When Ty Rupert campaigned for and won the interim sheriff appointment last year, he swore to keep unflattering headlines about the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office out of newspapers. Nonetheless, two open investigations swirl in the November General Election’s race for sheriff, and at least a third is on the way.
The newest inquiry stems from two complaints filed with the District Attorney’s Office, concerning seemingly unfounded allegations that DCSO Det. Lt. James “Mac” McLaughlin embellished his service with the U.S. Marine Corps. McLaughlin is Rupert’s sole opponent.
These allegations surfaced on Aug. 4, when an anonymous person using the moniker “Steve the Monkey Trainer,” posted the first of three YouTube videos skeptical of McLaughlin’s time with the Marines.
Allegations of that nature, if proven, can land a person on a DA’s Brady List, a Scarlett Letter-designation that bars many police officers from presenting evidence in court and torpedoes most cops’ careers.
Yet documents received and analyzed by the Source show that these accusations of “stolen valor” to be untrue.
Additionally, McLaughlin provided photographs that appear to tie the defamatory allegations made by “Steve the Monkey Trainer” to one of Rupert’s election campaign workers.
“Stolen valor”
On Aug. 4, “Steve the Monkey Trainer” began posting videos alleging that McLaughlin inflated his military credentials. Each of the three videos is narrated by an AI-generated male voice and draws from McLaughlin’s military discharge form and footage of the sheriff candidate speaking at campaign events.
The videos allege that McLaughlin lied about his time with the 1st Force Recon Company. That affiliation isn’t explicitly listed on McLaughlin’s single-page military discharge form, known as a DD-214, which details his primary specialty as ammunition technician. That’s what strikes “Steve” as suspect.
In several clips featured in the “Steve” posts, McLaughlin states he was promoted to sergeant, worked as an ammunition technician and completed training the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company ordered him to undergo.
Yet the fact that McLaughlin’s DD-214 omits this 1st Force Recon training isn’t the smoking gun “Steve” purports it to be. McLaughlin sent the Source documents, including a written training order typed on 1st Force Recon letterhead and a diploma, that substantiate his 1st Force Recon training.
By press time, the “Steve” videos had been viewed more than 1,000 times. One such viewer filed a complaint with the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office. The other complaint was emailed to DA Steve Gunnels with the email handle: Steve the Monkey Trainer at Proton.me, the Source learned. URLs to those videos, McLaughlin says, were also emailed to DCSO employees at work addresses.
Speaking with the Source on Aug. 21, McLaughlin said he and his attorney were preparing substantiating documents for the DA’s Office, which will conclude its inquiry several weeks thereafter. McLaughlin said his campaign intends to file a complaint with the Oregon Secretary of State regarding the contents of the Steve videos.
McLaughlin provided the Source with documentation of his time with the Marine Corps, notably his training with 1st Force Recon, which he completed between 1998 and 2000.
What McLaughlin has explained numerous times, and evidence bears out, is that 1st Force Recon ordered him to train in preparation of deployments with the unit.
One of several documents McLaughlin furnished the Source is his Certificate of Achievement for completing 44 hours of instruction in the M4 Carbine Transition Course at Camp Pendleton, California, ordered by 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. The certificate is dated December 1998.
That certification is, in fact, listed on his DD-214, under the military education category, next to ammunition technician.
Another document, dated April 1999 and composed on 1st Force Recon letterhead, details McLaughlin’s order to attend Airborne Course at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. A subsequent document confirms that order. Additionally, McLaughlin provided the Source the diploma for completing the Airborne Course, which is dated May 14, 1999.
It’s not surprising that details like these — such as the unit that ordered his carbine rifle training, for example — don’t fit on a DD-214, McLaughlin says.
“The layperson would expect that the DD-214 is the total document of your military history,” McLaughlin said. “A DD-214 simply states your military occupations, specialty units you separated from, the dates and times you began and ended your service, some unit awards — but not all — and your mode of discharge.”
Subsequently, in preparation for a Marine Expeditionary Unit, McLaughlin said he served on several domestic “work ups” that teams undergo before being tapped for a 1st Force Recon mission. He served as an ammunition technician to these teams, yet had also been trained in small-unit tactical work, including aquatic and airborne military operations and close combat, he said.
As McLaughlin has iterated in numerous speaking engagements, including those cited by “Steve,” he extended his contract with the Marines to allow for the selection process for additional 1st Force Recon training. Yet McLaughlin told the Source that a helicopter crash in December 1999, in which several Force Recon Marines died, devastated him. Those losses, coupled with the mounting strain on his marriage and wanting to start a family — “They call the unit First Force ‘Divorce’ Company,” he added — led McLaughlin to leave the Marines.
“The camaraderie, the respect, admiration for those losses — those sacrifices were so formative,” McLaughlin said, taking a beat to compose himself. “That [crash] helped solidify my decision to take my wife and move to Bend, Oregon, to start a family. So that’s what we did.”
McLaughlin never deployed with 1st Force Recon. His DD-214 lists an honorable discharge in September 2000. Police records indicate DCSO promoted McLaughlin from civilian employee to deputy in October 2008.
