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City rejects claim by own employee, so wife files another

By Ross Farrow
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 7:00 AM PST

Comments (101 comment(s))

Curtis Gokey is two men at once — a Lodi city employee and a private citizen.

Gokey the employee crashed a city dump truck into a privately owned truck owned by, well, Curtis Gokey.

But Gokey the private citizen wants the city of Lodi to pay damages incurred by Gokey the employee. The two Gokeys are the same person. Not only that, his wife says that the accident was her husband's fault.

Gokey backed the city dump truck into his private vehicle during a December storm, according to his wife, Rhonda Gokey. The private vehicle is registered in both their names, so they jointly filed a claim against the city.

The city recently denied a $3,600 claim because Curtis Gokey is a city employee and, in essence, filing a claim against himself, his wife said.

Since that didn't work, Rhonda Gokey reasoned that she could file a new claim in her own name only, thereby eliminating her husband's alleged conflict of interest in filing a claim against himself.

"I have the right to sue the city because a city's vehicle damaged my private vehicle," she said.

Rhonda Gokey filed a larger claim, this one for almost $4,800.

"I'm not as nice as my husband is," she said. "I'm entitled to a replacement vehicle and insurance for the vehicle."

The second claim is pending at Lodi City Hall.

City Attorney Steve Schwabauer said the claim doesn't have merit, especially because Curtis Gokey admitted in the first claim that the accident is his fault.

There is no basis for Rhonda Gokey's claim, either, because she can't, in essence, sue her husband, Schwabauer said.

"You can sue your spouse for divorce, but you can't sue your spouse for negligence," Schwabauer said. "They're a married couple under California law. They're one entity. It's damage to community property."

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

First published: Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Reader Feedback

psy wrote on Mar 28, 2006 6:13 PM:

" Stupidity? He'll only figure out how stupid when he's out of a job over this...he DID admit negligence by filing the case... "

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Luke Duke wrote on Mar 28, 2006 5:27 PM:

" This town is run by good 'ol boys, and the people here have a good 'ol boy attitude. That's why lawsuits work like this. "

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Mr. Green.... wrote on Mar 28, 2006 9:11 AM:

" We do have respect for Vetrans and we do support our fellow Americans, however we don't support stupidity and ignorance. "

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***MR.WHITE*** wrote on Mar 25, 2006 8:48 AM:

" thats a great way to talk about a vetran and a civil servant support your fellow americans "

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for hey now wrote on Mar 25, 2006 8:44 AM:

" what gives the city a bad name is everything east of the tracks and the people that dont do anything about it "

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oakies wrote on Mar 24, 2006 2:47 PM:

" gokey the idiot okies typical morons especially the wife. "

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i am wrote on Mar 24, 2006 2:44 PM:

" these people diffinitly are idiots i'll just sue the city for the fun of it or for high rates. "

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i am wrote on Mar 24, 2006 2:43 PM:

" i am going to sue this damn city for illegally putting strees to the lodi citizens "

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Hot Topic wrote on Mar 22, 2006 7:45 PM:

" LOL! Okay guys I noticed there are 92 comments on this story, most of them not being nice. Well who can resist such a story, with the City worker and all, trying to wrongfully collect for his own dumb accident.Let's all be nice now! (Wink) "

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Sgt. Joe Friday wrote on Mar 22, 2006 4:42 PM:

" Just the facts. Just the facts. "

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notsoloveablelodi wrote on Mar 22, 2006 12:07 PM:

" the city officials are what give the city a bad name. people like you who don't kow the entire story and then make childish comments are why they city gets away with it. you only get to hear what the city wants you to hear. nothing more-like the truth. "

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Hey Now! wrote on Mar 22, 2006 11:35 AM:

" Yeah, chumps like this give Lodi a bad name. "

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Me wrote on Mar 22, 2006 9:28 AM:

" Quite obviously this clown is not very bright and neither is his clown of a wife. "

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Ralphie wrote on Mar 21, 2006 8:25 PM:

" Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! I smashed my own car with a City Vehicle! I want my mommy... Bad City don't want to pay for my child like actions.. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaah! "

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What a joke! wrote on Mar 21, 2006 5:19 PM:

" Maybe he can get the city to pay for his trip to Disney land too, so he can go with Paul Alamo and his family. "

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Standing for truth wrote on Mar 21, 2006 10:07 AM:

" The supposition being that he smashed his car on purpose. "

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Standing for truth wrote on Mar 21, 2006 10:06 AM:

" That is a pure supposition. Facts are all that is merited in this case. "

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to MF wrote on Mar 21, 2006 9:17 AM:

" i think his co-workers and supervisors would know if his truck had damage already they see it everyday. plus read below there were others around when it happened they would know. get real not everyone is a fraud. maybe just you people who come up with these crazy ideas. "

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MF wrote on Mar 21, 2006 8:37 AM:

" Who's to say the car didn't have damage and he backed into it on purpose to get that fixed and paid for by someone else. Namely, the City of Lodi. "

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Your Right wrote on Mar 20, 2006 5:39 PM:

" Adrenna you are correct. They did not murder someone. "

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Adrenna wrote on Mar 20, 2006 1:29 PM:

" You people should have a little compassion for your fellow man. All of the letter writters need to get all of the facts, before casting judgement on the Gokeys. "

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Whut th--? wrote on Mar 19, 2006 4:41 PM:

" The story continues to make national news. It is now featured on snopes.com, a popular urban legends website. It is on the "daily snopes" page for 3/19. "

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drowell wrote on Mar 19, 2006 12:56 PM:

" year right a lawyer Mr Gokey admitted NEGLIGENCE. He was at fault. No matter what he is marked man. Not saying that's fair but that's the way employers do business. "

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Year right, a lawyer? wrote on Mar 19, 2006 9:58 AM:

" Get ALL THE FACTS before you pass judgement.You obviously know nothing about this.Why should someone loose a job they have had 25+ years beause an accident???The Gokey's did NOT make this public, national new, the City did! We all know the officials of Lodi don't need help discrediting themselves. "

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LodiLadyLawyer wrote on Mar 19, 2006 8:20 AM:

" Another reason to make fun of Lodi. This story was sent to me via e-mail by a friend in Aberdeen SOUTH DAKOTA. It is NATIONAL NEWS. Reason enough to fire Gokey civil service or not - "brings discredit" upon the city is a valid reason. "

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??? wrote on Mar 19, 2006 7:22 AM:

" Was his BAL checked? Maybe he had consumed a few pops? "

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joke wrote on Mar 19, 2006 12:13 AM:

" happend at a city yard at night for a storm call with others around "

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Tax Paying Citizen wrote on Mar 19, 2006 12:09 AM:

" I believe it was published previously that the accident occurred at the City yard. Gokey drove his personal vehicle to the work yard when he was called in to work. "

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Joke wrote on Mar 18, 2006 9:05 PM:

" What isn't clear is WHERE did this happen? the city yard or in front of his house? If he was on city property having parked his car in the proper spot and he backed into it while going about his job pay him. "

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Tax Paying Citizen wrote on Mar 18, 2006 9:00 PM:

" Questions: Was a Police report made? Was Gokey cited? Was his personal vehicle legally parked? Or did he back up in an unsafe manner? Thankfully he didn't back up into a child or other person. "

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COL wrote on Mar 18, 2006 4:35 PM:

" The biggest mistake I see in this blog is that you are confusing common sense with City Government. The best solution? Quit hiring idiots. "

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drowell wrote on Mar 18, 2006 12:52 PM:

" Has anybody ever seen a city employee "rush" to do anything? Didn't know the word was in their vocabulary. "

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city emploee wrote on Mar 18, 2006 11:43 AM:

" they dont take the trucks home you drive your own car in for call outs and take a truck to help with emergency accidents happen if he was a fraud he would file workers comp for injury "

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nobody gets it wrote on Mar 18, 2006 11:39 AM:

" so if someone would of crashed into the tree that was down that night that he was rushing to get to and sued the city for millions would that be better "

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scooter wrote on Mar 18, 2006 2:20 AM:

" Let the wife take the city to court. If she proves her husband neligent and wins. Then fire his a*s for being negligent... "

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Gokey RFD...... wrote on Mar 18, 2006 12:42 AM:

" I'd'have shot myself b4 I went to my employer to pay for an accident that I was responsible for hitting my own car...Learn to drive...then drive out of the City's parking lot for the last time...Unbelievable...no wonder Al Qaida keeps coming back to Lodi... "

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JR wrote on Mar 17, 2006 8:57 PM:

" If the city had cameras such as everybody else has they would be no problem? How come the city doesnt have cameras on each and every building they own? surely not the cost! it would protect them from this "

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Psy wrote on Mar 17, 2006 6:07 PM:

" "what he is owed" ? ? ...so all a city employee has to do to get a replacement is to use his work vehicle to total his personal one? A six year old can do that...he is owed a trip to prison for guarding the henhouse... "

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Lodian wrote on Mar 17, 2006 4:50 PM:

" I have just spent the last 6 weeks reading the labor law books for my job. I know what I am talking about, it you doubt me, read the law yourself. "

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Lodian wrote on Mar 17, 2006 4:48 PM:

" THe City of Lodi is no different, they are an employer. They must follow guide lines for each and every employee alike. Not firing an Officer for having an accident, no mater the out come, the cannot fire Gokey for an accident. "

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Lodian wrote on Mar 17, 2006 4:46 PM:

" Before we all get over excited, check out the Federal and State Labor Laws concerning handling employees. Employers have strict guidelines on handling problems within their companies. "

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Gokeeeee wrote on Mar 17, 2006 3:40 PM:

" What was Gokey doing anywhere hear his own car?........Taking a nap? "

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part two wrote on Mar 17, 2006 11:11 AM:

" there was a witness, maybe that person should come forward and defend that is was an accident, not intentional "

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part one wrote on Mar 17, 2006 11:09 AM:

" what if he had hit another city emplyees persoanl vehicle, shouldn't the city pay for it. there is no difference. there's been other city employees involved in accidents and not fired. so why him? it's not fraud. he is not asking for anything more than what he is owed. "

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stupid wrote on Mar 17, 2006 11:07 AM:

" what do you mean want to be millionaire? he is asking for $3600. to get his vehicle fixed and an additional $1200. for rental car. he is not asking for anything else. "

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Psy wrote on Mar 17, 2006 12:44 AM:

" Fire Him?? Countersue?!?!?! ***He should be in prison for criminal fraud.*** "

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NoGokey wrote on Mar 16, 2006 11:06 PM:

" Gokey admitted the accident was his own fault. Therefore, since he was on duty, the city should pay the original (smaller) claim, and then fire this greedy idiot for gross negligence while on the job. What if he had hit a car with people in it? "

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Happy Days wrote on Mar 16, 2006 3:00 PM:

" The City won't even fire cops that kill people with their cars, and y'all want Gokey fired for a fender bender?! If the City fired every employee that had an accident, we wouldn't have any police!! Just say, "No" to Police. "

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Lodian wrote on Mar 16, 2006 2:00 PM:

" Treating one employee involved accident different from another can lead to litigations with the labor board and unfair employer practices. Read the labor laws. "

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Lodian wrote on Mar 16, 2006 1:59 PM:

" If it is the city's policy to fire an employee for an accident than they should do that, if it is the policy to pay any claim for an employee involved accident than they should settle. "

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JR wrote on Mar 16, 2006 1:58 PM:

" There is a fine line between employees and citizens, no matter the department or business. The city should close the case, pay the claim and on with the business of the city. "

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JR wrote on Mar 16, 2006 1:57 PM:

" Before all you 'Good Citizens' make snap judgement, you should get all the story. Mr. Gokey was off duty after a days work when he was called back to work. He was on duty and at the time of the accident was an employee not a citizen. "

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Lodian wrote on Mar 16, 2006 1:56 PM:

" Once the city denied the first claim, the second party has a right to a claim, and asking for a higher claim got attention. The city should do what they would expect a citizen to do if one of us hit their vehicle. Pay up and shut up. "

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Lodian wrote on Mar 16, 2006 1:54 PM:

" If it were your vehicle that was hit by a city vehicle, you would expect them to take care of matters like all good citizens should, it does not matter that a city employee hit his own vehicle, the city should make good on the accident claim. "

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I want the truth! part du wrote on Mar 16, 2006 10:14 AM:

" We may never know what Gokey said to Gokey Conlusion....put your left foot in put your left foot out.......you know the rest. "

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New Car?? wrote on Mar 16, 2006 10:13 AM:

" This case sets a bad precedent. What if city workers in city vehicles started backing up into their crappy cars and made claims. Would the City have to pay for NEW CARS??? "YOU" back up into "YOUR" car then "YOU" should pay for "YOUR" damages! "

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I want the truth! wrote on Mar 16, 2006 10:13 AM:

" When Gokey hit Gokey's car, did Gokey leave a note for Gokey to explain. If not it's a simple case of hit and run. Did Gokey exit the city vehicle and discuss the accident with Gokey? If so, it appears that Gokey may have excused Gokey from the accident. "

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Insurance?? wrote on Mar 16, 2006 10:08 AM:

" Why doesn't the Gokey's report this "accident" to their auto insurance and then let their insurance go after the City through subrogation - instead of publicly humiliating themselves to the world? Simple - they must want to pocket the $3600 or $4800 check. "

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Happy Days wrote on Mar 16, 2006 9:39 AM:

" He's not suing you idiots! He's making a claim against the City's insurance. I'm embarrassed to be human with this group. Did anyone here graduate 8th grade?! "

