CALL & RESPONSE: Doug Gansler Accused of State Trooper Misuse // PLUS: Police & Gansler Trade Barbs Over Accusations

JUICE #1: GANSLER'S USE OF STATE TROOPER DETAIL UNDER SCRUTINY - This weekend, The Washington Post's John Wagner dropped a bomb on Attorney General Doug Gansler's gubernatorial campaign by releasing the results of a Public Information Act request relating to Gansler's security detail composed of Maryland State Troopers. Below we provide a brief timeline of the call-and-response between Gansler, reporters, and the State Troopers, starting with the original Washington Post report (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler regularly ordered state troopers assigned to drive him to turn on the lights and sirens on the way to routine appointments, directing them to speed, run red lights and bypass traffic jams by using the shoulder, according to written accounts by the Maryland State Police.

When troopers refused to activate the emergency equipment, Gansler, now a Democratic candidate for governor, often flipped the switches himself, according to the police accounts. And on occasion, he became so impatient that he insisted on driving, directing the trooper to the passenger’s seat. Gansler once ran four red lights with sirens blaring, a trooper wrote. Another account said he “brags” about driving the vehicle unaccompanied on weekends with the sirens on.

“This extremely irresponsible behavior is non-stop and occurs on a daily basis,” Lt. Charles Ardolini, commander of the state police executive protection section, wrote in a December 2011 memo that said the problem had existed for five years....

You can read the full 2011 memo at WBAL or at the bottom of this post.

JUICE #2: GANSLER EVADES MEDIA HORDE - After the lawless driving reports came out, Gansler called the leaks politically motivated, and at a Monday event announcing his choice of Jolene Ivey as Lt. Governor, he evaded a horde of reporters seeking comment on the story (link to WUSA9 video footage below):

JUICE #3: GANSLER SAYS TROOPER STORY IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE & COMES FROM O'MALLEY-BROWN'S HENCHMAN - After evading reporters regarding the State Trooper story, Doug Gansler appeared on Bruce DePuyt's News Channel 8 show yesterday to address the allegations directly. In his response, he stated the claims were completely untrue and called the State Police Lieutenant who filed the 2011 report a henchman for Governor O'Malley:

DOUG GANSLER VIA NEWS8: That story is 100% completely untrue. The Washington Post reporter knew it was untrue.... That story was based on one of O'Malley-Brown's henchman....

You can watch the News8 video of Gansler's response below (comments start around 6:10 in the video):



JUICE #4: MARYLAND STATE TROOPERS ISSUE PRESS RELEASE TAKING OFFENSE AT GANSLER REMARKS - After Gansler's televised remarks calling the State Troopers' Lt. Charles Ardolini a "henchman," the Maryland State Police issued a press release standing firm on their 2011 report:

PRESS RELEASE

State Police Stand Behind Executive Protection Troopers

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – The Maryland State Police believe comments made by the Maryland Attorney General today about the Commander of the Executive Protection Section are baseless and inappropriate.  The Department continues to stand behind the statements made by seven troopers who made written reports in addition to other troopers who made oral reports from the Executive Protection Section whose concerns were detailed in emails recently required to be released to media pursuant to requests under the Maryland Public Information Act.

In a television interview broadcast today, the Maryland Attorney General referred to the Commander of the Executive Protection Section as a ‘henchman’ and implied his actions were motivated by politics.  This reference to Lt. Charles Ardolini is unseemly and unacceptable.  Lt. Ardolini has served in the Executive Protection Section for almost 13 years, as a trooper providing protection, as a supervisor, and, for the last eight years, as the commander of the section.  He worked under the administrations of Governor William Donald Schaefer, Governor Parris Glendening, Governor Robert Ehrlich, and Governor Martin O’Malley.  

