Scott Morris
@scottmorris.bsky.social
Investigative journalist. Public records nerd. Co-founder, @vallejosun.bsky.social
For years, the city of Vallejo has been flagrantly violating transparency law.
It obscures the identities of police officers who are at shooting scenes and releases incomplete video records.
With the help of the @facoalition.bsky.social, we're fighting back.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
It obscures the identities of police officers who are at shooting scenes and releases incomplete video records.
With the help of the @facoalition.bsky.social, we're fighting back.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
The Vallejo Sun, represented by the @facoalition.bsky.social, filed a lawsuit against the city of Vallejo on Wednesday over the city’s failure to comply with state transparency laws involving a recent police shooting.
www.vallejosun.com/the-vallejo-...
www.vallejosun.com/the-vallejo-...
The Vallejo Sun sues Vallejo over release of police shooting video
The First Amendment Coalition is representing the Sun in its lawsuit over the city refusing to release unedited footage from the Aug. 29 shooting.
www.vallejosun.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:42 PM
For years, the city of Vallejo has been flagrantly violating transparency law.
It obscures the identities of police officers who are at shooting scenes and releases incomplete video records.
With the help of the @facoalition.bsky.social, we're fighting back.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
It obscures the identities of police officers who are at shooting scenes and releases incomplete video records.
With the help of the @facoalition.bsky.social, we're fighting back.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
Major new allegations about the Vallejo Police Department here.
Three plaintiffs who previously sued and settled with the city now say they were defrauded in their lawsuit and the city withheld important evidence.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
Three plaintiffs who previously sued and settled with the city now say they were defrauded in their lawsuit and the city withheld important evidence.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
Three plaintiffs in Vallejo police lawsuits, including families of Angel Ramos and Willie McCoy, filed new claims that the city defrauded them.
Plus, a homicide victim's family, who says police released suspects who had blackmail material on an officer.
www.vallejosun.com/lawsuit-test...
Plus, a homicide victim's family, who says police released suspects who had blackmail material on an officer.
www.vallejosun.com/lawsuit-test...
Lawsuit testimony leads to new claims in settled Vallejo police cases
The families of Angel Ramos and Willie McCoy, filmmaker Adrian Burrell and the family of 2011 homicide victim Enrique Jimenez have filed new claims against Vallejo police.
www.vallejosun.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Major new allegations about the Vallejo Police Department here.
Three plaintiffs who previously sued and settled with the city now say they were defrauded in their lawsuit and the city withheld important evidence.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
Three plaintiffs who previously sued and settled with the city now say they were defrauded in their lawsuit and the city withheld important evidence.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
I’ve become aware that Steve Bearman, the subject of this 2017 article, is again offering counseling services and claims this article is full of lies. I interviewed these women personally and corroborated details of their stories. I stand by the article. eastbayexpress.com/oakland-coun...
Oakland Counseling Guru Accused of Sexual Assault | East Bay Express | Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda
By all accounts, Steve Bearman was a charming and charismatic leader who had built an influential counseling school. With its promises of “healing, growth, and liberation,” Bearman’s Interchange Couns...
eastbayexpress.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:05 AM
I’ve become aware that Steve Bearman, the subject of this 2017 article, is again offering counseling services and claims this article is full of lies. I interviewed these women personally and corroborated details of their stories. I stand by the article. eastbayexpress.com/oakland-coun...
Reposted by Scott Morris
"Vallejo police have a pattern of giving...awards to officers who have used force or been involved in allegations of civil rights violations. A 2021 analysis showed that two-thirds of officers who were involved in incidents that led to settlements and payouts received a promotion or award after."
Jarrett Tonn, the Vallejo police officer who was once fired for killing Sean Monterrosa but won his job back in arbitration, has been promoted to sergeant, the Vallejo Sun has learned.
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-offi...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-offi...
Vallejo officer who killed Sean Monterrosa promoted to sergeant
Sgt. Jarrett Tonn was promoted within the last two months.
www.vallejosun.com
September 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
"Vallejo police have a pattern of giving...awards to officers who have used force or been involved in allegations of civil rights violations. A 2021 analysis showed that two-thirds of officers who were involved in incidents that led to settlements and payouts received a promotion or award after."
It's been quite a ride for Jarrett Tonn. He killed Sean Monterrosa in 2020, Vallejo police tried to fire him in 2021, but he won his job back in 2023. Now he's been promoted.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...
Jarrett Tonn, the Vallejo police officer who was once fired for killing Sean Monterrosa but won his job back in arbitration, has been promoted to sergeant, the Vallejo Sun has learned.
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-offi...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-offi...
Vallejo officer who killed Sean Monterrosa promoted to sergeant
Sgt. Jarrett Tonn was promoted within the last two months.
www.vallejosun.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM
It's been quite a ride for Jarrett Tonn. He killed Sean Monterrosa in 2020, Vallejo police tried to fire him in 2021, but he won his job back in 2023. Now he's been promoted.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...
