Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Letter to WMC-TV

This letter is being written on our blog.  We will be sending an email to WMC-TV referring them to this site.


Dear WMC-TV:


We are writing to you to complain about 2 Tunica County incidents you reported on in Feb 2014. 


The first incident was about the arrest of our County Administrator, Michael Thompson and the second incident was concerning the warrant served on the business that is co-owned by our Board of Supervisors' Attorney, Ellis Pittman.  In both stories WMC-TV asked the public to stay tune for more on these developing stories.


Well, we've stayed tuned to your station and there has not been a follow-up story on either of the above cases.  Without follow-up, these "stay tuned" announcements amount to nothing more then character assignations on these two gentlemen.


May I refer you to two articles on this blog.  The first is on Fri, 7 May 2014, and talks about the incident with Michael Thompson.  Although this article does not state anything about an investigation into the arrest of Michael Thompson, our Board of Supervisors has voted to have an independent investigation about this incident.


The second articles is dated Sun, 9 Mar 2014.  This is a reproduction of a letter addressed to the Tunica County Board of Supervisors about the incident at Revelation Hospice in Clarksdale, MS.
Might WMC-TV question the expense and unnecessary use of helicopters and the number of armed agents?  Yes.  Did you?  No.


Barbara Tuchel

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Letter from W. Ellis Pittman, Esq.

Below is the text of a letter sent to the Tunica County Board of Supervisors on Sunday, March 2, 2014


RE: Recent Media Coverage Regarding Revelation Hospice


Dear Members of the Board:


The purpose of this letter is to address the allegations and recent media coverage involving Revelation Hospice.  It has been reported to me that (3) of the supervisors have been bombarded with questions regarding the recent events involving Michael Thompson and myself.  Clearly, as to the members of the board that supported my appointment (Supervisors Nickson, Daley, and Williams);  I want to put your minds at ease about this situation.  As to President Dunn and Supervisor Burnett, I assure you that I am here to represent the entire Board of Supervisors for Tunica County.  I have always operated my businesses as I have lived my life and that is with honesty and integrity.


On February 27, 2014, I was at a hearing in Chancery Court when I received a telephone about agents from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Federal Bureau of Investigation being present at the office of Revelation Hospice.  I spoke with the OIG agent in charge who advised me that they just wanted to let me know what was taking place and that I could come by when I finished in court.  After the hearing, I went to Revelation Hospice and there were approximately thirty (30) armed agents on the scene.  I was told that a helicopter was flying over the building prior to my arrival.  The OIG agent in charge informed me that they had a search warrant for records.  I responded that as a condition of being a Medicare provider we have to allow them access to all records at any time with or without a warrant of subpoena.  When I questioned the agent about the numerous FBI agents in tactical gear, I was advised that the FBI was there to provide security for the OIG agents who are also armed law enforcement agents.


What is not reported in the news is that the staff of Revelation Hospice fully cooperated with the agents from OIG as they all agreed to be interviewed and answer any questions that were asked.  In addition, I fully cooperated with OIG and agreed to be interviewed.  I also offered to allow a search of my law office as well as my home.  I was told that there was not a warrant for that and my reply was that I would sign a consent because I would rather that they do their show all in the same day versus knocking on my door at 2:00 a.m. in the morning.  The agent in charge stated that they had done what they needed to do and did not wish to search my law office or home.  The FBI did not raid nor take part in getting the files or any other items from Revelation Hospice.  The OIG agent in charge stated that they were not there to shut the business down, but that they were there to get records.


My ownership in Revelation Hospice stems from the startup funds I provided.  As to the day to day operations and management, that is left to the expertise of the medical staff and licensed physicians.  On January 21, 2014, the Mississippi Department of Health made an unannounced visit to Revelation Hospice to review patients' files, talk to employees, and visit patients' home.  They did not bring a search warrant, state troopers, other armed law enforcement officers, news media, or a helicopter, which is completely different from the February 27, 2014 visit.  The staff at Revelation Hospice fully cooperated with the State Department of Health and I have attached hereto a copy of their findings from their survey.


It is no coincidence that the news media showed up at the same time that Agents from OIG and FBI arrived.  It is not a coincidence that the arrest and detention of Michael Thompson occurred on the day before the February 12, 2014 board meeting. (Note: s/b February 13, 2014)  It is not a coincidence that the search and media coverage of a business, that I am a co-owner of, occurred on the same day as the February 27, 2014 board meeting.  It is not a coincidence that the U. S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Mississippi is involved in this matter.  It is no coincidence that only my picture and name were used in the media coverage.  Needless to say, I truly believe that there is more to the situation involving Revelation Hospice.  Usually, there is a great deal more than is printed in the paper and shown on a thirty (30) second news clip.


