UPDATED
GAG ORDER SIGNED 03/15/11
The judges signed Liberty County DA, Mike Little's "gag order" with the best of intentions but other motives by Mike Little are at play here, not the 12 year old's protection.
Liberty Dispatch has learned that Liberty County DA, Mike Little's motivations are very suspect. We have learned that an increasing number of national media have asked him about charges against him for the sexual assault of a black man named, Michael Lynn Blue. The Mr. Blue case is working its way through the Liberty County courts at this time.
The Michael Lynn Blue case number at the Liberty County District Clerks office is: CR24373
OUTSIDER UPDATE: TEXAS RANGER LEADERSHIP IS CHANGING HANDS
It's March 2011 and we, The Outsiders, continue to investigate & maintain pressure on the local Liberty County corruption. In our last Update we explained that we had expanded the scope of our investigations and we had expanded the scope of our Complaints to include the leadership of the Texas Rangers. In this report, we seek to inform Liberty County Residents of noteworthy changes occurring within the leadership of the Texas Rangers and our ongoing activities.
Former Texas Ranger Clete Buckaloo has been appointed to head up a new investigative unit with the Department of Public Safety. The Unit's personnel focus on combating corruption among law enforcement officers and personnel. The new unit is part of the State’s new multi-jurisdictional approach with the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in order to combat several types of crime. As the OAG’s Director of Law Enforcement, Clete Buckaloo oversees the Fugitive Unit, the Cyber Crimes Unit, the Special Investigations Unit, the Facilities Security Unit, the Criminal Litigation Unit and the Professional Standards Unit. Director Buckaloo will also coordinate the Fugitive Unit’s work with DPS, TDCJ and local law enforcement as they create the new Sex Offender Parole Violation Apprehension Teams. Director Buckaloo assumed the new post in Austin on Jan. 15, 2011. See the official press release at this website:
https://www.oag.state.tx.us/alerts/alerts_view.php?id=250&type=3
The newly created Director of Law Enforcement position seems very unique as it involves several government agencies and the restructuring of some agencies.
Several news stories about Clete Buckaloo exist and he was even featured on the cover of the April 2007 issue of Texas Monthly. See the following websites:
http://www.bccourier.com/Archives/News_detail.php?recordID=100211N6
http://www.dallasjustice.com/dallascriminallawyerblog/retired-tex-ranger-buckaloo-heads-new-texas-team-to-stop-corrupt-cops
http://governor.state.tx.us/video/interviews/15214/
http://www.texasranger.org/E-Books/Oral%20History%20-%20Buckaloo,%20Clete.pdf
http://www.texasmonthly.com/preview/2007-04-01/feature
The Outsiders, wish Director Clete Buckaloo and his team well in their efforts to weed out government corruption in Texas. We hope that this change will lead to Complaints of government corruption being taken very seriously by the Texas Rangers as our last Update featured a Complaint and an Appeal to Texas DPS regarding local Texas Ranger, Grover Franklin (Frank) Huff and the leader of the Texas Rangers, Antonio (Tony) Leal. This brings us to the next big change in the Texas Rangers...
Antonio Leal, the youngest man to ever serve as the leader of the Texas Rangers, will be retiring at the end of this month. Also, a new interim leader of the Texas Rangers has already been selected. See: Attachment #1 (Texas DPS Press Release). Although The Outsiders are aware that there have been other Texas citizens who have had problems with Texas Ranger Leal, many of us feel that the Appeal letter featured in our last Update was likely the straw that broke the camel's back. See: Attachment #2 (Complaint Appeal to Texas DPS Director Steven C. McCraw, by Robert F. Valdez) The timing seems right, but the reader can decide for himself if Leal's retirement and the Complaint Appeal letter to the Texas DPS Director are somehow connected. However, regardless of the reason, Antonio Leal will no longer be in charge of the Texas Rangers and that change is likely for the better.
The Outsiders, would like to take this moment to encourage the citizens of Liberty County to trust that the system can work if we all stay vigilant and do our part. If people who have been wronged by government officials diligently file Complaints and actively make their issues known to the community, it can make a difference. Oftentimes, government agencies have Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) rules that require a Complaint to be filed before any investigations can begin. For this reason, citizens should seek out what the appropriate procedure is for filing Complaints when they are wronged. We live in unique times. The internet gives citizens more access to government information than ever before and the citizens are able to communicate like never before. Although not every Complaint or other action against corruption will succeed, every reasonable action someone does to fight corruption makes it easier for the next person to get justice. Even organized corruption can be curtailed if the citizens stand up for their rights in large numbers. We have seen it. When corrupt government officials know they are being watched, they do less crime. In short, good government requires maintenance by the citizenry.
