New twist in Salzman case
James Faulk and Kimberly Wear
The Times-Standard
A book about the true story of a Mendocino County letters writer who used a false name was among the 14 items Trinidad police seized from political consultant Richard Salzman’s house in what has now become a felony identity theft investigation.
Salzman is being investigated for writing letters to newspapers under false names -- a misdemeanor -- and unlawfully using the name of another individual to open an e-mail account -- a felony, according to court documents filed Monday.
Chief Ken Thrailkill said it’s unclear when the investigation will wrap up.
”It all depends,” he said. “We have to examine the evidence and also the computers that were taken from the residence.”
In a strange twist to the Salzman story, the seized book, “The Letters of Wanda Tinasky,” is a collection of the letters sent to the Anderson Valley Advertiser and the Mendocino Commentary from a person claiming to be a bag lady living under a bridge, according to the Wikipedia website.
The letters -- printed from 1983 to 1988 -- took on various issues, including local artists, poets and politicians in Mendocino County with “irreverent wit” before suddenly stopping. The true identity of the writer is believed to be deceased Beat poet Tom Hawkins who killed his wife before committing suicide in 1988.
Donald Foster, who outed Time correspondent Joe Klein as the author of “Primary Colors” -- a fictionalized story about Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign -- is created with uncovering Hawkins.
Other items taken from Salzman’s house include computer equipment, photocopies of letters to the editor, newspapers and various bills.
Thrailkill confirmed that his department will be working with the state Attorney General’s Office instead of the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office in filing the case, because of what could be perceived as a conflict interest. Salzman was District Attorney Paul Gallegos’ campaign manager.
In requesting the search warrant from the court, Thrailkill wrote that he was able to link Salzman to e-mail accounts in other names using a CD of e-mails voluntarily supplied by The Eureka Reporter.
The CD included 118 e-mails from Salzman, 25 from a person identified as “R. Trent Williams” and two e-mails from “Dick Wyatt” received by the publication between October 2004 and August 2005.
The police also served a search warrant on the North Coast Journal, taking a photocopy of a Salzman letter.
Editor Hank Sims confirmed that his newspaper had been served with a search warrant, but said they only took one document -- a confession written out as a press release -- that they had already circulated.
There was no promise of confidentiality on the confession, Sims said. In the piece -- “Confessions of a Prolific Letter Writer” -- Salzman said he has submitted letters under a pen name.
Sims said the police came to the newspaper and got a photocopy of the statement right before they went to Salzman’s house.
”Our logic was that the press release was sort of a public document,” Sims said. “I don’t think we’ll give them anything else.”
Sims said they consulted with an attorney who assured them that releasing the Salzman letter would not put other material in jeopardy.
Related:
the North Coast Journal - Web of Lies - Richard Salzman and other email phonies
From the Publisher: An apology
Rhonda Meehan's letter
http://www.northcoastjournal.com/090105/cover0901.html#Rhonda
Letters from "R. Trent Williams" printed by the Journal
Glossary of terms
Another Salzman alias?
Salzman exposed: Local newspapers reveal real names of letter writers
Supervisor Geist wants apology from Salzman
Police begin investigation into fake letters allegedly sent by Salzman
Editor files criminal complaint
Search warrant served in Salzman case
Salzman investigation forwarded on to state Office of the Attorney General
Trinidad police investigate Salzman
The final Salzman tally?
Consultant used others' names in letter-writing blitz to local newspaper
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