I always enjoy bringing you the inside story – showing you something you wouldn’t normally see, showing the private face of public officials.
We're airing the story today with San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong’s deposition in the “Cops Gone Wild” case. Eighteen officers who were suspended because of their participation in a captain’s retirement video are suing the city and Chief Fong. The lawyers act quite differently, depending on their setting. The hardball you’ll see in these clips of the deposition was nowhere to be seen when they appeared before Federal Judge Susan Illston today.
You might expect complaints from a plaintiff’s attorney that the defense is improperly coaching the witness, or from the defense that the plaintiffs’ attorney is badgering the witness. But, the level of vitriol surprised us.
Here are a few “highlights”:
“I’m not going to be yelled at by a childish attorney.”
Several times, Deputy City Attorney Larry Hecimovich pulled Chief Fong out of the deposition. Was it a tactic to buy time for his client or was he really that upset?
“You want to change your story now?”
The following clip is the exchange that ended the deposition after less than three hours. The Deputy City Attorney insists they’ll be done in seven hours; the plaintiffs’ attorney, Waukeen McCoy, says he’ll need four days to finish the deposition with Chief Fong.
“You’re not a stupid man.”
The City Attorney is fighting McCoy’s attempts to depose San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. We’ll be watching and tell you what happens next.
Chief Fong does not look happy. But I guess that's what happens when you got caught in a lie. The real question should be; is the SFPD Management Control Division going to open an investigation regarding Chief Fong lying under oath. Now that's a Police Commision Hearing I would pay to see, but I am sure the Chief will make sure her hearing will be held in secret due to privacy issues and the Peace Officers Bill of Rights. It is funny Chief Fong does not believe in the Peace Officer Bill of Rights for the Police Officers she accused of misconduct.
Posted by: zahira Cortes | September 21, 2007 at 10:52 PM
It's a very dark day when the Chief of Police gets caought lying. I wonder if she will get replaced by a real Cheif.
Posted by: Laughing | September 21, 2007 at 11:14 PM
Wow, that city attorney is belligerent, this outstanding lawyer has caught the chief in a lie, last we heard perjury is a felony. This chief as we know it has more lawsuits and complaints pending than any chief in the history, let along the violence and lack of no confidence by the police members. Now another scandal has arisen in regards to the 1998 inspectors exam, where it was proven and investigated that there were cheaters who received amnesty. Now the chief and the poa have moved to remove a whole inspectors bureau in violation of the charter and consent decree. 50 or cops have filed an appeal with the civl service who have yet to respond, regarding sgts being placed out of classification into inspector posistions, when they have an acive list of 9 years. Who will report this fiasco?
Posted by: concerned citizen | September 22, 2007 at 06:54 AM
There is no doubt that the Chief was caught lying...again...and that her testimony only supports our allegations that there were many violations that she, the Mayor, Deputy Chief Charlie Keohane and others committed during this ridiculous event and the subsequent investigation.
We had barely scratched the surface of this deposition, but the Deputy City Attorney, Larry Hecimovich, would not stop interrupting with his loud, obtuse, unwarranted and annoying objections.
It looks like we will have to request more time to get through our questions for the Chief, and I can't wait to hear her answers to the rest.
If you think this witness created more controversy, wait until our next witness is called to answer... This has only begun. It is now our turn to put this debacle to rest!
I hope that Kamala is watching and that those MCD Investigators and Attorneys who were present at this deposition (now witnesses, of course) will find their way to open up an investigation into these lies and other violations that we have, for some time now, been pointing out.
As we have said all along, and still maintain, "We shall leave no stone unturned"!
Fierra En Guerra
Posted by: mcpowder | September 22, 2007 at 07:17 AM
When the Chief (and company) started this mess, they portrayed us as the "bad" guys. We weren't. She failed to realize that she was punishing some well experienced cops who are well experienced investigators. As such, we have uncovered some extremely sensitive and damaging, criminal evidence against Chief Fong, Deputy Chief Keohane and others who shall be named soon enough. It can be said that, “Before one wages war, they should know their opponents arsenal.”
Mr. Mayor, rest assured, we have not taken our sights off of you. We know your skeletons which are peering out of your closet. We intend to hold you accountable for your actions, and if we must do so by exposing these, we will. November 6th is right around the corner, by then we hope to have this entire debacle behind us.
The tide has turned and we are now exposing the felonious actions of many high ranking officials. We will be relentless in bringing those to justice. When a crime is committed, it must be addressed. None of us are above the law.
