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Post by maxwelldaemon on May 16, 2008 6:17:33 GMT -5
I suppose this is the most appropriate thread for this article. I hope it is not true, for his sake and for the sake of all NYPD cops that happen to be gay... In any case, I think the gains attained by GOAL NY have just been set back about 20 years. An NYPD sergeant who once headed the city's gay-cops coalition sexually preyed upon a relative's adopted son, forcing the boy to have sex on a weekly basis, authorities charged yesterday. Jaime Katz, a 10-year veteran assigned to the Police Academy, "developed a relationship with the orphan, and over time groomed him for sex and sex-related acts," Assistant DA John Temple said at the cop's arraignment last night. Katz pleaded not guilty and is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail. FULL ARTICLE: www.nypost.com/seven/05162008/news/regionalnews/gay_cop_in_perv_arrest_111080.htm">GAY COP IN PERV ARREST
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Post by bluepride on May 16, 2008 9:42:22 GMT -5
The first phone call to me about this came today shortly after 7AM. I'm expecting a sh*tstorm of calls today as usually happens when something involving GOAL happens, even though I haven't been on their board in 11 years. I and others find ourselves having to answer for things we have nothing to do with all the time. This won't be any different. Right now all I have to say about this development is: 1) innocent until proven guilty; 2) indicative of the arrogance and disregard for the reputation of GOAL over the last X number of years; 3) he's grown man and responsible for his own actions. My blood is boiling over this black eye for GOAL but it was brought on by arrogant, self absorbed people who refused to listen to others who've tried to advise them that they represent GOAL on and off duty. The people who've been trying to steer things into the right direction have been ostracized and treated like garbage by these newer latter day members who think they know it all. And to those who think this is just more sour grapes from me and others who think like me, the proof is here. I'm sure there's more to this story that has not been reported. And the NY Post is not known for 100% truthfulness. I'll try to react to this story in a more rational manner when I calm down. Is it any wonder that I want nothing to do with GOAL and their latter day board members these days? For those of you who were at the conference, don't be duped by the 3 or 4 people who were there from GOAL NY. Wolves in sheep's clothing. If you put any faith in them, it's your own fault. That's all on this for now from me. I need more Tylenol for my headache. All the good work thats been done for so many years by so many good people.....down the toilet. Thanks a lot.
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invstg8r1
Newbie
Your vest won't stop a bullet if it's in your locker!
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Post by invstg8r1 on May 16, 2008 12:14:33 GMT -5
Like you said: more to this story than will ever be brought forward and innocent until proven otherwise. But, this is one of the reasons I choose not too associate myself to closely with organizations. Unfortunately, when something like this happens we all get painted with a broad brush. It happens everyday. I read postings on the Newsday site where people started with antisemitic comments. Face facts- humans need to compartmentalize and that's what we all do. I would prefer my coworkers and bosses not look at me and wonder if "...he's like that guy in NYC?" EXGOALLI just made a good point- all the hard work flushed down the toilet because of self destructive people. To all of you who fought to get us to where we are now: I am truly sorry that this may have undone so much you fought to do!
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Post by ScottNbama on May 16, 2008 15:54:05 GMT -5
But, this is one of the reasons I choose not too associate myself to closely with organizations. Unfortunately, when something like this happens we all get painted with a broad brush. It happens everyday. It is sad that these allegations were made against someone that was the leader of the group to be sure. However, people aren't going to think you are ok because you aren't affiliated with a group. They are going to think you are like him because of stereotypes that we are all after children....even though more pedophiles I've seen are straight men. My mom had that stereotype about gays for years (and may still have - but just knows not to voice it). This is a blow to all of us, in groups or not. Hopefully, there isn't a speck of truth to it...I sure hope not.
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Post by burner on May 18, 2008 1:03:04 GMT -5
The New York Post is NOT known for accuracy, and being a Murdock operation it is on the slime scale with FOX Noise for sensationalistic bottom feeding. Having said that, the New York Times is no better.
The NYT didn't bother carrying the story on Friday (as did the Post) but held off until Saturday and then, too lazy to do a little investigating, relied upon an AP wire service article that made even the Post look good!
According to the AP the abuse... not "alleged", just abuse (cops are guilty until proven innocent I guess) ..."began in 2002 when the boy was 12, and took place weekly until November 2007."
