Coot told me today

....reported today that this was discussed on the Clemson 247 website (didn't mention Fits).

His co-host went on to say that Dabo called the Pickens County Sheriff the night he got the ticket raising hell, and the next day the deputy who wrote the ticket was fired for using the internet at work.

Also said that the dashcam video of the incident has been requested through the Freedom of Information act, and it would show Dabo acting like a childish idiot, along with his brother, a law enforcement officer from Alabama, who was with Dabo at the time.

Not saying I believe any of this crap, just saying it's what those clowns reported today.

By the way, I'll give credit where credit was due.... Corey Miller was on Dabo's side in the incident, said who wouldn't try to get out of a ticket & it was no big deal. His Coot co-hosts were obviously on the other side of the issue.

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Sep 20, 2012, 10:08 PM

Home » Sports » Town Fires Cop Who Pulled Over Clemson Football Coach

Town Fires Cop Who Pulled Over Clemson Football Coach

By fitsnews • on September 20, 2012

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PICKENS POLICE OFFICER TERMINATED FROM POST IN WAKE OF DABO SWINNEY TICKET SCANDAL …

The Pickens, S.C. police officer who issued a traffic citation to Clemson University head football coach Dabo Swinney earlier this month has been terminated from his position … the latest development in Swinney’s rapidly unraveling “Ticket-gate.”

Corporal Mike McClatchy – who gave Swinney a 2-point ticket after clocking the coach’s truck traveling 63 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone on September 3 - is no longer employed by the Town of Pickens, S.C. In fact the town’s police department has removed his photo and posted an application for a new “road patrol officer” on its website.

No official word has been forthcoming from the Pickens, S.C. police department regarding the termination, but sources tell FITS that McClatchy – who recently received a promotion within the department – was fired for “using the internet at work.”

Hmmmm …

An anonymous article posted on 247sports.com (but later removed from the site) provided details of the incident – allegedly from the vantage point of the arresting officer. In fact our new reporter Colleen MacMillan – who filed this exclusive report on the traffic stop early this week – quoted extensively from this article in her coverage.

EXTRA: STATEMENT ATTRIBUTED TO PICKENS POLICE OFFICER

The narrative contained in this statement portrayed Swinney and his brother, a former Alabama law enforcement officer, in a most unflattering light – accusing them of attempting to intimidate the officer out of writing a ticket and repeatedly refusing to obey his instructions that they remain in the vehicle (which is owned by a nearby dealership).

It also

FITS has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the town of Pickens, S.C. for the dashboard camera video of the incident – and a letter allegedly sent from Swinney to the town in its aftermath. We’ve been told that the town intends to wait the full fifteen days to respond to our request.

Swinney’s Tigers (3-0, 0-0 ACC) play their biggest game of the 2012 season this weekend in Tallahassee, Florida against the fourth-ranked Florida State Seminoles.

What are your thoughts on this story? Vote in our poll and post your thoughts in our comments section below …

Should the town of Pickens have fired the police officer who pulled over Dabo Swinney?

Yes
No

View Results

(Staff writer Colleen MacMillan contributed to this report).

***

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Tags: Clemson University, Dabo Swinnney, Mike McClatchy

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Comments

By same ol' same ol' September 20, 2012 at 11:21 am

If he was fired over the Dabo incident, whoever is involved should be ashamed of themselves. The guy was doing his job. Truth is, we’ll never know if he was really fired for using the internet at work, or not. I’m sure it will be the same ol’ same ol’ and it will go away. Nothing to see here, move along.

Reply

By BigT September 20, 2012 at 11:31 am

TURN OVER THE VIDEO!!!!

WHAT ARE YOU HIDING???

Reply

By Frank Howard September 20, 2012 at 11:32 am

Today’s lesson boys:

If you is a Pickens County po-leese, keep yo’ keystrokes to entering incident reports, not commentary on sports message boards.

The job you save may be yo’ own, boy.

