So let’s get right to it.
Ever since Robert Carlson, a well-known and respected community leader, jumped from the Penobscot Narrows Bridge in November amid an allegation that he sexually abused a boy decades earlier, former Penobscot County Sheriff Tim Richardson has gone on the record with various news media proclaiming that he had seen Carlson misbehaving with young boys during the 1970s.
Carslon was a commissioned deputy at the time and worked as director of administrative services and jail administrator under then Sheriff Otis N. Labree.
Richardson has proclaimed quite vehemently, and perhaps a bit proudly, that when he became sheriff in January 1981 he got rid of Carlson.
I mean, who wouldn’t have, really?
Richardson claims that in the 1970s he saw Carlson bring young boys into the Penobscot County Jail in the wee hours of the morning and rub them all over, including their buttocks.
Richardson didn’t feel he could do much as a young deputy, though he said he did take his concerns to Labree and then Penobscot County District Attorney David Cox.
But they did nothing, he said.
In his most recent videotaped interview with the BDN, Richardson said, “When I became sheriff in 1979 [actually he was elected in November 1980 and took office in January 1981], I sat Mr. Carlson down and said that being the sheriff it was my prerogative who I have in the jail provide outside services and at that time I didn’t feel comfortable with him and his activities with young boys and I thought it would be better if he moved on.”
On “The Pulse Morning Show” on Thursday, Richardson said he got rid of Carlson just a couple of weeks after he took office in January 1981.
That would seem to have been the right thing to do. I mean, finally he was sheriff, no longer a young powerless deputy, and he had control over his department. No decent sheriff would allow a person he had seen rubbing young boys on the buttocks — in the jail control room, no less — have access to his jail or any part of his department, for that matter. Right?
I’d like to make just a minor correction to Richardson’s account.
Carlson did resign — two years after Richardson took command of the department.
According to employment records obtained from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department, Carlson resigned in December 1982. No reason for the resignation was noted in the record.
Actually, in January 1981, Richardson named Carlson as the department’s training officer, in charge of overseeing the training of all personnel. In that position, Carlson also was in charge of writing and coordinating all jail policies and procedures.
The employment form noted the change was a “transfer” and not a demotion, but it did involve a reduction of $12 a week in pay.
However, just six months later, on June 1, 1981, Carlson was promoted by Richardson back to captain of corrections, otherwise known as the jail administrator, otherwise top dog in the jail division.
Richardson gave him a $24-a-week raise, according to Carlson’s personnel records.
Carlson stayed in that position for a year and a half until he resigned in mid-December 1982.
The resignation took effect Jan. 2, 1983, according to employment records.
Interestingly, in October 1983, 10 months after Carlson’s resignation and amid all of Richardson’s concerns that Carlson was a pedophile, Richardson commissioned him again as a deputy sheriff, with all of the powers that involved.
That document is on file as well.
On the radio show Thursday morning, Richardson said since the event occurred 30 years ago his timing might be “a little bit off.” But he said that Sheriff Glenn Ross “practices deception” when he claims Carlson worked in Richardson’s administration for years.
A couple of weeks versus two years.
Perhaps off just a bit, Mr. Richardson.
Bob Kelly of Bangor was a Penobscot County commissioner at the time and signed Carlson’s resignation form.
I asked him Friday morning whether Richardson had ever indicated to the commissioners that he was concerned about Carlson’s behavior with boys or any liability or safety concerns he had in regard to Carlson.
“No, he never did,” Kelly said. “If he had of, we certainly would have taken action. … As I recall, at the time Bob was leaving on his own accord to pursue other employment avenues.”
This column is not about whether Carlson sexually abused boys. That investigation is still under way and the allegation itself, coupled with his suicide, is something those who knew and cared for him have to struggle with individually.
I am one of them.
It’s been a troubling and painful time for many people in this community, especially those who are victims of sexual abuse.
Richardson has been willing to talk with TV and newspaper reporters and appear on radio talk shows to spread the message that he knew the whole time about Carlson and that he did something about it right away when he finally had the power.
Penobscot County employment records tell a different story.
With those records in hand, I called Richardson on Friday morning.
I asked him if he could help me reconcile the difference between his timing and the records on file.
“I don’t know how I got sucked into this mess,” he said.
Then he decided he didn’t wish to comment and hung up.
Yet not him or Ross did anything ethically wrong…..
And the plot thickens. By the sounds of things, I’m glad I’m not old enough to have been around during Richardson’s tenure.
oh it was a circus let me tell ya,he fought with everyone from the state police to the bangor pd no one wanted to work with him.
that is the truth biggnfast. NO ONE wanted to work with him.
No wanted to work for Tim either
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ouch
What a sick mess. Let’s see if I can sum it up, please feel free to tell me when I’m wrong. Mr. Carlson may have “expanded” his resume and probably was never an ordained reverend, but was able to create a career out of lies. He managed to convince a sheriff (or two or three) to put him in charge of a jail, pay him good money and allow him to arrest people. At the same time he preached, ran charities and had sex with at least one (who are we kidding) underage boy. The Boy Scouts found out, after giving him a major award, and did the right thing by notifying the State. The State notifies the current Sheriff who promptly blows the whistle for the second time in his career. (He has protected friends from MDEA before). The allegedly fake rev throws himself off a bridge. I see one good decision made here.
“….had sex with at least one (who are we kidding) underage boy.”
This allegation has not yet been publicly confirmed by investigators.
“(He has protected friends from MDEA before).”
This allegation has never been proven, apparently.
As all of the stone-throwers who put their faith in Richardson will now attest, better to wait for all the evidence to come in before condemning the accused.
People don’t “have sex” with little boys. People rape little boys.
You are right. I stand corrected.
yeah agreed
Timmy is such a pillow of the community when he was on the council in Hermon. For decades he kept his mouth shut thats hard to understand. If Timmy saw Carlson rubbing the boy’s buttocks he should arrested him then and there. It would make you think there must have been something in it for Timmy to not do anything back over 30yrs ago. So someone is lying Timmy, and one is dead. So maybe you could shead some light on this. So as readers we could understand the story a little better or unless someone else is lying.
If he were to “Shed some real light”, I’d hope the music playing is a truth tune!
BDN just posts stuff that is the truth correct. Renee must have some paperwork to back article.
pillow of the community LOL LOL ,yes and hundreds can testify to that !
He was selectman on the council in Hermon right
No never and never will be if is nothing but an sh…, stirrer in town anything for attention
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What are you talking about?????
Thank you Rene. I have been asking the BDN to ask Richardson this question for the past week. “If you were so concerned about the “odd” behavior of Carlson why didn’t you open an investigation when you became Sheriff?” And in affect you just did with your research, he didn’t do a thing and he didn’t “let him” go as he has been telling people he did.
great post
“No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar”. Abraham Lincoln.
Wow! I am impressed! Actual investigative reporting! A job well done. I just wish the BDN would take on more of the establishment. People think of corruption as back room deals and cash changing hands. It is more than that, its looking the other way, protecting friends and taking advantage of opportunities to profit yourself or help others do so through favoritism.
This report illustrates investigations can and do go awry especially when information is garnered from peoples’ recollection of events. One must wonder how many criminal investigations go against innocent people who end up being charged and convicted or whose lives and reputations are ruined as a result.
I agree. We do not always recall evens they way they happened . That dose not mean Richardson out right lied. Study psychology .
This is not investigative reporting; it is an opinion piece. Look at all the sentences that are sprinkled throughout the piece that indicate the opinions of Renee. If you think this is investigative reporting you need to go back to school, sit up, and pay attention.
This is a biased piece written by Renee in order to make herself feel better about being duped by Carlson. I wrote a true, non abusive comment about this but it didn’t make it past the censors.
