VOLUSIA EXPOSED.COM
                   



Correctional officers fired after sexual harassment investigation

Did county officials violate Florida Law conducting these "investigations"?

While investigating complaints of sexual harassment, did the jail uncover allegations of excessive use of force by officers?

Why have these serious allegations been left un-investigated?


Updated
August 30, 2013
"Every organization rests upon a mountain of secrets." - Julian Assange

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THIS PAGE HAS HAD A MAJOR UPDATE
SINCE IT WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON JUNE 17, 2013


Sgt Ben West's and Ofc. N. Schneider's County Personnel Board Hearings have been scheduled
for September 20, 2013 at 9:30 AM at the DeLand courthouse located at 101 N. Alabama Ave.
in the 1st floor Grand Jury Room C153


THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS

Recently (May 2013), the Volusia County Division of Corrections concluded a six month long sexual harassment investigation.

The allegations were brought forward by a male correctional officer (Cella), against a female correctional captain (Hunter).

Ofc. Cella's allegations against Capt. Hunter



Records Provided For Your Review and Determination

VolusiaExposed made a public record request for all documents and files associated with this investigation.

Our desire was to be able to allow the general public, and other members of the Volusia County Division of Corrections, the opportunity to review these records, so that they may draw their own conclusions.

Therefore, you will find the received records incorporated within this web article.

Please be advised, Volusia County officials have advised us that these are NOT all of the records associated with this investigation. Apparently additional records exist that are under review by the county's legal department as to whether they are releasable as public records.

VolusiaExposed intends to do a follow up request on these, yet unreleased, Secret Squirrel records.

Continued Below


VOLUSIA COUNTY JAIL'S
DISCIPLINARY NOTICES
CAPT. HUNTER, SGT. B. WEST
AND
OFC. N. SCHNEIDER


READ THE DISCIPLINARY LETTERS
(West, Schneider, Hunter)
Scroll down to view each page



Sgt. Ben West's
Letter of Termination









Ofc. Nathan Schneider's
Letter of Termination








Capt. N. Hunter's
Letter of Suspension








Capt. N. Hunter's
initial Letter of Demotion








A Quick Reader's Digest Review of the Allegations

According to the below linked reports, in November 2012, Officer Cella filed a jail incident report, alleging that Captain Hunter had engaged in sexual suggestive comments, and had physically touched him in a sexually suggestive manner.

Sgt. B. West and Officer N. Schneider were interviewed by Captain Vanis, the jail's internal affairs investigator. In these initial interviews, their testimony appeared to corroborate some of Officer Cella's allegations.

However, during additional interviews - it was alleged that both Sgt. West and Officer Schneider changed their sworn accounts of what they have witnessed. These allegations caused independent internal affairs investigations to be opened on both West and Schneider for providing false statements.

During Captain Hunter's sworn statement - she was questioned on whether Cella had any reason to provide false witness against her.

Captain Hunter outlines some rather disturbing allegations involving Officer Cella and Sgt. West. These allegations center around some possible excessive uses of force on jail inmates.

In the particular, Captain Hunter discusses a July 2012 use of force on Unit 3 of the Branch Jail, that she referred to as the "bloodbath". (Start on page 7 of Hunter's sworn statement)
Capt. Hunter's Dec 2012 statement

VolusiaExposed has filed a public record request for documents / files associated with the "bloodbath" incident.

Eventually, Captain Vanis' investigation did NOT sustain any sexual harassment by Captain Hunter. However, the investigation did conclude that Captain Hunter did engage in some inappropriate remarks, some of these remarks being sexual in nature. (reference attached training videos)

In a March 21, 2013 Intent to Demote letter, Public Protection Director Recktenwald advised Captain Hunter that, although Captain Vanis' investigation had NOT sustained the sexual harassment allegations, it was his intentions to demote her for engaging in inappropriate comments. (See above scroll box to review the Intent to Demote letter)

Aren't sexually suggestive comments considered to be sexual harassment?


According to the attached documents, Captain Hunter met with Director Recktenwald on April 5, 2013. During this meeting Captain Hunter apparently discussed her usage of inappropriate and rude language during training situations, whereas she role played as a uncooperative inmate.

