Other Bloggers are noticing the Deputy Peskowitz-related email threats

NEW, FROM VARIOUS BLOGGERS:

Domestic Violence Bloggers Risk Their Lives
BLOG: Randi James
December 23, 2008

[Excerpts] In creating a domestic violence/sexual assault blogs, we women bloggers are reclaiming some of the power we lost when we were assaulted and/or are reclaiming our power as an oppressed group. However, this journey out of silence does not come without risks. In exposing the corruption of the family court system and the criminal "justice" system, we are risking our lives so that others may benefit from our courage... I want to take this opportunity to point out that a fellow blogger has had her life threatened as of last week. Go on over to Behind the Blue Wall and lend some support. There are a lot of angry people that want us to STFU. We refuse. This will be a public affair.

Police Officer Threatens Woman Who Blogs About Officer-Involved Domestic Violence
BLOG: INJUSTICE IN SEATTLE
December 23rd, 2008
[Excerpts] Harassing and sending threatening messages to police accountability activists and people who report on police misconduct is a favorite pastime for police officers. Often unpunished and ignored by mainstream media, officers often feel as though it is their right to silence any critics... Sadly, just last week another advocate against police misconduct has been added to the list of citizen reporters who have suffered such abuse and has learned that police departments always refuse to investigate threats issued by their own officers made against citizen reporters... Fearing the officer would make good on his threats, and seeming to have good reason to do so as other officers who claimed to be threatened by him had resorted to filing restraining orders against him, went public...Fellow bloggers, many of whom have also faced threats from police officers in response to their reporting, have offered their support and reposted information about the threats...We too stand with the author of Behind The Blue Wall and offer what support we can in the hope that it might be enough to disuade further abusive retaliation against her for simply advocating for the victims of officer-related domestic violence.

Cop Threatens To Kill Anti-Domestic-Violence Blogger
BLOG: Alas, A Blog
December 23rd, 2008
[Excerpts] ...What's also frightening is that neither of the police forces involved here — not the one employing the cop, nor the one where the threatened blogger lives — are willing to lift a finger to enforce the law against a cop who threatens a citizen.

Another blogger harassed
BLOG: Five Before Midnight
Monday, December 22, 2008
[Excerpts] Threatening emails have been sent to a woman who blogs on law enforcement-related domestic violence. She's one of the top if not the top blogger in the country who tackles this issue and unfortunately, like some people who write on law enforcement issues, she probably hears from people who are unhappy with her activism. Now she's been getting emailed threats... So I know better than most what lies ahead for this woman if she insists that she live in a world where she can blog about the issues that matter to her and keep herself and her family safe... But it's hard reading about it when it happens to someone else. Because an attack against one blogger is really an attack against all of us who address these issues...

Officer Ira Peskowitz

Blog: Fathers Rights Movement Naked
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
[An illustration]

AND

FROM INTERNET BUSINESS LAW SERVICES:

...Transmitting threatening messages via e-mail is a federal crime in the United States and carries a penalty of imprisonment of up to five years or a fine, or both...

TAGS: POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED PERPETRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TEFLON LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPUTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OFFICE IRA PESKOWITZ

The only regret I have is not learning to play piano.

A lot of people are worried about me. They are telling me to run, to hide, to get a gun and stay strapped, but I lived AT LEAST 15 years fearing being marked for death. After being paralyzed by fear for longer than we are capable of maintaining the state of acute terror, I learned to walk across fear like a spider across the strands of her own web. It was my life, and we adapt. I learned over those years to accept death. What else can you do? So like folks on death row, I learned to stop complaining and make the best of every day. I'm still here.

These email threats have me examining if I am ready (again) to take a headshot, and the brazen words have me examining shotgun trajectory paths through my residence to estimate at ANY GIVEN MOMENT OF EVERY DAY, THROUGH EVERY NIGHT, whether my children's lives are in danger. I do fear for them greatly. They are floating on a raft of prayers. (What kind of man implies killing the children of others?)

