DID MRDD EMPLOYEES COMMIT MEDICARE/MEDICAID FRAUD?

Were employees forced to forge doctor’s signatures of MRDD paperwork?

Workers continue to expose Superintendent John Oakley

By Doug Deepe, Investigative Reporter

(Posted 8:15 a.m., Monday, July 28, 2003)

Reports are beginning to flow out from behind the locked doors and barbed wired fences at MRDD leading us to revelation of possible criminal activity by employees at MRDD, activity ordered by the upper staff management of Superintendent John Oakley.

One new revelation concerns employees being forced to forge signatures of local doctors in order to get funding for services at MRDD through either Medicaid or Medicare. If these new allegations are true (and it shouldn’t be hard to prove or disprove) the individuals responsible for this action could be held criminally liable.

State or federal investigators should be able to pull out all the applications for services involving Medicare or Medicare and compare signatures on the applications with signatures of local doctors. These allegations have come from numerous sources within MRDD. The Sentinel discussed this new allegation with current and former MRDD employees and confirmed that forgery had been committed on various paperwork for services offered to consumers.

Another problem with improprieties involves "backdating consumer plans."  (This issue is still being worked on for further discussion, but it appears to be illegal. More on this issue later.)

Word also leaked out last week that Ohio State investigators were told by the local investigator working at MRDD that issues of wrongdoing at the Verne Riffe School had been passed up through proper channels within MRDD but that Superintendent John Oakley and/or his staff ignored the information.

Sources claim that problems began to materialize after Superintendent Oakley did away with MRDD’s most experienced "Behavioral Support" workers. Sources claim that about two years ago Superintendent John Oakley became angry at the two workers, one for personal reasons and the other because she tried to send a note home with an enrollee.

The Sentinel didn’t believe that Superintendent John Oakley could go any lower than turning a blind eye to rape and molestation, but we were wrong.

Superintendent John Oakley with the assistance of MRDD employee John Cantrell decided to deny a "dying" enrollee of MRDD a final wish. This student,  had a final wish to visit with Dave Ross, and his wife Kathy Ross, before he died.

Superintendent Oakley got this information about the final request after MRDD worker John Cantrell found a note, that one of the Behavioral Support workers sent home to the dying students care givers informing them on how to get in contact with Dave and Kathy Ross.

It seems that John Cantrell took the note and delivered it to Superintendent Oakley at which point Oakley chastised the employee and issued a warning to the worker about sending notes home with the enrollees without Oakley’s permission.

How low can one man (or two men) go?

Other revelations are now surfacing about one of Oakley’s Angels forcing MRDD workers to take home paperwork and study it on the workers own time without paying the workers' wages for working at home. Employees claim that they are told that if they didn’t take the work home to read and study it that they could lose their jobs.

Where will this all lead nobody is sure but one things for certain, Oakley didn’t show up for work last week and maybe he won’t ever return.

D D

SUPERINTENDENT OAKLEY AND "OAKLEY’S ANGELS" WITH-HELD
INFORMATION IN SRS/MRDD INVESTIGATION

MRDD Board should ensure next MRDD Superintendent is not one of these ladies.

By Doug Deepe, Investigative Reporter

(Posted 9:00 a.m., Friday, July 25, 2003)

Sources have confirmed to the Sentinel that a state investigator has re-opened questions concerning the relationship between MRDD and Scioto Residential Services (SRS) after the Sentinel published detailed notes of meetings with Superintendent Oakley and the MRDD staff.

In those interview notes from a January 2003 meeting, it was disclosed that Superintendent Oakley had established an illegal or immoral committee to stall services to customers that needed services, unless the customer chose MRDD.

The notes also disclosed that any services seeking assistance with special therapy such as speech therapy, occupational therapy etc. should be a "red flag issue," meaning that those services should be denied.

Another section of the minutes of the meeting contained information that clearly indicates that Superintendent Oakley was stopping MRDD enrollees from choosing which service provider that the enrollee actually wanted to use for services unless MRDD was the chosen provider.

Enrollees were forced to wait months and sometimes years to get approval for services. Superintendent Oakley and his committee would deny, deny, deny until either the enrollees accepted MRDD as their provider or the enrollee just gave up.

One firm singled out by name in the January 2003 memo is Scioto Residential Services. The Sentinel learned this week that Scioto Residential Services has been in a major legal battle with Superintendent Oakley and MRDD concerning some type of financial matter.

The disclosure of the January 2003 memo by the Sentinel gave first hand evidence to Scioto Residential Services and the state investigator that Superintendent Oakley and/or his immediate underlings at MRDD had covered up information from the state investigator.

A source from Scioto Residential Services, requesting anonymity, called the Sentinel today and thanked us for printing the January 2003 memo from MRDD telling us, "We knew Oakley and others within MRDD were withholding information from investigators and the memo finally gave us what we needed to confront them. They admitted it today."

The source could not give us specific details about the financial issues that were being addressed other than to say that someone from the state had been overseeing financial matters between MRDD and SRS for about a year.

The Sentinel learned today that SRS had filed a lawsuit against MRDD over a year ago concerning financial problems between the two agencies.

This is proof that Superintendent Oakley and his upper management team at MRDD can’t be trusted. This now raises a bigger question.

Who will the Board of MRDD and/or the Scioto County Commissioners choose to lead MRDD once Superintendent Oakley is gone?

It appears that Superintendent John Oakley has a "hand picked" successor ready to step in once he resigns. This individual was sent to complete a course to make her eligible to meet the educational requirements to be Superintendent of MRDD.

This person was chosen because she is willing to keep the corruption of the past, in the past, where Oakley wanted it to remain.

People in charge of this appointment better think long and hard before putting one of Superintendent Oakley’s immediate underlings in charge of MRDD and the Verne Riffe School.

Let’s review what we now know about these people. Oakley and his hand picked leaders covered up molestations, rapes, and sodomy of enrollees at MRDD’s Verne Riffe School.

These individuals withheld information from a state investigator and apparently lied to investigators about whatever the information was, since it was given up in recent days (possibly today).

Who has been on the teleconference calls with Superintendent Oakley while he hides out, staying away from the MRDD buildings, hoping to weather this storm? The people we at the Sentinel call "Oakley’s Angels".

Oakley’s Angels, and the three of you know who you are, has deliberately participated in helping Superintendent John Oakley cover up crimes against enrollees at the Verne Riffe School. Oakley’s Angels better not think they are going to take over Verne Riffe School, because when all is said and done, they might join him in jail where they all four belong.

None of these individuals will have the backing or trust of the employees at MRDD considering that the employees are fully aware that it was with their help (Oakley’s Angels) that all this criminal activity was allowed to remain secret for all these years.

The Sentinel hasn’t publicly named Oakley’s Angels for one reason. We want them to resign right along with Superintendent Oakley. Then let the legal system take them to task for what they helped Oakley cover-up, crimes against the enrollees.

The Sentinel has made a decision to raise a question to the Scioto County Commissioner’s and the Board of MRDD about a man Superintendent John Oakley has attempted to discredit and destroy his professional reputation. This man has not talked to any of us at the Sentinel and if Superintendent Oakley or anyone at MRDD or the Scioto County Commissioners retaliate against him for what we are about to say, it’ll be a very big legal mistake. Our information comes from people with first hand knowledge about this individual, both personally and professionally.

You have a man working at MRDD that once was Superintendent Oakley’s right hand man. A man that the parents of the enrollees and many, many former and present staff members would walk through hell and back with to help the enrollees at MRDD. His name is Mr. Dave Ross.

Why is this very qualified man sitting at a desk taking telephone notes like a secretary?

This man was the one that took Superintendent John Oakley to task and refused to be his YES MAN, and look what happened to him.

Mr. Ross, I apologize for mentioning your name publicly, but it’s time that this town is told the truth why your talents are being wasted. It’s very simple.

Superintendent Oakley replaced Mr. Ross with a less competent employee that would do anything Oakley asked of her to do because Mr. Ross would challenge Superintendent Oakley when Oakley was doing things wrong.

You can’t challenge a man like Oakley and keep your job. It took Mr. Ross filing a complaint against Superintendent Oakley to get back his salary, but Oakley was able to retaliate against Ross by stripping him of any real educational responsibilities at the Verne Riffe School.

Mr. Ross is one of the highest qualified individuals working at MRDD and the Board Members of MRDD and the Scioto County Commissioner’s have yet to challenge Superintendent Oakley as to why a man with such talent is forced to answer telephone calls.

According to the parents, former employees and current employees of MRDD, Mr. Ross was a threat to Superintendent Oakley because he (Ross) couldn’t be lied to by Oakley, and Ross wouldn’t participate in corrupt or illegal activities at MRDD.

Mr. Ross, as a taxpayer of this county, I want to apologize to you for what the Scioto County Commissioners and the Board of MRDD let Superintendent Oakley do to you. Maybe when Oakley and his Angels are removed from MRDD, you can get back to educating and training the enrollees as the MRDD programs were intended.

Keep the faith people.

D D

SECOND FAMILY COMES FORWARD WITH POSSIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE CASE AT MRDD. TWO MORE FAMILIES ASK TO MEET WITH SENTINEL

Rape kit test written report being kept from family

By Doug Deepe, Investigative Reporter

(Posted 9:00 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2003)

A second Sciotoville, Ohio family has come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against their 33 year old daughter by someone at MRDD.

This case began back in June of 2001 when the parents were on vacation in Florida when they were notified that their daughter returned home from MRDD’s Star Workshop having trouble walking. The caretaker staying with the alleged victim claims that when the young woman went to the bathroom blood was in the victim’s panties along with another wet substance.

The caretaker contacted the victim’s family later that evening and the caretaker was instructed to take the victim to Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) to be checked out for possible rape or molestation.

Medical officials at SOMC examined the victim and collected samples using a rape kit. While examining the victim, the nurse at SOMC noticed that the victim had substances under her finger nails.

According to the victims caretaker, the nurse informed her (the caretaker) that the substance tested positive for blood. The nurse stated that it appeared the victim had scratched somebody.

The family returned from Florida and went to the Verne Riffe School to discuss what had happened to their daughter. The family claims that nobody could provide them with any answers.

After months of no answers, Lt. Lynn Brewer allegedly contacted the victim’s family and told the mother of the victim, "I have good news and bad news. The good news is there is no semen, the bad news is we don’t know what the substance is but this is preliminary and a final written report will come later."

The mother of the alleged victim stated to the Sentinel that she was angry with Portsmouth Police Lt. Lynn Brewer because Brewer continues to refuse to turn over copies of the written medical rape kit test results.

"I’ve called Lt. Brewer on numerous occasions trying to get my hands on the final written report on the rape kit test and Lt. Brewer won’t turn it over to us. What is he hiding?" says the mother of the victim.

The mother stated to the Sentinel that a bus driver from MRDD stated to her that officials at the school were trying to force the bus driver to lie to State MRDD investigators that we’re going to come to the school to investigate this case.

Why would Portsmouth Police Lt. Lynn Brewer not turn over the rape test results if there is nothing to hide from the family?

Or was this a ploy by the Portsmouth Police Department to keep the information hidden from public view so the victims could not sue MRDD or the Portsmouth Police Department for failing to act on previous rape cases at MRDD?

Many of the victims are telling the Sentinel that the Portsmouth Police have been called to the Verne Riffe School on numerous occasions concerning potential rape, sodomy or molestation.

It appears that the Portsmouth Police didn’t arrest the alleged perpetrators because the Prosecutors Office didn’t want to bring charges against a mentally challenged defendant. If that is true, then the Prosecutors Office should be called out to explain why this decision was made.

For the third consecutive day MRDD Superintendent John Oakley was mysteriously absent from work. Sources claim that Superintendent Oakley is keeping in contact with his key personnel via teleconferencing or through email. (Ladies you should be careful what you say while eating at local restaurants.) Oakley is not coming to the Verne Riffe School.

The Sentinel is sharing our information about this case with other news media outlets that are scheduling reporters to begin heading this way to begin covering the abuses at the Verne Riffe School. We informed the media that Superintendent Oakley will refuse to meet and discuss these issues on the record.

Each media outlet is being provided with the names, phone numbers and addresses of each victim that contacts the Sentinel for help. Maybe some other news media reporter will be able to get the Scioto County Commissioners and/or the MRDD Board to come forward and answer questions about the sexual allegations at the most vulnerable school in this region.

It’s becoming clear as each day passes that the word in the political machine in Scioto County is just stay quiet and ride out the storm. This storm isn’t leaving until the dark cloud over the children at MRDD’s Verne Riffe School is lifted by a complete, independent and non-political investigation.

The students at MRDD’s Verne Riffe School deserve no less than that.

The State MRDD Office in Columbus, Ohio contacted this reporter yesterday afternoon inquiring about the articles of abuse of enrollees at Verne Riffe School printed on this web-site.

Amy Taylor and Edie Deal contacted me seeking the name of the young 17 year old student that claims he was molested at the Verne Riffe School. I immediately provided Ms. Taylor the name of the student, the parents name, home phone number and local address. The parents had agreed in advance that they wanted this information out to anyone willing to investigate this matter.

Ms. Taylor and I discussed the allegations and I provided her with the majority of the information that I have received from all the readers, parents, students etc. that have contacted me. I did not disclose any of your names, phone numbers or emails other than the parent that gave me approval to do so. I informed Ms. Taylor that many of you have stated that you are willing to meet with State Investigators privately to discuss the allegations printed on our web-site.

To get this investigation up and running faster, parents or anyone with information about possible sexual crimes at the Verne Riffe School, call these numbers and discuss your issues with a State MRDD Investigator:

MRDD Hotline: 1-866-313-6733

Amy Taylor: 1-614-995-3811

Edie Deal: 1-614-752-0094

This is your chance to finally expose what you know and your chance to get the predators off the enrollees at the Verne Riffe School. Many of you asked for our help to get this information out to the public to attract help and we’ve done what you asked us to do. Now it’s your turn to pick up the ball and run with it.

WE’RE NOT DONE WITH OAKLEY THOUGH:

Someone called me tonight and explained to me that Superintendent Oakley is a staunch supporter of the Rotary Club. When I heard that, I went in and grabbed the Rotary 4 Way Test and thought up some questions for Oakley using his favorite clubs test as the example.

Here’s the actual Rotary International Four Way Test of things we think, say or do:

I. Is it the truth?

II. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

III. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

IV. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Let’s examine this test concerning the allegations about what’s going on behind the walls of the Verne Riffe School.

I. Are the sexual allegations true?

Answer: Three sets of parents say yes and staff members say yes.

