#MeToo Lt. Richard Frank: Demoted

Lieutenant Richard Frank of the 14th District was demoted to the rank of Sergeant after a PBI (Police Board of Inquiry) hearing.  Lt. Frank was supposed to report to the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center (DVIC) after his misdeed, but was quickly re-assigned after the relative of one of his victims happened to be already detailed there.

Sergeant Frank (formerly Lt. Frank) wasn’t able to concentrate on a conversation that a police officer was having with him.  The Sergeant (former Lieutenant) allegedly told the female police officer that he was unable to concentrate because he couldn’t “stop staring” at her “tits”.

Apparently, Frank believes it is still alright to engage in this type of behavior despite the #MeToo movement.  Despite the litany of lawsuits the Philadelphia Police Department has paid in the last couple of years because of the bad behavior of Chief Inspector Carl Holmes.  Despite the fact that there has bee a reckoning in America that has sprung up overnight.  #MeToo movement.

Time honored the “Silence Breakers” which consists of a group of women who bought down Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.  The Philadelphia Police Department had their “Silence Breakers” in Officer Christa Hayburn and Detective Michele Vandegrift.

The sitting Judge in Vandegrift’s lawsuit concluded that there is “a well-settled custom of sexual harassment” pervades the police force.   The City paid out millions because of the misconduct of Holmes.

Click to access 17D0024P.pdf

Chief Inspector Carl Holmes was accused of “digitally penetrating” one officer and assaulting an officer in his police car.  Yet Internal Affairs did not sustain the job even after finding semen in his police car.  Holmes claimed the semen was the result of consensual sex with a civilian police employee in the police car.  Even Holmes back-up story is terrible.  When your back-up story is just as vile as the allegation, that’s a HUGE problem.  Yet IAD failed to sustain the allegation against Holmes.  Then-Commissioner Charles Ramsey wasn’t buying it.  While Ramsey did demote Holmes also, he was re-promoted and is currently a Chief Inspector.

NEWSFLASH:  Cops have had it with the embarrassment of bosses behaving badly.  Women have had it with bosses and co-workers who behave badly, who are habitual line crossers and would don’t know, that they don’t know.  People are fed up with the fear of retaliation, of being harassed, blackballed and fired from a job they love.  Enough of this “blue code of silence” and going along to get along.  It’s not okay to stick your finger into holes where they don’t belong.

Sergeant Richard Frank allegedly has new disciplinary action pending.  The new disciplinary action should result in his termination.  When folks start getting fired for their boundary pushing, lusty conversations and lewd and lascivious behavior, along with the loss of their pension (which is what happens when the misconduct happens in the course of employment),  folks will begin to be act in a professional manner and live up to the standards that are expected when one is a member of law enforcement.

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Michele  Vandegrift

 

 

 

PPD Payout $1.2M for Chief Sexpector Carl Holmes

After fighting a former Philadelphia Police Detective, Michele Vandergrift tooth and nail, the City of Philadelphia settled a Vandergrift-Settlement-Agreement case against the Police Department and Chief Inspector Carl Holmes for $1,250,000.

Holmes has been accused of being a serial sexual predator and a number of women came forward to make complaints.  Vandergrift alleged she was sexually assaulted by Chief Inspector Holmes and experienced a hostile work environment by other officers.

Vandegrift further alleged in the complaint that Holmes “wanted to know how wet she was” and that he inserted his finger into her vagina.  The complaint also alleges that he pulled his hand out, tasted his finger, and remarked “it tasted good”.  This allegedly happened in his office while they were both working.  The complaint then goes on to name 24th District officers and Southwest Detectives, both places where Vandegrift worked, who engaged in highly inappropriate, and in some cases, criminal sexual behavior.

The complaint is a salacious and disgusting account of what became a nightmare for Michele Vandegrift.  Read Complaint Here

Holmes has been accused of misconduct on numerous occasions.  Former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey demoted him in 2008 after Holmes admitted he had consensual sex in a police vehicle.  The problem in that case was another officer claimed that Holmes attempted to rape her in the car. As a result of the investigation into this complaint, Holmes city car was impounded and forensic evidence found “seminal stains containing spermatozoa”.   The departments’ Internal Affairs Department made no attempt to locate or even name this “civilian” employee, to ensure her safety, or that “consensual” sex even took place.

Another Philadelphia Police Officer, Christina Hayburn, alleged that Holmes sexually assaulted her in 2006.  The suit states that in Holmes chased Hayburn as she was trying to leave a bar, pulled her into his vehicle and “began kissing her “really hard” as he touched her breasts and put his hands on the outside of her pants toward her genitals.”  It should be noted that Carl Holmes is a 6-foot-6, 280-pound former offensive tackle for Temple University.  One can easily see how this imposing figure would have no problem overpowering a woman.  Account of Officer Hayburn’s incident here.

