Operation Clean-Up

Public corruption is noted here as follows:

A very standard definition of public corruption, used by the World Bank, is the abuse of public power for private benefit.

And,

Morally, the abuse of authority implies some violation of trust, whether it is the trust of the citizen in their officials or the trust of shareholders in their managers.

Here is another link and definition:

Corruption is operationally defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.

Yet another link and definition:

Public corruption involves a breach of public trust and/or abuse of position by federal, state, or local officials and their private sector accomplices.

Performance of public or commercial duties that conflict with law or the needs/best interests of citizen(s).

Here are “Criminal Penalties for Public Corruption/Violations of State Ethics Laws.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandamus

It’s hard work.  It is kind of fun if you are personally involved and it can be fascinating to learn about the rules, and how they work, about our interaction.  Still, it takes a lot of time, documentation, organization, and synthesis.  I can see, at least in part, why lawyers can be expensive.

1. Understand how FedEx and/or a sleazeball company works.  According to Sgt. Gartner (big title, CSP), companies like this always deny it (not my experience and I’ll hopefully discuss that RE marketing and satisfaction).  These huge (in terms of locations, equipment, and employees) companies defer such matters to local centers.  The lives of the employees there (typically) revolve around inanimate packages and trucks.  They can only see as far as their own noses and that means paperwork, claims, employee discipline or hiring/firing, insurance, etc.  Deny, deny, deny.
2. The laws and their enforcement are complicated.  Lawyers (district attorneys) are needed to prosecute cases.  Much leeway is given, de facto, to local law enforcement employees–everyone from phone answerers to executives.  Do they always make proper decisions?  Do things happen as they could or should, for whatever the reason? 

My favorite part:

All persons have certain natural, essential and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; of acquiring, possessing and protecting property; and of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness.

http://money.msn.com/home-loans/neighbors-hurting-your-homes-value-weston.aspx?GT1=33032

http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/sheriff/sheriff_T62_R29.htm

http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/ca/policiesandprocedures/3_5_1_animal_control_regulation.pdf

“Barking Dog” means any dog, whether on or off the dog owner’s premises, that disturbs the peace of any person by loud, habitual and persistent barking, howling, yelping or whining.

The Rupert Murdoch/News Corp. phone hacking and bribery scandal is one of the biggest current news stories.  I love it, because it is about big time corruption.  It is always a learning experience to learn how it happened, why it happened, and, in particular, how the accused respond to the situation.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act covers the broad topic of intercepting communications and Section 79, in particular, has been in the news:

Section 79 of the Act says that directors can be prosecuted if an offence “is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of a director.  (Link)

This is the knew or should have known part.  You are guilty if you knew.  If you didn’t know and, by virtue of your position, you should have known, you are guilty.

This is an outstanding way to consider governance and responsibility.  It is an admirable standard.

http://aclu-co.org/our-work/litigation-legal-advocacy/ask-legal-help

http://aclu-co.org/case/quezada-v-mink

http://www.westword.com/related/to/Ted+Mink/