Captain Hunter supplied Director Recktenwald with some training videos of her engaging in such role playing. VolusiaExposed received a copy of two of these videos in response to one of our public record requests. These videos have been incorporated into this web article.

Based partly on Captain Hunter's use of rude and inappropriate language during these training videos - she was suspended for five days. Her pending demotion to lieutenant was rescinded.

Both Sgt. West and Officer Schneider were terminated.

Word has been received, that both West and Schneider are appealing their terminations to the County Personnel Board.

Officer Cella resigned.

THE COUNTY'S
POUND OF FLESH


In the end - Captain Hunter did not get disciplined for any alleged sexual harassment.

Captain Hunter was disciplined for her comments in the training videos, whereas she was playing the role of an inmate.

Was Captain Hunter correct in using such language in a training situation?

Should correctional staff be trained to prepare for such language?

Did Captain Hunter's sexually charged language, in those training videos, meet the definition of sexual harassment?



CAPTAIN HUNTER'S TRAINING VIDEOS
The language in these videos was the
rationale for Capt. Hunter's suspension
Should correctional officers be trained
to expect such language from inmates?



Ironically, Captain Hunter was disciplined for using some of the very same language that Captain Vanis used in his own investigative reports.

Surely, if it is as Director Recktenwald states, inappropriate for Captain Hunter to use such language during the training videos, wouldn't it also be inappropriate for Captain Vanis to incorporate the very same language into his official reports?

Notice, that in Mr. Recktenwald's letters - he avoids much of the inappropriate language by redacting it.

Given the instructions within Mr. Recktenwald's letter to Captain Hunter - what is Captain Hunter suppose to do the next time an inmate cusses her out? May she should write the disciplinary report stating - "Well the inmate said a whole bunch of bad words - but it would be inappropriate for me to disclose exactly what words the inmate used" ?

Criminal investigators are trained to lie to criminal suspects while interrogating them. In this small part of an investigator's professional life, the law gives him the authority to lie. Yes, unfortunately, many of these officers forget to stop lying when the law forbids it.

In our opinion, rude language for correctional officers, and the ability of criminal investigators to successfully lie to criminal defendants are important tools for both professions. The trick for both, is to know when it's not appropriate or legal to use it.



The Public's Right to Know !
Violations of Florida Law by County Officials?


Volusiaexposed has some concerns that the county violated Florida State law in their investigation of Captain Hunter. (and by proxy, in their investigations of Sgt. West and Officer Schneider)

Correctional and Law Enforcement officers have certain rights while under internal investigation.

Some of these rights are commonly known as the Florida Officer's Bill of Rights and can be found within Florida Statutes 112.531 to 112.535.

Florida Officer's Bill of Rights

One of these rights requires, that all interrogations of officers must be recorded. (F.S. 112.532(1)(g))

Such is extremely important, not only for the subject officer, but also to the public.

A good example of this importance, is the fact, that these recorded interrogations become public record upon the completion of the investigation. It's one of the checks and balances incorporated into the law.



Volusia County has realized, in the past, the importance of "pre-disciplinary" meetings / interrogations to the investigative process.

Volusia County officials have, in the past, delayed our public record requests, stating that they don't consider the investigative process complete until after these "pre-disciplinary" meetings.

Volusia County officials have taken the stance that Attorney General Opinion 95-59 allows them to incorporate these "pre-disciplinary" meetings into their investigative process. We (VolusiaExposed) don't necessarily disagree with this premise. However, if county officials do incorporate these meetings into their investigative process, it is our (VolusiaExposed) opinion, that a legal requirement (F.S. 112.532) exist to record these meetings.

Apparently, the Volusia Sheriff Department does record these pre-disciplinary meetings, while the Division of Corrections does not. Such is NOT consistent with County Spokeperson, Dave Byron's November 11, 2011 assurances to VolusiaExposed.Com.



In this particular instance, there is little doubt, that the April 5, 2013 meeting between Director Recktenwald and Captain Hunter was investigative in nature. Mr. Recktenwald's letter of suspension clearly documents that Corrections Director Ford, Captain Vanis and even Assistant County Attorney Nancye Jones were in attendance. Does this appear to be an investigative interrogation to you?

