Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Johnston/Palin custody case round one: Van Flein wants pseudonyms used. DENIED! Wants case closed. DENIED! Stomps his feet. DENIED!

The first volley was fired back in November 3, when Van Flien files an "Ex Parte" motion to close the custody proceedings, institute a protective order, and to use pseudonym's to protect the anonymity of Levi, Bristol, and Tripp. This is followed quickly by a filing for full custody from Van Flein using Levi's lack of employment (Thanks Sarah Palin!), the fake tweets attributed to him, and Sherry Johnston's arrest to claim that Levi is unfit to share custody.

In these filings we see Levi's attorney, Rex Butler responding to the filings by Van Flein.

Van Flein attempts to make the case that by talking about his intent to file for custody Levi is in violation of a court order not to talk about a case that had already started and requests that he be found in contempt and fined. I have to disagree. By saying he was GOING TO file papers, Levi quite deftly deflected any question of whether anything had already been filed. (By the way the Palmer judge denied Van Flein's request.)

Rex quite intelligently makes the point that it is clear that neither Levi, nor his family, talked about the filings because NO news agency posted a story. (Hell I did not have a clue, and believe me I would have known if anybody was talking.)

On page 51 Rex says that he is NOT going to be the attorney to see this thing through, and that Levi is seeking other legal counsel. (Do you hear that Alaska attorney's? Levi might be in need of your services.)

In this series of filings, we can see Van Flein spending Palin's money by the fistful as he sits around reading blogs, citing Hollywood gossip rags, and photocopying legal papers, blog posts, and celebrity interviews, to slow down the process and dramatically increase his billable hours.

On page 62 Bristol provides an affidavit where she uses interviews given by Mercede in which she honestly expressed her feelings about her brother's ex-girlfriend, as an attack on her, and demonstrates the same bad girl vindictive streak that her mother is famous for. (Or is that really YOU, Sarah?)

Van Flein throws in everything but the kitchen sink in his desperation to convince the judge to keep this case closed to the public. He cuts and pastes whole pages from the Basinger/Baldwin custody battle, from the Spears/Federline custody battle, from the interviews that Sherry, Mercede, and Levi gave to Larry King, gossip blogs (complete with Google ads and reader comments), and yours truly (on page 58. And let me just point out, the post was absolutely accurate.)

Essentially Van Flein's goal seems to be to make the point that Levi Johnston is seeking to try this case in the media and does not care that the public scrutiny may prove harmful to little Tripp. (Hang on while I catch my breath, that overwhelming use of hypocrisy almost knocked the wind out of me!)

Having Sarah Palin's attorney make that argument is almost unbelievable in its stupidity. Sarah Palin is the one who dragged this family, along with the very reticent Levi Johnston, into the glare of public scrutiny. SHE is the one who invited all of this attention, and for Van Flein to argue that it is Levi's doing is completely ridiculous.

And Levi's contention that keeping the media involved will make Sarah behave may be a little naive on his part, but he is correct that without the public attention things will get even uglier, much uglier.

Here is Judge Kristiansen's denial of Van Flein's argument. It is so nice you should read it twice.

There is much, much more to be found in the legal filings I cited above, but I am not an attorney so I leave it up to those with more knowledge to sift through the jargon and tell us all what I have left out.

Here is the ADN article about the case. Which includes this GREAT Rex Butler quote: "He feels Sarah Palin, through her lawyer, under the guise of Bristol Palin's name, would run roughshod over his very bones," Butler wrote.

Here is a Politico article which identifies an attorney who is NOT Van Flein, by the name of Lisa Hamby, as Bristol's attorney in this case.

134 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:45 AM

    $P's protest.....DENIED!

    8~}

    ReplyDelete
  2. "I know that public scrutiny will simplify this matter and act as a check against anyone's need to be overly vindictive, aggressive or malicious, not that Bristol would ever be that way, nor that I would. But her mother is powerful, politically ambitious and has a reputation for being extremely vindictive," Johnston said in his affidavit. "So, I think a public case might go a long way in reducing Sarah Palin's instinct to attack."

    In other words, less likely to be found in an affidavit, the bitch asked for it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I haven't had time to real all the comments so I don't know whether this has already been said, but I believe our little Queen in training has been bought off. Bristol probably gets the old house & The Queen moves into the new one. Remember when Todd offered Bristol a car to break up with Levi. Well, I think they upped the anti & I think Bristol is making a huge mistake. This is one of those life changing events where you need to make the right decision & admit your parents are not always right & don't know everything & a bribe is a bribe. I hope they throw the book at this band of grifters. They all need to go away in 2010. Keith if you're out there, I think they are a great candidate for the Worst Family in the World. Bristol you're an idiot.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I suspect anyone who has ever battled a vindictive bitch who used her own child and the legal system to wreck revenge is now experiencing the same sick feeling in the pit of their stomach as I am after reading these court documents.

    Ironically, Gryphen, I think the posting from IM that they included in their affidavit actually supports Levi's case. You make the point that they are denying him access to his son and that the publicity whirlwind begun by SP has made it impossible for Levi to get a normal job, thus requiring him to seek other means of support. What, exactly, is Bristol's means of support, other than her Mommy?

    I'd love to prepare an affidavit in answer to Their Uglinesses, including evidence of Bristol subjecting Tripp to media scrutiny for her own financial gain, transcripts of Sarah trash talking Levi on national TV, evidence of poor Palin parenting as displayed by Sarah's use of Trig as an ill-clothed prop on her Grand Tour, suggestion of Palin drugging of their babies, MySpace references to Bristol's drug use, drinking habits, and sexual activities, etc, etc.

    Levi has to stop fighting this bitch with his hands tied behind his back or he will lose his son to this dysfunctional family. And make no mistake, they will destroy him.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous8:01 AM

    Lisa C. Hamby is a Fairbanks AK partner in the same law firm as VanFlein. = zero degrees of separation.

    hummm.....

    Bonsai-Jay

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous8:04 AM

    Hamby, is listed as working out of the Fairbanks office, of Van Flea.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous8:05 AM

    Van Flea and Hamby are collecting big dollars for this avalanche of crap they are dumping on Levi's head.

    Their multitudes of filings strikes me as using a sledge hammer to drive a tack... pure overkill.

    I hope the judge continues to bring Bristol and her lawyers to their senses... and maybe even charges Bristol for much of Levi's lawyers cost...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous8:06 AM

    Does anyone know what medical records were requested and where in Bristol's response they were called unreasonable?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous8:07 AM

    Lisa Hamby is an attorney in Van Flea's office. She worked on a Case before the Alaska Supreme Court in October of this year.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous8:07 AM

    Gryphen,
    Think about your lunch with "the flea". He acted like you tricked him but he was gracious enough to sit and eat with you. He did not know you but all the while he is pulling up information on your web site for the little Palin bitch to use. You were in a trap and if you knew of Levi and spoke of it would have been a nail in Levi's case coffin. Pure snake.

    Alaska is a small community, you all say so, everyone knows everyone. He tricked you, he has been probably reading your blog since $'error failed VP run. The bottom line, all of you bloggers be careful, things are not as they seem. You don't know who their friends are and what they are after.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous8:12 AM

    Gryphen,

    In my previous post I call B. Palin a "little Palin bitch". Some of your readers might be offended for my vocabulary but in my defense, "if it walks like a duck, quack like a duck its a BITCH."

