2015 Gamberg Report on Collusion Between DOJ/PCSO

Gamberg Report of Collusion between DOJ & PCSO


by dmac » Mon Jun 21, 2021 6:48 pm

Word-for-word, 9 pages:

P.A. (Mike) Crim (deceased)
CA. DOJ Special Agent DOJ (CBI Organized Crime Unit)

Harry Bradley (retired)
CA. DOJ Special Agent (CBI) DOJ POST

Sylvester Douglas Thomas (retired)
Former Sheriff Plumas County

Emil Gene DeCrona
Retired CA DOJ POST

During my investigation and review of the case, my attention was drawn to the manner in which the investigation was conducted. This has to do with a suspicion of a possible cover-up during the initial investigation in 1981. It is my endeavor to cover all aspects of this case, to tie up any loose ends. The following is the basis for this investigative direction:

04/07/15 while reviewing documents pertaining to the investigation of the Keddie Homicide brought rise to questions that I feel need to be answered. A number of internet sites such as the Keddie28 internet site brought to light the possibility of a cover up in this case. The alleged perpetrators were DOJ investigators, Mike Crim, Harry Bradley, and then-Sheriff Douglas Thomas, and possibly others. The main persons of interest in this case are Martin Smartt and Severin John Boubede (aka "Bo") and other persons of interest mentioned in the body of the report never followed up on or contacted. The question lies with Bo Boubede.

It was reported, and confirmed by family members, that "'Bo" Boubede was heavily involved with the Chicago Mafia as an enforcer, etc. As reported, Boubede and his uncle Alvin were connected with the crime organization and had committed crimes in the Chicago area and were suspected of possible homicides back in the day. Boubede spent time in Joliette State Prison for armed robbery.

It is believed by those in contention, that Boubede was possibly an informant for either state or the federal government and possibly in the witness protection program, and had fled to the west and landed in Oakland and in Reno where he met with Martin Smartt, as evidenced by this homicide report, with Boubede and Smartt as primary suspects in this case.

Due to the severity of the crime (i.e.: multiple homicides and an abduction) the DOJ was contacted for assistance. Members of CA DOJ/CSI personnel arrived in addition to Special Agents Mike Crim and Harry Bradley to assist in the investigation. Crim and Bradley were assigned to the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Unit. I questioned, why would members of the CA CBI Organized Crime Unit be sent to investigate a local, rural county homicide? This leads one to believe the possibility that one of the subjects involved in the case and later identified as a suspect, "Bo" Boubede, was possibly an informant or in the Witness Protection Program. lt is believed that Boubede reached out to his handlers for assistance, due to way the case was handled.

It is noted that Crim and Bradley interviewed virtually all of the major persons of interest in this case, most importantly both Smartt and Boubede, both of which were less than truthful. Boubede was the worst of the two. For example, Boubede told the DOJ investigators that he was a retired cop from Chicago, who had been shot in the line of duty when in fact he was a convicted felon spending time in prison for armed robbery and had been arrested in Oakland Ca. for attempted armed robbery.

Both subjects gave what appeared to be a preplanned alibi or statement. After their interviews, both subjects were released never to be contacted again, even after receiving information that Boubede had lied to them, Boubede was allowed to leave the county almost immediately. Martin Smartt was never interviewed again after his polygraph when Sam Lister, the polygraph examiner, advised them to talk to Smartt again as he believed that Smartt had more information. Additionally, Marilyn Smartt was told to lie to investigators, telling them that she was Boubede's niece, that he was her mother's brother. Marilyn said that both "Bo" and Martin told her what to say, including a preplanned alibi of what had occurred that night.

05/11/81 Sheriff Thomas was contacted by then Plumas/Lassen Mental Health Director Doctor Cheezeman. Cheezeman stated that a colleague and friend from the Reno Vet Center, counselor __________ related that Martin Smartt, a patient ,had confessed to committing the Keddie homicide. Instead of assigning the information to the Sheriffs Office investigators, the information was passed on to the DOJ investigators Bradley and Crim for follow up. 05/19/81 DOJ investigator's Bradley and Crim contacted _____ at his office at the Reno Vet Center in Reno Nevada, Bradley and Crlm's report was inconclusive. The report did not have any information that Martin Smartt committed the Keddie homicide, only related to hearsay information. The only document found related to that contact was from Sheriff Thomas follow-up with a foot note, written in his hand as being "hearsay unfounded"

ln late 2010, this same information that Smartt had confessed to the Keddie homicide was brought to light once again, by witness Josh Hancock and Amanda Glover producers of "Cabin 28" the movie, a documentary of the Keddie Homicide. They interviewed _______ who was the counselor for Martin Smartt at the Reno Vet Center. _______ related in detail that Martin Smartt had confessed to the homicide the interview was video tape recorded. This interview was in far more detail than that of DOJ investigators in May of 1981. 09/09/10 being advised of this information from Hancock and Glover, Then-Plumas County Sheriff's Detective Bill Elliott (since retired) contacted _____ in Reno for an official interview. The interview was tape recorded, which related the same information as in the movie.

Upon review of the reports it was noted that the follow up submitted by Crim and Bradley was missing information, as the counselor advised that he had related the very same information to the DOJ investigators in May of 1981. Due to this, I questioned the stark difference in the information provided by DOJ investigators and the new information provided by the film crew and Det Elliott. I attempted to contact now retired DOJ special agent Bradley in hopes that he could recall this information clarifying this discrepancy. l was unable to contact Bradley. Special Agent Crim was reported to have died approximately five years ago. A few weeks later I was able to contact S/A Bradley via telephone and asked him about this 30+ year old case. Unfortunately, due to his age 85 yrs and the reports of possible dementia, Bradley was unable to recall much of the case.

During this time I uncovered a letter and envelope that was written shortly after the homicide. This letter was from Martin Smartt and addressed to Marilyn Smartt. ln context, Martin admits to crucial information. Martin writes, that he "had paid for her (Marilyn's) love with four people lives". (refer attached letter). I entered this letter into evidence when I received it in 2013 It should be noted that this information had never been identified, or followed up on when it was received in 1981. ln early August I contacted the VA Therapist who counseled (S) Martin Smartt and who Martin confessed to for killing (V) Sue Sharp and her Daughter (V) Tina Sharp. He said that Smartt said that he was a close friend of Doug Thomas, Sheriff of Plumas County. Smartt said that he stayed with the Sheriff at his residence and that he was given a polygraph exam and laughingly said that he passed.

Due to Smartt's revelation, ______ advised Smartt that he should do the right thing and turn himself in. He told Smartt that he was obligated to report this information to the authorities. Concerned that Smartt's alleged close relationship between he and the Sheriff, his information might cause a conflict of interest, ______ contacted the California Dept of Justice in Sacramento as he knew that most small law enforcement agencies were assisted by DOJ, who helped investigate major crimes (i.e. homicides) and reported the fact that Smartt had confessed to the homicide. ______ was unable to recall the special agent's names due to passing time. ______ said that he was contacted by DOJ agents and he reported Smartt's confession.

______ reported everything to the DOJ investigators as related to in Det. Elliott's interview and that of the documentary interview of Smartt's confession. ______ advised that he was contacted by the DOJ investigators later and thanked for his help, stating that Smartt had been arrested some where on the Columbia River in Oregon. ______ was shocked to learn that nothing had been done, believing that the case was adjudicated. Additionally ______ was shocked that the DOJ investigators reported that his information was hearsay generated by Smartt's wife.

After review of much of the report and background research done by the Keddie28 web site forum, I found court documents posted on the site referring to a 1973 case file [200 Cal-App.3d268] cases attached. The case related to P.A. Crim as a special agent of the California Dept of Justice Organized Crime Unit. The report stated that Crim was an incompetent and unreliable investigator and did not have a good reputation. Additionally the document goes on to report that Crim had attempted to block an official investigation by the Fresno County District Attorneys Office, which the D.A. was able to prevent only by complaining to the
California State Attorney Generals office. A full report was made of the Dist. Attorney's investigation and of Crim's incompetence and unreliability to appellants Walsh and McClung in 1978 and 1979. This case brings to light suspected organized crime family (Mafia) involvement.