The suit further alleges that during this encounter, Holmes “digitally penetrated her vagina, after which he pulled out his penis and placed Officer Hayburn’s hand on top of it”.  Hayburn stated she said “No”, after he attempted to have intercourse and oral sex, but that Holmes “eventually ejaculated”

Holmes was never charged with a crime, despite the allegations that he “digitally penetrated” one of his victims.  In fact, the case was allegedly never turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for charges by Internal Affairs.

Vandegrift has agreed to resign from the Department as part of the settlement and will not work for other law enforcement agencies in the City.  The City will not provide any negative references for future employers about Vandegrift.

The monetary award according to the settlement will be $750,000 paid directly to Vandegrift in back pay and $500,000 will go to her attorneys.

Chief Inspector Carl Holmes is currently assigned to the Regional Operations Command-North.  A position in which he can still carry on his lecherous behavior upon other officers.  A highly visible position as opposed to a small hole in a corner office where men who behave badly, but taxpayers are stuck with, should be assigned.

This problem is systemic when there is a power structure where perverts are in charge and women are their prey.  As we have seen with the recent resignations of Al Franken (D) of Minnesota, Rep. Trent Franks(R) of Arizona and Rep. John Conyers (D) of Michigan.  Not to mention the avalanche that began with Harvey Weinstein, Head Hollywood Pervert.

Carl Holmes should be held accountable for his actions.  Sex scandals have bought down greater men than Carl Holmes.  This forum has written about many other bad actors within the department which also resulted in payouts.  Those Commanders are currently in positions where they too are allowed to interact with possible future victims.

Policy changes have allegedly occurred as a result of the large payout.

Cristina Hayburn and Michele Vandegrift are silence breakers.  Silence breakers (or whistleblowers) were honored as Person of the Year for Time Magazine.

Pictured Below Time Person of The Year, Michele Vandegrift and Christina Hayburn.

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Toxic Culture of Sexual Predators In PPD

America is waking up.  There is a toxic culture of sexual harassment that is pervasive in many arenas of various workplaces.  Harvey Weinstein, a powerful American film producer and former film studio executive.  He was fired by his own company after accusations by multiple women of sexual harassment and sexual assault.  The New Yorker broke the story, and the floodgates were open.

A few days later, disgraced cable news channel Fox host Bill O’Reilly, who had been fired for sexual harassment of many women it was discovered that even after Fox News knew of a $32 million dollar settlement to a fellow Fox employee, former legal analyst, Lis Wiehl, Fox renewed a $25 million dollar contract with O’Reilly.    This astounding payment was even more exorbitant than the payout to former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson, who sued former Fox Chief, Roger Ailes for sexual harassment.

It’s obvious that there is a problem in the culture of our work environments.

The Philadelphia Police Department is not exempt.  There have been many accusations and payouts over the years of sexual predators who don a badge and a gun.  In one instance, as previously reported here, Chief Inspector Carl Holmes was accused of “digitally penetrating” the vagina of a female officer.  The problem here is the person in Internal Affairs who is responsible to send this type of sexual assault to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, failed to do so.

In an explosive complaint of Philadelphia Police Officer Michele Vandegrift vs. City of Philadelphia, Officer Vandegrift alleges that Chief Inspector Carl Holmes sexually assaulted her in 2007.  And this isn’t the first time at the rodeo for Holmes.

Another police officer, Christina Hayburn, alleged that Holmes sexually assaulted her in 2006.  The suit states that in Holmes chased Hayburn as she was trying to leave a bar, pulled her into his vehicle and “began kissing her “really hard” as he touched her breasts and put his hands on the outside of her pants toward her genitals.”  It should be noted that Carl Holmes is a 6-foot-6, 280-pound former offensive tackle for Temple University.  One can easily see how this imposing figure would have no problem overpowering a woman.  Account of Officer Hayburn’s incident here.

The suit further alleges that during this encounter, Holmes “digitally penetrated her vagina, after which he pulled out his penis and placed Officer Hayburn’s hand on top of it”.  Hayburn stated she said “No”, after he attempted to have intercourse and oral sex, but that Holmes “eventually ejaculated”

As a result of the investigation into this complaint, Holmes city car was impounded and forensic evidence found “seminal stains containing spermatozoa”.  Holmes denied the allegation and claimed he had sexual relations with a female civilian in the city car twice, which is why there was semen in the car.  The investigators did not ask for the name of the civilian employee, or for her description and Holmes did not provide it.

Holmes has denied any wrong-doing involving Vandegrift.  But he did admit to having sex in his tax-payer funded vehicle with a civilian city employee.  Conveniently, there was no further investigation of that civilian.  Therefore; the police department doesn’t know if that civilian was a victim of a crime, or a willing participant because they only had the side of Holmes.

Vandegrift further alleges in the complaint that Holmes “wanted to know how wet she was” and that he inserted his finger into her vagina.  The complaint also alleges that he pulled his hand out, tasted his finger, and remarked “it tasted good”.  This allegedly happened in his office while they were both working.  The complaint then goes on to name 24th District officers and Southwest Detectives, both places where Vandegrift worked, who engaged in highly inappropriate, and in some cases, criminal sexual behavior.