As noted in the NY Post article, Katz has known about the allegations for three years. That is a true statement as some of us in GOAL heard the rumors ourselves back in the summer of '05 and these were believed to be the reason he abruptly resigned the presidency of the organization. Say what one will about Jaime, he is not so stupid as to continue a practice, if indeed it ever began in the first place, for two and one-half years during which the allegations were under investigation. To believe the AP report that the "abuse" took place until November 2007 requires the suspension of disbelief. Which begs the question: Why believe ANY of what it reported?
Personally at this point I don't give a damn about GOAL, my thoughts and concerns are with Jaime and what he is going through. He claims he is innocent of the charges, the boy in question (according to the newspaper report) denies any sexual act occured, and until proven otherwise, that's good enough for me.
As ScottNbama so accurately said, people aren't going to think you're ok because you aren't affilitated with a group ... to which I'll add: And they aren't going to think any worse of you because you are. Those narrow minded folks who believe gays are evil seducers of the innocent will think that regardless.
In the last 20 years or so this country has gotten so sex-obsessed and paranoid that teachers are even afraid to put their arms around a student to comfort him (or her) ...fearing, legitimately, that they'll be accused of illegal "touching" or "abuse". And it won't make a damned bit of difference once the facts come out. Their lives would be ruined. So they remain detached and the ones who suffer are the kids.... the very same kids these knee-jerk accusative bastards purport to be concerned for.
I know Jaime and haven't a bad word to say about him. He was always good to me and though we were never close, or socialized outside the GOAL environment, I considered him a friend. I still do. I hope things work out for him and wish him well.
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Post by blu06 on May 18, 2008 9:59:40 GMT -5
I don't know all the issues about GOAL NY and the such, but I do have a question, if anyone may put a light.
From what I read, Officer Katz denies the allegations and the young boy or I guess now, teenager, says there was no sexual contact. Ok. It's not unusual for this to happen in such cases, but if there is denial on both sides, where are the allegations coming from? Did any of the reports named the accuser?
Does anyone think this just may be a smear campaign on Officer Katz personally, on GOA NY, or gay police officers in general?
I am aware of your feelings Blue, and please don't take this as an effort to upset you in the least. I can very well understand the politics of an organization such as GOAL NY. I can just imagine how things would be if Texas ever formed a similar organization.
It just in reading the posts, the question popped in my mind that if the two actors in the case are denying the allegations, where are the allegations coming from, maybe that will aid in figuring out what is going on.
BluTx... aka Mac.
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Post by bluepride on May 18, 2008 15:20:12 GMT -5
I don't take issue with anything you say, bluetex or burner although I will say that the news media isn't always accurate in what they report. I know....an understatement. I was never aware of these allegations until he was suspended either in December '05 or January '06. I don't think he stepped down because of these allegations, months before, but who knows? And as far as the younger guy recanting, I'm not 100% sure he was of legal age to actually officially recant. But again, I'm not sure. There are a lot of unknowns in this case as far as I'm concerned. But one thing I'm sure of: GOAL has and will continue to take a major hit in the credibility department because of this. Not that they're that credible anymore anyway. But this demeans the work of many well intentioned people who gave their blood, sweat, tears and more for many many years. And that is unforgivable in my opinion. But the man deserves his day in court and again I stress, innocent until proven guilty, even in a world where as a police officer, it's usually guilty until proven innocent. We have to see how this unfolds and hope for the best. Myself....I don't want to give in to gossip and innuendo because of the seriousness of this situation. And as much as I can't stand the current illegal and illegitimate leadership of what once was GOAL, they aren't involved in this that I know of. But it's the attitude of the latter day members that I have a problem with and, unfortunately Jamie is one of those latter day members. Or was. I don't even know if he's a member anymore. Bottom line, the organization is going to suffer for it anyway. Let's just see how things play out and hope for the best, as I said.
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Post by blu06 on May 18, 2008 18:43:02 GMT -5
I agree Blue. GOAL NY will take a hit. I don't have to know the internal workings of NYPD and GOAL-NY to know there are those who are anti-gay anything, especially, NYPD members, will be eager to point the finger and pontificate. We all know the arguments.
It's fustrating, disheartening, and out right depressing to know this will happen. Even more poignant to this story is that it comes at a time when the death of Sgt. Cochran was announced. You have the two ends of the spectrum, the very best of what a gay man can do as a police officer to what could be (innocent until prov en guilty) the very worst a police officer can do.
