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For immediate release –
Spokane, WA
Contact: Ron Wright 951-233-0710 – email nar9350 [at] gmail [dot] com
Steve Tucker is the incumbent Spokane County Prosecutor and is running for reelection. At a recent televised candidate’s forum held by the League of Women Voters, Tucker claimed the support of Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich. Sheriff Knezovich replied to an email saying has not endorsed anyone for any office. I’m alleging that Steve Tucker was directly and knowingly involved in the cover up of the homicide of Jo Ellen Savage in the RPS Parking Garage in April of 2006. Therefore he is not qualified to serve as County Prosecutor.
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
Riverside PD, CA
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Ron Wright <nar9350@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 20, 2010 at 4:13 PM
Subject: Mr. Tucker – League of Women Voter’s candidate forum – Your statement claiming support of Sheriff Knezovich
To: stucker@spokanecounty.org
Cc: “Richard, Mark J.” <MRichard@spokanecounty.org>, e <TMielke@spokanecounty.org>, Bonne Beavers <bbeavers@cforjustice.org>, “Emacio, James” <jemacio@spokanecounty.org>, jdriscoll@spokanecounty.org, “Knezovich, Ozzie” <oknezovich@spokanesheriff.org
Dear Mr. Tucker,
Please see the attached letter re your statement during your concluding remarks at the recent League of Women Voter’s candidate forum. You claimed the support of Sheriff Knezovich. I emailed Sheriff Knezovich and he emphatically denied endorsing anyone. Please explain.
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
Sent via email
July 20, 2010
Steve Tucker
Office of County Prosecutor
1100 West Mallon
Spokane, WA 99260
Re: League of Women Voters candidate forum for Spokane County Prosecutor
Dear Mr. Tucker:
I watched with interest the League’s candidates’ forum. In your closing statement you claimed the support of WA AG Rob McKenna and Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich. While the support of AG McKenna could be true, the support of Sheriff Knezovich was a surprise to me. I emailed Sheriff Knezovich and asked him if he had endorsed your candidacy. Sheriff Knezovich empathically replied, “I have not endorsed anyone for any office” [Emphasis added]. Other sources directed me to the WA Secretary of State’s online voter guide as a similar statement from you:
Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna support Steve.
I’m also told this statement is contained in your printed campaign material. I realize that there is a subtle distinction between support and endorse however in the minds of the voters these terms are synonymous. With the emphatic statement of Sheriff Knezovich denying any endorsement of your campaign, Mr. Tucker you are misleading the public. You are not telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. As a prosecutor you should know this is paramount of law enforcement professionals in our system of justice.
Mr. Tucker this should come of no surprise that I am actively campaigning against your reelection for your nonfeasance and malfeasance in office. Specifically you aided and abetted in the cover up of the death of Jo Ellen Savage in the RPS Parking Garage. Simply put this was a homicide – a First-Degree Manslaughter under WA State Law. This wasn’t a case of prosecutorial discretion. This was a deliberate cover up by your knowing inaction. I haven’t decided yet which of your opponents for the top law enforcement position in Spokane I will endorse and support.
Mr. Tucker you can’t claim ignorance and or incompetence in your decision not to file criminal charges in the homicide of Savage. Both former Sheriff Tony Bamonte and I have an extensive paper trail documenting multiple letters and emails to your office. We gave you constructive notice that any filing decision without having a complete and thorough criminal investigation to review would be flawed and disingenuous at best. David Savage (former husband of Jo Ellen Savage) also was willing to provide your office with the product of their civil case involving the death of his former wife, which you apparently refused.
Mr. Tucker your review of the facts and circumstances surrounding Jo Savage’s death and conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to warrant a criminal complaint was fallacious. You set this case up for failure from the very beginning. This was self-fulfilling chain of events you set in motion. Once the US Attorney’s Office turned over its evidence in the Savage case to your office for review and investigation under existing state law involving negligent homicide, you DID NOTHING. Your inaction by not compelling a complete and thorough criminal investigation that would have followed the evidence wherever it would lead to its logical conclusion and subsequent decision not to file a criminal complaint, concealed this very damning evidence of this homicide from the public review and scrutiny. No impartial jury would ever see and or hear the very damning evidence and testimony to decide the guilt or innocence of the owners of the parking garage. For more specifics see my criminal complaint against you, I filed with Gov. Gregoire that so far she has ignored [See RICO RPS Table of Evidence – RW22].