“.. The decision on how to remedy a monopoly — the first of its kind in the modern internet era — is the most significant attempt to level the tech playing field since an antitrust ruling against Microsoft more than 20 years ago.”
@nytimes.com $GOOGL
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/t...
@nytimes.com $GOOGL
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/t...
September 2, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Reposted by Scott Morris
Vallejo police officers shot and wounded a man who allegedly pointed a pellet gun at officers on Friday evening.
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-poli...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-poli...
Vallejo police shoot man allegedly holding pellet gun
Alexander Schumann was wounded in the shooting and expected to survive.
www.vallejosun.com
August 30, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Vallejo police officers shot and wounded a man who allegedly pointed a pellet gun at officers on Friday evening.
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-poli...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-poli...
Graffiti of "Trump 2028" and swastikas was spotted today after a recent Vallejo homeless encampment sweep on Valle Vista Avenue. Photos via @vallejojustice.bsky.social
August 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Graffiti of "Trump 2028" and swastikas was spotted today after a recent Vallejo homeless encampment sweep on Valle Vista Avenue. Photos via @vallejojustice.bsky.social
Been seeing a new "podcast" popping up on Instagram called "Vallejo Spotlight," which is supposedly highlighting small businesses. This is entirely AI generated and in the first few videos couldn't even pronounce Vallejo correctly.
August 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Been seeing a new "podcast" popping up on Instagram called "Vallejo Spotlight," which is supposedly highlighting small businesses. This is entirely AI generated and in the first few videos couldn't even pronounce Vallejo correctly.
At one point I used to turn up to 15 stories per day. They were all just 2-3 graf stories about homicides, fires, car accidents and things like that, but it was still crazy.
August 23, 2025 at 12:25 AM
At one point I used to turn up to 15 stories per day. They were all just 2-3 graf stories about homicides, fires, car accidents and things like that, but it was still crazy.
Vallejo's former police Capt. Jason Potts is being sued at his new role of public safety chief in Las Vegas for "viewpoint discrimination" because he only allows comments on X from people follows.
www.ktnv.com/13-investiga...
www.ktnv.com/13-investiga...
Las Vegas public safety chief accused of trying to control social media comments in new lawsuit
13 Investigates is following new court records alleging the head of the city marshals engaged in "viewpoint discrimination"
www.ktnv.com
August 20, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Vallejo's former police Capt. Jason Potts is being sued at his new role of public safety chief in Las Vegas for "viewpoint discrimination" because he only allows comments on X from people follows.
www.ktnv.com/13-investiga...
www.ktnv.com/13-investiga...
Reposted by Scott Morris
We're very happy to voluntarily recognize the Mission Local Guild!
We'll work in good faith with our staff on upcoming negotiations, & look forward to ironing out a contract.
We'll work in good faith with our staff on upcoming negotiations, & look forward to ironing out a contract.
Exciting news! We, Mission Local staff, are forming a union.
Read our Mission Statement below.
cwalocals.org/mission-loca...
Read our Mission Statement below.
cwalocals.org/mission-loca...
Mission Local Guild
cwalocals.org
August 18, 2025 at 5:36 PM
We're very happy to voluntarily recognize the Mission Local Guild!
We'll work in good faith with our staff on upcoming negotiations, & look forward to ironing out a contract.
We'll work in good faith with our staff on upcoming negotiations, & look forward to ironing out a contract.
Here's a particularly insidious illustration of this: A longstanding for-profit media company with a unionized staff established a nonprofit arm. All new staff was hired on the nonprofit side, part time, without benefits and no union protection.
bsky.app/profile/scot...
bsky.app/profile/scot...
One of the saddest things I've realized over the last few years is how little working conditions seem to matter to the nonprofit journalism world.
Publications that struggle to recruit and retain staff are treated as darlings in that world and rewarded with substantial grants and funding.
Publications that struggle to recruit and retain staff are treated as darlings in that world and rewarded with substantial grants and funding.
August 14, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Here's a particularly insidious illustration of this: A longstanding for-profit media company with a unionized staff established a nonprofit arm. All new staff was hired on the nonprofit side, part time, without benefits and no union protection.
bsky.app/profile/scot...
bsky.app/profile/scot...
One of the saddest things I've realized over the last few years is how little working conditions seem to matter to the nonprofit journalism world.
Publications that struggle to recruit and retain staff are treated as darlings in that world and rewarded with substantial grants and funding.
Publications that struggle to recruit and retain staff are treated as darlings in that world and rewarded with substantial grants and funding.
August 13, 2025 at 10:54 PM
One of the saddest things I've realized over the last few years is how little working conditions seem to matter to the nonprofit journalism world.
Publications that struggle to recruit and retain staff are treated as darlings in that world and rewarded with substantial grants and funding.
Publications that struggle to recruit and retain staff are treated as darlings in that world and rewarded with substantial grants and funding.
Reposted by Scott Morris
Well, PACER was hacked again, probably by a nation state: www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
Luckily, our blog post from 2021 still holds up. If only we could have known this might happen. free.law/2021/10/05/p...
Luckily, our blog post from 2021 still holds up. If only we could have known this might happen. free.law/2021/10/05/p...
PACER and CM/ECF are a Threat to National Security and Must be Urgently Overhauled
Why Congress must finally act to urgently and properly fix PACER/CM/ECF.
free.law
August 7, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Well, PACER was hacked again, probably by a nation state: www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
Luckily, our blog post from 2021 still holds up. If only we could have known this might happen. free.law/2021/10/05/p...
Luckily, our blog post from 2021 still holds up. If only we could have known this might happen. free.law/2021/10/05/p...
Vallejo passed a police oversight ordinance with a catch -- the police union had to sign off before the commission could do any work. Nearly three years later, it hasn't done anything. One attorney called it a "poison pill."
bsky.app/profile/nhan...
bsky.app/profile/nhan...
NEW @thevallejosun.bsky.social :
Vallejo has had a police oversight commission for 3 years. Yet somehow it’s never held a public meeting. Former & current commissioners blame the city’s ordinance which lets a meeting process with the police union prevent business. www.vallejosun.com/how-vallejo-...
Vallejo has had a police oversight commission for 3 years. Yet somehow it’s never held a public meeting. Former & current commissioners blame the city’s ordinance which lets a meeting process with the police union prevent business. www.vallejosun.com/how-vallejo-...
How Vallejo blocked its police commission
Nearly three years after the Vallejo City Council voted to create a police oversight commission, it remains in limbo with no end in sight.
www.vallejosun.com
July 30, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Vallejo passed a police oversight ordinance with a catch -- the police union had to sign off before the commission could do any work. Nearly three years later, it hasn't done anything. One attorney called it a "poison pill."
bsky.app/profile/nhan...
bsky.app/profile/nhan...
Reposted by Scott Morris
We called for an independent investigation of the Vallejo City Attorney’s Office due to serious allegations of misconduct. Instead, the council tasked a law firm with close ties to the city atty's office to investigate whether a "formal" investigation is even warranted.
In a word, this is a sham.
In a word, this is a sham.
Vallejo contracts outside law firm for review after ACLU letter
The city will contract with Renne Public Law Group to review what councilmembers called “recent allegations.”
www.vallejosun.com
July 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
We called for an independent investigation of the Vallejo City Attorney’s Office due to serious allegations of misconduct. Instead, the council tasked a law firm with close ties to the city atty's office to investigate whether a "formal" investigation is even warranted.
In a word, this is a sham.
In a word, this is a sham.
Avram Frey, deputy director of the criminal law and immigration project at the ACLU, called the City Council's action a "sham" in a statement late Tuesday.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...
The Vallejo City Council voted to use an outside law firm to consider whether it must respond to and conduct an investigation into “recent allegations” after the ACLU sent a letter last week accusing the city attorney of misconduct.
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-cont...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-cont...
Vallejo contracts outside law firm for review after ACLU letter
The city will contract with Renne Public Law Group to review what councilmembers called “recent allegations.”
www.vallejosun.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Avram Frey, deputy director of the criminal law and immigration project at the ACLU, called the City Council's action a "sham" in a statement late Tuesday.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...
Reposted by Scott Morris
The Vallejo City Council voted to use an outside law firm to consider whether it must respond to and conduct an investigation into “recent allegations” after the ACLU sent a letter last week accusing the city attorney of misconduct.
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-cont...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-cont...
Vallejo contracts outside law firm for review after ACLU letter
The city will contract with Renne Public Law Group to review what councilmembers called “recent allegations.”
www.vallejosun.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:16 AM
The Vallejo City Council voted to use an outside law firm to consider whether it must respond to and conduct an investigation into “recent allegations” after the ACLU sent a letter last week accusing the city attorney of misconduct.
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-cont...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-cont...
Asked for concrete data on how gunshot detection tech improves policing, police Capt. Jerome Bautista said, “We just have success stories. We don’t have more concrete data.” Story by @nhansonreports.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...
Vallejo police started a gunshot detection beta program in September and wants to extend the contract. But the city’s Surveillance Advisory Board wasn't satisfied with the anecdotal evidence VPD brought on the tech's efficacy and wants hard data.
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-surv...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-surv...
Vallejo surveillance board seeks hard data on efficacy of police gunshot detection tech
The Vallejo Police Department has been using Flock Safety’s Raven gunshot detection technology for the past year through a beta test.
www.vallejosun.com
July 25, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Asked for concrete data on how gunshot detection tech improves policing, police Capt. Jerome Bautista said, “We just have success stories. We don’t have more concrete data.” Story by @nhansonreports.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...
After a slew of new revelations about the Vallejo police handling of evidence and complaints (including hiring an ineligible officer) the ACLU has called for an investigation into the conduct of the city attorney's office. Story by @nhansonreports.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...
The @aclu-norcal.bsky.social is calling for an independent investigation into the Vallejo City Attorney’s Office over what it calls “credible allegations of serious, sustained misconduct” in its handling of policing issues.
www.vallejosun.com/aclu-calls-f...
www.vallejosun.com/aclu-calls-f...
ACLU calls for independent investigation of Vallejo city attorney over police issues
The ACLU's letter accuses City Attorney Veronica Nebb and her staff of misconduct.
www.vallejosun.com
July 24, 2025 at 10:36 PM
After a slew of new revelations about the Vallejo police handling of evidence and complaints (including hiring an ineligible officer) the ACLU has called for an investigation into the conduct of the city attorney's office. Story by @nhansonreports.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...
Reposted by Scott Morris
This year the Vallejo Sun has brought on four new contributors. Your support supports them.
Every dollar we receive goes to bringing news to Vallejo and Solano County and supporting local journalists doing local work.
Can you join us as a member today?
www.vallejosun.com/membership/
Every dollar we receive goes to bringing news to Vallejo and Solano County and supporting local journalists doing local work.
Can you join us as a member today?
www.vallejosun.com/membership/
Subscribe
An independent news publication illuminating Solano County, California.
www.vallejosun.com
July 21, 2025 at 8:08 PM
This year the Vallejo Sun has brought on four new contributors. Your support supports them.
Every dollar we receive goes to bringing news to Vallejo and Solano County and supporting local journalists doing local work.
Can you join us as a member today?
www.vallejosun.com/membership/
Every dollar we receive goes to bringing news to Vallejo and Solano County and supporting local journalists doing local work.
Can you join us as a member today?
www.vallejosun.com/membership/
Reposted by Scott Morris
Solano County Sheriff Tom Ferrara will retire in September after 13 years as sheriff, Ferrara told the Solano County Board of Supervisors in a letter Thursday.
He recommended Undersheriff Brad DeWall replace him for the remainder of his 3 year term.
www.vallejosun.com/solano-sheri...
He recommended Undersheriff Brad DeWall replace him for the remainder of his 3 year term.
www.vallejosun.com/solano-sheri...
Solano Sheriff Tom Ferrara to retire in September
Ferrara recommended that Undersheriff Brad DeWall be appointed sheriff for the reminder of his current term.
www.vallejosun.com
July 10, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Solano County Sheriff Tom Ferrara will retire in September after 13 years as sheriff, Ferrara told the Solano County Board of Supervisors in a letter Thursday.
He recommended Undersheriff Brad DeWall replace him for the remainder of his 3 year term.
www.vallejosun.com/solano-sheri...
He recommended Undersheriff Brad DeWall replace him for the remainder of his 3 year term.
www.vallejosun.com/solano-sheri...
The same day I reported that a Vallejo police officer was hired after he was disqualified by three other agencies, the city council voted to give them retention bonuses.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...
The Vallejo City Council approved $2 million for incentives to recruit and retain police officers on Tuesday amid renewed frustration with internal misconduct and concern over hiring officers rejected from other cities.
www.vallejosun.com/vallejos-pla...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejos-pla...
Vallejo’s plan to spend $2M on police recruitment and retention bonuses draws outcry
The city will pay a $15,000 retention bonus and a $5,000 referral bonus.
www.vallejosun.com
July 10, 2025 at 2:21 AM
The same day I reported that a Vallejo police officer was hired after he was disqualified by three other agencies, the city council voted to give them retention bonuses.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...
More shocking revelations about Vallejo police, corroborating what two recruiters testified to: that they hired people who couldn't be hired at other departments.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...
Vallejo police Corporal Colin Eaton was one of six officers who killed Willie McCoy and the @aclu-norcal.bsky.social is seeking to decertify him.
A background investigator's report shows he was rejected by three law enforcement agencies before Vallejo hired him.
www.vallejosun.com/a-cops-backg...
A background investigator's report shows he was rejected by three law enforcement agencies before Vallejo hired him.
www.vallejosun.com/a-cops-backg...
A cop’s background check showed ‘disqualifying’ issues. Vallejo hired him anyway.
Corporal Colin Eaton was one of six officers who killed Willie McCoy and has been involved in a string of controversial incidents.
www.vallejosun.com
July 8, 2025 at 9:57 PM
More shocking revelations about Vallejo police, corroborating what two recruiters testified to: that they hired people who couldn't be hired at other departments.
bsky.app/profile/vall...
bsky.app/profile/vall...