In case I die...

To my threatener -
I gave up guns a long time ago - so it's a free shot. The only regret I have is not learning to play piano.

To Palm Beach Sheriff's Office -
Why?

To Tacoma Police -
Sorry for bothering you.

To the FBI & US Attorney's Office -
I was hoping to know you better.

To my kids -
I love you.

To Renee -
You are the best. Kick ass.

TO THE EVER-INCREASING NUMBER OF WOMEN (THAT I AM SO BLESSED TO KNOW) NOW WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO HELP VICTIMS OF POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND TO THE VERY SPECIAL (BUT FEW) LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE STEPPED FORWARD TO HELP - IF I DIE I WILL HOOK UP WITH CRYSTAL JUDSON AND ALL OF THE OTHER SLAIN COP DV VICTIMS AND WE WILL ORGANIZE BANDS OF ANGELS TO ASSIST YOU IN YOUR WORK!!!!!

WE WILL DAZZLE YOU.



We always say it would take a miracle, right?

To those using the medium of the blog to get the word out -
Isn't it GRAND????
AWESOME!!!!!
It really restores power to the people.
Keep it comin'.

(I'll use the comment section of this entry to jot things.)

Tacoma Police: "Call us if he bangs on your door."

REGARDING THE EMAILED THREATS TACOMA POLICE TOLD ME TO CALL THEM IF HE ACTUALLY BANGS ON MY DOOR.

(THANKS TACOMA PD.)

[palm beach sheriff's officer deputy ira peskowitz threat]

Screencaptured emails received from the email address of Palm Beach Sheriff's Deputy Ira Peskowitz

(Click above photo to enlarge)

The profile picture of the myspace page, enlarged

Not knowing that threats would follow, I sent the sender back only a question mark, and then went to the sender's page to see who it was from.

A screen capture of the Myspace page.
It seems to have a purpose:
"Elimination Process"
(Click above photo to enlarge)

I didn't know then, but now I do - that the above Myspace page is established with the same email address that I received the email threats from. Later in the day I checked my oidvn yahoo email account and found this:

(Click photo to enlarge)

I didn't respond to the sender. The next day I called the Tacoma Police to make a report about the email because it definitely felt threatening. While I was on the phone with the officer I opened my email inbox and this was there:

(Click above photo to enlarge))

Both of the Tacoma officers I've talked to have asked me -

So, where's the threat to your
and your family's life
in that?
Did he SAY
"I'm going to KILL you?,"

specifically?

Time for me to join Renee in this blog

Greetings All -

I'm the "advocate" that received the emails from the address of Palm Beach Sheriff's Deputy Ira Peskowitz, though I don't call myself an advocate. I consider myself an outreach worker, story keeper, listening ear, and resource provider for victims of officer-involved domestic violence. I accepted Renee's invitation to participate in this blog as a contributor today because it is 6 days after making my first police report and already it's looking like my family's safety is a priority to neither Deputy Peskowitz's agency's Internal Affairs Department, nor to my local law enforcement agency - the Tacoma Police Department. Tacoma police told me if he bangs on my door to call them, and Palm Beach told me nothing at all. I've asked Palm Beach if they could let me know if Peskowitz is taking any days off, etc., but never received a reply.

I understood the seriousness - regardless of how brave I had been feeling - once I found myself ducking behind a tall metal file cabinet in my own living room, mentally checking the possible shotgun trajectory paths through my home - trying to estimate if any of them could hit family members. That episode was triggered by something as simple as a car parked in front of a neighboring vacant house. So that's how I'm living. Vigilant ON TOP of my post traumatic stress disorder. Lord, keep me steady.

I'm keeping good notes. speaking often with knowledgeable folks, STUDYING THE LAWS, and open to wisdoms from others.

I am also still hoping for the best from law enforcement. I don't know why, but I'm trying.

