The Lockyer’s Play “Spin” the Bottle….

Our final installment of 2011 spoke of hope for a better political 2012 and suggested past and present Politicians do a better job of leading Alameda County and the State of California. We made a point of specifically addressing Bill Lockyer and his wife Nadia in that installment. Apparently they were not listening (or reading) our blog.

Well, so much for Alameda County raising the bar in 2012. It took little over a month into the New Year for scandal to unfold…and quite a scandal it is. Paradoxically our opening installment of The Back Story(Welcome) foreshadowed much of what is being disclosed this week. Though we take no credit for the many published and investigative reports regarding the Lockyer’s troubling situation, we can say the situation surrounding Bill and Nadia Lockyer is not new to Alameda County politicians. Strangely as it might seem, the crisis hovering over the Lockyer’s may have been planted decades ago, fueled by the ego’s of the politicians of those days who demanded silence from insiders, and enablers who turned a blind eye in exchange for the benefits of political connections. Has Karma hit home? Many would state, absolutely!

As initially reported in the SF Chronicle earlier this week, and followed up with numerous further independent reports, Bill and Nadia Lockyer are in serious political trouble. Making matters worse, Mr. Lockyer made a classic (disastrous) attempt to spin the circumstances ahead of the most damaging disclosures. As is normally the case with a desperate politician seeking to save his career, reputation and least not forget the nearly 2 million invested to buy Nadia her Supervisors Seat, Bill went with a highly implausible story that even law enforcement hinted was less then accurate. On Tuesday, Bill’s implausible spin story hit bottom when his wife (at least for the time being) released a statement that in many ways contradicted her husband’s story.

What became seemingly apparent in Nadia’s statement is her husband’s spin story was as much about protecting his career and blaming an “ex-boyfriend”, as it was in hiding and/or enabling Nadia’s very troubling situation. Bill’s story implied Nadia had a minor drinking issue and a soft spot for an ex-boyfriend who Nadia went to help through a difficult period at a local motel. In actuality, there is speculation the motel room was Nadia’s and she had been staying there due to her separation from Bill. The minor drinking problem (the bottle) is actually serious chemical dependency which may include prescription pain medicine (a different type of bottle), and the ex-boyfriend is apparently Nadia’s lover for which she is (was) apparently having an affair. As for the allegations that Nadia was the victim of abuse, not even Nadia has actually publicly stated who is responsible. Bill Lockyer’s spin implied the responsible party is the ex-boyfriend/low level drug dealer whom has disappeared, though apparently local media have located him without much difficulty. Surely if the media could fine him, then law enforcement would have long ago found him if they were in truth looking for him. Furthermore, Nadia’s (ex) lover has made a statement challenging the Lockyer’s story (ies) and apparently made himself available to law enforcement, whom he implies does not seem very interested in speaking to him.

We would hate to speculate on what the financial cost to The State of California and Alameda County could be if the Lockyer’s made the grave mistake of attempting to scapegoat an innocent party. Nadia’s lover might have nailed (sorry, had to say it) the trifecta in this trashy and twisted political calamity. This could be a first….a male boy-toy of a female politician gets a big payday from not one, but two government agencies from within the State of California. Again, just speculation…however, not all that far reaching a possibility considering the power players and contradicting stories. We can imagine Gloria Allred having a field day with this love triangle.

Finally, in an all to similar (remember Mary Hayashi) attempt at deflecting blame, Bill Lockyer laid out the possibility that his wife Nadia may have also acted disgracefully not of her own accord, but as a result of a few simple (and perhaps hurtful) words spoken by Bill himself. We believe Nadia is a consenting adult legally capable of making adult decisions and managing adult conversations. Bill’s attempted projection of responsibility for his wife’s actions is just further evidence of how seriously out of touch with reality our elected officials truly are.

Some would argue Bill’s and Nadia’s private life is just that….private. Thankfully this is not the way the system works….and the Lockyer’s just provided lesson 101 on why the public has a right to know, and frankly, needs to know. If an elected public official cannot manage a marriage, a family, a career, prescription medicine and use good personal judgment and common sense, what on this earth makes you believe they can manage a County or State?

For those who question the motivations of the Occupy Movement, which ironically has a solid foundation within Alameda County, you need not look any further then the scandalous stories circling Sacramento and Alameda County politicians.

The voters of Alameda County ought to wake up and dispense with the political trash that is destroying the moral and ethical fiber of Alameda County.

Ms. Hayashi's Disrespect for Journalism Students

Ms. Hayashi’s true colors continue to show. A recent visit to her Sacramento Office by local high school students afforded the public and these students a genuine lesson in just how disrespectful a disgraced public official will treat our future leaders.