Further research found that Boubede ("Bo") was arrested for theft and impersonating a police officer. According to the Chicago Tribune in Jan. of 1988 "Bo" was arrested under the name of Michael Desantis and charged in Chicago's North Felony Court and released on bond shortly after the arrest. Allegedly info has it that the arresting officer Cmdr Bicek was demoted during this case. The case disappeared as did Boubede, never to be heard of again. Further investigation to verify the above information will be done. (Refer attached documents)


I have found that this entire report is incomplete on its face due to the lack of follow-up of crucial information pertaining to witnesses and possible suspects. The most glaring of which were those of Crim, Bradley and others. Based on the above information questioning Crim's competence and questionable actions, it supports further investigation. Additionally I questioned why Sheriff Thomas did not assign investigators from the Sheriffs Office to contact the counselor or other persons of interest in this case, and why he relied solely on the DOJ investigators to lead the investigation of this homicide. Approximately 90 days in the middle of the homicide investigation, Sheriff Thomas resigned as the Sheriff as was given a position with DOJ (POST). I questioned this appointment due to the circumstances surrounding this case and his close relationship with DOJ investigators.

08/03/15 while conducting further research ofthe Cabin 28 forum I found additional information and court documents and background research that if verified, supports my concerns that possibly (S)"Bo" Boubede was either an informant or in the WPP (Witness Protection Program). Due to the totality of the circumstances I request that further investigation be done lo determine if Crim / Bradley and others acted inappropriately and if Boubede and or Smart were involved with either federal and or state law enforcement as informants or involved in the witness protection program. Additionally backgrounds on Crim and Bradley could supply information for further direction.

I contacted FBI S/A Glenn Booth and reported my concerns and asked for his assistance and supplied him with above documentation in an effort to further investigate this case.

Severin John "Bo" Boubede
DOB 07/27/31
FBI #4278554 / Cll #M01124841 (new lDrg344)
(Deceased)

Johnny Boubede
Illinois State #68906'1 / FPC225905
(Refer ALPS attachment)

12/21/15 I reviewed the Keddie homicide evidence file, while reading I found a possible problem that needs to be addressed. On 05/03/81 PCSO Sgt. Stoy submitted a number of names and latent print numbers to DOJ for examination in this case, one of which was the above mentioned Johnny Boubede. The above information on Boubede was submitted to Sgt Stoy by Supervising Special Agent John Smoot of the California Department of Justice, Crim and Bradley's boss. The problem being is that subject Johnny Boubede, the subject in question, is possibly the wrong person. The subject, Severin John Boubede, is actually the
person of interest whose prints were to be examined.

Boubede was interviewed by DOJ investigators Crim and Bradley. It was later discovered that he lied several times during the interview Boubede told the investigators that he was a retired police officer who had been injured on the job ln fact it was found that Boubede had spent time in Joliet State Prison in Illinois for Armed Robbery as well as in California for Attempted Robbery in 1956. Boubede was allowed to leave the area and was never contacted again for follow-up.

12/29/15 I contacted DOJ latent prints Supervisor Felita Chapman and submitted the attached names and numbers for examination in the above case DOJ'S case # L-1284-81.

01/03/16 l was contacted by Felita Chapman and advised via phone message that she is to return to work on 01/11/16 and would process the prints as requested.

01/12/16 I was contacted by Felita Chapman who advised that latent prints on Johnny Boubede are
missing from the case file. Felita said that she cannot compare Severin John Boubede with Johnny Boubede's prints to identify if they are two different subjects or one and the same. I advised Ms. Chapman that I would attempt to locate the information that she needs and requested that she process the latent prints against the prints found at the scene.

01/24/16 I contacted Felita Chapman at the DOJ latent prints division for an update. Ms. Chapman advised that latents in this case, namely on Boubede, were missing and the ones that she had were degraded, making it difficult to read. I advised that I would attempt to locate better prints and would get back to her. I went through the case file and found a legible print card for Boubede. I sent the card and other information relating to Boubede, to DOJ for comparison.

01/25/16 I contacted the Illinois Bureau of Prisons and was directed to Agent Brian Kuter the liaison for law enforcement who is assisting me researching Boubede's background in hopes of locating finger prints for Boubede I am waiting for a return of information.

02104/16 I was directed to the Illinois State Bureau of Identification. l contacted Oakland Police Dept. and Alameda Co. Sheriffs Office to hoping to locate finger prints on Boubede.

02104/16 I was contacted by OPD and Alameda Co. S/O and advised that their database for latent prints that far back was all manual and the prints needed were inaccessible. NFI.