Reply

By Justice is Swift September 20, 2012 at 11:35 am

Well, Will, how does it feel to get someone fired? You and your ####### buddy Colleen MacMillan did just that. For the reasons so eloquently posted to your “Ticketgate” story and re-posted below, McClatchy’s conduct was completely disgraceful and unethical. A prosecuting offier (and that’s what a town cop is in a traffic case) cannot publicly comment on a pending case. McClatchy not only did that, he did it anonymously (or tried to) on a USC fan site. What an idiot. As the poster below posits, it is awfully convenient that not only has McClatchy made these allegations in an unethical and unprofessional mannerer (completely tainting the jury pool in the process), it just so happens that his body mic wasn’t working. Sounds to me (or to any reasonable juror) that there is reasonable possibility that he made the whole thing out of personal (and prejudicial) animus to the Defendant. Ooops. Maybe Teddy Trotter will give him a job pumping gas at Teddy’s Gas & Fuel or cleaning trailers at Trotter Mobile Home Park or picking strawberries with the migrant workers at Trotter Strawberry Farm …

Here is the post from Colleen’s “news story” Tuesday predicting all of this:

By Soon to be Former Officer McClatchy is a #### September 18, 2012 at 2:22 pm

Two Lines in “Ms. MacMillan’s” “story” jump right off the page and slap you in the face:

1.) “According to a detailed recap of this incident – originally posted on Sports247.com (and confirmed to have been authored by McClatchy) – …”

2.) “Though McClatchy’s body microphone was malfunctioning at the time, …”

SOOOOO, Officer McClatchy commented about a PENDING CASE that he is responsible for on a USC Gamecock Fan Site, making allegations about the DEFENDANT. RUH-ROH – Ethics, 101 Much, Officer, McDickhead?

AND THEN the one piece of evidence that would at least back up his unprofessional and unethical public allegations about the DEFENDANT – the tape from his body mic – was very, very conveniently MALFUNCTIONING AT THE TIME?!?!?!?!?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA……

Nice, short career in law enformement, Cockbreath.

Reply

By Stinkin' Yankee September 20, 2012 at 11:43 am

Sour Grapes scores again against Clemson…talk about a sorry Clemson fan, probably mostly pissed off about the recent ESPN story and ashamed that Dabo and his brother acted like spoiled children! C’mon, Man. Go Seminoles!

By Smirks September 20, 2012 at 11:57 am

McClatchy’s conduct was completely disgraceful and unethical.

Proof? What, you don’t have any? Oh, what a surprise.

Will, you MUST post this video if you ever get your hands on it.

By The Colonel September 20, 2012 at 12:10 pm

“…Well, Will, how does it feel to get someone fired? You and your ####### buddy Colleen MacMillan did just that…

Pray tell, exactly how did Will and the DIQ Colleen get former officer McClatchy fired – by publishing a story? Sounds like McClatchy got himself fired by blogging when he should have been patrolling. I enjoy hoisting Will on his own petard as much as anyone but this one is all on McClatchy and the “good ol’boys” in the Pickens PD. Dabo’s'a’weenie deserves more blame for this than Will.

By Justice is Swift September 20, 2012 at 1:14 pm

Smirks, McClatchy admits his disgraceful and unethical conduct in his post. Apparently, he had no idea that it is unethical for him to make public comments about a pending case. That he did on a USC fan page where he states “I am not afraid of no Tiger” or whatever nonsense further injects prejudice into his prosecution. He is the prosecuting officer. He can’t have a public opinion, period. He didn’t just lose his job at Pickens PD, he threw away his career in law enforcement so he could “big dog” it on a football fan site. What a moron.

By Smirks September 20, 2012 at 11:52 am

No official word has been forthcoming from the Pickens, S.C. police department regarding the termination, but sources tell FITS that McClatchy – who recently received a promotion within the department – was fired for “using the internet at work.”

That’s an “I pulled this one right out of my ###” excuse if I ever did hear one. There has to be more to this.

Reply

By Justice is Swift September 20, 2012 at 1:16 pm

Oh, it was his using the internet at work that got him fired all right. He would’ve been fired for posting about a pending case that he was prosecuting in any event. Using a city property while on the job to engage in prosecutorial misconduct just makes it that much worse.