Hardly monkey business
For a police officer, misrepresenting credentials such as education and past military or law enforcement experience can be a career-ender.
Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels is no stranger to this gravity. His office placed Kent van der Kamp, the previous sheriff, on the Brady List in April 2025; van der Kamp resigned in late July of that year.
Because van der Kamp lied under oath numerous times, the DA’s Office subsequently threw out five cases in which van der Kamp served as an expert witness, the Source reported.
In a previous sheriff’s race, Captain and candidate William Bailey was accused by DCSO Follies, an anonymous blog, of falsifying his education; the state police certification agency later disproved that allegation. Van der Kamp, Bailey’s sole opponent, won. An anonymously authored fount of DCSO intrigue, Follies went static in October 2024.
The Follies’ methods are like those of “Steve the Monkey Trainer,” whose content slings poo at one sheriff candidate but precious little at the other.
According to a record request made by the Source, the discharge papers of both McLaughlin and Rupert were requested from DCSO on July 27 by “Edward Novek,” a moniker without an online footprint. The name does not appear in criminal or local property records, either. A message the Source sent to the end-to-end encrypted Proton email from which “Novek” sought and received the discharge forms was bounced back — an automated message indicating the account no longer exists.
Reached by phone, Gunnels told the Source that he’d received two notices about allegations made by “Steve the Monkey Trainer,” one from a concerned defense attorney and another sent using a Proton email account with the handle: Steve the Monkey Trainer. (It’s not clear if “Steve” and “Novek” are the same person or working in tandem.)
The Source emailed the “Steve” Proton account on Aug. 20, receiving vague answers to questions about the person’s identity, their campaign affiliation and what accountability might look like for them if their allegations against McLaughlin proved false.
“I’m not connected to the Ty Rupert campaign or any political group,” the monkey trainer said. “…McLaughlin never said what he really did in the USMC and he positioned himself as something he was not. He has done that for years. He has traded on it… To me, that’s stolen valor.”
Does the “monkey trainer” moniker have any significance?
“It has no meaning,” the emailer said. “I just made it up.”
An unintended clue?
McLaughlin believes evidence found in the “Steve” videos may shed light on who was involved in their creation.
McLaughlin sent the Source a series of photos his campaign had received, both taken at a sheriff candidate speaking engagement he and Rupert attended at Victory Baptist Church in Bend on April 19.
One photo shows a woman with straight, shoulder-length blond hair, wearing a distinct white top, sitting in a rear row near the center aisle. In the photo, taken from behind, the corner of the smart phone’s video viewfinder is visible as McLaughlin speaks on stage; Rupert stands to the side.
McLaughlin believes the video-taker, whose outfit and face appear in a subsequent photo taken at the Victory Church event, is Anne Birky, one of Rupert’s campaign organizers. In social media posts made by Rupert’s campaign, Birky can be seen posing with the candidate at his booth at the Deschutes County Fair in early August. She wears a Rupert campaign tennis shirt and jewelry that matches that of the blond woman photographed at Victory Church.
A facilities supervisor at Bend-La Pine Schools, Birky contributed $200 to Rupert’s campaign in late 2025, according to state election records.
Birky did not respond to numerous messages from the Source requesting comment.
In response to the Source’s questions, Rupert emailed a statement that denied knowledge of the Steve the Monkey Trainer videos’ creation. He said whoever is responsible is not a part of his campaign.
“I have not authorized, directed, coordinated, requested or approved any content from that account,” Rupert added.
Rupert declined to confirm Birky’s role in his campaign. A Marine veteran himself, Rupert said he “respects Candidate McLaughlin’s military service” and that “any questions regarding his assignments, training, qualifications or characterization of that service are his to address.”
Election laws and protected speech
Oregon’s Secretary of State’s Election Division is the ultimate authority on local election administration. While SoS spokespeople declined to comment specifically about this Steve the Monkey Trainer business, they referred the Source to state disclosure laws.
Generally, communications supporting or opposing a clearly identified candidate must state the name of the person or PAC who paid for the communication and their top contributors, according to disclosure laws.
Additionally, these rules apply to a candidate’s campaign committee when a communication is made with the cooperation of — or at the request or suggestion by — a candidate, or anyone the candidate has authorized.
Oregon residents can send a written complaint to the SoS’s Election Division if they believe a law has been broken.
Voters bide their time
Matters of intrigue and scandal, unfortunately, have plagued the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office in recent election cycles.
Still underway is an internal affairs investigation into alleged misconduct of McLaughlin and two DCSO employees under his command, stemming from a Feb. 25 SWAT raid in Sunriver. As the Source previously reported, the complaints were filed by the mother and family friend of Paul Akehurst, the target of the SWAT mission. Retired Oregon City Police Chief Jim Band is leading the third-party investigation, launched by Rupert on June 5. Band told the Source he doesn’t comment on any investigation until it’s finished. It’s unclear whether the investigation will conclude before the Nov. 3 General Election.