Posted by: Earman | September 22, 2007 at 08:27 AM
Newsome hear this you are rookie. You are not a fully developed man to hold the position of mayor. You lack the stength, discipline, intellignece, and testicular fortitude to in charge of anything. You cannot control your sex organ around another man's wife. You completely broke the man code. We men learn early in life that somethings are off limits, like another man's wife. Also, your are a cry baby. I saw you only then late night radio talk show, WB 20. You were complaining about the dope allegations that Daly hit you with and yet according to these Officers and what your Chief has just said you committed the same crime on these Officers. You will never rise up in the Democratic Party. You are a liability. Who would waste a vote on you. You are too weak mentally to hold any position outside of San Francisco. You can't keep getting breast fed by Polosi and Fienstein forever. Momma can't always bail her baby out when he does not get his way. I would not want to have to rely on your leadership in a crisis you might be in the back room with another Monica Lewinski. Be sure about this any half-way smart politcian will expose you to the end. You walk down Market street smiling ans shinning with you slick back hair and your whinning disposition because it doesn't take much to be Mayor of SF. After you time is up and these Officers expose the hidden truth of what you have done in this case and others the Democratic party will run away from you as if you were a bottle of AIDS.
Lastly, Newsome, if you know you are doing illegal dirt around the city why would you pick a fight with Police Officers. Officers who have been trained in gathering facts and investigation? Officers who work the streets of San Francisco and are already holding information and witnesses about your dirt. You are truly a liability for any voter.
Posted by: POA member | September 22, 2007 at 01:58 PM
TITLE 18 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION Sec. 1621.
- Perjury generally
Whoever -
(1) having taken an oath before a competent tribunal, officer, or person, in any case in which a law of the United States authorizes an oath to be administered, that he will testify, declare, depose, or certify truly, or that any written testimony, declaration, deposition, or certificate by him subscribed, is true, willfully and contrary to such oath states or subscribes any material matter which he does not believe to be true; or
(2) in any declaration, certificate, verification, or statement under penalty of perjury as permitted under section 1746 of title 28, United States Code, willfully subscribes as true any material matter which he does not believe to be true;
is guilty of perjury and shall, except as otherwise expressly provided by law, be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. This section is applicable whether the statement or subscription is made within or without the United States
Posted by: Just Me | September 22, 2007 at 03:37 PM
I have been a member of the SFPD for nearly 30 years. 98% of the members of the PD are very hard working and honestly care about the citizens they serve everyday. I work with many of them everyday and know that from personal experience. There are always going to be a small few of employees in any organization that create problems for everyone. That does not stop with any police department.
I get tired of hearing about all the complaints day in and day out from people who will second guess everything from an officer involved shooting to anything else. These are people who were never there and didn't see a thing but seem to think they have all the answers. I say, "try walking in the shoes" of those hard working officers in the Bayview and other areas of the city who get shot at and injured on a daily basis that you don't hear about.
It's easy for people like Mayor Gavin Newsom, Supervisors Chris Daly, Ross Mirkarimi and others who sit back and think there going to solve every problem in this city especially the homicide rate. These same people complain that the police are not doing anything. You have a top notch Lieutenant running the Homicide Unit who is the best as they come.
Has anyone ever looked at the real staffing of this police department with ALL the events that go on every day in this city that the PD has to police including planned and unplanned events. Or course not.
Our baby Mayor who sits in Room 200 at City Hall on his pedestal thinks he is going to push people around with his back door shenanigans and violate every officers rights and do whatever and say whatever he wants. The people who run this city spend more time fighting with each other than getting things done.
It's about time, Chief Fong has got caught in a lie. The best part of it all, is she gave up the Mayor. So now who will the Mayor give up when he is deposed??
I can tell you, the Police Commission wont be doing a thing. Look who you have on the commission?? You should have your answer.
After seeing what I have seen in the video, I don't condone what I saw, however, I don't have all the facts of everything and probably never will. Many of the officers in the video are individuals I personally know and/or have worked with during my years and they are hard working and care about the citizens they serve.
If you only want to believe Mayor Newsom and Chief Fong in thier opinions of these officers, I would say, your making a big mistake. Look at the source... It's about time someone, (Dan Noyes) is disclosing all this to the public. Maybe the public will open their eyes.
We need someone who can run the police department and this city as a team and all work together to get the job done and stop running from the mouth. Since when does Mayor Newsom, Supervisors Chris Daly, Ross Mirkarimi and others know anything about police work?? Give me a break. You have members of this police department with hundreds of years of experience to get the job done. So maybe it's time for City Hall to stop micro managing the department with something they have no knowledge. You also have Police Commissioners who don't have a clue. Look at Commission Joe Alioto Veronese, who tried to be a police officer and failed his training. Doesn't anyone think he might be a little angry and have a reason to fight back at the department.