This brings us to the latest Outsider activity. We have been busy sending a flurry of Texas Public Information Act (PIA) requests to all corners of Liberty County government and we have been busy with a lot of research and undercover work. A great deal of information and provable evidence has been coming in. Honest citizens and local government officials have been busy gathering information and even taking pictures of crimes large and small. We will be filing more Complaints where we are finding wrong doing and we plan to report that government related criminal activity (with the evidence to prove it) on this website soon. The Outsiders, ask that if you're a corrupt government official or one of their accomplices: please smile. It makes for a better picture.
Once again we would like to thank all those citizens and govt. officials who, despite all the risks, continue to contribute hard evidence to fight corruption and help the system work correctly.
#1 DPS PRESS RELEASE - Texas Ranger Chief Retires.pdf
#2 02-20-2011 APPEAL Letter to DIRECTOR of TEXAS DPS et all.pdf
Sincerely,
THE OUTSIDERS
Former Texas Ranger Clete Buckaloo has been appointed to head up a new investigative unit with the Department of Public Safety. The Unit's personnel focus on combating corruption among law enforcement officers and personnel. The new unit is part of the State’s new multi-jurisdictional approach with the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in order to combat several types of crime. As the OAG’s Director of Law Enforcement, Clete Buckaloo oversees the Fugitive Unit, the Cyber Crimes Unit, the Special Investigations Unit, the Facilities Security Unit, the Criminal Litigation Unit and the Professional Standards Unit. Director Buckaloo will also coordinate the Fugitive Unit’s work with DPS, TDCJ and local law enforcement as they create the new Sex Offender Parole Violation Apprehension Teams. Director Buckaloo assumed the new post in Austin on Jan. 15, 2011. See the official press release at this website:
https://www.oag.state.tx.us/alerts/alerts_view.php?id=250&type=3
The newly created Director of Law Enforcement position seems very unique as it involves several government agencies and the restructuring of some agencies.
Several news stories about Clete Buckaloo exist and he was even featured on the cover of the April 2007 issue of Texas Monthly. See the following websites:
http://www.bccourier.com/Archives/News_detail.php?recordID=100211N6
http://www.dallasjustice.com/dallascriminallawyerblog/retired-tex-ranger-buckaloo-heads-new-texas-team-to-stop-corrupt-cops
http://governor.state.tx.us/video/interviews/15214/
http://www.texasranger.org/E-Books/Oral%20History%20-%20Buckaloo,%20Clete.pdf
http://www.texasmonthly.com/preview/2007-04-01/feature
The Outsiders, wish Director Clete Buckaloo and his team well in their efforts to weed out government corruption in Texas. We hope that this change will lead to Complaints of government corruption being taken very seriously by the Texas Rangers as our last Update featured a Complaint and an Appeal to Texas DPS regarding local Texas Ranger, Grover Franklin (Frank) Huff and the leader of the Texas Rangers, Antonio (Tony) Leal. This brings us to the next big change in the Texas Rangers...
Antonio Leal, the youngest man to ever serve as the leader of the Texas Rangers, will be retiring at the end of this month. Also, a new interim leader of the Texas Rangers has already been selected. See: Attachment #1 (Texas DPS Press Release). Although The Outsiders are aware that there have been other Texas citizens who have had problems with Texas Ranger Leal, many of us feel that the Appeal letter featured in our last Update was likely the straw that broke the camel's back. See: Attachment #2 (Complaint Appeal to Texas DPS Director Steven C. McCraw, by Robert F. Valdez) The timing seems right, but the reader can decide for himself if Leal's retirement and the Complaint Appeal letter to the Texas DPS Director are somehow connected. However, regardless of the reason, Antonio Leal will no longer be in charge of the Texas Rangers and that change is likely for the better.
The Outsiders, would like to take this moment to encourage the citizens of Liberty County to trust that the system can work if we all stay vigilant and do our part. If people who have been wronged by government officials diligently file Complaints and actively make their issues known to the community, it can make a difference. Oftentimes, government agencies have Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) rules that require a Complaint to be filed before any investigations can begin. For this reason, citizens should seek out what the appropriate procedure is for filing Complaints when they are wronged. We live in unique times. The internet gives citizens more access to government information than ever before and the citizens are able to communicate like never before. Although not every Complaint or other action against corruption will succeed, every reasonable action someone does to fight corruption makes it easier for the next person to get justice. Even organized corruption can be curtailed if the citizens stand up for their rights in large numbers. We have seen it. When corrupt government officials know they are being watched, they do less crime. In short, good government requires maintenance by the citizenry.
