Saturday, October 30, 2010

Couldn't have said it better

Kevin Hoover: We Need A Real District Attorney – October 30, 2010

Saturday, October 30, 2010
Paul Gallegos’ listless DA Office leadership is defined mostly by constant explaining and excuse-making, a supposed law-and-order DA with an uncanny knack for letting bad actors off on technicalities.

The other salient feature of the Gallegosphere is strenuously projecting progressive-hipsterism while running a very traditional, fairly brutal politics-as-usual machine....

Thursday, October 28, 2010

PART THREE: Thadeus Greenson's Series

'To seek justice' ... Honesty comes into question in the Humboldt County district attorney's race

Gallegos stated that he was a “professor” at Humboldt State University, only to later revise the answer to read that he was a “lecturer.”

Reached Wednesday, Gallegos said he taught at HSU for more than two years and didn't realize there was a distinction between lecturers and professors, when in fact lecturers are not on a track for tenure, are not required to have a Ph.D. and are essentially temporary instructors.

”I thought of myself as a professor, and I think my students did as well,” Gallegos said. “I didn't realize there was a job category that says, 'you are a lecturer.'”

Gallegos said when issues were raised over his use of the term “professor,” he contacted HSU, learned of the distinction and immediately corrected his response to the Tea Party questionnaire.


Kinda like his response when caught plagiarizing - it was just his super stupendous memory that enabled him to miraculously rewrite the piece almost verbatim and call it his own Op-Ed.

PART TWO: Thadeus Greenson's Series

A case of judgment; district attorneys wield tremendous discretion

conspiracy theories

Apparently watchpaul is part of "the conservative movement to eviscerate Humboldt County’s progressive movement.... filled with negative smear tactic character assassinations of Mr. Gallegos..."

Natalynne DeLapp: Hagen Helping Crush Progressivism

No. I think Hagen was simply telling the truth about Gallegos.

As have I. Only I have tried to save the articles and documents - some that truly shocked me, and some that are the reason I have stuck with this - that clearly show exactly what Hagen also sees. Paul Gallegos is not what he pretends to be.

I knew that someday, people would want to know. And rather than let it all slip beneath the waves, rather than let the spin-doctors distort the record, I took advantage of Blogger's free platform, and I stored it all here, Natalynne.

Maybe that day has finally come.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Gallegos is deep in debt

Humboldt County DA candidates continue to haul in big money
With less than a week until Election Day, the two candidates to become Humboldt County's next district attorney have combined to spend more than $300,000 on their campaigns....

In year-to-date numbers, Gallegos has also out-raised and out-spent Jackson.

According to the filings, Gallegos has raised $160,783 to Jackson's $130,633 this year, and spent $167,261 to Jackson's $136,718.

Gallegos also leads Jackson in debt accrued, having received $46,000 in loans this year and accrued $14,809 in expenses, for a total outstanding debt of $60,809....

He reported receiving nine contributions of $1,000 or more: $1,500 from Redway's Trim Scene Solutions Inc., $1,500 from Whitethorn's Sage Koenig, and $1,000 each from Eureka's Christoph Fisher, Garberville's Kristin Nevedal, Owens Hunting Lease in Garberville, Whitethorn's Trent Sanders, Miranda's Matthew Scott, Sacramento's The Volo Group and Costa Mesa's Winter, LLP.

For the year, Gallegos' largest contributors have been attorney Jennifer Keller, who contributed $3,5000, dentist Karissa Elloway, who contributed $2,960, and Murphy's' Market owner Patrick Murphy, who has donated $2,000....

Gallegos reported spending a total of $14,960 in the filing period, with his largest expenditures going for campaign workers' salaries and print and radio advertisements. He reported finishing the filing period with an ending cash balance of $16,519.

Jackson reported spending a total of $26,732 this filing period, with her largest expenditures going for print, radio and television advertisements and campaign literature and mailers. She reported ending the filing period with $7,495 in cash on hand.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Awooga Awoooga

.
.


From: Richard Salzman
Date: October 26, 2010 1:22:38 PM PDT
To: editor@times-standard.com, Independent , indie@wavecable.com, editor@redwoodtimes.com, thejack@humboldt.edu, Arcata Eye , McK Press Press
Cc: Dave Rosso , Natalynne DeLapp
Subject: Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Natalynne DeLapp 442.9600
info@votepaul.org
Richard Salzman 822.5500
richard@votepaul.org

Town Hall Meeting with DA to be Rescheduled

A Town Hall meeting originally scheduled for Wednesday evening at the Eureka Women's Club, with District Attorney Paul Gallegos has been canceled due to a scheduling conflict. The sponsoring organization, Citizens for District Attorney Paul Gallegos 2010 apologizes for any inconvenience and encourages you to visit their website for updated information at VotePaul.org.

####

From Salzman to DeLapp.

Urgent call for sheetrockers

to repair the walls in R.Trent Salzman's house.

Honest words: ...Based on my direct personal experiences, my knowledge of Paul Gallegos’ utter lack of what I consider true ethics, courage and honesty, as well as his now-proven political campaign-trash tactics, I believe these things fundamentally disqualify his being a progressive. Or a district attorney...

Three private law firms initiated the Skilled Healthcare case and again did most of the work, but in his ads Gallegos takes full credit. His ads are neither true nor ethical...

While being dishonest is more than bad enough, vilification, smearing, and divisive politics are worse. This is Gallegos’ fourth campaign and in each of the others he has done these things and won...