There are so many bad people with badges on my Behind the Blue Wall blog that are similar to one another in how they operate, but Deputy Peskowitz doesn't blend in. No other still-employed officer that I'm aware of has been accused of terrorizing so many fellow law enforcement officers.

It's a brain bender no matter which way I turn the questions.

Here's an interesting blog post on the CYB3RCRIM3 blog, written by law professor Susan Brenner:

"True Threat" - "...It involves another defendant who was charged with using the Internet to transmit a threat in violation of section 875(c)..."
[POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED PERPETRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW ENFORCEMENT]

APPLICABLE U.S. LAW - THREATENING INTERSTATE COMMUNICATIONS

Ohe of the emails received by the officer-involved domestic violence advocate also made reference to her family. By doing that, the sender has elevated the level of his or her offense to federal:

United States Code>
TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE>
PART I - CRIMES>
CHAPTER 41 - EXTORTION AND THREATS>
§ 875. INTERSTATE COMMUNICATIONS>

(c) Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to injure the person of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
[LINK]
[POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED PERPETRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW ENFORCEMENT MURDER SUICIDE]

COMMENTS AND SUPPORT

COMMENTS FROM MIOIDV MYSPACE, THIS BLOG, AND EMAILS:



Stay safe girlfriend.
(((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))

Renee'

____________________
____________________

Dec 18, 2008 2:17 AM
He's messin' with the wrong woman. I frolic with angels.

Dec 18, 2008 5:32 PM
Yet another police officer who plays the blame game. Above the law and unable to "cop" to his own issues. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. I would send that to every law enforcement division in your state. Seriously. Let me know if there is anything I can do. I frolic with the angels, too and there is power in numbers!

____________________
____________________

Dec 18, 2008 7:10 AM

SOB!

____________________
____________________

Dec 18, 2008 9:40 AM

What a looser!

____________________
____________________

Dec 18, 2008 10:43 AM
Another Man of the law that shouldnt be !! What is he affraid of ! You keep doing the good that you do !! You have reason to hold your head up high ! Always love and respect to you my friend !

____________________
____________________

Dec 18, 2008 2:29 AM
Well gotta love the sorry excuse for a man who can threaten someone for something THEY did. Let him track all of your fans and avid readers.. All I can say is god bless you and god help him.

____________________
____________________

Email I received:

I got your back. And to the (big, bad, I swear to uphold the law) deputy who constructed and sent the email, you must really be threatened by the truth to send an obvious terrorist threat through email. You must think that because you are a peace officer your shit don't stink, that your IP address can not be tracked. Well, buddy I am here to tell you your shit does stink, and no matter what your occupation you leave a fingerprint every time you use a computer.

And in case, dear deputy, you don't know the definition of "Terrorist Threat" I will school you: A terroristic threat is a crime generally involving a threat to commit violence communicated with the intent to terrorize another, to cause evacuation of a building, or to cause serious public inconvenience, in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience. It may mean an offense against property or involving danger to another person that may include but is not limited to recklessly endangering another person, harassment, stalking, ethnic intimidation, and criminal mischief.

Under state criminal codes, which vary by state, it is an offense to knowingly utter or convey a threat to cause death or bodily harm to any person. It is also an offense to threaten to burn, destroy or damage property or threaten to kill, poison or injure an animal or bird that belongs to a person.

Judging by the definitions above you have violated both federal and state laws and if you do not cease and desist threatening my girl XXXXXX and her family, you shall be punished and this dear deputy is not a threat it is a promise."

____________________
____________________

HERE IS THE THREATENED OIDV ADVOCATE'S EMAIL RESPONSE TO THIS WONDERFUL 'GOT YOUR BACK...' EMAIL:

I am a blessed woman. One of the consequences of this threat is appreciating my life and the people in this world that make it a more beautiful place. When someone threatens your life it's natural to reflect - since tomorrow is not (and never was) promised to any of us.

When someone WHO OTHER OFFICERS FEAR threatens your life, it really does inspire pause.

