SC

Mass Terminations In Lexington Sheriff’s Office

At least five senior officers in the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office have been terminated in the wake of this week’s federal indictment of Sheriff James Metts on bribery charges. Sources tell FITS the officers – Majors John Tate, Darren Amick, Alan Paavel, John Allard and chief deputy Keith Kirchner –…

At least five senior officers in the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office have been terminated in the wake of this week’s federal indictment of Sheriff James Metts on bribery charges.

Sources tell FITS the officers – Majors John Tate, Darren Amick, Alan Paavel, John Allard and chief deputy Keith Kirchner – were let go in advance of interim sheriff Lewis McCarty being sworn in to take Metts’ place pending the outcome of the charges.

Metts and several other individuals were indicted this week in connection with a joint federal-state investigation of the “Lexington Ring,” a cabal of crooked cops and corrupt politicians accused of running (among other things) an illegal video poker racket.

While Metts’ federal indictment did not specifically reference the video poker operation, a state indictment of South Congaree police chief Jason Amodio issued in connection with the federal probe accused him of accepting payment “in return for seized gaming machines.”

Developing …

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78 comments

Take out the trash June 18, 2014 at 3:40 pm

So who let them go? Metts? I think that’s kind of important to know….

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John June 18, 2014 at 3:49 pm

This certainly makes it appear they were part of Metts’ scheme.

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nitrat June 18, 2014 at 6:03 pm

But, they were ‘let go’ before the new guy came aboard…
So, who let them go?

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Soft Sigh from Hell June 18, 2014 at 7:32 pm

I was wondering the same, or even if an appointed sheriff had the “at will” employment power over deputies that an elected one has.

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CorruptionInColumbia June 18, 2014 at 8:37 pm

If he is officially “The Sheriff”, I don’t think it makes any difference if he is elected or appointed. The Sheriff does as he pleases with regard to hiring and firing of deputies.

Take out the trash June 18, 2014 at 8:48 pm

I’m starting to think they were offered the same deal that Metts was offered, but they took it….

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CorruptionInColumbia June 18, 2014 at 3:43 pm

Interesting!

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scotty June 18, 2014 at 3:57 pm

There is more to this story than illegal Mexican restaurant workers. Maybe part of the deal with getting the retired Sheriff appointed he wanted new blood and there may have been some bad relationships with the now fired Deputy’s. There are moving parts to this corruption that are not being exposed as other indictments could follow.

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Edgar June 18, 2014 at 6:48 pm

I agree, Scotty. There is more to this story than a bunch of illegal Mexican restaurant workers. Lexington is so corrupt going every direction, that this has got to be small change. Toal was protecting so much of it as long as she had Jakie’s help, but maybe she is losing some of that power or just doesn’t care.

I know what she does not want Jahue Moore to tell all he knows about her. She will protect him to the end.

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Deo Vindice SC June 18, 2014 at 7:47 pm

Aren’t the pubs against illegal’s ?

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CorruptionInColumbia June 18, 2014 at 11:54 pm

Naa, if they can figure out how to get votes out of them (like the Dems) or make a dishonest buck out of it, they are all for it.

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karlleuba June 19, 2014 at 12:44 pm

Illegals don’t register to vote. It is a felony, and cause for deportation. Citizens register, non citizens don’t.

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CorruptionInColumbia June 19, 2014 at 12:51 pm

True on most counts, but nothing stops them from voting if they have a voter ID card and/or proper-appearing DL or ID.

That is why there was so much wailing and gnashing of teeth when it was proposed to require people to have a photo ID to vote.

Lexington Voter June 19, 2014 at 8:17 pm

Metts either rolled over on others, or the Feds. caved and allowed him to plead to lesser charges. These others let go, were close enough to know something smelled and looked funny.
Lewis McCarty was the heart, soul and brains behind the Sheriff’s department when it was a professional police organization with unquestionable integrity, inspite of Metts incompetence. metts was NOTHING more than a figure head. McCarty was the guy who should have been Sheriff all along.
When he retired the Department went to Hell under Metts and Tim James.
Look at the members and associates of the so called “Lexington Mafia”

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edr June 20, 2014 at 4:18 pm

If Lewis McCarty did not want to prosecute a friend of law enforcement he
would conveniently lose the paperwork!!

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Tommy June 20, 2014 at 7:44 am

According to the State news todays (6-20-2014) Frazier is cooperating with the investigation. If I were Halfacre, Knotts, James, Peeler, Corley, Cromer, Tindle I’d be a mite concerned. All were running partners, who partied with Frazier, golfed with Frazier and Amodio, vacationed with Frazier and considered themselves to be very close associates with “King Fish”!
“King Fish” may end up being a Great White, which bites in the neither regions!

