The Tera Chavez’ family sued APD for the wrongful death of Tera Chavez. The family will now be receiving a settlement against APD for $230,000.00. Tera Chavez’s husband, Levi Chavez, who is an APD officer, was a person of interest in her death. His police issued gun was found right next to Tera Chavez's body. Levi Chavez also changed his estranged wives’ life insurance policy just 17 days prior to her death to include suicide. The family claimed that other APD Officers went into the home in Los Lunas, New Mexico, and destroyed crucial evidence. APD did not have and does not have authority or jurisdiction in Los Lunas. This case is only one of a string of recent costly blunders.Not too long ago, the City, APD and Chief Schultz were sued by Sam Costales. In his suit, Costales claimed that Schultz and the department created an atmosphere where Costales feared for his life and was forced to leave APD. The case originated with Costales testifying in a trial where the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and one of the local race car families, the Unser. Then Sheriff Darren White complained to Chief Schultz. From there it appears that Schultz went after Costales.
The Federal suit resulted in a jury trial. In the end, the jury awarded Costales $662,000.00 plus an additional $200,000.00 in attorney’s fees. The jury also found that Chief Ray Schultz personally violated Mr. Costales’ civil rights along with the Albuquerque Police Department. The jury also found that Schultz’s actions were retaliatory. It appears that the “Blue Vail of Silence” did not work too well for Schultz or at least the jury did not think so.
The lawsuit also named then Sheriff Darren White and a former APOA union official, James Badway, in the case. The claims against White and Badway had been already been settled.
That brings the cost to the City on these two cases to a whopping, $1,000,092.00. These are just highly publicized cases, what about all the cases that we do not hear about? And the Berry Administration is complaining about budgetary issues? Really? Ever wonder why?
The City claims now they can move forward with an Internal Affairs investigation on Levi Chavez. What about an Internal Affairs investigation on Schultz and White? All the work has already been done by the courts. What do you think Mayor Berry?
Whose fault is it that APD keeps paying out big and keeps becoming involved in these types of liabilities? Chief Public Safety Officer Darren White who complained to Schultz about Costales for testifying in the Unser case that involved the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department? How about Schultz for retaliating against Costales after receiving the complaint from then Sheriff White?
This story is not intended to hurt or discredit the families involved in the two cases that have been mentioned. Both families deserve respect and dignity.
Mayor Berry, did you really check out White and/or Schultz before you decided to make them part of your Administration? Mayor Berry, when you were sworn in as Mayor; did you repeat these words, “I swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.”
Mayor Berry??
That’s what we thought…
38 comments:
the beat goes on and the tax payers keep paying. when will berry decide enough is enough, instead he sides with white and schultz and focuses on shutting down blogs to keep the truth under raps. to mayor berry ,are you really ok with an inocent man going to prison for 22 years.this has already killed his father and gave his mother a heart attack. really are you just going to sit there on your hands. and to the republican party wake up .
Any new recruit just out of the academy knows you dont walk into or tamper in any way with a crime scene. Any new recruit knows you do not leave the city. So mayor what the hell is going on here !? I feel sorry for that beautiful young lady and for her family. No amount of money will bring her back,or ease the pain of her family .
Consequences for these lost dollars due to incompetence and bad behavior?
NONE.
To the mayor; How do you plan to re-coop that lost money?
$135,000 from Darren White
$ 80,000 from TJ Wilham
$ 59,000 from Personal secretary.
$275,000 TOTAL by getting rid three positions that are not needed.
THAT'S HOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a citizen I am tired of my tax dollars going to pay for city employees doing wrong.
I am tired of these same city employees keeping their jobs, after my money has paid the settlements.
I wish Tera Chavez family would not have settled. The community needs to hear from all the APD officers Brad Hall was going to question, about the culture of adulter at APD. It has been around for years and has contributed to many families breaking apart.
