This is a perfect example of where the Whistleblower Plan that the Grand Jury recommended 10 years ago and Dave Pine was prepared to present last month would work. Don Horsley objected citing might cause mischief.

Web Link

Were Deputy Sheriffs DJ Wozniak, Robert Pronske, Michael Guidotti, or Leo Capovilla part of the group? Has any news organization reported the names of the loud and obnoxious group of deputies who were there? If not, why not? Come on Almanac, get to work!

You won't find this story in the San Mateo County Times either, It's not newsworthy i guess.

This crime was solved with one phone call. No investigation needed

Michael, you are wrong. The fellow was arrested for grand theft, but the article is silent about whether DA Stephen Wagstaffe has filed any criminal charges. Only he can. I'm sure based on his past behavior he is hoping for no press coverage so he can sweep this under the rug. This should be front page news. The should reflect very negatively on Greg Munks who hired thus roadhouse bully. Wagstaffe is complicit in all of this. There should have been immediate criminal charges filed.

I'm often pretty jaded about some of the idiots reporting on Patch who think that they're journalists (one involved in dog rescue particularly comes to mind). This article, written by the victim, is however an example of what Patch does very well - giving voice to those who otherwise would be shut down by mainstream media. This incident reminds me of the one this past summer where a dog was shot on its own property by the stupid SM Co deputy. I'm not sure how far the dog owner has gotten w/her complaint, but she's done an admirable job trying to get the word out via Patch.
What kind of leadership can we expect from a sheriff & undersheriff who get busted for going to an illegal bordello (when there were legal ones just a few miles away)? Apparently, this is the kind of leadership we get. Do we deserve better if we elected Munks?
I'm glad that at least in this case his instrument was recovered & the thief has gotten into trouble.

Sheriff Deputy Hatt is out on $10,000 bail next Court date is Jan. 28, 2013
The value of the trumpet is $2,000 plus the coat should equal Grand Theft,

Web Link

Pretty sad display by law enforcement officers. Unfortunately, due to the Peace Officers Bill of Rights, we'll never know if they receive any discipline. The only person that we MIGHT hear about is Hatt and that is only because he has been booked on criminal charges. Those are public record. Given Wagstaffe's past practice, I doubt he'll actually be prosecuted.

Frankly I'm shocked that a deputy was there participating in that display in uniform. There are no regulations against drinking in uniform?

The Hotel where the theft took place was the old Clarion, Thunderbird filmed in Steve McQueen's Bullitt.

There were reportedly security cameras on that area according to the victim. Wonder what happened to the "film?"

One of the other officers present was Russell Schermerhorn. He was the one whose receipt was brought up at the hotel, from which we discovered a sheriff was responsible. DA Karen Guidotti is representing me. She's married to a Sheriff. This sounds like a conflict of interest to me. I wish they would talk to me about it. I feel left in the dark. Anybody out there a lawyer? Thanks.

Yes, Karen Guidotti's husband Michael Guidotti has been with the San Mateo Sheriff's office for decades. To the Almanac editors, this can be confirmed by a simple Google search where you will find an article about Michael Guidotti's years of service to the S.M Sheriff's office.

Of course this is a conflict of interest but that's never stopped the San Mateo District Attorney's office before this.

Here's a document that shows that Michael Guidotti was honored for 20 years' of service in the San Mateo Sheriff's office:Web Link

This is a very disturbing story.

It shows that people from all backgrounds and occupations are capable of making horrifying poor decisions. That a uniformed deputy would do this to a citizen who was quietly enjoying his evening is truly upsetting. I'm sure his fellow deputies are not pleased with the way his behavior reflects on their department.

I hope this deputy pays dearly for his boorish behavior.

Lurker.....what is your hatred for the Sheriff?

Me: Resident of Woodside: I merely stated that Karen Guidotti was married to Michael Guidotti. There was nothing in my post about "hatred for the Sheriff."

Lurker.....it's just that you seem to have some serious issues with these deputies and the sheriff.

Update: Court date today 1:30 PM SSF NF416342A

What the heck happened to this case? Almanac editors?

Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?