[Vision2020] More: Oxycodone Gate

[Joe Campbell]

Is there evidence to think that there were serious laws broken by
Carscallen or Button -- something beyond some bad decisions and a
cover up? Or do you consider that to be serious enough?

On Wed, May 23, 2012 at 8:22 AM, Art Deco <art.deco.studios at gmail.com> wrote:
> Below is an article from today's Daily News on Oxycodone Gate.
>
> I have no idea what course the investigation has taken or any findings that
> may be made.  Most of us eagerly await the release of the investigative
> report to see the results.
>
> Another element of the discussion on this issue has arisen.
>
> "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."
>
> If the whistleblowers were discouraged or threatened to prevent them from
> going to law enforcement with their concerns of a possible crime by
> Carscalen and/or Button, then the question of whether a criminal conspiracy
> has occurred arises.  And if such intimidation occurred, then clearly
> besides other issues of bad judgment in not reporting the incident
> immediately to law enforcement, and its reflection of incredibly bad
> management practice, the tort of creating a hostile work environment appears
> to have occurred, especially if punitive measures were threatened and/or
> taken to silence the whistleblowers.
>
> The legal issues in this case are complex, and especially so since evidence
> was ordered to be removed/destroyed and the amount of time that elapsed
> before the city was compelled by the investigative reporting of the Daily
> News and its aftermath to finally notify law enforcement.  Let's hope
> sufficient facts were discovered in the investigation to add at least some
> clarity to this matter. The name of Gary Riedner, Moscow City Manager, can
> now be add to those of Dan Carscalen and Ed Button in this
> coverup/mismanagement of the scandal.
>
> Thanks again to the Daily News for their role for keeping attention on a
> problem that without their diligence would have remained swept under the
> rug.  Illicit narcotics use by an ordinary citizen is bad enough, but such
> alleged use by a resident emergency responder and the subsequent coverup and
> intimidation of the whistleblowers is a serious issue of public safety and
> public health.  If any of the buzz is correct, this incident may be just the
> tip of an iceberg.
>
> w.
> _______________________________
>
> Sheriff's office plans to finish investigation this week
>
> Staff report | Posted: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 1:00 am
>
> The Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office expects to complete its investigation
> related to allegations of a drug cover-up at the Moscow Volunteer Fire
> Department by the end of the week.
>
> 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 Carscalen and Button the
> day after the incident.
>
> To avoid conflict, City Supervisor Gary Riedner said he authorized Moscow
> Police Chief David Duke to seek an outside law enforcement agency to
> investigate the claims.
>
> Nez Perce County Chief Deputy Alan Johnson said the investigation should be
> wrapped up by the end of the week and the report will then be forwarded to
> the Latah County Prosecutor's Office for review.
>
> Prosecutor Bill Thompson said he will check the investigative report first
> for any potential conflicts of interest and proceed with reviewing it for
> potential action if none are found. If a conflict is determined, he said he
> would seek another prosecutor's office to take over. The report is not
> expected to be released to the public until a decision has been made,
> Thompson said, adding he is unsure how long the review process will take at
> this time.
>
> "It's really difficult to predict until you actually see the referral," said
> Thompson.
>
>
>
> --
> Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
> art.deco.studios at gmail.com
>
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