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Manassas Park Kiddie Porn Coverup
By Greg L | 11 September 2007 | Rack & Roll Scandal, Crime | 44 Comments
The Manassas Park Planning Commission had a review of the Conditional Use Permit for Rack n’ Roll Billiards which provided an opportunity for City Attorney Dean Crowhurst to play a role similar to that of a prosecutor before the commission, which was not only completely bizarre, but yielded a shocking revelation. Dean Crowhurst told the Planning Commission that he was in possession of evidence that indicated that former Manassas Park Vice Mayor and current Planning Commission member Kevin Brendel had taken nude photographs of underage girls. The timeline on all of this seems to indicate that he knew of this criminal activity while Brendel was Vice Mayor, and before he was appointed to the planning commission position he now holds. Now that’s an interesting qualification for appointed office!
This evidence is apparently subject to a protective order that the city requested in connection with the successful appeal by Dave Ruttenberg of the Governing Body’s decision to revoke a Conditional Use Permit. Nonetheless, Dean Crowhurst described in some detail photographic evidence that has long been in the possession of the City of Manassas Park regarding Kevin Brendel’s photographic exploits, perhaps in violation of that order. Why the City would seek to obtain a protective order regarding evidence of a crime against children was not explained, nor was there any discussion regarding the legal or ethical basis for purposely covering up evidence of a crime by the City Attorney and presumably the Manassas Park Governing Body.
In Dean Crowhurst’s haste to smear Dave Ruttenberg, often with what would seem to be deliberate misrepresentations of the truth, and in some cases statements that were flat out untruthful, it would seem to me that he has confessed to a crime, if it is in fact unlawful for a city official to suppress evidence of a crime involving other city officials. As I understand it, Kevin Brendel, while he was Vice Mayor of Manassas Park and moonlighting as a DJ at Rack n’ Roll, covertly took nude photographs of underage girls at Rack N’ Roll (without Ruttenberg’s knowledge) and turned this evidence over to the City of Manassas Park to be used against David Ruttenberg in a future action to revoke his liquor license. Kevin Brendel later failed to be re-elected as Vice Mayor, and was appointed to the Planning Commission. This evidence was not presented in court, but provided to a judge and placed under a protective order at the request of the City of Manassas Park, which is still in effect. Although the case is now over, and there hasn’t been an appeal filed (contrary to the statements of Dean Crowhurst to the commission this evening), this protective order seemed to suppress any discussion of this topic, at least until Dean Crowhurst decided to start discussing it during an open session of the commission that was being televised on the local cable franchise. Oops!
Of note at tonight’s hearing, the Planning Commission had the courage to slow down this railroading of Dave Ruttenberg and has tabled any action to revoke his Conditional Use Permit until the facts surrounding this issue can be more adequately substantiated, over the objections of current Vice Mayor and Planning Commissioner (an unusual dual role to both be on the Governing Body and the Planning Commission that advises it, no?) Brian Polk. Seeing the Planning Commission wisely decide to table this for further review and thwart Manassas Park’s plans to ramrod a recommendation through the commission this evening and then have the Governing Body act on this matter tomorrow (!), restores my hope that there are good people in Manassas Park that really want to do the right thing, and will try to take the time to get it right. I was very pleasantly surprised, and impressed that while the City’s powers that be had an obvious outcome that they wanted to deliver, and the Planning Commission had the courage to slow this railroad down for a while in order to fully understand what’s going on here. Even if they later determine that the should recommend that the CUP for Rack n’ Roll be revoked, they’ve at least sent a strong message that they’re going to try to get and understand as best they can all the facts before reaching any decision. I was so proud of them for just trying to do the right thing here.
I’m pretty sure Dean Crowhurst had the intention of depicting Dave Ruttenberg as the latest incarnation of the devil himself, and overreached so far that he ended up implicating himself in something that is at bestterribly unethical, and may well be unlawful. This could, and should break the Rack n’ Roll story wide open for the public at large to learn more about this utterly amazing story. Nothing gets the media going better than a good old fashioned political sex scandal, and that’s exactly what we’ve got here.
Stay tuned. This is going to break it all wide open.
Here’s who is on the Planning Commission:
Lawrence Ledbetter, Chairperson
Ed Rishell, Jr., Vice Chairperson
Oscar Jamilla
Kevin Brendel (absent)
Rebecca Vilalpando
Bryan Polk
John Evans (absent)
Lawrence Ledbetter, Ed Rishell, Oscar Jamilla and Rebecca Vilalpando all deserve a big round of applause for recognizing that this case involved some significant disputes about what the facts were and ensuring that they would have adequate time to sift through this and be able to make an informed decision that was in the best interests of the residents and the city. Taking the time to make sure they could cast informed votes about this Conditional Use Permit, especially when there was no deadline for reaching a decision, is a simple but refreshing change. They really are a credit to their city, and readers should take a moment to thank them for derailing this railroad long enough to get an handle on what they were being asked to do.
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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Recall trial, anyone?
http://www2.sbe.virginia.gov/web_docs/Election/Results/2004/May2004/685.htm
Some of these Manassas Park officials seem like they are right out of a creepy novel. How was this stuff transmitted (email/internet)? Doesn’t that automatically give FBI jurisdiction? This gets crazier all the time.
Wow, you are complementing a Rishell. Really?
What’s the “over/under” that the Manassas JM will pick this up, in about 2 days? They’ll read it here, confirm it, and run story on it.
the MJM is busy condemning the resolution passed by PWC. to wit:
“During its two-year existence, the Latino Fest in Manassas Park had become a big draw.
In both 2005 and 2006, the festival had drawn around 40 vendors as well as an estimated 7,500 attendees.
But after the Prince William Board of County Supervisors passed a resolution in July seeking to deny county services to illegal immigrants, interest from sponsors and vendors suddenly waned.
So much that the city decided to cancel the event, which was supposed to have taken place last Saturday at Signal Hill Park. Both Mayor Frank Jones and city staff believe there is a connection between the county’s resolution and the lack of interest from vendors this year.”
Considering that MP is very pro illegal immigration, why would the Festival be canceled?
“How was this stuff transmitted (email/internet)?”
My understanding is that it was confiscated from the computer that the pictures were uploaded to from the camera.
There is nothing I’ve seen to suggest that these pictures were transmitted over the internet, although that is a possibility. If that is so then it is likely that someone besides MP has a copy of these pictures.
“Lawrence Ledbetter, Ed Rishell, Oscar Jamilla and Rebecca Vilalpando all deserve a big round of applause for recognizing that this case involved some significant disputes about what the facts were and ensuring that they would have adequate time to sift through this and be able to make an informed decision that was in the best interests of the residents and the city.”
Get real. The only best interest that was served here was that of their own sorry butts. If Dave Ruttenberg gets a fair shake in the bargain, that is only incidental to their real goal. The city of Manassas Park was so into “get Ruttenberg” that they did not care if a sex crime was committed and innocent girls hurt in the process. Now Brendel’s misdeeds have seen the light of day, and they have switched to damage control mode in hopes that the rest of the planning commission is not taken down with them.
Crowhurst should be brought before the bar for his role in this scandal. Someone who resorts to such sleazy tactics is not fit to hold a law license.
Just News : The declline in interest and participation in the Manassas Park Latino Fest is probably because a good percentage of the participants and possibly the vendors are illegals. If one is here legally, what does one have to worry about? Jellyfish Jones needs to think about this. Hmmmmm
This whole Rack and Roll scandal really needs to be blown up. What the hell is Ebert doing about this? Where in the world are citizens to turn when two major counties in NoVA have Commonwealth’s Attorneys who consistently ignore the wrongdoings of the elites? Virginia needs to estanlish an Independent Prosecutors office within the AG’s office to oversee the CAs and prosecute politically charged cases. I am dead serious about this - we need to start an online petition and put pressure on the legislature.
Dean Crowhurst =Michael Bryon Nifung?????
OOOOOPS - “Nifong.”
This town never ceases to amaze me. Round up all these clowns and arrest them. God I’m sick of this corrupt ass town.
You are all such losers. I was TOTALLY not all the way naked when Kevvy helped me with my modeling shots! He didn’t even charge me!! He even drove me to Fashion Fantasy to buy pink langeray-my FAVE color! Plus he paid! And I am NOT underage! I turn 14 in December. So there. Manassas Park Middle RULEZ!!
Back off sista! He’s my photog and is going to make ME a star! My costumes came from Fredericks, not that cheap-azzed Fashion Fantasy. He said I am the hottest Freshman he’s ever seen (I’m a Sophmore this year). GO COUGARS!
From the network that brought you Bret Michael’s “Rock of Love”, comes a new suburban reality show: “Kevin Brendell’s Park of Love”: 20 hot, young aspiring teen models compete to be Kevin’s star, but only one can win. Tune in each week as they compete for the most lens-time. The personalities, the tempers, the competition and the back-stabbing ensue, as each competes for the coveted “cellar pass” which keeps them from being eliminated. Each week, one girls dreams of stardom will be crushed, as she is sent home to Mom and Dad.
Coming this Fall, on VH-1!
What’s a langeray?
Once again Greg, you show your complete ignorance of the state code and local ordinances, so lets start the civics lesson and take this point by point.
“an unusual dual role to both be on the Governing Body and the Planning Commission” - Actually, no, it is quite common and in fact in many jurisdictions mandated. (see 2-142 of the MP code or 15.2-2212 of the state code) This arrangement generally provides for the smooth transfer of information from one body to the other and provides the PC a means to be advised of the intent and/or position of the governing body on various issues.
“This evidence is apparently subject to a protective order that the city requested in connection with the successful appeal” - I’ll take a flyer on this but I would bet a substantial sum that the protective order has nothing to do with the appeal but rather, if you are correct, with the fact that minors (a protected class of defendants and victims) are the apparent subject matter. If that is the case, all of the materials are likely to be “suppressed” in the interests of any minors involved. No great conspiracy here, rather the opposite in fact.
“covertly took nude photographs of underage girls at Rack N’ Roll (without Ruttenberg’s knowledge) and turned this evidence over to the City of Manassas Park” - Here’s where you really lost me, the former vice-mayor obtains “evidence” of criminal activity, and yes that’s exactly what it is, activity that also violates the provisions of the establishment’s liquor license and subsequently turned it over to the authorities. Would you prefer he had filmed the incident and posted it to U-tube or better yet forwarded it to you so it could be photoshopped into some sort of porno attack piece. Perhaps he should have just taken it home and enjoyed it in the privacy of his home all the while hoping that the purported minors involved came out all right in the end or that there were no serial child molesters involved.
What you seem to have glossed over in your haste to get a piece of the MP governing body is that there are “nude photographs of underage girls at Rack N’ Roll”, your words not mine. So before you excoriate anybody else, perhaps you should consider there wouldn’t be an issue if something unsavory had not occured, assuming that anything you print on this site has any semblance of truth.
It’s no wonder you have practically zero credibility and (although I didn’t think this possible) even less than NLS.
Mom
The former vice-mayor apparently took the photographs. But, aside from that, these are nude photographs of minors (or people who look to be 16, in Crowhurst’s own words)–why hasn’t someone been indicted because of that? You’d think in 3 years someone might have been able to gather enough evidence to build a case and bring it to court.
No denial from “mom” about what Brendel did, how interesting.
MOM, do you think that Brendell did this covertly, without the knowledge or consent of the subjects being phtotographed. Or, did Brendell con/bribe/coax these girls in some backroom in an attempt to gin up evidence against the owner? If either case is true, Brendell is the guilty party/bad actor here, and if he was acting at the direction of any City agency, they are guilty as well. Ever think about that you puke?
Also, you last statement about credibility is laughable. Greg seems to enjoy a great deal of credibility amongst his readers, and we know that the MJM and other media outlets monitor this blog for news on possible stories.
Mom,
I’m very familiar with this case.