A group of Castro Valley High Journalism students prearranged a visit to Ms. Hayashi’s office recently, and did so via an assistant in Ms. Hayashi’s office. Apparently, the assistant was not aware the students were planning to practice their journalism skills…though that would seem immaterial under normal circumstances. Well, these are not normal circumstances for Ms. Hayashi’s…remember, she’s a Brain Tumor survivor….and god forbid she answer any questions from journalism students that might dig into her recent shop-lifting conviction that she publicly (via her attorney) attributed to her medical condition.

Ms. Hayashi ostensibly rebuffed and refused to answer any of the student’s questions, and left the journalism students to speculate and draw their own conclusions….which they did.

The Castro Valley High students gave Ms. Hayashi a textbook opportunity to step up, be a leader by example, set the record straight, and be accountable. These basic principles of good leadership are what every teacher and parent want their student/child to learn in California Public Schools.

Regrettably, Ms. Hayashi provided not only lack of good leadership, but glaring proof that not only do our elected public officials see little value in the public education system in California….currently ranked at or near the bottom, but apparently, Ms. Hayashi also believes she has no obligation to the students in our public schools when it comes to their rights to learn the truth and seek an understanding of what our elected officials are doing while on the payroll of taxpayers.

Ms. Hayashi’s impertinence for the students of Castro Valley High School is just a further example of arrogance and contempt by our elected officials concerning the demands of taxpayers and students in California. Ms. Hayashi’s actions differ very little from those of the Board of Regents when they walked out of a meeting during which pointed questions were asked by UC College students.

We advocate that every high school with a journalism department which sits within Ms. Hayashi’s district demand an interview with Ms. Hayashi. In addition, for those journalism students at Castro Valley High, we recommend you request Ms. Hayashi come to your school to answer all your questions. If you have learned anything from this experience it should be….DO NOT let our public officials off the hook when it comes to accountability. You have the right to ask the questions, so ask them, and seek the truth and accept nothing less!

GO San Francisco 49'ers

The success of the San Francisco 49'ers trumps Alameda County Back Story's this weekend.

We are off to watch the Game.

Look for us next weekend.

More Alameda County Spin….

The question is how low past or present Alameda County Politicians will go to avoid responsibility for their actions? The answer; there is no limit!

As is the case with a majority of scandalous disclosures associated with past or present politicians, there is the spin and blame game, deflection, denial, transference, projection….and as of recently….the brain tumor defense. Well, many thought Ms. Hayashi’s transference of responsibility was sick (pun intended)…not so quick! Bob Knox and his daughter (Kathleen Knox) appear to be taking the bar another step lower.

It has come to The Back Story’s attention via a respected Alameda County Political Blogger that Mr. Knox and his daughter are attempting to spin and blame their personal back-story, as written about here, on another family member.

As we researched what appears to be another far reaching attempt at transference in Alameda County, we could find no evidence the family member Mr. Knox or Ms. Knox were attempting to blame had a single role in any of the companies owned by either Bob Knox or Kathleen Knox that were mentioned in earlier installments.

The family member in question did not want to be identified or comment publicly due to concerns of retaliation and harassment. After review of an email written by Bob Knox to this particular family member, the concerns of retaliation were clearly merited.

In addition, this family member was also the subject of an anonymous death threat and harassing emails, which are very disturbing in their content. The timing and content of these anonymous communications does not appear to be coincidental.

It should also be noted that as reported earlier in The Back Story, Nadia Lockyer’s Chief of Staff seemed strangely focused on those whom were involved with The Back Story, and not on answering questions relating to Nadia’s and Bill Lockyer’s connection to Bob Knox. This would appear to further support the concerns of retaliation.

We would enjoy hearing Bob Knox’s and/or Kathleen Knox’s explanation. The Blog is open to public comment, and has been from day one.

As we dug deeper and looked back at Bill Lockyer’s history, if there is one thing Mr. Lockyer has a reputation for, is his ability to encourage his cronies to take on the pit bull role of the political battlegrounds.

We do wonder if Bill Lockyer is fully aware of what his cronies, (pit bulls) might be doing….on the other hand; he probably does not want to know….planned deniability is a valuable political asset.

The Verdict is in…..

California voters will soon demand access to the medical records of all potential elected officials and those seeking re-election prior to casting their votes at the polls. You ask why….well, Friday in a San Francisco Court Room, an attorney made it clear that unknown medical conditions of our elected officials can result in criminal activity.

Speculation is sure to grow in the coming weeks and months whether Ms. Hayashi is alone in her medical condition, as what we have seen out of Alameda County in the past two to three decades might lead a large portion of Alameda County to question the medical stability and judgment of their elected officials.

It appears safe to say that Ms. Hayashi’s political career is seemingly over. The No Contest plea for thief in conjunction with the revelation that a serious medical condition has impaired her judgment closes all elected public service doors. What levelheaded California resident would vote for a person who might steal from California and/or their residents without a word of remorse, then seek sympathy for their stupidity by claiming a medical condition that no one knew of, or is there evidence present the condition actually exists?

