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Whistle-blower let go as reserve deputy
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | August 17, 2012 | Justin Berton

Posted on 08/18/2012 9:58:11 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife

A law enforcement whistle-blower who told investigators he witnessed a Contra Costa County sheriff's deputy conduct a "dirty DUI" arrest has been relieved from duty in what he said was retaliation for breaking the police code of silence.

William Howard of Danville worked as a reserve in the Sheriff's Department for 19 years until he was dismissed Tuesday without explanation and ordered to turn in his uniform and weapon.

A department spokesman, Jimmy Lee, described Howard's release as an internal matter and declined to discuss it. Reserves are "at will" employees and are subject to dismissal without cause, according to California state law.

Howard told The Chronicle he was ostracized by fellow officers, chided by commanders and removed from prime assignments in the months after he cooperated with internal affairs investigators who were building a criminal case against former Deputy Sheriff Stephen Tanabe, 49.

"I knew I was doing the right thing," Howard said. "But I didn't anticipate the extent of anger that would be directed toward me."

Howard's Feb.23, 2011, statement played a critical role into the investigation of Tanabe, an associate of private investigator Christopher Butler, 50, of Antioch.

A federal grand jury later indicted Butler and Tanabe on conspiracy charges alleging they worked in cahoots to arrest three men Butler had targeted on behalf of his clients - the ex-wives of the targeted men.

Butler was allegedly paid by the women to carry out the "dirty DUIs" (drunken-driving arrests) to sully the men with criminal records for pending divorce and custody battles.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cops; crime; dirtycops; divorce; donutwatch; dui; police; whistleblower

1 posted on 08/18/2012 9:58:32 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Armed union members with the force of law on their side. What could possibly go wrong there?


2 posted on 08/18/2012 10:03:20 AM PDT by datura (Democrat = Socialist, Progressive Democrat = Communist)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
This is a great example of how good intentions end up aiding the corrupt.

As easy as it is to get slapped with a DWI - more than one drink in the course of an hour for most people - nearly anyone can have their life turned upside down.

All it takes is a little unwanted attention from the wrong authorities.

3 posted on 08/18/2012 10:06:19 AM PDT by skeeter
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To: datura

Re #2; Was the reserve officer union too?


4 posted on 08/18/2012 10:08:11 AM PDT by fella ("As it was before Noah, so shall it be again.")
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Evidently the Contra Costa Sheriff's Department is upset that some of their corruption has been revealed. Instead of sending a message that they appreciate being able to root out such corruption, they have instead sent the message that "tattling" when officers commit felonies will not be tolerated.

Imaging what the atmosphere must be like in such a stink-hole. These armed thugs pretending to be law-enforcement will someday wonder why they have no public support.

5 posted on 08/18/2012 10:12:51 AM PDT by William Tell
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To: William Tell

That “at will” clause won’t do any good in a Federal court...I’m sure that he has his phone ringing off the hook from lawyers looking for a “cut”.

I think the law will take an extremely dim view of an officer fired for telling the truth and that truth is used in a courtroom.


6 posted on 08/18/2012 10:33:07 AM PDT by The Antiyuppie ("When small men cast long shadows, then it is very late in the day.")
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Welcome to turd world policing and life. What kind of women would corrupt themselves and our Nation in this way?


7 posted on 08/18/2012 10:33:07 AM PDT by SaraJohnson
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To: SaraJohnson

You’ve never been married to a woman have you?


8 posted on 08/18/2012 10:44:29 AM PDT by null and void (Day 1307 of our ObamaVacation from reality - Heroes aren't made Frank, they're cornered...)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

This would seem a felony as it is tempering with a witness. It also seems like RICO charge against all involved.


9 posted on 08/18/2012 10:44:34 AM PDT by CodeToad (Anticipate their arrival...they won't.)
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To: SaraJohnson
Sara, your innocence does you much credit.

However, welcome to Anytown, USA. Divorcées and Cops: a match made in Hades and funded by ex-and-soon-to-be-ex-husbands everywhere. Sleazoid divorce lawyers and their "Private Investigators?" Every town has'em!

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/pantless_cop_shot_Y5LToQgAqYq90Z4qqVnswM

10 posted on 08/18/2012 11:08:28 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk (Sheriff's Joe's findings: What Obama got from Hawaii, ain't what he showed us.)
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To: SaraJohnson

I seperated from my wife in 2003. It was recommended to her by public assistance employees that she “get something on me” and so I was arrested for 2nd degree assault when she told the DA I had hit her. I was able to convince her later that bringing ANY matter before the authorities was a big mistake and they would be controlling our lives form there on, so she refused to testify. The DA was FURIOUS. Anyhow I know from experience that these things are happening all the time and often the women are convinced by others to do it.


11 posted on 08/18/2012 11:27:32 AM PDT by ez (When you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail.)
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To: ez

I’m sorry you went through that, ez.


12 posted on 08/18/2012 12:35:24 PM PDT by SaraJohnson
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13 posted on 08/18/2012 12:57:59 PM PDT by RedMDer (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=93destr)
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To: SaraJohnson

What the previous poster told you is just the tip of the iceberg.

A dear FRiend of mine is going thru the “justice system” hell of false charges from a divorce forum guru (he being her third husband to walk away from).

At present, she is on lawyer #4, tho the second one paid for by us taxpayers. The first one of those was none too pleased with being lied to and got out from under as soon as she could.

My FRiend in all liklihood will prevail, but a veil of suspicion will always remain, and meanwhile he’s lost everything. His son has been imprinted with the false notion he was molested, that Daddy is a drug dealer and he himself is so messed up he should be on drugs that damaged his nerves/brain.

All this over stealing money and control since she was pursuaded out of having an abortion.


14 posted on 08/18/2012 2:47:33 PM PDT by Titan Magroyne (What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.)
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To: Titan Magroyne

A dear FRiend of mine is going thru the “justice system” hell of false charges from a divorce forum guru (he being her third husband to walk away from).


That was his clue right there! Divorce forum guru...her third husband. Something about laying down with dogs comes to mind. Did he learn some things and wise up?


15 posted on 08/18/2012 9:54:45 PM PDT by SaraJohnson
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To: SaraJohnson

Obviously, tho the hurtin is way overboard for the mistake.

I think a lot of well-meaning men are romanced by their role as knight swooping in on his white horse, without considering that the damsel’s issue is a dragon of her own making.

Watch out, guys!


16 posted on 08/19/2012 6:50:00 AM PDT by Titan Magroyne (What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.)
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To: Titan Magroyne

Obviously, tho the hurtin is way overboard for the mistake.


She’ll pay for what she’s done in lying and manipulating and preying upon the love of a man. He paid for what he did - marry a woman dedicated to playing the part of a black widow in Internet divorce gaming. Divorce, measured by it’s mental, social and economic consequences, is evil.

It would be a mistake to project his ignorance onto all men or to project her twistedness onto all women.


17 posted on 08/19/2012 8:52:30 AM PDT by SaraJohnson
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To: SaraJohnson

No, she doesn’t pay. We the taxpayers do.


18 posted on 08/19/2012 10:37:31 AM PDT by Titan Magroyne (What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.)
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