A retired Philadelphia police officer has been arrested and charged with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl.
According to Philly, Walter Sasse was charged on Wednesday with a number of crimes, including unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, sexual assault and indecent exposure. In total, he has been charged with nine crimes.
The charges stem from an alleged sexual assault that happened in 2011. However, authorities believe that the 75-year-old had a relationship with the teen for years.
WPVI has reported that Sasse met the victim when she was 15-years-old at Courtesy Stables, where she rode horses. The retired cop was employed by the stables and investigators said that the girl also began working there and that's when the alleged sexual contact started.
Police would not release any further details about the victim because of her age.
Sasse, who is a 20-year veteran of the force, was most recently assigned to the PPD’s mounted unit. He was released on $50,000 bond and is scheduled to be back in court on March 25th.
Showing posts with label corruption of minors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label corruption of minors. Show all posts
Friday, March 07, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Former Officer Daniel Lanious Charged with Corruption of Minor
A former Carroll Valley Police officer has been accused of sending "flirtatious and sexual" text messages to a 13-year-old girl, police state in charging documents.
Daniel Lanious, 50, of South Middleton Township, Cumberland County, was charged with corruption of a minor, according to a police criminal complaint filed at District Justice Susan Day's office in Mount Holly Springs.
The teenager's mother told police that Lanious met her daughter in July 2013, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
The girl received a text message from Lanious out of nowhere, the affidavit states. The messages quickly became "flirtatious and sexual," the affidavit continues.
The girl said she believed Lanious obtained her cellphone number from her Facebook page, the affidavit states.
The girl told police Lanious often mentioned wanting to have sex with her, according to the affidavit. She said she played along to an extent, but was not as graphic as he was, the affidavit continues.
The messages reportedly stopped on Aug. 13, when the girl's mother caught the last text, which read, "I wish you were home. I wish you were on birth control. I have a condom," according to the affidavit.
The mother replied to the message and told Lanious she hoped he was not over 18 because her daughter is only 13, according to the affidavit.
A day or two later the mother was visited by Lanious' son, who asked the mother if she would be contacting police, the affidavit states.
During an interview with state police Trooper Matthew Johnston from the Carlisle barracks, Lanious admitted to sending sexual text messages to the 13-year-old girl, the affidavit states.
Lanious apologized repeatedly for his actions and admitted what he did was "very stupid," according to the affidavit.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Lanious on April 2 in front of Day. He is being represented by Gettysburg attorney Steve Rice. Rice declined to comment on the case until he has spoken further with his client.
"As a well respected law enforcement officer, it would be nice if people could give him the benefit of the doubt," Rice said.
Daniel Lanious, 50, of South Middleton Township, Cumberland County, was charged with corruption of a minor, according to a police criminal complaint filed at District Justice Susan Day's office in Mount Holly Springs.
The teenager's mother told police that Lanious met her daughter in July 2013, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
The girl received a text message from Lanious out of nowhere, the affidavit states. The messages quickly became "flirtatious and sexual," the affidavit continues.
The girl said she believed Lanious obtained her cellphone number from her Facebook page, the affidavit states.
The girl told police Lanious often mentioned wanting to have sex with her, according to the affidavit. She said she played along to an extent, but was not as graphic as he was, the affidavit continues.
The messages reportedly stopped on Aug. 13, when the girl's mother caught the last text, which read, "I wish you were home. I wish you were on birth control. I have a condom," according to the affidavit.
The mother replied to the message and told Lanious she hoped he was not over 18 because her daughter is only 13, according to the affidavit.
A day or two later the mother was visited by Lanious' son, who asked the mother if she would be contacting police, the affidavit states.
During an interview with state police Trooper Matthew Johnston from the Carlisle barracks, Lanious admitted to sending sexual text messages to the 13-year-old girl, the affidavit states.
Lanious apologized repeatedly for his actions and admitted what he did was "very stupid," according to the affidavit.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Lanious on April 2 in front of Day. He is being represented by Gettysburg attorney Steve Rice. Rice declined to comment on the case until he has spoken further with his client.
