Dear Hometown News readers,
As
many of you in the business world know, there are times when an
employee does not adhere to the same standards that you and your
company uphold. Unfortunately, Hometown News recently experienced such a situation.
It
recently came to light that a series of stories written about the Oak
Hill Police Department were not properly researched and fact-checked,
but managed to make it into publication. We have taken steps to correct
the situation in an attempt to ensure this does not happen again.
Readers
may be aware that in recent years, some of the largest media companies
in the world have experienced the same problem. Sadly, when such
incidents are discovered, the credibility of all news organizations is
called into question.
Hometown News deeply regrets that
this series of stories was published, and apologizes for any
inconvenience or concern that may have been caused. Below is our
attempt to set the record straight.
Tammy Raits
Vice president and managing editor,
Hometown News

Story published Sept. 15: “Grasso new Oak Hill chief”

. Statement: Sgt. Grasso plucked from a field of 37 candidates, most with superior qualifications.

Correction: The phrase “superior qualifications” is a judgment call made by the reporter.

Sgt. Guy Grasso was among the top three candidates and ultimately chosen as Oak Hill police chief.

. Statement: Several sharp reprimands from former Police Chief Gus Beckstrom are in Mr. Grasso’s Oak Hill personnel file.

Correction: The word “sharp” is editorializing by the reporter.

. Statement: There are also reports on file of several run-ins with Port Orange police.

Correction:
This is not the case. Mr. Grasso has never been charged or arrested by
Port Orange police or any other police agency for that matter.

. Statement: Mr. Grasso was accused of punching his sister three times in the face with a closed fist.

Correction: The implication is Mr. Grasso was accused or charged in an attack.

Mr.
Grasso and his father, Tom Grasso, a retired Daytona Beach police
captain, were trying to help his sister who was a danger to herself and
others at the time and Mr. Grasso insists she was not harmed. A police
report concurs. The responding officer wrote in his report after
questioning all three separately: “I found the affidavits and verbal
statements of T. Grasso and G. Grasso believable and plausible.I
transported her to Halifax Hospital under a Baker Act (for mental
evaluation). This case is closed. Unfounded.”

. Statement: Most
recently, in May, Mr. Grasso and officer Ricky Winston were suspended
without pay after a Volusia County Sheriff’s investigator confirmed
both had admittedly violated police department rules of conduct.

Correction:
The word admittedly is used by the reporter and is wrong. Grasso said
neither he nor Winston admitted anything. The sheriff’s report bears
that out.

. Statement: Citizens and city employees said both
Chief Grasso and officer Winston, while on duty and off, routinely and
without authorization from Chief Roy Shaffer or police department head
Mayor Thompson, spent several hours each week at the home of Vice Mayor
Lauer.

Correction: The reporter does not identify by name any
citizens or city employees to back up the claim. Mr. Grasso denies any
wrongdoing and neither officer Winston nor Vice Mayor Lauer were given
a chance by the reporter to rebut such claims.

. Statement: Vice
Mayor Lauer is under investigation by the Florida Ethics Commission,
related in part to her reputed association with Chief Grasso and
officer Winston.

Correction: Grasso said there is no association
and the implication by the reporter is that all three have done
something wrong. The reporter also fails to contact officer Winston or
the vice mayor for comment.

Story published July 28: “Sergeant who would be chief is less than candid; history of discipline not revealed in application”

. Error: The headline is factually wrong and misleading.

. Correction: There is nothing in the story to accurately support the headline.

.
Statement: In applying for the chief’s position, Sgt. Grasso failed to
file a required official Oak Hill police department job application.

Correction:
The allegation is made solely by the reporter. Mr. Grasso didn’t have
to; he wasn’t a new hire. He was seeking advancement His original
application, and resume, dated June 19, were on file and provided to
the selection committee.

. Statement: Then-Police Chief Gus Beckstrom suspended Sgt. Grasso for five days.

Correction: The record shows the suspension was 8 hours and was not signed by the chief.

. Statement: Sgt. Grasso was slammed.

Correction: This is editorializing by the reporter with no attribution or explanation.

. Statement: In other evaluations, Chief Beckstrom said Sgt. Grasso needed to motivate subordinates to take training.

Correction:
The reporter never reviewed the evaluations and didn’t give Grasso a
chance to defend himself. The reporter also did not seek comment from
Mr. Beckstrom for clarification.

. Statement: A Port Orange
resident, Sgt. Grasso’s Oak Hill personnel file documents his several
official encounters with the Port Orange police.

Correction:
“Official encounters” implies in his capacity as a police officer. This
is factually wrong as was previously stated in a correction for the
Sept. 15 edition.

. Statement: During one incident, Port Orange
police reported Sgt. Grasso was accused of punching his sister in the
face three times with a closed fist.

Correction: This is factually wrong as explained in a correction previously explained for the Sept. 15 edition.

.
Statement: Sgt. Grasso and officer Ric Winston were.they played key
roles in the scenario that put the police chief’s job up for grabs.

Correction: This is editorializing and accusatory on the part of the reporter and not supported by facts.

.
Statement: Volusia County Sheriff’s Inv. Jim Melady picked up Mr.
Zalisko’s investigation, but only validated charges that Sgt. Grasso
and officer Winston admitted to, despite, witnesses that supported
additional charges.

Correction: The officers did not admit to
anything and the sheriff’s investigator determined claims made by
others did not hold up.

. Statement: Sgt. Grasso agreed he violated department rules and regulations.

Correction: Mr. Grasso denies this as stated in corrections above and the sheriff’s Internal Affairs report bears that out.

. Statement: Lt. Melady confirmed officer Winston, with Sgt. Grasso as his supervisor, admittedly failed to obey laws.

Correction:
This is factually wrong. They broke no laws and Melady’s report bears
that out. The reporter made no attempt to contact Winston for comment.

. Statement: Sgt. Grasso failed to respond to requests to be interviewed for this story.

Correction: The reporter only sent one e-mail with questions that were either inappropriate or off subject matter.

Story published June 2: “Cops who broke rules get time off for bad behavior”

. Statement: Officer Winston with two charges.

Correction:
The word “charges” implies criminal wrongdoing. They were allegations
of departmental policy; not charges under Florida statutes.

.
Statement: Former Chief Zalisko said, “The county investigation clearly
supported my claim that these employees were guilty and found to be
guilty breaking laws.”

Correction: The reporter quoted an inaccurate statement. The fact is neither officer broke any laws.

.
Statement: Vice Mayor Darla Lauer reportedly shared details of Mr.
Zalisko’s confidential investigation with one of the officers under the
gun.

Correction: This is speculation on the part of the reporter;
not supported by facts. The implication casts suspicion on both
officers and the vice mayor was not contacted by the reporter to rebut
the accusation.

. Statement: Lt. Melady confirmed that Mr. Winston failed to obey laws.

Correction:
This is factually wrong. Winston broke no law and the reporter never
contacted Melady. The reporter failed to contact officer Winston for
comment.