Saturday, July 28, 2007
Tom Robbins on New York Judges
On the Right: See Tom Robbins July 24, 2007 article, BENCHWARMERS - "Everything you never wanted to know about picking judges for an important court you've never heard of" (The Village Voice)....
Thursday, July 26, 2007
NYSE Grasso Langone Judge Gets $20 Million $weetheart Deal ....CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY
New York State Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Ramos received a "waiver" of the Rules Governing Judicial Conduct which permitted the jurist to be co-executor of two estates-- even though the couple was still alive, a review of the public records reveals....
The odd "waiver" of State Judicial Rules was given by then Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman on May 7, 2003, about a year prior to the jurist's involvement in the 2004 "corporate greed" lawsuit filed by the New York State Attorney General involving the New York Stock Exchange, former Exchange Chairman Richard Grasso and then-NYSE director Kenneth G. Langone, a co-founder of Home Depot.
The May 7, 2003 dated letter from the Administrative Judge allowed Judge Ramos "to be named and to serve as a co-executor and trustee under the Wills of Ruth and Herb Weissberg.” However, on May 7, 2003, Ruth and Herb were very much alive, though Herbert Weissberg would die about 2 months later, on July 3, 2003.
While Judge Lippman's letter reiterates Justice Ramos' contention that he "had a longstanding relationship of trust and confidence with the Weissbergs going back 36 years," there is no mention as to why the original March 24, 2002 dated Will did not name Charles E. Ramos as an executor or trustee but, instead, the Last Will named trusted accountant Andrew Rubin and long-time friend attorney Paul Herman as co-executors.
It was only by virtue of a subsequent Codicil by the long-incapacitated and dying Herbert Weissberg that Andrew Rubin and Paul Herman were removed as named co-fiduciaries, and replaced with Judge Ramos and the frail, soon-to-be-widow, Ruth Weissberg as the new named co-fiduciaries.
In the still-pending NYSE lawsuit, it is unknown whether Grasso's lawyers, Washington based Williams & Connolly, ever raised the Weissberg issue in their three failed attempts to remove Judge Ramos because, they maintained, he could not be fair and impartial. It is also unknown if Williams & Connolly even knew about the possible conflicts of interest between Ramos and Weissberg estate or trust appointees, which are not subject to normal judicial public disclosure requirements.
In a NYSE court proceeding in October of 2006, Judge Ramos wrote that "The Attorney General represents the investing community, all of which rely on the integrity of the market. The integrity of the market mattered before the action was initiated, and it matters now."
More on this story soon. To see the relevant papers, on the right, click on "Ramos-Lippman-Weissberg Documents"
The odd "waiver" of State Judicial Rules was given by then Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman on May 7, 2003, about a year prior to the jurist's involvement in the 2004 "corporate greed" lawsuit filed by the New York State Attorney General involving the New York Stock Exchange, former Exchange Chairman Richard Grasso and then-NYSE director Kenneth G. Langone, a co-founder of Home Depot.
The May 7, 2003 dated letter from the Administrative Judge allowed Judge Ramos "to be named and to serve as a co-executor and trustee under the Wills of Ruth and Herb Weissberg.” However, on May 7, 2003, Ruth and Herb were very much alive, though Herbert Weissberg would die about 2 months later, on July 3, 2003.
While Judge Lippman's letter reiterates Justice Ramos' contention that he "had a longstanding relationship of trust and confidence with the Weissbergs going back 36 years," there is no mention as to why the original March 24, 2002 dated Will did not name Charles E. Ramos as an executor or trustee but, instead, the Last Will named trusted accountant Andrew Rubin and long-time friend attorney Paul Herman as co-executors.
It was only by virtue of a subsequent Codicil by the long-incapacitated and dying Herbert Weissberg that Andrew Rubin and Paul Herman were removed as named co-fiduciaries, and replaced with Judge Ramos and the frail, soon-to-be-widow, Ruth Weissberg as the new named co-fiduciaries.
In the still-pending NYSE lawsuit, it is unknown whether Grasso's lawyers, Washington based Williams & Connolly, ever raised the Weissberg issue in their three failed attempts to remove Judge Ramos because, they maintained, he could not be fair and impartial. It is also unknown if Williams & Connolly even knew about the possible conflicts of interest between Ramos and Weissberg estate or trust appointees, which are not subject to normal judicial public disclosure requirements.
In a NYSE court proceeding in October of 2006, Judge Ramos wrote that "The Attorney General represents the investing community, all of which rely on the integrity of the market. The integrity of the market mattered before the action was initiated, and it matters now."