So after $1,000,000 why is Schultz still chief? If he worked for my private employer he would have been fired. Why is he still here? The community deserves and answer to this question. Will we ever get it? Mayor Berry, HELLO??????? ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
I personally watched the harm caused to my brother by Darren & Ray and I find then both to be despicable. In addition, I know Tera Chavez's family and they are kind and decent people. Quite a few of you cops went right along with Ray and Darren and treated Sam like s**t. Lucky for him the jury saw through all of it and heard all the same things I did at the trial about APD and the blue wall of silence. How sad is it for Tera's family? They lost a precious mother, sister and daughter. Yes, there are some APD cops responsible for destroying that crime scene and I hope what goes around comes around. I can already see that Darren & Ray are going to get what they both deserve. I also feel for the Ahrensfield family, if there husband, brother, son or father was thrown under the bus so Darren could save his own a**. Darren and Ray will get their due and I hope they look nice in an orange jumper. Hang in there Brad and RIP Tera. I hope justice prevails for both your families.
Well there's a promotion coming up for the NE Commander position...better start naming names of WHO SHOULD NOT GET PROMOTED...!!!
Quick Note to Mayor Berry: The citizens of Albuquerque voted you into office and we can sure as hell vote you right back out. Start cleaning up this pathetic circus you have going on inside the 5th floor before the citizens take action. Bring some dignity back to your department and stop allowing people to have their lives ruined because of political gain. It is disgusting, to say the least. Allowing this to go on right under your nose is the same as condoning it, which is the same as participating...which makes you no better than them!
FMB
how long til Levi goes to jail for murdering his wife? This needs to go to trial already.
We can pay for these payoffs, err.. "settlements" by cutting officer pay, training and benefits. AT LEAST YOU HAVE A JOB. Now shut up and go find a PSA to drive TJ to Taco Bell AND BE GRATEFUL YOU HAVE A JOB.
THE JOURNAL REPORTS AFD'S LOGISTICS MANAGER RECIEVED 150 HOURS OF COMPTIME. CHIEF BREEN GAVE THE MATERIALS MANAGER WAY MORE THAN THAT FOR STAYING HOME, WITH A "KNEE" INJURY. CHIEF BREEN, ALSO PAID OUT HIS NEW DC'S COMP TIME. THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
FMB! TJ, IF YOU READ THIS: GO TO TACO BELL!
Look, the answer to the problem of police corruption is simple. Hold the criminals within the police department to same standard as the public. I don't want these people's jobs eliminated. I want them arrested, held without bond, and held in jail without possibility of a trial until they plead guilty. In other words, treat them the way the judicial system treats everyone else. When they are raped and killed in prison, maybe the rest of law enforcement will get the message and will abide by the laws they are supposed to be enforcing.
To 1120PM. Sure the top management of the police department cost the taxpayers millions and you want to punish the officers by cutting their pay and benefits and supplying TJ with a full time driver. If you want to become a target evertime you put on that uniform to go do your job I invite you to do so. It is only Feb. and already 17 police officers have been killed in the line of duty. So put up or shut up. And the next time you need your ass saved call your lawyer or account.
Lets not forget Schultz arriving on scene at UNM Hospital, out of jurisdiction and putting out bad info to the media that was broadcast to the public.
I agree with 824 post, Tera Chavez's family should not have settled. They were the only individuals, not caught up with the political relm, that could expose the Mayor, Chief of Police, and everyone under in APD. Yes, names would be named and families destroyed but at least wive's, husband's, girlfriend's, boyfriend's would know the truth about their significant other extracurricular activities.
APD is full of secrets but looks like all the secrets of the personnel of APD will be exposed, morale is down and I'm sure finger pointing and accusations of all APD will soon be the next step. This is only the calm before storm.
That million dollars they paid out in a few mistakes are nothing compared to what they will pay the Bryan and Ahrensfield families...
Comment 10:38 pm. 'Quick note to Mayor Berry. You are 100% right. We can damn well vote him out, and with that, out goes the rest of the garbage.
MR. BERRY, SURELY YOU MUST READ THIS. THE PUBLIC BY NOW IS SO AWARE. YOU HAD BETTER GET YOUR HOUSE, THIS CIRCUS, THE MESS IN ORDER. I THINK IT MEANS YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING. I THINK IT MEANS FIRING PEOPLE.