Want to investigate something useful Ms Ordway? Try investigating what Carlson was really doing when he was supposedly in divinity school. How about investigating how many battered women he pressured in to returning to men who were beating them? Or how many other people he hurt and put in harms way in order to stroke his own ego. To try to salvage his reputation is an insult to anyone who has experienced sexual abuse.
BDN should not allow this reporting to continue as Renee is too close to Carlson to have any type of objectivity. Her own ego is now getting in the way.
Objectivity? It’s an opinion piece. It’s supposed to be her opinion. She’s no longer a Police Beat writer, she writes opinion pieces. I expected non-opinionated facts out of her for her Police Beat stories, but let’s not confuse ‘opinion’ with ‘investigative reporting.”
She investigated records to support her opinion is all.
Carlson was a reprehensible and evil fraud who cooked his own goose just by his actions. It’s sad that his poor wife and family have to pay for it.
It doesn’t seem that she is defending Carlson in this article. She’s writing about the fact that what Richardson said he did, and what the records show he did, are two different things. It seems that Richardson is trying to paint himself in a better light after the fact. Richardson’s public comments certainly need to be investigated, as he was directly involved with Carson. That’s what her piece is about.
She does mention that fact toward the end of the story, and she goes on to say how difficult this whole ordeal is for Carlson’s family and those who knew him well, including herself. I don’t see anything wrong with what she wrote.
In a large percentage of the time the family Knows just dose not accept. Carlson lie about his whole life to his family and they did not know? Not likely but could have happened……………………………………………………………………………………….Just my opinion.
Actually, I happen to agree with you. It seems highly unlikely that a man, for decades, could completely hide the fact that he was a sexual predator from his family and those who knew him best. Apparently, he even lied about his credentials; a fact that would be easy to verify with very little checking.
That’s the point of the article, Richardson said he did know, and although he said he dealt with it, the record shows that he actually swept it under the carpet. This attitude towards high profile predators (Sandusky, Fine) by those who are closely involved with them is very troubling, and seems to be quite prevalent.
You really need to learn how to read. This article is about the former sheriff and his lies. Not about the horrible crimes and lies of carlson.
This article does not excuse Carlson, it does not defend him, it does not show him in a good light. It simply shows that the former sheriff is LYING.
It really amazes me that someone could miss the entire point of an article, and just read their own issues into the paragraphs.
At least she checked the records before she gave her opinion.
I agree. ” This is not investigative reporting, it is an opinion piece.” Renee Ordway needs to go back & correct all the misinformation she has printed over the years. Her lies & opinions have ruined lives. If Ms. Ordway is the best BDN has to offer, then I will never renew my subscription.
Please do us all a service and list one, or more, of Ms. Ordway’s “misinformation(s) she has printed over the years”… so we can better understand your statement of fact… or was that simply your “opinion”?
Printing that you got arrested for something embarassing does not constitute a lie. Especially since you were convicted of it…
If it Richardson knew he was feeling up young boys he should be going on trial for doing nothing about it. Everyone is guilty if they knew what was going on but did nothing… It’s time to elect a new sherif and get rid of these two dishonest men.,
i would not be surprised if Richardson is a Penn State fan
Even the alleged victim’s family didn’t know what was going on, according to their own statements. Maybe nothing was going on. Who can say until the investigation is complete?
The investigation will NEVER be truly complete. Carlson’s actions robbed us all of that.
You won’t know how complete the investigation has been until the evidence has been analyzed and the results released to the public.
Like the MSA investigation, that was a joke. Get the feeling we are only told what they want the public to know not the truth, or not the whole truth at least.
And what makes you so sure? Do you have hard evidence that proves your point which you can share with the rest of us? You haven’t even seen the MSP report and you’ve already condemned it. Premature condemnations seem to be rampant in this case.
Very difficult to question a deceased man. If he wasn’t guilty he left a terrible mess for his family, friends and the law to try to understand and unravel. Maybe if Sheriff Ross hadn’t become an informer some of the answers would have been easier to obtain and maybe we wouldn’t have a deceased man. We will never know because Sheriff Ross did inform. I am sure he didn’t know what the out come of that decision would be, it was terrible but could have been much worse.
My opinion only, like other things, we all have one. I am hoping for the best from the MSP and from the last public case about the OUI trooper I believe they were fair and just.. I think it was made public as well it should have been.
This case has so many involved, does anyone want to step on more toes? I for one don’t think it was right for the MSA to be the ones investigating one of their own. That didn’t ring of an unbiased investigation. The MSP are professionals. What happens now if the MSP findings are different from the MSA? How much will be disclosed? Now it will not just be findings against Sheriff Ross (what about the investigation against Sheriff Smith) but it will show bias against the MSA as they have cleared sheriff Ross. Now it will be 4 or 5 sheriffs, ( Ross, Smith and the 3 from MSA) . This is getting more complicated and involved.
They all do have to work with each other.
You ask about hard evidence that is what I am sure many would want. I may have missed something but in the article I read from the MSA findings it was only was summarized. Guess they thought I wouldn’t have understood or been interested in the report anyway. The article said he was cleared, guess that made it fairly cut and dried he did nothing wrong and that was the findings of MSA, were they objective? Who knows. If I am ever investigated guess I would like my peers, friends or boss to do the investigation. Not some objective group.
Only again my thoughts but if the MSP were doing an investigation why didn’t the MSA wait until
that investigation was complete? Maybe a need to know in a hurry for some reason or why muddy the water? Wouldn’t one investigation be enough and they already knew that one was ongoing? Don’t they trust the MSP to come up with the results of the investigation? I am a Mainer and would prefer to have all Maine law enforement officers above the law and unbiased. I have more faith in the MSP then the county sheriffs but believe that hopefully they all go into law enforcement with the thought of serving the people of the state. The problem is some lose track of why they are there, some are there for the uniform and badge and authority, sorry to say and don’t give a hoot about who they are serving. Are they all bad? No way. Do some of them think they are above those not in law enforcement, sorry to say again, but yes I do think so. Am I thankful for the good law enforcement people that may lay their life on the line for my family or you or your family some day. You bet I am very thankful. The good ones are a true blessing and deservse every penny and benifit they get. The bad ones give the good ones a bad name. The good ones should work to get rid of the bad ones as hard as they work to get the criminals off the street. When 1 person lets a bad person get away with something and does not do something about it, they are as guilty as the one doing the crime. When it is a officer of the law that lets one of his fellow officers get away with it they are both guilty one for looking the other way he’s as bad as the criminal. ( Now if we could go back we have Richardson, his former sheriff boss, and was it the DA? added into the mix ) We will see how this unfolds. I believe the state police have a job to do and are more then capable of doing it, will the general public ever know the whole story and all the truth who knows. I guess we could say time will tell but look at where this story has just turned back in the 1960’s with Richarson’s statement. Hope for the best…. …. ….
The more the public is involved and aware the better decisions on election day.
it’s true there has been precious little said thus far about what MSA’s reasoning was behind their decision to exonerate Sheriff Ross, although I believe they have plenty of grounds to do so. I think that should be discussed in the public forum eventually, but perhaps the time is not yet right. Let’s see what the MSP at last has to say about the facts… then we can second guess everything based on evidence instead of hearsay.
Maybe after the MSP report we won’t have to second guess, we may be given the facts that they have. One part of the puzzle will always be missing though.
The Maine Sheriff’s Association did not conduct an “investigation” in the sense of a “criminal” investigation. My understanding is they only conducted an inquiry that looked at one thing and one thing only…did Ross’s actions violate any ethical standards of the Maine Sheriff’s Association.
If they conclude that he did not violate any ethics then i think they ought to be investigated !
The Maine Sheriffs Association is a private group. They looked at there By-Laws, etc…and determined he didn’t violate them.
The Maine AGs office already ruled that Sheriff Ross did not violate any state law.
What is left to investigate?
The investigation will NEVER be truly complete. Carlson’s actions robbed us all of that (and, perhaps, so did Ross’s since he tipped Carlson off)
You dont know how you sucked into this mess….really? You got into it because you wanted to join another loud mouth Sheriff. Funny thing is both of you now are trying to backtrack.
Sounds like Mr. Richardson may have a difficult time with his memory – – or he may just be lying .. .. ..
Nice bit of detective work work, Ms Ordway. Please do more!
I seem to remember being told that the church he was working with in Orrington wanted him to be their full time pastor and not be the head jailer. I heard he was offered a raise and that’s when he got done at the jail. I think Richardson and Smith saw a chance to get in the lime light and grabbed at it. Too bad a reporter checked the facts and found, well they were not really what was said. But hey, when you get caught in a lie just hang up, I hate those darn dropped calls. Oh ya, what ever happened with the investigation Sheriff Smith said was being done on him, was that another story?
Its amazing what we can forget. HUMMMMM
I wonder how many of those 77 likes came from Hermon especially the part that says “he may be lying”.
Renee – you are making a big assumption about why Carlson jumped. You attribute it to the allegation that he sexually abused a boy “decades ago” (like that it’s it somehow less disgusting). We don’t know if that’s actually why he jumped. He may have jumped because he realized that the game was up – that everyone in the community was about to find out that he was a complete fraud. If that’s the case, then it doesn’t really matter what this sheriff or that deputy did or did not do in the 1980’s.
It would be helpful if this paper and our community would stop making excuses for Carlson, stop referring to him as a Reverend, and stop pretending that his only violation of our trust was the one he allegedly committed ‘decades’ ago. It’s much worse than just that.
You (still) need to take a reading comprehension course.
Of all the articles I’ve read in this paper, this is one of the best written, and you still missed the entire point. Her wording does not imply that the time elapsed diminishes the issue. Please try again.
I’m not really sure why this paper is devoting ink to discrediting a guy who had a legitimate, distinguished career in order to preserve the legacy of a person who seems to have lied to everyone.
The BDN is not “taking down a guy who had a real, distinguished career”. Richardson is doing that to himself with his “selective memory”.
his career was only distinguished by inepitude and lawsuits that cost the county money because of him
And a controversial act that most people dont remember ! He owned a towing company that mysteriously use to get most of the towing calls that law enforcement use to have to appear at ! LOL ! Its the same ole thing that goes on today on different levels of our government !
Sounds like another deputy I new. One was married to a relative of mine He use to brag about how he could not wait ti kill someone , Got charged with having sex with a female inmate and sued. It goes on and on . Police are trained how to LIE I have seem it many times.
Let’s get “ALL” on top of the table!
I for one am searching for the truth in this ugly matter. When Richardson came out of the woodwork and said what he said, it painted a picture that Carlson was engaging in inappropriate behavior in the jail and that two people, (the Sheriff at the time and the District Attorney) who are now deceased, may have been part of covering up Carlson’s alleged behavior and it was Richardson (by his own admission) that cleaned up matters. What the Bangor Daily News did was what all newspapers should do and that is to check into what people are saying to determine how they are trying to “shape a story” and more importantly why they are doing that. Based on the Ms. Ordway’s excellent investigative reporting, Richardson’s credibility should be questioned. It appears that he has been dishonest and his well-known big mouth may have finally gotten the best of him. In many ways his words appear to be as honest as Bob Carlson’s. The story will continue to unfold and I for one don’t want to miss any of it. Keep up the good work Ms. Ordway!
Right, but isn’t the whole point of the Carlson story that everyone failed to act? Many people reportedly had concerns about his late night appearances at the jail with young boys, none of his many employers ever bother to verify his resume, nobody ever questioned him. Which is what made this whole mess possible. Richardson is no different than any of the untold number of people in our community who also failed to act in a meaningful way. Were it not for a single, anonymous letter, Carlson would still be scamming us.
Its the GOOD OLE BOY SYNDROME !
True, but based on Richardson’s assertions at this late date, neither Cox nor Labree are in a position to represent their side of the story. How convenient…
This is not investigative reporting; it is an opinion piece.
Bangorian, Holy Crap!!!..WE AGREE!!! Finally…
Sounds like it is time for Richardson to go to work for Sheriff Smith in Washington County. Donnie need a Chief Deputy? Those guys are two peas in a pod. They even look alike..
roflmbo !!!!!
By the way, nice work Rene, but my guess is that your phone was ringing off the hook with some “anonymous” tips about this information.
ya like 4000 people from Hermon !! all the y had to do was ask around the town
That a girl Renee keep on digging and prove somemore lier out there. Maybe they will take the plunge.
I respect your opinion, however, Mr. Richardson is not the one who is at question here.
Glenn Ross is, i’m sure, an honorable man, however, he needs to follow the rules; just as he is sworn and asks his deputy’s to do. Let me ask you this, do you think that if this were one of Ross’s deputy’s that spoke with Carson, would he act differently?
I understand your advocacy, but I regret his decision’s outcome. Sheriff Ross, will not be elected the next time around. And all he had to do was to be forthright and admit to his peers that he shouldn’t have been involved.
I am concerned about the Maine Sheriff’s Association and it’s reaction. It’s ultimately sending a more negative message to voter’s then Sheriff Ross. People are sick and tired of the same ole same ole…….they want to go forward.
“And all he had to do was to be forthright and admit to his peers that he shouldn’t have been involved.”
Ross voluntarily admitted to his peers that he was involved, when nobody but the dead Reverend Carlson could have confirmed that Ross was involved. That speaks well of Ross, in my opinion.
Richardson is at question here because he casts damaging condemnations at others (condemnations that are now seen as dubious at best in light of the facts that Renee has dug up) when perhaps he should have been more concerned with his own character and his own record.
Ross knew there was an investigation going on- meaning if he didn’t say something then his phone calls that he had with Carlson the night before his death would show up on the phone records when checked…he was playing CYA.
Phone records don’t reveal what was said in the conversation.
Finally, someone who doesn’t refer to him as Bob, good old BAWWWB.
Real reporting, thanks, Rene!
PS, I’d lose the prison jumpsuit orange blouse if I were you! :-)
if she loses it ill buy another one, lookin fine girl!!!!
Are you writing from jail? Just KIDDING! :-) She IS a good looking lady.
Lol roflmbo I am a little giddy no deserved this more than ole Timmy
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Ms. Ordway, too bad you don’t put in as much effort looking into Sheriff’s Ross’s lying as you did with Richardson… Like, did Ross actually tell anyone at the jail that he had told Carlson that he could not come into the jail? The answer to that is “No”, so Carlson could have walked right into the jail after his conversation with Ross…Who cares in Richardson is lying, he is not a police officer!!!!
Richardson was the Sheriff and could have opened a criminal investigation into the “odd” behavior he claims he witnessed. Now his lies have been exposed too.
JD that was the 70s I hate to tell you and being a pediphile back them was almost condoned back then. These are different times by far . I will bet you $100 that at least half of the people reported to DHS for molesting children even today will never be prosecuted. Just look at the numbers of children molested the look at the sex offender reg for ones that molested kids . It Is way less than 10% of the pedophiles out thier. we all look at the sex offender reg. But those are only the ones we know about. Scary Isn’t It.
Whether it was “condoned” or not is no excuse for doing NOTHING.
I agree again.
Pretty tough to perform the same level of records searching Ms. Ordway did with this piece as opposed to what from Sherriff Ross… Notes from the frigid Penobscot River?
Well done!!
To his comment, “I don’t know how I got sucked into this mess,” he said. He opened his mouth…
Which he is totally incapable of not doing !!!!!!
Renne:
How about I provide you with Serpico the cop’s cell phone number and you
ask him about how his fellow cops set him up for execution when he blew the whistle on cops bringing heroin and cocaine into New York?
You see Renee, the game is played the same everywhere
and you are a active barometer of how bad the criminal justice system is.
When a community has to rely on a reporter to get to the bottom of the truth in crimes dealing with suicide and pedophilia instead of relying on their own civilian control of the police with their own citizens review board which Bangor does not have, then the rot in the barrel of apples becomes systemic.
Once voters and taxpayers understand their law enforcement agencies are populated by serial killers then one understands why people working in this taxpayer funded workfare program called law enforcement feel like they are walking on eggshells when having to report and rat out a fellow officer.
Let me give you an example by citing the classic case of FBI agent James Greenleaf, born in Portland Maine and former head of the Boston FBI Office which had jurisdiction over Maine.
Read this story about very special agent Greenleaf in today’s paper. Did I mention Greenleaf is a graduate of UMaine Orono?
see link for full story
Robert Fitzpatrick’s Memoir Reveals Attempts to Stop Whitey Bulger
Jan 27, 2012
For more than 20 years crime boss Whitey Bulger
was protected by the FBI. Now former agent Robert Fitzpatrick tells his
story of trying to stop the gangster and why the FBI wouldn’t listen.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/01/27/robert-fitzpatrick-s-memoir-reveals-attempts-to-stop-whitey-bulger.html
It is now common knowledge that Special Agent John Connolly, Bulger’s
primary handler in the Bureau who is presently in prison on murder
charges, and former state senator William “Billy” Bulger, Whitey’s
powerful politician brother, formed a support system that made it
possible for the Bulger era to sustain itself. But in Betrayal,
Fitzpatrick broadens the conspiracy, detailing the culpability of a
vast matrix of enablers, including, most notably, the late Jeremiah T.
O’Sullivan, who, as lead prosecutor for the state’s Organized Crime
Strike Force, undermined potential prosecutions of both Whitey and Billy
Bulger, and Lawrence Sarhatt and James Greenleaf, successive special
agents in charge of the FBI’s Boston office, who buried reports,
including Fitzpatrick’s recommendation that Bulger be “closed” as an
informant.
Yesssss!!!!! i heard this was coming last night and i knew he was about to get his world rocked,so let me be the first to say I TOLD YA SO !!!!!,HE IS AN ATTENTION FREAK, WHO HAS ZERO CREDIBILITY IN HIS HOME TOWN AND MS RICKER FELL FOR HIS BULL, HOOK, LINE AND SINKER. Thank you Renee !!!!!! oh and BTW pulseless left wing lie spouting radio station NO he wont be running for sheriff,wipe the druel off your chin from your salivating worship rant, that you did with him . YOU have been OWNED !!!!!!! bawehahahah. PS the BDN was warned about this all the way to the top, when he started this whole bull and they gave him plenty of rope to hang himself with and he DID !!!!!!
This aint the only lies he told i will bet he wrote the letter
I hope you thanked Ross for his help with this information, Hack.
oh contrare, others tried to get this info out there, no no ricker wouldn’t hear of it !!
As always, Renee, thank you for sharing the facts!!
Great job Renee!
BDN, please stop lending credence to Richardson’s lies by printing them…
on the contray print them,the more to bury him with !
Good point, biggnfast; I stand corrected. Thank you! :)
Renee, I am glad someone took the time to uncover all the crap Richardson has been running his trap with. He was a terrible sherriff. That position went straight to his head, he acted like Roscoe p. Coltrain from the dukes of hazzard. he cant go away quiet, because he loves the publicity. always has always will. amazing how forgetful he got when you contacted him, and in typical fashion when the heat came on, he does the manly thing, Hangup..If you dig a little further, you would find other skeltons in his own closet. Nothing like Carlsons, but reason enough he should keep quiet.
yep
What’s the angle here? Is the reporter trashing Richardson or defending Carlson?
Looks like both to me.
trashing timmy, she said this aint about bob,thats coming !!!along with more !
good point, all the articles I have read by Renee have been pro Carlson
Renee, Sounds like it was difficult for you to listen to Richardson talk on the radio. Now you know how those of us who knew what a liar Bob Carlson was felt when we had to hear his voice on the God Squad. REally Renee you need to come to grips with the fact that Carlson was a liar, a con man, and a pedophile. He catered to you for years because of your position. Also, could you please stop referring to him as “well respected.” Maybe in the circles you travel in he was “well respected,” however many people thought otherwise of him. I sure hope the state police are looking into Massachusetts! Also, I hope there is a thorough investigation into Bob’s dealings with PCHC.
Renee, the victim thought he could come to you. He stated this to me. Apparently you had him(the victim) fooled. He thought he could trust you to tell the truth. HA! Bob had you “sucked” into his trap didn’t he. It’s an emotional roller coaster reading this. I remember Bob saying how much he hated Tim Richardson….. I GET it now….. he may not be a stellar guy, but he has A LOT of truth in what he says. You need to see beyond the persona Carlson led you to believe. He destroyed the victims life. Even now. After he(Carlson) chose to jump…. not only is the victim suffering, but his family, including children, and all those that tried to protect.
I don’t care about Richardson, I care about those directly involved in this.
Richardson IS directly involved in this.
He claimed that he saw behavior that he called “odd”.
He claims he reported it to the Sheriff and the DA.
He claimed that he dismissed Carlson after he became Sheriff, he didn’t. He “transfered” him and then promoted him back to his former job.
He claimed he dismissed him immediately and he didn’t. Carlson resigned TWO YEARS after Richardson became Sheriff.
The behavior that was so “odd” seems not to have inspired Richardson to open a criminal investigation into this behavior when he became Sheriff. No, instead he “transferred”, “promoted”, accepted Carlson’s “resignation” TWO years after Richarson’s was sworn in as Sheriff and six months later commissioned Carlson as a Deputy Sheriff AGAIN!
As a former employer and supervisor, Richardson is just as much a part of this mess as Sheriff Ross, Ken Schmidt at PCHC, etc…etc…etc…
I meant I don’t care how Richardson is affected by this article, I care how the people I care about are directly involved.
This article smacks of “bait and switch” as Sheriff Richardson was a little fuzzy on some dates. Big deal, he did not have the luxury of having the records in front of him to be specific on events that occurred close to 3 decades ago. Who says that Mr. Kelley’s memory is any better. Besides poor memory is not a crime. Rape, sodomy, child abuse, lying on a government job application, falsification of credentials are. I seriously doubt Sheriff Richardson’s poor memory does as much damage as his colleague Sheriff Ross alerting the good Pastor of the impending investigation into his life of crime.
“Bob had you “sucked” into his trap didn’t he.”
It seems he had you sucked into his trap too, since you have stated adamantly that you didn’t know what was going on until the alleged victim spoke up to you long after attaining adulthood.
I was 12 when Richardson became Sheriff. He was friends with my Grandfather. I remember hearing my grandparents discuss the fact that Richardson wanted Carlson out but was hesistant to cause a stir over speculations when his promotion was so very new. It was if Carlson was becoming such a prominent member of society. I remember well my grandfather making me promise not to go to that church or listen to Carlson.
Your grandfather was a very wise man.
Are you kidding me. Don’t you remember when Richardson lost to Ross and he tried suing the city. It is a proven fact that Richardson does not tell the truth and Renee is just providing the facts that he still, doesn’t.
Richardson made statements that have proven to be false.
Carlson was on the radio as an imposter – a reverend. Richardson was on the radio as a former sheriff, an actual real former sheriff. Have you no sympathy for victims?
“Have you no sympathy for victims?”
Gee…I wonder why my main point from the get go on Richardson has been, WHY DIDN’T HE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT WHEN HE WAS ELECTED SHERIFF? HE HAD THE POWER, HE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY BUT HE DIDN’T DO ANYTHING.
