FOP Charges Filed (huge post)

We're told that five charges were filed against the president of Lodge 7 Tuesday afternoon. We don't have a list yet, but supposedly this will be THE topic discussed at the Board Meeting Wednesday with a possible suspension pending investigation.

In the meantime, a lot of bad vibes are coming home to roost:

• Open Letter to Lodge 7 Members.
  
  Brothers and Sisters,
  
  This letter not out of bitterness, but out of loyalty to the principles our lodge was built on: fairness, accountability, and integrity. But over time, some witnessed troubling patterns with our president— patterns of selecting unqualified board members, questionable financial decisions, and a culture of silencing anyone who dared to ask questions. 
  
  The Election
  
  The FOP paid the return postage for +/- 2000 ballots which were never received, produced or counted ...Did John really win? 
  
  The night of the election a table of members watched John bear hug the new field rep he appointed telling her that she “earned” her position regardless of member votes —basically handed a high-paying role without the work, without the service, and without the accountability.  She had recently been seen at only a few meetings in the last year and never once before.  She had ZERO knowledge of the contract or being a working police officer since her only job the last 15 years prior was singing the national anthem which seems to be her only job as a FOP field rep earning CAPTAINS PAY from your dues. 
  
  The Money
  
  Like many of you,  a few of us wanted to know why board members were making significantly more than the officers they represent. A member in good standing submitted bylaw proposals — timely, with proper signatures — to align board pay more closely with member salaries. Instead of open discussion, she was told they were “unconstitutional” with no explanation.
  
  When a few members requested to review financial records — a right of every dues-paying member — we were shouted down, kicked out of the office, and stonewalled. John had a special board meeting to make new rules regarding viewing of documents. After waiting the required 14 days, we were shown only partial records. Credit card statements and other crucial documents were denied.
  
  We have seen evidence of:
  
       •    Overspending by tens of thousands of dollars on events without authorization. One instance was spending double on the installation dinner held at the Marriott which cost more than double what was approved by the board. They had to retro actively approve the additional cost. 
  
       •    Questionable “goodwill” bonuses to staff.
  
       •    Money shifted between funds without proper oversight.
  
       •    Campaign money donated and John never ran for the office and the monies were not returned to the general fund.
  
  These are your dues. This is your money.  
  
  Why was the FOP truck and food trailer at John’s block party serving food, with our tent on his front lawn?
  
  The Retaliation
  
  When some raised questions, they were attacked personally. One officer retired and moved to Florida to work for a different department,the new FOP lodge was contacted by John with false, disparaging claims about her — attempting to ruin her career and credibility. The new department has only 25 officers and she had been there for 2 weeks. Her new president has integrity and she had already told him about the things happening at Lodge 7. He made her the lodge delegate at the national conference. 
  
  This crossed a line. It is one thing to disagree on union policy. It is another to try to destroy someone’s livelihood for asking questions they have a right to ask , and viewing documents they have a right to examine. Sorry John, not everyone can retire with credentials.  
  
  The Bigger Problem
  
  This isn’t about us.  This is about an elected man with an ego  that says:We make the decisions. You just pay the dues. That is not how the FOP works.  John has stated “you elected us and WE make the decisions.”  He doesn’t care what members want. The board is controlled by John. 
  
  If we allow unchecked spending, backroom deals, and retaliation against members, we undermine everything this lodge is supposed to stand for. The state lodge, the national lodge , the IRS, and even federal authorities are now aware of these issues. The truth will come out.
  
  The Call to Action
  
  To my brothers and sisters: this is your lodge.  You have the right to know how your money is being spent. You have the right to demand accountability from the people you elected and the ones John appointed. You have the responsibility to protect the integrity of our lodge for the members who come after us.
  
  I urge you to:
  
       •    Ask questions — loudly, and often.  Even if he yells at you at the meeting,
  
       •    Demand access to financial records. Including credit cards receipts which John has stated people will see them “ over his dead body” Why can’t we see where our money is being spent? 
  
       •    Support bylaw changes that restore fairness.  Show up to the meeting and vote down his self serving by laws.  See the magazine for info as there are too many to list here.  
  
       •    Hold the board accountable for their words, their actions, and their spending.
  
  Please elect an active police officer as president next election.  Don’t forget that John had to resign before he got fired and he does not have credentials.
  
  He has a pension check and also gets paid 180,684 as your president, (as of 2023) he has his benefits covered, has two vehicles paid for, his gas, his insurance, his phone. He never has known the struggles of a working police officer.  He doesn’t care about cancelled days off and he’s  usually on vacation when you are cancelled.  
  
  We deserve a board that reflects the values we live by every day in this profession: honesty, service, and sacrifice. Anything less dishonors the Star and dishonors this lodge.
  
  With respect and solidarity,
  A retired member in good standing in sunny Florida. (With credentials)

Batten down the hatches.

(the FOP is welcome to respond - you have our email as you've written to us on a number of occasions. you've also used our comment section for assorted purposes over the years)