The local Post Register went after Judge Joel Tingey today for his light sentence given to convicted felon Brooke Armstong. Brooke Armstrong embezzled over $150,000.00 over a three year period from three different employers.
Brooke Armstrong - convicted of stealing over $150,000.00
You can read more about the story here: http://www.idahofallstoday.com/2009/05/20/where%E2%80%99s-the-justice-are-our-judges-too-soft-on-crime-is-the-judicial-system-broken/ and here: http://www.kpvi.com/global/story.asp?s=10383749
There are many in the community who are surprised at the light sentence, and are asking themselves, why does this lady only receive 4 months on work release, while others have received as much as 8 years for stealing a fraction as much.
The local Post Register isn’t fond of Tingey’s light sentence either. Today they wrote:
“Jeers to 7th District Court Judge Joel Tingey.
…
Prosecutors asked Tingey to send Armstrong to prison for at least a year and a half, and up to 10 years. The fact is that this was no impulse crime. Armstrong woke up every day planning to break the law. She had a plan, and victimized three different organizations.
Perhaps Tingey should have looked to his more experienced colleagues on this one.
Earlier this month, District Judge Jon Shindurling sentenced former Bonneville County employee Lisa Hansen to two to eight years in prison for stealing more than $26,000 while on the job. Shindurling retained jurisdiction in the case, meaning Hansen will spend 180 days in prison before the judge decides whether to impose his sentence or give Hansen probation.
…
Prosecutors are seeking $70,000 from Armstrong in restitution, though that’s not a done deal. Forcing her to pay back less than half of what she stole, and gifting Armstrong with 120 days in a work release program hardly seems a good way to deter the next would-be embezzler from cooking the books..”
There is at least some speculation that there was something more going on behind this. At least one person on this site has has indicated Judge Tingey may have been influenced by: “some behind the scenes intervention from a prominent local politician/attorney that was present at her sentencing, that got Ms. Armstrong a better deal than her lawyer was able to cut for her.”
If that is true, it would be a real back eye for the local justice system. And what should be done with those involved?
Does anyone know who that prominent politician/attorney could be? Does Tingey usually give weak sentences, or is this just a blunder among a historically good judging record? Does a sentence like this embolden others to steal money from others, or help show the humanity of “giving a second chance”?
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It WAS all he had to say about it!
:@:)
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{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Who’s gonna better judge a judge?
You’re asking a lot, “Mother Nature.”
No one here hasn’t made a mistake, nor have they not sinned. “And Jesus said let him who has not sinned throw the first stone,” or something like that.
Not that I’m saying the judge should have given her a light sentence, but what I am saying is that you are now calling out the sinners here to sentence her, or at least call judgement upon her judge.
We aren’t judges, Mother Nature. Regardless of our sins we’re all sinners.
CONFESSION TIME
In grade school I stole money out of the “Chamber Of Comer’s” petty cash bag (my mom worked there and was their book keeper – no, not in Idaho Falls). I stole the money to buy comic books and candy. I don’t know why. I guess just because I could.
I was never caught and I’ve never told anyone, until now.
Between my freshman and senior years of high school I worked as a waitress, in one restaurant. Sometimes the customers would leave their money -cash- behind on the table with the bill. Sometimes I kept it. I don’t know why. It’s not like I needed the money, I didn’t. I was working and receiving what I worked for. I guess I was just greedy.
I never was caught and I’ve never told anyone, until now.
I don’t know why Brook Armstrong did what she did. Chances are she just did it because she could. I don’t know why the judge gave her such a lenient sentence. Chances are he did so because he knew she’s not a hardened criminal and only did what she did because… who knows why? Maybe because she hadn’t been caught. Now she’s been caught.
Chances are she’ll never do it again. Let’s give her that chance, MK, Mother?
I’ve served more time for possessing 1 gram of a harmless plant, than this woman received for actually hurting someone else!! Our justice system is a sham!
You spoke too early Untwisted.
I’m trying to figure out how exactly this woman caused physical harm to anyone by stealling money.