His inaction allowed the victims nightmare to continue. He ONLY came forward after Carlson took his on life.
Let me ask you, would you have believed Richardson if he came forward back then? You seem to be having a difficult time with all of this. If you are sympathetic to victims, then why not question why a man who had no credentials to even wear a collar, was ever able to be employed in any type of law enforcement capacity. Why not be angry with the Police Departments that employed him as chaplain, or the State Police who hired him to teach an ethics class? why not be mad about all of those things? The places that employed him without conducting any type of background check. The people who said he was a “great guy” I have known him for 20 – 30 years, yet they knew absolutely nothing about him, those people should issue an apology.
not4us I am not having any problem or difficulty with this.
Mr. Richardson made claims about what he did with Carlson when he became Sheriff. Those claims were false.
He said he dismissed him, He didn’t. He kept him on at the jail for TWO YEARS.
That is a pretty simple fact to grasp and you seem incapable of doing so.
Just think what would have happened if Mr. Richardson had actually fired him AND opened an investigation into the behavior Carlson engaged in. He likely would not have been employed at EOCC, PCHC, Husson University, etc… He likely would not have been the “Chaplain” for several police or fire agencies. He likely would not have been teaching classes anywhere.
not4us you seem to take great joy in other peoples pain. You should get some help for that.
Richardson was a victin of Carlson? Then why did he keep employing himfor 2 years?
really disappointed at how obvious it is the reporter is to discredit anyone who dare say anything negative about Carlson – a man who lied about his credentials, molested at least one innocent child, sought the limelight and took credit for so many things others have established ie. Penobscot Community Healthcare which was founded by Dr. Vereault, Hope House was up and running before Carlson even lived in Maine I could go on and on….
agnes don’t blame the reporter for Richardson’s problems. He came forward and made statements that have proven to be false. Sort of like Carlson claiming to have this degree or that degree.
LOL ! I know how you got sucked into this mess Tim, Its called you needed your EGO stroked and it backfired !
let me help you mister richardson, you sucked yourself into the mess.
and now you slink away like a coward.
go away and don’t come back,, loozer.
Continuing to lend credence to Bob Carlson by calling him “reverend” is an injustice in light of the BDN’s own reporting on the lack of his credentials. Wonder if marriages he performed are legal, along with anything he signed as “reverend” or as deputy or head of PVHC, etc.
now that should be the next article by Renee!
The question about the marriages he performed was asked a week or so ago and the answer was yes, they were all legal.
He was also a commissioned Deputy Sheriff so anything there should be legal too and the same for PCHC. His position as “President” of PCHC did not require “special” education or licenses.
just goes to show cops will be cops aka liars. losers. bottom dwelers. they all lie.. they all stick together.. all this stuff from richardson is just a way to get some heat off his buddy ross
he hates Ross, you dont have a clue and Ross cant stand him, ‘he fired Rosss and ,Tim was sued in the courts and lost big time ,it cost the county, then Ross beat him like a rented mule in the election ROSS IS EVERYTHING HE ISNT
Kudos Renee. Richardson has always been a power freak, and he saw this chance to become relevant again. Too bad it backfired and now everyone can see the type of person he really is. Too bad he fueled the fire with his lies, at Ross’s expense. He should be charged with defamation of character and making false public statements.
I remember a post I made way back when Former Sherriff Richardson first started talking his trash. It got flagged for review and I really wish BDN had saved it so they could restore it. Timmy Richardson is as foul a human being there is. He is worse then a liar and was NEVER anything near being a “good” cop. Ask him why he was fired for cause from Grant’s Dairy?? If I could dig up that little truth he would never have been able to get a job shoveling horse poo at the race track. My parents should have had him arrested and prosecuted. He is a purebred scumbag… Go on BDN I know your gonna remove this post too, at least its late enough it will get some views…
I tried to tell em too.He is the king of vendettas he put a man though hell and anyone who was standing in the vicinity by calling the FBI and everything ,about making an innocent statement about OBama ,his hero.HE IS EVIL TO THE CORE !!!!
Who cares what Richardson has to say? Is anyone really paying attention? I’m not. Ms. Ordway is merely trying to deflect attention away from her FRIEND Carlson onto Richardson- it’s transparent as glass. Renee, face it- your friend was a liar, a conman and most likely a pervert.
Come ON. Her report is most certainly not deflecting attention from Carlson. She was duped by him as much as any of us. This is simply about checking Richardon’s facts.
Truth of the matter is: we will NEVER know if the allegation against Carlson was true thanks to his selfish action; Ross, although not illegal, behaved unethically; and Richardson is just a loud mouth looking to be in the limelight. End of story. Move on.
I disagree- she’s trying to take the focus off Carlson and make Richardson the story- wagging the dog if you will. Ignore Tim Richardson and he’ll go away- instead she’s put him in the spotlight- look how bad he is- look what a liar he is. I don’t think that’s news, nobody I know takes him seriously anyway.
Your wrong about taking the focus off of Carlson. The question I asked repeatedly was “why didn’t Richardson open an investigation into Carlson ‘s “odd” behavior when he became Sheriff?” Well it turns out that he didn’t “dismiss” him at all. In fact he kept him around, promoted him and when Carlson resigned, commissioned him again as a Deputy Sheriff.
That calls into question every single statement Richardson has made about what he saw Carlson do.
My point is- who cares what Richardson claims? He hasn’t been relevant in this area for a very long time. Like I said, nobody I know takes anything he says seriously. So he’s lying to get his name in the paper- stop talking to him and he’ll go away. The focus here should be on Carlson and the lies he told.
Carlson was a close personal friend of Ordway’s and she’s trying to salvage what she can of his reputation.
MrsD96 we should ALL care what Richardson said he witnessed. Because if he witnessed what he said he did and then “kicked the can down the road” for someone in the future to deal with then he is just as responsible for allowing the abuse to continue as anyone else that “knew” about Carlson’s “dark side”.I have read and re-read this column 4 or 5 times looking for Ordway’s defense or attempt to “salvage” Carlson’s reputation and it’s simply not there.
Just because you interview a suspect does not mean that you necessarily get closer to the truth. Look at all the false convictions that have been overturned due to DNA evidence. Let’s see what the investigators have gathered for facts before passing judgement on their investigation.
She was duped, but she continues to cast doubt on the allegations. This is at least the third article to do so.
It’s a clever way for the BDN to add a pro-Carlson viewpoint to appease a certain subset of readers and “friends” in the community.
She is NOT casting doubt on any allegation about Carlson. She IS casting doubt on Mr. Richardson story about what he did about Carlson. Why are you defending Richardson?
StateMachine is not defending Richardson. If you can read the article from the viewpoint of a victim’s advocate, then you might see it for what it is. The bottom line is JD Carlson did horrible things. Maybe next week Renee will go back to her usual LePage bashing, or we will get another Carlson defense piece. Frankly, it is getting very predictable. If anything, after this column more people may not agree with her on her other “opinions.”
wow……..lying is a defense mechanism. Maybe we should check into what Richardson is defensive about? I still think Ross needs to reprimanded though. How about you investigate his past “tracks.” Good job!!
And why, pray tell, is the BDN censoring comments here? If any other pedophile committed suicide they wouldn’t receive the same consideration. Even in death, Carlson is protected from the consequences of his choices by his powerful pals. Ridiculous!
Thank you again, Renee, for sticking up for what is right even though it might be unpopular. The world needs more people like you. ” Well done. my good and faithful servant.”, will be the words heard by you some day. :) Am glad to see the positive comments; they are refreshing.
The BDN should have checked these facts and included them in the story written about Richardson’s allegations against Ross & Carlson. It is strange to me that this information appears in an opinion piece.