We (VolusiaExposed.Com) believe it is of investigative significance that Hunter supplied Mr. Recktenwald with new investigative evidence during this April 5, 2013 meeting (the training videos). Further, that after this meeting, one of the main justifications of Captain Hunter's disciplinary action was based on her use of inappropriate language within those training videos, far from what the original complaint was (sexual harassment).

VolusiaExposed holds the opinion that this meeting therefore should have been recorded, as is required by Florida law.

VolusiaExposed.Com has made several requests for this record / recording. To date we have received two responses, as detailed in the below emails from Lt. Mason and County Spokeman, Dave Byron.

On Wed, 2013-05-15 at 11:47 -0400, Scott Mason wrote:
The Volusia County Division of Corrections does not possess requested record (Recording of April 5th, 2013 meeting between Hunter and Recktenwald)


VolusiaExposed - Lt Mason's email

From: Dave Byron
To: VolusiaExposed
Cc: Bernice Wendland
Subject: Re: April 5, 2012 meeting recording
Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:23:43 -0400

There are no recordings anywhere, as previously stated.


VolusiaExposed - Dave Byron's email

Okay, so let's say the county failed to record the April 5, 2013 meeting. Some of our readers might even ask - What's the big deal? After all Captain Hunter only got a five day suspension, that she is not appealing. It was her (Hunter's) rights that were apparently violated - if she is not complaining - who cares.

WRONG !!! - What about Sgt. West or Officer Schneider? Maybe something was said or brought up in that meeting that could assist them in their appeal. What about the citizens of Volusia County? Don't we have the right to review the ENTIRE investigative record, absent any statutory exemptions?

It is somewhat difficult for us (VolusiaExposed) to piece together exactly what transpired, when several pieces of the investigation (puzzle) are missing. Then again, maybe that was the goal of county administration, all along. To leave out important parts of the puzzle - even if that meant violating the law. They (county administrators) have a rather long history of those sort of allegations being lodged against them. (Failure to honor the Florida Officer's Bill of Rights - see section of article further below)



Why Was No Independent Investigation Conducted Into
Captain Hunter's Allegations Of Excessive Use Of Force?


Although Captain Vanis, the internal affairs investigator, did question Sgt. West regarding Captain Hunter's excessive use of force allegations, we (VolusiaExposed) have the opinion that Captain Hunter's allegations should have started a separate investigation into those rather serious allegations. After all, Officer Cella's allegations were enough to start the sexual harassment investigation, therefore surely such serious allegations from a corrections captain should have been enough of a catalyst to open an independent investigation.

Further, Captain Vanis opened independent investigations on both Sgt. West and Officer Schneider for allegedly providing him with false statements. So why was no independent investigation opened into Captain Hunter's allegations of excessive use of force?

It's probably also significant that Florida law (F.S. 943.1395) requires that an internal investigation be conducted, if the agency has cause to suspect that an officer has committed a moral character violation. Being involved in an excessive use of force incident would qualify as a moral character violation.



Is Captain Hunter's July 2012 approval of the Use of Force incident
and her December 2012 sworn statement consistent?



In both Captain Hunter's (Dec. 2012) and Sgt. B. West's (Jan 2013) sworn statements, there is evidence that suggests that Captain Hunter had concerns regarding the July 2012 use of force on Inmate George Hicks. However, Captain Hunter's July 2012 use of force investigation approved the application of force against Inmate Hicks as "very necessary and justified".

(see Hunter's investigative report ------>)

Capt. Hunter's
Dec 2012 sworn statement
see pages 7-8


Sgt. West's
Jan 2013 sworn statement
see pages 3-8


VolusiaExposed again wonders why, the jail did not open an independent internal affairs investigation in these inconsistent positions of Captain Hunter ?

After all, both Sgt. West and Officer Schneider were terminated for their alleged inconsistent statements, after independent investigations were opened on both officers.

Captain Hunter's July 8, 2012 investigative report into the
"Blood Bath" use of force incident

Click here to review the entire investigative packet
on the Blood Bath incident




Given FDLE / CJSTC regulations
An Officer Can Retract His / Her Sworn Statement Prior To The Completion Of The Investigation.


