The City of Plano has contacted me regarding an ongoing investigation into the Plano Police Department and Police Chief Ed Drain. Deputy City Manager LaShon Ross informed me that Kim Moore, a board-certified labor and employment law attorney with the firm Clark Hill, has been brought in to investigate accusations I have made both publicly and privately about the department and the chief.
“The City acknowledges the need to investigate these allegations which have been shared with the City Manager’s Office, City Council and other members of the public,” Ross said.
This follows multiple tips that came in through our tip line alleging several concerning matters involving Chief Drain directly. Those matters were forwarded to the mayor, city manager, and city council.
I previously provided the city with critical details of the allegations I have received. I have also obtained video footage as well.
After learning that I was aware of an incident involving an alleged DWI accident and a former top department official, the city recently changed one of its policies. That individual was never investigated for the alleged DWI, and all related recordings were reportedly deleted. The person was not terminated but later retired with benefits.
Weeks ago, I also released a photo showing Chief Drain allegedly asleep during a meeting. It was not the first such incident or the only photo. Separate accusations concerning a driving incident have also been brought to the city’s attention. I recently learned that some of the video footage from that alleged incident is unavailable via public records request.
Plano Police Chief Ed Drain allegedly sleeping during meeting
In August, I confronted Drain after speaking at the City Council meeting. During the interaction, Drain was holding his phone with the flash on, indicating he was filming me, while leaving his firearm exposed and unsecured. His left hand was occupied with the phone, leaving him unprepared to protect the weapon. He also did not have his body camera on. A public records request has been submitted for his personal device.
Plano Police Chief Ed Drain
Separately, Plano Officer Ken Mings remains under investigation after I filed a complaint against him in August. I alleged that Mings intentionally failed to file a police report or properly investigate an incident in which Egyptian immigrant Harvy Barsoom followed me into my home. Mings allegedly repeatedly refused to review the footage, declined to show it to me, and insisted no crime had occurred. Barsoom was only investigated after I threatened to sue the City of Plano, posted the footage online, and received millions of views. Barsoom later pleaded guilty in criminal court to trespassing and admitted he left the property only after seeing my firearm. Barsoom was only investigated after I threatened to sue the City of Plano, posted the footage online, and received millions of views.
Although Mings is currently being investigated by Plano’s Professional Standards Unit, that unit is overseen by Chief Drain. Drain and Mings have a personal relationship, a concern I have also raised directly with the City of Plano.
Plano Police Officer Ken Mings
I have declined the City of Plano’s request to meet with me after Plano Police sources confirmed the meeting is solely intended to gather more details about the status of my journalistic investigation and information on my sources. The City already has a long list of people it can speak with privately. An email from a 20-year veteran of the Plano Police Department was sent to the Mayor, City Manager, and City Counsel. A copy of the emails was obtained via public records request.
In my view, meeting with me would only escalate the ongoing cover-up. I will be releasing another report, pending the outcome of the City’s investigations.