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.
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If you're happy with the outcome, I'm happy.
...congrats. ;^)
“...Instead, some of the locals who helped us are now cozying up to her...”
That’s what politics is, after all. Leaders, and adoring followers. God help us.
It's too bad Rendell and Abraham did not get convicted like they should have.
Congratulations on this. I remember seeing this on TV and thinking this is so wrong. Typical of the Clinton era. It’s good to have a victory over a bunch of union thugs. Good Guys 2 Union Thugs 0
I do have one favoriate memory moment.
I have a picture burned into my mind of their attorney, Ms. Diocson and the fake priest walking like beat up dogs down the street after the trial.
I also have a good memory of meeting John Fund at the dinner.
I thank Physicist for keeping up up to date on this during the years.
Always with you Teri and Don.
I’m happy the nightmare is finally over for you and Don, Teri. God Bless ............. FRegards
Ping!
Justice is a certain rectitude of mind whereby a man does what he ought to do in the circumstances confronting him. ~~Saint Thomas Aquinas
Thank God it is over congrads and many your family stay safe!:)
Good News!
BTTT
Wonderful news, Teri. Wow, has it really been ten years? It’s really rotten that Rendell and Abramson didn’t get theirs...however, the outcome due to you and your brother Don’s decade-long tenacity not to give in was formidable.
Congrats to you both...and thanks to Physicist for all his help, support and updates.
1st Amendment BUMP.
Congratulations. It doesn't take a wizard to know that the evil monkeys were up against a patient, determined pair of freepers.....and that truth would win out. At least that's what a lot of we old timers felt as we hoped and prayed for 10 years of reading and commenting on all the posts pertaining to this case.
God bless you....take a trip to the Caribbean now, and have a couple of Bahama Mama Rum Barracudas on me!
Leni/MinuteGal (Class of '98)
Good for you! The Teamsters acted like ChiComs in Tibet. BTW I had to spend $50K & 2 long years to win my job back following union harassment. Know how infuriating it can be. These legal battles seem to go on forever. Very proud you stuck it out!
10 year bump!
I am very happy for you both. I attended the Court hearing in Phillie after I met you in DC for the March for Justice II. I thought the judges seemed dismissive of your petition/complaints. Hopefully this settlement will provide you both with some satisfaction. It must have been a grueling ordeal for your family. Take care now and beware of Teamsters. Hoorway! the underdog wins one against the big guys.
This is an amazing story of perseverance! Kudos to you for keeping the good fight and congratulations!
Thank you for fighting the good fight.
Glad it’s over.
Ed Rendell should be IN JAIL not in the Governor’s mansion and, if Hitlery has her way, in a Clinton admnistration.
He is the lowest of the low. How can the People of Pennsylvania keep electing this scum?
Nevermind....God bless and keep you both.
YES!!!!!!!!
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