The City of Wildwood settled a lawsuit for $295,000 after they were accused of depriving a city council candidate of his first amendment rights back in 2018.
The flaw in the ointment is that the individual who violates someone's rights isn't the one who PERSONALLY pays the fine. If cops and other public employees had to pay for their crimes out of their own pockets, this stuff would NEVER happen.
I know nothing about any of these people, however I feel pretty confident to say his opponent must've definitely been a republican. They are always the most corrupt, and the most authoritarian. That's why he probably had the cops do what he wanted because they always protect bad cops.
Traf, a most unusual name! My cousin is the only other one I've ever heard of. More to the point, until we abolished qualified immunity the people will continue to pay the price for elected officials and police misconduct. End qualified immunity now
@@lauralishes1 The Republican Party isn't the one that is siccing the FBI on dissenting parents who express their opinions at school board meetings; or prosecuting citizens who use their weapons in self-defense against lawless mobs; or arresting sidewalk protestors with right-to-life messages for exercising their First Amendment rights within abortuary exclusion zones roughly the size of Texas; or attempting to outlaw the possession of most firearms by the citizenry, in the teeth of Second Amendment guarantees; or trying to pass "hate speech" laws (essentially outlawing speech the Left hates).
Most do. I’ve seen government properties like a post office settle a first amendment lawsuit. And technically the post office didn’t violate any rights, but the court system was so costly that it was cheaper for the post office to just settle for 10k than spending double on tax dollars defending itself
@Brian Applegate The OP literally said the decision was made to settle based off advice from the insurance company. I’m adding on to that statement by saying most cities will settle regardless of what the insurance adjuster advises because it more depends on court costs vs the actual “crime” rather than what the insurance has to say. Then I followed up by giving an example of this. So you got your panties twisted for what exactly? Because you’re a goofball that can’t understand context? I’m not sure what you’re melting like a snowflake for…
Our insurance company said to settle because fighting it would just mean we lose. BUt BUT BUT that doesnt mean we lost it means well we lost but but but
He is trying to say that he's city did nothing wrong and only settled because the cost of litigation wasn't worth it financially which is bs. It would be considerably cheaper to fight this case in court and win, if they believe they would have won, then it is to pay out nearly $300k.
Which means the taxpayers will foot the bill in higher insurance premiums. Do you think they will wise up and vote for better leaders next time? Somehow I doubt it...
Wrong. The insurance premiums would have immediately been raised by multiples, and that city will have to give up a lot of other things to be able to pay for insurance they cannot be without. Point Marion, PA lost a 1st Amendment lawsuit involving their police department, their insurance premium to cover the police department went from $2,000 to $20,000, and they had to disband the police department because the small town could not afford that. That sounds like justice to me.
@@rippingred5265 Simply "firing" them is just not WORKING!!! That's like making a bank robber just leave the bank...Unless their are very real punishments, they will just go to another bank!!! Same with the Police; Until their are actual personal accountability, they will just continue as normal...Convict them of USC.18.242, and hand out 15 YEARS; Watch how fast they follow the constitution THEN...!!!
"We employ men with guns that rob, beat, and kidnap us...To "protect us" from men that want to rob, beat and kidnap us..." PRIME EXAMPLE how gov't by it's very existence spreads corruption, and totalitarianism like a cancer...
@@brentfarvors192 False. You can hold any sign at all if you please. It is LITERALLY your first amendment right. Now, if you want to ban this is polling locations, make it a law. Not a code, not ordinance, a law. That is the only way to limit civil liberties because the courts follow through with checks and balances. Is is your right for a reason. This isn't North Korea or China. Free and fair press is essential in any democracy. Even in republics that vaguely disguise themselves as a free and fair society.
@@pmccoy8924 You misunderstood my comment...I meant the ARREST should have never been allowed...I %100 AGREE; Police have no place telling people what signs they can/can't hold in public...
No, something bigger needs to be done. Imagine a city who really loves their Mayor, who does this to a guy who the city doesn’t want to vote for anyway. That guy will have no luck getting the mayor “voted out of town” because the people will forgive and forget, not to mention defend his actions in the first place. This is what happens in cities and states that vote strongly blue or red. The people protect incumbents and protect the actions of the party in power.
I know nothing about any of these people, however I feel pretty confident to say his opponent must've definitely been a republican. They are always the most corrupt, and the most authoritarian.
Hence, OUR biggest PROBLEM!!! ZERO accountability will come from those with the power to Police themselves...Jails would be completely EMPTY if the same were true for everyone...
The city said they did nothing wrong, which is exactly why he shouldn’t have settled. I get it’s an easy pay day and less stress, but at some point these abuses of power (including cops) need to go all the way through the legal system so they can be found guilty of violating people’s rights. This will be swept under the carpet and nothing will fundamentally change
The man has to do what he feels is right for him. I would have much preferred it went to court The council has conveniently not admitted guilt. So nothing really changes, this corrupt council will continue to abuse its power at no personal cost.