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Answer: The silence is not fair to the individuals that were molested. Oakley’s order of silence is not fair. The only one that believes anything is fair in this situation is Oakley.

III. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Answer: Only if you are a sexual predator. It could help your friendship with Oakley if you continue to help him hide this criminal activity.

IV. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Answer: The molested enrollees aren’t benefited. Again, only Oakley and those that keep this hidden can claim to benefit from it.

Superintendent Oakley seems to love to quote definitions to his staff.

Examples: A full page memo dated September 27, 2002 on GOSSIP.

If the employees at MRDD can not understand what the word GOSSIP means without having the Superintendent write a full page memo, including "pronunciation, function, etymology and dialect references", then maybe the Superintendent has hired the wrong employees to serve the students.

The Sandal Scandal:

You actually had a committee to decide the "footwear policy"? And then you thanked the committee for "doing a fine job with a DIFFICULT subject." How hard of a decision is it to decide that you shouldn’t wear an opened toed shoes in the Star Workshop where your feet could be injured.

Try these definitions Oakley:

Rape: a seizing by force; sexual intercourse with a woman carried out without her consent and by force.

Molestation: to annoy, persecute, disturb with hostile intent or injurious effect; to take indecent liberties with.

While you and your staff were working on dress codes and shoe policies enrollees were being criminally assaulted.

Let’s look at the Scioto County MR/DD Mission Statement (PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS, PEOPLE):

MISSION: To ensure the availability of programs, services, and supports that assist eligible individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities in choosing and achieving a life of increasing capability such that they can live, work, and play in the community, and to assist and support the families of these individuals in achieving these objectives.

ASSIST AND SUPPORT THE FAMILIES:

Superintendent Oakley, explain to me and the readers about the little girl at the Carousel Center in downtown Portsmouth that walked out of the building, down behind Crispie Crème Donut Shop, without anyone knowing she was gone? The girl was found by a Portsmouth Police Officer and returned to the Carousel Center.

The father of this little girl filed a complaint about his daughter not being monitored and because he complained services were denied for his family.

ASSURE AVAILABILITY OF PROGRAMS:

Your notes of January 9, 2003 read in part: "Karren reminded all PSC’s to review all cases of referral for service to outside agencies. It is the PSC’s job to make sure the consumer’s choice is protected and that match funding is available. (MATCH FUNDING HAS TO BE AVAILABLE) John Oakley said the BUDGET is a big responsibility of the PSC. A red flag on professional services such as speech, occupational therapy, nursing, etc. should be looked at closely by the PSC."

Maybe the parents and staff should just call the MRDD Board Members listed below and file a complaint with them. Then again, many of the staff believe this list of individuals are a rubber stamp for Oakley, so you might be wasting your time but give it a try anyway.

Martina Lauro, President 354-4502

James E. (Ernie) McLaughlin 574-8172

Elissa Gulker 858-0507

Therese Doerr 353-0787

Tom Grashel 354-2095

Paul Crabtree 259-2693

Nancy Steele 574-4779

Oh my, is this Tom Grashel the same individual that had his picture taken while with the Portsmouth High School Girls Softball Team, getting his toe nails painted, while lying on a hotel bed? Who appointed him to this important position?

If I missed any board members I’ll post you later.

D D

(posted 8:15 a.m., Tuesday, July 22, 2003)

SCMRDD STUDENT MOLESTED AT VERNE RIFFE SCHOOL

PARENTS TO SUE SUPERINTENDENT OAKLEY, SCMRDD BOARD AND OTHERS FOR HIDING MOLESTATIONS.

By Doug Deepe, Investigative Reporter

(Posted 8:15 a.m., Tuesday, July 22, 2003)

The Sentinel has been reporting over the last week about the horror behind the walls of the Verne Riffe School. The Sentinel now has confirmation from parents of a SCMRDD Verne Riffe School student that molestations are still occurring at the school under the leadership of Superintendent John Oakley. These are new molestations, not molestations committed by Zane Douglas Loper.

Yesterday afternoon two Sentinel reporters met with parents of a 17 year old boy that was molested at the Verne Riffe School this past school year. This was not the first attack on this young man by his perpetrator.

A male enrollee at the Verne Riffe School, approximate age of 20, was following younger boys into the bathrooms at the school, pulling the young boys pants down and molesting the younger boys. Nobody at Verne Riffe School notified local law enforcement officials for fear of being fired by Superintendent Oakley.

The parents of the young man that was molested stated to the Sentinel that they (the parents) had met with Superintendent Oakley and his staff after learning that their son had been molested in a closet at the Verne Riffe School by this older male student. The parents stated that Superintendent Oakley and his staff decided to keep the first molestation a "secret" from the parents because the mother of the young man was ill and Oakley "didn’t want to upset the mother because of her medical condition."

Superintendent Oakley and his staff covered up a possible felony crime.

According to the parents, Superintendent Oakley stated to the parents during the meeting that he (Oakley) couldn’t guarantee that their son would not be molested again if the boy returned to the Verne Riffe School this past school year. Oakley apparently was correct. The boy was molested upon his return to the school.

The parents stated that an agreement was made between the parents and Superintendent Oakley that the boy would be moved to a room at the school one floor above the older enrollee which had a bathroom within the schoolroom. The parents were told by Superintendent Oakley that the boys’ new teacher, Wilma, would be advised of the prior molestation. The parents claim that the teacher was not informed as promised by Oakley.

The parents claim that they found out of the latest molestation this past school year and immediately pulled their son out of the Verne Riffe School and began home schooling the young man. Superintendent Oakley wants the boy to return to the school and apparently has requested the assistance of Scioto County Children Services in getting the boy back into school.

What is heartbreaking is to talk with the young man and listen to him discuss how he misses his favorite teacher, Mr. Ison. The boy wants to return to school but he appears to understand why he can’t at the present time.

While interviewing the parents we were shown a special commendation given to this young man by the Scioto County Commissioners, so this young man is well known to the Commissioners. How can the Commissioners not address the parents and young boy about the terror they have suffered at the Verne Riffe School?

Well, someone is about to be forced to answer the parents charges against Superintendent Oakley. The Sentinel put the parents in contact with a very good lawyer who will be meeting with the young man and the parents to plan what should be done to get Superintendent Oakley and the staff at SCMRDD into court.

The Sentinel has provided names of potential witnesses from MRDD that have knowledge about the molestations within the Verne Riffe School and the lawyer will be using subpoena power to force these people to come forward and testify about what has been going on behind the walls of Verne Riffe School.

Those at MRDD that ordered keeping these secrets about the molestation of the kids at MRDD should be held accountable, both criminally and civilly. The only thing that seems to get the attention of the elected officials in Scioto County is legal battles. Rather than stand up and do the honorable thing and ask for Superintendent Oakley’s resignation it looks like the County Commissioners would rather deal with another lawsuit.

Well ones on the way and this one will bring the house of cards down around you. Superintendent Oakley appears to not be in very good stead with his employees so it’s clear that the employees are going to have their chance to put this man out on a limb and then saw the limb off. This is going to be your chance employees.

Many of you have wondered if the Sentinel was going to walk away from this issue. I think you should know by now that we aren’t going anywhere until Superintendent Oakley is removed from that job over our mentally challenged precious children.

Tomorrow the Sentinel is meeting with another set of parents that claim their daughter was molested at the Verne Riffe School. This story will either appear later in the week.

