Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Documentary Filmmaker Plans to Train His Lens on Judicial Corruption in Alabama


A filmmaker in New York is planning to shoot a documentary about judicial corruption, focusing on the South in general and Alabama and Florida in particular.

I'm pleased to report that Legal Schnauzer has served as an inspiration for the project, which is in its infant stages. The filmmaker said he plans to focus on at least two of our major storylines and has asked me to send him relevant documentation. I'm gathering information for him at this moment.

The filmmaker first contacted me on January 25, and during our communications over roughly the past two weeks, here is what I've learned:

He has an insider's view of the law and once considered becoming a card-carrying member of the legal "profession." But a personal courtroom experience, one that is pretty similar to mine, convinced him that, in too many cases, the law amounts to nothing more than an elaborate form of taxpayer-funded organized crime.

Rather than joining the criminals, he decided to expose him, via his background in film. He plans for the project to begin as a law-review article, focusing on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Specifically, he plans to examine cases where judges and lawyers have conspired to fix cases. We, of course, have written about numerous such cases here in Alabama.

Prosecutors and the mainstream press often are afraid to tackle judicial racketeering. But our blog has shown that it is a common problem, and we have discovered a kindred spirit in New York.

Can the power of film help clean up corruption that is rotting our democracy to its core. It looks like we are about to find out. And I am pleased that Legal Schnauzer might be able to help make it happen.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I recently viewed American Violet based on events that took place in Hearne Texas. After watching the movie I did a search to see if the film made a difference. Found interviews and videos of Regina Kelly. All is not perfect but the raids of gathering innocent people and hauling them to jail to get Fed. grant money has stopped in Hearne, Texas. This will make a difference. Thank you, Roger.

James Greek said...

Looking forward to the movie!

legalschnauzer said...

Good deal, James. I should note that it's a long, long way from actually being made--and I'm sure there are many hurdles to getting a project like this completed. Even once it's made, there probably are challenges to getting it before the public. My only role, at this point, is providing public documents about certain cases that we've reported here at Legal Schnauzer. Will keep readers posted as I learn more.

Dave said...

(fist pump) YES!

choggs said...

I was praying for something like this. Hopefully this will help the morale especially people like us who've wittnesed it and experienced it. I also made a comment in another one of your articles referring to this would be a final hope kind of thing like the WM3 who were rescued by documentary filmakers. Aw maybe a stretch but this is a positive thing. Hoping and praying for the victims. Thanks Roger :)

Anonymous said...

Please alert them to the 19th circuit and Judge Sibley Reynolds. His cozy relationship with attorneys like Chip Cleveland and Kenny James have corrupted the judicial process in that circuit. You cannot win in Reynold's courtroom if you don't hire his friends. Every single time any outsider heads into the 19th, they get home cooked.

legalschnauzer said...

Reynolds sounds like he would be a perfect fit for Shelby County.

e.a.f. said...

I am so jealous! Congratulations. Your hard work has paid off. Usually when the bright lights are shone on crooks its the end of the game for them. Main stream media usually doesn't want to publish corruption cases because it exposes their associates.

By the way when the film maker is finished with Alabama & Florida perhaps he would like to come to British Columbia, Canada. We have a legislature which was raided by the RCMP doing a drug investigation which morfed into a scandal about "giving' away our provincial rail company to a "friend" of the premier's, well they say he was the premier's bag man. Then they illegally appointed a "special prosecter", removed a judge from the trial, made a $6 Million deal with the defendants bringing a sudden end to the trial. Oh the defendant insisted all drug charges were dropped against his cousin.

We need more film makers to bring to light these travesties.

I really enjoy your blog. What do Alabama & B. C. have in common, coal mines & politicans.

Anonymous said...

Hope they bring truckloads of film and tape as they will need it!

Anonymous said...

About a year ago I read that Oprah's next big project was to do for the documentary what she did for the book. When she learned of Rosie O'Donnell's love of documentaries she hired her to help make her goal a reality.Haven't heard or read anymore about it but the passion of both ladies appeared too strong to not be acted upon. I would contact them about this project.

Anonymous said...

Also Max Keiser is always going on abouthttp://www.piratemyfilm.com/ Have no idea what it is exactly but might be worth looking into. Max sure seems to be fearless in his approach to what's going on in the world and has come up with some innovative ideas. Pirate my Film might be one worth giving a look.

Bill Windsor said...

I am producing a documentary about victims of judicial and government corruption. Please email me at Bill@LawlessAmerica.com if you would consider telling your story for the movie...or simply to direct me to people who should be exposed in your area.

I only have a few Alabama interviews set up so far. I need more.

http://www.lawlessamerica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=672%3Ayou-can-be-in-the-movie-documentary-about-government-corruption-to-be-filmed-in-all-50-states&catid=108%3Alawless-america-online-tv-show&Itemid=105

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Anonymous said...

I have a question if anyone can help me or get me in the right direction. With the good old buddy system I think I am pretty screwed. My ex tried to have me put in contempt of court as he wanted my current husband to adopt his two children. I know you can't make someone else adopt your kids. I was served and had to go to court in Montgomery Al. So I had to get a attorney so I hired Chip Cleveland what a mistake. There was no doubt and I stressed many times I wanted to be reimbursed for the fees I had to pay Chip Cleveland as my ex started this mess. Chip Cleveland told me he wanted to have this turned over to Prattville courts as he knew the judge. I didn't know any better and I moved to Prattville and lived there for 3 years I trusted him and thought that was for the best. Judge Reynolds was the judge I had no idea of any of this good old buddy system. Took Chip forever to do any dealings but to make along story short next thing I know we had to have mediation and I didn't understand as we been divorced for 8 years and then had to pay $800.00 to the mediator come to find out this was Chip Cleveland father. My ex agreed would not agree to pay the full amount I paid Chip only $1000.00 I was so sick of it all I agreed to that to be done and so my daughters braces could be paid off. Next thing I know a week later my ex sent a email told me Chip sent a email that the $6000.00 he was sending me for my daughters braces and reimbursement of attorneys fees was to be sent to his office not to me. So received check with only my name on it as that is what the court papers stated and Chip wrote on my check VOID.I went to his office he refused to give me the money that was mine. My ex sent me email of crap Chip Cleveland wrote to my ex-father in law and this was not between my ex-father in law and I. That is not what the court papers stated. Said the money should be sent to me with in 30 days. I wrote Judge Reynolds , turned Chip in to the state bar and then I was served civil court papers had to go in front of Judge Pool. showed the judge email from him of the last payment of $500 and that would clear up all fees. I was told I would find the out come and I never did they made me sign the check and said it would go in to the court bank vault and would be safe to we knew of the outcome. I never heard anything I was tired of it all and I gave up as I didn't have the money to hire attorney nor anyone wanted to get involved. November I get papers in the mail from Chip Cleveland he wants to know my bank information, car information, were I work, tax forms. I was not giving out this information to this crook and I ignored it and didn't understand why he wants this. Now last week he has filed with district court that I ignored the papers he sent me. and still none of this makes and sense or what he is trying to do to me now. I This man has been paid close to $40000.00. Took my $1000.00 so that makes $5000.00 and now wants another $30000.00 he cant' justify his fees and I asked for this information and a copy of my file. He will not give it to me. We never went to court with my ex so the total fees of $8000.00 is crazy. Why the Alabama bar didn't do anything as Chip Cleveland serves on the bar as another attorney told me. I talked to another attorney from Prattville showed him everything he agreed what Chip did was wrong but he was to scared to get involved. There are more like that. So what are you to do and to protect yourself. I don't want to go to jail or things I have worked so hard for be taken from me. I am a mother of 3 daughters I go by the law live life right teach my girls right from wrong and just sick this is happening to me. What Chip did is very wrong and unfair. Chip is only doing all this because of retaliation as he didn't like the fact I turned him in to the bar. Any advice would be helpful I am just so sick of this all. I know I am not the only one in Prattville this has happen to. Think it is very unfair What Chip Cleveland is doing over pricing folks and not being honest.

legalschnauzer said...

This comment is on an old post, so I'm not sure many readers will see it. You might contact me via my personal e-mail at rshuler3156@gmail.com. Also, I will be putting up a new post on Sibley Reynolds in a few days, and you might place a comment on that, where people are more likely to see it. You definitely are not alone in central Alabama. Lots of corruption in Chilton, Elmore, and Autauga circuit.