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Blogger's Home Raided by Phoenix Police - He Criticized Them
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by duo | April 11, 2009 at 04:14 pm
5202 views | 20 Recommendations | 37 comments
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THE POLICE RAID on the home of Jeff Pataka, a Phoenix area blogger, "should send a frightening chill down the spine of every blogger, writer, journalist and First Amendment advocate in the United States," writes Carlos Miller.
Blogger Jeff Pataky has a website whereon he criticizes Phoenix police. His home was recently raided by police in his absence, and his backup computer files and other records were confiscated. Pataky's issues with Phoenix police spawned from his ex-wife's reports two years ago that Pataka was stalking her during their divorce. The stalking charges against Pataky were later dropped, but apparently it appeared to Pataky at the time that the police sided with his ex, and he has been on their case ever since. His blog exposes indiscretions by police primarily based on undercover tips he is provided by Phoenix police officers. Pataka alleges that Phoenix police retaliated against his exposé blogging by conducting the raid on his home and taking computer records - even data needed to file his income tax returns.
Police listed the cause of the raid on Pataka's home as “computer tampering with the intent to harass."
“This isn’t about the blog,” Phoenix Assistant Chief Andy Anderson said.
Below is an excerpt of this news by The Arizona Republic. Use the link for the full article.
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The Arizona Republic
April 11, 2009
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2009/03/19/20090319copsblog0319.html
Police officers accused of drunken driving. A female officer's alleged promiscuity and infidelity. A commander whose critics labeled his son a child molester.
Jeff Pataky said he uses negative complaints and anonymous tips to fuel his blogging crusade against Phoenix police. A headline on his Web site suggests rewards would be provided for "dirt" on police indiscretions.
Pataky, a former software sales and marketing executive who now focuses his energy shoveling content on www.badphoenixcops.com, said he believes his online criticism of the department - along with past criticisms of police investigations - led officers to serve a search warrant at his home last week.
Police officials said Wednesday that a Phoenix detective prompted the investigation after complaining about harassment, though they declined further comment.
Pataky said he felt the investigation was a response to a lawsuit he filed on Monday in U.S. District Court saying he was maliciously prosecuted by police in 2007 after his ex-wife accused him of harassment, a case later dropped. In his lawsuit he's asking for an unspecified amount for damages. City officials declined to comment on pending litigation.
Pataky's blog is known in law-enforcement circles for its off-color language that, according to the blogger, is aimed at Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris, Maricopa County Andrew Thomas and other public officials.
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Below is an excerpt of a report on Pataky's raid by another blogger, Carlos Miller.
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http://carlosmiller.com/2009/04/02/phoenix-police-raid-home-of-blogger-whose-writing-is-highly-critical-of-them/
By Carlos Miller
In what should send a frightening chill down the spine of every blogger, writer, journalist and First Amendment advocate in the United States, Phoenix police raided the home of a blogger who has been highly critical of the department.
Jeff Pataky, who runs Bad Phoenix Cops, said the officers confiscated three computers, routers, modems, hard drives, memory cards and everything necessary to continue blogging.
The 41-year-old software engineer said they also confiscated numerous personal files and documents relating to a pending lawsuit he has against the department alleging harassment - which he says makes it obvious the raid was an act of retaliation.
Maricopa County Judge Gary Donahoe signed the search warrant that allowed at least ten cops to raid his home in North Phoenix on March 12 while handcuffing his female roommate for three hours as they tore the place apart.
Pataky, who was out of town on a business trip during the raid, also believes police were retaliating against him for the content of his blog, much of it which comes from inside sources within the department.
“They broke into my safe and took the backups of my backups,” he said in a phone interview with Photography is Not a Crime on Wednesday.
“I can’t even file my taxes because all my business plans are gone. They took everything."
The search warrant lists “petty theft” and “computer tampering with the intent to harass” as probable causes. He has yet to see an actual affidavit that lists in detail the probable cause and is skeptical that one even exists.
(See the link above to access the full article. It is worth reading.)
***************************************
Jay Pataky's case is not the first time the Internet has been accused of interfering with law and order. NY Times reported in March that jurors use the web to research cases they must decide, in violation of the courts instructions. See this link for the report:
World Wide Web Causes Trouble for Lawyers and Judges
http://my.nowpublic.com/tech-biz/world-wide-web-causes-trouble-lawyers-and-judges
The link below carries a pleading filed in a law suit by City of Memphis and the city's police director against a blogger. The pleading states in part: "Plaintiffs City of Memphis, Tennessee and Police Director Larry A. Godwin filed this proceeding seeking to deny a blogger's First Amendment right to speak anonymously. At issue is the blog entitled “MPD Enforcer 2.0” . . . which regularly criticizes the leadership of the Memphis Police Department." http://www.citizen.org/documents/ResponseMotionUnseal.pdf
Not only is the Internet a thorn in the side for lawyers, judges, and police personnel, but Sen. Rockefeller says the Internet presents such a high national security risk that we "would be better off if the Internet had never been invented." Sen. Rockefeller proposed two bills to give the president cyber czar powers, including the power to shut down the Internet. See this article:
Cybersecurity Senate Bills 775 and 778
http://my.nowpublic.com/tech-biz/cybersecurity-bill-gives-obama-dictatorial-power-over-internet
************************************
Your viewpoint is invited below. Better hurry - the offer may not last long.
Mary Neal
http://wrongfuldeathoflarryneal.com
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (37)
at 17:37 on April 11th, 2009
What ? has happened to freedom of speech. Its scary to think that the police can come into your home and raid you because you were negative about them.
at 17:55 on April 11th, 2009
We are in deep trouble in this country, but very few people are listening...
at 18:30 on April 11th, 2009
Shhhhhh!
at 18:40 on April 11th, 2009
Remember the blindfold that used to be around Lady Justice's eyes? It slipped. Now it is around the mouth area.
at 18:50 on April 11th, 2009
http://www.wxmi.com/pages/news_landing_page/?Blogger-critical-of-cops-says-hes-now-a-=1&blockID=263203&feedID=16
at 19:39 on April 11th, 2009
Thanks for the link! I am glad that the American Civil Liberties Union will look into the blogger's complaints that HE IS A TARGET NOW!
I know the feeling. But apparently, the folks who are against my family for demanding accountability after the secret arrest and wrongful death of Larry Neal frighten even the ACLU with their power! I call them the New World Order gang. I think I'm right.
Amercan Family Under Siege for Inquiring About Brother Who Died in Govt. Custody?
http://my.nowpublic.com/world/amercan-family-under-siege-inquiring-about-brother-who-died-govt-custody
at 23:42 on April 11th, 2009
It doesn't surprise me to hear 'authorities' stealing internet files, or some creep like Rockerfeller wanting to shut down the internet permanently. It is the only real way for the average person to learn and share the truth with others all over the world. The internet is the greatest thing ever invented.
at 07:27 on April 12th, 2009
I agree with you about the importance of the Internet. It is the greatest invention since electricity. If the abuse of power that is reported via Internet occurs despite our having this information outlet, imagine what would happen if we did not have it! I believe crimes against citizens like Jeff's raid would become more commonplace. Without the Internet, the Constitution might already be nullified.
at 07:32 on April 12th, 2009
Thanks again, Now Public! We made Care2 News Network's Front Page with this news! See the front page at the first link below. Use the second link to read comments by Care2 members.
Congratulations! The Care2 Community has promoted your submission to
the Care2 News Network Front Page.
at 07:34 on April 12th, 2009
You should go to the news articles cited in this story to read more. Even the policeman who gave Jeff tips on the problems in his department is under fire.
at 11:09 on April 12th, 2009
at 12:03 on April 12th, 2009
This story is the best "heads-up" net reality I have read on nowpublic.communication to date.
I have a vision of tiny electrons and pixels in hand cuffs.....The people of the free world must remember the year 1789 forever. The free dissemination of electronic speech must never be guillotined.
at 14:54 on April 12th, 2009
Thank you for the recommendation, Quatato, and for expressing your alarm. Read again this quote from the article. It sounds like something out of a movie about 1940's Nazi Germany!
"Maricopa County Judge Gary Donahoe signed the search warrant that allowed at least ten cops to raid [Pataky's] home in North Phoenix on March 12 while handcuffing his female roommate for three hours as they tore the place apart."
Can you imagine this kind of aggression being used under the guise of police work in America? Can you understand the climate in government that has to exist for a judge to issue such a warrant and for a police chief to agree to violations against private citizens like the blogger and his female roommate endured and continue to suffer because police refuse to release Pataky's records?
The PROBLEM with justice in America is much higher than the Phoenix judge and police chief, or police would not take such bodacious actions. Here is the problem with justice and lack of respect for the civil rights of U.S. citizens:
The USDOJ has abdicated its duty to protect our civil rights. Like in Nazi Germany, it begins on a case-by-case basis. And no one stops it until it gets to them. Before Pataky, members of my family had already been stripped of our Constitutional protections for LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The USDOJ won't even return my phone calls and emails about the secret arrest and DEATH of my brother in a jail under the agency's overview - no records or accountability five years later! Does that sound like "liberty and justice for all"? (See http://wrongfuldeathoflarryneal.com)
Read:
New World Order Nullifies Constitutional Rights for Neal Family
http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/1019414
Here is what we are planning to address the loss of rights:
Human Rights for Prisoners March Planned for Mid-May in Atlanta
Hope you find a cause on the list of 25 presented on the list in the above announcement that you can come to Atlanta and support on May 16. If not, let me know and we will consider adding it.
Mary Neal
at 21:59 on April 12th, 2009
Someone obviously found this article interesting enough to post it to an Internet boosting service. Thank you. I am too censored to be allowed to use those. Therefore, if you look at my lineup of articles here at http://NowPublic.com/duo and see any others that you feel are worth wider readership, please apply them to the services that will promote them on the web.
Mr. Pataka's claims that he is a TARGET now are scary. I know what it is to become a target for speaking out against police and government wrongdoing. I really feel sorry for poor Jeff if they are going to start treating him the way I am treated. I have to stay home all the time or be followed and waylaid when I leave. Police won't investigate. (See the affidavits and police reports in my court case - Neals v. The Cochran Firm, USDC, Northern District of GA.) I am so tired of being stuck in the house, but it probably beats the alternative. I need a job that I can do from home. Let me know if you know of any, please.
Blessings, and please pray for Jeff.
at 06:06 on April 13th, 2009
we have every right to know what is going on with our police departments, we pay for them through our taxes! if the blogger is telling lies, why isn't there action against him? that particular department needs to do some housecleaning.
ty Brave Blogger for speaking the truth, we hear you!
at 12:19 on April 13th, 2009
Thank you for commenting. The police obviously did "take action" against Jeff, according to the report. But the action was inappropriate.
Mary
at 08:00 on April 13th, 2009
This is just another example of what can happen, if one speaks his or her mind in present day America, as Mary says. These are terrible times for those of us who have always believed in "free speech."
Everyone should read Naomi Wolf's book "The End of America: Letters of Warning to a Young Patriot." The opening quote by Justice William O. Douglas is as follows:
As nightfall does not come all at one, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such a twilight that we must be most aware of change in the air - however slight - lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness."
Many Americans are still in the "twilight" period. Others who are surveilled and harassed have seen "nightfall." I still have some hope, but very little.
at 12:22 on April 13th, 2009
Sometimes trouble comes on tiptoe.
Mary
at 08:33 on April 13th, 2009
I have seen nothing but injustice for 9 years now I get harassed all the time fighting for justice for my son wake up people big brother is here JoAnn..
at 12:17 on April 13th, 2009
Thanks for your input, JoAnn.
at 00:37 on April 14th, 2009
Thanks for noting and commenting on this news. I know what Jeff goes through. I have cyberstalkers who follow me around the Internet to contain the news about the secret arrest and wrongful death of my mentally ill brother, Larry Neal. They also object to my work for the incarcerated mentally ill and against the death penalty. IT APPEARS THAT THE SAME PARTIES HAVE AN INTEREST IN CENSORING NEWS ABOUT ALL OF THE ABOVE MATTERS. (http://wrongfuldeathoflarryneal.com)
I just received this notice from a party who tried to access my blog (called a Sharebook) and photo album at Care2.
Re: "Blogger's Home Raided by Phoenix Police - He Criticized Them" marked as Recommend
I was blocked from your site and the album i only got to see the first page.So I know how you are being tracked. I could not gain access to your blog either.so that speaks for itself, Mary.
Despite my heavy censorship at Care2, it is not Care2 itself doing it. If it was, I would not be able to continually have front page news stories. the individual sites don't have to know about the sabotage. The cyberstalkers have another way to do things. Not being a hacker, I don't know how they do it, just theories. Below are links that the person was unable to access. Why not see if you can? The album has a link for a slideshow above my brother's picture on the right margin, but I find that if I opt for the slideshow, the pictures start to race at critical photos.