You have the best comment on this story. They CAN’T check facts because they no longer can afford the staff to do so. They are on the verge of charging all of us to read the paper online. I’d be willing to pay in order get the quality up to where it needs to be. “You get what you pay for”
I have to say,I haven’t followed every single word written on this whole matter.Yet,it seemed to me,Renee, that when I read your articles on the matter,they seemed bias to me.Now,after reading this one I realize you did have a connection to Carlson. I can understand everyones hurt in this ugly matter,but it is not neutral reporting. The villian here was the lying child molester,and he’s gone.Sheriff Ross did make a mistake that was borderline criminal, regardless of what the Sheriffs association says.Lastly,agree or not with Smith,sounds like he was just stating his opinion,and backed it up with his resiganation.As far as Richardson,regardless of his memory,it still showed that there was questions regarding Carlsons behavior for a very long time.
Maybe it’s time for BDN to send an UNconnected reporter to Massachusetts? Like a good novel, it’s helpful to know the beginning to understand the end, and all the pieces in between.
“As far as Richardson,regardless of his memory,it still showed that there
was questions regarding Carlsons behavior for a very long time.”
Just think what may have been prevented if Richardson had opened an investigation into the “odd” behavior he says he witnessed when he became Sheriff.
And let’s all remember that Richardson stated several times that he let Carlson go when he became Sheriff in 1981.
Carlson was transferred to the departments training position in January 1981, then promoted back to Jail Administrator in July of 1981 and resigned from the department in January 1983 two years AFTER Richardson became Sheriff.
And rather the cut all ties with the person he claimed to have questions about he commissioned him again as a Deputy Sheriff in October of 1983.
So, if Richardson’s memory is so faulty when it comes to the events surrounding Carlson’s employment history with the department he commanded how is one to believe that his recollection is any better when it comes to what he claims he saw Carslon do with young boys?
I am NOT defending Carlson as it is fairly clear that his life was a lie, but I AM calling into question what Richardson saw.
This report illustrates investigations can and do go awry especially when information is garnered from peoples’ recollection of events. One must wonder how many criminal investigations go against innocent people who end up being charged and convicted or whose lives and reputations are ruined.
Why does Ordway get a platform to defend her family friend, Carlson?
How is Ordway “defending” Carlson?
She is pointing out contradictions in Richardson’s public statements. Richardson has made several public statements via the news media and when she checked them against the public records of the Sheriffs Department they didn’t check out.
She’s using this column as a platform to cast doubt on the allegations against Carlson. Perhaps you’d like a similar platform as well?
Richardson has made public statements about witnessing Carlson engaged in “odd” behavior with young boys. That statement is a fact. No one is questioning what Richardson said he saw and that is also a fact.
Richardson also said that he reported the odd behavior as a “young Deputy Sheriff” to a now deceased Sheriff and DA and they did not follow up. That statement is also a fact.
Richardson then said that when he became Sheriff he “dismissed” Carlson. That statement while a fact that Richardson said it, now seems not to be factual in substance. Not only did Richardson not dismiss Carlson but he promoted him. And Richardson did not “dismiss” him as he claimed. Carlson resigned two years after Richardson was sworn into office according to department records. And six months after Carlson resigned his position as the Jail Administrator Richarson issued him a commission as a Deputy Sheriff.
Please note that nothing in the above post is defending Carlson alleged actions.
When Richardson made his story public I was one of the few that asked this question. “If Richardson was so disturbed by the “odd” behavior he witnessed at the jail, why didn’t he open an investigation when he became Sheriff”? That is a legitimate question to ask of someone who is saying in affect, “I knew something was going on but no one would listen to me”.
So, let’s assume that Richardson witnessed Carlson “rubbing young boys all over” including the “buttocks” and that Richardson found this behavior “odd”. I know I would find that behavior odd and worthy of investigation. So here are two or three questions for you to ponder:
1) Why didn’t then Sheriff Richardson open a criminal investigation into the “odd” behavior he claims to have witnessed at some point in time in the 1970s? (Richardson’s tenure as Sheriff was well within the 15 year statue of limitations on sexual abuse of children).
2) Why did Sheriff Richardson promote Carlson to Jail Administrator within six months of taking office if he was concerned about the behavior he witnessed as a young Deputy Sheriff?
3) Why did Sheriff Richardson issue a new Deputy Sheriffs commission to Carlson six months after Carlson resigned from the Sheriffs Department if he was concerned about the behavior he witnessed as a young Deputy Sheriff?
You never questioned anything about Bob Carlson? You liked to brag about knowing him for almost 30 years. Why weren’t you one to question his behavior? Surely, you must have asked him about his background (education, etc.) . Bottom line is everyone on here who thought Carlson was a “great guy,” is enjoying hearing about Richardson. Anything Richardson may have done, could not be half as bad as what Bob Carlson did.
OK not4us here are the answers to your question.
“You never questioned anything about Bob Carlson?”
I had no reason to.
~~~~~
“You liked to brag about knowing him for almost 30 years.”
No, I stated that I knew him for approximately 30 years. That is far from “bragging”.
~~~~~
“Why weren’t you one to question his behavior?”
I didn’t see anything to question. As I have said in the past, my association with Bob Carlson was on a professional level through meetings. I never saw him with young boys (other than in a group setting with other adults present, i.e. Boy Scouts, etc…)
~~~~~
“Surely, you must have asked him about his background (education, etc.).”
When was the last time you questioned an acquaintance about their background? Do you ask your acquaintances 20 questions?
~~~~~
“Bottom line is everyone on here who thought Carlson was a “great guy,” is enjoying hearing about Richardson. Anything Richardson may have done, could not be half as bad as what Bob Carlson did.”
Ummm, I would say allowing someone to continue “odd” behavior when you (Richardson) had the ability to open a criminal investigation into what you observed and allowing that “odd” behavior to continue for another 20+ years sure ranks up there with what Carlson did.
In simple terms, Richardson enabled Carlson’s behavior for another 20+years by doing nothing when he had the ability to do something.
Do you think any information coming from the Sheriff’s Department should be trusted at this point? Was there any cases against Carlson from DHS that were “swept under the rug?” What about what Ross did. After telling the State Police he would not tell Carlson about the investigation, he went ahead and told Carlson anyways. You people who thought Carlson was a “pillar of the community,” sure are having a difficult time coming to terms with the truth. I do believe Richardson saw Carlson act inappropriately with young boys. That is the important part of this story. I saw Carlson downtown in the wee hours of the morning with boys in his car also. Many people knew he was a creep. Bottom line is Renee is doing a huge injustice to any victims of sexual abuse by highlighting Richardson. There are more people in law enforcement who know Bob was a questionable character. Now they will probably not come forward. She is not an advocate for the victim.
not4us Let me answer your questions one at a time…”Do you think any information coming from the Sheriff’s Department should be trusted at this point?”
I have no reason to doubt what information has been released about Carlson’s employment record at PSCO. In fact, Richardson’s reaction speaks volumes about the information. Just like Carlson’s big plunge off the Penobscot Narrows Bridge speaks volumes about him.
~~~~~
“Was there any cases against Carlson from DHS that were “swept under the rug?””
Don’t know, do you?
~~~~~
“What about what Ross did. After telling the State Police he would not tell Carlson about the investigation, he went ahead and told Carlson anyways.”
Well according to the AG’s office there was no problem with what he did.
~~~~~
“You people who thought Carlson was a “pillar of the community,” sure are having a difficult time coming to terms with the truth.”
Fact is, he was “a pillar of the community”. And I don’t believe you can read my mind as to what I think or don’t think. Fact is, from the moment I learned of his suicide, which was around 1230-1300 on November 13th I had questions about why he would do such a thing. So, please leave you psychic readings to yourself.
~~~~~
“I do believe Richardson saw Carlson act inappropriately with young boys. That is the important part of this story.”
Have I said anything differently? No, I have not. My criticism of Richardson’s has revolved around one issue and that issue is what he did with that information when he became Sheriff. Richardson claims he dismissed him, now we know he didn’t. If seems that you are having a problem understanding that Richardson fabricated that part of his story.
~~~~~
“I saw Carlson downtown in the wee hours of the morning with boys in his car also.”
And what did you do with that information? Do you call BPD? Report it to his church? Did you do anything with that information?
~~~~~
“Many people knew he was a creep.”
Really? How many is many? Did you have a “I think Bob Carlson Creep Club?”
~~~~~
“Bottom line is Renee is doing a huge injustice to any victims of sexual abuse by highlighting Richardson.”
Bottom line is Renee checked out a story. Discovered that the story did not check out and published that information. Richardson HAD the Means and Opportunity to do something about the “odd” behavior he saw when he became Sheriff. He didn’t and for some unknown reason you are having a difficult time dealing with that piece of information.
~~~~~
“There are more people in law enforcement who know Bob was a questionable character.”
Really, and what did they do with that information?
~~~~~
“Now they will probably not come forward.”
Why, if they saw something and have relevant information they should. They only need to be concerned if that information is not accurate. And how do you know they haven’t come forward. They may have called the MSP instead of the BDN, WABI, WLBZ, The Pulse, etc…
~~~~~
“She is not an advocate for the victim.”
That is your opinion based on an article that exposes someone for what they are. Sort of like the article about Bob Carlson’s education and religious credentials.
I like the “I think Bob Carlson is a Creep Club” comment. It was my litmus test for how well people could judge character. So I guess the people I associate with were part of that club.
Well I guess your circle of associates is very small then. Hindsight is 20/20 and it is really easy to say you saw it…just ask Richardson.
NO it is not! I told everyone he was a creep, and to keep their kids away from him. After he jumped, I received so many calls from people thanking me for warning them about him, my answering machine was full. Some of us “common folks” are busy raising a family, and working, you know, doing the important things in life. We are not out to dinner every night (without our spouse), attending meetings at the Chamber, going to Board meetings, going to tournament games standing under the hoop so we can get on camera, riding around in a company car, you know doing all those things so we can be in the eye of the public at all times so everyone will think we are so very important. There are a lot more people than you think that knew Bob was a creep. You really should expand your circle.
not4us you and Mr. Richardson have a great deal in “common”.
Ms Ordway,
I am definitely not your biggest fan but have to give credit where credit is due…this was an interesting and well-researched story. Thank you
Detective ? Please… Joe Q. Public can have access to public records. dont put more hot air out there…Bottom line . she shows favorites, has her own opinions, and she has a right to that, HOWEVER.. keep it to the point at hand. if you are a reporter, your suppose to only state the facts, then Joe Q.Public has all the info and can make up there OWN minds. not put in your feelings, which are strongly toward Carlson.
truemaineiac bottom line she did her job. I had questions about the “validity” of Richardson’s statements. My biggest question was why didn’t he do something when he became Sheriff?
Well, contrary to Richardson’s public statement and interviews with the news media it seems he did not do what he said he did. Why? Richardson has said he saw the “odd” behavior and did something about it.
He claims he reported it to his boss and DA when he was a “young Deputy” or was it when he was the “Chief Deputy”?
He claims he dismissed Carlson when he became Sheriff or did he allow Carlson to “resign”?
Did he dismiss him immediately or did Richardson allow Carlson to remain around for a period of time?
Did Richardson cut all ties with Carlson or did he rehire him?
And while Carlson IS the subject of an investigation why are you giving a free pass to the contradictions in Richardson’s public statement vs. the public records that show something completely different?
richardson lies so friggin’ much he needs someone else to call his dog.
This whole matter is beginning to give me a headache- it’s time to put it to bed BDN.
“I don’t know how I got sucked into this mess,” he said.
Hmmm…maybe it has something to do with plastering his face all over the news every 10 minutes.
4 words: Loose lips sink ships.
I appreciate the research you put into this renee. Opinion piece or not at least someone is looking into Mr.Richardson’s changing statements.
Tim Richardson, he who sued the Penobscot County. He always had a hard time telling the truth
Seriously, we never could understand how he ever became, a sheriff. Now, he is doing what he does best, make crap up and ask people to believe it.
Good reporting , Renee. We enjoy reading the ” TRUTH”
I agree 100%…
It’s looking more and more that Sheriff Donnie Smith was correct in distancing himself from these guys. Integrity has a price and it looks like Donnie is not willing to compromise his. It is a little strange that this piece should be in an opinion column. What is not strange however is that the BDN did not check the facts before a story was written. BDN does not seem to believe that facts should have anything to do with a good chance to “hit” anyone. Probably why their circulation just keeps dropping and dropping.
Another county heard from…
Great column, Renee.
Especially liked the way the former sheriff chose to back up his previous statements by hanging up on you – just like a big fish shaking the hook.
Your new evidence not only exposes the “miss spokes” made by Richardson, but also his dereliction of duty.
As a deputy sheriff he had an obligation to notify the parents of the boys referred to, regardless of the brass’s attitude. Later, as sheriff, he had an even greater responsibility to the county to initiate a full fledged investigation. Instead, as your column so eloquently states, Richardson overlooked his previous observations, preferring to keep quiet. His faith in Carlson, like so many of us, resulted in promotions, an increased salary, with more responsibility at the jail.
Sheriff Ross, for my money, did what any good friend would do. Obviously, completely oblivious to Carlson’s background, like hundreds more across the state, he must have been shocked. Nevertheless, he immediately blocked Carlson’s access to the jail. The people who knew-or, thought they knew-Carlson were dumbfounded when they read that he had taken his own life. Subsequent reports about his alleged child offenses, followed by a list of his bogus associations, was even more disheartening.
Critics of Sheriff Ross, including those who are trying to make a witch hunt and attack the sheriff because of this, should re-examine the facts. Your column filled in yet another miserable chapter in this continuing saga of “The Rev. Bob.”
You’ve written Finis to the Richardson outbursts by giving an honest report on what really happened. Go have a Geaghan brew.
One thing about this that seems funny to me, is that people automatically take sides. If Richardson is lying, not sure how that makes what Ross did OK. It definately does not have anything to do with what Carlson did.
Also, is it really still correct to say that Carlson is a respected community leader?
I’m only in Ms Ordway’s corner for exposing what really happened between Sheriff Richardson and Carlson. Her column makes it clear that Richardson’s media rush and his statements lack credibility.
Foes of Sheriff Ross will be arguing forever over what they think he should or should not have done. I don’t know the sheriff personally. But I just believe that if someone I had known as long he did was being investigated – I wouldn’t have hesitated in letting him know. We do not know exactly how the sheriff told Carlson about the probe. One can only imagine his frustration on learning about it himself.
Carlson was a respected community leader. Many of his community endeavors remain. The people who trusted him continue to endure that part of him they never knew.
Carlson was a “respected community leader”. That’s is a fact in the past tense.
It does not seem to me that it was said in the past tense. I am not even sure why that sentence was necessary, as related to the story.
“Ever since Robert Carlson, a well-known and respected community leader, jumped from the Penobscot Narrows Bridge in November amid an allegation that he sexually abused a boy decades earlier, former Penobscot County Sheriff Tim Richardson has gone on the record with various news media proclaiming that he had seen Carlson misbehaving with young boys during the 1970s. “
How do you determine who is respected and who is a community leader?
Is Stephen King “well respected” and a “community leader”? How do you know?
To be frank, not confrontational, you are missing the point of the article. Richardson has apparently revised history to paint himself as righteous. This opinion piece is relevant to us all because it draws attention to how the former sheriff has clearly been dishonest and possibly pathological in the story he’s asked us to swallow about how he tried to warn authorities about Carlson’s behavior, only to be ignored. Now he’s being critical of Ross and its fair to call his judgment into question given his propensity to distort the facts.
