Cops in Black and White, Part XXVII

Today is the day that the Simkins machine officially consummated its control of the Greensboro Police Department.  Meanwhile, Jerry Bledsoe continues his series, and spotlights once again one of the Simkins principals.

The following represents a synopsis of today's installment.

The Vice and Narcotics division received tips and complaints regarding the Game Time Lounge in the Glenwood section of Greensboro.  Informants and undercover agents advised the following things observed at the club, which was unlicensed: nude dancers on stage with sex toys; VIP rooms where sex was available for a fee; marijuana and cocaine used openly; and oral sex on stage.  A raid was ultimately planned which resulted in multiple arrests.

The operator of the facility was Otis Dunlap.  He denied knowledge of prostitution taking place there; but he admitted his dancers had to pay him to work there.

It was alleged that this was the earliest seeds of the "secret police"-- the first place where the infamous "black book", or line-up book, was utilized.  There was some concern that the facility was being protected by an officer in the GPD.  Bledsoe says, however, that there is no evidence the line-up book was used in connection with the Game Time Lounge.  It was nonetheless reported in the media that the book had been used.

Interestingly, Dunlap--- again, the operator of the facility-- was represented by Simkins principal Joe Williams.  Williams later arranged for Dunlap to take a polygraph to demonstrate that he was not receiving protection from a GPD officer.  Dunlap ultimately pled guilty to four misdemeanors but did no jail time.  (He had previously been the object of 50 separate criminal charges.)

Police were told that Julius Graves had been to the club.  Bledsoe reported that Graves had served a warrant against and arrested a gentleman who had trashed Dunlap's illegal club.  It was suggested that Graves had done this in the midst of a heavy odor of marijuana smoke at the club.   A third party had told officers that Graves "knows what's going on".  But there was no firm evidence of Graves otherwise protecting the club.

A section of today's segment discusses Ben Holder.  Holder broke the GPD story on his blog first in June, 2005 when he advised that WFMY's Frank Mickens was poised to misreport the story.  Media reports were to echo Dunlap's later charge that he was questioned for hours at the time of the raid about other police officers. 

Holder spoke with Dunlap after the raid (in 2003), and Dunlap advised him "they came busting in the doors wanting to know about cops."  He later interviewed Dunlap on behalf of the GPD wearing a wire.  Dunlap told him Graves arrested the person who trashed his club after he exited the club-- not within it.  Dunlap never mentioned during his discussions with Holder or other GPD officers anything about the line-up book being used. 

Holder wrote an article for the Carolina Peacemaker about the raid, but Bledsoe says Joe Williams pressured them not to run it.

(Editorial question: Does this installment make you feel better, or feel worse, about the decision announced today?)

Comments

[Brenda Bowers]

Joe, I had to take a couple Tums. They didn't help any, but then the bottle is several years old since I hardly ever have any problems with my digestive system. BB

[Bubba]

"(Editorial question: Does this installment make you feel better, or feel worse, about the decision announced today?)"

Ah, but our very own self-appointed blogosphere cognoscenti think it's a great decision. Are not those the only opinions that really matter?

http://edcone.typepad.com/wordup/2007/03/anticlimax.html

Also, notice on the Bledsoe thread right above it how the focus is directed at Ben Holder.

No one said those folks weren't slick in their selected application of theme.

[Joe Guarino]

Bubba, I don't even remotely think that Ben Holder is The Issue To Be Discussed in the GPD matter. We ought not be in denial about all that appears to have happened.

Brenda, I encourage you to obtain more Tums. You will need them, and besides, I remember being taught that they are a good source of calcium.:)

[The CA]

The rebels for change are the establishment. That has been made clear. It is a smokescreen designed to maintain influence without any real change.

Calling for accountability and actually wanting it have proven to be two different things.

[Ed Cone]

I don't know if I'm a member of the "self-appointed blogosphere cognoscenti" -- but I haven't said it's a "great decision." I don't know enough about Bellamy to make that kind of judgment. I'm not hostile to him, for the same reason.

The idea that there is only one issue that could be, or should be discussed here seems a bit...limiting. News that a prominent blogger and frequent commenter on this case and related issues wore a wire for the GPD and reported to Wray is fascinating stuff on more than one level.

[Stormy]

I knew as soon as I read it this afternoon that certain people would be all over Ben Holder for wearing a wire. Forget that he was helping to expose some corruption, all that some people are going to say and do is to attack him. Cone just confirmed it above. It's not going to be long before some folks at the News-Record are going to be like Ricky Ricardo..they'll have some 'splainin to do.

[Roch101]

Joe, I'll admit that my attention to this story has been a little less than focused lately, but I'm apparently missing something very important. Maybe you can fill me in. How is new chief Tim Bellamy connected to what you report above?

[Bubba]

"I don't know enough about Bellamy to make that kind of judgment."

Then why are you not asking the questions that need to be answered about this "choice"?

They have been listed several times on your blog under this particular thread.

[Ed Cone]

I'm a little confused -- are your questions about the process, or about Bellamy himself?

The questions about the process you list at my blog are good ones -- that's why I linked in real time to Doug Clark's post about the issue. I thought Hoggard's take on the process used was useful, too.

Either way, Bellamy is the new chief. Some folks think it's a good choice.
http://chosenfast.com/2007/03/22/hail-to-the-chief/

Others, not so much.

What I'm saying, in direct response to your statement that an undefined group of people at my blog say it's a "great decision," is that I have not said that, because I'm not informed enough to make that judgment.

[Bubba]

"What I'm saying, in direct response to your statement that an undefined group of people at my blog say it's a "great decision," is that I have not said that, because I'm not informed enough to make that judgment."

Then why do you not ask the questions I posed in my 9:20 post at your place?

Are there not other questions about the "choice" (selection) that need to be asked?

By the way, your "undefined group" consists of one poster who apparently wants to provoke a confrontation.

I just may give him exactly what he deserves.

[Ed Cone]

It's your undefined group Bubba, not mine -- you reference was to "our very own self-appointed blogosphere cognoscenti think it's a great decision."

Not sure what you want me to do with the process questions -- we talked about them during the process, and people are talking about them now.

[Joe Guarino]

Roch, you asked: "How is new chief Tim Bellamy connected to what you report above?"

I hope to answer that question in the context of a separate post this weekend.

[Wendell Sawyer]

Joe:

I have read that a branch manager for SunTrust Bank was arrested Thursday night as the sixth suspect in the multi-million dollar bank fraud case and was being held under a $100,000 bond.

I haven't seen much discussion of this arrest on the local blogs that I read. Do you know any info on the story?

With the heavy involvement of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in this investigation, the local daily newspaper might finally get the picture: this case may involve drug trafficking. Don't you think that the N & R should unleash a couple of its investigative journalists to poke around and try to establish why the DEA is involved?

I've always been curious about how some big news stories seem to swirl around under the radar of the N & R. Oh, I know, the newspaper has published reports about the arrests. But, these stories seem only to cover the surface of a much bigger story.

I'm not a journalist, but I can feel the questions bubbling to the surface:

1. Why are the suspects being held under such high bonds?

2. Why is the DEA involved in a bank fraud case?

3. What can be the possible link between the suspects? One is a lawyer, one is a bank teller at one bank, one is a bank manager at another bank, one is a career criminal, etc.

4. How much money is involved? I've heard $4.4 million and more.

5. Is this just the tip of the iceberg? How many more people are involved?

6. This story isn't about street-level con artists and crooks. Some of the suspects arrested are folks who hold positions of high standing and trust: a bank manager and a bank teller (from different banks) and a lawyer. How far up the ladder does this case go?

Inquiring minds would like to know.

[Brenda Bowers]

Okay, I broke down and went over to Ed’s site,. Wasn’t that informative!

What is wrong with Tim Bellamy’s appointment? He has been a player all along in every one of the “problem” areas and his actions were less than what would be expected a mediocre police officer let alone one who is now Chief of Police. He was Hinson’s supervisor when he caught Hinson with an illegal civilian prostitute in his police car and he looked the other way. Hinson was breaking a law in two ways, having a civilian in his police car and fraternizing with a “shady lady”. He was Hinson’s supervisor when much of Hinson’s working two jobs at the same time took place. Hinson was caught red handed stealing from the city coffers!……what did TB do about that? He was the “snitch” in Wray’s command structure as his comments on events after Wray’s resignation show. He has had a year and a half to do some cleaning house in the police department and all he has done is protect the criminals in the department and make damned sure those who were investigating the criminals have been punished. Will he restore any confidence in the police force? A person has to be either Mitchell Johnson or brain dead to expect that outcome for this appointment!

[Bubba]

"Not sure what you want me to do with the process questions -- we talked about them during the process, and people are talking about them now."

The deed is done. "Talk" won't change anything.

So you're not concerned about the lack of "transparency" in the selection process for chief?

However, you ARE concerned with Ben Holder's possible involvement (lack of "transparency"?) in events that have a connection with the selection of Bellamy?

[Joe Guarino]

Wendell, I appreciate your framing the issue of the check-kiting scandal in terms that we can understand. Your perspective as an attorney adds a lot of understanding. I don't know the answers to your questions, but am interested to find out.

Brenda, a more charitable interpretation is that Bellamy is now doing what he is being told to do, and understands the political lay of the land. I don't know which is more correct.

[Brenda Bowers]

Joe, I have spent several hours looking up Bellamy's comments and record in Bledsoe and N&R to bring some light to his being totally unqualified and untrustworthy. But thank God for Joe Guarino because I can delete my notes and count on you to do a much better job. Love ya' Looking forward.

Wendall, according to Ben we are all going to be really surprised right down to our toes when this whole thing comes tumbling down. I can't wait to see the slate cleaned in this city, county and with any luck, our portion of the state governments.

[Stormy]

Wendell,

The quick answer to your question is that the News-Record doesn't do investigative reporting. They are mostly into taking and reporting sound bites. They generally only record what people say without any follow-up questions or fact-checking. The real question is whether this is intentional or just sloppiness. On any story of interest, I usually wait until lThursday and read the Rhino to find out what really happened. It's interesesting how a weekly newspaper can print more information than a daily can in seven days.

[Joe Guarino]

Bubba, I share your concerns about the selection process-- and Sam Hieb's, who points out that two of the top candidates dropped out because they perceived they were not among the top tier. It is difficult to know whether anyone but Bellamy was ever truly considered seriously. Yes, I know there were committees and such. But it was ultimately the City Manager's decision. And the City Manager in Greensboro is employed primarily by the City Council, and secondarily by the machine.

Brenda, I did not mean to diminish your proposed interpretation. In fact, the analysis you offer is coherent, and represents one inescapable possibility. I appreciate your presenting it.

[benholder]

http://thetroublemaker.blogspot.com/2007/03/wire-rest-of-story.html

[Wayne]

It doesn't matter to me if Ben wore a wire or not. He is doing much more than the N&R or their so called journalists. At least he is after the truth. When this is all over I wonder if they, the N&R, will have any creditability left. Each week it gets worse.

[Bubba]

As Joe indicated above, the whole thing about Ben is a distraction designed to draw attention away from the Bellamy selection, and all the implications it brings.

with the exception of this and a few other blogs, the majority of our local blogosphere doesn't want to talk about the lack of transparency in the management of our city and its police department ever since David Wray got railroaded.

I think there will be a lot of people and a lot of institutions called to be accountable when this is all over.

[Wayne]

Bubba

I intent to work this year to unseat most of our City Council. I've always voted, but I think this is the worst council-ever. It's not a Liberal-Conservative issue. It's a damn Political Correctness issue. I've had enough, and most of friends feel the same way. I really don't know how much I can do, but I'm sure going to try.

[Joe Guarino]

Ben, thanks for providing a link to your response.

And Wayne, if you are interested in the current council, you have generous pickings from which to choose.

[Bubba]

Wayne, keep us advised on your progress. For one, I would welcome the chance to work toward the objective you stated.

All of them need to go.....Mayor, Council, City Manager, City attorney....all of them.

Those who have violated laws need to be prosecuted.

[Dr. Mary Johnson]

"Those who have violated laws need to be prosecuted."

Hah! Good luck with that.

Really.