Maybe you read the piece in the paper over the weekend about how all those Dallas County deputy constables who blew all those whistles on Dallas County Precinct 1 Constable Derick Evans and former Precinct 5 Constable Jaime Cortes are scared of losing their jobs. They have good reason: The Dallas County Commissioners Court is looking to lose 100 deputy constables. A pending proposal, stopped only by a federal judge till month's end, would transfer their warrant-serving duties to the Dallas County Sheriff's Department.
Far as the deputies are concerned, the commissioners are retaliating for their having ratted out Cortes and Evans back in '08 and '09, when former FBI special agent Danny Defenbaugh turned up all those irregularities, let's say, involving tow companies, campaign contributions and a little something called KwanzaaFest. As The News reported, the deputies believe the commissioners -- one in particular, whose initials are J, W and P -- are also trying to foul up a certain federal investigation. But County Judge Clay Jenkins insists this is just about being more ... efficient. Yeah, let's go with that.
Which bring us to this missive that just arrived in the in-box, forwarded by a Friend of Unfair Park. In it, Precinct 3 Constable Ben Adamcik is taking donations for the deputies' legal defense fund because to see their jobs being sent over to the sheriff is "more than I could bear." Interesting. Jump for the whole letter. And the links.
As a Constable in Dallas County I each work diligently each day to provide services to the Justice of the Peace courts and to be sure that writs, warrants and all other civil process are carried out in the most efficient and timely manner possible. This is not without great risk to my deputies who place themselves in harm's way each and every day carrying out their duties.
For my deputies to share information with law enforcement that has helped make cases against 2 indicted Constables and then be told their positions are being transferred to the Sheriff's department was more than I could bear. Because it is being done to punish these men and women who so bravely stood the test of integrity and blew the whistle. Retaliation is not permitted under the law, and that is what is happening here.
Now I and my colleagues need your support to make sure this does not happen!
As you may have heard a federal lawsuit has been filed to prevent this from happening. Investigation of retaliation against whistleblowers under 20 federal statutes falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Whistleblower Protection Program of the United States Department of Labor's [ Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). New whistleblower statutes enacted by Congress which are to be enforced by the Secretary of Labor are generally delegated by a Secretary's Order[ to OSHA's Office of the Whistleblower Protection Program (OWPP). We believe the law is on our side.
But legal action takes money and that is why I am writing to you today. Won't you help me right this wrong that is about to be done. The injunctive relief won recently will only last until September 30. We must prove to the court that this action by the Commissioners' Court is wrong.
My colleagues and I are not against a reduction in force in these uncertain economic times. But this is much more than that. We have all committed to do our part with the budget reductions the county must make to balance the budget. But not illegally, which is what they are asking us to do.
Please help us with your most generous contribution. Our attorneys are providing us with great expertise, but cannot do all of the work pro bono. So, please fill out the enclosed card, so we may send along our thanks to you and keep you informed as the case progresses.
Checks may be made out to : Dallas County Constable Association and sent to P.O. Box 59503 Dallas, TX 75229 or you may contribute online at www.dallascountyconstablesassociation.com
We would be so grateful for your support.
Very truly yours,
Ben Adamcik
Constable Precinct 3