As Commander of the Executive Protection Section, Lt. Ardolini reports to Lieutenant Colonel William Pallozzi, Chief of the Support Services Bureau.  Lt. Col. Pallozzi served as a trooper providing protection, as a supervisor, and as a commander of the Executive Protection Section for 11 years, working for three administrations.  “The role of anyone assigned to the Executive Protection Section, including the commander, is to fully focus on providing for the safety and protection of the elected officials we are assigned to protect,” Lt. Col. Pallozzi said.  “We are to remain completely unattached and unaffiliated with any political party, cause or candidate.  To accuse someone in the Executive Protection Section of a politically motivated action impugns the integrity not only of that individual, but of every one of the dedicated troopers who works in this difficult and demanding assignment.  I have worked with and supervised Lt. Ardolini for more than 20 years and find his character and his commitment as a member of the Maryland State Police to be above reproach.  The concern of Lt. Ardolini was solely focused on the safety of the protectee, his troopers, and the general public.  His actions, which occurred two years ago, had absolutely nothing to do with any political motivation.”

The Maryland State Police believe the members of the Executive Protection Section work very hard to be impartial.  Lt. Ardolini’s conduct was nothing but professional.  His memorandum was the result of ongoing safety concerns expressed to him by his troopers over a period of time that culminated with actions witnessed by the Lieutenant himself.  He ultimately reported his concerns up his chain of command to the Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.  Lt. Ardolini would have been considered negligent in his duties had he not done so.  Lt. Ardolini did not make these documented concerns public.  The documents became public due to a request by the Washington Post under the Maryland Public Information Act.  

The Maryland State Police Executive Protection Section role remains that of protection, security, and safety, not politics.  

###

JUICE #5: DOUG GANSLER RESPONDS TO MARYLAND STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASE - Yesterday Maryland Juice received the following press release from the Gansler campaign responding to the statement issued by the Maryland State Police, noting that he strongly stands behind the police:

PRESS RELEASE

PRESS STATEMENT RE: TODAY'S MSP PRESS RELEASE
Silver Spring, MARYLAND – Attorney General Gansler strongly stands behind the Maryland State Police and the members of the Executive Protection Section.  The only disagreement he has is with the conclusions and conjecture of an internal memo. After 20 years of working side by side with law enforcement, he has nothing but the utmost respect for the men and women who make up the Maryland State Police, their outstanding work, and the sacrifices they make every day to protect the people of Maryland. And for that reason, at no time, did the Attorney General ever issue any orders to any member of the Maryland State Police.

###
Below you can read the full 2011 memo alleging misuse of the State Troopers by Attorney General Doug Gansler:

Maryland State Troopers Memo on Doug Gansler's Driving Habits

OOPS: Doug Gansler Campaign Video Highlights Unusual Endorser: Illegal Immigrants "Rapidly Depleting Tax Dollars"

Today a Maryland Juice source highlighted unusual support for Attorney General Doug Gansler's gubernatorial bid. You see, a few weeks ago Gansler released a kickoff video for his campaign, and among the testimonials was a statement of support from former Montgomery County police officer Mike Mancuso (see screenshot below):


But what's strange about Gansler's decision to highlight him in his campaign kickoff, is that Mancuso's extracurricular activities apparently include immigrant scapegoating in local newspapers. You can read excerpts from his musings below:

Washington Post (3/29/10): The Real Drag on Montgomery's Budget, By Mike Mancuso - "No one from Mr. Leggett on down has seriously addressed the No. 1 budget problem: an ever-increasing population of illegal immigrants that is rapidly depleting our tax dollars and services..... While these residents can no longer get a driver’s license, there are no restrictions on enrolling their children in schools, qualifying for in-county college tuition, obtaining medical, dental, mental health, prescription drug, housing, food and energy assistance, job opportunities and training, and more. Yes, there is a free lunch and a lot more in Montgomery.... Why should dedicated employees and taxpayers of Montgomery County suffer because of the county’s ineffective approach to illegal immigration?" 

Washington Examiner (4/6/10): MontCo's Immigration Policy is Real Budget Buster, By Mike Mancuso - "Leggett's and the council's policies have caused a huge influx of residents without 'legal presence' here.... When arrested for drunken driving or other serious offenses, many do not show up in court. Because of Leggett's refusal to fully cooperate with federal immigration agents, thousands of offenders become fugitives in our community. Police officers are limited in doing their best to protect the community. The problem is so bad that numerous illegal aliens are living in virtual shantytowns in Rock Creek Park, safe from police prosecution. The park has been trashed...."

