By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, JULY 27, 2015) — Regarding the alleged “discrepancy” in union-controlled funds at the Pittsfield Police Department locals: The mayor and police chief have placed an unnamed city officer on “administrative leave with pay” pending the results of an investigation into funds held by International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO) Locals 447 and 448.

The probe is being conducted by the PPD’s Internal Affairs unit with help from state troopers assigned to the District Attorney‘s office. A PPD statement said the probe is exploring “possible criminal charges.”

We understand with the withholding of a name, but there are three things to keep in mind:

(1) THE PLANET believes in the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.” To name the person is a declaration of this principle.

(2) When civilians are analogously suspected, there is no hesitancy to name them publicly.

(2) The PPD’s “Vision Statement”  says it is a “professional department that breeds professional people.” Officers must take “pride in [their] … actions.” The department also requires members to be “responsible for oneself, being held accountable to the public and the department for one’s actions.” To name the officer only helps the department live up to its professed belief in accountability.

‘With Pay,” but is There a Provision to Protect Taxpayers?

The officer in question, according to several knowledgable sources, is Jeffrey Coco, an accident reconstruction investigator with the PPD’s Traffic Bureau. Coco is police union president.

As for the suspension “with pay,” we agree, for it presumes innocence — provided there’s a provision of protection. This would state that if the investigation finds wrongdoing, the leave money must be returned. If no wrongdoing, no return.

Is there such a provision? THE PLANET doesn’t know. Neither do you. The mayor doesn’t think you are entitled to that information. The mayor is mighty casual about YOUR money, so why should he care in this instance? The city’s not saying much officially, citing “personnel” issues and the “open” nature of the investigation. THE PLANET has an official request for comment in to Chief Michael Wynn.

990-EZ Form Illustrates Amounts Union Officer Controls

In 2011, IBPO Local 447 filed a 990-EZ, “Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, … “c/o Jeffrey Coco, 39 Allen St.” The forms lists total income of $91,403 from contributions, grants ($88,988), dues ($2,400) and investment income ($15) An aside: A $15 return on $91,388 is — you ready? — 0.00016%, a little more than one-ten-thousandth of a percent. Seems that instead of T. Boone Pickens, the local picked Slim Pickens to call the money shots.

That year, the union rang up $107,208 in expenses for grants paid, “professional fees and other payments to independent contractors” (none specified), rent, and something called “other expenses.” Since the union began 2011 with a $36,731 surplus, it ended tax year 2011 with a balance of $20,926. The documents is stamped “RECEIVED DEC 27 2012 OGDEN, UT.”

In 2012, the same document show the union with $113,149 in income and $120,050 in expenses for a net loss of $6,901. It ended the year with a $14,205 surplus. This is up from the relatively modest $68,298 IBPO Local 447 reported as total revenue for tax year 2010. Expenses that year were $67,225, for a surplus of $1,073.

The three years show an interesting pattern:

TOTAL REVENUES: $68,298 (2010), $91,403 (2011), $113,149 (2012). Percent of increase in revenue from 2010 to 2012: 66%

TOTAL EXPENSES: $67,225 (’10), $107,208 (’11), $120,050 (’12). Percent of increase in expenses from ’10 to ’12: 79%

Why were income and expenses subject to such dizzying increases? Where did the money come from, and where did the money go? Investigators will be looking closely.

Taxpayers: Shut Up, Pay Up, and Butt Out

THE PLANET includes these figures to demonstrate that we’re not talking chicken feed here

Funny, isn’t it? As a taxpayer, you’re supposed to pay in full and in advance  for services. You are the boss, yet the city will not give you the information you need to be governors. Not that the mayor wants you to get involved. You know as well as THE PLANET that the last thing The Suits want is an active, involved, and informed electorate. That would mean curtains for what they’re shoving down your throats on a daily basis.

Isn’t that right, Dan Bianchi? You are ultimately responsible for the actions of the police department. And you’re up for re-election.

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“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” — George Orwell, opening line of 1984, (1949).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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