I’m not sure what you are saying about Peterson’s “polling” advantage. How did that contribute his success? What “inside information?” I received roughly equal amounts of propaganda from both candidates, none of which influenced my choice. If anything, it seemed that O’Malley had more signs out there, especially early on. So, I don’t see much evidence that financial resources played a role. I still bet that precinct voting patterns tell the story, with Peterson having the advantage of a strong geographic base (i.e., Concord) in the county.

http://WWW.FOOKRS.COM

These are reasons and encouragement for everyone to take the time to vote, and to vote for Dan O’Malley. These are examples of why ethical and criminal corruption, and cronyism, are real in Contra Costa County. This is also my response to the CPOA letter this month by Sgt. Jeff Krieger and their endorsement of Mark Peterson.

It is significant that the Concord Police Officers Association (CPOA) is the only police association in the county to have endorsed Peterson, and that Peterson is a Concord City Councilman. Politics often has a bearing on which Police Associations endorse which candidates, but Peterson’s inability to have more than one of the County’s estimated 19 Police Associations (CCCDSA included) endorse him, is unusual and probably very significant. It is emphasized that all of the other Police Associations endorsed O’Malley.

The CPOA letter is unprofessional, lacks common sense, and does not logically seem representative of most of the officers in Concord PD, nor in any law enforcement agency. The letter ridiculously and blatantly relies on O’Malley being a criminal defense attorney as a reason not to vote for him.

The letter says nothing of importance! It merely reiterates the belief among a few that prosecutors, their investigators, and the police are the good guys, and that defense attorneys and their investigators are the bad guys. In actuality, some of the best defense attorneys have made the best prosecutors and DA’s, and some of the best prosecutors have made the best defense attorneys. I also know with certainty that some of my retired law enforcement friends have become excellent criminal defense investigators, some of which have returned to law enforcement and done equally well.

The term, “Attorney at Law”, has an inherent, easily understandable, and obvious meaning, the emphasis being on the words “at Law”. All lawyers, whether prosecutors, defense attorneys, or otherwise, are expected to be honest, competent, professional, and to always represent their clients, whether the State of CA or private parties, in a manner consistent with advocating the complete truth. This is extremely important in criminal law, because peoples freedoms are at stake. If a person is so prejudice or naive to believe that law enforcement is either always right, or always wrong, then they are dangerously wrong, and need to never be a juror. Some people never understand this until they or someone close to them gets charged with a crime, and this can happen to the best of us. Criminals are not comprised solely of street and gang thugs, they exist in every walk of life and profession, and at all levels.

The fact the CPOA “takes serious exception” in reference to O’Malley’s comments about police and prosecutors understanding domestic violence victims and perpetrators, indicates that the CPOA believes that the police are the only authority on the subject, and that how dare a non law enforcement type have any opinion regarding this issue. However, because O’Malley’s actual stated opinions regarding domestic violence are based on his legal experience as a Superior Court Judge, Deputy District Attorney, and criminal defense attorney, which is far more experience then that of Peterson, and because his opinions regarding domestic violence are shared by most law enforcement administrators, who consistently mandate training in this area for their personnel, and from my own experience have done so since at least the early 1970s, it is obvious that the CPOA picked an ineffective topic for their letter.

O’Malley’s actual statements: “When (Horowitz) called me, I said I would help out because many law enforcement officers and seasoned prosecutors don’t understand the subtleties of the larger issue,” O’Malley said. “As a society, we often blame the victims rather than focus on the crime. We say she shouldn’t have had a drink. We say she shouldn’t have been out at midnight. We say she should not have worn provocative clothing. But we should be teaching the batterers not to batter. We should not blame the victim.”

Don’t tell me that the excuses stated above by O’Malley have not been told to victims of domestic violence by police officers, because I know this has occurred from both my experience as a police officer and as a private investigator. And also don’t tell me that teaching batterers not to batter is not a priority in law enforcement, the courts, and in the organizations that do exactly that, teach batterers not to batter.

CPOA version of O’Malley’s statements: [M]any law enforcement officers and seasoned prosecutors don’t understand the subtleties of the larger issue [of violence upon women] “… [W]e should be teaching the batterers not to batter. We should not blame the victim.”

The CPOA distorted the context by leaving out the rest of what O’Malley said, which was: “As a society, we often blame the victims rather than focus on the crime. We say she shouldn’t have had a drink. We say she shouldn’t have been out at midnight. We say she should not have worn provocative clothing.”

