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Sheriff’s candidate Ortino cries foul in FOP endorsement of Rambosk
Victor Ortino
Kevin Rambosk
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One of three candidates in the mix for Collier County sheriff is calling the recent endorsement of a rival by a local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police unfair.
Private investigator Victor Ortino says leaders of the lodge declined his request to speak to their group and then moved the endorsement vote up three weeks because of his request.
But the leaders of Collier Deputies Lodge 14 say they needed to move up the date of the vote because Ortino was meddling in the lodge’s private business, and they believed he would continue to do so until the endorsement was made.
On Feb. 22, the lodge announced its endorsement of current Undersheriff Kevin Rambosk for sheriff.
The endorsement came about five months after the state FOP, the largest union for law enforcement officers in Florida, announced it was backing Ortino.
Lodge leaders now say that the state FOP’s endorsement of Ortino was premature and came about because of a secret, unilateral recommendation by former lodge president Chuck Smith, who was voted out of the post in November.
According to a Feb. 16 e-mail obtained by the Daily News from FOP President Chris Jordan to lodge members, they had until a 9 a.m. meeting on March 13 to either e-mail their choice for the endorsement to Jordan, or to cast an anonymous ballot in person at the meeting.
Instead, the date was changed, members notified, and votes were tallied around 3 p.m. on Feb. 22, Jordan said. The endorsement was released an hour later.
The date change came following e-mail correspondence between Ortino and Jordan on Feb. 18.
On that date, Ortino sent an e-mail to Jordan’s personal account requesting to speak to the lodge before the vote. More than 20 other people were copied on the e-mail.
“Now that you are President of this lodge, I would like an opportunity to speak with your group, prior to the lodge endorsing a sheriff candidate,” Ortino wrote in the e-mail. “It would be very hypocritical of you to endorse someone prior to giving them (an) opportunity to speak, words that came directly from you.”
In his response that afternoon, Jordan wrote, “before I do anything I must know where you obtained our members’ e-mail addresses. Failure to answer will be addressed.”
Ortino replied to Jordan, saying his response was “less than cordial, and gives the appearance of abuse of authority.”
He wrote that Jordan is not the only person who knows the lodge members. Ortino wrote that many of his friends and acquaintances know the members, and expressed to him that the lodge membership should be addressed.
“His response was very nasty, almost a threatening response, which I took offense to,” Jordan said.
Instead of allowing Ortino to speak, lodge leaders chose to move up the date of the vote.
In a letter to Jordan on Feb. 19, lodge secretary Jake Walker wrote that Ortino’s chastising of Jordan and calling him hypocritical “is an example of him trying to force his personal political will on the membership of the F.O.P.”
“Due to the unexpected intrusion into our Lodge’s private business and the likelihood that the inappropriate disclosure of private Lodge 14 business will continue between now and our endorsement decision, I request that you seek the approval of the other Lodge 14 officers to have the vote for sheriff’s endorsement moved up to this Friday, February 22, 2008,” Walker wrote.
“I am willing to staff a balloting site for a prolonged period of time if necessary to give our membership a convenient opportunity to formally express their choice.”
The decision to move the date was unanimously approved by the lodge’s executive board, Walker said.
Jordan said he phoned those members he couldn’t reach by e-mail.
When the votes were tallied, Rambosk received 32 votes to Ortino’s one, Walker said.
“We believe it is simply the democratic process,” Jordan said. “Each member gets a vote. The members spoke for themselves.”
Ortino disagreed, and called the vote unfair.
“It would be like me calling you up and telling you to vote for president tomorrow morning,” Ortino said. “What is the rush? What is the priority with regards to taking a vote when you have a willing candidate that wants to talk to your group?”
Ortino provided copies of e-mails he said came from lodge members, who wrote to Jordan expressing their disapproval of the date change.
“Your objection is duly noted,” Jordan wrote in response to one of the writers at 7:28 am. on Feb. 22, more than seven hours before he said the votes were tallied. “If you need any info on the candidates, attend a forum and find out who has 20+ years as a police officer ... starting from the bottom and working his way up ... his support for the FOP in the past.
“Now look at the other candidate ...1 1/2 years as a cop ... no management of officers ... kinda like the current sheriff ... he has NO IDEA how it is at the bottom of the barrel so to speak.”
Jordan said there are a few “members of the old regime” who have been in cahoots with Ortino and objected to the date change.