I'm not in this man's shoes and am not being judgmental on this; he settled because he thought that was the right thing to do for him. But I'd like to see the complainant in these types of cases take the corrupt government officials the entire way to judgement some time and not allow them to weasel out with a payment and no admission of responsibility for their actions. Sounds to me from the mayor's statement that the town's counsel knew Mr. Salvatore had a solid case and they proposed the least damaging outcome for themselves. The officials who used their governmental powers to violate Mr. Salvatore's rights and obstruct his campaign for office don't need 1st amendment or sunshine law "training"; I have no doubt they are well aware of the requirements of both. They just figured they could ignore them with impunity. And they did; Mr. Salvatore did not win election, none are being held individually responsible and a taxpayer funded insurance policy will pay the settlement.
_"I'd like to see the complainant ... way to judgement"_ The problem with doing that is any competent attorney will abandon you if you press for that outcome. No attorney is going to give up a *GUARANTEED* $100+K paycheck for a possibility of getting beat in court for a $Million.
yeah its a shame he has to settle,because its a crap shoot to take it to judgement! Hope he uses that money to help battle these civil right violators!
In this case he forced them to get additional training and to publicize they will be fair in the future. Those little steps alone are what is important and they limit the city ability to defend against future suits. He did the right thing here and still took home some cash.
Why. He got a lot of money, and the insurance company would have immediately raised their insurance premiums by multiples costing the city a LOT of money for the next several years. Point Marion, PA lost a 1st Amendment lawsuit involving their police department, their premium to cover the police department went from $2,000 to $20,000, and they had to disband the police department because the small town could not afford that. That sounds like justice to me.
So actually it cost the city nothing out of pocket because the city's insurance covered the settlement. How is the city supposed to learn a lesson if it does not make the people violating civil rights pay a price?
Government officials always cover their own asses so they can't be held personally responsible for their actions. If they were, most of them would be in prison by now.
I know nothing about any of these people, however I feel pretty confident to say his opponent must've definitely been a republican. They are always the most corrupt, and the most authoritarian. That's why he probably had the cops do what he wanted because they always protect bad cops.
What happens is that when settlements are reached without Liability we lose the prospective case law to go after qualified immunity for repeated violations
No admission of guilt. That’s like pleading no contest in criminal courts. Your admission was not necessary anyway because the evidence was there. What ever happened to that councilman that sent that email to have the cops violate the mans civil rights?
It's a pretty hollow win, sadly. Yeah, he gets a nice payout. But no one is going to actually be held responsible. The city won't lose a dime because their insurance will pay for it. (Which ultimately means the taxpayers won't, which is a very small silver lining).
@@SlimThrull Wrong. The insurance company will (a) pay the settlement, and then (b) raise the premiums the jurisdiction has to pay. When this happened in a case involving the Point Marion, PA police, their insurance premium went from $2,000 to $20,000, they town couldn't pay it, so their police department had to be disbanded. THAT is how things work.
SO, basically the taxpayers are paying this settlement, no admission of wrongdoing by city council and none of them charged with crimes , convicted or sent to prison.... How is this a win for free speech ?
Most cities pay damages they incur thru a risk pool insurance policy, as was stated. The tax payers $$ in the city coffers are not where the money comes from. If city officials were required to carry bonds then those would also cover tort claims. They could have their coverage canceled for wrongful acts and couldn’t continue in their positions any longer. Unfortunately, those type of liability policies, such as security guards have to have, are rarely required for government officials. It is odd that violations of the constitution are civil vs criminal acts. It leaves the aggrieved citizen on the hook for paying for an attorney to sue the offenders.
@@rjlp128 My point was that taxpayers are on the hook regardless. Taxpayers still pay for the insurance policies, and I am sure that when it comes time for a renewal, that cost will most definitely go up due to situations such as this.
bull shit!!! the city was afraid that a Federal Case Law would be made and it would be "City of (input) v (input person)" and thus create a Federal precedent. That is why they settled and the Insurance Company is just a ruse and facade.
Now do something about the fact that Jeff Gray, AKA: HonorYourOath Civil Rights Investigations, keeps getting arrested and thrown in jail for holding a sign saying "God bless homeless vets"
@@righttorecord3538 what he isn’t telling you is that he does this right up to the doors of various facilities, some of which are PRIVATE, harasses customers in and out, uses the sign as an excuse to be there, then refuses to leave when asked. But yea - it’s all about the sign. Right,
I’m gonna explain this very slowly, perhaps it’ll help simpletons like you understand. Just because he can write on a sign doesn’t give him some sort of magic rights to put that sign in the face of everyone and anyone wherever he sees fit. Limited public forums aren’t his personal stomping grounds….