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legal begal June 20, 2014 at 7:54 am

Affirmative!

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jimlewisowb June 18, 2014 at 4:21 pm

Hell with watching Game of Thrones, there is more blood letting going on across the pond than our local beheadings by Chapin Mayor Skippie Wilson

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Government Drones=Low IQ June 18, 2014 at 4:24 pm

The Lexington version is going to be named “Game of Drones”, though it obviously won’t be as well written as “Thrones”.

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Soft Sigh from Hell June 18, 2014 at 8:13 pm

“Game of Clowns”

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Philip Branton June 18, 2014 at 4:22 pm

…….and this should also ensnare the “Congaree Farmers Market” on that LANDFILL location too…!!

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Andy June 18, 2014 at 8:49 pm

The landfill, ticket fixing, payoffs , under table money on water and sewer connections, a lot left to pour through!

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GrandTango June 18, 2014 at 4:34 pm

Good report: This site (below) has more info. too.

Link: http://scdigest.blogspot.com/

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Squishy123 June 18, 2014 at 5:49 pm

Talking about kevlar butt plugs, I see GT is now trying to act like he’s got something to say.

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jimlewisowb June 18, 2014 at 5:54 pm

#(^%?”#$ (*%^<:?" %$^$&/! &^%$

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Emily Peterkin June 18, 2014 at 7:32 pm

Hey! It’s your feminine side here, Tango! I’ve pmped us ouyt on The State, but we need to get on that mayor story before Fits’ Liberal-Tarian hands in it.

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Deo Vindice SC June 18, 2014 at 7:46 pm

Great report Tango. A republican cotton butt plug. Bet Nikki’s got one like you !

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Soft Sigh from Hell June 20, 2014 at 4:35 pm

“A republican cotton butt plug”
.
Excellent. (You might have to explain it though.)

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Thomas June 18, 2014 at 10:45 pm

Well alright. Put up a contact email on your blog. I have registered a real ???.com website. I missed the 2014 elections…was gearing up for a 2015 release. National/local political fare with humor. And I mean nationally local…eventually. Fuck fits and his core sleaze commentator rabble, this baby is going to the moon. Fits did not even know what Google Ad Sense was till I told him. A blog needs 30 original articles a week to get Google ads up. Do Google Ads make a difference? Huffington Post makes a million bucks a year on Google Ads alone. A website run by Republicans, for Republicans, at the expense of Democrats in your state, in our USA. Yes, it will have Disqus. Think of a refitted lofted warehouse with an elevator to the Admin offices with glass walls looking down on the hired IT graphics wizards and writers. That fucking big. We are talking full time jobs with press credentials.

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GrandTango June 19, 2014 at 6:11 am

Everything is in the works.

And yeah: – FUBU- a bastardized version anyway (FCBC.)

PS: I’m already a member of the SC Press Association. Have been for years. I won first-place awards from the SCPA each of the last couple years.

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Smirks June 19, 2014 at 12:14 pm

I’m already a member of the SC Press Association. Have been for years.

Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure…

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BrigidBernadette June 19, 2014 at 6:52 am

There’s a warehouse down in the Vista the city would love to sell you.

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BrigidBernadette June 19, 2014 at 6:55 am

Thomas, I’ll write for you.

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Thomas June 19, 2014 at 3:42 pm

Send an email to Tango. Thank you. The ???.com has not had emails set up. We are looking to make inroads as the 2016 Presidential season heats up starting in 2015.

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Tweedledee & Tweedledummy June 19, 2014 at 9:39 am

“Fuck fits and his core sleaze commentator rabble, this baby is going to the moon.”

Do you not see the irony is GT and you pimping your/his site on Will’s?

lol….good luck with the echo chamber boys

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jimlewisowb June 18, 2014 at 4:44 pm

Got a call from a fried of a friend that says the Palmettoe State Armory off of I/26 Fernandina Road had to call in for assistance

It has been reported, butt unconfirmed, that dozens of local officials and law enforcement personnel are making a run on their “one size fits all kevlar butt plug”

Even though the “osfakbp” is in short supply they have plenty of the “knotts cotton twill butt plug” on hand

In fact for half price you can get a slightly used “kctbp” since most have been returned by customers complaining that even with a gallon of T-Bone Wesson Oil they could not get it in

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Fred June 19, 2014 at 7:30 am

If you are too stupid to spell Palmetto, don’t post here.

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jimlewisowb June 19, 2014 at 8:54 am

You have to be the biggest dumbest sum bitch in the county

Yes, I added an “e” to Palmetto just in case some stupid ipeckerhead such as yourself might hop on their moped and go down to “Palmetto State Armory” to purchase a butt plug

While you are straightening the folds in your goddamn dunce cap take a look at the second paragraph, 5th word – I added an extra “t” just where you could post another dumb ass comment

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Fred June 19, 2014 at 9:27 am

I have no experience with butt plugs, you are obviously an expert.

