Investigator Acquitted of Shoplifting

[Curtis Baillie]

From the Chicago Sun Times -

Acquitted of shoplifting, woman may try to get her city job back. Two months ago, Mayor Daley's corruption-fighting inspector general fired one of his assistant chief investigators after she was arrested for shoplifting $131.43 worth of items at a Chicago grocery store. Here's the story (http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/866830,shoplift032908.article).

It appears, from the story, the prosecutors really dropped the ball here. "Buckley has told police she had every intention of returning to the store to pay for the items after going to her car to get a debit card." No jury in this case, just a hearing infront of a Judge.

[MRSE_S3]

Am I missing something? There appears to be several unanswered questions here. What was her story to police? Other than I was going to pay. Where did they stop her? Was she actually going for her wallet? Did she actually drive off? Need more details other than what the paper is reporting. Some of the facts are missing and there appears to be more to this story than what has been reported. I can't make an informed decision on her guilt based on what has been presented. I usually say guilt until proven innocent but something is missing.:D

[Curtis Baillie]

According to the article - she loaded up the cart, passed the checkouts, rode the elevator down to the parking garage. That's where they stopped her. The prosecutor failed to show the Judge the video, made no opening or closing statements. Being a "corruption investigator" she knew what to say to the police. All of the elements appear to be there - the Judge chose to believe defendant's story more.

[LPAjh9558]

"The judge believed everything I said, but there was reasonable doubt."

"It bothers me, but I can't get angry or upset. We've had cases worse than this where people have gotten off. If I was new to the field, I’d probably be really pissed. But, I've been doing this for 22 years. Some people go to jail. Some don’t. It depends on the judge."


Apparently she had to have said all the right things, as from the looks of it she got out of the mess she was in. Now it remains to be seen if she gets that job back....

I think the SG has the right attitude though. And who knows, maybe she'll slip up and do it again. Only next time maybe she gets caught!

[NRM_Oz]

Oh boy ........... seen this before.

One of things I firmly believe is setting the example in such a role. I have warned my teams numerous times that they must practice what they preach as the minute they take short cuts but dictate the rules, then they are worse than a policy breacher or a dishonest employee. Lead by example based on the fact that she removed items without payment or transfer invoices, she should be out collecting aluminium cans for employment. Another fine example of retail arrogance - practice what you preach.

[MRSE_S3]

According to the article - she loaded up the cart, passed the checkouts, rode the elevator down to the parking garage. That's where they stopped her. The prosecutor failed to show the Judge the video, made no opening or closing statements. Being a "corruption investigator" she knew what to say to the police. All of the elements appear to be there - the Judge chose to believe defendant's story more.

I have seen people do this before and return and pay. Very stupid, some people don't think and others are testing the system.