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Trumbull sheriff backs off pledge to act fast on firing deputy over Facebook post
By Ed Runyan
WARREN
Sheriff Thomas Altiere is backing away from an earlier pledge to make a quick decision regarding the possible firing of a deputy who purportedly wrote racist remarks on his Facebook page.
Altiere said earlier that Deputy Michael Geer’s disciplinary hearing was Thursday, and that he and his staff would provide the public on Tuesday with the department’s decision on the job status. The sheriff indicated that Geer was likely to lose his job.
But Tuesday, the sheriff said the matter is now “in negotiations with the attorneys” for the sheriff’s office and for Geer, so a decision on discipline had not been made, and information about the investigation was not available.
Altiere said the investigation is complete, but when asked for a copy of the investigation conducted by Maj. Thomas Stewart, the sheriff said it consists of tape-recorded interviews, and they have not been transcribed.
He offered to let The Vindicator listen to the interviews at a later date.
Altiere said the information that is in writing is part of the “Step 2” disciplinary process, and because it is tied up in negotiations, it can’t be released.
Meanwhile, Helen Rucker, a longtime member of Warren City Council who has spoken out numerous times on matters relating to fairness to minorities, especially in hiring practices, said Tuesday she has seen the text of the Geer Facebook post and thinks firing is too severe.
“I don’t think he should be harshly disciplined. I heard he’s not a bad guy or anything. This guy doesn’t deserve to have his name sprayed all over the press,” Rucker said.
Someone provided the text of Geer’s remarks to her, but she declined to identify the person.
“What he said is incredibly stupid, but I don’t think he did it with malice,” she said, adding that she doesn’t want to see a division among the workers over harsh discipline for something that doesn’t deserve it.
Rucker said she no longer has a copy of Geer’s Facebook post.
Altiere said it’s accurate that Geer was writing as if he were Freddie Gray, a black man who recently died in police custody in Baltimore, leading to criminal charges being filed against the officers.
“Hi. I am Freddie Gray and I’m a great guy! It doesn’t matter how many of your friends, family, adults, young and old, and yes, teenagers and young children that I have helped getting them hooked on the drugs that I sold them,” the deputy wrote.
Another part of the post says, “Keep desecrating your own flag that great men and women, White, Black, Indian, Hispanic and Asian all who bravely died so that you can stand there showing the world your gratitude for their sacrifice.”
Geer was placed on paid leave May 11 after the sheriff learned of the remarks, which Altiere said were “racially oriented,” “very offensive, and it’s something I will not tolerate.”
Rucker said she talked with the sheriff about the matter.
The sheriff said Tuesday and also once last week that he would not release the specific text of the remarks Geer purportedly made.
Geer is a former corrections officer who has worked for the sheriff for about eight years, Altiere said. His most recent assignment was to provide security at the Trumbull County Department of Job and Family Services.