I am pausing. I'm pausing in what I say at this point in order to allow the law enforcement officers who I've reported this to do their jobs. They have not made me any promises, or even shared their intent. I have asked them a list of questions that just dangle in the air without response. I have sent them directives (like "ARREST HIM") but we know I can't tell detectives what to do.

In my own city Tacoma the recurrent question from police is, "So where does he threaten your life?"

I tilt my head like a perplexed puppy.

It is early in the process and I will go through these initial stages without cynicism. I will hope and expect the best from them.

I (we) have a tentative plan b and c.

Thanks to all for the support.

____________________
____________________

Comment from MIOIDV Myspace, from Sistapray:


You are not alone . . .

open your heart and see
there are many who care
for souls like you and me

just reach out and touch
here, please take my hand
together we can, oh yes
play music, be the band

we’ll dance to the dawn
and the twilight too
embracing our lives
that we may live it true

removing lonely delusions
creating our own chance
oh, did I already tell you
to this life we’ll dance?

we’ll sing sacred songs
transmuting our dreams
from loneliness and despair
to whatever your heart deems

yes, we have this power
within and without
just reach and take my hand
live with certainty . . .removing doubt!

..for you are not alone !

© 2008 : William S. Peters, Sr.

____________________
____________________

Comment from Jane Doe:

Good always triumphs over evil in the end is the quote. I like to say: "Good always triumphs over evil eventually." Why wait til the end right? At least there's a chance you're still around to enjoy the show when eventually happens!!

All of us OIDV survivors are survivors for a reason. I for one think I'm still around to share my story and speak for the ones who can't tell theirs. And let me tell you I have a big mouth when it comes to the victims that my ex has hurt after me and continues to get away with to this day. But not for much longer. My ex is just like this IMA PEST dude. How many innocent people have to get hurt or killed by these two for the authorities to put an end to these monsters' reign huh? C'mon? Maybe it will take something as assinine as a cyber stalking conviction to get people to notice how mentally unstable and dangerous these guys and many others just like them are!

Well, it's advocates like you and survivors like me who WILL NOT STOP THE FIGHT!! I support you. I am thinking of you. If you need me to do ANYTHING for you, you know all you have to do is ask and I'm there!! Have you contacted the Nat'l Media with this story? Someone needs to. If so and they haven't listened, let us all know and we will bombard selected media outlets as much as possible without being accused of "harassing or stalking" ourselves. :)

Love you girl!

Comment:

It looks like this Officer PESTowitz finally messed with the wrong person, when he threatened this advocate.

No regrets, girlfriend :)

Three weeks ago, during a hearing for my divorce, I was cross examined by my ex's attorney.

During my testimony, the attorney did everything and anything to slam my work with OIDV and OIDV victims...as if we survivors, victims, and advocates are nothing more than the scum of the earth. What really got me though, was that this attorney thought that he had every right to degrade me for my work with OIDV...and that attempts by my ex to financially prevent me from returning home to Michigan and getting MIOIDV up and running, were justified.

I kept thinking as I sat on the witness stand, 'My ex and his attorney think that it is better that I am put out on the street, instead of me receiving my fair property settlement, so I can return home to Michigan and help victims of OIDV'.

It made no sense to me at all, that this is the view that people have of OIDV and our work...and it disgusts me that my ex and his attorney think that everyone shares this view. Because, I honestly cannot think of an attorney in their right mind tearing apart a rape advocate....or a crime victim advocate...or a domestic violence advocate. But here was this attorney having a field day tearing apart an OIDV advocate. What gives with that, eh.

And here's the topping on the cake: this attorney who openly viewed my OIDV work in the worse light possible, did this in the Valparaiso courthouse. The same courthouse where Railroad Officer Russel Brady was tried for the murder of his ex wife Candee Brady in October 2000.

