Putnam County Deputy Sheriff

Hi Everyone:

Over the past 16 months I have written about many topics that lack common sense. Today's blog is so unbelievable that you will think that it is not possible; but alas unfortunately, it is!

Here in Putnam County, New York, most towns have their own police departments, but there is also a Putnam County Sheriff's department. One of the Deputy Sheriff's is Barbara Dunn. Dunn was a Deputy Sheriff for 13 years. Dunn was also the president of the Putnam Humane Society. To make a very convoluted story short, Dunn was indicted in October 2009 after a three year investigation that included the FBI and the District Attorney's office. (As a side note, the District Attorney here in Putnam County is Adam Levy, who is the son of Judge Judy on TV lol).

After a trial, last Friday, Dunn was found guilty of seven counts of perjury, all of which were felonies. She was told to report to the Probation Department for an interview and return to court August 16 for sentencing. She faces 28 months to seven years in prison on each count of perjury in the first degree, a class D felony.

Now all of this seems fine, so what is the problem and why am I writing about this? Well, after the conviction was announced, Sheriff Donald B. Smith put Dunn on administrative suspension, pending a departmental hearing, that has not been scheduled yet. That means that Dunn continues to receive her $75,876 per year salary. WHAT????? Dunn is convicted of seven felonies and she gets to continue receiving her full salary? I mean how stupid is that? Even if the union contract states that is the procedure to follow; I believe that the contract should be changed asap to allow for immediate termination after being convicted of just one felony and then case closed.

Where is the common sense by allowing her to continue receiving her full salary? Yea, that's right, there is no common sense here. It just amazes me how stupid some union contracts are and how they are negotiated without using any common sense.

For your information, as a foot note, Dunn is awaiting a second trial on charges that she fraudulently collected $56,000 for a workplace injury that prosecutors say actually occurred while she was horseback riding. Wait there's more: Dunn is also awaiting a civil trial from the person who was wronged in the case where she was just convicted of perjury.

Common sense rules and lying drools.

Til next week.