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What Began in 1993 Finally Results in Closure in 2016 For A Wrongfully Convicted Man
In 1994, Chicago Heights Deputy Chief of Police Sam Mangialardi was indicted after four years of investigation by federal authorities. He was convicted on 16 counts of corruption that included racketeering, aiding and abetting a drug conspiracy, extortion to allow a drug ring to flourish, money laundering, theft of government funds, civil rights conspiracy, filing false tax returns, and witness tampering. Mangialardi accepted $10,000 monthly payments to protect the city’s top drug dealer.
In 1995, Mangialarid was sentenced to 10 and a half years in federal prison, ordered to pay $1.1 million in restitution, and fined more than $20,000. Federal prosecutors described Mangialardi as being a “Godfather” like figure.
Sam Mangialardi, who was 46-years old when sentenced in 1995, was unapologetic and defiant. At his sentencing, he presented that he was awarded Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the American Police Hall of Fame for exchanging himself for a hostage and then overpowering his armed captor.
Mangialardi was not the only public official investigated, indicted and sentenced. Then an Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gallo said that the Chicago Heights Police Department was not run by the mob, but it was run like the mob. Gallo did not seek the maximum penalty for Mangialardi because Mangialardi promised cooperation with future investigations.
Former Chicago Heights mayor Charles Panici, along with 14 other public officials and 6 Chicago Heights police officers were convicted of federal charges including civil rights violations, racketeering, witness tampering, bribery, extortion, and money laundering. Read the rest of this entry
Ohio Police Officer Sentenced To 33 Months In Federal Prison
Shane Mauger
On September 9, 2016, the United States Department of Justice announced that Reynoldsburg Police Officer Shane M. Mauger, 42, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 33 months in prison for using his position as a police officer to deprive people of their civil rights by falsifying search warrant affidavits and unlawfully seizing money and property during drug trafficking investigations.
An undercover officer, Tye Downard, was implicated in the case but committed suicide after he was arrested. A third officer connected to the case was suspended earlier this year.
Mauger agreed to plead guilty to one count of federal program theft, and conspiracy to deprive persons of their civil rights. Each count carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. In addition to the 33 month prison sentence, Federal Judge Marbley also ordered Mauger to remain under court supervision for 2 years after he completes his prison sentence, and perform 4 hours of community service per week while under court supervision. Read the rest of this entry
The Tarnished History and Image of Police Departments
Long before there was a police force in America, there were sheriffs. The office of sheriff has its roots in 9th century England. According to the National Law Enforcement Museum, the early policing system was modeled after the English structure, which incorporated the watch, constables, and sheriffs (derived from the British term, “shire-reeves”) in a community-based police organization. The British system developed from “kin policing” dating back to about 900 A.D., in which law enforcement power was in the people’s hands, and they were responsible for their families or “kin.”) Early law enforcement was reactionary, rather than pre-emptive—the watch usually responded to criminal behavior only when requested by victims or witnesses.
Then called a “reeve,” what is now known as the Sheriff in America, was an individual originally selected by the serfs to be their informal social and governmental leader. The reeve soon became the Kings appointed representative to protect the King’s interest and act as mediator with people.
In the United States, approximately 98 percent of sheriffs are elected. Good, bad or mediocre, what sets the office of sheriff apart from the police force, is that the sheriff’s office is accountable to the citizens through the election process. Read the rest of this entry
Witness 40-Only One Example Of Why The Rage From Ferguson Still Burns A Hole In U.S.
Why don’t you tell us how you really feel? 🙂 Reblogging. It’s info that people need to know. Thanks for blogging it.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/unmasking-Ferguson-witness-40-496236
There are NUMEROUS question marks about supposed eyewitness testimony in this case. The words of this direct result of first cousin copulation are meaningless, especially since she wasn’t even present. Sandra McElroy, if you have to write notes to yourself, begging yourself, to stop calling African-Americans the “N” word-your credibility means nothing, and what is in your heart=is even worth less.
Apparently, the false testimony of an absent, racist redneck weighs heavier than that of someone ACTUALLY present.
“I’z was thar, even doe, it took my ignorant, inbred arse over 4 weeks to realize=I’ze weren’t really thar.”
The whole situation in Ferguson reeks of the level of ineptitude and ignorance for which, there exists no reasonable explanation. Ignorant people blindly believe there was no favoritism shown toward Darren Wilson. Despite being in the fight of his life with a demonic “Hulk,” he showed “David Banner” type injuries at…
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Corruption in Jacksonville, FL – The Brenton Butler Case
Hat tip to 2dogsonly.
2dogsonly posted a comment on the page Upsetting the Apple Cart that spurred me to find out more information and blog about the Brenton Butler case. I also discovered the film on Youtube that 2dogsonly referenced, Murder on A Sunday Morning. It is embedded below. Made by French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, the movie won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 74th Academy Awards in 2001. The film follows the case from the defenses’ strategy through verdict and afterwards when the guilty person was arrested and convicted.
The film provides information on how Jacksonville prosecutors were driven to make an arrest of anyone because of the nature of the case. Read the rest of this entry
We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident 