Grand Jury Gets Another Action Request
The Observer has learned that another request has been made to the Grand Jury, asking that the Jury look into past alleged illegal activity in Delaware County, including activity which occurred during the previous Grove City Manager's administration.
The allegations include giving letters to contractors conducting business in the City of Grove but not "for the City of Grove" that exempted them from paying sales taxes; GMSA employees using city equipment to perform services for private contractors on weekends and being paid by the contractors for using the equipment; and illegal disposal of Grove City Property to a private developer by the Grove Municipal Airport Authority employees, possibly authorized by other members of the Grove City government.
The allegations, documentation, and list of persons with possible knowledge of the alleged offenses were delivered to the bailiff outside the Grand Jury room this week. The procedure is that the bailiff gives the material to the Grand Jury directly for their consideration. The jury can consider it, or reject it.
A cover letter with the material states that "the alleged illegal activity has never been tried in a court of law to our knowledge, and needs to be resolved once and for all. If those involved are innocent, so be it, but if there is a question of guilt it's time they are tried by a jury of their peers."
Listed as "persons with possible knowledge of the alleged offenses" are Charles Rowe, former councilman; Richard Ball, former city manager; Gary Dunham, former assistant city manager; Duane Brown, former GMSA Superintendent; Larry Morris, Morris Construction Company of Weir, KS; Terri Abercrombie, Grove Municipal Airport Manager; Rev. Gary Bishop, Delaware Baptist Church; Joe Nowlin; Larry Heston, former Grove Municipal Airport Authority Chairman; Frank Hallacy, former owner of Cedar Oaks, and current city manager Bill Galletly, City Clerk Bonnie Buzzard, and Kenneth Crowder, Grove Superintendent of Streets.
After the jury selection Monday, a Grove businessman approached Judge Robert Haney to question the selection of two of the jurors. Haney was heard to say "I've drawn all the names and if he gives me any more trouble I'll cite him for contempt." Haney then appointed one of the two jurors that was questioned, foreman of the jury.
Besides the original petition from Grove resident Earl Barnes, anyone wishing to request action from the Grand Jury may do so by submitting the material to the bailiff. The Grand Jury can conduct proceedings until June 25, which is 30 days prior to the next election and the deadline set by law.
The allegations include giving letters to contractors conducting business in the City of Grove but not "for the City of Grove" that exempted them from paying sales taxes; GMSA employees using city equipment to perform services for private contractors on weekends and being paid by the contractors for using the equipment; and illegal disposal of Grove City Property to a private developer by the Grove Municipal Airport Authority employees, possibly authorized by other members of the Grove City government.
The allegations, documentation, and list of persons with possible knowledge of the alleged offenses were delivered to the bailiff outside the Grand Jury room this week. The procedure is that the bailiff gives the material to the Grand Jury directly for their consideration. The jury can consider it, or reject it.
A cover letter with the material states that "the alleged illegal activity has never been tried in a court of law to our knowledge, and needs to be resolved once and for all. If those involved are innocent, so be it, but if there is a question of guilt it's time they are tried by a jury of their peers."
Listed as "persons with possible knowledge of the alleged offenses" are Charles Rowe, former councilman; Richard Ball, former city manager; Gary Dunham, former assistant city manager; Duane Brown, former GMSA Superintendent; Larry Morris, Morris Construction Company of Weir, KS; Terri Abercrombie, Grove Municipal Airport Manager; Rev. Gary Bishop, Delaware Baptist Church; Joe Nowlin; Larry Heston, former Grove Municipal Airport Authority Chairman; Frank Hallacy, former owner of Cedar Oaks, and current city manager Bill Galletly, City Clerk Bonnie Buzzard, and Kenneth Crowder, Grove Superintendent of Streets.
After the jury selection Monday, a Grove businessman approached Judge Robert Haney to question the selection of two of the jurors. Haney was heard to say "I've drawn all the names and if he gives me any more trouble I'll cite him for contempt." Haney then appointed one of the two jurors that was questioned, foreman of the jury.
Besides the original petition from Grove resident Earl Barnes, anyone wishing to request action from the Grand Jury may do so by submitting the material to the bailiff. The Grand Jury can conduct proceedings until June 25, which is 30 days prior to the next election and the deadline set by law.
posted by Editor | 2:01 AM
1 Comments:
Good article.
The penultimate paragraph begs several questions:
1. Why would the selection of two jurors be questioned? (possible conflict of interest?)
2. What is the reason for their possible conflict of interest?
3. Why would a judge consider it "giving him any more trouble" to be asked about certain selections?
4. Why would a judge threaten someone with contempt for asking about selection of jurors?
5. Why would a judge appoint one of those questioned to be the jury foreman?
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