Another Fort Wayne public information officer bites the dust
Posted by AWB in City & County GovernmentUpdate 5: Okay, we missed it. Fox Fort Wayne apparently went and obtained the same “confidential file” I looked at on Friday at the noble county courthouse. You’re welcome for the show-prep Fox.
I decided I would not use the information, since the file was “confidential.” Fox apparently didn’t care about that.
In June 1990 Amber allegedly took a then 13 tear-old female child in his minivan home, but instead, took her for a ride out in the country on a rural road. According to the victim’s statement he raped her. She was aware Amber kept a loaded unregistered and unmarked gun under the seat. Amber had “always told me he had an unmarked unregistered gun & that not only did no one know he had it, no one would believe he would ‘use it.‘”
From 1990 through 1994 there were additional incidents that included stalking, among other things.
We have more information, and once we confirm them tomorrow, we’ll tell you here.
For the record, we did leave a voice mail for Amber late last week, we’ve not heard back from him.
Also, if you have any information regarding this, feel free to use the “turn in a tip” form if you’d like to speak to us.
Update #4: We have more information, and have viewed additional legal documents surrounding the protection order. At this point it, would not be prudent for us to publish that information here.
Update #4.a: We have also learned, but have yet to confirm that Mr. Amber requested to be relieved of his duties as PIO.
This is still a developing story, stay tuned.
Update #3: It’s obvious the city has no desire to treat a lowly blogger as a part of the media. We gave them an opportunity to present an official statement, and through their inaction, they have effectively refused.
It appears that Bob Amber, the Fort Wayne Fire Department’s Public Information Officer has been relieved of his position and sent packing to the firehouse. This was purportedly announced at the FWFD Monday morning staff meeting. We were also told yesterday that Amy Biggs was now handling calls for the PIO. She must be overwhelmed, we never heard back.
The mayor now has two PIO’s served with protective orders. You all know about Vinnie Robinson. Apparently Mr. Amber has been the subject of a protective order as well. We don’t have time to drive to Albion to pull the file to see what the allegations are, but I bet WANE will be all over this tomorrow, (the courthouse closes at 4:00).
AWB = show-prep for WANE.
NOBLE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT I
Case: 57D01 09 07 PO 000134
Filed 07/24/2009
AMBER, ROBERT C
XXXXXX
CHURUBUSCO, IN 46723
Attorney
SMITH, TERRY LYNN (393)
116 N MAIN ST
COLUMBIA CITY, IN 46725
07/24/2009
PETITION FOR AN ORDER FOR PROTECTION FILED.
EX PARTE ORDER FOR PROTECTION GRANTED. Person/Person. Petitoner’s name and address to be kept CONFIDENTIAL. Order issued to WHITLEY County Sheriff’s Dept for service on Defendant. Confidential packet sent to NCS for their depository.
08/03/2009
SHERIFF RETURN SERVED PERSONALLY ON ROBERT
AMBER 7/28/09.
08/04/2009
Senior Judge presiding – Stephen Spindler.
Terry L. Smith files his APPEARANCE and VERIFIED REQUEST FOR A HEARING on behalf of the Respondent. Request granted. Hearing set for August 14, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. The Clerk is directed to forward Notice of Hearing to the Petitioner by certified mail. RRR.
08/04/2009
Clerk issued as directed.
08/06/2009
RETURN OF GREEN CARD SIGNED BY [redacted] 8/5/09.
08/11/2009
Timothy M. Pape files his APPEARANCE on behalf of the Petitioner, [redacted].
08/11/2009
Petitioner b/c faxes to the Court MOTION TO CONTINUE PROTEDCTIVE ORDER HEARING. Motion gratned. Order entered. Hearing set for 8/14/09 is continued to Sept. 15, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Counsel directed to notify their clients of the new date and time. Notice sent regular mail.
08/21/2009
Respondent b/c files MOTION TO CONTINUE. Motion granted. Order entered. Hearing set for 9/15/09 is continued to October 13, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Notice to the parties by regular mail.
09/08/2009
Petitioner b/c files NOTICE OF DEPOSITION.
09/24/2009
Petitioner b/c files NOTICE OF SERVING DISCOVERY.
10/05/2009
Respondent b/c files MOTION TO WITHDRAW REQUEST FOR HEARING. Motion granted per written ORDER provided. Hearing set for Oct. 13, 2009 at 1:30 is vacated. Copy to Pet., Resp., Smith & Pape. Closed file.
That’s what we have so far.
Update #2:
We’ve learned that local Fort Wayne attorney and city councilman Tim Pape is representing the petitioner in this case against the city employee. A protective order was filed and granted on 07/24/2009.
More has it develops.
Latest update: We can’t name anyone at this time, and we won’t until we actually obtain court documents, and only then, if it warrants posting.
Here’s what we can tell you.
We did speak to someone in the office the purported offender works in. We asked the department for their official “statement” regarding the matter at 3:30 p.m. today. We were promised a phone call back by 5:00, that never happened.
The person in question has been relieved of their current post and assigned to a different position, (verified). This may simply be a matter of city policy.
While no court documents exist, (and when they do we may provide them here), the purported incident apparently took place quite some time ago, years ago in fact.
We’re told there is nothing criminal being pursued at this time, that it’s a civil matter, but we’re also told the victim’s assistance office has been involved.
That’s what we have. More as it develops.
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City of Fort Wayne, the land of misfit toys, good job Mayor Henry on checking these people out befor you hire them.
JJ:
I WISH it were as “innocent” as the land of misfit toys…these “toys” are plain out evil!
(thinking CHUCKIE doll here)
Interesting. I bet Wane Tv, the JG and INC are scrambling to get in touch with their contacts.
I find it odd it said “Petitoner’s name and address to be kept CONFIDENTIAL” and then once Pape stepped in it was all of a sudden part of the public record. Did Pape screw up, or the court or is this normal?
Dan…..just so you know the Noble County Courthouse is open until 4:30 now. Just thought I would up date you on that.
Good morning Dan,
Do we really care that the “purported incident apparently took place quite some time ago, years ago in fact”?
Bob Amber is guilty of something, I assure you of that, and he needs to be held accountable for his actions.
Ms.Biggs is very good friends with Tina.Maybe the story will continue.
It’s nice to see the fire dept. “cleaning house” I believe it’s going to be a bumpy ride for Bob Amber. I also believe we all will find out there is more, much more, to this story when it unfolds. We all need to be in the victim’s corner with this one!
Trish,
Maybe you know something we don’t. The protective order was just filed and granted 07/24/2009.
Dan,
There’s ALWAYS more to the story than what the public hears. It will be interesting to see just what all is made public. I would not want to be in Bob Amber’s shoes. Hopefully justice will be served. We as a society, MUST protect the innocent.
What if, in fact, Bob Amber is the innocent party? Did you ever stop to think about that one? You don’t have to prove any of your reasons for getting a protective order against anyone.
Ashton,
You have to go in front of a judge to claim propensity to further damage in order to get a Protective Order.
Facts are fact, yes. And, indeed, Mr. Amber has a PO against him. That’s all AWB reported at this point.
That fact was more than enough to can Vince Robinson as a PIO.
Actually, protective orders are not easily gained. There is a hearing and a judge considers the statements/evidence from the petitioner as well as the respondent before the protective order is officially granted.
Ashton,
Innocent of what? I read the Busco Voice I know you’re a cheerleading coach in Busco and you’re last name is Amber.
Related? Biased maybe?
Look, I was just stating my view- which is the point of giving people the chance to respond. I’m not stupid, I am quite aware of the fact that my name is not all that common. So that being said, why don’t you just attack me and point out exactly who I am because I actually had the guts to post my name. By the way, no, I am not a cheer coach at ‘Busco. Check your ‘facts.’ I’m sorry, and I will no longer comment. I can see it has caused an uproar to actually stand up for the minority, even if it is my father.
Maybe you’re not now, but you once were.
http://www.buscovoice.com/2008/11/05/school-board-appoints-skiles-as-acting-superintendent/
And no, I did not attack you, I simply pointed out the fact that you’re related.
The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
Hamlet Act 3, scene 2, 222–230
The advice “Don’t shoot the messenger” was also expressed by Shakespeare in Henry IV, part 2
What makes you all SO SURE that he is guilty?? Aren’t we all innocent until proven guilty in this country? There has been no trial. Im sure that there are a few imbalanced unhappy people in this sinful world of ours who would file a protective order against someone in order to hurt and humiliate someone. There is too much drama that goes on in small towns (ie: Churubusco). Lets get all of the facts before we go draging this man’s good name through the mud. He is still saving lives with the FWFD and I am thankful for his service to the city!
Erika,
Guilty of what? Do you know what this is all about? I doubt that, nothing has been stated on this web site as to what happened.
Good name you say? That is laughable. Why don’t you come up here to Busco and ask around about him and his son and see what kind of a response you get?
I hope AWB blows this open and exposes the injustice that’s been going on. Going on for FAR TOO LONG!
No one has been deemed “guilty” of anything. That is for a judge or jury to decide. However, enough information apparently exists for Noble County Superior Court to issue an Order of Protection. This website has chosen to publish that fact, a matter of public record. This website has also chosen to verify and report that this individual has been transferred to another area of responsibility for the City. Both of those are “facts” and are not conjecture nor opinion. While you may not agree with these facts being seen in print, both of these items being reported are public record and, in a free society, are open for discussion.
I can imagine that this is a very trying time for the family and friends of this individual. Those people might do well to support him in ways other than posting disingenuous accusations and mean-spirited finger pointing in the public arena.
I look forward to your letters of condemnation to the editors when the newspapers and TV stations pick up this story.
Doug,
Thanks for your comment. I agree.
We’re currently in the position of needing to exercise journalistic standards, if such a thing even exists in this day of Internet reporting, blogging, etc.
We have more information, quite a bit of it in fact. We’re protecting both parties by not posting it here until we can verify certain facts.
This case crosses several county lines, and the information gathering and fact checking require due diligence, not to mention the protection of certain parties involved.
When we’re confident we’ve lived up to all of the above, we’ll have more information.
Hey FatFireFighter, Thank you for speaking up! I applaud you!
Sure wish more of your kind would help Dan. He needs all the facts, help him get those. Send him a private email if you don’t want to post it here. Tell your fellow firefighters and EMS folks to come forward too. Collectively, justice can be done.
This family may be well entrenched in your local community, but they are not above the law.
I have to echo Trish’s words to FatFireFighter! He’s correct in saying “the injustice has been going on FAR TOO LONG.” It’s time people in the Busco community unite and come forward with ALL they know. I believe AWB will definitely get the FACTS in due time and will post what will soon be made public.
As far as Ashton stating that one does not have to “prove” anything before being granted a protective order against someone just shows her lack of intelligence. The same goes for Erika who thinks you can file for a protective order just to “humiliate and hurt” someone! That statement would be laughable if it weren’t so sadly incorrect! Girls, know your court law before you spout off – making yourselves sound completely stupid….. Guest obviously knows the system and is correct. Guest’s words are written of knowledge, you girls should take a lesson from him/her.
Protective Orders are NOT granted by a judge for frivolous reasons. There are definitely reasons the judge did in fact, grant that protective order!
Kudos to Douglas B. You make several excellent points!
Dan-Not sure what you allowed Busco Turtle to do above-if you moderate these comments-is appropriate. I’d give that some thought if I were you.
FatFireFighter- When I said ‘what makes you so sure he is guilty’ I was responding to all of the previous posts in regards to Bob Amber that ‘justice will be served’, ‘we MUST protect the innocent’, Trish said “Bob Amber is guilty of something, I assure you of that, and he needs to be held accountable for his actions”. It’s obvious that you locals all know something and assume he is guilty.
Bankergirl- Obviously, I understand that protective orders are serious and are not taken lightly by the courts. They are a valuable part our justice system to protect victims. My point was, that in certain circumstances it could be possible for someone to bend the truth in order to gain a protective order for reasons other than what they are intended for. Is it unheard of for someone to take advantage of the system?? I was just stating a possibility. Clearly, a judge would air on the side of caution when dealing with a PO situation, who wouldn’t?
The Order of Protection: fact. Transfer of responsibilities from PIO: fact. The other things said by Busco posters: I have to take information that stems from gossip in a small town with a grain of salt. You never know what to believe. I’m sure conversation in a small town is full of just as much truth as it is lies. People have too much time on their hands with absolutely nothing better to do than keep their eyes and ears in everyones business and spread it around like butter. ‘Idle hands are the devil’s workshop’. Gossip can destroy friendships, family, and marriages (that’s just what satan intends for it to do). Its poisonous. You buy into everything that you hear and then continue to spread. Its like that childhood game of telephone. What goes in always comes out different in the end.
Erika, thank you for clarifying your posts. Now, since you’ve indicated that it’s, as you indicate, “the Busco posters” that are apparently annoying you, maybe the moderator can find a place you you folks to hash all this out.
Who the hell am I? I’m a taxpayer/voter in the City of Fort Wayne. I’m taxed at confiscatory levels by the City of Fort Wayne, to, in part, fund the operation of the City and the services it provides to me. When issues involving City personnel come forward, I, naturally take an interest in the issue. Call me crazy, (and many have), I like to feel comfortable with those people who either represent me or, (now this is a stretch), work for me as a taxpayer/voter. Now, you or others may tell me it’s none of my stinking business and that this is a personal matter which should not be discussed in a public forum. I would beg to differ. And while this might sound trite and simplistic (those are my good traits) I’m concerned about the quality of the people who work in the public sector, especially on my behalf.
As I said in the Vince Robinson situation, this is not a reason for joy, it’s a sad day for everyone involved.
Erika,
Let me say this much. It’s a well known fact up here in Turtle Town U.S.A. what kind of Jekyll & Hyde type of individual we’re dealing with here. I’m in the unfortunate position of worrying about job security, so what I say must be throttled to some degree.
