[Vision2020] Oxycodone Gate [Con't]

[Art Deco]

Below is an article from today's *Daily News* on the alleged discovery of
possibly illegal narcotics possession and use at a Moscow fire station and
the manner it was handled by fire district management.

Before making some initial short comments, I want to thank the *Daily
News*for their investigative reporting.  Alleged possession and use of
narcotics
by paid, resident emergency responders is a serious issue.  The actions of
two fire officials, Captain Dan Carscalen (also City Council Chair) and
Chief Ed Button --- failure to report a crime to law enforcement and
bullying and intimidating the whistle blowers -- also raise serious
questions about their judgment and their management abilities and styles.
I hope this kind of public service investigative reporting continues under
Lee Rozen.  If such reporting had been done during Hawkins Gate, perhaps at
least one person would be in prison now.

There are many wild rumors flying about with respect to this incident
because of the coverup that occurred and the CYA, stonewalling manner in
which it was handled by those in charge -- rumors of where the drugs came
from, whether other drugs like Hydrocodone are involved, usage of drugs by
other public safety officers, inappropriate relationships, cronyism, etc.
I cannot credit any of these rumors.  But as a citizen and a taxpayer in
the fire district, I want to know what is going on:  there are public
health, public safety, and management raised issues here.

Specifically, there are two issues which really concern me:

1.  Where did the drugs come from?  Where they pilfered from some private
or public source?  If so, were substitutions made, and thus inactive drugs
may be administered to patients in need of the real thing?

2. Was this an isolated incident, or is it part of a larger problem
affecting not only the MVFD, but possibly the MPD and/or other law
enforcement/public safety organizations?

According to Button, the investigation is over.   Once the investigation is
closed, the investigative records become public records.  I urge the *Daily
News* to obtain a copy of these records and to inform us not only of the
raw results, but the scope of the investigation so that we can see what
questions where asked and what questions were not asked, and of whom.  I
also urge the *Daily News* to continue their diligence on this subject and
to continue to conduct their own independent investigation.


Take note:

They say they were told to "treat the drugs like a bottle of whiskey, and
give (the firefighter) the opportunity to get rid of it," by on-duty fire
command officer Dan Carscallen under orders by Fire Chief Ed Button.

Possession of whiskey by a person of age at the fire station may be a
violation of policy, but it is not a crime.  Possession of a Schedule II
controlled substance, a narcotic, without a valid prescription is both a
state and federal crime.  Failure to promptly report credible evidence of
such to law enforcement and suggest evidence be removed or destroyed
appears to be a violation of federal obstruction of justice statutes.

Hence, besides an investigation of the criminal aspects of this matter,
clearly a management audit/review of the MVFD is indicated to determine if
the those in management/command positions are really qualified.

The MPD and MVFD are valuable and important public services.  All of us are
grateful for their efforts, especially those of the volunteers, which make
our community safer and more secure.  It is a shame that this incident
occurred, and a greater shame the way it was handled has now besmirched
their reputations, and has distracted from their many positive
accomplishments.  Only a full and honest clearing of the air will restore
the public confidence and remove the scars of this affair.  Let's hope this
occurs.

Wayne Fox
208 882-7975

*
*__________________________________________
Drugs at fire department under investigation

* By Brandon Macz, Daily News staff writer | Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2012
1:00 am *

Moscow City Supervisor Gary Riedner said Wednesday the Nez Perce County
Sheriff's Office is investigating allegations of a drug cover-up at the
volunteer fire department.

Complaints filed with the city by volunteer firefighters Bonnie Shambaugh
and Emily Kimberling allege they found suspected drugs and paraphernalia in
a resident firefighter's desk Feb. 14. They say they were told to "treat
the drugs like a bottle of whiskey, and give (the firefighter) the
opportunity to get rid of it," by on-duty fire command officer Dan
Carscallen under orders by Fire Chief Ed Button.

Shambaugh and Kimberling also allege they felt intimidated and threatened
to keep quiet during meetings they had separately with Carscallen and
Button the day after the incident.

When the Daily News first reported the complaints, Riedner said the
personnel matter had been resolved. He said Wednesday he had since
discussed the issue with Moscow Police Chief David Duke and city attorney
Randy Fife.

"We decided to have an outside agency take a look at it, and so David asked
the Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office to do it, and they said they would do
so, and it is under way," Riedner said. "We did the personnel action ...
but we wanted to make sure we had done everything and looked at it from
every point of view that we needed to."

Button said he welcomes the investigation.

"I've already been interviewed, and my reaction to it is I welcome the
whole thing," he said. "From my standpoint, I've been accused of performing
a cover-up and that's not the truth."

While he maintains he wanted the suspected drugs and paraphernalia out of
the station, Button said he never ordered it destroyed nor did he ignore
the incident.

He said the firefighter alleged to have been in possession of drugs was
tested the next day. Following that, Button said he informed Riedner, Duke,
Fife and then the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department board of directors a few
days later.

"That is not a cover-up, that is informing all the proper authorities,"
said Button. "I never instructed anyone at any time to destroy the contents
of that bottle."

Moscow Mayor Nancy Chaney said she became aware of the incident from
Riedner on March 5.

"The information at that time was vague," she said. "The particulars were
not known."

Chaney said she asked that Duke be informed.

"I absolutely support the investigation," she said.

Button said to his knowledge all parties involved in the incident have been
interviewed by the sheriff's office. Nez Perce County Sheriff Dale Buttrey
could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
 ------------------------------

*Brandon Macz* can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 238, or by email to
bmacz at dnews.com.
 Ghostery has found the following on this page

-- 
Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
art.deco.studios at gmail.com
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