Hang in their staff at MRDD. These suits will allow you to speak freely for the first time in a long time; we understand the oppression you have been under for years.

D D

(posted 9:00 a.m., Monday, July 21, 2003)

MRDD EMPLOYEES, POLICE, PROSECUTORS, ELECTED OFFICIALS

Farley Square Vigils are just the beginning. God has a plan.

By Doug Deepe

(Posted 9:00 a.m., Monday, July 21, 2003)

When the Sentinel was approached a few months ago by a couple of local citizens that had been wronged by local law enforcement officials this reporter believed that God had finally devised a plan to root out corruption in Scioto County.

The staff met with these people and told them that if they would help us gather information that we would print the "truth" about what has been going on behind "closed doors in secret meetings" by the crooks in this town.

Immediately, God took my attention back to a passage of scriptures that proved to me that it will be GOD, not any man, that brings these people down and allows this city to grow. I feel it’s time to share with the readers that passage right now:

It is:                       PSALM 64 from the BIBLE

Hear me O God, as I voice my complaint:  protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers.

They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows.

They shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear.

They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; about hiding their snares; they say, "Who will see them"?  They plot injustice and say, "We have devised a perfect plan!"  Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning.

But GOD will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be struck down.  He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.  Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him!

With that in mind lets look at what has transpired over the last few months.

MRDD has moved right to the forefront because of the children being involved. Look at what has been going on in "secrecy" and the "plans" to keep it hidden from the public. What happened to those plans? They were suddenly exposed. This secret had been kept hidden from public view for years and nobody ever called them to task on what has been happening to the children of MRDD.

The meeting notes of Oakley, "His own words will bring him down." That’s why I pray to be sued by this man so it allows me the opportunity to get the staff of MRDD under oath and bring Oakley’s words out of the dark and into the light.

What about the local elected officials, law enforcement and police departments.

Just look at what has transpired. A flood of lawsuits have been filed that will allow Sgt. Matt Powell to get the majority of law enforcement officers on the witness stand to testify under oath. (Their own words)

Chief Prosecutor Randy Rumble spoke about secret Grand Jury testimony. (Their own words)

Chief Charles Horner has been sneaking around with his wicked followers and trying to gather information to use against Sgt. Matt Powell but each time he makes a move someone reveals his plan. Remember the 911 dispatch tape. Remember his secret memo. Remember the TST wrecker driver going to the Grand Jury on Sgt. Powell? He owes his livelihood to Chief Horner. (Their own words)

Then last week we discover that Chief Horner is laughing at us because the Sentinel could never find out about his son’s criminal record because it was expunged. Well what happened. The Portsmouth Municipal Court Records web-site didn’t have the record sealed up and it was still out there for public viewing. (Their own words)

According to inside sources Chief Horner exploded when he saw the Sentinel had this information about his son and had posted it for the whole world to see. It appears to be ok for all you people out there to raise other people’s criminal records but when it hits home it makes you a little upset. I surely hope the Chief didn’t tear up any city property in his fit of anger. (Their own words)

Portsmouth City Service Director Mike Blackburn’s computer purchase is in his own handwriting. (Their own words)

Lt. Lynn Brewer’s memo with his signature calling for Sgt. Powell’s removal from the F.O.P. will put him right in the civil suits. (Their own words)

The documents we find are written by individuals that must answer for their own words on those documents and this is driving these people crazy.

All these people, Oakley, Horner, Brewer, Rumble, Blackburn, etc. all thought they had devised the "perfect plan" only to have it blow up in their faces. When God wants to make a change the change is going to take place.

The nightly vigils at Farley Square, in remembrance of Carlton Cave, are going to bring down an answer from God. Many people don’t realize that the answer is here already. The people are slowly joining forces to take back the streets we live on. What better memorial could be left for such a fine young man as Carlton Cave as to be the catalyst that brought the people in Portsmouth together again.

Carlton Cave wasn’t a drug dealer, he wasn’t a thief, he was a devoted father and a man that nobody can say anything negative about. He was very well spoken and loved his child with all his heart. It’s a very sad commentary that it took the death of this sweet young man to finally wake up the people of Portsmouth. He was too young to be taken away but there’s no way his death will go unanswered.

His killing was cold blooded, pre-meditated murder. His killer deserves to be charged with the capital specification or that charge should never be used again in this city.

Listen to your local pastor’s people and join together as a community to fight these individuals. God is revealing all their little dirty deeds and this web-site will continue to expose as much as we can.

To be quite honest with the readers, I expect to be killed for what I’m doing. This web-site has driven wedges between people that had corrupt plans and we are in harms way for exposing them. Employees across the city and county government warns us daily of the anger and hatred spewing towards us, but we continue to ask ourselves who will do it if we don’t? So we place our lives on the line and trust God to protect us from these men.

When and if that happens I can do one thing. I can look God right in the eye and tell him I tried.

Now it’s up to the people. Are you willing to sit there cowardly letting children be raped at MRDD? You have the power as a group to reveal Oakley and his criminal deeds.

What about the good, decent law enforcement officers in both New Boston and Portsmouth Police Departments. Are you going to let these crooked men over you force you to continue to carry out their dirty deeds?

Finally, to all those elected officials. You were elected to protect the people. Where are you right now in the hour of need of the people? You are hiding in your offices hoping that none of this hits you personally.

Sorry it’s going to hit all of you before this is over.

God has moved a big mountain off the City of Portsmouth, Ohio and big changes are coming. Stand up people and take our town back.

I hope someone from MRDD emails me tonight and lets me know how irate Oakley was upon his return to work today.

Their days in power are numbered and they know it. Just keep the faith people.

D D

 (Posted 9:00 a.m., Friday, July 18, 2003)

MRDD: OAKLEY PAY AND OTHER CORRUPTION
Oakley’s little Cost Review Committee Exposed

By Doug Deepe, Investigative Reporter

(Posted 9:00 a.m., Friday, July 18, 2003)

The Sentinel obtained copies of MRDD Superintendent John Oakley’s wages for 2002 and found a couple of amazing facts with the figures.

First, Superintendent Oakley was paid a salary of $82,475.13 for the period January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002.

In those figures it’s noted that Oakley received 17 equal payments of $3020.43. Oakley then received 7 payments in the amount of $3192.58. The last two payments for Oakley dated 12/13/2002, in the amount of $4,389.88 and 12/27/2003 in the amount of $4,389.88.

Oakley’s 2003 payments are as follows: 2 payments in the amount of $4,389.88, 13 payments in the amount of $3,192.58.

It appears that Oakley has some type of "balloon payments" in his contract. If not, why the differences in his payments? Most county contracts are divided into 26 equal payments but not Oakley. Maybe the Scioto County Commissioners can explain this.

More questions and problems are being exposed that all lead to one fact that seems to be Oakley’s driving motive, "keep the money".

Why has Superintendent Oakley set up a system where there is a denial of the "Right to Choose" by consumers by restricting use of providers other than MRDD?

This is done with Oakley’s illegal little "Cost Review Committee" that he established to bog down the system to ensure that consumers choose MRDD.

Isn’t this "Cost Review Committee" a violation of state law? According to the State Board Members that I talked with yesterday we’re going to find out very soon. (I think Oakley’s in for a big surprise.)

What about the federal matching payments Oakley?