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous8:17 AM

    Agree. Things are not what they seem. They never are. Keep your enemies close, but don't show them your cards. Maybe that's what Van Flea was doing...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous8:18 AM

    So far everybody in the news has said that Levi hasn't been in the Babies life, basically that he was an absente father. Nobody mentions the possibility that he wasn't aloud to see him. I truly dislike how they portray him in the media, specially after he made statements to the fact that he doesn't get to see his Son. They Palin's made it hard for him to see his child just so they can hold it against him afterwards

    ReplyDelete
  14. emrysa8:21 AM

    I'm going to eat some crow here.

    when levi came out and made a big issue of the fake twitter post, I gave him shit. I thought it was funny and he just should have left it alone.

    now I see why he did it. I was wrong in my position that he just should have left it alone.

    I hope rex or the next lawyer makes a big issue of the palin's knowingly submitting fraudulent evidence to the courts. it obviously speaks volumes about their character. that poor kid is going to grow up to be as f-ed up as they are by being in that household. sad.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous8:28 AM

    Anon @ 8:07- Well, if that was Flea's plan, it backfired, to say the very least.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous8:39 AM

    8:21 emyrsa said
    I hope rex or the next lawyer makes a big issue of the palin's knowingly submitting fraudulent evidence to the courts.
    ----
    YOU BETCHA. But I really, really hope the JUDGE let's Van Flein have it big time. For a lawyer to do so little due diligence makes it appear that the lawyer was deliberately attempting to subvert the judicial process. My hope is that there will be an in court dressing down that Van Flein will remember his whole life.

    ReplyDelete
  17. the problem child8:39 AM

    Lisa C. Hamby is an asociate (not a partner) of the Van Flein firm working out of Fairbanks, according to the firm's website.

    She does not claim to practice in family law, either. My guess is that she is "low cost" option as she would bill at a significantly lower rate than a partner would. She would be doing the research (so, "Hi, Lisa!) and probably writing the affidavits and briefs as well.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ratfish8:41 AM

    Palin is the one who subjected her daughter (and her ex-boyfriend) to a media circus by announcing Bristol's pregnancy in the national media.

    And a custody proceeding is more embarrassing than that?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous8:46 AM

    Gryphen, I'm a fan of this blog, but I do find it offensive to have people calling the 19yo mother of the baby in this custody dispute a b**ch, and talking about kicking her *ss. Imagine if this were your daughter. This is just wrong. We know nothing about Bristol, other than she is an unwed teenager likely very frightened and stressed. Walk a mile in someone else's shoes.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I hope Levi gets best legal advice possible. I am sure there are many, many Alaska attorneys who would love to help this young man in his legal battle again Sarah Palin. Again, looks like Bristol is her mother's protege, untimely reply 9 days after it was due with no justifiable excuse for the delay. The Palin's think the world revolves around them and they will do everything in their own good time and to hell with legal proceedings. Sarah Palin has created the media circus around her family, and now she wants to change everything and make it private because things aren't going her way. To quote our good friend Shannyn Moore, "suck it up Buttercup"!

    ReplyDelete
  21. "(Hang on while I catch my breath, that overwhelming use of hypocrisy almost knocked the wind out of me!)"

    Love it!

    Sarah Palin's fans must be rejoicing that finally it will come out that Levi lied about living under Palin's roof. Oh, wait...Levi wants the court record open and Palin wants it sealed.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Once again, there seems to be confusion (?) about Tripp's birthday?
    Quote from the Politico article: Court documents showing that Bristol Palin filed for sole custody of her son Tripp Johnston-Palin on Nov. 4 became public on Monday — the child’s first birthday. (bolding is mine)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Lisa Hamby is an attorney in Van Flein's firm who offices in Fairbanks.

    She doesn't have a background in Family Law either!!!!! as shown in her list of practice areas from the firm's website:

    Lisa C. Hamby
    Associate
    907-479-7717
    Fax: 907-479-7966
    Fairbanks, AK

    Practice Areas

    Medical Malpractice
    Products Liability
    Insurance Defense
    Labor and Employment Law
    Construction

    Education

    Willamette University College of Law—Doctor of Jurisprudence, Summa Cum Laude (2001)
    University of Alaska, Fairbanks—BA Criminal Justice (1997)

    http://www.akcplaw.com/lisahamby.asp

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous8:55 AM

    Levi needs to get Becky Beavers from Austin Tx to be his custody lawyer. There will be but a pile of ashes when she is done with the Palins. Opposing counsel quakes in their boots when they hear Becky is the attorney on the other side.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Van Flein wanted the case to be 'sealed' ... that is why he felt it was OK to use a fake Twitter post, he didn't count on bloggers KNOWING that the post was fake, and be exposed so FAST!

    Tommy, honey, word of advice here; don't fall into the Sarah Trap of thinking 'if it's on Twitter, they will believe it'

    We are NOT all Palinbots, Tommy! Many people are watching this case and .... all may not be as Twittered (wink1)

    ReplyDelete
  26. lilly9:02 AM

    This is the nail in $arah political career. At the #1 $arah Palin is voted Douche of the Year site, some one from the Sea of Pee posted. She is loved by the people.

    Maybe this woman fooled some of the people some of the time, and you sea of peers all the time, but...

    a lot of people see right through her.

    They can pull out the old Wooten bag of tricks on Levi. Bristol learned how to tweek the truth with that case.

    Bristol has her mama grizzly with claws out waiting to rake them over Levi and the Johnstons.

    ReplyDelete
  27. 10catsinMD9:06 AM

    If Hamby is from Fairbanks, bet the next move is to try to move trial to Fairbanks.

    But considering some of the past moves of SP in Fairbanks, that is a prejudicial move in favor of the
    bp.

    I did some boots reporting on the book tour in Wash PA and was quite surprised at Sally and Aunt Kates comments to me about Thnksgiving dinner. Since this has come out, they obviously knew what was happening and took great delight in mocking LJ in public via this invite. Yea, let's invite the whole world--see how nice we are, giggle, giggle. They did laugh about it. But it's simply their mean girl MO.

    Although this case is about Bristol and Levi, LJ's family has been brought into it and it is potentially fairgame to bring bristol's family in. I said this before: abusive use of conflict. Judges do not like this. SP's hyena-like laugh on Oprah, we can all see now was just a facade. She "gotcha" Oprah. I bet SP loved that one. Same for BW's interview. It was all a set up for image control.

    Bristol has never done anything in the public eye that I remember without her parent(s) present at her side or nearby. This shows a great dependency on them. Like someone else has said, what will her financial statement look like? Does she have any independent means of support outside of her mother's financial gain?

    Maybe having the family along on the book tour was a facade to show some kind of togetherness.

    Last statement. I really felt for Trip in PA. It was cold and I was shivering in my layers. Temperature was in the low forties, high thirties. Cold, damp, and nasty. Grammy and auntie only had him covered with a light jacket and steeler cap. He was certainly very unhappy. SP had a ton of security and her child and family had nothing as they wandered around the parking lot and over to Starbucks for their coffee. Sat outside also in the cold with Trig.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous9:06 AM

    Anon at 8:18, Levi is on record in a number of places as saying for months that the Palins were refusing to allow him to see Tripp. Family courts frown on mothers who prevent fathers from having seeing their children. Yet in this affidavit, the Palins openly admit that they have denied Levi his visitation rights. In other words, admitting this makes Bristol look bad, not Levi.

    I said long ago that Levi should have taken Bristol to court and forced her to follow a strict visitation schedule. He obviously had some reason for not doing that. I hope that the ugliness Bristol has displayed in this affidavit--such as echoing her mother's statements about the "porn" and attacking Mercede for having the "nerve" to complain about being called trash--will be a wake up call to Levi.

    He must stop trying to protect Bristol and her mother. The one paying the price for his misguided chivalry will be Tripp. God help any child forced to grow up in the toxic stew that is the Palin family. Levi must do anything he can to get that child away from them as much as possible.

