Insane Throttle

By James “Hollywood” Macecari

Is a member of the Military Police considered a Leo when it comes to Motorcycle Clubs?

That’s the age-old question, isn’t it? This is a question we get tons and tons of times. On one hand, how can you fault anyone wanting to serve our country in any capacity? Then, on the other hand, they choose Military Police or Shore Patrol as a career in the Military. Personally, I’m happy as hell to shake the hand of any man or woman who serves in the Armed Forces; regardless of what capacity they serve in. 

When it comes to answering that question it all depends on the club and its by-laws. That’s what it comes down to after all isn’t it? Which club they want to join? The way I look at it there are so many variables. Is the dude looking to get into Law Enforcement after the service or did he just do it while he was enlisted? Usually, how those two questions are answered, is how they will know which club might be interested in them. 

If a guy just did it while in service. Has no interest in pursuing it for a career outside the military than no harm, no foul in my eyes. They served their country and that’s a ton more than you can say about most people. When it comes to 1%er clubs. Again, you have to ask them. I do know that it’s been done with correctional officers and even ex-cops. One such case was Steven “Gorilla” Mondevergine, an ex-Philidelphia Cop who was one of the famous Pagans. 

Steven “Gorilla” Mondevergine

These are just two of the examples of the big 1%er clubs taking in an ex-Philly Cop and Correction Officers. Well, not to mention the informants. But I won’t add insult to injury.

Do I personally find it an oxymoron or hypocritical when the bigger clubs take in ex-cops or correction officers? “It’s basically do what I say and not as I do.” Don’t get me wrong. I can see it if you have business happening and you need to put one or two on a leash so business can go forward. But to beef on other clubs for having ex-LEO, Co’s or even Military Police. In their ranks. Don’t really add up when you think about it. Check out the article below where it’s talking about one of the major 1%er clubs taking in a Correction Officer. 

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Hartford, Conn. (AP) — Gary Piscottano enjoys riding his motorcycle, attending parties and eating well. The former state correction officer says he joined the Waterbury chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club to combine the three.

But now his association with the club has cost him his job.

The Department of Correction fired Piscottano and fellow correction officers James Kight and Randy Sabettini on May 6 following an investigation into their membership in the Outlaws, which state officials contend is more like a gang than a club.

Two other officers, Mark Vincenzo and Walter Scappini, received formal counseling for being associated with the club. They were never members but had attended Outlaw-sponsored parties.

The state contends the correction officers should never have joined the group if they wanted to keep their jobs, because the correction officers’ affiliation with the Outlaws could incite gang violence inside prisons that already are rife with conflicts between gang members.

But Piscottano says it’s a case of the state coming down on his private life, something he says the state has no business doing. A correction officer for the past 18 years, he says he loved his job and would never knowingly have done anything to jeopardize it.

“It’s not fair,” he said. “It’s a violation of our First Amendment rights.”

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If the state can bar membership in the Outlaws, it could fire someone for belonging to any group it doesn’t like, he said.

All three correction officers said they were never told they couldn’t join the club, and their direct supervisors were fully aware of their involvement.

There is nothing in the correction officers’ union contract specifically prohibiting association with the Outlaws, but there is a broad clause governing “unprofessional conduct.”

To write a policy to fit every instance of unprofessional conduct would be impractical, Commissioner Theresa Lantz said during the U.S. District Court hearing about whether the correction officers’ should be paid while their lawsuit seeking to overturn their firings was pending.

Lantz testified that the men were fired, in part, because they were Outlaws members and also because they didn’t tell the truth about their association with the club. The men’s association with the club was enough to raise a safety issue for inmates and other prison workers, she said.

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U.S. District Court Judge Mark Kravitz rejected the correction officers’ request for continuing their pay. He said the civil lawsuit would determine whether the correction officers were properly fired.

At the heart of the matter is whether the Outlaws should be considered felons.

The correction officers contend they were just hanging out with their buddies.

A state trooper testified in federal court that the Connecticut Outlaws chapter has never been a source of trouble. However, he said the overall Outlaws organizations is regarded by law enforcement around the country as a dangerous gang, with some members convicted of murder and drug offenses.

East Coast Gang Investigators Association President Wes Daily Jr., a retired detective, said there could be problems inside prison if inmates were aware of the correction officers’ affiliation with the Outlaws.

“If you’re in law enforcement you understand there’s a line in the sand between you and the next guy,” Daily said. “They’re in a secure facility. Generally speaking, they could be pressured to violate a lot of rules for being a member of a motorcycle gang. They could take messages, they could take drugs. The department can’t stand on the fence and say maybe they won’t do it. It’s clear and cut.”

The union that represents the correction officers, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 4, has filed grievances on the men’s behalf.

Eldergill says the fired correction officers aren’t sure what to do now. They were all counting on retiring from the Department of Correction with their pensions. Now, they’re filing for unemployment and trying to find health insurance.

Sabettini, married with four kids, is taking it the hardest. He said he’s suffered heavy mood swings since the investigation began and now rarely leaves his house.

“I couldn’t figure it out because we had done nothing wrong,” he said about the investigation. “I pressured them for why. ‘Why? Why are you doing this?”‘

Vincenzo, a longtime motorcycle rider, says he asked a police chief friend for his advice before joining the Outlaws. He got the go-ahead, so long as he stayed away from known felons, which he said he has.

“I’ve been living this life since I took this job. It was never an issue,” he said. “If you’re not committing a crime, you have the right to live your life as you see fit.”

Kight said he has no regrets about joining the Outlaws.

“It’s the brotherhood. It’s like a family,” he said.