"If you really want the truth about Gallegos’ professional ethics, inquire of him why the other affected DA’s and the Attorney General all refused to join in his Skilled Healthcare settlement due to their ‘ethical concerns’ over his use of secret settlement monies and more. Ask Gallegos himself to explain directly, honestly and openly the formal rebuke he has received from the California District Attorneys Association for his unprofessional use of DA authority in settling that case. Go ahead, ask him to explain honestly and directly. He won’t. That would require real courage and the capacity to tell the truth regardless. He has neither..."


So, why DID the other affected DA’s and the Attorney General all refused to join in his Skilled Healthcare settlement due to their ‘ethical concerns’ over his use of secret settlement monies and more?

◼ Arcata Eye - Paul Hagen: Gallegos Is No Alternative – October 26, 2010

Allison Jackson's Word

Work with me to rebuild our District Attorney's Office

In 2003, the year Paul Gallegos began his first term as district attorney, the Department of Justice reported 394 violent crimes in Humboldt County. If that seems like a lot, fast-forward to 2009 when that number had risen to 541 -- an increase of 37 percent. During that same period, the overall rate for violent crime in the state declined by almost 20 percent.

But I want to talk about something more than numbers. I want to tell you what this looks like on the ground.

Here's an example. In July, a man named Michael Coen was arrested for attempted murder. This was not his first brush with the law. He'd been sent to prison for eight years for an assault that left a man in a coma. This was before Gallegos was elected.

Coen was paroled in 2007, but in March 2008 was picked up for participating in a gang. No charges were filed, and instead the new offense was treated as a parole violation.

In July 2008, he was arrested for his involvement in another beating that resulted in serious injury. Again, no new charges were filed by Gallegos, and again the offense was treated as a simple parole violation. Coen was out in five months.

December 2008 found Coen arrested yet again -- this time for driving under the influence and running from the police. Gallegos charged the DUI, but then pled it down to a less serious offense. Once again, it was treated as a parole violation.

Back out on the streets in May 2009, Coen was immediately re-arrested for participating in a gang. Again, no charges. Another parole violation; another brief stint in jail.

Coen was released again in August 2009. The following month, he assaulted two men, breaking the jaw of one man who happened to be a serviceman home on leave from Iraq.

Even though Coen was already on parole for felony assault, and even though he had five prior parole violations, Gallegos plea bargained this new case and agreed to Coen's release in November 2009.

Three months later, Coen was arrested again. The charges this time -- robbery, car-jacking, illegally possessing a weapon, and participating in a gang. The case was referred to the DA, but for some unexplained reason, it was never charged. At all. Even though the investigating officer reported Coen admitted his involvement. He remained out on the street until he was picked up a few months ago for allegedly attempting to kill a man.

This is one example. There are many more. This year alone there have been 29 felons on parole found to be in possession of firearms. The DA charged only six of those. One parolee was picked up three times for being in possession of a firearm before he was charged. That was when he was found with a loaded Glock in his waistband after being stopped by the California Highway Patrol.

This is where we are. This is what eight years of Gallegos has gotten us.

If elected as your next district attorney, I will close the revolving door of plea deals that returns violent criminals to our streets to offend again and again.

I will evaluate cases personally to make sure they are properly charged. I will prioritize cases and see that deputy prosecutors have the resources and leadership they need to succeed.

I will repair the damage done to the Victim Witness Program, and re-establish special victims programs, such as those that previously supported victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child and elder abuse.

I will re-establish a true environmental crimes unit that addresses real issues and doesn't waste our time -- or your money -- on vanity cases and political grandstanding.

I will be accessible. People trying to contact the DA's Office will no longer get a telephone tree, a full voice-mailbox and no return call. That has gone on too long and is flatly unacceptable.

On the strength of my experience and reputation, I have earned the endorsement of law enforcement throughout Humboldt County: Sheriff's deputies, Arcata Police, Eureka Police, Fortuna Police and our correctional officers. I have the support of the current sheriffs of Humboldt, Mendocino, and Del Norte counties. They know I'll do the job to keep our community safe, and they know that when they arrest people and we can prove that they're guilty, I won't let them go.

Work with me to rebuild our District Attorney's Office. Vote Allison Jackson for district attorney. A New Day, A New DA. Thank you.

Allison Jackson, a former prosecutor, is a partner in the Harland Law Firm. For information about her campaign, visit AJforDA.com.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Two "My Word's" side by side


Work with me to rebuild our District Attorney's Office Allison Jackson

Our goal: Improving public safety and making Humboldt County a healthy place to live, raise our families and do business Paul Gallegos - the edited version.

Paul Gallegos: Dedication To Public Service – October 25, 2010 Paul Gallegos - the unedited version.

yougofree.com's apocalyptic screed

Jeff Schwartz: Paul Gallegos Is The Only Logical Alternative For Hagen Supporters
...nuclear rods float in a vat of liquid as they wait to be buried where they stand at the intersection of three tectonic plates. ...

...Whether he (Gallegod) gets a conviction or not, the abusers know he’ll go after them, and they will pause. ...


Wait. I thought going after them was BAD, Mr.com. See that's the problem Gallegos has, in order to run he has to pretend to be something he is not. Tough on crime... calling himself a professor at HSU... taking credit for all of the programs that were created by his predecessor...

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Happy Trails and KHUM candidate interviews

.

http://khum.streamguys.us/HT-10-19-10.mp3 LISTEN TO Cliff Berkowitz and Jen Rice

excerpts:
"...intrigued to be listening to your interview with Allison Jackson - of course, especially the part that we've spent a lot of time talking about on this show talking about, which was the Greg Jennings case, and how she felt about that which was consistent with what other attorney's that I and we have, a bigger group of interested cyclists have, spent a lot of time talking to...

