One of Suttle’s TWO Chiefs of Staff, Uh, Well…
Wow. Omaha Mayor-Elect Jim Suttle’s new co-Chief of Staff–because you typically need two of them–Matthew Samp supposedly a few years ago was sleeping with a 14-year-old. Who eventually killed himself. Oh, and Samp reportedly kept nude photos of this 14-YEAR-OLD.
Suttle’s response?
Suttle said he did not run background checks on Samp or anyone he has hired, saying such checks were a “suspicious, punitive system, and that’s not something I build on.”
“What goes on in private lives is private business,” he said. “I don’t sit down with anybody and say, ‘Tell me about your past.’”
I absolutely am with him for “what goes on in private lives is private business.” However, when that private business involves having sex with young boys and taking nude pictures of them, then that’s a whole new ball of wax.
It’s stunning on its own that this guy got such a high-level job. It’s even more stunning when you consider Suttle’s response:
Suttle, however, said he believed the allegations were a “character assassination” of Samp. He pointed out that he’s heard rumors about most of his political colleagues throughout his years in public life.
“You have to set (rumors) aside,” Suttle said, “and just look at whom is trying to embarrass whom. I’ve seen this, and this happens.”
Incredibly disappointing. But guess what? That’s what happens when you elect someone Mayor that you didn’t know a damn thing about.
Mayor-Elect Suttle needs to fire this man immediately and offer an apology to the family of the young man that he took advantage of, as well as the people in Omaha for this embarrassment.
EDIT #1: Whoops: forgot to provide the link to the OWH story. Just so people don’t think that I am simply “throughing” accusations….
EDIT #2: Suttle “put this issue in the history books” and is not allowing Samp to serve in his administration. Good. I’m sure his other co-Chief of Staff is solid…
Steve Oltmans was fired from the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District in 2006 for “a material breach of contract’’ after his board said it had lost confidence in him in the wake of an affair with a former board member.
The affair sparked a special audit that showed no criminal deeds but did reveal incomplete NRD expense records and violations of IRS rules under Oltmans’ watch.
Was this guy ever charged with anything or are these strictly allegations? Just wondering.
Hey idiot blogger lobbing useless commentary: Was this Stamp guy every charged with a crime? Was he ever convicted? Oh, so because someone through out some wild accusation you expect people to react to that?
You say Stamp “reportedly kept nude photos…” Reportedly by who? You? Again, was he arrested? Was he charged with a crime? Was he tried and convicted? Since all of these questions are answered with a “no” how about you fix yourself a nice big cup of shut the fuck up.
First thing’s first: I am not just an idiot blogger lobbing useless commentary. I am also an idiot radio host. Get it straight.
In regards to the rest of your comments:
1. I fully expect people to react to “some wild accusation” that “someone” (the Omaha World-Herald) “through” out because the accusations are of a disgusting and heinous manner.
2. I didn’t say “Stamp” “reportedly kept nude photos…” Nor did I report that. Again, that was the Omaha World-Herald. Simply repeating what was reported by a reputable newspaper–that’s all. Oh, and I am of the whole “concerned citizen” mentality, which–I know–no one really cares about anymore.
I guess the point is, anyone that has that sort of a relationship with a 14-year-old should absolutely be called out. And when you have a newspaper that feels confident enough about their sources to run with the story in the Sunday edition, well…I guess if you cannot see why this man has no–and I mean *NO*–business serving as the co-Chief of Staff for a mayor in any town, let alone one the size of Omaha, either:
A) You are a friend of this guy and are upset about the story, or
B) You are such a blind party political sheep that there’s nothing much I–or anyone else–could possibly say to make you realize how deeply troubling this story and allegations really are.
Tell you what: if you can provide factual evidence that the OWH ran this story based entirely on rumor and had no factual evidence behind it, I will be the first person to get on the airwaves and tell that story.
Sadly, my guess is that you cannot.