Not only did Officer Brady get away with Candee's murder at his trial in the Valparaiso courthouse, but eight years later, an attorney has no problem trying to crucify an OIDV advoate in that same courthouse. What a disgrace to Candee's memory...and to every OIDV victim in the county.

But let me tell you girlfriend, I was never so proud of my work with OIDV than I was when I was on that stand. Because, I have no regrets.

I have accomplished what I have with MIOIDV, because of you. You go girl!!!!!!!!!!

Renee'

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Email from Felice

From: Felice
Date: Dec 20, 2008 7:58 PM

You can tell this is a professional abuser. He has fine tuned his threats and knows how to work them.

"How dare a mere woman not tremble at his treats, he is getting angier by the minute, frustration is taking over. How dare a woman make him feel this way? How dare a woman make him do these things? You know he is such a good guy he would never do anything like this if a woman didn't make him... " insights intoa deranged mind.

This guy is ready to blow. He is getting sloppy & making some bad mistakes.

Be sure he know that there is not just one of us but 100's of us and we will no longer hide our shame for his sick games. We will stand up for ourselves, protect ourselves and will do this for the ones of us that are to beaten down right now to do for theirselves. We are his worst nightmare, women with strength, courage, & knowledge to make the changes needed to see him pay for his crimes.

You stay safe and let me know if you need anything. I am currently trying to free my life up some so that I can devote more time to the things most important. Let me know if I can help you in any way.

[THIS POST WILL CONTINUE TO BE UPDATED]

____________________
____________________

HANDS OFF MY PEEPS!!!!!

If there is one message that I want to convey to those who threaten OIDV advocates for disclosing OIDV, it is that we OIDV advocates are united. You threaten one of us, all of us OIDV advocates take it personally.



HANDS OFF MY PEEPS!!!!!


Renee' Harrington, Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence Corp.

FLORIDA DEPUTY IRA PESKOWITZ RELATED THREATS TO OIDV ADVOCATE

WHY MICHIGAN OFFICER INVOLVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE [MIOIDV] IS COVERING FLORIDA PALM BEACH SHERIFF'S DEPUTY IRA PESKOWITZ'S EMAIL ADDRESS BEING USED TO THREATEN OIDV BLOGGER

Recently a fellow OIDV [Officer Involved Domestic Violence] advocate's life was threatened for posting a few newspaper article excerpts regarding allegations of Palm Beach Florida's Sheriff's Deputy Ira Peskowitz's OIDV and threats of deaths to other officers.

As a message that OIDV advocates are united and will not back down, MIOIDV is also exposing Peskowitz's case.

Florida Deputy/Officer Ira Peskowitz

[POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED PERPETRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW ENFORCEMENT MURDER SUICIDE]

THREATENING EMAILS OIDV ADVOCATE RECEIVED FOR POSTING NEWS EXCERPTS ON OFFICER PESKOWITZ

From: Psoirak9@aol.com
Subject: Ira Peskowitz
To: oidvn@yahoo.com
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2008, 3:46 PM
I don't know who you are, but if you don't remove the felonious blog that was entered by you ASAP. I will find you and you will become a blog. I promise!!!!!!!!!!

From: Psoirak9@aol.com
Subject: Keep it comming
To: oidvn@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, December 15, 2008, 6:59 PM

When I find you and I will, your going to understand what it's like to be a fish out of water. God help you and your family. I tracked your IP address and I'm coming for you......you don't know when to stop and when you do it will be too late for you to start ever again.

(IP ADDRESS WAS VISIBLE ON RECEIVED EMAILS.)


* UPDATE: THE EMAIL ADDRESS ON THESE THREATENING EMAILS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AS THE SAME EMAIL ADDRESS THAT HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN USED BY PALM BEACH SHERIFF'S DEPUTY IRA PESKOWITZ.