"As a well respected law enforcement officer, it would be nice if people could give him the benefit of the doubt," Rice said.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Officer Anthony McFadden Accused of Inappropriate Convesations with Teen
State police at Hazleton arrested a Weatherly police officer Friday and charged him with unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of minors.
Full-time Weatherly police Officer Anthony James McFadden, 49, of Main Street, Weatherly, engaged in inappropriate telephone conversations with a 15-year-old girl for more than a month, according to troopers.
State police in Hazleton said they received a complaint on Oct. 30 that McFadden took part in phone calls described Friday in arrest papers as "phone sex" with the girl.
McFadden's cell phone log listed 171 calls with the juvenile's home telephone number between Sept. 24 and Nov. 2, according to arrest papers. One call lasted 144 minutes, state police said.
The calls were sexually explicit, and the girl understood her and McFadden to be "boyfriend and girlfriend," arrest papers said.
The state police investigation into the allegations began about two months ago, and McFadden has been on suspension with pay since then.
Charges were filed Friday with District Judge Bruce Appleton in Palmerton. McFadden was arraigned before Appleton and bail was set at $20,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Weatherly Mayor Tom Connors called the charges "disgusting."
"It's just a shame," he said.
Connors said the borough will take a closer look at its police department to make sure something like this doesn't happen again. He also cautioned the public not to hold the actions of one officer against the entire force.
Weatherly Borough Council began hearing complaints about some members of the department last year, including those involved in an alleged drug raid of a home based on statements made by a 7-year-old at his school. Then-police Chief Gary Veasie resigned after that incident and moved out of state to take another police job.
Council appointed Brian Markovchick as the new chief in November. Since then, council has praised his work in trying to regain the confidence of borough residents.
Markovchick said he could not comment on the allegations against McFadden while the officer was under investigation.
Full-time Weatherly police Officer Anthony James McFadden, 49, of Main Street, Weatherly, engaged in inappropriate telephone conversations with a 15-year-old girl for more than a month, according to troopers.
State police in Hazleton said they received a complaint on Oct. 30 that McFadden took part in phone calls described Friday in arrest papers as "phone sex" with the girl.
McFadden's cell phone log listed 171 calls with the juvenile's home telephone number between Sept. 24 and Nov. 2, according to arrest papers. One call lasted 144 minutes, state police said.
The calls were sexually explicit, and the girl understood her and McFadden to be "boyfriend and girlfriend," arrest papers said.
The state police investigation into the allegations began about two months ago, and McFadden has been on suspension with pay since then.
Charges were filed Friday with District Judge Bruce Appleton in Palmerton. McFadden was arraigned before Appleton and bail was set at $20,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Weatherly Mayor Tom Connors called the charges "disgusting."
"It's just a shame," he said.
Connors said the borough will take a closer look at its police department to make sure something like this doesn't happen again. He also cautioned the public not to hold the actions of one officer against the entire force.
Weatherly Borough Council began hearing complaints about some members of the department last year, including those involved in an alleged drug raid of a home based on statements made by a 7-year-old at his school. Then-police Chief Gary Veasie resigned after that incident and moved out of state to take another police job.
Council appointed Brian Markovchick as the new chief in November. Since then, council has praised his work in trying to regain the confidence of borough residents.
Markovchick said he could not comment on the allegations against McFadden while the officer was under investigation.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Ex-Officer Michael Curtin Jr Arrested Again
A fired Munhall police officer who is serving a five-year probation sentence for unlawful sexual contact with minors was arrested last night on charges he violated conditions of his release.
Michael Curtin Jr., 37, had faced 11 counts in connection with soliciting girls for sex acts. He pleaded guilty in February to two counts of unlawful sexual contact with minors and one count of corruption of minors.
Common Pleas President Judge Donna Jo McDaniel sentenced Mr. Curtin to five years probation. Condition of his probation included his prohibition from using computers or texting on his cell phone.
A warrant was issued yesterday for his arrest in connection with an undisclosed probation violation that occurred at the Waterfront in Homestead.
