Should Christie’s Shoplifting Bodyguard Be Fired? [POLL]

Perhaps this may be a bit premature, but seeing is how the Governor seemingly holds his staff to a higher standard (see Bridget Anne Kelly); you would think that a member of his personal bodyguard detachment would face the music after having gotten a slap on the wrist on a charge of having been caught stealing from a sporting goods store.

William Carvounis is 36, and a mere couple of months back was caught stealing from a Cabela’s sporting goods store in Pennsylvania.

For his crime, he comes away with what amounts to a slap on the wrist and no criminal record.

What’s more, he, so far at least, gets to keep his job – one which pays around 140 thousand a year – albeit one from which he’s suspended at present.

Carvounis was caught stealing what amounted to $267 in gun supplies and other supplies on surveillance video.

According to this from philly.com:

Instead of facing a conviction and up to five years in prison, Carvounis will pay a $150 fine plus restitution and costs, according to court records. He cannot set foot in any Cabela’s store and must pay $100 to attend a “STOPLIFT” rehabilitation class.
At the time of his arrest in January, the trooper unsuccessfully pleaded with local police and the retailer to drop the matter out of “professional courtesy,” sources said.

Tilden Township Police Chief William J. McEllroy said, “Carvounis said he was on the governor’s security detail,” “He said he makes $140,000 a year, and he’s afraid of losing his job.”

"Afraid of losing his job!" He should have thought of that before he tried to boost the 267 dollars worth of merchandise.

The whole idea of “professional courtesy” should make any law abiding citizen want to barf.

Does the average citizen get any “courtesy” – especially if caught red handed while shoplifting?

Go into any clothing or sporting goods store and see signs saying “Shoplifters Will Be Prosecuted.”
One has to seriously wonder whether Carvounis – or anyone in the position of law enforcement – committing a crime such as that – should be allowed to keep his job – especially after violating the public trust.

And knowing how valuable a virtue like “trust” is to the Governor, I don’t see how in the world he stays on his bodyguard detail – let alone keeps his job.

Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images