    Bristol is using Sherry's felony as an excuse to keep Tripp away from Levi. Yet Levi knows of illegal activities by Sarah that could put her behind bars. Now is the time to expose her and get her locked up. For Tripp's sake.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great summary. Thanks!
    I think Levi will get to see his son regularly when this is settled. Hang in there, Levi.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think Levi has been the most honorable of the parties involved. He is a champion compared to the others. He has been circumspect in his comments about the Palins. If he were out for revenge, he could have had it months ago. I think he sincerely wants to be a good parent to Tripp.

    ReplyDelete
  31. VF: To date, Bristol and her family have provided nearly 100% of the child care for Tripp, and paid for almost all costs associated with Tripp's upbringing. Not until October, 8th, 2009, nearly 10 months after Tripp was born, did Levi pay his first dollar to help support his child.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous9:17 AM

    "Sarah Palin is the one who drug this family"

    I think you meant "dragged this family" although I wouldn't put it past her to drug them.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous9:19 AM

    Levi seems like a shy sort of guy who never wanted the limelight. I wish him the best of luck cause Sarah will stop at nothing to silence him and ruin him. My advise to him is get the best lawyer in Alaska and watch his back and don't go hunting for a while or fishing.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous9:19 AM

    Lisa Hamby is listed on the law firm web site as an "associate". Since she is not a full partner in the firm, then she takes her marching orders from Van Flein who is both a partner and the attorney of record in this litigation.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous9:23 AM

    Several thoughts occur to me: One, Van Flea isn't the one searching the Net for all this stuff; Sarah and Bristol have been saving it. THEY are the ones who gave this material to Van Flea and insisted he include it in the affidavit. I suspect he was not happy when he discovered they gave him screenshots from a Twitter account they knew damned well wasn't real.

    Two, when Sarah initiated this, I suspect she never expected that her royal command that the proceedings be closed to the public would not succeed.

    Three, given that Tripp is living with Sarah, shouldn't her mental health records and drug abuse be open to discovery?

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous9:23 AM

    Levi..it should be illegal to have to put up with this much shit before you are of drinking age.

    Bristol... did you ever think it may have been better just to work out a joint custody agreement with Levi in private. You know, you could have blinked and said no to the going to court route.

    Taking the correct and smart path and knowing when to say "no" does not seem to be in the Palin genes.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous9:29 AM

    Regarding the infamous lunch date, I don't think Van Flein tricked Gryphen into meeting him. Remember that Van Flein wasn't the one to arrange this meeting, and I doubt he has the time to set up schemes to trick Alaskan bloggers into meeting him. Furthermore, I seriously doubt he got any information out of Gryphen that could have been 'actionable intelligence'.

    Having said that, once he realized who he was meeting, I'm sure he did use the opportunity to get a better feel for who his adversaries were. It's far easier to 'shore up' your competition by meeting them in person than it is by reading their blog.

    Just food for thought...

    ReplyDelete
  38. Yesterday, C4P had a "Happy Birthday Tripp!" post. Nowhere in it or in the comments did they mention the young child's entire name.

    I commented at C4P - for the first time in about three months - and wrote:

    Happy Birthday Tripp Easton Mitchell JOHNSTON!

    The comment was jumped on by subsequent commenters as being from a "troll." Apparently the C4P crowd find the fact that Tripp IS a Johnston disturbing.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous9:39 AM

    My legal beagle will get to it later this afternoon. He's got a real eye for detail. More when I get it.
    Margot aka Livvy

    ReplyDelete
  40. wow. just wow.9:45 AM

    Pretty amazing the a "real" law firm that VF allegedly works for would reference bogus and gossip websites and tabloids instead of State law statutes and case law.

    Sounds like malpractice - or gross incompetence - to me.

    Wasilla Hillbillies indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  41. If Sarah Palin wants to use everyone in Levi's family against him, then ask whatever happened to Diane Palin (Todd's sister) who was arrested around April 2009 for a couple of weird burglaries where she robbed the same guy's house more than once, was caught in the act, and had also brought her little daughter along for the crime.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous9:58 AM

    Lisa C. Hamby works in the Fairbanks office of the ClappTrap and Van Flein law firm. She's an associate, which mezans she is the one who got to bill all that time for reading the tabs and blogs. She is not a family law specialist. In short, she is Van Flein's briefcase carrier (as associates are known in the legal profession). Perhaps one day she will become a big time partner like Van Flein.

    ReplyDelete
  43. sunnyjane9:59 AM

    Bristol has few options at the moment. She has no education, no job and no prospects. She is at the mercy of her parents for room and board, not to mention health care.

    What I cannot understand is why this is such a big deal to Sarah. What is she trying to prove by keeping Levi away from his son? Is it just a power trip? I don't get it.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I believe Sarah is trying to negotiate a court deal that prevents Levi from publishing his tell-all book.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Anonymous10:07 AM

    Since custody records can be retrieved from the courthouse, can't someone get Sherry's? We know everything is intertwined. She was set up. At the time, troopers talked to the ADN and wasn't there some kind of confusion? I seem to remember them having to make some kind of correction. Thank you Gryphen for reading my comment Sunday night and putting up your first custody post about an hour later. Andrew Sullivan picked up on it and now it's big news! So happy that Andrew has a relationship with your blog. My husband is home this week and I am driving him crazy. Even though this custody story would have been out soon, I'm the one who found the court records and you took it from there. I'm soo excited! I can't get off of the computer! Carrie

    ReplyDelete
  46. daMamma10:09 AM

    Pull up a comfy chair, grab your favorite beverage and snack, this is going to be a real train wreak. Mark my words, the uglies have not even begun to have come out.

    What a shame that a little baby is in the center ring of this three ring circus act called Palin.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Anonymous10:09 AM

    Gryphen, check the PDF dos again; one of them is dated October 30.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Anonymous10:13 AM

    Sarah is the Drama Queen behind all of this. I can only assume that Sarah has been watching too much tabloid TV in choosing her role models.

    It is sad enough to watch Jon & Kate use their kids and their celebrity as a cheesy way to make money. Octomom was disgusting. It is hard to match the Tiger Woods drama for bad public image.

    But, Sarah does trump them all. On one hand, she put Bristol in front of the TV with Greta, or on the cover of People Magazine. Bristol's only claim to celebrity was that she was an unwed teen mother and the daughter of a governor. She is not that pretty, and she is not a good spokesperson. She never would have been in front of the media without her mother. And then, Sarah protests about publicity. Amazing, she does not see that she created this mess to start with.

    So, move over Jon & Kate, Tiger, Carrie Prejean, and all of you other wannabe's; Sarah is in the house and she is looking to snag all of the attention for herself.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anonymous10:20 AM

    Gryphen, please refresh our memories. When did Levi hire Rex and Tank? When did Levi realize that he need both a lawyer and a body guard? (Good thinking, Levi!).

    And what happened to change Levi's relationship with the Palins? Originally, Sarah was proud of the fact that Levi and Bristol were "parenting their butts off while going to school." Did Sarah discover that she couldn't control Levi the way she could control the others around her? How about the incident that Levi mentioned regarding Todd (did Todd pull a gun on him?)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Anonymous10:23 AM

    For a family that doesn't like drama (according to Ms. Palin) they sure know how to create it.

    ReplyDelete
  51. No wonder Sister Sarah looked like crap at the Christmas feed, the judge told them NO on Christmas eve, couldn't happen to a sweeter person, Snark.. Is this the first time someone said NO to the QUEEN? Maybe the bumpit is making your crown slip a little.

    Sarah remember when you said I can do it tell they take me to court, well your probably going to court baby. I think this is going to be your Gotcha moment.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Anonymous10:43 AM

    I wonder if Van Flein billed SP for that lunch w Gryphen?

    I also wonder if VF's late filing which resulted in this going public was intentional for some reason?

    ReplyDelete
  53. icstraights10:44 AM

    So when does the DNA request on Tripp come?

    ReplyDelete
  54. The word DENIED and Miss Wasilla in the same sentence is a day brightener!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Should Bristol and Van Flea really be making such a big deal of Levi's media ambitions; not being in the best interest of Tripp?
    How about media-whore, and national disgrace, Sarah Palin...that someday Tripp will be able to GOOGLE; as Van Flea does!

    He will be so proud of this:

    http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-sarah-palin-sex-doll-now-on-sale/

    ReplyDelete
  56. honestyinGov11:01 AM

    Gryphen,
    After reading about the TOTAL inept, incompetent and rather ' clownish ' way that van Fleabag has attempted to present this case to the court... I hope your spirits are lifted for the holidays. For a couple of reasons. It shows HOW Fleabag goes about his work and his professionalism.. or LACK thereof. This is good for Levi ( and Tripp) and Rex. Would it not also show others who have some ' dirt ' on S'error that they have nothing to fear with HIM representing S'error. HE is her ' go to ' guy. Is he REALLY a lawyer... or does he just play the role of one in this Soap Opera... reciting the lines that S'error has put in the script pages..?

    PLUS.... You and Dennis Zaki should be overjoyed knowing that Fleabag is your competition in court. ACLU or any number of good Attorneys should be gleefully knocking down your door wanting to represent you concerning having your Rights violated at that " Ghostwriters Book" signing last week. You don't have to spill the beans right now ( we love surprises )... but please find someone to represent your Case in court.... against THAT Guy.

    ReplyDelete
  57. BPOINT11:04 AM

    When Bristol says
    "None of this is true, my mother is not involved in this case."
    Is she really asking the court to believe that although her mother SP is paying the lawyers, she is not involved. All pay and no say? I do not think so!

    ReplyDelete
  58. WakeUpAmerica11:05 AM

    Someone on Mudflats posted an interesting comment that has a ring of truth to it. The comment was about Tripp's actual birthdate. The person theorized that Tripp was born in January but that his b'day was backed up to allow the Palins to collect the 2008 PFD for him. Hmmmm, now that's a provocative theory! That sounds like the kind of damaging info that Levi might have on Mrs. Palin, doesn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  59. Anonymous11:17 AM

    dsmyre said...
    "I believe Sarah is trying to negotiate a court deal that prevents Levi from publishing his tell-all book."
    -------
    That may be Sarah's ultimate goal, but she is not a named party in the custody litigation. So she has no standing to directly negotiate a court deal or settlement except through whatever backdoor deal she can force Bristol to demand.

    For example: "Levi, if you want equal access to your son, then all you have to do is promise never to write a tell-all book. OK?" Of course, the judge may frown on this kind of deal -- it's called extortion.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Bristol not doing anything (public interviews) without Todd or Sarah does not indicate her dependence on them; it indicates their control over her. For a brief time in the interview with Greta, Bristol's real thoughts and feelings and opinions started to surface, until Momma Dearest stepped into take control of the interview. When Bristol went to NYC to kick off the Candies abstinence tour, Todd was present during the interview which really wasn't necessary (for her Dad to be at her side during kickoff of her spokesperson tour?) except that it reminded her that she was to stick to the script!

    ReplyDelete
  61. WakeUpAmerica11:19 AM

    And who is the media whore who used a little baby as a prop to further her political ambitions? Who couldn't be bothered to put pants, socks, shoes, hat, gloves, or coat on her prop when it was 41F? That media circus book promotion certainly wasn't in Trigg's best interest. SARAH, CAN YOU SPELL HYPOCRITE?

    ReplyDelete
  62. I would like the opinions of any lawyers on the thread, just how unprofessional ( at least it seems to me) to use other names for Tripp Johnston in the court papers. He IS Tripp Johnston and to use Palin or a hyphenated name seems very unprofessional to me anyway. Anyone else please give me your opinion on that note.

    Gryphen, I know you have a little more info than the rest of us...can you tell us if a paternity test was ever done. Tripp's coloring is very light, I hope Levi is being smart....he doesn't need to be comparing pics of a 20 yr old Tripp to his old high school year book.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Somebody asked when Levi hired Rex.

    Levi and Bristol broke up in February (Yep, less than TWO months after Tripp was supposedly born. Interesting timeline no?, and Levi asked for Rex and Tank's help in early March.

    He was already being denied access, even back then.

    ReplyDelete
  64. CR46, no paternity test has ever been done.

    I asked.

    ReplyDelete
  65. emrysa11:41 AM

    funny that john doe is quoting VF as saying levi didn't pay any child support until october of this year.

    apparently john doe didn't notice that VF has also knowingly submitted fraudulent evidence to the courts. but somehow we're supposed to believe VF when he claims levi hasn't financially supported his son.

    I know gryphen sez not to feed the trolls, but john doe, if this is the best you can do, you should find another career. you're not helping your team.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Anonymous11:43 AM

    Well why not do a DNA test right now and save a lot of money and a world of grief.

    I keep thinking of all those girls who swear so and so was the father, and one failed DNA test after another, eventually with the 14th guy, Eureeka.

    Not to imply that Bristol was a slut.

    She experimented.

    Bristol is the one who called herself a slut so proudly.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Phil Munger: When you posted this at c4p ("Happy Birthday Tripp Easton Mitchell JOHNSTON!") I echoed it with "YES! Happy birthday Tripp JOHNSTON."

    How DARE they try to take away Tripp's name! They are trying to STEAL Levi's baby! This is the outrage for me - changing a baby's name, denying him his father - just sick, and I believe the judge will see it for what it is.
    This was NOT a time for VanFlein to be snarky (changing Tripp's last name to "Palin" on some of the paperwork).
    Levi - call Gloria Allred. Seriously.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Gryphen, Thank you for the quick response. I hope Rex is smart enough to request one.

    ReplyDelete
  69. the problem child11:54 AM

    Interesting that when gossip sites like the insider are used in Bristol's affidavits, they print off all the comments and make sure that the url is printed at the bottom. When it's a post from the Immoral Minority blog, however, there is no expanded comments, no url, no context on the page...and certainly no attribution to the blog itself. The url cited in the affidavit instead takes anyone who looks to the search results page.

    Selective and deceptive and not appropriate conduct for an officer of the court.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Tripp was immaculate conception. He is Tripp Palin. Almost born on Jesus's birthday and if Bristol had just rowed a little harder....

    ReplyDelete
  71. I looked up the PFD information last year (for some reason, the records are available on their website for people who applied for dividends up till 2008 but not for 2009 dividends and thereafter-- wonder why?) People can alert the PFD division to fraud. The penalty for making fraudulent claims can be the loss of ALL FUTURE PFDs. That would chap Mrs. Todd Palin's hide all right.


    I was looking at the issue because you have to show a birth certificate or allow the release of that information from a government agency that has the information, in order to claim a dividend. I thought it would be particularly important if you were claiming that a baby was born right at the end of the year, for the next year's dividend.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Anonymous11:55 AM

    If joint custody is awarded will no child support be awarded to either party?

    If they say Bristol is making a buttload of money from that pie sky scam then would Bristol have to pay Levi child support since she makes more money...lol.

    that would be the icing on the cake.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I have to say, Levi's done a beautiful job of putting Queen Esther squarely between a rock and a hard spot by what he said about her in his affidavit.

    She either has to keep her mouth shut and leave those statements hanging out there for all the world to see, or she issues a rebuttal, proving his point that she's vindictive and meddlesome. I bet her head's about to explode right now.

    My guess is that she won't be able to control herself til the end of the trial. I would guess Meg is putting together a statement right now...

    ReplyDelete
  74. Anonymous12:06 PM

    Probably why sista sayrah has had Bristol "layin' low" for the past few months...as they've been deviously plotting this coup for a while now (perhaps since the VF release)...and I would not be surprised if the Toad has an axe to grind.

    Bristol is merely a pawn in this high-stakes game of chicken. Now, who will blink first?

    ReplyDelete
  75. I notice in the PeePeeHeads' comments....they are worrying that the President and his staff might "lean on" the judges in Alaska, to influence the outcome of the custody case.

    LMAO! Do they really believe the President...with all he has on his plate...is going to "lean on" AK judges in a custody case? Really??

    Delusional much, palinbots????

    ReplyDelete
  76. 10catsinMD, re: your comment @ 9:06 AM about being "boots on the ground" in Washington PA, you should submit a voluntary statement to Rex Butler et al about your best recollection of that conversation with Sally Heath and Katie Johnson and their comments about the Thanksgiving dinner.

    It's all about what's best for the child Tripp, and that doesn't strike me as being a healthy extended family environment to be in.

    P.S. That was TriG on the bus tour in PA, not TriPP.

    ------------

    JohnDoe, aka Tim Lindell and/or Jesse C., points out that Tripp's child care was "almost" 100% paid for by "Bristol and her family" and "almost all costs".

    That in itself is an admission that Levi was trying even before he had an income to do what he could to help with the baby's child support. That's in then-18-year-old (before May 3rd) Levi's FAVOR, not to his detriment.

    Like someone else said, John Doe, you're hurting "your" people, not helping them... 8-D (lol)

    ReplyDelete
  77. Anonymous12:30 PM

    Gryphen, I agree with CR46 -- I hope that in future conversations with Rex or whoever takes over the custody case that the need for a paternity test will be discussed. Here are some of the legal reasons for making DNA testing part of any custody litigation (taken from a DNA testing web site):

    "What are the legal issues surrounding testing?
    Financial support and visitation rights can be assisted with the help of paternity testing. By determining the identity of the father, courts can establish financial support for the child until they are of a legal age. Paternity testing can also help to assign visitation rights for the father that wants to stay in contact with their child."

    Also, can you find out whether Tripp's birth certificate will be required as part of the discovery process. Many issues surrounding the actual date of his birth need to be resolved.

    Finally, do you know whether Rex will at least continue as a legal consultant when the litigation is turned over to someone else?

    ReplyDelete
  78. Anonymous12:32 PM

    I wonder about the child support money, too. On Sullivan's blog, a reader writes:

    "I am a family law attorney in NH. I find Bristol's statement about Palin's involvement in the case implausible. For starters, in about 100% of the cases involving custody of a child born to teen parents, the maternal grandparents are heavily involved. The teen mom about always lives at home, is very dependent on her parents for child care, and overall assistance with everything to do with the baby. And not the least, but reviewing the pleadings filed to date, serious money has already been shelled out-in the thousands I am certain. You can be sure that Sarah and Todd wrote those hefty retainer checks, not Bristol.."

    Do child support payments also include the grandparent's ability to pay if the parent is essentially a dependent?

    ReplyDelete
  79. Anonymous12:50 PM

    Time for someone to create some 'Go Team Levi' products at CafePress.

    Who has the skills to design us some graphics?

    We can use the proceeds to donate to Levi and Tripp for the case!

    ReplyDelete
  80. I had to check out some of the comments being made at the sea of pee...man, those people are NUTS. Somehow they've made the leap that President Obama is involved! wtf?

    Yes, Trish in SWFL, the palinbots are most assuredly delusional AND paranoid AND completely whacked out.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Lisabeth1:10 PM

    The bots actually believe the President of the USA during a very difficult period in history, care about this??? That is beyond delusional. I don't get these people! Are they stupid? Naive? Or both??

    ReplyDelete
  82. There isn't enough popcorn in the world....

    ReplyDelete
  83. Basheert1:33 PM

    I think most of us are becoming increasingly convinced that Jesse C is back and using the JohnDoe10Below alias in an effort to "troll" the blog.

    Frankly he adds NOTHING - he's been kicked off and banned from most boards.

    RE: Sarah and Bristol
    Moms can be a powerful influence on their daughters and it's not always good. Bristol may be a victim here, but even tho she's doing her mother's bidding, it must be what she wants to go this far with it.

    Let's hope the court recognizes that Tripp needs both parents. Levi has done nothing that would prevent him from having joint custody especially since he is paying now. Bristol will regret these short sighted and stupid actions someday. And Trip is the loser.

    The judge appears to not be intimidated by Scarah - which is good. She must be fairly well out of her freaking mind by now - since she's not getting her way.

    Speaking for all of us Gryphendors, I want to see Sarah publicly disintegrate ....

    ReplyDelete
  84. kdusmdd1:34 PM

    O/T On Huffington Post there is a poll to vote for worst Celeb Book of the year. Palin's book is there....I voted that her book is awful. Do the American thing...Go Vote....

    ReplyDelete
  85. Sharon in Florida1:38 PM

    While I know it's well-deserved to vent our disgust and dislike of Sarah Palin, apparently any comments made about this case may end up in court. We don't want to hurt Levi or Tripp in any way. Might be a good time to avoid calling ANYBODY a bad name in our comments.

    Let's take a page out of Levi's book: He has shown good judgment especially for someone his age when he talks about Sarah Palin. He just calmly answers questions and states facts without being snarky. We all want both Levi & Tripp to win. We all want Levi to be able to play a big part in his child's life. This case will go on for a long time so let's all stay cool & express our opinions w/out calling anybody a bad name. Just saying...

    ReplyDelete
  86. Anonymous1:45 PM

    All this discussion on this and other blogs regarding the court case may be feeding directly into the Palins' hands. The court may reconsider the issue of privacy once all these comments are seen. Perhaps future comments on this matter should be private, with Gryphen pulling the pertinent data into new postings, while leaving the speculation by the wayside. JMHO.

    ReplyDelete
  87. Anonymous1:50 PM

    As a retired trial lawyer, I have a few comments. First, dsmyre at 10:02 am hit the nail exactly on the head with the comment:"Sarah is trying to negotiate a court deal that prevents Levi from publishing his tell-all book." That is the real goal here: ALL ELSE IS SECONDARY. Levi's book could trip up Sarah's presidential ambitions, THE most important thing (to the Palins). Second, in addition to an excellent family practice/custody lawyer, Levi needs a brilliant constitutional lawyer. There WILL be efforts by the Palins to gag Levi and to keep him from telling his story (in book form or otherwise), using the court as a vehicle to accomplish this goal. This would be an improper prior restraint on Levi's exercise of his First Amendment rights, and if the court were to bend in Bristol's direction even a little bit on this, the court would be depriving Levi of his First Amendment rights. But if Levi's lawyers do not strenuously protest and litigate this, his rights will have been waived (at least, until he relitigates it, a very expensive ordeal). So for Levi's good, Tripp's good, and especially for the good of the country, the constitutional argument must be artfully and strenuously litigated. Third, Levi's lawyers MUST demand a paternity test. At the very least, it will ruin the day for the Palins, but that is not the real purpose. Levi must know with scientific certainty that he is the biological father of this child. He has 18 more years of legal and emotional battles to endure with this clan, and he had better be darn sure that he really has a dog in this fight (that Tripp is truly his). As an aside, I would dearly LOVE to see Alan Dershowitz litigate this case against Van Flein. Oy, would I love to see that!! And Dershowitz takes on cases for free when he thinks they are in the national interest.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Thomas Van Flein ACTUALLY quoted a Twitter post, by 'someone' calling himself Levi Johston05 in a court pleading?

    This is both hilarious and thought provoking.

    The obvious conclusion is, as always: if he used a fake Twitter account to support his argument, what OTHER fake/false information is in the pleadings?

    www.archivist1000.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. WakeUpAmerica2:23 PM

    Me thinks that Rex Butler should be trying to find out who set up the false Twitter account. Yep. Could be very enlightening.

    ReplyDelete
  90. to Anon@1:50.

    I appreciate your thoughts as a retired trial lawyer. Thanks.

    And I wholeheartedly agree on the Dershowitz suggestion. Boy, would I loooooove to see that, too!!

    ReplyDelete
  91. I just knew when all the sexy Johnston photos started up Palin was going to pounce on legal action against him. She's got the $ now with her ghost written book, and the time- since she quit her Guvnah job.
    I suspected she was going to try to use that as fodder against him as a "bad parent".
    I do think he was being exploited.... a young kid who is a parent, facing evil Palin who is pissed her daughter became a national embarrassment- Ooops my daughter is pregnant, while trying to convince the nation of her pit bull prowess with lipstick to boot!

    Seriously-- what makes Bristol a more suitable parent? Maybe the fact she was left to raise Trigg, the special needs baby?
    My Momma abandoned us kids so she could be some kind of political superstar, so I know more about raisin' babies than she does.

    I think Levi got some bad advice about posing for magazine pictures, when maybe he'd be better off reading up on parenting skills, or be looking for an excellent lawyer.

    This is the ugly side of Sarah.... because they should be working on how to make this work for the baby, figures she'd make it an ugly fight.

    So maybe this is Sarah's big surprise.... not running for prez in 2012, but revenge on Levi.

    Was that her motivation to quit her job?

    How much you want to bet she plays the "Christian Values" card?

    ReplyDelete
  92. Anonymous3:09 PM

    Lawyers all over the country are hoping Van Flein's twitter ploy will make it to case law. (The ones that aren't laughing themselves silly, that is.)

    ReplyDelete
  93. Lynne3:17 PM

    "Levigate"...brought to you by the folks who brought you "Troopergate"!

    ReplyDelete
  94. Say NO to Palin in Politics3:22 PM

    Hopefully Levi gets good advice from a custody lawyer who doesn't want to see him being taken back to court, spending even more money that he doesn't have.

    That's why a paternity test now is a very, very good idea.

    Scarah's family could demand this later, knowing all the while that he may not be the father now, and also knowing it will cost Levi big bucks to come back to court but in the meantime he may have delivered years of child support and bonded to a child he thought was his.

    It's just an important loose string that needs to be tied tight.

    Scarah knows who ever has the most money can hold out the longest and win a court battle. Every time you go back to court it costs.

    Please Levi do the paternity test now, for your own pocket book. Plus you deserve to know 100% this child is yours.

    Also, doesn't it take both parents signatures to change a child's name on a birth certificate?

    And isn't it sloppy lawyer work by not using the factual child's name in court paperwork?

    Challenge that too Levi.

    Bristol, I am very disappointed in you and your choices concerning Levi, your child and the rights of both of them, you seem to be only concerned with your rights. You are being very selfish and unfair.

    You three are tied together for life, please, don't handle it this way, it will get ugly and uglier, you are asking for more hurts and wounds for everyone, that will take years, if ever to get over or beyond, please stop this, all you have to do is be honest, fair and reasonable.

    ReplyDelete
  95. Anonymous3:25 PM

    Retired Trial Lawyer @1:50

    I like the way you think. Alan Dershowitz is brilliant. Even on his worst day, he could swat Van Flea in his sleep just by rolling over. Wouldn't that be something to watch!

    I'm not sure I understand how the Palins could use the courts to prevent Levi from telling his story. It couldn't legally be part of any custody deal, could it? There would have to be a lot of pressure behind the scenes, and then they risk Levi spilling the beans about that too.

    I'm sure I am being naive here, but what kind of plausible scenario could they have in mind?
    (Other l-eagles out there, feel free to chime in. It's great for us laypersons to have your input.)

    ReplyDelete
  96. Anonymous3:32 PM

    Someone mentioned earlier something about Toad having an ax to grind and I agree- I think we are seriously underestimating his role in this. He was the "muscle" behind the stalking of Wooten. Toad was in that up to his nasty beard.

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  97. Okay new rule.

    NO disparaging remarks about Bristol from here on out. If you make them I will reject them.

    Let us not help to prove Van Flein's point.

    ReplyDelete
  98. Aussie Blue Sky3:49 PM

    Both judges who've heard the pleadings to date have stuck like glue to the law. There is no basis for confidentiality - and I, for one, am just glad that Tripp's life is free from the kind of distressing issues that would need to be hidden from him for his own good. Nobody would wish on Tripp the same trauma that Britney Spears' and Kim Basinger's children have suffered.

    It's very telling that Mrs Palin's God-bothering fanbase has not seen fit to be thankful that the proceedings don't need to be closed. It demonstrates that they're more interested in Levi than Tripp, and it says everything about who they really are.

    ReplyDelete
  99. pacos_gal3:52 PM

    Anonymous at 3:25, I think the way they would try to bring a book deal would be to say, that they will do a custody agreement between the two parties and drop the court custody battle, if Levi were to sign something saying that he would not publish anything about the Palin family, immediate or extended, until the child reaches the age of maturity, etc.
    As an 18 year old young man, a court case might be the last thing he is interested in, not to mention the cost.
    I agree with the retired lawyer that there are several different issues here, family law and constitutional in play.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Anonymous3:56 PM

    When a child custody case goes to court, doesn't the judge need a birth certificate? Some evidence from the Dept. of Vital Statistics that a child was indeed born?

    The real telling statement here is that "NEITHER" party questions paternity! No sir! No DNA necessary!

    Let's keep our eye on the attorneys and watch how they stay away from the b/c and DNA.

    Interesting huh?

    Ginger

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  101. Anonymous3:59 PM

    I don't think that a DNA test would do any good if he signed an aknowledgement of paternity. If he signed that piece of paper after the birth, don't matter who the biological father is, once it signed, he takes full responsibility for life. My ex found that out. He's been paying child support for a son for 16 years and took a DNA test cause his son looked like a "friend" the mother was seeing at conception. Not his son, he signed the legal document saying he's the father and it can't be taken back no matter who the father is. Does anyone know if levi signed this document?

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  102. kdusmdd4:03 PM

    By the way....during the "hearing", I wish they would be required to wear Lie Detecting Device.......just saying. Of course it won't happen.

    ReplyDelete
  103. emrysa4:09 PM

    hold on a minute.

    someone KNOWINGLY submits fraudulent "evidence" into court documents to prove their case, and we're not supposed to make disparaging remarks about the person who has done that?

    we're not supposed to make disparaging remarks about someone who has been keeping a baby's father from seeing him?

    look - the bottom line is that the disparaging remarks ARE A RESULT OF THE ACTIONS MADE BY THIS PERSON/THESE PEOPLE. had they not done what they did, there would be no remarks.

    someone elsewhere said this was the whole reason the palins wanted to this kept secret. they put up this bullshit information, and they knew it, and they didn't want to get busted for it. f them! vf can say whateverthehell he wants - the comments are a result of their actions - just another case of bringing it on themselves. and any judge worth his/her salt is going to see right through their game.

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  104. emrysa4:14 PM

    and one more thing.

    the stated reason for keeping this "secret" was because it was supposedly going to hurt tripp.

    nothing is going to hurt that kid more than to see what his mother wrote about his father in those documents. THAT is the problem, not what people say about these frauds.

