"He Chickened Out"

...said a source about Executive Director Carmelo Garcia's Monday's press conference, on the topic of a certain not-so-secret tape recording.

Folks, this one's a head-scratcher.

The "Monday press conference" was initiated by Garcia and/or his people. It appeared to be an effort to get ahead of the story--assuming the press is doing one, by presenting the best possible spin on the distasteful tale of a public official who secretly records his private conversations with others.

Friend and foe are rumored to be among the victims taped without their knowledge or consent.

One of them, State Senator Brian Stack, is rumored to be so furious that he is looking to boot Assembly candidate Garcia off his ticket. GA asked a source at the County if Stack had 'buyers remorse':

Yes, serious buyer's remorse. I heard discussion of trying to find a way to get rid of CG, only one being that legal analysis said that he can RUN for both Assembly and be Exec Dir, but can't SERVE in both positions if he were elected. Have no clue if there's any merit to this legal argument.

If only Stack had picked Ravi Bhalla. Too late. 

About the press conference that never happened: sources said the details of the secret taping- who was recorded- as well as actual reccording itself, were to be revealed.

The whole tale is bizarre.  Think about it.

The only reason we know about this taping, is because the transcript was introduced in a totally unrelated legal case.  By who and why? Interestingly, the transcription of the audiotape is alleged to have been done by Garcia and expressly given to the lawyer to use in this case which he (Garcia) had no part in.  Therein lies the mystery of this tape.

Why did Garcia think it would be useful in this case?

Did he understand that rules of evidence would require the other side to receive a copy of the transcript and expose his practice of secretly recording others?

Ooops. There go the unintended consequences of being a...

Now, the spin coming from the fetid dumpsters of the Dark Side is that another press conference is in the works, and bombs will be dropped on the second floor of City Hall... perhaps on others in reform.

Well, that's what you call a tall glass of lemonade made from a truckload of lemons.

All potential victims of these creepy secret recordings will be watching closely, I am sure.  As they wonder if they are next.

Next?