I have practiced law for over eighteen (18) years and there has never been any form of disciplinary action taken against my professional license.  In my law practice, I have always represented individuals in the type of cases that many lawyers will not touch.  I accept cases involving sexual harassment, discrimination based on race, religion, and gender.  Although I have represented many law enforcement officers, I have also filed lawsuits against many governmental entities based upon the activities of law enforcement officers.  Further, I represent people with serious problems in not so popular matters, which create serious feelings and emotions toward me.  My representation of ostracized people and tough cases shall continue because when I stop where will they go.


Just last year, I represented the only African-American Assistant U.S. Attorney in the criminal division in the Northern District of Mississippi in a case that was being investigated by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).  During that investigation, a charge of discrimination was brought against the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.  A confidential agreement was reached in said matter.


An over whelming number of MBN cases are brought by the Criminal Division of U.S. Attorney's office in Oxford, Mississippi.  The deputy sheriff that initiated the stop on Michael Thompson is a former agent for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN) that was terminated for alleged misconduct.  I represent the deputy and the Court file is a matter of public record.  MBN was ordered by the Administrative Law Judge to reinstate the deputy.  The decision was appealed to the full board who upheld the decision to reinstate the former agent.  MBN has filed a further appeal to the Circuit Court of Hinds County and I am still the attorney of record for the deputy.


Last year a lifelong resident of Quitman County was arrested in Memphis for possession of a felony amount of marijuana.  Agents from MBN obtained a warrant from a Quitman County Justice Court Judge and went to the home of the suspect's girlfriend and seized approximately $300,000 in cash.  I filed a civil lawsuit for the return of the money and expect that the Court will order the money be returned to me.


Let me be clear, the innuendoes printed and shown in the media coverage regarding me are false.  I appreciate the words of encouragements and support that I have gotten from so many people.  Supervisors Nickson, Daley, and Williams, your decision to appoint me is not one that you will regret.  President Dunn and Supervisor Burnett, if you work with me and listen to my legal advice you will find that I am a skilled and knowledgeable attorney.  I have always and will continue to represent my clients with honesty and integrity.


Should any of you have any additional questions or comments, please call, you have my cellular number.


Sincerely,
PITTMAN & ASSOCIATES, PLLC


signed  W. Ellis Pittman, Esq.



Friday, March 7, 2014

Hello Sheriff Hamp

Just finished reading your report in today's Tunica Times and I noticed a couple of dates have been left out.


These dates would be 5 Feb 2014 and 12 Feb 2014.  You could have written "no arrests" after these dates but you didn't.  Did you think we wouldn't notice these two dates were skipped?  We all know what happened on 12 Feb 2014.  What happened on 5 Feb 2014?  We have a right to know.


Let's talk about 12 Feb 2014.  Ring a bell?  This is the date you arrested our County Administrator, Michael Thompson.  This is what we understand the facts to be.  Feel free to write in the comment section of this blog to correct anything I may have misstated.


On 10 Feb 2014, I understand you interrupted a meeting in Mr. Thompson's office.  Mr. Thompson asked you to leave.


On 12 Feb 2014, I understand Mr. Thompson and Tunica County Comptroller, Alex Wiley, left the administration building together at approximately 6:30p.


Mr. Wiley was driving the car.


One of your deputies pulled Mr. Wiley over and stated that he was "swerving".  Note: No breathalyzer test was taken or suggested.


Your deputy suggested Mr. Wiley allow Mr. Thompson to drive.


About a half mile down the road, your deputy pulled Mr. Thompson over and stated that he (the deputy) had failed to run Mr. Thompson's license and there was a warrant for Mr. Thompson's arrest.
Note: It was later discovered there was no warrant for Mr. Thompson's arrest.


Mr. Thompson was cuffed and taken to jail.


At 7:39p your inmate roster on your website showed Mr. Thompson in an orange jumpsuit.


During the evening of 12 Feb 2014 or early morning of 13 Feb 2014, it was discovered that Mr. Thompson was having blood pressure problems.


Did your department call an ambulance?  No, you did not.


What you did was to cuff and shackle Mr. Thompson and put him in the back of a Sheriff's car and transport him to the hospital.


Are you kidding me?  What is your problem Sheriff Hamp?  You had no warrant and you treated a citizen like a criminal.  This man, Michael Thompson, is a father and a husband.  What would you have done if Mr. Thompson had had a stroke while he was in your custody?


Sheriff Hamp, at the last Board of Supervisors' meeting, you read your "Mission Statement".  Actions speak louder then words and your actions toward Mr. Thompson shows that you and your department do not follow your own "Mission Statement".


