Answer to inquiry from the Jackson County Commission on Facebook, quote: "Please refer all questions to the County Attorney, John Porter 256-574-5156"
UPDATE - DECEMBER 21, 2020
PRESS RELEASE – DECEMBER
21, 2020
Jackson County Commission
The four District Commissioners of the Jackson County Commission have been advised that an investigation is underway by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency involving an allegation of inappropriate surveillance of a Jackson County Employee at the Jackson County Courthouse. The Commissioners take this allegation very seriously and are providing full cooperation with the investigation. As part of the Courthouse Security Plan, after several serious incidents at the Courthouse involving firearms, a number of surveillance cameras and sound systems were installed in public locations and common areas at the Courthouse. The camera at the secured entrance to the Courthouse proved invaluable in determining the sequence of events that led to a Sheriff’s Deputy having to use his firearm to defend himself against an aggressive armed patron. Neither these Commissioners nor the Courthouse Security Committee were aware of the placement of the particular camera involved in the present investigation. The Commissioners first became aware of the location of this camera on Tuesday, December 15 and took steps the same day to have the devise removed. Until the investigation is complete, the Commissioners will have no comment on whether or not the installation of this camera was warranted for legitimate security purposes.
UPDATE 3 - DECEMBER 22, 2020 - ANALYSIS OF PRESS RELEASE
RED HERRING ISSUES - SUBTERUGE REGARDING SECURITY CAMERAS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT'S RIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES FROM A GUNMAN
The Press Release is deceptive. The cameras and monitors related to the Jackson County Courthouse security, safety and law enforcement defending themselves have no bearing on the alleged misconduct or criminal conduct of an elected public official in this case, allegedly utilizing a "spy camera" and a computer interface to "observe" female employees. The escort of a female employee off of the Jackson County Courthouse property last week is related, according to Jackson County employee sources. This issue involves sexual harassment, creation of a hostile work environment, and alleged criminal conduct. A criminal investigation is necessary, a coverup or deception is inappropriate and not conducive to being a good steward of our resources for the county's citizens, and maintaining a professional, effective county government work environment.
There are other relative issues which must not be overlooked. 1) Security - The entire Jackson County Courthouse should be "swept" for eaves dropping devices, "spy cameras," audio listening devices; all computer equipment should be inspected for malware, spyware, hacked audio-video interfaces on installed computer systems, to include "program shells" or interfaces designed for eavesdropping. If the suspected party is spying on one, was he spying on others? Who installed the mysterious "spy camera," who paid for the eavesdropping equipment, who owns the equipment??? Responsible public officials, do you know for a fact that other "spy cameras" or interfaces do not exist? Questions which require answers and elimination of the risk regarding unknown audio/video recording equipment, "spy cameras," computer interfaces or malware. This deceptive "Press Release" does not help matters.
2) Sexual Harassment/Creation of a Hostile Work Environment. Every female employee should be professionally interviewed to determine if sexual harassment, inappropriate sexual advances and/or sexual misconduct occurred between one or more elected officials and employed/appointed female personnel. According to Jackson County employee reports, the dismissal of the female employee last week, escorted off of courthouse property, is related to the current situation and pending investigation. How much will sexual harassment and creation of a hostile work environment cost the citizens of Jackson County? How many more alleged sexual trysts or acts of jealousy are occurring, or have occurred, as a result of public officials misconduct in OUR courthouse??
UPDATE 2 - DECEMBER 21, 2020 - Local and Regional News Stories Regarding Inappropriate Surveillance of Courthouse Employee(s)
"In the Boro" - My video of this event, after meeting chat and interview attempts at bottom of page.