Interesting to me, from the other attorney's I talked to - they also felt it was the judge's job to determine whether this was a scenario of gross negligence...

Very strange that you would go to a hearing without talking to witnesses and the CHP Officer - when we were there and it was a surprise to Paul when he walked in the way the CHP officer was approaching it and that was like, what 8 months later or 9 months later, maybe almost a year later...

We were having those meetings and the first thing we would get from him, is you would walk in the room and say "Just so you know, it is not against the law to hit and kill a bicyclist." It really clarified for us how he was approaching the case...

...Back in 2005 a gentleman was hit from behind, and, on Myrtle Avenue, and we met with Paul and it was the same, I have the notes in the same note pad I have from meeting with attorneys in the Jennings case...

...and it was the same approach that Paul Gallegos had back in 2005, and we were all really frustrated with that....

I don't want to see the legal system (FAIL) screw us or not look for those opportunities to treat us justly and prosecute within the fullest extent of the law...

....
THE INTERVIEW WITH ALLISON JACKSON
Equal Time-A-Palooza on KHUM



...
THE INTERVIEW WITH GALLEGOS




accomplishment you're most proud of: ...most proud of our work on Skilled Healthcare... can't believe we've done so much work... there's so-o-o much work... one thing I've never been big on, its self promotion... (defends his handling of the Jennings case)

http://khum.com/equaltime-a-palooza other candidate interviews

Prior Gallegos interview:
http://www.votelocalcontrol.org/gallegos.htm on Measure T
http://khum.streamguys.us/John_Matthews_KSLG-Paul_Gallegos091510.mp3 30 minute podcast
You gotta listen to the whole thing.

After all his waxing poetic about having to keep his distance

from law enforcement because - gasp - he might have to prosecute them - he sure has none of the same scruples when it comes to the growers.

Just another example of his words meaning nothing. And we all know the pretend scruples were just spin to cover for the fact that he can't get the endorsement of the people who have to work with him.

Spin. Like losing grants is "weaning himself."

Guess we are going to find out the answer to the question - If a tree falls in the forest, does anyone hear?

◼ PART ONE: Cold feelings and hard numbers: Humboldt County District Attorney race looks at statistics

Editor's note: This is the first of three stories taking a closer look at the race to become Humboldt County's top law enforcement official. Part two, which will run Tuesday, will focus on the subject of plea bargains and case dispositions and the third part, which will run Thursday, will focus on the subjects of honesty and support.

This should be interesting.

◼ PART TWO: A case of judgment; district attorneys wield tremendous discretion

◼ PART THREE 'To seek justice' ... Honesty comes into question in the Humboldt County district attorney's race

Other coverage:

◼ JN - Gettin’ Ugly
◼ TS - Humboldt County DA candidates continue to haul in big money

◼ Arcata Eye - Paul Hagen: Gallegos Is No Alternative – October 26, 2010 A response to:
Jeff Schwartz: Paul Gallegos Is The Only Logical Alternative For Hagen Supporters

Candidate My Word's:
Work with me to rebuild our District Attorney's Office Allison Jackson
Our goal: Improving public safety and making Humboldt County a healthy place to live, raise our families and do business Paul Gallegos - the edited version.
Paul Gallegos: Dedication To Public Service – October 25, 2010 Paul Gallegos - the unedited version.

Unpublishable Letters, A Work In Progress – October 20, 2010

AMENDED STATEMENT - with no notation as to the change Updated
Anatomy of a deception:
OOOPS, Not exactly - COMPARE THE DOCUMENTS
BAD CHECK PROGRAM PREDATES COUNTY'S QUESTYS SYSTEM
Say anything.

PAUL GALLEGOS' BALLOT STATEMENT READS:
July 30, 1995 HUMBOLDT DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S BAD CHECK PROGRAM
THE TROUBLE WITH LIES
Political maneuvering. Read paragraph 4

And some radio podcasts:
http://khum.streamguys.us/HT-10-19-10.mp3 LISTEN TO Cliff Berkowitz and Jen Rice


















http://khum.streamguys.us/John_Matthews_KSLG-Paul_Gallegos091510.mp3 30 minute podcast
You gotta listen to the whole thing.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Read it and weep

Unpublishable Letters, A Work In Progress (Third Update) – October 20, 2010
Note: Apparently candidate Allison Jackson erroneously named someone as a supporter who isn’t, sending the area’s leading online idealists into a frenzy of name-calling and character attacks. The following is from a gentle soul not familiar with the insult culture which dominates local political blogs, who said she wanted to set the record straight. – Ed.

You’re blaming the wrong person

I am writing in response to a letter that I read from Fran Shulman. Allison Jackson is not a liar, nor is she manipulative, devious, or conniving. She has had my deepest respect for 16 years. I was the one, way back in May of this year, who called Fran Shulman regarding an endorsement for Allison. I’ve known Fran for 15 years. I was the person who asked her if she would lend her name to officially endorse Allison Jackson. I used the same words that I did with everyone I called, and that was to say that to officially endorse means that you give your permission to use your name in an ad. Fran did at that time officially endorse Allison. I gave that information to her committee and her name has been on Allison’s website and facebook since May, 2010.

On Oct. 5, 2010, at my request, Fran came to a meeting at my house where folks who I had gathered endorsements from were given the opportunity to go on camera for a television spot regarding why they supported Allison. Fran clearly stated that she did not want to be on camera for a commercial so she talked with the other people present. The miscommunication was mine. I did not understand that Fran was withdrawing her endorsement. I believed only that she didn’t want to be on camera. I am sorry that the ad endorsement got muddled with the camera shoot. There was absolutely no intent to do anything but to invite a deeply respected community member (Fran) who had told me previously that she officially endorsed Allison Jackson to express on tape the reasons why.

Respectfully Submitted;

T. Diane Green, LCSW, ACSW
Arcata

Thursday, October 21, 2010

278 hours, 25 minutes

Unpublishable Letters, A Work In Progress – October 20, 2010

From the Arcata Eye:
Note: The following letters were submitted sequentially to different newspapers. The third one came in Wednesday, Oct. 20. To understand it, we’ve added the first two, starting with a Sept. 21 letter to the HSU Lumberjack (which included the writer’s home phone number), then a Sept. 30 response sent to both the Lumberjack and the Eye. – Ed.
***
***

Gallegos bungled a rape prosecution


During the last school year, a student at Humboldt State University was raped. The Arcata Police Department investigated the crime and apprehended the rapist, who had left the state of California. The case was handed over to Paul Gallegos, district attorney. For whatever reason, he decided not to prosecute. Detective Martinez from the Arcata Police Department had done an outstanding job in handling the crime. In essence, he did his homework.

Paul Gallegos is again running for office of District Attorney. Personally, I would not vote for him for dog catcher. I strongly encourage you to vote for Allison Jackson, who has a background in crimes of this nature and is more than qualified to enforce the law. Students and the residents in Humboldt County deserve stronger support, representation, and justice in this particular area of the law.

Frank J. Cheek, Educator
Arcata

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***

Cheeky inaccuracy


I recently read a letter sent in by Mr. Cheek to the Lumberjack to which I must respond.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Cheek, who describes himself as an educator would write such an ill-informed and ignorant post. While Mr. Cheek may support Ms. Jackson, this does not give him or anyone else the right to be so fast and loose with the truth. Mr. Cheek knows nothing about the case of which he writes. Up until today, I would have said that I doubt Ms. Jackson would approve of such an attack so devoid of facts; I was apparently wrong.

I can tell you that I was the handling attorney on the case about which Mr. Cheek writes. Out of respect for the young woman and her privacy I will not write of any of the details. Detective Martinez and I both worked very hard on this case; in the end the young woman, on no uncertain terms, made it clear that she would not cooperate or participate in the prosecution. This was after the case was charged; the suspect in question was extradited and housed in the jail for several weeks. Without her testimony, the People could not proceed and therefore the charges were dismissed.

Mr. Cheek, you sir were not a witness to the events of this alleged crime; nor were you privy to the communications between the young woman and Detective Martinez; nor were you a party to the communications between myself and this young woman. Before you made comment perhaps you should have educated yourself.

To do anything less is an insult to Detective Martinez, APD and the District Attorney’s Office.

Kelly Neel, Deputy District Attorney
Eureka

***
***

Another parent not for Gallegos


I read a response today sent by Kelly Neel, Deputy District Attorney, regarding a letter sent by Coach Cheek regarding my daughter who was a victim of a serious crime. Please let me introduce myself. My name is Angela Hampton and I am the victims’ mother. This year will mark 30 years for me with the State of California. I have worked directed with District Attorneys’, Administrative Law Judges, Provided Expert Testimony for the State of California, Law Enforcement Agencies, Legislators and Policymakers. I feel pretty qualified on how the “system” operates and I’m not going away anytime too soon.

Ms. Neel may criticize Coach Cheek for being uneducated but I’m not. I commend Coach Cheek’s actions. I know little about him but I do know one thing, he has a strong military, “no nonsense background.” He is pretty “straight up” – something the Humboldt DA Office does not possess!

It is apparent that cases are repeatedly dismissed, charges reduced and where the Humboldt DA Office has gone soft on the serious offenders. It definitely looks like a pattern of behavior that sacrifices justice and lets criminals off with light sentences or no sentences at all. Mr. Gallegos and Kelly Neel couldn’t be further from the truth regarding my daughter’s case. The communication was the poorest that I have encountered in my 30 years of civil service work especially concerning victims of serious crimes.

Deceit to the public should not be tolerated. My daughter and I deserve an answer and deserve the truth. We are still waiting for the truth. On the contrary, my daughter was fully cooperative and still remains fully cooperative regarding the case and she awaits the decision from the Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General’s Office didn’t accept the case for review for nothing. They were “interested” because something looks wrong.

On July 28, 2010 my daughter filed a complaint with U.S Attorney General Eric Holder and Attorney General Edmund Brown. The case is currently being investigated and pending an answer. The request for the solution from my daughter is to refile the charges against the perpetuator because there was no answer or intelligent reason why the case was dismissed. That doesn’t sound like someone that is “uncooperative.” My daughter even claims, “the perpetuator could have at least gotten community service.”
Here is what I think happened. There was a preliminary hearing in the case and the defendant was held to answer on the charges. Jeremiah Ross conducted the preliminary and the defendant was bound over on July 15th. The court set the rearraignment on the information and not the complaint for July 29th. Then for some unknown reason Ms. Neel scheduled it to be advanced for a dismissal on July 22, 2010 without notifying the victim and the family. A couple of conversations took place between Kelly and I. First she blamed it on Jeremiah Ross (does he know that), then she tried to blame it on my daughter’s cooperation, then Mr. Gallegos informs my husband and I that there was a third party witness who he refuses to tell us the name.
I challenge both Kelly Neel and Paul Gallegos to the truth. Let me know the day, time and place.
Please call me for additional information or the letter to the Attorney General’s Office. Thank you.

