California's Supreme Court is concerned when prosecutors lie in criminal cases, but not when that lying takes place in Family Courts where over 400,000 new Californians each year are forced to fight for their children, property and most fundamental rights. California’s Public Trust Committee is investigating a flood of complaints related to the misconduct of family court judges and lawyers that have been ignored by the State Bar, Commission on Judicial Performance, Grand Juries and District Attorney Offices for decades. It took public outrage in Michigan for that state to deal with Judge Lisa. O. Gorcyca, who presided over a custody case where she sent three children to jail for refusing to see their abusive father. The scathing report to Michigan's judicial oversight body leads one to wonder how many children and families were harmed in the 48, 000 cases the judge boosts of overseeing. In 2010 the California Law Review Circuit reported that 200,000 petitions for divorce are filed in California each year, 75 % of which involve at least one self- represented party. It is widely accepted that citizens involved in divorce or probate matters without lawyers, do not engage in such voluntarily, but are typically forced to represent themselves due to their financial circumstances and court's failures to level the legal playing field, as the state legislature ahs repeatedly tried to address. In late 2015, a team of investigative reporters began reviewing divorce matters filed in Santa Clara County. The team has been exhaustively reviewing court records, observing family court proceedings and interviewing litigants and family lawyers. By focusing on one judge and a number of corrupt attorneys and divorce "experts", the team has been able to tell the how and why behind the statistics on the complaints the Commission on Judicial Performance never bothered to address. Uncovering nefarious lawyers and judges, and systemic abuses of civil rights in Santa Clara Family Courts has led to a statewide public effort to create a Vexatious Judge and Lawyer List , bringing public attention to the widespread family court corruption that has plagued Californians for decades. Topping the Vexatious Judge list is Judge Mary Ann Grilli. a Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge who has warmed the family law bench for nearly three decades and where three decades of her reign of terror reveals over 100 complaints to Santa Clara County, Commission on Judicial Performance and the District Attorney, that were simply ignored. The investigation reveals court orders signed by Judge Grilli demonstrate her willingness to flagrantly violate state and federal law, disregard due process and create a false record in dissolution cases by ignoring material facts that favor self- represented litigants, when the other side is afforded legal representation. Transcripts related to lodged complaints show that Judge Grilli consistently allows attorney misconduct to flourish in her court, to the determinant of a self- represented party and where a core group of lawyers, CPAs and custody experts frequently appear as “ experts” in Grilli's court where they are awarded outlandish fee awards and appointments; a modern day kickback- bribing scheme that has been ongoing in Santa Clara Family Courts for decades. One such expert in the favor of Judge Grilli is Valerie Houghton, a family lawyer and custody "expert" who was recently indicted by Santa Clara County’s District Attorney. Ms. Houghton was not indicted based on the numerous family law complaints levied against her, she was indicted after a wealthy land owner claimed Ms. Houghton and her husband ripped him off . The DA seemed unconcerned if Ms. Houghton had ripped off Santa Clara County residents in their divorce cases. Only a rich landowner in Gilroy seemed to get Mr. Rosen's attention, Santa Clara County's District Attorney. In setting child support Judge Grilli has a long standing history of financial incompetence and failure to properly address the needs Santa Clara County's children, according to the law. Judge Grilli ignores tax returns of crooked parents and material facts she is require to consider, and instead eagerly accepts the testimony of a paid experts, produced by a wealthy represented party, even when the material facts point to that expert being wrong. Judge Grilli weaves misrepresentation of facts into her statements of decision, drafting small orders over a long period of time, making it impossible for a self-represented party to appeal and never acting in the best interest of children. Grilli's incompetence also places unnecessary burdens on the state's Department of Child Support Services. The most egregious violation of pubic trust occurred in a case before Judge Grilli where an unemployed immigrant mother was pitted against a wealthy represented father. In that case, a June 2015 order shows Judge Grilli demonstrated her lack of knowledge of the law and willingness to overreach her jurisdiction when she granted an order to declare the mother vexatious without making the necessary legal findings, and where Grilli appears to have failed to enforce an automatic stay, which was required by law under CCP Section 391.6. This single order shows Grilli’s willingness to overreach her jurisdiction and use the bench to retaliate , imposing bias on lawyers and litigants she simply does not like. For months leading up to this order Judge Grilli was observed to be rude and impatient with the self- represented immigrant mother, as the woman tried in vain to fight to restore her 50-50 custody that Judge Grilli had stripped away during a 10 year divorce matter. Is the public expected to believe it is reasonable, or just , that this mother pay her former husband , Oliver Garbe, step son of Sean Connery, child support after Mr. Garbe misused the legal system to alienate his children from the mother, bought a $2,000,000 fraud fought home, and traveled the world and while sending the children he stole to one of Silicon Valley's most elite private schools , all while escaping even the most basic discovery information , as the mother was interrogated by Judge Grilli for every dime she ever spent and ordered to pay this support as she was unemployed and on Medicare. Is Judge Grilli using the bench and her authority to manufacture poverty in Silicon Valley? Could Judge Grilli’s misconduct have a far reaching impact on all family cases in Santa Clara County? Is Judge Grilli a liability for Santa Clara County that warrants further investigation by the US Attorney General? If corruption exposed during California's traffic court scandal warranted extreme state intervention where thousands of citizens had traffic convictions overturned, and if one corrupt judge in Michigan had over 4000 custody orders voided due to her misconduct , it is not hard to imagine the impact on Santa Clara County if an investigation reveals Judge Grilli’s misconduct and bias toward our poorest citizens has merit.
