Sunday, September 30, 2007

Spears' Statement of Economic Interest Missing Work For Colts

The Star's Brendan O'Shaughnessy reported last November that IMPD Chief Michael Spears works security part-time for the Indianapolis Colts' organization. Yet, his 2006 statement of economic interest signed by Spears on March 10, 2007 makes no disclosure of the part-time job. The form asks Spears to respond to this question: "Have you received any compensation from any business entity, which to the best of your knowlege, is doing or contemplates doing business with an agency of the city of Indianapolis or Marion County during your term of office or employment with an agency of the City of Indianapolis or Marion County?" Spears responded to the question by putting a checkmark in a box next to the word "No". Spears also lists IMPD as his only employer.

The Colts in fact have a lease with the Capital Improvement Board of Managers for the use of the RCA Dome and have a new lease agreement with the agency for Lucas Oil Stadium, which the Colts will move into next year. Mayor Peterson defended Spears' part-time work in O'Shaughnessy's article. O'Shaughnessy wrote on November 24, 2006:

Police experts said moonlighting is common for officers but rare for a police chief because it could put the person who most represents public safety in a city in a compromising position.

If, for example, a player were to get into trouble with the law, it could appear as if the team was paying the chief to win special treatment, experts said.

Spears said he doesn't think his outside employment, which is done on his own time, poses a conflict of interest, and he rejected any notion that it could lead to preferential treatment for a Colts player.He said he has worked at Colts games since 2000, though he does not expect to continue doing so after he becomes chief of the merged city and county department next year.

"My first responsibility is to the Indianapolis Police Department and always has been and always will be," said Spears, a 25-year veteran. "Should anybody conduct themselves in a way that is illegal, nothing will be swept under the carpet. I pride myself on my integrity.

"Mayor Bart Peterson and Public Safety Director Earl Morgan said they didn't see any problem with Spears or other top officers following guidelines for outside employment.

Peterson said he has confidence in Spears' judgment and integrity.

"It's the same opportunity available to every other officer," Peterson said. "The key point is that he does it on his own time."

It's simply inexcusable that Spears wouldn't disclose his relationship with the Colts. Perhaps he subsequently terminated his relationship with the Colts, but the statement of economic interest covered the 2006 calendar year. Or perhaps he doesn't think he needs to disclose it because the actual security contract is with a separate company that independently employs him for the security work. In either case, the spirit of the disclosure law dictates he disclose the relationship.

The IndyGov website is once again posting the economic interest statements of city and county officials after a several year hiatus and after a number of complaints, including one from this blog. There's an interesting disclosure by Councilor Lonnell Conley (D). "I am contemplating through my Production and Promotion Company Inc. to produce a "Blues and Family Fiesta" during summer celebrations co-sponsored by IBE and the City of Indianapolis." Councilor Jackie Nytes (D) discloses that her husband's printing business, Printing Partners, has printing contracts with the city and the county. She also discloses she was employed as a construction manager for her husband's business through December, 2006 on an addition and renovation project for the business. Councilor Ryan Vaughn (R) discloses a long list of clients of the law firm where he is employed, Tabbert Hahn, which also do business with the city or county. The firm also serves as counsel to the library board.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is there any reason they only posted the 2006 statements? What happened to all the other years?

Anonymous said...

You're preaching to the choir here.

Anonymous said...

You can't blame him for not disclosing it, Monroe did the same thing and nothing happened to him

Anonymous said...

Why is it not a firing offense, and a chargable offense for the chief of police to falsify an official document? The previous poster is correct, Sweet Pea has done it for years and nothing has hapened to him either. Brizzi and the US Attorney have let this city slide into an abyss of corruption. They should be ashamed. Politicians do corrupt things, because that is what they do; like puppies that aren't housebroken. The prosecutors are apparently in bed with the cabal.

Anonymous said...

King Ro lied.

I have seen he and Mrs. C sitting in the city's Conseco suite at Pacer games. Each suite ticket for a Pacer game is valued at $115.

