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Out of MILLIONS!!! |
Hundreds of people have come forward in a class action lawsuit against the small Texas town of Tenaha, where the local law enforcement has been accused of bilking them out of
what adds up to millions of dollars over several years. Most, if not all, of the people making these accusations are minorities. Are they "easy targets" for a corrupt police
department and prosecutor's office? The Texas officials seem to be using the oldest trick in the book...threatening to separate them from their children, and threatening to put their
kids in foster care. The basic human need to protect family members kicks in and these people would give up all material possessions to keep their family intact. Is that what these
"law enforcement" people are counting on?
On March 9, 2009, Howard Witt, correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, first published this story about law enforcement corruption in Tenaha, Texas. Witt is the same journalist
who broke the Shaquanda Cotton and Jena Six stories. Witt has once again brought a great injustice to the attention of the American public, and America is definitely watching!
what adds up to millions of dollars over several years. Most, if not all, of the people making these accusations are minorities. Are they "easy targets" for a corrupt police
department and prosecutor's office? The Texas officials seem to be using the oldest trick in the book...threatening to separate them from their children, and threatening to put their
kids in foster care. The basic human need to protect family members kicks in and these people would give up all material possessions to keep their family intact. Is that what these
"law enforcement" people are counting on?
On March 9, 2009, Howard Witt, correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, first published this story about law enforcement corruption in Tenaha, Texas. Witt is the same journalist
who broke the Shaquanda Cotton and Jena Six stories. Witt has once again brought a great injustice to the attention of the American public, and America is definitely watching!
Gary Tuchman
AC360° Correspondent
The speed limit through the center of the tiny town of Tenaha, Texas is 35 miles per hour. I
made sure when I drove there that my speedometer never even got to 36. Too many
negative things have happened to too many drivers after being pulled over for infractions as
minor as that.
The allegations against law enforcement people in Tenaha and in Shelby County, Texas are
the kind of allegations you’ve heard about people in Cuba, North Korea, and the former
Soviet Union. People in charge are accused of manipulating laws, blackmailing, extorting,
and not giving a you know what about civil rights and common decency.
Here’s the deal: at least 150 drivers, virtually all of them African Americans or Latinos have
accused the town cops of pulling them over for minor infractions. Once pulled over, the
drivers are often asked if they have money. If they say yes, these drivers tell us the cops
start going through the car. If police find a lot of money, they are often arrested for money
laundering, with no mention of any evidence other than the money. Once they are brought to
jail, they find out about a proposed deal from the cops, and often from the District Attorney
of the county.
The deal goes like this: We will not file charges against you, in exchange for leaving behind
your money, and often your jewelry, and occasionally your vehicle too. Now, under Texas
law, if you are pulled over and accused of a real crime, police are permitted to take money
and other valuables that you might have used in your crime, or received from your crime.
The idea is to stop criminals from profiting from breaking the law. But if charges are not filed,
or you’re found not guilty, authorities have to give it back. In these cases that are now part of
a class action lawsuit, “charges” are not filed, but the authorities keep the loot.
Read the rest of the story on CNN.com here:
AC360° Correspondent
The speed limit through the center of the tiny town of Tenaha, Texas is 35 miles per hour. I
made sure when I drove there that my speedometer never even got to 36. Too many
negative things have happened to too many drivers after being pulled over for infractions as
minor as that.
The allegations against law enforcement people in Tenaha and in Shelby County, Texas are
the kind of allegations you’ve heard about people in Cuba, North Korea, and the former
Soviet Union. People in charge are accused of manipulating laws, blackmailing, extorting,
and not giving a you know what about civil rights and common decency.
Here’s the deal: at least 150 drivers, virtually all of them African Americans or Latinos have
accused the town cops of pulling them over for minor infractions. Once pulled over, the
drivers are often asked if they have money. If they say yes, these drivers tell us the cops
start going through the car. If police find a lot of money, they are often arrested for money
laundering, with no mention of any evidence other than the money. Once they are brought to
jail, they find out about a proposed deal from the cops, and often from the District Attorney
of the county.
The deal goes like this: We will not file charges against you, in exchange for leaving behind
your money, and often your jewelry, and occasionally your vehicle too. Now, under Texas
law, if you are pulled over and accused of a real crime, police are permitted to take money
and other valuables that you might have used in your crime, or received from your crime.
The idea is to stop criminals from profiting from breaking the law. But if charges are not filed,
or you’re found not guilty, authorities have to give it back. In these cases that are now part of
a class action lawsuit, “charges” are not filed, but the authorities keep the loot.
Read the rest of the story on CNN.com here:
More Stories about the Tenaha police:
Long Arm of the Law's Reach Exceeds Propriety
Driving through Tenaha, Texas Doesn't Pay - For Some
Welcome Tenaha, Texas! That’ll Be $6,000 Please or We’ll Take Your Kids
Chicago Trib: Use Caution While Driving Through Tenaha, Texas
Long Arm of the Law's Reach Exceeds Propriety
Driving through Tenaha, Texas Doesn't Pay - For Some
Welcome Tenaha, Texas! That’ll Be $6,000 Please or We’ll Take Your Kids
Chicago Trib: Use Caution While Driving Through Tenaha, Texas
Email the following people and
against law abiding citizens be
stopped, and that a Federal
investigation begin on those "law
enforcement" people involved!
U.S. Senator John Cornyn - R, TX
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson
- R, TX