The complaint is a salacious and disgusting account of what became a nightmare for Michele Vandegrift.  Read Complaint Here

Ironically, also in a deposition regarding the suit, Chief Inspector Christopher Flacco admitted that he authorized disciplinary action against Vandegrift as a result of something she had written on Facebook, because another officer had been  disciplined for a Facebook message because of her complaint.

And Officer Vandegrift named names in her lawsuit.  There was a litany of allegations against numerous 24th District Officers and Southwest Detective personnel of various ranks.  From Inspector Anthony Washington, to Lieutenant Anthony LaSalle to Detective James Priadka and countless other police personnel who made lewd comments and at least one who “slapped her on the backside.”   The details are lascivious.

In a deposition involving former Philadelphia Police Officer Keisha Johnson against the City involving Staff Inspector Jerrold Bates, (or Master Bates as he is now called), Bates admits to having a orgy with Officer Johnson, another Police Captain, Nicholas Brown and a friend of Officer Johnson.

Bates was Officer Johnson‘s boss at the time.  Bates also admits that he saw pictures of Johnson with another employee, Corporal Gail Newsome Middleton, in which he shared with Captain Brown. In her lawsuit, Johnson alleges “Plaintiff  (Johnson) also sent Bates numerous cell phone pictures of herself, at his request, so he could masturbate when he was home. (Id. at 69:12-75:11.) Bates also talked about having Plaintiff go to a hotel with him, which she refused, and he solicited her to have group sex with Corporal Newsome-Middleton and Sergeant Williams, which also did not occur. (Id. at 75:8-77:4.) See deposition here:  bates-deposition-v-city-doc42-5-bates-depo.  Officer Keisha Johnson Lawsuit here: Keisha Johnson vs. Jerrold Bates, ETAL

There are going to be people in Internal Affairs, as some did in depositions, who will claim to remember how Officer  Keisha Johnson and Corporal Newsome-Middleton, dressed like whores.  If this is factual, once again, the supervisors in Internal Affairs who allowed this behavior to exist is part of the problem.  The problem is systemic and persuasive in policing.  No matter how Officer Johnson and Corporal Newsome-Middleton dressed, it isn’t an open invitation for predators to pressure and harass their way into sexual relationships with unwilling participants.

If orgies and menage a trois’ can go on involving the then, Staff Inspector Jerrold Bates, who was in charge of the EEO unit, and his Captain buddy with subordinates, while assigned to Internal Affairs, where does it stop?

This goes beyond the old adage of “boys being boys”.  Alot of this behavior is criminal.  When the victims cannot rely on the head of policing agencies to protect them, what can the citizens, whom they are sworn to protect expect?

Even after all of these shenanigans and in the instance of Carl Holmes an alleged sexual assault, (Holmes admitted to having sex in his city-issued police vehicle with a police civilian employee whom Internal Affairs never asked about, nor attempted to reach out to this woman to see if the incident was consensual), is still in positions (pun intended) to interact with women police officers.

Inspector Anthony Washington has also been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women.  Washington too, is in a position to interact with women police officers.

In the recent weeks, a female Sergeant by the name of Amina Brown-Minor , who was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, was put in the 5th District.  One of the four (4) districts in which Washington oversees.  Inspector Washington allegedly orders the 5th District Captain to remove a seasoned male Lieutenant from the prestigious five (5) squad position, and place the newly promoted Sergeant in this position.  Of course, it was the request heard around the police department.

An astute Captain, allegedly complained of the order to none other than Chief Inspector Carl Holmes, who reversed Inspector Washington’s order and took the newly promoted Sergeant out of that assignment.  Perhaps Holmes was trying to save Washington from himself.  Or perhaps he’s learned from his own predator accusations.

A male officer, John Massi, also filed a complaint involving sexual misconduct by Inspector Anthony Washington.

On June 21, 2011, Officer Jamie Miles filed a lawsuit against the city and four of her her superiors over alleged sex discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment.[252][253] Miles received $62,500 to settle her suit.  In 2011, two federal sexual harassment lawsuits filed by police officers against then Captain Anthony Washington were settled for $75,000.

Commissioner Ramsey did demote Holmes and was passing over Washington at one time or another for promotions.  However; Ramsey still installed Holmes as Chief in the Philadelphia School District, which raised alot of eyebrows.

In light of the current #MeToo environment, it’s time to protect the women and men in the Police Department.  It’s time to put Washington and Holmes in positions (pun intended) in the department where they can cause the least harm.  There are predator in all sections of life and in all business environments.  The predator is much more troubling, which he has the power to command women along with a gun and a badge.