The Oregon Governmental Ethics Commission declined to open an investigation of Rupert’s alleged misuse of county resources, citing a lack of evidence, when he appeared with a DCSO-branded golf cart and several in-uniform deputies at the Deschutes County Fair on Aug. 5, according to the citizen complaint the Source reviewed.
Another complaint, previously filed in early July, has precipitated an investigation into Rupert’s campaign, an OGEC official told the Source, yet the agency could not offer more information until the preliminary review phase has been completed.
McLaughlin says that the Steve the Monkey Trainer campaign is the latest stain on the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office’s reputation.
“I would like some answers. And I believe that an investigation is appropriate,” McLaughlin said, referring to the Steve videos. “I’m a candidate, and so I would rather publicly acknowledge these videos, say why they’re untrue, and allow for the public to make their decision.”
Update: By the evening of Aug. 27, the first three videos by Steve the Monkey Trainer have been removed from its YouTube page. The only remaining video is a 20-minute AI-agent sourced monologue. An email sent by the Source to Stevethemonkeytrainer@proton.me seeking comment on whether YouTube removed those videos was returned with automated message saying the email account no longer exists.
This article appears in the Source August 27, 2026.
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Candidate McLaughlin, upon completing his initial 4-year enlistment, extended another 8 months with his assigned unit, 1st Force Recon Company, and was assigned to the Reconnaissance Indoctrination Platoon where he underwent Force Reconnaissance hard and soft skill set training.
In Y2000, each Force Recon company conducted its own internal training program. 1st Force Recon’s commanding officer, Colonel (ret) Robert Coates, required ALL of the Marines under his Command to go through this program. Per an interview with Coates he made it quite clear that McLaughlin was one of his best Marines. He added McLaughlin has every right to refer to himself as a Force Recon Marine because that was what he was. Coates is preparing a public statement in support of McLaughlin once he returns from sea duty with a Marine unit on or about September 1st.
And Colonel Coates is a legend within the Corps and Force Recon/DET 1/MARSOF.
https://www.infinitehero.org/staff/colonel-robert-j-coates/
“Steve the Monkey Trainer” didn’t do her/his homework – and SOS Elections has stated “Monkey Trainer” may be in violation of Oregon SB 1571 2024, which makes pre-election distribution of an AI generated campaign product that serves up false or inaccurate information about another candidate that a reasonable person might believe…is an election violation and the only one in Oregon that must be shared with the Oregon Department of Justice for possible further investigation / prosecution.
There are two such cases currently being reviewed at O-DOJ.
McLaughlin sensed the real reason behind “Steve” and contacted DA Gunnels prior to the “Monkey Trainer” YouTube complaint being filed with DA Gunnels. Manufacturing a False Brady Complaint is a serious offense – to include –
“Civil and Administrative Liability Civil Lawsuits: The person who fabricated the false claim can face civil liability for defamation, tortious interference with employment, or civil rights violations if done maliciously under color of law. Administrative Penalties: Law enforcement personnel or public employees found to have fabricated internal complaints face severe administrative discipline, including termination and decertification.”
Kudos to Mr. Madsen.
You write, “In several clips featured in the “Steve” posts, McLaughlin states he was promoted to sergeant, worked as an ammunition technician and completed training the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company ordered him to undergo.”
Please provide which video and timestamp exactly you are referencing where McLaughlin states he “worked as an ammunition technician.”
He can’t. McLaughlin hasn’t talked about being an ammunition technician since he left the military. Just force recon.
Perhaps Mr. Walker can speak to this since he has more to say about McLaughin’s service than McLaughlin does.
Exactly. That is the precise point. And it is the irony in all of this. He’s never once said or implied to anyone that he was an ammo tech. Never once. Go interview actual colleagues instead of writing spin, and see what you learn.
And you would know he hasn’t spoken about having an ammunition technician MOS “since he left the military” how, please? That’s a lot of years and a lot of conversations covering decades. Are you a DCSO deputy / employee?
That said and asked – my own Work on this matter can be found at the below links and is detailed, sourced, and extensive.
https://gregorywalker.substack.com/p/monkeyshines
https://gregorywalker.substack.com/p/hatchet-job
Still looking for the author to (a) defend his claim that McLaughlin was in a clip stating he was an “ammo technician” by producing evidence, or (b) correct the article.
There are two pieces of evidence that, when combined, paint a very clear picture of how McLaughlin lead everyone to believe he was something he wasn’t. And that shows a complete lack of character and integrity. There is simply no other way to view it.
1. His self-produced online resume has zero mention of his PRIMARY ammo tech speciality, and is all things recon operator.
2. No one has been found (and put on record) to state they knew him as an ammo tech and not a recon operator. Compare that to the many, many others would could testify to the opposite.
As a journalist covering this story and having served a full career in U.S. Special Operations to include working with Marine Force Recon there as well two things you and others may not be aware of –
1. Candidate McLaughlin’s former commander at 1st Force Recon, now retired Colonel Robert Coates, is writing a formal letter attesting to the candidate’s being a member of his unit in Y2000; that the candidate volunteered for and successfully completed the then internal Recon Marine training program (RIP), and by doing so can and should refer to himself as a Force Recon Marine (see #3).