Mancuso's views on immigration may be "informed" by his interactions with residents while on the job. A year before Mancuso began his letter-writing campaign, he made the following remarks about crime rates in The Gazette (excerpt below):

GAZETTE: To stem a surge in bench warrants issued for minor crimes and traffic citations, Montgomery County police are putting together a campaign that will ask Latinos to come forward to resolve their charges.

Police want to use $135,000 in federal stimulus money to launch a Spanish-language outreach campaign and to help cover overtime hours of police setting up "turn-in days" on evenings and weekends, said Lt. Mike Mancuso of the county's fugitive section....

As of the end of May, the number of active District Court warrants reached 14,465, Mancuso said. While that is not far above the norm, most of the increase is attributed to warrants issued on people with "Hispanic names," Mancuso said — in all, accounting for 46 percent.... Because many immigrants tend to move frequently or give the charging officer incorrect contact information, Mancuso said, making them difficult to find....

Police introduced the idea at a meeting of Police Chief J. Thomas Manger's Latino advisory committee last month. Some committee members worried that police were targeting the campaign on Latinos. They were also skeptical of how well the campaign would work because of the Latino community's fear of police because of immigration status....

After Gansler was embarassingly caught on candid camera claiming that Lt. Governor Anthony Brown was trying to win the Governor's race by campaigning on his race, this seems like another unforced error. Oy vey!

VIDEOS: MoCo Police Union Airs TV Ad Against Question B with Fallen Cop's Wife // PLUS: New Ad Against Casino Expansion

Below Maryland Juice readers can watch two new television ads regarding the heated November ballot questions. The first spot below is from Montgomery County's police union (FOP Lodge 35) and features the wife of a fallen officer urging voters to "vote against" MoCo Question B (repeal of police union "effects bargaining" rights). The second ad is the latest salvo from the "vote against" Question 7 folks (aka the side against gambling expansion):



Watch the following ad against gambling expansion (Question 7):

Prosecutor Ends Investigation of MoCo's Referendum Advocacy But Activities Might Not Be Kosher // AG's Opinion Requested

BACKGROUND: Maryland Juice has been reporting on the heated battle between Montgomery County's government and its police union (FOP Lodge 35). The fight concerns MoCo's advocacy (using taxpayer resources) for Question B, which would eliminate "effects bargaining" rights for police union members. The FOP recently asked the State of Maryland to investigate these activities, alleging that MoCo was in criminal violation of the law. The police union claimed MoCo was engaging in campaign activities without registering a committee and that their use of tax dollars was not kosher.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION CLOSED, BUT ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION REQUESTED: A State Prosecutor thought the circumstances warranted an investigation and started looking into the matter earlier this week. But yesterday, they released a letter closing their criminal investigation. In their letter, they noted that MoCo government officials and employees had relied upon their County Attorney's legal advice in engaging in Question B advocacy (excerpt below):

STATE PROSECUTOR: ...any actions of County officials and employees in this case were clearly undertaken without criminal intent in good-faith reliance upon reasonable and competent (even if erroneous) legal advice. For that reason we have closed our criminal investigation into this matter....

Even though the prosecutor did not think criminal charges were in order, he still seems to believe that MoCo is not operating within the bounds of the law and has now asked Attorney General Doug Gansler's office to weigh in with an advisory opinion. See the pertinent excerpts from the Prosecutor's letter below:

STATE PROSECUTOR: The State Prosecutor initially concluded that the plain language of the statutes here at issue is clear, unequivocal and unambiguous. There are no express exceptions for the types of activity at issue here....

The Montgomery County Attorney finds the language of the statute and the applicable rules of interpretation sufficiently ambiguous....

This issue will, undoubtedly, arise again. The Montgomery County Attorney has suggested that a formal opinion of the Attorney General be sought to address these issues. The State Prosecutor agrees and requests that the Attorney General render an opinion....

