 
Royce
Member
Username: Royce
Post Number: 2368
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 12:21 am: |    |
Former Officer Brown clearly has a case for wrongful termination when Christine Beatty admits in court that she based the firing of Brown on an anonymous letter which she shedded. |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 5240
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 1:39 am: | |
Correction Royce... "wrongful demotion". He never lost his job, he was just demoted, and then quit. But either way I agree, he does have a case for compensation. |
Southwestmap
Member
Username: Southwestmap
Post Number: 894
Registered: 01-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 9:15 am: | |
Brown addressed just this point in very moving testimony: he said (something like) "When they take your badge, your weapon, your office and car keys and they pile your effects in a box - they have fired you." I very much doubt that he later said the words "I quit" - he thought he had been fired and nobody said otherwise. |
Thejesus
Member
Username: Thejesus
Post Number: 2061
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 1:21 pm: | |
The jury has the case now...Plaintiffs asking for $6.5 million |
Leland_palmer
Member
Username: Leland_palmer
Post Number: 369
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 1:43 pm: | |
"Jury finds Kilpatrick, city guilty and awards $7 million to former police officers" |
Kenp
Member
Username: Kenp
Post Number: 789
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 1:46 pm: | |
Guilty
WWJ just reported
1.5 million for the cop, 1.3 million for the body guard |
Thejesus
Member
Username: Thejesus
Post Number: 2064
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 1:46 pm: | |
^is that a prediction or did you hear some breaking news? |
Chris_rohn
Member
Username: Chris_rohn
Post Number: 333
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 1:50 pm: | |
* Freep.com
* »
* News
* »
* Detroit
Jury rules against Mayor Kilpatrick
September 11, 2007
By M.L. ELRICK
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
UPDATED AT 1:30 P.M.
A jury has returned a unanimous verdict against Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and the city of Detroit in the civil lawsuit filed by former Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown and former mayoral bodyguard Harold Nelthrope.
The jury has awarded $3.6 million to Brown and Nelthrope received $2.9 million. |
Thejesus
Member
Username: Thejesus
Post Number: 2067
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:05 pm: | |
I bet they started jumping around like they just won the lottery...
getting fired was probably the best thing that ever happened to them...I bet they wouldn't trade it back...and the money, or course...for the world...
and Detroit's tradition of electing public officials whose conduct ends up costing the city million in fines and lawsuits continues...
(Message edited by thejesus on September 11, 2007) |
Susanarosa
Member
Username: Susanarosa
Post Number: 1666
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:08 pm: | |
Damn... that's cold. |
Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon
Post Number: 10089
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:15 pm: | |
The officer that testified quoting his superior saying amoeba was smarter than them for investigating the Big Diamond is an older brother of a friend...and I've crossed paths with him a few times since this whole thing started.
He's the fellow who was transferred at least eleven times these past couple years.
He spoke highly of both Brown and Nelthrope, what you say theJesus is disparaging to these modern heroes.
You think either of them can stop worrying when the backlash will occur from this administration's shadowy dirty works squad?!
Of course, they will have to wait through the appeals process to get their settlements... |
Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon
Post Number: 10090
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:16 pm: | |
You merely sound jealous, though. |
Thejesus
Member
Username: Thejesus
Post Number: 2068
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:19 pm: | |
nothing disparaging about it...and I stand by my statement...
If want to state that you honestly believe these guys would rather have not gotten fired than have just been awarded a few million dollars a piece, be my guest...but I doubt anyone would take you seriously... |
65memories
Member
Username: 65memories
Post Number: 462
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:20 pm: | |
Yay for Brown and Nelthrope!!! |
Thejesus
Member
Username: Thejesus
Post Number: 2070
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:23 pm: | |
"You merely sound jealous, though."
Sure. I'd like to have millions of dollars too.
That doesn't change the fact that I think this damage award was terribly excessive given the circumstances...
Damage awards are supposed to make the injured party whole again...my feeling is that this award made them whole again, and then some, hence my statement that they wouldn't trade being fired for the world...
I'm just not a big fan of excessive punitive damage awards
(Message edited by thejesus on September 11, 2007) |
Diehard
Member
Username: Diehard
Post Number: 121
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:24 pm: | |
Well, I'm sure in retrospect they're glad they're not working under King Kwame's rule anymore. From what those guys went through, it sounds like they've earned every penny of it.
Think they'll ever get a check or it'll be appealed and tied up in court until they die? |
Digitalvision
Member
Username: Digitalvision
Post Number: 354
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:28 pm: | |
Well, as the city is self-insured, there goes a few more city workers' jobs.
It's a travesty that the city is in such shambles organizationally that it doesn't get insurance from someone to handle these kinds of liability issues, and the money ends up coming from the general fund.
The city doesn't even have a risk management office - which is insane in a billion-dollar plus a year organization.