I totally agree with you gahill, I happen to have gotten the privlage to befriend the late “14 year old” who evenutally took his life. There are 2 articles that id like people to read, one, is Brads bio/obit and the amazing feets and accomplishments hes attemped and made for the glbt community, the second one still about Brad, just happens to be right below the first one with you guessed it none other than Matthew Samps name and even personal quotes about Brad from him in it. I found it on google and the proof to me is very erie and almost warrents a natural judgemnet. Now again im no rocket scientist but as the OWH reported this “minor at the time killed himself”. I find it alittle odd that Mr. Samps name appears more the once in these articles about my late friend Brad Fuglei. I dont know of any other suicides in this city, with evidence as black and white as this… MAYBE BECAUSE ITS TRUE! I may no more than i care to, but as you said before, this warrents an appology to Brads Family for smearing him almost 8 years after his death! He deserves nothing to be left to rest finally once and for all in peace! if a person like this is, im sorry was, co-chief to the mayor elect the citizens of Omaha deserve the right to know who and aparently what we have running the future of our community…
http://www.soulforce.org/article/653
I love the democrats coming out of the woodwork to defend a child molester!
Typical of the left!
I think that the key to all of this is that all statements made are all “allegations” There was never any charges made, or time served for this alleged “crime.” Yes, unfortunately a teen lost his life; I am not excusing that in any shape or form. However, if the allegations were true or worthy of investigation then the investigation would have gone on with or without the alleged victim. If there were nude pictures, or any suspicion of physical evidence then there was a search warrant that would have been served.
As another post states, Matthew Samp’s name appears in the memorial and obit for Brad. At the time of these statements, don’t you believe that Brad’s family would have come forward then and spoken up?
These were “accusations of a disgusting and heinous manner” but unless you are privileged to be this supposed “credible Source” or to know Matthew Samp or know anything about his personality or background sexually or not, it is not accurate to claim these statements as anything more than accusations. These allegations were made in 2001, it is now 2009 and people are dragging Matthew Samp’s name through the mud for an allegation that was never proven. Much like another comment stated, Brad Flugei deserves to rest in peace.
First, I’m not in favor of Suttle. Don’t know him. Didn’t vote for him as I don’t live in Omaha, I’m technically in the county.
Second, it’s complete bullshit that you quote the Omaha World Herald as your source. Don’t be such a pussy. Go find your own sources for a story.
Third, you did say that Stamp reportedly kept nude photos. Read what you wrote moron. First paragraph, last sentence: “Oh, and Samp reportedly kept nude photos of this 14-YEAR-OLD.”
The problem is this. All you’ve done is helped keep a rumor going by re-reading what the OWH says. What if someone made an accusation against you? What if someone just threw out there that you had an inappropriate relationship with someone. No charges, no trial, just a baseless rumor in a newspaper struggling to get readers before going out of business, printing an article in hopes of driving viewership. What would you do if they fired you from your radio show? All because of a rumor from a “reputable newspaper.”
Rumors like that destroy peoples lives. Take a look at the McMartin pre-school incident in Manhattan Beach California. It destroyed a family and business and for what? Because a crazy alcoholic woman wanted to get revenge against her ex-husband and had her kid make up a molestation story.
Like I said before, I’m not in politics, or involved in any way with Suttle. I am concerned about a society that can print rumors, with scant hearsay he said she said information and have someone lose a job over it. That’s not freedom of the press. And it’s that kind of shitty reporting that puts newspapers out of business.
Are you now censoring dissenting opinion? That’s mighty Omaha World Herald of you.
I haven’t come out of the wood work, always been here, always will be.
I do believe since you feel it necessary to through your political affiliation out there (as you are the only one on this blog to do that) you might want to get your facts straight before you blab what you consider to be correct.
1. Samp is not a child molester, as he was never charged. If he was charged, he would appear on the sex offender list. If you would like to check this, you can go to: http://www.omahasheriff.org/services/sex-offender-registry.
2. Is this your political affiliation making you assume this, as I believe it is “typical of the right ” for a republican to blab on about a topic while assuming that you are correct, when in all actuality you are far from the truth.
3. It may also be your clouded republican ways that I am sure (you sound ignorant enough) you just hate anyone who has any mention of “gay” in their lifestyle.
4. Why don’t you find something real to complain about, I know and understand the fact that you are a republican and that you may have a hard time being factual on much. Perhaps you may feel ore fulfilled if you complain about or educate yourself on some close minded “typical of the right.”
Go to any of Samp’s websites and you’ll see what a freak he is.
I am with you! I knew Brad well and Samp IS guilty as sin…it’s been 8 years – of COURSE there is no evidence. I am not surprised they couldn’t find anything. Samp may be sick but he isn’t stupid. And I am tired of all these people harping on the fact that there were convictions etc etc?? Lest i remind people about good ole OJ Simpson? Guilty as hell but he still roams free!
ooops – I meant NO convictions…