Last I heard slu drug possession is still a crime, regardless of how much safer it is than lollipops and sourcream, the fact is it’s still illegal.
There’s that age old saying about don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.
The post register is playing smoke and mirrors to appease King Frank. If you read the editorial carefully you’ll note that despite the PR’s attempts to misguide people from the truth that the sentence Armstrong got is in fact similar to the sentences the other embezzlers got.
For instance, the Jefferson county employee, something Tingey (no relation to the judge) did a six month rider in Cottonwood. Sure his sentence says he got more years in prison but the judge retained jurisdiction (fancy speak for a rider) meaning that in reality he only did six months. Two more than Armstrong will do.
I believe in comparing apples to apples – what people REALLY serve as to what they could potentially serve. And when you do that you’ll see Armstrong didn’t receive preferential treatment. This is only an issue this time because King Frank is involved.
Wendyjo says: Chances are she’ll never do it again. Let’s give her that chance, MK, Mother?
Didin’t I read that this is her 2nd or 3rd offense? She obviously has a problem that should preclude her from working with money.
I don’t know about the sentencing, but it does seem that someone should have been aware of her past acts. I’ve seen landlords of cheap apartments run credit and background checks, and these people didn’t run one on an employee with access to this much money?
Seems like maybe someone dropped the ball.
“I’m trying to figure out how exactly this woman caused physical harm to anyone by stealling money.”
What? Who said anyone caused anyone physical harm.
I just said that she hurt people. Stealing 150,000 hurts people a helluvalot more than someone possessing a harmless plant. Thats all.
lol @ slu
Even when the topic has nothing to do with weed, he knows how to turn it right back around.
Fool.
So true. Maybe he should change his name to hi-jack slu.
Why does there need to be two articles on this same subject? Perhaps this one could be appended (sans all cannabis remarks) with Joe Plumber’s article posted 20 May 09.
Just a suggestion.
This is funny! Someone actually made a parody about this:
http://www.houndbite.com/?houndbite=11248
Absolutely hilarious! We need more good comedy like this around Idaho Falls. We’re way too stiff and dry around here.
Marcus the joke (for me) is how little time you spend here, but how much of that time you spend on addressing me (and not the topic). Almost funnier than this parody.
BTW – Keywest that “embezzlers group trying to get Joel Tingy re-elected” ROFL!!!
ok, that link was great! ROTFL!!!!!!!!!
“Hi Im Joe Smith”.. LOL
What do you want to bet that soundbite was made at one of Frank V’s radio stations? It sure must be fun to own all those toys and people. You can laugh now but don’t be surprised by who will be trying to buy a new judge next time Judge Tingey’s seat is up for election.
Tingey deserves to get recalled for his soft treatment on sex offenders around here……his kid gloves approach to Mrs. Armstrong was no doubt based on all the aches and pains Mrs. Armstrong has endured in her life….seriously, she was depressed and had a shopping addiction….that is why she did it. It’s the same garbage he accepts from sex offenders that claim they were molested therefore they now molest. This guy is living in a white tower and has no street smarts. He may be a 100 pound head and smart in some ways, but he lacks common sense. And if you have ever had the privilege to run into Mr. Tingey at the Courthouse or in the community you will immediately get the sense that he believes he is better (and smarter) than everybody else……and it shows. I for one would love to see Frank back a candidate and put Tingey back in private practice.
I was told Tingey had almost zero criminal law experience when he hit the bench (kind of like Richard St. Clair who gave Brad Stowell only 150 days in jail for molesting scouts). The real problem is the Idaho Judicial Council members advising governor’s Kempthorne and Otter to put a couple of nit-wit civil law attorneys on the bench who have been making apologies to defendants and not sending dangerous and prolific criminals to prison. So much for deterring people from committing crime around here.
Judge Marv Smith was getting soft on people for awhile too many years ago….then his kid got beat up and was victimized….Smith changed his tune pretty quick. Sad to say but it would seem that Tingey needs to get robbed or beaten up to understand that he needs to do a better job dealing with criminals rather than finding ways to excuse their behavior(s) by accepting lame excuses that keep the revolving door of the criminal justice system working hard and fast in Bonneville County. Keep up the good work Tingey—give Frank (and the rest of us) some more ammo to use on you!
Am I the only who is rubbed so wrong by Frank Vandersloot that I almost want to give Armstrong a medal for stealing from him? I say almost, I don’t condone stealing but I can’t deny there is a part of me taking some joy that it was Frank she did it from.
hey, just curious (and not saying i don’t agree) but what is everyone reasons for being so bitter with Mr Vandersloot?
I think if he didn’t bother to do background checks on his employees he almost deserves to be ripped off. I also think anyone who steals over a hundred thousand dollars ought to get a heaver prison sentence than this. Although this guy can probably afford it, if you let someone like this Brooke Armstrong off light it’s just encouraging others to do the same thing. Plus, there are people out there who’d be delighted to spend a few months in jail for a $150,000.00+ payoff. And Next time it could be someone who can’t afford it.
April, as for why people don’t like the guy, having watched the site for a while, I think it typically falls into one of a few groups:
1) the gay groups don’t like him because he was against using tax dollars to run “Its Elementary” (a pro-gay documentary about the topic of homosexuality in elementary school) run on Public Television.
LINK: Pro it’s elementary information
LINK: Anti it’s elementary information (also includes video clips from the show)
2) The athiests dont like him because he’s a mormon
LINK: obvious BYU affiliation
3) The liberals don’t like him because he’s conservative.
(I don’t have a link for this one, but I think it’s pretty obvious)
Others tend to like him quite a bit or are neutral:
1) The religious groups tend to like him because he’s stood up for family values
2) Many in the general public appreciate his sponsoring the fireworks via his Melaleuca Freedom Celebration.
3) The conservatives tend to support him because he seems to typically support conservative thinking. (although I think I remember him supporting some individual liberals from time to time. I’m not sure how the conservatives feel about that.)
4) I’m guessing his employees appreciate him for providing employment. (he’s brought a few thousand jobs to the area)
He also appears to have a reputation for helping others out like with the Hurricane Katrina drive he organized, September 11th relief fund, food drives, etc. and other local support groups.
For me, I don’t agree with everything he does, but he seems to have done a lot for the area.
I have no problem with the man but I have a few girlfriends that work for him and he doesn’t pay his employees very well unless you’re in upper management. Two of my friends quit after many years of working there to find better opportunites somewhere else, and the other stayed on because she felt it was a secure job and she’s got 3 kids to feed. Problem is she complains about her job constantly so I don’t know.
I think too many people have a problem with others in general, that have money. Whether they made their own money or the inherited it. People (i think moreso in this state) hate seeing somebody else doing better than them and so Mr.V is an easy target for them to talk bad about.
Nobody can afford to loose 150 thousand dollars I don’t care how much money you have. The point is this woman got off with a wrist slap.
thanks for answering my inquiry
Anon left out a few pertinent reasons to dislike Frank Vandersloot.
1) He made direct attacks on the victims of child molestation during the Scout scandal suggesting things like they might have liked it, it may not really have been that bad for them, or they may not remember things clearly. He even published false information in an attempt to discredit the victims.
2) He buys elections by funding personally picked candidates.
3) He is far too pushy in the political arena itself trying to push his fringe conservative values. While what he does is perfectly legal it still tastes rotten.
Referring to the attacks he made against the child molestation victims, his attacks were so vile and vicious that Frank himself later apologized to everyone for the way he behaved. Even Frank knew he had gone too far.
Frank not only pays most of his employees below poverty level, he fights local progress. He wrote letters to the editor crying against Center Partners and Qwest coming to Idaho Falls because it would force him to pay his employees more than $6 per hour.
Judge Joel Tingy should be ashamed of himself for giving such a light sentance. After this kind of a sentance I am thinking about changing jobs and becoming an embezzler! Crime does seem to pay here in Bonneville County. I wonder do you think if Judge Tingy was the victim here he would sing a different note?
