Cops in Black and White, Part XII

Incredible.  Just as the Bledsoe series appeared to be winding down in intensity, today's installment in the Rhino Times explodes with a mini-avalanche of additional allegations against Lt. Hinson.  The following is a synopsis of this most recent installment.

Mr. Bledsoe opens in early 2005 with the finding that Hinson's cell phone number had been programmed into the cell phone of yet another drug dealer.   They had gotten to know each other through Hinson's off-duty work at Alexander Devereux on High Point Road.   The dealer had alleged that Hinson gave him the number in case he wanted to contribute to a charity with which Hinson was involved.   This raised questions because Hinson was  stated to be soliciting from a dealer known to the police department.

Hinson also got to know a crackhouse operator through his off-duty work at CVS, and also  yet another dealer who worked with Turnbull.   But  GPD investigators were initially unable to tie Hinson to any illegal activities.

One of the investigators was having difficulty keeping track of Hinson.   A tracker was placed on Hinson's vehicle.  This was cleared with Deputy Chief Brady and Police Attorney Maurice Cawn.  There was some confusion as to whether David Wray had given final approval, but he had agreed to it in principle.    My recollection is that, by this time, the police attorney was already under the City Attorney administratively.

The report indicates Hinson was tracked spending several hours at the Harris Teeter at Golden Gate when he was supposed to be on duty.   Hinson had not had this leave authorized, nor had he informed his superiors, according  to Bledsoe.

Bledsoe reports, "Records show that from Feb. 1 to May 31, 2005, Hinson worked 106 off-duty assignments and received $8406.24 in compensation from the department," above his annual salary.   He continues that over a six-week period, "investigators would find five instances of off-duty work by Hinson that would be considered criminal in nature, including working off-duty jobs while on duty, and filing to be paid for more time than actually was worked."

But the tracker they used was limited in its capabilities, so they went to GPS.  Again, Police Attorney Cawn approved this. 

The report continues that investigators found Hinson was attending to much personal business during on-duty time.   He visited businesses for which he coordinated off-duty work.  Bledsoe states his vehicle was found behind the housekeeping office at UNCG eight times; and was found at the law office of Simkins principal Joe Williams four times.  It was alleged he visited the residence of his girlfriend five times on city time.  This is the same girlfriend who was in the police car with him when he had his wreck several years ago. 

He is reported to have made three lengthy visits to a business owned by folks who had previously operated the ill-fated St. James Homes project.   It was also reported that Hinson "made personal use of his vehicle, driving it from home to off-duty jobs on at least 18 occasions."

Hinson was stated to be affiliated with a unlicensed, illegal security company called 2 Tyght.   He supervised a woman at that outfit who was "arrested on multiple drug violations".   A couple of complaints were reported to have arisen regarding Hinson' activities, but Hinson had a friend in Internal Affairs who did not act upon them.   A revenue agent for the city who initiated one of the complaints was fired, sued the city, and later settled.  She was chastised by a black supervisor when she pointed out things were amiss.  Another person was aware of more problems, but was afraid to do anything about them.

Police off-duty coverage of the SuperJam concerts was another topic. Hinson coordinated for the GPD, but was reported to have visited businesses telling them they needed security, and then referred them to 2 Tyght.

2 Tyght also had contracted with the Greensboro Police Department for off-duty work while Robert White was chief even though it was not operating legally.   The officers wore police uniforms on duty, which apparently violates North Carolina state law.

In one case, Hinson blocked access to a business because he was holding a function at George K's.  He was alleged to have represented to George K that he was raising money for a children's charity, and had the fee waived for using the facility.   He promised a tax letter, but never provided it.  This happened also on at least one other occasion when another business waived certain charges as an intended donation.   A check was written to Hinson, marked police cars were used, and the money was deposited in the account of the North State Law Enforcement  Officers' Association, a black officers' group. 

The charities Hinson operated were examined.   It was alleged that Hinson solicited donations from businesses for these charities  while on duty.  This created the impression among those solicited that these were official GPD-sponsored charities, and created a sense of obligation among givers.   These charities were not registered with the state.

