EXTRA: Officers disciplined; Tornado watch; TARP repayments
Staff and Wire ReportsOne officer fired, another demoted:
One Marietta police officer was fired and another demoted as a result of an administrative investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior.
Police officer Joe Hilverding was terminated, and Ed Wright's rank was reduced from sergeant to patrolman, according to Marietta safety-service director Chad Presley.
Both men had been implicated in a sex scandal that also cost a city firefighter his job and led a Washington County sheriff's deputy to resign.
The woman at the center of the case today waived her right to a preliminary hearing on three felony drug trafficking charges.
The case against Crystle L. Phillips, 27, of Marietta, will now be presented to a future grand jury for possible indictment.
Hilverding, Wright and Firefighter John Brooks were placed on administrative leave June 5 after allegations of inappropriate conduct against them surfaced in a sheriff's office investigation involving Phillips. Sgt. Robert Eddy, the deputy implicated in the scandal, resigned when questioned about the issue.
Brooks was terminated Friday after a city investigation revealed he took nude photographs of Phillips at the fire station and had sex with her while on duty.
TORNADO, FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT:
Washington and Morgan counties are under tornado and flash flood watches until this evening, according to the National Weather Service.
Marc Pellerito, a meteorologist with the weather service in Charleston, W.Va., said the watches mean conditions could produce tornadoes or flash floods.
"We're kind of waiting and seeing when things are actually going to blow up," he said. "Things are teetering... nothing could happen or everything could happen."
Pellerito said a strong warm front went through the area this morning, followed by a cold front this evening. There is also a lot of shear - wind going in different directions at different elevations - which could lead to the type of rotation that produces tornadoes, he said.
Any flash flooding likely would not be widespread, Pellerito said, only happening in areas where a lot of rain fell.
BANKS REPAYING TARP FUNDS:
WASHINGTON (AP) - Ten large U.S. banks will finish repaying about $68 billion in bailout money Wednesday, marking a new phase for the most visible government effort to relieve the credit crisis, the Treasury Department said.
Treasury said last week the banks could begin repaying money they received last fall under the $700 billion financial system bailout known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. The program was the centerpiece of the government effort to relieve a global credit crunch and teetering financial markets in October.
The banks have since been negotiating with Treasury over the prices of stock warrants they issued as part of the TARP deal. When Treasury made its initial investments, it received the warrants, which give it the opportunity to buy the banks' common shares in the future at a fixed price. The value of the warrants would depend on the shares' future performance.
The pricing of warrants has been a point of contention, slowing the repayment process. Banks want to pay less to tear up the warrants than Treasury says they're worth. But until banks have bought back the warrants, the banks will remain tied to the federal program. Several banks said they had told Treasury they wished to buy the warrants, officially starting the negotiation process.
TARP became a flashpoint for critics of government intervention last fall, when Congress debated whether to commit $700 billion of taxpayer money to the effort.
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NasCarNut
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06-20-09 5:42 PM
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this makes landon smith look like a saint now that's funny...but true...
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bulldog58
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06-18-09 8:53 AM
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this makes landon smith look like a saint
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bulldog58
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06-18-09 8:44 AM
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bill clinton was my role model
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BuckeyeGal
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06-18-09 8:36 AM
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There is no doubt in my mind that Hilverding was just as involved as Brooks. However, he had to have had a different venue for the....ahummm...tate'a'tae. I think that's it's only fair to bring details out on the two police officers as they did the fireman. I'm also wondering the difference in Wright's involvement versus Brooks and Hilverding.
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poopqueen
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06-18-09 7:39 AM
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Thank you isthisnametakenyet1 and Diamonddeb, it is possible that i should have used the work idiot, i will think of a more professional term at a later date. But when teachers do not consider themselves role models and the come on and say that they did not sign on to be role models it is bull. A Teacher, Policeman/woman, Firefighter should be proud to be called role models. Parents are the biggest role models, but not all parents show children the right way, sometimes those kids needs a little help from others. These men are for public safety, take pride in your job and be good role models for everyone not just the children, but the children matter more. Sorry again everyone and to the Times for my use of the word idiot.
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JohnnyRingo
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06-18-09 7:05 AM
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JudeLaw...... "Good Grief"
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insiderdeputy
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06-18-09 6:33 AM
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This department must have new leadership. A leader of men. Being quoted on tv and in the paper daily does not that leader make. A leader in touch. Out in the field as are we. Warming a chair anticipating the next interview does not that leader make. Mr Forshey, come back and bring us some leadership.
