Even State Courts Getting Skeptical About Prenda
from the quash-them dept
We've talked a few times about Prenda's big bag of tricks in trying to get contact information associated with IP addresses by any means necessary. Lately, that's meant filing questionable "hacking" (not copyright) cases in state court -- especially in St. Clair County, Illinois, which is currently enmeshed in a giant drug scandal -- where a named defendant is "sued" but the focus is on identifying people associated with a variety of IP addresses named as co-conspirators (but not named as defendants). In one such case, officially for "LW Systems," but involving the same crew of Prenda folks, the court has now put the brakes on the subpoenas, quashing them at the request of various ISPs and John Does associated with the IP addresses.The "defendant" in this case, Christopher Hubbard is represented by Adam Urbanczyk, who, in previous cases, was accused by the judge of being "in bed together" with Team Prenda, for not opposing any sort of discovery. In an altogether different case, yet with some similarities to the one at hand, a defendant admitted to the court that he had agreed to be a named defendant and take a dive in not opposing discovery as part of his own "settlement."
In this case, the judge, Andrew Gleeson, clearly suspected something was up and said that he wanted to know more about the ownership and control of LW Systems. Gleeson also said that he was aware of Judge Wright's famous order in the Prenda case in California, as well as the Delvan Neville deposition in the First Time Videos case in Florida, which presents an awful lot of evidence that John Steele is uploading the videos himself, and setting them to encourage downloading -- which would certainly call into question what sort of "hacking" went on to access the files.
At the very least, Gleeson has also granted the motions to quash the subpoenas, meaning that "LW Systems" doesn't get the information it's been seeking.
Gleeson said he had questions about the complaint and ownership of plaintiff – LW Systems.While it's not a resounding push back on Team Prenda, it certainly suggests that one of the few courts in the country that was still a "friendly" home for their cases is now growing skeptical as well.
“I think I need to be careful…,” Gleeson said. “This is major litigation that will take years to go through.”
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Filed Under: adam urbanczyk, christopher hubbard, prenda, quashed, st. clair county, subpoenas
Companies: lw systems, prenda, prenda law
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The gift that keeps on giving
It's no wonder they tried to get him kicked off the case, and throw a fit anytime a judge allows Wright's ruling to be entered into any of their cases, they have got to hate that guy.
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Actually, Adam has been sitting in the gallery and did not say anything when the judge first asked if a defendant's counsel was present. Only when one of the numerous Doe defense lawyers pointed at Adam and said "it's him," the judge addressed Urbanczyk: "are you defense counsel?" Adam replied only "yes," he did not say his name.
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He didn't identify himself as Adam Urbanczyk but he did identify himself, when asked, as defense counsel.
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I am sure the fact that various Does defence lawyers had to point Adam out to have it known he was there reminded Judge Gleeson just who it was he was dealing with and I am sure that flashback of collusion popped into his mind.
One has to wonder if Judge Gleeson might be thinking sanctions might be in order for Prenda and good old Adam for his co-operation with the plaintiff while sacrificing his supposed client.
Would anyone be surprised if Judge Gleeson reaches the same collusion that there is an element of Collusion in this case?
If Judge Gleeson comes down on Prenda, I would suspect he will recommended Adam be investigated by the State Bar, and that will be painful especially if they look at the other Prenda case were collusion was suspected.
Adam might be lucky if he escapes with a licence at all if he is referred to the state bar.
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Well thats where you went wrong, he isn't defending anyone... his "client" more than likely has a golden ticket to walk away already.
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Seriously though, I can only assume that the only people willing to hire him are those that haven't done even the simplest research, as even a simple search of his name in any search engine should provide more than enough reasons not to have that guy represent you.
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It is because of
1) all the attention the drug scandal brought to this corrupt court;
2) when there is more than a dozen attorneys from all over the state (and even out of state), and every one tells the same thing — "this case is a brazen fraud" — even the most hardbutted judge (and Gleeson is seemingly not the most hardbutted) would be cautious;
3) the IL Supreme court is keeping an eye on the Prenda developments, swinging a ruler, getting ready to slap....
So if not for all this pressure, I'm afraid that willful blindness would persist. How a judge would rule if the "plaintiff"'s counsel is a former Bar President, Kevin Hoerner, whom he knows and socializes with, and all these annoying truth seekers come and go?
Prenda and this stinking hole, St. Clair County court, have been destined to find each other.
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Ever since Judge Wright's order brought how much is wrong with Prenda cases and those associated with them to light on the findings by Syfert, Pietz and Rannalo, it has been downhill for them since.
The courts are starting to see that any case with Prenda Law is suspect and to have a look at the supporting documents filed in support of them.
Steele, Duffy and Hansmeier's days of Porn Trolling lawsuits are starting to crash down on them. The mere fact that they are trying to change Law Firm names, client names, enitity and LLC names and ownership structure are going to be all for nothing.
The more you peel the layer of an onion the more it stinks, which is what you have with anything Steele, Duffy and Hansmeier seem to touch.
I doubt there new name and new filings are going to be successful as well when defenses lawyers start pointing out how these cases are connected with those who used to run with the gang from Prenda Law.
Steele, Duffy and Hansmeier are still facing all sorts of issues with Mr.Harris and the fact that their hired craiglist counsel in Arizona still must answer the Judges Questions about Prenda and those connected with that litigation and it's so called "client".
The fact that Judge Gleeson put the breaks on Prenda's grifting -er- I mean settlement letter scheme means that bastion of sanctity that they found in St.Clair County may come to a screeching halt.
Let's hope this failure to go forward in this County Court is a window on things to come in other courts across the country. John may have to go back to chasing ambulances if Prenda's newest creating law firm isn't able to get far in new litigation because of past deeds
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