Posted on 03/21/2008 4:53:50 PM PDT by TAdams8591
PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE FOR CONSTITUIONAL JUSTICE P.O. 306, Cheltenham, PA 19012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Don Adams
CLINTON PROTESTERS AND TEAMSTERS END TEN YEAR LEGAL BATTLE
Philadelphia, PA (March 21, 2008) -- One of the few remaining civil suits stemming from the Clinton-era Lewinsky scandal—involving the vicious beating of two anti-Clinton siblings by pro-Clinton Teamsters outside Philadelphia’s City Hall during a 1998 presidential visit—settled out of court today.
The victims, Don Adams and Teri Adams, signed an agreement after Teamsters Local 115 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters opted to pay an undisclosed sum in exchange for dropping the suit, which included counts of assault, defamation of character, and malicious prosecution against the unions. A May, 2008 trial had been set by the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
“Today, my sister and I are declaring victory for the First Amendment and freedom of speech,” said Mr. Adams. “Every American citizen has the right to protest the actions of any U. S. President, whether he, or she, be a Clinton or a Bush.”
The October 2, 1998 attack occurred as Mr. Adams marched with a sign calling Bill Clinton a “liar, pervert, national shame.” Two Teamsters snuck up behind him and ripped the sign out of his hand. When he and his sister turned around to retrieve it, they were encircled by a mob of Teamsters led by (then) Local 115 officer and IBT Vice President, John Morris.
Mr. Morris rammed a fedora over Mr. Adams’ face, blinding him to the onslaught of Teamsters who proceeded to jump and pummel both Adamses.
Mr. Adams suffered head injuries (including a mild concussion), lacerations, bruising, and a herniated (neck) disc. He was treated at an area hospital. Ms. Adams, who tried to protect her brother, was bruised but not seriously injured.
The attack was captured on videotape by local news stations and broadcast nationally at a time when (then) Mayor Ed Rendell was trying to attract both the 2000 Democratic and Republican National Conventions to the “City of Brotherly Love.”
Mr. Rendell’s spokesman, Kevin Feeley, caused a public uproar when he responded to the incident by saying, “they [the anti-Clinton protestors] chose to make their views known in the faces of Teamsters—that, generally, is not a good career choice.”
(more) Clinton Protesters Page 2
Mr. Rendell subsequently admitted to inviting the Teamsters to the pro-Clinton rally— instructing them to “drown out [anti-Clinton] protesters.”
For his part, Mr. Morris spoke on camera to Bill Baldini of Channel 10 News—accusing Mr. Adams of hitting two female Teamsters and of belonging to the mafia.
District Attorney Lynne Abraham, who refused to criminally charge Mr. Morris for signaling the attack, prosecuted Mr. Adams on a trumped-up private criminal complaint lodged by Teamster Heather Diocson—despite news video evidence and police testimony exculpating Mr. Adams.
At Adams’ arraignment in January, 1999, Teamster attorney, Norton Brainard, offered to have the criminal complaint against Mr. Adams withdrawn on the condition that Mr. Adams drop his criminal allegations against the Teamsters. Mr. Adams declined the deal and was put on trial in July, 1999. He was found not guilty of simple assault and other misdemeanors. Mr. Adams was the only individual to stand trial in the entire matter.
In October, 2000, the Adamses filed a Federal Civil Rights suit—not only naming the Teamsters—but also Mr. Rendell and Ms. Abraham. All counts against Ms. Abraham were eventually rejected by the court on grounds of prosecutorial immunity.
In August, 2003, Federal Judge William Yohn dismissed the Adamses’ Civil Rights claims with prejudice—throwing the case out of Federal Court. In his decision, Judge Yohn set aside all federal charges against Mr. Rendell. The state counts against Rendell and the Teamsters, however, stayed in tact. The Adamses quickly appealed Judge Yohn’s ruling to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals and cross-filed their claims in state court.
Because Mr. Rendell’s wife, Marjorie Rendell, sat on the 3rd Circuit bench, the Adamses’ attorney, Trey Mayfield, asked the entire 3rd Circuit to recuse itself. After a long delay, the appellate court appointed an outside panel of judges to hear the case. In 2006, the panel upheld Judge Yohn’s ruling.
The Adamses immediately moved to activate the case in Common Pleas Court, where the remaining civil counts against Mr. Rendell were dismissed in January, 2008. . Last year, Judge Yohn ordered the Adamses to pay the Teamsters $15,000.00 in legal costs arising from the Federal suit. The Adamses, again, appealed Judge Yohn’s decision to the 3rd Circuit. The issue was rendered moot by today’s settlement, whose terms are confidential.
# # #
Yeah, me too. : )
Glad to see you got some justice after 10 years of blatant corruption. Your case has shined the light on just how bad the system has become.
And we had a hell'uv a time in civil court. Far more difficult than we imagined.
Thanks, DD!!!
I hope you two got 7 figures out of it, you surely deserved it.
Bless you both in Your Victory! That was one long row to hoe!
Justice delayed, but now no longer denied. I know you can’t say what you got, but I hope it was enough to hurt the union thugs.
Of course that may not jive with one of my other goals of living long enough to p*** on Clintoon’s grave someday.
That was my first laugh of the day.
I wonder if they will have to post 24 hr guard to prevent everyone who be trying to do the same.
Again thanks for the laugh.
I’ve been waiting (for years) to hear the final outcome of this case. And finally there is one. Hope you are satisfied somewhat with the results, and I praise your persistence in the face of adversity, and the Union thugs. Bravo and well done!
Some justice is better than none at all. I’m sure you’re glad it’s over.
This case was one of the first that called my attention to how Gawd-awful "the Golden Years of Clinton" were going to be, and I have followed it along the years. While I wish the ending had been more resounding, I am pleased that it is over, finally.
My kindest regards you all.
You might have been able to hold for more -- if the publicity of the trial might have been a factor in the settlement.
But if you think the settlement is fair, then that is great news.
I think I might try to keep this story alive -- just to be a pain in Hillary's and Bill's rear end. (With Bill being a pain in a number of rear end's, maybe it is appropriate -- oh, pardon me...)
We regret that despite a valiant effort, we were unable to hold the politicians involved in this injustice, namely PA Governor Ed Rendell (than Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell) and Philadelphia, District Attorney Lynne Abraham, accountable, though we did our utmost to do so.
As for the slimy scum who were complicit in this case... well, I have faith that God will take care of them when He meets them one day.
Three cheers for you and Don!
This is great news! Wish there were some way to get national news outlets to report it.
Hi Teri:
I’m glad this is finally over for you and Don. Hopefully, your valiant, painful struggle for justice will have done some good, somewhere.
As always, whether you believe it or not, I wish all the best for you and Don and may God bless you in many ways.
Regards, Mare
Thanks for your efforts. America's finest!
Ed Rendell, Lynne Abraham, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton. Never forget.
Let me know when, DeSoto. I’m there with you.
“Let me know when, DeSoto. I’m there with you.”
“Again thanks for the laugh.”
My wife has me taking vitamins and exercising, I’m not telling her that part of the reason I’m doin’ it is goal#2.
All you have to do is look at Fast Eddy Rendell to see that he is one step from swinging a club at anybody who speaks against him or his friends.
This is the same man who screwed servicemen who voted overseas durning the 200 election.
Hitler could get elected govenor of PA if he has a “D” after his name.
It should never have taken this long for you guys to find justice! What a wretched, corrupt and vindictive “government.” They abused their authority and crapped all over you guys for years... And now “Fast Eddy” is governor of PA! I hope Morris is burning in hell.
Rat voters are all brain dead...
And I pray that you guys cleaned house after all these years of grief.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.