Corrupt Yolo County Sued By DA investigator for retaliation

Corrupt Yolo County Sued By DA investigator for retaliation

http://www.dailydemocrat.com/news/ci_13192378

DA investigator sues Reisig for retaliation
By Democrat Staff
Created: 08/24/2009 02:30:43 AM PDT

Yolo County District Attorney Investigator Randy Skaggs is suing DA Jeff Reisig and Chief Investigator Pete Martin for revealing personal information after blowing the whistle on Reisig.

According to a civil lawsuit filed on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court of Eastern California, Skaggs' privacy was violated after he was singled out after calling out Reisig to former DA Dave Henderson.


"(Skaggs) brought to the attention of the District Attorney at the time of the incident, the fact that Reisig failed to turn over exculpatory evidence that (Skaggs) developed, to defense counsel," the lawsuit states. "After Jeff Reisig was forced to turn the evidence over, the department began to treat (Skaggs) selectively."


The suit claims that Skaggs suffered retaliation for his action.


Around Sept. 30, 2008, Skaggs was put under paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an administrative inquiry into allegations of misconduct.


About a month later, the suit alleges that Martin proposed discipline against Skaggs in a "Notice of Intent to Impose Discipline." But before any discipline could be given, Martin spoke about the investigation against Skaggs with Dave Markss, Colusa County's chief DA investigator.


"Dave Markss then sent the details of the conversation to no less than 13 other Chief District Attorney Investigators in California," the suit claims. "He indicated in his e-mail that he would provide further updates as they are received from Martin,


indication that there was an expectation of further dissemination of confidential information from Skaggs' personnel file."

The suit claims that in an arbitration hearing Martin admitted to releasing information and said Reisig was aware of its release.


Skaggs was informed by two Davis police officers that Martin disclosed information to the Davis Police Department and the Citrus Heights Police Department, where he was seeking employment.


"He will find it impossible to seek employment in his desired profession, regardless of the outcome of the administrative or criminal cases," it states.


In Jan. 5, 2009, Skaggs filed a California Government Tort Claim with Yolo County. It was denied "by operation of law" on Feb. 20.


"The above-described acts of the defendant Yolo County and its agents, officers and officials were done to deprive plaintiff of his constitutional rights to privacy and were done with deliberate indifference to the plaintiff's United States Constitutional rights," the claim states.


The incident caused Skaggs embarrassment, anxiety, humiliation and emotional distress, according to the lawsuit. After learning that his personnel information was released, Skaggs was hospitalized for high blood pressure, chest pain and other health problems he claims were caused by his emotional distress.


He is suing them for compensatory, general, personal injury damages as well as attorney fees.


Skaggs isn't the first to accuse Reisig of malfeasance.


In 2008, DA Investigator Rick Gore wrote a letter accusing Reisig of ethical transgressions, withholding evidence and retaliatory pay increase denials. A human resources report showed that Gore received council about his complaints from former Deputy DA Patricia Lenzi, who ran against Reisig.


In a supplemental report, Martin stated that Lenzi warned Skaggs that "he better watch out because they were coming after him next and that it would be sooner than later."


Lenzi, in a May 21, 2008 letter to Reisig, denied writing the letter or talking to Martin.



http://www.topix.net/forum/source/daily-democrat/TTQBU3TS7AI97GHAR

Movie man
Sacramento, CA
Reply »
|Report Abuse|#13 hrs ago

I thought things like this only happened in movies not here in good ole Woodland.
Former DA Investigator
Reply »
|Report Abuse|#23 hrs ago

It is about time someone held Mr. Reisig accountable. He runs ruff shot over that entire office. So many people have left the DA's office over his cut throat political actions. If your ethics interfere with his agenda, watch out. Lt. Skaggs was the highest and most respected Lt in the office. Because he did not stand by and let Reisig withhold evidence in a "death penalty" case, he was black balled. A real shame. I hope he wins.
Yolo Employee
Reply »
|Report Abuse|#32 hrs ago

