Over the line

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

What I don’t understand is you’re attempts to defend it by downplaying the seriousness of the event.

Smells like a baby Wordy.....

[spike52]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

Better things to do than prosecute a felony? It is a felony because of the dollar amount of the damage. And this ain’t the first time that lawyer has been in trouble.

FYI..

From your link:
1/3/08.
Private attorney Jay R. Grodner, 55, of Chicago has been charged with a class A misdemeanor -- criminal damage to property -- punishable by up to one year in jail and up to a $2,500 fine, said Andy Conklin, spokesman for the state's attorney's office.

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by spike52

FYI..

From your link:
1/3/08.
Private attorney Jay R. Grodner, 55, of Chicago has been charged with a class A misdemeanor -- criminal damage to property -- punishable by up to one year in jail and up to a $2,500 fine, said Andy Conklin, spokesman for the state's attorney's office.

I guess you guys only read what you want into something. Also from the same link;

After sending the car to the body shop, it was determined there is $2400 in damage, making this a felony.

[spike52]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

I guess you guys only read what you want into something. Also from the same link;

That's NOT the same link.
Thanks though..

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by spike52

That's NOT the same link.
Thanks though..

OK, if you want to be picky, your quote came from a link imbedded in the link that I posted. But that’s just attempting to distract from the issue. Let’s recap.

The attorney, Grodner, committed an act of vandalism and was citied for misdemeanor damage to private property. It should have been raised to a felony when the damage was found to be over $300.

The state’s attorney instead urged Sgt McNulty to accept Grodner’s offer to pay the amount of his deductable and turn it in to his insurance, thereby committing insurance fraud. It appears that the only reason they are prosecuting now is because of public pressure.

So now we have two posters attempting to minimize the actions and responsibility of Grodner. Go back to my fist post where I ask where are the lefties that are denouncing Grodner’s actions. I see that they are not here.

[banyon]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

OK, if you want to be picky, your quote came from a link imbedded in the link that I posted. But that’s just attempting to distract from the issue. Let’s recap.

The attorney, Grodner, committed an act of vandalism and was citied for misdemeanor damage to private property. It should have been raised to a felony when the damage was found to be over $300.

The state’s attorney instead urged Sgt McNulty to accept Grodner’s offer to pay the amount of his deductable and turn it in to his insurance, thereby committing insurance fraud. It appears that the only reason they are prosecuting now is because of public pressure.

So now we have two posters attempting to minimize the actions and responsibility of Grodner. Go back to my fist post where I ask where are the lefties that are denouncing Grodner’s actions. I see that they are not here.

I haven't "minimized" Grodner's responsibility for his actions. I've just characterized this whole deal as small potatoes, which it is.

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by banyon

I haven't "minimized" Grodner's responsibility for his actions. I've just characterized this whole deal as small potatoes, which it is.

I guess you’re probably right Banyon. $2400 in damages is small potatoes, especially if it’s someone else’s car. I just don’t have a grasp on reality.

Now excuse me while I crawl back into my impoverished hole in the wall and Goggle search for welfare forms. I’m apparently in worst financial shape than I thought.

PS: If anyone out there believes that the lawyer that did this would settle for $100 if it happened to him, please PM me about some choice real estate that I have for sale.

[K C Muffin]

As an insurance professional, I would like to see the Insurance Commissioner in IL stand up and take the prosecuting attorney to task. Encouraging the scumbag to pay the deductible and have the offended party turn it into his insurance company is tantamount to insurance fraud. And now that this story has broken, his insurance shouldn't pay it without a fight (they can read too, ya know). It's criminal damage to property, fair and square. The insurance company might/could pay it and then use their own legal department to collect from the responsible party. That's always an option. But when that dog bites, it shakes it's prey pretty hard.

And then....are you willing to pay the rates that will certainly increase when more of this activity is practiced? Or would you rather sit on your butt and complain? Or are you one of my favorite kinds of people that believes insurance is a savings plan - you've paid premiums, now you want to collect? I just can't wait for you to file a fraudulent claim. I can't wait.

Oh - and it's NOT small potatoes. But if you insist, you can send me a check for those small potatoes and I'll keep my mouth shut.

[Highwayman]

Update:

[Sgt] McNulty might derive some comfort from the fact that the presiding judge is a former Marine. Circuit Court Judge William O’Malley was a lance corporal in the early 1960s and is known around the Chicago Courthouse for wearing a Marine Corps pin on his lapel and celebrating the Corps’ birthday each November.

Sounds like the wrong judge to be screwing with.

The update: At 1400 hours the defendant showed up, and was told that he was half an hour late. The Judge stated on the record that the defendant had done the same thing during the previous court date, and he said that the defendant called and said that wanted to wait for the media to leave. The Judge said "That is not the way I run my courtroom." He increased the bail and took him into custody and told him to try and work out a deal with the State. About 25-35 marines and assorted military were there.

The case was recalled at 14:22, and the State said that the defendant had asked for permission to put his belt and such back on. The Judge said, "Treat him like all the other prisoners." The defendant was brought out and the plea deal that they had worked out was entered into the record.

The Judge asked him if he had committed the specific acts he was accused of. The defendant hemmed and hawed, and the Judge raised his voice to make him say yes or no. The defendant agreed, and the Judge read the facts into the record. Several times, the Judge said if there were no deal, he would be given a court date just like any other defendant, and he could try and make bail soon.

The deal: 1 year Social Service Supervision, restitution of 600 dollars to be paid to Social Services and which would go to the Injured Marine Semper Fi fund, to be paid by February 25th, 2008, and $50/month in supervision fees.

The Judge then, in as angry a voice as I have ever heard him use, scolded the defendant, saying that the Marine license plates the complaining witness had were not vanity plates or about ego, but the proceeds go toward the Marine and Navy scholarship fund for the children of fallen soldiers, sailors and marines. These Marines protect his very existence "so people like you can enjoy their freedom." He further said that the reason there were so many in the courtroom and so much public interest is that the Marines have a tradition since 1775 that "No Marine gets left behind." Several Hoorahs in the courtroom.

And then the deal was done, and he was taken away by the sheriffs to be released later.

Hopefully much, much later.

As for the car repair, I think it will be VERY easy for the Marine's Insurance company to go after this jerk for everything. After all, he admitted it...

They may not have to.

"Tons, and I mean tons, of lawyers sent offers to work pro bono and messages of support and advice for the Sergeant."

BLACKFIVE: Anti-Military Lawyer In Court Tomorrow Today

Hoorah and Semper Fi.

[BroncoFan]