Cook County (ECWd) –
According to court records filed against Country Club Hills, a court order was issued on August 31, 2016, for a forensic examination of Country Club Hills computers relating to the fire department watching pornographic material in the fire station.
While the Fire Department personnel may be busy sliding down the pole or comparing nozzle sizes and hose lays on the computer, it appears, with the help of legal counsel, they are racking up a hefty legal expense for the taxpayers. Which fire do they have more of an interest in suppressing; possible exposure of pornographic habits of their employees or the financial burdens to the taxpayer for the obstruction of such exposure?
Once again it appears we have public officials and their legal counsel costing the taxpayers money when it is not necessary. Is this another case of billable hours over justice to the taxpayer?
“Defendants and Defendants’ counsel has continued to evade the court’s order granting the forensic imaging, including most recently canceling the inspection the same morning and only after the eDiscovery expert appeared at the fire station.”
This morning the Cook County Judge Brigid M. McGrath granted the motion for sanctions against Country Club Hills to include the inspection and imagery of the computers will proceed on January 26th, 2017.
What is most disturbing in this case is the fact it is one again the taxpayers that have to pay for what appears to be a clear disregard for a court order. In fact, according to the record: “This is Plaintiff’s fourth motion to compel and at least third motion for sanctions because of Defendants’ and their counsel’s continued refusal and failure to comply with the courts orders in this case.”
Why must the taxpayer be on the hook for public employees and their legal bills when they pull stunts like this?
[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Lewis_B_1.20.17_NOM-and-Pl-Mtn-to-Show-Cause-and-Sanctions-re-ESI-Inspec…-003.pdf”]
[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Doc-01-23-2017-10-09-59.pdf”]
Please consider a donation to the Edgar County Watchdogs.
[wp_eStore_donate id=1]
6 Comments
gabriel
Posted at 22:46h, 23 JanuaryThis entire case is BS. The lawyer is obviously desperate. Maybe I am going off topic from this article here but as a former long time resident of CCH, I have nothing but praise for a fantastic and credible fire and police department. They are truly a professional class act and I can say that from first hand experience.
Kirk Allen
Posted at 10:38h, 24 JanuaryExcept for those that violate court orders!
gabriel
Posted at 22:31h, 23 JanuaryWhat is disturbing is the unprofessional, biased language in this “news article”. Be sure to google the so-called victim’s (Dena R. Lewis-Bystrzycki) mugshot. That gives a little more background of who you’re dealing with. The taxpayers of Country Club Hills should absolutely fight this battle. This woman makes the whole town look bad
Kirk Allen
Posted at 22:34h, 23 JanuaryGabriel, the point of the article is not about what you call a so-called victim. It is about a public body violating court orders and costing the taxpayers more money. I would say no matter what the outcome of the case is, violating a court order makes the town look bad and ruins their credibility.
jmkraft
Posted at 08:39h, 24 JanuaryIs that the town’s defense? “Excuse me, Your Honor, but we intentionally disregarded these court orders because, well, look at this picture of the victim, she looks bad, so your court orders don’t matter, and based on this picture of her we threw your court orders in the trash.”
gabriel
Posted at 10:35h, 24 JanuaryNo. Not the town’s defense at all. Simply stating my opinion. There’s more to this story