 

What New Promotee Javier Rodriguez in PPD has In Common with Cops Arrested In Corruption Scandal in BPD:

Then Sergeant Javier Rodriguez, was assigned to the Narcotics Field Unit.  Corporal Reinaldo Peluzzo was also assigned to the Narcotics Field Unit.

While Peluzzo was in Florida, sunning and funning, he was supposed to be running and gunning, at least according to the Philadelphia Police Department’s Daily Attendance Record or (DARS).

Apparently, in the Narcotics Field Unit (NFU), it’s alright if the taxpayers pay cops who aren’t working.  Moreover; they get overtime.  This is the game now-Lieutenant Javier Rodriguez and Corporal Reinaldo Peluzzo were playing.  Stealing was apparently alright.  They were disciplined and both were suspended.

Javier Rodriguez was kicked out of NFU and put in the 25th District.  Peluzzo was kicked out of NFU and put in the 15th.  But apparently, stealing from taxpayers is okay for some people.  Instead of getting charged with a crime, they both received days.  It should be noted that Javier Rodriguez has a wife, Maria Ortiz Rodriguez who was in Internal Affairs.

Seven Baltimore Police Department Officers were arrested yesterday by the US Attoney’s office for everything from robbing citizens, to stealing overtime and falsifying timesheets. Sound familiar?  These officers were arrested.

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According to CNN,  “The arrested Baltimore Police Officers are accused of engaging in “large-scale time and attendance fraud.  In one instance, one of the officers was paid overtime when he was actually on vacation with his family in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to the indictment.  The arrested officers are accused of engaging in “large-scale time and attendance fraud.”  Where were the supervisors?  In the case of Philadelphia’s famous six, who were later acquitted, that was a question that was never presented at the time.  Philly Cops Acquitted

Stealing overtime and falsifying timesheets has been done ad nauseam, in the PPD.  The entire squad in Philadelphia’s Vice Squad was caught doing the same thing.  Their punishment, including their illustrious leader, at the time then- Lieutenant Charles Green, they simply had to pay the money back from their pensions when they retire.  What happened to Charles Green, he was continually promoted.

Detective Kenneth Rossiter was accused of the same thing.  Rossiter wasn’t charged with a crime, he was terminated.  The FOP won his job back in arbitration.  According to the Philadelphia Daily News, “The details of Rossiter’s alleged swindle are scant. Internal affairs supervisors declined to release their findings, saying the complaint that prompted the investigation is presumed to have originated internally, and internal complaints aren’t public. McNesby said that even he hasn’t seen the internal affairs report.  But several police sources said internal affairs investigators repeatedly observed Rossiter returning to his home and staying there for hours when he supposedly was in court. Investigators erected a camera near his white-brick and stucco home, and the camera caught Rossiter at home multiple times when he was officially checked in to court, the sources say.”

The paper further stated “Rossiter, reached Sunday, said the thin file he saw on the case contained no video or photographic evidence and alleged that he stole $1,226. He denied the allegations, saying working homicide is a 24-hour job that often has him working at home. Politics fueled the charges against him, he said, although he declined to discuss specifics.”  Rossiter is back on the job.  Rossiter wins back job and loses lawsuit

Does this sound familiar?  If it does, that is because promotee Javier Rodriguez, who will slated to make the rank of Captain, engaged in the same behavior as reported by Secret Society previously.

What’s even more incredible, if rumors are true, is that Chief Inspector Christopher Flacco, has allegedly made a “guest” appearance to speak to the promotees, in which he engaged in a profanity laced tirade, about what would happen if he found anyone engaging in misconduct in their new positions.  The goal of reminding officers of their duty to maintain their integrity and preserve the pride of the department is a great mission.  However; it rings hollow when you have in your midst, the likes of Javier Rodriguez.

Rodriguez was disciplined.  As well as Corporal Peluzzo, who like the cops in Baltimore, was actually on vacation while being paid and receiving overtime.

Joining Rodriguez in being promoted to the rank of Captain is Greg Riley, who was also a previous subject of Secret Society.  Riley, who was demoted because of his lie and cover-up, was actually assigned back to Internal Affairs as part of his “punishment” after he was demoted.  Does anyone see anything wrong with this?  sgt_gregrileydemotionarbitration

Another promotee, Captain Joseph Bologna’s entire squad was accused of wrong doing. When everyone was snatched off the street, Bologna remained on the street.   That squad was the subject of a pulitzer prize winning series in the Philadelphia Daily News, Tainted Justice.  Cops In Tainted Justice Disciplined.  Bologna was disciplined for failure to supervise.  He was a Sergeant.  Bologna was promoted through the ranks without a hitch.  Bologna never had to worry about being interrogated during his pre-promotional interviews.

