Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Police Capt. John L. Bell Jr. has misused government resources for political purposes in his bid for sheriff, according to a report from City Auditor Lyndon Remias.
According to several Beach officials, auditors found "many" political campaign-related items on Bell's computer. The captain's secretary also did some typing and copying for Bell's campaign and used the office fax to send political documents.
The auditor found that there was no evidence to substantiate any other allegations of wrongdoing. The report was included in a briefing packet given to City Council members Friday.
City code prohibits the use of city funds, supplies or equipment for political purposes. A violation carries a maximum penalty of dismissal.
Bell said Friday that he was aware that a complaint was filed and that an investigation has been launched, but he did not comment on its potential outcome.
Bell suggested the charges are politically motivated and part of a continuing effort to get him to withdraw from the sheriff's race.
The complaints against Bell came to the city's fraud, waste and abuse hotline, and the names of the callers are kept confidential.
"I've been indirectly threatened by people in the community who said they would make my life miserable... they offered me two other police chief jobs if I would drop out," Bell said,
declining to provide more specifics about those conversations.
Bell, a Democrat, is the commander of the Police Department's Professional Standards Office, which investigates misconduct claims against police officers. This is his first campaign for office after a 35-year career in law enforcement.
He said he has no plans to leave the race.
Police Chief Jake Jacocks has been aware of the city auditor's investigation and will take appropriate action when it's complete, said Officer Jimmy Barnes, a police spokesman. Friday was the deadline for substitute candidates' names to be placed on the ballot for the November election, according to a state election official.
Bell is running to succeed Sheriff Paul Lanteigne, who is not seeking re-election this year. He faces Lanteigne ally Ken Stolle, a Republican state senator from the Beach.
"The chief of police," Stolle said Friday, "now has to determine the seriousness... and take the appropriate action. In the meantime, I'll continue my campaign for sheriff."
The race for sheriff, which had been fairly quiet, has turned more combative in recent days, especially on the blogosphere, where both Democratic and conservative-leaning Web sites have attacked the candidates.
Pilot writer Kathy Adams contributed to this report.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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What I do find interesting....
is his statement: "I've been indirectly threatened by people in the community who said they would make my life miserable... they offered me two other police chief jobs if I would drop out," Bell said,
WHAT two other police chief jobs???? Don't we only have ONE Police Chief in Va. Beach? Last I heard, he wasn't going anywhere.....the Deputy Chief job still not filled is just that, DEPUTY chief.....this is the part that bothers me the most about this incident. Not that he may have made a copy using city copiers or doing stuff on his city computer, albeit both of these are against city/department policy and should be dealt with - what bothers me the most is this comment.....WHERE might these TWO other police chief jobs be? Not around here (Unless he plans on taking Marquis' place in Norfolk)
Both Great People....
No it's not criminal.... it's Politics! Who hasn't used a department fax to send personal stuff? (no, not everyone but most!)
Who, in the VRS system wouldn't switch to a job within, that would greatly enhance their retirement check? Delegate Mathieson did exactly that when he went from a Police Officer to 2nd in charge of DCJS in Richmond... Another good man!
Both will do well regardless of the outcome. Capt Bell will be promoted to Deputy Chief in VBPD with a very good shot at Chief when the current chief retires if he losses! Their is an opening that hasn't been filled!!! Hmmmmmmmmm.
Stolle is a lawyer and very good one so he won't suffer if he losses the election!
It's a win-win for both so leave the right vs left junk out and let the best man win!!!
It's just wrong
Whether it's criminal or not, Bell broke the law. Don't try to say it's not a big deal. It's now up to Chief Jacocks to deal out the punishment. Use of city employees, time and resources is a major violation for any employee - in particular the head of Professional Standards.
So if he got a parking
So if he got a parking ticket, he broke the law. But the folks that leaked the information to the press, what ae they, lawbreakers. Why did they leak it, cause the break the law.
Bell, You're a Captain, you broke the law
Resign, go away and take your hubris with you. Learn to play by the rules you were hired to enforce.
Criminal charges coming?
What some of you are failing to focus on is that Bell has been found responsible for fraud, waste and abuse. If Police Chief Jake Jacocks has been aware of the city auditor's investigation, then does that mean that criminal charges are coming? Misuse of city resources...isn't that the same as stealing?
retirement pay
Stolley's retirement pay would increase. Bell's would increase as well, but granted, not to the same degree. Both are looking to the future for the same reason.
Is this a criminal investigation?
If it is, why is the Va. Beach City Council bring briefed? City Council can only discuss their appointees in closed session and a police captain is not a council appointee. So let's see the report. Is that how they handle investigations in Va. Beach? Open the file to the public before charges are placed? Sounds more like a political agenda than a criminal investigation.
Virginia Sunshine Law
"City Council can only discuss their appointees in closed session and a police captain is not a council appointee."
VB city council has an exemption to transparency. Personnel. This story does not add up. Some more gumshoe is needed. If he did do it, novice mistake, but not a knockout blow.
Virginia Beach is going the way of Norfolk. Illegal secret sessions.
See where it got Norfolk? We don't know what is happening so we can't hold anyone accountable.
Bell is a threat to the "Good ol' Boys"
Ask yourself: Why would a successful lawyer and state senator who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease quit the senate after 18 years, just two years away from a state-funded retirement?
Answer: The pay for a senator is just $30,000 but the pay for Sheriff is $150,000 and since Stolle pushed for and got Sheriff's Department employees included in state retirement benefits, he knows good and well that all he has to do is play sheriff for three years, resign "citing health reasons" and sit back to enjoy the taxpayer funded retirement that will be predicated on his highest three years of earnings as a public employee.
It's the difference between a retirement of $75,000 and $15,000 and mark my words, this is exactly what will happen if Stolle is elected. Take a look at John Bell's website and see for yourself who this man is, what his education and background is and tell me if you think he's foolish enough to pull a stunt like this.
That man is a hero and I'd take one John Bell over 10 Ken Stolle's any day.