But...but....but the Police are there to protect and serve. (In what basic high school education course does a person not know that you have the right to hold a political sign ? Just ignore that these Police officers are supposed to have 'Hight Standards and Training'....yet they don't have even a rudimentary grasp of the very first Amendment of our Constitution/Law.)
I'd like to know how high the premiums for their insurance coverage jumped. Point Marion, PA lost a 1st Amendment lawsuit involving their police department, their premium to cover the police department went from $2,000 to $20,000, and they had to disband the police department because the small town could not afford that. That sounds like justice to me.
"These insurance companies don´t "make an economical assesment". THEY TELL YOU TO AGREE TOP A SETTLEMENT BECAUSE THEY KNOW YOU ARE WRONG AND THEY HAVE TO PAY HEAVILY IF THIS GOES BEFORE COURT !!!
Right on insurance company you've accomplished what others have only dreamt of. Other insurance companies should the same requirments. City & state employees should be penalized for for lawsuits give us taxpayers a much deserved break
Oh don't credit the insurance company. That 295K is a number. A number they felt confident was lower than the result of loosing the trial. They do not care one bit about civil rights. Insurance lawyers saw the evidence and easily made the decision to get it wrapped up. Because a judgment on this case probably opens the door for additional cases for destruction of evidence, possibly fraud. There is probably a clause or two barring additional cases relating to this occurrence. Clauses that drove the settlement higher.
No civil rights settlement should ever be settled for less than $10,000,000. Insurance prices will price most municipalities out of the market and citizens will revolt if forced to pay for their elected officials unlawful actions. Force change.
All that was learned by our current and future public servants and elected officials is to do better with the coverup and use private email and texting (illegal but meh).
Like the government tells us: "ignorance of the law *is not an excuse."* *And yet there are zero personal consequences for the individual actors who violated the law...*
The lawsuit wont shake things up because he settled. This isnt even covered under qualified immunity. Dont settle. Sue the individuals involved. The settlement admits no fault and they get to yse tax payer money to get out of jail free so to speak. Thats why nothing ever changes. People always agree to the settlements
To members of the politico-economic elite, civil rights in general should only recognized for people like them . . . not for peasants who have to stand on the sidewalk with signs in order to campaign. (Sort of like the British barons and high clergy who who won recognition of individual rights in Magna Carta, but, of course, were not for including the _hoi polloi_ among the beneficiaries of said rights.)
@@ShainAndrews I believe you are wrong when it comes to violations of Civil Rights. A classic example was when Pres. Eisenhower used the power of the Federal Government to enforce the integration of schools in Mississippi.
Voters you need to replace these City Officials who conspired to ignore the rights granted by the Constitution. They have and will violate your Rights.
Talk about a privileged class. They commit constitutional crimes which are federal felonies, No criminal charges. They pay off the victim with somebody else's money. Then they don't get fired!. That's platinum-level privilege!.
The WHOLE CITY should be fired. Anyone that enforced that or knew that was going on skills be fired. That's FREE SPEECH 101. Anyone not knowing that should not be able to hold public office
The real question is "Do the citizens of this city have anything resembling spines"? To allow this sort of corruption is unnecessary and dangerous to our democracy.
Remove all the City criminal employees, with fines and loss of pension, and jail time. We must make a Nation, under seige from such vermin, free from corrupt grifters in power.. They must learn to be afraid.
Why hasn’t the Council member/s and the Police Officers/ Department been charged with participating in a Criminal Conspiracy? This goes to fundamental democracy. The US Attorney General should initiate criminal proceedings immediately.
Time for the real criminals to be held accountable for their crimes against citizens both monetarily and with prison time. Then put the DA's and Judges that back them in the same cell.
Good to hear that they made a offer to settle but it was worth way more as the ins company said to settle they had nothing and they new a trial would have given out possibly another 3 hundred K on top of there 295 settlement offer . Sorry but they should have been taught a larger lesson .
time for "We the People" of the City of Wildwood to vote out of their local government every person that was involved in this scam against a citizen. and to fire all those involved that weren't elected. there are plenty of people in this city that need a job that will do it with professionalism and integrity. which seems to be very lacking in Wildwood.
Same on this city voting in a moral coward for a Mayor. Better the taxpayers feel the pain for their foolishness. Round of applause for the police officer showing restraint, he did not taze, pantelaho, or mcdonald him.
After a settlement they are still not admitting their exposed unlawful acts & clear as day corruption 😮this shows not to expect change, growth or fairness of any sort from these people in the now or future, the only thing they have learnt & are willing to act upon is more deception & knowing they need to be more sneaky & corrupt in the future. Shameful
The last time I didn't do something wrong. I didn't have to pay $295,000, make a statement on a website, take first amendment training and also training on an act that my city has that I'm supposed to know
I honestly don't understand what people don't get about the 1st amendment and democracy. This isn't rocket science people. I probably would disagree, not like or be against what this guy is running on. But he still has right to run and I will defend that right.
Cities should NOT be allowed to have insurance to cover their corrupt actions when they are found guilty of breaking the law, Instead, the officials pay for their actions from their personal fortunes, this certainly would change their actions in future decisions
The courts should make the idiot police department to go out there, and hold signs as restitution, to aid in the time lost for violating a person's civil rights!
I'm curious on how much the insurance would lose if they didn't settle and actually went to court. Would it be the costs of the court and when they lose also have to pay 300k?... so either way they would lose its just settling costs less and admits no wrong doing?
the constitutional rights violations were Federal Felonies under Title 18 USC sec 242 concerning any government agent on any level of government. He should have had them all arrested.
Where is Wildwood? Let's get about 100 1st Amendment auditors to follow all the public servants around and record them. They'll do what they always do and abuse their authority, then we can sue them to the poor house. The only REAL way to get people's attention is to take their money away! We know what we need to do, let's get organized and teach these losers the REAL POWER OF THE PEOPLE
The insurance company didn’t advise to settle for the economic costs of the lawsuit. They advised the town to settle because they wanted to save the town from complete humiliation at trial. When regular people are given the chance to redress misconduct by public officials, especially at trial, they do it with a vengeance. That’s why the insurance company advised a settlement.
The flaw in the ointment is that the individual who violates someone's rights isn't the one who PERSONALLY pays the fine. If cops and other public employees had to pay for their crimes out of their own pockets, this stuff would NEVER happen.
I know nothing about any of these people, however I feel pretty confident to say his opponent must've definitely been a republican. They are always the most corrupt, and the most authoritarian. That's why he probably had the cops do what he wanted because they always protect bad cops.
@@lauralishes1 lol these are tactics used by democrat crazies. Mainly because yall don't know the constitution at all.
Traf, a most unusual name! My cousin is the only other one I've ever heard of. More to the point, until we abolished qualified immunity the people will continue to pay the price for elected officials and police misconduct. End qualified immunity now
@@fjoebidun5376 Stay mad, authoritarian. Black lives matter. Racist lives don't.
@@lauralishes1 The Republican Party isn't the one that is siccing the FBI on dissenting parents who express their opinions at school board meetings; or prosecuting citizens who use their weapons in self-defense against lawless mobs; or arresting sidewalk protestors with right-to-life messages for exercising their First Amendment rights within abortuary exclusion zones roughly the size of Texas; or attempting to outlaw the possession of most firearms by the citizenry, in the teeth of Second Amendment guarantees; or trying to pass "hate speech" laws (essentially outlawing speech the Left hates).
Notice the Mayor admitted he was going solely on the advice of the insurance company, not any legal or moral standing
Most do. I’ve seen government properties like a post office settle a first amendment lawsuit. And technically the post office didn’t violate any rights, but the court system was so costly that it was cheaper for the post office to just settle for 10k than spending double on tax dollars defending itself
@Brian Applegate The OP literally said the decision was made to settle based off advice from the insurance company. I’m adding on to that statement by saying most cities will settle regardless of what the insurance adjuster advises because it more depends on court costs vs the actual “crime” rather than what the insurance has to say. Then I followed up by giving an example of this. So you got your panties twisted for what exactly? Because you’re a goofball that can’t understand context? I’m not sure what you’re melting like a snowflake for…
Stupid mayor, fire him…
Our insurance company said to settle because fighting it would just mean we lose. BUt BUT BUT that doesnt mean we lost it means well we lost but but but
He is trying to say that he's city did nothing wrong and only settled because the cost of litigation wasn't worth it financially which is bs. It would be considerably cheaper to fight this case in court and win, if they believe they would have won, then it is to pay out nearly $300k.
As usual...the city's insurance is paying it. ZERO repercussions for the city employees that violated his rights
Which means the taxpayers will foot the bill in higher insurance premiums. Do you think they will wise up and vote for better leaders next time? Somehow I doubt it...
Wrong. The insurance premiums would have immediately been raised by multiples, and that city will have to give up a lot of other things to be able to pay for insurance they cannot be without. Point Marion, PA lost a 1st Amendment lawsuit involving their police department, their insurance premium to cover the police department went from $2,000 to $20,000, and they had to disband the police department because the small town could not afford that. That sounds like justice to me.
they all need to be fired and don't forget to vote out the people holding elected offices.
@@XJWill1 Like, their are any repercussions for politicians that LIE to get elected...?
@@rippingred5265 Simply "firing" them is just not WORKING!!! That's like making a bank robber just leave the bank...Unless their are very real punishments, they will just go to another bank!!! Same with the Police; Until their are actual personal accountability, they will just continue as normal...Convict them of USC.18.242, and hand out 15 YEARS; Watch how fast they follow the constitution THEN...!!!
Those in power will do anything to remain in power.
Power corrupts and absolute power,corrupts absolutely!
@D. Waiting for Biden to do the same
"We employ men with guns that rob, beat, and kidnap us...To "protect us" from men that want to rob, beat and kidnap us..." PRIME EXAMPLE how gov't by it's very existence spreads corruption, and totalitarianism like a cancer...
@@catskeleton4465 Let's hope they don't do anything stupid during mid terms or '24.
@@catskeleton4465 like Trump did?
I love it when a city/state pays out a settlement, but yet say they did nothing wrong. How do they figure that?
Congratulations sir. Mad respect. Thank you for exposing the tyrants in wildwood.
So the people in power stay in power but the taxpayers have to shell out $295k? Real problem with accountability.
Insurance company pays. They'll be OK.
This is what happens when you let the government dictate how you get justice from the corrupt government.
Where does the city get the money to pay the insurance company?
Votes talk, BS walks. Yu want "change" then get voter support. Anything less is just loser talk.
@@chrisbowling4060 votes don't count wake up
Congrats!!! America needs more politicians like you!!! Keep fighting the good fight. There's a gigantic swap out there!!! For the people!!!
I hope the voters remember this at the next city election.
Point being; It should have NEVER, EVER been allowed in the FIRST PLACE!!!
@@brentfarvors192 False. You can hold any sign at all if you please. It is LITERALLY your first amendment right. Now, if you want to ban this is polling locations, make it a law. Not a code, not ordinance, a law. That is the only way to limit civil liberties because the courts follow through with checks and balances. Is is your right for a reason. This isn't North Korea or China. Free and fair press is essential in any democracy. Even in republics that vaguely disguise themselves as a free and fair society.
@@pmccoy8924 You misunderstood my comment...I meant the ARREST should have never been allowed...I %100 AGREE; Police have no place telling people what signs they can/can't hold in public...
@@brentfarvors192 Thank you, Brent. My apologies. God, bless.
No, something bigger needs to be done. Imagine a city who really loves their Mayor, who does this to a guy who the city doesn’t want to vote for anyway. That guy will have no luck getting the mayor “voted out of town” because the people will forgive and forget, not to mention defend his actions in the first place. This is what happens in cities and states that vote strongly blue or red. The people protect incumbents and protect the actions of the party in power.
Seems like some jail time was in order. Every corrupt guilty party got off scott free.
Or some tar, feathers and a rail......
I know nothing about any of these people, however I feel pretty confident to say his opponent must've definitely been a republican. They are always the most corrupt, and the most authoritarian.
@@lauralishes1 Both parties are the same thing. Think of a Good Ol' Boys Club.
@@lauralishes1 How can I contact you? I am in need of MIND reading services ....
Hence, OUR biggest PROBLEM!!! ZERO accountability will come from those with the power to Police themselves...Jails would be completely EMPTY if the same were true for everyone...
The city employees and officials involved in this need to be in prison.
Problem here is the problem wasn’t solved. They were still denying they did anything wrong. He needed to take this to court for a better resolution.
The city said they did nothing wrong, which is exactly why he shouldn’t have settled. I get it’s an easy pay day and less stress, but at some point these abuses of power (including cops) need to go all the way through the legal system so they can be found guilty of violating people’s rights. This will be swept under the carpet and nothing will fundamentally change
If you don't use your rights, you will lose your rights. Those who would give up their freedom for security deserve neither
The man has to do what he feels is right for him. I would have much preferred it went to court The council has conveniently not admitted guilt. So nothing really changes, this corrupt council will continue to abuse its power at no personal cost.
I'm not in this man's shoes and am not being judgmental on this; he settled because he thought that was the right thing to do for him. But I'd like to see the complainant in these types of cases take the corrupt government officials the entire way to judgement some time and not allow them to weasel out with a payment and no admission of responsibility for their actions. Sounds to me from the mayor's statement that the town's counsel knew Mr. Salvatore had a solid case and they proposed the least damaging outcome for themselves. The officials who used their governmental powers to violate Mr. Salvatore's rights and obstruct his campaign for office don't need 1st amendment or sunshine law "training"; I have no doubt they are well aware of the requirements of both. They just figured they could ignore them with impunity. And they did; Mr. Salvatore did not win election, none are being held individually responsible and a taxpayer funded insurance policy will pay the settlement.
Yes, but there are folks who never forgive... and never forget.
_"I'd like to see the complainant ... way to judgement"_
The problem with doing that is any competent attorney will abandon you if you press for that outcome. No attorney is going to give up a *GUARANTEED* $100+K paycheck for a possibility of getting beat in court for a $Million.
yeah its a shame he has to settle,because its a crap shoot to take it to judgement! Hope he uses that money to help battle these civil right violators!
In this case he forced them to get additional training and to publicize they will be fair in the future. Those little steps alone are what is important and they limit the city ability to defend against future suits. He did the right thing here and still took home some cash.