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Only in Cali wrote on Mar 16, 2006 7:19 AM:

" The man hit his own car folks...he is not entitled to sue himself, ever. His wife can't sue her own husband either. He should learn how to drive and stop thinking that nothing in the world is his own fault. "

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Omaha wrote on Mar 16, 2006 6:51 AM:

" Another want-to-be millionaire! What a joke...what a joke! "

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C'mon Folks wrote on Mar 16, 2006 5:38 AM:

" If he had hit someone else's vehicle, the city's insurance would pay. They should do the same for his personal vehicle, especially if his prior record is clean. "

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Ang wrote on Mar 16, 2006 4:24 AM:

" Gokey needs to learn how to back up a vehicle "

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SW Dave wrote on Mar 15, 2006 8:31 PM:

" If I was driving down the road and hit my wife coming back from lunch, my insurance would pay for it. What insurance was Gokey covered by. Cities should have insurance. If they don't, then they should be willing to pay the damages. "

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Here's the real clue! wrote on Mar 15, 2006 8:23 PM:

" 1. Everyone has a choice. He made a choice to work for the city. 2.If he parked his own vehicle and didn't pay attention to his surroundings, that too was his choice, therefore entirely his fault. 3. His wife needs to bite the bullet and get over it. "

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Get a clue! wrote on Mar 15, 2006 8:09 PM:

" Everybody hates a City worker but the real problem is we have a police department equal to the TajMahal.yet growing transient and gang problems, outrageous spending habits of City officials that waste tax-money and you want to blame someone who does a job you wouldn't.(sewer systems,asphalt, poor weather conditions) "

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okie wrote on Mar 15, 2006 8:00 PM:

" I think he should be fired. plain and simple. no money needed "

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Know the truth wrote on Mar 15, 2006 8:00 PM:

" Get the facts!He happened to be woken from his sleep to come in late to save the city from flooding.In a poorly lit city parking lot,he mis-judged while backing up and damaged his wife's vehicle. Working for the city for over two-decades with no prior incidents.Now,would you eat $3600.in damages? "

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Another voice of reason wrote on Mar 15, 2006 6:18 PM:

" Another example of how liberals think. "

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the city should fight these morons wrote on Mar 15, 2006 5:56 PM:

" tooth and nail. she is not as nice as her husband she says, but she is more stupid obviously "

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Fire the Fraud! wrote on Mar 15, 2006 5:20 PM:

" I agree, THEY should be sued by the city. What happened to honesty? And by the way Mr. Pay the claim, would you actually hit your own vehicle, while being the one behind the wheel, and expect someone else to eat the cost? Got a few missing marbles, I see. "

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Insider Needed wrote on Mar 15, 2006 5:13 PM:

" Is there an insider out there who can comment and give us the WHOLE story and like situations. I am sure this is not the first accident an employee has had. Then we can make an educated unbiased opinion. "

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4 A Strong Lodi (A Strong Liberal) wrote on Mar 15, 2006 5:02 PM:

" I can't believe there are posts actually defending these people! I think the City should fire this guy and then countersue him. "

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Pay the claim wrote on Mar 15, 2006 4:54 PM:

" What is the difference, if he hit my car and in a city vehicle and admited fault, shouldn't the city pay for it????? "

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Happy Days wrote on Mar 15, 2006 4:45 PM:

" People laugh at Lodi because of the dolts that post undereducated comments here. Prove to the world that Lodidiots exist. Refuse the claim! "

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mike wrote on Mar 15, 2006 4:26 PM:

" Ditto, Cheryl! "

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CHERYL wrote on Mar 15, 2006 4:24 PM:

" I feel sorry for the Gokeys'.Apparently they don't see what fools they are making themselves out to be. I'm embarrassed for anyone who even knows them!! "

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Whut th--? wrote on Mar 15, 2006 4:22 PM:

" I'd be proud, as a prospective juror, to state loud and clear to the judge and lawyers how stupid I thought the case was. Common sense? There's no common sense in this case! "

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Senior Citizen wrote on Mar 15, 2006 4:09 PM:

" Pay the $3600 claim and fire Mr. Gokey, Raising the claim from $3600 to $4800 shows dishonesty and fraud. What was the city vehicle doing in close proximity to his personal vehicle in the first place? Was he at home getting a nooner on city time? "

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Elliot S. wrote on Mar 15, 2006 4:06 PM:

" REAL idiocy is arriving at conclusions based on a newspaper article. You are upset and belligerent AND you have no sense of fairness, due process, or common sense. God help anyone ever involved in a lawsuit for any reason with potential jurors like this. "

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Whut th--? wrote on Mar 15, 2006 3:50 PM:

" The story has made the AP and is now on the SF Chronicle site at sfgate.com. Another reason for the outside world to point and laugh at us. "

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Whut th--? wrote on Mar 15, 2006 3:24 PM:

" Ridiculous. Plain and simple. Hey, let's all jack up the city's costs with frivolous claims during tight budgetary times! "

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Think about it wrote on Mar 15, 2006 3:18 PM:

" The Ghokey's deserves to get this vehicle paid for and no repremand. Has everyone who crashes a city vehicle gotten a repremand? Um, not the cop who was speeding and killed a little girl, he got sent to DISNEYLAND "

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Ann wrote on Mar 15, 2006 2:29 PM:

" To quote Bugs Bunny: "what a maroon." If the city is forced to pay the claim to Gokey, the citizen, they should then turn around and withhold it from the paycheck of Gokey, the civil servant. Problem solved. "

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givin' lodi the finger wrote on Mar 15, 2006 2:27 PM:

" Are these folks related to the chili finger lady? "

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For Mr. & Mrs. Gokey wrote on Mar 15, 2006 2:09 PM:

" Gee, I think I'm going to work for the fire department, and then while "on the job" go back into my S.U.V. with the fire truck. Yeah, then I'll sue the fire department. LOL!! "

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Another Burden On Society.. wrote on Mar 15, 2006 2:03 PM:

" This is a BIG JOKEY,GOKEY. You hit your OWN vehicle, while YOU were the one driving? I'm curious to know how the city is responsible. This was clearly an accident, but it was your OWN stupidity to go after the city. Your wife sounds life a Genius too! "

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The Voice of Reason wrote on Mar 15, 2006 1:40 PM:

" Another typical liberal not taking responsibility for their own actions and wasting taxpayer money. He needs a good spanking with a belt! "

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Happy Days wrote on Mar 15, 2006 12:57 PM:

" Gokey didn't hit Gokey's car. The City of Lodi hit Gokey's car. Gokey just happened to be behind the wheel. He deserves any internal reprimand, but the City must pay out the claim like any other. "

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Lodi for Life wrote on Mar 15, 2006 12:49 PM:

" Lets all tear out are side walks for support of them the citys not going to do anything for us anyways!!!!!!!! "

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Used to be Lodi Resident wrote on Mar 15, 2006 12:46 PM:

" Are the Gokey's from Arkanas sounds like it? pretty piss poor thoughts they have for this matter. retards get a life! "

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trash wrote on Mar 15, 2006 12:01 PM:

" I agree with David D "

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David D wrote on Mar 15, 2006 11:30 AM:

" It's a shame the city has to deal with issues like this when there are far more pressing things going on. These two plaintiffs should be ashamed for the cost (in time and money) they are incurring to the City. "

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trash wrote on Mar 15, 2006 11:28 AM:

" typical lodi white trash asking for a hand-me-out "

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4 A Strong Lodi wrote on Mar 15, 2006 10:25 AM:

" Fire this loser! I doubt this will be the last time he tries to sue the City under suspicious circumstances. It's a shame that this idiot is too ignorant to be able to read these posts. "

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Poor Gokeys wrote on Mar 15, 2006 10:22 AM:

" Heaven forbid if they were to eat at McDonalds, are overweight or smoke tobacco daily - they would be the type to sue because they are fat and have cancer! Personal Responsibility is not in these idiot's vocalbulary. "

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Unfazed wrote on Mar 15, 2006 10:16 AM:

" The Gokeys are examples of people unable of taking personal responsibility for their acts. Settle the claim for $3600 and FIRE Gokey for reckless driving while on the job. Losing a city job might teach them a thing about taking responsibility for their stupid mistakes. "

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Hold Accountable wrote on Mar 15, 2006 10:08 AM:

" If procedure for city employee's who have accidents in city vehicles is termination, then fire him. Shouldn't matter who's car he hit. If he hit my car I would expect the city to repair it just like any other entity. "

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Name? wrote on Mar 15, 2006 9:29 AM:

" Is it Gokey, or simply OKIE! "

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Yeah, Right! wrote on Mar 15, 2006 9:29 AM:

" What a joke! Why not just fire Curtis Gokey? He's obviously someone of questionable character, not to mention a bad driver. Reject Rhonda's claim, especially since she's a bad wife! "

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Happy Days wrote on Mar 15, 2006 8:15 AM:

" Of coourse, Gokey's wife isn't claiming against Curtis Gokey per se, but rather against the City of Lodi. The City is splitting hairs here and should lose and have to pay out - akward as it is for them. "

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Comments on this story are now closed.

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