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Meanwhile, other promotees reportedly were interrogated about their alleged misdeeds, with one promotee, Police Officer Theresa Brooks, originally, was a no-show during the first part of class.  Rumor has it that Officer Brooks was going to be denied her promotion. The rumor permeated after Brooks received a unique brand of notification.  Resident Serial Sexual Accused, Chief Inspector Carl Holmes, went to the District to personally attempt to humiliate and berate Officer Brooks.  No one can ever remember anything like this happening before.  Holmes Sued For Multiple Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Chief Inspector Carl Holmes, who was the subject of several lawsuits for sexual harassment, including two allegations of him “digitally penetrating” female officers is probably the last supervisor who should be interacting with female officers.  Maybe the PPD simply loves to payout in lawsuits.  Philly Female Cops Suit OK

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Brooks, who was allegedly a whistleblower while she was assigned to the Narcotics Unit, Brooks Whistleblower Lawsuit Alleging Theft In Narcotics Unit, and who has sued the department on several occasions for their retaliatory tactics, was the same officer who had a cell phone snatched out of her hands and was assaulted by now-retired Captain Gerard Levins.

That was a story that went viral thoughout the department.  Levins, who enjoyed a life of leisure in Internal Affairs, subsequently retired, as opposed to facing assault and robbery charges in reference to Brooks.

Levins retired within days of the attack.   However;  the outrageous behavior of the Captain was scaled back.  Yet the depositions reveal just how horrific this attack turned out.  In the  Pennsylvania Relations Board opinion, the board opined, “Levins’s thoughtless, indeed, provocative act of snatching Brooks’s cell phone from her hand, albeit while she was trying to call the Union, was not a refusal to allow Brooks Union representation in violation of Weingarten”.  The board further held that “How the phone was taken from Brooks by Levins, and who-pushed-whom may have been a matter for further police investigation”.  Of course, there was no further investigation.  This was more than a thoughtless provocative act, it was a criminal act.

The board also wrote in their opinion, “The fact that Brooks and Levins shared such overwhelming animosity that they were reduced to simply screaming at each other over” which eventually got physical.

Maybe Levins animosity came from the fact that his brother, Thomas Levins, worked in the Narcotics Strike Force and Narcotics Field Unit.  The same units in which Officer Brooks reported corruption.  Female Cop Reports Theft and Harassment In Narcotics  Levin’s brother Thomas, was married to then-Captain Theresa Levins, who also worked in Internal Affairs.  Maybe that’s where the “animosity” came from.

It should be noted that witnesses to Levins attack on Brooks reported that he will never, ever attack another female cop again.  Especially one with the reputation of Officer Brooks who is known to not back down from a fight.

Sources reported that Levins was in the Preliminary Arraignment System for a litany of charges involving the incident.  However; the PARS report “magically” disappeared from the system shortly after Levin’s hasty retirement was announced.

Officer Brooks, who is black, and Levins who is white, did appear in a news report about the incident.  Many questioned if this was a black Commander who attacked a white female cop, if the same graciousness would have been granted by allowing a retirement over a firing and an arrest.

Sources reported that Levins definitely got the worse end of that fight against a woman, no less.  The assertion of white privilege doesn’t work in all cases.

When as a police supervisor,  you engage in a battery against an Officer, besides for suffering the loss of your DROP payout, your 30 plus year career, and get your ass beat, it wasn’t a very good outcome for Levins.   This should serve as a lesson to others who may want tempt fate by engaging in egregious behavior such as this.

This fight is reminiscent of the fight between (and we use that term lightly) Sergeant Karen Taylor and Officer Lydia Jamerson.  An incident which came to be known as the Pussy Cat VS the Alley Cat.  These two officers were assigned to the Courts when the supervisor asserted a privilege that doesn’t exist for her.  The supervisor, foolheartedly, allegedly proposed the fight.  And yes, they were both on duty, and the battle took place inside the Courthouse.  The supervisor, according to sources, got her ass beaten badly.  In this incident, no one was arrested either.

Double standards have no place in policing.  When people are continually promoted, regardless of theft of time, or multiple sexual harassment, and in the case of Chief Inspector Carl Holmes , who has been accused of “digitally penetrating” a police officer, but admitted to having sex in his police car with a “civilian” employee, there is something awfully wrong.  michele-vandegrift-civil-action

At least former Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey refused to promote Holmes.  Ramsey Refuses To Promote Two High Ranking Cops.

There must be a long hard look at some of the promotees and double standards.

Double Standards: Captain Joe Bologna

Here we go again.  Captain Joseph Bologna, the same Joseph Bologna, is set to be promoted when the promotions happen in the upcoming week.  This double standard is particularly disturbing because Bologna squeezed through the door of not being assigned to DPR with his entire squad while he was a Sergeant in Narcotics.

That’s right.  All of his employees, who were under investigation for five years, Officer Jeffrey Cudjik, Richard Cudjik, Thomas Tolstoy and Robert McDonnell were accused of all kinds of criminal activity and departmental violations, all who were pulled off the streets, EXCEPT, one then-Sergeant Joseph Bologna.  Bologna also had a guest role in the Philadelphia Daily News Pulitzer Prize winning series “Tainted Justice”.  Tainted Justice Wins Pulitzer Prize  It was touted as a story about “the renegade Narcotics cops and the snitch who snitched on them.”

