Posted: 6/14/2003 3:43:45 PM EDT
Continuing to push book, even though the courts have not ruled on his appeal of the County ethics decision. Prosecutors are also NOT happy about this book coming out BEFORE the trial. It also shows that Moose isn't too bright, if he gets to release his book, and the suspects are found innocent-the material in the book could be used against him in court for violating the suspects Civil Rights! If he causes a mistrial the Federal Goverment might have grounds to prosecute him for obstruction of justice. He may be pushing this ahead though because his ego may be demanding that he get his version of the story out to his fans before the trials reveal what a ASS he was and how he botched the investigation with his refusal to accept that the shooter was anything other than a "angry white man". ROCKVILLE, Md. (June 14) - A book by the police chief who helped lead the Washington-area sniper investigation has been posted for preorder sales on the Internet, despite a ruling from a county ethics commission that he stop the project.
Charles Moose appealed the commission's decision, but state and federal courts have yet to rule. Moose's New York publisher, E.P. Dutton, meanwhile listed the book, ``Three Weeks in October,'' on Amazon.com.
Two Montgomery County Council members questioned whether Moose should remain chief because of the decision to list it.
``When you have an appeal underway and it's not been decided, I think it is a problem that he's going out to sell the book,'' Council member Phil Andrews told The Washington Post. ``I think its grounds for us to begin considering whether he stays as chief of police.''
The appearance of the chief's book for sale has further complicated an already complex situation, said council member Mike Knapp.
``The fact that a book is listed is really unfortunate,'' Knapp said Friday. ``It really begins to force our hands.''
On March 20, the commission said Moose's request to write a book and to consult on a movie project violated the county's code of ethics, which forbids employees from exploiting the prestige of public office for personal gain.
In his federal lawsuit, Moose contends that any attempt to prevent him from writing the book, scheduled for release in October, would violate his First Amendment rights.
Knapp and Andrews said they believe it will be up to County Executive Douglas Duncan to decide what action, if any, to take in response.
Duncan has stated repeatedly that he supports the chief's desire to write the book and to appeal the Ethics Commission's decision, spokesman David Weaver said.
The chief's wife, Sandy Moose, said neither she nor her husband wished to comment.
06/14/03 15:11 EDT
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