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JudeLaw
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06-18-09 6:20 AM
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@DiamondDeb: I must say, I have never cited the Terms of Service. Further, I do occasionally do something besides read the comments on my old hometown newspaper. That said, I reported the personal attack when I read it, as would any responsible member of a community.
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Diamonddeb
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06-18-09 3:02 AM
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Wasn't the woman supposed to appear in court today (Wenesday)? Wonder what the Times will report on Thursday? Stay tuned...
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bigmamac1
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06-18-09 2:36 AM
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ok i think that they got made an example of! but my grandpa always said "Be sure your sins will find you out" she will be made an example of to. they r not letting anyone who isbeing charged with a drug related crimes off easy anymore. as far as er kids go they seemto be taken care of or children services would have swooped in by now! Isaac Eastwood for mayor!
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Diamonddeb
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06-17-09 11:47 PM
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Woah.... Wait a minute here... Where is JudeLaw with his finger glued to the report abuse button? He/She did not hesitate in hitting it many times last night. TOS was often cited by him. When someone calls a person an IDIOT on this dissusion board, it is def. an violation of TOS. In defense of poopqueen... Professionals in uniform SHOULD be good role models for everyone in the community. That is what the word "Professional" means. I not only have children, but also have a degree in education and have worked closely with Wash. Co. Children Services in the past. So... lets keep it clean and not attack any one that posts. I can't believe it. Where in the heck is the TIMES when they really should be monitoring the site. No one attacked anyone personally (like this) and yet the message board was deleated. Don't worry... I'm not the kind of person that is going to hit the Report Abuse button because I don't agree with a comment, but name calling is a little childish.
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IsaacEastwood
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06-17-09 10:46 PM
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I think it as admirable what they do (firemen and police) in that they are putting their lives (literally) on the line every day in their given profession. They are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice if you will, so that we as a society can sleep a little easier at night. If I had to pick a profession as a 'role model' these would be it. Parents should be role models, agreed, but these professions are definitely worth our respect imo anyway.
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IsaacEastwood
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06-17-09 10:07 PM
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I have straightened up the Locker Room in the 2 short years since it's purchase... I think I can do the same for the city of Marietta. Isaac Eastwood for mayor!
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momdude
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06-17-09 9:37 PM
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what the (married) police officers did was inappropriate, but the behavior of the (unmarried) firefighter was "immoral,neglect of duty,discourteous treatment of the public & public indecency"(tues news & sentinel). actually, as part of the public, i'm more offended our fire dept lost a capable and experienced paramedic. don't anybody have a heart attack or get in an accident. we only have 2 medics left & they can't be available 24/7
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momdude
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06-17-09 9:35 PM
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what the (married) police officers did was inappropriate, but the behavior of the (unmarried) firefighter was "immoral,neglect of duty,discourteous treatment of the public & public indecency"(tues news & sentinel). actually, as part of the public, i'm more offended our fire dept lost a capable and experienced paramedic. don't anybody have a heart attack or get in an accident. we only have 2 medics left & they can't be available 24/7
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Cavsfan
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06-17-09 9:21 PM
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I agree, there has to be a lot more to the story. I hope there is more to the investigation.
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interest
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06-17-09 8:56 PM
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There has to be more to this story. What about the other officer from the WCSO. They going to cover up what he did again?
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momdude
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06-17-09 8:53 PM
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It will be interesting to see which city official uses this to help him run for office. Mike Mullen can't be mayor forever.
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poopqueen
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06-17-09 8:48 PM
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Well i will assume by the lack of comments that ppl are satisfied with the decision made in regards to these men. I will also assume that this girl will have to pay for the drug charges. It does not matter if i am satified with the decision, as a citizen, in the end, my opinion does not count. We will have to rely on the decision of the higher ups and assume that they made the right decision, while i may not agree with all of the them. Let's just hope that the rest of the men in uniform use good judgement in their jobs and become better role models. I hope the families of these men get the help and support that they deserve to help them through this, and i hope that this little child gets a better role model to help him/her through life.
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peppie
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06-17-09 8:47 PM
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I think there are more people involved in this than is being told. I still say the firemen who showed her son the fire department while all this was going on are in on this too. At least as accomplices.
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NasCarNut
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06-17-09 6:12 PM
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so another one loses his job...sure hope it was worth it...now lets see how many other women will come forward telling they done the same thing to get out of tickets or what not...don't believe it doesn't happen in this small town...
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