The Prosecutor proceeded to ask Attorney General Doug Gansler's office to issue an advisory opinion on:

1. whether a county government and its employees can use taxpayer resources for referenda without registering a campaign committee
2. whether a county government and its employees are exempt from campaign finance rules
3. whether a county government and its employees can use taxpayer resources for referenda

Below you can read the full letter from Maryland Prosecutor Emmet Davitt:
Maryland Prosecutor Letter

Maryland Prosecutor Investigates Montgomery County Gov't Advocacy for Question B // READ: MoCo Officials Respond

UPDATE: The Gazette today reports that Montgomery County's police union has been effectively shut out from advertising on county buses, even though MoCo has agreed to make an exception and let them advertise against Question B:

GAZETTE:  Montgomery County might be willing to make a special exception and allow the Fraternal Order of Police to put signs against Question B on RideOn buses, but police say the decision came too late....

Zifcak, immediate past president of FOP Lodge 35, said the union was told by the contractor who handles the bus advertising, Direct Media USA, that it will take 14 days to get their ad on buses. The Nov. 6 election is 13 days away.....

Below, Maryland Juice discusses two updates to the ongoing battle between Montgomery County officials and their police union. First, we highlight a Maryland prosecutors investigation of whether MoCo was improperly engaging in advocacy on this November's ballot questions, and then we update our story on allegations of censorship on MoCo's bus ads.

VIDEO: A Montgomery County Police Family Explains Their Opposition to Question B (Effects Bargaining Repeal)

Maryland Juice received the video below from advocates of police union "effects bargaining" in Montgomery County (Question B). The quick web video highlights one family's perspective and notes the following argument:

POLICE FAMILY: Question B can take away my right to have a say in how a schedule change, a transfer, or change of assignment affects my daughter's health and my families life.

A "vote for" Question B repeals the police union right to "effects bargaining," while a "vote against" would maintain that right. Watch the video appeal below:

Maryland Teachers, MoCo Police & County Executive Ike Leggett Lobby MoCo Democrats to Endorse Referenda for Sample Ballot

BACKGROUND: Yesterday Maryland Juice reported that Montgomery County Democrats were set to vote on which ballot questions to endorse for their Presidential Election sample ballot mailing. That vote is taking place tonight, and Democratic precinct officials are now being lobbied by numerous politicos to support various positions on the referenda. We noted that Governor Martin O'Malley was emailing MoCo precinct officials regarding four of the questions (gambling, redistricting, marriage equality and the Dream Act), and that County Executive Ike Leggett's staff have been pushing for an elimination of certain police bargaining rights.

MoCo's Facebook account pushes Question B

LT. GOV. MICHAEL STEELE, TEACHERS & OTHERS LOBBY FOR MOCO DEMS' SAMPLE BALLOT - It turns out that lots of lobbying is going on behind the scenes. You can see a few more examples below, including advocacy from the teachers union and more PR efforts by Ike Leggett's team on police union rights (Question B). The MoCo County Executive, for what its worth, is pulling out all the stops and directing the various County agencies to hit their email lists, Facebook pages and other outlets with information regarding the police referendum. See a few exhibits below.

We also provide a rebuttal to Leggett's messaging on Question B from the Fraternal Order of Police. Notably, The Washington Post's Victor Zapana reported that the FOP has hired a new advocacy team that includes a prominent Democratic attorney and former GOP Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: The Montgomery County police union on Monday hired Lanny Davis, a former special counsel to President Clinton, and Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, as consultants for a referendum campaign on collective bargaining rights....

SAMPLE BALLOT WAR: Gov. Martin O'Malley & MoCo Executive Ike Leggett Lobby Democratic Precinct Chairs on Referenda

UPDATE: Two readers have pointed out an error in the article below. I incorrectly speculated that MoCo's Democratic precinct officials were limited in what recommendations they could make. But it turns out that the precinct officials can take whatever positions they want when they vote on the various referenda Wednesday night. After they vote, the Central Committee members will not be able to overturn the recommendations of these precinct officials. The MCDCC would, however, have the option of neutralizing any recommendations by deciding to instead take no position on the issue. See our two readers' comments below:

READER #1: The precinct org can take ANY position they want. It is only MCDCC that is bound (to either agree or take no position) by the precinct org (three step process).

READER #2: I may be wrong, but as I understand the process, it is the Central Committee that cannot overturn a recommendation of the precinct officials (but can move to a no position).  Tomorrow night the precinct officials can reach a different conclusion on Question B than the Ballot Question Advisory Committee (BQAC) did (7-6-1, I think).  The Central Committee's final decision will stem from the precinct officials' vote, not from the BQAC's.

