By Investigative Reporter, Linda Sutter – July 21, 2024

Del Norte County residents are raising serious questions about how their tax dollars are being used, following the revelation of corruption and mismanagement  within local government  and emergency services. The scandal erupted after the investigation into a deadly barn fire on May 2, 2021, uncovered falsified reports and a troubling cover-up.

The fire, which tragically claimed the life of a 29 year old Tamara Sanders, which was reported at 1106 p.m. on May 2, 2021. Multiple agencies, including CALFIRE, responded with 15 personnel on the scene. However, inconsistencies in the fire reports, particularly those filed by Ryan Wakefield, who identifies himself as Assistant Chief of the California Governor’s OES department, have raised flags. Wakefield’s report, generated on May 4, 2021, and not signed off by Chief Gillespie until December 2021, falsely claimed there was no arson or death involved.

Questions have arisen about the delayed approval of the report and the absence of an investigation by the State Fire Marshal. Sources suggest that Sheriff Garrett Scott recently played a role in preventing a thorough investigation by withholding crucial reports authored by Deputy Amezcua and Fire Captain Beyea of CALFIRE from the mother of the deceased and from public view.  It is worthy to note this case was closed on July 11^th, 2021. These reports, which contained conflicting information, were critical to understanding the true cause and circumstances of the fire.

Further complicating the case, Coroner Michelle Green’s reports initially stated the body was found on May 4^th at 0842 a.m. hours only later to change to May 3 in a supplemental report. Deputy Hunter’s report  demonstrated time of death was May 3 at 0842 a.m. . Dr. Olsen’s autopsy report also contradicted these findings, asserting time of death was late in the evening of May 4^th. Officer Hunter’s report corroborated by Caretaker  Joseph Capiello’s photographic evidence, indicating the body was indeed found on May 3^rd.

Adding to the suspicion, Amezcua’s alleged emails  reportedly referenced gun casings and a firearm at the scene. Evidence that Sheriff Scott refuses to release. This coupled with Scott’s previous actions-allowing a deputy with a criminal record to retire with Officer pay and promoting an officer with two DUIs-paints a picture of a department mired in corruption.

This scandal has underscored the misuse of taxpayer money in Del Norte County. In 2020, residents approved Measure R, a 1% sales tax increase intended to fund roads, police, and fire services. Instead, roads turned into funding for parking lots, police are underpaid, which allows less than standard officers getting hired, and emergency services are implicated in serious misconduct. The Crescent Protective Fire District, which also raised home taxes by $98.00, has been accused of falsifying fire reports. Complaints which will soon be filed with the California State Fire Marshal.

As the Community faces these alarming revelations, the public is urged to scrutinize where their tax dollars are going and demand accountability. The November ballot provides an opportunity to repeal the tax increases and send a clear message that corruption and mismanagement will not be tolerated.

This story highlights the urgent need for transparency and reform in Del Norte County to restore public trust and ensure that tax dollars are used to genuinely benefit the community.