[MI POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED PERPETRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW ENFORCEMENT MURDER SUICIDE]

2007 Peskowitz News: "I'm coming for you and (officer) Carulo and your families. You're all (expletive) dead!"

Wash. police chief quits over ex-colleague's lawsuit
http://www.ethicsinpolicing.com/Article.asp?id=2184
Palm Beach Post - Palm Beach,FL,USA
09 January 2007

From his low-profile job as a community policing deputy with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Ira Peskowitz has toppled a police chief 3,300 miles away.

In the latest, perhaps strangest twist in a seamy saga extending from the Village of North Palm Beach to Snohomish, Wash., Gordon Wiborg Jr. resigned Dec. 28 as the police chief of Snohomish. The town of about 8,900 is 26 miles northeast of Seattle.

Wiborg said he relinquished his $93,108-a-year job because, even at the other end of the country, he can't escape nagging accusations by Peskowitz - and maybe Peskowitz himself.

Wiborg, 52, was a police captain in North Palm Beach before taking the chief's job two years ago.

He is a defendant in a 2-year-old whistle-blower lawsuit filed by Peskowitz, a former North Palm Beach police officer. The litigation has triggered allegations of police corruption, sexual harassment, suicide and death threats and extramarital affairs.

"Unfortunately, the litigation issues I am involved in from North Palm Beach have become so distracting that I believe my energies and attention are better placed elsewhere," Wiborg said in his resignation letter.

Wiborg quit just days after he took the extraordinary step of obtaining a restraining order prohibiting Peskowitz, 38, from coming within 500 yards of him, his home or the Snohomish Police Department.

"Within the last two weeks, Mr. Peskowitz has stated his intention of flying here from Florida to make harassing statements at the Dec. 19 Snohomish City Council meeting," Wiborg wrote on Dec. 18 in explaining why he sought a restraining order. "I believe he also intends to cause physical harm to me and/or my residence."

Wiborg also says Peskowitz threatened to kill him in September 2004. He and a co-defendant, former North Palm Beach Police Chief Earl "Duke" Johnson, profess to be so scared that they asked a judge to allow them to participate in mediation by telephone so they wouldn't have to be in the same room with Peskowitz.

Peskowitz contends that he became the target of internal affairs investigations for making allegedly false reports, was put on indefinite leave and was sabotaged when he applied for another job after he complained of, and refused to participate in, mismanagement, malfeasance and wasteful spending.

But the bare-knuckles litigation has revealed that Peskowitz has a closet full of his own skeletons: an allegation that he threatened to kill two Miami Beach police officers and their families; a protracted paternity case; and assertions by that woman that he threatened to kill her, their child and himself.

Sexual harassment claimed

Peskowitz joined North Palm Beach police in 1997. He quit to go to the Miami Beach Police Department. He returned to the North Palm Beach force in October 2001, where, among other things, he was the K-9 handler.

His return didn't go well. After less than two years, he was suspended indefinitely, finally resigning after several months. He sued the town, Wiborg and Johnson in 2004.

He contended that Wiborg sexually harassed him late in 2002. Among the captain's purported comments: "When you put your hands in your pockets, are you thinking about me?"

Peskowitz also claimed that Wiborg called him into his office and proceeded to change clothes "down to his underwear" while offering no explanation.

Among the other purported events that Peskowitz said he objected to in vain were:

• Use of excessive force by a fellow officer who he said pistol-whipped a handcuffed man.

• Racially motivated stops of motorists by a sergeant in the department.

• Wiborg's refusal to give him time off for the birth of his daughter in 2003 in violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

• Wiborg's sending of a lengthy, harsh and possibly defamatory assessment of him in an e-mail to a psychologist who was to evaluate Peskowitz for employment at the sheriff's office.

The defendants' attorney, Anthony Gonzales, denies Peskowitz's allegations. His claim, for example, that he asked in February 2003 for time off the following month for the expected birth of his daughter is a fraud, he says in court documents.

Scathing mental evaluation

As for the e-mail Wiborg sent the sheriff's psychologist, Gonzales says in court filings that the same man was retained by North Palm Beach to evaluate Peskowitz's fitness to return to duty. He maintains that his clients were unaware that Peskowitz was trying to get a job with the sheriff's office at the time the e-mail was sent.

