Mayor Tom Riel Describes Alleged
Elaborate, Clumsy Plot Against Him
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Mayor Tom Riel says after he won the election in November of 2007, some people went to great lengths to try to make sure he was never sworn in.
"An elaborate but clumsy plot was hatched by a few rogue members of law enforcement to try to set me up with some sort of drug charges so that I would never be sworn in as mayor and I would never appoint a new police chief," Riel said Tuesday afternoon during a joint meeting of the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs.
He said, "drug-related rumors were spread wildly" about him all over town so that when and if the charges were filed people would be more likely to believe them.
Riel went on to describe parts of the "plot."
He said a man who hadn't lived in Bradford very long was arrested on charges that were later dropped. While this man (who is not being named in this story in deference to Riel and the man's family) was in jail he was approached by law enforcement, shown a picture of Riel and offered "a way out," Riel said.
He was let out of jail to help "get Tom Riel," and the reasons were explained to at least one member of his family, Riel said.
At the end of last December when "he hadn't gotten Tom Riel yet," the man was arrested for robbing the Lewis Run Crosby's although he didn't come close to matching the description given by witnesses.
The family went to the late Joe Warner, who posted all the related documents on Bradford-Online.
"Mysteriously," Riel said, a few hours later a no contest deal was reached.
"Is that McKean County justice for poor people who know too much?" Riel asked.
Riel did contact the state attorney general's office, which is conducting an investigation.
Riel said he knows this story "would cause waves" and probably shock people, but he believes the truth should be told.
He said at least one person allegedly said the story should never get out because "it could damage the integrity of law enforcement in McKean County."
"Now you know what can happen when you take a stand for what you believe in and truly try to change things," Riel said. "Your life will never be the same."
WESB/WBRR News Director
Mayor Tom Riel says after he won the election in November of 2007, some people went to great lengths to try to make sure he was never sworn in.
"An elaborate but clumsy plot was hatched by a few rogue members of law enforcement to try to set me up with some sort of drug charges so that I would never be sworn in as mayor and I would never appoint a new police chief," Riel said Tuesday afternoon during a joint meeting of the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs.
He said, "drug-related rumors were spread wildly" about him all over town so that when and if the charges were filed people would be more likely to believe them.
Riel went on to describe parts of the "plot."
He said a man who hadn't lived in Bradford very long was arrested on charges that were later dropped. While this man (who is not being named in this story in deference to Riel and the man's family) was in jail he was approached by law enforcement, shown a picture of Riel and offered "a way out," Riel said.
He was let out of jail to help "get Tom Riel," and the reasons were explained to at least one member of his family, Riel said.
At the end of last December when "he hadn't gotten Tom Riel yet," the man was arrested for robbing the Lewis Run Crosby's although he didn't come close to matching the description given by witnesses.
The family went to the late Joe Warner, who posted all the related documents on Bradford-Online.
"Mysteriously," Riel said, a few hours later a no contest deal was reached.
"Is that McKean County justice for poor people who know too much?" Riel asked.
Riel did contact the state attorney general's office, which is conducting an investigation.
Riel said he knows this story "would cause waves" and probably shock people, but he believes the truth should be told.
He said at least one person allegedly said the story should never get out because "it could damage the integrity of law enforcement in McKean County."
"Now you know what can happen when you take a stand for what you believe in and truly try to change things," Riel said. "Your life will never be the same."
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Comments
This article should make everyone go "hmmmmm" haven't we read something similar to this about another police department within a few miles of the city of Bradford within the last year. Who has the authority to step in and ask for all departments within the county, such as, State, Bradford, and Foster, to be investigated to ensure the police are doing what they should; protecting the citizens and not themselves.
Citizens need to know the truth so that another public servant is not wrongfully accused.
Is he talking about Bradford, State or County law officers? I would be interested to know.