FIVE KEY COMMODITIES OF ORGANIZED CRIME:
What are the five key commodities which organized crime groups around the world make their largest profits?
Diamonds
Arms
Narcotics
Energy products
Cigarettes
Sunday, June 22, 2008
FROM THE DETECTIVE’S LIBRARY: MCMAFIA
A recent text chronicling international organized crime, MCMAFIA by Misha Glenny, has provided some interesting and educational reading for this true crime buff.
“With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the deregulation of international financial markets in 1989, governments and entrepreneurs alike became intoxicated by forecasts of limitless expansion into newly open markets”.
Did you realize that roughly one-fifth of global GDP is by illegal trade?
While providing a very authoritative look at Russian organized crime, it also presents a compelling narrative on organized – and not so organized – illegal trade throughout other parts of the world, and its impact on our everyday life.
I had not realized the high level of trade in illegal, untaxed cigarettes throughout the world. Having some first hand experience with untaxed cigarettes and the violence that can ensue among dealers, it is no wonder that, on an even higher scale, this is being conducted throughout the world.
What about Israeli organized crime?
I did not know that the Israeli crime syndicates more closely resemble the Sicilian Mafia than its Russian counterparts. The Israeli crime groups are gathered around families, much the same way the Sicilians are.
“When you have crime based on families, then issues such as honor and vendettas come into play,” states Professor Amir, a leading Israeli criminologist.
Gambling had been the traditional industry around which the Israeli crime syndicates gathered and thrived. But in the 1990’s, they branched out and moved into an even more lucrative area. According to the U.S. DEA, the Israeli families continue to be a major element in the transfer of large shipments of Ecstasy from Belgium to the US. Europe is the top manufacturing base for this synthetic narcotic, Ecstasy. The main West European center being Amsterdam, although recently industrial-scale arrests and seizures have been made in Serbia and Bulgaria as well.
A 2003 State Department report indicated that Israel is the hub of global ecstasy trafficking, having branched out from Europe to the United States.
“Israel drug-trafficking organizations are the main source of distribution of the drug to groups in the U.S., using express mail services, commercial airlines, and recently using air cargo services,” the report states. For a country as dependent on American financial, political, and military support, this would seem to be an embarrassment to Israel.
A recent text chronicling international organized crime, MCMAFIA by Misha Glenny, has provided some interesting and educational reading for this true crime buff.
“With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the deregulation of international financial markets in 1989, governments and entrepreneurs alike became intoxicated by forecasts of limitless expansion into newly open markets”.
Did you realize that roughly one-fifth of global GDP is by illegal trade?
While providing a very authoritative look at Russian organized crime, it also presents a compelling narrative on organized – and not so organized – illegal trade throughout other parts of the world, and its impact on our everyday life.
I had not realized the high level of trade in illegal, untaxed cigarettes throughout the world. Having some first hand experience with untaxed cigarettes and the violence that can ensue among dealers, it is no wonder that, on an even higher scale, this is being conducted throughout the world.
What about Israeli organized crime?
I did not know that the Israeli crime syndicates more closely resemble the Sicilian Mafia than its Russian counterparts. The Israeli crime groups are gathered around families, much the same way the Sicilians are.
“When you have crime based on families, then issues such as honor and vendettas come into play,” states Professor Amir, a leading Israeli criminologist.
Gambling had been the traditional industry around which the Israeli crime syndicates gathered and thrived. But in the 1990’s, they branched out and moved into an even more lucrative area. According to the U.S. DEA, the Israeli families continue to be a major element in the transfer of large shipments of Ecstasy from Belgium to the US. Europe is the top manufacturing base for this synthetic narcotic, Ecstasy. The main West European center being Amsterdam, although recently industrial-scale arrests and seizures have been made in Serbia and Bulgaria as well.
A 2003 State Department report indicated that Israel is the hub of global ecstasy trafficking, having branched out from Europe to the United States.