By Original Good Ole Boy September 20, 2012 at 1:19 pm

Pending case? You mean a speeding ticket.

Sure, technically it is a “pending case,” but that’s not why he was fired.

By CNSYD September 20, 2012 at 1:28 pm

SC is a right to work state. Therefore employers have plenty of leeway in termination. That is the “trade” workers made to not be forced to be in a union.

By Smirks September 20, 2012 at 3:22 pm

Justice is Swift, if that’s the case, they should write that as his reason for termination. Seems rather odd they didn’t.

By you ain't what you used to be September 20, 2012 at 11:53 am

just like lanie kiffin.. dat boy will get his due.

Reply

By b. henschel September 20, 2012 at 11:55 am

Tommy Blowdown also got ticked by a DNR officer. Seems Clemson coaches think the law doesn’t apply to them. Dablow will soon be an assistant somewhere which is where he belongs. He’s more over his head than Captain Ahab. What a cesspool of liars, cheaters, and simpletons. FSU 41-Tiggers 13. Show me the chop!!

Reply

By BigT September 20, 2012 at 12:19 pm

VIDEO!!!! ..I DEMAND THE DASH-CAM
WHAT IS CLEMSON HIDING????

Reply

By Justice is Swift September 20, 2012 at 1:20 pm

####### – Clemson doesn’t have the video. The City of Pickens has it. They have indicated that they will provide it, but they don’t have to while the case is pending. Moron McClatchy has told the world that his body mic was malfunctioning. If that is the case, the video won’t tell much. But by McClatchy’s own unethical internet posts, the worse thing Swinney did to him was give him a mean glare. Waaaaaah! Was getting that off your chest worth throwing away a career in law enforcement?!?

IF the video can confirm the rest of McClatchy’s statement, then it will be embarrassing for Swinney because of his brother’s conduct. So what? We all have embarassing relatives…

By BigT September 20, 2012 at 2:52 pm

Clemson is suppressing it…

By Total BS September 20, 2012 at 1:03 pm

Great! A guy who went from sleeping in a car in the woods with his mama (see online story by searching Tracey Swinney), a touching story if I have ever read one, to making a few million coaching football, a game.

Now he gets a guy who probably makes $22,500 risking his life every day FIRED!!!! because he just couldn’t take his punishment like a man for something he did which was illegal! Not a real bad crime but the worst that would happen is your auto might go up $200 per year.

I guess Dabo somehow now believes that by coaching a football team where the players in return become celebrities and are compensated with the opportunity to earn an education valued at approximately $100,000, that he is doing A PUBLIC SERVICE.

Sad. Make a call Dumbo and make this go away- in fact, get him a well paid LE position with a better agency, publicly appologize, and then go back to Alabama! You had better hope this guy doesn’t end up sleeping in a car in the woods because times, they are a changing.

Hey Barker, ARE YOU ####### BLIND and DEAF???

Reply

By Justice is Swift September 20, 2012 at 1:24 pm

McClatchy in all likelihood was making a bit more than 22.5k – I’d say between 30k-35k. But, Dabo didn’t get him fired. He fired himself when he used city property to make unethical posts on an internet site. He will likely have his certification yanked by the SC Criminal Justice Academy until he can do a little remedial ethics training.

By Jim Sweet September 20, 2012 at 1:14 pm

Dabo is a highly regarded public figure and should be treated as much. That cop (coot) should have been canned for letting his allegence get in the way of his duty.

Reply

By Original Good Ole Boy September 20, 2012 at 1:21 pm

He’s a public figure. The “highly regarded” comment is pretty funny.

By yeah, gotcha September 20, 2012 at 1:23 pm

HRPP, High Profile Person (HPP), hmmmm. I think that his duty is to serve and to protect the citizens of his jurisdiction. In that oath does it somewhere say “except high ranking football coaches”?
How was he to know that it was Dumbo, especially if the vehicle was registered to a dealership?

So, let’s say he just said, “oh sorry there coach, no problem, I’m outta here” and left. Then some citizen may turn him in for not issuing the citation. You see here #######, he was just doing his job. I doubt it was about football.

