Here in Helena, we think our city commission is embarrassing because they want to ban both cell phones and hands-free devices. It turns out we may not have it so bad.
The city of Great Falls just paid a cool half million dollar settlement to a local woman who, a judge ruled, was assaulted, beaten, falsely imprisoned–and deprived of all her Constitutional rights to liberty, speech, and participation in government–all because she made some comments that were critical of the city over what she saw as shady handling of an animal shelter contract.
It’s big news, but the Great Falls Tribune for some reason decided not to tell you the whole story. (They had the opportunity, but perhaps they wanted to keep on the city commission’s good side. It would not do to miss the big scoops like when the next pothole repair schedule would be released or how many parking tickets had been issued lately.)
Sure, the Trib wrote about it. But the sheer size of the settlement payment alone should tell you that this is not a story about a woman who was “escorted” out of a city council meeting for speaking longer than three minutes.
The citizens of this town and Ms. Susan Overfield, a local dog trainer who spoke up for homeless pets, deserve to have the full story told. It sure looks like the City settled up quick because it faced serious risk in this case of a much higher verdict.
Here’s what you won’t find in today’s paper.
Ms. Overfield attended a city council meeting and made some comments that were critical of the city’s decision to take over the animal shelter and award a contract to manage it to a group called the Animal Foundation. Several city officers and employees were Animal Foundation leaders or board members. Susan pointed out her concerns about conflicts of interest. Susan also raised concern about meetings, decisions and deals the city made on the contract without public knowledge. But it gets better. The Animal Foundation is headed by Bob James. His firm represented the city against Susan in this case.
So anyway Susan goes to the city commission meeting and gets up to testify. The mayor decides she’s said enough citing a “three minute rule,” and has Susan grabbed and dragged out of the meeting.
It doesn’t end there. The city then decides to prosecute Susan for assault and disorderly conduct for fighting back against the guys who forcibly removed her. But, the Tribune reports, a judge throws Susan’s conviction out saying she had a right to defend herself because she did not know the men were police officers. They were dressed in plain clothes. The court also ruled that this whole “three minute rule” people keep throwing around did not even apply here. So it is not accurate to report that Susan violated any rule. Judge Irigoin ruled that she didn’t. The facts prove in this case show that she didn’t.
Get this. It then came to light that the city attorney had publicly stated that it was important to prosecute Susan to prevent further criticism of the city. It’s all a matter of public record. Here’s the PDF document with the statement.
“…had the City failed to prosecute the case, it is likely that the City’s ability to maintain order at Commission meetings would have been further compromised and the City’s operation of the Animal Shelter would still be a subject of increased speculation and criticism.”
Things got creepy. Susan’s lawyers report that city employees started monitoring Susan. One maintained “a file” on her. They admitted bad mouthing her to others on email, and the shelter manager took down all the fliers about her training services.
So there is quite a bit more to the story than what you read in the paper, and the taxpayers deserve to know the whole truth. The Tribune story has the current mayor pointing out that:
“the incident occurred before he or anyone else on the commission was elected.”
That may be true, but there are city employees, department heads, contract attorneys and judges who were involved and are still around.
UPDATE: It seems we’re not the only ones upset about how this story is being told. If you’re interested in reading more about this case and Ms. Overfield’s incredible ordeal, head over to the conservative blog Electric City Weblog for their take.
Susan is a friend of mine, and you’re exactly right. There is MUCH more to this case than was ever reported in the GF Spitoon. The Spitoon is a joke of a paper even for jr. high. It is a worthless, nutless piece of shit.
And for the record, Susan did NOT, repeat, did NOT violate the so-called three minute rule as the city contends in their statement. That is a flatassed LIE. They are STILL lying to cover their asses in their disinformation campaign. Of course, you’ll never see that in the Spitoon.
Susan was speaking on an agenda item that night. And since it was an agenda item, there was NO three minute rule applicable. Agenda items by the city commission’s OWN rules get a full hearing regardless of length.
The corruption in Great Falls city government can only be speculated upon because the city can seemingly NEVER be forced to release any pertinent information regarding their actions. THAT’S the reality. And that’s really sad. But the corruption is immense to say the least. Guess that we will never know the full extent because there appears to be no way through any legal means to access their records.
But Susan’s case has HUGE implications for free speech. She unknowingly walked smack dab into the middle of their corruption and simply tried to do the right thing for her beloved animals. She paid a price, and she paid dearly. The city unleashed their full fury and power in an attempt to try to destroy her. It was ugly.
I was not there the night the arrest was made, but I usually do attend with Susan and her boyfriend Ric. Thank God I wasn’t there that night or I probably would have ended up in jail too.
I will tell you this. Susan is a remarkably courageous, super intelligent woman who paid a HORRIBLE price for simply trying to speak for those who couldn’t, that animals of our city. And in the process, she gave us all a glimpse into the evil, sordid, all-powerful underbelly of corruption that it our city government.
All of us who truly love and appreciate free speech owe her a debt of gratitude. She walked the walk, even though that was NOT her intention. They put her through hell, but she has been vindicated. And the city is a bunch of lying assholes!
So, here’s a woman who stand up for the pooches of G.F. and then is prosecuted by the city, which ADMITS they did it to prevent further criticism of their dubious actions. The city is lucky they were able to settle.
OK, here’s the only remaining video of the incident. There were a couple of others, but they have disappeared. Here’s what to watch for:
Susan SPECIFICALLY states that she is speaking on AGENDA item nineteen. Therefore, there is NO time limit.
Susan is brilliant. She has meticously prepared her case. She is addressing the corruption even to the mayor herself, Donna Stebbins.
Mayor Stebbins is nervous as Susan approaches. She knows that she’s in for trouble and looks nervous.
Note the fat bastard dressed in red sitting towar the front. This is plainclothesed cop Art Schalin. No one even KNEW that there were cops in plain clothes hidden in the audience. Thus, when Susan is manhandled by this guy, she had NO idea who he was. He did NOT identify himself in any way. You can PLAINLY hear Susan saying repeatedly, “Don’t touch me, sir”. And understand that Susan is a very small woman who suffers from a variety of physical ailments which cause her to be in an extremely weakened state and lots of pain, particularly in her shoulders where the fatassed cop grabber her. She is in NO way capable of defending herself from a big, fat cop. The cop retired shortly after this incident.
What you DON’T see on the tape is that Susan was DRAGGED at a run from the room by the big fat cop. It was all caught on the video tape from the local news station, but that tape has since disappeared. You can hear Susan all the while asking politely and respectfully not to be touched. And then, once in the hall, you can HEAR Susan being thrown INTO the wall by the big fat cop. That’s the thud you hear on the tape. At that time, fat cop finally identified himself as a cop, and Susan, in spite of what she had just gone through, apologized to the man.
Understand that Susan would have GLADLY/WILLINGLY dropped any and all charges against the city if the city would have just publicly apologized for their actions. But they did the exact opposite. They went after her full force trying to destroy her.
Know that our local public access channel was filming that night too, but once the incident began, they were told by someone on the city council to “turn off that damn camera”, and they complied.
Also, one of our current city council members, a really neat lady named Mary Jolley, followed the cop into the hall and witnessed the entire scene in the hall. Mary is a great woman AND a Republican. She spoke out against the treatment of Susan.
Now, watch the video for yourself. Listen very carefully. And understand that that sound you hear is the big, fat cop slamming a hundred pound feeble, sickly woman INTO the wall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLrAXlAmof4
I report, you decide.
p.s. And it continues on. The city STILL is as arrogant as ever. And they STILL bully folks who simply want to testify before them. When will they ever learn? When will they eeeeeeeeever learn? Fortunatley, there is a small cadre of unbelievably intelligent, motivated, dedicated locals who show up every week and give them shit right back. They fight the good fight and speak TRVTH to bullshit. I admire them greatly. But they’re all like me, OLD! I hope a new generation comes along soon.
Let’s not forget that the Great Falls Tribune is owned by USA Today. I rest my case.
I would say that the GF Spitoon is worthless, BUT, it’s worse than that. It is destructive! It is a disservice to news dissemination in that a LOT of people who read it think that it is an actual newspaper. It’s not. I can’t understand how people actually WORK there and can still look at themselves in the mirror. I couldn’t do it. It must be horrible to be a pimp for the corporate fascists. It must be kinda like what a prostitute goes through. You do what you have to do to keep from starving, even if it means being a whore for the man! Sad way to go through life, being a corporate whore.
I understand the conflict here, but The Animal Foundation is a good group of folks trying to raise money for an adequate shelter to replace a dilapidated one. I don’t see the point of dragging its name through the mud because of a conflict between this woman and the city commission. Great Falls is not a large town and there’s bound to be some overlap between city employees/representatives and foundation folks. The Animal Foundation is underfunded as it is and does their work for the good of the community…not for profit…and not for personal gain. This blog post is a bit on the inflammatory side.
Baloney. You cannot gloss over the problems of the city with an goofy argument like this, for it totally ignores recent history. Where HAVE you been? Obviously not in attendance at any meeting within the past five years. Sorry, but you don’t know at all what you’re talking about.
I wasn’t trying to make an argument. I only addressed the bit about the foundation. Not the rest. If saying The Animal Foundation is a non-profit organization, trying to replace a shelter, and there are good folks involved is goofy, then I guess I’m goofy.
Sarah, maybe there ARE some “good folks” involved. But there are ALSO some folks that belong in jail for breaking the law! And one in particular WAS ordered to jail for contempt but somehow managed to stay out. Any “good” they do does NOT allow them to break the law. Will the eventually end up in jail now that the case has been settled? I dunno. Maybe all investigation will now be terminated. I hope not.
But my main point is that the issues with city government are MUCH larger and WAY MORE complex than indicated in your post. Why don’t we START by talking about the nine million dollar loss on ECP alone, and the fact that the city has been removing and threatening with arrest any citizen who attempted to question them on it? Again, where the hell have you been?
And once more for the record, the VAST majority of folks who show up the testify on issues before the council are our city’s elite, the PhD.s, medical doctors, scientists, scholars, lawyers, retired field grade military officers, engineers, college professors, etc. In other words, these folks are NOT bums, but experts in their respective fields. They do NOT deserve in ANY way the anti-democratic bullshit that they’ve continually gotten from the peanut rollers in city government.
I will be more than happy to provide the names of all of the above, for I believe that it’s very important for the casual reader to FULLY understand what’s happening here in Great Falls. These are NOT crazy people trying to testify. Oh sure, there may be one or two crazies, but most are the professionals mentioned above. In fact, the citizens lined up to testify are FAR superior in education and knowledge than the folks on the council.
Sarah, criminality canNOT be excused because they are “good folks”. Sorry, if that were the case, I would NEVER recieve a traffic ticket. But I do. Now, the following is NOT my opinion, but established facts of the case. Argue that. Some good folks broke the law, and others did things that were highly unethical, immoral, and NOT to be tolerated in a democratic form of government. In other words, some of your good folks are no good assholes!
“On July 1, 2011, District Judge Katherine Irigoin ruled that the City was guilty of battering, and falsely imprisoning Overfield, and violating her rights to free speech, assembly, and participation in government. A jury trial to determine damages and some remaining claims was set to begin in Great Falls on October 24.
• Judge Irigoin found Animal Foundation representative Bob James, the Animal Foundation, and his lawyer in contempt in two separate orders for refusing to comply with subpoenas requiring depositions and production of documents. Evidence discovered by Overfield’s lawyers in recent months included: City emails showing that the City has always known that its claimed justification for arresting, charging, and convicting Overfield— “three minute rule”— was not true.
• City employees monitored Susan Overfield after her illegal arrest
• At least one City employee (who is also an Animal Foundation Board member) spent City time and computers doing Animal Foundation business.
• The City has given land worth at least $80,000 to the Animal Foundation.
• Former Mayor Dona Stebbins was working behind the scenes with the Animal Foundation.
• Animal Foundation President James, Treasurer John Gilbert and City Manager John Lawton met to discuss plans to end the City’s contract with the Humane Society in 2006 and 2007.
• Within weeks of the cancellation, Stebbins announced at a work session that she had a group “waiting in the wings” to take over the management of the animal shelter. During the case, Stebbins admitted that this group was the Animal Foundation.
• At least one City employee with connections to the Animal Foundation maintains a file on Overfield.
• James, whose law firm was hired to represent the City in this case, was providing documents from the case found in his firm’s files to associates in the Animal Foundation”
You see, Sarah, I can’t claim to know why these “good folks” did what they did. I can only judge them by their actions.
