County taxpayers are wondering about the results of the "closed to the public" executive session. Even though this is probably the worst kept secret in history as far the "missing funds" and the reason and people involved. Nonetheless, The BatBlog has heard of no official word from any government official on the details of the private session.
We do have sources within government that on the promise of anonymity have said The BatBlog was right on target with their initial investigation. It would be refreshing though if someone in an official capacity would confirm or deny the details of the reported session.
Several county officials read and participate here, notably Commissioner Rick Stephens and councilman Kevin Vissing. Hopefully they will weigh in on this issue in the name of Transparency and in the spending of tax dollars by the good citizens of Clark Co....
Anyone ???
Not much to find out it is no secret the money was paid to the former probation officer that Jacobi fired. Around a 100 grand from the county's insurance provider.
ReplyDeleteYeah I know Anon. but it would be nice to get affirmation from our public servants. After all this is taxpayer (our) money being thrown around. It may be mostly insurance money paid out but our tax dollars pay for the insurance. These insurances rates will most likely seriously increase with this payout and the subsequent payouts to those in the drug court program that filed suit after their constitutional rights were abused...Thanks Jacobi...
ReplyDeleteIf they say anything about the settlement, the county would be in violation of the confidentiality agreement they signed. Which would likely cost them (and us) more.
ReplyDeleteBut please, continue this ridiculous and unnecessary pursuit of this minor issue.
You might not be interested DumbAss but others are. So feel free to not read it...
DeleteIt won't be too ridiculous or minor when your taxes go up to pay for this mess Jacobi left us...and it appears the confidentiality agreement has already been violated, everybody knows the details...
HT, I have addressed this more than once. There was absolutely nothing underhanded or wasteful about our insurance companies actions. The judges state that they had no idea of the agreement and were unaware of the money being utilized from the probations budget, per State Board of Accounts direction. Then replaced by the Commissioners. The claim for the money was sent to Mr Jamie Hayden, who immediately took it to Judge Weber. Judge Weber ordered him not to sign off on the claim and then told him to have the Commissioners sign off on it.
ReplyDeleteThe statement read by Judge Carmichael at the Council meeting was pure showboating because the judges disapproved of our insurance companies decision. We should be concerned that any department head in the County can take such action without thinking about the repercussions. As probation says, Indiana is a fire at will state, we can fire anyone for any reason any time they want to. This may be accurate but they forget or do not care that the individuals fired still have all the rights of seek unemployment payments, wrongful termination, discrimination actions or Department of Labor complaints.
I have outlined as much of this in my post on the CCC on July 13th. Department Heads in the County are not God's. Their actions do have repercussions and the Commissioners are left cleaning up the mess. We work with our insurance company that conducts very thorough investigations HT, I have addressed this more than once. There was absolutely nothing underhanded or wasteful about our insurance companies actions. The judges state that they had no idea of the agreement and were unaware of the money being utilized from the probations budget, per State Board of Accounts direction, to be replaced by the Commissioners. The claim for the money was sent to Mr Jamie Hayden, who immediately let took it to Judge Weber. Judge Weber ordered him not to sign off on the claim and then told him to have the Commissioners sign off on it.
The statement read at the Council meeting was pure showboating because the judges disapproved of our insurance companies decision. If anyone should be concerned they should be concerned that any department head in the County would take such action without thinking about the repercussions. As probation says, Indiana is a fire at will state, we can fire anyone for any reason any time they want to. This may be accurate but they forget or do not care that the individuals fired still have all the rights of searching unemployment payments, wrongful termination or discrimination actions or Department of Labor complaints.
I have outlined as much of this in my post on the CCC on July 13th. Department Heads in the County are not God's. Their actions do have repercussions and the Commissioners are left to clean up the mess. We work with our insurance companies that conduct very thorough investigations to determine the facts of the case. They have years of experience any many attorneys that have reviewed this case before they decided to settle.
I would be remiss if I did not state that none of the judges presently setting on the bench were party of this action. We all know that the Drug Court was a train wreck ready to happen, and it did. Thanks to Judge Carmichael for stepping in and taking it over to continue a worthwhile program. When ran correctly it is an invaluable tool to the citizens of the County.
e party of this action. We all know that the Drug Court was a train wreck ready to happen, and it did. Thanks to Judge Carmichael for stepping in and taking it over to continue a worthwhile program. Ran correctly it is an invaluable tool to the citizens of the County.
