Anthony's past interactions with the Gang Suppression Unit and other elements of the police department undoubtedly played a role in this drastic change, and the Commander, Mark Flowers made the introduction to his bold statement.
This also gave us the much needed opportunity to question Flowers about the allegations which have been made against him. We've gone the great lengths to get his side of the story before our reports went to air on our newscast. He's since stopped taking our calls and answering our text message requests for comment, but we have our records to show that out of respect for his professional reputation and the very serious allegations made, we made attempts.
Still, he's gone on the offensive, threatening to sue Channel 7, and he's also made aspersions against this media house.
We'll get to that, but first, we asked about the allegations coming from Tamra McFoy who said that the Commander roughed her and a group of children on Wilson Street. Here's how he responded:
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"That matter as you know and for which I have command unceasing attack from your news channel is before the courts. I know that you all don't like to hear this."
Last week, we showed you Joshua Wade, who told us that Flowers rear ended his vehicle on Crown Cone Avenue. We held off on airing the story at Wade's request for 2 days, following the incident, and we finally aired it after getting his permission.
Still, Flowers went on national television accusing us - get this - of inducing Wade to tell lies on him, and then airing it without getting Wade's permission:
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"I have a recording right here from a gentleman who has come forth to say that Channel 7 tricked him and induced him into saying certain things and when he ask Channel 7 not to air the interview, they went ahead and not only did they aired it, they said that they had the man's permission. We have the interview here recorded and we will be sharing that with the other news media, so you will have an opportunity to hear."
Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, but we also have recording which we asked him permission."
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"I will not get into any back and forth."
Daniel Ortiz
"The next allegations that have been brought against you..."
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"There have been no allegations."
Daniel Ortiz
"Mr. McCoy, he says that you joined..."
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"Except for what your station is doing. I have statements recorded from Mr. McCoy or whatever his name is where he said no such thing."
Daniel Ortiz
"But it is on public record for the news."
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"I have his statement alright, which was not given to the police to the ombudsman office and he said no such thing. He made mention of no such thing, so of course these matters are under review by legal counsel. If it is that Channel 7 wants to play a game and want to continue to be irresponsible..."
Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, we are not irresponsible, you should be hold accountable just like every officer man."
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"But you don't go around making up stories."
Daniel Ortiz
"We never made up any stories. Persons have brought allegations to us and we have tried to address them."
Mike Rudon, Ch5
"Tell us what is the situation with Mr. McCoy because we have also spoken to him, we have him on record and he mentioned your name."
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"Like a lot of other people, Mark Flowers name seems to be cherry. Well no problem, we have his statement where he made mention of no such.... of course Mr. Parks have the statement. Amandala has the statement and I will be offering this recording that I have here to the other news stations, so people understand what is going on. It is high time that we stop playing games and meddling into things that only amounts to mischief alright. I will not be a part of that. I have a bigger responsibility. I am a grown man I don't want any man to be obsessed with me because I am not into that sort of game. So my advice to those people who have seemingly become so obsessed with either me or my name and I hope it's not me, because I am not into those type of games."
We note that police responded to the accident scene and did take a report but they did not put it in the system. And while we can now take out suit against Flowers for defaming Channel 7, We won't. First, because we'd guess that our viewers know better - and second, because unlike the boy named Sue, we don't run to lawyers every time someone says something bogus about us.
For the record, we did not induce Wade, and we have our records to prove that he did get his permission.
And as you saw, the Commander at one point refused to address any more of our questions, but he took other as they tried to ask about the other allegations. The more they asked for clarifications, the more he kept on attacking the media, mainly us:
Reporter
"When it comes to Mr. McCoy, you said that he gave a statement about..."
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"Haven't I said enough about him?"
Reporter
"Yes but I really don't understand. Is he saying that he is withdrawing his comments to the media? Or that you never....that night?"
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"He said that when we met, this his statement, let me see if I don't have it here. And like luck would have it, I have it right here and I can share this copy with you, I also have a video recording from one of the business establishment coming over the bridge after or around the time of the accident,. So we know that Mr. McCoy was involved in that traffic accident, we know that Mr. McCoy is trying to deflect the blame from the traffic accident on to other people. But you would have noticed here in this statement and this is a statement that he made to the office of the Ombudsman where he lodge his complaint. Mr. McCoy is stating here along with all the other inconsistencies, it says I got cut and blood was dripping down my right cheek. Now you know that Mr. McCoy got no cut on his face. So first of all let me out that in context, he said two female GSU officers one took a half in wide metal rod and rammed it into my sternum. Now If somebody rammed a metal into your sternum the least you could expect is seeing some sign or some injuries consistent with being rammed by metal because metal and skin just ain't matching up with what he is saying, He says this is about three o'clock AM. Mark Flowers head of GSU arrived on the scene. I asked him if he know me. I have worked on government vehicles, I told him that what the GSU is doing is wrong, I kept telling him to check with MJ's. He asked me who you. All this time I was laying down in the truck. Now never once did Mr. McCoy in this statement to the office of the Ombudsman say that Mr. Flowers ever touch him or Mr. Flowers ever did anything to him but you know the sensationalism that exists and persist so I am saying to you that there is nothing, there is no allegation from Mr. McCoy's own written complaint to suggest that Mr. Flowers other than ask him who he was had any contact with him. And I can make copies of this statement available to everybody."
Reporter
"What about the other GSU officers?"
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"Did you hear what I said? You heard what Mr. McCoy said? "If I could sue, I would sue Mark Flowers." Sue Mark Flowers for what? For not knowing you?"
Reporter
"He said you bat him across his head with your hand."
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"Did he say that here in his complaint?"
Reporter
"I haven't read it so I don't know."
Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"Alright, I'll give you a copy so that you know and this is what you all ought to be doing."
We'll keep following these cases, and update you accordingly.
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