You can read the full story regarding these statements at:

http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2010/09/28/da-candidate-to-consult-on-mel-gibson-lawsuit/

Based on cases I have worked as a private investigator, domestic violence victims, and victims of other crimes, are sometimes also told by the police that there is nothing the police can do to help them, with or without an explanation, or that the police have to witness an assault in order to arrest the suspect.

The CPOA’s obvious attempt to slander O’Malley because he and his partners “vigorously” defend people charged with crimes, including domestic violence defendants, is nonsense. All attorneys, whether working for the prosecution, defense, civil or otherwise, should work as vigorously as possible for us, and are typically paid very well to do so.

CPOA Letter: “If you have been arrested or charged with domestic violence or spousal abuse “… [t]he attorney’s at O’Connor, Runckel and O’Malley “… will vigorously defend you to make sure your rights are protected.”

The CPOA letter reflects poorly on the CPOA , Concord PD, the City of Concord, and on City Councilman Mark Peterson, regarding the mind set and training of their police officers, and in the case of Peterson, the DA’s Office. People are still innocent until proven guilty, and it is the jury, not the CPOA or Peterson, that makes such a determination. Peterson knows better than this, and if not then he should not be an attorney, let alone the DA.

The last pertinent sentence in the CPOA letter is: “Victims’ rights enjoy a top priority in every one of our criminal investigations”.

No one can honestly say that every victim’s rights in a criminal investigation are given top priority. Even with the best of intentions, this is not consistently possible. Add to this that some police officers will “kiss off” cases in order to avoid the time required for a thorough investigation and report, and it is a certainty that the rights of all victims are not given priority. I was a street sergeant for several years, I knew several other supervisors and watch commanders, and most would probably agree that one of their most important functions regarding cases reported was making certain that investigations were properly conducted and reports were properly written, particularly when supervising certain officers who had displayed a pattern to the contrary. They would probably also agree that the term, “Kiss Off”, is a common term used when a police officer intentionally fails to take appropriate action.

O’Malley has significant experience as a prosecutor, judge, and defense attorney, and such diversified experience relative to being the DA far surpasses that of Peterson. Peterson has obviously tried to win votes by portraying O’Malley as a weak candidate because O’Malley has defended people charged with crimes. The Peterson Camp though escalates and distorts the truth here by using the term, “Dan O’Malley Defends Criminals”, apparently not caring that those charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty, and that these comments portray Peterson himself as a right wing extremist who would make a better dictator than DA.

A small percentage of law enforcement and the public will always strike out at criminal defense attorneys and investigators, as if they were immoral and unethical liars and cheats who would do anything to win their cases. I have found the exact opposite to exist in Contra Costa County, not among the majority, but definitely among enough to make these remarks. I believe that the vast majority of law enforcement personnel are honest, professional, ethical and hard working. I also believe though that the there remains significantly less honest, professional, ethical and hard working law enforcement personnel, who have climbed the latter and are now in control of the actions of others.

Example: Consider the history of the Pittsburg Police Department, and how the a police administration patterned itself after a Mafia Godfather and his lieutenants and soldiers, having held meetings where the Godfather and his servants exchanged kisses, and then laid out plans for achieving and retaining power by ruthlessly assassinating the characters of those who opposed them. Consider the allegations of search warrant tips offs in drug cases and other cases, some having been reasonably proven. Consider that persons suspected of organized and other sophisticated crime, were ignored, inclusive of organized crime groups like the Hells Angels. Consider that if you worked narcotics and in some way indicated an interest in such activities, that you might find yourself assigned to meaningless surveillance in downtown Pittsburg for the purpose of arresting people for drinking alcohol in public, or working in the downtown substation with orders not to leave. Consider that in order for an administration like this to survive, that it had to be comprised of easily manipulated people, and that the best way to do this was to hire misfits. Consider that some of us believed that such an evil police administration would eventually lead to more serious misfeasance and crimes, even murder, being committed by Pittsburg Police Officers. Now research the murder of Cynthia Kemp by former Pittsburg Police Officers Eric Bergen and George Elsie, who along with two civilians also committed a number of armed robberies.