Sara, I’ve attempted to ignore this post for 3 days, but I just cannot do it. Perhaps it is time to address it with the truth.
The AF’s original Articles of Incorp. state their purpose is for the “benefit, welfare, & improvement of the Humane Soc. o/Cascade Cnty.” They have not given a single penny to that entity. In fact, they raised money in the HSCC name and kept if for the AF. (J. Gilbert deposition on record @ the Cascade Cnty Courthouse, GF, pg 48)
The AF awarded both construction (Slettin) & architect (L’Heureux) jobs without opening the jobs for bids.
The AF admits it has spent over $80k on a dog park, which has no bearing on, nor does it help any of the animals in, the current “dilapidated” shelter. Nor has the AF given any money, in the past or present, to the shelter animals when it was run by the HSCC or now by the City. (Though they will attempt to say that Spay of the Falls is doing that, it was a separate entity prior to joining the AF and is entirely separate acctng within the AF books.)
The AF, by the estimates of Mr. John Gilbert, at a City Commission Work Mtg, has spent just under $500k on ARCHITECT fees for a shelter that has not been built and remained in the planning stage since 2002/3. (A lot of THAT money could have helped a lot of animals.) It has been made bigger and shinier over the years, but has now been scaled back. How many animals died while the Taj Mahal of “Shelters” has undergone constant renovation for human ego?
The much-touted “ground breaking” remains stalled in exactly the same place as a year or more ago. So much for Phase I.
The AF has spent NO MONEY on animals. Camp Collie? It was admitted in John Gilbert’s deposition that the money was simply passed-through the AF for Camp Collie use (pg 69), the AF did not donate itself. The Stanford hoarding case resulted in the AF claiming $17k for purchase of dogs/animal welfare, but that, too, according to Gilbert was pass-through, not AF, money (pg 79).
And on it goes…
Good people? I’m sure there are some. They might consider putting distance between themselves and the AF. They might consider interacting, in any manner they wish, with another entity showing results for the resources.
Resources are limited, but there ARE resources if they are not hoarded by a non-producing entity. Lives are limited. Best not to waste either one.
Animal Shelters have “grown up” and become BIG business, raking in the bucks, but continuing to practice & promote a failing business plan (if that plan is to keep animals alive.) I’m result-driven. The results are currently abysmal.
Larry has it SPOT ON….the city’s lost over a million dollars ineffectively operating the animal shelter after Lawton’s takeover by the city on behalf of the favored Animal Foundation, with the consent of then Mayor Stebbins. Efforts to solve this fiasco have continually failed since the ‘Occupation’ which then city manager Lawton said would only be three months by the Great Falls Police Department, and it’s been FOUR YEARS now! The Cascade County Humane Society operated the facility for about $150K a year, and although it had a few problems (that could have been resolved internally) the city’s conflict of interest with the Animal Foundation (confirmed in the court proceedings) has resulted in costs of almost $700,000 a year to operate the animal shelter that was run adequately for only a FRACTION of that cost!! It is indeed a ‘marvel’ on why the Tribune’s not covered the animal foundation’s – and city’s – contempt to the judge. In any event, it’s a small victory for our FIRST AMENDMENT and MT Constitutional rights.
Fellow citizens, you can go to http://www.krtv.com to SEE for yourselves on how she was hauled away.
http://electriccityweblog.com/?p=13485
Blogger/Attorney Gregg Smith lays it all out, especially the city’s ‘mischief’ we’ve addressed already and this blog’s carried this case many times over the years since the city ‘occupied’ the animal shelter.
Pubbly is right again. If you REALLY want to hear what a sharp legal mind has to say about this, READ GREGG SMITH! Gregg is a brilliant lawyer who is greatly concernced about the law and his community. AND, he is very much not a lefty. But he IS for the TRVTH. He and I have clashed on many issues over the years, but I highly respect the man. READ WHAT GREGG SAYS! He contrasts perfectly the shit the Spitoon posts and what REALLY took place. And remember, the city attempted and is probably STILL attempting to destroy Susan. Real nice folks, huh? As long as the city is in contempt and refuses to release the info they kept on a private citizen, we will never know the dept of their depravity and criminality. They could do nothing BUT settle this case. It was either that or have some folks go to jail. Is keeping private dossiers on citizens NORMAL behavior for a city government? I dunno! Maybe….IN COMMUNIST CHINA!
http://electriccityweblog.com/?p=13485
I’ve always been interested in the fact that you often find the seediest politics at the smallest or most local level. I have a couple of theories. One, the local big wigs think that no one is paying attention to them so what they do doesn’t matter. (This is the least likely.) Two, they are too small fry to realize the utter stupidity of their corrupt and shady actions. Three, they believe they are two powerful to be brought down. It’s sort of the big fish in a small pond deal.
In this instance, the most disturbing thing to me is that they officially decided it was important to punish this person so that they would get less flack for their decisions! Absolutely incredible.
I’m sorry for what this woman must have gone through. She probably deserved to win a lot more.
Ms. Susan Overfield sounds like a person I would like to meet one day! I have fought for the rights of animals for years also in California, had to go to court for it, and win as well…. this was some of the ugliest times in my life. Never knew the breadths and deeps other people who go to hurt animals or people like me who uncovered and told the truth!
I want Susan to know how brave she is! I know I never felt so endangered in my life. I never thought people were so ugly until this. And I found it hard for years to trust people and their motives after this. The time they took from you never comes back, even with compensation you never feel whole…but you can move on… and know that those peoples never get back their souls. they become a shadow for the rest of their lives. People see them for who they are! and you have done the right thing exposing them.
Right you are, Likewoods. It is an unbeleivably HORRIFIC situation for a person to be in. Being falsely arrested, bullied and abused by fatassed cops, being attacked by the government, having your reputation totally destroyed, your livelyhood ruined, your future in shambles, and all for nothing. All for simply attempting to testify at a public meeting. Most people cannot go through that and maintain their sanity. Susan has been in this situation for FOUR LONG YEARS!