Blog: www.care2.com/c2c/share/sharebook/513396753
AIMI Photo Album: http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view/217/513396753/AIMI_Photo_Album
I am very grateful for cross-posting my NP news to Care2 News Network. Most of my stories would not otherwise appear on the Web. As a matter of fact, some have been deleted, some were being "parked" with an Internet parking service, and I often have to ask someone in NP management to do my posting for articles because the censorship is so fierce that I cannot get through it. My emails from Yahoo are regularly "trapped" and I get an error message no. 2, 5, or 14. When I use a service to heighten visibility on the web, my submissions are either not accepted or they are parked for my view and use only and are not available to the general public. Sometimes, they are included with the others for an initial period, but a week later when I check, they are not. I would just buy another website and use that for a blog, but the cyberstalkers would likely use their keystroke virus to capture my password. They are master hackers - or maybe more.
Articles Sumitted to Care2 News: http://www.care2.com/news/member/513396753?sort=submitted
Let me know if you also run into my censorship force. I could tell Jeff a thing or two about free speech in America. I find that right depends entirely on what one has to say. Regarding my page, forget it! I can hardly access it myself half the time. Edits are nearly impossible, because as I work, someone works with me and deletes faster than I can do input! Huge spaces are injected to make the viewers feel they came to the end. Ignore them. http://www.care2.com/c2c/people/profile.html?pid=513396753
Thanks!
at 19:06 on April 13th, 2009
I opened my Yahoo mail and saw several complaints about interruption of normal use of Internet services for a site that highlights police misconduct. I then came to NowPublic to review the headlines and saw more complaints about censorship - this time against Facebook. See this link:
Facebook Censorship of Pair A Normal Guys Inc.
http://my.nowpublic.com/strange/facebook-censorship-pair-normal-guys-inc
It is spreading. TAG, you're next.
at 19:21 on April 13th, 2009
thank you so much for the information you have shared with us! im getting quite tired of being gagged in the supposed information era!! these are supposed to be enlightening times for all of humanity but not for people who abuse there power for there own selfish reasons!!no one should be above the law!!!!!!
at 20:17 on April 13th, 2009
Derek, I am sorry you have joined us - the censored. Hope you don't start being stalked like I am, or become subject to raids on your home like Jeff Pataka suffered. I will have to visit your website. Must be some inconvenient truth presented thereon to merit the attention you are getting.
I tried to post a poster that said, "YOU STOP ASKING QUESTIONS - YOU'RE EITHER WITH US, OR YOU ARE A TERRORIST," but I got the spam filter.
A lady who joined our online group, Assistance to the Incarcerated Mentally Ill," told me that since joining, she cannot freely send mail to her friends in the police dept. She was told that the mail could not open and had a message saying the mail was from a "suspected terrorist org." LOL!
The truth terrorizes the wicked. I say to them to get right with God, and stop using mental patients to profit prison profiteers. Also, again I ask: WHAT HAPPENED TO LARRY NEAL? (http://wrongfuldeathoflarryneal.com)
All of this excessive imprisonment that America does - more than any nation in the history of the world - is for PROFIT. There. That is the big secret. And they don't mind using sick people, poor people of any race, plenty of non-violent offenders, and even children (like in the Pennsylvania judge scandal) to keep the prison machine running well. If saying that makes this Georgia grandma a terrorist, then so be it. It is the simple truth, and tens of thousands of people already know it.
Also, it is WRONG and against the Constitution for any government facility to SECRETLY arrest a mentally ill, physically handicapped man and kill him, then refuse to give his family any records or accountability (which is what happened to Larry Neal). Furthermore, it is WRONG for for any federal agency or court to help cover up such crimes. So just go right ahead and SHAKE and QUAKE in your terror, you who are terrorized by the truth, because unless and until you shut down the Internet, this is something that will continue to be broadcast unless justice comes - whether or not you actually catch me with your incessant stalking. Sociopathic Pharaohs, I know who the terrorists are around here.
Mary
at 21:32 on April 13th, 2009
I thank you for your support dou this is a fine example of abusive of power. Very good post , excellent job.
at 00:19 on April 14th, 2009
Your case is another fine example. A friend who runs an online site to help victims of police violence is another fine example. See what she sent today to let people know about her mail not being allowed to get through. She sends notices to individuals, prisoner groups, and community action groups about different events and alerts regarding abuse of power cases. Can you imagine - 1,442 bounces? Her censorship force has her spinning her wheels when she tries to communicate.
Reactivation Requests Sent: 1 Last Request Sent: Mon Apr 13, 2009Bounce History for iolmisha@..