More on this story soon. To see the relevant papers, on the right, click on "Ramos-Lippman-Weissberg Documents"
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Disciplinary Counsel Thomas Cahill Implicated in $100,000. Red Cross 9/11 Donation Theft & Fraud Cover Up ...CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY
BREAKING STORY...... - U.S. Senate sources confirm that Thomas Cahill is named in recent follow up complaints to the United States Senate Sub-Committee that oversees Red Cross matters, and whose members first reviewed, in April of 2006, the initial theft of Red Cross 9/11 donations and the subsequent fraudulent New York State court filings designed to prevent repayment.....
The New York Times broke the story on April 28, 2006 (“Red Cross Quietly Settles Case of a $120,000 Theft” by Stephanie Strom) It turns out the Red Cross “settled” the case by collecting $47,000. from its insurance company after a $50,000 deductible. The $97,000 is still owed.
Cahill became personally involved in a complaint filed against one of the attorneys implicated in the initial fraud designed to transfer assets to avoid any Red Cross or insurance company claim. Sources at the Manhattan Disciplinary Committee indicate that Cahill knew the attorneys personally, whitewashed the complaint, and then sent a personal letter last month indicating that he had been informed that the judge on the case resolved the ethics complaint so he (Cahill) was closing his one-year-old file. Cahill didn’t know, apparently, that there was no judge assigned to the estate since the Surrogate Judge recused himself two years earlier.
The senate source has indicated that we will be provided with a copy of the recent filing, which we will publish upon receipt this week.
The New York Times broke the story on April 28, 2006 (“Red Cross Quietly Settles Case of a $120,000 Theft” by Stephanie Strom) It turns out the Red Cross “settled” the case by collecting $47,000. from its insurance company after a $50,000 deductible. The $97,000 is still owed.
Cahill became personally involved in a complaint filed against one of the attorneys implicated in the initial fraud designed to transfer assets to avoid any Red Cross or insurance company claim. Sources at the Manhattan Disciplinary Committee indicate that Cahill knew the attorneys personally, whitewashed the complaint, and then sent a personal letter last month indicating that he had been informed that the judge on the case resolved the ethics complaint so he (Cahill) was closing his one-year-old file. Cahill didn’t know, apparently, that there was no judge assigned to the estate since the Surrogate Judge recused himself two years earlier.
The senate source has indicated that we will be provided with a copy of the recent filing, which we will publish upon receipt this week.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Court Overhaul Begins: Attorney Disciplinary Chief Counsel Cahill First to Go...CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY
Thomas J. Cahill, Chief Counsel of the First Department Attorney Disciplinary Committee, was summoned to a meeting with New York State Office of Court Administration officials on Tuesday, July 17, 2007. He was told to bring along his First Deputy Chief Counsel, Sherry K. Cohen, sources say.
The two top lawyers at the State office charged with overseeing attorney ethics in the Bronx and Manhattan sat, uncomfortably, through most of the day at various high-level conferences. In the end, it was made clear that immediate changes were being made at their Departmental Disciplinary Committee. Changes that didn't necessarily include them.
Two days later, on Thursday, July 19th, Mr. Cahill called a staff meeting where he said that he had "good news." He first announced that he had a new grandchild, and then added that he had decided to resign. He was reportedly delighted to be "… one of the few who is leaving under his own steam." Sources say he indicated that he was hoping to stay on through the end of August but was awaiting 1st Department Presiding Justice Jonathan Lippman's decision on the actual date of his final day.
On Friday, Mr. Cahill began referring to his departure as "retirement."
Tom Cahill's departure comes shortly after reporters began asking questions about an alleged cover up concerning the forced resignation of a young employee at the First Department Committee on Character and Fitness (CCF). That incident reportedly involved Mr. Cahill and Ms. Cohen at the Disciplinary Committee, and the CCF's boss Sarah Josephine Hamilton and Catherine O'Hagan Wolfe, then state Appellate Division Chief Clerk, and who is now the Chief Clerk for the federal 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.
One insider says that the complaints against Cahill and Cohen had "…become overwhelmingly voluminous, and simply too much to continue ignoring..." The pair had been accused of selectively implementing the politically fueled and widespread practice of indefinitely delaying or white-washing certain disciplinary investigations. "Cahill and Cohen made up their own rules," according to the insider.
