Over the line

[Highwayman]

I remember the criticism of Muslin groups for not speaking out against the attacks on 9-11. As I read this I want to know where are the anti-war lefties denouncing this crap?

Marine Sgt Mike McNulty is on activation orders to Iraq (second tour). On December 1st, 2007, Mike went to visit a friend in Chicago before deploying to say goodbye. In order to get to his friend's residence, and keep in mind that Chicago is a myriad of diagonal and one-way streets, the front entrance (right way) to the one-way street was blocked. Mike, being a Marine, overcame and adapted by driving around the block to the other end of the street and backing up all the way to his friend's place.

While saying goodbye, at about 11am, he noticed a man leaning up against his car. Mike left his friend's apartment and caught the man keying his car on multiple sides.

After caught in the process, the man told Mike, "you think you can do whatever you want with Department of Defense license plates and tags". (In Illinois you can purchase veteran, Marine, or medal plates. Mike has Illinois Marine Corps license plates.) During the exchange, he made additional anti-military comments.

Mike called the Chicago police and had the man arrested. A citation against the man was issued for misdemeanor criminal damage to private property.

The police report (and I have copies if needed) states:

As it turns out, the man is Chicago lawyer Jay R. Grodner, who owns a law firm in the city and has offices in the suburbs.

After sending the car to the body shop, it was determined there is $2400 in damage, making this a felony. Mike went to court Friday morning to collect the damages against Mr. Grodner and file felony charges. Though the damages are over $300 (the amount which determines felony or misdemeanor) Grodner offered Mike to pay his deductible, $100, and have Mike's insurance pay for it.

Update:

Attn: Black Five

I am writing to produce an update of the results of Sgt McNulty's case against Jay R Grodner. I was present in support of Mike and thought you may be interested in an update for this story.

Sgt McNulty was called forward by the State's Attorney in order to discuss the case. I am not sure what transpired behind the closed doors, however, I overheard the State's Attorney expressing her intent to prosecute this guy to the fullest extent. It seems as if BlackFive is the sole catalyst to this story getting out and I am sure Sgt McNulty has probably heard the effect of yours and other blogs from the results of today's proceedings to include several Marines and civilians who showed up in his support.

Jay R Grodner was called before court and in his absence, the Judge issued a warrant for his arrest effective immediately. Sgt McNulty was departing the court when Grodner rolled in to the courtroom more pathetic than anyone I had ever seen. The Judge had questioned him on his tardiness and he explained that traffic had been busy and he 'made a wrong turn'. The Judge chastised him for his tardiness, pathetic excuses, and that he was lucky the warrant had not been executed prior to his arrival.

It seems the blogosphere has put the ball in Sgt McNulty's court. Furthermore, it is also apparent that the State's Attorney's Office has decided to take this matter on a much more serious level. A new and very aggressive State's Attorney seems to have a genuine interest in pursuing this case to the extent that it warrants.

BLACKFIVE: Anti-Military Lawyer Damages Marine's Car on Eve of Deployment

[The Drifter]

calm down....

[jeezeweeze]

Great Post Hwy

...............to the State Attorney

[K C Muffin]

I'm glad this has been handled in the Marine's absence (he was deployed right after, right?) More often than not, it wouldn't have been prosecuted. Hat's off to the Chicago PD and court system.

[banyon]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

I remember the criticism of Muslin groups for not speaking out against the attacks on 9-11. As I read this I want to know where are the anti-war lefties denouncing this crap?

Well, I guess it's surprising that a car getting keyed in Chicago didn't make the top fold of the NY Times somehow.

Sure, it's too bad this guy was a jerk and backs a bad cause. But, "where are the lefties denouncing this crap?"

My guess is that you can find at least one of them, Lisa Madigan in the Illinois Attorney General's office where they elected to prosecute the guy.

[K C Muffin]

Of COURSE they prosecute the guy - who wouldn't - especially in a high-profile case? It only made the news because the car owner was shipping out. Sad reason to make the front page, but I'm glad they're doing the right thing and not letting this d!ck get away with it.

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by banyon

Well, I guess it's surprising that a car getting keyed in Chicago didn't make the top fold of the NY Times somehow.

Sure, it's too bad this guy was a jerk and backs a bad cause. But, "where are the lefties denouncing this crap?"

My guess is that you can find at least one of them, Lisa Madigan in the Illinois Attorney General's office where they elected to prosecute the guy.

Banyon, I hardly think folks had the foresight to elect Lisa Madigan in 2002 to prosecute this case that occurred last month. Her office had at first attempted to cut a deal and let Grodner off for $100 and later upped it to a slap on the wrist. The new State’s Attorney referred to isn’t named but is likely one of several attorneys in the office and not the AG herself. New could mean newly hired or simply new to the case.

Meanwhile someone is having fun at Grodner’s expense.

YouTube Video

[banyon]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

Banyon, I hardly think folks had the foresight to elect Lisa Madigan in 2002 to prosecute this case that occurred last month. Her office had at first attempted to cut a deal and let Grodner off for $100 and later upped it to a slap on the wrist. The new State’s Attorney referred to isn’t named but is likely one of several attorneys in the office and not the AG herself. New could mean newly hired or simply new to the case.

No kidding? The prosecution had other things to do with their time besides prosecute a guy with no criminal history who keyed a car?

Anyway, and I don't know you well at this point, but I would concur with the other posters who suggest that there are better outlets and targets for our outrage.

[K C Muffin]

My nickel's worth is that it's a sh!t-eatin' thing to do - key somebody's car - particularly because you don't agree with the guy's politics. That's just crummy. DO NOT LET him pay the Marine's deductible (are you payin' attention, State Farm/Farm Bureau/Allstate?) and let the insurer pay the balance to fix the car. This jerk off did 100% of the damage. Let him pay 100%, not just a couple of hundred dollars. The Marine had insurance for his own damages, not for the idiot that decided to commit a crime and got caught. (it IS a crime, you know.....)

And as for targets for my outrage.....anything that smacks of insurance fraud makes my blood boil. Fraud is causing your and my insurance premiums to increase exponentially. Yeah, it's outrageous. But only because this lawyer prick (who should have known better....) tried to get off with just paying the Marine's deductible.

Gee, Highway, I wish you hadn't got me to thinkin' about this again.....

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by banyon

No kidding? The prosecution had other things to do with their time besides prosecute a guy with no criminal history who keyed a car?

Anyway, and I don't know you well at this point, but I would concur with the other posters who suggest that there are better outlets and targets for our outrage.

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.

In addition to being disciplined for being involved in a scheme to forging documents, it has been reported to CLR that attorney Jay Robert Grodner has since then engaged in a conflict of interest with his clients, has abandoned his clients, has engaged in false billing, has engaged in a fraud upon his clients, provided ineffective assistance of counsel, and has engaged in a "fraud upon the court".

Attorney Jay Robert Grodner

Speaking of fraud, the act of trying to get McNulty to turn it in to his insurance is probably conspiracy to commit fraud. I’m surprised the AG’s office didn’t charge him on the spot when he proposed it.

Personally I think that a little outrage over a scumbag attempting to screw over a young man that signed up to put his life on the line to defend us is as good as place as any to spread a little outrage. What I don’t understand is you’re attempts to defend it by downplaying the seriousness of the event.