What about the meetings you had with the Primary Service Coordinators (PSC’s) on 10/3/02, 10/10/02 and 10/17/02 when you asked the PSC’s to do something illegal and immoral? Does this sound familiar Oakley; Oakley gave tips to PSC’s on how to "Get Rid of Providers". Then you told the PSC’s, "You can’t do it to SRS because they have the means to defend themselves." Oh my, an agency like SRS scares you huh? I guess that’s where my information should go next, since I’ve sent some to the state.

PSC’s were told by you Oakley that only MRDD providers would be accepted. What was that other comment you made? "We don’t want SRS to get our dollars."

There it is; the money. See Oakley, your own words are going to bring you down.

Oakley instructed PSC’s that anyone in need of a professional service such as, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and nursing should know that these services should be a "RED FLAG. These services are too much money to pay because they eat up the matching funds. DENY THE SERVICES. This was stated at a meeting on 1/9/03 PSC meeting.

Commissioner’s did you tell Oakley to cut or deny services to the needy?

How Oakley’s instructions to force PSC’s to seek legal guardianship on enrollees to keep them in school rather than allow them into the adult services. I think that was in your 1/30/03 meeting with the PSC’s.

Ask the MRDD staff if these meetings took place Commissioners.

Oakley has lied to his own board members and laughed that he could rattle off fake Ohio State Laws and get the MRDD Board to approve whatever he wanted.

It really must be true that you can manipulate your Board of Trustees.

What’s really curious is how someone, lets say Donna Royce, a woman that was hired in as a counselor, is now the Community Service Director. (Now you can yell at Doug Deepe, Donna. Just explain how you jumped over all those more qualified than you to the position you have now.)

Oakley is using his little "Cost Review Committee" for one purpose; to deny services that are needed by citizens of Scioto County to ensure he can keep his high salary.

It’s an absolute disgrace that such a committee exists with the millions of dollars flowing through MRDD each year and it was set up by the Superintendent to do one thing, force money to stay at MRDD in violation of laws.

It seems like Oakley has made a decision that since the enrollment at the Verne Riffe School is dropping he can withhold important and needed services to the most helpless people in our county to keep his bank balance at MRDD full.

The reason he is getting by with this is because the Scioto County Commissioners have not been actively involved with these issues. Well at least not the Democrats, including Verne Riffe III. I’ve discussed things with people with personal knowledge of MRDD today that leads me to believe that Commissioner Opal Spears did try to appoint members to the MRDD Board that wouldn’t "rubber stamp" Oakley’s requests. That apparently didn’t work, but at least she tried.

What I don’t understand is how Oakley could have sat silently by when an older male "lesser mentally challenged male" was following younger mentally challenged males into the bathroom and ripping the young boys pants down and sodomizing them.

Commissioners, this is criminal activity. The staff reported this to the MRDD Administration, including Oakley, and the staff was told that nobody could go into the bathroom and watch the older enrollee, because it was a violation of that man’s rights.

So Oakley, you allowed crimes to be inflicted on children that couldn’t yell out for help to protect "a right"? Why weren’t the police called? What changed your mind to allow the staff to monitor the man after the sodomy and rapes took place Oakley?

Where the heck have the Scioto County Commissioners been? I know for a fact that the staff will tell you about this. You’re now warned it happened and the whole thing is going to come to light very soon.

The staff was forced to believe that Oakley and his administration could put out a memo restricting workers from speaking out about an issue involving "sodomy and/or rape". Can you imagine what else the staff at MRDD has knowledge of if they are so afraid that they can’t speak about sodomy and rape?

Is that what you want the Verne Riffe School and MRDD to be known for commissioners? You fund MRDD and it’s on your watch that this is coming out. To sit by silently and watch the kids and staff be destroyed by a bully, tyrant or whatever you want to label Oakley, isn’t acceptable.

I know these things are true. They have been confirmed to me by email, face to face meetings, phone calls, documents etc. Why do you think the people with all this information came to the Sentinel? It’s obvious, we would listen and speak out.

Tonight I’ve received about 20 phone calls about MRDD present and former staff members and thanking us for bringing this corrupt leader out into the public view to be scrutinized.

Most of these people want to see Oakley escorted to the door and either arrested of walked off the MRDD property.

Oakley believes that the majority of the victims raped or sodomized have parents that are mentally challenged and his secrets are safe because nobody will believe them. You’re dead wrong Oakley.

If someone doesn’t arrest you, I’ll find the money to get these people a lawyer to sue MRDD. It’s going to stop and Oakley and his leaders are going to be called to task.

MRDD staff, keep the faith. I’ll write more on Monday. I think you know by these first three articles I’ve got the goods on Oakley. It’s only a matter of time until FREEDOM COMES TO MRDD FOR THE KIDS AND STAFF.

D D

(posted 9:00 a.m., Thursday, July 17, 2003)

MEMO PROVES SECRECY IS PARAMOUNT AT MRDD

There is a thing called first amendment rights Mr. Oakley.

By Doug Deepe, Investigative Reporter

(Posted 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2003)

The Sentinel wrote yesterday about the iron fist in which the MRDD Superintendent John Oakley rules his employees. Now it appears that either his personnel director on her own, or at Superintendent Oakley’s authority, issued an ultimatum to MRDD employees in regards to their ability to speak freely with the press.

In a memo dated, October 17, 2002, to all County Board MRDD Employees, from Bettilee Rayburn, Personnel Office, referencing revision of personnel policy and procedures manual, the following statement is found in the memo:

"REMINDER: I would also like to remind you of the confidentiality policy, based on law, which each employee signs. Even if you end your employment with SCBMRDD, you remain under this clause. If a newspaper or other media contacts you concerning either an enrollee and/or employee in our program, either past or present, you are not to break the policy. You should refer them back to the Superintendent for comment."

The Sentinel has obtained a copy of the SCBMRDD policy and procedures manual and nowhere in the manual can the Sentinel find any adopted policy or procedure that limits a person’s right to free speech about other employees at SCBMRDD.

There is a provision to protect the privacy of enrollees in SCBMRDD programs which is covered by state law. This law does not prohibit any employee from discussing issues with the press about other employees or issues of public concern.

It seems that someone in the administration is using scare tactics to stop employees from speaking out about events that transpire at MRDD. This memo was prepared just a few months after the Zane Douglas Loper case was resolved. In that case over 11 counts of rape of minor children, many of which were mentally challenged and in the care of MRDD or other local agencies, were uncovered.

Was this memo prepared to get people at MRDD to not talk about the Loper case, or to prevent anyone from telling about other events that have taken place at MRDD that have been covered up.

Or was it to get protection for Superintendent Oakley so people couldn’t speak out about him doing some of these things:

1. The creation of an atmosphere of harassment and ridicule that has lead to the forced resignation of long time employees.

2. The elimination of after hours recreation/leisure opportunities.

3. Failure to abide by the Agency Mission Statement.

4. Freeze on community based outings and activities for adult enrollees.

5. Selection of Board Members and Family as "Pilot Group" for Self-Determination Project. (Isn’t this unethical)

6. Routinely threaten, harass employees who do not support your open unethical and/or illegal stances.

7. No evacuation plan for Verne Riffe School Building employees to assist non-ambulatory students in case of a disaster.

8. The forced, "voluntary" demotion of a long time effective valued program manager.

9. Perpetrator of unfair labor practices in regards to transportation union.

10. Dismissal of school principal to deflect your own culpability.

11. Unwarranted firing of the transportation manager.

That’s enough for this memo, don’t you think Superintendent Oakley.