THIS WHOLE THING GIVES NEW MEANING TO THE WORD C L U S T E R !!!!
AND.. DARREN WHITE IS THE RING MASTER, THE ONE THAT WILL SURELY BE THE CAUSE OF YOUR POLITICAL DEMISE.
Brad, Shawn, Erica; where are you? Chim in here.
Darren's on the ropes. Finish the job.
yesterday's OpEd piece in the Journal nailed Darren. No amount of spin from the administration oR TJ can fix that.
THE CITIZENS ARE AWARE AND ARE ASKING LOTS OF QUESTIONS.
PAUL HEH FOR MAYOR!
GIVE US OUR CITY BACK!
Brad here: oooo Im here, Im dealing with one stress related catastrophe after another in my family over all of this. Mayor Berry when are you going to wake up!!!! The people you have brought into this administration and left in this administration are going to bring you and the rest of the city down hard I promise you! There is still time left to rehabilitate your term but,,you have to start now by cutting the cancer out! See Darren White for what he is,,,a POS! I hope you dont find out too late that he has lied to you,,,he is making you look like a fool! Both him and Shultz have already cost the city of Albuquerque a boat load of money and in the very near future they will cost the city more! This is for you Shultz- you think trying to shut down the collective voices of Officers and their wives is going to prolong the inevitable,,you think ordering Officers not to talk too or have any contact with me or else face disciplinary action up to termination is going to make one bit of differance,,,read history you idiot! You are pouring gas on yourself and the rest of your corrupt administration and I will be there when the match is put to you! Stay tuned readers soooo many things have come to light in the last few weeks it will blow you away when we post it. Its about time some of you in the media actually do some work -there is a National story brewing here and its slipping through your fingers because of your loyalty to an administration that is imploding!
I also read that during the search of Levi Chavez's home a "significant" amount of marijuana was found. And what about the "stolen" truck belonging to Levi? And to top it off, Levi was a former Los Lunas cop who transferred to ABQ. It seems this guy's tentacles are everywhere.
I never, ever, thought I would say this: bring back mayor for life Chavez. Mayor Chavez had a no settle policy regarding lawsuits plus he didn't "own" the Albuquerque Journal thus they were always publishing something.
I voted for Berry but won't repeat that mistake.
Brad, Lynette Hoisington here. I want to tell you that you have my support, ALL the way. As a matter of fact, you have my HUSBANDS support. Yep, that's right, I said it 5th floor! My husband and I support Brad. If you don't like it, than tough shit! You have crucified an innocent man and deserve everything that is coming your way. I realize that retaliation is your standard up there, so be forwarned, any additional retalitory measures taken against my family, will only be added to the list. Anything you ever need Brad, anything at all, we will do it. Things need to start changing, and I believe you have been used to provide that change. I don't know you well, but you seem like a strong individual, and I believe that is exactly why you have been chosen to fight this fight. Go get em, you have the support of MANY!!!!
WHAT HAPPENED TO COL. HOGAN?
I made huge mistake and I apologize to my fellow 34s. I voted for Berry. I work as hard as possible to ensure that he is a one term mayor!!!!
Well Darren A-Hole; looks like you've got the Hoisington family lined up against you for sure. Here's a well known family whose members have served gallantly over the decades in service to the APD. You sir are disgracing those family members and the rest of the men and women in blue.
YOU GO LYNETTE !!!
I am Sam Costales' sister and I support anyone who will tell the truth about these two bullies. Out world is topsy turvy right now and it's disgusting. Corruption, waste, fraud and abuse are rampant and if people don't stand up for what is right even when no one else will nothing good will come. Our dad (a DOD firefighter) taught us to stand up for ourselves and do the right thing. No we are not perfect, but we never intentionally hurt someone. I'm happy my brother fought back. Brad, I am happy you are fighting back. I don't know anything about you, but I find it criminal if Darren set you up to take the fall for his dirty deeds. I hope you are vindicated and send him up the river where he belongs. Good luck to you!
Men's room WARNING!
Do not enter alone, otherwise enter at your own risk. Make sure you practice the "buddy system", or you will surely be confronted by the 'corn cobber'.