Angela Hampton
Sacramento

***
***

Note: The following letter was forwarded by the alleged rape victim’s mother. She says it was sent to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and California Attorney General Edmund Brown. – Ed.

***
***


‘Weak leadership and poor managerial practices’


July 28, 2010

Attorney General Eric Holder

U.S Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

RE: Dismissal of Charges and Release of [accused rapist's name redacted] on July 22, 2010

District Attorney of Humboldt County – Paul Gallegos

Case No. CR1003266

Dear Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr:

The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, Paul Gallegos, failed to protect me by releasing [name of accused redacted] on July 22, 2010 by dismissing all charges with absolutely no contact to me as the victim. Attached is a press release that was issued from the Arcata Police Department with serious charges stemming from rape to false imprisonment in which I suffered physical and mental trauma.

Among the most disturbing findings and decisions made on this case are:

Based on the strong evidence, [name of accused redacted] was extradited all the way from the State of Kentucky to Humboldt County, confined on June 29th, only to be release with a dismissal of all charges, on July 22, 2010, by the District Attorney of Humboldt County, Kelly Neel.

Detective Robert Martinez of the Arcata Police Department repeatedly informed both me and my mother, that he has a strong case with both physical and internal injuries including tearing that I suffered during the course of the crime along with two written affidavits generated by Arcata Detective Robert Martinez that were very damaging to the perpetrator. Detective Martinez was appalled and disappointed by the dismissal of charges of [name of accused redacted].

Prosecuting Deputy District Attorney, Kelly Neel, was very excited to try this case and felt fully confident to pursue it through an exchange of emails with my mother. I wear a hearing aide and have difficulty with hearing loss so I am unable to talk on the phone but provided my email to DA Kelly Neel, who swapped my case right under the carpet and took full advantage of my disability. There were no doubts in Ms. Neel’s information that this serious offender was going to walk free only to prowl on his next victim.

It was my mother who stumbled over the dismissal of charges; otherwise, I had no way of knowing that this offender was released.

DA Kelly Neel told my mother it was evidentiary. Detective Martinez tells me there was plenty of evidence including medical evaluation reports and my swollen face when slammed against the bathroom basin by my perpetuator. What has gone wrong here? Was anyone going to tell me that my offender was freed? Surely, my perpetrator should have at least had an assault charge against him with probation or jail time.

As a victim, I am requesting a thorough investigation from your office in the interest of justice for victims who are swept under the carpet based on the fact that they just don’t want to do their job.

The Humboldt County Grand Jury found that “Weak leadership and poor managerial practices” have undermined the Humboldt District Attorney Office and that current management exhibits a limited understanding of how things are done in the department. Staff members are saying that Mr. Gallegos lacks the global perspective needed to keep the department operating efficiently and that he does not fully understand the functionality of many of things they do in the office.

It is apparent through my family’s research that cases are repeatedly dismissed, charges reduced and where the Humboldt DA Office has gone soft on the serious offenders is explicit of a pattern of behavior that repeatedly sacrifices justice and lets criminals off with light or no sentences at all. Many serious cases have ended up like mine all involving explosive evidence that would put the offender behind bars or at least a probation punishment.

I am requesting the highest power to get involved in this tightly knit county that continues to dismiss serious cases that would otherwise be prosecuted at the fullest extent of the law. Criminals are walking away with slaps on the wrist by dismissing their charges and giving defendants what they want. It is my opinion that Paul Gallegos simply isn’t following the law with regard to dismissals and plea agreements.

The following information is provided to your Office of Attorney General so you may carry out your mission to investigate and restore justice for victims like myself. The officials involved are:

Detective Robert Martinez

Arcata Police Department

Special Services Unit

Email HYPERLINK “mailto:bmartinez@arcatapd.org” bmartinez@arcatapd.org

Phone: (707) 825-2512

822-2428

Police Report #10-1306

Paul Gallegos, District Attorney

Humboldt District Attorney Office

825 5th Street, 4th Floor

Eureka, CA 95501

(707) 445-7411

Kelly Neel, Deputy District Attorney

Humboldt District Attorney Office

825 5th Street, 4th Floor

Eureka, CA 95501

(707) 441-3051

As a student I had aspirations of higher education with two academic scholarships and one athletic scholarship at Humboldt State University. This crime has caused me great mental and physical trauma in which I am required to take a leave of absence from college for six (6) months. As a victim, I deserve better justice than what I have received.

I look forward to a favorable response in which justice may be restored by holding even the District Attorney’s Office to the highest standard of law.

Sincerely,

O/S
[Name and address of alleged victim redacted]
Elk Grove


***

The thing is - among many things here - a Deputy DA should not be put in a position where she is talking to the press - it is the DA's job to discuss cases, and then very judiciously, NOT the Deputy DA's job and it is unfair to put them in this position, and very bad judgement in this instance.

Who is running the DA's Office?

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

AMENDED STATEMENT - with no notation as to the change Updated


"I studied the United States Constitution in the law school, I taught the United States Constitution when I was a lecturer at Humboldt State University..."
changed from:
"... I taught the United States Constitution when I was a professor at Humboldt State University,..."



Candidate Questionnaire

The claims about creating/establishing programs still stand.

Has he notified the HCDCC of the falsity of his claim to be a Professor?