This is American Oakley. In America we serve many God’s but I don’t think I’ve found one like you, the "Great God of MRDD."

I’ve run across many arrogant supervisors within local government but your 6’6" frame makes me think you’re more of a school yard bully pushing around the little people.

By the memo above and what I’ve learned about you over the last 48 hours someone from outside your agency needs to come in and meet with your staff to see how many civil rights you are violating against your employees.

To all the employees of MRDD, you need not fear Superintendent Oakley. His harassment can be dealt with through the courts. Maybe if a few of you band together and file a suit against him for this ban of your first amendment right to speak out against issues of public concern, the MRDD Board might have to take action against him.

It seems like your present stance of silence isn’t working and it’s making the "Great Almighty Oakley of MRDD" feel more powerful each day. You can stop him.

Anyone with the courage to go to court with him call me at 354-3719 and I’ll get you in contact with a fantastic lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio that handles employment law issues. I guarantee you that he’ll stop MRDD Board Members and Superintendent Oakley from violating your civil and constitutional rights.

The last 48 hours I’ve learned a lot about MRDD but I want to know more before we come into your agency. I want to plan how to attack these tyrants. I’ll meet with you anywhere, anyplace and anytime. Just contact me.

Keep the faith people. Change will happen and we’ll help you, you’ve got our word.

D D

Portsmouth Police Officers also met with the Sentinel last night and stated that rumors continue that the Superintendent of the MRDD, John Oakley, had been made aware of Loper’s prior allegations of molestation of children in the care of numerous county agencies, including Scioto County Children’s Services and Shawnee Mental Health. Oakley still hired Loper after being warned that Loper posed a danger to the children at MRDD.

What’s more disturbing is information provided to the Sentinel that Loper was caught with marijuana plants in his home by the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office in 1993. Rather than arrest Loper the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office began to use Loper as a drug informant. In exchange for his drug work no criminal charges were ever filed against Loper for the drug case. Yet this mistake allowed Loper to again go free to rape the mentally retarded children of Scioto County.

While all this is going on Superintendent Oakley is taking care of himself by ordering his staff to "not talk to the press" and to keep quiet about events at MRDD including threats to fire employees that talked. Memo’s can haunt you sometimes Oakley.

While Oakley lives in his $250,000 home on Sheridan, sitting around to quietly retire in 2 years, having his wife making a salary at MRDD, the employees of MRDD are being ruled by his iron fist to stay quiet and not expose the most corrupt situation in the Scioto County area.

Sources claim that Oakley was warned by individual citizens and employees from Children’s Services to not hire Loper, yet as a favor to Captain Miller, Lopers STEPDADDY, Oakley hired Loper.

Now what about the alleged theft of the Special Olympics Financial Documents? Sources came to the Sentinel and stated to us that Oakley wanted that organization under his control so he shut down bus service for the Special Olympics, and did anyone notice that this year Scioto County didn’t send any of our children to the Special Olympics.

Your mission statement at MRDD is a joke Oakley. Maybe you need to read it again. Your job is to care for the men, women and children with mental disabilities under your control, not hide criminal activity by your employees.

But then again, maybe your attorney instructed you that you need not read your mission statement. What’s your attorney’s name there at MRDD? Isn’t it Assistant Scioto County Prosecutor Rick Brown? Well, there’s a surprise, another hat for Rick Brown. How much money is paid to Brown for this job? We’ll get that info.

How about your bus drivers? You sold the MRDD buses to a private contractor, erected a fence around the buses and put barbed wire up to keep the drivers out. We’re still looking into that matter.

To keep the Yates lawsuit a "secret" shows the despicable leadership at the MRDD. Where is the board members of this agency and why haven’t they stepped in and listened to your workers? Are you aware of the iron fist Oakley pounds on the good people at MRDD who work diligently to care for the men, women and children under your care? Or do you even care? Is it once again, the money, that you care about?

Well this reporter wants you to know that once we get this story out across the city and county that’s exactly what you might lose, the levy money that pays the high salaries to Oakley and his henchmen and henchwomen.

Well, since the Board at MRDD won’t stop Superintendent Oakley, Doug Deepe and the Sentinel Staff are coming there to investigate MRDD, the books of the agency and to meet with the staff and parents of students to find out what’s going on inside that agency. We will expose the whole truth whether you want it out or not Oakley.

Oakley, you may intimidate and harass your employees but rest assured that you don’t intimidate us.

What you allowed to occur to the most vulnerable people alive, OUR MENTALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN, and then cover it up will not go unanswered. You will answer to the people.

This website is preparing a "hard copy" edition to take to press in the very near future and I think we just found our headline story, MRDD.

MRDD receives federal, state and county funding therefore your records is open to public inspection and you can rest assured I’ll find any improprieties in your books.

As a father and grandfather, this story makes me sick and you and your board should resign immediately.

Your secret is now out and nobody will let it go back in the dark. We are coming, soon.

You have two options. Call us at 354-3719 or we will come knocking on your office door so you can explain this to us in person. I understand you are off this week but I’m sure one of your buddies will notify you of this posting. Call Rick Brown and have him there with you to talk to us. Also, bring that hatchet lady that works for you keeping the press quiet, (isn’t her name Donna) so we can question her silence too.

Please, ask Rick Brown to sue me. This story makes me a million times sicker than City Service Director Mike Blackburn and Mayor Bauer. So I’ll tell you what I told them. Send me the court you want to sue me in for libel, I’ll send you a certified check to use for the filing fee. I’m positive that once I get your employees under oath that the story they will tell will prove everything in this story is true and accurate, not to mention the things I’ll write about in the next stories that follow.

You may sit in your plush office while our children are raped; but not on our money. Oakley do the honorable thing and RESIGN. You have no other honor.

D D

(posted 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2003)

PORTSMOUTH POLICE OFFICER SHOULD COME CLEAN WITH TRUTH THAT CHIEF HORNER IS USING HIM TO GET NAMES OF NEW BOSTON DRUG INFORMANTS.

TST DRIVER MAY HAVE LIED TO GRAND JURY. ARE YOU GOING TO LIE?

"Everyone knows who you are."

By Doug Deepe, Investigative Reporter

(Posted 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2003)

The Sentinel has been investigating how information concerning the names of New Boston drug informants is landing in the hands of Portsmouth Police Chief Charles Horner. The Sentinel has information that most, if not all, of the information may be coming from a former New Boston Police Officer that was recently hired by Chief Horner.

Let’s look at a few facts.

First, the officer in question was ranked number 7 on the qualification list issued by the Civil Service Commission. Why would Portsmouth Police Chief Charles Horner pass on 6 other candidates to take this person as a Portsmouth Police Officer?’

The Sentinel has copies of the newly hired officer’s transcripts from Shawnee State University found in his personnel file at the Portsmouth Police Department. This officer had 7 F’s in his last three terms at Shawnee State University. That didn’t raise any flags with Chief Horner.

In fact, this officer stated to numerous people, including New Boston Police Sgt. Matt Powell, that one question asked during this officers interview with Chief Horner in April 2003 for a job was, "Would you be willing to write up Sgt. Powell?" Hum, doesn’t that make you wonder?

Last week the Sentinel was called by a New Boston drug informant that had never worked for the Portsmouth Police Department and informed that Chief Horner had this individuals name. Now, drug informant information isn’t up to the highest bidder and it’s not public information, so how did Chief Horner get this persons name?