The feds eventually declined to prosecute the officers.  Shortly thereafter, the District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute stating they didn’t “want to duplicate” the effort. All the officers were eventually disiplined, including Bologna, who received a three-day suspension.  Narcotics Cops Including Supervisor Suspended-One Fired

Officer Jeffrey Cudjik was eventually fired and has since been returned to his job. Cudjik Reinstated

Bradley Bridge, of the Public Defender’s office stated at the time he was “surprised” they weren’t charged in light of the overwhelming evidence against the motley crew.  But their supervisor, Sergeant Joseph Bologna was never even taken off the streets.  Bologna, did, however; down the road, receive admonishment for “failure to supervise”.

The Philadelphia Daily News reported “In a move unrelated to the federal investigation, Capt. Joseph Bologna was found by the department to have failed to properly supervise Richard Cujdik because he was present when Cujdik searched the car, the sources said.”Narcotics Cops Won’t Be Prosecuted.

Last time we checked, Officer Christopher Hulmes was finally fired and charged for lying on a warrant.  Price Of Lying Narcotics Cop  But it was only after a long battle with Hulmes being reported by an honest ADA, AJ Thomson, who eventually lost his job.  DA Reports Lying Narcotics Cop

Sergeant Joseph Bologna was present as his cops guzzled hoagies and Little Debbie’s snacks while raiding the store.  According to the Daily News, “Then Sgt. Bologna looks up and waves his finger toward the ceiling: “Whaddya got, cameras over there? . . . Where are they hooked up to?”  And then, the wires were cut.  The complainants of at least 8 other stores says that was that squads modus operandi.  The complainant in this case, had a back-up hard drive that captured the officers illegal actions.  The complainant said $10,000 was missing that wasn’t put on property receipts and cartons of cigarettes were also missing.  Video Here

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, “After the series ran, dozens of lawsuits were filed, and 55 criminal cases were challenged by defense lawyers who questioned the officers’ credibility. In all, the city settled 33 lawsuits and paid settlements totaling $1.7 million.”  Lawsuit and Tossed Cases

Joe Bologna, who worked with FOP President John McNesby when he was a police officer assigned to the 24th District, has been spared and rewarded many times during his career. However; nothing could save him from the embarrassment the department received from the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, who refused to allow Bologna to attend.  POW! SHOTS FIRED.

Bologna, who was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, without a worry in the world, while his entire unit was sitting in DPR for alleged high crimes and misdemeanors, while Bologna continued to climb the ranks, with not a care in the world.  Once more, Bologna was promoted to the rank of Captain, only two days before the civil service promotional list for the rank of Captain was going to expire.  Once again, no problems for BOLOGNA.  The next day, the new civil service list for Captain was published and Joe Bologna was very last on the list.  But no problem for Joey.  He was promoted on the old civil service list.

Now, Bologna is set to be promoted to Staff Inspector and he is allegedly bragging about his new assignment, but supposedly, it’s a secret.  Many are betting he won’t be assigned to the duties of other Staff Inspector’s and won’t be confronted about his past in Narcotics, nor his ability to get a clearance to get into the FBI Academy.

Maybe the FBI wanted nothing to do with a guy who is present while his cops are lying on search warrants, cutting wires when he suspects he is being recorded, and his squad costs the city millions in lawsuits and at least 33 narcotics cases thrown out.  Yet his employer only charges him with “failure to supervise” while allowing him to continually ascend the rank.  The FBI politely declined to his appointment to the FBI Academy.  We agree.

On the same note, Lieutenant Javier Rodriguez, a past recipient of “Double Standards” is also set to be promoted to the rank of Captain.  Many are curious if he too, will be confronted about his unceremonious boot from the Narcotics Unit, with Corporal Reinaldo Peluzzo, after the two was given formal disciplinary action because of their misdeeds involving theft.  They both were booted from the Narcotics Unit.

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Rodriguez was also assigned to the 24th District with Bologna and McNesby during the same era, as well as resident thief, Lieutenant Raymond Murphy. Murphy was the only one who wasn’t charged with stealing electricity after a ring of thieves were arrested in Bucks County.  PECO Thieves  The same 24th District where resident racist Corporal Robert Pawlowski is currently assigned.  Police Officer Suspended for Making Racial Slurs At FOP

Many are betting odds that Murphy didn’t even attempt to take the Captain’s test.  Lieutenant Murphy is watching the clock tick and paying restitution to PECO.  Lieutenant Nicholas Schneider had no problem getting promoted to Lieutenant from Sergeant even though he allegedly falsified and Daily Attendance Record by carrying him as going to Municipal Police Officers training for almost 10 days, when the training was only 3 days.  Schneider also allegedly isn’t allowed to testify in court because of a lack of integrity.  Yet, he was still promoted.  His promotion was actually held up by a few days, but he was still promoted.