21 Comments
carmel gillis
4/9/2016 06:56:57 pm
i am a victim for the last 2 years. i had 3 attorneys whom i paid. the judge allowed the attorneys to withdraw from representing me without reason then using that as a way to discredit me. i finally received my order and absolutely nothing in my favor. instead i am ordered to pay monies that are fraudulently being accused of me by the apposing attorney and judge. all lies. i have been ordered not to discuss this matter. please reach out to me. i need your help.
Reply
RJ Barrows
4/10/2016 12:58:38 pm
Judge Grill has a longstanding personal and professional relationship with divorce lawyer Brad Baugh. Grill is required by law to disclose this conflict ON THE RECORD to the opposing attorney or party in all cases involving Baugh. Yet she never does. Dozens of cases are tainted by this significant legal error. Grill routinely rubber-stamps order requests for Baugh. Baugh routinely prepares self-serving Findings and Orders After Hearings that alter the orders issued at a hearing, omit material facts, fabricate new self-serving facts, and conflict with court reporter transcripts. Grill is required by law (Code of Judicial Ethics) to report or correct this flagrant misconduct by Baugh. But never does. This happens over and over in multiple cases. Baugh is a master of flagrant fee churning as well. It all amounts to criminal racketeering and soon they will be indicted.
Reply
We know of five State Bar complaints against Brad Baugh in the last year, the bar knows these issues and is failing to act. If you have old orders, pleadings or billing statements , please join us , there is a mountain of evidence that should disbar Baugh, when only a mound should be needed ! Any Baugh and Grilli connections , professional or personal, please forward as well. They are smart about it, but do have a long trail!
Reply
Chris
10/14/2016 11:27:02 am
Does the State Bar actually care about attorney misconduct?
Anita
4/12/2016 02:20:36 pm
I am a victim of Judge Grilli's way sof completely overlooking TRUE FACTS OF FRAUD by my ex husband and instead asking me to pay $20000 in fine for not filing a stupid piece of paper 3 days prior to the court date, refusing to acknowledge and accept that a CPA should look at the financial state of affairs and refusing a fresh trial on those grounds. I am representing myself and my ex has a attorney for the last 6+ years. Nothing in my case including arrears of support payments she has accepted as ok when the figures were completely wrong and fradulent. What can I do? Who can help ?
Reply
disgusted
4/14/2016 01:46:23 pm
I too am presently being victimized and robbed in a kangarro-type probate court, circus drama for being an out-off-state, disabled, rrepresenting, female, and so-called low income (was low income shamed in court), only daughter benificiary who was married to Contra Costa County residing, mayor's grandson who bankrupted me for ending our brutally abusive/fraudulent marriage. I am an ex friend/client of another ex mayor's son and Probate attorney w/a 25 yr. personal vendetta/CONFLICT OF INTEREST who works very closely to my ex husband's eldest daughter, a real estate attorney, whis been stalking my family for decades. She and Sugiyama attendrd Cal, and both worked in the Attorney General's office. Judge SUGIYAMA encouraged all conflicts intentionally created by the lawyers AND BY THE COURT ITSELF, who all come in salivating with a premeditated agenda to retaliate against me for having fired said Conflicted Attorney in the 90's for abusing client/attorney priveledge and misrepresentation. THE SCHEMING/DIABOLICAL Judge John H SUGIYAMA appointed yet ANOTHER EX MAYOR as court-appointed counsel, who's friends with the other! The Judge and his pack of DEMONIC Contra Costa Probate lawyer-mobsters (and other court personel/affiliates!)are doing ALL THIS and much worse than what's going down in Santa Clara county.. The Dark Triad lives and breathes in the black hearts of John Sugiyama and the lawyers/Polititions he serves, whose Rakateering and blatant Ethics and Trust Violations continue to date...$150,000 to seven lawyers paid for by way of closed-door deals, fraud, collusion, trust violations, embezzlement and extortion, using what was to be MY Inheritence, punishing me for refusing to sign away my 1st Amendment Rights and for advocating for NO MORE CRIME IN COURTS!
