Well, the National Park Service has finally acted. Finally.
For months, we’ve had to read about an investigation into alleged “misconduct and criminal” activities of John Latschar, Superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park with respect to his relationship with the Gettysburg Foundation. I won’t get into all the allegations – some of which aren’t really known despite the reports in the Washington Post – but some misconduct was found to be substantiated via Latschar’s own admissions.
3,456 pornographic images of the “most sexually explicit” variety were found on Latschar’s work computer (federally owned) after an analysis of his computer’s hard drive.
Latschar’s punishment? Job reassignment within the National Park Service. He gets to hide inside with a new desk job.
The asshat should be fired. Period.
And while the news reports states that the internal Interior Department investigation found “no criminal actions” on the part of Latschar, I feel compelled to point out that downloading 3,456 pornographic images of the “most sexually explicit” variety represents the theft of honest services by Latschar. I well imagine that it took a large chunk of time – during which Latschar was paid – to search for and download all those “most” images onto a computer owned by the taxpayer. And that does not even address those images which might be of the “lesser” variety.
John A. Latschar needs to be fired. And the Interior Department should immediately file charges against him for theft of services. No public employee should escape criminal charges for downloading pornographic images on a publicly-owned computer while being paid by the taxpayer.
Here is the Official Report but it omits reference to the pornographic images.
Here is the WaPo article that goes into detail about the internal memo which describes the pornographic images (said to be in the 10’s of thousands).
Update (sorta). Latschar has friends: boroughvent.com
7 Comments
October 23, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I’ve not read about this but it does sound like he was spending way too much time doing something that really wasn’t work.
I don’t particularity care about the images unless of course they were images of children – a whole other ball game in my book – and I wonder at if we’d even know if they were of chidren or it that would have been hidden.
Way too many people getting paid to do very little.
[ed note: I suspect that if the images were of children that he'd already be in jail. But he ought to be charged for all this time he spent not doing the taxpayer's business while being paid to do the taxpayer's business, all while utilizing taxpayer resources. I cannot image how long it took him to download 10's of thousands of images not related to his job, nor do I know how much money it cost for the electricity to power the electronics he used to access those images. I can only live with him not being criminally charged if he were to be fired. Just plain fire him.]
November 19, 2009 at 9:46 pm
You’re an idiot and the shit you post is nothing more than a rant by a small person that feels the need to kick a good man while he is down. John was too good for Gettysburg in so many ways. He gave his life to the park and the history of our country, and because some small-minded people didn’t like the leadership he showed they went on a witch-hunt. You disgust me.
[ed note: he gave his life? must be why he's still alive and working to the tune of $160K+ down in Fredericsburg. Latsher isn't "down;" he's living high on the porn hog. 3500+ porn images on a work computer isn't what I call leadership; it's what I call theft of honest services. Or, in plain language: a felony. So glad I have the opportunity to disgust you. It's what every stupid ass deserves to have happen.]
October 24, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Oh…this is precious. I just got home after a long day of Saturday work and what do I find???
Guess where they sent that guy you are talking about above. lol
They sent him to work here.
[ed note: NOOOO!!!!!! Quick, hide your laptop!]
October 24, 2009 at 5:13 pm
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=96902
October 31, 2009 at 5:18 pm
fu+k you.
this is ridiculous. the time your spending on this topic is not worth the air your waisting with your existance. people like you that take this shit seriously should be killed. you critisize this man although he hasnt been convicted of nothin you shit. you disrespect democracy by doing this.
[ed note: you waste my time by spelling so poorly. your thought process isn't much better. failing to use your brain is the real waste here.]
November 4, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Downloading porn while at work? Federal job? Paid for by taxpayers? Fire his ass!
November 5, 2009 at 11:43 am
When I worked for the Veteran’s Administration, I was told that I could be fired for stealing a pen and this pervert gets to remain employed by the Government. Where’s the justice?