{"id":7458,"date":"2015-10-03T09:50:37","date_gmt":"2015-10-03T13:50:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/?p=7458"},"modified":"2015-10-03T09:50:37","modified_gmt":"2015-10-03T13:50:37","slug":"a-few-thoughts-on-the-rico-civil-suit-filed-by-four-former-savannah-cops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/2015\/10\/03\/a-few-thoughts-on-the-rico-civil-suit-filed-by-four-former-savannah-cops\/","title":{"rendered":"A few thoughts on the RICO civil suit filed by four former Savannah cops"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"e26b170012445c56d240655bdd03f7bf\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: left; margin: 10px 10px 10px 0;\">\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"><!--\r\ngoogle_ad_client = \"ca-pub-5595881567027133\";\r\n\/* Medium Rectangle *\/\r\ngoogle_ad_slot = \"8584504377\";\r\ngoogle_ad_width = 300;\r\ngoogle_ad_height = 250;\r\n\/\/-->\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\r\nsrc=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\r\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you&#8217;re interested in the RICO civil lawsuit filed a few days ago by four former Savannah police officers against 11 others, the best summary might be by Jan Skutch at SavannahNow: <a href=\"http:\/\/savannahnow.com\/news\/2015-10-01\/four-former-savannah-chatham-cops-sue-former-chief-lovett-others-police-corruption\" target=\"_blank\">4 former Savannah-Chatham cops sue ex-chief Lovett, others in police corruption case<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to go right to the PDF of the lawsuit itself, you can find it via the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scribd.com\/doc\/283363239\/RICO-Complaint-against-former-Savannah-Chatham-Police-Chief-Willie-Lovett\" target=\"_blank\">Savannah Morning News<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.connectsavannah.com\/NewsFeed\/archives\/2015\/10\/01\/cop-corruption-brings-rico-charges-against-officials\" target=\"_blank\">Connect Savannah<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.savannahbusinessjournal.com\/index.php\/news-categories\/editorial-opinion\/5202-commentary-appropriate-reaction-to-civil-suit-by-former-police-officers.html\" target=\"_blank\">Savannah Business Journal<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>In the interest of fairness, it&#8217;s obviously worth saying right up front that it&#8217;s hard to know what will happen to this lawsuit, although this isn&#8217;t entirely a situation of &#8220;innocent until proven guilty&#8221; &#8212; we know that criminal activity took place within the SCMPD. And it stands to reason that some good cops probably suffered career damage because of the bad cops, but that doesn&#8217;t mean that the plaintiffs will necessarily win in court.<\/p>\n<p>So, RICO? A screen cap from the lawsuit:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.23.46-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7466\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/2015\/10\/03\/a-few-thoughts-on-the-rico-civil-suit-filed-by-four-former-savannah-cops\/screen-shot-2015-10-02-at-10-23-46-pm\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.23.46-PM.png?fit=1962%2C904\" data-orig-size=\"1962,904\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.23.46 PM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.23.46-PM.png?fit=300%2C138\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.23.46-PM.png?fit=594%2C274\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.23.46-PM.png?resize=594%2C274\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.23.46 PM\" width=\"594\" height=\"274\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.23.46-PM.png?w=1962 1962w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.23.46-PM.png?resize=300%2C138 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.23.46-PM.png?resize=1024%2C472 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.23.46-PM.png?w=1188 1188w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.23.46-PM.png?w=1782 1782w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Among those named in the case are former Chatham County Commission Chairman Pete Liakakis, former Savannah City Manager Michael Brown, and former Chatham County Manager Russ Abolt. The suit alleges that all three men were in fact informed that Willie Lovett (who became Chief and who is now in prison) was corrupt but that the three men protected him and promoted him.<\/p>\n<p>In the SavannahNow coverage, Pete Liakakis has already firmly denied the allegations in the lawsuit, although the words he uses don&#8217;t match the language of the suit:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a lie. I knew absolutely nothing about a police record. \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m upset about it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Liakakis said that he had several conversations with Maj. Gerbino but denied any discussion &#8230; about any kind of criminal record about Lovett. But he said that Claiborne as a lawyer has a responsibility to get definite information instead of trying to damage people.<\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I intend to file an action against him whatever the law is,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I want to take an FBI lie detector test.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a snippet from the allegations involving Liakakis:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.25.32-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7465\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/2015\/10\/03\/a-few-thoughts-on-the-rico-civil-suit-filed-by-four-former-savannah-cops\/screen-shot-2015-10-02-at-10-25-32-pm\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.25.32-PM.png?fit=1946%2C664\" data-orig-size=\"1946,664\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.25.32 PM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.25.32-PM.png?fit=300%2C102\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.25.32-PM.png?fit=594%2C202\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.25.32-PM.png?resize=594%2C203\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.25.32 PM\" width=\"594\" height=\"203\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.25.32-PM.png?w=1946 1946w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.25.32-PM.png?resize=300%2C102 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.25.32-PM.png?resize=1024%2C349 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.25.32-PM.png?w=1188 1188w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.25.32-PM.png?w=1782 1782w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And here&#8217;s what the suit says about Abolt. If in fact the County Manager informed Lovett that one of his officers had called him corrupt, then that looks really, really bad. Read on:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.18-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7464\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/2015\/10\/03\/a-few-thoughts-on-the-rico-civil-suit-filed-by-four-former-savannah-cops\/screen-shot-2015-10-02-at-10-26-18-pm\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.18-PM.png?fit=1936%2C542\" data-orig-size=\"1936,542\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.26.18 PM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.18-PM.png?fit=300%2C84\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.18-PM.png?fit=594%2C166\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.18-PM.png?resize=594%2C166\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.26.18 PM\" width=\"594\" height=\"166\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.18-PM.png?w=1936 1936w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.18-PM.png?resize=300%2C84 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.18-PM.png?resize=1024%2C287 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.18-PM.png?w=1188 1188w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.18-PM.png?w=1782 