The Honorable City Councilmen, Ken Sanchez, hit it perfect when he stated to Channel 7 News, “there is a crisis in leadership; in the City of Albuquerque.” Mayor Berry was asked, do you have any concerns with all the controversy going on in Albuquerque? Berry replied, “Uh…Blah, Blah, Blah…” Berry should have just said up front, I don’t want to answer that question and I am going to avoid it. Berry followed the rules for lying or covering-up; deny, deny, deny and make counter allegations. Berry talked about the great job that the men and women of the City do risking their lives for the citizens. He also talked about his fifty million dollar package he wants from Albuquerque. Berry played the game and basically avoided the question.
Schultz should have been a target in the IRO investigation since he lied and stated that there was no probable cause for a DWI investigation. But since “Ray” is a friend of IRO Deaton, he got a free “get out of jail pass.” This was a sloppy investigation at best. Schultz in all probability ordered Beth Piaz to have Walck change the report. Our eyes tell us, Paiz was on the phone and Schultz could be heard asking Paiz, “Did Walck change that report?!?” Paiz reportedly replied, “No Chief, he has not.” Chief Ray Schultz stated, “Have him change that F-(BLIP)ing report!” Paiz allegedly told the Chief, “yes” and ordered Sgt. Wolley to instruct Walck to change the report. Schultz and Paiz should be primary targets of the IG’s investigation, not only for administrative violations but for criminal violations.If this is true, why would Schultz ask such a question and give such an order? Who ordered him to cover up? Was Chief Schultz ordered to cover up or did he act on his own? All these questions must be answered.
Schultz shared a personal vendetta with Deaton against Walck. Deaton and Chief Schultz attended a meeting at the New Mexico LEA Board in an attempt to have Walck decertified. Their efforts were fruitless; the Board unanimously ruled in favor of Walck. Deaton slammed Walck for not conducting a DWI investigation claiming there was plenty of cause. The problem is Chief Schultz publically stated that there was not any probable cause to conduct a DWI investigation. Deaton still gave his friend “Ray” another “get out of jail free card.” Let’s hang Walck and let Schultz “skate” on this one. This is wrong, very wrong.
Schultz was found guilty of Civil Rights violations against another police officer but was never decertified or disciplined or terminated although a United States Federal District Court found him guilty. Does anyone else besides the Eye wonder why Schultz’ “skated” on this one too but he hounds a 38 year senior veteran?
Deaton should have refused and recused himself from conducting this investigation, however, just like Walck; Deaton was intimidated by his boss. Otherwise, a retired federal judge knows better than to take part in a “political shenanigan.” Maybe that is why it is such a lousy investigation.
Here is one last item of interest. According to the Journal (read it here) RJ Perry, not RJ Berry made a statement to the City Council on Monday, “urged councilors to consider the scope of what they would be asking for. It’s not necessarily a ‘friendly’ investigation to help out local police.” It appears that Schultz may need to give his “friend card” to DOJ. Let us know how this works out for you Chief. The Eye does not believe that the DOJ will honor your card like Deaton did for you.
A DOJ probe should not be “friendly,” it should be legitimate with lawful authority and factual. It is time for Berry to “chop the head off the snake.” The City’s top leadership including APD and AFD need a clean sweep and new executives from outside the current ranks that are tainted.
