Allegations of Blatant Racism Fracture Columbus Juvenile Court Dept.

The sad part of hiring someone outside of Franklin County is they have to drive and get here. The new Chief misses more work than he has vacation time. He's a guy that thinks he has come in and fix the department, but he has done nothing to address the lazy supervisors that only care about getting a check. Nothing has really changed! NO RAISES, SAME OLD POLICY THAT DON'T WORK!

money wrote:

I think its really sad that the juvenile court would allow someone to come in right out of college with no experience to make more money than someone that has been with the court 5 or 10 years. The breaking point is that most of these worker are white females. The County can claim to be broke, the County has build a new Court house, help to paid for the new downtown park, along with paying for the new baseball park. Judges you have people who put there lives on the line everything day to work with some of the worse juvenile offenders, still the worker on the front line get paid almost nothing. I wonder what its going to take for the judges understand there has to be some changes in order for their Court progress. Low pay for your workers only say you don't respect what they do! The system is wrong, someone can walk off the street and make more than someone that has been serving the court 10 years. That insane! This has to be fixed!

Dear Money, Maybe you have not "moved up" because of your writing skills? That was challenging trying to read your mess! English 101...hopefully you are a college grad!

outsider wrote:

Why would the Judges hire a Chief probation officer that doesn't live in the Columbus area? This man has no idea of whats going on in Franklin County. I know he feel he has all the answers, he feel like he knows everything. The truth is, its just another job to him. I heard that the probation dept had a 3 on 3 basketball event, the chief P.O. stayed for only a few hours and left. I'm hearing from community leaders that he doesn't listen very well to the needs of the community. Judges, please take a good look at this guy, his ego and not willing to listen to what other have to say is going to cause problems in the probation department!

And the remaining tuna twin will use this as justification to go back to the "all white, all womyn, all the time" hiring and promotion policy.

C Austin wrote:

Since Brenda Smith was appointed Deputy Director of Programs and Probation on 10/30/06, there have been a number of issues that have created a hostile and racially divided working environment at the Columbus Juvenile Court.
Brenda Smith has only met with the entire supervisory staff of the probation department once (11/17/07) since she became the Deputy Director. Since that time, she has direct contact with the Caucasian supervisors (Linda Bryant, PSI Supervisor and Cecil Howell, Special Services Supervisor) to address issues related to the PSI unit, placements and drug court. Brenda filters all contact with the African American Supervisors (Pam Thomas, Krystal Preston and Eddie Stanley) through the Chief PO Walt Wheeler.
PO Warren McCruter was issued a notepad computer to complete contact notes. The computer was stolen from his vehicle in February 2007. Warren immediately filed a police report and probation department incident report to document that the computer was stolen from his vehicle. Brenda Smith and Karen Casey (Court Director) decided that Warren was negligent and instructed him to pay $2700 to replace the notepad. Warren hired an attorney to dispute owing any replacement costs because the computer was stolen from his vehicle. Both Karen and Brenda stated that Warren was negligent.
Prior to this incident, another employee who is Caucasian (Amanda Ulliman who is no longer employed with the court), lost her notepad computer. She was immediately issued another notepad computer without having to pay the replacement costs.
Another employee, who is African-American (Trina Graham, who is also no longer employed with the court) had her notepad computer stolen from her desk. Karen and Brenda accused Trina of selling the computer. They showed Trina pictures from the security camera with a "black bag" resembling the computer bag after she reported the computer stolen. The security cameras are black and white. Ivan King (IT Department) confirmed that Trina returned the computer bag to him when she reported the computer stolen. Trina was then issued another computer without having to pay the replacement costs. When Warren questioned why he had to pay the replacement cost of $2700 when the computer was stolen when neither Amanda nor Trina had to pay and he found the same notepad computer on Ebay for $300, both Brenda and Karen stated that Amanda and Trina's computers were at the end of a 7 year contract and were due to be replaced anyway.
Since January 2007, there have been 16 resignations in the probation department due to the new administration (Jennifer Dilisio, Tony Lowe, Joanne Lunceford, Julie Lowery, David McCluney, Domonique Paige, Kari Halker, Amanda Ulliman, Starr Rutherford, Rayshawn Wilson, Mohammed Kasheer, Felicia Taylor, Stephanie Tobin, Sharron Alston, Shaletha Sanders and Rae Ann Anderson). Traditionally, the department averaged 1-2 resignations per year.

Racism is everywhere . And committed by everyone. The ignorant thinks it is only Blacks that are being treated un fairly by racism.The Ignorant like to point out Oh Blacks cant be Racist . Whites ar probbably hurt the most due to Racism. Think about it.

"Random" drug tests are coming. And if you think an independent lab will do the tests, you really must be smoking something

It's been a while, but I'm back!!!!! This is your concerned citizen here to report the continued misdealings of the FRANKLIN COUNTY JUVENILE COURT!!!!!! About 2 yrs ago I reported how dysfunctional, racist, and down right DIRTY the Juvenile Court was here in Frankin County, Ohio. Some issues were dealt with, but the same evil mentality still exist. The Juvenile Judges thought by pushing out Brenda Smith (Dep Director of Programs and Probation) and Karen Casey (ex Court Director) that all the problems would go away, problems that they (Judges) helped create!!!!! However all they (Judges) did was mask all the dysfunctional behavior. Brenda Smith admitted before she retired that the Judges and current COURT DIRECTOR, Kerri Griffin came up with a plan to "scale down" the probation dept by unfairly targeting employees for the smallest infractions, however most of the employees they targeted were African American or Minorities, hummmmmmmmmm???? Speaking of the Judges, did you know that most of YOUR public servants don't even work a full work day most weeks!!!! Most of the Judges don't even know correct court policy, but expect subordinates below them to follow these policies to the letter of the LAW, or face disciplinary action. The work the Judges do is so bad, most have to ask staff below them about Juvenile Law and Proceedings!!!! Now does this behavior sound right???? We trust these people to uphold the law, but they can't even interpret the law correctly!!!! How about their decisions in staff support. Let me see, I was told they (Judges) hired a new CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER; his name is Steve Mongelli. I hear Mr. Mongelli would be a great asset to the probation dept if he showed for work most days. This man has been on the job for a little over 1 year and has missed more days than most employees that have been with the court for 5 plus years. He has single handedly DESTROYED any and all "HEALING EFFORTS" within the probation dept . Mr. Mongelli is a master manipulator, he has instructed his Supervisors to hold all their employees with high standards of accountability, but can't seem to find his way to work most days!!!! How accountable is that???? His Supervisors are a huge part of the problem. Most are afraid to say anything constructive or insightful to help improve the probation dept, because they are AFRAID of their own shadows!!!!!! You have a supervisor that was hired due to their "OUTSTANDING" supervisory/educational background, but can't even assist their own employees with daily work loads because they don't understand what their employees do most days, and haven't tried to learn. By the way, their name is AMY DAVIS. Ms Davis has shown herself to be a CANCER walking around the probation dept, "snitching" on everyone she can!!! I guess that's how those in charge get ahead in life..........NOT!!!! By the way Mr. Mongelli and Ms. Davis make $71k and $53k respectively, now as you read this letter, does it APPEAR that either one of these people EARN their money?????? The sad point is that most of the line staff in the probation dept are struggling, as are several million american's, but those in charge go HOME and rest easy at night. This letter was written to be informative, it's purpose is to allow common, active voting FRANKLIN COUNTY residents to know where their money is going. The Probation Officer's and line staff struggle to maintain their own lives, but are CHARGED to improve the lives of so many afflicted youth/families in FRANKLIN COUNTY. Please read this letter with open minds and heavy hearts, USE YOUR VOTING POWERS AND CONSTRUCT A JUVENILE COURT THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO FRANKLIN COUNTY!!!! GOD BLESS

Sincerely,



A Very Concerned Citizen

So does anyone have the guts to talk about it?

And guess what? Not only does that go on in JUST the Columbus Juvenile Court Dept.- It goes on in ALMOST all jobs here in Columbus. I've only had one job so far that something like this has NOT happened at. And I'm black and over 40, with a college degree. This kind of thing has happened to me on EVERY SINGLE JOB I've had, with the exception of one. And there's no need in even trying to say anything to anyone about it, because NOTHING ever gets done about it. You will be targeted and retaliated against. Believe me, I know. It's been done to me.

RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL IN COLUMBUS, OHIO.

LISTEN UP wrote:

The Judges don't care! Whats it going to take to wake people up and deal with racism, and sexism in the work place? We keep looking for warning signs, somebody is going to get hurt! People are tired to being ran over, because they are of a different color, and sex. Our children are at risk with this kind of stuff going on in juvenile court! WAKE UP AND SOUND THE ALARM!

BRAVO!!! And BRILLIANT!!! But tell me... How do you sound the alarm and get anything done when they're all in cahoots with each other?? Any suggestions?

Now if only something could be done for the sham/scam/joke called Franklin County Foreclosure Mediation. It's sinful and disgraceful!!! Racism at ITS FINEST!!!

Wolverine wrote:

<quoted text>Racism is everywhere . And committed by everyone. The ignorant thinks it is only Blacks that are being treated un fairly by racism.The Ignorant like to point out Oh Blacks cant be Racist . Whites ar probbably hurt the most due to Racism. Think about it.

Spoken like a true white male....

How do you get something done about it when they're all in cahoots with each other?? Any thoughts?

Now, if someone could only expose the scam/sham/joke called Franklin County Foreclosure Mediation, and what's been going on down there... Talk about racism "stewed to perfection"... Nothing would make me happier....

Well now someone is dead because of the "justice" that these crooks dish out. Will this change anything?

WOW, a lot has occurred since my last email!!!!! Let me see where I should start, the Juvenile Court in Franklin County is a farce!!!!! The court is not holding up it's obligations to the citizens of Franklin County!! Over the last 5 yrs, the administration of the court has turned a blind eye to justice and embraced a mentality that promotes releasing DANGEROUS youth back into the community. The court is not concerned with the safety of law abiding citizens, it's more worried how to save a buck here and there and the most irritating fact about this statement is that the money the court saves, they do nothing with it!!!!!!!!!! There are no NEW programs that are designed to work and decrease the illegal and negative behaviors exhibited by troubled youth, there is no money spent on correctly compensating the court staff that directly interact with these youth daily, there is no interest by the court at all to make sure these youth succeed in life!!!!! The administration, especially all 5 Juvenile Judges are concerned with maintaining their "privileged" lifestyle, and as long as these troubled youth don't come too close to their neighborhoods, they will continue to have this mentality. Just recently a young man, under court supervision, who should have been in a JUVENILE PRISON was released back into the community and not a few months later, he committed the ultimate sin..........MURDER. Another youth who was on supervision, but deemed by the court not to be a threat to the community, shot another youth 6 times!! However this delinquent that was thought to be safe in the community has had several run ins with the law and violations of his probation, but he was allowed to be maintained in the community??????

The court has adopted a "wait and see" approach, well as you can see this is obviously not working!!!! Franklin County has a 130 bed detention center, that over the last 1-2 yrs has maintained a population of just 70 kids, sometimes as low as 50. Several hundred delinquent youth come through the court on a weekly basis, almost 1300 are on probation, but only 50-70 violate their court orders or the law enough to be LOCKED UP????? As a court, not upholding the law, or protecting the citizens of FRANKLIN COUNTY is a tragedy, and in my eyes somehow illegal. Court staff, such as the Probation Officers that work with these youth are told daily to find other solutions than incarceration, but when a youth is not willing to comply or not held accountable by a fractured court to do so, what alternatives are the PO's left with????? The PO's and case management staff go into dangerous neighborhoods on a daily basis, with nothing more than their EXPERIENCE and a prayer that they are not harmed. They have no bullet proof vest, no mace or pepper spray, no firearms, but are expected to make do and create success for these youth!!!!!! The probation staff is grossly underpaid, some staff are literally a few dollars from being considered at the poverty level or below. Workloads of the probation and other court staff have increased three fold over the last 4-5 yrs with no considerate admiration from court administration, and no appropriate compensation for the staff's tireless DEDICATION while facing danger almost daily, but the court sees nothing wrong with this. You have motivated staff, who are willing to work in harsh environments to decrease illegal activities and increase positive thought and change for youth, but all the court sees is how much will that cost???

Decreased state, county, and city budgets due to the recession, have affected this country in the worst way, however the ineffective management in all three levels of government have been the biggest contributors to this!!!! The management in the Juvenile Court in Franklin County is and will continue to be viewed as INEFFECTIVE until effective and appropriate person's are put in place, this has to start with the JUDGES and trickle down through administration. The staff deserves appropriate compensation so that they can continue their dedicated work at creating successful environments that promote/encourage hope and change. It's time to stop valuing technical jobs higher than social service jobs, it's time to recognize that social problems won't solve themselves without appropriate resources. The overall goal with working with today's youth should be PROGRESS, not look at who can be serviced cheaply and who can be classified as "collateral damage", and thrown away like last night's trash!!!! Citizens of FRANKLIN COUNTY, stand up and let your voices be heard!!!!!!