“Israel drug-trafficking organizations are the main source of distribution of the drug to groups in the U.S., using express mail services, commercial airlines, and recently using air cargo services,” the report states. For a country as dependent on American financial, political, and military support, this would seem to be an embarrassment to Israel.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED- NYPD COP KILLERS UP FOR PAROLE
P.O. Carragher, James
Date of Death: 1982-02-11
Command: Housing Authority Police Service Area 1
Cause of Death: Shot Off Duty Robbery
Officer Carragher was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest two suspects that tried to rob him. Officer Carragher had just returned home from his tour of duty and was about eight feet from his building when he was approached by two men with guns. The men attempted to rob Officer Carragher. Officer Carragher drew his weapon and was able to fire five shots before being shot and killed. Officer Carragher had been with the Housing Police Department for 16 years.
P.O. Ryman, Harry
Date of Death: 1980-08-14
Command: 60 Pct.
Cause of Death: Shot-Investigation
Officer Ryman was shot and killed when he attempted to stop three men from stealing his neighbor’s car. Officer Ryman exited his house to investigate a noise at approximately 0340 hours. He confronted three men who were attempting to steal his next door neighbor's car. Officer Ryman identified himself as a police officer and attempted to arrest the three suspects’. One suspect drew a handgun and opened fire, striking Officer Ryman three times in the chest. Before he fell Officer Ryman was able to return fire, striking one suspect in the head. Officer Ryman was removed to Kings County Hospital where he died from his wounds. Two alert Police Officers who were waiting in the emergency room for word on Officer Ryman's condition spotted three men entering the hospital. One man was bleeding from the head. As the officers approached, two of the suspect fled, and after a brief foot pursuit were arrested. The third man was arrested in the emergency room. All three were charged with First-Degree Murder. Officer Ryman, 43, had been with the NYPD for 17 years.
P.O. Sledge, Cecil
Date of Death: 1980-01-28
Command: 69 Pct.
Cause of Death: Shot-Auto Check
Officer Sledge was shot and killed while making a traffic stop in Brooklyn of a suspect wanted for shooting at his girlfriend. He was shot when he approached the vehicle. As he fell to the ground his gunbelt became caught on the car and he was dragged approximately one quarter mile before falling free from the vehicle. The suspect was apprehended after taking an elderly woman hostage in her own home. The suspect, Salvatore DeSarno was on parole at the time of the murder (while he resisted arrest for numerous armed robberies). As a result of Officer Sledge's murder, one man patrols were no longer authorized unless the officer was equipped with a shotgun. Officer Sledge had been with the agency for 12 years. He was 35 years old. He left behind a wife, Linda and 2 children - 3 1/2 year old Richard and 9 month old Corinne.
Each of the killers of these NYPD Police Officer’s comes up for parole in August 2008. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED! If you can help provide any first-hand knowledge of these officers, their actions, or any information that can help in formulating a presentation to the N.Y. State Parole Board on behalf of the official Police Department response, please do so! I am asking you to forward any information, first-hand info of these officers, their actions, etc. to the NY State Parole Board. In the very near future all will be asked to help by sending letters to the Governor and others on the Parole Board urging the parole for these cop killers be denied. Your help and assistance is appreciated in advance.
P.O. Carragher, James
Date of Death: 1982-02-11
Command: Housing Authority Police Service Area 1
Cause of Death: Shot Off Duty Robbery
Officer Carragher was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest two suspects that tried to rob him. Officer Carragher had just returned home from his tour of duty and was about eight feet from his building when he was approached by two men with guns. The men attempted to rob Officer Carragher. Officer Carragher drew his weapon and was able to fire five shots before being shot and killed. Officer Carragher had been with the Housing Police Department for 16 years.
P.O. Ryman, Harry
Date of Death: 1980-08-14
Command: 60 Pct.
Cause of Death: Shot-Investigation
Officer Ryman was shot and killed when he attempted to stop three men from stealing his neighbor’s car. Officer Ryman exited his house to investigate a noise at approximately 0340 hours. He confronted three men who were attempting to steal his next door neighbor's car. Officer Ryman identified himself as a police officer and attempted to arrest the three suspects’. One suspect drew a handgun and opened fire, striking Officer Ryman three times in the chest. Before he fell Officer Ryman was able to return fire, striking one suspect in the head. Officer Ryman was removed to Kings County Hospital where he died from his wounds. Two alert Police Officers who were waiting in the emergency room for word on Officer Ryman's condition spotted three men entering the hospital. One man was bleeding from the head. As the officers approached, two of the suspect fled, and after a brief foot pursuit were arrested. The third man was arrested in the emergency room. All three were charged with First-Degree Murder. Officer Ryman, 43, had been with the NYPD for 17 years.
