April 1996
Read from the bottom Up
April 30, 1996
In a letter from the State of Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission to
Joseph P. O'Leary.
It stated:
"The complaint of Jerry Curtis was filed with the attorney grievance
commission on Jan. 4, 1996 alleging improper conduct on your part.
The undersigned investigated this matter by carefully reviewing all statements
and documention submitted by the parties. The results of the investigation,
along with a recommendation, were submitted to the commissioners for their
review and decision.
The attorney grievance commission determined that the evidence reviewed
did not warrant further action by the commission. Therefore, pursuant
to MCR 9.114(A), the commission directed that this request for investigation
be dismissed.
While this file is being closed, the commission wishes to caution you
regarding a lawyer's duty to explain matters to a client to the extent
reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions.
Your knowledge regarding President Dakota's interest in the gaming machines
should have been conveyed to your client. The commission directs your
attention to Michigan Rule of Professional Conduct 1.4 (b) and trusts
that you share its concerns in this regard."
The commission found him guilty, but wont do anything to him.
April, 1996
Iron County Sheriff Robert Remondini told FFJ attorney Alan Clark that his
jail will no longer take KBIC prisoners.
April 20, 1996
In the early morning hours, several employees of Peter Morin's Guardian Angels
Security Company
(this company is in no way related to the nation organization
of Guardian Angels) threw what appeared to be some kind of exploding device
at the Tribal center on US-41 where members of FFJ (which include men, women
and children) live, exploded with around 10 loud popping sounds. KBIC Police
have in custody the remains of this device.
April 18, 1996
KBIC Tribal Prosecuting Attorney and Tribal Attorney James Bittorf
(James
is Joseph O'Leary's brother-in-law) told Tribal Police that he is resigning
as the Tribe's last prosecuting attorney, but will remain as the Tribe's attorney.
So now there is no long any Tribal prosecuting attorneys.
Fred's power
base seems to be deserting him.
April 17, 1996
KBIC Tribal Prosecuting Attorney and head Tribal Attorney Joseph O'Leary said
today that he is resigning as the Tribe's prosecuting attorney, but will remain
as the Tribe's attorney. Sources have seen resumes that O'Leary is mailing
out, so apparently he is looking for another job elsewhere. The same source
was told by Mr. O'Leary that he will no longer sign anymore bogus warrants
on FFJ members.
April 15, 1996
KBIC Tribal Police Commissioner Frank Serafini
(Frank is originally from
Florida, he is married to Jerry Melko's daughter) resigned as KBIC's Police
Commissioner today. This took place after a unannounced/secret Tribal council
meeting where Fred Dakota and his supporter wanted the Tribal Police to raid
the Tribal center where the FFJ member are and arrest them.
April 2, 1996
The following excerpts were taken from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
Written by Heather Karttunen
County Jails told 'Take NO Tribal Prisoners'
... In a letter Mark Wisti of the law offices of Wisti & Jaaskelainen
P.C. wrote to the Sheriffs of Marquette, Iron, Ontonagon, & Houghton Counties,
"I am writing as a taxpayer who has a grave concern that Ontonagon, Houghton,
Marquette and Iron Counties and/or their respective sheriffs may have legal
actions brought against them in regard to incarceration of inmates who have
been placed into prison by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for their political
activities."
Whisti explained, "Federal law prohibits you from incarcerating someone
without probable cause. Federal law particularly takes a dim view of individuals
who have been incarcerated for political activity."
Houghton County Sheriff Gary Beauchamp told the Gazette this morning he has
decided not to accept prisoners from the tribe for now.
Ontonagon County Sheriff Gerald Kitzman said he is awaiting word from Prosecuting
Attorney Beth Paczesny.
"I certainly wouldn't want to do anything wrong, so I turned that over
to her," Kitzman said.
Iron County Sheriff Robert Remondini also asked for review of the letter,
by his county's prosecuting attorney, Johnathan Baker. Meanwhile, Iron county
will still accept KBIC prisoners.
The Gazette was unable to reach Marquette County Sheriff Joseph Maino for
his response.
When asked why he represents tribal dissidents free of charge Wisti answered,
"I think they're getting screwed, to put it in lay men's terms."
Tribal police this morning declined to reveal the exact number of dissident
arrests. Fight for Justice estimates 20.