It is true there was insufficient evidence to file a criminal complaint. What was lacking was probative questioning of witnesses and those individuals with culpable knowledge of the inaction of the owners of the RPS Parking Garage that was the direct cause of the death of Savage. The owners of the garage knew full well that these parking barriers were failing on average of one to three per year for fifteen years preceding the tragic death of Savage. See former RPS garage manager Rex Franklin’s damning civil deposition in which he revealed that two other cars struck barriers, which failed in a similar manner. These cars hung precariously on their undercarriages on the edge of the parking deck. The forensic evidence reveals that Ms. Savage did not inadvertently hit the gas pedal as Stacey Cowles would imply:
. . . nothing in the history of the garage would indicate that its ownership had a reckless or any other kind of disregard for human safety… We did not advise the driver to test our barriers…
Ms. Savage’s car made contact with this barrier at less than 5 mph (Savage civil case material). The barrier failed in the same manner as the others have over last fifteen years. This barrier failed and rolled forward trapping the front wheels of Savage’s car and catapulted Savage to her death. This was a likely foreseeable event that the owners failed to mitigate. They chose to ignore this imminent public hazard for economic reasons that are enmeshed and related to the RPS Bond Frauds perpetrated by the owners of the RPS Parking Garage. The Spokane taxpayers were defrauded of $87.5 MILLION dollars in these bond frauds [See RICO RPS Table of Evidence – RW30].
Mr. Tucker you gave the evidence you received from Asst. US Attorney Robert Westinghouse without any further investigative work to the WA AG’s Office to review. The manner in which you gave this material to the WA AG’s Office precluded it from doing it’s own independent criminal investigation. Asst. WA AG Scott Marlow who reviewed this material said so in his advisory letter to you [See RICO RPS Table of Evidence – RW17]. You cherry picked his concluding paragraph as justification for not filing a criminal complaint in your press release [See letter to County Board of Commissioners 06-14-10]. You failed to state in the press release or otherwise the extensive limitations and caveats with which Mr. Marlow prefaced his letter. As you know Mr. Marlow in a phone conversation told David Savage that he [Marlow] was disappointed in the position the AG’s Office had been placed in by your office, your case materials were not fully developed and there were many unanswered questions. Mr. Marlow told Mr. Savage that the WA AG’s Office was providing political cover to your office [See RICO RPS Table of Evidence – RW26 Addendum]
I’m aware that AG Rob McKenna attempted to discredit Mr. Savage’s report of this phone call on the Mike Fitzsimmons Radio Show on 03-10-10 [Audio file]. As we now know Mr. Marlow said the same thing to County Commissioner Bonnie Mager. See the attached memo that David Savage wrote to his file documenting this phone call. Mind you David Savage is no distraught former husband. Mr. Savage is a prominent personal injury attorney in his own right and a former president of the WA State Bar Association. Mr. Savage’s current wife, Sally, is a former senior asst. WA AG and is now the general counsel of WA State University. See their letters that they both wrote the WA AG’s Office and to you demanding an impartial criminal investigation be done.
Mr. Savage wrote [See RICO RPS Table of Evidence – RW26 Savage case file pages 5 – 6]:
. . . it is important, however, that all those responsible for this matter understand I firmly believe the information placed in Mr. Tucker’s hands, and now yours [WA AG Rob McKenna](which includes the fruits of my work, the work of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a Grand Jury), clearly describes culpable criminal conduct [Emphasis added]. The owners of the garage knew for years prior to Jo’s death of the very structural infirmity that resulted in it. Nevertheless, they chose not to correct the problem.
Please see my correspondence with the County Board of Commissioners re the County’s press release issued on your behalf [See letter of 06-14-10]. This press release implies that there was a federal grand jury review of the evidence and heard testimony of witnesses in the Savage Case. I believe this to be untrue and sought clarification from Asst. US Attorney Robert Westinghouse. Mr. Westinghouse refused to clarify his statement in his press release and press conference [See RICO RPS Table of Evidence – RW26 Savage case file pages 1 – 2]:
After the fact there was a great deal of debate over the assumptions made in the bond proposal. But after examining thousand of records from the civil case and using the tools available to the grand jury [Emphasis added] we determined there was no criminal case of wrongdoing, . . .
This phrase, tools available to the grand jury, is a term of the art which I interpret to mean the US Attorney’s Office used a grand jury to issue subpoenas to collect evidence but in no way suggests that a grand jury ever reviewed evidence and or heard testimony in the Savage case. I have personal knowledge that key witnesses in Sheriff Bamonte’s criminal complaint to Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick were never summoned to testify or were interviewed by any criminal investigators. I believe Mr. Westinghouse is inappropriately invoking a federal court rule [Rule 6(e)] regarding the disclosure of grand jury information in his refusal to issue a clarification on this point (See RICO RPS Table of Evidence – RW26 Savage case file pages 1 – 2).