Update: Either it's my cached copy or it has been changed back. Good thing it's screenshotted.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Piece by Piece

Anatomy of a deception

Gallegos has written in his candidate statement that he CREATED these programs. He knows he did not. Yet he has tried to cement his claim, first by using an employee’s “My Word” in the Times-Standard to repeat his ballot statement claim. Then, this very week, he tried to tuck that same paragraph into a Board of Supervisor’s proclamation honoring the workers in the Domestic Violence Vertical Prosecution Unit. Unbeknownst to him and his handlers, the paragraph was removed prior to the proclamation being passed BECAUSE EVERYONE IN THE ROOM KNEW THAT THE CLAIM WAS FALSE, including Bonnie Neely, who put forth the proclamation. Perhaps she did not know it was in there, but once it was called to her attention, she removed it. Not knowing this, the Gallegos camp executed the next phase of this deception, issuing a Press Release stating that HE had been recognized by the Board of Supervisors for creating this program. FALSE.

PAUL GALLEGOS’ BALLOT STATEMENT READS:
“…I established the Criminal Investigations Bureau, the Consumer and Environment Protection Unit, the Child Abuse and Adult Sex Crimes Unit, the Worker’s Compensation Fraud Unit, the Domestic Violence Unit and Bad Check Program….” and in his responses to candidate questionnaires he claims: “… I taught the United States Constitution when I was a professor at Humboldt State University,…”

Here is the paragraph from his employee Joyce Moser’s My Word:

“…The District Attorney Domestic Violence Vertical Prosecution Team was created under the leadership of District Attorney Paul Gallegos to reduce the amount of trauma that victims/survivors experience when navigating through the criminal justice system…”

And here is the paragraph he tried to have slipped through in the Board proclamation:
“WHEREAS., the Humboldt County District Attorney Domestic Violence Vertical Prosecution Team was created under the leadership of District Attorney Paul Gallegos to reduce the amount of trauma victims/survivors experience when navigating through the Criminal Justice System; and WHEREAS…”

AND, LAST POINT – HERE’S HIS PRESS RELEASE:

Gallegos praised for leadership on domestic violence

District Attorney Paul Gallegos was officially commended today for his leadership in the fight against the epidemic of domestic violence. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution expressing their appreciation, noting that the District Attorney Domestic Violence Vertical Prosecution Team was created under Gallegos’ leadership.

***
ONLY HE WASN'T COMMENDED. BECAUSE HE DIDN'T CREATE THE UNIT.
Almost flawlessly executed. Orwell would be proud. And people are already lining up to excuse him.

Don't think about it. But I thought he was supposed to run on HIS record. I thought he was all about not going back to the past. But he's not. He's all about taking credit for someone else's work.

If he was applying for a job with you - and you knew that he did this on his resume, would YOU hire him?

Friday, October 15, 2010

OOOPS, Not exactly - COMPARE THE DOCUMENTS


Looks like the press release was already written BEFORE the proclamation was approved. Gallegos tried to use the Board of Supervisors process to sneak in a paragraph giving himself credit for creating a program that we all know he did not create. Then, thinking it was approved AS WAS, they trumpet this as PROOF that he created the program, NOT KNOWING THAT THAT PARAGRAPH WAS DELETED PRIOR TO APPROVAL BECAUSE IT WAS NOT FACTUAL AND EVERYONE KNEW IT.

This is yet another well-orchestrated LIE.

And Bonnie Neely agreed to participate in this knowing that she was throwing her own husband under the bus, knowing that the credit for this program belongs to her husband, knowing that this was false.

This is despicable and disgusting.

***

From: Natalynne DeLapp
Date: October 14, 2010 4:32:29 PM PDT
Subject: Gallegos Press Release on Domestic Violence

***********FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**********

PRESS RELEASE Contact: Natalynne DeLapp
October 14, 2010 Natalynne@votepaul.org 707-442-9600 or 760-845-6228

Gallegos praised for leadership on domestic violence

District Attorney Paul Gallegos was officially commended today for his leadership in the fight against the epidemic of domestic violence. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution expressing their appreciation, noting that the District Attorney Domestic Violence Vertical Prosecution Team was created under Gallegos' leadership.

The team, which has a deputy district attorney, an investigator and two victim advocates, has the twin task of helping victims navigate through the criminal justice system while also holding offenders accountable.

The supervisors' resolution noted a woman is victimized by an intimate partner every 28 seconds. Men, too, often are victims, at an average of about one every four minutes.

The district attorney's team, according to the resolution, acknowledges that the real heroes are the victims, since it is up to them to testify during lengthy and often-intimidating court proceedings.

The supervisors issued their thanks to Gallegos and his team for "their dedicated service to the domestic violence victims of Humboldt County."

To read the proclamation in its entirety go to http://co.humboldt.ca.us/board/agenda/questys/mg209197/as209233/ai209596/do209597/2.tif

###
--
Campaign Manager
Citizens for District Attorney Paul Gallegos 2010
Cell: 760-845-6228
321 Third Street
Old Town Eureka, CA 95501
707-442-9600


***
HERE'S THE DOCUMENT THAT WAS APPROVED...


NOTICE THAT THE PARAGRAPH HE TRIED TO SNEAK IN WAS REMOVED.

THIS ATTEMPT TO USE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS FAILED.

If he or his handlers had been at the meeting perhaps he would have known this.

***
HERE IS THE DOCUMENT HE TRIED TO GET THROUGH AND THEN CLAIM AS PROOF:



See Also:
Political maneuvering. Read paragraph 4
Joyce Moser's My Word where he uses an employee to put forth that same assertion.
THE TROUBLE WITH LIES
BOARD AGENDA ITEM c-12
May 17, 2002 for Meeting of June 4, 2002
Terry Farmer District Attorney
SIGNED BY: TERRY FARMER'S WIFE, SUPERVISOR BONNIE NEELY
SUBJECT: DISTRICT ATTORNEY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VERTICAL PROSECUTION GRANT APPLICATION FOR 7.1.02 - 6.30.03
DISCUSSION!
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR ITS FIFTH YEAR OF FUNDING FOR ITS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VERTICAL PROSECUTION UNIT...