Why. He got a lot of money, and the insurance company would have immediately raised their insurance premiums by multiples costing the city a LOT of money for the next several years. Point Marion, PA lost a 1st Amendment lawsuit involving their police department, their premium to cover the police department went from $2,000 to $20,000, and they had to disband the police department because the small town could not afford that. That sounds like justice to me.
So actually it cost the city nothing out of pocket because the city's insurance covered the settlement. How is the city supposed to learn a lesson if it does not make the people violating civil rights pay a price?
Government officials always cover their own asses so they can't be held personally responsible for their actions. If they were, most of them would be in prison by now.
I know nothing about any of these people, however I feel pretty confident to say his opponent must've definitely been a republican. They are always the most corrupt, and the most authoritarian. That's why he probably had the cops do what he wanted because they always protect bad cops.
take it out of their paychecks
That's why it's known as corruption.
Its just like car insurance, if you use it the premiums are gonna go up.
What happens is that when settlements are reached without Liability we lose the prospective case law to go after qualified immunity for repeated violations
Glad to see the little guy prevail, however the oath breakers didn't pay out of their own pockets! End qualified immunity NOW!!
No admission of guilt. That’s like pleading no contest in criminal courts. Your admission was not necessary anyway because the evidence was there. What ever happened to that councilman that sent that email to have the cops violate the mans civil rights?
This violation is just a pimple on the massive numbers of curruption cases, this was a rare win for the victim.
NO IT WAS NOT IT JUST ALLOWED THEM TO COVER UP ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AND CORRUPTION AND THE TAX PAYERS PICKED UP THE BILL
Nope. Victims win all the time, but usually part of the settlement is a nondisclosure agreement that they will not reveal how much they were paid.
It's a pretty hollow win, sadly. Yeah, he gets a nice payout. But no one is going to actually be held responsible. The city won't lose a dime because their insurance will pay for it. (Which ultimately means the taxpayers won't, which is a very small silver lining).
@@SlimThrull Wrong. The insurance company will (a) pay the settlement, and then (b) raise the premiums the jurisdiction has to pay. When this happened in a case involving the Point Marion, PA police, their insurance premium went from $2,000 to $20,000, they town couldn't pay it, so their police department had to be disbanded. THAT is how things work.
@@agb1953 That's a fairly rare outcome.
SO, basically the taxpayers are paying this settlement, no admission of wrongdoing by city council and none of them charged with crimes , convicted or sent to prison.... How is this a win for free speech ?
A NDA in these cases are on the same level as qualified immunity, protect the Criminals above all else.
Most cities pay damages they incur thru a risk pool insurance policy, as was stated. The tax payers $$ in the city coffers are not where the money comes from. If city officials were required to carry bonds then those would also cover tort claims. They could have their coverage canceled for wrongful acts and couldn’t continue in their positions any longer. Unfortunately, those type of liability policies, such as security guards have to have, are rarely required for government officials. It is odd that violations of the constitution are civil vs criminal acts. It leaves the aggrieved citizen on the hook for paying for an attorney to sue the offenders.
That city administration needs to be replaced by the people of Wildwood.
@@rjlp128 Wait are you saying the taxpayers didn't pay for this?
@@rjlp128 My point was that taxpayers are on the hook regardless. Taxpayers still pay for the insurance policies, and I am sure that when it comes time for a renewal, that cost will most definitely go up due to situations such as this.
bull shit!!! the city was afraid that a Federal Case Law would be made and it would be "City of (input) v (input person)" and thus create a Federal precedent. That is why they settled and the Insurance Company is just a ruse and facade.
Now do something about the fact that Jeff Gray, AKA: HonorYourOath Civil Rights Investigations, keeps getting arrested and thrown in jail for holding a sign saying "God bless homeless vets"
You can say that again!
It's up to Mr. Gray to sue in federal court when his rights are violated. If he chooses not to, that's on him.
@@righttorecord3538 what he isn’t telling you is that he does this right up to the doors of various facilities, some of which are PRIVATE, harasses customers in and out, uses the sign as an excuse to be there, then refuses to leave when asked.
But yea - it’s all about the sign. Right,
He’s a jackass. So are you for being dishonest about what he does
I’m gonna explain this very slowly, perhaps it’ll help simpletons like you understand.
Just because he can write on a sign doesn’t give him some sort of magic rights to put that sign in the face of everyone and anyone wherever he sees fit. Limited public forums aren’t his personal stomping grounds….
But...but....but the Police are there to protect and serve. (In what basic high school education course does a person not know that you have the right to hold a political sign ? Just ignore that these Police officers are supposed to have 'Hight Standards and Training'....yet they don't have even a rudimentary grasp of the very first Amendment of our Constitution/Law.)
I still can't believe our officials don't know the peoples rights they took an oath to protect.
Nowadays?oh I can, it feels like half the population are knuckle daggers. I have to work with them. Oh, joy. I smoke alot more weed to cope.😊
I'd like to know how high the premiums for their insurance coverage jumped. Point Marion, PA lost a 1st Amendment lawsuit involving their police department, their premium to cover the police department went from $2,000 to $20,000, and they had to disband the police department because the small town could not afford that. That sounds like justice to me.
"These insurance companies don´t "make an economical assesment". THEY TELL YOU TO AGREE TOP A SETTLEMENT BECAUSE THEY KNOW YOU ARE WRONG AND THEY HAVE TO PAY HEAVILY IF THIS GOES BEFORE COURT !!!
Well done tony it’s about time these crooks atarted to be held accountable .
Right on insurance company you've accomplished what others have only dreamt of. Other insurance companies should the same requirments. City & state employees should be penalized for for lawsuits give us taxpayers a much deserved break
Oh don't credit the insurance company. That 295K is a number. A number they felt confident was lower than the result of loosing the trial. They do not care one bit about civil rights. Insurance lawyers saw the evidence and easily made the decision to get it wrapped up. Because a judgment on this case probably opens the door for additional cases for destruction of evidence, possibly fraud. There is probably a clause or two barring additional cases relating to this occurrence. Clauses that drove the settlement higher.
No this needs to come out of those responsible pockets not the taxpayers via higher insurance premiums
No civil rights settlement should ever be settled for less than $10,000,000. Insurance prices will price most municipalities out of the market and citizens will revolt if forced to pay for their elected officials unlawful actions. Force change.
All that was learned by our current and future public servants and elected officials is to do better with the coverup and use private email and texting (illegal but meh).
Like the government tells us: "ignorance of the law *is not an excuse."* *And yet there are zero personal consequences for the individual actors who violated the law...*
I was threatened with arrest under a panhandling ordinance in Winter Haven, Florida for holding a Bernie sign.
Should have taken the ride to free money there.
Wow, crooked politicians! Who would have ever thought it.
The lawsuit wont shake things up because he settled. This isnt even covered under qualified immunity. Dont settle. Sue the individuals involved.
The settlement admits no fault and they get to yse tax payer money to get out of jail free so to speak.
Thats why nothing ever changes.
People always agree to the settlements
They did nothing wrong except violate the guy's 1st amendment right and then tried to cover it up by the city's standards that is a minor detail.
To members of the politico-economic elite, civil rights in general should only recognized for people like them . . . not for peasants who have to stand on the sidewalk with signs in order to campaign. (Sort of like the British barons and high clergy who who won recognition of individual rights in Magna Carta, but, of course, were not for including the _hoi polloi_ among the beneficiaries of said rights.)
SO GLAD WE ARE HOLDING THE POLICE ACCOUNTABLE! DEFUND AND RE-TRAIN THEM!
I'm just waiting on my court appearance so I can get paid as well.
What a nice ending. Thank Salvatore for pursuing the law suit.
Congratulations Mr. Salvatore. Also, thankyou for not just rolling over and capitulating.
Good for him. Now run for Mayor and replace that failure.
Corruption at it's finest!
The crooked city workers should be fired. They admit to doing nothing wrong but paying $295k worth of wrong.
Where was the D. O. J. on this? Why didn't they bring charges against the City for violating Mr. Salvatore's Civil Rights?
DOJ has no jurisdiction in a state's civil matters. That's why. No entity can sue on behalf of another is another reason.
@@ShainAndrews I believe you are wrong when it comes to violations of Civil Rights. A classic example was when Pres. Eisenhower used the power of the Federal Government to enforce the integration of schools in Mississippi.
@@corin164 There is a difference there... can you see it?
Voters you need to replace these City Officials who conspired to ignore the rights granted by the Constitution. They have and will violate your Rights.
Because none of these corrupt officials will pay out of their pockets and the insurance paid this will happen again..
Thank you very much for Violating Mr. Salvatore Constitutional Right to Campaign against his Opponent in the City Council race..
Mr. Salvatore should have NEVER settled. Always take a jury trial and force the government to defend themselves in front of the citizenry.
Talk about a privileged class. They commit constitutional crimes which are federal felonies,
No criminal charges. They pay off the victim with somebody else's money. Then they don't get fired!.
That's platinum-level privilege!.
The WHOLE CITY should be fired. Anyone that enforced that or knew that was going on skills be fired.
That's FREE SPEECH 101. Anyone not knowing that should not be able to hold public office
The real question is "Do the citizens of this city have anything resembling spines"? To allow this sort of corruption is unnecessary and dangerous to our democracy.
Remove all the City criminal employees, with fines and loss of pension, and jail time. We must make a Nation, under seige from such vermin, free from corrupt grifters in power.. They must learn to be afraid.
Why hasn’t the Council member/s and the Police Officers/ Department been charged with participating in a Criminal Conspiracy? This goes to fundamental democracy. The US Attorney General should initiate criminal proceedings immediately.
