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June 12th, 2016 
Awake Goy
Whereas Milwaukee’s police department invited a DOJ probe, Madison’s reputedly spent thousands to protect top cops. Interestingly, although Madison PD mobilized funds to defend a police chief, another officer was crucified. The scandal highlights a system of unethically defending problem officers, rehashing other sins the department has yet to answer for.
After a series of FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act Requests), AL.com learned of the hefty legal fee’s the city of Madison Wisconsin spent to defend a police chief. Police Chief Larry Muncey, found guilty of contempt by a US district judge, was fined $2500 and placed on “indefinite” administrative leave. According to the outlet, Madison officials, including its mayor, are remaining superbly tight lipped on any developments of the case.
The SNAFU erupted in February 2015, with Madison officers responding to reports of a “suspicious man” walking the block. Officer Eric Parker and an unnamed trainee ultimately stopped Indian citizen Sureshbahi Patel, walking outside his son’s home. At some point, Parker reputedly placed a leg in front of Patel’s, who didn’t speak English, slamming him on concrete. Patel was injured as a result, requiring spinal surgery to recover, AL reports.
Seven days later, with the case garnering international attention, Madison PD’s hierarchy mobilized against it’s own. After Parker’s resignation was recommended by Chief Muncey, he was arrested for misdemeanor assault. The arrest warrant, AL reports, was signed by Madison PD Captain Terrell Cook. All this climaxed when the Department of Justice got involved, filing civil rights charges and launching an inquiry. “There’s really no explanation for it”, says Robert Tuten, Officer Parker’s attorney, “other than they wanted (Parker) gone.”
During the first federal trial that September, Judge Madeline Haikala launched further inquiry into whether Chief Muncey and Captain Cook attempted to influence officer testimony in the Parker case. Those officers, AL reports, supported Parker, though who they were and where they stand now remains unknown. While sluggish to provide further details, the city of Madison voted unanimously to pay for legal representation for officers investigated by Judge Haikala.
Defense attorney Larry Barclay, assigned to Muncey, was paid $36,076 by Madison, according to city records obtained via FOIA. Ironically, that’s about what Officer Parker is paid by while on leave, at $36,901. Another $17,300 was directed to attorney Brian White in Captain Cook’s defense, and $2,338 for one Sgt. Anderson. Anderson’s defense fund was spent early on, and his case was later dropped.
“We decided to pay those because we were basically protecting the city”, says Councilman Mike Potter. Potter was one of few city officials willing to speak on the probe, as well as funds used to defend Madison blue. Eventually, even though Parker was acquitted by Haikala, his chief and captain still required representation.
Whereas Cook was also acquitted Muncey was found guilty of contempt. Muncey reputedly emailed witnesses–even calling one to his office privately to discuss testimony. According to AL, he went as far as to send Sgt. Anderson to survey the courthouse.
Muncey vouched for the department, emphasizing his obligation to avoid city lawsuits by ensuring officers don’t use force unnecessarily. Despite his testimony before a judge, several other officers stated Parker’s actions were within policy. The case left Parker on paid leave, Muncey on indefinite administrative leave, and an ongoing lawsuit by Patel against Parker in it’s wake. Although Muncey filed an appeal, AL reports, city officials are unsure whether they’ll pay off those as well.
Such episodes of sweeping misconduct under the rug, unfortunately, isn’t new to Madison PD. Just a few months ago, Madison PD–now under the command of Chief Gregory Scott–was sent on the hunt for a possible officer impersonator. Three Madison teen’s reported the incident, beginning when a black, unmarked Dodge Durango flashing red and blue pulled them over.
A man approached the driver’s window, snatching the keys out the ignition and ordered them out. They were thrown in the grass with a gun to their heads, and questioned on apparently running a red light. Chief Scott Gregory, unable to locate any officers driving such a vehicle in the area, ordered a man hunt.
The as of yet unidentified man eventually came forward, a DCI agent under the command of DOJ. FOIA requests filed by CopBlock contributors for his name were then denied by Gregory, who said the investigation was ongoing. It’s been over 90 days since Gregory first claimed the name would be released in just 30. Now, he opts to direct CopBlock FOIA’s to Madison’s district attorney, who has failed to respond.
During initial email interactions, Gregory stated “our agency did not recommend any charges”, and regarded releasing the name as “inappropriate.” Gregory even preemptively denied that “Madison is shielding or protecting the DCI agent.”
That is, however, exactly what happened in the Parker-Muncey case, unknown at the time of the DCI incident. Numerous other details, including the victims identities, and whether any disciplinary action was taken, remains unknown. Although so little is known regarding the incident, these new revelations on a DOJ probe give context to why he may or may not have been in the city. The DCI case endures as a ghost haunting Madison’s department, now summoned by the city’s latest efforts at damage control.
Source Article from http://www.copblock.org/161463/madison-pd-back-in-news-city-spending-50k-to-protect-top-cops-and-aint-paying-the-bill/
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