From: Dimon Kendrick-Holmes <Dimon.Kendrick-Holmes@greensboro.

com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 8, 2023 5:28 PM
To: Banks, Carla <[email protected]>
Cc: Davis, N. <[email protected]>; Thompson, John <John.Thompson@greensboro-
nc.gov>; Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>; DeSota, Patrick
<[email protected]>; Jaiyeoba, Taiwo <[email protected]>; Wilson, Christian
A (CMO) <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Thank You

WARNING: External Email – Don’t get hooked by a phishing email. Never click on links or
open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Thanks to you all for taking the time to sit down together yesterday. I can’t tell you how much I
appreciate that you reached out to me immediately when you had concerns and were willing to get the
group together to talk through it.

Our newsroom staff and I are eager to open the lines of communication between us and build a solid
working relationship with the police department and the city.

I look forward to getting our teams together for a meet-and-greet early in the new year. In the
meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have concerns or need anything.

Thanks for all you do.

Dimon

From: Banks, Carla [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: Wednesday, November 8, 2023 5:00 PM
To: Dimon Kendrick-Holmes <[email protected]>
Cc: Davis, N. <[email protected]>; Thompson, John <John.Thompson@greensboro-
nc.gov>; Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>; DeSota, Patrick
<[email protected]>; Jaiyeoba, Taiwo <[email protected]>; Wilson, Christian
A (CMO) <[email protected]>
Subject: Thank You
Importance: High
Good afternoon Dimon, Thank you for taking the time to meet with our team this week. It was a pleasure to meet you! I speak for the group when I say it was a productive conversation and we appreciate your genuine interest in our concerns. Additionally,
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Good afternoon Dimon,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with our team this week. It was a pleasure to meet
you!
I speak for the group when I say it was a productive conversation and we appreciate
your genuine interest in our concerns.

Additionally, I appreciate your commitment to speak with Connor about the tone of his
emails and implications of sharing our responses with others.

We are looking forward to turning the page in an effort to establish goodwill relations
with Connor and your other reporters.

Thank you for suggesting an informal meet-and-greet between our respective teams. I
appreciate you welcoming an open dialog should we experience issues in the future.

We’ll plan to schedule the meet-and-greet in the first quarter of the new year. Have a
good evening!

Regards,
Carla Banks, MPA
Communications & Marketing Director
City of Greensboro
Office: 336-373-3769
Cell: 336-337-9914
300 W. Washington St., Greensboro NC 27402
www.greensboro-nc.gov
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Past President: www.triadnfbpa.org

From: Dimon Kendrick-Holmes <[email protected]>

Sent: Wednesday, November 1, 2023 11:12 AM
To: Banks, Carla <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely

WARNING: External Email – Don’t get hooked by a phishing email. Never click on links or
open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Carla,

That sounds great. Thanks for setting this up.

I’m happy to meet at your office.

Best,
Dimon
From: Banks, Carla [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, November 1, 2023 11:10 AM
To: Dimon Kendrick-Holmes <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely
Hello Dimon, Chief Thompson is planning to join us along with his new public information officer Patrick DeSota. We are proposing to meet at 9am on Tuesday, November 7. Would you like to meet at your office or ours? Regards, Carla Banks, MPA
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Hello Dimon,

Chief Thompson is planning to join us along with his new public information officer
Patrick DeSota.

We are proposing to meet at 9am on Tuesday, November 7. Would you like to meet at
your office or ours?

Regards,
Carla Banks, MPA
Communications & Marketing Director
City of Greensboro
Office: 336-373-3769
Cell: 336-337-9914
300 W. Washington St., Greensboro NC 27402
www.greensboro-nc.gov
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Past President: www.triadnfbpa.org

From: Banks, Carla <[email protected]>

Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 7:37 PM
To: Jaiyeoba, Taiwo <[email protected]>; Wilson, Christian A (CMO)
<[email protected]>; Thompson, John <[email protected]>;
Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>; Davis, N. <Nathaniel.Davis@greensboro-
nc.gov>
Subject: Fwd: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely

Good evening Team,

Sharing the response from the editor of the N&R. I’m glad to coordinate with Josie to schedule
the meeting.

Regards,
Carla Banks
Communications & Marketing Director
City of Greensboro
Mobile: 336-337-9914

From: Dimon Kendrick-Holmes <[email protected]>

Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 7:18 PM
To: Banks, Carla <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely

WARNING: External Email – Don’t get hooked by a phishing email. Never click on links or
open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Good evening, Carla,

Thanks for reaching out. I would be happy to meet with you so I can better understand your concerns
and figure out how we can work together moving forward. I’m heading to Georgia tomorrow but should
be back in Greensboro early next week. Would Tuesday morning, Nov. 7 work for you? I’d like to meet
Josie then too if that’s possible.

Thanks,
Dimon

From: Banks, Carla [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 10:39 AM
To: Dimon Kendrick-Holmes <[email protected]>
Subject: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely
Importance: High

From: Banks, Carla

Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 10:39 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely
Importance: High

Good morning Dimon,

I hope your week is off to a productive start!

In recent weeks the City has been on the receiving end of persistent emails or phone
calls from Connor McNeely.

Most recently, he sent the enclosed email last week to Josie Cambareri, GPD’s public
information manager.
I’m appealing to you to speak with him about the sensitivity of these type cases and his
misinterpretation of the law.

Connor needs to understand how the outcome of months of undercover work can be
jeopardized by premature reporting without proper context and complete facts.

He has been advised on more than one occasion the City will not comment on active
investigations.

I hope you can appreciate my concerns about the way Connor approaches his
reporting.

We are more than willing to work with him and help to hone his skills, but only if he
comes in the spirit of administering fair and balanced reporting based on facts.

Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your response and learning how
this matter will be addressed and resolved.

I also welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how we can foster a positive
working relationship moving forward.

Hey Josie,

Information from an arrest warrant in the Greensboro Police Department’s undercover

investigation of Amazing Spa (620 Guilford College Rd) on Sep. 20 states that the defendant
willfully performed a sexual act on a GPD detective in order to issue a misdemeanor charge of
prostitution and other felony charges of promoting prostitution.

I have a set of questions about this event and standard conduct for the Greensboro Police
Department that are at the end of this email. I am giving the GPD a chance to respond and justify
this conduct before taxpayers.

Does the Greensboro Police Department teach that it is acceptable for undercover police officers
in sting operations to commit sexual acts with suspects?
According to N.C.P.I.—CRIM. 202.80, the third requirement for criminal conspiracy states
that the State must prove that the defendant intended to carry out an agreement at the time
it was made beyond a reasonable doubt. What is the Greensboro Police Department’s
justification for allowing the defendant to perform a sexual act rather than stopping at an
attempt?
I have the general counsel of the state licensing board for the massage industry quoted as
saying that Greensboro Police should enter massage businesses in the city that do not
possess a state establishment license and charge them with a criminal misdemeanor for
not adhering to state law. There are more than several unlicensed businesses in the city,
one of which possesses a general business permit. Why are law enforcements not
enforcing this state law?
 Numerous legal experts and advocates against human trafficking have unanimously
condemned this act by the GPD as unnecessary and unethical, given that possibility that
the defendant performing the sexual act on law enforcement could be a victim of human
trafficking for sex labor, which the investigation is attempting to stop. How does the GPD
respond to these claims?

Once again, this is an opportunity for the GPD to explain its methodology to the public. Thanks
very much

Connor McNeely
GA Reporter, News & Record
(704) 617-7771

Regards,
Carla Banks, MPA
Communications & Marketing Director
City of Greensboro
Office: 336-373-3769
Cell: 336-337-9914
300 W. Washington St., Greensboro NC 27402
www.greensboro-nc.gov
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Past President: www.triadnfbpa.org

From: Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>

Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 9:12 AM
To: Banks, Carla <[email protected]>; Thompson, John <John.Thompson@greensboro-
nc.gov>
Subject: RE: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely

Great. Thank you so much Carla!

From: Banks, Carla <[email protected]>

Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 9:11 AM
To: Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>; Thompson, John
<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely

I agree. I'll share the response if I get one. I do not know this editor. If I don't hear from him, I'll
ask Allen Johnson to intervene and get this in front of the editor.

Regards,

Carla Banks
Communications & Marketing Director
City of Greensboro
300 W. Washington St.
Greensboro, NC 27401

Sent from my smartphone

From: Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>

Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 9:03:32 AM
To: Banks, Carla <[email protected]>; Thompson, John <John.Thompson@greensboro-
nc.gov>
Subject: RE: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely

That makes sense. I also don’t want my response to be interpreted by Connor that GPD + City are not
unified/in communication if his editor says there is an issue but Connor’s rebuttal is that his email
generated helpful information from me.

Thank you Carla.

From: Banks, Carla <[email protected]>

Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 8:35 AM
To: Thompson, John <[email protected]>
Cc: Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely

Good morning Chief Thompson,

I think it will be worth waiting to see how the editor responds to my email. If they insist Connor
is not in the wrong, then your response will be ideal to further solidify our point.
Their links to email do not work on my iPad, so I will be sending this when I get to my desktop.

I can also add a line to simply say he's misinterpreting the state law. Hopefully, that will give
him cause to pause.

Regards,

Carla Banks
Communications & Marketing Director
City of Greensboro
300 W. Washington St.
Greensboro, NC 27401

Sent from my smartphone

From: Thompson, John <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 8:18:37 AM
To: Banks, Carla <[email protected]>
Cc: Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely

Carla,

Thank you for putting this together, I think it’s perfect. Quick question…we prepared a very short
response below to Connor’s email, should we hold off sending it? I don’t want to immediately follow up
our rebuke with a response to his request.

Hi Connor,

The language in the arrest warrant is misleading. As the law is written, a law enforcement officer can
meet the elements of the criminal charge by an attempt and initiation of a sexual act. The law does not
require a completion of a sexual act and it is not the practice of the Greensboro Police Department to
allow any activity after the attempt/initiation.

Josie

From: Jaiyeoba, Taiwo <[email protected]>

Sent: Monday, October 30, 2023 8:12 PM
To: Banks, Carla <[email protected]>; Wilson, Christian A (CMO)
<[email protected]>; Thompson, John <[email protected]>;
Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely

Let it roll! I have no edits to suggest.

From: Banks, Carla <[email protected]>

Sent: Monday, October 30, 2023 6:16 PM
To: Jaiyeoba, Taiwo <[email protected]>; Wilson, Christian A (CMO)
<[email protected]>; Thompson, John <[email protected]>;
Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>
Subject: Concerns Regarding Connor McNeely
Importance: High

Hello Team,

Let me know your thoughts on this email to the News & Record editor. Feel free
to edit as needed (highlight any changes).
Good morning Dimon,

I hope your week is off to a productive start!

In recent weeks the City has been on the receiving end of persistent emails or phone
calls from Connor McNeely.

Most recently, he sent the enclosed email last week to Josie Cambareri, GPD’s public
information manager.

I’m appealing to you to speak with him about the sensitivity of these type cases.

Connor needs to understand how the outcome of months of undercover work can be
jeopardized by premature reporting without proper context and complete facts.

He has been advised on more than one occasion the City will not comment on active
investigations. I hope you can appreciate my concerns about the way Connor
approaches his reporting.

Again, we are more than willing to work with him and help to hone his skills, but only if
he comes in the spirit of administering fair and balanced reporting based on facts.

Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your response and learning how
this matter will be addressed and resolved.

I also welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how we can foster a positive
working relationship.

Hey Josie,

Information from an arrest warrant in the Greensboro Police Department’s undercover investigation of
Amazing Spa (620 Guilford College Rd) on Sep. 20 states that the defendant willfully performed a sexual
act on a GPD detective in order to issue a misdemeanor charge of prostitution and other felony charges
of promoting prostitution.

I have a set of questions about this event and standard conduct for the Greensboro Police Department
that are at the end of this email. I am giving the GPD a chance to respond and justify this conduct before
taxpayers.

