NEWTON, IL. (ECWd) –
The Jasper County Community School District No. 1 has received a Motion for Sanctions against it alleging one of its employees committed witness tampering by threatening and intimidating a witness in a federal lawsuit.
A Federal lawsuit was brought against the Jasper County School District in 2017 by School Board Member Jed Earnest alleging certain civil rights violations by the Board and its Superintendent, Andrew D. Johnson.
John Fulton, listed on the complaint as school board president is the brother of District employee Jason Fulton. This Motion is a result of the alleged actions of the employee and not the board member.
Jason Fulton is accused of threatening, intimidating, and tampering with a witness in this federal lawsuit.
Jason Fulton is listed as a Driver’s Education teacher at the Newton High School.
The Motion for Sanctions alleges that:
- Jason Fulton approached Andy Pullen and his wife at the Newton Bowling Alley on November 29, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. while they were eating dinner.
- Jason Fulton made comments to Andy in a harsh and menacing tone, in a threatening manner called Pullen a liar
- Jason Fulton looked down and placed himself immediately above Pullen and in a threatening manner stated: “What are you going to do about it?“
- Pullen believed Jason Fulton was threatening and intimidating him to discourage him from being a witness in the lawsuit
- Pullin and his wife felt threatened and feared for their safety
- The Pullin’s left and went to the police station to file a police report about the incident
- Jason Fulton knew Pullin was a witness in this federal lawsuit
“Witness tampering is among the gravest abuses of the judicial process, and as such, it warrants a substantial sanction.” Ramirez.
This Motion was filed on December 27, 2018. You can download the motion at this link.
EARNEST Plaintiff's Motion for Sanctions Directed to Defendant - Copy.
6 Comments
Jane D
Posted at 19:09h, 03 AprilThis story has taken quite a turn. I’ve patiently waited for the ECW to offer an update. You seem to be very prompt when the case appeared to be going in favor of Jed Earnest. Y’all have been quiet recently. I have some thoughts.
Part of being a journalist is to deal with facts that may not be convenient. You owe it to your readers to share an update, even if the outcome wasn’t what John Kraft, Kirk Allen and Jed Earnest were hoping for.
Jed lost his lawsuit. He lost re election by a very wide margin. The community has largely rebuked his behavior. These are the facts. Why haven’t you reported this turn of events?
Your silence since this article speaks volumes. You accused the board of plenty. Apparently the judge didn’t agree. Maybe you thought your reporting would sway public opinion in Jed’s favor. It didn’t. He got far less votes this election.
jmkraft
Posted at 09:36h, 04 Aprilas stated earlier, as soon as I can decipher the court’s ruling, it will be published
Karma
Posted at 11:43h, 06 MarchJed lost his lawsuit. Maybe write about that!
SMH
Posted at 23:46h, 06 FebruaryI bet there will be some witness tampering lawsuits at Dysfunctional DuPage Township too.
Brad graven
Posted at 16:02h, 06 FebruaryWhat ever happened to the old saying …..” when in a hole , stop digging” ?
I never understood the mind set to double down when you ( the board ) are wrong.
Dave
Posted at 09:21h, 06 FebruaryReads like an organized crime movie script