Inside the Blue Wall: The McCann-Middlebrooks Files

A Serialized Investigative Series by Aaron C. Knapp

Introduction: Power, Retaliation, and a Department in Turmoil

What happens when a high-ranking Black police officer accuses his Chief of racism, retaliation, and systemic misconduct? What happens when that Chief fights back, accusing the officer of incompetence, deception, and betrayal? And what happens when both men sit for hours of recorded internal affairs interviews — under the legal protection of Garrity rights — detailing the inner fractures of a police department under fire?

This is the story unfolding inside the Lorain Police Department.

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Over the coming weeks — or as fast as I can work through nearly 400 pages of internal investigation documents, Garrity interviews, legal correspondence, and union reports — this series will break down the most controversial and consequential public safety scandal Lorain has faced in a generation.

The Players:

• Chief James McCann: Lorain’s current Chief of Police. Denies all claims of racism, retaliation, or abuse of authority. Accuses Middlebrooks of incompetence, false reporting, and trying to weaponize discrimination claims to escape accountability.
• Lieutenant Corey Middlebrooks: Former Captain demoted in 2024 following a series of internal conflicts. Claims he was targeted for whistleblowing on mishandled domestic violence incidents, racial bias, and leadership failures. Alleges systemic retaliation and discriminatory treatment.
• Deputy Chief Mike Failing: A central figure in the departmental tension. Accused by Middlebrooks of favoritism and complicity in shielding misconduct.
• Director Rey Carrion & Chief of Staff Soto: Caught in the crossfire between the Chief and Lieutenant. Accused of ignoring red flags or being used as buffers in politically sensitive complaints.
• Other Command Staff & Witnesses: From Officer Baez to Captains Palmer, Mathewson, and Thompson, this story includes dozens of intersecting accounts, contradictions, and career-altering testimony.

The Allegations (Thus Far):

• Retaliation for Whistleblowing: Middlebrooks alleges that reporting internal misconduct led to his demotion, isolation, and an orchestrated campaign to discredit him.
• Racial Discrimination: Claims include racially motivated differential treatment, denial of opportunities, and assignments designed to humiliate or degrade.
• Improper Conduct & Leaked Discipline: Chief McCann admits to showing Middlebrooks’s reprimand to another officer, claiming it was to protect that officer from misinformation. Middlebrooks calls it public shaming and a contract violation.
• Missing Recordings: Middlebrooks suggests video files from sensitive investigations may have been deleted or hidden — a claim OPS is struggling to corroborate or disprove.
• Failure to Follow Chain of Command: Both men accuse the other of bypassing protocol and engaging in personal power struggles.
• Insubordination & Withholding Evidence: Middlebrooks is accused of withholding key texts, memos, and reports during the investigation, which may lead to administrative charges.

What This Series Will Do:

Rather than dropping a single, massive exposé, I’ll be releasing this report section by section, as I analyze each new layer of the internal investigation. Expect a deep dive into:

• The culture and politics inside the Lorain Police Department
• Credibility clashes between top brass
• Race, power, and retaliation in modern policing
• Behind-the-scenes tactics used by public officials in damage control
• OPS and legal dynamics you won’t find in press releases

Each installment will feature a focused breakdown, with commentary, cross-referencing, and key takeaways. Think of it as a serialized investigative docuseries — but on paper.

Why It Matters:

This isn’t just a personnel dispute. This is about public accountability, civil rights, and the future of police leadership in Lorain. The decisions made behind closed doors affect public safety, officer morale, and community trust. As someone who’s worked in advocacy, mental health, and justice reform — and as someone who has seen how systems retaliate against their own — I believe this story must be told in full.

Stay tuned. The unraveling has only just begun.

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About The Author

Aaron Knapp

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