Whatever the case, Wiborg's Sept. 2, 2003 e-mail about Peskowitz was scathing.

"Since his hiring here, we have observed a consistent pattern of adverse stress reactions and depressed emotional affect which is markedly deteriorating," Wiborg wrote.

The psychologist diagnosed Peskowitz as having a "paranoia adjustment disorder," Wiborg wrote in his petition for the restraining order.

Peskowitz says he had to hire mental health professionals to clear him of Wiborg's allegations.

Peskowitz was hired by the sheriff's department in March 2004. He met or exceeded requirements in every category in his most recent job appraisal.

"Makes a positive first impression and has an excellent attitude toward co-workers and supervisors," his evaluator wrote.

The only complaint internal affairs has probed against Peskowitz was Wiborg's death threat allegation in September 2004. The investigation concluded that the complaint was unfounded.

Wiborg also informed the psychologist in his e-mail of Peskowitz's tumultuous home life with Barbara Bergoli, who had been a reserve officer with the department.

Bergoli gave birth to a baby girl on March 26, 2003. In July that year, Peskowitz twice held a gun to his head, Bergoli said in court records. And in August he threatened to kill her, their baby and himself, she said in an affidavit.

After Bergoli notified Wiborg and another officer of the threats, Peskowitz was put on leave. Peskowitz denies Bergoli's claims, calling her emotionally unstable.

Peskowitz and Bergoli filed petitions seeking injunctions against each other.

Bergoli now lives in New York.

More dirty laundry to air

Peskowitz's lawsuit is expected to go to trial early this year. Attorney Gonzales is trying to prohibit him from airing additional dirty laundry that he contends was soiling the North Palm Beach force.

He claims that Wiborg sent sexually harassing instant messages or e-mails to a dispatcher; that Wiborg falsified his credentials on his employment application and on the village's Web site; that Johnson got excessive overtime pay; and that Johnson had extramarital affairs.

Those allegations have nothing to do with the issues over which Peskowitz is suing, Gonzales argues. As for Wiborg's job application, any inaccuracies are trivial, he argues.

The defendants have ammunition to use against Peskowitz, too. They say he left Miami Beach under eerily similar circumstances. Peskowitz made claims of corruption there that were unfounded, Gonzales says. And Wiborg said Peskowitz told him he was sexually harassed at Miami Beach and that he was retaliated against for being a whistle-blower.

A year after Peskowitz left Miami Beach, an officer there named John Pereira said he got a call. He recognized the voice as that of Peskowitz, he said in a report.

"I'm coming for you and (officer) Carulo and your families. You're all (expletive) dead!" Then he hung up.

Two hours later, Pereira said he got another call from Peskowitz. The caller said, "Look behind you. Bang!"

"I never made those phone calls," Peskowitz said. The two officers erroneously thought he initiated an internal affairs investigation against them and they retaliated against him, he said. He was not questioned or charged in the incident, he added.

Peskowitz acknowledges that he contacted the Snohomish city clerk to obtain Wiborg's employment application, and indicated he might attend a city council meeting to find out why he was being thwarted. He says he had no contact with Wiborg and scoffs at his obtaining a restraining order.

"His sole intent was he didn't want me to go to the city council meeting and reveal things about his past," Peskowitz said.

Until Peskowitz resurfaced, Wiborg - who was chosen over three dozen other applicants - seemed to be doing fine as Snohomish's police chief. "In many ways he's done a good job," said City Manager Larry Bauman.

Wiborg and Peskowitz weren't always enemies, Bergoli said in an interview. "Wiborg took a liking to Ira. He really took him under his wing."

Neither feels the love now. Peskowitz said he wants money - and something else.

"I want a name-clearing opportunity," he said. "To show that these allegations were untruthful and ... intended to destroy my reputation and my career."

