Jack,

Sorry blogger's being lame.

Given the type of schedules that many police officers keep, it's not particularly surprising to me that a person's roommate could be involved in activities they aren't aware of. Given that the person is a childhood friend of Hythum's, I'm guessing Hythum had even less reason to be concerned than he would be if he'd rented a room to a complete stranger. The sad thing in this case is, to me, that a person took complete advantage of the trust another person placed in him, abused it, and in the end did as much (or more harm) to that person than he's done to himself.

"Too much money-hunger is not a good thing for a police officer." Hmmm. According to this spreadsheet I found on your site ( http://bojack.org/images/cityofportlandpayroll11-06.xls ), Ismail's City income was about $67k for the year 2006. Given that he went to Whitman College, I'm left wondering if $67k really does the trick in paying off student loans and other things. I, for one, make $73k a year and, with a mortgage, a car payment, and student loans (not to mention a kid...) I'm barely scraping by. I know all sorts of people with side jobs. I don't begrudge police the same opportunity, as long as it doesn't compromise their policing.

I agree that the info on this case has come out slow. Particularly, it's taken a long time to hear how great Hythum is. All too often, people hear of police misconduct and just assume the worst. I'm glad that a situation came where we could finally hear something about the quality of individual that was, unfortunately, being drug through the ringer.

I do thank you for acknowledging my post. I'll refrain from tssk-tssking you any further.

I know all sorts of people with side jobs. I don't begrudge police the same opportunity, as long as it doesn't compromise their policing.

A second job would not be a problem. But to try to run a business or financial venture -- particularly one that deals in large amounts of cash -- is not a good idea for a police officer, IMHO.

I'll refrain from tssk-tssking you any further.

Hey, come on, don't wimp out on me like that! Tssking is what makes the blogosphere go 'round.

Alright, then. Tssk!

But, really, which business deals with large amounts of cash? And what constitutes large amounts of cash? And, to what extent was he involved in that business, other than being associated with it?

I assume you're discussing the restaurant. My understanding is that he was a part owner. I don't know how many other people were involved in it. I don't know if he did anything other than invest. I don't know if he handled the money. Do you know these things?

In the end, the dumbest thing Hythum did was get involved in the restaurant business. I don't look down on anyone for helping and trusting a friend. I'm confident that if Hythum had any reason to suspect anything further, he would've taken your suggestion and kicked his friend's a$$ to the curb. That his friend was smart enough to hide his activities while taking advantage of a good living situation doesn't say anything to me about Hythum. It says volumes to me about his pal.

There's the restaurant, and who knows what else:

http://www.alibaba.com/company/10674580/contactinfo.html

http://pdxpromos.tradenote.net/

At some point, you take on too much, and bad stuff happens.

There's the restaurant, and who knows what else:

http://www.alibaba.com/company/10674580/contactinfo.html

http://pdxpromos.tradenote.net/

At some point, you take on too much, and bad stuff happens.

From your resume:

Professor of Law, Lewis & Clark Law School (Associate Professor, 1986-91). Teaching Federal Income Taxation, Corporate Taxation, Estate and Gift Taxation, Partnership Taxation, and Advanced Tax Seminar (Valuation).

Director, Federal Tax Certificate Program, since 1994

Director and Coach, Law Student Tax Challenge teams, since 2005

Director, Law School Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, since 1993.

Faculty Advisor, Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC), since 1999.

Member, various additional faculty committees.

Faculty Advisor, Lewis & Clark Law Review (formerly The Journal of Small and Emerging Business Law), since 1996.

Faculty Advisor, Deady Inn (Lewis and Clark chapter), Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, since 1987.

1997 - present Editor-in-Chief, Valuation Strategies magazine (Warren, Gorham & Lamont/RIA Group).

1995 - present Columnist and Member, Editorial Board, Estate Planning magazine (Warren Gorham & Lamont/RIA Group).

2001 - present Member, Editorial Advisory Board, Business Valuation Update (Business Valuation Resources).

1995 - present Member, Committee on Standards of Tax Practice, American Bar Association, Section of Taxation.

1991 - present Member, Board of Directors, Portland Tax Forum. Executive Committee, 1994.

1982 - present Speaker at numerous continuing education conferences and bar review courses on matters relating to taxation, business law, and valuation.

Add to that regular blogger, bar review instructor, charity auctioneer, treatise and scholarly article author.

Teapot, meet kettle. If it's indeed true that at some point, you take on too much, and bad stuff happens, I wonder when the other shoe is dropping for you...

Not to say that I hope anything does... You are, after all, the Blogfather...

I speak from experience. Too much can be trouble.

Oh, dear...

"the Blogfather"
Now thats what I'm talking about!
Best line of the whole Yack.
I'm thinking "The Portland Blogfather" would be the best!
Bojack,the Blogfather part I

I loved the constructive criticism from the real perp's ex-wife:

“He could never hold a job for very long because of his attitude problem.”