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jimlewisowb June 19, 2014 at 9:40 am

ouuch – thhat onee reaally stuung

Dennis Widner June 19, 2014 at 4:29 pm

What do yo expect from a yankee.

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jimlewisowb June 20, 2014 at 4:56 pm

A yankee, really a yankee

All this time I thought your buddy Fred was the dumbest sum bitch in the county and up you pop, just like whac a mole

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TontoBubbaGoldstein June 18, 2014 at 7:54 pm

MASS TERMINATIONS IN LEXINGTON SHERIFF’S OFFICE
” I’m a friend of Sarah Connor. I was told she was here. Could I see her please?”

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Pappy O'Daniel June 18, 2014 at 8:09 pm

Can we retire the word “cabal” now?

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Casablanca June 18, 2014 at 8:46 pm

the euphoria is refreshing. However, this most likely goes one of two ways. We have a perfect storm that includes the gaming Brett Parker story giving undeniable inroads into the over the top of public corruption, and other coincedental developments, Frasizier, Leon with dept of revenue, etc., Sc State/ Pinson/Benji where a fed. couldn’t steer this clear……Or,
this is the dems getting payback for the one-sided prosecution of lost trust with Eric Holder/ Obama (who refuses to visit this state but wants to retire in Asheville (snub), giving the green light.

Watch the sideshows : Certus Bank guys walked with millions and will go on to win a major lawsuit – all settled with fed funds, gambling will continue to thrive along with other protected rackets, Pinson may catch time but the real score will never be reported, Metts, well this is the new retirement like 60 is the new 50, Hughes and Benjamin will run all development in Columbia as Knox and Hughes do in Greenville.

The big problem is that most citizens think of developers and politicians as the top of the ladder. In reality there are five guys in SC that make the calls. You will never hear their names. They spit on the little boys that run their errands, and hold office, and they sit at the pleasure of a handful of guys who may pass through this state every five years or so.

Nothing will change – you simply will not know who the puppets are for a couple of years. So, either get serious about your ass sucking politics or continue to watch chicken and milk climb like an english ivey and teach your granddaughter to give good head because corruption will ultimately destroy this country and the Ravenels of this country will have her head pressed between his legs on a daily basis.

I am an old guy who has nothing left to lose but your juvenile celebrations are saddening because I know, as do many others, that this is a scrape on the knee for the true beneficiaries of these rackets.

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Lars June 18, 2014 at 9:21 pm

You gotta give us the 5 names!

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CorruptionInColumbia June 18, 2014 at 10:37 pm

Yours is definitely the most interesting post on here so far. I hope you are inclined to share more of your knowledge with us from time to time. I for one, appreciate it.

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LexCitizen June 19, 2014 at 9:10 am

I hope the investigation extends to the Lexington Courthouse and Probation Office. Folks have talked/joked about the good ole boy system in this county for years and years. About time and I hope it goes all the way up to the statehouse! Thank goodness the Feds are involved!

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nitrat June 19, 2014 at 5:05 pm

Lexington County…another example of how moralistic doesn’t equal moral.

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Wendy Frazier June 20, 2014 at 6:29 pm

And the Chief and Asst. Chief Magistrates “appointed ” by Knotts.

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ain't that some shiite June 19, 2014 at 10:25 am

A retired attorney friend told me that Richard Breibart could give the feds a heck of alot of info about the ring.If the feds are seeing this, talk to Richard and make a deal. Time invested wisely.

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edr June 20, 2014 at 8:58 pm

The Feds just filed a $2,500,000 judgement against Breibart. The IRS filed a $ 1,000,000 tax lien
against him and SC Dept of Revenue filed 250,000 tax lien.

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Steve V June 19, 2014 at 10:26 am

I wondered why all of a sudden there were a ton of English speaking employees at the San Jose in Lexington….

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Ape of the year June 20, 2014 at 6:51 am

great point. I noticed it several months ago. All of the sudden the workstaff at the Lexington one went from all hispanic to all Lexington High.

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idiotwind June 19, 2014 at 11:02 am

corruption is human nature but you gotta have limits. and lexington county folks, richland county folks, SC folks are happy to be represented by some really deplorable people. the problem is you ya stupid fucks. stop wearing part affiliation like gang colors. vote for somebody else.

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CorruptionInColumbia June 19, 2014 at 11:10 am

Very true, idiotwind. To that I might add, “quit voting for damned incumbents”. Don’t you idiots see that their getting “seniority and influence” is not helping you or your district or other political subdivision? It helps them to further pick our pockets and line their own.

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George Murry June 19, 2014 at 3:19 pm

Where is Brett Parker? He is no where to be found in the system!