BACKGROUND: Maryland Juice recently reported that a battle was brewing over the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee's (MCDCC) upcoming sample ballot mailing. The MoCo Dems typically send a sample ballot with recommendations to the nearly 250,000 registered Democrats in their county. But as we noted earlier, party leaders are split on which of the referenda to support in their mailing. In Montgomery County, there appears to be Democratic unity behind supporting marriage equality and the Dream Act -- but other measures like redistricting and gambling are proving divisive.

MoCo Democratic Sample Ballot Battle: Councilmember Phil Andrews Fights Redistricting // PLUS: Young Dem on Dream Act

BACKGROUND: Yesterday, Maryland Juice reported that the Montgomery County Democrats have begun the process of assembling a sample ballot mailing for this November's Presidential Election. In addition to candidates for public office, the sample ballot will include the MoCo Dems' recommendations on the numerous referenda being voted on this year. The first big step in this process happened this week, when the "Ballot Question Advisory Committee" heard testimony from a range of MoCo Democratic activists and officials. After debating the referenda, the committee voted to support a vote "FOR" the Dream Act (Question 4) and marriage equality (Question 6). But the "Ballot Question Advisory Committee" voted overwhelmingly to oppose Maryland's Congressional redistricting plan, as well as a proposed expansion of gambling in the Free State. These recommendations will now be provided to the numerous Democratic precinct officials in Montgomery County for ratification or rejection, before the sample ballots gets printed.

A BATTLE OVER THE SAMPLE BALLOT: But Maryland Juice has been hearing that the recommendations are causing some controversy. A handful of MoCo Democratic officials are now threatening to withhold funding for the sample ballot mailing unless some of the recommendations are discarded. The sample ballot mailing, after all, would be sent to nearly a quarter of a million Montgomery County Democrats. Here are a few resources for voters that want to brush up on the key issues:

• Breakdown of the MoCo Dems vote for each referenda
• Ballot language and summary of each referenda

MoCo Dems' Committee Recommends Marriage Equality & Dream Act // But Party May Diss Redistricting, Gambling & More

UPDATE: A few politicos are reporting that some Montgomery Democratic elected officials are withholding donations to the sample ballot effort unless some of the recommendations below are reversed. This means we are likely to see some electeds campaigning for precinct officials' support on some of the more controversial referenda.

A reader and member of the MoCo Dems' committee that made the recommendations below also clarifies some of the details: "We're called the Ballot Question Advisory Committee. We make recommendations, but the precinct captain community takes the final vote. Marriage and the DREAM Act were both unanimous votes. The effects bargaining was a draw: 6-7. It's not fair to say it was voted down." Additionally, we now have an accounting of the vote totals for each recommendation. The votes on marriage equality and the Dream Act were unanimously in support, but the opposition to the Congressional districts was also nearly unanimous. See below:

LISTEN: Police Launch Radio Ads Against Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold // Disgraced GOP Leader Abused Power

Local news outlets are reporting that the labor union representing Anne Arundel County police is launching a radio campaign against disgraced County Executive John Leopold. The Republican County leader is currently under investigation after allegations emerged that he used County Police to spy on his political enemies, change his urinary catheters and aid in his sexual conquests - Read the Indictment Online.

Numerous groups have called on GOP Exec. John Leopold to resign, along with Police Chief James Teare. The union representing Anne Arundel's cops (IBPO) is now airing radio ads on the matter. Hometown Annapolis today reported:

The union that represents most of the county’s sergeants and lieutenants began running radio ads today in support of Anne Arundel County Deputy Police Chief Emerson Davis.

Davis, the department’s second-in-command, testified before the County Council last week on allegations related to the indictment of County Executive John R. Leopold.

Meghan Walsh, a spokeswoman for the Washington, D.C., office of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, or IBPO, said the ads will run several times a day for several days on three Baltimore-based radio stations: WPOC 93.1 FM, WQSR 102.7 FM and WCAO 600 AM....

Leopold was indicted last month on five counts of misappropriation and misconduct. The indictment alleged he used the police officers assigned to his security detail for personal and political reasons.

The indictment also alleges that police officers went to Police Chief James Teare Sr. with complaints, but Teare took “no effective action.” Teare has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

The Baltimore Sun shortly followed up, noting that IBPO replaced the original ad mentioned in Hometown Annapolis with a new version:

The union that represents high-ranking police officers in Anne Arundel County has dropped the name of the force's second-in-command from a radio ad that criticizes the county's executive and chief of police. 

The International Brotherhood of Police Officers, which represents Anne Arundel's police lieutenants and sergeants, originally planned to run an ad that promoted Deputy Police Chief Lt. Col. Emerson C. Davis as having taken a "brave stand" by testifying in front of the County Council about alleged improprieties by his superiors. 

The rewritten one-minute radio spot now calls for County Executive John Leopold and Police Chief Col. James E. Teare Sr. to vacate office until charges against Leopold are resolved, according to a statement Thursday from the union.

Maryland Juice has obtained copies of both radio ads, which we replay below. Note, we added some visuals to the raw audio tapes, using screencaps of the WILD indictment charges against John Leopold.

NEW RADIO AD


 ORIGINAL RADIO AD

MoCo Juice Blender: Leggett Joins Lowes Protest, #1 Influential Councilmember, Huge Police Overtime & Corporate Welfare

UPDATE: Maryland Juice just received the following email from a CD6 GOP candidate: "Robin Ficker for Congress and Jobs will join his friend Saqib in the protest on Sunday too!" Interesting that a GOP candidate from Montgomery should reject extremist fear-mongering and join a protest against Islamophobia. 

Also, earlier today, Maryland Juice reader Dave Kunes sent us a Klout influence ranking for Montgomery County's State Legislators. #1: Heather Mizeur.

Here's a random blend of political tidbits from recent Montgomery County news, starting with an update from former Delegate Saqib Ali on his protest against Lowes:

Juice #1: Saqib Ali's Email Message Announcing Ike Leggett Joins Lowes Protest: Last week Lowes Hardware store caved in to rank Islamophobia by withdrawing its commercials that were scheduled to run during the TLC TV show "All American Muslims." Lowes did this because a fringe right-wing hate-group called the "Florida Family Association"  complained that the depiction of American Muslims as normal people was actually “propaganda clearly designed to counter legitimate and present-day concerns about many Muslims who are advancing Islamic fundamentalism and Sharia law." Lowes' shameful decision has sparked a huge national controversy. You can read about it here.

This decision has been condemned by prominent people from Rap Moghul Russel Simmons to Actress Mia Farrow to Newark Mayor Corey Booker. People from all walks of life are outraged that Lowe's kow-towed to such un-American demands. Imagine for a second if Lowes had pulled its commercials from a show just because it depicted Catholics or Jews as normal people. This is no different.

Montgomery County Police Succeed in Placing Bargaining Rights on 2012 Ballot // Board of Elections Certifies 34,828 Signatures

Montgomery County police have succeeded in putting the fate of their bargaining rights in front of voters in 2012. A government employee informs Maryland Juice that the Montgomery County Board of Elections has certified 34,828 signatures submitted by the police employee's union. The announcement came by way of a letter from Election Director Margaret Jurgenson to the County Executive and County Council President. Some police bloggers apparently got involved in the signature-gathering to subject Bill 18-11 to a referendum:

The Gazette previously reported on the reasons for the signature-gathering effort from the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 35:

Montgomery County police officers are asking voters to restore their right to negotiate over transfers, new equipment and staffing levels, a right prohibited earlier this year by the County Council.

Police officers, along with a company the union has hired and representatives of the county government employees’ union, have gathered about 40,000 signatures in support of putting a question about collective bargaining on the ballot in the 2012 general election. The question would ask voters whether they wish to restore effects bargaining, which gives the union the right to negotiate over management decisions unrelated to salary, benefits and working conditions....

To put the issue before voters next year, the union must have 30,234 valid signatures — 5 percent of the county’s 604,669 registered voters at the time the law was signed by County Executive Isiah Leggett, according to Kevin Karpinski, the attorney for the county’s Board of Elections.

The police have succeeded in certifying 34,828 signatures, effectively asking Montgomery County voters to decide whether or not to keep Bill 18-11. We copy the language of the cops' targeted bill below: