Saturday, December 25, 2010

A Hannabelle Christmas

Yesterday I received a letter from the court notifying me that Judge John Sommerville's case load has been reassigned to another judge. I have no information as to why. Since he recently won the election (he ran unopposed), one wouldn't conclude that he suddenly decided to retire. I didn't find anything about it in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happened to Judge Sommerville... Maybe Victor knows...

Anyway, this is very good news for Hannabelle. Since my Nexus trial is still scheduled for September 2011, obviously Nexus didn't drop its lawsuit like Freeman and D'Angelo did. It gets confusing being sued twice by the same people with both lawsuits apparently being paid for by the corporation (using your tax dollars, Friends). Freeman and D'Angelo withdrew their lawsuit but Nexus joined into the "negotiation" for "settlement". I have no documents that anyone withdrew, but my jury trial was canceled and Victor told Judge Rosenbaum that Freeman and D'Angelo could not prove damages.

The "settlement" - which I will not agree to - offered to pay me $3,000 plus what the Court of Appeals awarded me IF I promise never to say anything about Freeman, D'Angelo, or the Nexus relocation ever again. Oh, and I'm not allowed to discuss the "settlement".... This is how these people operate, folks. They DO UNTO you and then demand you keep silent about what they did. I guess that's how they can claim those compassionate "cornerstone values". They make sure there's nobody to contradict them. If anyone examined those cornerstones, what do you think they'd find? Jimmy Hoffa? (That's a joke Victor. Just to be clear, it was not to be taken as fact. And yes, I thought it was funny.)

Isn't it awful to have to "chill" your speech? Anything you say can and will be used against you, you know. And the Suers are monitoring everything I write. No doubt this blog will end up in some court documents in the future. Luckily for me, in my experience most judges don't read the documents. But then, I've only had ten judges to judge so far... Ten judges for calling an arrogant son-of-a-bitch second grader insults. (Freeman and D'Angelo acknowledged that "Arrogant" is not actionable - after they previously sued me for saying it. We'll have to wait for the next lawsuit to see how they react to "son-of-a-bitch")

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that the old VIDEOS are back up on You.Tube, the Mille Lacs News is back online (although I'm still updating it), and my blog is obviously going full speed ahead. The more They threaten, harass, sue me, and inflict their "punishment", the more I will write to keep you informed.

Merry Christmas. Thanks for your continued support!





Wednesday, December 22, 2010

11th Hour - No Trials and No Tribulations

"Just who do they think they are!!!"

That, spoken by my mother with such incredulous disdain so atypical of this mild, gentle woman, it sounded like cursing.

"Nexus," I replied unnecessarily. " The Omnipotent."

NEXUS - "A $40M+, 720 employee, not for profit behavioral health agency with operating locations in Minnesota, and Illinois." (1) It's the corporation that conspired with the Onamia city council to use our tax dollars to build a state of the art juvenile sex offender treatment center in our residential neighborhood (2) next to daycare, families with children, and elderly widows (including my mom). They are the company that sued me for reporting to the city council during a tax abatement hearing that a child died while in their care at Gerard of Iowa in Mason City back in 2001. That's right. Its CEO Jim D'Angelo also sued me for disparaging comments I made about him on this very blog. (I stand by what I wrote.) To strengthen D'Angelo's complaint, board member Peter D. Freeman jumped on the bandwagon, suing me for emailing the Dean of Social Work at St. Thomas University, asking her for assistance to convince Freeman to find a different, appropriate location - one that wouldn't jeopardize our safety, lower our property values, and make our homes impossible to sell. Peter sued me for embarrassment.

The battle to save the neighborhood began in April 2007. The lawsuits soon followed. For the last three years I've been trapped within the "Justice" System, fighting for an obsolete concept - Freedom of Speech. You might remember it as a "constitutional right" promised to us back in grade school, when we still believed we had rights in this country. Trust me... Free Speech is only allowed if you say what They want to have said. Color outside of Their lines and you'll find out how free you are...

With their Park Avenue lawyer Victor Lund, Jim D'Angelo, Peter Freeman, and the Nexus corporation sued me into a corner with no way out. If I didn't respond to their lawsuits, I would lose automatically by default and have to pay them all an undisclosed amount of money in "damages" (yet to be determined) (3.) As to why they took such drastic action of bringing two lawsuits against me, D'Angelo explained, "We thought you'd go away!" Of course, at the same time, they made it impossible for me to "go away". Part of their demands included that I confessed that what I said about them wasn't true and admit that I defamed them. Since everything I wrote was either the truth or my constitutinally protected opinion, to say that I sat at my computer making things up because I thought it was funny (4.) would be a lie. I am not a liar. Former Nexus CEO Jim D'Angelo is.

For example, while under oath D'Angelo denied that he ever said, "We thought you'd go away." (5.) I'm not a lawyer, but to my layman's understanding, lying under oath is called "perjury". Suing opposing citizen activists who are seeking to procure government action favorable to their cause is an abuse of the Justice System and goes against the Minnesota Anti-SLAPP law. SLAPP is an acronym for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. If D'Angelo admitted to making the statement, he'd have admitted that he used the lawsuit for the purpose of intimidating me into complying with his demands. (Apparently, he thinks he is the Boss of me!) I don't call these "frivolous" lawsuits. I call them "harassment" lawsuits. A SLAPP waged against me for trying to keep Nexus' sex offenders away from day care and vulnerable people like my mom.

In Freeman/D'Angelo, Judge Marilyn Rosenbaum of the 4th District Court ruled against my Motion to Dismiss under the MN Anti-SLAPP law, citing her disbelief that I used the Internet to actually try to influence the government. Judge Terri Stoneburner affirmed Rosenbaum, citing "overwhelming evidence" against me. Plaintiff's had no evidence except Victor Lund's testimony that I was a "gadfly" who was bored and liked to stir up trouble at City Hall. Stoneburner was appalled that I sat at my computer making things up - like when she said that I said D'Angelo sent me death threats. Of course, I never said that D'Angelo sent me the death threats. Victor Lund said I said it. I was judged on Victor Lund's testimony. Victor Lund did not tell the truth. Winning the case superseded the Truth. Throughout the Motion to Dismiss hearings in my Freedom of Speech case, I was not allowed to speak.

In the Nexus lawsuit, Judge John Sommerville also ruled against me because he questioned the constitutionality of the Anti-SLAPP law itself, afraid that it would deny Nexus their Due Process. He indicated that Nexus had a right to their "day in court", which was ironic - because Sommerville denied me the same right. I had no day in court. I had only a day in chambers. He called us into his back room - without a court reporter present. He chatted with the lawyers. My lawyer was not allowed to make his presentation (my defense). I was again not allowed to speak. And after their casual chit-chat, Sommerville ruled against the Anti-SLAPP law and therefore, he ruled against me.

Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Connolly ruled that the MN Anti-SLAPP law is constitutional and that the First Amendment applies to the Internet. He remanded my case back to District Court - which means that I won. However, whereas he instructed Sommerville to perform a do-over and get things right this time, Sommerville just scheduled me to go to trial in September 2011.

Defamation is not a crime. It is a civil matter.

The Freeman/D'Angelo trial was scheduled for December 28, 2010. For three years Plaintiffs stressed their right to force me to face a jury for the uncomplimentary words I'd written about them on this blog and in the Mille Lacs News. They used a jury trial as a threat. However, in the Eleventh Hour - a month before the trial, they waived their jury. Now they didn't want Hannabelle facing any jury. They wanted Judge Rosenbaum to make the decision. Since it was Rosenbaum who previously ruled against me, stating "the Anti-SLAPP law is meant to be used as a shield, not as a sword", as if I was the one who manipulated laws for my own purpose... I demanded a jury.

Just days before my trial, Jim D'Angelo and Peter Freeman withdrew their lawsuit. They never had a case against me and they admitted they could not prove any damages.

Now, before my enemies get depressed and my Dear Readers break into song at my victory, listen to this: Now, having dropped the lawsuits, they're going for an injunction to control my speech. I'll be speeching quite a bit on this subject - at least for the next week until the judge tries to shut me up or even shuts me down. D'Angelo and Freeman again got what they wanted (don't they always?) They got an injunction hearing - which amounts to a trial WITHOUT jury.

(1.) from D'Angelo's website; D'Angelo Consulting

(2.) MN Stat. 462.357

(3.) Summons and Complaints

(4.) Victor Lund testified to this false charge as "fact" at every hearing.

(5.) D'Angelo Affidavit; Defendant's Interrogatories

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Chicken Little vs Big Chickens

Well, Dear Readers...

Shucks. I have yet to face my accusers. At mediation, Freeman was hidden off in his own room and D'Angelo didn't even bother to show up.

The trial will be scheduled for December.

"Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards;
they simply unveil them to the eyes of men."
Bishop Westcott

Friday, September 17, 2010

More Taxes Needed to Fund Nexus Lawsuits?

Something sure smells rotton in Denmark, or at least like pig manure in Illinois when a member of congress explains the need for "revenue enhancements" (i.e. higher taxes) - especially when this particular member of congress is, in effect, using tax payer dollars to sue a private citizen who exercised her Right to Freedom of Speech in opposing the government imposition of mandating a sex offender facility next to day care. Shocked? You should be. Illinois State Representative Lisa Dugan (D - 79th District) is not only a member of the House, she's a member of the Board! The Nexus board of directors, that is. (Can't you just smell the ... power?)
$
hmmm... Can you say conflict of interest?
$
Congresswoman Dugan serves on the Illinois House Bipartisan Task Force on Budget Reform and Spending Reductions. What? Maybe she could start reducing spending by telling "her" company to stop wasting Illinois taxpayer dollars on frivolous SLAPP lawsuits against private whistleblowing citizens who speak out against the un-American conspiracy between "her" multi-million dollar corporation and a small, malfeasant government (yes, I mean the Onamia city council) to strip citizens of their rights - especially my favorite - the 1st Amendment one.
$
She also serves on the State Commission on the Elimination of Poverty. Well, she didn't eliminate MY poverty. "Her" company's lawsuits CAUSED my poverty. Rule Number 1: If you want to eliminate poverty, don't sue. Just say "no!" to the sue-age you feel so compelled to spew. Nexus got everything they wanted. Why are they continuing to persecute me? Why not ask Lisa Dugan?
$
According to Nexus, Congresswoman Dugan provides Nexus with "extensive experience in community planning, education initiatives, and nonprofit fundraising". Well, well, well... Where was Congresswoman Dugan when Onamia screwed up their community planning and I was trying to initiate education? Oh yeah. Maybe she was busy helping with a little nonprofit fundraising... (i.e. raising taxes.)
$
Illinois - she's all yours. I don't think I'd vote for her in November - even if I had the privilege. At least from this video, she doesn't sound like she thinks very highly of her constituents' knowledge and intelligence. But then, maybe she's counting on that.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

