McLaughlin earns honor for judicial professionalism

I know the judge from the days he was a "sage brush attorney" his words. I remember his appointment as a Judge years ago. He is a man of character, integrity and faith. One of the few I deeply respect and trust. I remember his very first capital punishment case. He was moved to do the right thing even though as a human he hurt. What a man, what a judge! I would stand any day before him knowing Judge Mclauglin would do make the right call. I have some experience at this.

Chaplain,Tom Westall,USAF (Ret.)

Judge Michael R. McLaughlin would not have received an award for professionalism if it had been the attorneys, who have to practice in front of him, rather than other judges, who only see his best side, who voted for the Granata award. Like Tom Westall, I have also known Mike since he was a "sagebrush attorney" but unlike Tom I have seen both sides of McLaughlin.

Certainly Mike can be charming and put on a good show when he wants to; as he has for Darla Williamson, Ron Wilpur and Tom Westall as well as others. At the same time he can be moody and unpredictable, he has been abusive and needlessly bullies attorneys and he meddles as he did when the Fourth District Judges voted him out as administrative judge in 2001. Worst of all I have seen him needlessly torpedo cases depriving parties of their Constitutional due process rights.

McLaughlin's selection for the Granata Award is not so much a credit for him as a further condemnation of the Idaho State Judiciary

The real news about Judge Michael McLaughlin is not that he won the Granata Award; it's the stuff the Mountain Home News won't print! Those of us who really know the guy are not surprised that he could bamboozle a few of his fellow judges. If the Nobel Foundation ever institutes a prize for brown nosing Mike McLaughlin will probably be the first winner!

What the MHN ought to be writing about are all the times McLaughlin has insulted and humiliated people who have appeared in front of him for little or no reason. Some of the bonehead decisions he has made, that apparently reflect his own preferences as opposed to the facts and the law, would make another great story. Finally, I recall a few totally outrageous rulings he made that dovetailed perfectly with a corrupt scheme on the part of local law enforcement. Wouldn't we all like to know what the truth was on that? Of course after the whitewash and later suppression of the story on former Police Chief Tom Berry's antics I am not holding my breath for the paper to tell us the truth about McLaughlin!

PUBLIC TRUST?

2010 I had to sue an attorney for breech of duty. Wilper was the judge who dismissed my case...ProSe...two massive rotator cuff injuries at a city sponsored event. I was in an accident requiring a short term disability and fell one month behind on payments. was told I had to be 90 days late to qualify for a modification. after 90 days I applied for the modification and they lost my application...several times until they held a foreclosure sale. I filed a verified complaint to try to stop the sale of my primary residence which I built my self at a value of 450,000.00. I served them at the sale as I was trying to delay.I had resent my application by request. They continued the sale and the Cryer was coached over the phone that she had no liability., long story short(er), Fannie Mae who already owned the note and sold it to investors was the only one at the sale and offered a credit bid, July 2011. Fannie Mae sued for a unlawful detainer claim. I had a case pending in Federal Court now and the magistrate issued a writ of restitution to evict me from my home with out a hearing on the merits of my case. I appealed and won a stay and paid a Bond until the completion of my appeal. McLaughlin come out of nowhere and took over the case. He held a hearing and just familiarized himself with the case, holding 250 pages of discovery from the federal case in hand denied me a trial denovo, rescheduled another hearing and ruled in favor of the Plaintiff. I appealed it to the Supreme court and McLaughlin would not let it get filed, issued a new writ of restitution. I petitioned the supreme court for a writ of assistance to force the court to file my (timely appeal) and it got filed. I was able to stop the new eviction. A new hearing was scheduled with short notice and I motioned to reschedule. no notice of vacating was sent so I appeared at the hearing. and the court room was locked. Fannies attorney showed up and she called...the clerk looked around, went back in. Then she returned and said McLaughlin had "vacated last night"! Another hearing was held and he ruled in favor of Fannie Mae, refusing to hear the merits of my case. McLaughlin's claim my case was frivolous went to a Staff attorney at the Supreme Court encouraging dismissal. McLaughlin made at least 6 false statements in the Memorandum Decision misleading the supreme court staff attorney who recommended dismissal. I had just discovered McLaughlin was the co-director of the Supreme Court education Department...go figure...This is a just a small part of the FACTs (in the record). Oh I filed the same 250 pages of discovery in my complaint against the Servicer OCWEN from which Idaho got 3 million in a settlement for wrongful foreclosure and I got just under 1,200.00. I filed a 60(b), new evidence in Federal Court and was sanctioned and denied. I turned it over to God as I was instructed in the scriptures. I am praying for justice AND for MCLAUGHLIN...two years later still fighting. House has been sold twice...4000, square feet, self built home, 250,000.00 equity...I hear that Idaho Judges retirement 401k heavy in Mortgage Backed securities...just sayin...Homelessness