Mr. Curtin is being held on a detainer in the Allegheny County Jail, pending arraignment on his arrest.
Judge McDaniel, before the arrest, had granted Mr. Curtin permission to leave the state tomorrow to vacation with his parents in Delaware until Aug. 10.
That permission now is expected to be be revoked.
Mr. Curtin also is scheduled for a Sept. 10 hearing before Judge McDaniel to consider whether he should be classified as a sexually violent predator.
Mr. Curtin was fired in February 2008 from the Munhall Police Department following his arrest. He had been investigated for soliciting teenage girls online for sex and offering them money to allow him to suck their toes.
______________________
Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2008/05/ex-cop-arrested-for-offering-money-to.html
Other Information: http://www.wpxi.com/news/20216386/detail.html
Michael Curtin Jr., 37, had faced 11 counts in connection with soliciting girls for sex acts. He pleaded guilty in February to two counts of unlawful sexual contact with minors and one count of corruption of minors.
Common Pleas President Judge Donna Jo McDaniel sentenced Mr. Curtin to five years probation. Condition of his probation included his prohibition from using computers or texting on his cell phone.
A warrant was issued yesterday for his arrest in connection with an undisclosed probation violation that occurred at the Waterfront in Homestead.
Mr. Curtin is being held on a detainer in the Allegheny County Jail, pending arraignment on his arrest.
Judge McDaniel, before the arrest, had granted Mr. Curtin permission to leave the state tomorrow to vacation with his parents in Delaware until Aug. 10.
That permission now is expected to be be revoked.
Mr. Curtin also is scheduled for a Sept. 10 hearing before Judge McDaniel to consider whether he should be classified as a sexually violent predator.
Mr. Curtin was fired in February 2008 from the Munhall Police Department following his arrest. He had been investigated for soliciting teenage girls online for sex and offering them money to allow him to suck their toes.
______________________
Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2008/05/ex-cop-arrested-for-offering-money-to.html
Other Information: http://www.wpxi.com/news/20216386/detail.html
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Former Officer Dennis Hughes Charged with Statutory Rape
A former Cleveland police officer, already facing charges related to the shooting of another officer last year, now stands charged with three counts of statutory rape, one count of especially aggravated sexual exploitation, one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to District Attorney Steve Bebb.
Former Cleveland Police officer, Dennis Hughes, 33, turned himself in at the Bradley County Jail this morning. His bond was set at $50,000. As of press time, he had not made bond.
A second former officer, Nathan Thomas, 37, is under scrutiny related to the alleged sex offenses a search warrant executed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation indicates.
The search was conducted at the home of Thomas and on the Hughes' vehicle.
The investigation stemmed from an incident on Jan. 5 when Hughes was arrested on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a 16-year-old girl, who was reported as a runaway.
Hughes was reportedly observed leaving Thomas' home at 152 Winding Glen Drive N.W. at 12:40 a.m. with the 16-year-old girl in his vehicle.
Bradley County deputies initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Lauderdale Highway and Mouse Creek Road. When deputies searched Hughes' vehicle, they allegedly found numerous empty and full beer bottles and prescription pill bottles. Deputies also detected both Hughes and the girl had a "strong smell of alcohol about their person."
According to the TBI's search warrant, after the girl was apprehended, she was taken to a hospital for a rape examination.
The examination was reportedly conducted at the request of her parents.
During the examination, the girl reportedly admitted that in the past she had sexual intercourse with Hughes; however, the female said there had been no sexual contact at the time of his arrest Jan. 5.
Through the search warrants, agents with the TBI confiscated a cell phone and computer from Hughes' vehicle. According to the TBI's search warrant, agents performed a forensic examination of the cell phone and "found three pictures of an underage and under-developed female in the nude."
During an interview with Cleveland Police Detective Suzanne Jackson on Jan. 12, the girl reportedly told Jackson the cell phone pictures found in Hughes' possession were allegedly taken by Hughes in a bathroom at Thomas' residence on the night of Jan. 4.
