Shortly before he sued the City of Salisbury, Chiefy Webster began to portray himself as a public-spirited whistle-blower in his protracted attempt to smear Councilwoman Campbell in the local mainstream media. This fiction – that Webster is acting as a diligent watchdog against crime – is embellished to absurdity in the lawsuit filed on his behalf by Robin Cockey, who is known for his obvious stage acting in various venues.
The allegations are designed to paint a portrait of Webster almost single-handedly saving Salisbury from an ignominious fate by his selfless effort to recover a tape recording that allegedly was given to Ms. Campbell in 1998 by Webster’s trusty ally and foot-soldier, Mark Tyler, who (some might surmise) deserves a round of sustained applause for disclosing that he did so. That Tyler’s disclosure was made more than 10 years later and came just as Ms. Campbell was standing for reelection this year is mere coincidence, of course. Better late than never, right?
This patent public posturing by Webster-Cockey is pure nonsense. The City’s “whistle-blower” policy and protection exist to promote rapid reaction to legal violations by City employees in the course of conduct in that capacity. Ms. Campbell is not a City employee, and she did not become a member of the City Council until more than 6 years after Tyler claims that he gave the tape to her. There is no suggestion that he loaned it to her or said that it should be returned.
Now, if the City should proceed to sanction Tyler for improperly disposing of what is now said to be significant “evidence,” Webster might be shielded by that whistle-blower protection against retaliation. But, it appears that Tyler has not even been reprimanded.
The Webster-Cockey ploy is to “fast forward” to this year and suggest that Ms. Campbell is in violation of the law by (allegedly) having possession of the tape that Mark Tyler gave to her in 1998. The fantasy that Cockey filed in the Wicomico County Circuit Court proclaims that Ms. Campbell is “in unlawful possession of police property (soon to be labeled “the missing tape”).” Wow, that’s stellar stuff – look for Cockey on one of those “law” shows on TV real soon now.
As Davis Ruark no doubt realized immediately upon hearing the tale told by Webster and friends, it is not unlawful to have possession of something given to you by the party claiming theft. Cockey must have been sick (or performing somewhere else) the day that point was discussed in law school.
But even if (1) Tyler gave the tape to her in 1998, which she denies; (2) Ms. Campbell still has the tape; and (3) it remains “police property” after being given to her, she has not committed any violation of law under that scenario, either. The law does not take kindly to “Indian givers.”
Also, the matters alleged by Cockey-Webster involve actions as an ordinary person and not as a member of the City Council or as a city employee. Thus, the whistle-blower protections are inapplicable.
Still, it’s nice that there is so little crime in Salisbury that Webster can spend hours if not days trying to recover a “missing tape” that the Police Department deliberately disposed of more than 10 years ago but didn’t know was “missing” until this year.
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[in this commentary, it is assumed that the statements by Webster and Tyler are true]
21 comments:
Nice, concise rendering of the non-issue at the heart of what Webster has foolishly made an issue.
And you know what happens when you Ass u me right Joe?
I've been trying to sort out and understand this whole thing, and now that I do...it's complete BS. I would assume that it was initially intended to derail Mrs. Campbells reelection, but has since taken on a life of its own.
Having said that, if it was possible to make Webster appear to be less professional and, frankly, slimier, this has sealed it.
He's grasping at straws at this point. I'm a little bit surprised that Cockey is allowing himself to be dragged down with Webster, in the court of public opinion. Maybe they believe any press is good press.
Not from where I sit. If I ever need a lawyer, it will be anybody except him, because I'm associating him with this nonsense.
Mark Tyler should be under IA investigation on this matter. Why would he loan or give evidence to a civilian? I wonder if SPD officers make in a practice of giving out drug evidence to civilians as well. There is no proof of this woman even having the tape. Was there a chain of evidence form completed on this tape? Webster should be sued for attempting to ruin her career. Tyler should be in IA investigation for leaking evidence. Webster should be terminated and along with anyone else in this matter at SPD. It is a crying shame when we have murders, bank robberies and stabbings going on and they are focusing their attention on their petty issues.
Fire the whole bunch of them because they obviously have nothing better to do.
All this BS stems from the lacky tilghman. Gonna take some action by ireton to get it worked out.
Joe you deserve an award for staying on this the way you have over the years. I can say from the bottom of my heart I am sick of the Salisbury political scene. It is an insult to people of the city and county to have to endure so many years of the same old crap.
Webster has never done one positive thing for the people of this city since he was sworn in. I am sorry the guy just has not done a damn thing. The council has never been in step. There has been drama for years. It just make us look like a bunch of idiots on the shore. They have made national headlines with their exploits.
Webster is a puppet that when his string is pulled the only thing that comes out is "I'll sue" Very weak leader.
The whole lot needs to go. Salisbury needs an enema.
All Webster cares about is himself. End of story.
Joe, do not forget this is from the same man who also tried to "whistle blow" on the State's Attorney over the bootcamp issue that was, in part, driven by Barrie as well. Now he is supposed to be all chummy with Ruark? I don't think so.
" All this BS stems from the lacky tilghman. Gonna take some action by ireton to get it worked out."
Right on the point. You can't cure the festering disease laid upon us for eleven years in six months, or even a year. It has to be done in compliance with the law and everything has to be airtight to do it right and with finality. That takes time.
Patience, people, patience.
As a side note, how much do you think the people of Somerset County are going to want this knee-jerking jerk as sheriff after all this boils down? I think a lot of us would chip in for some anti-Webster billboards and campaigning to remind them of his foolishness and make sure that he lands a)not on his feet, and b)not within three counties of Wicomico.
Hey Joe,
I just saw in the DT where Webster has held an event "honoring" police officers. Trying to get a little positive press to counter all the negative press, I guess. What's the deal with a "medal of honor" for a police officer who shoots somebody?
Has Webster put Ireton under house arrest and taken control of City Hall yet? I thought this only happened in South America.
The next headline will be: Military Coup in Salisbury!
12:34
Hey that's a good idea,military coup would be better than all the crime. As a matter of fact I would like to be the one leading it.
Salisbury Police reminds me of Mayberry , Webster(Barney Fife)
even looks a little like Barney bald.
I heard that the lawyer he has (Robin)( right away that should tell you something with a name like that)is a ambulance chaser.
( who the hell would want a lawyer that's named after a bird)
12:01 Im from Somerset county & HELL NO we dont want him! We will keep Bobby Jones ANY day of the week.
Mrs. Cokeye is a reputable lawyer.
Some people are just jealous of female lawyers.
Erveryone is missing the real motive. CW knows that a change is about to happen (EL) and as long as there is pending litigation that change can not happen. He is counting the days before the double dipping pension can begin.
Robin Cockey is not a female, he's a male, ask his ex-wife, or baby sitter.
Anon 11:41 that "Very weak leader." is none other than Jim Ireton himself. Webster goes to the GOB every single day when Ireton is there and Ireton shows how scared he is of Webster. He cowers to Webster and Barrie Tilghman. What a Joke he is!
Mr Webster will you please get the Fu*k out of this town. Salisbury needs somebody that cares and is willing to do whatever it takes to clean this place up. You sir are clearly not the answer.Mr Ireton please find your balls and help Mr Webster relocate.
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