| John Minnis....John...Minnis...gosh, where have I heard that name before? Oh, I know I'm hearing it now, along with the rest of you, as the Attorney General's office has released the findings of its investigation into the (former) cop, (former) state legislator, and now (former) Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Director. It's a fairly interesting story, with the accused opting to resign immediately--rather than begin the parade of denials, walkbacks, confessions, political banishment and eventual political redemption we're used to. If you're not totally up on things, here's the gist: As first reported in last week’s WW, the issue that prompted Minnis to resign is the alleged sexual harassment and possible sexual assault of a female employee. Those allegations were the focus of a criminal investigation by the state Justice Department. A letter (PDF) released today by DOJ chief criminal counsel Sean Riddell says prosecutors declined to pursue charges against Minnis because they can’t prove he broke any laws “in regards to his personal relationship with a particular employee under his supervision.” However, Riddell’s letter to DPPST deputy director Eriks Gabliks notes Minnis “admitted to conduct that occurred outside of our jurisdiction that we do not have the authority to decline or accept prosecution.” The DOJ forwarded a copy of its investigation to the San Diego Police Department and has offered to assist in that department’s ongoing investigation, Riddell’s letter says. Minnis' quick goodbye suggests he understands that what happens in San Diego, does NOT necessarily stay in San Diego. But speaking of quick goodbyes, WWeek reports today that Minnis wasn't quite quick enough on the day the story broke, to avoid being confronted by an investigator for AG John Kroger: While we were meeting [with other investigators] in the parking lot in front of the main building at DPSST, I received a phone call from [Deputy DPSST Director Eriks] Gabliks. He informed me that Minnis was moving personal items from his office and placing them in his private vehicle in the back parking lot of the building…Gabliks also informed me that he felt that Minnis was going to be leaving the building and that any effort to contact him should occur as soon as possible. I had obtained the number of Minnis’ cell phone and called him. When he answered, I identified myself and asked if he would make some time available for a meeting. Minnis said that he was already on the ‘highway’ and was unable to meet. I volunteered that we were currently in the front parking lot of the campus near the guard post and I believed he was still in the parking area at the rear of the building. At that time, Minnis became silent and I asked him to wait where he was until we could contact him. [We] drove to the back of the building and contacted Minnis at his vehicle.[emph mine] I believe the proper term for this happenstance is, BUSTED! Sucks to tell a lie that's immediately verifiable as utter bullshit, I guess. So that's what's going on now. But you might be forgiven if the name "John Minnis" and "sexual crimes" sticks in your memory for some reason. If you were a Loaded Orygun reader back during the 2006 election season, maybe your memory will be jogged by work done when Carla Axtman was still with us. Carla detailed Minnis' involvement in sexual assault allegations made against his brother Tuck, who worked at the pizza restaurant Minnis co-owned with his wife, former House Speaker Karen Minnis. For a quick recap: In the girl's complaint (see pages 26-40), she alleges that John Minnis told her that "he could treat her any way he wanted because he was the employer." The girl further complained that she was forced to quit as they kept assigning her to late night shifts, ordering her to change her clothes on shift and off,setting rules for female employees that didn't apply to males and changing the girl's job description from hostess to cook--as well as treating her in a punitive and angry manner (anyone who watched Karen Minnis on KATU last night would totally buy this. Its obvious she's hella thin skinned). Perhaps the part that rings the clearest bells, is the part where the Minnises quietly paid off their accuser to the tune of $20,000, despite claiming that they did not believe her story about Tuck. While professing innocence, Minnis nonetheless cut a deal and walked away. Sound familiar? The easy takeaway: for God's sake, don't let John Minnis hire you. |
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