The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) is the governing body for Florida's law enforcement, correctional and probation officers.

The CJSTC is a subsection of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

All of Florida's law enforcement, correctional and probation officers are certified through the CJSTC. Without this certification, these officers could not serve.

The CJSTC have developed moral character standards for officers. These standards can be found within Florida Administrative Code 11B-27.0011.

A copy of FAC 11B-27.0011 has been attached to the right of the screen ----->

CJSTC's moral character standards allow an officer to recant his / her testimony prior to the completion of the investigation

FAC11B-27
(5) A certified officer’s failure to maintain good moral character as defined in subsection (4) of this rule section by committing a violation involving perjury or false statement in a court proceeding, shall not include a statement which was recanted. If the violation involving perjury or false statement is alleged to have occurred in the performance of regularly required work duties or the course of an administrative or disciplinary investigation, a certified officer’s failure to maintain good moral character as defined in subsection (4) of this rule section shall not include a statement in which the officer making the statement conceded such statement to be false prior to the employing agency’s conclusion of the internal affairs investigation in which the false statement related to a material fact. For purposes of this subsection, the employing agency’s internal affairs investigation shall be deemed to be at a conclusion upon the investigator’s execution of the statement required by Section 112.533(1)(a)2., F.S.


CJSTC / FDLE
MORAL CHARACTER STANDARDS
FAC 11B-27.0011

OFFICERS CAN RECANT THEIR TESTIMONY AND
STAY WITHIN CJSTC MORAL CHARACTER STANDARDS
SCROLL DOWN TO YELLOW HIGHLIGHTED SECTION.







Things that make us go hummmmm...

Did Captain Hunter engage in sexual harassment?

Did Captain Hunter recant her July 2012 Use of Force investigative findings?

Did Officer Schneider and Sgt. West perjure themselves?

Who the heck knows, because in our opinion these matters were either not investigated at all, or were not investigated in compliance with Florida law.

And as you will soon discover in the below section of this article, such failures are nothing new to law enforcement within Volusia County government.


ALL DOCUMENTS RELEASED
AS PUBLIC RECORDS


Capt. Hunter's IA report

Capt. Hunter's Dec 2012 statement

Ofc. Cella's allegations against Capt. Hunter

Ofc. Cella's Nov 2012 statement

Ofc. Plotz's Nov 2012 statement

Lt. McBride's Nov 2012 statement

Miscellaneous
document 3


Schneider's IA report

Schneider's Nov 2012 statement part 1

Schneider's Nov 2012 statement part 2

Schneider's Jan 2013 statement

Ofc. Plotz's Jan 2013 statement

Miscellaneous
document 1


Miscellaneous
document 4


Sgt. West's IA report

West's Nov 2012 statement

West's Jan 2013 statement

West's Feb 2013 statement

Sgt. Lowenstein's
Nov 2012 statement


Miscellaneous
document 2


Disciplinary Letters



IS VOLUSIA COUNTY GOVERMENT'S UNOFFICIAL MOTTO
ASK ME NO QUESTIONS AND I'LL TELL YOU NO LIES !?


As stated above, Volusia County law enforcement has a rather long history of breaking the law. Below are just a FEW examples.

Ironic isn't it - that the people we trust to enforce the laws, apparently break those laws on a regular basis.

And it's not just our (VolusiaExposed) opinion - we welcome you to play the below video of local private Attorney Noah McKinnon. In this video, (April 2012) Mr. Mckinnon is advising the Volusia County Personnel Board that Assistant County Attorney, Nancye Jones is not accurately representing what transpired during a January 2012 court hearing. Attorney McKinnon goes on to explain the importance of the county complying with the Florida Officer's Bill of Rights.


Attorney McKinnon advises
the County Personnel Board


Feel free to play the other videos of Attorney Jones (see below) - and determine for yourself, if Attorney McKinnon was correct that the county continually violated his client's Florida Officer's Bill of Rights.

Such gives us pause, that if a county attorney can change her position as a sworn officer of the court - how can that same person allege that Sgt. West and Officer Schneider submitted false statements, merely because they modified their testimony? VolusiaExposed examined some emails from Assistant County Attorney Jones, whereas she alleges such against West and Schneider. These emails have not been released as public records - the county is currently claiming a public record exemption.