Reply
unreal
9/19/2016 07:20:02 pm
These facts are scary and too similar to others They cover, cover up and protect each other to no end, and it does not matter who is on the bench. It is one giant conflict of interest.
Reply
Contra Costa County is among some of the most vile family courts in California. Judges are churned through the ghetto of the Contra Costa County Family Court every 2 years like a chop shop. Barry Goode was once a judge way back when, but since then a series of incompetent, overpaid imbeciles such as Judge Jill Fannin and others, that are intent on making recommendations based on whim, emotion, and spur of the moment decision making that oftentimes results in cases being brought back to court or even appealed. It looks like Contra Costa County might be starting to clean out its incestuous and nepotistic family court services mediators, but only time can tell. Jim Paulsen/James Paulsen rakes his father's rights agenda and male bias all throughout his custody recommendations -- that unqualified hack deserves termination without severance and without eligibility for re-employment elsewhere within the County.
Reply
disgusted
10/12/2016 07:36:54 am
http://m.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Contra-Costa-traffic-court-firing-upheld-3861389.php
Reply
disgusted
10/12/2016 07:35:37 am
This is how Contra Costa cleans house.. judicial retaliation and court "promotions" disguised as "just doing business" policy.
Reply
disgusted
10/14/2016 08:52:58 am
https://judicialcouncilwatcher.com/2010/12/24/letters-to-the-bench-contra-costa-county/
Reply
chris
10/14/2016 09:20:51 am
On second thought, why not just have the Feds come in and shut down Contra Costa County?
Reply
disgusted
10/14/2016 10:34:24 am
I believe the FED is well aware of the corruptionand if so the FED is Culpable. Look where they exaulted x cop, x Concord mayor, x CC Bar pres., Ron Mullin! After creating numerous conflict of interest andy trust violations, setting me up to be physically abused in retaliation, shutting me out of all mediation services and lying to me on paper and falsifying info. in cahoots with sugiyama and Department 14 clerk Shannon Perry, after shaming me both ways then stealing my mother's money and assets and my inheritance. No one cares. That county pressured Concord Atty into "suicide". This is what they want, in my humble opinion.
Reply
Chris
10/14/2016 11:21:52 am
Anywhere contra Costa county smells money there is blood.
Reply
disgusted
10/14/2016 02:30:54 pm
Along with USAA,Sugiyama etal my gang-banger brothers take 6 phoney claims on my home in Oregon while trying to evict me illegally twice and holding me responsible for supervising the false claims during the three-month period one has to contest a Trust. They had me followed filmed assaulted and jailed. they destroyed my 21-year investment and let a Hazmat job go on without proper precautions, destroying my home, health, family and livelihood. They began this Feeding Frenzy before my mother was even dead. I grew up in Danville with the Mayor's son turned probate attorney. I married the grandson of mayor whose adult daughter move to Danville during the time my mother was infirmed, across the street from attorney Terrence Doyle, my x attorney who rigged my mother's trust behind my back in retaliation for firing him after I hired in the nineties to sue her father for domestic violence and sole custody with supervised only visitation. HE did this to me for calling him out and letting him go from my life for being a misogynist lawyer involved in the father's rights movement covertly, trying to sell me out and feed my baby to the wolf who harmed her. And he took my money to do it! I believe he was paid from my inheritance. After mistakenly hiring him at my brother's (his best friend)persuasion, like the jackals these lawyers are, he went full force into helping the other side. When you cry foul and turn in a baby-shaker/wives beater/drug adduct(Doyle sold cocaine) you are going to pay for it. These miscreants encourage crimes against women and children. My mother was a County employee librarian for 32 years. Ron Mullin's private practice is in the county building that issues death benefits to beneficiaries. Laying in wait, these people are literally the scum of the Earth and our government emboldens/enables them to launder money, extort from the vulnerable and unsuspecting, and embezzle if there is property. My father was a heavily decorated Navy pilot. We moved to Alamo in 1962. He put one of the only stop signs in Danville in the 60's and this is how they honor their best citizens who built up that NOW very affluent area. My parents were civil servants. Talk about eating your own.
Hooy & Hooy PLC , Concord CA, are fraudsters!
4/9/2017 05:07:40 pm
Contra Costa County Superior Court Departement 14 , specifically judge Sugiyama, shields such malevolent and criminal lawyers as Robert Hooy and son William. They commit malpractice on a daily basis which Sugiyama deliberately conceals...
Reply
disgusted
4/9/2017 05:26:38 pm
Please make no mistake lawyers are being groomed by the local politicians (judges included of course), county bars, the state bars Federal bars! Law school fraternities to do exactly what they're doing. It's an illegal land grab/assets pilfering and misogynist agendas to shut down any rights for women, not to mention disabled and so-called low income people, it's an agenda at every government level. We are considered parasites if we are eligible for the services we pay into as workers, when in reality the parasites are the f****** bullshitters at the top. Authority my ass. Civil Rights attorneys! Pull yourselvers up by the bootstraps and get to work for We the People!
Reply
Herman Guerrero
1/23/2018 07:59:31 pm
This is not just happening in Santa Clara County family court it is rampant, as corruption is disease ITS IN ALL SUPERIOR COURTS. These are the people who count on immigrants to vote for them, these are the people who make unconstitutional laws, and violate the constitution from the bench. They want you dumb downed uninformed of your constitutional rights so they can continue to push their agenda which is total control over those who do cannot afford to defend themselves with a high priced attorney from a large law firm. This I say to you wake up now and read your constitution and stop voting for corruption, stop voting for the same people who have been sitting office ripping us off for decades. I figure it will take an actual physical revolution to stop this corruption, and to restore Our Constitution. It is your constitutional right to tear down the establishment when it no longer suits we the people. If your not willing to make the human sacrifice to change it, start yelling for federal intervention, all these stupid people talk a whole lot of lies about our President but he is going after scum bags like this judge who have gotten wealthy fleecing the people. Do not believe what your stupid mainstream media tells you their is a political revolution going on right now, and if your tired of these judges support President Trump.Because when they see dummies out their protesting and lying about our president they are sitting back laughing at them. Because to these corrupt democrats all you are worth is the vote, once your done giving that, they are sitting on judicial benches waiting for you or your loved ones to walk in one day and show you just how they really care about you, after they take your children and hand them over to some sick pedophile abusive father. Only we the people can make the change because no matter what at the end of the day there are more of us than them stop voting for these $#$%% democrat's and RINO's. Just take a look at the picture of this judge if that is a the most ugliest thing you ever seen she is probably a Satanic as well. WAKE UP !!!! Judge Patricia Lucas,, and Judge Mary E. Arand are also corrupt.
Reply
Fed Up
7/30/2018 06:10:14 am
My bf is the victim of Santa Clara Family Court. The judge, whom I won't name considering the case is still ongoing, has violated my bf's civil rights over and over again, made unprecedented support orders requiring that he sell separate property which has nearly bankrupted him and allowed his ex to drag him into court in an attempt to get more support money. All of this has sent him into a deep depression that required him seeing a psychiatrist and be put on medication for situational depression. I haphazardly saw this article and am not the least bit surprised at what I've read. Its so purposeful and obvious when a judge shows bias toward one party. I just want it to start
Reply
Beware Of the Sugi-Man
1/16/2019 03:43:45 pm
Judge Sugiyama operates a finely-tuned racket that benefits attorneys of both sides. Sugiyama simply allows petitioning attorneys to win while his court-appointed attorneys roll-over & play dead in order to get continuing assignments from him. It is a lucrative cash cow for countless Contra Costa County based attorneys willing to play ball with the Sugi-Man. In return, Judge Sugiyama receives glowing endorsements from the Contra Costa Bar Association come election time. Get the picture? Estates are continually being drained to stuff the greedy pockets of conniving attorneys & Sugi is the great enabler. The Court of Sugi is a nightmarish spider web. Avoid at all costs
Reply
Anonymous
6/4/2020 04:56:50 pm
Santa Clara County Family COURTS TAINTED n BIAS...
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
|