Thursday, September 27, 2007

Marion County Coroner Lawsuit

As many of you are aware, I am one of the attorneys representing Drs. Stephen Radentz and Michelle Catellier, two former forensic pathologists with the Marion Co. Coroner's office, in a racial discrimination suit against the office. I am joined by Jeff McQuary, an employment discrimination attorney who formerly worked for the City of Indianapolis' corporation counsel's office. Jeff has also served as a Democratic precinct committeeman. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. As a legal participant in that proceeding, I am going to refrain from posting on the topic. Many of you have inquired about the case so I'm going to direct you to see what others have to say. Ruth Holladay has posted her summary of what she views as having transpired in the coroner's office, which you can read by clicking here. You can also read what the Indiana Lawyer's Rebecca Berfanger is reporting on the case in its current edition by clicking here. The Star's Jon Murray has a story here.

12 comments:

Sir Hailstone said...

Most people should have enough sense to know you cannot breach attorney-client privilege by commenting on the case.

Best of luck on winning your case for your clients.

Anonymous said...

Gary,

This is a small thing, and you'll probably want to check with him, but I don't think Jeff is a PC now.

Gary R. Welsh said...

You're correct, Jen. I believe he gave up his post within the past year.

Anonymous said...

Wise move on your part, Gary.
Not many attorneys have that kind of integrity

Anonymous said...

Just so Wilson knows, this has NOTHING to do with Democrat versus Republican, but the fact that the person slated by Carson, by his OWN admission, is NOT qualified to do the job and neither are the person(s) whom he has hired or appointed to various positions at MCCO. There is much, much more to the problems at MCCO than just a racial discrimination lawsuit.

Jeff Cox said...

Used to work with McQuary in the City Legal Division. He's a good attorney to have on this case. Good luck to you guys.

Anonymous said...

If Ackles had a problem with the contract, why did he sign it? This would be the same contract that was reviewed by both city legal and the controllers office, neither of whom voiced ANY opposition to it. The city/county knew that is was important to keep board certified forensic pathologists(all 3 of them at the time) at MCCO to give credibility to cases in court, yet they are silent when a pathologist(Carter) with what can be considered a less than stellar past history is brought in 5 months after the new long-term agreement is reached. It just smells fishy to me, an average taxpayer who hopes I never have to deal with MCCO.

Anonymous said...

Ackles is a racist.

Sir Hailstone said...

"average taxpayer who hopes I never have to deal with MCCO"

Sorry Gary for the blatent shameless self-promoting plug, but I'm putting together something for posting in a couple weeks or so profiling an "average taxpayer" dealing with the MCCO.

Anonymous said...

Excellent post, and even better discretion on your part, Gary. Superb.

If Ackles is slated again next year when the coroner's office is on the ballot, the Democratic Party should have its head examined. And by "Head" I mean the Congresswoman and the Mayor. They run the party, make no mistake.

Fully half the mayor's current electoral difficulties, come from incompetent fellow Dems on the council. He's stayed out of it, I am certain, because he's afraid to rock the boat on a 15-14 council.
He never has more than a one-vote margin on difficult issues unless a Republican crosses over. Ane the 15th floor can never count on Sherron--she's a 14 Karat goof.

Another observation: I was stunned at city legal's public comment on this case. It was arrogant, flippant and disrespectful.

There's more bravado in that office than talent. Ask Miss Melyssa, who, while violating city zoning ordinances, was treated boorishly by city legal. No one deserves that. These folks work for us.

Anonymous said...

In Wilsonspeak, the slating, election and subsequent actions of Ackles are simply considered to be "reparations" for the evil acts of the prior Marion County GOP administrations against the local black community.
I think it would be very interesting to know the percentage of blacks now employed by the City in relation to the number of whites.
Reparations? The Courts will decide.

Anonymous said...

As ridiculous as some if Wilson's posts are, 9:01, your demand to know the racial breakdown of city employees is insulting. Who cares?

Wilson puts enough silly words and thoughts in his own mouth. We don't need to pile on.