Colorado’s House Bill 18-1427 to eliminate conflicts of interests within the state’s Sex Offender Management Board seemed like a sure thing.
The measure had not only bipartisan support but also support of D.A.’s that prosecute sex offenders and the ACLU. Isn’t this the “dream team” that government wants, all sides coming together for the good of the people and agreeing to support a bill.
So on Monday, when Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper suddenly “VETOED” the legislation which was aimed at eliminating anything that could be perceived as a “conflict of interest” within the Sex Offender Treatment Board, it left many scratching their heads.
Why the veto?
Governor Hickenlooper called the bill “redundant and overbroad.” (I wonder if he’s ever considered the “over broadness” of the registry)?
The Governor’s concern was that the bill would remove much needed experts from state boards and commissions.
Well, yes Governor, that’s the whole point, to remove those experts that are profiting in some way from the very policies they set, such as those that have contracts with the state, say for example those that provide polygraphs or other testing of sex offenders. Yes, it would remove all of those experts who, when they were vetted for their positions, mentioned or maybe failed to mention that they stood to personally profit in some way by being on the Sex Offender Treatment Board.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
What is happening in Colorado and Tennessee pales in comparison to what occurs/occurred in the California Sex Offender Management Board (“CASOMB”) — as California is the most populous state and holds the most “sex offenders” within its borders (over 105,000).
It is a shame that we are left in the rubble caused by Tom Tobin’s CASOMB and Sharper Future conflict-of-interest. Things like ABEL, the polygraph, and the Static-99R were endorsed by Tobin and his CASOMB for the only reason of bolstering business for “treatment” programs and related interests (i.e. ABEL licensing fees, polygrapher fees, Static-99R leading to more business). ABEL, polygraph, and Static-99R are all scientifically dubious and endorsed by only those who have a conflict-of-interest in its use. Yet CASOMB consistently calls polygraph and the Static-99R as “evidence-based” and “empirical.”
For those of you who think Tobin is still “out of the loop,” refer to CASOMB’s new documentation outlining what constitutes “completed” treatment under the tiered registry law. Page one clearly shows the “doctors” who are involved. Not surprisingly, the standard for completed treatment necessitates more treatment — and thus, more business. A conflict-of-interest within a conflict-of-interest:
http://casomb.org/pdf/Treatment_Completion_Guidelines_4_2018.pdf
CO Governor is at his term limits and leaving anyway, so no repercussions for him.
Perhaps the governor has a vested interest in the status quo, or has an important relationship with someone who does … family, friends, or campaign donors, etc. Sounds like a good investigative news assignment for some willing journalist.
Good post!!