Jackson County Commission's Live Facebook Video of Guffey Resignation Meeting- https://www.facebook.com/JCCommissionAL/videos/734286453859622
Scottsboro, Al.The Clarion: https://www.theclarion.org/?p=3764&fbclid=IwAR3Y9DaycEy9wA98RaBybxj5uXdqqLxCJm5eCwO6OIWh0FaHglgqDQf9W9o
Clarions Story on Facebook Link- https://www.facebook.com/theclarionnewspaper
Scottsboro, Al. Jackson County Sentinel: http://jcsentinel.com/feature_story/article_e67f858a-43cc-11eb-ac4b-abe3c70fdfc6.html?fbclid=IwAR21ZdV_G2U4u6bVyp-gZnYfJ0NPs1e4XZF91v_7Yon7KCVnj77VljzIbqA
Sentinel's Facebook Video link: https://www.facebook.com/jcsentinel/videos/832239754017268
WAFF-TV News, Huntsville, Al: https://www.waff.com/2020/12/21/district-commissioners-announce-inappropriate-surveillance-allegation-investigation-jackson-county-employee/
Guffey Resigns- https://www.waff.com/2020/12/22/jackson-county-chairman-resigns/
WAAY-TV News, Huntsville, Al: https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/State-investigating-inappropriate-surveillance-claim-at-Jackson-County-Courthouse-573448161.html
Guffey Resigns- https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/Jackson-County-Commission-chairman-resigns-573459881.html
Story by WAAY News, Press Release and Guffey's Resignation - https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/Jackson-County-Commission-chairman-resigns-573459881.html
WHNT-TV News, Huntsville, Al: https://whnt.com/news/state-investigating-allegations-of-inappropriate-surveillance-at-jackson-county-courthouse/
Guffey Resigns- https://whnt.com/news/northeast-alabama/jackson-county-commission-chairman-resigns/
Al.Com By Ben Benton Chattanooga Times Free Press, (TNS) Tribune Media Services https://www.al.com/news/2020/12/alabama-investigating-secret-surveillance-of-courthouse-employee.html
UDATE 4 - December 23, 2020 - Another deceptive Press Release (image below)
Posted to Jackson county Commission’s Facebook site in reply to their Press Release of December 23, 2020, image posted below. Mr. Guffey is an elected political official who has resigned "effective immediately" and approved by the Jackson County Commission by unanimous vote. Guffey is not an employee and there was no approval for administrative leave.
Guffey's alleged resignation letter (image below) does not coincide with the statement made by the Commission Vice Chair, Guffey's resignation "effective immediately," was approved by the commission. Jackson County Commission's live streamed video, an official record of the meeting, at approximately 1 minute 45 seconds, and recorded by multiple press and media entities (linked above), statement of Vice Chair Jason Venable as to the resignation of Guffey: "The Chairman of the Jackson County Commission has tendered his resignation to Gov. Kay Ivey. Effective *immediately the chairman's duties will end." The read statement goes on further to say: "In order for the administration of the county to continue without interruption, until the Governor appoints a replacement Chair, the functions of the Chairman will be assumed by the Vice Chairman, and we should each pledge both the time and effort to make sure the county offices continue to serve the needs of the citizens until a new chairman can be named." The vote to accept the resignation of Guffey was taken and to appoint the Vice Chair to assume the duties of the chairman until the Governor appoints a new chairman, the vote to accept the resignation "effectively immediately" and appoint the Vice Chair to assume the duties of chairman until Governor Ivey appoints a replacement was unanimous. The resignation effective *immediately does not mean 2 weeks, 4 months or the next election cycle, "*immediately" is NOW, which is the commission meeting after the vote to accept the resignation. At no time did the commission approve Administrative Leave with or without pay as stated in the December 23, 2020 Press Release. The Commission in their vote did not approve the resignation effective date of April 11, 2020. The statement regarding Guffey's resignation was read on December 22, 2020 at approximately 3:30 PM.
Public Officials, if you continue to pay Guffey or continue any benefits, other than legally accrued benefits which may be cashed in as allowed by law. You should be asking yourself, are you committing or conspiring to commit fraud, theft of public funds by deception (Code of Alabama 13A-8-1; 13A-8-2; 13A-8-2.1). Definition of "immediate"- adjective, Merriam Webster - 1a: occurring, acting, or accomplished without loss or interval of time : INSTANT. b(1): near to or related to the present. (2): of or relating to the here and now : CURRENT. Definition of *"immediately" adverb - 1: without interval of time : STRAIGHTWAY
(Click on image to expand view.)
Video of the Tuesday, December 22, 2020 Special Called Commission Meeting.
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