P.O. Sledge, Cecil
Date of Death: 1980-01-28
Command: 69 Pct.
Cause of Death: Shot-Auto Check
Officer Sledge was shot and killed while making a traffic stop in Brooklyn of a suspect wanted for shooting at his girlfriend. He was shot when he approached the vehicle. As he fell to the ground his gunbelt became caught on the car and he was dragged approximately one quarter mile before falling free from the vehicle. The suspect was apprehended after taking an elderly woman hostage in her own home. The suspect, Salvatore DeSarno was on parole at the time of the murder (while he resisted arrest for numerous armed robberies). As a result of Officer Sledge's murder, one man patrols were no longer authorized unless the officer was equipped with a shotgun. Officer Sledge had been with the agency for 12 years. He was 35 years old. He left behind a wife, Linda and 2 children - 3 1/2 year old Richard and 9 month old Corinne.
Each of the killers of these NYPD Police Officer’s comes up for parole in August 2008. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED! If you can help provide any first-hand knowledge of these officers, their actions, or any information that can help in formulating a presentation to the N.Y. State Parole Board on behalf of the official Police Department response, please do so! I am asking you to forward any information, first-hand info of these officers, their actions, etc. to the NY State Parole Board. In the very near future all will be asked to help by sending letters to the Governor and others on the Parole Board urging the parole for these cop killers be denied. Your help and assistance is appreciated in advance.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Remember...They're Actors!!
These two "Detectives" were recently arrested in separate incidents.
Dennis Farina AKA Law and Order Detective Joe Fontana was arrested at Los Angeles Airport (LAX) for carrying a loaded firearm in his briefcase. His response, "I forgot it was in there". How do you forget you're carrying a loaded weapon? Then, it was later determined that the handgun was unregistered! More charges and a higher bail...This from a retired Police Officer.
Next up we have Gary Dourdan from every real detectives nemesis show CSI who was arrested for DUI and illegal possession of several different controlled substances. More proof of what all law enforcement officers everywhere already know..."it's just an acting role, it doesn't mean they live their lives with integrity and character, something almost all of us do every day".
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Burglary Florida Style
When S. Florida resident Nathan Radlich's house was burgled recently, thieves ignored his wide screen plasma TV, his VCR, and even left his Rolex watch. What they did take, however, was 'a generic white cardboard box filled with a grayish-white powder.' (That's the way the police report described it.) A spokesman for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department said, 'that it looked similar to high grade cocaine and they'd probably thought they'd hit the big time.' Later, Nathan stood in front of the numerous TV cameras and pleaded with the burglars: 'Please return the cremated remains of my sister, Gertrude. She died three years ago.' The next morning, the bullet-riddled corpse of a local drug dealer known as Hoochie Pevens was found on Nathan's doorstep. The cardboard box was there too; about half of Gertrude's ashes remained. Scotch taped to the box was this note which said: 'Hoochie sold us the bogus blow, so we wasted Hoochie. Sorry we snorted your sister. No hard feelings. Have a nice day.'
You really can't make this stuff up!!
When S. Florida resident Nathan Radlich's house was burgled recently, thieves ignored his wide screen plasma TV, his VCR, and even left his Rolex watch. What they did take, however, was 'a generic white cardboard box filled with a grayish-white powder.' (That's the way the police report described it.) A spokesman for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department said, 'that it looked similar to high grade cocaine and they'd probably thought they'd hit the big time.' Later, Nathan stood in front of the numerous TV cameras and pleaded with the burglars: 'Please return the cremated remains of my sister, Gertrude. She died three years ago.' The next morning, the bullet-riddled corpse of a local drug dealer known as Hoochie Pevens was found on Nathan's doorstep. The cardboard box was there too; about half of Gertrude's ashes remained. Scotch taped to the box was this note which said: 'Hoochie sold us the bogus blow, so we wasted Hoochie. Sorry we snorted your sister. No hard feelings. Have a nice day.'
You really can't make this stuff up!!
Sunday, May 04, 2008
OFFICER DOWN
Tour of Duty: 12/1996 - 05/03/2008
Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski
Philadelphia Police Department
End of Watch: Saturday, May 3, 2008
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: 486
Date of Incident: Saturday, May 3, 2008
Authorities said the suspects held up a the Bank of America inside Shop Rite located at Aramingo and Castor Avenues at about 11:45 a.m. A 24th District Police Sergeant, 40-year-old Stephen Liczbinski, was shot by the fleeing gunmen while attempting an arrest in the 2600 block of Schiller Street. Sergeant Liczbinski was taken to Temple University Hospital where he died.
Update:1 perp shot and killed (same one who shot the officer), second shot and wounded and in custody, one still at large.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Philadelphia PD and Sgt. Liczbinski's family.
Tour of Duty: 12/1996 - 05/03/2008
Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski
Philadelphia Police Department
End of Watch: Saturday, May 3, 2008
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: 486
Date of Incident: Saturday, May 3, 2008
Authorities said the suspects held up a the Bank of America inside Shop Rite located at Aramingo and Castor Avenues at about 11:45 a.m. A 24th District Police Sergeant, 40-year-old Stephen Liczbinski, was shot by the fleeing gunmen while attempting an arrest in the 2600 block of Schiller Street. Sergeant Liczbinski was taken to Temple University Hospital where he died.
Update:1 perp shot and killed (same one who shot the officer), second shot and wounded and in custody, one still at large.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Philadelphia PD and Sgt. Liczbinski's family.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
GPS by Phone
A free service for directions by phone is touting itself as the ideal answer for those times when you may have left your GPS at home (or in someone else’s car). According to directions, anyone can get driving directions by calling from their cell phone; Dial 347-328-4667, tell the voice activated service a starting address and destination address, and instantly receive a text message with Mapquest driving directions. According to the company, the service is free and works on all cell phones.You can also check into this at their web site:
www.dialdirections.com/default.html
A free service for directions by phone is touting itself as the ideal answer for those times when you may have left your GPS at home (or in someone else’s car). According to directions, anyone can get driving directions by calling from their cell phone; Dial 347-328-4667, tell the voice activated service a starting address and destination address, and instantly receive a text message with Mapquest driving directions. According to the company, the service is free and works on all cell phones.You can also check into this at their web site:
www.dialdirections.com/default.html
Sunday, February 10, 2008
“WHAT NUMBER IS THIS?
”If you need to know what number you are calling from, whether it be a land phone or a cell phone, you can try the following. Dial: 800-444-4444. You will hear an MCI recorded message giving you the phone number you are calling from. It doesn’t work on VOIP or internet phones, though.
”If you need to know what number you are calling from, whether it be a land phone or a cell phone, you can try the following. Dial: 800-444-4444. You will hear an MCI recorded message giving you the phone number you are calling from. It doesn’t work on VOIP or internet phones, though.
INTERESTING WEB SITE
If you use a computer, you surely use Google to conduct searches. There are ways to search sites, links, date ranges, etc. which may increase the effectiveness of your search. A quick “cheat sheet” provided at Google can be found at:
www.google.com/help/cheatsheet.html
Check it out, it could be quite helpful.
If you use a computer, you surely use Google to conduct searches. There are ways to search sites, links, date ranges, etc. which may increase the effectiveness of your search. A quick “cheat sheet” provided at Google can be found at:
www.google.com/help/cheatsheet.html
Check it out, it could be quite helpful.
LOOK FOR THE OBVIOUS
Recently, a corporate investigations firm was hired to review and audit payments made during renovations at a construction site. Reviewing the amount of money paid for work on the buildings water tank, the auditors began the process of going over the itemized bill. Work performed to drain, clean, and repair, then paint and refill the tank were closely reviewed. Some of the items the team wanted to examine, as good investigators conducting a forensic audit, included comparison for the amount paid for the work involved relative to similar work by other firms. Was therre substandard paint applied? Was the tank painted before repairs were made? Was the tank even painted at all? While others began the tedious accounting task of auditing the billing procedures, one of the more experienced, “street-detectives”, went out and performed the obvious: was there even a water tank on the roof of the building? You guessed it – the firm was being billed for work on a water tank that didn’t even exist!
Recently, a corporate investigations firm was hired to review and audit payments made during renovations at a construction site. Reviewing the amount of money paid for work on the buildings water tank, the auditors began the process of going over the itemized bill. Work performed to drain, clean, and repair, then paint and refill the tank were closely reviewed. Some of the items the team wanted to examine, as good investigators conducting a forensic audit, included comparison for the amount paid for the work involved relative to similar work by other firms. Was therre substandard paint applied? Was the tank painted before repairs were made? Was the tank even painted at all? While others began the tedious accounting task of auditing the billing procedures, one of the more experienced, “street-detectives”, went out and performed the obvious: was there even a water tank on the roof of the building? You guessed it – the firm was being billed for work on a water tank that didn’t even exist!
Monday, December 10, 2007
IN MEMORIAM: Palm Beach County Florida:
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Jonathan Wallace Deputy Donta Manuel
November 28, 2007 D/S's Wallace and Manuel were tragically killed during the pursuit of a stolen vehicle. Deputy Wallace was 23 years old and had been on the job less than two years. Deputy Manuel was 33 years old and had 13 years experience. They both leave behind loving families and thousands of others grieving.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Jonathan Wallace Deputy Donta Manuel
November 28, 2007 D/S's Wallace and Manuel were tragically killed during the pursuit of a stolen vehicle. Deputy Wallace was 23 years old and had been on the job less than two years. Deputy Manuel was 33 years old and had 13 years experience. They both leave behind loving families and thousands of others grieving.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
HOMICIDE GLOSSARY
Cadaveric spasm or shock- the stiffening and rigidity of a group of muscles immediately after death, a kind of instant rigor mortis, a muscle phenomenon in which some muscles of the body become stiff instantly, rather than in the usual two to eight hours normal rigor takes to develop.
Contact wound- a star shaped wound that occurs when a firearm is pressed against the body and fired. The gasses expands under the skin and bursts away from the body.
Paterred injuries- reflects the identity of wounding object (hammer blows).
Petechial hemorrhages- small pin-like hemorrhaging under skin and membrane lining of the eyelids, usually noticeable in asphyxia related homicides. Also seen on the inside of lips.
Stippling- pinpoint hemorrhaging due to the burned gunpowder discharged from a firearm, usually indicates proximity of firearm to victim.
Cadaveric spasm or shock- the stiffening and rigidity of a group of muscles immediately after death, a kind of instant rigor mortis, a muscle phenomenon in which some muscles of the body become stiff instantly, rather than in the usual two to eight hours normal rigor takes to develop.
Contact wound- a star shaped wound that occurs when a firearm is pressed against the body and fired. The gasses expands under the skin and bursts away from the body.
Paterred injuries- reflects the identity of wounding object (hammer blows).
Petechial hemorrhages- small pin-like hemorrhaging under skin and membrane lining of the eyelids, usually noticeable in asphyxia related homicides. Also seen on the inside of lips.
Stippling- pinpoint hemorrhaging due to the burned gunpowder discharged from a firearm, usually indicates proximity of firearm to victim.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
“Can You Believe?”
I recently saw a story announcing the new candidates for the “Stella Awards”. For those unfamiliar with these awards, they are named after 81-year-old Stella Liebeck, who spilled hot coffee on herself and successfully sued the McDonald's in New Mexico where she purchased the coffee. You remember, she took the lid off the coffee and put it between her knees while she was driving. Who would ever think one could get burned doing that, right?
7th Place: Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas was awarded $80,000 by a jury after breaking her ankle after tripping over a toddler who was running inside a furniture store. The store owners were understandably surprised by the verdict, considering the running toddler was her own son.
6th Place: Carl Truman, 19, of Los Angeles, California won $74,000 plus medical expenses when his neighbor ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Truman apparently didn't notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he was trying to steal his neighbor's hubcaps.
5th Place: Terrence Dickson, of Bristol, Pennsylvania was leaving a house he had just burglarized by way of the garage. Unfortunately for Dickson, the automatic garage door opener malfunctioned and he could not get the garage door to open. Worse, he couldn't re-enter the house because the door connecting the garage to the house locked when Dickson pulled it shut. Forced to subsist for days on a case of Pepsi and a large bag of dry dog food, he sued the homeowner's insurance company claiming undue mental anguish. Amazingly, the jury said the insurance company must pay Dickson $500,000 for his anguish.