This ambassador for this state university who is very well-paid and respected threw a tantrum at a “lowly civil servant” and even most Clemson supporters understand the basic problem here.

Suck on it.

By jamieson September 20, 2012 at 1:15 pm

This Officer should be invited to a real football stadium with plenty of LE Alumni,Criminal Justice grads who appreciate what a farce this actually is.

I would gladly contribute to a fund to pay for some tickets for this guy and his family. Any takers? Advertise on CL and I’ll be in touch.

Sad day in South Carolina. Especially embarrassing for Clemson University.

Reply

By jurisdoc September 20, 2012 at 1:38 pm

Show me the tape, then I’ll decide on whether Dabo acted like a ###### (assuming the tape is clear enough to see and/or hear).

As for the officer, he might have done his job properly that night (show me the tape), but he f’d up playing on the internet while he should have been writing more tickets – and posting details on a blog. . . . . If he wanted it out, he could have just sent the report to Fitsnews tipline. He’s obviously a #### lover and not too bright.

Officer = #########
Dabo = remains to be seen??

Reply

By Original Good Ole Boy September 20, 2012 at 7:12 pm

Dabo’s rant proved already he is a ######.

By CUvinny September 20, 2012 at 1:49 pm

From reading both articles it looks like Fits wrote a large article on a internet forum post.

Either the officer didn’t write the post and it was someone impersonating him and the cop shouldn’t of been fired. Also means that that Fits wrote a story on a lie and needs to retract it.

If Wil doesn’t it means that he did verify that the posting was true and the cop really did post details on an ongoing investigation. In that case the firing is totally justified.

Which is it?

Reply

By what did ya expect September 20, 2012 at 1:51 pm

And Dabo’s letter to the City of Pickens had no effect?

This was pissing match that could have been avoided by:

1) driving within the limits of the law
2) being humble when called on the carpet (pay the officer the respect)
3) tell Brother-n-law to stay in the car and keep mouth shut
4) take ticket, do radio thing, get ticket fixed

then this is where the officer, who was doing his job but stood his ground, comes in.
5) keep mouth shut and realize that ticket is bound to disappear
6) accept the praise of the Chief which came initially
7) watch his own ### for a while until things simmer down.

back to Dabo
8) do not write letter, allow to go away, dig and scratch until you find the money to pay the fine
9) allow Brother in Law to drive in the future – he should earn his keep too.

So, how much bad press is this worth, really, to CU? I hear it’s already starting in Tallahassee.

Reply

By johnb September 20, 2012 at 2:05 pm

Dabo done stepped in it. And it stinks.

Reply

By 9" September 20, 2012 at 2:11 pm

Can we get some PBR’s and ####### over here ?

Reply

By Name September 20, 2012 at 2:30 pm

funniest post on the thread

By The Real Tigers - LSU September 20, 2012 at 2:16 pm

Apparently another case of Clemson Coach Dabo, and his brother, Dumbo, trying to be kings of the county. If cop wants to sue he can get case handled for free just to see Dabo squirm. Dabo makes $2 million a year and Pickens cop makes $25,000. So who is getting hurt here! Who in their right mind thinks this ticket/fine would hold up in City of Pickens or Pickens County?
Just like CLemson City Police and Campus Police notify Dabo when a player gets into trouble, no arrest record and no publicity. Keep it in the family! Doesn’t matter if mic works or not if we can see the face/lips.

Reply

By Clemps Son September 20, 2012 at 2:37 pm

Keep it on the field Dabo, don’t let those IPTAY elites spoil you like they like to do and get you all screwed up in the head. When the numbers get upside down, and they always do, IPTAY will be the ones running your ### out of town with all traffic cleared heading South.

Reply

By Anna_Nimmitty September 20, 2012 at 2:42 pm

Well Fits, here’s an excellent opportunity for you to consistently, search, explore, interview, and REPORT yet another cLLLemons scandal (i.e. did Dabo sleep with Nikki and his mother at the same time? Did you and Dabo sleep with/share Nikki together???).

And Please Fits, don’t give up on that FOIA requested video!!!

People Want To Know!!!

Reply

By yeahright September 20, 2012 at 2:50 pm

Seems fishey to me that his body mic didn’t work…

Reply

By BigT September 20, 2012 at 2:53 pm

What did Dabo do?…and when did he do it???

Give me the VIDEO…

Reply

By T-suck September 20, 2012 at 3:04 pm

You’re always bitching T, get it your #### self. If you hate on Will so much why do you need him to do the lifting? Perhaps they aren’t willing to just hand it over so willingly which would quickly put this thing to bed. Unless….

By BigT September 20, 2012 at 3:26 pm

Will did not do this story. His employee did.

Also, I told FITS to:

1) Start being honest about Clemson

2) Hire a writer

He did both…and we got a WONDERFUL story out of it, and maybe he can take down a Corrupt coach. He will be BIG if this explodes all over Clemson (like I hope it does)……

So I thank FITS for what he has done to this point. Good job.

By Retired pokey September 20, 2012 at 2:53 pm

First lesson upon becoming cop:

Avoid whales, eat minnows = stay employed

Second lesson upon becoming cop:

Learn to identify baby whales

Reply

By charlie cat September 20, 2012 at 3:06 pm

This is just another fine example of “the good ol boy system” that is in place, not only in Pickens, but all across South Carolina. Dabo should have been charged with wreckless driving and issued a citation, end of story. Any thing that would have obsructed this officer from issuwung this citation should have been viewed as “obstruction of justice.” The problem here is that Dabo should have accepted the citation, his brother stay out of it, and all move on. When your employment position makes you think that you are above the law, then it is time for that person to lose that position. Unfortunately, this situation has shed bad light on the University of Clemson. Dabo and his brother, both, need to step back into the world of reality. Clemson University needs to have a chat with their head coach and inform him he is an official of Clemson University and a ROLE model to the young people in our community. Dabo you, and you alone, need to set this recordp
P straight, and show our community the real person that you truly are. By the way coach, speeding is one of the leading causes of death to our young generation of drivers today. Lets set the right example, by doing the right thing.

Reply

By QT September 20, 2012 at 3:13 pm

Second that.

By jimlewis,owb September 20, 2012 at 3:14 pm

Dear Dabo

Stay with ####### cops, trust me!

Jerry

Reply

By Petey September 20, 2012 at 3:24 pm

Anyone want to wager whether or not other county and state law enforcement officers will have a bounty on Dabo’s head?

Reply

By BigT September 20, 2012 at 3:27 pm

As A. Citizen, I Demand a to see the Video…It is MY Right.

What are they Hiding??

PS: Remember it was the COVER-UP that got Petrino!!!

Reply

By RINO September 20, 2012 at 3:32 pm

SLED should investigate

Reply

By here's your #### video Idiot T September 20, 2012 at 3:40 pm

T YOU BIG MOUTH BREATHING MORON, FILE YOUR OWN #### FOIA REQUEST AND #### ABOUT DEMANDING #### you all caps using marginal minded moron.

Reply

By Big weekend September 20, 2012 at 3:45 pm

Just heard from a reporter friend in Tallahassee. Looks like there is a paper researching this with plans to run with it on Sat. morning if it checks out. Ha ha ha.

Reply

By BigT September 20, 2012 at 4:19 pm

FITS is worth his weight in gold if True…

I tke back all my hateful comments, for a couple days anyway…

By Parnell Burnside September 20, 2012 at 3:55 pm

Good…stupid pigs need to know that just because they were beaten up and given wedgies in high school that they can’t just become bubba law and do whatever they want. There’s still a hierarchy that must be adhered to.

Reply

By Frank Howard September 20, 2012 at 6:32 pm

Boy, why ain’t you at practice?

By jaylio September 20, 2012 at 3:59 pm

Everyone seems to be blaming Dabo for getting this cop fire?? No where have I seen any evidence that Dabo even asked for the ticket to be dropped. Y is Dabo getting the hard time here? Even the article supposedly written by the cop dosnt claim Dabo even suggested that he be let out of the ticket. Regardless of who else may have tried to peddle their influence in this matter I have seen no evidence that Dabo did anything unproper.

