Ukiah Taxpayers on hook for well over $200k

The Magdaleno SETTLEMENT that the City of Ukiah entered into, with sufficient disclaimers about responsibility and disclosure I am sure, settled for over $200K, To that figure, add the large amount paid to the former police officer-turned private investigator that wrote the UPD's report exonerating them for the beatdown that their officers issued. Add to that, the administrative costs to the city as a result of the incident, the costs of the City Attorney's involvement, and the costs of the law firm hired to represent the city. The total costs of this case likely equaled around $400,000.00.

What did citizens get for their money? Did they get their department cleaned up? No. Many, if not all of these officers are still on duty at the UPD. Phillips is still in leadership, making more bad calls daily. These are four bad cops in one department. Add to this figure, the police I have experienced; Eric Rodello. Marcus Freeman (CSO). Sgt. Ron Donohue. That is seven. Seven questionable officers in one department. Don't forget the Chief of Police... with his own anger issues as documented by recordings. He was deeply involved in all of the Kevin Murray stuff, and has been implicated by name in the Siderakis matter, an offshoot of the Kevin Murray saga. Eight. Eight questionable officers, with more unnamed. In one department. Nine, if you count Kevin Murray. Ten, Ross Lunceford. Ten questionable officers... in one department... in a very short period of time.

Every man, woman and child paid about $25 bucks to the city government, to cover the costs associated with THEIR BAD MANAGEMENT of THEIR BAD POLICE DEPARTMENT, just in the Magdaleno case alone.

The city hires bad employees from questionable sources. They fail to supervise and train appropriately. They injure citizens. Then, they use taxpayer money to pay it off, while they make NO CHANGES WHATSOEVER to their business model.

Welcome to Ukiah.