One such complaint involved Thomas Cahill and the Proskauer Rose law firm, and which has been "pending" since February of 2003. The Cahill Proskauer Complaint remains a troubling thorn at the highest levels of the New York State Office of Court Administration, and one which is a high priority for the new State Chief Administrative Judge, the Honorable Ann T. Pfau.
The Cahill Proskauer issue also became a hot topic in Washington, D.C. in early 2007 at the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and the U.S. Department of Commerce (The United States Patent and Trademark Office). And it has specifically caught the attention of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, and U.S. House Representatives John D. Dingell and Nita Lowey.
The Cahill Proskauer Scandal involves many allegations: the alleged theft by Proskauer of numerous U.S. Patents from their own client; claimed losses of 17 billion dollars; and the March, 2005 bombing in Boynton Beach, Florida of the inventor-client-complainant's family mini-van.
It is alleged that Mr. Cahill masterminded the scheme to indefinitely delay complaints against Proskauer Rose, himself, and former New York State Bar Association President and Proskauer partner Steven C. Krane, Proskauer Partner Kenneth Rubenstein, chief counsel for MPEGLA, and Raymond Joao of Yonkers. It is also alleged that attorney Steven C. Krane initially interceded, with Mr. Cahill's knowledge and consent, in handling disciplinary complaints involving himself at the same time he was associated with the 1st Department in Manhattan.
Attorney Krane's conflicts were exposed when officials from the "Iviewit" company contacted Katherine O'Hagan Wolfe, who contradicted Cahill's statements and Krane's written denial of his 1st Dept roles. Ms. O'Hagan Wolfe advised that she was, in fact, on a Committee at the 1st Dept with both Cahill and Krane and that they even had a meeting that same night.
The various Cahill Proskauer issues bounced around under the public radar screen at the Court of Appeals in Albany and were ultimately transferred from the 1st Department to the 2nd Department in Brooklyn. This was done after 5 justices of the 1st Dept ruled unanimously to investigate Krane, Rubenstein and Joao for conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety after their review of the 1st Department complaint.
The Cahill inquiry is apparently "still pending" under attorney Martin R. Gold who, insiders say, was directed to "sit on it…forever."
Earlier this year, FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. assigned additional agents to the Public Integrity/Corruption squad at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, and where agents have been actively conducting interviews.
The New York Law Journal will formally announce Mr. Cahill's departure next week.
For more information regarding the Cahill Proskauer story, see: http://www.iviewit.tv
Copyright (c) 2007 Frank Brady
The two top lawyers at the State office charged with overseeing attorney ethics in the Bronx and Manhattan sat, uncomfortably, through most of the day at various high-level conferences. In the end, it was made clear that immediate changes were being made at their Departmental Disciplinary Committee. Changes that didn't necessarily include them.
Two days later, on Thursday, July 19th, Mr. Cahill called a staff meeting where he said that he had "good news." He first announced that he had a new grandchild, and then added that he had decided to resign. He was reportedly delighted to be "… one of the few who is leaving under his own steam." Sources say he indicated that he was hoping to stay on through the end of August but was awaiting 1st Department Presiding Justice Jonathan Lippman's decision on the actual date of his final day.
On Friday, Mr. Cahill began referring to his departure as "retirement."
Tom Cahill's departure comes shortly after reporters began asking questions about an alleged cover up concerning the forced resignation of a young employee at the First Department Committee on Character and Fitness (CCF). That incident reportedly involved Mr. Cahill and Ms. Cohen at the Disciplinary Committee, and the CCF's boss Sarah Josephine Hamilton and Catherine O'Hagan Wolfe, then state Appellate Division Chief Clerk, and who is now the Chief Clerk for the federal 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.
One insider says that the complaints against Cahill and Cohen had "…become overwhelmingly voluminous, and simply too much to continue ignoring..." The pair had been accused of selectively implementing the politically fueled and widespread practice of indefinitely delaying or white-washing certain disciplinary investigations. "Cahill and Cohen made up their own rules," according to the insider.
One such complaint involved Thomas Cahill and the Proskauer Rose law firm, and which has been "pending" since February of 2003. The Cahill Proskauer Complaint remains a troubling thorn at the highest levels of the New York State Office of Court Administration, and one which is a high priority for the new State Chief Administrative Judge, the Honorable Ann T. Pfau.
The Cahill Proskauer issue also became a hot topic in Washington, D.C. in early 2007 at the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and the U.S. Department of Commerce (The United States Patent and Trademark Office). And it has specifically caught the attention of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, and U.S. House Representatives John D. Dingell and Nita Lowey.
