The Piercing Truth

This is right from the dictionary and seems to describe Albuquerque, Berry and Schultz. Fascism (f ash ,izem) noun An authoritarian right wing system of government and/or social organization. (in general use) extreme right wing, authoritarian, chauvinistic and/or intolerant views or practices. Fascism tends to include a belief in the supremacy of one group over another, national, ethnic, especially social strata or monetarily; a contempt for democracy, an insistence on obedience to a powerful leader, and a strong demagogic approach. Compliments of one of our Eyes

May 14, 2009

Still on the Payroll

Before we get started here we've got to make it clear that we are all for the concept of innocence until proven guilty. That being said, we're also for the equal application of justice. Thursday's Albuquerque Journal picked up on a part of a story that we told you about last week - the update on the Tera Chavez case (read it here).

One of our many concerns was that Officer Levi Chavez was still on the payroll some 18 months after being placed on administrative leave. Again, Chavez is only a "person of interest" (ok, suspect) in his wife's untimely demise. But, Chief Schultz routinely terminates officers for far less.
Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz said Wednesday that he is frustrated by how long the investigation is taking. Schultz said his hands are tied because, if he starts an internal investigation into Chavez and disciplines him, it could taint the criminal case.

"This is upsetting. Unfortunately (Valencia County investigators) have put us in an untenable position," Schultz said. "They have made the allegations that Levi Chavez is a suspect in a homicide investigation and in a fraud investigation. I can't in good conscience put him back to work protecting the community with those allegations out there looming."
What's upsetting is that a Chief who has an officer whose actions have already triggered numerous criminal investigations hasn't seen fit to start his own internal affairs investigation - even though he has a habit of starting IA investigations and leaving them open... until???
Valencia County District Attorney Lemuel Martinez said Schultz could conduct his own internal investigation and discipline Chavez without tainting any criminal case, because anything Schultz finds out could not be used in criminal proceedings.
As you can see, the DA in Valencia County isn't at all worried about an APD Internal Affairs investigation because its findings cannot be used in a court of law.

It seems as if Chief Schultz has not even initiated an investigation of Chavez even though the APD officer seems to have been implicated in not one but two criminal investigations. Our question is why? Why is Chavez still on the payroll when other officers have been terminated for far less? And Why is Schultz so willing to protect Chavez?

52 comments:

Anonymous said...

What's the story on the insurance fraud? The Journal and the Eye need to explain how many officers are involved, who they are and what happened.

Anonymous said...

Have other officers been terminated prior to an "initiation" of an investigation? Also, do you think it may have something to do with the fact that at least 4 other APD officers could be involved and that opening the can of worms on Levi would trigger the flood waters on the 4 others? Sounds like the Chief has a real mess on his hands.

Anonymous said...

He is related to Martin Chavez.

Anonymous said...

wow how bout that hamby? first of all there is now way in hell that any motor officer would ever sleep with her, henz tried to in espanola but that was a no go because meat was in route after the recon class, anyway isnt there a statute for adultery? I mean cmon sauer, badway, armendariz,and lets not forget the gold n black, you know what i mean hamby. bring back trish !!!!!

Anonymous said...

Sorry if I'm skeptical of something that is presented as fact on a blog, but how is Levi Chavez related to Martin Chavez? Where's the family connection?

Anonymous said...

Of all the police officers in town, why does this Clown represent APD in Washington DC? Who made that bone head decision and WHY?

Anonymous said...

Put Winter on the Scamera Artist Mug Shot Wall. His assistant lobbied for the cameras in Santa Fe. Winter’s assistant held the Majority leader’s hand throughout the process. It passed and the cameras will stay. If you do not put him on the wall, you are not being honest with your readers

Put Cadigan on the wall. His firm cashed checks from RedFlex. This company sold the idea to the administration and RedFlex now has the lucrative contract. Redflex paid for lobbying services directly to the Cadigan Firm If the black eye does not report all info, people will stop reading it.

Anonymous said...

The Chief has disciplined a bunch of officers before any criminal acts have happened. he isnt discplining levi because there are too many cans of worms that would be opened. Chief, what about conduct unbecoming and truthfulness? Both Levi and Heather told family members that APD put BOTH of tghem on UnPAID leave and told family members they needed money. The family got together 12,000 and gavce to them. They were scamming their own family!

Anonymous said...

gUESS THE da IN VALENCIA COUNTY TOLD YOU CHIEF

Anonymous said...

Heh I have a feeling Heather will be terminated long before Levi for some of the lies she's told that will come out during the civil suit.

Anonymous said...

The chief sure is a piss poor liar.

Anonymous said...

Ha, you guys think you got it bad....Bobby Rolfhs was fired for doing what the Sheriff asked him to do!!! and they skipped him twice for promotion to Lt. on top of that...Why??? because in the I.A. investigation Bobby gave up the Sheriff for asking him to do it....they bring him back in and ask him a new line of questions written by the Sheriff...sounds fair??? No, and then they held onto the investigation and did nothing until it seemed Darren was clear to run for congress.....seems to be common practice as most write ups come a year and sometimes later....

Anonymous said...

Levi and Heather in DC on union dues...WTF!!!...hey Eye...you got some financial data for us or what????

Anonymous said...

Levi is not there on union funds. He paid his own way!!!

Anonymous said...

The investigation in Valencia County will never go anywhere due to the substandard level of law enforcement in that area. The State Police should have been asked to assist and or take over the case entirely once VCSO handled it like a greased football in the first place. And as far as the DA goes, he cherry picks what will make him look most impressive statistically in order to retain his position. Too bad for the victim and the overall interests of justice.

