Please read the following exchanges between the AP’s Spokane Regional Reporter Nick Geranios and award winning investigative reporter Larry Shook regarding the manslaughter death of Jo Savage in the River Park Square Parking Garage owned by the Cowles Co that also owns Spokane’s paper of record, The Spokesman-Review (S-R).
It is my professional opinion that the S-R is used as an instumentality of an onging criminal enterprise to conceal its criminal acts e.g, the RPS Bond Fraud and the manslaugher death of Jo Savage. This is a unique circumstance where our normal watchdog of political/governmental corruption is owned and used by the perpetrators to cover its tracks.
Read and you decide.
*****
[Email to Nick Geranios AP reporter based in Spokane, WA ]
I just saw Larry Shook’s latest comment and your reply Nick:
I’ll pick my own soapboxes. Thanks, Nick. Larry
On Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 12:11 PM, Geranios, Nick K. <ngeranios@ap.org> wrote:
Larry:
Nice soapbox. what about my suggestion that you guys try to mount a public forum on the journalism surrounding this case?
NG
May I suggest an alternative? Report the story. Please see my suggestion re how the AP can demonstrate it’s not shilling for the owners of the Cowles Co while at the same time using its resources wisely in this email that I was just going to send below:
Our Country is in great danger when the free press is abdicating its role as a watchdog on our government that WE THE PEOPLE empower to govern on our behalf so WE THE PEOPLE can hold our elected/appointed accountable. See Mr. Geranios’ latest reply to Mr. Shook below re being overworked. The work has already been done by investigative reporters Larry Shook and Tim Connor.
If Mr. Geranios is so busy perhaps the AP could commission Shook and Connor to write the story that is going unreported?
If not the AP, the AP will have to take the criticism it too is caving to the special interests of the Cowles.
Nick this story will break eventually. The truth seeks to be free. The AP and other media outlets have been playing catch up to breaking stories by the new/alternative/social media.
Will the AP go down with the Cowles Co’s ship? Bottom line the survival of the Mainstream Media is dependent upon regaining the trust and credibility of your readers. Ball’s in your court Nick.
Again thank you for engaging in this fascinating discussion. This is an example of the power of the new alternative media where members of the old media can engage in dialogue with its readers in a symbiotic manner that in the end is beneficial to the readers and the public.
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
*****
Please read the responses below from the AP’s Spokane Regional Reporter Nick Geranios to an email from Spokane resident Dick Adams on the subject of the manslaughter death of Jo Savage in the RPS Parking Garage owned by the Cowles Co, the owners of the Spokesman-Review.
Please read the reply by investigative reporter Larry Shook and I to Mr. Geranios. As I said in my earlier email to S-R Online Editor Ryan Pitts:
Ryan,
Thanks for your response. Like in the Otto Zehm case, “Who polices the police?” Who polices journalists who fail to abide by their professional standards?* That’s my point. I’m trying to hold the S-R accountable for its lapses in journalistic principles. By summarily dismissing my probative questions, this exemplifies the paternalistic attitude of the MSM and the reason it is in decline with the advent of the new/alternative/social media
[*] See Principles of Journalism as compiled by the Committee of Concerned Journalists]
Our Country is in great danger when the free press is abdicating its role as a watchdog on our government that WE THE PEOPLE empower to govern on our behalf so WE THE PEOPLE can hold our elected/appointed accountable. See Mr. Geranios’ latest reply to Mr. Shook below re being overworked. The work has already been done by investigative reporters Larry Shook and Tim Connor.
If Mr. Geranios is so busy perhaps the AP could commission Shook and Connor to write the story that is going unreported? Mr. Shook and Mr. Connor are quite capable of writing this story.
If not the AP, the AP will have to take the criticism it too is caving to the special interests of the Cowles Co in concealing the manslaughter death of Jo Savage.
You decide whether the AP is shilling for the interests of the Cowles Co.
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
*****
Nick,
Your answer to Dick Adams is disingenuous and condescending:
This death has been studied and studied and studied. The family of the victim has settled
I’ll belay my normal disdain for members of the Old School Media (OSM) to reply where you are sadly mistaken. In your cavalier dismissal of this story you are failing in your journalistic duty/responsibility to inform/educate the people as has the Spokesman-Review to a potential clear and present danger to the safety of the citizens of Spokane.