Maybe someone should let this new officer with Portsmouth in on a little secret. If one of these drug informants is killed, and you are the one that gave Chief Horner the name to make public, you might be legally responsible. Is it worth it for you to give this confidential information to him and risk the informant’s lives?

The Sentinel knows about your late night call to come to the Portsmouth Police Department and you being threatened with a bad report. Is that why you gave up the names of the informants? Was some type of promise made to you to give help to Chief Horner and the bad report goes away? You must realize that all these questions are going to be asked to you under oath at some point.

It seems you are right in the middle of this mess and only you can stop it.

Maybe you should seek advice of a lawyer and sue Chief Horner yourself. It’s against the law to be threatened by your boss and I know for certain that one Portsmouth Police Officer knows you’re involved, so it’s going to come out.

Now moving on, let’s look at TST. The Sentinel has information that something might have been missed by the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office in the TST driver that testified before the Scioto County Grand Jury. If our information is correct, and we should know by tomorrow night, maybe new light will be shed on the Donald Murphy case against Sgt. Matt Powell.

The driver in question that night apparently has taken the civil service test to become a Portsmouth Police Officer. Right now we are seeking a document that will prove or disprove his story. We have been told that the document we are seeking will be available to us around 3:00 p.m. tomorrow. We will bring that information first to Sgt. Matt Powell and his attorney, James Banks, then to the Scioto County Prosecutors Office, then to our readers. This document could blow the lid off the Sgt. Powell and Chief Horner story, and maybe put someone in jail.

D D

(posted 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 10, 2003)

PORTSMOUTH POLICE DETECTIVE TODD BRYANT IS BEING ACCUSED OF PUTTING HIS HANDS IN FEMALES UNDERWEAR DURING JULY 4^th DRUG BUST ON TIMMONDS STREET.

"Female claims Detective Bryant tried to get her to lure Teresa Blankenship to the drug bust house using her daughters cell phone."

By Doug Deepe, Investigative Reporter

(Posted 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 10, 2003)

The Sentinel has just learned that a formal complaint is going to be filed against Portsmouth Police Detective Todd Bryant sometime in the next couple of days by Billie Ashley of 1902 Timmonds Avenue, Portsmouth, Ohio.

Ashley discussed with the Sentinel this afternoon that at around 9:30 a.m. on July 4, 2003, numerous officers from the Portsmouth Police Department entered the residence at 1902 Timmonds Avenue and ordered all the people to the floor.

Ashley claims that no female officers ever entered the house and that she didn’t see any female officers outside the house.

After the house was secured, Ashley claims that Detective Todd Bryant began searching her and other women that were in the house.

Ashley claims that Detective Bryant placed his hands inside the top of her underwear and ran his hands around her underwear top all around her body. Ashley then claims that Detective Bryant then ran his hands around the front of her body and reached for where her bra would normally be at which time she says Detective Bryant touched her breasts.

Ashley states that she had asked Detective Bryant to allow her to put on a bra but Detective Bryant refused saying that the scene had to be secured before anyone moved.

Ashley says that she was eventually allowed to put on her bra. "It makes me sick just thinking of him (Detective Bryant) touching me like that" said Ashley. He didn’t have a right to touch me like that and I’m going to file a complaint with my attorney’s help to get him investigated. "Isn’t it a law that they should have had a female officer there when they searched the women? I’m not the only woman Bryant searched; he searched all the women there."

After the scene was secured Detective Bryant allowed Ashley to call Bail Bonds person Teresa Blankenship. According to Ashley, Detective Bryant tried to get her (Ashley) to ask Blankenship to come to the residence on Timmonds. Blankenship told Ashley that she would come meet her at the Scioto County Jail.

Ashley says that a second call was then placed by her to Blankenship, again asking Blankenship to come to the Timmonds Avenue address.

Teresa Blankenship claims that she became alarmed that someone might be trying to set her (Blankenship) up and she decided to call the Portsmouth Police Dispatcher to find out why Ashley was being allowed to call Blankenship from a crime scene and requesting that Blankenship come there.

The Portsmouth Dispatcher called the officers on the scene and came back on the phone with Blankenship at which time the Portsmouth Police Dispatcher told Blankenship, "Do not go there, you could get arrested."

Ashley claims that she heard a telephone call discussion between the officers on the scene and someone on a police cell phone and the statement was made on the order of "She must have called Blankenship not us." Ashley states that when the officer (who should be identified on the Portsmouth Police Dispatch tapes) hung up the phone that there was a slight disagreement with Detective Bryant and one of the other officers on the scene.

Ashley says that Detective Bryant made the statement, "She asked Blankenship to come here didn’t she?" The officer allegedly responded to Detective Bryant, "You (meaning Bryant) asked for her (Blankenship) to come here."

Ashley says that another comment was made during the drug bust that "Pokies next." When asked what was meant by that comment, Ashley said, "I believe the police are trying to set Pokie up." (Pokie is the nickname of Teresa Blankenship)

Ashley says that she used her daughters cell phone, 357-2833, and that the two cell phone calls to Blankenship will be easily retrievable for anyone to verify that two calls were made.

Ashley did say that all the other Portsmouth Police Officers on the scene were very professional. The other officers listed to be on the scene were Officer Davis, Detective Cassidy, Detective Charles, and Officer Lee Bauer. Ashley stated that the other officers weren’t involved in touching her, just Detective Bryant.

The Sentinel is trying to reach the other women at the residence for interviews.

D D

(posted 4:45 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2003)

MUNION FREED, JUDGE MARSHALL DISMISSES CASE

"Corruption defeated. Attorney Jack Young yells at his former client in hallway after

withdrawing from case."

By Doug Deepe, Investigative Reporter

Today justice finally won out over corruption. Judge William Marshall dismissed a felony forgery charge against Sherry Munion after Scioto County Prosecutor Rebecca Bennett told Judge Marshall that the New Boston Police Department had an agreement with Munion to work as a drug informant in exchange for assistance with the forgery case against her.

Munion decided that she couldn’t trust her court appointed attorney, Jack Young, so she hired Attorney Christine Scott to take over her case. Munion told the Sentinel, prior to the hearing, that she was going to fire Attorney Young when he arrived at the courthouse for today’s hearing because he refused to meet with her to discuss her case. Munion stated, "I called his office and tried to get an appointment and his secretary told me he (Young) would meet with me at the courthouse and then hung up on me."

Prior to the beginning of today’s hearing, Attorney Jack Young verbally attacked Munion outside Judge Marshall’s courtroom for comments that Munion had made to the Sentinel about the pending case. Attorney Young announced loudly that "Judge Marshall is going to state on the record that I (Young) told him about the New Boston deal on June 21^st." That appeared to be news to Ms. Munion. Young went on to say that he (Young) had known about the New Boston deal since May of 2003. That statement brought about surprised looks on the faces of people in the courthouse hallway because Jack Young had never contacted Munion’s former attorney, Eric Wrage, with that information that was crucial to Munion’s criminal case.

Since Munion was not allowed back in Judge Marshall’s chambers to listen to what was said in the June 21^st hearing, there isn’t anyone that can dispute what Young or Judge Marshall says. The facts still remain that Attorney Young never discussed this very crucial news to Munion after the hearing on June 21^st as Young claims now claims. That’s why all hearings, pretrial and trials should be held in open court, not behind closed doors with just the Judge and the attorneys working out their little deals.