According to the TBI's search warrant, during the interview with Jackson, the girl alleged that on Jan. 4 she and a 17-year-old girl were at the Thomas home. The 16-year-old girl reportedly told Jackson she engaged in oral sex with Hughes and the 17-year-old engaged in oral sex with Thomas. The 16-year-old reportedly told Jackson she and the 17-year-old were under the influence of alcohol during the incident.
During the search warrant's execution at Thomas' home, TBI agents photographed Thomas' bathrooms to compare with the background of the nude pictures of the 16-year-old girl.
Hughes and Thomas continue to be investigated by the TBI, Hughes in connection with the shooting of a city police officer and Thomas for selling prescription painkillers.
According to reports, on Nov. 30, 2008, city police officer Chris Mason and former city police officer Jonathan Hammons, 23, -- who were on duty -- were at the home of Hughes, who was off duty, shortly before midnight.
The men were reportedly looking at a .38 caliber revolver which was possibly for sale. During the handling of the firearm the gun discharged and struck Mason in the hand, Cleveland Police Chief Wes Snyder said in a December 2008 statement.
The incident was initially reported as an accidental shooting; however, after further investigation it was determined Hammons and Hughes allegedly gave investigators false information.
Hammons was arrested Dec. 17, 2008, and was charged with aggravated perjury and filing a false report in connection to the shooting.
Hughes was arrested Dec. 18, 2008, and was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, aggravated perjury and filing a false report in connection to the shooting.
On the night of the shooting, Nov. 30, 2008, officers found a prescription pill bottle with Thomas' name in Hughes' personal vehicle.
As a result of the shooting investigation, Hughes resigned from the Cleveland Police Department in December 2008.
Hammons and Thomas were dismissed from the department in January.
Thomas was arrested Jan. 5, in connection with a two-year investigation by the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force.
As a result of the investigation, Thomas was charged with prescription fraud, possession of Schedule II and III narcotics for resale and simple possession of a Schedule V narcotic.
According to reports, the Drug Task Force's investigation alleges Thomas was a patient of Dr. James Wallace Sego. Thomas was allegedly prescribed 6,000 oxycodones, 1,100 hydrocodones and 790 Xanax within one year's time by Sego.
Thomas is being accused of selling the prescription painkillers.
Sego practices internal medicine and pain management at Bradley Executive Plaza located at 1510 Stuart Road N.E.
Sego was also arrested Dec. 18, 2008, and charged with felony counts of illegally selling prescription painkillers and other drugs.
Agents with the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force served a search warrant for Thomas' residence on Dec. 12, 2008.
According to the inventory on the search warrant, agents found "a large cardboard box with extremely large amounts of various drugs, samples, etc. (too numerous to list individually)," weapons, syringes and cell phones.
"One white plastic snorting device (ink pen) with yellow residue" was found in the master bedroom in a decorative drawer near the top of the dresser, along with several other items, such as "one prescription box w/1 glass vial inside labeled DEPO-Testosterone."
Among the weapons were two .22-caliber Glenfield rifles, one with a serial number and one without, and a Sig Sauer P2229 .40 caliber.
Former Cleveland Police officer, Dennis Hughes, 33, turned himself in at the Bradley County Jail this morning. His bond was set at $50,000. As of press time, he had not made bond.
A second former officer, Nathan Thomas, 37, is under scrutiny related to the alleged sex offenses a search warrant executed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation indicates.
The search was conducted at the home of Thomas and on the Hughes' vehicle.
The investigation stemmed from an incident on Jan. 5 when Hughes was arrested on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a 16-year-old girl, who was reported as a runaway.
Hughes was reportedly observed leaving Thomas' home at 152 Winding Glen Drive N.W. at 12:40 a.m. with the 16-year-old girl in his vehicle.
Bradley County deputies initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Lauderdale Highway and Mouse Creek Road. When deputies searched Hughes' vehicle, they allegedly found numerous empty and full beer bottles and prescription pill bottles. Deputies also detected both Hughes and the girl had a "strong smell of alcohol about their person."
According to the TBI's search warrant, after the girl was apprehended, she was taken to a hospital for a rape examination.
The examination was reportedly conducted at the request of her parents.