He seems to have a history of having his word be dismissed. Perhaps we can see why.
I did not miss the point of the article, which by the way just gives the media hound, as people are calling him, more publicity. For me to focus on him, who is in the public eye only because he put himself there, doesn’t make sense to me. I was just pointing out, that I don’t understand why people are taking sides with Richardson and Ross. Even if Richardson is wrong, it doesn’t make Ross right or vice versa. Just saying that there is plenty of guilt to go around. I also think that the actions that Ross took should warrant more scrutiny because he is currently in office. In all of this, please don’t lose sight of where the biggest blame goes and that is to the formally well respected community leader, Bob Carlson. Who should now be remembered as a coward, who could not live up to his image.
For my money Ross interfered with an ongoing investigation. If it wasn’t Carlson and some other sleeze ball that liked to molest little boys and someone told himabout an investigation and he skipped town, you are saying you would’t take issue with that? I bet you would!
Fortunately I wasn’t faced with making that decision. However, I still hold to my original statement that I would have told Carlson he was being investigated. We don’t know exactly what transpired after that – what Ross said to him – and whether Carlson took off after trying to explain to Ross, or what. But, I’m betting it was quite a talk. We do know that Carlson later talked with the man who made the charges and then chose to end his own life.
Richardson doesn’t have a leg to stand on based on this investigative story. He was in a much more favorable position to have prevented Carlson continuing his association with young boys than Ross ever was. As deputy, and later as sheriff he could have stepped between Carlson and the young boys, Richardson claims he brought to the jail. Instead he chose to promote Carlson and give him a pay raise. Richardson’s accusations are false. Smith’s diatribe is nothing more than sour grapes.
Stories carrying a wallop like this can only be told effectively in the first person. Just a great yarn.
“This column is not about whether Carlson sexually abused boys. That investigation is still under way and the allegation itself, coupled with his suicide, is something those who knew and cared for him have to struggle with individually.”
This quote has raised some concerns I have had over the last few years involving the case of FBI agent William Hutton who was charged with pedophilia by a child. The story continues when it is reported the prosecutor drops the charges against Hutton when the child is found dead. No mention is made of how the child died.
Now I have a couple of questions here.
If someone is shot and when the police arrive the victim identifies the shooter then dies:
1. Do the police and prosecutor file charges for murder against the person whom the victim identified before dying?
2. Why did the newspaper leave out how the child died?
3. Why did the Maine State Police not investigate this case?
4. Why did the police and prosecutor drop the charges?
5. Carlson is dead , why are the police still investigating?
January 3, 2007
NEW HAVEN, Conn. –Federal prosecutors have moved to dismiss charges against a retired FBI agent who was indicted on child sex charges dating back more than a decade when he was a Boy Scout leader, in response to the death of his accuser.
William Hutton, 63, of Killingworth, was arrested in February on charges he enticed a member of his Scout troop to Maine for the purpose of sexual activity in 1994 and 1995.
I don’t understand why she keeps writing articles defending Bob Carlson. Who cares if the Sherriff was wrong about how he did or didn’t fire Carlson! She needs to stop obsessing and nit-picking these facts and come to terms with the fact that Carlson jumped off that bridge because he knew his false persona was about to be uncovered.
You gotta understand that BDN has never won a Pulitzer
and the Carlson story could be the breakthrough year for the paper.
Does Renee have an obligation to report on how police routinely coverup
police misconduct? Nah.
The police blotter at the BDN is the primary source of income for BDN
after all their motto is “if it bleeds it leads”.
The paper wants you to think the CarlsonRichardson-Ross Realty Show is an aberration.
After all if BDN was serious about cleaning up the cesspool called the Justice is Criminal business the paper would make a Bangor civilian review police board happen by early summer.
What about all the lies Carlson told?
I don’t think anyone is questioning those lies.
She has said nothing about those lies in a negative manner. She just keeps saying how respected civic leader he was. She needs to call a spade a spade.
At the time Carlson took the big plunge he was (note the past tense please) “a well-known and respected community leader”. That is a fact.
This article (opinion piece) is about Richardson, not Carlson. The BDN published a large article about Carlson’s lies.
They also published a large article about Richardson’s observations.
So far, they only persons story being called into question is Richardson’s. No one is calling into question the lies that were Carlson’s life that have been learned since he took his own life.
Renee also says, “This column is not about whether Carlson sexually abused boys. That
investigation is still under way and the allegation itself, coupled with
his suicide, is something those who knew and cared for him have to
struggle with individually.”
“I am one of them.”
She admits that she is struggling with the facts surrounding Carlson’s suicide. But no where does she say that she doesn’t believe what has come to light.
This reads like an opinion piece to me. I don’t see it as having any journalistic or investigative authority.
Thank you, Renee. Good research and reporting. As our community tries to make sense of a situation that may never be totally known to us but has caused grief to countless community members, you continue to explore the facts and help clarify so that we can read and ponder those facts that can be known to us and learn what we can from them, so that nothing like this happens again in our home town.
Tim Richardson is a self promoting individual that was never respected as sheriff. That is why he only served one term. I knew Otis LaBree and had he been informed of any indiscretion he would have acted upon it immediately .
Sometimes there are reporters that just irritate you…Renee Ordway is that reporter to me.
I believe Richardson saw what he saw. As for all the detail dates times it was 30 years ago. Times have changed. Thier was a time when a molested child was told to keep his mouth shut or was blamed . Sorry that is the truth. I have talked to some older people about this subject. In todays world the majority of people who molest children are never prosecuted. Think about it like 1 in 3or 4 children molested and about 1 in 300 are registered sex offenders. That is not counting the children molested by more than one person in thier life probably half the ones molested. Do you think in anyway the average pedophile molest 100 kids ??????????????????
David two points…
1) If Richardson had been off by a day or two no big problem but he was off by two YEARS.
2) Child molesters still tell their victims not to tell anyone about their “relationship” or they will be blamed, etc….that hasn’t changed.
I agree with what you said
Timmy are you going to run for Sheriff???
Miss Ordway, with all due respect, went on a fact-finding mission, to try and paint Mr. Richardson in a bad light. It would appear his memory about the sequence of events is “faulty” to say the least. But there is one part of this story that Miss Ordway needs to keep clear. Bob Carlson was a pedophile and there is clearly enough evidence to prove those allegations. Why not do a story on the victims and their pain, suffering and scars which they will live with for the rest of their lives. Those are the ONLY people who should matter now. The coward who wouldn’t face his victims is gone so let’s try to help those who have to live with their memories.
I agree. “victims… those who have to live with their memories” might want to think about sharing their stories with MSP lead investigator in charge Sgt. Jeff Love CID II Augusta 207-624-7143. This contact info is public information, I can’t think of any reason for BDN to delete.
Its a win-win, another scum-bag is gone from the earth….Its all good…..Yea!!!
Again Renee, thank you!
Mr. Richardson, YOU put yourself into this mess. As I stated in another blog, you have had your 15 min. of fame, time to go back into your hole.
Is this an opinion piece? I don’t understand how Ms. Ordway can be taking on the role of investigator. If the point she is trying to make is that law enforcement officers were aware of Carlson’s proclivities and did nothing about it, I think that is probably already the general consensus. I’m confused as to why Richardson is being raked over the coals while Ross is exonerated and Carlson is still being referred to as a “well-known and respected community leader.” I don’t see that any one of them did their job of protecting the victim/s.
Why would you hang up the phone Timmy. Did you lose power in Hermon Timmy or did it back fire on you. Maybe a Black Maine Bear was about to bite the backside of your pants.Her name was Renee. Go gettum girl.