One fundraiser for the charity was a golf tournament held most recently at the Grandover.   The Koury executive working with Hinson was under the impression it was a GPD charity, and granted a discount to Hinson for players at the tournament on that basis.   A contract was executed by Hinson with the Grandover ostensibly on behalf of the Police Department; but this was not a GPD function, and Hinson was not authorized to execute contracts for the department.

The investigation of Hinson was then stymied, however.  Hinson had gone to his lawyer-- once again,  Simkins principal Joe Williams-- and alleged racism.  Bledsoe concludes this installment: "City Attorney Linda Miles and Acting City Manager Mitchell Johnson intervened, seized all the records and began investigating the officers who had investigated Hinson."

Comments

[Dr. Mary Johnson]

Thank you Joe. Not living in Greensboro, I don't have the chance to scoop up a copy of the Rhino when it comes out - I have to wait on the website (which lags behind).

You're doing a great job.

[Ashanti]

So what did Mitch and Linda do with the investigation ? Obstruct/spike it or refer it to the district attorney ? That pair needs to be asked some questions under oath !

[meblogin]

copy of what I posted at Sandy's blog..

I was reading more of the Bledsoe report at http://guarino.typepad.com

So what happens "if" Johnson and Miles withheld (did not tell the truth) pertinent information from the city council?

With respect to the council...you guys can only make great decisions if you are fully informed.

thanks,

[david]

MORE allegations from Bledsoe! People love to talk about his agenda, but how many of his facts have been disproven? One, maybe, and it was due in part to subjective information. With all the names mentioned, and all the negative publicity connected to those names, how many libel lawsuits have been filed? Zero. Zip. Nada. Hmmmmmmm?

[Joe Guarino]

Thank you, Mary. I hope these summaries are helpful to those like yourself who cannot easily get a copy of the Rhino.

Ashanti, Meblogin, David-- I agree. Thanks for your comments (although my intuition, based on my knowledge of the politics of the situation, is that the city council shares culpability for the manner in which this has been handled).

[hugh]

David, your comment bears repeat:

"With all the names mentioned, and all the negative publicity connected to those names, how many libel lawsuits have been filed? Zero. Zip. Nada. Hmmmmmmm?"

Awesome reporting Guarino. I'm dumbfounded that the City contiues to do nothing about this.

[Ashanti]

Meblogin,

I can't find your comment at Sandy's place. My concern is that the City Manager and his legal staff may have obstucted justice , a criminal violation and at the very least lied or withheld information from the Council and the Mayor. If so I think the bond of trust has been fractured and some head knocking should commence.

[jc]

Joe, I'll say the same thing. Incredible!

How in the world is Hinson still in uniform and David Wray is on the street being labeled a liar and a racist by Mitch Johnson and the N&R? If Hinson was any other color, he would have been locked up a long time ago.

Johnson, Miles, Holiday, and city council look like they have been trying to pull one over on the citizens of G'boro. Thank you to Bledsoe and the Rhino for exposing them and showing us their true colors.

I can see how Wray did not trust Johnson and Miles. I sure as hell dont!

There is something rotten in city hall and it stinks to high heaven!

[Brenda Bowers]

We keep hearing from Hinson’s lawyer and his defenders that he was “absolved from all wrong doing” three times. Apparently he wasn’t charged with any of the allegations made in the reports Bledsoe is quoting. Makes me wonder just what he hasn’t done to be charged and absolved from? Has anyone charged him with stealing candy from babies maybe? Or, perhaps following thru on one of his schemes after the press splashes it all over the front page of the N&R? Or maybe once or twice in his career he kept it in his pants when coming upon a prostitute so he could truthfully be absolved of the charge of ‘always’ making use of these ladies of the night. I simply can’t seem to imagine anything else that is illegal, shoddy, crude or lewd that a person of his character wouldn't have been involved in so as to be charged with, can any of you?