Considering political memory is short in this town, everyone's going to be fine and this won't have lasting impact.
The only one who's really going to be left holding the bag is Detroit taxpayers, which is a shame. |
Gnome
Member
Username: Gnome
Post Number: 60
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:33 pm: | |
The city will be required to pay 4% interest on the 6.5 million per annum during Appeal. or $260,000 a year if my calculator is working. |
Thejesus
Member
Username: Thejesus
Post Number: 2072
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:34 pm: | |
"The only one who's really going to be left holding the bag is Detroit taxpayers, which is a shame."
No, it isn't. If they elected him, then it's their fault. And if they reelect him, then all they're doing is sending a message to their other elected officials that they will tolerate this type of conduct... |
Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon
Post Number: 10094
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:34 pm: | |
After 20 years, what would the average annual pay be for a career officer?
How much time until they retire?
What price for the stress and ill health caused by the extreme duress brought down by the administration (and all of the Kilpatrick/McNamara economic/political machine) over this issue?
And...don't forget a third goes to the attorneys. Or is that only in malpractice contingency cases? I'm sure they would find a way to multitaskingly nickel and dime that bill right up to the settlement's limits if they could! I've never met an attorney that didn't have an instinct to find the bottom of even the deepest pockets.
So, if they end up with about a million or so apiece, assuming something like $85k per year after such long service (probably dreaming on that one)...it is about ten years worth of salary.
That might make them whole...and help reverse the last few years and the rest of their lives of looking over their shoulders.
Remember, the accusations of marital disharmony finally came out in trial testimony...they were lucky to get Carlita excused from testifying. |
Gnome
Member
Username: Gnome
Post Number: 61
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:37 pm: | |
A unanimous verdict delivered by an almost all-white jury.
Everybody hold on to your hats while the word "lynching" starts getting thrown around like grapes at school board meeting. |
Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon
Post Number: 10095
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:38 pm: | |
I take that back, I do know a few attorneys without that instinct. They are a rarity, it seems. |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 6492
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 2:41 pm: | |
This case could effect KING KWAME'S political career. It's time for him to grow up and get real. Nobody want's a political figure who parties a lot.
The party's over KING KWAME its time to clean up your mess. |
Digitalvision
Member
Username: Digitalvision
Post Number: 355
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 3:01 pm: | |
Really, is it all the taxpayers of Detroit's fault? What about the business owners who pay taxes in Detroit? Is it their fault, too?
What about the 40%+ who didn't vote for Kwame? Do they deserve to be labeled that it's "their" fault?
It's the administration's fault. Now, some might say it's the responsibility of the electorate to respond to that. Methinks, though, as the jury was almost all white, there won't be much repercussion within the city. I think many will make a case that Kilpatrick was framed, or fell victim to a suburban jury - and having worked in politics a bit in the city, that will play over VERY well with the majority electorate that does not post on this board.
Gannon makes valid points above - it really isn't THAT much, considering - but what would be smart is if they took that chunk of money, used it as seed to invest, and lived off the interest. It is always easiest to make money when you already have money. |
Buyamerican
Member
Username: Buyamerican
Post Number: 167
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 3:07 pm: | |
Appeals will go on for years...unfortunately,Brown and Nelthrope will probably never see a dime any time soon.
The City of Detroit taxpayers are the biggest losers, but, of course, they elected King Kwame in the first place. I also don't believe that this experience (along with the Red Navigator) will humble Kwame in the least. |
Detroitnerd
Member
Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 1369
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 3:45 pm: | |
Anybody see the press conference?. |
Gnome
Member
Username: Gnome
Post Number: 62
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 3:55 pm: | |
Seems to me the City Council approved a $250,000 dollar settlement, but that agreement was rejected by the Mayor's Office. |
Buyamerican
Member
Username: Buyamerican
Post Number: 168
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 3:55 pm: | |
Yes, I just watched the press conference and it went exactly as I thought it would. King Kwame more or less saying that the jury, all but one from different areas in Wayne County (not Detroit specifically) was totally wrong, didn't listen to the testimony, and not representative of the "citizens of Detroit". It is going to end up a racial issue, even though the trial didn't involve race, simply because the jury was majority white. He did mention the one member of the jury who was from Detroit, she is an EMS technician who works for the City....if they polled the jury and she voted against the Mayor and the City, I don't envy her and what she may have to endure when she goes back to work with King Kwame as her boss. |
Detroitnerd
Member
Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 1370
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 4:02 pm: | |
Haha. No kidding. Last time I checked, EMS was headed by a political crony, part of K's "transition team."
Re: The juror, I hope they try to make it tough on her, because it seems to pay handsomely. |
Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon
Post Number: 10096
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 4:08 pm: | |
I'll be extra nice to all the female EMS people I see around the maintenance facility at 1400 Erskine! |