Look at the Sgt. Bandorf documents - State law demands that a formal internal affairs investigation be completed, prior to charges being sustained. County officials readily admit in their letters, that no such investigation was completed, but that does not stop them (Clifford) from testifying under oath that a investigation was completed. A complete falsehood ? - but hey, no worries, Assistant Cunty Attorney Nancye Jones pens a letter stating that due to her past experience as a Assistant State Attorney, Jail Director Clifford did not commit perjury.

Then you have the case against Deputy Scott Flesch. Assistant County Attorney Mary Jolley sends Daytona Beach Police Chief Chitwood a thank you letter for the testimony of his officers in the Flesch personnel board hearing.

We invite you to review Daytona Beach Police Officer Kulenek's testimony during the Flesch hearing. Was her testimony consistent with her sworn disposition? Listen to her testify that Flesch immediately pulled over once she turned on her patrol car emergency lights - but Deputy Flesch is still charged with fleeing and eluding a police officer? Does that sound like testimony to be proud of ?




LYING, COMMITTING PERJURY OR PROVIDING INCONSISTENT TESTIMONY ON
DEPUTY S. FLESCH, SGT. J. BANDORF AND CAPTAIN GARDNER
IS HEREBY OFFICIALLY AUTHORIZED

See the below linked reports or videos for details



Four second video clip
County Attorney Mary Jolly in her opening statement, assuring the Personnel Board, that the evidence will support that Deputy Flesch fled and eluded law enforcement officers.



99 second video clip
Ofc. Kulenek prior sworn disposition is inconsistent with her Personnel Board testimony.



143 second video clip
FALSE ARREST?
Daytona Beach Police Officer Kulenek testifies that she was not in legal pursuit of Deputy Flesch, that upon her getting behind him with lights and sirens, he immediately pulled over to the nearest safe spot, but despite these facts, Flesch was still charged with the felony of fleeing and eluding. WOW !!!

Even with the contradictive testimony, and failure to justify Deputy Flesch's arrest for fleeing and eluding, County Attorney Mary Jolley was appreciative for the assistance she received from the Daytona Beach Police Department. Wink Wink !

Assistant County Attorney
Mary Jolley's letter to
DBPD Chief Chitwood



Internal Affairs Captain Ken Modzelewski's statement

Within Captain Modzleweski's above memo - he clearly states that Sgt. Bandorf's May 3, 2004 arrest were (alleged) violations of agency policies and Florida State law enforcement moral character standards (FAC 11B-27.0011).

Captain Modzelewski further documents that no formal investigation into Sgt. Bandorf's alleged violations was conducted.

Well, doesn't Florida Statute 943.1395(5) require such an investigation? (see below copy of F.S. 943.1395(5))

More importantly, according to the below linked CJSTC 78 form - Captain Modzelewski stated that within 21 days of Bandorf's arrest - all charged had been investigated and administratively sustained against Bandorf. How did Modzelewski sustain these charges without conducting a formal internal investigation (as required by Florida law)?

By the way - all the criminal charges listed on the below CJSTC 78 form were eventually dropped by the State Attorney's office.


CJSTC 78 form on Sgt. Bandorf



FLORIDA STATUTE 943.1395(5) The employing agency must conduct an internal investigation if it has cause to suspect that an officer is not in compliance with, or has failed to maintain compliance with, s. 943.13(4) or (7). If an officer is not in compliance with, or has failed to maintain compliance with, s. 943.13(4) or (7), the employing agency must submit the investigative findings and supporting information and documentation to the commission in accordance with rules adopted by the commission. The commission may inspect and copy an employing agency’s records to ensure compliance with this subsection.
Corrections Director C. Clifford's statement

In the above statement Correction Director Clifford appears to admit that she did not, while under oath, speak the truth about Sgt. Bandorf - however, she states that she did not intentionally lie.

Do you believe her?


Public Protection Director
James Willits' letter to FDLE


In the above February 2008 letter from Volusia County Public Protection Director, Jim Willits, he states that there is "no basis" for Bandorf's allegations that senior administrators lied.

