'Cuckold' cop gets settlement
By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published March 6, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.
Bethel was properly terminated, arbitrator ruled
A former Pueblo police officer who said he was fired because he and his wife have a "cuckold" relationship will receive a $20,000 settlement from the city, the Pueblo City Attorney's Office said Wednesday.
In a federal lawsuit filed last year, Michael and Tammy Bethel said that Tammy Bethel is free to have sex with other people, as long as they are not married or minors and provided she tells her husband. Michael Bethel, however, is not allowed to have sex with others, although he sometimes joins his wife when she is with others.
The Bethels claim Michael Bethel was fired from the Pueblo Police Department, where he was a sergeant, after officials learned of the arrangement.
City officials denied the allegation, saying Bethel's dismissal stemmed from his actions while on duty. Bethel was fired in 2006. Four days later, he was charged with witness tampering and official misconduct.
Prosecutors said Bethel tried to persuade a man not to testify in a burglary case because he was afraid the evidence would include a videotape of his wife having sex with the man. A judge threw out one charge and a jury acquitted Bethel on the other charge.
But in December, after a two-day hearing, an independent arbitrator determined Bethel had been properly terminated.
In a statement, the Pueblo City Attorney's Office said it "vehemently denied liability" but decided to settle the lawsuit because it would cost taxpayers more than $20,000 to continue defending the case.
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March 6, 2008
8:01 a.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
City attorneys look forward to blowing tax payers money wrecklessly. They just fear the spotlight on the department exposing more of the dirty cops they employ. This is where and how your tax dollars are spent. 99% of cops are dirty!
March 6, 2008
9:52 a.m.
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DeimosJB writes:
Wow, what a credible and insightful comment from a guy who goes by the name Dahmer and claims all cops are dirty!
March 6, 2008
10:28 a.m.
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Spencer writes:
The lady has a nice outfit for a court appearance
March 6, 2008
10:30 a.m.
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Theoldguy writes:
Ah. c'mon, not all cops are dirty, corrupt and horny. Bethel and his wife definitely had a relationship that went well beyond normal. It was better that they left the department because that would be something that could be held against them by a bad guy. But I do find it difficult to grasp the concept of corrupting the corrupted. Unless, of course, the legal system considers corruption by degree and then it would only be applicable to lawyers and politicians.
March 6, 2008
10:47 a.m.
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Classof80 writes:
Nice commment Dahmer some idiot like you would make a general statement that 99% of cops are dirty.. Its more like 99% or good and the 1% leave a black eye for the others.. Get a clue
March 6, 2008
11:45 a.m.
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wow writes:
$20,000 buys a lot of leather. Well done. I think the term "cuckold" will make a resurgence now. I love that word.
What a joke.
March 6, 2008
11:56 a.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
Blunt statements excite people, but ones that hold water really get the gears turning. Remember front page news about Denver cops that couldn't control themselves, multiple officers that made the 50+ incodent list, or the footage of the cop beating the woman in the bar almost to death, recent murder trial, Ft. Collins (rampant police infadellity). The officer in Aurora that died speeding cause he wasn't wearing his lap belt. And didn't someone get beat badly in L.A.?! They are ALL power hungry NAZI's, crazy huh.
March 6, 2008
12:36 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
wow, I believe that after he paid the past due bill for the breast augmentation, they had about $15,000 to spend on leathers.
March 6, 2008
12:55 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
GWM, I was talking about Michael Bethel.
March 6, 2008
1:30 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
I donated mine to him.
March 6, 2008
1:57 p.m.
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gs writes:
Is there a movie in the works?
March 6, 2008
2:18 p.m.
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wow writes:
Holy saline, Batman, we've found the missing cosmetic surgeon.
Yup, Boy Wonder, he was tied to this nice officer's bed... Ma'am, I think you're wearing my mask as a bra...
March 6, 2008
2:25 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
omg...too funny, wow! I am not feeling very witty today. And GWM was being mean to me, putting me on the stand.
March 6, 2008
3:22 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
Am I?
March 6, 2008
3:24 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
What do you think?
March 6, 2008
3:56 p.m.
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Heidi writes:
Ah, thank you. I am just tired. I definitely can't match wow with her Batman scenario.
March 9, 2008
10:08 a.m.
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jwaut writes:
All I have to say is thanks for the senority... with Bethel gone, there's more sgt positions open for everyone.