Does the Greensboro Police Department teach that it is acceptable for undercover police officers in
sting operations to commit sexual acts with suspects?
According to N.C.P.I.—CRIM. 202.80, the third requirement for criminal conspiracy states that the
State must prove that the defendant intended to carry out an agreement at the time it was
made beyond a reasonable doubt. What is the Greensboro Police Department’s justification for
allowing the defendant to perform a sexual act rather than stopping at an attempt?
I have the general counsel of the state licensing board for the massage industry quoted as saying
that Greensboro Police should enter massage businesses in the city that do not possess a state
establishment license and charge them with a criminal misdemeanor for not adhering to state
law. There are more than several unlicensed businesses in the city, one of which possesses a
general business permit. Why are law enforcements not enforcing this state law?
 Numerous legal experts and advocates against human trafficking have unanimously condemned this
act by the GPD as unnecessary and unethical, given that possibility that the defendant
performing the sexual act on law enforcement could be a victim of human trafficking for sex
labor, which the investigation is attempting to stop. How does the GPD respond to these claims?

Once again, this is an opportunity for the GPD to explain its methodology to the public. Thanks very
much

Connor McNeely
GA Reporter, News & Record
(704) 617-7771

Regards,

Carla Banks
Communications & Marketing Director
City of Greensboro
Mobile: 336-337-9914

From: Banks, Carla

Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2023 3:45 PM
To: Davis, N. <[email protected]>; Jaiyeoba, Taiwo <[email protected]>;
Wilson, Christian A (CMO) <[email protected]>; Thompson, John
<[email protected]>; Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>; Keys,
Jake <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Request for comment

Hello Trey,

I’m glad to schedule a meeting with the editor to express our experiences and concerns
with Mr. McNeely.

Regards,
Carla Banks, MPA
Communications & Marketing Director
City of Greensboro
Office: 336-373-3769
Cell: 336-337-9914
300 W. Washington St., Greensboro NC 27402
www.greensboro-nc.gov
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Past President: www.triadnfbpa.org
From: Davis, N. <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2023 3:34 PM
To: Jaiyeoba, Taiwo <[email protected]>; Wilson, Christian A (CMO)
<[email protected]>; Thompson, John <[email protected]>;
Cambareri, Josie <[email protected]>; Keys, Jake <[email protected]>;
Banks, Carla <[email protected]>
Subject: Fwd: Request for comment

Carla, based on the context of the email below, and recent messages from the sender, I feel it is
time to meet with the editor. I apologize for sending now as I will be out for awhile, but he has
proven to be persistent.

Get Outlook for iOS

From: Connor McNeely <[email protected]>

Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2023 3:18 PM
To: Keys, Jake <[email protected]>; Cambareri, Josie
<[email protected]>
Cc: Davis, N. <[email protected]>; Jaiyeoba, Taiwo <Taiwo@greensboro-
nc.gov>
Subject: Request for comment

WARNING: External Email – Don’t get hooked by a phishing email. Never click on links or
open attachments unless you know the content is safe.

Hey Josie,

Information from an arrest warrant in the Greensboro Police Department’s undercover investigation of
Amazing Spa (620 Guilford College Rd) on Sep. 20 states that the defendant willfully performed a sexual
act on a GPD detective in order to issue a misdemeanor charge of prostitution and other felony charges
of promoting prostitution.

I have a set of questions about this event and standard conduct for the Greensboro Police Department
that are at the end of this email. I am giving the GPD a chance to respond and justify this conduct before
taxpayers.
 Does the Greensboro Police Department teach that it is acceptable for undercover police officers in
sting operations to commit sexual acts with suspects?
According to N.C.P.I.—CRIM. 202.80, the third requirement for criminal conspiracy states that the
State must prove that the defendant intended to carry out an agreement at the time it was
made beyond a reasonable doubt. What is the Greensboro Police Department’s justification for
allowing the defendant to perform a sexual act rather than stopping at an attempt?
I have the general counsel of the state licensing board for the massage industry quoted as saying
that Greensboro Police should enter massage businesses in the city that do not possess a state
establishment license and charge them with a criminal misdemeanor for not adhering to state
law. There are more than several unlicensed businesses in the city, one of which possesses a
general business permit. Why are law enforcements not enforcing this state law?
Numerous legal experts and advocates against human trafficking have unanimously condemned this
act by the GPD as unnecessary and unethical, given that possibility that the defendant
performing the sexual act on law enforcement could be a victim of human trafficking for sex
labor, which the investigation is attempting to stop. How does the GPD respond to these claims?

Once again, this is an opportunity for the GPD to explain its methodology to the public. Thanks very
much

Connor McNeely
GA Reporter, News & Record
(704) 617-7771