Last month, while driving on Hwy 61, my car stopped running.  I pulled over, put on my flashing lights and called my husband.  While my husband was enroute to help me, a MS State Highway Patrol Officer stopped and asked if he could help.  I rolled down my window and told the officer my husband was on his way.  Had this Highway Patrol Officer been one of your deputies, I would not have rolled down my window.


Now back to Mr. Thompson.  There are medical bills to be paid in relationship to Mr. Thompson's care while he was in your custody.  The Transparency Committee will be watching the claims to make sure these charges are charged to the Tunica County Sheriff's Department.


Wake-up Tunica.  We deserve better then this from our elected officials.







Correction to 27 Mar 204 BOS Presentation

We have done a bit more research on the Election Committee section of this report.  The address we were given for Cedric and Tasha Burnett is another couple with similar names.  This is very strange.


Now, that being said, we still do not believe either Cedric or Tisha Burnett reside at 1370 Beatline Road in Tunica, MS.  This is the address they are both using to register to vote and in the case of Cedric, to declare his candidacy for public office.


Additionally, it is pretty well known in this County that State Rep. Clara Burnett does not live at 1370 Beatline Road in Tunica, MS.  We believe Clara resides on Pritchard Road in Tunica, MS.


Why are we trusting Clara to represent us in the MS State Legislature when she is using an address to register to vote and it is clearly not where she resides? 


About the house on Beatline Road: Clara transferred ownership of the Beatline Road house to Cedric in Jun of 2010.  Andy Dulaney handled the transaction. 


Don't believe this information?  Check the records for yourself.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Board of Supervisors' Meeting: 5 Mar 2014

Due to the weather, there will be a continuation of the 3 Mar 2014 meeting on Wed, 5 Mar 2014 at 5p.

3 Mar 2014 Board of Supervisors' Meeting

Sure do like the new way the prior month's minutes are being read.  This method not only allows the Supervisors to review the past month but the public can make their own notes.


Here are some of the notes I made:


1. Still to be decided by the Supervisors is the County policy about taking home vehicles.  Note: This is a good time to remind those who are taking home County vehicles that you will most likely receive a tax form 1099 and will have to claim this action as income on your taxes.


2. Claims for Jan 2014: Supervisors Burnett voted no.


3. Payroll for 13 Feb 2014: Supervisor Burnett voted no.


4. A statement from Supervisor Nickson was recorded.  The statement said he does not feel safe for himself, his family and his friends because of Sheriff Hamp.


5. On 27 Feb 2014 the Transparency Committee made a presentation to the Board of Supervisors.  The presentation talked about 501c3 status for our Component Units, Claims, and information for the Election Commission through the BOS questioning the residency of the Beat 2 Supervisor and his wife.


6. The BOS voted to move Open Enrollment for healthcare and cafeteria plans to one date instead of 2 dates that are presently months apart.  Supervisor Burnett voted no.


7. A decision concerning Appropriation reductions was to be moved to the 3 Mar 2014 meeting. 


8. Payroll for 27 Feb 2014: All Supervisors voted in the affirmative.  Note: Guess Supervisor Burnett read our letter to the editor about him voting no on payroll.  Interesting.  Supervisors are paid at the end of each month.  Pleeeease!!!!


9. Approval of the minutes for Feb 2014: Supervisor Burnett voted no.

Letter to the Editor from Bob Tuchel

Last night's Board of Supervisors (meeting) was telling.  (27 Feb 2014)  The personalities of key individuals came through just as they have in the past.  The issue that prompted the behavior was the removal from the table of the County Sheriff.  The president of the board lost control of the meeting, the sheriff lost control of his behavior, and a supervisor let his frustration control him.


The poor reputation of Tunica County continues to be substantiated by the behavior of the "leaders" of this County.  Many observers left the meeting laughing, some shaking their heads in disbelief.  Most of us left embarrassed.


Mississippi law states the Sheriff must be present at these meeting(s).  It fails to say where he sits.  The leadership of the BOS is in the hands of James Dunn.  He failed to lead.  Instead he allowed the sheriff to yell at a supervisor and address the audience.  Neither is acceptable.  A motion to require the sheriff to no longer sit at the BOS table was made and seconded.  Dunn refused to honor the motion.  It is not his choice.  Robert's Rules of Order are clear on how to run a meeting.  He failed at his job.


An effort to discredit the County Administrator and the Comptroller has already been in the news.  Now, an effort to discredit the County Attorney is under way via the Memphis news media.  Steps have been taken to undermine the work of the county administration.  Not smart.


We have seen the advertisements from the Dog Track in Arkansas.  We are substantiating those accusations and the beliefs of potential customers to our Casinos.  With gaming revenues going down in Tunica County, are we being wise leaders?  Are we thinking of growing this county or thinking of our own petty desires?  You, dear reader, know the answers to these questions.  What will you do to correct these "problems?"  They are your problems to correct.