Chicago Tribune reporter Dan Hinkel has posted yet another story on the Saga of Chip Amati. In a story published online today but date-lined tomorrow, Hinkel follows up on the "decision" by the City of Woodstock to rest on "We can't do anything."
His story reveals more about the timing, while not mentioning the exact dates when he sought information from Woodstock about this problem. You'll want to read the article carefully and perhaps even print it (or clip it, if you get the print edition of the Chicago Tribune tomorrow).
Chief Lowen learned of the problem in August. A Woodstock PD sergeant took the complainant to the McHenry County Sheriff's Department (MCSD), which refused to accept the complaint. I'll have to dig out old copy to remind myself who at MCSD blinked. They absolutely could have taken the case; they didn't want to.
So the Illinois State Police ended up with it. That shouldn't have been so bad. They have good investigators. They apparently took their case to the McHenry County State's Attorney Office, where it refused to accept a felony charge for the alleged LEADS crime. Assistant State's Attorney Mick Combs offered a novel reason: Amati will be disciplined by his employer.
Everybody about to be charged with a felony should be so lucky.
Hinkel contacted Chief Lowen in mid-October.
The Woodstock Board of Fire and Police Commissioners met on October 28. Chief Lowen recommended a 30-day suspension. The Board accepted his recommendation and made its decision. That was that.
Think there was a press release? Why wasn't the Northwest Herald at that public-body meeting? Why wasn't The Woodstock Independent at that public-body meeting? Both should have received Notices of the Special Meeting. Did they?
Hinkel followed up with Chief Lowen in mid-November.
Chief Lowen didn't even remove Amati from his LEADS duties! At least, not until there was a public outcry.
Then, the day before Thanksgiving (November 27), the Chicago Tribune broke the story. That's a full month after the BOFPC made its decision in a 2-0 vote in public session. Did the City hope that no one would find out?
The City's explanation on timing is insufficient. Read the Tribune article. Write down a timeline.
Personally, I don't believe the City cannot do anything further. I believe the City doesn't want to do anything further. Is it worried about legal expense, if it fires Amati and then he sues? The City certainly would have known about the problem or risk of making a new or different decision after a BOFPC ruling. It's not like they don't have any experience with firing officers.
The public has lost faith in the current seven-member City Council. It's too bad that there is not a local election next month.
You never know who is interested…
3 months ago
4 comments:
The answer unfortunately sits with Mr. Bianchi's office, as long as they refuse to charge Amati nothing else will happen. Sadly, I don't think Woodstock City wants to do anything and they know because of local politics Bianchi is all but untouchable as his supporters will even justify the disgusting filth Amati did to not criticize their guy, thus he will stand by not charging.
Mr. Bianchi should be held responsible for his inaction. Since when does he get to choose which laws HE WANTS to enforce. Time to oust this lazy bastard!
Maverick50- you may want to direct your ire at Michael Combs- he was the useless pile of rotting flesh that conducted the 'investigation'.
Of course, he is also the loser that made the remarkable statement that 'we all make mistakes.'
No, the general public doesn't make mistakes- pedophiles and groomer wannabees do.
And(time to change the existing laws), the disciplinary commission needed to be dismantled. When was the last time the members of a gamg got together in private and accomplished something good for society?
From a December Tribune column-
McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Michael Combs has said prosecutors considered the fact that Amati would face departmental discipline before deciding not to charge him with anything related to conduct revealed by the investigation.
Blame Michael Combs and the creepy boys club that is Woodstock PD.
Everybody involved with this should be fired, starting with Amati and Police Chief Lowen, and Michal Coombs and Lou Bianchi over at the McHenry County Office of Corruption.
I was on a grand jury last year and Bianchi's office made a big fuss over anything to do with child molestation...I guess that doesn't apply to his buddies in "law enforcement".
I am 60 and have never gotten in trouble, so I guess I should be given a free pass to commit a crime of my choosing. Think I should ask Lowen and Bianchi if I can get away with robbing a bank?
Post a Comment