Brian Pinto seems to be the model police office with awards coming from MADD. MADD AWARD: Visalia police officer Bryan Pinto arrested 57 drunken drivers in 2008, and for that feat he was recognized with the California Hero Award by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Then later Pinto was named DUI instructor at the department.
He took his case trial and was acquitted, then launched a three-and-a-half year legal battle with the city to get his job back. The city spent more than $587,000 fighting a Tulare County Superior Court ruling to reinstate Pinto. Now they have begun to spend more tax payer's money to go after Pinto for what reason? Is this a case of payback or is this justice working for the people. The appeals ended when the California Supreme Court refused to hear the case.
Pinto returned to duty in 2006 and last month was given a "California Hero Award" from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his efforts in catching suspected drunken drivers.
Phillips would not say whether Pinto who could not be reached for comment Tuesday is the suspended
officer, and KFSN did not cite its source for naming Pinto in its report.
Shani Jenkins, an assistant district attorney for Tulare County, said Tuesday she could neither confirm nor deny whether Visalia police have submitted a report on their investigation to her office or whether Pinto is the officer under investigation. Ofcourse she can't because they would be liable for another botched trial. A receptionist for Fresno attorney Joseph Arnold, who represented Pinto in his criminal case, said Tuesday that Pinto no longer is a client. But inside information from an unnamed source withing the Tulare County District Attorney's Office say's " Pinto has hired Melina Benninghoff A.K.A. "The Viper" by local law enforcement because of her agressive tacktics towards law enforcement officials. The report about the officer's suspension was dated May 15, but it wasn't sent to all local media outlets, police Sgt. Steve Phillips said Tuesday. Instead, it was issued only to reporters who specifically asked about the case.
Phillips said that decision was made by senior officials in the police department. Senior officials I am sure that were more than willing to give up the information to reporters about their brother in blue. It could just be me but I thought Pento was found NOT Guilty. Why then is he being discriminated against? The Question is: what are they trying to pin on Brian Pintonow? Follow this news resorce to find out.