Anonymous said...

Wow, is the whole Rolfs family corrupt, or was it just Bobby and Richard?

Anonymous said...

The father could not on APD because of issues.

Anonymous said...

Its all about the numbers! They probably count him as two 34s one at work and one on leave.

Anonymous said...

If VCSO has enough evidence for Probable Cause to go to the Grand Jury and get a true bill then lets get going. Once the Grand Jury gives a true bill, guess what LEVI will be TERMINATED!!!! VCSO the ball is in your court, get on with it, Homicide and Insurance Fraud lets get going! You guys crawl like a turtle get going with your paperwork and investigation!

Anonymous said...

I dont care if he paid his way or not. He is worthlessa nd the chief has enough to fire him now. Heather is no better!

Anonymous said...

heather filed for divorce 4/23/08 and was granted 6/24/08. she filed for a marriage license 7/1/08. Levi killed his wife 10/20/07. How fucked up is that? Come on 5th floor get these two out of the dept. Great way to be parents Heather and Levi.

Anonymous said...

bring back beth baland for spokesperson! she sounded profesional when she spoke at least!

Anonymous said...

He paid his own way!!! GRRRR!!

Perhaps he did so with insurance money from killing his wife huh?

Anonymous said...

Any police dept in any city is a reflection of the people they represent. Think about it.
In most cities, the majority of people are law abiding citizens. However, in Albuquerque some people who are law breakers want special treatment because of who they know politically. Some people like to play dumb and whine about being picked on for breaking the law. The police dont know how to handle either one. Is is because the police dont get the support they need from their leadership? And our judges are just plan scared to punish people for petty misdemeanors to major crimes.(Sit in Metro Court one day and you'll learn the meaning of liberal) You'll understand why mandatory sentencing was invented. So do we need to wonder why crime is so out of control?

Anonymous said...

They need to fire them both! He is just going to burn her anyhow. The poor girl can't even leave the house without Levi's permission. He controls her like a puppet. How can she put her small child in such danger?

Anonymous said...

Who's to say Steve isn't giving Heather extra money to "help" out with the situation, anyone think about that??

Anonymous said...

Ditto with the other post for the CONGRATULATIONS to Deputy Chief Michael Castro. Its been said that he is going to have a little one in about 6 months.

Well, that could not have happened to a nicer guy! Good luck with that situation DC! You reap what you sew.

That's what I call Karma.

PS, do something with that piss poor dye job.

Anonymous said...

DC Castro havin a baby? is it with a PSA like that former commander that just all of a sudden retired?

Anonymous said...

What a bummer for Castro......I'll bet he just wants to crawl under a rock and hide. He may have to kiss that sweet life style away.

Anonymous said...

Steve would not give Heather Hindi the sweat off his back! She really burned him and did the family a total number. However, Karma will follow her and she will get what she has coming. Good luck with that Heather Hindi

Anonymous said...

Ditto to Heather whatever her last name is now.

Anonymous said...

Hindi, Chavez, Aragon, Smith, Jones??????

Anonymous said...

Gee, I guess DC Castro won't be able to retire anytime soon now. He will need to keep his health insurance for the new addition, not to mention child support on DC's pay.

Anonymous said...

Steve Hindi is a creep,always stalking young ladies on traffic stops. He is getting some karma too!

Anonymous said...

I hope its not true that DC Castro is having a baby with a woman other than his wife. This must be heart breaking to his wife. A new life should be a joyous occassion not one that brings shame to a family! What an example he leaves if this is true

Anonymous said...

Wasn't Hindi Matt Griffin's buddy back in the ninja bandit days?

Anonymous said...

His wife does not know about it! They are trying to keep it real hush hush.

Anonymous said...

i like secrets

Anonymous said...

So does DC Castro

Anonymous said...

Hey by the way her name is not Beth Baland its Captain Beth Paiz, she does a great job where ever she goes. This is one Female that deserves every thing she has and she also earned it by being herself no help from anyone. She is the most intelligent female on the department. She is a leader, maybe some of the men should learn from her.

Anonymous said...

wow! high school all over again. fingers are being pointed. names are being called. maybe an adult figure needs to grab you by the ear and sit you in time out!

Anonymous said...

Fire Levi Chavez already. The guy was on probation and could be fired without reason. What's the hold up Chief!

Anonymous said...

this is so funny! so spill it! who's the dc's baby momma? and which ex commandor left that got someone pregos? this is fun!

Anonymous said...

Someone said it's Officer Debra Aragon. The commander was Henz.

Anonymous said...

wow! read all about it here! extra extra!

Anonymous said...

"Wasn't Hindi Matt Griffin's buddy back in the ninja bandit days?"


Are you suggesting that Hindi was working with the Ninja bandit? Wasn't there some guy that got murdered around that time too?

Anonymous said...

If so, maybe Levi did it. No one will ever trust him as an APD 34 any longer. His name is mud.

Anonymous said...

I would have to agree. I would not turn my back on Levi or trust him on a late night call. To think, I did take calls with the guy just before all this shit went down, scary stuff my friends, especially, cause it sounds like he did it.

Anonymous said...

Henz got some PSA prego so he retired who cares! He dont work here anymore so hes untouchable like Barboa and Cordova!

Anonymous said...

Enough already,why don't you guys grow some,tell who ever the hell is bothering you how you feel face to face!

Anonymous said...

Levi Chavez is dirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Levi is a nobody with out APD. Do the Department a favor take youself out already!