| ► Wapakoneta News – 05/31/01 – Palmer takes on Quixotic joust with Ohio judges – Editorial |
 |
 |
|
Wapakoneta News – May 31, 2001 – Palmer takes on Quixotic joust with Ohio judges – Editorial A retired U.S. Army court reporter has taken on a Don Quixote-like mission that requires no love of classic literature to enjoy – just some old-fashioned pleasure in watching a little guy take on a big system.
This is no jousting at windmills that Powell-based David Palmer is undertaking. The head of a one-man Committee to Expose Dishonest and Incompetent Attorneys and Judges, he recently filed theft-in-office complaints against nine retired judges in Franklin County Municipal Court.
Palmer claims the judges overbilled counties where they had served as visiting judges – a task that retired judges routinely take on in counties where there might be a shortage of judges to when they are assigned to a case by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer.
The retired judges overbilled 32 counties up to $40,000 in stipends, meals and lodging, says Palmer, who adds that he plans to filed additional suits against about 40 other judges.
“I’m going to keep doing this until I bring them to their knees,” Palmer told the Associated Press, adding that his goal is to “get rid of every dishonest judge if I possibly can.”
Don’t dismiss this man as a crank spitting into the wind. As a result of Palmer’s work, three judges have reimbursed the state. And two others who have not yet been targeted by Palmer also have mailed in reimbursement checks.
Explained one of these judges: I certainly didn’t intent to put the wrong expenses down. It wasn’t anything intentional. I’m an honest guy. Meantime, I heard about this guy in the Columbus area and I wanted to avoid any difficulty with him.”
Wow. This guy has the judicial system’s attention – and he’s just begun.
If only we could buy tickets for this show; everybody loves to watch somebody take on City Hall – or the halls of justice – and win.
Go, Mr. Palmer.
|