It appears four men, including an Omaha City Councilman, are still fighting to get out of jail while their federal criminal case moves, oh so slowly, through the courts.

All have pleaded not guilty.

[View our full video report above]

 

During his initial appearance in Lincoln Federal Court a judge ruled that Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo and his three co-defendants could not be trusted to be out of jail while awaiting trial.

 

Now there are moves underway to ask another federal judge, Judge John Gerrard who will oversee the trial, to okay their release. 

A tall order given the lengthy indictments and countless hours of wiretaps assembled by what one FBI agent said is a “small army of agents” involved in a months-long fraud investigation.

One of the four fighting for his pre-trial release is former Omaha Police Captain Rich Gonzalez, who has been watching as several family members, his wife, a sister, daughter and others have written letters and affidavits on Gonzalez’s behalf.

Arguably most significantly his first cousin, former U.S. Marshall Mark Martinez, who was appointed by President Barack Obama and served eight-and-a-half years.

According to Martinez, Richard Gonzalez was “’Officer of the Year’ for his exemplary work in the Gang Unit,’” has displayed “trustworthiness” and adds, “the City of Omaha is a better policed city and a safer city because of …dedicated officers like Captain Richard Gonzalez.”

NCN (January, 2023): Mr. Palermo, can I ask you a few questions…

Palermo, who remains on the city council while sitting in jail, is also asking to get out of jail while his trial is pending, his attorney ready to appeal Palermo’s detention order.

Without his release, according to city rules, Palermo will likely be removed from the council in July.