Why, indeed?

Why, indeed?



By DEE LOVELL
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 06/29/08

Your recent ALL CAPS, one-word headline was very appropriate on the front page story (June 22) about Sheriff David Shoar revealing news about a secret FBI investigation.

Why did this county official take it upon himself to announce what is presumably a federal case involving County Commissioner Tom Manuel?

Why did he not just allow the FBI to do its job and proceed however and whenever (and revealing whatever) under their own authority?

Shoar was reported as explaining he was concerned that the FBI was on the verge of questioning county employees and officials and that he thought his "(the sheriff's) constituents had a right to know."

He also was quoted saying the FBI did not want to disclose what he called a "top secret" investigation.

Clearly, many of Shoar's constituents, besides myself, might also question his motives and actions and have serious problems with accepting his reasoning for local law enforcement interfering in the disclosure of any federal investigation.

This concerned citizen and constituent has to wonder and ask about how and from whom Shoar found out about any potential wrongdoing? And what involvement and relationship might exist between him and the FBI or other relevant individuals, for them to have taken what many legal experts consider the unusual step of confirming a secret investigation?

The Record's June 22 story quotes a top legal advisor as saying that "criminal investigations at the federal level are intended to be secret."

Did Shoar not understand that alerting parties ahead of time might be detrimental -- not helpful -- to the development of any investigation, FBI or otherwise.

Wasn't he worried that if those about to be questioned were warned ahead of time, it might potentially hinder getting the truth from people who could then have time to alter their stories or facts and even destroy evidence?

And as a local law enforcement leader, does he not remember the basic fact that the purpose of many investigations is to clear -- not smear -- any parties involved?

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Dee Lovell was at one time a member of the Baltimore City Police Department and, more recently, an editor for The Baltimore Sun.

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