There appears little question a medical or personality disorder may exist of some sort, as her initial defense to the charges revolved around a “distracted shopper” theory. However, in court Friday that theory seemed to have gone the way of Ms. Hayashi’s overall judgment….and vanished!

Studies show most politicians have a higher degree of narcissism then the general population. This self-absorption results in a blurred view of the world around them, and hinders their ability to understand they are equals to those who have elected them to office. Therefore, when politicians break the law, as many of their constituents have in some form or another…from speeding tickets, DUI’s, thief, drugs and beyond, elected officials would probable score substantially more points with their constituents if they reflected the human aspect of their bad decisions (poor judgment)….that being accountability, remorse and the wisdom of the consequences.

When the voters of California start electing people who have the wisdom to accept their mistakes, own up to them, make right for them and learn from them, we the people of California may again be honored to be the State other State’s look up to….not the State for which many make the butt of their jokes….I feel confident Ms. Hayashi will make Lettermen’s top 10….just for starters.

What will 2012 hold for Alameda County?

As 2011 nears a close, Alameda County politicians, both past and present continue to set new lows in public service. Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi from Alameda County (18^th District) is fighting for her political future…most saying she will lose that fight…as she faces felony charges in San Francisco for shoplifting.

As Ms. Hayashi attempts to extract herself from this self inflicted damage, the people of Alameda County should ask the question, do the politicians of Alameda County indeed believe the legal system or the people they serve are so out of touch with reality to indulge the defense of “texting while shoplifting”.

As defenses to civil and criminal allegations go, it is indeed creative, though only a truly desperate narcissist would attempt transference and projection to their cell phone(s). Undoubtedly a first…but surely not the last for an Alameda County politician (past or present) desperate to blame a third party for their stupid (and perhaps criminal) behavior.

We the people of California can only hope that 2012 brings change (for the better) in those that we elect to guide this state. As we look around the State of California, the people of Alameda County should do a bit of soul searching. Many of California’s problems and scandals have some roots in Alameda County, and with politicians (past and present) from that region of the State.

It would appear many of California’s problems lead back to Bill Lockyer and the Treasurer’s Office. Perhaps Mr. Lockyer and his political resources, cronies and groupies should focus on the State’s financial problems, and not with self naming public trails, buying his wife a political career, or helping cronies who have done the State of California wrong.

Unless the voters demand accountability, politicians will continue their narcissist behavior and project responsibility for their incompetence and failings onto any unsuspecting party….or possibly an electronic device. George Orwell’s worst nightmare….the point which Big Brother has no one to blame other then Big Brother…not even Hal 9000 saw this coming!

Happy New Year!

Blowback in Alameda County?

As we continue to research, investigate and report on past and current Alameda County politicians in our efforts to shed light on the Back Story’s, we were not anticipating much in the way of blowback. Though what we have reported on so far is almost entirely from public records and sources, it appears those who have to date been mentioned in the Back Story may want to silence us, or at least control what we research or disclose.

A source close to Bob Knox advised us he recently hired a Marin County Attorney who specializes in criminal defense and white collar crimes to file a Personal Injury Claim. The claim was recently filed on behalf of Robert G Knox, RG Knox Company LLC, and CPC Holdings Inc. naming the Defendant in the case as “John Doe 1.” It is our understanding a claim against a “John Doe” reflects that a plaintiff is seeking to hold an unknown party responsible for a perceived injury. John Doe claims in the political environment have a long legal precedent of being viewed as “fishing trips.”

At this point, we have no information on what Mr. Knox’s claims or cause of action maybe, though it is notable that each of the plaintiffs has been mentioned in prior installments of the Back Story.

A source, who crosses paths with Bob Knox in the business world, indicates Mr. Knox is extremely unhappy with The Back Story.

We have also begun to see Bill Lockyer and his wife Nadia close ranks as it relates to our efforts to research and report on Alameda County. We have made two request of Bill Lockyer’s office, with no reply. Our request to Nadia Lockyer’s office was answered by her Chief of Staff implying they might consider answering our questions if those involved with The Back Story would first reveal themselves.

Nadia, how would the identities of people involved with The Back Story help you better answer questions related to your job as an elected official in Alameda County?

To date we have provided parties mentioned in The Back Story a professional courtesy and respect to address our questions in private, allowing them time to carefully reply. We may reconsider that approach in the coming months.

Perhaps Bill Lockyer, his wife and Bob Knox should take a lesson from Gavin Newsom. Mr. Newsom was the only UC Regent to openly embrace an invitation to discuss the issues of UC students at a recent Regent meeting. The balance of Mr. Newsom’s fellow board members abandoned the meeting after they faced pointed questions from students.

In closing this installment, we only need to read the front page of most major newspapers or Google current events to understand that the lack of governmental transparency and attempts to silence those that seek answers and/or peacefully protest is a road filled with endless political land mines, here and aboard.