The First Domino

"[Ramsey] county no longer has funds available to subsidize treatment for sex offenders ...."

$

And so it's begun...

According to an article in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune today, the cuts made in Ramsey County affect adult sex offender programs. All of you Pro-nexus can relax... for now.

$

Of course, the news was no surprise to me. However, I was stunned to read that adult sex offender treatment programs can cost "more than $5,000 a year" and that the offenders themselves will now have to "pick up the whole tab." Those without health insurance have to pay "a minimum of more than $100 per month."

$

$100 per month??? Wow!

$

Contrast that with the 2007 figure of each MLA juvenile sex offender costing us about $245 per DAY, which adds up to not $100 per month, but $7,350 per month, or roughly $88,200 per year... 1

$

And who pays the fiddler? Why, you do.

If you pay county taxes, you foot the bill - unless, of course, you've been granted tax abatement - like Nexus was back in 2007. If so, read my lips.

$

I called Mille Lacs County Commissioner Frank Courteau one day and asked if I too could get some taxpayer dollars to help pay for my legal costs in the two harassment lawsuits Nexus has waged against me. The answer, of course was a definite NO WAY JOSE'... Was I nuts to think that taxpayers would pay for a taxpayer's lawsuits she was SLAPPed with while standing up for taxpayers' rights in fighting tax abatement for a company primarily subsidized by taxpayers??? What was I thinking! (Actually, I was thinking it would be nice to have a lawyer...)

$

Although I'm pretty sure they intend your taxes to be spent on sex offender treatment and not on lawyer and court fees, it would appear that the county unwittingly only provides funding for the multi-million dollar corporate Plaintiffs in my bogus court cases. I am just the unlucky Defendant. I'm just a ... citizen... one who happenstancingly ended up in the way, darn it all. Besides. I'm honest. I'm broke. I'm not a wheeler-dealer. There's nothing to be gained politically or otherwise by granting me favors. I'm just a citizen like you. I am disposible. Like a diaper.

$

For those of you following the Trials of Hannabelle, the next step is court-ordered "Mediation"... Yeah, yeah... I know... yet another pointless and inconvenient trip to the Cities as I begrudgingly lend my support to BP (the other oil spill tycoon). It's yucky. I hate it. But then, I'm also used to it. These grab-a-rope proceedings have become my world according to garp- complement of my new cornerstone valued neighbors on the corner. (sigh)



Well, Dear Readers... with my "Free Speech" having been methodically and significantly "chilled" over these past three years and with "Mediation" scheduled for next Wednesday, I'd better just "well shut my mouth" before I acquire a few new frivilous lawsuits. After all, if I give up my Right to Remain Silent, anything I say WILL be used against me... or twisted by the opposing attorney into something that will be used against me. What a privilege these lawyers have! They can say anything at all - even lie to the judge - without fear of being sued for defamation! Lucky for them. Lawyers still have Freedom of Speech! Too bad the rest of us don't.

$

Like me, you'll just have to wait to see what happens.

To write, or not to write... That will be the question.

I'm pretty sure they'll demand that I "chill" out. But hey! I'm just getting warmed up! I don't know what they've got to whine about anyway. They brought me on by themselves. It wasn't my choice to play in their game. By concentrating their efforts to defeat me, they have provided me with a very important cause, while making sure I've got nothing left to lose. A clever strategy??? My personal opinion (so sue me) is that their time and our tax money would be more wisely spent on county politics - preventing the escalation of the Domino Effect that could and might actually destroy their business, rather than on beat up on harmless old Hannabelle who, as always, just wants to be left alone by them.

$

To all you casino patrons - wish me luck.

To all you Christ-y folks - say a prayer for me.

To Freeman and D'Angelo - see you there. Face to face at last. ;)

$

Cuts made to Ramsey County offender programs
The county no longer has funds available to subsidize treatment for sex offenders and domestic abusers.
By PAT PHEIFER, Star Tribune

$

1 The $245 per day figures apply to 2007-2008 data. It probably costs more now. (Everything does). Does anyone know what the per diem costs are today? Send me a comment if you do! Thanks.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

When Corrections Fail to Correct

Dear Readers,
*
Well, I didn't get the apology I thought I was due, considering the situation (see previous article). According to a friend of mine who actually purchased a hard copy of the newspaper, I didn't get a correction in the paper where their subscribers could see it. But I DID get a nasty, vindictive letter from the editor and this "correction" on their online website.

