The Quad City Times which has quite an extensive readership in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois did an article on the Seafarers Action against me today. I have place the article on the Seamen's Justice Center web page at:
http://seafarersrankandfile.typepad.com/seajustice
I finally found an attorney that is willing to give me some guidance at an hourly rate of $200 dollars. That means I can afford him for 2 1/2 hours with the present funds I have in my Defense Fund. The Total collected so far is $550 dollars of which I have expended so far, 50 dollars. This amount was from the generous donations of a Retired Radio Officer and an SIU seaman and his mother.
Again, I ask everyone who has an interest in Justice to give what you can, if you can. If you can't , I understand. I realize the monetary pressures that we all feel today, especially when living on a fixed income.
My goal is to come up with $5,000 dollars(its a lofty goal, but if I do then I can successfully defend against this S.L.A.P.P. suit. The lawyer that I counseled with believes that the case is without merit. A union cannot be defamed and the things I printed on the web for informational purposes are protected by the first amendment , so says the Supreme Court of the United States.
In order for them to prevail they are going to have to prove malice toward ? who? I do not know that question yet as their pleadings are so vague as to be unanswerable. Until they identify the officer who they think has been defamed their suit has no buttons, so to speak. Of course there will be a counterclaim!!
Perhaps the SIU will publish the link to this blog, since Jordan Biscardo and John Sacco both visited the site today trying to crack into my computer.
If you look at the case law filed under Landrum Griffin you will find that it is impossible to slander a union president.
Your state may have an anti-slapp law that allows you to strike the complaint by filing one motion.
If you think about it, you have them by the balls (except for the fact you have no money). You can ask for discovery of virtually every piece of financial data in your union/international to prove your suit.
I would call your local FBI office and ask for the agent that handles union matters. Ask if they will front (or reccommend) a lawyer for you. They may be interested in looking at the books of your union thru the lens of your lawsuit.
It may not work but it is worth a try.
Go to the local university legal department. They may take the case to train the graduates. Post a notice at the university legal school asking for help.
Above all, answer the suit as best you can.
Posted by: unionnow | July 13, 2003 at 05:10 PM