Account Status: Normal Total Bounces: 1442
08:53 AM
Do I hear a train wistle?
at 05:32 on April 14th, 2009
For pictures, VIDEOS, and many links regarding concentration camps in America and around the world, both historically and those which are seemingly being readied today, please use this link:
Serious World Politics Blog
http://seriousworldpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/04/american-concentration-camps-proposed.html
This blog is mainly about relocation internment concentration death camps in America. Not since the Holocaust has there been so much potential for concentration, torture and even death camps in the outlying areas of America, especially Alaska, where there's something big going on outside of Fairbanks, not far from a two million bed American mental institution. TWO MILLION BEDS? Isn't that expecting a bit of a mental population - or something else? It's not very far from Siberia...
SEE MORE ABOUT YOUR TAX MONEY AT WORK FOR YOU.
at 08:17 on April 14th, 2009
Mary,
Again, thank you for this story. Here's another one that I found this morning, as I was browsing Jonathon Turley's (professor of constitutional law at George Washington University and a frequent Countdown with Keith Olbermann guest on MSNBC) web site. It's another outrageous story about the very "long arm of the law" and the perils that vocal individuals face these days:
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-04-08/story/unmasked_blogger_blames_first_baptist_sheriffs_office?p=1
http://jonathanturley.org/2009/04/13/baptist-ministry-accused-of-using-florida-detective-to-uncover-and-identify-critical-blogger/#more-9933
Haven't you said that people need to "listen up?" They do.
How it is that good people are being harassed on a daily basis, while those who are committing crimes against them (by ignoring the rule of law and the Constitution) are allowed free reign to abuse their power is beyond me. As many of us have said before, "May God help us."
Deb
at 08:40 on April 14th, 2009
http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/
I typed a lengthy explanation and then, inexplicably, I couldn't post the comment. Take a look at the above link, as well, which is found in either Professor Turley's article or the news article referenced in his article. I don't want you to miss this piece.
Is the DOJ aware of these problems? We know that they must be. So why does it seem that these problems are only getting worse? As Americans we should all be afraid, but most are just going about their business, ignoring the warning signs, and dismissing those of us who are saying that something is terribly wrong. I hope that DOJ is addressing the larger problems behind the scenes, but I'm afraid that this is only wishful thinking on my part.
That we, as Americans, have let this happen is really unconscionable. I pray that we can get the word out before it's too late, but my fear is that it's already too late.
How many Americans are under siege in their homes and communities? How long before someone cares that these crimes are taking place in America?
at 15:40 on April 14th, 2009
Hello. Thanks for commenting. The USDOJ is actually at the root of my family's problems, and we have done everything we know to enlist their help in resolving the injustice about the secret arrest and wrongful death of Larry Neal in Memphis Shelby Co. Jail in 2003, for which his family has been DENIED any excuse, explanation, arrest records, accountability of any kind for over five years - although the USDOJ was in supervision of the jail already following a lawsuit against the facility by the USA for previous violations of inmates rights. Rather than help Larry's family find out what happened to him and why, it appears the USDOJ helped the jail cover up his death.
Larry died during the previous administration. Naturally, we hoped the USDOJ now CHANGED. However, we are still having trouble getting any response since the new administration took the helm.
~ phone calls - terminal hold after learning why we called, and no follow up phone call
~ emails - USDOJ automatic confirmation received, no follow up so far (a mo. later)
~ petitions - no response
~ over 200 articles - no response
2 + 2 still equals 4 sometimes. I agree that the USDOJ must know what is happening to my family, because I contacted the agency repeatedly. I agree that the Justice Dept. knows what is happening generally in America.
Mr. Holder replaced the USDOJ internal ethics leader last week. I wrote an article on that. Sometimes things happen slow in Washington, but I hope and believe the United States Department of Justice is making strides to live up to its name. Here is a link to my articles where you can see the news about the USDOJ personnel change and follow my family's justice quest about my brother and his survivors' persecution for asking about him. http://nowPublic.com/duo.
Read this, please. See how bad things are.
Mary Neal Requests Meeting with USDOJ - updated in comments
www.nowpublic.com/world/mary-neal-requests-meeting-usdoj-updated-comments
Thanks for writing your comments. Sorry you had trouble posting initially. When you see my other articles, please post comments there, too. I will check out the link you provided. I really appreciate hearing from you. Let us believe together for Change in our nation's system of justice. My family's circumstances will be the best gauge I can imagine of whether justice matters in America any longer. No one should be trapped at home in fear because of inquiries made regarding a secret arrest and death in govt. custody. My 86-yr-old mom and I live like Ann Frank. If you know of any work I can do from home, please let me know.
Mary