I hope this put this to rest. Nothing underhanded or sinister went on. While in office I have been open and honest and will continue to do so.
Actually the County Council was not involved in this situation. I asked for the meeting wanting to make sure the taxpayers weren't improperly represented.
ReplyDeleteThere were no findings of wrongdoing as Rick mentioned. It was more a lack of communication. The commissioners are responsible for insuring the county, and all our questions were answered.
Bat Blog Scandal Update 8-12-2016
ReplyDeleteHoosierTaxpayer is correct.
Glickfield, Knoeble (sp),
Snelling, and Clark County government
allegedly have tremendous problems coming.
Jacobi was apparently stupid to have not exercised
more daily administrative control.
He has been severely disciplined by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Mr. Vissing is not correct.
There was a new court filing today (8-12-2016).
H-T should go to the courthouse and inquire.
It is just starting.....
I was only commenting about recent concerns. Not future concerns of which the County Council is not part of or aware of. Thanks HT for helping clear this up.
ReplyDeleteI'm not being critical of either Rick or Kevin, both are more open and transparent as any public official here locally.
ReplyDeleteAnytime things are kept quiet for any reason, suspicion is created. Several people asked about the executive session and I responded with this post. In hindsight maybe the Commissioners could have released a statement early on saying a lawsuit was settled...details of which can't be discussed...The details are out there and according to sources they are spot on.
I just want to emphasize again this post was not intended to be critical of either Kevin or Rick. The BatBlog appreciates their candor and openness to discuss issues on forums like this. They are an example that more public servants should follow. We thank you for your participation and comments...
It would be interesting to know the status of the pending lawsuit against the Clark Co. Drug Court. My guess is that a lot of individuals settled out of court and a "gag order" order is in place. And the main culprit in this case just was awarded questionable back pay. The Judge only received a reprimand. Big deal. He retired with a very sizeable pension on the taxpayers dime. Gotta' love the BS which occurs in the Clark County Courts. A similar situation occurred with the Floyd Co. Probation Office several years ago. A suit was settled out of court and that was the last anyone heard of it. The insurance company pays the award and the premiums are passed on to the public. And, incredibly, the defendant in the case retained his government job. And some wonder why so many people have no respect for the authorities.
ReplyDeleteNot a single one of us settled our lawsuit claims during settlement negotiations. And none of us are subjected to a gag order as of yet.
DeleteWhat was the County attorney's role in the settlement of this claim brought by her client?
ReplyDeleteWas the claim valid? Was it timely filed? If not, why was it paid? Where is the confidentiality agreement everyone keeps mentioning? Is there one or not?
WAVE TV 3 had a story last night.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/indiana/2014/04/16/eight-plaintiffs-added-clark-drug-court-suit/7794511/
ReplyDeleteSome of the plaintiffs
say they were arrested
by drug court workers with no arrest powers
and faced improper searches".......
"The original eight plaintiffs — Destiny Hoffman, Nathan Clifford, Joshua Foley, Jesse Hash, Ashleigh Santiago, James Bennett, Amy Bennett and Lee Spaulding — allege they were arrested
or were subject to arrest by drug court workers with no arrest powers".....
"
In whose name was a possible $100,000 check written?
ReplyDeleteSecret deal?
From an very talented local laywer's facebook page:
ReplyDelete"Your thoughts. No Notice of Tort Claim filed. No lawsuit filed. Claim paid more than two years after employee was fired. Employee fired while under criminal investigation. Employee's personal lawyer is lawyer for the Commissioner's who paid the $100,000. The judges were never told about the payment, the county council was never told of the payment and no one voted to spend the taxpayer's money to make the payment?"
WHAS 11 report:
http://www.whas11.com/news/investigations/fmr-drug-court-director-settles-w-clark-co-/303417496
Let's face it -- there is NO transparency in Clark County --- never has been. The word is nonexistent. Clark County is the worst of the worst.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.whas11.com/mb/news/investigations/fmr-drug-court-director-settles-w-clark-co-/303417496
ReplyDeleteJeffersonville
ReplyDeleteand Clark County are great places!
They rock!
Remember that "public sector employees"
are often abusive and let
their power go to their head.
There is serious abuse of their
"position authority" all over the world.