***

Correction In the article “Court reverses Nexus v [Hannabelle]” in the July 28 Messenger, it should have said, Judge John Sommerville didn’t agree with [Hannabelle]. The motion to dismiss was denied by Sommerville.
*
Write comment
This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comments.
***
I suppose I could make a big stink about this. No corrected dates. Nothing about that I won the appeal... However, my cause isn't what's wrong with the local newspaper (although perhaps yours should be, if you're interested in getting accurate information). Through the years, my noble attempts at encouraging accuracy in their reporting about the Nexus/Onamia coalition have seemingly failed. Coinkidink?
*
My cause is a what is wrong with the decision of the Onamia city council to represent the interests of a corporation rather than the citizens and the rights of citizens. Oh... and those pesky SLAPP harassment lawsuits... I guess they have also become my cause.
***
I am very sad that mean-spirited people continue to attack me with accusations of being mean-spirited - whenever I try to set a mis-story straight. I've learned more than a few things these past three years, including:
*
1. Our First Amendment Rights are precious and MUST be protected.
2. You still have the right to remain silent.
3. Anything you say will probably be used against you - if at all possible.
4. Freedom of Speech isn't free (you have to pay the lawyers).
5. When we exercise our right to free speech, we must be prepared to take responsibility for what we say.
These lessons might seem self-evident. I thought I'd learned them in grade school. But I've been forced to revisit these principles and re-learn them - the hard way. After all that has been said and done, one thing I still maintain: If you have the right to exercise your free speech to write a story about my lawsuits, I have the right to exercise my free speech to correct you when you make mistakes.
(See 5. above)
***
"It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind."
Voltaire
1694-1778

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Back to Square One

Here we go again.

We launched the Mille Lacs News, an online news source, in 2007 - to correct misinformation and Pro-Nexus propaganda being published by the Mille Lacs Messenger, our local newspaper. It was, and still is, my belief that people have the right to the Truth. Publishing the Mille Lacs News and the Bradbury Buzzz was a way for us to ensure that accurate information as well as our viewpoint reached the public.

After a long hiatus, I'm back - because once again, there is misinformation being printed in the Mille Lacs Messenger - and this time it's personal.... it's about me. So, once again, it is necessary to make the appropriate corrections and set the record straight.

Diane Gibas, a reporter employed at the "Mess" recently wrote an article about my lawsuits which included false information. She got her facts mixed up.

As you know, I was targeted with two harassment lawsuits by the Nexus corporation - not in 2009, as she reported, but in 2007 - three years of my life ago. I was sued as an attempt to silence and intimidate me with, apparently, the ultimate goal of destroying my life. They've done a great job! As my old friends and neighbors stood mutely watching on the sidelines, my life has unraveled before their eyes. Thanks a lot, guys. Guess I got what I deserved for trying to save your homes from the 94 governmentally imposed sex offenders that live with you now. No good deed goes unpunished and the road to hell is paved with good intentions. (sigh)

But back to Diane... She misinformed the community by stating that in the Nexus corporation vs. me case that Judge Sommerville sided with me and threw out the case. She stated in error that Nexus appealed and won.

THIS IS TOTALLY FALSE! I filed a Motion to Dismiss under the MN Anti-SLAPP law. Judge Sommerville questioned the constitutionality of the law. He ruled that Nexus, a corporation, had the right to "Discovery" as well as the right to put me on trial by jury. He denied my motion, but never ruled on their claim of "defamation". (I told the truth and stated my constitutionally protected opinion. I never defamed anyone.)

THE TRUTH IS: I am the one who made the appeal. Not Nexus - because as usual, Nexus got what it wanted - this time in district court. And here's the big news flash folks: I BEAT NEXUS IN THE MINNESOTA COURT OF APPEALS. The appellate judges reversed Sommerville's decision. Now we have to start all over again. Back to the beginning. Square One.

I called Diane Gibas to politely set her straight. She couldn't remember the source of her bad information and promised to call me back. She didn't.

Will I get a retraction? Will I get an apology? Will they correct their error? I don't know. I'm still waiting.

So, after three years, we have progressed to the destination of "Square One". Once again I've been forced into the position of writing in self-defense.

Encore, encore. I'm back.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

85 Acre Horse Farm for Sale



1 mile west of Onamia, Minnesota
Only 5 minutes to hospital
Just minutes from
Lake Onamia
the Rum River
Mille Lacs Lake
Mille Lacs Casino
Kathio State Park
Soo Line Trail

Main House: Custom built 2 bedroom, 3 bath Rambler
approx. 3,200 sq. ft.
Cedar siding
Pergo flooring and carpet
Six-panel doors
extra-wide doorways (handicapped accessible)

Open floor plan
Vaulted ceilings
Central heat and AC - propane
Beautiful views
Very private on dead-end road
High-speed Internet available
Brick sidewalk and landscaping
First floor features include:
Kitchen with oak cabinets and corner stainless steel sink
Refrigerator/ Freezer (stays)
Smooth glass-top electric stove (stays)
New Dishwasher (stays)
French doors to diningroom/office or computer room
Master bedroom suite
Large walk-in closet
Bathroom with shower and jetted tub
Bay window overlooking the pond
Bedroom 2
Bathroom 2

Living room has corner woodburning fireplace
Vaulted ceilings
French door to deck
Main floor laundry room opens to upper brick patio and
2 car attached garage
Front porch
Full walk-out lower floor is partially finished and features:
Library or ?
3rd potential bedroom
Bathroom 3
Furnace/Storage room
Huge open Family room +
Corner windows (wonderful office space)
Walk-out to lower brick patio and gardens

Wild Bird Sanctuary - brick patio in the woods on the south side of the house. Over 100 species of birds have been identified on property. Lots of wildlife.

2 Story Guest House/Mother-in-Law/Rental
New roof
New furnace
Large country kitchen/diningroom
Newer Gas range/oven (stays)
Newer Refrigerator/Freezer (stays)
2 Bedrooms Upstairs
Bonus Room
1 Bath
Living room
Family room or Bedroom 3
Central heat and AC - propane
Outdoor patio
Landscaped
Detached 2 car garage

32' x 70' Morton Horse Barn
New Roof
New Siding
New Doors
Dutch Doors
Water and Electricity
3 regular box stalls
1 large foaling or stallion stall with turn-out to paddock
(currently set up for goats)
Tack/Feed room
Tack area
Hay storage
Riding Arena
Pasture

For the equestrian - just minutes from Kathio State Park which has miles of fabulous trails!

Don't have horses? This barn could easily convert to storage for boats, ATVs, RVs, etc.

Workshop
concrete floor
workbench
electricity

Land
85 acres
creek
2 ponds
pines and birch trees
mostly forest, some low, some pasture
private but close to town

Serious inqueries only - please e-mail: info@millelacsnews.com

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Good News!

Dear Friends,


Hannabelle is going to stand TRIAL for calling Jim D'Angelo "arrogant"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Like trying to keep sex offenders away from daycare and little old ladies is a crime...)

I can't wait!

I'll finally get to meet Peter Freeman (and his colleagues!) You remember Peter. He's the one suing me for "embarrassment".

And I will FINALLY have a chance to SPEAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's going to be a great trial.

After two years of this Mickey Mousing around, we can finally get down to the business of the Truth. Why THEY want a trial, I can't imagine. But ME? I will finally have MY day in court!

I'll tell you more soon. I just wanted to let you know that I'm very busy preparing the evidence for my trial.

(Oh, and the book I'm writing is progressing quite well. Who'da thunk it?)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! I REALLY REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Let's Play Keep-Away! Shall we?

This is a message to my neighbors in and around Onamia. You know who you are. I hope you're reading this.

I live on a private road. Unless you have business down here, please respect my privacy and stay away.

You want to go for a walk?
You feel like jogging?

Don't come here. There's all sorts of alternatives. The Soo Line. Kathio Park. The new track at the high school. Larry Milton Road. Highway 169... All sorts of places to run.

Wanna borrow a cup of sugar? Don't come here. I'm out of sweetness.

You want to get yelled at? You want confrontation? Sure, come down my road. You'll meet me. It won't be pleasant. I assure you.

Does it offend you when I tell your kid to find someplace else to deal his drugs late at night? Then keep him away.
Does it bother you when I ask you to not run towards my house from the direction of the Academy? Then run the other way.
Do I offend you simply because I don't want you or your "wonderful" kids in my life and have made no bones about it?

Of course I do. I'm Hannabelle. I offend everyone.

And if it keeps you away from here, I'm more than happy to offend you.

You put 94 sex offenders down the street.

I have to live with that.

And now you have to live with my reaction to people - strangers - "going for a walk" or "just jogging" down my private dead end road.
I suggest you keep your distance. I'm not very friendly anymore.

Of course, nobody can stop you if, out of all the miles and miles of roads you just HAVE to come down this particular quarter mile. After all.... it's a free country. Right?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Yeah. Right. Just keep telling yourself that.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Convicted Felon Paul Smith Goes to Prison Today

Former Mille Lacs Academy Executive Director Paul Lynn Smith
who was convicted last month in Oklahoma Federal Court on four counts of embezzlement, fraud, theft, and lying to Federal Authorities was denied bond while he appeals the guilty verdict that sentenced him to four 27 month prison terms - to run concurrently.

According to court documents, Smith was supposed to turn himself over to the Federal Marshall by noon today.

Smith argued that since he lied to Federal Authorities while in Minnesota, there was a question of venue. He also claimed he was not a "flight risk" and that his motion was not an attempt to delay serving time in Federal prison.

The Honorable Judge Robin Cauthron denied Smith's motion to avoid prison time until after the completion of his appeal. Here is her decision:

"Because Defendant cannot demonstrate either a substantial question or entitlement to
a reduced sentence his Motion must be denied. For the reasons set forth herein, Defendant’s
Motion for Order Staying Execution of Judgment and Granting Release Pending Appeal
(Dkt. No. 48) is DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 3rd day of March, 2010."

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Paul Smith Rides Again

Paul Lynn Smith Appeals

It looks like Paul still hasn't tasted jail. He's suppose to turn himself in on March 4. But he has filed an appeal. I can't say if that means he'll remain free until after the appeal. I'm pretty sure he will be walking amongst us....

The documents are finally up on PACER so I'll get going on it soon.

Thanks for your patience. Hannabelle has been under the weather lately. And you know how bad the weather can be in MinneSNOWda.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Behind Bars - Where He Belongs

Dear Readers,

I've updated the Mille Lacs News with information about Paul Lynn Smith. I've included some links to other sources. (Kudos to Dawn Slade of the Mille Lacs County Times for her excellent article.)

You also can read some of the court documents on the Mille Lacs News. I apologize that my webmaster capabilities are limited. I'm experiencing difficulty with some of the document links on the left. I'm working on getting more public documents available.

The victims of Paul Smith's scams have been waiting a long time for justice to be served. As one who considers myself a victim of Smith's Minnesota activities, (along with the Mille Lacs Academy, Nexus, and the local government who works for them all,) I am still waiting for justice. In the meantime, there is comfort in knowing that Paul Smith, who is one of those responsible for detroying the integrity of our private, rural neighborhood will no longer have the privilege to "choose to live in the country", at least not as a free man. He intentionally taunted me when he said that. I'd have the last laugh, if I thought any of this was funny. But I don't.

The way I see it, 27 months in federal prison is better than probation - but it is a far cry from the 30 years of incarceration his crimes deserve. That's just my opinion.

Thank you to my Oklahoma Readers. I appreciate your input, your kind comments and your continued support. I hope you'll keep reading and keep in touch.

Hannabelle

One step closer to vindication - thanks, in part, to Paul Lynn Smith, convicted embezzler serving time in federal prison, who has pointed out that it just might be possible that Hannabelle knows what she's talking about.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Mille Lacs Academy Executive Director Sentenced

'
Former Mille Lacs Academy Executive Director
'
Paul Lynn Smith -
'
Sentenced to 27 months in prison
'
and he has to pay
'
more than $91,000 in restitution




Perspective- As Simple as ABC

I spend a good deal of time these days simply wondering "What is WRONG with people?"

Like:

Why did the Mille Lacs Community choose to support convicted sex offenders instead of rallying for their law-biding neighbors whose Rights were being abolished by a local government they couldn't even vote for?

Why did Nexus stand behind their director - a convicted embezzler but sue an innocent bystander for telling the Truth?

Why did Nexus prefer to spend our taxpayer money on their lawyer - to SLAPP me with a harassment lawsuit, while at the same time cutting jobs at the Academy?

And now Sarah Palin is up in arms about Rahm Emanuel using the word "retarded" but she has said nothing about Rush Limbaugh calling people "retards". I say FU Sarah Palin and the rest of your hypocrite friends. Oops. Now I've done it. I've gone over the top. Do you think she'll sue me like Jim D'Angelo did when I called him "Poopsie"? Naw. Probably not - since she got away with saying that Obama "palled around with terrorists".

These days you have to watch your Ps and Qs. You can't say the F-word, the N-word, the B-word, or the C-word... Now we have can't say the R-word. And if we're not careful, the rest of the alphabet could soon be all used up. We'll be doomed to silince. Yep. As it is, anything anybody says will PO somebody. But soon we won't be able to talk at all.

Am I the only one who sees all of this stupidity as a huge stinking pile of Number Two? If that's the case, I'd say our entire society is SOL.

Has the world gone crazy? Don't you wonder? Don't you wonder - What is WRONG with people?

Here's a video for you.

While you watch it, please keep in mind that I got sued for calling former Nexus CEO "arrogant", "heartless", a "snake", and of course - "Poopsie". There is no Freedom of Speech for Hannabelle.

Remember: "Sticks and Stones can break my bones, but words can - never justify a frivolous lawsuit."

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Smith Sentencing Postponed AGAIN!

There's no explanation given, but the Paul Smith sentencing has been moved to Thursday.
Let's thank ourselves for our patience. :)



UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
NOTICE
vs
Case Number: CR-08-272-C
PAUL L. SMITH
______________________________________________________________________________
Type of Case ____CIVIL XXX _CRIMINAL
______________________________________________________________________________
TAKE NOTICE
That a proceeding in this case has been scheduled for the place, date and time set forth below:
______________________________________________________________________________
Place: U.S. Courthouse COURTROOM NO. 501
200 N. W. 4th Street DATE AND TIME
Oklahoma City, Ok. 73102
U Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.
______________________________________________________________________________

TYPE OF PROCEEDING
Sentencing
______________________________________________________________________________
TAKE NOTICE: that the proceeding in this case has been rescheduled as indicated below:
______________________________________________________________________________
Place: U.S. Courthouse Date and Time Previously Scheduled
200 N.W. 4th Street
Oklahoma City, Ok. 73102 U Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 8:45 a.m.
______________________________________________________________________________
ROBIN J. CAUTHRON
U. S. DISTRICT JUDGE
DATE: February 2, 2010 s/ Linda Goode
BY DEPUTY CLERK
AUSA: Vicki Behenna
Dft’s Counsel: Mack Martin

Waiting

The Paul Smith sentencing was on the docket for this morning. I'm waiting to hear what happened. I'll let you know as soon as I find out. :)

Sunday, January 31, 2010

For All You Paul Smith Fans

Public information about convicted embezzler Paul Lynn Smith's court case has been posted on the Mille Lacs News online news source.

