IMTV: Is the Ohio Supreme Court for Sale?

[VTGold]

Article from 10/27/2004 on Independent Media TV

http://www.independent-media.tv/itemprint.cfm?fmedia_id=9582&fcategory_desc=Under%20Reported

(snip)
Now, let’s move on to the antics to pack the court in 2004. Ohio has rightfully been described by the media as the “poster child” regarding attempts to purchase a state Supreme Court both in 2000 and again in 2004.

To date, Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, Justice Terrence O’Donnell and Judge Judith Lanzinger (Republicans all) have personally solicited and received in excess of $4.2 million dollars from the purchasing agents aforementioned, which exceeds the totals raised by supreme court candidates in 19 other states. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Oct. 22, 2004)

By contrast their opponents, Judges Ellen Connally, Nancy Fuerst and William O’Neill have received just over $1 million. The $4.2 million dollars does not include over $250,000 spent on TV ads by a business group. (Associated Press, Andrew Welsh- Huggins, Oct. 22, 2004)

From 1992 to October 2004, Chief Justice Thomas Moyer solicited and received well over $1.5 million from the special interest groups mentioned above. Of course Moyer’s voting record is consistent with the agenda espoused by the special interests that sought to curry his support (votes).

Taking chutzpah to new levels, Moyer told reporter TC Brown of the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Oct. 25 “A lot of lawyers really put their necks on the line by supporting and telling me this was an important race about character.”

What possible punishment could a lawyer supporting Moyer possibly fear when as Chief Justice he administers (actually controls) the entire legal apparatus in Ohio? Is Moyer suggesting that any of the 73 lawyers employed by Vorys-Sayer, Chester-Wilcox (Court employees), Jones-Day, and Baker & Hostetler who have contributed $79,350 to Moyer have collectively “put their necks on the line?” Well, maybe if the amounts weren’t up to par.

Moyer’s statement to the Plain Dealer that, “this was an important race about character,” seems to imply that his opponent Judge Ellen Connally lacks the character to be Ohio’s next Chief Justice. I personally have no reliable information that would support such a conclusion nor do I have any that would refute it. However, I have reviewed hundreds of pages of public records dealing with Moyer’s record/conduct as Chief Justice. The following are a few examples of Moyer’s record and I’ll leave it to you (the voter) to determine what it proves as to Moyer’s character or lack thereof.

1. Authorized justices to use state cars for campaign purposes 2. Authorized the expenditure of nearly $40,000 of public funds to purchase him a fully-loaded Buick Park Avenue for personal use including commuting 3.0 miles to the court from his home 3. Refuses to publicly disclose the amount of income he received from Ohioans for personal use of state car/fuel from ’95 to ‘03

If the special interests are successful in packing the Court with the three Republican candidates they set out to purchase, then we can be assured that Ohio will become a template for future purchases of State Supreme Courts throughout the Nation.

In an effort to be fair, I’m not claiming that this type of conduct is limited to Republican judicial candidates. Do we need real campaign finance reform? You betcha! If we don’t get it, then we’ll surely be treated to repeated refrains of “Let the bidding begin.”

It is indeed unfortunate that in too many instances justice is for Sale, whether it be in Ohio, Louisiana or New York City. Sadly, there’s no shortage of judges willing to place a “for sale” sign on the door of their chambers and/or on the inside of their robes.

The obscene sums of money disbursed by these special interests has absolutely nothing to do with assuring that justice is actually dispended fairly and equitably as the framers intended. These are not altruistic do-gooders seeking to improve the justice system for everyone, folks. These people are ethical lepers who are in the business of guaranteeing a result via the purchase of compliant judges (aka, “lackeys”) some of whom are more than willing to give a lot (their votes) to get a little (free golf outings, etc.).

Until and unless the voters fully recognize that the judicial branch of government is the most powerful and that it is only answerable to itself, this deplorable auctioning of justice by willing buyers and sellers will continue unabated.

***********
More interesting articles from same site:

Bush Vote Tallies Statistically Stunning, Border on Unbelievable
http://www.independent-media.tv/item.cfm?fmedia_id=9750&fcategory_desc=E-Voting%20Machines%20/%20Vote%20Integrity

10,000 More Votes Than Voters in Nebraska (NBC 11/04)
http://www.independent-media.tv/item.cfm?fmedia_id=9752&fcategory_desc=E-Voting%20Machines%20/%20Vote%20Integrity

Did Bush fix the elections? (Pravda 11/04)
http://www.independent-media.tv/item.cfm?fmedia_id=9749&fcategory_desc=E-Voting%20Machines%20/%20Vote%20Integrity