News about public figures—politicians, police officers, and bureaucrats—acting poorly across the world
An Orange County, Florida sheriff’s deputy compelled a motorist to exit the roadway near the Walt Disney World complex during a merge, then disappeared from the scene. The driver, Ivan Schiffino, contended that the deputy cut across a painted divider without signaling, forcing both vehicles into the median to prevent a collision. Dashcam footage from Schiffino’s camera captures the patrol car performing a U-turn, activating its lights, and driving away, without ever stopping to render assistance to the other driver.
A judge in Santa Clara County, California, sentenced former jail guard Francisco Izayas Castillo to 45 days in jail after a jury convicted him of misdemeanor battery. The charge arose from a 2022 incident in which Castillo, the only deputy in the housing unit at the time, assisted two inmates in beating another. When the attackers stated they would carry out the assault, Castillo allegedly told them to “handle it,” then provided them with rubber gloves and opened the victim’s cell door. After the assault, when the victim activated an emergency alarm in his cell, Castillo turned it off.
Investigators say Earl Mayo, former police chief of New Chicago, Indiana, sold a handgun that had been held as evidence in a criminal case to a pawn shop. When authorities realized the gun was missing, prosecutors say Mayo attempted to have another officer purchase it back. Mayo also allegedly asked two officers to retrieve weapons and anabolic steroids from his residence before federal investigators could locate them.
A Colorado jury awarded former New Jersey investment manager Robert Dial $24 million—believed to be the largest police-misconduct verdict in the state’s history—after a police detective wrongfully arrested him in connection with a 2022 shooting involving Dial’s son. Following Dial’s retention of a lawyer for his son, Parker Police Department Detective Shannon Brukbacher repeatedly pressed Dial for information, despite his being in another state and having instructed his son to cooperate with police. Brukbacher also alleged that Dial was hiding a gun, although officers had recovered it at the scene. The arrest permanently cost Dial his license to practice in the financial industry, effectively ending his career.
Selene Varela pleaded guilty and is facing up to 10 years in federal prison for stealing funds intended to assist the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic. While employed in Amarillo, Texas, within the Community Development Department, Varela siphoned off $41,350 in federal housing aid by fabricating fake landlords, tenants, and housing applications. She even used housing vouchers to cover six months of her own rent. Varela becomes the third employee within her department to be caught embezzling from the program.
Selene Varela pleaded guilty and faces up to 10 years in federal prison for stealing money intended to aid the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic. While working in the Community Development Department in Amarillo, Texas, Varela stole $41,350 in federal housing aid by creating fake landlords, tenants, and housing applications. She even paid her own rent for six months using housing vouchers. Varela is the third employee in her department to be implicated in embezzlement from the program.
Jefferson County, Alabama, Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard was suspended for serious misconduct after a complaint accused her of mishandling cases and displaying unprofessional behavior. Her poor docket management delayed involuntary commitment hearings for months, causing some individuals to remain imprisoned or hospitalized longer than necessary. The complaint also states she referred to herself as “the ultimate authority” with “no boss” and retaliated against attorneys and court staff. Blanchard faces a trial before the Alabama Supreme Court on seven ethics charges.
In Macon, Georgia, a neighbor complained that Paula East’s historic row house, constructed in 1860, bore windows that did not align with the era’s style and could depress neighborhood resale values. A design-review board ruled in East’s favor, but the county zoning commission subsequently overruled that decision, threatening the 95-year-old East with fines and potential jail time if she failed to install compliant windows within 60 days. The case was dropped only after planners located a certificate showing the current windows had been approved in 2002.
