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The Mentor and the Money: What Eric Swalwell’s Campaign Finances Reveal About His Political Network

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress amid serious sexual misconduct allegations, including rape, from five women. Despite portraying former Speaker Nancy Pelosi as a mentor, financial records reveal only minimal support from her. His political ties appear more transactional, with local donors rather than prominent figures financing his campaigns.

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Connecticut / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Father's Rights / Misconduct / New York

From Custody to Conviction: The Nicholas Hall Case and the High Cost of Family-Court Weaponization

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Nicholas Hall, serving a 21-year prison sentence in Connecticut, was convicted amid a contentious custody battle. His supporters claim the charges stemmed from manipulative tactics by his ex-wife, supported by politically connected families. Advocates argue for systemic reforms to ensure fair trials and broaden access to critical evidence, emphasizing injustices in family-court linked prosecutions.

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Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / California / California Watch / Civil Rights / Civil Rights / Constitutional Law / Constitutional Rights / Court Reform / Crime & Violence / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Due Process Denied / Family Court / Legal Reform / Misconduct / San Marcos Abduction Attempt / The Smiel Series

Inside People v. Smiel: When Process Becomes the Story

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Giselle Smiel faces five felonies, including kidnapping, for picking up her crying child at a San Diego school. Her defense argues there was no force or substantial movement, pointing to lack of evidence and jurisdictional issues. Advocates highlight constitutional violations and ADA neglect in her arrest, seeking dismissal of charges and oversight on family-court mechanisms in criminal cases.

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Accountability / Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / Court Corruption / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Discrimination / Family Court / Law Enforcement / Misconduct / New York / New York Watch / Parental Rights / parental rights / Rights and Freedoms

Supervised Visitation in Westchester County: A Probation-Run Program That Proves False Arrest

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

In 2018, Marc Fishman was falsely arrested during a supervised visitation with his son, igniting a lawsuit over civil rights and disability discrimination. Under Westchester County policy, his probation officer was present, but law enforcement acted without her approval, highlighting systemic issues in the county’s handling of supervised visitation and civil rights violations.

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bias / Congress / GOP / Government / Government Corruption / Misconduct / News & Media / Politics / Republicans / Washington, DC

The Altered Flag Mystery: What Really Happened Inside Rep. Dave Taylor’s Office?

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

A viral image of a defaced American flag in Rep. Dave Taylor’s office sparked investigations and theories about its origins. The defacement, which appeared deliberate, led to speculation about whether it was a sabotage attempt, an oversight, or an internal provocation. The incident illustrates the dangers of symbolism and digital misinformation in politics.

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Accountability / Civil Rights / Civil Rights / Corruption / Discrimination / Government / Government Corruption / Law and Order / Law Enforcement / Maryland / Misconduct / Prince Georges County / The Corruption Series / transparency

A Department in Decay: How Prince George’s County Police Became a Case Study in Institutional Failure

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Prince George’s County’s police department sits at the uneasy intersection of race, power, and accountability — a majority-Black force in a majority-Black county still haunted by decades of corruption and cover-ups. From the $20 million William Green shooting settlement to this month’s $2.35 million verdict for whistleblower Mohamed Magassouba, the pattern is clear: misconduct isn’t the exception, it’s the expense of doing business. “A Department in Decay” traces how internal retaliation, political favoritism, and taxpayer-funded damage control have replaced real reform — and why even honest cops are paying the price.

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Accountability / Advocacy / bias / California / California Watch / Child Custody / Child Custody / Child Support / Child Welfare / Corruption / Court Corruption / Crime & Violence / Domestic Violence / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Misconduct / San Marcos Abduction Attempt / The Corruption Series / The Smiel Series

The Missing Eyes in Family Court: How Lack of Transparency Jailed a Survivor

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Family courts claim to protect children, but secrecy has turned them into weapons against the very parents who seek safety. In California, survivor Giselle Smiel cared for her children alone for five years—only to lose them to an abusive ex after missing one hearing during her son’s medical emergency. Now she sits in jail on six felony charges, without transcripts, without ADA accommodations, and without transparency. Her case proves what advocates like Renata DeMello have long warned: until the public can see inside family court, justice will remain out of reach.

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Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / bias / Civil Rights / Corruption / Court Corruption / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Family Court / Fraud / Government / Government Corruption / Misconduct / New York / New York Watch / The Corruption Series / The Fishman Files

Justice Denied: Why New York Must Answer for Marc Fishman

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

A disabled father, Marc Fishman, faces wrongful imprisonment in New York despite clear evidence of his innocence, including admission from the arresting officer, Officer Schlesinger, later identified as corrupt. The prosecution disregards ethical obligations and fails to provide necessary accommodations. Marc’s story underscores systemic injustices threatening all citizens’ rights.

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Accountability / Attorney General / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / Child Custody / Civil Rights / Court Corruption / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Discrimination / Family Court / Government / Government Corruption / Governor / Misconduct / New York / New York Watch / Politics / Rights and Freedoms / The Corruption Series / The Fishman Files / transparency

New York’s Shame: The State Hunts Marc Fishman While Ignoring Real Justice

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

In New York, Marc Fishman, a disabled father, endures a legal nightmare due to false accusations and judicial misconduct, facing a 45-day jail sentence despite exculpatory evidence. His appeals are delayed amid a lack of gubernatorial intervention, highlighting systemic failures and the abuse of power within the judicial system. Fishman’s plight reflects broader issues of injustice affecting vulnerable citizens.

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Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / California / California Watch / Civil Rights / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Discrimination / Domestic Violence / Family Court / Misconduct / Rights and Freedoms / San Marcos Abduction Attempt

They Locked Her Down, Then Shut Her Up: How San Diego Jails Punish Disabled Survivors

- by Michael Phillips - 2 Comments.

Giselle Smiel, a survivor of domestic violence, faced significant barriers to ADA Title II accommodations during her detention. Despite multiple requests, she lacked effective communication supports and experienced retaliation. The case highlights systemic failures in recognizing invisible disabilities and ensuring compliance, ultimately underscoring the need for accountability in custody settings.

They Locked Her Down, Then Shut Her Up: How San Diego Jails Punish Disabled Survivors Read More