Regarding being on the governing body and the commission, you are correct, it is quite common in VA and most other states as well. You are also right regarding the reasoning - the person in that position is usually there to make sure that the commission and the governing body are operating in sync and with the same basis of information. But, you are wrong about pretty much everything else.
Greg is correct about the protective order. It was requested by MP in negotiations for discovery and is only binding on R&R and MP - if it was a gag order to protect minors, it would cover everyone and anyone. For quite some time, MP denied the photographs even existed. It was a cover-up and an attempt to protect Brendell because…
Greg is also right about him taking photos - though I’m not sure how “covert” he was when taking them. There are affidavits and recorded statements from a number of people that he not only took the photos, but encouraged the behaviour. He was supposed to not only DJ, but also act as security at the bar and should have stopped the “lewd” activity - not photographed and encouraged it. There are also claims that Brendell sexually harassed female employees at R&R - though they are unsubstantiated and could be considered rumor.
In your haste to point out that Greg was wrong about something, you over-reached quite a bit. While you pointed out that there are nude photos of underaged girls at R&R, you seemed to have missed that no one was ever charged with a crime and that the only thing those photos have been used for is to try to close down the bar.
Dave R. has admitted all along that nudity, flashing and lewd behaviour occassionally took place in his bar, but that he did not permit or encourage it and either stopped it or removed the person doing it anytime that it did occur. Brendell took a bunch of photos and kept them for himself, doing who knows what with/to them, encouraged women to “flash” and strip, possibly sexually harrassed other employees and even offered to pay women for nude photo sessions. Dave is the more believable character in this drama. Defending MP and Brendell is a bit foolish - unless there is something in it for you.
I know why Greg writes his post - it is good reading for his blog. Why are you posting a “truthy” defense of MP and Brendell?
I always thought that the city would have to hire a private investigator who is licensesd to do this type of work. For Mr. Brendel to reap the benefit of pay from Mr. Ruttenberg to work as a DJ in his establishment to later take photos to use against him seems a conflict of interest. Sounds like Mr. Brendel is a pervert.
Brendel needs to be brought up on charges! This is ridiculous - what in the hell is going on down there?
Ever see Brendell? He looks like brother Kip from Napoleon Dynamite. I am sure he’ll be really popular where he’s going!
Bubba: Hey, Kevin, do me a favor and pick up that soap.
Kevin: Uh, I don’t know Bubba…
Bubba: You know, from behind you remind me of my ex-wife. Mind if I call you Charlene?
Kevin: Uh, I don’t know Bubba..
Bubba: Damn’it Kevin, I am done sweet talking you. Bend down and pick up that soap!
“He looks like brother Kip from Napoleon Dynamite.”
Yes, he does.
This is currently the third link on Google for Kevin Brendel.
What a scumbag.
What a surprise. Dean Crowhurst did not show up at tonight’s city council meeting.
Some members of this local city government works to serve itself better than it serves the community at large, because it is all part of the “pat eachother on the back network.” When Mayor Frank Jones appoints a School Superintendent Tom Debolt that makes almost as much as the President of the United States and puts blinders on when (Frank Burns of MASH) Kevin Brendel takes pornographic photos of our young teenagers, then there needs to be an investigation in their culture of corruption. This is screaming for attention!
This is one of the funniest threads on horrible subject. Batson (are you also Amber and Tiffany too?) Thanks for the chuckles!
OOOOOPS - “Nifong.”
The proper spelling is Jailfong.
==
Don’t worry about this ruining your reputation. You are in competition with Illinois. We believe in equal opportunity crookedness.
Ryan the R
Blago the D
I’m sure if you looked into the Rezko connection you could get something on Obama.
“a School Superintendent Tom Debolt that makes almost as much as the President of the United States”
I’d really like to see what evidence there is that this is the case. So far I have only heard this allegation from one person who ran for city council in 2006, are you that person?
I am not suggesting that this isn’t the case, only that if it is, there should be documentation to prove it that ought to be sent to admin@bvbl.net so he can put it here.
MP Resident,
This information is a matter of public record. I would imagine you could call their personnel department and ask.