I noticed DA Reisig was not available for comment. Here comes one of his standard press releases. "I had no knowledge of this", "This is politically motivated and untrue" or my favorite, "I will have my county run an independent investigation into this". Everything this guy puts his fingers on suddenly smells now nothing out of that office is believable. No matter how you look at it, the tax payers finish last. Anyone that personally knows a DA employee will know how fearful this office is and if we speak out on Reisig we will get fired and retaliated against.
Woodland Boy
Reply »
|Report Abuse|#42 hrs ago

Movie man wrote:
I thought things like this only happened in movies not here in good ole Woodland.
Reisig is from Sacramento, seems he brought some of that big city corruption across the river.
no name
Toronto, Canada
Reply »
|Report Abuse|#52 hrs ago

sounds like his ego needs to shot down a couple of notches. It's people like Reisig that "power" goes to their head. Blows his ego so high that he doesn't have compassion for anybody but himself. Get his out of there! Fire it and black ball him and see how he likes the taste of his own medicine.
Full House
Carson City, NV
Reply »
|Report Abuse|#62 hrs ago

Jerry ! Jerry !
Golds Gym Member
Reply »
|Report Abuse|#71 hr ago

no name wrote:
sounds like his ego needs to shot down a couple of notches. It's people like Reisig that "power" goes to their head. Blows his ego so high that he doesn't have compassion for anybody but himself. Get his out of there! Fire it and black ball him and see how he likes the taste of his own medicine.
Ego, sounds like Roid Rage, have you seen this guy at the gym? He thinks he is the Governor.... Arnold and he must have shared some steroids in the past.
Wonder how many criminal charges for steroids have been handed out since his election? Don't see many 100 year sentences for that crime'
Tip of the iceberg
Phoenix, AZ
Reply »
|Report Abuse|#81 hr ago

So an investigator sues, another writes letters to Reisig and the media gets them and publishes them, the Dev case results in protests and the "justified" shooting of Luis Guitierrez by Yolo Sheriff's deputies results in over 200 people marching against Reisig this past weekend. Do we see a pattern of corruption in Yolo County? You betcha.
Is anyone gonna run against this guy Reisig in 2010? I hope so!
Woodland
Sacramento, CA
Reply »
|Report Abuse|#91 hr ago

What about DA Investigator Gore, I understand he was awarded his job back as was Skaggs with full back pay and interest.
sacramento
Sacramento, CA
Reply »
|Report Abuse|#1038 min ago

It is difficult to understand why Yolo County residents have elected "Reisig" and he hopes to get re-elected ? whatis very clear is as the 350 people that marched this weekend are telling us is that that the entire Yolo County Judicial system demands a Federal Investigation,when we have these allegations,if in fact they have occurred if "Reisig" is in violation of withholding evidence is tantamount to "Unetical wrongdoing" meaning that "Reisig knew and was aware and had knoldege,allowed and commited a crime himself in "Obstruction of Justice" and if so he must have "Contaminated all those cases which he presided.which would be a miscarraige of a "Protected right" of the defense and if so Violated the very responsability as the Yolo county District Attorney and would be if proven the case Arrested and charged with a Crime and pay for his having violated the Yolo County Citizens tharelected him and I might say like wise with the Yolo County Sherrif "Prieto" because he is also and must be questioned as to his having attemted to "Infuenced" a "Yolo County Judge in a recent criminal case and in this case thier is "Proof" of "Wrong doing" by the Sherrif Prieto" with actual court transcript with statements made by a "Judges Withdrawl from the case and that may well be his own downfall in what may also be "Obstruction of Justice" and the fact that the "Judge:" will have to testify in criminal (Yolo) court unfer "Penalty of Purjury" including Yolo County Sherrif "Ed Prieto" that is why 350 to 400 people will continue to demand a FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OF YOLO COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE NOW ! ALL WE NEED IS THE TRUTH NO MORE HIDING THE TRUTH !