OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl Zwart ordered, on Friday, that former police officer Rich Gonzalez and Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo will remain in jail until trial. Fundraiser Jack Olson, who was also indicted on related federal charges, will be held in custody until trial as well. It was decided on Monday that Johnny Palermo, no relation to Vinny Palermo, would not be released.
Vinny Palermo
According to the judge's detention order, Vinny Palermo is accused of contacting subpoenaed grand jury witnesses and telling them how to testify.
He allegedly told them that the only three acceptable responses were "Yes", "No", and "I don't know."
According to the order, Vinny Palermo said, "If you don't stick with them three next week, you gonna cause problems for all of us."
He's also accused of being part of a group that beat up a person during a trip to San Diego, punching the victim and throwing them against a refrigerator.
She noted in her ruling that Vinny Palermo is charged with violating the terms of his probation stemming from a 2019 tax fraud case and now faces a new indictment on fraud charges.
The judge wrote, “On December 19, 2019, Defendant was sentenced to a term of four years of probation on three counts of failing to file a tax return. As relevant to this order, pursuant to Defendant’s terms of probation, Defendant was not to commit a local, state, or federal crime while on probation, and he was not to leave the District of Nebraska with the prior authorization of the court or his probation officer.”
Richard Gonzalez
In Gonzalez's case, the detention order says he has been the subject of previous FBI investigations for illegal drug activity.
He's accused of saying he was a chaplain and board member for the Latino Peace Officers Association and authorizing expenditures on their behalf.
Documents also accuse him of deterring a sexual assault investigation through phone calls offering advice to a suspect.
Rich Gonzalezrequested to be placed on house arrest, but Zwart rejected that request writing, “This suggestion is onerous and simply not feasible for either the court or the Defendant and his family member custodians."
Jack Olson
In the case of Jack Olson, the judge ruled he should stay in jail due to an opiate addiction and a history of being fired from multiple fundraising organizations.
He's also accused of providing ad space in an LPOA publication in exchange for sex.
The judge also cited the first-degree assault investigation, where Olson allegedly sought advice from Gonzalez and Johnny Palermo to cover it up.
Johnny Palermo
Former OPD Detective Johnny Palermo, no relation to Vinny Palermo, was already ordered to stay in jail.
The detention order says he's accused of helping gangs commit drug and gun crimes in Omaha.
Members of a gang said they could call Johnny Palermo to get out of trouble and do drugs in front of him.
He is also accused of using illegal drugs on a trip and exchanging gummies containing illegal drugs for sex.
On April 21, Vinny Palermo and Gonzalez, along with two others, were indicted in federal court on multiple counts relating to alleged fraudulent activity.
READ MORE:
Detention order for Rich Gonzalez
Detention order for Vinny Palermo
Detention order for Johnny Palermo
Detention order for Jack Olson
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