I have just been made aware of this interesting case of a prominent lawyer, Richard Fine in Los Angeles County Jail being held without due process in horrible conditions because he is revealing some alleged major corruption in L.A. with the Judges Associations and the County. From what I have read, it looks like there are payments being made to the judges based on cases against L.A. County that are in favor of the county.
From what I am reading, very few cases have gone against the county and that looks to be the core of the problem. Because there is an incentive for them to rule in favor of L.A. county, this looks to be a huge conflict of interest. As quoted “Fine was charged with “contempt of court” and “moral turpitude,” disbarred by California’s Supreme Court and jailed by Superior Court Judge David Yaffe “in retaliation for bringing the cases and exposing the unconstitutional payments,” ones later held to be unconstitutional.”
This sounds like some major corruption in the core of the L.A. legal system and need to be rooted out if true. The fact that he is being treated in this manner and no one is paying attention tells me there is some truth here and compelled me to shed some light on his case.
Fine’s case is currently before the US Supreme Court. The California Bar waived its right to respond, meaning his appeal is unopposed. Also in his favor was a late 2009 decision in Sturgeon v. LA County (brought by Judicial Watch) deciding that county payments to judges are illegal.
Yet, with the help of California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald M. George, state-paid lobbyists got legislators to pass “a midnight bill” (SBX2-11) at the peak of last year’s budget crisis, changing the law to make the payments appear legally authorized to continue, besides giving everyone involved retroactive immunity from criminal prosecution.
Note: immunity is never given when no crime was committed.
The latest on SBX2-11 immunity is that it’s not in the “official Code” like the rest of the bill, Fine’s friends and associates asking, “Why are they hiding this pardon of over Ten Million Felonies from the public.” They further say the bill “is an ex post facto law. Its immunity provisions will ultimately be repealed,” so complicit judges aren’t off the hook.
As of mid-April, 2010, Fine remains in LA County Men’s Central Jail, the “worst jail in the United States,” according to an ACLU investigation and report (aclu.org/prisoners-rights/aclu-releases-report) calling it “nightmarish” because of severe overcrowding (with over 20,000 detainees), violence, and overall conditions causing serious mental illness.
Analysis: This is a political prisoner that is being used to send a message that this is what happens when you challenge power and the status quo. Totally opposite to democracy and justice and I hope he wins big time and more corruptions is brought to light. We can not allow this to happen in America or what do we really stand for?