During the examination, the girl reportedly admitted that in the past she had sexual intercourse with Hughes; however, the female said there had been no sexual contact at the time of his arrest Jan. 5.
Through the search warrants, agents with the TBI confiscated a cell phone and computer from Hughes' vehicle. According to the TBI's search warrant, agents performed a forensic examination of the cell phone and "found three pictures of an underage and under-developed female in the nude."
During an interview with Cleveland Police Detective Suzanne Jackson on Jan. 12, the girl reportedly told Jackson the cell phone pictures found in Hughes' possession were allegedly taken by Hughes in a bathroom at Thomas' residence on the night of Jan. 4.
According to the TBI's search warrant, during the interview with Jackson, the girl alleged that on Jan. 4 she and a 17-year-old girl were at the Thomas home. The 16-year-old girl reportedly told Jackson she engaged in oral sex with Hughes and the 17-year-old engaged in oral sex with Thomas. The 16-year-old reportedly told Jackson she and the 17-year-old were under the influence of alcohol during the incident.
During the search warrant's execution at Thomas' home, TBI agents photographed Thomas' bathrooms to compare with the background of the nude pictures of the 16-year-old girl.
Hughes and Thomas continue to be investigated by the TBI, Hughes in connection with the shooting of a city police officer and Thomas for selling prescription painkillers.
According to reports, on Nov. 30, 2008, city police officer Chris Mason and former city police officer Jonathan Hammons, 23, -- who were on duty -- were at the home of Hughes, who was off duty, shortly before midnight.
The men were reportedly looking at a .38 caliber revolver which was possibly for sale. During the handling of the firearm the gun discharged and struck Mason in the hand, Cleveland Police Chief Wes Snyder said in a December 2008 statement.
The incident was initially reported as an accidental shooting; however, after further investigation it was determined Hammons and Hughes allegedly gave investigators false information.
Hammons was arrested Dec. 17, 2008, and was charged with aggravated perjury and filing a false report in connection to the shooting.
Hughes was arrested Dec. 18, 2008, and was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, aggravated perjury and filing a false report in connection to the shooting.
On the night of the shooting, Nov. 30, 2008, officers found a prescription pill bottle with Thomas' name in Hughes' personal vehicle.
As a result of the shooting investigation, Hughes resigned from the Cleveland Police Department in December 2008.
Hammons and Thomas were dismissed from the department in January.
Thomas was arrested Jan. 5, in connection with a two-year investigation by the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force.
As a result of the investigation, Thomas was charged with prescription fraud, possession of Schedule II and III narcotics for resale and simple possession of a Schedule V narcotic.
According to reports, the Drug Task Force's investigation alleges Thomas was a patient of Dr. James Wallace Sego. Thomas was allegedly prescribed 6,000 oxycodones, 1,100 hydrocodones and 790 Xanax within one year's time by Sego.
Thomas is being accused of selling the prescription painkillers.
Sego practices internal medicine and pain management at Bradley Executive Plaza located at 1510 Stuart Road N.E.
Sego was also arrested Dec. 18, 2008, and charged with felony counts of illegally selling prescription painkillers and other drugs.
Agents with the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force served a search warrant for Thomas' residence on Dec. 12, 2008.
According to the inventory on the search warrant, agents found "a large cardboard box with extremely large amounts of various drugs, samples, etc. (too numerous to list individually)," weapons, syringes and cell phones.
"One white plastic snorting device (ink pen) with yellow residue" was found in the master bedroom in a decorative drawer near the top of the dresser, along with several other items, such as "one prescription box w/1 glass vial inside labeled DEPO-Testosterone."
Among the weapons were two .22-caliber Glenfield rifles, one with a serial number and one without, and a Sig Sauer P2229 .40 caliber.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Rules Don't Apply to Them
In some states, the sordid downfall of George "Chris" Ortloff might be the year's biggest scandal.
Not in New York.
When Ortloff, a former state Parole Board member and longtime Plattsburgh-area assemblyman, admitted on Christmas Eve that he tried to entice two preteenage "sisters" into sex at a Colonie hotel, his guilty plea in U.S. District Court was not even the latest scandal at the Division of Parole.