021081161contacted FBI S/A Glenn Booth regarding the above information and requested his assistance using the FBI archives and latent prjnt data base was recently digitized by the bureau. Booth stated that he would retrieve the information.

02/29/16 I contacted the South Dakota Div. of Criminal Investigation re: the 1999 arrest of William Byrd (aka Johnnie Boubede), the son of John Severin Boubede, the POI in the Keddie homicide. I requested any and all information on Byrd, (aka Boubede) latent prints and possible DNA) for comparison by the Department of Justice in our case. I was directed to contact the Minihaha County Sheriff's Office for further assistance. The request was made and we are awaiting return of info due to the old date of arrest in 1999.

03/08/16 I faxed the attached LEAWEB report containing all the finger print numbers and aka names that Johnny Boubede compiled during his criminal career. Additionally we are awaiting further information and comparable finger prints on Severin John Boubede and Johnny Boubede from the military archives in St. Louis Mo. Additional info Johnny Leon Boubede 10/18/53 died 02/10/03 or 10/21/03, Port Richey, Florida, Cumberland Co.

03/31/16 I received the attached information from the Keddie28 forum website manager "DMAC" Who reported that he researched the appointment of former Plumas County Sheriff Doug Thomas to POST, a division of CA DOJ. "DMAC" reported that Program Manger and S/A Bradley and Gene Decrona, who were listed as POST Bureau Chief and Project Director, both were involved with the DOJ Advanced Training Center; they developed a new position at POST; for all intents and purposes, it appears to have been created for and filled by former Sheriff Doug Thomas- for what reason is still to be determined. Could it be a reward for the poor investigation that was conducted? (further investigation)

Food for thought:

01/07/16 while reading the case files related to Severin John Boubede and the Keddie connection, I questioned why and how did "Bo" end up in Keddie. ls there a connection that started in Oakland Ca. in 1956 when "Bo" was arrested for attempted armed robbery, spending a year at the Alameda community work farm in Pleasanton CA? "Bo" being connected to the Chicago Outfit (Mob)? It was believed that he was a made guy and committed crimes, hits as requested. After the year in county he was allegedly paroled back to Chicago in 1958. This information was never followed up back in 1981. ln fact Boubede's records in Oakland were never referenced anywhere in this report.

The Oakland connection could be where he came in contact with DOJ Organized Crime Unit special agents. There is evidence that suggests that "Bo" was afforded immunity for his crimes in the past, as witnessed by his arrest for fraud in Chicago, after the homicide in Keddie, used the name of Michael Desantis.

"Bo" never spent time for his crimes, as he and the case disappeared until his death.
(Refer attachments)

My theory:

The Oakland connection could possibly be a Mafia hit on the Mollath family (i.e. Lynette Marie Mollath) in April of 1978, which possibly would lead Boubede to Keddie. I am checking records on the Mollath homicide in Piedmont for a possible nexus. lt has been rumored that the Mollath family were connected and that Keddie was purchased with dirty money. ls there a possibility that some how they angered their connection?

1.) Where did the Mollath family come from?
2.) Where did they live before coming to California?
3.) lf possible, who were their associates?
4.) Where did the money come from to buy Keddie?

02/11/16 I located a copy of the Piedmont Police Departments homicide report re: Lynnette Mollath., at the PIumas County District Attorney's Office. D.A. lnvest. Jeff Wilkenson pulled the file and turned over what information he had re: the case.

It should be noted that the (V) Lynnette Marie Mollath was the daughter of Lynn Mollath, owner of the Keddie Resort.

I reviewed the case file and the crime scene photos noting similarities in the Mollath case and the Keddie case. ln brief, lt is my opinion that the manner of injuries and the cause of death regarding (V) Mollath was similar to those of (V) Sue Sharp, (V) Mollath was stabbed in the torso and her throat was cut in the same fashion as (V) Sue Sharp the victim in our case. Additionally it appeared that the victim was posed, locating the body at the foot of the stairs directly in front of the front door, so that when you opened the front door, the first thing that
you would see was the (V) so as to create the scene for major shock value. lt is my opinion that (V) Sharp and the two remaining victims in our case were moved from their original positions, posing them for the same type of shock value.

Further review of the Mollath case will be done for more possible similarities and information on the Mollath family.