Republican Gov. Rick Perry could make an appointment to that position in September. Isassi, a Democrat, has sought the intervention of a prominent loc

Kleberg counsel indicted in abuse-of-power case

By Dan Kelley (Contact)
Friday, July 20, 2007
Isassi's case stems from charges against a relative.
Isassi's case stems from charges against a relative.

Alfred Isassi, who is seeking appointment to a newly created district attorney position, was indicted Thursday on misdemeanor charges accusing him of abuse of his powers as Kleberg County Attorney.

Isassi faces one count of abuse of official capacity and three counts of exercising improper influence.

The indictment stems from the arrest of an aunt, Anna Linda Gonzalez, on a felony count of evading in a vehicle in 2005.

Isassi is alleged to have told Assistant District Attorney Aida Trevino that the charges against his aunt were to be dismissed. The indictment also alleges that he told two employees of the county's probation department that his aunt did not have to report for pre-trial supervision.

Bond was issued at $1,000, according to District Clerk Martha Soliz.

Isassi could not be reached for comment.

Kingsville Mayor Sam R. Fugate, a lawyer who is advising Isassi but has not been retained by Isassi, said, "I'm sure this will come out in his favor."

"I feel bad for him and his family," Fugate said. "He's a good young man and a good lawyer."

Kleberg County Judge Pete De La Garza said Isassi will continue to represent the county.

"You need to understand that an indictment is not a conviction," De La Garza said. "It's an accusation."

De La Garza said he did not know if the county would pay Isassi's legal fees -- in some circumstances the county has a choice in the matter, in some circumstances it does not.

As county attorney, Isassi is responsible for prosecuting misdemeanors. He is also a former assistant district attorney, serving under Carlos Valdez, the district attorney for Kleberg, Kenedy and Nueces counties.

Valdez said in a previous interview that he and two top aides could be called to testify at trial.

The Legislature this year created a district attorney position to cover Kleberg and Kenedy counties. Republican Gov. Rick Perry could make an appointment to that position in September. Isassi, a Democrat, has sought the intervention of a prominent local Republican -- whom he declined to identify -- to intercede with the governor.

A special prosecutor was appointed to investigate and try the case.

Contact Dan Kelley at 886-4316 or kelleyd@caller.com

The Prosecution and the Judges are paid by the same "GanG"......."Verdad?"

And I ask, "Why don't you speak up?"

Alan Dershowitz

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Voices of Antisemitism



Alan Dershowitz is concerned over what he views as a rising tide of antisemitic speech on American college campuses.



ALAN DERSHOWITZ:


I sure hope that [Jean-Paul] Sartre was not right that the antisemite makes the Jew. When I was growing up, antisemitism determined where we could work, where we could live, where we could go to school, who we could socialize with. None of that's true today. Antisemitism, its not a central phenomenon in the life of Americans. Whereas, of course, assimilation and other ways of Judaism being endangered from within are increasing problems. I think what we need is positive Judaism. We need young Jews to see the strengths, the positive aspects of Judaism, not only as a religion but as a culture, a civilization, as part of one's way of life. Even though antisemitism is not a function of their own lives.

DANIEL GREENE:


Author, professor, and civil liberties attorney Alan Dershowitz is concerned over what he views as a rising tide of antisemitic speech on American college campuses. Dershowitz calls upon his peers to condemn those who would use such rhetoric to justify hatred of Jews.

Welcome to Voices on Antisemitism, a free podcast series of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. I'm Daniel Greene. Every other week, we invite a guest to reflect about the many ways that antisemitism and hatred influence our world today. Here's Harvard Law School professor, Alan Dershowitz.

ALAN DERSHOWITZ:


I never wanted to write the book The Case for Israel. I wanted to write The Case for Peace, which I eventually did. I had to write The Case for Israel, even though nobody has to write The Case for Canada, or The Case for New Zealand, or The Case for France or [The Case for] England, because the case against Israel was being so prominently featured on American university campuses, and it was based on such ignorance that I had to get the liberal case for Israel out there based on facts. And when I did that it was seen immediately as an enormous threat to the hard left presence on campuses.

If you look at some of the cartoons that are being used against Israel, against Israeli leaders and supporters of Israel, most recently against me, the propaganda effort has changed. And instead of a conversation about Israel and the Palestinians, there is an attempt to dehumanize Israel and to demonize Israel. And Holocaust denial is increasing. Holocaust minimization is increasing. Holocaust comparativization is increasing. And education is critically important. When a Holocaust denier speaks on a college or university campus, I see that as an educational moment, as an opportunity to educate students, and instead of trying to ban the speaker, respond and educate.

It's good to be critical of Israeli policies, just like it's good to be critical of American policies. I'm no less a patriot because I'm critical of the Iraq war or other American policies. And I'm no less a Zionist because I'm critical of many Israeli policies. Even criticism of Zionism is perfectly acceptable intellectually. It's the double standard, the hyper-criticism, the unwillingness to find anything decent in Israel, that begins to blur the lines between criticism of Israel the state, and criticism of Israel, the Jew among the states.

When I speak on college campuses, and I speak on many, I get calls the next day always, almost in a whispered voice: "Thank you for speaking up."

And I ask, "Why don't you speak up?"

"Well, you know, we don't want to be unpopular with students. We don't want to get into controversial areas. We don't want to be politically incorrect."

It's appalling how irresponsible most American academics have been in the face of this well-organized campaign to turn our current generation of college students and our future leaders against Israel and against Jewish interests and values. We have the responsibility to stop it. We have the resources to stop it. We have the ability to stop it. And if we fail to respond to hate speech, it's our fault.

