Saturday, December 02, 2006
How to stage a cover-up without really trying
"The allegations of political influence that sparked the unraveling of the leadership of the Tennessee Highway Patrol last year were never investigated by the agency, the THP said Friday as it made public a nearly empty case file on the incident that was missing some notes," reports this morning's Tennessean ... on page 6B. (If and when a newspaper wants to make certain that people do not pay attention to an important story, it publishes stories near the obituaries on a Saturday.)
"The alleged attempt by Ricky J. McWilliams of Halls, Tenn., to use political connections to get out of a drunken-driving charge launched The Tennessean's investigation of the THP last year. After the initial story broke in August 2005, Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips — who would step down with other THP leaders later that year — told the news media he had ordered a full review of the McWilliams DUI case. ...
"Gov. Phil Bredesen's administration faced criticism last year when The Tennessean reported that sexual and workplace harassment investigations were not being fully documented. In some cases, notes that were taken were shredded. Meanwhile, a separate probe by the newspaper showed that the honorary THP badges were given out to campaign donors, celebrities and friends of the powerful."
"The alleged attempt by Ricky J. McWilliams of Halls, Tenn., to use political connections to get out of a drunken-driving charge launched The Tennessean's investigation of the THP last year. After the initial story broke in August 2005, Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips — who would step down with other THP leaders later that year — told the news media he had ordered a full review of the McWilliams DUI case. ...
"Gov. Phil Bredesen's administration faced criticism last year when The Tennessean reported that sexual and workplace harassment investigations were not being fully documented. In some cases, notes that were taken were shredded. Meanwhile, a separate probe by the newspaper showed that the honorary THP badges were given out to campaign donors, celebrities and friends of the powerful."
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Saturday, December 02, 2006 
