UNJUSTICE – Chapter 8: THE EDUCATION BEGINS
UNJUSTICE
A Sydney Sullivan Story
“Although inspired in part by a true incident, the following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.” Photos throughout the fiction are to assist with your own imagination.
Carl arrived home and opened the book. It was getting late and he had an early day ahead of him. He began reading the first few chapters of The Big Short and found it fascinating. Remembering Louis had told him that this was a true insider’s view made it hard to put down. Carl carried it with him the next day and read a few pages every chance he got. During lunch he closed himself in his chambers and powered through the chapters. He knew very little about inside Wall Street – just that it was a lot of fast talk and smooth salesmen. The Big Short identified the decline in the lending standards as early as 2004. What Carl couldn’t understand was why a person who lent money would want to extend such loans. He found one of the characters, Dr. Michael Burry, had tremendous insight.
Continue readingUNJUSTICE – Chapter 7: THE MEETING
UNJUSTICE
A Sydney Sullivan Story
“Although inspired in part by a true incident, the following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.” Photos throughout the fiction are to assist with your own imagination.
Carl knew he didn’t want to discuss the Louis Harding issue in his chambers, in fact, Carl really didn’t want to discuss it anywhere in public either – or in Louis Harding’s office. This made it all the more difficult to structure the opportunity to have a confidential meeting. Carl thought of a plan where no one would interfere or suspect the agenda. Carl’s brother-in-law, Phil, was a Senior Executive at Andersen Corporation in Bayport, about 26 miles from Minneapolis. Carl asked Phil if he might be able to use the company’s board room for a private meeting after hours. Without telling Phil the details, but assuring him it was needed for good reason, Phil gave him various dates that the room would be available. Carl thanked him and said he would let him know what date could be confirmed.
Next, Carl had to figure out a way to get Louis Harding to Bayport for a meeting. ‘I’ll just be cryptic when I call him,’ thought Carl.
Continue readingUNJUSTICE – HONEYPOTS
UNJUSTICE – Chapter 6: HONEYPOTS
A Sydney Sullivan Story
“Although inspired in part by a true incident, the following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.” Photos throughout the fiction are to
assist with your own imagination.
With the car packed and the fillets on ice the three judges headed back to the big city. The drive from Hubbard County is quite spectacular. The sky looked like a big dome containing all the snow covered fields and woods for as far as the eye could see. Everything appeared white and glistening like diamonds in the sunshine. Carl had a special pair of dark glasses that deflected the glare and made it easier to drive on the highway.
“Okay, we have to talk about this,” John G. declared changing the small talk. “I know this isn’t an easy discussion, but is essential.”
Continue readingUNJUSTICE – Chapter 5: CONSCIENCE OR CONSENSUS
UNJUSTICE
A Sydney Sullivan Story
“Although inspired in part by a true incident, the following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.” Photos throughout the fiction are to assist with your own imagination.
Ole signaled Erik to come over to the Shappell. “Say nothing Howard, but let’s ride over and see what the judges want.” Erik and Howard climbed on their snow mobiles and rode over to the judges’ camp.
“We’re about ready to call it a day,” Ole smiled. “How about we go back to the Lodge for some dinner and you two join us for some cards about 9 pm?”
Erik knew he was up for it just in case there was any more foreclosure conversation. Erik looked at Howard who grinned, because he loved poker. “Yeah, we’re up for it – think you can afford us?” Erik boasted.
Continue readingUNJUSTICE – Chapter 4: LACK OF JURISDICTION
UNJUSTICE
A Sydney Sullivan Story
“Although inspired in part by a true incident, the following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.” Photos throughout the fiction are to assist with your own imagination.
Ole stared directly at John G., “This is putting some bad law on the books, John – you can’t tell me this doesn’t bother you? I have to tell you both straight out that if I didn’t know about the pension fund issues, I’d think we’d look just plain incompetent… and I know some people are already saying that. We’re a pretty conservative community with a telegraph tree on the Internet. Every time I deny a homeowner’s foreclosure complaint it’s all over the social media. I’ve run out of creative ways to deny these homeowners and say, ‘you can appeal me, but you still have to move out, unless the appellate court gives you a stay.’ Now, you want us to go after a decent attorney just because he can’t be persuaded to quit his representation of homeowners?
Continue readingUNJUSTICE – Chapter 3: UNREASONABLE TARGET
UNJUSTICE
A Sydney Sullivan Story
“Although inspired in part by a true incident, the following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.” Photos throughout the fiction are to assist with your own imagination.
John G. hesitated with a guilt-ridden stammer, “Louis Harding.” ‘Oh my God’ Ole thought, ‘there but for the grace of God go I.’
“You don’t mean “Saint” Louis Harding, do you?” questioned Carl. John G. raised his eyes, looked upward and nodded.
“I worked with him in the Public Defender’s office. His nick name was “Saint Louis” because he was so pure… so honorable, I mean he should have been appointed to a US District Court judge position. Is this really necessary, I mean, isn’t there another way?” Ole asked. “We’re elected, not appointed – if this gets out we could get creamed in an election.”
Continue readingUNJUSTICE – Chapter 2: SHARING SECRETS
UNJUSTICE
A Sydney Sullivan Story
“Although inspired in part by a true incident, the following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.” Photos throughout the fiction are to assist with your own imagination
Whether it was the wind that day or the position between the camps, Erik and Howard could hear the entire conversation the judges were having. It was like the old well-known oddity of the placement of John Quincy Adam’s desk in the U.S. Capitol where he could hear everything people said — even whispers — from clear across the room. Normally, Erik and Howard wouldn’t hear anything coming from the judges’ camp. But today the word “foreclosure” peaked Erik’s hearing and he wanted to hear more.
Continue readingUNJUSTICE – Chapter 1: THE LAKE
UNJUSTICE
A Sydney Sullivan Story
“Although inspired in part by a true incident, the following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.” Photos throughout the fiction are to assist with your own imagination
Three Minnesota judges got together at least twice a month in various forms of recreation depending upon the season. In the summer Ole, John G. and Carl (their names have been changed to protect their identities) would golf and invite a lucky soul to be their foursome. Otherwise, as in the winter, the three would go fishing. “No man can fish and worry at the same time,” John G. would always say.
The three men were like-minded and all about the same age, with Judge John G. being the oldest and a ringer for the good looks of George Clooney. They were closer than most brothers and more reliable – a trait that they all shared like their passion for law, common interests, and political views. After an appointment to the bench, being elected meant keeping a polished appearance in public. All three judges were impeccably dressed and well-groomed that over the years had become an unspoken competition. Having three physically attractive judges with courtrooms all on the same floor was just a fluke – but the courthouse employees, as well as the general public, had nicknamed the third floor Hollywood Hall. Continue reading
Deadly Clear 