Tuffey, Jennings and The Law


By DIA, Section News
Posted on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 01:55:13 AM EST

Let's not forget our very own little homegrown scandal in Albany.
"It's almost as if they're just ignoring the law," Councilman Corey Ellis said. "It's black and white, it's not ambiguous."
Correction, Councilman Ellis, it is EXACTLY as if they are ignoring the law. Not only ignoring it, but actively breaking it. Lucky for them, the law in Albany doesn't apply to police chiefs or mayors. Look:
"Any inference that we're hiding something is not true," Tuffey said, adding that he wasn't aware of the issue before this month. "Let's not jump to a conclusion because a newspaper article was written."
This coming from a man who had the city lawyers lie to deny a FOIL request for information about how members of the APD had purchased illegal machine guns through the APD, committed tax evasion AND in some cases resold the machine guns to the general public (hint: very illegal). This same man, Chief Tuffey, wants you to know that to infer he might want to hide anything is just not true. And we know chief tuffey always tells the truth. How do we know? He reminds us all the time.
"I never lie and I never will lie. ... I said to you that all the guns we had in our possession were destroyed," Tuffey said. "I don't know how many guns were purchased. ... I don't know. There's no records, guys."
So, of course, he isn't hiding anything.
"He has no say in how the law is changed or legislative functions," Ellis said prior to Friday's meeting. "I don't know why he was there before the review board. ... I was just more upset that the board did not seem to know the law and did not ask him: 'Well, chief, you cannot do this without counsel approval.' " Councilman Richard Conti said the chief's plan requires legislative approval. Not reporting all complaints of police misconduct to the review board "is contrary to what was the intention of the law," he said.

It's not clear how many incidents of alleged misconduct were concealed from the review board.

Mark S. Mishler, an Albany attorney who was involved in community efforts to create the review board, told the panel Thursday night at their monthly meeting that the department's withholding of complaints "is a violation of the law as passed by the Common Council."
It was a violation of the law. But Tuffey just told you he changed the law. Got it? For more detail on Tuffey's views on the law and his unique legal interpretations, see this.

< My Favorite Spitzer Accomplishment | WWJD? >

Menu

+ create account
+ faq
+ search

Login

Make a new account

Username:
Password:

Related Links

+ homegrown scandal in Albany.
+ is just not true.
+ all the time.
+ see this.
+ Also by DIA
Display: Sort:
Tuffey, Jennings and The Law | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)
Tuffey the LIAR????????? (none / 0) (#1)
by trustme on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 11:26:21 AM EST
My wife works for the APD and she told me that they know exactly how many guns were purchased and who initially received them. But then Tuffey never lies.

The fine chief has admitted that he lied to the media regarding a FOIL request. That sounds like the chief broke the law. If breaking the law isn't misconduct then I do not know what is. Does this mean Tuffey should report himself to the civilian review board?

I just wish Tuffey would quit this job like the last five he had. That way the guys and gals who work for the APD can get a chief they can be proud of. A vast majority of the employees of the APD are embarrassed by him. Their dislike of him does not stem from him holding them "accountable" It stems from his unprofessional, rude, and the fact that he does not hold himself "accountable"

Please just go so that way the organization can heal and regain its self respect. Didn't you get it when only one person under the rank of lieutenant marked in the parade?  

So share the info (none / 0) (#2)
by Tom Paine on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 11:37:31 AM EST
Surely there is a way to get that information to an outside law enforcement agency without leaving a trail.

[ Parent ]
Look a little harder (none / 0) (#3)
by professor on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 10:30:24 AM EST
  I believe that the people that are criticizing the Chief should take alittle harder look at the real problem...Jerry Jennings.  
  It should be known that Jim Tuffey is a man of his word. I have found that his promises are like gold. I also know that he takes great pride in doing his job very well.  He was not appointed to be a State Department Director and a Deputy Comissioner because he is ineffective.  He always wants to do his job. Thats the problem.  Old Jerry, the "Bronze Bomber" is trying to put the handcuffs on Tuffey. If anyone forced a city Attorney to lie, it wasn't Tuffey, that's not his manner or his style.
  Was Tuffey a thug when he was a cop?  Just ask the hundreds of drug dealers that he and John Burke put away during the years that they were on the Narc Squad.
  Tuffey was a cop when the "thin blue line" was thicker, quite a bit thicker.  Reporters were part of the "family" and were not at all agressive about police brutality.  I think that most reporters of today's media would agree that Tuffey is more open and accssible than any other chief.
  Start doing some digging guys, I think you will finde that problem lies on Eagle Street rather on Henry Johnson.  STAY TUNED!!

professor (none / 0) (#4)
by DIA on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 10:56:20 AM EST
two things

one - check my title.  I am very consistent in saying the problem is all Jerry.  

two - I have documented several instances where Tuffey has lied to cover things up.   I have zero confidence that Tuffey is an honest man.  Perhaps you think you can seperate Tuffey from Jennings and have Jennings retire and Tuffey run for Mayor but you are kidding yourselves.  They made their bed and they are going to LIE in it together.

Cheers.

[ Parent ]

gimme a break (none / 0) (#5)
by razor1 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 04:29:24 PM EST
According to another post from AlbanyLady your boy chief tuffey covers up lots of things like people that work for him sexually harassing female employees. If this is true do mean to say that jerry is ordering this or do you think your pal tuffey is doing it on his own.  ALbanylady's allegations seem serious to me and shows a much greater problem starting at the top. Did you happen to notice that only four or five officers marched in the parade? usually there are 50. who's fault is that? truth is everyone is getting sick of him and his lies and antics.

[ Parent ]
I can speak (none / 0) (#6)
by FedUp on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:12:58 PM EST
from first hand knowledge about Jim Tuffey. Do I have a problem with this guy?  You bet I do and there is a reason for it that is not based upon posts or second-hand information. He is NOT a man of his word and represents everything that is bad about law enforcement - the bullying, the lack of morals, the "do as I say don't do as I do" mentality, the lies and coverups, the yelling/ screaming at the office staff.  

If you want to live up to your username I suggest you do a little research reading through the TU archives/google his name and conduct some due diligence.  He was appointed, my gullible friend, to the State and Assistant (not Deputy) Commissioner positions on the basis of his connections, not on his qualifications or lack thereof.  Take a hard look at the short amount of time he spent in each position and his non-existent success record; don't rely on the the spin version that only lives on in Tuffey's mind.  Yes, Jerry Jennings is a problem in and of himself but Tuffey is not by any stretch of the imagination the innocent victim that you make him out to be.

  1.  Retires from APD; becomes a confidential investigator in the New York State Department of Labor

  2.   Public Safety Commissioner for the City of Cohoes.  

  3. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Public Protection.  

  4. Director of SEMO

  5.  APD Chief


[ Parent ]
Tuffey, Jennings and The Law | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)
Display: Sort:
create account | faq | search