This brings us to the latest Outsider activity. We have been busy sending a flurry of Texas Public Information Act (PIA) requests to all corners of Liberty County government and we have been busy with a lot of research and undercover work. A great deal of information and provable evidence has been coming in. Honest citizens and local government officials have been busy gathering information and even taking pictures of crimes large and small. We will be filing more Complaints where we are finding wrong doing and we plan to report that government related criminal activity (with the evidence to prove it) on this website soon. The Outsiders, ask that if you're a corrupt government official or one of their accomplices: please smile. It makes for a better picture.
Once again we would like to thank all those citizens and govt. officials who, despite all the risks, continue to contribute hard evidence to fight corruption and help the system work correctly.
#1 DPS PRESS RELEASE - Texas Ranger Chief Retires.pdf
#2 02-20-2011 APPEAL Letter to DIRECTOR of TEXAS DPS et all.pdf
Sincerely,
THE OUTSIDERS
VICTIMS: Liberty County Taxpayers
As readers of Liberty Dispatch will remember, there is a case in the 253rd Judicial District Court of Liberty County concerning charges by a black prisoner that Liberty County DA, Mike Little sexually abused him by sodomizing him. Michael Lynn Blue filed his case against Liberty County DA, Mike Little on 11/09/2010.
The charges go on to state that DA Little used or traded the sexual contact as an unwanted barter for a reduced sentence. The case filed in Liberty County is filed under case number #CR24373.
The problem with this case beyond the obvious charge of homosexual abuse and official oppression of a prisoner is another fact- which places Liberty County taxpayers and State of Texas taxpayers in a position of abuse by DA Little.
The abuse occurring is county and state taxpayers having to effectively pay for Liberty County DA, Mike Little’s legal representation. Furthermore, in addition to county and state taxpayers having to pay for DA Little’s representation is the outrage of someone from his own office representing him. His first assistant Liberty County DA, Anne Streit is the one who county and state taxpayers are paying to represent Liberty County DA, Mike Little on a criminal based charge.
Texas Law* clearly states a Criminal District Attorney is NOT entitled to legal cost reimbursement.
County/State Law** clearly states the county does not have a duty to provide legal counsel for a criminal charge involving a County Criminal District Attorney.
Apparently, the Liberty County District Attorney, Mike Little has publicly suppressed the criminal charge made against him and his use of county funds for his defense. The unauthorized use of county assets for his legal defense also rises to the charge of illegal use of county assets.
Liberty County has come a long way but this lingering injustice and corruption has stalled the progress and strides made in the recent past elections and has created a victim out of Liberty County and State of Texas taxpayers.
*State of Texas: A criminal district attorney is not a covered person under section 104.001, a criminal district attorney is not entitled to be defended by the attorney general or receive reimbursement of defense costs under that chapter. (Criminal charges, DA) See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. 104.001-.005
**County of Liberty: As a court has determined, however, a county does not have a general duty to provide for the criminal defense of any of its officers and employees. See White v. Eastland County, 12 S.W.3d 97, 102 (Tex. App.--Eastland 1999, no pet.). A pertinent statute, section 157.901 of the Local Government Code, requires a county to employ and pay for private counsel to represent a county official or employee in an action arising out of the performance of public duties. See Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. 157.901 (Vernon 1999). The court in White determined that section 157.901 creates a duty to provide for a defense in civil cases, but does not create a duty to defend an official or employee against a criminal charge. See White, 12 S.W.3d at 102. The court in White also determined that the common law does not impose a duty on a county to pay for the criminal defense of its officers and employees. Id. at 103. Consistently with the opinion in White, we conclude that a county does not have either a statutory or common-law duty to provide for criminal defense expenses of an officer or employee.
Dear Editor...
I have a few thoughts on the longsuffering and the politics in our county. If I may I would like to share them with your readership.
Thomas Paine stirred the American spirit in the 1700’s when he encouraged the colonists to “oppose not only the tyranny but the tyrant”. This is one of the most famous phrases Paine wrote in his pamphlet Common Sense and it is not difficult to understand why it was important that it be said. In fact, it needs to be said now in Liberty County.
The abuse and misuse of office in Liberty County is well known. But we need to face the facts that Thomas Paine faced over 200 years ago and realize that it takes more than just hating corruption. It takes more than just recognizing something is wrong in the courthouse.
Paine points us to what may be common sense but something that is less common to act on. In addition to opposing corruption, Paine says we have to oppose the corrupt people involved too. By most accounts King George III was a popular head of state. But after he refused to change his ways and reacted so aggressively in response to the Olive Branch Petition, it took someone like Paine to help people to see that though the King may be loved, opposing him was the only way to be free – and the only way to free the King from being a tyrant.
The good people of this county are in many ways just like the patriots in Paine’s day. Most people are not eager to see someone lose their job or to face the consequences of their behavior. Most people hate corruption, but they do not expect to find out that the corrupt are their friends and neighbors. We almost would rather just continue to gripe about corruption and do nothing rather than find out the county is being victimized by someone that we know or someone whose family we really like.
