This ridiculous charge was used against Greco to turn people against him. More dirty tricks

In addition the following occurred:

Thom Greco is also the plaintiff in two other corporations. $2.9 million were invested.

-         -    G Net Communications

-         -    Phoenix Estates

These companies addressed the provision of broadband development and geothermal cooling and heating. 

Governor Rendell and local Rep Eddie Day Pashinski both supported these efforts. Leighton indicated he may provide economic and tax benefits as part of the KOZ zone (Keystone Opportunity Zone).

Cutting to the Chase… Leighton, Dessoye, and Butch Frati (Director of City Opersations) turned on Greco and turned others on him as well (including Pashinski). The obsolete charge of misprision was dusted off and imposed upon Greco (see previous days’ post to see how amazing this was).  

Basically what we have here is a gang war. A gang of city thugs against one man. In an upcoming post I will account for other dirty tricks done to other activists. It is all coming to light. This I promise you.

PART 2 of 4

I have more details from yesterday's post where I spoke on the illegal police raid on a private business (“The Mines” nightclub) that broke no laws.

PLAINTIFF: Thom Greco, The “Mines” nightclub and other companies

DEFENDANTS:

“City Defendants:”   Leighton, G Dessoye, JJ Murphy, Tony Thomas, Kathy Kane, Bill Barrett, Rick Cronauer, Mike Merritt, Butch Frati

“College Defendants:” From King’s College: Father Thomas O’Hara, Robert McGonicle, Paul Lindenmuth, Johm McAndrew

“County Defendants:”  Sheriff Michael Savokinas and Luzerne County

The “wrong crowd:”   Look at the list below. Is it just me… or do you too find it interesting that 12-18 people from the same school and/or heritage would find it difficult to accept patrons of a bar who "aren't like them?" Is the "wrong crowd" the 35% or so that were black or hispanic?

I won't mince words. There is a word for it.
It is called RACISM!
Free Enterprise? The "Mines" nightclub is also called competition. It is competition for other bar owners who kicked money to Leighton's coffers. Leighton did not like this... so he and Dessoye assaulted the "Mines" with 30 police, dogs, a SWAT team, and sheriff deputies.

King’s Connection - Irish Catholic

Mayor Tom Leighton (graduate)

WBPD Chief Gerard Dessoye (graduate)

Luzerne County Head Detective Mike Dessoye (graduate)

FBI Agent Joe Noone (graduate)

Luzerne County Detective James Noone (graduate)

U.S. Attorney Peter Smith (graduate)

Former City Manager JJ Murphy (graduate)

Current WB Affairs Manager Drew Mclaughlin (graduate)

Father Thomas O'Hara of King's (employed/retired)

Robert McGonicle – Assoc VP of Student Affairs (employed)

Paul Lindenmuth - Chair of Dept of Criminal Justice and Sociology (employed)

John McCandrew - King's College Spokesman

… and this doesn’t include (Irish Catholic council members Kane, Barrett, and Merritt)

I don’t have first-hand knowledge that County detectives Mike Dessoye or James Noone were involved… but it stretches the imagination that the head Detective of Luzerne County, Mike Dessoye, would stand by and watch his brother Gerard Dessoye to commandeer an army of cops, SWAT team, sheriff deputies, and dogs without his blessing of the county detective office and/or the DA office.

Peter J Smith of the the US Attorney office received a letter from Greco. Greco described a "City of Wilkes-Barre shakedown" in which high-ranking city officials threatened to shut down a party at the nightclub unless he hired two off-duty firefighters as safety officers. A day after Greco's letter surfaced in late February, the U.S. Attorney's office debunked his shakedown allegations saying the information provided, "does not provide a basis to open a federal investigation."

THINK OF THE SCAMS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED

IF ONLY FEDERAL OFFICIALS LISTENED!

In the Scranton office of the FBI, Joe Noone’s involvement is concerning. I have never met Agent Noone - but I would be less than genuine if I didn't wonder if he could, or even if he's being asked to, go from being decidedly pro leighton/Dessoye and now turn and see them as the perpetrators that I know they they are. Here is a piece from the lawsuit memorandum....

“Mayor Leighton and Chief Dessoye induced FBI Agent Noone to manipulate Mr. Greco into becoming vulnerable to the charge of misprision. Mayor Leighton and Chief Dessoye were friends of Agent Noone and like him, were alumni of King’s College. They acted in retaliation to Mr. Greco for threatening a civil rights lawsuit against the City based on the police harassment of “The Mines.” As a result of Agent Noone’s efforts, Mr. Greco pled guilty to misprision on about November 10, 2010. He was sentenced to two years probation and fifty hours of community service and was fined $10,000.

More tomorrow…  Homework assignment = Look up "misprision" in Black's Law Dictionary and see if you don't find it more than strange that ANYONE could be charged with a crime that is now considered obsolete in the U.S.  So obsolete that LCB officials had never heard of it!!!!

Somethin' aint right.

sources:  Memorandun from Lawsuit
Citizen's Voice   April 5, 2011   Mike Sisak



PART 1 of 4

Yes... this actually happened. Here in Wilkes-Barre. What is almost comical (if it weren't so serious) is how Police Chief Dessoye (and others) selectively enforce the law.

Drug house with his "heroin honey?"  Stay open if you wish.

The "Mines" night club with "the wrong clientele?"  Take it down as part of a military assault.

“THE WRONG CROWD”   It is important to note that nobody is actually arrested or cited. Cops are given orders to intimidate Their job is simply to scare patrons from coming back to this lawful establishment. This is a monumental abuse of police power with few parallels.

The lengths the city went to shut down a perfectly legal business will bring back images of water canons and dogs in 1960’s Alabama.

Dessoye state that “The Mines was not a “good mix” with King’s College (across street) and that it “attracted the wrong crowd.” Approximately 35 % of customers were black or Latino. This night club had an extremely limited number of disturbances – fewer than a typical night club. This fact has been confirmed by others in the crime prevention population.

Yet the cronies who own the Hardware bar, Rodano’s etc… avoid any interference. In fact, the wife of (Dessoye/Leighton) owns the Uptown II.

-          Kings’ students were instructed by a King’s official (McGonicle) to file LCB complaints.

-          King’s President Father O’Hara said the bar had the “wrong mix” and the “wrong crowd.”

-          The Chair of Criminal Justice at King’s falsely reported there had been drug busts at the Mines and that they lost their licenses

April 23, 2009

-          6 cruisers and 15 policeman show up at “The Mines” with a K-9 dog.

-          They stationed themselves on the nightclub property and in the drive-ways to parking lot.

-          The conducted breathalyzers on people leaving.

-          The police beat up one patron

April 30, 2009

-          30 law enforcement officials

-          Included were Sheriff Savokinas, 8 sheriff deputies, and 4 vehicles

-          3 Pa LCB agents

-          A Wilkes-Barre SWAT team (I kid you not)

-          8 WB Police vehicles

-          2 K-9 dogs

… and they issued no citations. They were just there to intimidate!!

May 15-16

Police set up seat belt checkpoints in front of the Mines for 2 nights.

King’s Connection - Irish Catholic

Mayor Tom Leighton

WBPD Chief Gerard Dessoye

Luzerne County Head Detective Mike Dessoye

FBI Agent Joe Noone

Luzerne County Detective James Noone

U.S. Attorney Peter Smith

Former City Manager JJ Murphy

Current WB Affairs Manager Drew Mclaughlin
Father Thomas O'Hara of King's
Robert McGonicle
Paul Lindenmuth
John McCandrew

Source for this post: Legal memorandum (Civil Action NO. 3:11-617) heard before Federal Judge Caputo