“It just so happens that two of the three were voted out of office at the last election,” Jordan said. “Now they’re trying to make waves.”
In a letter to the state FOP asking that it rescind its endorsement of Ortino, Walker wrote that a candidate forum was unnecessary because lodge members are “law enforcement professionals who are very well educated on the issues ... and the candidates seeking the Office of Sheriff.”
He also accused Ortino of being the hypocrite, because his endorsement by the state FOP didn’t involve a candidate forum.
Ortino said that at the time of the state FOP’s endorsement, he was the only announced candidate, and it was assumed at the time that he would be running against the incumbent, Don Hunter. Hunter decided not to run for re-election, and is backing Rambosk.
“If there were other candidates, I would only imagine they would want to interview all the candidates involved,” Ortino said. “The only reason those other candidates jumped in the race is because Hunter announced his retirement.”
Vinny Angiolillo, the owner of Class Act Limousine in North Naples, also is an announced candidate.
James W. Preston, president of the state FOP, reiterated that he has no intention of rescinding his organization’s endorsement.
“We still think Victor is the better candidate in that race,” Preston said. “We still support him.”
Comments
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Not that I'm for Ortino, but the FOP Lodge is now being run by the "Golden Boys" or at least former "Golden Boys" of the Sheriff's Office. The organization is now an extension of the upper command staff and its agenda. Wow, nowhere near what the FOP should be.
#1 Posted by Duh on March 1, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
With whom does the FOP's opinion really count?
#2 Posted by shawshank on March 1, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hate to say this but several shots were taken against current Sheriff Hunter. No law enforcement experience and went straight to the top. Unlike Kevin Rambosk. What I see is a push by disgruntal deputies to reconsile with Kevin Rambosk and see if he will give them top notch positions. This campaign is getting ugly. I see an outsider jumping in the race and taking over the reigns here. I would like to see what others think of an outsider or a different type of candidate for sheriff.
#3 Posted by USDfender on March 1, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm supporting Victor Ortino. I was happy to see him run for Sheriff.
#4 Posted by Ironside on March 1, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How about 'outsider' Vinnie? Oh, wait, he's going to be an 'insider' soon enough.
#5 Posted by cupcake on March 1, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why not give Ortino a chance to speak? If they feel he is already going to be the loser, then why not? What difference is it really going to make? Guess he rubbed all the "golden boys" the wrong way by finding out their emails. Hmmm, Ortino is a PI right? Sounds like a spitting contest. And I agree with Shawshank,the FOP's opinion counts for little more then zero here. The FOP here in Collier is mostly current and former CCSO.
Get used to seeing Ortino in the news, I think he wants the Sheriffs' job pretty bad.
I honestly think a Masters degree in Business would be more appropriate for the new Sheriff of Collier then law enforcement degree. Granted it is head of a large multi-million dollar LEO agency, BUT CCSO is a lucrative business, as well as SO...
#6 Posted by Jadip811 on March 1, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ortino for Sherrif ,Rambosk has too many skeletons in his closet ....time for new blood
#7 Posted by ba10da69 on March 1, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alas they all three have skeletons so the most educated might be the better choice. I think being that we're all professionals and we will have to listen to campain promises for the public let's see what campain promises WE will get. We all carry a lot of votes between wifes, husbands, parents and friends and I think maybe we should be considered a little bit too. I don't think there is one out there that will say he get's to much money for what he does but there are other benefits that we don't have yet that other agencies have. Just a thought.
#8 Posted by fishman on March 1, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, new blood. Let's elect a guy with no real law enforcement experience, no knowledge of running a BIG business (C'mon, I can balance my checkbook, I can run a PI agency) and who would be completely lost in the vast expanses of the Sheriff's Office. He could bring back all those disgraced (fired) cops he hired to do PI work. Yeah, new blood. Brilliant.
#9 Posted by gcflycatcher on March 1, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure there will be oportunities to call Ortino on the carpet infront of the public and ask him if he is going to hire these people back. I know I was glad to see a few of them go and I would be interested to see what his answer is.
#10 Posted by fishman on March 1, 2008 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just a normal citizen myself, I like what Hunter did here over the years. So,I will be voting for Rambosk cause that is whom Hunter supports :)
Just an average citizens thoughts on the matter.