In a year in which Americans faced an economic crisis and elected a new president, an assortment of politicians in the Empire State added new pages to an ever-increasing story leaders and lawmakers who break the law.
It is a story that spans the state from Buffalo to Queens and that is without former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who avoided criminal charges after being toppled in a prostitution scandal. His departure followed the exit of former Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who was forced to resign in 2007 after defrauding the government.
The continuing legal troubles in state politics raise a simple question: Why does this keep happening?
"Far too many elected officials think that the rules don't apply to them," said Blair Horner, of the New York Public Interest Research Group. "Because of their 'exalted status,' they are outside of the normal restrictions that apply to everyone else. This rogues' gallery should spur action on legislation to create truly independent ethics oversight entities."
The Times Union reported last December that nearly one-fifth of elected legislators in New York had, by some measure, broken a law in recent years, ranging from traffic violations to bribery and theft.
A year later, the Ortloff case arguably makes them all appear tame.
When the 61-year-old tough-on-crime Republican quietly pleaded guilty to online enticement of minors Dec. 24, it was while facing charges he tried to arrange sex trysts with girls, ages 11 and 12, through their "mother," an undercover police officer. Ortloff had acknowledged to the undercover officer that he not only had a fondness for "toddlers," but had previously molested at least one child.
Five days before the Ortloff plea, on Dec, 19, state Sen.-elect. Hiram Monserrate, a Queens Democrat, was charged with slashing and beating his girlfriend. A day earlier, Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, a longtime Queens Democrat, pleaded not guilty to fraud charges. He is accused of illegally accepting payments from groups with business pending before the state.
As it turns out, Monserrate took the seat of former Sen. John Sabini, whose own political career survived an alcohol-related driving arrest.
Meanwhile, Seminerio's arrest is said to have stemmed from cooperation from disgraced former Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin, another Queens Democrat, possible mayoral candidate and former president of the New York City Central Labor Council convicted of stealing money and perks in March.
The cases go beyond Queens. Among the year's other highlights (or lowlights):
On Dec. 19, an investigation by state Inspector General Joseph Fisch revealed that Division of Parole Chairman George B. Alexander of Buffalo took home a $1,700 government computer in 2007 and did not return it until anti-theft software traced it to his home. He tendered his resignation.
When Rep. Vito Fossella, a Staten Island Republican, was charged with drunken driving in Arlington, Va. ,on May 1, he told police he was headed to pick up his sick daughter. But the arrest revealed the married lawmaker had an out-of-wedlock daughter with a retired Air Force lieutenant. He chose not to seek re-election, then was convicted of driving under the influence.
Assemblywoman Diane Gordon, a Brooklyn Democrat, was convicted last year of trying to have a private developer build her a $500,000 home for a dollar in exchange for arranging a $2 million land deal.
Sen. Efrain Gonzalez, D-Bronx, had been under indictment on allegations he funneled nearly half a million taxpayer dollars through a charity to finance his cigar company, purchase Yankees tickets and pay tuition for his daughter.
As the year drew to a close, it was unclear what new cases might arise, though at least one top name made headlines without facing any charges. A federal probe into former Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno's business dealings was said to be nearing an end, with criminal charges being contemplated. The Brunswick lawmaker, the Legislature's most powerful Republican before he stepped down in July, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Not in New York.
When Ortloff, a former state Parole Board member and longtime Plattsburgh-area assemblyman, admitted on Christmas Eve that he tried to entice two preteenage "sisters" into sex at a Colonie hotel, his guilty plea in U.S. District Court was not even the latest scandal at the Division of Parole.
In a year in which Americans faced an economic crisis and elected a new president, an assortment of politicians in the Empire State added new pages to an ever-increasing story leaders and lawmakers who break the law.
It is a story that spans the state from Buffalo to Queens and that is without former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who avoided criminal charges after being toppled in a prostitution scandal. His departure followed the exit of former Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who was forced to resign in 2007 after defrauding the government.
The continuing legal troubles in state politics raise a simple question: Why does this keep happening?