PAUL GALLEGOS' BALLOT STATEMENT READS:
"...I established the Criminal Investigations Bureau, the Consumer and Environment Protection Unit, the Child Abuse and Adult Sex Crimes Unit, the Worker's Compensation Fraud Unit, the Domestic Violence Unit and Bad Check Program...."

July 30, 1995 HUMBOLDT DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S BAD CHECK PROGRAM - the Bad Check Program predates him by many years

And that's not all.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

WHAT SHOULD THE PENALTY BE FOR PUTTING FALSE INFORMATION ON YOUR BALLOT STATEMENT?

BAD CHECK PROGRAM PREDATES COUNTY'S QUESTYS SYSTEM

Perhaps the DA's Office will tell us when it was created. Bwahahahahahahahaha

Say anything.

Gallegos claims IN HIS BALLOT STATEMENT: "...I established the Criminal Investigations Bureau, the Consumer and Environment Protection Unit, the Child Abuse and Adult Sex Crimes Unit, the Worker's Compensation Fraud Unit, the Domestic Violence Unit and Bad Check Program...." and he claims: "... I taught the United States Constitution when I was a professor at Humboldt State University,..."

You don't want to go back to the way things were, you say, but you want to take claim - and be given credit - for things that were created by the previous DA, or even before.

Forcing your employees to sign My Word's that tout your "creation" of a program that you did not create, trying to get commendations from the Board of Supervisors for a program you did not create is so incredibly dishonest that words fail me.

Have you no shame at all?

Plagiarism wasn't enough. Twisting the crime stats, claiming years before you were in office wasn't enough. Filing lawsuits against political opponents and at the behest of your campaign backers wasn't enough. You have been given a pass at every turn, so now you think you can say anything.

Just got a robocall from John Ford telling me about Gallegos' budget cuts.

Oh, really?

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Now he's Professor Gallegos


"... I taught the United States Constitution when I was a professor at Humboldt State University,..."

Question #15 of the Questionnaire
via
The Reporta - Humboldt Tea Party Polls Local Candidates
Question #15 of the Questionnaire - full questionnaire SAVED

If you've ever been invited to speak to a class at HSU, polish up your resumes, kids. You too can be a PROFESSOR.

Why did the Board Meeting start ten minutes late yesterday?

And why did Bonnie Neely not read that proclamation?

Answer: Because that 4th paragraph was false. And it was pulled out, and a new proclamation was approved.

Who put it in there in the first place?

PAUL GALLEGOS' BALLOT STATEMENT READS:

"...I established the Criminal Investigations Bureau, the Consumer and Environment Protection Unit, the Child Abuse and Adult Sex Crimes Unit, the Worker's Compensation Fraud Unit, the Domestic Violence Unit and Bad Check Program...."

RELATED:
Remember: Paul Gallegos took office in January of 2003.
July 30, 1995 HUMBOLDT DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S BAD CHECK PROGRAM
The previous DA responds affirmatively to a Grand Jury Report on the status of the Bad Check Program.
THE TROUBLE WITH LIES
May 17, 2002 for Meeting of June 4, 2002 agenda item states that at that time "THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR ITS FIFTH YEAR OF FUNDING FOR ITS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VERTICAL PROSECUTION UNIT..."
Political maneuvering. Read paragraph 4
Resolution of Commendation for the District Attorney Domestic Violence Vertical Prosecution Team.
Joyce Moser's My Word

July 30, 1995 HUMBOLDT DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S BAD CHECK PROGRAM

Paul Gallegos claims to have CREATED this Program IN HIS BALLOT STATEMENT.

THIS CLAIM IS FALSE. EVERYONE KNOWS IT. MANY MERCHANTS STILL HAVE THE POSTING ON THE WALL WITH TERRY FARMER'S NAME ON IT.
http://co.humboldt.ca.us/iissearch.asp?departments=&site=&strSearch=bad+check+program&x=0&y=0

DATE: July 30, 1995
To Chris Arnold, County Administrative Officer
From Betty Bates, Administrative Assistant (signed)

Responses to Grand Jury Report.

The Grand Jury Report will have some notation as to how long the program was in operation. Or maybe some of you know.. weigh in. Developing.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

THE TROUBLE WITH LIES

Is that they catch up to you -
BOARD AGENDA ITEM c-12
May 17, 2002 for Meeting of June 4, 2002
Terry Farmer District Attorney
SIGNED BY: TERRY FARMER'S WIFE, SUPERVISOR BONNIE NEELY
SUBJECT: DISTRICT ATTORNEY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VERTICAL PROSECUTION GRANT APPLICATION FOR 7.1.02 - 6.30.03
DISCUSSION!
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR ITS FIFTH YEAR OF FUNDING FOR ITS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VERTICAL PROSECUTION UNIT...

http://co.humboldt.ca.us/board/agenda/questys/mg123052/as123055/as123069/ai123147/do123148/bosagendaitem.pdf

C'mon Osborn, here's one for your whopper file...

Political maneuvering. Read paragraph 4








Related:
Way back when - I filed PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUESTS regarding CAST and the DV grants. Not just with the DA, but with the funding agencies.

In fact the DV Unit was established in the mid 90's
Elizabeth Norton, Eamon Fitzgerald, Wes Keat, Gloria Albin Sheets were each assigned.
Gallegos fired Gloria Albin Sheets, claiming he had lost a grant.
He then put Nandor Vadas name where hers was on the grant apps...