    ReplyDelete
  105. Anonymous4:30 PM

    Palingates has been hijacked. When you try to click over to the site it sends you to Vietwebguide.com

    ReplyDelete
  106. Sharon in Florida4:38 PM

    I'm 100% w/ Gryphen on "no disparaging remarks about Bristol". IMO he intends that we don't make insulting remarks or call them ugly names - which aren't going to do any good anyway. We know they're going to use any/everything possible against Levi. Why play into their hands and give the judge reason to issue a gag order? Let's just think of Levi & the baby first -- Levi does need transparency in this case for the reasons he stated.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Rap Jack4:46 PM

    Wow. Just. Wow.

    It is now clear to all of us here in DC, where the big boy lawyers work, that T. Van Flein couldn't litigate his way out of a parking ticket.

    Good luck with that career, Tommy boy, good luck.

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  108. Anonymous4:52 PM

    I agree "no disparaging remarks about Bristol." It would be nice if I could respond since a comment did not show up.

    Gryphen said...Okay new rule.

    You may have meant me, who did not mention Bristol, that was about 2 friends. Take it as you want. The truth hurts, but I meant no disparaging. The reputation of the area is what it is, I'm not makng that up. It wasn't my intent to disparage the community or friends either. You or your sources would have to know what that was about. You may not want to go there, that's your call, but Bristol was not the topic. It was about 2 friends who can disparage, but I didn't say they did, what they did is not necessarily disparaging where they are. It is what goes on. You've got the power to reject whatever you want. I am sad you took it that way, that's all.

    ReplyDelete
  109. I believe Sarah is trying to negotiate a court deal that prevents Levi from publishing his tell-all book.

    10:02 AM
    -------

    Negotiate a court deal? How? She has no standing in the custody case, nor is she a party therein. And people do not "negotiate court deals;" rather, they negotiate business deals. Courts are not proper venues for negotiating deals. And I've not seen a thing about Palin filing her own case to keep Levi quiet (not that she would be allowed to proceed on such a case).

    As for Dershowitz, he hasn't personally tried a case in years. His practice has primarily limited to the New England and New York markets, primarily because he teaches at Harvard Law School. Using him makes about as much sense as using Gloria Allred (mostly for the same reasons).

    If you want a good attorney to "try" the case, then you first need a good family law attorney to shepherd the case thru the motion and discovery phase. Then get an attorney who has experience trying family law cases. The rules on the criminal side are different from the rules on the civil side which in turn are different from family law cases. I'm sure there's someone on the West Coast, ie, in Seattle or San Francisco who would get involved at the right price.

    The comments about van flea and Lisa Hamby I find unfortunate. It seems to me that they are doing what they are hired to do. Hamby is on the case not because van flea is slimy (which he might be) but because she is a senior attorney who needs to prove herself on a big case. And, none of us know if did any legal aid bureau type of training in law school. If she graduated summa cum, then she's not stupid. What I see about having a Fairbanks attorney on the case is an attempt to create the mythical chinese wall to forego the expected conflict of interest claims. A smart move, imho.

    As for Levi having a constitutional lawyer... umm... why? What are the constitutional issues in this case?? It's just your run-of-the-mill custody dispute. The parties may not be run-of-the-mill but the legal issues are. But if he needs a constitutional attorney, who in the Anchorage or Juneau areas would be available? A law professor, Les Gara, or... someone who knows AK and federal constitutions would be required. But I don't see any constitutional issues at hand.

    ReplyDelete
  110. Anonymous5:07 PM

    Isn't there some question about the truthful birth date of Tripp? If Dr CBJ is the doctor who signed Tripp's birth cert, wouldn't that put into question why this particular doctor is involved with the last two kids in the Palin clan and both of these babies have questions about exact birth dates, birth locations, birth parents?

    ReplyDelete
  111. However anyone views it, neither of the young adults in this case should be called a witch with a B.

    Good call on that, G.

    ReplyDelete
  112. Anonymous5:15 PM

    Sauerkraut--you are 100% correct. It is so easy for people to throw out a "name" lawyer. Some of them are very gifted in certain areas. Some of them are very gifted at self-promotion and little else (the noxious Rikki Klieman). What I am confident that Rex Butler--who is excellent at what he does--will do is pick a respected lawyer who has an expertise in family law and who'll put Levi's case together.

    A good judge will NOT be one bit swayed by a "name" like Dershowitz or Spence or Allred suddenly appearing in an Alaska court to deal with a custody matter.

    From everything I have seen, Mr. Butler has very good judgment and I am betting that a lawyer will substitute in who will be just great.

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  113. re Anon @ 5:15 pm

    While I easily gather that you do not like Klieman, I strongly disagree that she's good for not much beyond being an annoying television personality, allow me to point out that she was a top-notch criminal defense lawyer for years in Boston. She was a law clerk to federal judge Skinner - a guy known to have a particular dislike of stupid and annoying people (eg: he did not hire s'error palin types). Skinner is gone but one of his long-time courtroom clerks is a cousin. She's got lots of good things to say about Klieman.

    One thing she says is that Klieman was a acting major at Northwestern.

    Okay... back to your regular topic. 8-)

    ReplyDelete
  114. Anonymous5:42 PM

    If it was my comment that Gryphen saw as "disparaging" I'd like to say there was no name calling. No one called a name and Bristol's name did not come up. It was about 2 friends. Depending on your point of view. It could be about their loyalty, also, too. IT WAS NOT NAME CALLING and it's wrong to give that impression. Bristol was not mentioned. It is wrong to assume only name calling is "disparaging" to Gryphen. That is easy to know not to do, it is hard to know the other "disparaging." I didn't intend that and didn't think judgmental about the friends. It is cultural and age differences. It's hard to talk about some differences. I meant no
    "disparaging." Meant not to offend Gryphen, but it is wrong to say it is name calling. IT WAS NOT. I would guess most people would not see it as "disparaging" to discuss the 2 friends. It must be an off limit topic here.

    That is Gryphen's right. Just don't mistake it for what it is not.

    ReplyDelete
  115. Anonymous6:49 PM

    I love it. You know Quittypants is stamping her feet in Wasilla, having an Olympic-sized temper tantrum because the court won't do what she wants. "Me me me!! It's all about ME!! How DARE they! Levi is EVIL!" bla bla f-in' bla.

    I imagine we'll be able to hear her big fat shrieking mouth clear down in the lower 48 when the court rules that levi and bristol are going to be co-custodial parents....which is *exactly* what is going to happen.

    What goes around, comes around, thank god. Just imagine Imperious Barbie's furious indignation upon realizing that not everyone believes she is entitled to special treatment. "Don't you know who I *AM*??? I'm GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN!!! I'm going to call your boss and have your head! my son is a WAR VETERAN! See my service parents' flag?! And I have a SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD!! Who do you think you ARE?!?" (etc etc until turkeys come home to roost).

    ::: sound of hideous shrieking, wailing, and breaking glass in Wasilla :::

    ::: I have glass of wine :::

    ReplyDelete
  116. Anonymous7:07 PM

    Rap Jack:

    I agree with you that Van Flea would last about a minute outside of Alaska, and only about three seconds here in Philly. Maybe that is why he is practicing law in AK and not elsewhere.

    I still can't get over the fact that he used social networking sites and gossip rags as evidence to support his claims. And fictitious Twitter accounts to boot. He probably got his law degree from the same place that Orly Taitz did.

    ReplyDelete
  117. Anonymous7:42 PM

    I don't think the bs about fake twitter has any weight. It won't go anywhere. Some lawyers will toss anything in. No big deal. They will possibly go to mediation.

