Pubdate: Wed, 21 Feb 2007
Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2007 Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.heraldtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/398
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n219/a05.html
Author: Varinia Van Ness
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

FORFEITURE CONTRACTS STILL BEING USED

I am Delane Johnson's attorney, who just obtained a favorable ruling 
from Judge Peter Dubensky regarding the Bradenton Police Department's 
Contraband Forfeiture Agreement procedures.

Friday, I finished a deposition of Detective Mike Skoumal of the 
Bradenton Police Department. He testified at a deposition, unrelated 
to the Johnson case, that as late as last week (Thursday) he used the 
"contract" to take someone's property.

It was reported in your paper that Mayor Wayne Poston said, 
"Obviously, we'll do whatever the judge says. If he says we ought not 
to do (the waivers), that's fine."

It was also reported that Police Chief Michael Radzilowski said, 
before the judge's ruling, "I want to follow the law."

The ruling was signed by the judge on Feb. 9. I wonder why it has 
taken so long for the judge's opinion to sink in on the mayor and the 
chief of police and for the two of them to communicate to employees 
the doubts expressed by the judge.

Whatever the case, the judge's ruling regarding these contracts has 
had little effect, if any, on the manner in which the Bradenton 
Police Department takes people's property and twists the law!

Varinia Van Ness

Sarasota
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman