September 20, 2019

"They called him 'Dr. Kevorkian.' A 22-page federal criminal complaint unsealed Thursday painted a depraved picture of how Buck earned his grim sobriquet."

"Ten men told investigators that Buck had paid them to use drugs and dress up in skimpy underwear for his own sexual pleasure. Several of the men claimed they lost consciousness after Buck served them a drink, and some said they woke up to the sight of him injecting drugs into their arms against their will, according to the complaint.... Buck was arrested at his West Hollywood home Tuesday night, less than a week after a man fled his home fearing he was suffering a methamphetamine overdose... Buck tried to prevent him from getting medical attention, authorities said.... Investigators initially ruled [the 2017 death of a man named Gemmel Moore] to be accidental, but... [i]n a journal found among Moore’s possessions, the 26-year-old Texas man [had written] 'I’ve become addicted to drugs and the worst one at that... Ed Buck is the one to thank, he gave me my first injection of chrystal meth.'... One man... told investigators that he had never used methamphetamine before he heard that Buck was 'well-known for compensating male prostitutes with drugs and money,' according to the complaint. The victim agreed to take a 'small amount' of drugs at Buck’s behest but said Buck then emptied an entire syringe into his arm.... One man... said he injected himself with what Buck told him was methamphetamine....The drug rendered him immobile, the man told investigators, and he laid on the floor of Buck’s apartment for 6 to 7 hours. Buck grew frustrated and at one point wanted him to leave, the man said, but he couldn’t move.... Buck 'obtained a power saw from a closet, turned it on and approached' the man, the complaint says."

From "Democratic donor Ed Buck paid at least 10 men to use drugs for his own pleasure, prosecutors say" (L.A. Times).

There's some discussion in the article that Buck got away with these alleged activities because he was a big donor to the Democratic Party in a city dominated by Democrats, but I note that he was also a wealthy man paying for prostitutes (and sharing drugs in the process). How much attention is generally paid to rich people in L.A. who use prostitutes and drugs? Do the deaths make such a huge difference? Thousands die from overdosing on drugs every year in California. How much attention does L.A. generally pay to reports from prostitutes who say that part of what they agreed to do was to use drugs but the dosage turned out to be larger than what they agreed to?

70 comments:

BarrySanders20 said...

Don't forget who they think the deplorables are.

gspencer said...


"Buck 'obtained a power saw from a closet, turned it on and approached' the man, the complaint says.'"

Yeah, I could see Buck doing the Jason thing with a big thing that reveals what all the guests at Buck's place were expecting to get,

https://i0.wp.com/www.itinthed.com/wp-content/uploads/jason-carves-horo.jpg?resize=750%2C430&ssl=1

henry said...

Not enough attention? Are they too busy hiding illegals from ICE to investigate deaths?

Mr Wibble said...

Embrace the healing power of 'and'. He was fooling around with drug addicted prostitutes, so police weren't too keen on looking hard at his behavior, and the fact that he was a bigwig Dem donor meant that there was added political pressure to look the other way.

SDaly said...

The fact that he got away with the second death is the tell that his wealth and political connections made him invulnerable until it was too big a story to sweep under the rug.

rcocean said...

Bucks sounds like Jeffrey Dahmer with more money and political connections. Interesting that he had to be involved in 2 deaths, and almost cause a 3rd, before anyone cared in deeply corrupt, progressive, LA.

MayBee said...

Do the deaths make such a huge difference?

The fact that men were dying of overdoses at his home has been on the radar for a while now, and people were asking for investigations. So yeah, I would say that much like Jeffrey Epstein, being a Dam political donor probably protected him.

(let's keep in mind death sometimes bothers us a lot! Like the few people who have died from vaping THC now has Congress calling for flavored vaping liquid (not with THC!) to be banned).

Dagwood said...

Unfortunate 'suicide' of yet another Clinton associate in 3...2...1....

Dagwood said...

Unfortunate 'suicide' of yet another Clinton associate in 3...2...1....

MayBee said...

Another issue was many of the men were black men, and people were concerned *that* was why nobody was investigating him.

Dagwood said...

Unfortunate 'suicide' of yet another Clinton associate in 3...2...1....

Dagwood said...

HHyy553PPQ

traditionalguy said...

The storm of arrests is here. Suddenly, the Dems and the GOP big money sickos are no longer being protected from criminal Justice by cooperation with CIA blackmail operations. And what about Trump Executive Order of 12/20/2017? It told the Treasury to block these sicko's assets?

Total panic has descended on DC.

Yancey Ward said...

Buck's mistake was that the third death happened. One death can be called an accident, two deaths a coincidence, but after three the people looking the other way know they be called out for being obviously complicit in not doing their jobs.

mccullough said...

It’s the deaths. Even in LA, you only get two dead guys in your home. If the Third Man had died, the case would be tougher to prove. But Buck botched the hot shot. Now the two other deaths are MO

Michael K said...

The ultimate Democrat. Rich and perverted.

jeremyabrams said...

Ann's thesis is that Buck's bucks donated to the political party that runs LA was not relevant to his avoiding prosecution for the first two deaths, because LA essentially ignores all drug-overdose deaths of gay male prostitutes.

And yet this is the political party she is still seriously considering voting for. Personally, I care far too much about gay people to vote for a party that, in power, fails to prosecute the people who do this.

jeremyabrams said...

Ann's thesis is that Buck's bucks donated to the political party that runs LA was not relevant to his avoiding prosecution for the first two deaths, because LA essentially ignores all drug-overdose deaths of gay male prostitutes.

And yet this is the political party she is still seriously considering voting for. Personally, I care far too much about gay people to vote for a party that, in power, fails to prosecute the people who do this.

Unknown said...

This is just what the Democrats want to do to our country.

Bay Area Guy said...

Between Democrat donor Ed Buck, and Democrat donor Jeffrey Epstein and Democrat worker Seth Rich, lotta death,violence and weirdos, no?

traditionalguy said...

I wonder if we will get to see Buck in old BlackFace party pics?

Ann Althouse said...

Was he the "ultimate Democrat"? The article says:

"Buck first gained political notoriety as a self-described conservative Republican while leading a gubernatorial recall effort in Arizona in the 1980s. But he became prominent in California as an “in-your-face” Democratic activist and booster of animal rights and LGBTQ causes."

He sounds like a free-wheeling excitement seeker.

Unknown said...

Democrats are the Catholic priests of politics.

Unknown said...

> Was he the "ultimate Democrat"?

Yes, because the party elite prey on mental illness and weakness.

Just watch one of their debates, or any Beto talk.

Krumhorn said...

What else can be expected from leftie sexual pervs? ‘Twisted fuck’ has become the new normal.

- Krumhorn

Calypso Facto said...

If he just calls the deaths "really-late abortions" he might still slide in a California court.

Browndog said...

There is not one prominent, powerful Democrat that hasn't taken a picture with Ed Buck at fundraisers. Not. One.

Oh, and speaking of Clinton- Suddenly Kevin Spacey is running short of witnesses against him.

gilbar said...

is this the rich democrat donor that was having 'house guests' routinely end up dead a while back?
Or is this ANOTHER rich democrat donor that OD's his boy toys?
I need catching up

Yancey Ward said...

For whom did he lead a recall effort against? Bruce Babbit (a Democrat) was governor for most of the 80s, was succeeded by a Republican, Mecham, who was impeached and removed and replaced by another Democrat. I see no history of a recall effort against either Democrat nor a reason for one, but I do see plenty of reason to try to recall the Republican.

narciso said...

his anti mecham campaign, might have had something to do with his lifestyle?

Ken B said...

So is Buck the first time on this blog a “self-described conservative Republican” turned out to actually be a liberal Democrat?

Bay Area Guy said...

"Between Democrat donor Ed Buck, and Democrat donor Jeffrey Epstein and Democrat worker Seth Rich, lotta death,violence and weirdos, no?"

Darn, I forgot Democrat Donor, Harvey Weinsten. My bad.

Real American said...

When you start racking up the body count, one would think the authorities would pay a bit more attention to the details of what's going on in your house. But they didn't. They didn't look too hard because he was rich and powerful and connected to important Democrats.

Being a big-time political donor isn't just about influencing policy. It's about having politicians on retainer for when you need a favor, such as covering up your killing spree.

madAsHell said...

What is the source of Mr. Buck's wealth??

Why do we have people like Buck, Jeffrey Epstein, and Stephen Paddock? They have profound resources, but no one knows why.

Michael K said...

Yancey got it first. Any Democrat leading a recall on Mecham would call himself a "Republican" in Arizona at the time. Mecham's offense was not wanting an MLK state holiday.

SDaly said...

Also, the claim that it wasn't seen as a big deal because the victims were black is bullshit. If Buck had been black, that might be true, but two black guys killed at the home of a white man? If Buck hadn't been gay and a powerful democratic donor, that would have led the network news for days to fit the "white man murderous bigot" narrative.

Danno said...

In summary, it looks like the Buck stops here.

SDaly said...

"What is the source of Mr. Buck's wealth?"

Ed Buck began his career as a male model and actor in Europe before using the money to buy a courier service, Gopher Courier, which made him a millionaire.

I'm guessing there were some extra services performed by his couriers.

Maillard Reactionary said...

Why am I not surprised? There has to be a reason.

Maillard Reactionary said...

"He sounds like a free-wheeling excitement seeker."

Put that way, it sounds almost acceptable. Live and let live, right, AA?

Browndog said...

Blogger madAsHell said...

What is the source of Mr. Buck's wealth??

Why do we have people like Buck, Jeffrey Epstein, and Stephen Paddock? They have profound resources, but no one knows why.


A salient point I was going to make, but no longer need to.

Browndog said...

Police Chiefs are political appointees, appointed by the mayor. Consistently corrupt, and usually inept.

Don't put this on the street cops and detectives. They have orders...and pensions.

gerry said...

I wonder if we will get to see Buck in old BlackFace party pics?

That would be OK, I guess, but please no pics of anything with Buck naked.

In summary, it looks like the Buck stops here.
Good one.

Tomcc said...

The downside of supporting the progressive wing of your party. Where does one draw the line on the whole "inclusiveness" ideal? This seems to be the standard within CA politics, which is why we need to reject any attempt to weaken or eliminate the electoral college.

rcocean said...

One death can be bad luck, two deaths a coincidence, but 3 three seems like pure carelessness. hat tip oscar wilde.

rcocean said...

Regarding Buck's politics. "Conservative Republicans" weren't leading the charge to impeach Gov Meecham in the late 80s. Republican is a meaningless label sometimes. Jeff Jeffords was a Republican before he turned D. Bill Weld is a liberal R and agrees with Hillary more than Mitch McConnell.

Its interesting they impeached Meecham on a phony campaign finance, obstruction of justice, and some other process crimes. His real crime was not having the support of the Republican establishment including Johnny McCain.

Sebastian said...

Who decided to describe him so prominently as a "Democratic donor"?

That stuff usually gets buried. Not now. Why? Class struggle within the donor class? Progs sharpening knives against the old guard? Inquiring minds want to know.

purplepenquin said...

Congress calling for flavored vaping liquid (not with THC!) to be banned

The THC vapes are already banned under Federal Law. Not even allowed for medical use.

Trump could change that, but like Obama & Bush & Clinton & older Bush & Reagan, he seems to think that marijuana is more dangerous than cocaine and thus that plant (and its derivatives) is still on The Forbidden List.

Fernandinande said...

Do the deaths make such a huge difference?

Killing people is cool as long as they're men. Or babies.

At least Ed Buck didn't grab some actress's boob!

That would make such a huge difference.

gilbar said...

Buck began his career as a fashion model in Europe...Buck led the campaign to impeach Arizona Republican Governor Evan Mecham in 1987 by founding the "Mecham Watchdog Committee".

gilbar said...

rcocean said... One death can be bad luck, two deaths a coincidence, but 3 three seems like pure carelessness.

Gollum, however, was helpless with terror, and was convinced that they were being hunted, that their approach was known. 'Three times!' he whimpered. 'Three times is a threat.

Ralph L said...

Buck had bad luck with black bucks he got with bucks. /ducks

Theirs was even worse.

Fernandinande said...

(let's keep in mind death sometimes bothers us a lot! Like the few people who have died from vaping THC now has Congress calling for flavored vaping liquid (not with THC!) to be banned).

Boy, that is a confused statement.

- Nobody has died from vaping THC.

- The feds and a bunch of states want to outlaw flavored nicotine vapes because they're afraid the kiddies might like them, and people shouldn't be allowed to do things they like.

- The CDC and their ilk are being misleading as part of their fight against tobacco vaping. Details

tim in vermont said...

Hate crimes inspired by Trump. Next!

Calypso Facto said...

"Nobody has died from vaping THC"

Um, yeah they have. Not many, but something like 6 deaths this year so far. For instance, "The patient who died in Oregon became sick after vaping THC from a product purchased at a recreational marijuana store, according to the New York Times."

In fact, most of the illnesses and deaths in the recent vaping lung disease "outbreak" have been THC/CBD related. “The recent cluster of vapers developing lung problems follows a decade of widespread e-cigarette use without reports of similar adverse effects. The majority of cases appear to have been vaping illicit e-liquids containing THC."

tim in vermont said...

"Trump could change that, but like Obama & Bush & Clinton & older Bush & Reagan, he seems to think that marijuana is more dangerous “

While some cases of lung illness occurred among smokers who used only nicotine e-cigarettes, the majority of cases were among smokers who used THC vape products, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other e-cigarette smokers with lung disease used both nicotine and THC devices.

"This outbreak does not appear to be associated with traditional legally-sold e-cigarettes, but with illicit and sometimes counterfeit THC vaping cartridges," said Dr. Michael Siegel, a professor at Boston University School of Public Health.
. - ABC news.

walter said...

No longer able to Buck the system.

pious agnostic said...

DeVere said...
Ann's thesis is that Buck's bucks donated to the political party that runs LA was not relevant to his avoiding prosecution for the first two deaths, because LA essentially ignores all drug-overdose deaths of gay male prostitutes.

And yet this is the political party she is still seriously considering voting for. Personally, I care far too much about gay people to vote for a party that, in power, fails to prosecute the people who do this.

9/20/19, 11:21 AM


Don't forget, Buck is also gay. Prosecuting him would itself be homophobic bigotry, right?

donald said...

A: Ed Buck’s hobby is killing black male gay prostitutes.

B: Vaping...who gives a fuck what grown ass free born men do as long as they’re not harming others.

You are either free born or you are not. I can never say that enough.

purplepenquin said...

illicit and sometimes counterfeit THC vaping cartridges

AKA "bathtub gin".

It ain't the THC that's killing folks - rather it's the weird additives and whatnot that is being added by unregulated manufacturers. Same exact thing happened when booze was illegal.

rcocean said...

Goddamn, you just can't predict the Althouse commentators - except some of them are attracted to dullness like a fly to shit. Lets see, you got a Gay millionaire killing gay prostitutes while being protected by a corrupt Democrat LAPD/Prosecutors. And people want to discuss....Vaping.

You can't make that up.

BUMBLE BEE said...

Gosnell redux redux. What you're all dancing around is It didn't start up with the prosecutor's timeline. In queer L.A. it has been known from the get-go. Most commenters don't see far into flamboyant gay lifestyle. It ain't pretty, and it IS drug laden. That is why you no longer see "pride" parades like you used to in Pelosi's district of S.F. Body count is likely higher as pervs are sex addicts and didn't just start at age 21.

BUMBLE BEE said...

Caligula comes to mind.

gilbar said...

serious question
would ANYONE have noticed (or, been ALLOWED to notice) Jeffery Epstein's capers; if they had involved 15 year old BOYS?

purplepenquin said...

What else needs to be said about the millionaire killing the prostitutes that hasn't already been said? Even tho there is nothing in the tale which personally inspires me to write, I sure ain't gonna whine&complain while other folks go on&on&on&on about it.

I commentated on the vaping issue 'cause there are some misunderstandings by other commentators which need to be straightened out. Is that really such a wrong thing to do?

narciso said...

Why did they arrest him after the first or forth death?

Michael K said...

It ain't the THC that's killing folks - rather it's the weird additives and whatnot that is being added by unregulated manufacturers. Same exact thing happened when booze was illegal.

I see no evidence for that. The articles I've seen are all about THC additive cartridges.

Druggies will take anything. I have see three druggies who injected marijuana IV. The third was injecting it while the first was puking his guts out. The street drugs are inventive and deadly but they keep being used.

Dr Weevil said...

"Buck 'obtained a power saw from a closet, turned it on and approached' the man, the complaint says.'"

Sounds like Mr. Buck saw Uncle Buck and decided to emulate the protagonist (played by John Candy), escalating from power drill to power saw.

Dr Weevil said...

Michael K:
I misread your "marijuana IV" as a Roman number, not the abbreviation for 'intravenous' and thought, "Whoah! I hadn't even hear of marijuana II and they're already up to IV? (Or is it 4.0?) I'm really out of touch."

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

#BlackLivesMurdered

he was in anti-suicide garb-- are the cameras working in his cell?