I sure hope everyone of those officers suing the city wins the $20 million dollars their asking for. It's time the City pays for their BIG mouth Mayor and Chief of Police while violating police officers rights on a daily basis. We all have rights, whether a citizen or police officer. I ask you all that read this, Please remember one thing.. "Were all human" trying to do the right thing.
Thank you Dan Noyes and wish all those officers who were illegally suspended to win their case. We all need to keep our heads high and continue to work hard everyday and serve the citizens of this city that you chose your career regardless of who is at City Hall. Remember those in City Hall will always come and go. Just ask Ed Jew.
Posted by: Just a working cop | September 23, 2007 at 12:26 AM
Some very powerful statements made here. This is the story I want to see the ending of. I'm sure I will love it. But watch and see if the city attorney doesn't try and settle out of court so that Newsom doesn't have to take the stand.
Posted by: Jerry Jarvis | September 23, 2007 at 03:30 AM
Yeah...what about the Best Buy video of this chief's command staff shopping in uniform to get a deal shortly after this video broke...that was kept hush hush and nothing became of that since.
Posted by: city employee | September 23, 2007 at 07:45 AM
The Deputy City Attorney is an idiot. His constant objections are unprofessional. In court, his motions would have been overruled. Dennis Herrera is not an effective City Attorney - is this the best Deputy he's got? Dan Noyes should put these clips on prime time to show the public how Newsom has made a mockery of San Francisco government.
Posted by: truthseeker | September 23, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Gentlemen:
In addition to any further insights you have here would you be willing to comment on certain aspects of Commissioner Veronese's "career" at the DA's office which were not, shall we say, USDA approved?
Either here or email me. Thanks.
Posted by: Able Dart | September 23, 2007 at 09:30 PM
Well what do you know....All the powers that be are dropping the masks this year,huh?
Do they issue knives for the back, and white sheets somewhere along with these judicial/enforcement positions? Betwen Jena6, the War, and SFPD scandals I wonder.
Anyhow, in light of all of this, the Chief and Newsom should be removed from their positions immediately pending further investigations.(Just as the officers the ridiculed.)I don't agree with the video;nor do I support the real attitudes of ALL SFPD depicted in some morsal of truth in their video.
Maybe the entry test for these positions should turn the focus to an applicants mental, moral, and ethical beleifs before hiring. SF has an abundance of better qualified peace officers for both of those jobs.
Good luck justice being served, every man will reap what they sow!!
Posted by: Bayview/PH Citizen | September 24, 2007 at 01:00 AM
All of this is just politics and finally the "higher ups" gave gotten caught. Day in and day out, they play games to make themselves look like the best thing in the world to the public. They will do and say whatever it takes to get the publics approval. They are not about doing what is right just what will make them look good. Thank God that it has finally caught up to them. But it's not over yet and hopefully nothing will be "covered up" at the end. The Chief has repeatedly picked and chosen which cases to discipline. This case being the most outrageous and public. As someone had mentioned, how about the Best Buy scandal? The Chief stated that an investigation was being conducted to find out who the officers were that were making "purchases" while on duty. Well, it went nowhere as soon as it was discovered that members of her Command Staff were involved in making those "purchases" on duty. And how about a certain female lieutenant with a lot of "juice", including her sister who is with the Command Staff. This Lt. had her subordinate officers take a female citizen, under false pretenses and color of authority, to an out of city location to have a rendezvous because she was "interested" in her. Well, this person had absolutely no interest in the Lt. This was along the lines of kidnapping so what happened to this incident? As far as I know, nothing. It all got swept under the rug....no suspensions, no "dark, dark day". Again, politics. The dept. truly needs a Chief of Police who will do what is right not what is politically correct. We need a chief not a politician.
Posted by: A Citizen | September 24, 2007 at 03:19 PM
Where's the story about the female Inspector who was arrested by Antioch PD two months ago? It seems that when particular officers are in trouble, the higher ups choose which story goes out to the public. This Inspector should have been fired years ago for her unprofessional conduct!!!
Posted by: pissed off | September 25, 2007 at 12:48 AM
That city attorney was taking control!! Talk about someone I'd want to represent me! He decimated the plaintiff's lawyer!
Posted by: amused | September 25, 2007 at 07:56 PM
The city attorney made his defense and the chief look weak. He was treating the chief like a child. He should have prepared the chief as to the questions that will be asked that way the chief does not look like a yo yo. When the cops see these clips, they will know for sure they do not have a leader.
