It Depends On What The Meaning Of “Ethics” Is

Radiofree West Hartford ^ | February 06, 2007 | Doug Wrenn

[CTposterBoy]

When asked, outgoing Public Safety Commissioner Leonard Boyle said that his decision to leave was in the works for a while and had nothing to do with Gov. Rell’s appointment of the very troubled Linda Yelmini to be Deputy Commissioner of the very troubled Internal Affairs Unit for the very troubled Connecticut State Police. Maybe so, but it was a worthwhile question that needed to be asked anyway. Now there are a few other worthwhile questions that need to be asked and answered.

A recent report showed abysmal performance by the Internal Affairs Unit in handling many outlandish cases involving allegations against rogue troopers, including but not limited to ties to organized crime, being inebriated while on duty, allegations of sexual misconduct and in one case, making a threatening gesture with a shotgun to intimidate an employee at Bradley Airport. (And I have to take my shoes off to fly?)

Enter Linda Yelmini into the picture, riding in on her horse to save the day, but that’s no white horse that she is riding on. Yelmini’s transfer to the post was part of a plan to revamp the Internal Affairs Unit. It was also a demotion for Yelmini, who was previously Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services. Yelmini was one of the commissioners involved in “Moody-Gate,” in which they allegedly solicited for a fundraiser for Governor Rell while on state time, and to their subordinates.

Yelmini denied the allegation, saying that no one had any evidence against her. In case you couldn’t guess, Yelmini is also an attorney. She claimed that she was miffed by the fact that Lisa Moody, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, handed her three envelopes and gave her instructions as to who to give them. Yelmini said she felt like a postal carrier, and was only delivering envelopes. If Yelmini was working as a prosecutor, and the defendant tried that lame excuse if cocaine was in the envelopes, I wonder if she would still find that reply reasonable.

I watched part of the taped ethics hearings. It was a disgrace. Moody, who only received a two week suspension from her job, seemed conspicuously apathetic, and smirking during the process. Yelmini was arrogant, defiant, brash, and bordering on belligerent.

continued at Radiofree West Hartford

[kinoxi]

Is means was and was means old and old means obsolete so who cares anyway... /s