Maybe Brooke Armstrong paid off Judge Tingy. I heard somewhere that Judge Tingy was in private practice for a lot of years. I believe that Blake Hall was a partner of his in the firm he worked at. Does anyone know who Blake Hall is? Well I do, he is the Bonneville County Civil Attorney and is also heavily involved in the Republican Party. It is common knowledge that Mr. Hall is directly involved in giving nominations to the Governor when it is time to appoint judges. As a matter a fact I believe there is more than one judge sitting on the bench right now who were also former partners in Blake Halls firm.
I heard that an attorney wrote a letter addressing it to the judge on behalf of Brooke Armstrong telling the court that she is a really good person and shouldn’t be punished because she is sorry and won’t ever do it again. Didn’t Brooke get caught stealing from not 1 but 3 different employers? Rumor has it that Blake Hall is the one that sent that letter. Does anyone know if that is true?
If it is true how inappropriate is that? Tell me this sentance was not rigged if Blake did in fact send the letter to the court. Blake Hall has been known to have affairs and I heard he is now divorced because of it. Did Blake Hall sleep with Brooke Armstrong? Maybe Judge Tingy was doing Blake a favor so that he could keep his girlfriend out of Jail.
Wasn’t Blake Hall the “unrelated” attorney who was in the courtroom during the sentencing?
OK, so if:
Attorney Blake Hall / Brooke Armstrong affair,
Personalized letters to Judge Tingey from Blake Hall,
Blake Hall surprising showing up at the sentencing,
Blake Hall and Judge Tingey – Previous business partners,
and Brooke Armstrong receives a light sentence.
Does anyone smell a scandal?
Now hold on for a second. does anyone have any first hand knowledge on this stuff or evidence? otherwise its all just speculation.
If any of it is true, thats one thing. If not, then its useless trash. So lets hear sources or evidence, people.
I agree with Joe and second that opinion.
sounds like the conspiracy theorists are workin overtime on this one.
The scuttlebutt is that Blake Hall is the prominent attorney and politician in question. Furthermore, it is my understanding that “UPSET!” is correct regarding Mr. Hall’s letter to Judge Tingey on Brooke’s behalf. Unfortunately, though, I cannot give up my sources.
We can only hope that the Post Register or some other local news agency does some digging to find the true story behind the Armstrong-Tingey case.
Local News agency….. digging? MWHAHAHAHA
That’s just funny. Most of what any local news usually reports is presented to them on a platter. It’s a rare occasion that they dig for anything. But I’m with you Scuttlebutt, I hope they do.
April – One can dream can’t they?
I have also heard that Hall and Armstrong were in an affair. If that is true… it gives much more meat to the story and the need for further digging.
So if the Blake Hall/Brooke Armstrong rumor turns out to be true, then I’ll have to do a revision on my parody… Here’s the link to the first one:
http://www.eastidahonews.com/embezzlersclubreelecttingey.mp3
The next one might be titled “Embezzlers for the Advancement of Philandering Attorneys”…
Scuttlebutt and April,
If that is true, it worries me and gives me great concern over the integrity of our local judicial system.
If a letter was placed into the file one would think that the media could petition to look at the letters of support attached to the Presentence Report should be discloseable or maybe Frank should have someone look into the issue.
Does anyone know who Brooke’s husband is? Maybe he has connections to Hall…..or someone who really knows Hall well and asked for a little intervention to same her from prison?
I just found this article from back in 2007 when Judge Tingey was appointed:
Link: Idaho Falls Lawyer Appointed as New Judge
It looks like Tingey and Hall were business partners?! Is there a chance that special favors have been going on for some time between these two?
Is anyone looking into this stuff?
apparently not the news reporters that work for that station.
Her husband is Taylor Armstrong. A good friend of Mike Smith. Brooke worked for Mike. Mike Smith and Blake Hall are very close.
Ah, the pieces of the puzzle are put into place.