You can read actual court documents there. Links are provided on the left side-panels.

It is intriguing that CEO Dave Hutchinson and VP Patrick Rookey of the Nexus corporation practiced their "cornerstone values" by writing letters of support to the judge on behalf of their friend. They attack innocent bystanders like me, but defend convicted criminals like him? Really?

Smith's lawyer is asking the court for probation and possible home confinement.

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.

(Thanks to my new friends in Oklahoma. I appreciate your kind-hearted support!)

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Smith Sentencing Postponed

Place: U.S. Courthouse COURTROOM NO. 501
200 N. W. 4th Street DATE AND TIME
Oklahoma City, Ok. 73102
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 8:45 a.m.
____________________________________________________

Sentencing of convicted embezzler Paul Lynn Smith, former Director of the Marie Detty Youth and Family Service Center in Lawton, Oklahoma; and more recently the former Executive Director of the Mille Lacs Academy in Onamia, Minnesota - has been postponed until Tuesday, February 2, 2010.

Check with us at the Bradbury Buzzz and the Mille Lacs News for Updates.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Trials and Errors

I have been defamed by Victor E. Lund, attorney for Jim D'Angelo, Peter Freeman, and the Nexus Corporation.

Yes. He defamed me.

How? Victor Lund lied. He lied about me. He lied about what I'd written, about things I said. He personally testified to all the judges who have heard the lawsuits against me, and in doing so, he committed perjury. At least, to my knowledge, lawyers aren't suppose to lie to the court. They have a code of ethics they are bound to uphold. So if "perjury" is an incorrect term, please don't sue me. (They like to pick out certain words to sue me over... like "egocentric" and "arrogant", stuff like that.) Some of what he said is not defamation since it is his personal opinion, and everyone but me is entitled to his opinion... But I have to tell you, what he said about me? Its way uglier than anything Hannabelle said, even when she was really working at it. At least I based my opinions on facts. He just pulled his out of his ass.

Anyway, Victor Lund offered more than his opinion when he told the judges that I said that Jim D'Angelo sent me death threats. I never said that. I never said that JIM D'ANGELO is the one who threatened me. (I think I said "Poopsie and Company") Plus, I was being sarcastic. The fact is, Ladies and Gentlemen, that Jim D'Angelo told me that he was going to alert board members and employees as to my blog and website. At one point, he indicated that he was going to enlist them in opposing my opposition.... Does that make sense? You know - sic the dogs, round up the posse, rally the troops... That sort of thing. Shortly after he told me that, I began receiving harassing anonymous comments on this blog. I received one comment I interpretted to be a death threat. (Poncho agreed. So did the FBI agent I was in contact with.) I never said that D'Angelo is the one who sent the death threat. His LAWYER is the one who said I said it... His lawyer lied.

I can't accuse anyone of the death threat, but I have an idea who it was. And that person had MLA connections. But no matter who the individual is, the fact is that MLA supporters tried to intimidate me shortly after Jim D'Angelo told me he would be enlisting the assistance of his employees. That is why I said "Poopsie AND COMPANY" and not just "Poopsie". It is interesting to note that Jim D'Angelo himself decided that he was Poopsie. He claimed it as his own. I believe Jim D'Angelo had no knowledge of the actual death threat. But I also believe that he is, at least in part, responsible for the harassment and intimidation I endured prior to completion of the sex offender facility. I can tell you that I hold him totally responsible for the harassment and intimidation I've endured since. He chose to sue me, after all.

Victor Lund also said in his brief to the Minnesota Court of Appeals in the Nexus case that I have already been found guilty of dafamation. He says I admitted making the defamatory statements. I never admitted making defamatory statements. Not ever. I admitted making statements which he argues are defamatory. It has yet to be decided if by calling Jim D'Angelo a "snake" I am guilty of defamation. I'm not too worried about it.

What does worry me is that Victor Lund can get away with murder in front of these judges. He has told each judge: " [Victor] I think she just sits at her computer making things up because she thinks its funny." He has attacked my character with such vehemence that the judges are prejudiced against me from the get-go. He portrays Goliath as a victim of Little Davy. (And the only sling I ever had was on my arm - after I fell off a horse.) Victor calls me things like "gadfly", says I'm a malicious person who just wants a little attention. He implies that the OACRG only existed in my own mind. He says I like to pretend I'm the media. What's the difference between that and "we like to think he's kinky"? What I said was in the context of a blog. He said it in a legal document... He has presented my words out of context. He has claimed knowledge about my motivation - which of course he characterizes as NOT trying to procure favorable government action.

