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AIRPORT COMMISSIONER IN HOT WATER JOB MAY BE ON LINE FOR COMMENTS IN GANG CASE.


Byline: EUGENE TONG

Staff Writer

BURBANK -- Bob Hope Airport Bob Hope Airport (IATA: BUR, ICAO: KBUR, FAA LID: BUR) is a regional and national airport located in Burbank, California, United States.

It was formerly known as United Airport (1930-1934); Union Air Terminal (1934-1940);
 Commissioner Don Brown spoke in support of a friend charged in the federal Vineland Boys street gang probe, a gesture that now could cost him his job.

Police and city leaders this week called for the ouster ouster n. 1) the wrongful dispossession (putting out) of a rightful owner or tenant of real property, forcing the party pushed out of the premises to bring a lawsuit to regain possession.  of the retired Burbank police lieutenant because his comments to a probation officer probation officer
n.
1. An official usually attached to a juvenile court and charged with the care of juvenile delinquents.

2. An official charged with supervising convicts at large on suspended sentence or probation.
 may have helped secure a reduced sentence for Scott Schaffer, a former public figure convicted of trading guns for cocaine with members of the Sun Valley-based gang.

"The very thought that a retired Burbank police officer would even consider asking for leniency le·ni·en·cy  
n. pl. le·ni·en·cies
1. The condition or quality of being lenient. See Synonyms at mercy.

2. A lenient act.

Noun 1.
 for a man convicted of providing guns for the Vineland Boys is appalling and showed a serious lack of judgment and common sense," Detective Ron Cervanka told airport commissioners during a meeting this week.

The City Council will consider March 6 whether to begin Brown's dismissal proceedings.

Brown said he returned a phone call from a probation officer regarding Schaffer's sentencing and answered questions. It is not known what he said because the pre-sentencing report remains sealed.

Schaffer, 53, received 13 months in federal prison Feb. 12 after pleading guilty in 2005 to a charge of using a firearm in furtherance fur·ther·ance  
n.
The act of furthering, advancing, or helping forward: "Pakistan does not aspire to any . . . role in furtherance of the strategies of other powers" Ismail Patel.
 of a drug trafficking crime. The term fell short of the 21 months recommended by prosecutors.

Schaffer showed remorse during sentencing, but a comment by U.S. District Court Judge John F. Walter -- who said Brown's statement about Schaffer brought "balance" to his decision -- struck a nerve.

According to according to
prep.
1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians.

2. In keeping with: according to instructions.

3.
 transcript excerpts from the sentencing, Walter said Brown "provided a glowing recommendation" for Schaffer that gave the "balance that we need to approach the sentencing" in an emotional case related to the slaying of Burbank police Officer Matthew Pavelka.

The rookie officer was killed in a 2003 shootout Shootout

Venture capital jargon. Refers to two or more venture capital firms fighting for the startup.
 with suspected Vineland Boys members. Another officer, Gregory Campbell Gregory Campbell may refer to:
  • Gregory Campbell (politician) (born 1953), Northern Ireland
  • Gregory Campbell (hockey player) (born 1983)
  • Greg Campbell (born 1964), Australian cricketer
, was wounded and partially paralyzed par·a·lyze  
tr.v. par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing, par·a·lyz·es
1. To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic.

2. To make unable to move or act: paralyzed by fear.
.

"I had his blood on my hands and on my uniform," Detective Chris Canales, who saw Pavelka at the scene of the shooting, told airport commissioners. "And unfortunately, Mr. Brown, now you do."

Brown, who was appointed in November 2001 to represent the city on the commission, was unavailable for comment Friday.

Responding to criticism during Tuesday's commission meeting, he said he was being tried without hard evidence.

"All I've heard today were opinions of what I said," he said. "Anyone who thinks I would deliberately tarnish tarnish,
n 1. surface discoloration or loss of luster by metals. Under oral conditions, it often results from hard and soft deposits.
2. a chemical process by which a metal surface is discolored or its luster destroyed.
 the reputation of the police association has another think coming."

Brown served 41 years with Burbank police and was president of the police union. He knew Schaffer, a Glendale businessman who served on the Glendale Water and Power Commission, for at least five years, and had ties with former Burbank City Councilwoman Stacey Murphy, Schaffer's then-girlfriend.

Murphy, who was caught with cocaine, guns and ammunition at her home during the 2005 Vineland Boys probe, resigned from office and pleaded guilty to drug and child-endangerment charges.

"I ask myself how a five- to seven-year social relationship can overcome 40 years of blood, sweat and tears as a Burbank police officer," Lt. Pat Lynch of the Burbank Police Officers Association told airport commissioners. "(It's) a slap in the face to every active Burbank police officer."

But Bob Yousefian, a Glendale city councilman and airport commissioner, said any judgment against Brown is premature without knowing what he actually said.

"Don has been a very straight guy, a straight shooter straight shooter
n. Informal
One who is honest and forthright.



straight-shoot
," he said. "He has always had the interest of Burbank in mind.

Still, Burbank Councilwoman Marsha Ramos insisted that Brown step down.

"I have lost all confidence in Mr. Brown's ability to give good judgment," she said. "I understand the issue of free speech. But we're held in a position of public responsibility."

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com

(818) 546-3304
COPYRIGHT 2007 Daily News
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2007, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Publication:Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Date:Feb 24, 2007
Words:626
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