#11 Posted by RainMan on March 1, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That seems to be the kind of politics Ortino uses. He has no experience. I for one am not willing to take a chance on this. His past has me wondering why we would even be considering him. Being a P.I. doesn't qualify him to lead this agency. Like rainman, I like what Hunter did. I think Rambosk will do an even better job. He has the respect of the deputies and employees.
#12 Posted by Estatesdude on March 1, 2008 at 11:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What an inbred system! Chris Jordan is only an extension of the tribe - he has made that glaringly obvious. His loyalty to patrol deputies are about as good as his marital integrity! Walker is also a member of the herd, going all the way back to the days in Immokalee.
I don't care for either candidate, but this kind of garbage needs to be exposed!
#13 Posted by bullhalsey on March 2, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The most notable parts of the article are the third and fourth words in the headline...........................ORTINO CRIES
#14 Posted by youwilltapout on March 2, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The FOP is merely a social organization in Collier County. The VAST MAJORITY of deputies are NOT members and are remaining silent and will silently cast their votes in the primary and the final election. This FOP thing is getting too much press.
NDN: How about letting each of the three candidates get their philosophy/plans for the CCSO to you in writing and publish it all one Sunday so the voting public can learn as much as possible about all candidates to help us make an informed, educated vote at this serious race that is turning into a small circus.
#15 Posted by shwing on March 2, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Estates dude, why we would even be considering Ortino is because Rambosk is Hunters protege'.Rambosk epitomizes everything Hunter was and is. Hunter has been grooming him for this position for a few years now and a lot of Collier residents despise what Hunter was about and are begging for change. I simply want to see change for the better, thats why I would even consider Ortino. I wish there was a better candidate to run, but it seems at this point it is going to be the lesser of all evils...
#16 Posted by Jadip811 on March 2, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Junkyarddog, good luck running the Miami trash out, they are here to stay permanently...
#17 Posted by Jadip811 on March 2, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So which good ol' boys do you want? The ones surrounding Ortino who are retired and/or fired SO folks, or the newer ones who still work at the CCSO?
#18 Posted by suzaunt on March 2, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Man getting you down.
check this out
myspace.com/archangerrock
#19 Posted by NaplesTaco on March 2, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So the only complaints I hear against Rambosk are some of you people don't like Hunter, so you immediately assume he's just like Don. Are ya sure, or do you just hate Hunter enough to pass that judgment? And besides, the crime rate is out of control (down again this year) and it's just chaos out there. So yeah, let’s bring in Ortino P.I. Makes perfect sense...
#20 Posted by gcflycatcher on March 2, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is the crime rate really lower or is the way the Sheriff's Office is reporting it lower? If someone breaks into your car, rifles through your glovebox but doesn't find anything worth taking is that a burglary of a conveyance or a criminal mischief? One is a crime reportable crime stat and one isn't. How do you think the Sheriff's Office pads its stats, the actual crime isn't going down, it just is either unreported or misreported.
#21 Posted by Duh on March 2, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So now we have a secret organization of sheriff's officers? Boy, that makes my hair stand on end. I just assumed that Rambosk was the best candidate, but if the officers who don't like Hunter are pushing for Rambosk you better believe I'll be voting for Ortino. 95% of the SO are Collier's finest, but 5% are bullies with guns. Sounds like the FOP is the 5%.
#22 Posted by naplesdad on March 2, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Duh - to answer your question it is a burglary which is a reportable part 1 crime. To make the allegation that the SO pads it' stats is pretty serious.
If you are going to make a statement like that provide us with some facts so you can support allegation. Oh I know, you cant.
Now go inside and take another sip of Kool-Aid.
#23 Posted by factteller1 on March 2, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Factteller1 -
If my car was burglarized and the report was titled criminal mischief would that be enough for you. I feel bad for the deputies and the district commanders. A lot of pressure to keep numbers down and from what I hear, not a lot of extra help to get it done.
But you obviously know better than I do, just a victim here seeing it done to me and my neighbors.
#24 Posted by Duh on March 2, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jadip811,
Lots of Collier residents despise what Hunter was about and are begging for a change? Maybe these are your friends they are stopping on the side of the road with no D/L or ID. No insurance too? Did you get into trouble like Ortino? Sorry to disillusion you, but Rambosk has come up through the ranks and is respected by most in the community. Especially those who work for him. Ortino will not have the same respect. Following the rules and the laws and leading by example are two things Kevin does every day. Can you say the same about Ortino?
