In a special meeting held before the regular meeting, Parker Town Council voted to place Police Chief Rodney Mendoza on administrative leave last night.
According to the agenda the purpose of the meeting was:
1. Discussion and possible action to convene into an Executive Session pursuant to
A. R. S. § 38-431.03A (1) for the purpose of:
a. Discussion regarding the job performance and evaluation of the Chief of Police
2. Approve/Deny placing the Chief of Police on administrative leave
3. Approve/Deny appoint an Interim Chief of Police
No explanation was given in support of the vote, but the action follows allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Mendoza by the wife of Parker Police Sergeant Mike Thompson. Parker Mayor Dan Beaver assured concerned citizens "There is an ongoing investigation at this moment, not only by DPS but by our own HR Department, and there are two people working on it and I want the public to know that."
However, it has been confirmed that DPS is not investigating Mendoza regarding sexual harassment, but they are investigating him over another unrelated complaint. Private investigator Jim Humpreys was reportedly hired by Town Manager Lori Wedemeyer to look into the sexual harassment matter. Humphreys is the same P.I. hired by the neighboring Town of Quartzsite, AZ last summer to investigate Town allegations of voter fraud that proved to be unfounded.
At last night's meeting during the "Call to the Public", Parker resident Launa Wilson told the Council that Wedemeyer should not be in charge of the investigation because she had an affair with Mendoza. After the meeting, Councilwoman Christine Boatwright instigated a verbal altercation in the parking lot with Wilson and a woman named Tiffany Dunlap, who also spoke critically of the Town's handling of the Thompson matter.
No interim chief was officially appointed at the special meeting, but many believe that Mendoza's duties will be assumed by Sergeant Clay Romo.
Lorrie Thomson states that her job at the Parker Funeral Home requires interaction with her husband's boss, Chief Mendoza, because the La Paz County Coroner is located there. This provided a premise for Mendoza to have unwanted contact with Thompson which escalated, culminating in a kiss which took place in his office she asserts. After making a written complaint to the Town Council, Thompson was demoted at her job.
The Honorable Jill Davis issued an injunction against Mendoza on July 8th, 2013 which prohibited him from having contact with Thompson. Mendoza requested a hearing and Judge Pro Tem "Mike" Dunbar dismissed the injunction on August 15th. Mendoza did not take the stand in his own defense and his attorney Michael Frame called no witnesses, choosing instead to attack "the voracity" of Thompson and her testimony. She admitted into evidence recent text messages by Mendoza, but did not present the secret audio recordings which had been given to the La Paz County Sheriff's Office. When asked why the judge who issued the injunction did not preside over the hearing, Mojave County Court Clerk Carol Henry responded, "There was no assignment, Judge Dunbar just happened to be on the bench and he saw the case that day." Thompson is expected to appeal Dunbar's ruling.
According to Thompson, despite the awkwardness of the situation she remained polite to Chief Mendoza out of concern for her husband's job with the Department. Mendoza has declined to make a public statement thus far.
The Parker Town Council had received legal advice and declined to take action against Mendoza at another special meeting on July 31st, 2013.
Rumors have been circulating that another woman may come forward and it has been alleged that Mendoza had very similar issues when he was a Captain at the Ventura County, CA Sheriff's Department.. He is currently married to 1994 Miss La Paz County Leean Hendrix - Mendoza. Reportedly, Mendoza's previous wife was the ex wife of one of his sergeants while working in Ventura, and she left him for having an alleged inter office affair, then the alleged relationship with Wedemeyer, then Hendrix, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Thompson maintains that she has additional evidence not submitted to the court, but has provided the following text messages that were submitted into evidence at the August 15th hearing.
Thompson testified that she agreed to meet with Police Chief Mendoza to find out what he really wanted from her, but most believe it was to get him on the record about it with a hidden recorder.
Thompson's comments are in the green bubbles, Mendoza's in the white bubbles ("smart phone" text messages).
