I read the Chronicle article and the statement by David Plotz that substantiated the bribery charges. A few things that would fit in the "red flag" folder in my brain: Arresting Mike Kelly on Thanksgiving Eve, really? Based on a conversation between two men in a bar? The story, which has been updated at least 4 times in the Chronicle, is that Mike Kelly, an elected PUD commissioner had two phone conversations with the manager of the PUD, David Plotz. As a result of the phone conversations, David Plotz agreed to meet Mike Kelly at a bar. During the bar conversation, according to David Plotz’s statement, Mike Kelly repeatedly said “you take care of me and I take care of you.”
Reading between the lines in David Plotz’s statement, it seems as if Plotz could, at any time, and in a friendly way, warned Mike Kelly that he was skirting around what could be defined as bribery and the issue, which is now involving lawyers and unnecessary attention, would have disappeared. The definition of politics is “you take care of me and I take care of you” and it is up to the legal system to determine when lines are crossed. If it was crossed, it was a hazy crossing and this Thanksgiving jail time seems like a psychological operation.
What was glaringly missing in the statement is also interesting. I'd assume that Mike Kelly was selling his worth to David Plotz, giving a pitch regarding how much he had to offer, but nothing was said about that. I looked up Mike Kelly’s present employment and his skills are potentially valuable to a PUD. Mike Kelly’s current salary, if it is in line with other similar jobs in the area is probably under $100,000/year. David Plotz’s salary is north of $250,000/year. He was hired when his predecessor demanded a pay raise.
Without getting out my crystal ball, I'll guess that Mike Kelly will be forced out with no charges and someone more amenable gets put in his place. I don't know Mike Kelly and have never spoken to him. I have emailed him numerous times regarding the smart meter agenda, but he never responded. So I'm not defending him. I'm simply calling politics where I see it. Firing David Plotz would solve the problem.
I agree, the memo written by Plotz is very self serving. To my reading of it, we had two men, in positions of power, sitting down in a bar to discuss ways that they can personally profit off of the utility's ratepayers. Neither man comes off well in that memo, and I believe that both should be removed from their positions.
I understand from additional reporting that there were also two recordings made with the Commissioner, both of which apparently substantiate the allegations against him, and he was formally charged in court today with a trial date set for February.