Please do read carefully the letters and emails from the Savage family I obtained by filing a PDR with the State AG’s Office after its review of the Savage case as submitted by County Prosecutor Steve Tucker before you summarily dismiss the stories of the Savage death yet untold by the OSM. I find these letters very compelling and newsworthy and yet the S-R has failed to report on them. Why?
Yes, the family did settle a civil wrongful death case but a civil settlement is not a bar to a criminal prosecution especially in matters where the publics’ safety is involved. Further the quick settlement of the civil case is a clue that the evidence in Savage’s death is very damning (See attached letter to County Prosecutor Steve Tucker by Attorney Rob Rember). The legal rationale in the Savage Case is no different than the criminal liability of the owners in the tragic bar fire that killed 100 people in New Providence, RI, e.g., the ordinary care and due diligence by the owners to their patrons:
Following Biechele’s trial, the Station’s owners, Michael and Jeffrey Derderian, were scheduled to receive separate trials. However, on September 21, 2006, Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan announced that the brothers had changed their pleas from “not guilty” to “no contest,” thereby avoiding a trial.[11] Michael Derderian received 15 years in prison, with four to serve and 11 years suspended, plus three years probation–the same sentence as Biechele. Jeffrey Derderian received a 10-year suspended sentence, three years probation, and 500 hours of community service.
In my professional opinion the evidence against the bar owners is much less compelling than the evidence in the death of Jo Savage in the RPS Parking Garage. The photos I’ve linked to below say it all. Why wasn’t this case brought to trial? This is story in my mind that so far hasn’t been reported:
There is no additional story that can be pursued in any reasonable way here.
Has the RPS Parking Garage been repaired/fixed so that it no longer constitutes a public hazard and is safe for continued public occupancy? The City of Spokane is stonewalling and won’t respond to Sheriff Bamonte’s nor my demand for an immediate inspection:
I don’t know for sure that the RPS garage is structurally unsafe but with the collective work of your professional colleagues, Larry Shook and Tim Connor, the evidence presents a very compelling case for its immediate inspection by the City of Spokane to ensure it is safe. This is another untold story that so far has not been reported by the OSM:
‘Deathtrap’
Cowles media dynasty called hub of
organized crime by two former lawmen
Woman died, public threatened because of
government collusion with powerful family, they say
I made my demand for an immediate inspection of the RPS Parking Garage in person during a Spokane City Council meeting and in writing to Mayor Mary Verner in February of this year. So far I have never received a response to my demand. Why?
Another related story is the complicity of the S-R’s failure to cover these stories in my opinion in deference to exposing the criminal acts of its owners:
As I recently wrote Ryan Pitts, the S-R’s online editor, re S-R senior editors Gary Crooks and Doug Floyd of the S-R scrubbing my comments without explanation from their editorial blog, A Matter of Opinion [excerpt full text here]:
. . . You should know that I’m acting from the mindset of a seasoned criminal investigator bringing all my extensive professional education, training, and experience to bare on the worst case of public corruption I’ve seen in my entire law enforcement career [See my vitae][My emphasis]. Why? Because I can. Because I’m not part of any of the law enforcement organizations that so far has failed to protect the people that they are sworn to protect – I’m breaking blue. The [Otto] Zehm case is only symptomatic of much deeper co-option/corruption issues as I referred to in my reply to Lewis, “Still waters run deep.” The actions of certain S-R employees could be construed as rendering criminal assistance (RCW 9A.76.070) to its owners. Not only am I using the power of the new social media to seek justice but I’m developing evidence for future criminal/civil action e.g, a federal civil RICO case.
Conspicuously the S-R has not led the public debate into the Savage death case [RPS parking garage] as it has righteously done in the Otto Zehm case. Why?
At least one member of your profession Ron Rudd [sic Judd] of the Seattle Times was willing to report on this story before it went deadly:
And also from my email to S-R Online Editor Ryan Pitts:
My point is there is a clear pattern and practice that has emerged re my probing questions that was initiated with former S-R Editor Steve Smith and now is engaged in by Gary Crooks and Doug Floyd. Bottom line is why do I have to ask these questions? Why aren’t the S-R reporters asking these questions that in normal circumstances/environment would be asked? Read/listen to Tim Connor’s recent interview with former S-R investigative reporter Karen Dorn Steele for insight. [My emphasis]
And finally, Nick, in your trite dismissal of these stories:
This death has been studied and studied and studied. . . There is no additional story that can be pursued in any reasonable way here.
