I’m writing in regards to your article on the arrest of Jon Cochrane for sexual assault in the December 29th, 2021 edition of the Delta Discovery. Why wasn’t his occupation listed? For those of us who have had the unfortunate “honor” of having our arrest written about, this kind of information isn’t generally withheld. As a best case scenario, it looks like preferential treatment. As a worst case scenario, it appears of possible court system interference with freedom of the press.
It was also interesting to see the paragraph on him being innocent until proven guilty. Where was that paragraph in the articles for other individuals arrested? There are those of us who do get arrested and caught up in this system, especially here in Bethel, but we don’t get the benefit of doubt.
John Hammonds, Inmate
Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center
Bethel, AK
Inmates need help with Public Defender Agency
My name is Robert Snyder Jr. and I am writing you for myself and on behalf of all the inmates in the Bethel area about our attorney client relationship.
We all feel that the attorneys in the Bethel area are not working for our best interest as they should be. I will be writing about my experience with the Alaska Public Defenders from the Bethel area as an example of what all the inmates go through.
The first thing I want to discuss is the lack of “communication”. We call the office of the Bethel Public Defenders and leave messages. We will leave multiple messages about our case, ask questions, and give information that proves our innocence. Our messages are never returned and our questions never answered. I’ve been in jail since Nov. 2019 til now and I still haven’t received an answer to my messages.
The next issue I would like to bring up is the things that our lawyers should be doing on their own. In the first few months in jail we should at least have some of our discovery for our case. Discovery meaning: any reports from the State of Alaska, grand jury transcripts, and many other evidence that the State has in our case. To date I still don’t have any discovery.
Also when we ask our attorneys to set up a bail hearing and inform them of our bail plan, they don’t do what we ask or when the hearing happens they don’t perform at their best. They don’t produce the things we ask of them and because of this our chance to get out on bail is messed up.
Another thing I want to bring up is the investigators for the Public Defenders do not obtain evidence on our behalf when it exists, things like physical evidence, reports, or evidence that shows actual innocence.
We in the Bethel area feel that the attorney client relationship that we have is not the full representation of legal counsel as it should be and is not to our best interest. My question for you is will you look into the Bethel Public Defender agency and help it provide effective counsel.
Robert Snyder Jr., Inmate
Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center
Bethel, AK
BBB’s 5 Tips for Finding a Trustworthy Tax Professional
Surviving tax season doesn’t have to be a solo mission. There are plenty of tax professionals ready to assist leading up to the April 18 deadline to file.
Millions of Americans will ultimately lean on someone else to take care of their math and paperwork as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continued through 2021. Taxes will be especially tricky this year for families as they have to report on the monthly child tax credit payments and the stimulus checks they received in 2021.
Better Business Bureau outlines the fundamental tips you should count on for finding the right tax professional:
Keep track of credentials and experience.
Don’t be shy about reviewing a few resumes. The tax preparer you choose should be a certified public accountant, a tax attorney, or an enrolled agent in order for them to represent you to the IRS. Do some research on their reputation within the industry, years of experience completing the return type you need to file, and their track record with customers. If their reviews are less than positive, that’s a sign to explore some other options.
Ask about fees.
If you choose to use a tax preparer, their help comes with a cost. Make sure you know exactly what fees are associated with their services. Do not agree to anything until you’ve carefully read the contract and received answers to all your questions regarding charges. Fees can change or even increase depending on the type of return you are filing.
Ask about their availability.
See if the preparer will be around after you’ve filed your taxes. If there are any issues with your return, will they be available to guide you through what’s next? For example, what can, or will they do in case of an audit? Yes, you need help right now, but you might need more later. Find out if the tax preparer can assist with any future needs.
Stay grounded.
Some tax preparers promise larger tax returns if you use their services. Don’t buy the hype. If you’re guaranteed a higher return, or the preparer’s commission is based on how much you get back, they may be using some less-than-ethical tactics to get you that extra cash. Those tricks could end up costing you in the long run.
Utilize BBB as a resource.
Look up the business on BBB’s website before hiring a tax preparer. BBB.org has individual business profiles disclosing whether the company is BBB Accredited, its letter rating, potential consumer alerts, detailed customer complaints, and information on how the business is responding to concerns. Taking that additional step will give you a better idea of the company’s reputation. If any issues arise, you can also submit a complaint to seek a resolution.
For more consumer tips, visit Trust-bbb.org.
Roseann Freitas
Better Business Bureau