He went on KINS Talk Shop and talked about weaning the office from Grant Funding - complaining that he'd like to see more funding from the County General Fund to reflect the community's commitment to the office, but that doesn't happen, which he blames on the Board of Supervisors... says when he came in the office was 60% grant funded, and that he has set about to "systematically wean" the office from grant funding...

He said specifically that that the Domestic Violence/Victim Witness Grant was held onto longer than it should have been, "should've weaned ourselves long ago".

Some of the Grant numbers:
VV 04060120
VV 033Q0120.

Humboldt County's Spousal Abuser Protection Program Grants SAPP
2002 through 2006
05SA12D005
05SA10D005
04SA11D005
03SA20D005
02SA09D005

***

ALSO RELATED:

Joyce Moser's My Word

"...The District Attorney Domestic Violence Vertical Prosecution Team was created under the leadership of District Attorney Paul Gallegos to reduce the amount of trauma that victims/survivors experience when navigating through the criminal justice system..."

See also - Paul Gallegos' Ballot Statement.
"...I established the Criminal Investigations Bureau, the Consumer and Environment Protection Unit, the Child Abuse and Adult Sex Crimes Unit, the Worker's Compensation Fraud Unit, the Domestic Violence Unit and Bad Check Program...."

Saturday, October 09, 2010

Interesting

DA candidates combine to spend $260,000: A look at filing statements in the race to become the county's top law enforcement official

460s are in.

Jackson received monetary contributions of $31,147 this period, bringing her year-to-date total to $85,072. Gallegos, on the other hand, only brought in $21,470 in cash contributions this period, but still edges Jackson in the year-to-date total, having pulled in $97,255.

In total, however, Gallegos' campaign is running in the red. The statements indicate the district attorney has received $36,000 in loans and has accrued $15,677 in unpaid bills since the beginning of the year, for a total outstanding debt of more than $50,000. He reported ending September with about $8,300 in cash on hand.

In contrast, Jackson has received $10,500 in loans this year and accrued $1,758 in unpaid bills, for a total outstanding debt of $12,258. She reported ending September with $15,842 in cash on hand.

All added up for the year, Gallegos reported that he has spent $152,122 and Jackson reported spending $109,986, for a total of $262,108.

Jackson's largest cash contributors for the current filing period were the Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff's PAC, which contributed $4,000; Harry Hardin, owner of Eel River Disposal, who contributed $1,500; Jackie McBeth, of Eureka, who contributed $1,500; the HBE PAC, which contributed $1,000. For the year, Jackson's largest contributors are the Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff's PAC, which has contributed $10,500; Hardin, who has donated $5,825; Kenneth Quigley, of McKinleyville, who has donated $4,015; Nancy Cavanaugh of Eureka, who has donated $1,735; and her campaign treasurer Patrick Whitchurch, who has donated $1,540.

Gallegos reported his largest contributors for the filing period as attorney Jennifer Keller, who donated $3,500; dentist Karissa Elloway, who donated $1,370; Eureka's GSH One Enterprises LLC, who donated $1,200; and Patrick Murphy, owner of Murphy's Markets, who donated $1,000. For the year, Gallegos' biggest contributors have been Keller, who has donated $3,500; Elloway, who has donated $2,960; Murphy, who has donated $2,000; Eureka attorney Neal Sanders, who has contributed $1,500; and Conrad Gregory, who works on Gallegos' campaign and has donated $1,450.

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

A two-page ballot, and the potential for confusion

The ballot's in the mail: Humboldt County Elections Office readies for big day; registration deadline looms

"...Crnich said the November election will also be the first in which Humboldt County voters will face a two-page ballot.

”That's going to make it more complicated for us,” Crnich said, cautioning that those casting ballots by mail will also have to be aware. “We need to make sure voters know that it is very important that they return both pages of their vote-by-mail ballot in the same envelope. ... If a voter only returns one page, we won't be able to accept the other (at a later time).”

Sunday, October 03, 2010

Does anyone have a link to podcast or report on CLMP Forum?

Round table discussion between the two DA candidates, Paul Gallegos and Allison Jackson

http://khum.com/node/896

On Monday September 27th The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and the Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council held a round table discussion between the two DA candidates, Paul Gallegos and Allison Jackson at The Eureka Inn. KHUM broadcast it live. If you missed it - you can download it or listen to it at the link.

Humboldt County Grand Jury Faults DA Office, Gallegos Responds

HUMBOLDT – The county’s Grand Jury has found that problems continue to “plague” the District Attorney’s Office, including poor management, failure to claim grant reimbursements and nepotism.

District Attorney Paul Gallegos has responded extensively to the findings, asserting that management of his office has actually improved and that members of the Grand Jury do not understand how grant reimbursements work.

Responses to the latest installment of the Grand Jury report were recently filed and among them are Gallegos’ retorts to another critical investigation of his office.

The Grand Jury found that “poor office management practices and communication continue to plague the District Attorney’s Office, after first being noted in the 2004-05 Grand Jury report” and that “these ongoing problems have been corroborated by the testimony of several witnesses.”

The witness testimony described “job-related frustrations,” including “needing to re-do tasks previously completed,” “delays in the timely completion of routine tasks” and “failures in communications between office staff.”

District Attorney’s Office staff also complained about “nepotism and favoritism toward relatives of supervisors,” according to the report, which described nepotism as a “problem” in the DA’s Office....
- California Grand Jury News

Daniel Mintz's articles appear in the McKinleyville Press, Arcata Eye and the Independent.