Since its coming up, I'll explain my text message responses to him... I kept it brief prior to May 31st. When he looked at the funeral of a young man who was tragically murdered as "a missed opportunity" to see me, I decided he was just evil. That young man's death affected me. I cried while I tried to make him look like his parents remembered. How dare anyone try to use a funeral for personal gain? Anyway, it was that text that convinced me to start saving things and I knew then I had to do something. I just didn't know what. So my replies changed from the terse responses to a bit friendlier responses. He needed to go and being bitchy wasn't going to cut it. Did I encourage what followed? No. I'm friendly to you all. No one else has ever thought polite and friendly meant it was okay to kiss me at the beginning of a meeting. One would assume undercover cops aren't outright mean to drug dealers. How would they gather any evidence if they were hostile? I was terrified when I went to Starbucks with a tape recorder in my purse. Terrified. But, I HAD to get him to admit what he wanted and it had to be then. Mike was gone on training and I was afraid he'd notice how scared I was. No one could know I intended to tape him. I knew if anyone did they'd be blamed for my decision. He doesn't deserve to be a cop much less a chief. So now you know.
ReplyDeleteWow how brave you are to play YOUR side of the story in social media. Especially in the small town of Parker. AND for you not to include your husband in any of this is unbelievable. Maybe you made the attempt on the Chief and he refused your advances. Then he was being "A BIT" friendlier towards you. A scorned vindictive person like yourself just had to do something to get even. Keep playing this out where your the only VICTIM.....we love it
DeleteSo no one is stopping Mendoza from telling his side. What is it? That I was after him? Fat chance. I don't go for the stalker type AND I actually respect my wedding vows, unlike him. Speaking of my husband, he is only the victim of a moody boss. Good thing said boss is on Admin Leave. :) Vindictive is actually the word most used to describe Mendoza by the people I meet. Funny that you should choose it. Sit tight for the recordings, I have nothing to defend but, boy does he...
DeleteOnce a demonic spirit has been cast out it goes to a dry place, For myself, I've never seen more demonic spirits caring bibles in my life. Having a conversation with a chaplain that was sent to our house by a Team Member of the A.C.L.U. legal harassment, discrimination Agencies team told me this.
ReplyDeleteAfter discussing what happen to my Wife and I in Quartzsite 2012, He told me the best you can do for yourself and your wife is pray for forgiveness of what you think and the way you feel about the people of Quartzsite so it won't be on
your heart. That satanic attack that took place will not be accused by GOD. And when the people of Quartzsite Az get what's coming to them don't rejoice or it will stop.
Try your best to never know another thing about them so the fullness will come to them, GOD don't forget HIS promises. And those who were in charge of protecting will suffer the worse of His rath. I Just found out the other day that anyone who resides with in 10 miles of a land fill has a 60 percent chance of of giving birth with defect to their children and anyone contracting some type of brain and organ dis order in their elder years. At any given time a adult human has over 30 thousand diseases and viruses in their body, but it is gases and proteins that makes them grow into killers, that is what land fills do, produce gases and proteins in cold or hot wheather.
That Railroad spur is bringing more that money to Quartzsite, just like the RV scam did.
501 c 3 and and every other thing can't stop the seeds You have sowe, what will you reap next? GOD want have His children hurt or made to stumble by you and think you will get away with it. I forgive you all and will pray He calls you into the Fellowship. Time is short please let this be published and bless you all. Was you called or hired?
The Messenger.
Anonymous on Aug28th. Watch what you say when you dont know what happened. There tapes that prove what really wne on here and Chief Mendoza should most definitely lose his job. You like other ignorant people shouldn't standup for someone without knowing the proof that there is. When it comes out you will obviously wait next time you stand up for someone to see what really has went on. there is a process that ha to be done. You cant show you evidence until an investigation. Chief Mendoza has done this same thing for many years, many women. Just watch and see!
ReplyDeleteHow sad to see LeeAnn Mendoza standing up for her husband at this last town meeting. She stated they eat 3 meals a day together, go to church several times a week and that there are NO SECRETS. I understand LeeAnn is not the reason his last marriage ended. Does she realize he has a history of playing around with women even from other states he lived in? The man is snowing his wife and ya have to feel sorry for her because she doesn't deserve that.
ReplyDeleteyou people ALL have WAY TO MUCH TIME ON YOUR HANDS!
ReplyDelete