DANIEL GREENE:


Voices on Antisemitism is a free podcast series of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Join us every other week to hear a new perspective on the continuing threat of antisemitism in our world today. To contribute your thoughts to our series, please call 888-70USHMM, or visit our Web site at www.ushmm.org. At that site, you can also listen to Voices on Genocide Prevention, a podcast series on contemporary genocide.
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Exploitation of the elderly by the losers who fall for gold diggers....

Executive Order RP33 - April 14, 2004
Relating to reforming the Adult Protective Services Program

BY THE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TEXAS
Executive Department
Austin, Texas
April 14, 2004

WHEREAS, the State of Texas values older Texans and persons with disabilities, and is committed to ensuring that these Texans, particularly as the number of older adults increases, can live in a safe and healthy environment; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Adult Protective Services program is to protect older adults and persons with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by investigating and providing or arranging for services necessary to prevent or alleviate maltreatment; and

WHEREAS, concerns about self-determination not withstanding, it is equally important to ensure the state�s commitment to helping individuals who have lost the ability to provide for themselves the goods and services which are necessary to avoid physical harm, mental anguish, or mental illness; and

WHEREAS, the most effective way to prevent and address the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults is to ensure that Adult Protective Services is closely working and coordinating with every community stakeholder in preventing and investigating elder abuse, including the medical community, the mental health community, victims rights associations, advocate groups, legal experts, courts, law enforcement, and others; and

WHEREAS, the full participation of municipal, county, and state law enforcement is key to identifying, investigating, and stopping elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and

WHEREAS, the administration and organization of the Adult Protective Services program should operate efficiently and be accountable for the protection and safety of older Texans and persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, under House Bill No. 2292 of the 78th Legislature, the Health and Human Services Commission was charged to provide policy direction, oversight, administrative support, and accountability for the health and human services agencies, including the Department of Family and Protective Services; and

WHEREAS, reports of cases of potential elder abuse and neglect in El Paso prompt the necessity of extraordinary measures;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, do hereby order the following:

Systemic Reform. The Health and Human Services Commission, considering this effort of the highest priority, shall direct and oversee the systemic reform of the Adult Protective Services program, focusing on the need to protect older adults and persons with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Commission shall request assistance from additional state agencies as needed to ensure an appropriate and comprehensive reform of the program.

Review of Case Files.The Health and Human Services Commission shall immediately begin an independent review of previously closed cases in the Adult Protective Services program, prioritizing cases for review, determining whether regulations have been consistently followed, and taking immediate corrective measures in cases where needed. The Commission shall ensure that any necessary and appropriate disciplinary action be taken in response to all cases identified as having been mishandled, particularly if injury or death resulted from inappropriate action. The Commission shall use information collected from these case reviews to ensure the reforms to the Adult Protective Services program promote the continued health and safety of older Texans.

Administrative Reform. The Health and Human Services Commission shall conduct a comprehensive administrative reform of the Adult Protective Services program, including developing new training procedures, developing minimum qualifications for caseworkers and supervisors, and ensuring the effective application of all state statutes and policy requirements to protect the safety and well-being of older adults and persons with disabilities.

Organizational Reform. The Health and Human Services Commission shall conduct a comprehensive organizational reform of the Adult Protective Services program to ensure the appropriate placement of state resources and program supervisors for proper and sufficient regional oversight and communication, the effective application of all state statutes and policy requirements, and the most appropriate outcomes for older adults and persons with disabilities.

Increase Use of Technology. The Adult Protective Services program shall consistently take advantage of new technology, such as digital cameras and wireless communication devices, to improve the quality of services, monitoring and investigation of cases.

Partner with Law Enforcement. The Texas Department of Public Safety is directed to give high priority to investigating and addressing any potential criminal cases of elder abuse and neglect. Additionally, the Department of Public Safety shall coordinate with municipal and county law enforcement and the Health and Human Services Commission staff members to provide assistance as needed in conducting home and institutional visits of elders and persons with disabilities and to develop appropriate training on investigative techniques for these cases.

Partner with Local Communities. The Adult Protective Services program shall work with community partners to establish permanent cooperative relationships in local communities to prevent and raise awareness of the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older Texans and persons with disabilities. These partnerships shall include the primary care and geriatric medical community, the mental health community, local area agencies on aging, victims� rights groups, advocate groups, legal experts, courts, law enforcement as well as any other local or unique community resources necessary.

Review of State Policy. The Health and Human Services Commission and the Adult Protective Services program shall review and adopt new rules and policies, including the development of a new and appropriate screening tool, which may be necessary to implement this Executive Order. These policies shall take into consideration all aspects of the person�s situation from their cognitive abilities to the environment in which they live, so that the rights of the individual are balanced with the requirement that they live in a healthy and safe environment.

Review of Statute. The Health and Human Services Commission and the Adult Protective Services program shall review and make recommendations regarding any changes in statute which may be required.

Report of Compliance. The Health and Human Services Commission shall oversee the development and submission of an implementation plan and a final report of the implementation of this order. The implementation plan shall outline the specific actions taken to implement this order and shall be submitted no later than 90 days of the date of this order. The final report shall review all actions taken, as well as the recommended statutory changes developed in compliance with the Order, and shall submit this report to the Office of the Governor no later than November 1, 2004.

Full Cooperation. All affected agencies and other public entities shall cooperate fully with the Health and Human Services Commission during the research, analysis, and implementation of this order.

This executive order supersedes all previous executive orders on Adult Protective Services. This order shall remain in effect until modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by me or by a succeeding Governor.

Given under my hand this the 14th day of April, 2004.

RICK PERRY
Governor

ATTESTED BY:
GEOFFREY S. CONNOR
Secretary of State