[MI POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED PERPETRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW ENFORCEMENT MURDER SUICIDE]

2007 Peskowitz News: "I believe he needs to be restrained from within rifle range"

Police personnel at odds over conduct
Posted: 2007 Jan 12 - 01:14
http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=19987
By Sarah Stover
Staff writer

NORTH PALM BEACH - The problem traveled with him.

A former North Palm Beach police officer, who says he is being harassed by a former employee, recently resigned his position as chief of the Snohomish, Wash., police force because of the harassment.

Gordon Wiborg Jr. resigned on Dec. 28 as a result of pending legal matters with the officer he supervised in North Palm Beach.

"I have enjoyed the two years working for the City of Snohomish. Unfortunately, the litigation issues I am involved in from North Palm Beach have become so distracting that I believe my energies and attention are better placed elsewhere," Chief Wiborg wrote in his resignation letter.

"It is with sadness that I accept Gordon Wiborg's resignation. His dedication as police chief was extraordinary, and I have great appreciation for the commitment he demonstrated to our community," said Snohomish city manager Larry Bauman in a press release.

Mr. Bauman refused to comment further when he was contacted.

Prior to resigning, Mr. Wiborg requested a restraining order against an officer he supervised when he worked as the administrative/special services captain for the North Palm Beach Police Department. A Snohomish County judge granted the temporary restraining order on Dec. 19.

During his time as operations commander for the Village, from 2001-04, Mr. Wiborg supervised Ira Peskowitz, who is now an officer with Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office in West Palm Beach. Mr. Wiborg claims that after Officer Peskowitz resigned from the Village Police Department in 2004 due to mental health issues, he began harassing his former supervisor, said a statement from Mr. Wiborg in his petition for a restraining order, submitted on Dec. 18.

The harassment has only been verbal, but Officer Peskowitz had stated his intent to fly to Snohomish, Wash., to make harassing statements at the town's council meeting on Dec. 19, the restraining order request said.

"I believe he also intends to cause physical harm to me. Because of Mr. Peskowitz's police and firearms training, I believe he needs to be restrained from within rifle range (1,500 feet) of me," Mr. Wiborg wrote in the petition for the order.

According to court documents, the temporary order mandated a 500-foot distance. A hearing was set for Jan. 2, in which Officer Peskowitz had the right to defend himself and prove the petition was unnecessary. But Officer Peskowitz did not show up, since he had not been served with the restraining order, said a Snohomish clerk, who did not want to be named.

At press time, the clerk said Officer Peskowitz had been served with the restraining order, and a hearing is scheduled for Jan. 16. If Officer Peskowitz does not show at that time, the order will go into effect for a year, court documents said.

Mr. Peskowitz's attorney, Isidro Garcia, was not sure the Washington court could go through with the order since, to his knowledge, his client had not been served.

"Ira does not intend to file anything because it's completely fraudulent claims from Mr. Wiborg," said Mr. Garcia.

Villager manager Mark Bates did not know the men, so he could not comment, he said.

Current Village police Chief Jimmy Knight also did not know Mr. Wiborg or Officer Peskowitz since they were gone from the department before he became chief, he said.

However, he was made aware there is pending litigation, he said.

Mr. Peskowitz has filed lawsuits against both Mr. Wiborg and the Village.

"Essentially what happened is, Mr. Peskowitz made complaints about his colleagues making false driving under the influence arrests and also made some complaints against Mr. Wiborg focusing on sexual harassment," said Mr. Garcia.

Village officials turned the tables, Mr. Garcia said, and instead of investigating Mr. Peskowitz's complaints, they charged him with making false complaints. Then they would not let him work and interfered with his attempt to work at the Sheriff's Office, he said.

Mr. Peskowitz's lawsuit is pending in Palm Beach Countyu circuit court. It is on the trial docket to be called, said Mr. Garcia.

Mr. Wiborg could not be reached for comment.

Stover@hometownnewsol.com

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