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Wrong Cage June 19, 2014 at 4:12 pm

Fort Worth Federal Correctional Institution. Hmmm.

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you know me June 19, 2014 at 4:46 pm

No, that is a different Brett Parker, aged 39. Brett, who is 43, is nowhere to be found in the system. I am guessing witness protection.

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you know me June 19, 2014 at 4:50 pm

Actually 44.

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Ankle Bracelet? June 19, 2014 at 5:55 pm

home confinements don’t show up on inmate searches. Surely they didn’t pull that!

mark June 20, 2014 at 10:28 am

YES. either witness protection or home confinement for sure. Brett rolled and big time.

Dennis Widner June 19, 2014 at 4:28 pm

Isn’t it funny that most authorities in charge are crooked and are criminals.

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Dennis Widner June 19, 2014 at 4:30 pm

Just another POSER.

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Yvette June 19, 2014 at 4:42 pm

Would someone please explain why in the world Nikki Haley appointed McCarty as interim sheriff? Him being a ‘good’ lawman is besides the point. He’s been retired and probably isn’t even certified by SLED. Beside that, ee worked at the LCSD for all those years as Mett’s second in command…whose to say he isn’t corrupt or at the very least has knowledge of any of Mett’s illegal actions.

It’s time for SC to stop looking to the past and more towards the future!

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nitrat June 19, 2014 at 5:03 pm

She appointed a old guy to the Williamsburg County Sheriff position. What’s even stranger is he still works for SLED, so he and Trikki are in violation of state dual office holding laws. And, I would think SLED and local LE has the possibility of some serious conflict of interest.

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Yvette June 19, 2014 at 5:15 pm

Unbelievable….surely there were other qualified law enforcement officers available and competent to do the job. McCarty is 72 and has been retired for 15 years….this is worth repeating….15 years! Law enforcement (local, state, and federal) has changed a lot since this man’s retirement….namely all the changes bought about because of 9/11. Nothing personal against McCarty, but Nikki could have done better.

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edr June 20, 2014 at 9:03 pm

mccarty always found ways to lose paperwork for his friends in law enforcement.

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Clark Clark June 21, 2014 at 6:43 am

Since when does SLED certify Sheriff’s?? I think you are an idiot. The Criminal Justice Academy trains law enforcement officers. SLED has nothing to do with it.

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Yvette June 21, 2014 at 12:32 pm

Regardless of who does the certification your boy isn’t certified!

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Fred June 22, 2014 at 8:09 am

It doesn’t matter, a 2 week legals class at the Academy and his old certification is rennewed, why is this a big deal? This happens all the time with law enforcement personel that that leave and come back. You obviously have no clue how police and sheriff departments work. A sheriff doesn’t even have to go to the academy although all of them do.

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Yvette June 22, 2014 at 9:49 am

You are partially right the certification isn’t as important as the fact that McCarty worked there for all those years with Metts. It is highly unlikely that Metts just turned crooked….rumor has it that he has been for a very long time!! Common sense says appoint someone with a fresh perspective who ISN’T apart of the good ole boy system.

Fred June 26, 2014 at 7:11 am

Somebody has got to run the show at least until a new sheriff is elected. This is a very temporary position, he has already cleaned house, he is perfectly capable of managing the place for a few months until an election. Did you vote? Did you vote for Haley? She made the best decision at the time under the circumstances. If you don’t like her decisions, move to another state.

Guido Sarducci June 19, 2014 at 5:54 pm

Rotten bastards….what he hell took so long?

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my my June 19, 2014 at 6:46 pm

Wonder how many more that reported directly to J. Metts go down? I hear there are some detectives who many of the others don’t care for because J. Metts created jobs for them and they don’t really do anything. One I can think of comes from a political family.

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kaplony June 19, 2014 at 11:33 pm

Have to think that there are plenty of people at LCSD who have spent the past few days searching the job listings. Plenty of people of all ranks who aren’t all that secure in their jobs without the protection of Metts and his cronies. Like one of my friends who is retired from there has always said…..once Metts left the building the knives came out and the blood flowed freely from Gibson Rd.

As for Haley appointing McCarty, I couldn’t think of anyone better. Chief McCarty is an honorable man and when he was really running things at LCSD they were a top notch agency. The fact that he willingly accepted the responsibility even after being retired for as long as he has been speaks volumes about his continuing dedication to the citizens of Lexington County. I have been told that McCarty has no desire to run for the position if the position were to come open, he is simply stepping into the breach to provide quality leadership in the department’s time of need.

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edr June 20, 2014 at 9:01 pm

He only loses paperwork for his friends in law enforcement!

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Ape of the year June 20, 2014 at 6:43 am

I could see Frazier being the rat on all of this.

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