City told to pay lawyer $962,673 in cross case (San Diego)

San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE ^ | May 22, 2007 | Greg Moran

[Baladas]

The city's appealing this ruling to pay the atheist attorney that ultimately lost. Tort reform?

[TommyDale]

Say what? This judge needs to be taken to the woodshed.

[Always Right]

This idiotic policy has been what has funded the ACLU lawsuits for years. Too bad the GOP did NOTHING when they had control and had a chance to fix this stupidity. There is no chance a Dem Congress will do anything on this.

[originalbuckeye]

I thought that the loser had to, at the very least, pay his own legal fees. Loser Pays, across the board, would be a good move.

[SmithL]

Thompson, Gordon Jr.

Born 1929 in San Diego, CA

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U. S. District Court, Southern District of California
Nominated by Richard M. Nixon on October 7, 1970, to a new seat created by 84 Stat. 294; Confirmed by the Senate on October 13, 1970, and received commission on October 16, 1970. Served as chief judge, 1984-1991. Assumed senior status on December 28, 1994.

Education:
University of Southern California, B.S., 1951

Southwestern University School of Law, LL.B., 1956

Professional Career:
Deputy district attorney, County of San Diego, California, 1957-1960
Private practice, San Diego, California, 1960-1970

Race or Ethnicity: White

Gender: Male

[Red Badger]

Pay $1M?..........I’d be VERY CROSS!............

[NorthFlaRebel]

I imagine that since this judges order was stayed already, his order to pay the fees can be to. I guess the prior case is moot since the land was transferred, but I assume it needs to be heard so that the issue can be resolved. Only then should this guy get paid if he prevails. I can’t see a court upholding this when he didn’t win and the issue has not actually been resolved in court.

[Condor51]

*** Too bad the GOP did NOTHING when they had control and had a chance to fix this stupidity. There is no chance a Dem Congress will do anything on this. ***

Actually one GOP Congressman did try last year (or maybe 18 mo's now). Can't recall his name but he introduced a Bill to end ACLU payments in 1st Amendment - civil rights - cases like this one. But it went nowhere.

I seem to recall his fellow GOP congress critters killed it. Sent it off to 'committee', never to be seen or heard of again.

[GFritsch]

Initiate the recall petitions for this dangerous judge!

[Obie Wan]

Education:
University of Southern California, B.S., 1951

What’s the B.S. stand for ???

[Always Right]

The city's appealing this ruling to pay the atheist attorney that ultimately lost. Tort reform?

Technically, he did not lose. He won (but has since died) to have the cross removed and it was order to be removed. The Supreme Court put a stay on the ruling. That gave time for the federal government to come in and take control of the land and made the ruling moot. So he never really lost (except for in life).

[Always Right]

Actually one GOP Congressman did try last year (or maybe 18 mo's now). Can't recall his name but he introduced a Bill to end ACLU payments in 1st Amendment - civil rights - cases like this one. But it went nowhere.

He couldn't get it out of committee. That's a bunch of BS. The GOP had control, they should have gotten it done.

[NonValueAdded]

and hopefully in after-life. May he be roasting right now.

[Always Right]

Initiate the recall petitions for this dangerous judge!

Congress empowered judges to give these awards. This is not all the judge's fault, the GOP congress which did not fix this has to carry some of the 'credit'.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

What exactly are the criteria for being appointed to a federal judicial seat? Here’s a guy who does three years in a junior role in the attorney general’s office, then goes into private practice for 10 years. What qualified him for this appointment? What did he do in his practice that distinguished him from other potential candidates?

[chatham]

The Bum Lost = No Money.

Also stop paying the “JUDGE” with taxpayer money.

[Condor51]

***He couldn't get it out of committee. That's a bunch of BS. The GOP had control, they should have gotten it done.***

You bet it's BS. For some reason the GOP worked with the RATS on this. Maybe they were afraid of backlash from minorities for whom this ACLU paymnet baloney was originaaly aimed to help.

But yes, BS none the less.

[edcoil]

I have heard of loser pays.

Why in this case does the winner have to pay?
Course, it is the taxpayers so that, is ok.

[PGalt]

Council President Scott Peters, who has been a critic of Aguirre and represents the district where Mount Soledad is located, said he is concerned about the effects on the city budget as legal costs rise.

Peters said he wants a briefing from Aguirre on the city's basis for appealing, and that he might decide it's “better to just put an end to it,” by paying McElroy, rather than again taking the case to a higher court.

Interesting article and tactics. Thanks for posting.

[Congressman Billybob]

Of course the fee award should be appealed. Broader than just this case, it is critical that all parties who defeat the ACLU in any case on any issue, should demand fee awards against the ACLU and its attorneys.

Congressman Billybob

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