#25 Posted by Estatesdude on March 2, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#19.......yeah we know. That is why Collier has gotten so bad with crime and illegals.
Go Rambosk. Keep it AMERICAN !!!
#26 Posted by Nplschick on March 2, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not my friends at all, if you break law, you should go to jail, I agree. I think there are major issues still lingering inside CCSO. I.E. All the issues that actually made it to the news in the last 24 months? And those were the ones that actually made it to light.
Is Rambosk truly going to be that much different then Hunter? We will soon see. My biggest gripe is Hunters nonchalant "do as I say, not as I do" attitude. Laws here are selectively enforced it seems. Should they not ALL be enforced with the same passion? Not just the ones that seem to add to county and state coffers and serve Hunters needs? Hunter is not a Sheriff he is a politician, a prospering one at that. Rambosk has been prepped,prepared and groomed to fill Hunters shoes. Hunter has had this in the works for quite sometime
And sorry to disillusion you, BUT Rambosk has only been with CCSO for 3 years or so. So how exactly did "he come up through the ranks" ? ,it wasn't CCSO ranks. Didn't he leave NPD before he was forced to leave? Most in the community don't even know Rambosk, He is a recluse like Hunter, he shows up, pushes his agenda, spouts his prepared cover all his bases speech, does damage control when he needs to and disappears.
Read my last post again. Lesser of all evils. I would like to see the best candidate win, but who is the best candidate?
Is Rambosk truly what Collier needs?
Rambosk has to actually earn my respect. It isn't just given. Same with Ortino or any other candidate...
#27 Posted by Jadip811 on March 2, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In my opinion(if it means anything)one of the main issues within the CCSO is the distribution of manpower. For example an individual is hired and placed in a district answering calls and patrolling his or her assigned area. That same individual if well liked can apply for and receive a position within a speciality unit. That individual stays in that unit for a number of years and applies for or transfers to another speciality unit/position.
This process repeats itelf over and over again until the individual retires. In essence the individual will spend only a short amount of their carrer "on the road" so to speak and a vast majority of their time in speciality units.
It is my opinion that their shold be less personnel in these units and more personnel on the road patrolling the county.
I am not against speciality units, for I believe that they are neccessary and beneficial to the community. I will say that a lot of people in these units are shall I say underworked. It is also common for these same individuals to be promoted from within these units. Not that good people can not be found within their ranks, it is just that sometimes these people are the ones who are in administration and are the ones who make decisions in reference to personnel,budget,etc:
These individuals are also not without a memory, and owe favors to others inside the SO.
If Mr. Rambosk wanted to make a good first impression to the community he would thin these units out, and place more deputies on the road. That would be good press and a majority of citizens would appauld him for doing so. It remains to be seen if he will or if he to owes too much to others within the SO.
As everyone knows the Sheriffs postion is a most political one and one that few can master without being highly political themselves. It is also my opinion that way too many people are afforded with the ability to take a county vehicle home. I believe that only deputies and other neccessary personnel should be allowed to do so.
For example (on call) investigators, swat team members,crimescene technicians, etc; not everyone who wears a star or has positioned him or herself into a bloated/fabricated position. That alone would save the citizens of the county untold thousands in fuel. I dont know about the rest of you but I fuel my own vehicle and drive it back and forth to work everday at my own expense.
I want to make it clear that I realize the take home car policy is neccessary for certain positions. Well I have typed enough for now. I will make one last comment on this subject. These speciality units are like a guy who lifts weights for chest and arms only and never trains his legs. They look good until the pants come down.
#28 Posted by info on March 2, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jadip811, and given the drivel you just posted, explain just how Ortino would be better. Yeah, we know you don't like Hunter which equates to you not liking Rambosk (he's been prepped by Don! EVIL, EVIL!!) C'mon give us something about Ortino. What will he do if in command. He's done nothing but take shots at Hunter, who is not running. He's said nothing about Rambosk who clearly states his plans.
Duh, falsely reporting crime is a big time offense - if you believe it's widespread and a secret policy, complain to FDLE. If you follow this sort of thing you will know what happened in Broward County a couple of years ago - and resulted in cops losing their jobs and getting arrested is well known to the Collier cops. Audits were, and are done. Lee County S.O. was exposed by its local paper for the same thing. Not saying it never happens but certainly not to any large extent. What you described is a Burglary to Conveyance and should have been reported that way. You should complain.