The Cahill Proskauer Scandal involves many allegations: the alleged theft by Proskauer of numerous U.S. Patents from their own client; claimed losses of 17 billion dollars; and the March, 2005 bombing in Boynton Beach, Florida of the inventor-client-complainant's family mini-van.
It is alleged that Mr. Cahill masterminded the scheme to indefinitely delay complaints against Proskauer Rose, himself, and former New York State Bar Association President and Proskauer partner Steven C. Krane, Proskauer Partner Kenneth Rubenstein, chief counsel for MPEGLA, and Raymond Joao of Yonkers. It is also alleged that attorney Steven C. Krane initially interceded, with Mr. Cahill's knowledge and consent, in handling disciplinary complaints involving himself at the same time he was associated with the 1st Department in Manhattan.
Attorney Krane's conflicts were exposed when officials from the "Iviewit" company contacted Katherine O'Hagan Wolfe, who contradicted Cahill's statements and Krane's written denial of his 1st Dept roles. Ms. O'Hagan Wolfe advised that she was, in fact, on a Committee at the 1st Dept with both Cahill and Krane and that they even had a meeting that same night.
The various Cahill Proskauer issues bounced around under the public radar screen at the Court of Appeals in Albany and were ultimately transferred from the 1st Department to the 2nd Department in Brooklyn. This was done after 5 justices of the 1st Dept ruled unanimously to investigate Krane, Rubenstein and Joao for conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety after their review of the 1st Department complaint.
The Cahill inquiry is apparently "still pending" under attorney Martin R. Gold who, insiders say, was directed to "sit on it…forever."
Earlier this year, FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. assigned additional agents to the Public Integrity/Corruption squad at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, and where agents have been actively conducting interviews.
The New York Law Journal will formally announce Mr. Cahill's departure next week.
For more information regarding the Cahill Proskauer story, see: http://www.iviewit.tv
Copyright (c) 2007 Frank Brady
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Why Are State Judges Dropping Like Flies ?
And more importantly, what can be done about it.... Garson, Seddio, Gross and now Horowitz.
On the heels of Supreme Court Judge Lawrence Horowitz's resignation comes the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct report, and which is quite enlightening. See "Horowitz Documents" to the RIGHT
We think Larry Horowitz should turn his personal horror into something good- for himself, and for society. Larry, we beg you to go to the Feds and tell them what is wrong within the 9th Judicial District.
Readers, what do you think?
On the heels of Supreme Court Judge Lawrence Horowitz's resignation comes the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct report, and which is quite enlightening. See "Horowitz Documents" to the RIGHT
We think Larry Horowitz should turn his personal horror into something good- for himself, and for society. Larry, we beg you to go to the Feds and tell them what is wrong within the 9th Judicial District.
Readers, what do you think?
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Background Information Wanted
Since we cannot verify a lot of information provided to us concerning relevant Background that may involve the courts for a Post, we now make available this specific area for related Comments.
Nepotism Information Wanted
Since we cannot verify a lot of information provided to us concerning nepotism in the courts for a Post, we now make available this specific area for related Comments.
The Crisis in the Courts...CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY
There is no other way to describe what’s going on in the New York State Court system....The recent resignations of State Supreme Court Judges Frank Seddio and Lawrence Horowitz and, of course, the recent conviction of Brooklyn Judge Garson. See Pictures & Story to the Right
And on Friday the 13th of July, another horror: former Nassau County District Judge David Gross pleaded guilty to money laundering involving the mob. In a recorded conversation, Gross told an undercover FBI agent, “I know which rules not to break and I know how to get around everything else…You know, so cash is not a problem…” See Pictures & Story to the Right
The lack of oversight has allowed the prevailing “anything goes” atmosphere to run, and ruin, the judiciary and the courts. Note the sex scandal fiasco at the New York City Character and Fitness Committee, posted below, and which will be updated the week of July 16th.
The people deserve a corrupt-free court system. And the honest Judges, attorneys and court employees know that a cleaning of the court system is long overdue.
We have had so many bits of information emailed to us that today we begin “Informational Post Requests” which ask the viewer to comment under the relevant topic so that all readers may view the information.
So, today we feature: (1) Nepotism information wanted; and (2) Background information wanted.