Apparently it pays to have worked with McNesby because each of these police officers  committed serious infractions and alleged criminal acts and yet they continue to ascend through the ranks of the Philadelphia Police Department.

Too bad resident woman slapper Lieutenant Jonathan Josey wasn’t assigned to the 24th District.  But hell, he did get a fund-raiser and a solid from District Attorney Seth Williams, who only charged him with the slap, as opposed to false arrest and a litany of other charges that would have been more difficult for a Judge to toss out.  But Josey still hasn’t been promoted.  And Josey is probably feeling pretty angry since the Police Department, rightfully so, has fought his promotion every inch of the way.  No Promotion For Cop Who Slapped Woman

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In the interim, others who are on the civil service promotional list, are being interrogated and in at least one instance, having to deal with the humiliation of a flyer being posted around the district questioning his ability to be a supervisor.  Yet there isn’t an investigation of this dubious flyer.  It’s being passed around like some of the ADA’s at a FOP night at Lodge 5 Headquarters.

There also isn’t an investigation into how some people tend to get promoted, in spite of an obvious lack of integrity and in Bologna’s instance, a “failure to supervise” charge.  That’s a pretty serious charge for someone who is now going to supervise even more people.

Double Standards should have no room in the Philadelphia Police Department.  Cops who constantly misbehave and continually to move up in the ranks is disturbing.  Inspector Carl Holmes, who committed pretty bad acts, under his own admission, was still demoted. Captain Joe Bologna received no such action. Apparently the more you act up, allegedly break laws and outright steal, you have little or nothing to worry about when it comes time for a promotion.

In summary, Captain Joseph Bologna isn’t accepted at the FBI Academy, has disciplinary action for “failure to supervise”, but knows he will be getting promoted and even what he will do doing.  Bologna has nothing to worry about. Oh, except for the FBI not wanting him anywhere near their grounds.

There are other officers who are brow-beat at these “interviews”, for a civil service promotion and have to endure rumors and innuendo about minor infractions or, simply rumors.   But these are the very ones that get promoted, despite pretty bad records or accusations.  Some cops because of their misdeeds don’t deserve to be promoted.   We say that is B-O-L-O-G-N-A.

Meanwhile, the beat goes on for other officers, who have relatively minor blemishes or have no disciplinary action at all, sit and wonder if they will be promoted because of rumors, or flyers being distributed throughout the department without a whiff of an investigation as to the culprits who authored the flyer or distributed it.  This certainly sends a message.

Whistleblowers and minority officers………….BEWARE.   Or simply, need not apply.

Double Standards: Chief Inspector Carl Holmes

Inspector Carl Holmes, in October 2013, was installed as the Chief of School Security for Philadelphia Public Schools and the Police Athletic League.  This assignment was given to Holmes, despite his long history of sexual misconduct allegations.

At the time of the appointment, the Philadelphia Police Department released a statement stating “Chief Holmes is more than qualified to lead this position, and Commissioner Charles Ramsey has the utmost confidence in his ability in working to keep our kids safe. Furthermore, none of those issues involved children in any way, shape, or form,” Lt. John Stanford, a police spokesman, said in an email response to the Philadelphia Tribune.

Needless to say, parents of children in the Philadelphia public school system were not pleased.  Despite the fact of his history of lawsuits and sexual misconduct allegations, then-Commissioner Charles Ramsey defended his decision by stating “I don’t understand what the issue is, or why anybody is concerned about it.”, according to the Philadelphia Magazine.

So fast forward to 2017.  On January 11, 2017, U.S. District Judge Mark A. Kearney excoriated the police department writing that there is a complicity, that people in authority, as high as the police commissioner ignore when it comes to misconduct.

In the complaint of Philadelphia Police Officer Michele Vandegrift vs. City of Philadelphia, Officer Vandegrift alleges that Chief Inspector Carl Holmes sexually assaulted her in 2007.  And this isn’t the first time at the rodeo for Holmes.

Another police officer, Christina Hayburn, alleged that Holmes sexually assaulted her in 2006.  The suit states that in Holmes chased Hayburn as she was trying to leave a bar, pulled her into his vehicle and “began kissing her “really hard” as he touched her breasts and put his hands on the outside of her pants toward her genitals.”  It should be noted that Carl Holmes is a 6-foot-6, 280-pound former offensive tackle for Temple University.  One can easily see how this imposing figure would have no problem overpowering a woman.  Account of Officer Hayburn’s incident here.

The suit further alleges that during this encounter, Holmes “digitally penetrated her vagina, after which he pulled out his penis and placed Officer Hayburn’s hand on top of it”.  Hayburn stated she said “No”, after he attempted to have intercourse and oral sex, but that Holmes “eventually ejaculated”.holmes_carl-psd-_denardo

As a result of the investigation into this complaint, Holmes city car was impounded and forensic evidence found “seminal stains containing spermatozoa”.  Holmes denied the allegation and claimed he had sexual relations with a female civilian in the city car twice, which is why there was semen in the car.  The investigators did not ask for the name of the civilian employee, or for her description and Holmes did not provide it.