Undoubtedly, the hard work and courage all of the forefathers must have demonstrated in those early days must not be forgotten. The best way that can be done is to keep true to the mission and goals of GOAL. Easier said than done, I know.
Hopefully, somehow, the younger gay men and women who are wearing the badge realize that there is still the good fight to be had and lives to enrich en, not solely because of those who have gone before them, but for those who are to come after them.
We wear the badge to serve and protect, but we serve and protect to preserve a better way of life. To preserve the dream of a more perfect union.
Keep the faith officers, to all those who served.
Be proud to have "Fought the unbeatable foe, to Right the unrightable wrong, to Try when your arms were weary, to Dream the Impossible Dream". For the world is better for your efforts.
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Post by burner on May 20, 2008 1:44:01 GMT -5
Hey, blutex, I'm not upset in the least. Your comments are valid and on point. I, too, wonder where the allegations come from. Nothing reported in the papers give a hint to the source. I'm sure that as more info becomes available, it'll be reported here on BluePride. And not to let it go unnoted, kudos on the comments at the end of your last post. May you continue to dream the impossible dream, for the world is better because of people like yourself.
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Post by bluepride on May 20, 2008 14:36:17 GMT -5
One of the things that troubles me most is that GOAL NY never made a statement regarding this issue. And now it's too late to make one. It should've been done last week. Especially since a photo of Jamie with NY's Mayor standing in front of the GOAL banner appeared in the newspaper. And other members were visible. By not making any sort of statement, it almost appears that it's not a big deal that this incident has taken place. Or maybe they don't want to make waves in order to preserve their tit jobs. Probably the latter....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2008 16:35:38 GMT -5
I am so angry about this Jamis Katz thing that it has taken me several days to even think of something to say. I'm still at a loss for words. I realize that a person is innocent until proven guilty, but I will not sugar coat my feelings. This is a personal slap in my face, and into the faces of all LGBT criminal justice porfessionals. When you are involved in any of our organizations, expecially in a position of authority, your personal behavior must always be above reproach. This is not the first time Jamie Katz has behaved in an unporfessional way. Those of us who were at the last conference in KeyWest remember what he did one night in the bar, and he was the president of GOAL at that time. When you are the head of an organizaiton, you set the standard that all members must follow. The buck stops with you. You are the one under the spotlight. You are the voice of the organization and if your behavior is less than honorable, at any time, you discredit all of us . Right now, I feel as though I should hide my head in shame. By the way, one of the articles I read said that Katz was introduced to this kid through an NYPD Sgt who was running some kind of mentoring program for youth. What's that all about???
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Post by burner on May 21, 2008 0:42:45 GMT -5
One of the things that troubles me most is that GOAL NY never made a statement regarding this issue. And by not making a public statement GOAL has in fact made another statement - that it is run by a piss-poor group without the balls to stand up for and stand behind its members when they need it most. No matter how damning initial reports are concerning a police officer, I have yet to see a case where the PBA has not immediately provided moral support by reminding all, in a public statement, that under our system a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But then again the PBA retains a level of credibility. It's hard to say that about GOAL.
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Post by bluepride on May 21, 2008 10:38:38 GMT -5
I'm not looking for those dopes to make a public statement of support so much as stating that GOAL does not condone illegal activity and that the criminal justice system must run it's course in this case. And that this situation is an aberration from the norm. Their silence is deafening and in my opinion makes them complicit. They're really afraid of rocking the boat, lest their assignments and details get put in jeopardy. They need to disassociate the organization from this incident and state that anyone involved in this or any other similar situation has no place in GOAL.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2008 9:24:21 GMT -5
Regarding the Jamie Katz drama, the latest newspaper article from the Journal News says, "The prosecution and defence will meet in a conference on June 2nd when POTENTIAL SENTENCES AND PLEAS WILL BE DISCUSSED". If I were innocent, the only thing I would be discussing would be setting up my trial date.
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Post by blu06 on May 25, 2008 11:20:24 GMT -5
I am not familiar with the criminal justice procedure system. Isn't there a thing called discovery where the prosecution presents it's evidence to the defense? Or has that been done since there is an indictment already?
I guess what I am getting at is that if the prosecution and defense will be meeting to "discuss" pleas and sentences, it sounds like it's been decided he's guilty.
I would want my day in court, especially if I was innocent.
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