Airline Pilot Central Forums

Airline Pilot Central Forums (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/)
-   Alaska (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/alaska/)
-   -   Yikes Part 2 (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/alaska/112926-yikes-part-2-a.html)

Moose 04-13-2018 01:49 PM

Yikes Part 2
 
Ready, Fire, Aim! This has to stop. The destruction of someone in the court of opinion with no facts. The drive-by media and the disasters they leave in their wake have to end. Due diligence did not happen.


For Immediate Release April 11, 2018
Contact: Attorney Sheri Pewitt, Pewitt Law PLLC. Phone: 206.941.0009
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Attorney Francisco Duarte, Fury Duarte PS. Phone: 425.643.1606
Email: [email protected]
Alaska Airlines Captain Passes Lie Detector (Polygraph) Test Refuting Wrongful Accusation of Drugging and Raping a First Officer Colleague.
Seattle, WA - Captain Paul Engelien, the Alaska Airlines Captain accused of sexual assault on a layover trip, has taken a polygraph test and passed. The results refute First Officer Betty Pina’s claims—made in a lawsuit she filed against Alaska Airlines in Seattle, Washington—that the airline allowed the captain to drug and rape her and failed to hold the captain accountable after she reported the incident to airline officials.
Pina’s Alaska Airlines lawsuit and its unsubstantiated allegations are fueling social media’s ire against Captain Engelien, ruining his personal life and long aviator career.
For women who have suffered unconscionable acts of sexual abuse and harassment, the #MeToo movement is vitally important. For men who have conducted unforgiveable acts of sexual abuse, the #MeToo movement has helped bring their actions to light.
Unfortunately, it has also made it too easy to accuse any individual publicly, on social media, regardless of whether the information is true. In a time where social media is ever present, wrongfully accused individuals can sustain a damaged reputation in an instant, even when proven innocent. Careers are destroyed, families are torn apart, children become targets of bullying, and reputations are permanently ruined.
Probationary pilots, like First Officer Pina, who was on the job only 8 months, are subject to termination for violating company policies, including Alaska Airlines’ alcohol-consumption prohibition within ten hours of reporting for duty.
Captain Engelien, a 24-year Air Force veteran and a 22-year pilot for Alaska Airlines, has unequivocally denied that he drugged or raped Pina. The nationally certified polygraph examiner asked Captain Engelien the following questions pertaining to Pina’s allegations.
1. Besides alcohol, did you, yourself, give or administer any drug to Betty without her knowledge? No
2. Do you have memories of sexual contact with Betty, without her participation and consent? No
3. Did you physically force or coerce Betty to engage in sexual contact with you? No

A Lafayette LX-4000 computerized polygraph was used for this examination using a Zone format. The physiological responses were evaluated using standardized and accepted scoring techniques. Conclusions reached from this examination are a result of standard numerical scoring. Captain Engelien’s polygraph testing protocol followed the same standards used in law enforcement, including the FBI.
A sanitized blind scoring was conducted by another certified polygraph examiner, who is a member in good standing with the American Polygraph Association and Northwest Polygraph Association. That examiner’s results verified Captain Engelien’s test results.
Captain Engelien did not exhibit physiological reactions that would suggest deception or untruthfulness to any of the questions listed above. “Based upon a numerical evaluation of the polygrams produced, it is the professional opinion of this examiner that he was not attempting deception to these questions.”
“Examination Results: No Deception Indicated”
The examiner, a retired law enforcement officer, is Reid trained in interview and interrogation techniques. For the past fifteen years, he has administered polygraph examinations on a regular basis for police departments, treatment providers, private attorneys, public defenders, the Washington State Department of Corrections, and private citizens. He is trained and certified in both basic and advanced post-conviction sexual offender testing. He is a member of the American Polygraph Association, American Association of Police Polygraphists, and the Northwest Polygraph Examiners Association.
###

Lugar 04-13-2018 02:00 PM


Originally Posted by Moose (Post 2571739)
1. Besides alcohol, did you, yourself, give or administer any drug to Betty without her knowledge? No
2. Do you have memories of sexual contact with Betty, without her participation and consent? No
3. Did you physically force or coerce Betty to engage in sexual contact with you? No

(1) So he had SOMEONE ELSE “give/administer any drug.”

(2) She participated while drugged.

(3) No need, she was drugged.

So that’s how you pass the lie detector test, while still being guilty. Those questions, and how they’re worded, are clearly intended for him to pass the test.

Moose 04-13-2018 02:01 PM

It is truly devastating that Betty Pina and her attorneys are airing allegations in the press and convicting Captain Engelien in the court of public opinion. Frankly it's upsetting anytime due process is subverted. Per my consultation with a legal ethics professor, because Captain Engelien is not a named party in Betty Pina’s lawsuit and has not been charged with a crime, there is no reason why he can’t defend himself against the allegations and share that he passed a lie detector test. Captain Engelien has a “Right-to-Reply” by law. However, it is my understanding that he is being told by Alaska Airline union reps. and mgt. that he can’t talk about the case. Paul Engelien remains loyal to Alaska Airlines and wants to respect what I believe may be an unlawful and unfair gag order. Never-the-less, Captain Engelien is choosing to follow Alaska Airlines' order not to discuss the case and is refraining from making any statements. However, as his legal advocate, the law allows (may even require) me to share factual information that refutes Pina’s allegations if it’s in my client’s best interest.

To that end, On April 11, 2018, my PR rep. issued the attached press release to the media outlets listed in the chart below. So far NONE of the media outlets have released a follow-up story alerting their readers, listeners or viewer of this development. Sadly, it appears that Pina’s drugging and rape allegations, assertion that this is a #MeToo movement issue and lawsuit against Alaska Airlines generates more interest than the fact that Captain Engelien passed a polygraph exam. The exam results directly refute Pina’s allegations that he drugged and raped her. KIRO 7’s Dave Wagner broke Pina’s original story and expressed an interest in covering Captain Engelien’s side of the story only if Captain Engelien would do an in-person, on-camera interview. Without an on-camera interview, it appears Dave Wagner is not interested in updating KIRO 7's story with the polygraph results either. Alaska Airline’s gag order is making it virtually impossible for Captain Engelien to defend himself against Pina’s allegations.

MEDIA NOTIFIED VIA A PRESS RELEASE THAT CAPTAIN ENGELIEN PASSED A POLYGRAPH
Seattle Print/Internet
Seattle Times
Seattle PI
Puget Sound Business Journal
The Stranger
Seattle Radio/TV/Internet
KOMO
KIRO
KING
FOX
Non-Seattle Print/Internet
Spokesman Review
The Oregonian
Anchorage Daily News
LA Times
Dallas Morning News
Chicago Tribune
Tampa Bay Times / St. Pete Times
Boston Globe
Non-Seattle Print/Internet
San Francisco Chronicle / SFGate
Sacramento Bee
Arizona Republic
NY Times
NY Daily News
Washington Post
Atlanta Journal Constitution
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
National TV/Radio/Internet
ABC News and Good Morning America
CBS News and CBS This Morning
NBC News and Today Show
FOX News
International Business Times
Daily Mail
The Independent
FlyerTalk.com
Thepointsguy.com
Thecut.com

Mass Distribution Release
Associated Press (AP Wire)

Because the media doesn’t appear interested in updating their coverage, yesterday I began sending personal emails directly to journalists of select media outlets that covered Pina’s story. I personally introduced myself, notified each journalist/producer that Captain Engelien passed a polygraph and requested that they update their coverage. I have only heard back from the two journalists in bold below. While they have not yet updated their coverage, I’m hopeful they will.

IBEX News
The Seattle Times
ABC News
Newsweek
HeraldNet
Daily Beast
Puget Sound Business Journal
Business Insider
The New York Times
The Washington Post
Mr. Leacock
Mr. Kamb
Ms. Thorbecke and Ms. Ghebremedhin
Mr. Palmer
Mr. Pattison
Ms. Messer
Mr. McIntosh
Mr. Zhang
Ms. Hauser
Ms. Eltagouri

The good news is there’s power in social media. If the mainstream media isn’t interested in covering the full story, I’m hopeful I can get this information out via the power of the internet and social networking. I have included the press release below and hope that you will share this email with your peers and invite them to share it on social media, list-serves and other outlets to the extent they feel comfortable doing so. I’d also like anyone who believes they may have information relevant to this case to contact Investigator Mortensen at [email protected] or myself at [email protected].

Warm regards,

Sheri Pewitt ​, Attorney​
206.941.0009 ph
206.467.3152 fax
[email protected]
www.pewittlaw.com

Moose 04-13-2018 02:04 PM

Wow Lugar. You come in here previously lying about court documents and now you double down with this garbage. Me thinks you’re not credible.

Lugar 04-13-2018 02:07 PM


Originally Posted by Moose (Post 2571753)
Wow Lugar. You come in here previously lying about court documents and now you double down with this garbage. Me thinks you’re not credible.

Doesn’t take a genius to see that the questions they’ve asked are crafted to pass the test, and to say that he’s innocent based on those questions would be deceptive.

Moose 04-13-2018 02:13 PM

Really? You’re reaching. You’ve already convicted (in your own mind) a senior captain and military veteran with zero facts and then spread bull crap to further slam him in the court of public opinion. Did he screw up? I think so. Did he committ a criminal act...I think not considering the evidence offered by both parties.

Lugar 04-13-2018 02:28 PM


Originally Posted by Moose (Post 2571761)
Really? You’re reaching. You’ve already convicted (in your own mind) a senior captain and military veteran with zero facts and then spread bull crap to further slam him in the court of public opinion. Did he screw up? I think so. Did he committ a criminal act...I think not considering the evidence offered by both parties.

Fair enough. But if they wanted to leave no doubt, any good reason why they wouldn’t ask these questions, which don’t leave loopholes?

1. Besides alcohol, did you give or administer, or CAUSE TO give or administer any drug to Betty without her knowledge?

2. Do you have memories of sexual contact with Betty, with or without her participation and consent, while she was under the influence of any drug, including alcohol?

3. Did you verbally or physically force or coerce Betty to engage in sexual contact with you while she was under the influence of any drug, including alcohol?

I would be satisfied that the opposing party was innocent if he would have answered THOSE questions with a “no,” and passed the lie detector test.

Excargodog 04-13-2018 02:33 PM


Originally Posted by Moose (Post 2571761)
Really? You’re reaching. You’ve already convicted (in your own mind) a senior captain and military veteran with zero facts and then spread bull crap to further slam him in the court of public opinion. Did he screw up? I think so. Did he committ a criminal act...I think not considering the evidence offered by both parties.

There is a reason polygraphs ar not permissible in criminal trials. I once had a military security clearance that involved polygraphs every six months. I had a standing bet with the polygraph operator that I could slip one lie by him in the preliminary part of the test where they are calibrating your response and he would not be able to detect it. Over a three year period the man bought me six shots of Jeremiah Weed.

Which of course doesn’t mean the Captain WASN’T telling the truth. Just that a polygraph doesn’t mean much of anything one way or another.

bamike 04-13-2018 02:36 PM

Beyond a reasonable doubt
 
This guy will never get convicted of anything and I don’t think they can fire him without paying him off. There are so many holes in this story any lawyer can tear it to shreds. It’s also why she went public, to get it into the court of public opinion because the evidence is too flimsy for a successful outcome in court.

I’m not saying he’s innocent, it’s irrelevant. The government cannot meet their burden of proof, and the plaintiff probably won’t even meet preponderance of the evidence in the civil claim.

Moose 04-13-2018 02:37 PM

In a case of “she said; he said” what else do you have to go off of? She presented zero evidence. Just a probie drunk in the window saving her job is how some see it. Maybe she should take one.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:15 AM.


User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Website Copyright ©2000 - 2017 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands