By Norm Winick
We
at The Zephyr are asked all the time "What's going on in the State's
Attorney's office," and "Why don't you print more of what you
know?"
There
is an easy answer: We really don't know for sure what the hell is going on.
There
are charges and counter-charges going in all directions. There are internal and
external investigations by at least four organizations or agencies. There are
accusations of sexual harassment, incompetence, malfeasance, missing files,
dropped cases, a hostile work environment, employees going AWOL, and even
felonious acts.
If
you do a GoogleŽ search for "Federal Prisoner Fraternization," (one
of the accusations), stories about the Knox County State's Attorney's office
top the list.
We
do know there has been a lot of irresponsible reporting including many unproven
accusations by all sides.
We
do know that some allegiances have been shattered and everyone is absolutely
confident they are right and will be cleared by the investigations they have
requested.
We
do know some of the history and it is entertaining in its own right.
The
current mess started when Paul Mangieri accepted an appointment as a Circuit
Judge. Some of the subsequent accusations go back further than that, of course,
but they never would have seen the light of day had not there been a new
State's Attorney.
Mangieri
announced his supported for one of his assistants, Dean Stone, (now terminated)
to be his successor. He also opined that the appointment of a replacement had
to be made before he assumed his position as judge.
The
Democratic Precinct Committeemen of Knox County (57 of 60 were present)
caucused at the Galesburg Labor Temple. They heard from two candidates, John
Pepmeyer and Jeremy Karlin. Stone had withdrawn just prior to the caucus for
reasons unknown. After free-flowing discussion on the merits of both
candidates, the caucus voted to recommend Karlin. Outgoing State's Attorney
Paul Mangieri and Sheriff Jim Thompson both had spoken on Pepmeyer's behalf
— Mangieri quite eloquently. Karlin had worked hard for the vote and had
contacted most of the Committeemen prior to the caucus.
County
Board Chair Allen Pickrel (a Republican despite a Democratic majority on the
Board) only brought up Pepmeyer's name. He got all seven Republican votes and
one Democratic vote, that of Paul Hevland, and was named State's Attorney.
Hevland
was praised in the AFSCME Council 31 newspaper by Staff Rep Randy Lynch for
supporting his union brothers and sisters over his party. Lynch and union
President Judy Johnson (a Republican and wife of a GOP County Board Member) had
also endorsed Pepmeyer.
Now,
two and a half months later, all
these former allegiances have collapsed. AFSCME is representing employees
charging Pepmeyer with sexual harassment and creating a hostile workplace environment.
Pepmeyer
has fired some of Mangieri's most loyal supporters, is investigating others,
and has contended that the office wasn't running well at all under his
predecessor.
Some
of the County Board Members who had supported Karlin are jumping to Pepmeyer's
defense.
The
Attorney General, State Police, and the FBI have all reportedly been brought
into the various investigations — while Pepmeyer is conducting internal
queries and AFSCME is looking into the multitude of grievances that have been
filed.
We have no clue which ones will be
found to have merit and who may be vindicated. When we have something factual
to report, we will.
Published March 29, 2007