In the days following the American Revolution and Thomas Paine’s famous writings, the British and King George III became the United States’ number one trading partner. In knowing that, we need to realize we too need to oppose our friends when they are doing wrong. We need to help take them out of a position of authority. We need to stop allowing their corruption to hurt so many people. Then, as the patriots did with the King, we can try and renew our relationship with them.
Thomas Paine stirred the American spirit in the 1700’s when he encouraged the colonists to “oppose not only the tyranny but the tyrant”. This is one of the most famous phrases Paine wrote in his pamphlet Common Sense and it is not difficult to understand why it was important that it be said. In fact, it needs to be said now in Liberty County.
The abuse and misuse of office in Liberty County is well known. But we need to face the facts that Thomas Paine faced over 200 years ago and realize that it takes more than just hating corruption. It takes more than just recognizing something is wrong in the courthouse.
Paine points us to what may be common sense but something that is less common to act on. In addition to opposing corruption, Paine says we have to oppose the corrupt people involved too. By most accounts King George III was a popular head of state. But after he refused to change his ways and reacted so aggressively in response to the Olive Branch Petition, it took someone like Paine to help people to see that though the King may be loved, opposing him was the only way to be free – and the only way to free the King from being a tyrant.
The good people of this county are in many ways just like the patriots in Paine’s day. Most people are not eager to see someone lose their job or to face the consequences of their behavior. Most people hate corruption, but they do not expect to find out that the corrupt are their friends and neighbors. We almost would rather just continue to gripe about corruption and do nothing rather than find out the county is being victimized by someone that we know or someone whose family we really like.
In the days following the American Revolution and Thomas Paine’s famous writings, the British and King George III became the United States’ number one trading partner. In knowing that, we need to realize we too need to oppose our friends when they are doing wrong. We need to help take them out of a position of authority. We need to stop allowing their corruption to hurt so many people. Then, as the patriots did with the King, we can try and renew our relationship with them.
STILL PAYING FOR THE PAST
The four to one vote yesterday in Liberty County Commissioners’ Court is a sure signal Republicans are not going to sit on the fence and waste a great deal more time on this controversial issue. They voted to halt the ongoing project to remodel the old Wal-Mart store into county office space and an emergency shelter. Liberty County Judge Craig McNair made the motion, adding he would like to see the building put of for sale to recoup some of the money already spent on the project. As expected Democrat Liberty County Commissioner Todd Fontenot voted against halting the project he and Lee Groce and Phil Fitzgerald initiated.
Before local politicians simply take a loss in the real estate market, Liberty Dispatch would like an answer to the questions centering on a middleman making suspicious profits off of the county’s purchase of this property. Rumors still are adrift about Todd Fontenot, Lee Groce, and Phil Fitzgerald giving thumbs up to a middleman purchasing the old WalMart building and then selling it to Liberty County in a pre-arranged “deal”. We would love for that rumor to be false, but in the midst of one scandal after another, we would like this to be verified before taxpayers simply take hundreds of thousands of dollars of loss in a sale of this property.
We also would be interested in hearing Phil Fitzgerald’s side of the story about any agreement he believed he had with Bruce Stratton and the hospital district or if it is true he paid over a million bucks for this property and had no inkling of a deal with anyone.
Our hats are off to Liberty County Judge, Craig McNair for moving on this issue. Liberty County taxpayers needed to hear a reasonable plan to develop the property or an exit strategy. Now we can at least recover some of the money the Democrats blew and we can get the building back on the tax rolls. Somewhere soon we hope there is an end to how much and how long we will pay for the past.
Before local politicians simply take a loss in the real estate market, Liberty Dispatch would like an answer to the questions centering on a middleman making suspicious profits off of the county’s purchase of this property. Rumors still are adrift about Todd Fontenot, Lee Groce, and Phil Fitzgerald giving thumbs up to a middleman purchasing the old WalMart building and then selling it to Liberty County in a pre-arranged “deal”. We would love for that rumor to be false, but in the midst of one scandal after another, we would like this to be verified before taxpayers simply take hundreds of thousands of dollars of loss in a sale of this property.
We also would be interested in hearing Phil Fitzgerald’s side of the story about any agreement he believed he had with Bruce Stratton and the hospital district or if it is true he paid over a million bucks for this property and had no inkling of a deal with anyone.
Our hats are off to Liberty County Judge, Craig McNair for moving on this issue. Liberty County taxpayers needed to hear a reasonable plan to develop the property or an exit strategy. Now we can at least recover some of the money the Democrats blew and we can get the building back on the tax rolls. Somewhere soon we hope there is an end to how much and how long we will pay for the past.
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