[Bubba]

And how strangely silent the rest of the blogosphere is over the latest information!

All those who think there's been nothing amiss over the way the N&R and the city have handled the Wray affair are strangely silent. None of them have responded here.

The timing of this week's "news conference" and the offensive defense of Wray by the Race Baiters was no coincidence.

[Bubba]

Correction: Substitute "Hinson" for "Wray" in my last post.

[Joe Guarino]

Thanks, Hugh.

I agree, jc; and without Mr. Bledsoe's reporting, none of this would have come to light.

Brenda, you are right-- the list of alleged offenses is certainly mounting.

And Bubba, as you know, the latest interpretation on the part of those to whom you refer is that both Wray and Hinson share blame. But there is little sense of outrage that Hinson remains employed in the department while Wray was forced out. This does not seem to offend the sense of justice of some out there.

[The CA]

Notice how the N&R is silent on these new revelations from Bledsoe. No doubt, they will continue the race angle soon despite this new twist.

It's also noteworthy that these new allegations were NOT considered in the RMA, and the shoddy reporting by the N&R could not uncover this story or chose to ignore it because it did not suit their agenda.

It's a good thing we have the Rhino and the blogs to get the truth out. The N&R's credibility and influence wanes more each day.

It also seems that Hinson's latest strategy of "put up or shut up" is an effort to force the matter to an early conclusion so as not to uncover more bad details that demand investigation. Not a bad preemptive publicity move. The question is whether it will work. At this point, the City has a vested interest in less information being uncovered. The real question everyone should be answering is why the City has gone to such great lengths to discredit Wray when there is so much damning evidence against Hinson that any chief would be obligated to answer.

In short, what or who is the coverup and clean up operation trying to protect?

There are simply too many connected people in positions of power that have tried to stifle inquiry into these matters. Why?

In the end, there may be a lot more heads on the chopping block.

[Brenda Bowers]

CA, I certainly hope there are many more heads on the chopping block. I think we can safely say Mitch Johnson and Linda Miles are hanging out there because they confiscated these reports so surely knew what was in them. Therefore they lied to the city council and city officials and the public. I feel however that the tale goes higher in the city/county political hierarchy. The question I puzzle over however is just how much of this did individual members of the City Council know? Sandy was surely in the dark but some of the others are just a bit too vocal in their efforts to denigrate Bledsoe and The Rhino as well as Wray. Now this latest ploy to go forward all of a sudden to appoint a new permanent police chief before this thing plays itself out. And asking the public to give input! I am afraid they overstep here because they are going to find an angry public. Wanna make a bet they cancel the planned public hearings?

[Joe Guarino]

Sam, with your customary insight, you raise some excellent questions.

There were several things about this new installment I found interesting. First, the alleged shakedown of legitimate businesses by Hinson. If this occurred, where did the money go?

Second, note the presence of a Hinson friend in Internal Affairs who may have been protecting him and tripping up his opponents. This type of interference may provide part of the explanation as to why Wray steered the investigation of Hinson away from Internal Affairs and toward Special Intelligence.

Third, note that clearance was obtained from the Police Attorney prior to the surveillance activities on Hinson. We had learned previously that the Police Attorney was made to report to the City Attorney-- instead of Wray-- after the Project Homestead conflict. (Correct me if I am wrong on this.) The implication of this is that the City Attorney's office effectively gave clearance for the surveillance.

[Joe Guarino]

Brenda, I agree with you that this goes higher in the political hierarchy, and that some city council members were likely protagonists in addition to city staff.

[meblogin]

I guess Sandy has either lost my post, or I did a poor job and did not post it correctly, or she has not had time to review. I guess it is possible that she chose not to permit my post...but I would find that surprising. She seems like a very capable person.

I do continue to wonder how the council will sort this mess out.

[benholder]

meblogin,

Council doesnt sort things out. They hide them.

[spyderbonez]

meblogin

Your post to Sandy along with her answer ended up in the comments section to her "weekly schedule" post on October 18

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