Holmes has denied any wrong-doing involving Vandegrift.  But he did admit to having sex in his tax-payer funded vehicle with a civilian city employee.  Conveniently, there was no further investigation of that civilian.  Therefore; the police department doesn’t know if that civilian was a victim of a crime, or a willing participant because they only had the side of Holmes.

Vandegrift further alleges in the complaint that Holmes “wanted to know how wet she was” and that he inserted his finger into her vagina.  The complaint also alleges that he pulled his hand out, tasted his finger, and remarked “it tasted good”.  This allegedly happened in his office while they were both working.  The complaint then goes on to name 24th District officers and Southwest Detectives, both places where Vandegrift worked, who engaged in highly inappropriate, and in some cases, criminal sexual behavior.

The complaint is a salacious and disgusting account of what became a nightmare for Michele Vandegrift.  Read Complaint Here

Writing in the opinion in response to a summary judgement motion filed by the City of Philadelphia to dismiss the gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit, in denying the request, Judge Kearney wrote   “Mrs. Vandegrift adduces facts necessary to create a genuine issue of material fact as to her claims of gender discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation under Title VII, the PHRA, and the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance.  Ms. Vandegrift also provides sufficient evidence of a well-settled custom of sexual harassment within the Philadelphia Police Department.”

There is clearly a problem.  Holmes even admitted in a deposition that it is difficult for female police officers on the job and they have to listen to comments about sex on the job.

Curiously, also in a deposition regarding the suit, Chief Inspector Christopher Flacco admitted that he authorized disciplinary action against Vandegrift as a result of something she had written on Facebook, because another officer had been  disciplined for a Facebook message because of her complaint.

And Officer Vandegrift named names in her lawsuit.  There was a litany of allegations against numerous 24th District Officers and Southwest Detective personnel of various ranks.  From Inspector Anthony Washington, to Lieutenant Anthony LaSalle to Detective James Priadka and countless other police personnel who made lewd comments and at least one who “slapped her on the backside.”   The details are lascivious.

In a deposition involving former Philadelphia Police Officer Keisha Johnson against the City involving Staff Inspector Jerrold Bates, (or Master Bates as he is now called), Bates admits to having a orgy with Officer Johnson, another Police Captain, Nicholas Brown and a friend of Officer Johnson.

Bates was Officer Johnson‘s boss at the time.  Bates also admits that he saw pictures of Johnson with another employee, Corporal Gail Newsome Middleton, in which he shared with Captain Brown. In her lawsuit, Johnson alleges “Plaintiff  (Johnson) also sent Bates numerous cell phone pictures of herself, at his request, so he could masturbate when he was home. (Id. at 69:12-75:11.) Bates also talked about having Plaintiff go to a hotel with him, which she refused, and he solicited her to have group sex with Corporal Newsome-Middleton and Sergeant Williams, which also did not occur. (Id. at 75:8-77:4.) See deposition here:  bates-deposition-v-city-doc42-5-bates-depo.  Officer Keisha Johnson Lawsuit here: Keisha Johnson vs. Jerrold Bates, ETAL

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There are going to be people in Internal Affairs, as some did in depositions, who will claim to remember how Officer  Keisha Johnson and Corporal Newsome-Middleton, dressed like whores.  If this is factual, once again, the supervisors in Internal Affairs who allowed this behavior to exist is part of the problem.  The problem is systemic and persuasive in policing.

If orgies and menage a trois’ can go on involving the then, Staff Inspector Jerrold Bates, who was in charge of the EEO unit, and his Captain buddy with subordinates, while assigned to Internal Affairs, where does it stop?

This goes beyond the old adage of “boys being boys”.  Alot of this behavior is criminal.  When the victims cannot rely on the head of policing agencies to protect them, what can the citizens, whom they are sworn to protect expect?

One shining star in the Vandegrift lawsuit is Lieutenant Ray Saggesse, who according to Vandegrift, expressed his frustration at not being able to properly investigate misconduct as an Internal Affairs Investigator.  He relayed his frustration that he was even unable to get these jobs to the District Attorney’s Office for review.

Despite years of increasingly pointed warnings and mounting legal challenges, sexual harassment in the Philadelphia Police Department remains an entrenched and serious problem.  Victims of sexual misconduct can expect the same treatment that other whistle blowers can expect:  disciplinary charges, being treated like a pariah, termination and/or being charged with a crime.

According to these documents and numerous police officials who say there is a climate of hostility toward women and it isn’t just in Philadelphia, it is in Chicago, the LAPD, Dallas and can be found in even the smallest police departments.  And this unlawful behavior has got to stop.

Until some of these perpetrators are arrested or at least terminated, there will remain a feeling that female police officers are fair game.  Officer Vandegrift is now a Police Detective.