NEW: The CEO of Banjo, a surveillance firm that sells to law enforcement agencies nationwide, was once actively involved in white supremacist groups, and participated in a shooting of a synagogue in his youth, documents show. read.medium.com/5Cyn0Hl
In magazine profiles and on conference stages, Damien Patton, the 47-year-old CEO of the surveillance startup Banjo, often recounts a colorful autobiography.
Patton’s story and public persona are compelling. They are also incomplete. read.medium.com/5Cyn0Hl
Patton’s story and public persona are compelling. They are also incomplete. read.medium.com/5Cyn0Hl
Documents available to the public and reviewed by @ozm reveal that Patton actively participated in white supremacist groups in his youth, and was involved in the shooting of a synagogue. read.medium.com/5Cyn0Hl
Typos on records connected to Patton — first a misspelling of Damien as “Damion” in an initial affidavit; then, in subsequent filings, spelling Damien as “Damian” — have prevented the discovery of this chapter of Patton’s life for the last 30 years. read.medium.com/5Cyn0Hl
In grand jury testimony that ultimately led to the conviction of two of his associates, Patton revealed that, as a 17-year-old, he was involved with the Dixie Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. read.medium.com/5Cyn0Hl 
Patton was charged with — and pled guilty to—acts of juvenile delinquency in connection to the incident. read.medium.com/5Cyn0Hl
In a statement to @ozm, Patton wrote: "I did terrible things and said despicable and hateful things, including to my own Jewish mother, that today I find indefensibly wrong, and feel extreme remorse for.” read.medium.com/5Cyn0Hl
Patton’s association with racist groups extended into adulthood; in testimony he provided against Brown, Patton admitted to fraternizing with skinheads while serving in the U.S. Navy. read.medium.com/5Cyn0Hl
A CEO’s unreported history of associating with racist groups could be concerning for any company.
But it is especially so for a company that markets its product to law enforcement. read.medium.com/nt45wkF
But it is especially so for a company that markets its product to law enforcement. read.medium.com/nt45wkF
Banjo emerged out of two Bay Area hackathons in 2010.
Banjo’s software functions as an “event-detection engine,” which, according to company claims, aggregates more than 1 billion public social media accounts and organizes their posts by time and location.
Banjo’s software functions as an “event-detection engine,” which, according to company claims, aggregates more than 1 billion public social media accounts and organizes their posts by time and location.
In May 2015, SoftBank invested $100 million into Patton’s Utah-based company.
Other investors include BlueRun Ventures and Balderton Capital.
Banjo now employs nearly 200 workers. read.medium.com/5Cyn0Hl
Other investors include BlueRun Ventures and Balderton Capital.
Banjo now employs nearly 200 workers. read.medium.com/5Cyn0Hl
Banjo has come under increased scrutiny in recent months.
In March, a @VICE investigation highlighted a $20.7 million contract between the company and the state of Utah. vice.com/en_us/article/…
In March, a @VICE investigation highlighted a $20.7 million contract between the company and the state of Utah. vice.com/en_us/article/…
