buffalobrianbreen

THE GOLDEN GOOSE FUND!!!

This Column by Shawn Vestal appeared in today’s Spokesman Review.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/feb/10/shawn-vestal-when-cops-seize-property-due-process-/

The Column as it relates to Spokane appears to be Shawn’s perspective, at least to a certain extent on this Inlander story.

http://www.inlander.com/spokane/finders-keepers/Content?oid=3002067

 

I feel it is important to give Council Member Breean Beggs credit for doing all the hard work on the new Ordinance, I like the final product, and it sets in place some long needed controls. Some of the expenditures from the Golden Goose Fund have been outrageous over the years. I can tell you for certain despite what Chief Meidl might say publicly, SPD isn’t happy with someone else telling them how and when they can spend their windfall. One thing to take note of is that the State of Washington gets a cut of all Asset Seizure monies right off the top.

Breean Beggs has had an interest in this issue prior to taking office and reached out to people that would know the ins and outs. Aside from Breean Beggs, you must admire folks like SPD Lt. Joe Walker, and Carly Cortright who tried to expose what was going on with the Golden Goose Fund, and had to suffer the consequences, some of the same stuff going on right now at SPD. Nothing has changed since Frank Straub got the boot, things have gotten worse, but Begg’s Ordinance is one step in righting the ship. Begg’s is also working on a new OPO Ordinance, which may or may not fly depending upon the Union Negotiations who are now in complete control of the OPO and OPOC because of the previous contract pushed by Mayor Condon, and Frank Straub.

I also think it is important to remember that Probationary Officer Tim Schwering was originally hired to INCREASE SPD’s capabilities to seize more assets.

 

I have written stories regarding “The Golden Goose Fund” Ad nauseam, these are just a few.

https://examplepro.me/2016/02/04/officer-tim-schwering-the-golden-goose-fund-furniture-gate-the-culture-continues/

https://examplepro.me/2016/06/19/the-beginning-of-something-goodlets-hope-sobut-it-took-a-while/

https://examplepro.me/2016/07/31/the-saga-of-carly-cortright-part-two/

 

I REPORT HSS YOU DECIDE!!!

 

 

10 Comments

10 thoughts on “THE GOLDEN GOOSE FUND!!!”

  1. Question for you Brian. How can Beggs proposal as it relates to how seizure funds are spent supersede that of RCW 69.50? It seems clear by RCW how these funds are required to be spent?

    2nd question….Beggs says on non-drug related cases, “He acknowledges that the department already undergoes an annual audit through the state, and in 2014 the department implemented changes to its policies. Now, for example, SPD can only forfeit a person’s property after a felony conviction in non-drug-related cases.”
    It looks like assets can not be forefeited until after conviction by state law, not policy. That RCW shows to be effective in 2009.

    Do his statements jive?

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    1. I apologize, I missed this.

      Regarding Beggs’s proposal superseding RCW 69.50. I don’t believe it supersedes the RCW it only attaches accountability to make sure the money is spent in compliance with the RCW. In the past there were many expenditures that were far outside the intent of the RCW, including paying lawyers.

      As I mentioned to Breean there are a number of different types of asset forfeiture laws in the RCW. RCW 69.50 is the Drug Asset Seizure Section. The Felony Crime asset seizure RCW 10.105.010 is different from the Drug Asset Seizure law. In a felony crime seizure the assets can only be converted after all the hoops are jumped through by the owner of the assets. RCW 10.105.010 is less restrictive on how the money can be spent than the RCW 69.50.

      I don’t know if I explained that well enough or not.

      Liked by 1 person

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    2. I believe Breean has them both covered, notice the language difference. I’m not sure about the Fish and Game Asset Seizure Law though! 🙂

      RCW 69.50.505

      (10) Forfeited property and net proceeds not required to be paid to the state treasurer shall be retained by the seizing law enforcement agency exclusively for the expansion and improvement of controlled substances related law enforcement activity. Money retained under this section may not be used to supplant preexisting funding sources.

      RCW 10.105.010

      (c) Retained property and net proceeds not required to be paid to the state treasurer, or otherwise required to be spent under this section, shall be retained by the seizing law enforcement agency exclusively for the expansion and improvement of law enforcement activity. Money retained under this section may not be used to supplant preexisting funding sources.

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  2. “…Probationary Officer Tim Schwering was originally hired to INCREASE SPD’s capabilities to seize more assets.”

    Don’t you mean Super HERO Cop That Was ON THE ELLEN SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ???????????? I mean, some of your Twitter and Blog Followers were raving about what a Super HERO Schwering is. My definition of a HERO does not include people that work to find more ways to seize property from people accused of drug crimes; accused and charged but not convicted of the crime they are alleged to have committed and yet the seizure law allows the taking of their property.

    Real heroes don’t look for more ways to screw people over, imo.
    *cough*

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    2. I should clarify. I don’t have any problem with SPD releasing positive BC footage, and I’m sure there is lots of it, as was Schwering’s BC footage. The positive footage comes out fast as lightening. My problem is trying to hide the negative footage. Meidl admitted in his press conference that the year old McMurtrey footage was released because a Citizen whom he would not name submitted a PRR to obtain the footage. The question of course is, if it is going to take Investigative Reporting and perseverance each and every time to bring to light SPD bad conduct? Meidl says he will be transparent from now on…we shall see. As I mentioned, and the OPO does the same in his letters, McMurtrey is the tip of the iceberg.

      At this point of course Meidl, Condon, Sanders, et al are less concerned about the video footage, and the truth finally coming out, than they are about who the hell is leaking!

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. No problem with ‘good press’ on cops. However, I too have an issue with how it is used. Especially that Fakebook-type of posting the SPD used recently to taunt and humiliate an overly intoxicated citizen. Admittedly, the citizen was being a real jerk. When SPD posted the BC video THEY were being even bigger jerks.

        I understand, all organizations massage their message and SPD is no different. I also recognize the stench of coverups and petty retaliation and hidden agendas when I see them. Furniture Gate, anyone? Of course City Hell is trying to squash dissent within the ranks, nothing has changed with Big Momma et al.

        And as for Herr Straub’s boy Schwering? He may have acted heroically in an emergency situation. That alone does not make him a hero.
        *sniff*

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        1. @misjusticetoyou, is there something wrong with you? Officer Schwering is a hero. As for his previous uncommissioned duties, he was hired on to the Spokane Police Department to focus on improving the city’s seizures of drug assets, implementing new laws legalizing marijuana and updating records management. He has a degree in Information Systems and he spent 10 years with the federal defenders and is certified as a crime analyst and fraud examiner. At 41 he goes through the academy and is now a commissioned officer. You seem to spin things just like Brian. Shameful.

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