The city receives those tickets, and the suite, as part of the CIB's negotiated agreement on Conseco.

What a complete tool.

Wilson46201 said...

Dumpster-diving again, Gary?

Oh - sorry! When you do it, it's called exposing the evil-doers by dint of research in public records. When folk that differ in politics from you do it, it's "dumpster-diving", "sliming", "negative campaigning", "malicious attacks", etc...

Anonymous said...

it's all dumpster diving, Wilson, (D) or (R), they are NOT perfect.
Even though you think the (D) is the almighty and perfect in every sense of the word, both parties have their faults. MAJOR FAULTS for both. You have Julia, (R) has Mitch.

garyj said...

All Spears would have to do is say, "DO OVER" and all will be OK!
It worked for Monroe, it will work for Spears.

So, AI, in your opinion, is Gray a Ghost Employee?

Anonymous said...

Wilson, dumpster diving?? uh how about just bringing out the truth. If the tv media or Star brought attention to it..it's 'investigative reporting'.
What's your thought on the M. Gray story this morning?? Nothing wrong? It's ok to collect a paycheck and no work product recorded? I guess it's ok for Greeson to utter ' bull dyke while in his uniform?? Your Mayor doesn't like sexual harassment , but did not do anything about it.. At leo departments it's called 'conduct becoming an officer...
But if someone finds out something about one of your beloved party's faithful, it's dumpster diving???????
me thinks you need to go away..and take those NOT so upstanding people you .

Anonymous said...

At leo departments it's called 'conduct becoming an officer..
Should be UNBECOMING an officer!!~!~
was typing tooooooo fast

Anonymous said...

no, you're just stupid.

Gary R. Welsh said...

Wilson, The statement of economic interests are posted on the city's website for all to see. No dumpster diving required, just a click away.

Anonymous said...

Is there anyone on the city council who doesn't have a financial interest in the city or county?

Unknown said...

I believe that, under the terms of the stadium lease, CIB is required to provide all game day security for the Colts. Which rather strongly suggests that Spears would be an employee or contractor of CIB and not of the Colts. See Section 7.1(e) of the lease, which is available online.

Gary R. Welsh said...

The services aren't being provided in his capacity as IMPD chief; otherwise, there wouldn't have been a question in the first instance. He was being paid separately for this work, and I believe it included work at away games.

Anonymous said...

With the sterling example and precedent set by Mr. President, how can anyone be held accountable for failure to properly report?

Monroe Gray is a despicable lout, and Spears isn't far behind. One word hasn't been used anywhere for Monroe's "work" and it deserves to be aired: lazy.

And not very bright. On one work day, while clocked in, he sat outside a peashake parlour for two hours, in a city vehicle with Carl Drummer. "Community liaison" indeed. I guess the illegal gamblers need some interfaceing with IFD.

More than anything, they think we're stupid. Watch for the pushback: anyone who questions their judgment can be tossed aside pretty harshly.

Spears isn't quite as arrogant as Monroe. But his actions in this matter are pretty blatant and outrageous.

Sir Hailstone said...

$83K for "make work do nothing" job. Hell, for half that I'd give up my dayjob and do some serious blogging!

*sigh*

Anonymous said...

"My first responsibility is to the Indianapolis Police Department and always has been and always will be," said Spears, a 25-year veteran. "Should anybody conduct themselves in a way that is illegal, nothing will be swept under the carpet. I pride myself on my integrity.

Well now, this statement apparently didn't apply to Marvin Harrison when he physically assaulted a police officer in a downtown garage over a dispute regarding a vehicle he owned.He was on the phone to Spears immediately and the incident WAS swept under the carpet along with the videotaped evidence that Spears personally checked out of the police property room. The tape has never been seen since.

Unknown said...

How do we go about doing a public records request for the documentation regarding the tape and a copy of the tape?

Anonymous said...

Mark at 12:27, don't worry about a public records request-- The city will just respond with "no records responsive to your request."