There are two types of people in this World, them that ask questions and them that will not answer them. It has long been an illegal work ethic that you defend your coworkers, no matter what, but that school of thought could land you in prison. Businesses are expected to compete fairly and honestly and not knowingly deceive, intimidate, or misrepresent customers, competition, clients, or employees. While most companies operate within the boundaries of the law, some do knowingly break the laws or take questionable steps in their zeal to maximize profits and gain a competitive advantage. Six sworn deputies, retired Lieutenant Gregory Thompson (age 54), Lieutenant Stephen Leavins (age52), Deputy Gerard Smith (age 42), Deputy Mickey Manzo (age 34), Sergeant Scott Craig (age 50), and Sergeant Maricela Long (age 46), who were working in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, attempted to influence witnesses with bribes and use of cell phones in jail. These officers also threatened an FBI agent with arrest, and concealed an FBI informant, who should have been turned over to federal authorities.
The plot began in 2011, when the six suspects, who were law enforcement officers, learned that a jail mate was an FBI informant and was acting as a cooperator, in a federal investigation, into corruption and Civil Rights violations in the jail. As part of the conspiracy, records were altered to make it appear as if the cooperator had been released, but he was re-booked under different names, so to hide him from the FBI. Then Sergeant Scott Craig and Sergeant Maricela Long confronted an FBI special agent, at her residence, in an attempt to intimidate her into providing details about the investigation, and to tried to deter the FBI from conducting the federal investigation. The sergeants falsely told the special agent, and later her supervisor, that they were obtaining a warrant for her arrest. The FBI uncovered the plot and arrested All six of the defendants: retired Lieutenant Gregory Thompson (age 54), Lieutenant Stephen Leavins (age52), Deputy Gerard Smith (age 42), Deputy Mickey Manzo (age 34), Sergeant Scott Craig (age 50), and Sergeant Maricela Long (age 46) and they were convicted of participating in a broad conspiracy to obstruct justice. Prosecutors and the judge came down hard on the team because they broke the law, actively engaged in corruption, and tried to impede a federal investigation. Many were surprised that the crew, who got a job to uphold the law, threw their careers away, and are now serving jail time. Their sentences range from 21 months in prison to 37 months. Justice teaches us not to love punishment but, fly it for necessity.
Randolph Harris II International 