You are failing to recognize the fundamental lede of this story. As seasoned law enforcement professionals both Sheriff Bamonte and I are breaking blue which is rarely done in Spokane. We are both calling out our fellow law enforcement colleagues for their failure to do their duty that they are sworn to do on behalf of the people. Both Sheriff Bamonte and I are law enforcement insiders. We know how the Savage Case was buried from public scrutiny but so far the OSM is not telling our story but in fact as you have done sought to marginalize us. Why? [My emphasis].
In short for whatever reasons the law enforcement community turned a blind eye on the death of Jo Savage in the RPS Parking Garage. It could have been anyone of us or our loved ones that plummeted to their death that day, April 8, 2006. Those charged by the people with the responsibility of doing a criminal investigation just went through the motions of throwing the ball around the bases. None ever threw the ball home e.g., there was never a complete, competent, and thorough criminal investigation ever done that followed the evidence where it led that would have found the evidence that County Prosecutor Tucker in his review of the case once given to him by the US Attorney’s Office failed to find. Tucker never asked the probative questions. Why?
This was a sham all to keep the ball hidden. If the public were to know the facts/evidence/circumstances of Savage’s death they too would be clamoring for justice as Sheriff Bamonte and I are. In short this was a cover up. And hence the hypocrisy if find with the S-R fanning the flames of the Otto Zehm Death and for the most part remaining silent on the Jo Savage Death. Again I ask why?
For further please read my criminal complaint (Linked in this post) against Tucker I filed with Governor Christine Gregoire that details where it is my professional opinion that he with specific intent buried the Savage case from public view and scrutiny. To this date Governor Gregoire hasn’t even acknowledged my formal complaint? Why? Need I draw you a road map? This is all about which 2012 gubernatorial candidate will receive Cowles Co support and funding e.g., Rob McKenna or Christine Gregoire. So far my money’s on McKenna for not taking his blinders off and taking Tucker to task for severely limiting the AG’s review of the Savage case. This is the story of state if not national interest.
These are the stories you are trying so hard to ignore. Why?
Again Mr. Geranios will you report?
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
[S-R archive photo circa 1991 showing RPS Parking
Garage vehicle barrier that failed in similar fashion as the
one that broke in 2006 causing Jo Savage to fall to her death
on April 8, 2006 – see below.]
[Evidence located found that these barriers failed in the same manner on average
of two to three time per years since 1991 with full knowledge of the owners and yet they chose
to do nothing until after the death of Jo Savage in 2006. Why?]
*****
I’ll pick my own soapboxes. Thanks, Nick. Larry
On Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 12:11 PM, Geranios, Nick K. <ngeranios@ap.org> wrote:
Larry:
Nice soapbox. what about my suggestion that you guys try to mount a public forum on the journalism surrounding this case?
NG
Larry Shook
to Nick, Dick, me, Terresa, Tony, Stacey, Jim, Jonathan, Mary, CityCouncil, Anne, Ozzie, Frank, Bonnie, Ted, Kevin, Terri, Jacob, Gary, Joel, Lupito, Mike, Rob, Breean |
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show details 12:03 PM (23 minutes ago) |
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Thanks, Nick. Let’s be clear–I’m part of a group of one. You’re not. You work for the largest press organization in the world. If I contented myself with the kinds of excuses you offer below I never would have reported any of this. If you and your bosses want to whine about how hard it is to do your jobs, go ahead. You won’t get any Kleenex from me. The evidence that public corruption killed Jo Ellen Savage is simply overwhelming. The evidence that a member of American media royalty is the hub of this corruption is similarly overwhelming. And you don’t see a story? With declarations like the one you make here you and AP are simply serving notice that you’re too busy covering football games and the like to be bothered with trivia like depredations against democracy in America by one of the nation’s media dynasties. If that’s a mission you’re comfortable with I don’t know there’s anything more to say–except maybe “Mission Accomplished.” It’s not a mission I’ll ever be able to salute. I do appreciate that you took the time to write me and I do wish you only the best. Good luck with your various deadlines. Larry
On Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 10:43 AM, Geranios, Nick K. <ngeranios@ap.org> wrote:
Larry:
I’m not looking for an argument with you guys. I’m just trying to point out that in the real world, one reporter’s time is very, very limited. I write many stories on a variety of topics every week, and nearly all of them are required to have a national angle. There is simply nothing about the RPS story and the Savage death that would interest people in Miami, Philadelphia or Los Angeles (please do not send me a screed about how everyone SHOULD care about these things. They don’t and as a journalist you know it.).
