MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis’ police body cameras haven’t hit the streets and now the process to get them may hit court.
“There has been monetary enhancements towards officers and then their departments have turned around and bought from Taser,” said Digital Ally CEO Stan Ross.
His company also sells body cameras and made a bid for the Memphis contract.
He told us by phone Taser used bribes, jobs and trips to win business around the country.
We asked did any of that happen in Memphis.
“Our whole thing in Memphis, it seems the rules changed on the fly and we didn’t get an opportunity to participate,” said Ross.
Digital Ally cited Taser’s hiring of then Mayor A C Wharton’s Campaign Manager Deidre Malone and her marketing business to meet minority participation as the main problem in Memphis.
The lawsuit even mentioned stories on WREG, highlighting the possible conflict of interest.
“The minority component came in there and we were not made aware of that until the last minute and we did not have a chance to look and go partner up with somebody,” said Ross.
Taser denied any wrongdoing and said other companies had a shot at getting the contract.
“They whittled it down I think to 7 legitimate cameras that could possibly be used and then we scored number 1,” said Steve Tuttle with Taser/Axon.
Digital Ally said Malone’s $800,000 contract with Taser came ‘after’ the company got the city contract to meet the minority participation.
“We sat down in the room with all the vendors that qualified for that and we chose her because the city wanted to do public safety announcements and she had great experience doing that,” said Tuttle.
Former Mayor Wharton told us by phone he didn’t know anything about bribes or trips.
Still, Digital Ally said what Taser did in Memphis and other cities amounts to deception and fraud.
“I don’t know how they do it, but they seem to get some inside tracks,” said Ross.
Digital Ally also claimed Taser violated patent laws since Memphis required automated activation of cameras as a part of the contract.
Digital Ally said it has a patent on that technology.
