Institutions Archives

3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Anne Arundel County / Circuit Court / Court Corruption / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Institutions / Maryland / Maryland Watch / The Reichert Files

The Wrong County

April 14, 2026April 15, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

A Maryland custody case involving Sarah Hornbeck and Jeffrey Reichert experienced prolonged legal battles due to a contentious address issue. Hornbeck’s initial emergency petition, filed under an incorrect Anne Arundel County address, led to years of hearings and appeals. Despite numerous jurisdiction challenges, the court upheld jurisdiction without addressing the misrepresentation of Hornbeck’s residence.

3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Child Custody / Child Custody / Child Trafficking / Child Welfare / Court Corruption / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government / Institutions / Legal Reform / Maryland / Maryland Watch / Series / The Reichert Files / The Shadow Docket of Reichert v. Hornbeck

The 90-Day Order: How an Unprecedented Custody Decision Became Invisible Law

April 12, 2026April 12, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

In February 2022, Judge Alison L. Asti ordered Jeffrey Reichert to have no contact with his son, G.R., for ninety days, disrupting their long-established custody. The unreported appellate opinion overlooked crucial case history, raising concerns about judicial consistency and transparency in contested custody cases involving allegations of parental alienation.

3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Anne Arundel County / Baltimore City / Baltimore County / Court Corruption / Family Court Reform / Institutions / Legal Reform / Maryland / Maryland Watch / The Reichert Files / The Shadow Docket of Reichert v. Hornbeck / Virginia

Five Appeals, No Precedent: How One of Maryland’s Most Litigated Custody Cases Disappeared Into the Shadows

April 7, 2026April 7, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

In 2013, the Maryland custody case Reichert v. Hornbeck set legal precedents but generated five unreported opinions that became invisible in family law discussions. These opinions addressed crucial issues like protective orders and child support yet lacked publication, highlighting systemic transparency problems in Maryland’s family law, affecting future cases significantly.

3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Brenna Gano Case / California / California Watch / Court Corruption / Family Court Reform / Institutions / The California Custody Cartel

Inside the California Custody Cartel

April 6, 2026April 7, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Brenna Gano’s experience in California’s family court highlights a troubling system where justice is influenced by financial interests. Misled and pressured into signing agreements, she faced excessive costs and neurological biases that labeled her as unstable. Her case exemplifies a broader pattern of exploitation for profit within family court practices, jeopardizing families’ well-being.

3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Brenna Gano Case / California / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Institutions

When Family Court Leaves the Courtroom

April 5, 2026April 7, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The article highlights the risks parents face in private judging during family court proceedings, often unaware of its binding nature. Many experience significant pressure and confusion, leading to irreversible agreements without fully understanding the consequences. It emphasizes the need for clarity and proper legal guidance before consenting to such processes.

3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Court Corruption / Crime & Violence / Crime Violence / Criminal / Government Corruption / Institutions / Legal Reform / Maryland / Maryland Watch / The Reichert Files

She Slipped the Cuffs, Fought Two Officers, Drove Impaired — Then Walked Away Clean. Years Later, Under Oath, She Said She Didn’t Remember.

March 30, 2026April 15, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - 1 Comment

A deposition revealed that attorney Sarah Hornbeck admitted under oath to a 2018 DUI arrest and a guilty plea, contradicting her legal filings. Despite her claims, the records raise concerns about probation violations and her inconsistent memory regarding significant incidents, all occurring amid an ongoing custody dispute.