Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

September 28, 2011

For several years, residents of Houston, Texas have been barraged by phone solicitors seeking money for what was described as a special charitable fund for the families of financially troubled police officers.

Last January 22, union accountants discovered that some $40,000 had gone missing. Threads were pulled, leads were followed up, and eventually it was discovered that Officer Matthew Calley, vice president of the Houston Police Officers? Union, had quietly embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to sustain a gambling habit.

Fellow officer Ray Hunt recalls that seven years ago, he saw Officer Calley betting with orange chips at a Louisiana casino. Each of the chips was worth one thousand dollars. He freely used the union?s American Express card and checking account for personal expenses as well. Calley was eventually convicted of stealing more than $656,000 from the emergency financial fund and given a twenty-year prison sentence.

Remarkably, union president Gary Blankenship reports that the thefts ? which took place in increments of $2,000-$7,000 ? were never noticed, because the account was so flush with cash.

This is something to keep in mind next time a police union fundraiser calls.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.