#29 Posted by gcflycatcher on March 2, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, it rarely happens...thats the the North Naples Lt. got moved a few years ago...his cool math skills got him in hot water when calculating his district crime numbers.
#30 Posted by bullhalsey on March 2, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I really want to know what Ortino plans to do with all his Former AKA fired CCSO employees that work for him now.
I also want to know why he served 5 years in the AF. I could be wrong but last I knew there were only 4 to 6 year enlistments. So either something happened which is shadey, or he is including inactive reserve commitments which is shadey and sad.
I also want him to disclose his reasons for leaving the FHP after only 3 years. Punch in, punch out (it isn't that hard Vic).
#31 Posted by Micheal_Hunt on March 2, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Info: Certainly for the case of Crime Scene people, those vehicles contain special materials for processing scenes (various chemicals/tools/etc.) The time it could take a person to get from their home to the office to get the vehicle, then to the crime scene, could be a significant amount of time.
Also, people like investigators and SWAT team members are also deputies with arrest powers they can put to use if they witness people speeding or committing other violations as they go to and from work.
#32 Posted by pauls on March 2, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Info,
All County agencies will be impacted by the tax shortfall. Much will change apparently. Sounds to me like re-allocation of resources and hiring freeze. Hopefully the crime rate will continue to go down. BTW, Ortino needs to get prepared before he speaks in public. It doesn't look good when his information is outdated or incorrect.
#33 Posted by Estatesdude on March 3, 2008 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Flycatcher , to be blatantly honest the more I find out about Ortino the more I steer towards Rambosk. I just want to vote for the best candidate period. I don't like Hunter, that much is obvious, but I will still vote for whomever I think is the best candidate come election time, even if it is Hunters golden boy.
#34 Posted by Jadip811 on March 3, 2008 at 4:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just for the record the local FOP is a Fraternal Organization, not a union. We never said our endorsement of Kevin Rambosk should be give great weight. We were merely fixing an prior injustice when our former president, a union hack, worked out a secret deal with Ortino to recommend him to the State Lodge for endorsement. This angered our membership since most favored Rambosk. For this reason, we took a vote and by a margin of 32 to 1, our members voted to endorse Rambosk. We think we know the candidates fairly well and believe Rambosk to be vastly more qualified. I agree that this story is getting too much press, but that's because Ortino keeps crying about it.
#35 Posted by Jama on March 3, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Haitian Cab drivers have just endorsed Vinnie!
#36 Posted by cupcake on March 4, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is only one candidate that is the best for this position, and its definitely Ortino!! By the way on comment # 35 , before you go making comments like that. Get it straight, he was in the AF for 4 years...
I have been to the debates and there is clearly one choice and one only and thats Ortino!!!
#37 Posted by xliveon4everx on March 4, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why doesn't everyone who doesn't like either one of the candidates run for Sheriff? If you don't like the "good ole boy system" and don't trust Ortino, run in the next election. Nobody is perfect, everyone makes mistakes and EVERYONE has skeletons in their closet that they don't want made public (some worse than others).
Personally, I like the job that Don Hunter has done. That doesn't mean I'll automatically vote for Rambosk - instead I'll look at both of their qualifications, history, etc. and make an informed decision. I have to say though that someone who can't keep loyal to his wedding vows, doesn't instill much trust. If his wife can't trust him, who can??? Additionally, to make accusations that (conveniently) can't be proven or disproven, is a poor tactic and can be seen immediately for what it is.
Also - Duh - I've got news for you, most other states also consider auto vandalism/burglary as criminial mischief. Just ask the guy in Indiana who has a bench warrant out for him because of the $3,000 worth of damage he did to my truck on a drunk one night.
I have dealt with multiple law enforcement agencies and none of them are without their problems and issues. New blood isn't always a good thing. Existing blood isn't always a good thing. Just read the facts and make an informed, educated decision when voting. And if you don't like the candidates, stop bi**ching and run yourself.
#38 Posted by kerjolo on March 12, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Victor does have law enforcement experience, so whoever thinks he doesen't is mistaken. I also know if Victor did not personally know about Rambosk campaigning while on duty and intimidating subordinates, he would never have publicly stated this. Perhaps Sheriff Hunter (who is defending Rambosk) doesn't know what is REALLY going on when he is not present.
#39 Posted by suezqt1938 on March 13, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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