Everything. I mean EVERYTHING I said, wrote, or did was to procure government action favorable to my cause, i.e. to stop them from ruining my neighborhood and my life. How can Victor say otherwise? Why would anybody believe Victor? Folks, our justice system is in trouble.

A couple of the allegedly actionable statements on which Victor dwells are contained in the email I sent to Peter Freeman's department head. One says something about Peter being involved in "immoral, unethical, and possibly illegal" activities. That upsets the judges a lot. How dare I say such things!!!!! Well, Dear Readers, I said it because I believe it to be true.

I believe it is immoral to actively seek to remove a person's power of self-determination. What the Onamia city council did to us (and here I go- talking about the GOVERNMENT again... silly me) - what they did infringed on our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In fact, they knew that what they were pursuing was destroying our happiness - and did it anyway. Ho-hum. Again, we have been denied the power of the vote, and we as citizens had no representation. Remember - No Annexation Without Representation? Yeah. So it is my opinion that it is immoral to actively seek to remove a person's power of self-determination. This is still America, right? Peter Freeman was on the board of directors of the company that was forcing themselves into our neighborhood against the will of the people who live there.

I believe it is unethical to build a sex offender facility in a residential area. I'm not alone in this. In my research, one director of such a facility told me that the Nexus location was inappropriate and added that it was not only bad for the community, it was detrimental for the inmates. Peter Sex offenders do not belong next to elderly widows and day care. That should be a no-brainer.

Jim D'Angelo assured us that Nexus looked forward to working with the citizens. At the time, I believed him. I contacted most of the board members - but none of them would return my calls. Freeman was a Social Work professor at St. Thomas University. Who better to understand that Nexus would be making a mistake to relocate to the proposed site?

MN STATUTE 462.357 states that juvenile sex offender institutions are not permitted in R1 zoned areas. That could be why the Onamia city council zoned the Nexus sex offender facility as R2. They somehow managed to circumvent the law. Illegal? PERHAPS. But that wasn't even what I was referring to in the email. Anyway, similar institutions are zoned Government or Institutional or even Commercial. The Nexus facility was zoned R2.

So, I believe that Peter Freeman, as a professor in Social Work had enough training to know better. But there he was, definitely volunteering to put sex offenders next to my mom. Do I believe that's unethical? Hell, yeah! I had hoped that his colleagues could enlighten him, talk some SENSE to him. But instead, he became embarrassed and sued me.

Now the "possibly illegal" part. Hey, I'm not a cop. I'm not a lawyer (although I'm currently attending law school in the Minnesota Court of Appeals.) And most importantly - I'm not an accountant. We found some interesting financial figures and practices that were suspect. I won't take back what I said about "possibly illegal". I still don't know. But I'm sure things will come out at my trial. Make that trials.

Now, the felony conviction of Mille Lacs Academy Director Paul Lynn Smith for embezzlement, etc. doesn't have any bearing in my own legal troubles. I had nothing more than a suspicion and deep dislike of that crook. I didn't have any confirmation of Smith's illegal activities until long after Nexus found out. Is everybody okay with Paul working with disturbed kids up until his trial?

IMMORAL, UNETHICAL, AND POSSIBLY ILLEGAL....

I stand by what I wrote. But the judges haven't heard from Hannabelle yet. They will. I have a lot to tell the juries too. Victor is so wrong in so many things, but at the top of the list is his assertion that I want attention. No. I want all the attention focussed on his clients.

In my opinion, Victor Lund has performed brilliantly - and I would highly recommend him to any sleezy company who simply can't cope with a disabled, middle-aged music teacher - and needs a creative lawyer who will do anything - even cheat - to win a bogus case or two.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Convicted MLA Director Paul Smith = UPDATE

(And Jim D'Angelo is suing me because I SPECULATED that he ran a crooked company... I'd like to personally thank Paul Smith for helping me out in my time of need. Thanks for being a crook and proving me right, Paul! I knew I could count on you!)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
NOTICE
vs
Case Number: CR-08-272-C
PAUL L. SMITH
__________________________________________________________
Type of Case ____CIVIL XXX _CRIMINAL
__________________________________________________________
TAKE NOTICE
That a proceeding in this case has been scheduled for the place, date and time set forth below:
______________________________________________________________________________
Place: U.S. Courthouse COURTROOM NO. 501
200 N. W. 4th Street DATE AND TIME
Oklahoma City, Ok. 73102
U Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 8:45 a.m.
_____________________________________________________________
TYPE OF PROCEEDING
Sentencing
_____________________________________________________________
TAKE NOTICE: that the proceeding in this case has been rescheduled as indicated below:
______________________________________________________________________________
Place: U.S. Courthouse Date and Time Previously Scheduled
200 N.W. 4th Street
Oklahoma City, Ok. 73102 U Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.
___________________________________________________________________
ROBIN J. CAUTHRON
U. S. DISTRICT JUDGE
DATE: January 14, 2010 s/ Linda Goode
BY DEPUTY CLERK
AUSA: Vicki Behenna
Dft’s Counsel: Mack Martin


Source: PACER