Kimberly Swift , Fire Chief Jim Breen's fiance arrested for leaving the scene of an accident and agravated DWI on 2-19-11. Case no. 110015191. Repeatedly said Jim Breen and Darren White will get her off. Let's see if Darren gets away with another one.
Mayor Berry; why are you afraid of Darren? He got something on you? Did you NOT know what you climbed in bed with?
You got rid of Campbell cause Darren said so? What up with that?
Are you the mayor? If so then stop taking advice and orders from Darren.
He will bring you down with him. It's gonna be a bad fall; one that will certainly kill your bid for re-election. Just saying...
Is channel 13 going to talk about the eye tonight at 10
@ 6:49...Thank you for your support and thank you for supporting what is right. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. The truth always comes out in the end.
No, Channel 13 is not going to talk to any of you. In fact, they showed the chief stating you were all just a handful of disgruntled employees. Surely, no one is this mad over 2%. In other high profile cases and the plaintiff prevailed, I never heard one peep out of channel 13 - hmmmmmm! Maybe it was there and went by sooooo....... fast I missed it. I think you guys need to go to the national media, because it appears in Abq, the media only broadcasts or writes what they are allowed to. How about Oprah, it's her last season, dateline, 20/20, Prime Time etc.
Lynett, you have more courage than most people I have known. Ray and DARREN ARE COMING AFTER YOU, HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU THINK WE CAN RAISE ON FACEBOOK AND THE EYE FOR YOUR DEFENSE FUND. AND DONT FORGET YOU GET TO DISPOSE THE CITY ie RAY, DARREN , LEVY , MAYOR THAT WILL REALLY BE FUN . LETS EXPOSE ALL THE AFFAIRS, THIS PIGSTY NEEDS TO BE MADE PUBLIC.
WAY TO GO SAM'S SISTER. I HAVE TO DISAGREE THAT IT IS UP TO TERRA CHAVEZ'S FAMILY TO HELP ALBUQUERQUE CLEAN UP. IT'S NOT THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH APD AND THEY LIVE IN A DIFFERENT COUNTY. THEY NEEDED CLOSURE AND THEY KNOW THE TRUTH. AFFAIRS, LIES, BAD ARRESTS, LIEING ON AFFIDAVITS FOR ARRESTS IT ALL STARTS AT THE TOP WITH SCHULTZ. EVERYONE KNOWS WHO YOU ARE. A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW IT AND IT GETS COVERED UP. WE ARE QUICK TO SAY THIS PERSON IS A POS DIRT BAG AND REALLY WHEN WE HAVE OFFICERS DOING THE SAME STUFF ARE WE ANY BETTER? WE HAVE WHITE AND SCHULTZ LIEING, STARTING RUMORS, REALLY WHATS THE DIFFERENCE? A BADGE AND OATH?? I DONT HAVE THE ANSWER.
Sam's sister speaking - and I agree Tera's family owes no one anything! If city employees have evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the powers that be at city hall then they need to come forward - any means possible. However, it needs to be the truth and they should be able to back it up. It doesn't matter who did the wrong - no one is above the law!
Good Job Lynette. While I attended the Citizens Police Academy I did a ride-a-long with one of your relatives and he was so modest about who he was that he didn't want to tell me his last name! I support you, your family and of course, Brad, who was such a good sport and let our class beat him with sticks.(Which is kind of what the top brass @ APD is doing to him now-only he doesn't have his puffy suit on!!)
@ post 6:45...this is Lynette..and thank you. I was never fortunate enough to meet my father-in-law (the Grandfather to my 4 children), but I have only heard wonderful stories about him. I am honored to be a part of his family and honored to carry his name. That being said, my husband has served his department for 14 years and has done so proudly. I'm speaking from my own opinion when I say that seeing and hearing everything that has been going on, I can see that it has taken a toll on him. I can see that he has lost faith in his department and has become dissapointed in an organization that he has always respected. I only hope that Brad gets the justice and the freedom that he deserves. He has been through far too much and has been used as a scapegoat. I am hoping there is a silver lining to all of this madness and that the turmoil will be worth it in the end.
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