I might pay to see this
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
A federal judge on Monday ordered the arrests of two former political operatives of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan for failing to appear for depositions in a lawsuit filed by Madigan’s opponent in the 2016 election.
Joseph Nasella and Michael Kuba were each found in contempt of court by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly, who authorized deputy marshals to “use necessary and reasonable force” in making the arrests, court records show. […]
Gonzales’ attorney, Anthony Peraica, said Monday that Nasella and Kuba were each given notice of their depositions by multiple means — including in person, by certified letter, by email and even via Facebook. […]
Once he learns of their arrests, Peraica said, he plans to take their statements under oath while they still are in custody.
Emphasis added.
* Meanwhile…
Madigan’s personal attorney, Heather Wier Vaught, on Monday said Madigan’s political organization, Friends of Michael J. Madigan, did not employ Kuba. Wier Vaught said Nasella had been paid “small payments” for working for the campaigns of state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, and state Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, in 2018. She said he had been “dismissed,” but did not disclose why.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:32 am:
The heavy-handed oafishness of the 13th Ward crew has certainly made for a long-running, sweet payday for Peraica.
Not exactly a Velvet Hammer operation in the 13th. More like peeling a grape with an ax.
Sure, you peeled the grape — but were your extreme methods really necessary to do the job? You would have beat Gonzo doing virtually nothing.
Now noted legal eagle and political genius Peraica has you tied up in court for years, with a steady drip-drip-drip of bad press. Was that part of the 3D Chessmaster’s plan for his image campaign?
- 19th Ward Guy - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:33 am:
Agree. Fascinating stuff. But what’s the end game? By that I mean, if he prevails— fine, restraining order . . .?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:39 am:
–But what’s the end game?–
Peraica? More publicity. More getting paid.
- A guy - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:48 am:
==Now noted legal eagle and political genius Peraica==
I had to be resuscitated after reading that…lol I know you jest. This was funny.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:50 am:
A lot of effort dedicated to getting statements of those that are clearly not the brains of the operation.
- Steve - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:52 am:
The goal here is rather simple. Tony Peraica is setting up a perjury trap. Tony will make sure all testimony is handed over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
- Gooner - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:56 am:
Note that he referenced “in custody” rather than “in prison or jail.”
If Peraica wants the depositions to go in a conference room at Dirksen, with marshalls outside the door, that would make a lot of sense. These guys evaded the deps, so keep them there until they are done.
However, if he’s thinking of doing it at the jail, that’s a different matter. Depositions in jails are miserable for all concerned. While Peraia may get video of them in prison clothes, it does not make up for the overall hassles, including very real security issues, of jail depositions.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:08 am:
==Agree. Fascinating stuff. But what’s the end game? By that I mean, if he prevails— fine, restraining order . . .?==
I was wondering that too. The so called sham candidates’votes get nullified? Their votes go to Gonzales? The whole race gets done over?
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:19 am:
If it’s true, that state records show that canvassers Kuba and Nazella have been paid by Madigan controlled political funds, then isn’t that the money shot right there?
What enlightenment could be gained by arresting these people?
- Rudy's teeth - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:40 am:
Calling Michael Kasper…on the landline, of course.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 1:06 pm:
Maybe they can get Kim Foxx to dismiss these charges
- TrumpsSmallHands - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 1:34 pm:
– Steve @ 10:52 AM - The goal here is rather simple. Tony Peraica is setting up a perjury trap. Tony will make sure all testimony is handed over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Civil perjury is almost never prosecuted, cases outside of the Clinton impeachment are exceedingly rare. Unless there is another state or federal investigation going on in parallel I don’t see how this case creates a perjury trap with any real consequences.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 1:50 pm:
===Civil perjury is almost never prosecuted===
And federal judges almost never order the US Marshall to arrest some low-level types who’ve dodged a civil subpoena. This case is different in many, many ways.
- Gooner - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:33 pm:
Regarding the arrest warrant –
We see it where a judge is putting pressure on parties to close discovery and they can’t get the witnesses they need.
Asking the judge to issue the order keeps the judge happy knowing the parties are trying to move the case forward. If you haven’t asked for the order, the judge is likely to shut down discovery.
It is not commmon, but a threat of it is not unuaual. Usually the threat will do it.