Spend some time up here, go to a local bar and listen to the chatter and the things people are saying, it’s quite shocking. Granted, everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and anyone can accuse someone of a crime. This happened when the now woman was a young child. She’s had to live through the pain and agony of this and keep this to herself for close to two decades. I don’t doubt her, and many other in Busco also believe her story.
As for his son, I can’t go there but I will tell you this. Some people say he’s a predator, and honestly, I do not know if that’s a fact. If it is, maybe that’s a trait?
Amber is in public safety, looking out for the safety of you and all of the citizen’s of Fort Wayne. If in fact he’s guilty, which a court will hopefully decide, is that the kind of public official you want in that capacity?
Again, I say he’s innocent until proven otherwise. BUT, the mayor’s office and Chief Kelly are aware of the allegations, but they’ve done nothing so far. I suspect the only reason they know, is Tim Pape her lawyer and Fort Wayne City Councilman felt safe telling the mayor and the chief about it. Afterall, he’s the only one short of Amber’s attorney that would have had access to the files.
FatFireFighter.. it should be FATMOUTH! YOU JUST PROVED MY POINT! Noone mentioned his son, and that was completely inappropriate! It has nothing to do with this blog, irrelevant!! But I guess thats your small town nature to go and gossip/slander someone that is NOT even involved in this conversation!!! …just spreading it around like butter! I have nothing more to say to you but you can read my third paragraph of my last posting if youre not sure what Im talking about!! Get a hobby and keep your mouth shut. God will appreciate it!
Actually, the phrase is: innocent unless proven guilty. Until proven guilty suggests something less palatable.
Sounds like the old westerns on TV. “First will give ya a fair trail, then we’ll hang ya.”
Seriously, unless someone goes on the record, we’re about done here. There was a protective order issued, and a tranfer of duties occurred. Both facts verified.
Next…….
I have no ideal about the charges, no inside information.But I did work with Bob for 20 years on the department.He does his job is liked by others and seems a good famliy man.I will give him the benefit of the doubt.and I hope the least everybody would do is leave his family out of it.The truth will come out.
“air on the side of caution”??? No, not possible unless the side opposite of caution is in a perfect vacuum. “error on the side of caution” works much better.
I myself have been a victim of harassment through protective orders. First a petitioner must file a request. The magistrate then looks at the preliminary evidence presented and decides to grant or deny. If request is granted the accused person is given a time limit to file a motion to contest at which time a hearing is set within 30 days of the initial emergency orders filing date. At this hearing the petitioner and the respondent both are allowed time to present their sides. If at this time the magistrate decides that there is warranted reason for protection the order becomes official and is enforced for a period of three years. Or if the respondent does not contest within the time frame allowed it becomes official for three years. In my case the petitioner did not show for hearing and it was dismissed. A second petition was filed and the petitioner did show for the hearing but I prevailed and the petition was then denied. It was all done to harass me! In fact I was told by an attorney that a male never wins these filings but I did and the magistrate presiding over the case was a female!
Dave,
You’ll notice from above that Amber had filed a motion to dismiss the PO. Depositions were held, and discovery was done by Mr. Pape, and Amber withdrew his petition.
Makes you wonder what they discovered.
FatFireFighter
Facts! You could safely bet your last dollar that’s what was discovered. However those facts are not being made public at this time. Amber had no choice but to withdraw his petition to dismiss. It’s just a matter of time…..
If anyone following this is a “praying” person, pray for the victim(s). In cases such as this, the victim(s) needs all the support they can get. It takes a VERY stong person to come forward – and re-live the horror of the crimes and to unearth the long repressed fear and humiliation – so as to stop the victimization of others!
I’ll say it again – it’s just a matter of time.
I saw this on 55 news the other week.
I have tried to find other news reports on their website, and everything seems to be removed.
Does anyone know anything new about this?
That report on 55 was some time ago. I don't think Fox archives their web content. We're not aware of anything new.
The comment I saw on Fox was when the Highway Dept lady got busted for selling her boyfriends airplane parts.
So that was only a few weeks back.
I am running against this family politically, and was just wondering what they are capable of.
Pat,
Facts on this are that Bob Amber has a protective order against him and is no longer the PIO for the Ft. Wayne Fire Dept.
Not sure what his family is capable of, but my opinion is that by finally bringing this out in the open, they're somewhat tarnished.
Good luck with your campaign against Patty Amber.
So the community does not forget the things from the past.
Thanks for reminding the community BuscoPat. I know the victim will NEVER forget. She lives daily with the horror of it all. Hope there's a special place in hell for guys like him, along with the others that knew, but never did anything about it.