2. “A Marine who served in 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and successfully graduated that unit’s internal training program is fully justified in referring to themselves as a Force Recon Marine. Unit Assignment: Serving under 1st Force Reconnaissance Company places an operator directly inside the operational structure of the Force Recon community. Internal Program: Passing a rigorous, unit-administered indoctrination or training pipeline validates an individual for deep-reconnaissance missions unique to Force Reconnaissance. Community Standards: Historical and leadership consensus within the community treats completion of unit-specific pipeline requirements as definitive proof of having been a Force Recon operator.”
Further –
“The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion was officially reactivated in June and July of 2000 as part of a larger initiative by Marine Corps Commandant General James L. Jones to overhaul and revitalize elite Marine reconnaissance capabilities. Recon Indoctrination Program / Platoon (RIP) served internally within units like the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company to screen and train operators. Training and Soft/Hard Skills focused on specialized pipeline requirements, pushing candidates through intense physical conditioning, advanced maritime navigation, and deep-reconnaissance tactics. Command Focus under leaders like Colonel Robert Coates required comprehensive internal screening to vet and prepare Marines for high-level special operations-capable missions.”
In short, anyone feeling sure enough to go into civil court as the defendant in a libel/slander case involving McLaughlin’s military service and role wouldn’t survive the Discovery Phase (the sharing of evidence by both Parties prior to trial).
Peter Madsen, are you going to reply, or are you still looking for a clip of McLaughlin publicly saying he was an “ammunition technician”? I’ll save you the time, it doesn’t exist. And by you writing that statement, it kinda proves that you’re missing the entire point here. I’ll explain further if you still don’t understand.
In the mean time, I’d recommend editing your article, or maybe your editor needs to be notified of your incorrect reporting so they can help you.
As of today the first three video clips posted by “Monkey Trainer” have been taken down, apparently by YouTube in lieu of Mr. Madsen’s article. Only the latest, a very long-winded diatribe remains up.
“YouTube does not generally remove standard political speech, opinions, or garden-variety false allegations about a political candidate unless they violate specific narrow policies. Specific Prohibitions Related to Candidates and Elections While regular false claims or negative campaign attack clips usually remain up under the defense of open political debate, YouTube’s Election Misinformation Policies strictly prohibit: Candidate Eligibility: Content advancing false claims regarding the technical, legal requirements for a political candidate to serve in office (such as age, vital status, or citizenship requirements under national law).Technically Manipulated Media: Videos that have been digitally doctored or manipulated using AI/deepfakes to mislead users in a way that poses a serious risk of egregious harm (such as altering a clip to make a candidate appear to say something entirely different or catastrophic).Impersonation: Content intended to impersonate a candidate or their political party.”
It would appear whomever concocted this dirty politics effort is now seeing it unravel across the board. That said – soon enough the Party or Parties responsible will become news themselves via official investigations either already underway or pending review before opening a formal inquiry.
Bro that DD214 is the emptiest one I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen a few.
Then you would know the following to be accurate and correct – and why McLaughlin has stated he is seeking his complete service record from NARA…submitting for a DD-215 correction document (look it up) and otherwise taken the necessary steps to set the record straight.
And we’ve finally got to see interim Sheriff Rupert’s DD-214 – pretty average for one four-year enlistment in Transportation MOSs; E4 / Corporal upon discharge; standard awards/decorations for showing up and three non-award company formation “Good Job!” awards.
“Yes, DD-214 discharge papers frequently contain incomplete or missing listings for awards, decorations, and specialized training. Why Omissions Happen Administrative oversight: Rushed out-processing, clerical errors, and lost paperwork during unit transitions often lead to missed entries. Delayed approvals: Unit awards, campaign medals, or specific decorations are sometimes approved months or years after a service member separates.”
Oh yeah, I’m sure that DD215 is gonna be full of awesomeness – just pages of it.
Nope. Four years and eight months of service but accurately reflected for the benefit of the Veteran since this issue was raised to begin with. Veterans have had to do this for decades now. Just how the system works. The only box / category in a DD-214 or DD-215 that counts post-service is the status of Discharge. And both Rupert and McLaughlin have Honorable Discharges. And second is the reenlistment code – which both have RE-1 classification which is the highest and does not require a waiver. This is why NARA provides Veterans with certified copies of their entire military career – so corrections can be made and support documentation is available to the Veteran for situations such as this one.
Blah blah blah… Lots of words that really say nothing. As usual.
None of this is really relevant. Just because someone was a Marine or in some other branch of the military doesn’t mean they will make good cops, no matter how many DD-whatevers they fill out. There are plenty of bad cops who were in the military. And, no matter who gets elected sheriff of Deschutes County it is a safe bet, based on history, that corruption will continue to be one of the perks on the job.
I have awoken Absalom!
The Marines are giving out AchEIvement awards? Maybe spellcheck was still a new thing back then.
OR ‘Mac’ forgot the “I before E except after C” rule.
I am not convinced that the sheriff should be an elected position. Here in Deschutes County (dating back well over 25 years) malfeasance, corruption and idiocy have made the leadership of the Sheriff’s Department a local joke. I am no expert in the difference between a general law county and a home rule county, but as long as Deschutes County is a general law county we will be subjected to this neverending circus. Maybe the new County Commission can explore this issue. I believe Multnonah County was home rule at one point and the sheriff was appointed. I don’t know that this would fix anything, but I do wonder if appointing the sheriff (as is done with local police chiefs) would be any worse than what we have now.
Concur. This is an outdate and totally dysfunctional position across the country and Oregon is no different. We have four Sheriffs statewide now facing issues that have made the news for less than stellar behavior. Shane Nelson said it best when he stated for the public record he was not accountable to his own agency’s policies and procedures. He, by virtue of the position being an elected one, was now officially a politician. And the manner in which he ran DCSO, sadly for all who trusted him, demonstrated this…for Deschutes County this is generational in the worst of ways. “They” are no longer law enforcement officers or officials – they are politicians and as one former sheriff said “Welcome to politics!”
The M4 Transition course was taken by just about everyone transitioning from the M16 to the M4 back in the day. It’s embarrassing to hang your hat on that course. Even the certificate has a misspelling on it (Acheivement) – that’s how much they cared about it.
More accurately –
“The U.S. Marine Corps’ Force Reconnaissance units began transitioning to the M4/M4A1 carbine in the early 2000s, well ahead of the conventional Marine Corps’ widespread adoption of the platform. Transition Timeline Adoption Phase (Early 2000s): While the standard conventional infantry relied heavily on the M16A4, specialized units like Force Recon and MARSOC precursors began acquiring and fielding the lighter, more compact M4 configuration to better accommodate close-quarters battle (CQB) and restricted spaces during maritime and airborne insertions. Widespread Adoption (2015): It wasn’t until October 2015 that Commandant General Robert Neller officially approved the M4 carbine to replace the M16A4 as the primary weapon for all conventional infantry battalions and supporting schools, but elite reconnaissance elements had already been utilizing the platform for over a decade. Transition Courses Offered Unit-Level Formal Training: Yes, formal transition training was implemented locally by specific units. For instance, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton mandated and administered a formalized M4 Carbine Transition Course for its operators as early as the late 1990s and into the 2000s to certify proficiency on the short-barreled system before deployment.”
Great Acheivement. That’s a lot of words to say it was still a transition course bro.
That’s a lot of education clarifying your comment. In Y2000, when McLaughlin was assigned to 1st Force Recon, that and other Force Recon units were upgraded battle rifle wise to the M4, doing away with the longer, heavier M16A1. The M4 was an upgrade from the Vietnam era CAR-15 which was a shorter, lighter version of the M16 battle rifle. Far more appropriate for recon work in all terrains and environments than the M16 was / is. All those Marines assigned to 1st Force Recon, per its company commander at the time, now retired colonel Bob Coates, were trained, equipped, and prepared to serve in a reconnaissance capacity as an attachment or stand-in if needed.
In the end what only matters is that this information, plus service documents, plus unit history, plus a coming formal letter from Colonel Coates in support of McLaughlin’s service record under his Command will clarify and reconfirm the truth of this matter – and that letter will be shared in a public forum, and with county officials such as DA Steve Gunnels, interim Sheriff Ty Rupert, and the county commissioners for record.
Yes, a lot of words again, Bro, but that’s how I roll.
Again a lot of words to say it was still a M16 -> M4 transition course bro.
And still irrelevant.
Which candidate, Rupert or McLaughlin, will be first to out the other for their involvement in the dcsofollies? McLaughlin threatening yet another tort notice. Rupert campaign supporter allegedly implicated in new AI videos. Both tactics straight out of the VanderKamp playbook.
Not surprising when you elect dishonest people to lead the largest Sheriff’s Office east of the cascades.
Hi Bill!
DCSO Follies no secret.
Started by former deputy Kozowoski and contributed to often by his wife –
Taken over by former sheriff Kent Vander Kamp during his campaign run.
Pretty much idle after Vander Kamp retired and left the country.
Started long before that. Does the name Greg Brown ring any bells? This department has been a mess for 30 some years. And that will not change so long as sheriff is a political position.
It began before Brown with Darryl Davidson, whom I knew and liked but Davidson was a serious “good old boy” who inherited the office from Jim France (whom I enjoyed meeting in Baghdad in 2004 when we were both contracting). But even Davidson made it clear he’d made a serious mistake in backing Brown for Sheriff – but Brown had done his master’s bidding at every turn so Darryl felt he owed him. Again, I agree. Do away with electing Sheriff’s in general and put a hiring process in place to include being able to terminate if the office holder falls short of expectations.
Agreed. I think this is something the new County Commission should look into. Find a way to take politics out and hire capable LE.
Not sure where you came up with that, but I did not start Dcsofollies, nor have I ever had an involvement with it. Just setting the record straight. And you spelled my name wrong.
Hi, Eric – I apologize for the misspelling. My bad.
As for Follies I appreciate your comment and note your wife did post / comment quite a bit under her own name during its lifetime. As did I as the forum was a classic underground “newspaper” using the FB social media platform and was quite effective.
It also, unlike “Steve the Monkey Trainer” and her/his YouTube channel, allowed / encouraged comments from viewers. “Steve” does not. “When an account routinely keeps comments off across all content, people might describe the user as “curating a one-way broadcast” or operating a “read-only” profile.” Given the content and allegations it can also be called cowardly and self-centered. Something Follies was not.
As you offer you did not start Follies I’ll take your word for it.
Wow, you and the author really lack any credibility. Within the article alone, the author writes about something that never happened. And just here in the comments you falsely assert someone started a Facebook page they did not? Forcing you to (unapologetically) acknowledge your error after being directly called out. Really makes people wonder what other claims you haphazardly throw around without knowledge, facts, or evidence.
I did not start, nor have I ever had any involvement with Dcsofollies. Neither has my wife. Just setting the record straight. And you spelled my name wrong.
Reply to “Anonymous” – Eric’s spouse did post on “Follies” and I can understand him wanting to distance himself and her from all of this. His mother (Ms. White) also posted on Follies (see below). Please note I am not commenting simply because you raised the issue – you are anonymous and therefore simply a keyboard commando – I am responding so others might receive an objective response and come away perhaps better informed.
“Yes, Eric Kozowski’s mother (identified as Ms. White) did post public comments on a controversial Facebook page Follies, which heavily tied into the ongoing political tension surrounding the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. While the “DCSO Follies” platform is actively known for tracking and satirizing these agency controversies, the specific public incident that generated widespread media coverage involved her commenting directly on a Facebook photo related to the 2016 Deschutes County Sheriff race. The Facebook Comment Incident The Comment: Under a photo involving then-Sheriff Shane Nelson, Ms. White posted, “The cozy ‘insider’ boys strike again.” The Context: At the time, her son, Deputy Eric Kozowski, was actively running a campaign to unseat incumbent Sheriff Shane Nelson. The Fallout: The comment sparked a public debate regarding department social media policies, “level playing fields” for candidates, and political transparency. Kozowski stated at the time that he had not read his mother’s comments directly but advocated that agency leaders should follow the same policies they demand of their employees. This friction ultimately culminated in Kozowski’s high-profile firing in 2018. He later won a $1.06 million federal lawsuit against Deschutes County and Sheriff Nelson for unlawful retaliation and First Amendment violations.”
And Ms. Kozowski did post on Follies as this example shows – perhaps Mr. Kozowski didn’t read his wife’s posts on the site?
Greg Walker
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“And please do not repeat the campaign strategies of past candidates who put finger-pointing, misinformation, and misdirection above introspection.
“We have had enough of that and expect more from our candidates in 2024.” – https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2024/01/31/opinion/leadership-in-law-enforcement/36076.html
Reply
Kristen Hyatt Kozowski
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“except that. I don’t agree with that.
Do the homework, “Anonymous”. It will make your comments far more credible.
At this point, it’s hard to tell if you’re unintelligent or willfully ignorant. Either way, here is a very short and simple recap to help you get back on track.
GAW says “some guy” created a FB page. False, “some guy” replies and says, No I didn’t. GAW shamefully “takes his word” for it. GAW gets criticized for carelessly asserting “some guy” was the creator of a FB page without proof or evidence. That’s it, that’s all that’s up for debate here.
In response, does GAW accept responsibility for making a false claim? Nope, he instead rambles on and on about family members who posted on the page, past history of the page, public debate about some comment on the page, blah, blah, blah. You’re so lost you don’t even rationalize that none of that matters in this discussion. None of that rambling relieves you from your publicly-made false statement. Your playbook is obvious, you refute valid points with paragraphs full of rambling nonsense that fails to address the point.
“Update: By the evening of Aug. 27, the first three videos by Steve the Monkey Trainer have been removed from its YouTube page. The only remaining video is a 20-minute AI-agent sourced monologue. An email sent by the Source to Stevethemonkeytrainer@proton.me seeking comment on whether YouTube removed those videos was returned with automated message saying the email account no longer exists.” – Peter Madsen, 8-28-2026
“Steve the Monkey Trainer”, likely at the direction of YouTube, removed the first three videos and replaced “Accountability” with a highly edited new version. What was edited out? The video clips alleged to have been taken by Sheriff Rupert’s campaign organizer, Ms. Anne Birkey.
“Not so Fast” is pure AI generated and as such, given the misleading, inaccurate content, may very well be of interest to Oregon’s SOS Elections unit given SB 1571 2024. AI itself states in the video its responses are rooted ONLY in what information / questions “Steve” is feeding into the AI platforms noted. In short, Garbage In – Garbage Out.
More and more “Steve” appears to be directly connected to the Rupert campaign given the frantic editing of “Accountability” given the naming of Ms. Birkey as having been directly involved in filming the now missing clips.