So the Tax Payer commited the Crime? Then why are they Paying for someone else's fault?
So basically the man is paying himself with his Own taxes!
Time for the real criminals to be held accountable for their crimes against citizens both monetarily and with prison time. Then put the DA's and Judges that back them in the same cell.
The city as a whole couldn't just take an L?
What cowards
Use the $295.000 to run for Mayor and get the top crook out of office!
Good to hear that they made a offer to settle but it was worth way more as the ins company said to settle they had nothing and they new a trial would have given out possibly another 3 hundred K on top of there 295 settlement offer . Sorry but they should have been taught a larger lesson .
Notice police will follow orders no matter how immoral or unconstitutional
They’d rather payout a huge settlement than give him his rights.
Its not enough! The police officers involved MUST be fired, charged and jailed for violating this mans rights
They should make the people pay out of their own pockets, that would send a strong message to all parties to never violate anyone's first amendment.
I would have taken it to court.
Several city councilmen should be in federal prison getting training on how to toss a salad.
He should have gotten twice that much, plus the cops should have been fired.
ppl need to stop settling and take it all the way to the supreme courts
time for "We the People" of the City of Wildwood to vote out of their local government every person that was involved in this scam against a citizen. and to fire all those involved that weren't elected. there are plenty of people in this city that need a job that will do it with professionalism and integrity. which seems to be very lacking in Wildwood.
And all the people conspiring against him didn’t receive any criminal charges?Gee what a big surprise.
The only message I saw is that it costs 300,000 to get rid of your political opponent. Pocket change for some power.
I would have spent some of that settlement money on a smear campaign against everybody involved
End qualified immunity now!! Personally sue the individual tyrants!!
Big win for we the people 👏🏽👏🏽
Why are you using brown hands you clown
Sadly the cops just "do their job" regardless if the law applies or NOT!
It's hard to believe that only a few years ago America used to brag about exporting Democracy. I think they have run out of product.
Same on this city voting in a moral coward for a Mayor. Better the taxpayers feel the pain for their foolishness. Round of applause for the police officer showing restraint, he did not taze, pantelaho, or mcdonald him.
Good job Tony. Keep up the good fight.
Not good enough for me! Those responsible for the violation should be indicted!
They should arrest all involved.
Police need to be stripped of qualified immunity before they bankrupt these cities.
That’s a win - getting squirrelly when the 1A is getting violated to that extent.
After a settlement they are still not admitting their exposed unlawful acts & clear as day corruption 😮this shows not to expect change, growth or fairness of any sort from these people in the now or future, the only thing they have learnt & are willing to act upon is more deception & knowing they need to be more sneaky & corrupt in the future. Shameful
and still nothing happens to those who did the crim and the taxpayers are the ones who pay
The last time I didn't do something wrong. I didn't have to pay $295,000, make a statement on a website, take first amendment training and also training on an act that my city has that I'm supposed to know
$300,000 isnt enough and it should come from their personal pockets not tax payers or insurance. Fire them, and imprison them.
I honestly don't understand what people don't get about the 1st amendment and democracy. This isn't rocket science people. I probably would disagree, not like or be against what this guy is running on. But he still has right to run and I will defend that right.
$295k, but the city did nothing wrong?
I gotta get in on this action.
What a racket!!! 🤣
When your insurance company knows you did wrong but but you don't, that's a big problem.
And....I would bet that the citizens didnt vote the mayor nor the seated counsel member out
Cities should NOT be allowed to have insurance to cover their corrupt actions when they are found guilty of breaking the law, Instead, the officials pay for their actions from their personal fortunes, this certainly would change their actions in future decisions
The courts should make the idiot police department to go out there, and hold signs as restitution, to aid in the time lost for violating a person's civil rights!
Excellent!
I'm curious on how much the insurance would lose if they didn't settle and actually went to court. Would it be the costs of the court and when they lose also have to pay 300k?... so either way they would lose its just settling costs less and admits no wrong doing?
the constitutional rights violations were Federal Felonies under Title 18 USC sec 242 concerning any government agent on any level of government. He should have had them all arrested.
Sue em for more.
Corruption....simple as that
Where is Wildwood? Let's get about 100 1st Amendment auditors to follow all the public servants around and record them. They'll do what they always do and abuse their authority, then we can sue them to the poor house.
The only REAL way to get people's attention is to take their money away! We know what we need to do, let's get organized and teach these losers the REAL POWER OF THE PEOPLE
No, the settlement will do NOTHING to stop petty politicians from their illegal actions.
The insurance company didn’t advise to settle for the economic costs of the lawsuit.
They advised the town to settle because they wanted to save the town from complete humiliation at trial.
When regular people are given the chance to redress misconduct by public officials, especially at trial, they do it with a vengeance.
That’s why the insurance company advised a settlement.