The allegedly astonishingly stupid actions
of a baliff and a probation officer
have been well exposed by the media in many reports.
Noted Jeffersonville attorney Larry O. Wilder
stated in the piece from WHAS that "in his 31 years of practicing law
that he had never seen a $100,000 payment given as a result
of the documentation of a two page letter"....
Who received the funds?
Have they been repaid from the pressure?
What actions will be forthcoming?
Interesting:
http://www.whas11.com/mb/news/investigations/fmr-drug-court-director-settles-w-clark-co-/303417496
Hoosiertaxpayer
ReplyDeletedid use some humor
to admonish a dullard
who doesn't get the serious abuse of the $100,000 payment:
"You might not be interested DumbAss".....
That is funny!
Republican Payment Scandal
ReplyDeleteThe three Republican county commissioners
embroiled in this $100,000 scandal mess are trying
to do a good job as commissioners.
Jack, Rick, and Bryan
are putting forth a lot of sincere effort as commissioners.
There is a political theory
that they were tricked, just possibly,
by some Republican political operatives
and/or may have been given, just possibly,
some really bad legal advice......
Shocking Comprehension Fail
ReplyDeleteCurrent Clark County Councilman Kevin Vissing stated:
"I asked for the meeting
wanting to make sure the taxpayers
weren't improperly represented."
"There were no findings of wrongdoing as Rick mentioned."
Holly, S***, Batman!
Now, that is an astonishing statement....
The public allegation in the media
is that a fired drug court worker,
who was alleged to have been involved
in the activities, was given $100,000 through her attorney.
If the news report is true and there was no tort claim and no lawsuit filed within 2 years, then there is really something rotten here. If the county attorney's hand is on any of the pay out process, there will be serious ramifications. If the county attorney got paid any money I would expect disbarment.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't the commissioners hire an outside attorney to advise them about whether to file the claim with the insurance company? That would have made these muddy waters a lot less muddy. I mean you don't file a claim for a scratch on your car do you?
ReplyDeleteShe might not have gotten any money, but some birds say her name was on the check written to the county by the insurance company, and then everyone says she was not involved.
The former probation officer in these misdeeds received $100,000 and her flunky, the former bailiff is now working for the sheriffs department. I would guess that he is no more concerned about a inmates civil rights that he was a probationers rights. Some big punishment. The prosecutor to whom their possible criminal activity was referred to was rumored to be a good friend of a Clark Co. Circuit Court judge. And not surprisingly the prosecutor ruled that no criminal activity had taken place. The authorities are more criminal than the criminals.
ReplyDeleteOne of Glickfield's first acts as county attorney was to make sure her neighborhood roads were paved by the county. Of course they did because her neighborhood was threatening to sue the county.
ReplyDeleteHelps to have friends in the right places!
Wilder wants a gig as attorney for a political body somewhere. Perhaps he'sgunning for the county attorney spot. In his mind, Republicans owe him some favors.
Not only is your timeline off, but so are your accusations. As a resident with a vested interest in that project, I attended those meetings. Attorney Glickfield not only did not participate in the paving discussions, but she abstained from the conversation entirely once she disclosed her relationship to the location in question, and even left the room until the matter was resolved.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me how people try to pass off opinions as facts. All while passing judgment on other people's integrity.
Just being a devil's advocate for a minute...but just because she excused her self from a public meeting doesn't mean she had NO influence on the project after all this is politics and this is Clark Co....
DeleteI would be interested though if Ms. Glickfield informed the commissioners before her hiring that she represented a client with a potential lawsuit against the county ???
Also if she no longer represented that client were the appropriate letters or forms sent to the commissioners or courts to legally rectify what appears to be a potentially conflict of interest.
Also I believe elected officials and representatives of the county are legally required to file conflict of interest forms in circumstances like this....
Were these filed ???
These questions above shouldn't be part of any "confidentiality agreement" but are questions the public would like and deserve to have answered...
DeleteI believe she only disclosed her interest on the road once Kelli Khuri pressed and questioned why she kept leaving the meeting. It's not like it was done in an open manner. And again why didn't they just pay fees for an attorney to help with that, that didn't have a vested interest. Hmm Glickfields neighborhood suing, Glickfields client suing, seems to be a common theme. Does Glickfield have any pets? The way we're handing out money her bird might get a check soon.
