A Crook is a Crook

[biku324]

This is embarrassing - my old agency's DWI arrest poster boy has been placed on admin leave while the FBI investigates drunk driving arrest racketeering and corruption involving him, an Albuquerque attorney, and several other officers from Albuquerque Police and Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office.

Sigh. Just screw him - a crook is a crook.

"New Mexico State Police placed its poster boy for DWI enforcement on administrative leave as the FBI investigates a racketeering case in which a prominent attorney paid off law enforcement officers to sabotage their own drunken driving cases.

State Police Chief Troy Weisler on Friday said Sgt. Toby LaFave is on paid leave as the agency does its own internal investigation into allegations that LaFave — featured for years in state ENDWI campaigns — was involved in one of the largest public corruption cases to hit the state.

LaFave, referred to as the "DWI King" for amassing thousands of such arrests (Note - this is a gross exaggeration), has not been criminally charged. He is the first State Police officer to be tied to the FBI's investigation in the 14 months since the decades-long racketeering and bribery criminal enterprise became public.

Over the past three weeks, federal prosecutors have secured guilty pleas from three former Albuquerque Police officers, attorney Thomas Clear III, the self-admitted leader of the operation, and his law firm's paralegal Ricardo "Rick" Mendez. All five have pleaded guilty to criminal charges that included bribery, racketeering conspiracy and extortion." New Mexico State Police place DWI officer on leave in FBI corruption case | News | abqjournal.com

 

[quikdraw67]

Wow, that's pretty bad.

 

[Ματθιας]

The attorney at the heart of the case said he'd been running the scheme for 30 years.

How many LE folks participated?

How many other LE folks knew about it and them but looked the other way?

You can't run a scheme for that long with that many people involved and not have the higher ups not hear about it up to and including the chief and sheriff.

I've said this before New Mexico, corruption is thy name.


Prominent Albuquerque attorney admits to running 'DWI Enterprise' scandal

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnLA1qn4rG4[/ame]

 

[Ματθιας]

Class Action Lawsuit filed against City of Albuquerque, officers amid DWI scandal

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwD8-XcPD1Q[/ame]

 

[Muss Muggins]

Bless his heart . . .

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

We have to keep in mind all accused are innocent until proven guilty.

That being said…some of the biggest crooks I ever dealt with carried a badge. Being a member of the profession does not give license to steal.

 

[biku324]

^^^^Or strut.

 

[pantannojack]

I see way too many non drunk drivers within danger zone of me violating laws infinitely more dangerous than a few beers or whatever: (texting/eyes down, running stop signs, running pink lights, passing unsafely against oncoming traffic, following too close with bright lights, aggressively retaliating about speed obeying drivers in left lane, inattentively fighting with the wife or other... . It has gone too far extremely scapegoating one subset of drivers and giving a pass to others. You will never get me on that side. This is not a political statement. This is an experienced observation.

 

[Rudi]

Whoopsie!!!

 

[Ματθιας]

I see way too many non drunk drivers within danger zone of me violating laws infinitely more dangerous than a few beers or whatever: (texting/eyes down, running stop signs, running pink lights, passing unsafely against oncoming traffic, following too close with bright lights, aggressively retaliating about speed obeying drivers in left lane, inattentively fighting with the wife or other... . It has gone too far extremely scapegoating one subset of drivers and giving a pass to others. You will never get me on that side. This is not a political statement. This is an experienced observation.

New Mexico is 3rd in drunk driving deaths and has been a leader in drunk driving deaths for decades.

 

[lihpster]

I see way too many non drunk drivers within danger zone of me violating laws infinitely more dangerous than a few beers or whatever: (texting/eyes down, running stop signs, running pink lights, passing unsafely against oncoming traffic, following too close with bright lights, aggressively retaliating about speed obeying drivers in left lane, inattentively fighting with the wife or other... . It has gone too far extremely scapegoating one subset of drivers and giving a pass to others. You will never get me on that side. This is not a political statement. This is an experienced observation.

The fact that it specifically involved DUI cases doesn't get me upset. It's the fact that it happened at all. What if the cases were for drug sales or elder abuse or child molestation or murder? Once you sell your badge, it's all fair game. "If you don't want it to come out about your involvement in these DUI cases, you'll look the other way while these six Chechen fellows cross the border."

 

[LVSteve]

New Mexico is 3rd in drunk driving deaths and has been a leader in drunk driving deaths for decades.

During my Christmas trip to/from Texas, I noted the frequent "Report drunk drivers" signs along I-40. Now I know why. Mind you I would not be too surprised that Nevada was also at the wrong end of that list.

 

[Ματθιας]

The fact that it specifically involved DUI cases doesn't get me upset. It's the fact that it happened at all. What if the cases were for drug sales or elder abuse or child molestation or murder? Once you sell your badge, it's all fair game. "If you don't want it to come out about your involvement in these DUI cases, you'll look the other way while these six Chechen fellows cross the border."

Then there are the other LE folks who didn't partake, directly, but knew about the scheme and looked the other way. I think they are just as dirty. The thin blue line, right?

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

A Crook is a Crook...copied

neurolaunch.com copied:
Crooks Personality: Unraveling the Complex Traits of Criminal Minds, by NeuroLaunch Editorial Team, 1-28-2025

What drives seemingly ordinary people to cross the moral line and embrace a life of crime? This question has haunted psychologists, law enforcement officials, and society at large for centuries. The enigma of criminal behavior has captivated our collective imagination, sparking countless debates, studies, and pop culture representations. But what lies beneath the surface of those who choose to walk on the wrong side of the law?