4th Place: Jerry Williams, of Little Rock, Arkansas, garnered 4th place in the Stella's when he was awarded $14,500 plus medical expenses after being bitten on the butt by his next door neighbor's beagle, even though the beagle was on a chain in its owner's fenced yard. Williams did not get as much as he asked for because the jury believed the beagle might have been provoked at the time of the bite because Williams had climbed over the fence into the yard and repeatedly shot the dog with a pellet gun.
3rd Place: Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, because a jury ordered a Philadelphia restaurant to pay her $113,500 after she slipped on a spilled soft drink and broke her tailbone (coccyx). The reason the soft drink was on the floor: Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument. What ever happened to people being responsible for their own actions?
2nd Place: Kara Walton, of Claymont, Delaware sued the owner of a night club in a nearby city because she fell from the bathroom window to the floor, knocking out her two front teeth. Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the ladies room window to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge at the time. The jury awarded her $12,000, plus dental expenses.
1st Place: This year's runaway 1st place Stella Award winner was Mrs. Merv Grazinski, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma who purchased a new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, from an OU football game, having driven on to the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's seat to go to the back of the Winnebago to make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the motor home left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Also not surprisingly, Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not putting in the owner's manual that she couldn't actually leave the driver's seat while the cruise control was set! The Oklahoma jury awarded her $1,750,000 PLUS a new motor home. Winnebago actually changed their manuals as a result of this suit, just in case Mrs. Grazinski has any relatives who might also buy a motor home.
Note:While I do believe that this actually happened, I cannot say that it happened recent enough to be in “this year’s” stories. Regardless, they certainly are funny, believable in this litigious society of sue anyone you can, and printed here for entertainment, and not as a Law Review subject matter.
I recently saw a story announcing the new candidates for the “Stella Awards”. For those unfamiliar with these awards, they are named after 81-year-old Stella Liebeck, who spilled hot coffee on herself and successfully sued the McDonald's in New Mexico where she purchased the coffee. You remember, she took the lid off the coffee and put it between her knees while she was driving. Who would ever think one could get burned doing that, right?
7th Place: Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas was awarded $80,000 by a jury after breaking her ankle after tripping over a toddler who was running inside a furniture store. The store owners were understandably surprised by the verdict, considering the running toddler was her own son.
6th Place: Carl Truman, 19, of Los Angeles, California won $74,000 plus medical expenses when his neighbor ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Truman apparently didn't notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he was trying to steal his neighbor's hubcaps.
5th Place: Terrence Dickson, of Bristol, Pennsylvania was leaving a house he had just burglarized by way of the garage. Unfortunately for Dickson, the automatic garage door opener malfunctioned and he could not get the garage door to open. Worse, he couldn't re-enter the house because the door connecting the garage to the house locked when Dickson pulled it shut. Forced to subsist for days on a case of Pepsi and a large bag of dry dog food, he sued the homeowner's insurance company claiming undue mental anguish. Amazingly, the jury said the insurance company must pay Dickson $500,000 for his anguish.
4th Place: Jerry Williams, of Little Rock, Arkansas, garnered 4th place in the Stella's when he was awarded $14,500 plus medical expenses after being bitten on the butt by his next door neighbor's beagle, even though the beagle was on a chain in its owner's fenced yard. Williams did not get as much as he asked for because the jury believed the beagle might have been provoked at the time of the bite because Williams had climbed over the fence into the yard and repeatedly shot the dog with a pellet gun.
3rd Place: Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, because a jury ordered a Philadelphia restaurant to pay her $113,500 after she slipped on a spilled soft drink and broke her tailbone (coccyx). The reason the soft drink was on the floor: Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument. What ever happened to people being responsible for their own actions?
2nd Place: Kara Walton, of Claymont, Delaware sued the owner of a night club in a nearby city because she fell from the bathroom window to the floor, knocking out her two front teeth. Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the ladies room window to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge at the time. The jury awarded her $12,000, plus dental expenses.
1st Place: This year's runaway 1st place Stella Award winner was Mrs. Merv Grazinski, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma who purchased a new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, from an OU football game, having driven on to the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's seat to go to the back of the Winnebago to make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the motor home left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Also not surprisingly, Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not putting in the owner's manual that she couldn't actually leave the driver's seat while the cruise control was set! The Oklahoma jury awarded her $1,750,000 PLUS a new motor home. Winnebago actually changed their manuals as a result of this suit, just in case Mrs. Grazinski has any relatives who might also buy a motor home.