Of extreme importance, understand that the Contra Costa County DA’s Office had an opportunity to put an end to this Police Administration, by prosecuting the Chief of Police for lying to their Office during the DA’s investigation of the Police Department in 1982, which most certainly would have resulted in the Police Chief’s firing, and eventually the rest of his group. The DA did not prosecute, dirty politics reigned, and Cynthia Kemp wound up dead in an execution manner, her body mutilated with multiple gunshots, because all four of the responsibles agreed to take part.

We need a DA who will take immediate and thorough action when informed of suspected illegal and or grossly unacceptable behavior by law enforcement, or among anyone else who might otherwise enjoy protection and immunity because of their political and or financial stature. Additionally, particularly in cases involving public servants, we need such cases publicized for two reasons: first, so the public will be informed and then be able to provide whatever information they have related to the investigation being conducted, and second, so that the public will be informed of the outcome of the case. The latter helps clear the investigated person(s) names (s) when no further action is to be taken, but it also alerts the public to further criminal and or civil actions to be taken. In cases where responsible person(s) are criminally convicted and or civilly held liable, public dissemination of this information is absolutely necessary because it serves as a deterrent for other public servants who are prone to violate the law. Politicians have taken significant steps in the last 25 plus years to conceal their dirty laundry from the public. This is wrong because the public has every right to be informed of the dirty laundry that emanates from government agencies. When I attended the police academy, which was 40 years ago, we were taught that law enforcement personnel stood on a pedestal. We were taught the reason for this was that if you fell of the pedestal, it was intended for you and your agency to suffer public humiliation, thus creating a strong example for other law enforcement personnel to solemnly and wholeheartedly abide by their Sworn Oath and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.

I support O’Malley for DA because the cronyism and lack of professionalism in the DA’s Office is appalling and an insult to the public. Cronyism and corruption have been rampant in the DA’s Office, and throughout County and Local Departments, particularly in certain law enforcement agencies, for many years. If O’Malley is elected and ends this problem in the DA’s Office, other administrators in the County will be forced to do the same or risk the DA’s Office doing it for them.

Although O’Malley’s broad experience base would be an asset to him serving as DA, his personality would be an equally important asset. He is open minded, and I don’t see this in Peterson. As a civilian, I’ve had the unfortunate experience of trying to get information regarding unsolved homicides investigated by the DA’s Office, and because this information indicated a probable investigative disregard of this information by a local police department, I was met with some of the most disrespectful, antagonistic and insulting behavior that I have ever encountered from a prosecutor. I won’t vote for Peterson when I believe that he probably would not have the courage to take on law enforcement when appropriate, or for that matter something deemed politically incorrect.

Considering the obvious existence of “The Good Ole Boy Network”, O’Malley was a Deputy DA for 12 years, and Peterson has been a Deputy DA for 25 years, including promotion to Assistant DA, and significant supervisory responsibilities. What has Peterson been doing about “The Good Ole Boy Club” for the last 25 years? He hasn’t run for DA until now, and the problem is still there! O’Malley has significantly less exposure to the problem of cronyism in the DA’s Office then does Peterson, and therefore hasn’t yet had an opportunity to deal with it.

Don’t assume that because O’Malley’s father, Bill O’Malley, was the DA during the previously described investigation of Pittsburg PD, that this should have a bearing on my support of O’Malley. Based on having later worked as a DA Inspector, I found that the DA Inspector responsible for the Pittsburg PD investigation was ethically corrupt, and therefore I can’t overlook the strong possibility that he distorted the truth on behalf of Pittsburg PD during his investigation. I know that he did so when I reported illegal conduct in the DA’s Office to him as a DA Inspector.

The use of the term “cronyism” is sometimes a light hearted and cowardly way of saying corruption. Corruption has existed and been ignored in this County for many years, and the DA is responsible for putting a stop to it. My employment as an Inspector in the DA’s Office was ended by firing me in order to protect the cronyism and corruption that existed. I had reported to the Chief Inspector, who was also responsible for the DA’s investigation of Pittsburg PD, that a Senior Inspector had illegally seized a large amount of money while serving a search warrant, and then lied about the grounds for the seizure in his report. It made no difference that this incident, a crime, and serious civil rights violation, was witnessed by two Inspectors. It made no difference that I had worked at a good level of performance for 362 days of my year long probationary period, and may have been promoted to Senior Inspector in the next few days. It did make a difference that my actions jeopardized “The Good Ole Boy Network” and their interests, and I was therefore discharged within 24 hours of being interviewed by the Chief, with there being no legitimate investigation conducted.