Reply

By Lollipop September 20, 2012 at 4:07 pm

11% of these folks are downright deplorable and do not deserve any police protection.The town itself should be ashamed.

Reply

By BigT September 20, 2012 at 4:20 pm

VIDEO PLEASE…

THIS IS A COVER UP IF EVER I’VE SEEN ONE…

WHERE IS THE STATE NEWSPAPER?

Reply

By Anti Big T September 20, 2012 at 4:45 pm

If this is a cover up it is one of the worst contrived and executed of all time. There is no cover up here T. This cop was fired because he reported on a gamecock website information on a ticket he wrote. That is unethical for a cop and will get them fired 98% of the time – ANYWHERE. Besides what do you think this video will show? Jimmy Hoffa in the truck bed? A piece of Amelia Earharts plane? A moonshine still that Dabo has up in the hills? No, none of that just a guy trying to get out of a ticket. Belive me I have been there and you use whatever you have to try and avoid it. My guess is this video will be about as exciting as the one of Sammy Watkins arrest which was going to show the world how Clemson athletes get preferntial treatment- uh it showed a polite kid in an old caddy getting caught with a joint in his pocket. Big Deal.

By Jim Sweet September 20, 2012 at 4:48 pm

The man bleeds for Clemson University. I got no problem that he gets out and says I’m late for a show please give me my ticket so I can move on. Big deal!

Reply

By BigT September 20, 2012 at 4:59 pm

Until the video is released, This looks REAL BAD…

And the longer they wait, is it being edited to protect Dabo from what he did???

Sic em…sic willie…sic em…

Reply

By here's your #### video Idiot T September 20, 2012 at 5:37 pm

#### MORON

By Sharon September 20, 2012 at 5:35 pm

Yeah that Dabo is a treasure…to #### fans everywhere. Keep him forever!!!

Reply

By Jeffy01 September 20, 2012 at 5:58 pm

First wingo……now this!

Reply

By BigT September 20, 2012 at 6:24 pm

Clemson has covered up the Jetski, the SLED investigation of the Clemson PD…on top of other suspicious dealing w/ players…

Now Dabo is caught breaking the law…the officer is courageous enough to tell the truth about what Dabo did…and gets FIRED…

And Now they REFUSE to realse the Dash-Cam Video, which is PUBLIC PROPERTY…

flag link

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thumb_down

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You're asking people on Tigernet?***

Who better?***

Re: Who better?***

Re: Who better?***

Re: Who better?***

coot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***

Well I certainly don't hang onto

What cop and what ticket?***

I heard the cops missing!

There is a article on fits news claiming such BS

Fits has inside sources on a few things...

Corey Miller's show on 560 AM in Columbia.....

Yes, he was fired but it is because he bragged about it

Re:TYPICAL STUPID COOT.***

Re: There is a article on fits news claiming such BS

Re: Coot told me today

Yeah, don't mess with us..

Re: Coot told me today

The article alleges that the cop posted an article

So you're saying the cop was a #### fan and got the can.***

Re: YEP***

Sorry, you lost me at "Coot told me"

Re: Sorry, you lost me at "Coot told me"

Just as soon as Fitsnews produces the guy who took Wingo's

Re: Just as soon as Fitsnews produces the guy who took Wingo's

was there something about my post you are

welp...

Re: stupid coot ^^^^^^***

all I said was stupid coot!!!!!!! not hardly preaching bud***

Re: all I said was stupid coot!!!!!!! not hardly preaching bud***

That makes you less of a stupid coot?

Prea***

Re: Re: Well time for you to be banned, you won't be here tomorrow***

Hey, idiot. Respond to the right post.

Grasping for straws still I see.

Re: Grasping for straws still I see.

I am going to TD you into oblivion.

Still can't get a grasp of how to respond properly

Re: I am going to TD you into oblivion.

Hey, Ma!

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