Mr. Willits' letter kinda reminds us here at VolusiaExposed of that country music song by Collin Raye - "That's my story and I'm sticking to it".







Shhh...be vewy vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits.
Assistant County Attorney
Nancye Jones' Statement


Assistant County Attorney Nancye Jones comes to Director Clifford's defense - Jones states that Clifford did not intentionally commit perjury - and further advises the reader that her (Jones) legal opinion is based on her experience as a former State Prosecutor.

Nancye Jones was also caught on candid camera, in January 2012, promising Circuit Court Judge Rouse that she would not object to a Beach Patrol Captain bringing allegations to the County Personnel Board that his Florida Officer Bill of Rights were violated.


In a January 2012 hearing in front of Judge Rouse, Attorney Jones assures Judge Rouse that she would NOT object to the Personnel Board hearing the allegations, that Captain Gardner's Florida Officer Bill of Rights were violated by County Officials.


You're despicable !
And what was one of the first things Nancye Jones objected to, at Captain Gardner's April 2012 Personnel Board - you guessed it - the board hearing any allegations that his Officer Bill of Rights had been violated.


April 2012
Attorney Jones places an objection to the Personnel Board addressing any alleged violations of Captain Gardner's Officer Bill of Rights.



Attorney McKinnon advises the Personnel Board, that during a January 2012 hearing in front of Judge Rouse, she promised the judge that she (Jones) would not object, to the violations of the Officer Bill of Rights, being argued in front of the Personnel Board.

DID NANCYE JONES MISLEAD A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE?


-----------------------------------------------



----------------------------------------------------



If you found this article to be thought provoking, we (VolusiaExposed.Com) invite you to review, the below linked, Special Investigative Report, exposing law enforcement corruption with the State of Florida.

SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE'S
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE SERIES ON LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRUPTION

UNFIT FOR DUTY
by Matthew Doig and Anthony Cormier
Tarnished badge, flawed system
Police unions / political clout
Predator in uniform?
What the personnel files reveal
Problems and solutions
Flagrant abuses invite little scrutiny
Problem officers still find work
How serious offenses go unreported
Sworn to protect....their pensions
Governor investigates CJSTC
Additional concerns surrounding the
Volusia County Sheriff's Department


VCSO deputy supplies underage females with alcohol.

VCSO deputy sexually approaches female prisoner?

Sex and the Badge
Extra-martial affairs within the VCSO?


VCSO deputy engaging in sexual relationship, while on duty?

VCSO deputy attempts romantic relationship with felony suspect?

VCSO deputy sexually assaults handcuffed woman.

VCSO deputy reprimanded for domestic violence arrest

VCSO Frangiamore-Carper murder-suicide incident

Questionable In-Custody Deaths
Click Photos


We look forward to your comments on this situation.
Drop us a line to let us know what you think.

EMAIL US



DOES SHERIFF JOHNSON HAVE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM?
Play the above video - and then decide for yourself.

________________________________


Sheriff Johnson claiming that
he does not drink.
(October 2012)


Sex Crimes
and
VCSO Press Releases


The VCSO issued a press release on the Stewart-Marchman molestation incident - but did not issue a press release of a jail rape - why not?

VolusiaExposed.Com article
No VCSO Press Release on Jail Rape?


VolusiaExposed.Com article
Rape at the Volusia Jail



---------------


DID A CONFLICT OF INTEREST
INFLUENCE THE JAIL'S
RAPE INVESTIGATION?


Assistant County Attorney, Nancye Jones handles many of the litigations coming out of the Volusia County jail.

Nancye Jones' husband, VCSO Major Robert Jones, supervises the deputies that investigate possible criminal violations within the county jail.

We have concerns that several criminal investigations have been possibly manipulated, in order to reduce the County of Volusia's civil liability.

Our concern includes this particular in-custody sexual battery investigation, and the below listed situations.

We invite you to review our concerns.

The Mary Knudsen Incident

The in-custody death of Inmate Tracy Veira
Falsification of Documents by County Officials



---------------


The Failure of the FMJS Jail Inspection Process, Florida needs to return to the independent FAC 33-8 Inspection Process.

Florida Jail Oversight in Retrograde



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