I believe Mr. Westinghouse in general terms can confirm that a federal grand jury was empaneled, reviewed evidence and heard testimony. What Mr. Westinghouse is precluded from revealing is specific evidence and or testimony which is governed by Rule 6 (e). Unless of course the disclosure of the empanelment of a grand jury would pose a threat to national security e.g., compromising an ongoing international terror investigation with active agents within the US. The Savage case does not involve such matters of national security that would bar the general disclosure as I’ve outlined.
In a series of public document requests by Larry Shook and me, the County of Spokane has no public records to substantiate this statement that there was a – federal grand jury investigation of the Savage case. Your Chief Civil Deputy James Emacio inferred verbal statements supported this statement [See letter of 06-14-10]. Mr. Emacio said such statements are not disclosable under existing public records law. I disagree as this violates the very intent of the public records law. With what I know, I believe that Sheriff Knezovich and or you were the verbal source of this statement in question in this press release. So far the Board of Commissioners has failed to issue a retraction and or clarification of this original press release. I find this totally unethical and potentially illegal in view of public transparency and a subsequent civil RICO prosecution regarding government corruption by a criminal enterprise.
Mr. Tucker please answer these questions:
Was there ever a federal grand jury that reviewed of evidence and or heard testimony in the Savage case? If so please cite your source.
What is the meaning of your statement at the Leagues’ forum that Sheriff Knezovich supports you?
This is a matter of public trust and confidence in your ability to ensure equitable enforcement of the law in the County of Spokane. This goes to my original challenge regarding your stated support/endorsement by Sheriff Knezovich and your ability to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Mr. Tucker NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. I will hold you accountable at the ballot box if no one else will. Rest assured I will ask these questions, the support/endorsement by Sheriff Knezovich and the federal grand jury issue, during a subsequent public appearance in your campaign for this office.
As I concluded in my RICO report:
In conclusion in my 35-year career as a criminal investigator, this is certainly one of the most blatantly criminal enterprises I have ever encountered. It’s hard to find words to adequately describe it.
The people have been repeatedly victimized by this criminal enterprise – this is organized crime. Organized crime cannot be appeased but must be destroyed because of its corrosive impact on government. The citizens of Spokane and the family of Jo Savage have a fundamental right to ensure that justice is served when their political/ governmental law enforcement bodies and decision makers because of their systemic co-option/ corruption can’t or won’t act to protect them from criminal victimization and from imminent public hazards.
In our legal system the law is of, for and by the People – NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.
Sincerely,
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
Attachments:
RICO Case File
RICO Table of Evidence
Board of Commissioners letter of 06-14-10
UPDATE I:
S-R reporter Clouse now has story running in today’s paper. I posted this comment in the article thread:
Sheriff’s ‘support’ falls in gray area
Candidates for prosecutor parse debate comment
Ron_the_Cop on July 21 at 5:11 a.m.
For more information on this story read my blog post. I asked Sheriff Knezovich in an email about Steve Tucker’s statement at the League’s forum. Sheriff Knezovich replied in an email, “I have not endorsed anyone for any office.” Further Tucker is claiming Knezovich’s support in his printed campaign material and in his statement on the Secretary of State’s online voter information.
UPDATE II:
I’ve been scrubbed again by the S-R. See this email I just sent to online editor Ryan Pitts:
Ryan – Doug Floyd or someone else cesnored my comment in the S-R Blog ‘A Matter of Opinion’ Tues’ open thread re Steve Tucker’s alleged support by Knezovich
Ryan,
Look my comment was newsworthy, timely and in fact I broke this story that Clouse later wrote about. It’s now gone. Since Doug Floyd started this thread and Gary Crooks is out of town I have every reason to believe it was Floyd scrubbed my comment. I’m calling foul.
I had the quote from Sheriff Knezovich that no one else had. He didn’t return calls from Clouse. My comment was very succinct for me. I linked to my post at my blog and to your article by Clouse as well. In the true sense of the the word this is not ‘censorship’ but as a representative of the free press it is quite hypocritical. Why?
See my comment I just posted back in the thread:
Ron_the_Cop on July 21 at 9:41 a.m.
Mr. Floyd,
You censored my comment. I broke this story and linked to my evidence. I also linked to your own story. Are you afraid of the truth? This was not spam.
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
I didn’t bother to keep a screen print of my post but it’s very similar to the one I posted in Meghan’s related blog post on other endorsements in the Co Prosecutor’s race:
Ron_the_Cop on July 20 at 5:14 p.m.
As I follow up I just posted this breaking news on my blog:
BREAKING – Steve Tucker claims support of Sheriff Knezovich – Sheriff Knezovich emphatically says he didn’t endorse anyone
I did post a longer piece in Clouse’s article thread. I’m copying it here to preserve it should it get scrubbed too.
Ron
UPDATE III:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Spokane, WA
July 23, 2010
In view of Spokane Co Prosecutor Steve Tucker’s clarification of his statement of support by AG Rob McKenna and Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich in his bid for reelection, I thought it important to seek clarification of AG McKenna as well. Please see the attached email I just sent to the AG’ Office.
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
Sent via email
July 23, 2010
Rob McKenna, Attorney General
1125 Washington Street SE
PO Box 40100
Olympia, WA 98504-0100
Re: Steve Tucker Spokane Co Prosecutor claim of support by AG Rob McKenna
Dear Mr. McKenna:
At a recent League of Voters’ candidate forum, Mr. Tucker claimed the support of Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and you in his campaign for reelection. I was surprised re the support of Sheriff Knezovich and asked him by email if this was true. Sheriff Knezovich replied emphatically, “I have not endorsed anyone for any office.”
The Spokesman-Review reporter Tom Clouse has since written an article on this issue where Mr. Tucker clarified his support statement. Please see the article and my email to Mr. Tucker that is posted on my website:
Mr. McKenna could you also clarify your position of support of Mr. Tucker?
Also please read my letter to Mr. Tucker regarding your comment in response to my question on the Mike Fitzsimmons Radio Show. I asked you to explain Asst. AG Scott Marlow’s statement to David Savage that the AG’s Office provided political cover to Mr. Tucker in his decision not to file any criminal charges in the Savage manslaughter case. You were dismissive of Mr. Savage’s interpretation of this phone call statement and is of concern to me. I don’t know if you have discussed this with Mr. Marlow. Since then Spokane Co. Commissioner has said the Mr. Marlow in as much said the same to her as he [Marlow] said to Tucker. Could you please clarify your comment on the Fitzsimmons’ Show in light of this new information.
Sincerely,
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)
8921 N. Indian Trail Rd., PMB 210
Spokane, WA 99208
Cc: Scott Marlow, Steve Tucker, Kurt Fackler, David Savage, local officials, S-R Reporter Clouse and local media
UPDATE IV:
I also emailed Ms. Langlie the PIO for the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of WA again seeking clarification of Asst. US Attorney Robert Westinghouse’s comment in his press release re any federal grand jury involvement in the Savage manslaughter case:
07-23-10
Ms. Langlie,
Could you please pass this along to Mr. Westhinghouse. As before I think he’s invoking Rule 6e inappropriately in this instance. I believe he can in general terms disclose whether or not a grand jury was empaneled in the Savage manslaughter caset hat ever reviewed or heard testimony. This is the least he could do in view of what Mr. Tucker did to cover up this homicide that should have gone to trial if someone had done their homework.
If not could you please identify the federal court with docket/case number that issued these subpoenas used to get the Savage case materials so I can bring an action in that court per Rule 6e to disclose in general terms what the involvement of a grand jury in the Savage case was. As you can see from my email to Mr. Tucker that there a serious miscarriage of justice occurred in this case. Some law enforcement officials are purposefully misinterpreting what Mr. Westinghouse said to cover their malfeasance in office. I don’t think the federal court would much appreciate them hiding under its skirts.
Ron Wright
UPDATE V:
BREAKING – Steve Tucker’s at it again claiming support of Sheriff Knezovich on Tucker’s new website:
Mr. Clouse,
Re: Followup – ur story
Sheriff’s ‘support’ falls in gray area
Steve Tucker just put up a reelection website. Under supporters he’s continuing to list the support of AG McKenna and Sheriff Knezovich. The manner in which this is laid out would support that McKenna/Knezovich is endorsing Tucker. As for McKenna I don’t know as he so far has not responded to my inquiry (See my email here). Some one from the press should follow up on my inquiry to McKenna. Of course you know what Sheriff Knezovich’s position is.
Either Tucker is being incompetent with his campaign or he’s again trying to mislead the voters. I think Tucker should be challenged on this and your readers again informed so they can make an informed choice in the primary election.
Here’s the link to the support tab on his website:
http://reelectstevetucker.com/Supporters.html
Attached is a screen print/PDF of Tucker’s web page as it appeared as of about 11:15 today.
Det. Ron Wright (Retired)