ReplyDeleteThe county attorney also had some prior shady dealings with a former administrator of the Clark County Work Release Center apparently. Of course that's a rumor also. County employees seem to disappear without a word lately. Everyone seems to leave with a so-called "gag order". It's certainly entertaining to live in such a newsworthy county.
ReplyDeleteYes I was at that meeting and Miss Glickfield did not say what her interest was only after Councilwoman Khuri questioned why she kept leaving did Commissioner Coffman sayy "for full disclosure Commissioner's Attorney Ms.Glickfield lives in the neighborhood. Ms.Khuri asked why the other 20+ other subdivisions ahead of Ms.Glickfield's were not addressed first. Then it was disclosed that the county was in litigation discussions and that Ms Glickfield was not involved in those. Ha! Guess the way to get roads in uncompleted subdivisions taken over by the county, all you othet 20+ subdivisions, is to sue! It helos if you have high ranking county officials paving the road,so to speak, for you
ReplyDeleteSince we are on the topic of full disclosure, Councilwoman Khuri sure took a special interest in the improvements to Salem Noble Road. Could it be because she herself lives on that road? I don't recall her ever disclosing her address in those meetings. Talk about high ranking county officials and their connections!
ReplyDeleteGlass Houses, people.
Lol. Taking an interest like wanting to know what is going on is very different than taking an interest as in applying pressure to benefit you and yours.
ReplyDeleteNice try though!
What type of special interest? Do tell!
ReplyDeleteWell, surely at the very least Councilwoman Khuri abstained from appropriation votes for Salem Noble Road improvements since she owns property on that road. Didn't she?!?!
ReplyDeleteWhat portion of Salem Noble was done? I use the 62 end to go to and from home. No improvements there except where it floods.
ReplyDeleteI think Khuri is a null point either way. She won't be on the council. Ms. Glickfield is still going to be the attorney to represent the interest of the county.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Mrs. Khuri on the ballot this fall?
ReplyDeleteYeah? So why the animosity?
ReplyDeleteSalem Noble improvements will impact more than one property owner. Unlike a county attorney, Ms. Khuri is an elected representative of the interests of county residents. She has an obligation to be informed and acting upon county actions that affect those residents.
ReplyDeleteSounds like to me that a lot of people are intimidated by Miss Glickfield? Why is that? Pretty sure if you venomous lowlife pot-stirrers were able to back up even ONE of your jealously laden mistruths about the County attorney in question she would already have been terminated and disbarred. Larry Wilder go back to passing out in trash cans, Judges go back to covering up YOUR improprieties...your DUIs, biased ruling based on personal feelings rather than the law you swore to uphold, covering up the illegal acts of Work Release.....speaking of which why is Miss Grissett now in probation not work release and Judge Weber's flunkie/spy running work release? Hmmm
ReplyDeleteAnon (Kettle) you're doing a pretty good "lowlife" job of stirring the pot yourself!
ReplyDeleteIn reference to the August 28th comment. Weber refuses to send people to work release! He sends them to his worthless home incarceration program. This renderers the above "flunky/spy" comment irrelevant in regard to the current work release director. The director appears to be a very nice individual.
ReplyDeleteFar from irrelevant! All the more reason to have his flunky run work release, the county is under contract with DOC to keep that program open. Grissett ran it into the ground YET is now making 60K in probation. Which is substantionally higher than even a retiring probation officer! Seems to me someone has a lot of explaining to do to the hard working taxpayers and certainly the diligent deserving probation officers of the county and the state!!
ReplyDelete60 K for a beginning probation officer? Who starts in an entry level position at this salary! Fact or rumor? There will be a lot of career probation officers who will be very, very upset if this is true. Only a Chief can make this kind of money. What Court would pay this? Possibly a payoff? And if so, for what? Really Clark County!
ReplyDeleteThe lovely judge weber I believe! He wanted his flunky in that work release director spot since Mason was forced out. Now flunky has it and Grissett is an entry probation officer raking in 60K! Should be renamed Crooked County
ReplyDeleteI wonder if she is still supplementing her income by teaching on line classes while on the County clock using county computer and Internet ? I am sure the county IT guru could figure that out. Most places that would be frowned upon.
ReplyDeleteThen the judges would fire the IT person.
ReplyDeleteDon't forth we free cell phone too
ReplyDeleteInsert (cricket noise)🐜
ReplyDelete