Here's the explanation from Dobbs:
The first allegations of inappropriate activity involving computers owned by Mayor Becker were presented to D.C. Tom Christensen and Chief Wahlen on or about December 23, 2008. During these initial meetings between the Chief and Mike Ferderer, Ferderer had mentioned that Paul Burdick may have also seen some inappropriate materials in one Mayor Becker's computers some time ago when Burdick worked on Becker's computer.
Chief Wahlen saw Burdick off duty on Sunday, 1-11-09. Chief Wahlen started a conversation asking about computer repairs performed in the past. Burdick eventually offered up that he had performed work on Mayor Becker's personal computer in 2007. Burdick went on to say that he observed some inappropriate sexual material at that time. Burdick stated that when he gave the repaired computer back to Becker, he advised Becker that he should remove that type of material from his computer. Burdick also stated that he gave Becker a bill for services rendered. Burdick then advised Chief Wahlen that he had made a copy of the material on Becker's hard drive. Chief Wahlen then obtained that copy and forwarded it to DCI.
So that clears up any question of when police found out about the 2007 hard drive, which contained the picture of the naked 10-year-old. It doesn't explain why Burdick had a copy of the contents of Becker's personal computer (is there a way to prove the contents on the CD came from Becker's computer?), and why he didn't turn it over to police sooner. Then again, if you're a city employee and you come across potentially damaging information on the mayor, maybe the best thing to do is cover your tracks and keep your mouth shut.
One last note: This seems to clear Wahlen of any sort of cover up. Becker may have appointed him police chief, but it looks like Wahlen personally took the lead on investigating the allegations and found strong evidence that, eventually, led to the mayor's arrest.
One last, last note: It's interesting that Burdick told Becker to remove the pornography from his computer. That's a slick way of letting the mayor know that he knows about the kiddie porn. It also means that Becker has known since 2007 that a city employee had the whamee on him - and could play it at any time.
"Cover your tracks and keep your mouth shut"? Come on. We are talking about a naked 10 year old girl...what's more important?
ReplyDeleteI would just like to know what kind of computer repairs were being done that made opening personal photos necessary?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if there will be charges filed against the person who withheld knowledge of the 2007 computer discovery? It seems that if that person had knowledge that he didn't provide until the police chief started questioning him there is a legal problem.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if I get it. Was Paul Burdick contemplating blackmailing Becker at a later date? When he was asked, did he innocently offer up that he had incriminating evidence? Did the second discovery of the evidence mean that Burdick's evidence was now worthless as a tool of blackmail, but still valuable for the legitimate investigation?
ReplyDeleteI believe IT's discovery in 2007 is what got the city's IT work outsourced. Becker knew he was busted! It seemed like a strange and odd thing to do after all this time! Know we know why!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading earlier postings on this topic it seems to indicate that the outsourcing was planned and happened before the 2007 discovery. Paul got a different job back with the city after he discovered the data on the mayors PC.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be no relation between the discovery and outsourcing. The only relationship seems to be getting a different city job after the discovery.
I wouldn't be so quick to clear Wahlen. He is a rat and I'm sure played a role in this that has yet to be discovered.
ReplyDeleteYou pro-becker people need to realize you are defending a pedophile.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous of 1/17/09 at 3:33 PM - Chief Wahlen isn't hiding anything. He turned over evidence as soon as he got it. Let it rest because there's nothing there. The IT guy and other IT people were in the process of losing their jobs as city employees. Becker wanted the IT department outsourced and he got what he wanted because the weak aldermen would never listen to the city employees and were too scared to stand up to the Mayor.
ReplyDeleteWahlen was hand picked by Becker for a reason. Becker didn't like Spenner because of the drunk driving incident with the Smith's. Wahlen is one of Becker's cronies and was appointed for that very reason. There was a lot of misconduct going on in that office and Wahlen did nothing. Notice he didn't even speak at the hearing and press conference. Something that big and Wahlen stays mum. Milwaukee's chief speaks to the media for mujch smaller things! Wahlen is a dirtbag and a loser. Time for him to resign!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if there will be charges filed against the person who withheld knowledge of the 2007 computer discovery?
ReplyDeleteProbably not. From what I have learned those images were not portraying children.
They should have been reported but they were not illegal.