From the Next Governor to Deputy?

Chuck Quackenbush was once the Insurance Commissioner of California. He was being groomed to become California's next governor or US Senator. But you won't find him anywhere near California anymore. He's 3,000 miles away... Patrolling the streets of Lee County? As a Sheriff's deputy? To say he's come a long way would be an understatement. Quackenbush has taken a $100,000 dollar pay cut to serve the citizens of Lee County. It's a fresh start... but it was just a matter of time before local and California media picked up his story (on why he's here).

Quackenbush resigned as Insurance Commissioner in 2000 amidst scandal and demands for his resignation. It all began with an investigation by the Los Angles Times. The paper alleged Quackenbush took in $100,000 in political contributions from insurance companies. Over time more allegations arose charging Quackenbush persuaded insurance companies to make donations to "his foundations". The donations, in hundreds of thousands of dollars, were in exchange for fines, in the millions, stemming from the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Insurance companies that still had not settled claims correctly, years later, faced steep fines. Instead of paying they donated at Quackenbush's direction.

The donations (or as some may see it: settlements) wouldn't have been a big deal until journalists noticed how the money was spent. Some paid for "public service ads" featuring Quackenbush and former LA Laker Shaq. Some money was contributed to his wife's unsuccessful 1998 assembly campaign. Money also was shifted to his children's football camps.
The Insurance Commissioner defended his actions, blaming his former Chief of Staff, the media, and democrat rivals. Quackenbush has established a website which explains what happened through his eyes. He contends he used foundation money to do several political television ads for "promoting earthquake education". He believes the ads were part of his "statutory requirement to promote insurance education". He also says a significant amount of the money went to local charities.

It's clear the PSA's were meant to push Quackenbush's name recognition as he prepared to move up in the political game. Eventually after appearing in numerous papers and television stations he got the recognition... Just not the kind he was looking for. According to his website he retreated to Hawaii for military and political work. In 2002 federal and state prosecutors dropped their investigations into Quackenbush due to a lack of evidence.

One would assume the Sheriff took Quackenbush's record into account before hiring him. The reality is he was not convicted of anything. He could very well be the victim of a few bad political decisions that led to his political hanging.

Regardless the situation is weird.
Who knows, maybe in January we'll see Tom Gallagher (Florida's exiting Insurance Commissioner) patrolling our streets... As a deputy.

We have requested through the Sheriff's office to speak with Quackenbush about his career change. He has not responded to those requests yet.

Questions linger about Deputy involved Shooting

Sunday night an off duty deputy opened fire as a alleged drunk driver tried to run him over. It's a situation that is very sensitive within the sheriff's office right now... Especially with the loss of Deputy Margena Nunez. Deputy Ali Zariv was trying to take the keys out of Kennith Ready's ignition, when Ready stepped on the gas. The Sheriff's Office says Zariv was being dragged and if he had let go the truck, Ready would have run over him. Ready isn't giving an account because... Well he's dead.

The Sheriff's office seems to think the shooting will be justified... And from what we've seen so far it probably will be. However I still have some intriguing questions, no one can seem to answer.
For instance:
Where does an off duty cop keep his gun? Certainly not on his belt... Perhaps around his ankle? If that's the case then deputy Zariv had one arm in the truck, another reaching for his ankle... And he didn't fall out of the truck?
Did Deputy Zariv announce he was a deputy? What did Zariv do to confirm to Ready he was deputy?
Deputies are responsible for every bullet they fire. Did any of Zariv bullets miss its target? After all he's flailing in a moving truck, shooting with one hand, with a gun that is kicking back.

Once the Sheriff office and the State Attorney's Office complete their investigation hopefully we will have a complete picture. Some questions may be answered easily... Such as Zariv flashed his badge identifying himself as a deputy. Some questions will be more difficult... Such as did Zariv put the public at more risk, taking less accurate shots in desperation.

The reality is, given the circumstance, I too might have opened fire to save my life. But as a Monday morning quaterback... I look at this situation and say how could we have avoided this shooting in the first place.

NBC2 INVESTIGATION GETS RESULTS

When our first story on gated community security aired this week... I didn't know how the community would recieve it. Would people be angry we tested it? Or would it be the direct opposite.? It turns out we got a little of both.

But we also got something unexpected... change. Tonight we showed you how communities are tightning up, training guards, spending hundreds of thousand of dollars in upgrades and security guards.... are doing it right.

Every now and then a reporter gets the opportunity to tell a story that creates change. That's part of the reason I do this job. If we can improve our community, make a positive impact in life... it's all worth it. It would be what you call it "a good day a work." On this story it was a good two weeks.

I don't celebrate the security changes because we were the tipping point. I celebrate the changes because we may have saved you from a robbery, a domestic dispute, a rape etc.

We live in Southwest Florida for the quality of life. As the population grows... the quality of life will be challanged. Gated communities will one day be more than just a lifestyle... it will be about protecting your family. I believe this report and future reports like it will ensure you get the protection you expect.

Gated Communities Investigation

Monday's report on gated communities was an eye opener to us and even more so to the people who live in these communities. With an unmarked car we drove up to each gate, waved at the guard, and suddenly the gate opened. We were just as surprised to get in as the residents were when we knocked on their doors to get their reaction.

Over the course of a week we drove into a total of 7 communities... Six were featured on our program. The neighborhoods ranged from million dollar homes to mobile homes. While the income levels changed, as well the amount of association fees, the security didn't. Guards waved us in and in some cases automatically opened the gate... Without even seeing us.

Amazingly, many residents gave us excuses why the guard let us in including:
"You look like someone who lives here."
"You must be driving a marked car."
"You told him you're with the media."

The car was unmarked, we never said a word to anyone at the gate, and I seriously doubt I look like anyone living in these mainly "retirement" communities.

Everyone we spoke with said they would bring the results of our investigation to their associations attention, in hopes of changing things.

Sounds like it's time for another test.

The Sheriff's Office Bait Cars

Tonight we aired our inside look at the Lee County sheriff's office bait car... It's a story I have been chasing for about two years now. It took this long to do because there were problems with the bait car system, then the Auto theft unit didn't want the community to know what car they were using. The timing finally worked out as the unit is changing out bait cars.

During our two days with the Auto Theft Task Force, we planted the car at convenience stores. With the car running we hoped to catch someone in the act of stealing the car. We had a few people give the car a second look... But no one took the bait. I didn't honestly think we would catch someone... Because the act of stealing this car is a crime of opportunity. It would be luck catching it on camera.

In tonight's story you saw two people caught stealing the bait car earlier this year. We told you Reggi Webb is awaiting trial. Well so is Calvin Mitchell, who Webb tried to sell the car to for drugs. It turns out Mitchell, a career criminal, bonded out 10 days after his arrest. Just hours later he refused to pull over for speeding... Leading Cape Coral Police on a four hour chase. Officers eventually caught him hiding in bushes. Sounds like Mitchell should avoid playing the lottery.

I think the next bait car is going to be very successful. As Detective Brian Gregory put it... The thieves are looking to steal something flashy... Something they want to be seen in. Let's face it a Mitsubishi Galant isn't exactly the ride most people would want to steal. Other agencies in Southwest Florida have bait cars or have access to them. However it seems like they don't use them all to often. Bait cars can sit anywhere for days, and don't need a stake out. When the car is activated, the agency is paged. With that said I would like to see law enforcement use the bait cars more often... after all the more they are used... The more likely they can catch career criminals like Calvin Mitchell.

However keeping them locked up... Is another story.