From the standpoint of expense to the taxpayers, it also made no a difference when the County paid $375,000 to settle my wrongful termination lawsuit, along with probably at least the same amount for their legal defense fees. Because I speak from experience regarding cronyism and corrupt politics in this County, I add that it also made no difference when the City of Pittsburg paid $675,000 to settle my wrongful termination against them, along with paying over a million dollars in legal fees. My point here is that cronyism and corrupt politics needlessly costs the taxpayers allot of money.

I was diversified in law enforcement, and remain so as a private investigator, having been a criminal defense investigator in many cases, and also having investigated cases for the purpose of criminal prosecution in cases that were ignored by law enforcement. Don’t take the word “ignored” as a personal attack on law enforcement, because such ignorance, which is often based on dishonesty and or incompetence, exists in all legal professions, ie., among private investigators, law enforcement officers, defense attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, judges, in the White house, and even in God’s House. My point here is that there is no “Holier Than Thou” Profession.

Peterson portrays a prosecutor who will be hard on crime, but Peterson is also a politician by his own professional choice. Prosecutors who throw everything on the wall and file charges for the sake of good publicity, are extremely costly to the taxpayers. An extremely important measure of a good DA is not in all the charges he files, but in the convictions obtained. The remarkable number of dismissals and not guilty verdicts in the County are evidence that the Prosecutors responsible for filing the charges in these cases had ulterior motivations for doing so. We should ethically not tolerate such conduct, and we definitely can’t continue to afford to have our taxes pay for such conduct.

Dan O’Malley’s broad base of experience as a judge, prosecutor and private attorney makes him by far the most qualified candidate for DA.

Thank you, Jack Harris

It’s hypocritical for O’Malley to say “I don’t want to politicize the office” and then turn around and plaster the faces of Torlakson, Miller, Garamendi and DeSaulnier and include a Democratic donkey on his ads.>>> Who says he’s plastering anything? Did you even watch the ad? Neither of the above politicians were included in them, nor did they contain serious testimonials on behalf of O’Malley’s candidacy.

He claims to be a “victims’ rights” candidate but I doubt he’ll do anything for victims as a D.A. as that would discourage victims from hiring attorneys like he is now.>>> If you also believe Peterson will do this while suing on non issues, perhaps even on naming a fire hydrant (watch this come up!), go buy a bridge in Brooklyn. I don’t want tax dollars going to settle scores in the way he has done with filing suits on what names to use in the campaign, supposed illegal donations (this led to multiple DAs condemning his smear attacks shrouded in myths), etc. That’s not what I expect of a DA and neither should you.

yet he announces over and over again that the Democratic party has endorsed him>>> First, the only Democratic party to endorse him is the one of Contra Costa County, just one of at least 50 in the entire state and having little say on major affairs. The national party gives a crap less on this race due to their own woes with the federal contests. Second, Judge O’Malley spends extremely limited time on pushing his message through these endorsements, whether they are influential or not. I’d venture to say five to ten percent of the race centers on the fact he’s got Garamendi/Torlakson/Miller/DeSaulnier in his corner. This is hardly the only time at least one of those politicians issued an endorsement in a local race, their reasons with the support hardly correlating to making them partisan.

How thick is Dan O’Malley with the current adminstration? The administration that has run the office into the ground? THICK AS A BRICK! Literally! You check the SF Giants website for those commemorative bricks they installed when the park opened and you will find one with these names on it – Dan O’Malley, Robert Kochley (current DA), Brian Baker (#2 in the office) and Paul Sequeira (#3 in the office). They will ALL stay in place (other than Kochley) if Dan wins. Do you honestly think Dan is going to make ANY CHANGES AT ALL?

Dan is the annointed choice of the party/county elite here in Contra Costa thanks to his Dad’s connections. And now that the party elite had their wakeup call with the primary, you’ll see the party maching kick into gear and the fundraisers and money will start rolling in to Dan’s campaign.

Mark is NOT a career politician! He is a career prosecutor, something Dan O’Malley can’t say. For Dan to say that he is a prosecutor, not a politician, is a BLATANT LIE and he should be excoriated for that. He is NOT now a prosecutor, and hasn’t been one for ten years! Mark is on the Concord City Council – hardly a high paying “career” position. He is a CAREER PROSECUTOR. Don’t believe anything else.