But the reality, Woods, is that this sort of thing happens on a daily basis here in GF and all over. Many cops are simply thugs, and they prey on folks, particularly poor folks, because they KNOW that they can get away with it. Why? Why do they know this? Well, easy answer. The system is SO gamed against the poor that they have no chance. They have no recourse with which to fight it. The poor FULLY understand better than most that you cannot fight city hall. So they just roll over and take their punishment. It happens all the time. And I will confess that Susan was more than ready to end this fight too, but her friends would not allow her to do this. They supported her thoughout this fight and let her know that she was NOT alone in this. I myself have been in a similar situation, and I can testify that it is one of the most stressful things a person can go through.
But HERE’S the problem. It’s twofold. First, you must have enough money to fight back. Most folks don’t. Legal fees preclude ANY sense of justice for all. You get ONLY the justice you can afford. And secondly, FINDING a lawyer to take your case is nearly impossible! Hence, as mentioned earlier, most folks simply get rolled over by the powers that be. In fact, initially Susan had a helluva time finding a lawyer to take her case. I even appealed to the entire state on Left in the West for help to no avail, and I’ve posted my entry below from Jun 22, 2007 for your perusal.
Fortunately, after some time, some very courageous lawyers here in GF DID step up and intervene because they could not stand idly by and be a witness to such a miscarriage of justice. They are true heroes in this case too.
My entry in 2007 from LiTW:
http://leftinthewest.com/diary/653/
larry…
one exception to legal fee concern…
good lawyers would probably take a blatant case like this on contingency…
you pay nada until settlement…
no settlement, no fee.
rleeh, that happens so infrenquently as to not even be mentioned. That simply does not happen. There is NO money in it for lawyers to chase poor peoples’ cases for wrongful criminal arrest. And let’s face it. MOST people are in their occupations to make money. The saints among us are few and far between. They do exist though. I’ve been fortunate to know many. People who are truly altruistic. People who ask nothing for themselves. THESE kind of people are very, very scary to the powers that be because they cannot be bought off and they are fearless. These type of people must be destroyed by city hall.
But occasionally the good guys win one now and then. This Susan Overfield story is an extremely fascinating one, and I would hope that now that it appears to be over, some good journalist would do a great story on it. It should be told. It’s one of hope for oppressed people everywhere in this country who get bullied by the powers that be.
if you ever see a case like this in gf, let me know…
i’ll get you a contingency mouth piece.
Thanks. But BTW, where were you on Jun 22, 2007, when I posted this to the entire state requesting help?
http://leftinthewest.com/diary/653/
It happens all the time, rleeh. The police in GF can be thugs and bullies. Intimidation is their standard MO. Nearly ALL our cops are from some place else. They have no local ties at all, and no vested interest in our community. That makes them perfect candidates to be thugs for hire for the city.
So, come with me to city court on any day and take your pick. Or maybe attend a city council meeting and just wait. SOMEone will be charged with a felony if you just wait a few minutes.
never saw it or would happily have jumped in.
the worst i have seen yet was the hp and teton deputy who shot the 13 yo kid from up the hi-line on “self defense”. supposedly, on further review, it was justified…41 rounds that more than killed him.
it is hit/shoot first as part of the nazi expansion of the police state…
on the one hand, the supremes say a citizen cannot be arrested for telling a cop fu…
on the other hand there may be blood.
90% of our citizens will take the hit because of ignorance and fear.
apparently, you aren’t one of them, which is good…
we have to educate the rest.
the soviet went down to sticks and stones…
maybe unkie sham will settle for nothing less.
Larry I lived it myself, all but destroyed one of my careers as well! And I won! I just got sick of continually showing people what I did was right! I hope Susan makes it, but she will have the same crap thrown at her from the male side of the aisle, she handily beat! She has a town to keep fighting, I had a state agency beating on me and all the private industry licensed by it! In Public they have to play the part of fair and balenced, but illegal exparte conversations still continues to this day!
WTF Rleeh>>>>>>
Look I have worked for Lawyers for years, and by law a lawyer must take one case free a year. Most of the time they take several! Your really need to get out more often Rleeh the world works far different then you surmise! Secondly, most lawyers (Good ones especially) find people with cases someone to help them, if they cannot contribute!
Thirdly not all police are bad so lets make that distinction here and now! There is bad in every field that employs power… it is inherent and you need to be a part of the community to see it! And you have to stand up for the rights you have continually( regardless if rights are written in government documents somewhere).
I will not allow good cops to bunched with bad cops, or good lawyers to be bunched with bad ones! Bad Individuals are bad no matter if they are a union worker, or a crack vender… separably apart from the larger function of society as a whole!
Take a look at Wolf Creek, as an example: The town should get rid of that no count sheriff they have and replace him. They should have done it the day they arrested the Idiot!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44835732/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/#.TpH3Dd6Ik8k
The sheriff is now national news because the Town and county don’t have the cahones to toss the bum out! So If you lived there I would blame the average citizen, like you for not doing something to make things safer for your community legally, and Montana as a whole, again looks like a fool cause another pice of doggy doo found religion! The Guy knew what the law was when he broke it,He was a Sheriff for goodness sake….. making it even more blatant that HE NEEDS TO GO!!
woods…
err…
CONTINGENCY is not free and nobody is required by law to ever do contingency.
as you lecture me…
i missed attending ivy law school because of a stroke…
son is harvard attorney…
son-in-law is penn attorney…
we are pretty tuned up in my house as to “the wide world”…
to the extent that i have gotten close to a mil in the following personal CONTINGENCY cases…
personal injury
disability (ss)
wrongful discharge
disability (va)
contract fraud
estate fraud
the lawyers got over $200k AFTER settlement.
worked at walpole ma for a year…
warden said: often hard to tell the difference between the guys in orange here and the guys in blue on the street. the orange is here the blue is there.
and…
have a number of good friends who are/have been cops…
worked with a few of them on human services cases in court.
the only cops i have any problem with are those who cowboy(encouraged by the tenor of our culture now) and think they can bully people and those who are simply stupid.
there are no excuses for law enforcement or lawyers who break the law.
I passed the baby bar of California 12 years ago jerk, so I think I know something about law!
Have you worked for attorneys who have been before the federal or Supreme Court? No!
I have!
STOLL v. RUNYON
Cynthia STOLL, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Marvin RUNYON, Defendant-Appellee.
We change Federal law in this case for tolling! Cynthia Stoll was sexually harassed, raped, and abused by supervisors and coworkers at the Sacramento Post Office. As a result of the defendant’s plainly wrongful conduct, Stoll was severely psychiatrically impaired. She presented compelling direct evidence, which the district court failed to consider, that this impairment interfered with her relationship with her lawyer and rendered her unable to communicate with him or to protect her legal rights. I was working for Cynthia’s Lawyer Elaine Wallace who has been before the supreme Court Numerous times!
FULLER v. CITY OF OAKLAND CALIFORNIA
Patricia FULLER, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. CITY OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA; George Hart; Antonio Romero, Defendants-Appellees.
District court incorrectly resolved the merits of Fuller’s Title VII claim. It also erred by sua sponte electing to rule on Fuller’s § 1983 claim at the completion of the Title VII bench trial. Nor can we conclude from the record before us that the error was harmless. The judgment of the district court is therefore reversed. We remand for a determination of remedy on the Title VII claim and for such further proceedings as are not inconsistent with this opinion on the § 1983 claim.
Ellison v. Brady, 924 F.2d 872, 875-76 (9th Cir.1991) The attorneys I worked for change federal and Hostile work environmental laws for women in title 7 claims, again Elaine Wallace is one of them!
The people I have worked for as attorneys saved the people who were going through the cracks of life, we found ways to make them whole!
Then there are the Murder cases, criminal prosecution cases, death row cases, animal rights cases I worked research on with attorneys in Santa Rosa, almost to numerous the cases to mention. I have worked for Jeff Goldbeck , Jamie Thistlewaite, Christine Dubois, etc. etc. etc.
I worked afternoons for some of the best Attorneys in the Country! While you were out thumbing your nose at the world I have done more things in my 55 years of Life then a dozen others people like you have!
Most of these attorneys made over a million a year and they were all bound to do a free case a year! Thats the attorney moral ethic code they swear by… and if they cannot prove they have done one a year they could lose their Licenses to practice law! So stuff it “AHole” you know nothing of attorneys!
Lastly, ask the Last acting director of the Beaverhead Museum, Bette Hull, How I helped her win her case against the city of Dillon when they fired her 2 years ago, because she complained of workplace harassment!
In growing up in this world…I had to learn all that was necessary to help myself, and my friends( Furry or not) around me because the world isn’t all sunshine and Bunnies… there be monsterous people out there as well!
jerkster-woods…
interesting that you “passed the baby bar in California”…
doesn’t even sound like you did the lsat.
seems you might not know the difference between pro bono (not a rock star) and contingency…
“work for attorneys”??? office clerk? wash their windows?
and, of course, everybody knows a “best attorney in the country”.
think you’ll be appointed to the federal bench soon?
did you watch the nitrous gauge while you blew yourself up for this gem?
sure seem pretty invaluable to me.
wallace doesn’t come up on a search…
my kid does and all he ever did was write the brief for his partner to make the pleadings before the supremes.
OK boys only one way to solve this..time to whip those rulers out and see who is bigger.
i think you are right…
i don’t need the measure.
nobody else does.
I named the people I worked for you didn’t! You talk a lot of shit, but you back up your crap with generalities: “I did this and I did that!” No Names, No Places, No dates, No truth! Hell you don’t even vote, according to what you have written on this blog, and Liken America and Americans to hypocrisy… you wear this badgering of your fellow humans like a badge of courage????
I have met people just like you everywhere I go, who: look in the mirror each day and think they are somebody, better then others, brighter, More intelligent…. then they meet me!
The first time I question them they get all uppity cause they feel there being pressured…. they never answer the questions I ask, but they start talking a ton of crap just like you did here the last couple of weeks! Talking propaganda… Souring people, that do not share your talking points, or just being a regular jerk who thinks they are better then everyone else!
Everything I have done is true…. I told you who I am because I see a bullshitter talking and it is about time someone sits you down and tells you to stop walking around with that toilet paper stuck to your shoe, cause you embarrassing yourself! Ah first you said it was you who understood law, now it is your kid?
Elaine Wallace: http://nalcbranch908.com/stoll.html do you even know how to read a brief! Google comes up with no less then 241,000 hits on her name! I gave you one why don’t you try googling “attorney elaine wallace oakland ca”
And Jack I never worked with rulers brother, only with yard sticks!
Oh and “Pro Bono” Loosely Translated from Latin means “For nothing,” Or in plain conversation “FREE” But why should I speak legalese, while I am in the company of people who aren’t in the legal profession? Its pretty rude to do don’t you think?
And people who wish to be in the legal field need only take CLEPS for college not ISATS! NOT Sorry if that isn’t up to your standards! Its all that is necessary to enter good law schools!
woodster…
we all have personal experience of people like you…
experienced in every aspect of human dilemma and pain…
we are so grateful for that…
think where we would be without you.
if i read you right…
the material you used to smite another member of this community was acquired as a semi-pro animal care something…
maybe that was the work you did for the lawyers?..cared for their, what was it, hundreds of horses.
i suppose if i were to switch to french here, shortly i would have the french national anthem in verse from you.
good luck, man…
don’t forget the shades…
you got a bright future.
i never claimed to be an attorney, but i did work with some, sometimes in court. simple matters mostly…one precedent case, no big deal.
you wanted to do big d*ck lawyer naming…
yours didn’t google…
my kid does, klee tuchin is a heavy weight group on the national stage…
but i don’t care…
ruby is bored by all this…
for good reason.
ruby expressed his boredom with this nitzing…
i understand entirely.
[...] Electric City Weblog and MT Cowgirl discussed the the costs of a power-hungry mayor and overzealous city attorney cracking down on [...]
I would like to thank you for covering this issue and ensuring that people hear the facts. The City has done its best to spin this for 4 years to my, and the public’s, detriment. The facts of Constitutional rights, the basic precepts of the Montana Constitution, and the obligation of towns/cities and groups receiving public monies or claiming to be public service entities to refrain from engaging in cronyism, conflicts of interest, ‘good ol’ boy’s’ clubs, and illegal actions of all kinds is of paramount importance, in my estimation, for all Montanans.
When the media is more obligated to its advertisers than reporting accurately, it abrogates its responsibility. I appreciate your willingness to offer readers the truth. Thank you.
You ever need someone to talk to Look me Up! I might even drive there to tell you how much I appreciate another women standing up to assholes like you did!
Thank you Susan for speaking out for animals in Great Falls. It must have taken a tremendous amount of courage to make it through this ordeal! It is shocking that the Great Falls Tribune won’t tell the truth–it really shows you how low their standards for “journalism” have sunk.
I TOLD you Gregg Smith is the MAN! Like Paul Harvey used to say, HERE’S the rest of the story. Say what you want about Gregg Smith’s politics, he is a man of integrity. And I admire him for it!
http://electriccityweblog.com/?p=13494&cpage=1#comment-65282
I just hope the animals that she claims she fought so hard to defend will somehow benefit from the monies she has received. Will they ever live to see any benefits of this settlement? If, and I mean IF, Overfield was actually concerned about the treatment of animals, as well as homeless animals, then I will stand by and await her donation to the cause.
Well, I would say that THAT is none of your damn business! But HEY, I have a great idea. What don’t YOU pay for Susan’s extensive legal fees incurred in defending herself against a wrongful arrest and subsequent attempt at the most sordid, aggressive character assassination causing her tremendous financial loss, loss of livelyhood, and emotional stress, and THEN Susan will be much better situated to make the donation that you suggest. How bout it? Money where your mouth is? HEY, IF you like dogs, and IF you are as concerned as you say, and IF you aren’t full of sh*t, well then, I’ll stand by to see what you do. But seems to me that your post is nuthin’ but a dog fart!
You consider yourself a dog lover, yet you used the animals as a whip against a person who tried to protect them! Twisting words to fit your case just doesn’t make it so….. Extreme Dog Lover my ass!!!!
That’s absurd “Extreme.”
Currently I train shelter staff across this state and in others (PA, TX, VA, MD, ND, SD, WY, OH, to mention a few) in how to work with dog’s behavior. Cut Bank Shelter has used my method for around 6 years and has had only 2, TWO, adopted dogs returned IN ALL THAT TIME, a record other shelters in the state cannot claim. The rest are permanently re-homed due to what I teach and help staff/volunteers learn to do. Often these shelters are short of money and I donate up to half of my earnings back to them. I also donate half of my fees to any shelter holding one of my BOSS Dog Clinics as a fund raiser. I will NOT donate to the Animal Foundation after what I have found out about them. I did donate in the beginning, but no more. I have also done one or more fund raiser(s) in this state for the Humane Soc. of Cascade County, the Am. Brittany Rescue, and the Livingston shelter, reduced my fee and worked with the Libby Animal Shelter, Dedman, Choteau, personnel at Bozeman, various rescue groups and personnel, and people who are of limited means. I have also worked for free.
Currently the same method of handling and training is being repeated by shelters everywhere and the outcome is failure and begging for money and recidivism. Not so with those that are using my method. I work for the animals all the time. I even guarantee my work.
Hey Ilikewoods: Just so happens that I own one dog that I rescued before euthanization and one that was on the verge of death when I cared enough to have her nursed back to life.
Furthermore, I haven’t whipped anyone nor do I have a case to twist, as you put it. Finally, do you and that Larry guy every write anything without including filthy language? I did not say anything insulting, yet that’s all you seem to do. Grow UP!
Au contraire, Extreme. You insulted with your arrogance. You have NO right to question what Susan does with HER money. Again, I would suggest that YOU live essentially without an income for four long years as a result of your reputation being puposely destroyed by the city, and see what YOU would do with any money left over after legal fees, lack of income, bills, etc. I would venture a guess that you would get yourself caught up on bills from the last four years first of all. And then, start trying to get your life back to a sense of normalcy.
But please, don’t spout nonsense. I think that most ALL of us dog lovers have rescured animals over the years. It’s what we all do. It’s abolutley not uncommon for an animal lover to do this. This is NOT “extreme”.
But here, Extreme, allow me. You seem to have some special relationship with your animals which entitles you to be arrogant. Well, did YOU spend a year in Vietnam trusting your life to a dog? Like I did? As a military dog handler? I consider that to be a very unique, special experience with a dog, one which I will never forget. Not many folks get the chance in life to trust their life to the talents and abilities of their canine friend. I did. And that experience simply strenghtened my love and admiration of animals. Unless you actually lived it, it’s hard to explain the unique bond between dog and handler.
Take your shit elsewhere. It’s just not that impressive. Susan’s ordeal is. She’s the real deal.
Look if you want to play how good you are with animals I could go on forever. I have personally seen that over 50 horses were saved from starvation , all 3 of my dogs are rescue, about a hundred wild geese , Coots, owls, hawks, vultures have been cared by me and re-released into the wild! All the cats I have ever owned came from the pound, or were taken in at my home or business as strays.
I have gone to college, to learn animal husbandry techniques and have been Licensed as a Veterinarian assistant in California.Worked for Santa Rosa County with the Humane Society taking in and caring for Livestock the County found starving in their borders. I have held 5 licenses in that state to care for animals , Plus worked in Montana here for the BLM writing environmental reports in triplicate that protect the rights of wild animals and cattle that use the land!
I have gone to court and testified as an expert to mistreatment of animal cases in California and worked side by side with veterinarians, to save animals lives from twisted crashes and freak accidents! You have a right to be proud of your one accomplishment, but I have made a career of the Last 30 years in mine…. so save me your BS!
See what happens when you talk shit to someone you don’t know!
Yes I was there the night Susan was hauled out. That was before I ran for a seat on the City Commission. I attended many meetings and I did not know the guy who approached her was a cop. I thought that the 3 minute rule was instituted to stop the critics of the 8 or nine million dollar mistake called Electric City Power. I tried to help Susan’s attorneys in her City Court trial. Many people who do or did work for the Tribune are big Animal Foundation donors. Yes many people who work for the city, or are related to employees are AF donors.
Mayor Donna ran on platforn that was very critical of the then City Manager Lawton. Donna was elected and a very happy relationship with Lawton began. Donna’s pet charity Spay of the Falls recieved two $5,000.00 donationsfrom city funds. Spay of the Falls was then merged into the AF. After becoming a commissioner I heard that the city was going to give what ever money came from selling the land where the present animal shelter sits to the AF. As a commissioner I was presented with a draft agreement that “acknowledged the Sletten Ranch Lease.” I could not get any questions about that answered. To this day I don’t know to what it referred.
I did ask Lawton where the two donations to Donna’ charity came from and was told, “the commission travel budget.” Looking at the Adopted Budget in that category it showed that three was only $2,800.00 there.
We know have a Mayor who still wants to control what people say. We need a new Mayor. Our preszent Mayor needs a quick tutorial om the free speach. Susan’s attorneys could fill a city bus with peoiple who have obeyed the mayor’s order to be civil. Civility and Civil Rights ar two different things.
I could go on but….I wish we had asked how heartfelt an appology had to be to lessen the damages. I got nowhere that suggestion when I became a commissioner.
Oh, I took Susan’s winter class a couple of years ago. Great class. And Susan Jimi is still a spoiled brat. But we are partners, I learned from Susan how to talk to my dog. He still talks back but he obeys.
Hey Mary, I doubt that Jimi is a spoiled brat. He is an individual and lets you know it, but if he’s behaving and obeying it’s all good. Call it “Freedom of Bark”, if you will.
I’ve always said, as you probably know, all they had to do was apologize, but that was impossible for them.
I appreciate all you’ve done, both on the Commission and for me, personally. Thanks. Give Jimi a pet from me.
p.s. Did I mention that Susan is a published author and has written a fascinating book on dog trainging? Anyone interested in dogs should really get a copy.
Anyhooo, still standing by for a donation.
And I’m still waiting for you to be something other than an extreme idiot. But hey, fool, elaborate for us just WHAT you think gives you the right to even SUGGEST what Susan does with her money. Be specific now, if you can. I realize that your mental capacities may not be up to the task. What? What give you the right to even have an OPINION on it? Put up or shut up.
Oh, and Larry and Ilovewoods(??) – even if I say the sky is blue, you would both argue with me and spew out some rotten words. Doesn’t matter what you’ve done with animals over the years. I love dogs – EXTREMELY!!!
You and about half the population of the United States! What makes you so special we have to argue the color of the sky with you anyway?? Either involved yourself more in the process of helping Animals and the people that do the right thing… or go back and pet your pooch! Either way, do it quietly!
F.O.& D.Y.C.B. :)
Perhaps you should try some anger management – LOL. Oh, that’s right you’re always right and everybody else is always wrong. No wonder you and Susan are such great friends. You’re perfect for each other.
What a vigilant reader you are before you Parse vulgarities… Not friends yet, but I would hope I get at least that chance one day!
Perhaps, Extreme, you didn’t missed what I posted. I donate EVERY TIME I work with ANY entity using me and raising funds for their cause. This can be anywhere from hundreds of dollars to $2 or $3 THOUSAND dollars, or more, each and every time.
Since I do many clinics, my donation(s) are considerable.
I have over 40 yrs of handling dogs, fifteen here in Montana.
I have posted a part of my credentials and my name. It would be only right, in my estimation, that you do the same in order that we can actually converse and compare, honestly, our records.
Pardon the typo, it should read:
Perhaps, Extreme, you missed what I posted.
I think we should just ignore “extreme.” The person has never posted here before that I have noticed, and I read this blog several times a week. Its clearly just someone with a personal bone to pick. The saying “don’t feed the trolls” seems apt here.
I have to agree with you! Malcontent!
What makes this blog site private to only you angry people who constantly spew your crap on here at every chance you get? I have just as much right to post my comments here as you do. But, alas, being the “troll” that I am, you have fed me enough bullshit to last a lifetime.
You were the one who started it by accusing Susan of not donating enough/all of the lawsuit to Animals.
Then you CRY that you are being attacked.
I’d guess ExtremeDogLover probably is from GF. This is the kind of vitriolic attack I’ve experienced, though this is somewhat mild, for the past 4 yrs. I would guess we have a poster that is A) a City supporter, B) an AF supporter, C) a certified dog trainer, or D) all of the above.
I am also leaning towards GF as EDL made a specific comment that those who have involved with or supportive of the City & AF have been pushing for these past 4 yrs, to wit: “Perhaps you should try some anger management…No wonder you and Susan are such great friends. You’re perfect for each other…” This statement, as used in GF, is based on my self-defense when dragged 20+ feet by an unknown male. Because he turned out to be a cop, those intent upon destroying my character and reputation have continuously attempted to couple my self-defense with aggression, inferring that I’m aggressive towards animals. Go figure.
Yeah, that’s what I immediately thought too. It’s really kinda funny, the GF Spitoon says that the comments on their site must be “civil”, but when it comes to Susan, they allow the most vitriolic slander imaginable. Go figure. Steamy Pile of Dog Poop Lover somehow found its way over here. And as you can tell, this person is NOT very bright.
People like extreme….They don’t go away Susan, but if they were a dog themselves it would be all Bark and no bite!
Yeah Cowgirl & Larry your right… Gregg Smith is one smart Guy, and I agree with him that when the city went to the trouble to force a settlement process with Susan, and cut a check for 500,00 smackerroos the city is definitively hiding something even bigger. You folks might all have to start digging deeper to save the Great Falls Community from more ludicrous and abhorrent behavior from the current city council!
Good read on this from a man that knows his stuff: http://electriccityweblog.com/?p=13494
Ive casually followed this story since Larry first mentioned it on here sometime ago in the context of something else. Im not informed enough to comment on it but I saw the decision from Judge Irigoin a couple weeks ago ordering the attorney jailed for contempt for continually disobeying the court’s orders and holding back documents. Ive never seen that happen before, clearly these people have something to hide. Definitely shady things going on with this bunch.
That’s bizarre. I’ve heard other rumors about this case – that one of the lawyers for the city somehow broke into the court files and was forwarding documents around. It’s super shady.
Denny Garfield Sheriff http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/2011/10/sheriff-kicks-democrat-out-rehberg-public-event
Great Falls is not the only place you can get throw out of a “Public” Meeting
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_e2297ff0-f38a-11e0-9084-001cc4c03286.html
Leave it to the GOP to boot someone out of a public meeting!
This is just one occurrence of several concerning Great Falls current Mayor Winters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfU5R47sI8
THE BIG CHILL!, or the REST of the Overfield story. The GF Spitoon FINALLY attempted a real story on the Susan Overfield case. And I think that the most important part of this chilling story is to fully realize, understand, and appreciate just WHAT lengths the city government and its lackies went to SILENCE and DESTROY a citizen attempting to exercise her first amendment rights! It’s scary! It’s chilling! The city absolutely felt threatened by ANY, repeat, ANY criticism what-so-ever, and went to absurd lengths to ensure that it never happened again. They viciously went after Susan to destroy her!
The folks responsible for the attacks on Susan can only be described as thugs. They are STILL hiding many questionable and suspcious government dealings.
They attempted a very public mugging, and in the process turned the victim into victor, and then into hero! Susan, through her unbelievably grit and courage, turned the tables on them. She disrupted the fiefdom, hopefully forever. We’ll have to see. The jury’s still out on that one.
There are a number of related stories in the Spitoon today. Read them. They’re important.
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20111016/NEWS01/110160305/Overfield-vs-City-Great-Falls-500-000-settlement-justified-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage
In the process
But HEY, not to worry. The current mayor assures us that things have changed, and that there’s nothing to worry about any longer. People are now treated with respect and allowed to speak. It’s his new, improved way of doing things. No more hard ass tactics, and no more police brutality.
Is he full of shit? You decide.
(Korky is the chief of POHleece referred to in this video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfU5R47sI8
Good comment from the story. It indicates just how bizarre the actions of the thugs were. Hell, NO ONE knew who the fatassed bastard in civvies was. They all thought it was some joe blow from the audience. I mean, how in the hell would YOU react if some fatass from the audience jumped up and grabbed YOU? I know how I would have reacted, and Susan was much more tactful than I would have been.
OleProspector
10:30 AM on October 16, 2011
Ole Prospector says,
“I was there and watched this debacle unfold that fateful evening. In fact one of the (now known) cops was sitting next to me and I was astonished when he jumped up to physically grab Susan as I thought he just was part of the regular audience. Stebbins was completely wrong ‘not allowing’ for public comment on this issue when it came up on the agenda, thus forcing Susan to present her comments during the so-called controlled public comment period. This is bull crap and Stebbins has cost this city million in loses with this incident and her support pushing for the failed ECP fiasco. Her picture should be removed from city”
Also, remember once again, that ALL that Susan asked for was simply an apology from the city. She eagerly and readily apologized to the fatassed cop the minute she found out who he was. But THAT was the exact minute that the city began scheming her destruction. She had to be made an example. But one man’s example is another man’s hero! Susan is a true hero for the rights of all of us.
Hear, hear!
It’s important to keep in perspective the depths of their thuggery. The city SPENT, yes SPENT, approx. half a million dollars on lawyer fees PROSECUTING Susan, and another half a mil on a settlement. Can you even imagine? This is taxpayer money! They were willing to DESTROY Susan regardless of the cost to the taxpayers of GF!
And yet, all Susan wanted was an apology from the city. Susan apologized immediately when she found out she hit a cop. But the city? Well, they were out for BLOOD! ONLY thugs do this. They were willing to fight to the last drop of taxpayers’ money to silence critics! Amazing really when you think about it. Amazing when you think about what they’re trying to hide! Remember that all the requested documents have YET to be produced, and remember that they have been found guilty of contempt!
Here is the city’s attorney explaining their actions. Sound reasonable to you in a democracy?
In the memo, Gliko wrote: “Had the case resulted in a loss or had the city failed to prosecute the case, it’s likely that the city’s ability to maintain order at commission meetings would have been further compromised, and the city’s operation of the animal shelter would still be a subject of increased speculation and criticism.”
We must keep ORDER in our city council meetings, EVEN if it costs us a million smackeroos to DO so! Good little nazi thugs LUV order above all else. And those who disrupt the order with criticism must be punished!…….or sumthin’ like that.
p.s. I wonder if cyndi baker, OOPS! I mean extreme dog lover, would approve of such an expenditure when she CLAIMS she won’t raise our taxes?! How will cyndi FUND such misadventures withOUT taxpayer money? Good question!
Great falls: What difference does it make how much Order you have?
What you do not have amounts to much more.
You have no integrity right now GF because you allowed certain official people to co-op lawful expression and twist it to the point of illegally hurting a citizen… in the name of law and order? How is that ORDER?
[...] on October 20, 2011, 10:39 pm | Discuss City Commissions have been the hot topic in Helena and Great Falls of late, but nowhere are local politics filled with intrigue, money, and slime than in the [...]
THIS is a HUGE part of the REST of the story!
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20111023/NEWS01/110230302/Southern-Montana-Electric-co-op-files-Chapter-11?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage
You see, city commission meetings would have probably stayed the boring, mind-numbing affairs that they had always been. But once the city decided that we needed a coal fired electric plant here, it got peoples’ attention in a BIG way. Then, everyone became interested! We were allowed NO vote, and NO public comment, and NO public input! Hence, folks started showing up at city commission meetings to express their opposition, ask questions, and try to get some answers from the city about the proposed plant.
But the city council at the time was in NO mood for criticism, nor were they in any mood to answer ANY questions. Hence, they instituted the so-called three minute rule enforced by the local cops. And not ONLY a three minute rule, but what I call the minute rule too! The minute that you asked a question they didn’t like, you were removed from the podium! And God forbid that you should try to criticize anyone in the city gubmint about their dealings either. That was a removable offense also. Essentially all avenues for criticism were silenced. And when you have NO real newspaper in town, there is NO forum to discuss it, albeit Gregg Smith did a great job on his blog of airing the issues. He basically did the GF Spitoon’s job for them.
THIS was the environment that Susan O. unwittingly walked into that fateful night. Susan had never even testified at a city council meeting before. She had no idea of the adversarial, hostile environment created by the powers that be.
But now, all the critics of the city have been proven right. Hell, we all KNEW that this entire coal plant fiasco was a scam, and we tried to tell everyone. All we wanted was a vote. But the city was adamant that there would be no vote. We couldn’t even have ONE public meeting in which to air our views.
So now, SME has filed for Chapter 11, and the city of GF is left with a five to nine million dollar debt. And all the perps walk. And SOME of the perps were paid quite handsomely for their perpiness! And we STILL can’t know the level of corruption that has occurred because the city will not open the books on the entire affair.
Hence, another chapter in the Susan O. affair. Again, some folks should be going to jail for their roles in this scam. Will they? Who knows. It’s GREAT to be a perp in Great Falls! (and lucrative too!)
Yea I tweeted this last night and thought the same thing Larry… this case mirrors what Susan had to go through! The city council should be disbanded and a new group voted on soon! This really smacks of unlawfulness!