If you live here in Connecticut, you may have already heard about this story a few days ago—even though some time has passed since the initial report, it doesn’t reduce the level of jerkiness.
I should say right up front that I understand all about “innocent until proven guilty,” but the evidence in this case certainly seems strong. And if it does come out that it was dramatically wrong, I would like to sincerely apologize in advance.
That being said, this week’s JERK OF THE WEEK is
Trooper First Class Aaron Huntsman
Yeah, nothing will make you cringe like seeing one of those who are sworn to serve and protect on the wrong side of the law, especially when they appear to have seriously betrayed the public trust.
From the Hartford Courant:
The state trooper who allegedly stole cash and a gold chain from the victim of a fatal motorcycle crash was one of two troopers who went to the victim’s mother’s house that night to tell her that her son had died, according to an arrest warrant.
Trooper First Class Aaron Huntsman, 43, was the lead investigator of the Sept. 22 crash in Fairfield that killed John Scalesse, 49, of Orange.
Huntsman, an 18-year veteran, faces larceny charges and an internal investigation after his own dashboard camera recorded a conversation with emergency personnel at the scene that police say implicates him in the theft of $3,700 in cash.
To serve and protect, indeed.
According the Courant, the parents of the victim repeatedly called and asked Huntsman about the gold chain and cash, and the trooper repeatedly denied he knew anything about it. After the victim’s grieving father finally contacted Huntsman’s supervisor, the trooper conveniently discovered the chain in the cup holder of his cruiser, claiming he had forgotten about it. Similarly, when detectives eventually searched his cruiser, they found the money under the front passenger seat, also apparently forgotten about.
From the article:
On Nov. 14, Huntsman and his attorney, Jeffrey Ment, met with state police investigators. Ment asked to view the video from the night of the crash. Huntsman admitted that he can be heard saying “I’ll take it as evidence” but insisted that he never saw any cash.
After consulting with his attorney, Huntsman said “Well it looks like I must have taken the money,” the warrant states.
I hate to say it, but it also looks like after stealing from a dead man and lying to his heartbroken family, you’re a jerk!
As for the rest of you—no need to steal, especially to find that perfect holiday gift for the jerk in your life! You can order my book right from Amazon.com.