Today alone, I am writing about the death of a high school football player in Washtucna, the double homicide in Spokane, opening of the EPA’s hazardous waste repository near Kellogg, and trying to find the time to research and finish a bigger look at the escape of the criminally insane fellow from Eastern State. The rest of the week looks just like today, except that I also have to write stories about the Washington State and Idaho football teams, which I also cover.
I am one reporter and have no time for the sort of forensic examination into this story that you and your friends are suggesting. Even if I wanted to, there is no way i would get approval from my superiors to do that.
I do think that your group should consider contacting the Washington News Council or the center for responsible media at Gonzaga. This might be an interesting topic for a panel discussion on how a depleted news media can retain a “watchdog” role.
Nick Geranios
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Larry Shook <lwshook@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Subject: Re: AP opinion
To: “Geranios, Nick K.” <ngeranios@ap.org>
Mr. Geranios: Thanks for sharing this response from you, the Spokane, WA, AP reporter with me concerning Jo Savage’s April 8, 2006, death in the RPS parking garage. I think it reflects the deep resignation surrounding the RPS corruption and its implication in Ms. Savage’s death. “That money was stolen from the taxpayers of Spokane fair and square and that woman was killed fair and square. Everyone–the Spokane City Council, the Spokane County Commissioners, Spokane’s police chief and sheriff, the governor of Washington, the state attorney general, the FBI, the U.S. Dept. of Justice–says so. That’s an end to it.”
A reporter, and a “news” agency, that adopts such a view, I’m afraid, is beyond the reach of reason or an appeal to professional ethics. What you seem to be saying is that Mr. Adams has mistaken you and AP for government watchdogs. You and your employer seem content to let government watch itself in the matter of Ms. Savage’s death. That’s a curious value proposition to make to customers like Mr. Adams. Still, with your sarcastic and indifferent comments, I think you have reflected one of the saddest and ugliest aspects of the death of Jo Ellen Savage: her own family allows her to lie in her grave with the details surrounding her death buried beside her. The family learned those details in the course of “settling” Ms. Savage’s death. David Savage, Jo Ellen’s former husband, former president of the Washington State Bar Association, told Spokesman-Review reporter Jonathan Brunt that those details supported filing First-Degree Manslaughter charges. And yet the Savage family has withheld those details from me, the one reporter who has been willing to report this tragic story thoroughly. (Please see “Death by Parking” and “Deathtrap” at www.girlfromhotsprings.com.) The Spokesman-Review, Jonathan Brunt, AP, Nick Geranios, Jo Savage’s survivors must all live with their decisions.
Please note that among the recipients to whom this message is openly copied is Rob Rembert, a member of the law firm that “settled” the “victim’s” death, as you put it. I suggest that you contact Mr. Rembert and request the results of his law firm’s investigation into Ms. Savage’s death. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of reading those files you might at least request an interview of Mr. Savage and ask him for the factual basis of his statement that his former wife’s death should be investigated as First-Degree Manslaughter. With all due respect, Mr. Geranios, I really don’t think it’s Mr. Adams’s job to engage in the silly task you proposed to him. I do think it’s your job to do as I here suggest. If you don’t choose to do that, all I can say is that you and others–including other “journalists” to whom this message is copied–apparently feel much more “settled” about Ms. Savage’s death than I do. Thanks again for your note and giving me the opportunity to comment. Sincerely, Larry Shook
On Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 8:44 AM, Geranios, Nick K. <ngeranios@ap.org> wrote:
Dick:
Why don’t you try to count up all the preventable deaths in the nation every day and then get back to me with a proposal to write a book on each one. This death has been studied and studied and studied. The family of the victim has settled. There is no additional story that can be pursued in any reasonable way here.
Nick Geranios
From: Dick Adams
Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2009 6:38 PM
To: Geranios, Nick K.
Subject: AP opinion
Mr. AP,
I read your comment re Detective Wright and Sheriff Bamonte. Everybody is entitled to their opinion. One thing struck me though, how a person is bored regarding a death that could have been prevented. Greed comes to mind when the owners short changed needed repairs to the River Park Square parking garage. How sad.
Dick Adams,
Spokane, Wa.