All the superintendents in Northern Virginia make huge salaries. Call it capitalism.
“and puts blinders on when (Frank Burns of MASH) Kevin Brendel takes pornographic photos of our young teenagers”
They protected Brendel. For what reasons? I can think of two:
1)Brendel could be co-opted to vote the way they wanted, under threat of having these photos given to law enforcement. (Blackmail)
2)Brendel has something on them, and they agreed to protect Brendel to prevent him from talking. (A blackmail “stalemate”, if you will). They’ve got something on Brendel, Brendel has something on them..nobody talks and all is well.
Except that Crowhurst screwed up BIGTIME Monday and threw Brendel under the bus in his attempt to get RnR’s CUP permit revoked.
If Brendel has anything on the city, what reason does he have to protect them now?
“All the superintendents in Northern Virginia make huge salaries. Call it capitalism.”
The one for MP is said to make much more than the one for PWC, and the one for PWC has about 10 times the schools to deal with…
“I would imagine you could call their personnel department and ask.”
I could, and knowing this city, I probably won’t get an answer unless I FOIA it, and even then I may not get an answer. Plus who is to say that the answer I would get is correct? I believe we’ve seen that the powers that be in MP are not above lying to accomplish their goals.
If they were, I wouldn’t be posting this comment in a blog entry entitled “Manassas Park Kiddie Porn Coverup”, now would I?
I think this whole mess makes it clear that Manassas Park cannot govern itself. It seems to me that when a child pornography cover up involves the planning commission, board of governors, and city attorney, that the whole government is corrupted and must go. As a Manassas Park resident, I would love it if we would become a part of Prince William County. At least PWC seems to be willing to take on the issues that are affecting MP.
The FBI has the information on Kevin Brendel. Perhaps Kevin should consider making a deal with them to act as an informant and finally bring down this cult of corruption that has existed for a long time in Manassas Park. I hope you’re reading this Kevin. You might also want to request Witness Protection…you’ll need it now that your wife knows.
Uh oh…this is now the #2 search result on Google for “Kevin Brendel”.
This reminds me when I was at Ozzfest a couple of years ago with my son. We were in “The Village of the Damned” and the Nissan Pavilion workers were ENCOURAGING the girls to lift their shirts and when they did, beads were tossed at them. Next time you go to a concert at Nissan (or whatever it is called now), watch for this type of behavior from the staff - it’s pretty pathetic.
I just stumbled onto this story today and had no clue that MP city officials were so corrupt. This combined with the city’s pro illegal immigrant views is enough to make me move tomorrow. Its a shame b/c it could be a nice place to live…. instead its just plain shameful and pathetic!
Who is going to do something about this and DEMAND action from those who should be enforcing the law? This is outrageous.
…And to think of how ridiculous it is to have to purchase all those extra school supplies on the multiple of lists the schools all put out into all the stores. There was a time when schools did provide atleast no. 2 pencils
and scissors. Why can’t the schools afford the basics in a standard supply room? …..Uh oh, must be the over priced salary Mr. Tom Debolt gets paid through our real estate tax. what a waste. Correction: Dr. Thomas Debolt
Okay, that makes me feel better already!!!
Parents should supply their own kids’ pencils for crying out loud.
One school in Prince William County expects parents to buy a laundry list of supplies to contribute to the ’school supply’ communal pot. It is one thing to buy supplies for your own kid, and to dole them out as the kid runs out. It is quite another thing to supply materials for those whose parents do not buy supplies.
My daughter bought about $30 worth of office supplies for her first grader. I told her not to turn them in early for ‘everyone’ to use. I also advised her to put his name on every item she sent in with him. I also followed up that directive to my school board member. I have not received a response yet.
I don’t mind contributing to a ‘poor fund’ since I no longer have children in school. However, I don’t think parents who are trying to get several kids ready for school with new clothes and supplies to have to provide for those who simply do not give a crap.
I would also be more willing to contribute to the poor fund if I didn’t see all these kids munching and schlomping on chewing gum every day and wearing high end shoes.