Munion has signed a statement that all comments attributed to her in connection with her conversations with Attorney Jack Young are true and accurate as reported on the Sentinel website. Munion didn’t want to argue with Attorney Young in the courthouse hallway so she let him spew his anger and walk away. Munion stated, "He withdrew because he knew he was going to let them shaft me and I didn’t let it happen. I think they are just protecting him (Young) from me being able to sue him for malfeasance. I wonder how many other people have been treated like this by him."

The hearing began around 2:15 p.m., and sitting in the back of the courtroom was Portsmouth Police Chief Charles Horner and Portsmouth Police Captain David Thoroughman. These two men have been involved in attempts to get Munion to lie on New Boston Police Sgt. Matt Powell.

As Judge Marshall was about to take to the bench, New Boston Police Sgt. Matt Powell entered the courtroom with Assistant Scioto County Prosecutor Rebecca Bennett. Police Chief Horner and Captain Thoroughman pulled out their notepads and began taking notes.

Judge Marshall took the bench and stated on the record, "Attorney Young brought to my attention on June 21^st , an earlier pre-trial date, that there was some type of deal made with Ms. Munion and I ordered this checked into Ms. Bennett. Is there a deal."

Assistant Prosecutor Bennett’s answer was telling. Bennett stated that the first she knew about the deal was just before entering the courtroom after she met with Sgt. Matt Powell in her office and he informed her about Munions deal with the New Boston Police Department.

Judge Marshall asked Sgt. Powell if Munion had worked for him and if there was a deal for her help at which time Sgt. Powell informed Judge Marshall that there was a deal and that Munion had been very instrumental in cleaning up the drug crime in New Boston.

Judge Marshall then dismissed the case against Munion with the condition that she make full restitution for the forged check by February 2004 or the forgery case could be reinstated.

Finally, justice prevails and the crooked deal didn’t get pushed through.

Why was Portsmouth Police Chief Charles Horner and Captain David Thoroughman in the courtroom today? It’s simple. Munion wouldn’t lie on Sgt. Matt Powell and these two men were there to sit silently by and let Munion be sent off to prison. It didn’t work fellas.

What about the fact that Attorney Jack Young never contacted Munion’s former, attorney Eric Wrage to gather information about the Munion case. Attorney Wrage was forced off the case by Chief Prosecutor Randy Rumble and it was Wrage that had the New Boston Police deal information.

Munion states that at the June 21^st pretrial Attorney Jack Young walked out into the hallway and told her he had seen her "criminal rap sheet" and it was a mile long. Munion says Young told her she was going to get 8 months in prison and he didn’t want to hear her story because he had heard them before.

Attorney Jack Young was escorted over to an individual that Portsmouth Police Chief Horner pointed at and told Young, "That’s Doug Deepe." Young stated to this individual, "Good, I just wanted to get a bead on who you are." This individual stated he took that as some type of threat against him by Attorney Young, but this individual laughed it off as a "poor old man who got caught not doing his job."

The Sentinel wants Attorney Jack Young to be forewarned, before you file any libel suits, email us where you want Munions signed statement mailed to you from our attorney, and we do have one.

The Sentinel is proud that it played a small part in finally defeating corruption in the courthouse. Though it is a first step, it may be a big step, if people start coming forward and telling the truth on the crooked deals going on behind closed doors. Thank God for honest attorneys such as Christine Scott.

D D

 (posted 1:37 p.m., Monday June 16, 2003)IS PORTSMOUTH AND SCIOTO COUNTY THE NEXT
TULIA, TEXAS?

By Doug Deepe, Investigative Reporter

On NBC’s Today Show this morning, June 16, 2003, Tulia, Texas resident, Gary Gardner, a 57 year old farmer and crop duster, was praised for his work to free 38 people that had been falsely imprisoned by perjured testimony of a Tulia, Texas drug task force officer.

Tulia Undercover Officer Tom Coleman was indicted on June 13, 2003 with three counts of perjury for giving false testimony to a Swisher County Grand Jury and during testimony in criminal trials. Early today, nineteen (19) convicted men will be released from Texas prisons because of Coleman’s perjured testimony.

Joe Moore, a man sentenced to ninety (90) years to the Texas Department of Corrections by Officer Coleman’s testimony, stated that if weren’t for the dedication of a private citizen, Gary Gardner, Moore would never have been proven innocent of the crime he was convicted.  The only evidence against Joe Moore was Officer Coleman’s testimony.

Officer Coleman was brought before a Texas Legislature Judicial Committee and found to have given false affidavits for arrests which included statements that he had "recordings of confidential informants providing him information that he used in obtaining search and arrest warrants on the people he arrested." It was only during the Texas Legislature Judicial Committee hearings that Officer Coleman was forced to admit that there were no recordings from confidential informants.

This case is identical of police activity in Scioto County.  How can Portsmouth Police Chief Charles Horner and Officer Todd Bryant get away with not being prosecuted for giving false information to a local judge to get a search warrant for the Johnie and Nina Ruby case?

A United States Federal Judge ruled in 2001 that Chief Horner and Officer Bryant couldn’t prove that there was any confidential information that existed in the affidavits for the search warrants provided to a local judge in getting the warrants for the Ruby’s business on State Rt. 125. The actions of Chief Horner and Officer Bryant were so flagrant that the Federal Judge stripped both men of their immunity.

Yet, no prosecution has occurred in the Scioto County legal justice system.

Gary Gardner stated in an interview on the Today Show this morning, "It’s time that people stand up to law enforcement and remind them that they work for the people that pay them their wages and ‘we the people’ are going to start to hold them accountable."

Lawyers for the NAACP claim that Tulia, Texas is just the tip of the iceberg. They believe Gary Gardner will be an inspiration to others across America to stand up and fight corruption wherever it is found.

Over the last few weeks corruption has slowly been uncovered in Portsmouth and Scioto County. The Portsmouth City Service Director Mike Blackburn has been found to have purchased a personal computer tax free, (with Mayor Bauer’s blessing), law enforcement knew about this crime and turned a blind eye to it, police officers have been revealed to have given false testimony under oath, and what has happened? Nothing.

It’s clear that Portsmouth and Scioto County is identical to Tulia, Texas. What this area needs is an investigation by state or federal investigators to root out the corruption in our city and county. What brave elected official has the courage to ask for that investigation? Probably none, so that leaves it up to "we the people."

People sit and wonder why Portsmouth and Scioto County continues to decline and can’t get businesses to settle in our area. Maybe you should be asking this question instead, "Where have all the millions of dollars in grants gone?" Ask Mayor Greg Bauer; he helped $3,000,000 in Empowerment Zone Money disappear when he was with SOGP.  Ask Mayor Bauer where the recycling grant money went last year. It went into a building where Portsmouth City equipment is being stored, yet the paperwork claims that Portsmouth has a recycling operation in place.  Maybe Mayor Bauer should be called before the Scioto County Grand Jury to give testimony, under oath, and not on his spin radio talk show.

Until the crooked politicians and police officers are indicted and removed from office, Portsmouth and Scioto County will never prosper again.

Is Portsmouth and Scioto County the next Tulia, Texas? You bet we are.

(Editor's note:  Tom Coleman's status as a Drug Task Force Agent was further confirmed in an article by Associated Press, by Betsy Blaney, that appeared on Page A4 of the Cincinnati Enquirer on Monday, June 16, 2003.)

D D (1:37 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2003)