“When an AI says its responses are based on the information or questions provided, it means the system relies only on the text, files, or prompts you just gave it, rather than outside knowledge. What This Means Limited Scope: The AI only uses the exact context or documents you uploaded or typed into the current chat. No Outside Memory: It ignores facts from the wider internet or its pre-trained database unless they match your specific input. Literal Interpretation: It treats your provided text as the primary source of truth for answering your question. Context Windows: It can only process a certain amount of text at one time, meaning it only reads what fits into its active memory from your prompt. Why AIs Do This Accuracy: It reduces fake or incorrect answers by sticking strictly to facts you supply. Privacy: It helps ensure the AI is analyzing your specific document or code instead of mixing up data from other sources. Relevance: It keeps the answers focused on your unique situation or instructions.”
fyi “Accountability” never had those video clips. It was “McLaughlin is No Recon Marine” that had them and that video is on youtube.
“Update: By the evening of Aug. 27, the first three videos by Steve the Monkey Trainer have been removed from its YouTube page. The only remaining video is a 20-minute AI-agent sourced monologue.”
The first three videos were removed with only “Accountability” left up. Hence my statement is correct. Several days later two of the three removed were re-posted, the first featuring the video footage filmed by Ms. Anne Birkey, one of Candidate Rupert’s key campaign organizers.
And all of this is now well past the point of Comments on this page or any other for that matter. It is confirmed that yesterday Candidate McLaughlin filed a detailed complaint with Oregon’s SOS Elections Investigation Unit. This after speaking last week with a representative who, upon hearing the details, encouraged him to file.
Waiting in the wings is Oregon’s Department of Justice as SB 1571 2004 is alleged to have been violated.
“The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ), led by the Attorney General, has the legal authority to investigate and prosecute certain violations of Oregon Senate Bill 1571 (2024). However, enforcement authority is shared with the Oregon Secretary of State, depending on the specifics of the case: Enforcement Framework The Attorney General’s Mandate: The Oregon Department of Justice takes the lead role in investigating and instituting civil or injunctive proceedings if a violation involves the Secretary of State or candidates running for that specific office. The Secretary of State’s Mandate: For other political campaigns and measures, the Oregon Secretary of State serves as the primary filing officer authorized to investigate complaints and institute injunction.”
And of course I apologized to Eric for misspelling his name. That is common courtesy, especially as I know both he and his spouse. As the issue of whether Ms. “K” had posted comments on Follies, which she had many times, that was raised by another poorly-informed and anonymous poster and the allegation required correction.
And since you, “Anon”, brought up accountability –
https://gregorywalker.substack.com/p/the-accountability-gap-department
You’re wrong. “Not so fast” was left up. “Accountability” and “McLaughlin is No Recon Marine” (both versions) were taken down.
Those videos were taken down by youtube for one reason only: McLaughlin’s address was visible on his DD214. Youtube requested the addresses be blurred out and didn’t even incur a strike on the account.
Name your source for this information, please? As YouTube’s abuse team would only advise the channel holder of such a detail – Oh! “STMT” – got it. Are you also or do you know “edwardNovek1986@proton.me? Why did you close your own proton.me account so swiftly when folks began catching on to your connection to the Rupert campaign?
That you didn’t research the Privacy Act ref what information is required to be blocked out before publishing the DD-214 (illegally released by DCSO to “edwardNovek” it would seem you are a novice, at best.
Are you concerned the SOS Elections Investigation Unit which now has McLaughlin’s complaint will, in the course of its investigation regarding, in part, violation of SB 1571 2024 by you will properly identify you? Do you believe, when properly identified, you could survive the Discovery phase of a civil lawsuit for among other charges, slander?
Why do you lock out Comments from viewers on your channel – or in the case of mine when you posted your last video and missed that – deleted my observation?
As Candidate Rupert has posted on his campaign FB page he does not condone or encourage your videos and directs “you” to cease creating and posting them, will you? And will you, in the same vein, take down the ones you have posted?
You may appreciate this on the record affirmation that McLaughlin was indeed all you misrepresent about his military career – https://gregorywalker.substack.com/p/the-accountability-gap-part-two
All the news on this individual keeps leading back to one simple concept: “when someone shows you who they are, believe them.” With the recently cancelled endorsement, a dangerous trend has taken shape: zero accountability while excusing everything away as “targeted.”
Investigation stemming from citizen complaint for poor conduct during SWAT event: Mac supporters: “blah blah blah, excuses, politically targeted, more excuses, blah blah blah.” Misrepresenting and exaggerating military service for status: Mac supporters: “blah blah blah, excuses, politically targeted, more excuses, blah blah blah.” Cancelled endorsement from Dem Party: Mac supporters: “blah blah blah, excuses, politically targeted, more excuses, blah blah blah.”
Push-ups at a tragic event to look better for the news camera? Unimaginable. What else is out there? Sure, everyone makes mistakes, but these qualities do not belong to the next Sheriff.
The incidents made public thus far should not be considered to be isolated, they should be viewed as being connected through the common theme of flawed character.
I knew a “Brad” once – now retired LEO – retired in disgrace – I’m sure he isn’t you although he does live in Central Oregon. That said, for the sake of objectivity here’s the flip side of your statement / presumptions.
“If the allegations in the statement are false, the primary intent of the statement is to damage the individual’s reputation and manipulate public perception by creating a narrative of habitual misconduct and deflecting blame.
