Extracts from the Close-Out Memo
The signature on the loyalty oath taken by Judge Dava Tunis is a forgery. The judge recently recommended that anti-game crusader Jack Thompson be found guilty on several charges of professional misconduct.
According to a report in the Daily Business Review, with supporting material from the Florida legal blog, 'justicebuilding', "The state attorney’s office has concluded the signatures of three Miami-Dade judges were forged on their 2000 loyalty oaths, but no criminal charges will be filed."
The reason for the lack of criminal charges is down to the statute of limitations - it's apparently nothing to do with the fact that Florida judges can rule in cases of law, despite forged signatures (which they had nothing to do with and no knowledge of at all).
The forgeries came to light due to Thompson himself requesting an enquiry into the situation.
The 'close-out memo' (a memo summarising the investigation) states that, "Judge Tunis stated to investigators that the signature on the Loyalty Oath document is clearly a forgery, and that she had no recollection of having signed the form."
However, the memo also states, "There is no conceivable criminal motive for a judge to have participated in a forgery of his or her own loyalty oath."
The identity of the forger has not been discovered and, "It is unlikely that the identity of the forger could be conclusively determined through forensic handwriting analysis or other investigative means."
So, what does this mean to Jack Thompson? Well, the Florida legal authorities have already stated earlier this year via court spokeswoman Eunice Sigler that the "judge’s authority wasn’t in dispute because her power as a judge flows from the oath of office rather than the notarized loyalty oath."
Thompson himself has a different view, quoted in Daily Business Review as saying, "The consequence for me is that she’s not a judge and doesn’t have the authority to act as a judge. All of her actions as referee are void, and I’ve told The Bar they have to start over again."
SPOnG has never been a fan of Thompson, his crusade or methods - however, it strikes us as somewhat strange that any legal authority can be seen as entirely fragrant and believable when the words 'loyalty 'oath', 'forged signature' and 'judge' appear in the same sentence (pardon the pun). We do, of course, accept that none of the judges in question are in anyway culpable...
Thompson is due to appear before Judge Tunis once again in a disciplinary hearing on June 4th. It is highly unlikely that the Florida legal system will revise its findings regarding his case - this is especially as Judge Tunis actually did sign a loyalty oath on February 4th this year.
Sources:
Daily Business Review
Copy of the Close-Out Memo via DBR
Justice Building Blogspot
According to a report in the Daily Business Review, with supporting material from the Florida legal blog, 'justicebuilding', "The state attorney’s office has concluded the signatures of three Miami-Dade judges were forged on their 2000 loyalty oaths, but no criminal charges will be filed."
The reason for the lack of criminal charges is down to the statute of limitations - it's apparently nothing to do with the fact that Florida judges can rule in cases of law, despite forged signatures (which they had nothing to do with and no knowledge of at all).
The forgeries came to light due to Thompson himself requesting an enquiry into the situation.
The 'close-out memo' (a memo summarising the investigation) states that, "Judge Tunis stated to investigators that the signature on the Loyalty Oath document is clearly a forgery, and that she had no recollection of having signed the form."
However, the memo also states, "There is no conceivable criminal motive for a judge to have participated in a forgery of his or her own loyalty oath."
The identity of the forger has not been discovered and, "It is unlikely that the identity of the forger could be conclusively determined through forensic handwriting analysis or other investigative means."
So, what does this mean to Jack Thompson? Well, the Florida legal authorities have already stated earlier this year via court spokeswoman Eunice Sigler that the "judge’s authority wasn’t in dispute because her power as a judge flows from the oath of office rather than the notarized loyalty oath."
Thompson himself has a different view, quoted in Daily Business Review as saying, "The consequence for me is that she’s not a judge and doesn’t have the authority to act as a judge. All of her actions as referee are void, and I’ve told The Bar they have to start over again."
SPOnG has never been a fan of Thompson, his crusade or methods - however, it strikes us as somewhat strange that any legal authority can be seen as entirely fragrant and believable when the words 'loyalty 'oath', 'forged signature' and 'judge' appear in the same sentence (pardon the pun). We do, of course, accept that none of the judges in question are in anyway culpable...
Thompson is due to appear before Judge Tunis once again in a disciplinary hearing on June 4th. It is highly unlikely that the Florida legal system will revise its findings regarding his case - this is especially as Judge Tunis actually did sign a loyalty oath on February 4th this year.
Sources:
Daily Business Review
Copy of the Close-Out Memo via DBR
Justice Building Blogspot
People:
Jack Thompson
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Comments
Jack Thompson, Attorney 28 May 2008 13:09
1/4
Thanks for being the one game site that has actually come close to reporting this accurately. In fact, the state attorney did not prosecute because the state of limitations ran on a criminal prosecution. The forger is the notary, Sayed A. Shah.
The issue though as to the illegality of the judge's actions is very much in play. She is not a judge. She panicked and signed a new loyalty oath recently because of this problem, and she did so too late. She will be overturned in all of this. Jack Thompson
PS: If you want more information please call me at 305-666-4366 or email at amendmentone@comcast.net. this is a very real issue.
The issue though as to the illegality of the judge's actions is very much in play. She is not a judge. She panicked and signed a new loyalty oath recently because of this problem, and she did so too late. She will be overturned in all of this. Jack Thompson
PS: If you want more information please call me at 305-666-4366 or email at amendmentone@comcast.net. this is a very real issue.
TimSpong 28 May 2008 14:39
2/4
Jack Thompson, Attorney wrote:
Thanks for being the one game site that has actually come close to reporting this accurately.
Thanks for dropping by. Please don't thank us for doing what we always do with news stories irrespective of the subject matter, which is to report as accurately as possible.
What is your next step? Are you able to file any further appeals as an independent citizen? What are you planning for the June hearing in front of Judge Tunis?
Regards
Tim
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MitchmanTX 28 May 2008 21:48
3/4
"judge’s authority wasn’t in dispute because her power as a judge flows from the oath of office rather than the notarized loyalty oath."
This sums it up rather well. Despite who the judge is they will draw the same conclusion that Judge Tunis did. The antics and disgusting tactics Thompson used warrant him to be disbarred. His relentless tenacity to waste the court's time on frivolous, merit less bull manure is just gravy. Porn and stupid drawings is a court file? Thompson should have his head examined by someone other than the mouth breather from his church.
The sad part is his intentions are noble and most people agree that kids should not possess games that are not age appropriate. Where sane people split with him is his attack on the game developers rather than the sellers. Young children (teens) die every day in drunk driving accidents. The police go after the people that the teens get the alcohol from not Budweiser, Scotch makers, Jack Daniels et el. Whereas Thompson attacks Rockstar (and their mother) not Gamestop and other retailers.
Keep chasing those dragons Jack Thompson, your days as Don Quixote are numbered. Judge Tunis didn't do this to you, you brought it on yourself.
This sums it up rather well. Despite who the judge is they will draw the same conclusion that Judge Tunis did. The antics and disgusting tactics Thompson used warrant him to be disbarred. His relentless tenacity to waste the court's time on frivolous, merit less bull manure is just gravy. Porn and stupid drawings is a court file? Thompson should have his head examined by someone other than the mouth breather from his church.
The sad part is his intentions are noble and most people agree that kids should not possess games that are not age appropriate. Where sane people split with him is his attack on the game developers rather than the sellers. Young children (teens) die every day in drunk driving accidents. The police go after the people that the teens get the alcohol from not Budweiser, Scotch makers, Jack Daniels et el. Whereas Thompson attacks Rockstar (and their mother) not Gamestop and other retailers.
Keep chasing those dragons Jack Thompson, your days as Don Quixote are numbered. Judge Tunis didn't do this to you, you brought it on yourself.
DoctorDee 29 May 2008 07:23
4/4
MitchmanTX wrote:
The sad part is his intentions are noble and most people agree that kids should not possess games that are not age appropriate. Where sane people split with him is his attack on the game developers rather than the sellers.
This sums things up quite nicely. As a pro-gamer, I do not now, nor have I ever suggested or believed that all games are suitable for all ages. Indeed, I hold the somewhat controversial opinion that while violent games, movies and song lyrics may not directly cause violence acts, they do contribute to people becoming inured to acts of violence, and a reduction in the perceived sanctity of human life. I think that they facilitate the mindset that enables people to commit atrocities.
I can even see JT's point. Because it's the way I go on Gun Control - stopping these things at source is easier than policing myriad retail outlets. And even if you DO prevent sales of violent games to minors, there are very many parent who will willingly purchase them for their children.
But even though I can acknowledge JT's motives for going for the publishers, his methods are nothing short of ridiculous. The hectoring, the haranguing, the time-wasting and the groundless allegations merely serve to lessen his credibility and weaken his support, even from those who are sympathetic to his underlying intentions.