A golf trip to Las Vegas, bail bondsman bought and paid for, appears to be just the tip of the iceberg for potential conflicts of interest in the Muskegon area. Thomas DePung, a Muskegon bail bondsman, bought golf trips to Las Vegas for two assistant prosecutors from the Musekegeon county area.
Kathryn Norton, who was an entry level Assistant Prosecutor and Marc E. Curtis, who had a 9 year tenure, were fired after being on paid suspension for their acceptance of the trips. While no criminal acts were alleged, the severity of their apparent misjudgement was enough for the pair to be terminated for accepting gifts from the bail bondsman.
Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague said that "despite no evidence of any influence on the assistants' jobs," their actions were "an incredible lapse of judgment and have created an unacceptable appearance of impropriety."
On the tail of the scandal involving the two assistant prosecutors, another potential conflict of interest between Tommy Depung and the Muskegon County Sheriff's office. Tommy DePung was linked with a service that provided flat screen TV's in Muskegon County Jail's booking and visiting areas, along with numerous additional county jails in across the state of Michigan. These flat screen televisions show DePung's On the Run Network TV, which provided and installed the TVs.
The connection between DePung, owner of Bad Boys Bail Bonds, and Muskegon County doesn’t involve county money going to DePung. The agreement between the Muskegon County corporate counsel’s office and the bail bondsman was signed by both Sheriff Dean Roesler and DePung.
The content being shown on the "On the Run Network" is essentially a rollign slide show that allows bail bondsmen and lawyers to advertise their services to the inmates incarcertaed in participating facilities. These advertisements are purchased from DePung's company.
The agreement does not include any money being paid to DePung's company for rent or services rendered. In addition, DePung's group installed and services the equipment for free.
However, the additional, and seemingly cozy, tie between DePung and the Sheriff's office calls into question possible conflicts of interest. Why does Depung have the ability to craft these deals? Do these ancillary agreements cause and conflicts of interest with the Sheriff's office and their dealings with DePung's Bad Boys Bail Bonds. As more information surfaces about Mr. dePung's activities, surely this will lead to more questions than answers.
BAIL BONDS UPDATE - Delivering the latest bail bonds news and stories.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Man Pretending To Be A Bail Bondsman Was Out On Bail
Last Monday night a Conway woman was coned by a man pretending to be a bail bondsman. The man said he worked for City Bail Bonds and asked the Conway woman if he could search her home to help locate a suspect. As the two got talking the man said he could help the Conway woman bail her son out of jail if she continued to help him locate his suspect.
The alleged bondsman and the woman met at the Faulkner County Detention Center the following night where she gave the man $150 for her sons bail. The two were exchanging information and money when the suspect took off in a silver car.
Conway Police were called reporting the scam by the victim the same night. Police were able to speak to a witness who was at the victims home at the same time as the fake bondsman. The witness was able to give the police a phone number they used to contact the suspect. The suspect told police he would turn himself in, but never did.
The owners of City Bail Bonds were asked by police if they could assist in locating the suspect. After linking the suspects name and phone number. City Bail Bonds was able to give police a driver’s license photo of the suspect. The victim confirmed it was the man who conned her out of her money.
The suspect is being considered a flight risk as he was currently out on bail for a different crime. Police will be contacted by City Bail Bonds as soon as the fake bondsman is located and placed in jail.
The alleged bondsman and the woman met at the Faulkner County Detention Center the following night where she gave the man $150 for her sons bail. The two were exchanging information and money when the suspect took off in a silver car.
Conway Police were called reporting the scam by the victim the same night. Police were able to speak to a witness who was at the victims home at the same time as the fake bondsman. The witness was able to give the police a phone number they used to contact the suspect. The suspect told police he would turn himself in, but never did.
The owners of City Bail Bonds were asked by police if they could assist in locating the suspect. After linking the suspects name and phone number. City Bail Bonds was able to give police a driver’s license photo of the suspect. The victim confirmed it was the man who conned her out of her money.
The suspect is being considered a flight risk as he was currently out on bail for a different crime. Police will be contacted by City Bail Bonds as soon as the fake bondsman is located and placed in jail.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Bail Bonds for Sex?
A bail bondsman, named Ken Waters, has been accused of providing bail bonds to women in exchange for sexual favors.
The Sacramento bail bondsman is not new to controversy. In fact, the CA Department of Insurance revoked his license back in 1995, but it has since been reinstated.
For this latest allegation, local and state officials looked for him at his bail bond's office in Sacramento. However, Ken Waters is believed to have fled. The search and investigation are the result of recorded phone conversations between the bail bondsman and his clients.
Apparently, the investigators believe the misconduct may have occurred with multiple clients. Waters eventually turned himself in and now faces charges of illegal bail transaction and soliciting prostitution.
The Sacramento bail bondsman is not new to controversy. In fact, the CA Department of Insurance revoked his license back in 1995, but it has since been reinstated.
For this latest allegation, local and state officials looked for him at his bail bond's office in Sacramento. However, Ken Waters is believed to have fled. The search and investigation are the result of recorded phone conversations between the bail bondsman and his clients.
Apparently, the investigators believe the misconduct may have occurred with multiple clients. Waters eventually turned himself in and now faces charges of illegal bail transaction and soliciting prostitution.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Bail Bonds For Illegal Aliens
Alabama's Attorney General suggests repealing a couple of the key provisions of the state's well-publicized anti-illegal immigration statute.
In a letter sent last week, to members of the Alabama state legislature, the Attorney General outlined his views and specifically adressed bail for illegal immigrants.
In a surprising move, Strange recommends removing the prohibition of eligibility for the issuing of bail bonds to illegal aliens. The constitution of the state of Alabama protects the people's "absolute right to bail in all noncapital cases."
The law's current ban, which precludes a bail bondsman from entering into contracts with illegal aliens, would be tweaked slightly so as to apply only to those contracts made after the enforcement date of the law.
HB 56 was signed into law by Governor Robert Bentley on June 9, 2011 in a ceremony held at the Old House Chamber at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery.
In a letter sent last week, to members of the Alabama state legislature, the Attorney General outlined his views and specifically adressed bail for illegal immigrants.
In a surprising move, Strange recommends removing the prohibition of eligibility for the issuing of bail bonds to illegal aliens. The constitution of the state of Alabama protects the people's "absolute right to bail in all noncapital cases."
The law's current ban, which precludes a bail bondsman from entering into contracts with illegal aliens, would be tweaked slightly so as to apply only to those contracts made after the enforcement date of the law.
HB 56 was signed into law by Governor Robert Bentley on June 9, 2011 in a ceremony held at the Old House Chamber at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery.
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