1782w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.51-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7463\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/2015\/10\/03\/a-few-thoughts-on-the-rico-civil-suit-filed-by-four-former-savannah-cops\/screen-shot-2015-10-02-at-10-26-51-pm\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.51-PM.png?fit=2012%2C1178\" data-orig-size=\"2012,1178\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.26.51 PM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.51-PM.png?fit=300%2C176\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.51-PM.png?fit=594%2C348\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.51-PM.png?resize=594%2C348\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.26.51 PM\" width=\"594\" height=\"348\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.51-PM.png?w=2012 2012w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.51-PM.png?resize=300%2C176 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.51-PM.png?resize=1024%2C600 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.51-PM.png?w=1188 1188w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.26.51-PM.png?w=1782 1782w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The allegations against Brown, which potentially could be supported by former Chief Michael Berkow, are also serious:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.30-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7462\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/2015\/10\/03\/a-few-thoughts-on-the-rico-civil-suit-filed-by-four-former-savannah-cops\/screen-shot-2015-10-02-at-10-27-30-pm\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.30-PM.png?fit=1934%2C664\" data-orig-size=\"1934,664\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.27.30 PM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.30-PM.png?fit=300%2C103\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.30-PM.png?fit=594%2C204\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.30-PM.png?resize=594%2C204\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.27.30 PM\" width=\"594\" height=\"204\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7462\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.30-PM.png?w=1934 1934w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.30-PM.png?resize=300%2C103 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.30-PM.png?resize=1024%2C352 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.30-PM.png?w=1188 1188w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.30-PM.png?w=1782 1782w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.43-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7461\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/2015\/10\/03\/a-few-thoughts-on-the-rico-civil-suit-filed-by-four-former-savannah-cops\/screen-shot-2015-10-02-at-10-27-43-pm\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.43-PM.png?fit=1938%2C702\" data-orig-size=\"1938,702\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.27.43 PM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.43-PM.png?fit=300%2C109\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.43-PM.png?fit=594%2C215\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.43-PM.png?resize=594%2C215\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.27.43 PM\" width=\"594\" height=\"215\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7461\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.43-PM.png?w=1938 1938w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.43-PM.png?resize=300%2C109 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.43-PM.png?resize=1024%2C371 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.43-PM.png?w=1188 1188w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.27.43-PM.png?w=1782 1782w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As a resident who has lived for many years just a few blocks from an open air drug market <em>that everyone has known about<\/em>, I have always been frustrated by the lack of attention to obvious criminality. There really isn&#8217;t much new that I can see in this case regarding the prevalence of street-level drug dealing in the city, but a few snippets show just how obvious and corrupt the system was, with drug squad officers obviously working against the public interest:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.32.09-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7460\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/2015\/10\/03\/a-few-thoughts-on-the-rico-civil-suit-filed-by-four-former-savannah-cops\/screen-shot-2015-10-02-at-10-32-09-pm\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.32.09-PM.png?fit=1958%2C706\" data-orig-size=\"1958,706\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.32.09 PM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.32.09-PM.png?fit=300%2C108\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.32.09-PM.png?fit=594%2C214\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.32.09-PM.png?resize=594%2C214\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.32.09 PM\" width=\"594\" height=\"214\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.32.09-PM.png?w=1958 1958w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.32.09-PM.png?resize=300%2C108 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.32.09-PM.png?resize=1024%2C369 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.32.09-PM.png?w=1188 1188w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.32.09-PM.png?w=1782 1782w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.34.34-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7459\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/2015\/10\/03\/a-few-thoughts-on-the-rico-civil-suit-filed-by-four-former-savannah-cops\/screen-shot-2015-10-02-at-10-34-34-pm\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.34.34-PM.png?fit=1720%2C1148\" data-orig-size=\"1720,1148\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.34.34 PM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.34.34-PM.png?fit=300%2C200\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.34.34-PM.png?fit=594%2C396\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.34.34-PM.png?resize=594%2C396\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 10.34.34 PM\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.34.34-PM.png?w=1720 1720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.34.34-PM.png?resize=300%2C200 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.34.34-PM.png?resize=1024%2C683 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Screen-Shot-2015-10-02-at-10.34.34-PM.png?w=1188 1188w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There is a lot more in the case than I can summarize here. <\/p>\n<div class=\"e26b170012445c56d240655bdd03f7bf\" data-index=\"2\" style=\"float: none; margin:0px 0 0px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<script async src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-5595881567027133\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4374909701\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<!--CusAds0-->\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re interested in the RICO civil lawsuit filed a few days ago by four former Savannah police officers against 11 others, the best summary might be by Jan Skutch at SavannahNow: 4 former Savannah-Chatham cops sue ex-chief Lovett, others&hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-p\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/2015\/10\/03\/a-few-thoughts-on-the-rico-civil-suit-filed-by-four-former-savannah-cops\/\">Read more &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8],"tags":[68],"class_list":["post-7458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-livingsavannah","tag-crime"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1gN9R-1Wi","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7458"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7458"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7458\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.billdawers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}