"Far too many elected officials think that the rules don't apply to them," said Blair Horner, of the New York Public Interest Research Group. "Because of their 'exalted status,' they are outside of the normal restrictions that apply to everyone else. This rogues' gallery should spur action on legislation to create truly independent ethics oversight entities."
The Times Union reported last December that nearly one-fifth of elected legislators in New York had, by some measure, broken a law in recent years, ranging from traffic violations to bribery and theft.
A year later, the Ortloff case arguably makes them all appear tame.
When the 61-year-old tough-on-crime Republican quietly pleaded guilty to online enticement of minors Dec. 24, it was while facing charges he tried to arrange sex trysts with girls, ages 11 and 12, through their "mother," an undercover police officer. Ortloff had acknowledged to the undercover officer that he not only had a fondness for "toddlers," but had previously molested at least one child.
Five days before the Ortloff plea, on Dec, 19, state Sen.-elect. Hiram Monserrate, a Queens Democrat, was charged with slashing and beating his girlfriend. A day earlier, Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio, a longtime Queens Democrat, pleaded not guilty to fraud charges. He is accused of illegally accepting payments from groups with business pending before the state.
As it turns out, Monserrate took the seat of former Sen. John Sabini, whose own political career survived an alcohol-related driving arrest.
Meanwhile, Seminerio's arrest is said to have stemmed from cooperation from disgraced former Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin, another Queens Democrat, possible mayoral candidate and former president of the New York City Central Labor Council convicted of stealing money and perks in March.
The cases go beyond Queens. Among the year's other highlights (or lowlights):
On Dec. 19, an investigation by state Inspector General Joseph Fisch revealed that Division of Parole Chairman George B. Alexander of Buffalo took home a $1,700 government computer in 2007 and did not return it until anti-theft software traced it to his home. He tendered his resignation.
When Rep. Vito Fossella, a Staten Island Republican, was charged with drunken driving in Arlington, Va. ,on May 1, he told police he was headed to pick up his sick daughter. But the arrest revealed the married lawmaker had an out-of-wedlock daughter with a retired Air Force lieutenant. He chose not to seek re-election, then was convicted of driving under the influence.
Assemblywoman Diane Gordon, a Brooklyn Democrat, was convicted last year of trying to have a private developer build her a $500,000 home for a dollar in exchange for arranging a $2 million land deal.
Sen. Efrain Gonzalez, D-Bronx, had been under indictment on allegations he funneled nearly half a million taxpayer dollars through a charity to finance his cigar company, purchase Yankees tickets and pay tuition for his daughter.
As the year drew to a close, it was unclear what new cases might arise, though at least one top name made headlines without facing any charges. A federal probe into former Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno's business dealings was said to be nearing an end, with criminal charges being contemplated. The Brunswick lawmaker, the Legislature's most powerful Republican before he stepped down in July, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Former Officer Robert J Pavlovich Found Guilty of Corruption of Minors, Sexual Assault
NEW BLOOMFIELD, Pa
A former small-town police officer accused of molesting or propositioning more than a dozen teenage girls while on duty was convicted of several sex offenses.
A jury deliberated for about 10 hours Saturday before finding Robert J. Pavlovich Jr. guilty of charges including corruption of minors, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault and bribery in official matters.
Pavlovich, 40, of Camp Hill, denied the charges during the three-day trial. Asked on the witness stand whether he had sex with any of the accusers, touched them improperly or asked them to sneak out of their homes, the former Marysville officer replied, "Absolutely not."
Pavlovich said, however, that he did ask three teenage girls to meet him late at night at locations in Marysville as part of an investigation into drug activity and underage drinking. No one was arrested based on information he received from them, he said.
Several women testified during the trial that, when they were 13 or 14, Pavlovich tried to convince them to sneak out of their homes and meet him. They said they believed he intended to have sex with them.
Others testified that Pavlovich had fondled them, and one woman who has been diagnosed with a mental disability testified that she was pressured to perform oral sex on Pavlovich when she was 19.
The allegations date back to 2000, the year Pavlovich was hired. He was suspended from the force in March 2007 and later fired.
Pavlovich remained free on $250,000 bail. No sentencing date has been set.
Jonelle H. Eshbach, a senior state deputy attorney general who prosecuted the case, said she was satisfied with the verdict. Defense lawyer P. Richard Wagner and the Pavlovich family did not comment.
The victims and their families were not at the courthouse in New Bloomfield when the verdict was announced after 10 p.m. Saturday.
Marysville, a borough of about 2,400 people, is just northwest of Harrisburg.
———
Information from: The Patriot-News, http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews
A former small-town police officer accused of molesting or propositioning more than a dozen teenage girls while on duty was convicted of several sex offenses.
A jury deliberated for about 10 hours Saturday before finding Robert J. Pavlovich Jr. guilty of charges including corruption of minors, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault and bribery in official matters.
Pavlovich, 40, of Camp Hill, denied the charges during the three-day trial. Asked on the witness stand whether he had sex with any of the accusers, touched them improperly or asked them to sneak out of their homes, the former Marysville officer replied, "Absolutely not."
Pavlovich said, however, that he did ask three teenage girls to meet him late at night at locations in Marysville as part of an investigation into drug activity and underage drinking. No one was arrested based on information he received from them, he said.
Several women testified during the trial that, when they were 13 or 14, Pavlovich tried to convince them to sneak out of their homes and meet him. They said they believed he intended to have sex with them.
Others testified that Pavlovich had fondled them, and one woman who has been diagnosed with a mental disability testified that she was pressured to perform oral sex on Pavlovich when she was 19.
The allegations date back to 2000, the year Pavlovich was hired. He was suspended from the force in March 2007 and later fired.
Pavlovich remained free on $250,000 bail. No sentencing date has been set.
Jonelle H. Eshbach, a senior state deputy attorney general who prosecuted the case, said she was satisfied with the verdict. Defense lawyer P. Richard Wagner and the Pavlovich family did not comment.
The victims and their families were not at the courthouse in New Bloomfield when the verdict was announced after 10 p.m. Saturday.
Marysville, a borough of about 2,400 people, is just northwest of Harrisburg.
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Information from: The Patriot-News, http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Ex-Cop Arrested for Offering Money to Suck Underage Girls Toes
Former Munhall, PA police officer Michael Curtin has been charged with trying to solicit sex from several underage girls and offering them $1000 to suck their toes.
Curtin’s began hanging around the underage girls in January 2006, and also supplied alcohol to at least three teenage girls. The girls also accused Curtin of touching them inappropriately.
Using MySpace to contact more underage girls, Curtin would offer them $1000 to allow him to kiss their feet and suck their toes.
"The parent had felt that her daughter had some contact that she felt wasn't quite right with a person who they believed to be police officer in Munhall," said Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt.
In the MySpace postings, police said Curtin actually mentioned in one solicitation, "I'm a Munhall cop."
Curtin is charged with corruption of minors, unlawful contact with minors and criminal solicitation of indecent assault and prostitution from the MySpace probe of his alleged foot fetish.
That probe led to additional charges, involving corruption and the endangering of three additional underage girls. He's accused of indecent assault against two of them, and providing girls alcohol and letting them drive his car.
Former Steel Valley High School student Sarah Chalfont said she remembers when Curtin used to patrol outside of the school.
"He was really lurky. You know, he was always standing around and looking around at people and usually the cops that were up there weren't like that. You're taught to trust an officer and then for someone that you trust to hurt you and scar you for life like that, it's really sad."
As far as they know, police said they believe all of the alleged activity happened while Curtin was off duty.
In order to post bond, Curtin must first clear a screening by the jail's behavioral unit. The Munhall Borough Council voted unanimously to fire Curtin in February.
On Wednesday, Curtin's attorney said the officer's dismissal was partially related to the allegations that are surfacing now, but he declined to comment further.
Investigators suspect that some of the activity involving the girls occurred at Curtin's Munhall home, according to the complaint.
Curtin is currently being held in Allegheny County Jail on a bond of $100,000.
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