News

Former cop likely to file civil suit, attorney says

By DOMINIC ADAMS Argus-Press Staff Writer

Thursday, August 28, 2008 10:29 AM EDT

CORUNNA - Attorney Dean Yeotis said he expects to file a civil lawsuit on behalf of a former Corunna police officer who claims he was fired.

Yeotis said city officials deceived and plotted against Panos, while the city claims he quit.

Panos worked as a part-time officer for 4 1/2 years.

“What happened was they set him up. They wanted him out and they succeeded in getting him out,” Yeotis said. “Angelo didn't quit.”

Chief Kim Williams and Corunna City Manager Joe Sawyer said last week Panos did not follow department procedure when requesting to change work shifts. Williams said he told Panos to stop breaking the rules.

But Panos said Williams and Sawyer are lying.

“When I went in there, I was in full uniform,” Panos said of his Aug. 14 shift. “I said, ‘Well, I got an issue with this weekend, but I've got it covered.' (Williams) immediately blew up. He says, ‘You can't stay committed to this schedule. You're terminated.' I said, ‘Are you firing me?' I argued about it because I was there to work.”

When Gary Blahnik retired after nearly 24 years of service as a Corunna police officer, the force dropped to three full-timers and three part-time officers.

The city decided not to fill Blahnik's position for at least six months for budgetary reasons.

“They want Angelo to work all these hours, but they're going to pay him part-time,” Yeotis said. “Angelo said he had to check his schedule and they just say, ‘Nope, you're fired.'”

Sawyer said the cut in staff makes it tougher to schedule.

He said there was a shift-and-a-half uncovered immediately following Panos' lapse in employment.

“A four-hour down period isn't going to kill us,” Sawyer said.

The goal for Panos remains the same, Yeotis said.

“His dream is to be a full-time police officer for the city of Corunna. He's being prevented from doing so for illegal reasons,” Yeotis said of Panos. “He is happy not to accept a penny from the city of Corunna if they would just make him a full-time police officer. It should've happened a long time ago.”

Yeotis said Panos filed his first lawsuit in 2005 because of backlash Panos received from city officials when he arrested Sawyer for drunk driving.

Panos questioned the timing of the city's statement.

“If I simply quit, why'd they wait a week to concoct this story?” Panos said. “It's not true and they know it.”

The city's insurance company paid Panos $25,000 to settle a civil lawsuit last year in which Panos claimed he was passed up for a full-time position in 2005. Sawyer said last week it was a poor decision by the insurance company and didn't cost Corunna anything.

In Panos' 2005 lawsuit, he claimed his employment with the city was threatened multiple times.

Panos had no shifts scheduled for a six-week period after arresting Sawyer. Sawyer said last week it was because the former police chief overspent his budget.

Panos also claimed the city tried to have him charged with racial discrimination in October 2006.

However, Sawyer said it was a case investigated by the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Department and the prosecutor's office made the decision not to press charges.

A letter of reprimand for conduct unbecoming an officer from Williams went in Panos' personnel file. City officials removed the two-year letter from Panos' personnel file, Sawyer said. The copy provided to The Argus-Press was from the city's legal file from Panos' lawsuit, Sawyer said.

- Contact Dominic Adams at 725-5136 extension 239 or by e-mail at dadamsarguspress@gmail.com.

Comment on this Story

Glenn. wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:18 AM:

" I have to agree with Sandy. I feel it would be wise to have an audit done on our Dept's. I feel also there is some dishonesty going on behind the scenes. Ive heard from several sources that our former animal control officer back in 06 and 07 was violating our privacy by running illegal LEIN checks on whom ever he felt. None of the victims were ever contacted and told they had been violated. This was swept under the rug for fear it may cause distrust with the public. I work for a state agency where we have access to LEIN when needed. I can tell you if we are caught accessing it illegally, we loose our jobs on the spot, we are fined and prosecuted because this is a felony. If any of us commited several felonies, would we have been allowed to go unpunished? "

A Corunna TAX Payer wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:43 PM:

" Hey Disgusted, F.Serpico... Angelo it you ....Just use your name and make your point "

sandy wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:11 AM:

" I personaly, think that the Corunna police department, and the County police department, need to have a total investigation, and a full one at that. I do not feel safe in our county anymore. So many lie's and so much dishonesty in both departments. They need an independent person to come in and do a full audit on both police department. They both have way to much coruption in both of these department's. And when you have that much coruption's no one can feel safe. The Attorney General needs to come in and clean house once and for all. Back in 1997 I was in a bad auto accident, and because one of the policemen that was on the sence, let the driver of the truck that totaled my car, let the person in the truck walk away, and never was charged. It's not what you know, Its who you know. Way to much coruption. And way to many fat police officer, Every year they need to be tested for fitness, and I bet half of them would not pass that test. I police departments have gone to hell in a hand basket. We need to have a strong leader. But I do not see that happening. "

F. Serpico wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:00 AM:

" Corrunnauption! Looks to me like the city would be wise to find a new City Mgr. & Chief of Police. How can anyone not see this is retribution to an honest officer for upsetting those who feel they are above the law. "

Disgusted wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:26 PM:

" Anyone want to talk about the Varco's of Corunna. Arrested friday on a warrant from the prosecutor's office for harboring a dangerous animal.... Their pitbulls exscaped once again, traveled half way across town, and killed a beloved pudle chained up in its back yard. The last escape they bit a young boy. The time befor that they attacked a neighbors dog. These are the same Varco's who's letter was printed in the Argus Press claiming the Corunna PD was harassing them. These are the same Varco's that Officer Panos conspired with and told he would testify on THEIR behalf if they wanted to sue the city for harrassment, and would state that the Corunna PD is currupt. Who is currupt? "

John wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:35 PM:

" Have you ever dealt with Williams. He is not professional and I really think I believe this office even though I don't know him. Williams intentionally lied to me when I was a minor to get me to confess to a fire in the park across town when I had absolutely nothing to do with it. Luckly I wasn't dumb enough to bite on his go clean it up and nothing will happen. "

Brenda wrote on Aug 29, 2008 3:33 PM:

" This is in resonse to the uneducated "Mad at the System" comment:

First of all, there is such a thing as spell check. Second, obviously you have negative feelings about law enforcement officers. My guess is that you're a loser who has a criminal record. If it's not Officer Panos, then it would just be some other officer you would be on here bashing. I suggest, get a job, get a life, and get the full story before you open your mouth. If you don't, then you end up sounding like a piece of crap...which you just proved. "

N.S. wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:56 AM:

" Here is a little background on Mr Panos. He has worked since he was 15years old in the family resturant. So he is not lazy,and not afraid of hard work.When his dad got sick him and his brother had to take over and worked 7 days a week to take care of his mother and the resturant.Angelo always wanted to be a police officer so he found time to do both .He would be at the resturant and leave after his shift and change his cloths and be a officer. so no can say that he wants money for nothing.He has been a hard working mam for most of his life.One last thing he is not a baby. "

Mad at the system wrote on Aug 29, 2008 9:28 AM:

" wow....Are we going to keep letting this Panos collect money when he really dont want to work...Everyone knows that there has been cut backs in every department....Full and Part time...so if you cant do the job...or except the schedule then you should move on....I live in the city of Corunna I am tired of this....Cheif Williams is not a bad man....I am sit of reading about this baby Panos...that just wants to continue to collect money he really hasnt earned.....He needs to move on! "