And on Friday the 13th of July, another horror: former Nassau County District Judge David Gross pleaded guilty to money laundering involving the mob. In a recorded conversation, Gross told an undercover FBI agent, “I know which rules not to break and I know how to get around everything else…You know, so cash is not a problem…” See Pictures & Story to the Right
The lack of oversight has allowed the prevailing “anything goes” atmosphere to run, and ruin, the judiciary and the courts. Note the sex scandal fiasco at the New York City Character and Fitness Committee, posted below, and which will be updated the week of July 16th.
The people deserve a corrupt-free court system. And the honest Judges, attorneys and court employees know that a cleaning of the court system is long overdue.
We have had so many bits of information emailed to us that today we begin “Informational Post Requests” which ask the viewer to comment under the relevant topic so that all readers may view the information.
So, today we feature: (1) Nepotism information wanted; and (2) Background information wanted.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Gov. Spitzer Asked to Name Jeffrey Deskovic Supreme Court Justice...CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY
See the letter to Governor Spitzer.....One of our own staff writers, Frank Brady, has sent an Open Letter to New York Governor Eliot Spitzer asking that he appoint Jeffrey Deskovic to the recent State Supreme Court vacancy in the 9th Judicial District created by Lawrence Horowitz's sudden resignation on June 22, 2007. Mr. Deskovic was recently released from state prison after spending half of his life locked up for crimes he did not commit and, notably, amidst a series of horrific miscarriages of justice. Here is the July 4th letter to Governor Spitzer...
July 4, 2007 - To The Honorable Eliot Spitzer, Governor of New York
There is hardly a better day to ask you for a true sign of positive change in the judicial affairs of the Empire State, than when we as a nation celebrate our beginning.
As you are aware, the New York State Court System is a mess, and in critical need of correction and reform. The people of New York have suffered through the ex-judge Garson criminal debacle. And fresh in our thoughts is the May 11th correction, by resignation under looming removal, of the improper backroom judicial appointment of politically connected Brooklyn ex-judge Frank Seddio.
But most recently, on June 22, 2007, State Supreme Court Judge Lawrence Horowitz resigned amid bench-removing allegations, leaving a State Supreme Court Judicial opening to be filled by you. And here is a history-making opportunity for you, one that all New Yorkers have long been waiting for as a sign of needed judicial reform.
The 4th of July is a fitting day for you to name Jeffrey Deskovic as a State Supreme Court Judge. His background is widely known (he did 16 years in state prison for a murder he did not commit) and he has true experience, unfortunately by his victimization, of a failed court system.
You must stop Mr. Deskovic's current plans to take the LSATs and go to law school. Make him a judge, now. He can then go to night school and get a law degree.
The systemic failures of the court system deprived this man of so much. You can make it right for Mr. Deskovic. More importantly, and for all the people of this state, you can take a bold and badly needed stride toward true court reform: appoint Jeffrey Deskovic as a New York State Supreme Court Justice.
July 4th is a beautiful day to hear New York Governor Eliot Spitzer say, "Today everything changes in the New York State Court System..."
Respectfully submitted, Frank Brady
July 4, 2007 - To The Honorable Eliot Spitzer, Governor of New York
There is hardly a better day to ask you for a true sign of positive change in the judicial affairs of the Empire State, than when we as a nation celebrate our beginning.
As you are aware, the New York State Court System is a mess, and in critical need of correction and reform. The people of New York have suffered through the ex-judge Garson criminal debacle. And fresh in our thoughts is the May 11th correction, by resignation under looming removal, of the improper backroom judicial appointment of politically connected Brooklyn ex-judge Frank Seddio.
But most recently, on June 22, 2007, State Supreme Court Judge Lawrence Horowitz resigned amid bench-removing allegations, leaving a State Supreme Court Judicial opening to be filled by you. And here is a history-making opportunity for you, one that all New Yorkers have long been waiting for as a sign of needed judicial reform.
The 4th of July is a fitting day for you to name Jeffrey Deskovic as a State Supreme Court Judge. His background is widely known (he did 16 years in state prison for a murder he did not commit) and he has true experience, unfortunately by his victimization, of a failed court system.
You must stop Mr. Deskovic's current plans to take the LSATs and go to law school. Make him a judge, now. He can then go to night school and get a law degree.
The systemic failures of the court system deprived this man of so much. You can make it right for Mr. Deskovic. More importantly, and for all the people of this state, you can take a bold and badly needed stride toward true court reform: appoint Jeffrey Deskovic as a New York State Supreme Court Justice.
July 4th is a beautiful day to hear New York Governor Eliot Spitzer say, "Today everything changes in the New York State Court System..."
Respectfully submitted, Frank Brady