For Immediate Release: Statement from Quartzsite
Chief of
Police Jeff Gilbert on DPS Report #2011-027462
Quartzsite, Arizona - On August 13, 2012, I received a completed copy of the
criminal investigation conducted by the AZ Department of Public Safety (DPS)
against myself and Sgt. Xavier Frausto. This report included the
"Turndown" notice declining the case by the AZ Attorney General's
Office, dated July 12/13, 2012. The allegations and complaint was initiated by
then Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster.
The case was declined for the following reasons stated by
the turndown report as: "Victim/Witness Credibility Problems";
"Inadequate Evidence of Intent"; "Inadequate Evidence of
Corroboration"; and "No Reasonable Likelihood of Conviction".
This is the third criminal investigation I have been
subjected to along with members of my department from false allegations and
complaints made by then Mayor Ed Foster. I have been exonerated, along with the
other members of the department each time. Sergeant Xavier Frausto has served
this community for nearly twenty years with his complete dedication to the
community.
I have documented evidence that Ed Foster participated with
another party and submitted a fabricated and forged letter to DPS in 2010 in an
attempt to lend credibility to the first of his false allegations and
complaints. While I brought this matter to the attention of DPS, to my
knowledge they declined any further investigation of the incident.
Ed Foster, along with others, continues to this day in his
attempt to discredit, and have me criminally charged, as the Chief of Police
for the Quartzsite Police Department. His latest false allegations and
complaints created an investigation and finding period that lasted nearly
fourteen months resulting in an unknown loss and waste of the tax payer's
dollar, not to mention the undue hardship that was created to the community,
the Town, the Department, Sgt. Frausto, myself and our families.
On behalf of the Quartzsite Police Department, myself and
all those affected, I wish to thank the Town and community members of
Quartzsite that have provided their continued support and stood behind us over
the course of these false allegations and complaints.
I will continue with my dedication to the Town of Quartzsite
as Chief of Police, to serve and protect and to provide the best possible
police services to the community. Again, I wish to thank everyone for their
support.
Jeff Gilbert
Chief of Police
Quartzsite Police Department