Embarassing for a chief of police who does not have her own mind. That is the problem when you lie.
Posted by: truthseeker | September 25, 2007 at 10:43 PM
Wow! The city and county of sf are wasting public funds on "cops gone wild" video. City and County of San Francisco must have an adbundance of monies in the coffer. How many highly paid investigators were utilized to investigate a roast video? Hum. How many hours were wasted for an investigation to be finalized? Hum. How many families and businesses suffered when 18 sfpd officers were suspended without pay during the Holdiay Season? Hum. What was the crime rate during this period? Did service calls go unanswered? Was it Bayview/Hunters Pointe gone wild during this time period? Hum. Is there a reason that the homicide rate in sf is at an all time HIGH? Stop blaming the men and women of sfpd for the ongoing issues in your community. Stop playing the blame game. Continually placing blame on the SFPD has become old news. It's convienient to blame others when the Mayor, Chief, Police Commission, City Council, Chuches, OCC, DA's office, Judges, Clergy, and others should be working on solutions. What happened to the blue ribbon task force? Hum. Was that just another promise to the community? Hum. Ever heard of the word "team work?" Stop wasting time and let's get something started! Let's become proactive in SF. All should be concerned with changing the image of San Francisco. What about the shootings, stabings and rapes going on in the Castro? It's sad that this year the annual Halloween Festive will no longer go on in the streets of San Francisco. Why did the Mayor and the Chief discontinue this event? Because SF is NOT safe. It's not the police officer's fault. It's not the communities fault. Lets get serious about crime in SF. I live in a city were we are almost bankrupt. Hey SF, can you please send some of those funds our way? How many more years, monies and time will be wasted on this video? SF deal with REAL issues, like Ed Jew, High Homocide Rates, Homeless Issues, Health Care, etc. It's time that SF stop making a mockery of the community. Are these tactics for political purposes, i.e. employment with another agency, aspirations to become a State Senator or Governor? Hum. What's the real reason the Mayor and the Chief suspended these officers? Could it be the Homocide Rate in the Western Addition?
Posted by: citizen in another city | September 25, 2007 at 10:57 PM
Chief Fong is not a leader. There is only one word for the Chief of Police of San Francisco,"Puppet". That's what the city gets when they elect a Mayor and members of the Board of Supervisors who have personal agendas.
It's time the City gets rid of your pretty boy Mayor and members of the Board of Supervisors who act like children and elect individuals who will put the city's business first.
If only the public really knew what goes on in this city. Just ask us workers who see it day in and day out. Remember the public only reads and hears what is shown in the media. Believe me, it's not all the truth..
Remember it's your dime that is spent everyday.
Good work Dan Noyes, keep exposing this Mayor. Your doing a good deed to the citizens of this city.
Posted by: A working cop | September 25, 2007 at 11:01 PM
To pissed off author - I think both attorney's looked like jerks. There were no real winners in this deposition only LOSERS.
Posted by: truth seeker | September 25, 2007 at 11:01 PM
Hey yo! Idiot who is using my name -- truth seeker. Find your own name, you numbnut! Only the city attorney and you, copy cat, are the jerks.
Posted by: truthseeker | September 25, 2007 at 11:36 PM
Thank God there will be a new Chief coming around the corner. But wait! We will still have the same Mayor picking his puppets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: pissed off | September 26, 2007 at 12:41 AM
You got that right pissed off. Newsom Gruesome simply asks his puppet pollster Binder to look for the bureaucrat du jour - color of the skin, race, sex, any disabilities, how much money he/she can raise for his governor's race, how many votes he/she can get for Gruesome...then bingo...there's your new chief.
could be better...could be worse...
Posted by: truth seeker | September 26, 2007 at 01:28 AM
Don't forget, Gruesome is a pretty boy Nixon -- back stabber to the core. Just ask his best best friend Tourk. He screwed everybody who helped him - even Willie Brown. How about that?
He likes people to walk on egg shells around him. He finds pleasure when people are scared of him. The guy is a clinical sociopath.
Just watch your backs around this guy, his handlers and consultants.
Posted by: xirxes | September 26, 2007 at 02:26 AM
I read the above comments and some of them are very comical and some are total out in left field. I believe we San Franciscans need to stay focus and stop making a circus arena out of this cops gone wild video. We need to stick the facts, evidence and not deter from it. This video is has gone completely out of hand and I believe people are reading more into it then what it is really about. To me the cops were just having fun and to let loose of their everyday stress and pressure on the job. I think the video should have been investigated within the department not outside to the public.
Posted by: Red | September 26, 2007 at 05:07 PM