“Here is a breakdown of the specific strategic intentions behind the statement if the premises are untrue:
“Character Assassination Fabricating a Pattern: Using the quote “believe them” falsely frames isolated or non-existent incidents as a permanent, systemic character flaw.
“Validating Prior Rumors: It attempts to retroactively validate other unverified negative news about the person.
“Amplifying ConsequencesWeaponizing Cancellations:
“Citing a “cancelled endorsement” as proof of guilt weaponizes corporate risk-averseness to make the individual appear radioactive to future business partners.
“Creating a Trend: It invents a “dangerous trend” out of thin air to make the situation seem urgent and widespread.
“Undermining the Defense Preempting Denials: Labeling the individual’s defense as “excusing everything away” is a tactical move to neutralize any valid counterarguments they might make.
“Gaslighting the Audience: It frames the individual’s legitimate claims of being “targeted” as psychological manipulation or a lack of accountability, forcing the public to dismiss the individual’s side of the story.
“Shifting Public Sentiment Invoking Moral Outrage: Using phrases like “zero accountability” is designed to trigger anger and indignation in the reader.
“Driving a Wedge: It forces the audience to choose between standing against a “dangerous trend” or supporting someone accused of having no integrity.”
Feel free to copy/paste all the comments from AI you can, because it’s clear you’re unable to think critically for yourself. In fact, you’ve made it obvious to everyone that you’re a schill: a person who secretly helps or promotes a product, person, or organization while pretending to be an independent, impartial observer or customer.
Anyways, here is where your AI-generated argument went wrong: “validating prior rumors.” They’re not rumors, they’re truths, and it takes someone living in an alternate reality to miss that point. Nice deflection to label objective truth as rumor though, this tactic must help you make sense of your own flawed thinking.
I’ll leave you with this thought: mistrust cannot be excused and vindictiveness does not belong in law enforcement. Or do you think the next Sheriff should be a military exaggerator who loves vindictiveness? Sounds like great character traits.
I agree mistrust and vindictiveness have no place in law enforcement. Voters must look past the rhetoric and evaluate each candidate’s genuine character, transparency, and professional background before casting their ballot. As I am on record dating back to 2016 regarding this specific election…and why Dr. George Thompson and I co-authored our book on Leadership for law enforcement professionals in 2007. Some examples –
“Greg,
I hope this finds you well. I assume you’ve been following the Sheriff’s election? Any thoughts on the two candidates? -Jim Porter, Feb 11, 2026
“Both are solid…County Administrator has assumed all responsibility for transparency, outcome, and any future litigation concerns. Polished move on Ty’s part. Takes the candidates and agency out of that loop.” Feb 11, 2026
“Dear Candidate Rupert:
I have not received replies to my recent inquiries regarding a number of issues to include my invitation for you to interview in September along with Candidate McLaughlin. Other questions not yet responded to include clarification of your service, duty assignment(s), and rank upon discharge from the Marine Corps.” – August 18, 2026
“Hello Greg, I appreciate you respecting my time and the PRR process. I am attaching my DD214 so it will answer your questions about my honorable time served in the United States Marine Corps. Ty” – August 18, 2026
“I offer we want to hear specific thought processes about local, state, and federal law enforcement issues that may affect us in Deschutes County…And then respond in the public forum, on the record, and in a timely manner. Understand you will be held accountable for your campaign behavior at the ballot box.”
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2024/01/31/opinion/leadership-in-law-enforcement/36076.html
“I agree with retired Southern California police chief and Prineville resident Jerry Boyd: “If…the Sheriff’s ‘hand picked yes man’ wins the election, if anyone thinks there’s a staffing shortage now you haven’t seen anything yet. Those eligible to retire will, and many other excellent employees will leave even though they love serving the citizens of Deschutes County. No one deserves to work in a dictatorship…”
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2024/10/09/opinion/choosing-our-next-county-sheriff/36968.html
“Ty Rupert’s interim leadership brought a brief respite. Rupert took steps to correct lingering issues, including addressing policy violations and ultimately seeing the recent termination of Bailey. His actions, though necessary, underscored just how far the agency had strayed from its ideals. The sense of hope that Rupert inspired was quickly overshadowed by the looming election and the uncertainty it carried.”
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2026/03/25/opinion/leadership-and-disillusionment/38859.html
“The county commissioners should call for the county legal office to initiate an outside, neutral investigation (properly licensed in Oregon) to address these matters and perhaps more. When a sitting sheriff uses his/her position of authority to pressure a subordinate running against them to drop out of the race, it is classified as political coercion and abuse of power. In the context of employment and election law, this behavior frequently intersects with several severe legal and ethical violations.”
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2026/06/10/opinion/investigate-dcso/39157.html
Mr. Madsen’s reporting that Candidate McLaughlin was indeed a Force Recon Marine in 1999-2000 have been independently proven accurate. This by additional documentation and by his former commander at 1st Force Recon, Colonel (ret) Robert Coates.
https://gregorywalker.substack.com/p/the-accountability-gap-part-two