    Someone said this aggressive stance is to get Levi in a position to not do a book.

    Levi said he knows what Sarah has on him, not much. His teen years that weren't perfect or that different from other teens. Some of it includes her daughter. They both want to leave that out.

    If Sarah can't pull off something Levi will prevail.

    ReplyDelete
  118. MacAndCheeseWiz9:34 PM

    I can see, just from the wording used, that Sarah's behind everything. Bringing up Sherry and the "tweets" that don't exist, should let the screen shots of Bristol's facebook and twitter pages allowed in evidence, and by the stance this judge is taking early on, I don't doubt they will because they speak to Bristol's own portrayal of the events in her life.

    Bristol, dear, Tripp needs a father in his life, and Levi is willing to step up to the plate. He's not perfect, but neither are you, afterall, YOU, not Sarah, chose HIM to be your baby's father.

    You have no clue how lucky you are, a lot of unwed mothers don't have men willing to be responsible fathers.

    ReplyDelete
  119. Anonymous3:56 AM

    Sauerkraut--with all due respect, she wasn't a "top notch" criminal defense lawyer. She was the person who, in a multiple defendant trial, was given the smallest role--very few witnesses to question, no important witnesses, etc. Sandwiched between the good lawyers so they'd have a woman there. The lawyers who actually tried cases with her laughed at her. But the "staging" of those cases allowed her to appear somewhat competent. God forbid she was ever on her own in a case. You are correct--I don't like her. The reasons are remarkably similar to the reasons I don't like Sarah Palin and they are in many ways comparable (although Kliemann is certainly more intelligent) in the narcissism, vindictiveness, manipulativeness, and phoniness.

    Please understand--it was a different time and that is why she made a name, because it was unusual. Had she come along even 5 years later, certainly 10, nobody would ever have heard of her. This, too, is somewhat like Palin--right place, right time, right people promoting her.

    Yes, she had a good clerkship which are a product of lawschool grades. But I promise you--grades have nothing to do with the sort of lawyer she is.

    I have personally experienced Rikki Klieman in court and she wasn't that good,even when she was at the top of her game. It sounds like your cousin also has experience with her--as a lawyer who has practiced in lots of situations and knows tons of people in common with Kliemann, I'm comfortable with my assessment (although I do respect her right to her opinion). The fact is that I would never have referred a client to Kliemann because there was nothing to warrant it. And because there are excellent, truly outstanding criminal defense lawyers.

    As for the issues of using the custody proceeding to negotiate a block of the book and a constitutional lawyer, here is my take. No, Sarah Palin is not a party--but negotiations will be carried out in Bristol's name to block a book. Whether it works or not is another matter.

    The issue of a constitutional lawyer are First Amendment ones. If there's no agreement not to speak/publish and a judge were to consider imposing restraints (this will likely be a big issue), it would be helpful to have someone with that expertise.

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  120. Anonymous3:58 AM

    Last point, Sauerkraut: Someone may be smart and capable of writing a good brief and not be that good in practice. So I'm not surprised she did well as a clerk. Just saying that she did not measure up as a lawyer.

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  121. anon @ 5:42--maybe there is another way to state your comment--tell the story using more general words? I don't know. But please keep on trying to shed light on the story. We're trying to help and need more info. Hope you keep trying. Thanks.

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  122. dsmyre: I bet you are right! ("I believe Sarah is trying to negotiate a court deal that prevents Levi from publishing his tell-all book.")

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  123. More Cowbell 11:55 -- Did you say, re the PFD: ". . . you have to show a birth certificate or allow the release of that information from a government agency that has the information, in order to claim a dividend."??? If yes, is Trig getting the benefit? If so, his birth certificate must have been shown. Could that be so?

    I just downloaded the 2008 list of applicants. Although the other Palins are listed, Trig is not, and neither is Tripp. (believe it or not, there is another person whose first name is Tripp!)

    Don't you find this interesting? Why would Trig not be an applicant? Well, I can think of ONE reason.

    Where do we go with this interesting item?

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  124. Gryphen: I like your new rule about no disparaging remarks. Just the facts.

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  125. Amy 1,

    So, this is what I understand. Two babies born in 2008 into the Palin family, T1 (April 2008) and T2 (December 2008), were eligible for PFD payments. From the PFD pubic record search, the two babies were not listed, therefore the only conclusion that can be made is that the Palin adults (Sarah, Todd, Bristol) and Levi Johnston made a decision to forgo the $$$$$. The only requirement to receive the money is to be a legal resident of AK, complete a form, and for infants the parent or legal guardian must submit a birth certificate.

    Am I getting this right, that grifting family walked away from $6K?

    Now, if in 2009, they want to show up for the payday, don't they have to fill out a form and show a birth certificate to get T1 and T2 registered initially? Or will they forgo the money again this year?

    So, when Chucky was deriding Levi for not buying diapers, the money was left on the table. Unbelievable.

    If as many of us suspect, T1 was actually born in Dec 2007, that means they left even more money on the table. As I write this note, I haven't gone back to look up the payout amounts.

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  126. Amy1, I would LOVE to have that PFD list.

    Could you e-mail it to me at gryphen2009@yahoo.com?

    Thanks

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  127. I just did some quick reading on the PFD site. Newborn infants are eligible for the $$$. So, if Trig was born in late Dec 2007, he is eligible. Payout was approx $1600.

    Both babies would be eligible in 2008, based on their claimed birthdates. Payout was $3200/person. Left on the table, $6400.

    Estimated 2009 payout $1300. If the Palins did not apply for the boys, they are leaving $2600 on the table.

    Total not collected: $9000 to $9600.

    Wow, just wow. Hope the bots who are eating rice cause they donated the grocery money to the Queen don't find out about this. They might just get mad.

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  128. I have reconsidered my concerns for the rice eating bots. They are left to their own devices, I will not be concerned for them and the foolish choices they make with their cash and credit.

    I have been thinking about the Native Alaskans who were freezing and starving last winter. What use would they have had for nearly $10K? Or the 300+ fragile seniors who died while waiting for assistance. What use would they have had for nearly $10K?

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  129. Just saw my earlier post on $$ from PFD declined by Palins. Math is wrong.

    Total not collected: $9000 to $10,600.

    Sorry for the error.

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  130. Anonymous5:44 AM

    Gryphen Why is Bristol saying in the court documents in her own handwriting that Tripp's address is 1141 W. Parkway when the Palin address is 1140 W. Parkway and the newly constructed home is 1120 W. Parkway? Is she using this to appear to not be living at home for student loans etc?

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  131. Anonymous3:33 PM

    How many of you women who are mothers would have thought it a great idea to send your more-than-likely nursing infant away on overnight visition with a teenage boy. Can we please has some regard to what is developmentally appropriate for this child, rather than all the side-taking based on political feelings? This baby has enough strikes against him--teen parents, tabloid extended family, religious dysfunction, drugs and alcohol use by his parents. He needs stability, not to be a ping pong ball between these parents just so one can assert "equal rights". Custody determinations are supposed to be based on the "best interests of the child", not on the "best interests of the parents".

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  132. My take is that nursing would be too much work. And that it's been bottle all the way.

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  133. Anonymous1:02 PM

    I would pull a JonGoselin and get a legal ruling that the Baby Tripp could not be shown in any public gathering or media article without permission of his father. This would stop Bristol and Sarah featuring him as a political prop or income source unless Levi gets 50%. I also would insist that Bristol publicly disclose her income sources and amounts; where she lives etc.--how often the baby is left with a nanny or sitter while she is gone acting or on a book tour or managing her PR firm--etc.-because Levi might gain custody and she can pay him child support. Levi could insist that the baby is not allowed to leave the State of Alaska without his permission.

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