Note:While I do believe that this actually happened, I cannot say that it happened recent enough to be in “this year’s” stories. Regardless, they certainly are funny, believable in this litigious society of sue anyone you can, and printed here for entertainment, and not as a Law Review subject matter.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
REMINDER
I will post your thoughts and stories (if appropriate) to this site. Email me at chas1133@bellsouth.net
I will post your thoughts and stories (if appropriate) to this site. Email me at chas1133@bellsouth.net
Monday, May 07, 2007
BROOKLYN
Old Brooklynites (and neighboring areas) understand. If you ain't from Brooklyn, just forget this; you wouldn't understand. Some is for older, some is for younger. You're truly from Brooklyn if you can relate to any of the following:
1. Alternate side of the street parking.
2. Ate at Chock Full O' Nuts Shops (date nut bread and powdered donuts that were crunchy).
3. Ate dinner every Sunday night at Fong Fongs on Church Avenue.
4. Ate Italian food at Collaro's on Coney Island Ave.
5. Bought bobka at the original Ebingers on Flatbush Avenue, or at Butterbun on Nostrand Ave. 6. Bought Ebinger's Black-Out Cake (and didn't count the calories)
7. Bought knishes from Mrs. Stahls in Brighton, or Ruby the Kinish Man.
8. Bought knishes on the beach and didn't mind the sand.
9. Bought pickles out of a barrel. The salt made you pucker.
10.Can name all the Brooklyn High Schools. Just try and do that today (impossible).
11.Don't speak with an accent - everybody else does.
12.Drove over the Marine Park Bridge for a 10-cent toll, and Brooklyn Battery Tunnel for 35 cents.
13.Everybody knows somebody from the neighborhood, even if it is your mother's cousin's son-in-law's sister's boyfriend.
14.Got a "Kitchen Sink" at Jahn's.
15.Got a J.D. card and feeling like Al Capone.
16.Had a prom date at the Club Elegante.
17.Had roller skates with keys.
18.Hand ball in the park.
19.Hit two sewers in punch ball.
20.It's not the "shore", its the "beach" idiot.
21.Kings Plaza.... how come we get the crappy mall?
22.Knew who the neighborhood wise guy was, but you'd never tell the cops.
Want to see more of these pearls? http://www.brooklyn-usa.org/Pages/Remberberwhen.htm
Reprinted from the official Brooklyn Borough President's Website.
Old Brooklynites (and neighboring areas) understand. If you ain't from Brooklyn, just forget this; you wouldn't understand. Some is for older, some is for younger. You're truly from Brooklyn if you can relate to any of the following:
1. Alternate side of the street parking.
2. Ate at Chock Full O' Nuts Shops (date nut bread and powdered donuts that were crunchy).
3. Ate dinner every Sunday night at Fong Fongs on Church Avenue.
4. Ate Italian food at Collaro's on Coney Island Ave.
5. Bought bobka at the original Ebingers on Flatbush Avenue, or at Butterbun on Nostrand Ave. 6. Bought Ebinger's Black-Out Cake (and didn't count the calories)
7. Bought knishes from Mrs. Stahls in Brighton, or Ruby the Kinish Man.
8. Bought knishes on the beach and didn't mind the sand.
9. Bought pickles out of a barrel. The salt made you pucker.
10.Can name all the Brooklyn High Schools. Just try and do that today (impossible).
11.Don't speak with an accent - everybody else does.
12.Drove over the Marine Park Bridge for a 10-cent toll, and Brooklyn Battery Tunnel for 35 cents.
13.Everybody knows somebody from the neighborhood, even if it is your mother's cousin's son-in-law's sister's boyfriend.
14.Got a "Kitchen Sink" at Jahn's.
15.Got a J.D. card and feeling like Al Capone.
16.Had a prom date at the Club Elegante.
17.Had roller skates with keys.
18.Hand ball in the park.
19.Hit two sewers in punch ball.
20.It's not the "shore", its the "beach" idiot.
21.Kings Plaza.... how come we get the crappy mall?
22.Knew who the neighborhood wise guy was, but you'd never tell the cops.
Want to see more of these pearls? http://www.brooklyn-usa.org/Pages/Remberberwhen.htm
Reprinted from the official Brooklyn Borough President's Website.
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