Let's dive into the murky waters of the criminal mind and explore the complex traits that make up what experts call the "crooks personality." It's a fascinating journey that will take us through the twists and turns of human psychology, shedding light on the darker corners of the human psyche....

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

While I would call this a good read, there is much could be added to it.

 

[Onomea]

A crook is a crook.

LEOs should be held to a higher standard. Most, I believe, accept that. Live that. Those that do not. Those that are bent:

Get a rope.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Lets just say I have know both the good and the bad LEO's personnel

 

[moosedog]

Greed and pride, mankind's Achilles heel.

 

[Bald1]

I'd like to know how much $$$$
What's it take for a cop to do this? Couple hundred? Probably not.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I'd like to know how much $$$$
What's it take for a cop to do this? Couple hundred? Probably not.

You'd be Surprised at how little it takes.....Where is the absolute outrage towards the lead corruptor of this scheme, the lawyer? If you think that this idea originated from the cops and they went and found a lawyer to participate, you're nutz. That lawyer deserves a spot in the for a few years as well as a forever disbarrment.

 

[dockmurgw]

Then there are the other LE folks who didn't partake, directly, but knew about the scheme and looked the other way. I think they are just as dirty. The thin blue line, right?

I agree, and my daughter is a State Trooper. Around here this is taken very seriously, and whenever a reprimand or other actions hit the news, its usually the result of another officer reporting the issue. 0 tolerance.

 

[lawandorder]

The bad Officer does great damage to the profession. When you have a crooked Banker, Doctor, Teacher, Preacher,Attorney, Mechanic, Farmer, Gun Dealer or Politician it does not taint those professions. Oh wait the last job might have caused more damage to that profession than any.

Remember the over 24,000 known Line of Duty Deaths of LE Officers.

The number of good ones far out weighs the bad ones. In the history of crime & law enforcement everyone can name lots of bad guy outlaws. How many Officers are known for good. There are thousands of unsung heroes wearing a badge whose names will never be known unless they do something bad or loose their lives while serving.

There are good people and bad people in every profession.
Always have been, always will be.

 

[Pisgah]

I my experience, law enforcement attracts two kinds of people:

1. Those who truly want to serve their fellow man and make the world a better place, and;

2. Criminals.

They like to say "he's one bad apple in a whole barrel"; the fact of the matter is, human nature says the ratio is more like 50/50...

Go ahead and blast me for that opinion. Then, go look at what is being uncovered in DC...

 

[Protocall_Design]

As always, follow the money. It always comes down to "What's in it for me?"

 

[Bullet Bob]

I was watching one of those terrible drivers reality shows the other day, and I was very surprised when a couple of miscreants who had egregiously endangered the lives of innocent drivers in New Mexico had had their charges dropped by NM prosecutors. I don't think it was money (the answer to nine out of ten questions), but a California-like "we don't prosecute much" type of deal. I wasn't aware that was the situation there; but I don't get out much.

 

[326MOD10]

Sir Robert Peele, the father of modern policing, always said "The police are the people and the people are the police".

Basically saying the same people that make up any job will be the ones making up the police as well.

In every job you have those that take pride and do things the correct way. You have those who hang around the gray area. You have those who are outright criminals.

Police work is no different. When you look at the overall numbers of incidents like this vs. the number doing the profession the numbers are low. It just makes for grandiose headlines when someone we put above others falls from grace.

 

[biku324]

You'd be Surprised at how little it takes.....Where is the absolute outrage towards the lead corruptor of this scheme, the lawyer? If you think that this idea originated from the cops and they went and found a lawyer to participate, you're nutz. That lawyer deserves a spot in the for a few years as well as a forever disbarrment.

You, sir, are completely correct.

"For nearly 30 years, Albuquerque attorney Thomas Clear III says he led a criminal racketeering enterprise that paid off generations of law enforcement officers to get his clients' DWI cases thrown out.

The admission came Wednesday as the 67-year-old Clear, at an unannounced hearing in U.S. Magistrate Court, pleaded guilty to bribery of Albuquerque Police Department officers, racketeering conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and interference with commerce by extortion. A sentencing date hasn't been set.: Defense attorney takes plea deal in sprawling DWI corruption case | News | abqjournal.com

 

[biku324]

I'd like to know how much $$$$
What's it take for a cop to do this? Couple hundred? Probably not.

Total client price (attorney, 'assistant') for this scam's DWI fixing was $8500 according to the court documents and video whistle-blower interviews. We'll soon know the crooked cops' prices.

 

[Harrison]

During my Christmas trip to/from Texas, I noted the frequent "Report drunk drivers" signs along I-40. Now I know why. Mind you I would not be too surprised that Nevada was also at the wrong end of that list.

Just an observation, but locally, we have appear to have had an increase in DUI, and just plain insane driving, coupled with the open southern border.

 

[Bald1]

I'd pay $8500 to make a DWI go away lol. I'd like to see the breakdown on who got what. I'm guessing lawyer got the bulk of it

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Total client price (attorney, 'assistant') for this scam's DWI fixing was $8500 according to the court documents and video whistle-blower interviews. We'll soon know the crooked cops' prices.

Pre trial diversion scams are also quite lucrative but you need an ADA on board to get the real bang for your buck. Oh wait.....
Former Lafayette assistant district attorney indicted in federal bribery scheme | Crime | kadn.com