National Roundup

Ohio
Judge apologizes for writing homophobic letters in ’90s
MAUMEE, Ohio (AP) — A judge in northwest Ohio deeply apologized Thursday for a pair of homophobic letters-to-the-editor he wrote to his college newspaper in the 1990s.

Maumee Municipal Court Judge Dan Hazard issued the apology to The Blade, of Toledo, after the newspaper discovered the letters, which are available in the online archive of The Lantern at Ohio State University.

One letter Hazard wrote in 1992 suggested gay people who had contracted AIDS deserved the life-threatening condition. A second letter, written the next year, questioned the safety of living as a gay person and begged the homosexual community “to keep your AIDS to yourselves.”

Hazard, who was elected judge in 2017, said he could offer “zero excuse” for the letters and would not attempt to justify their contents, which he labeled “reprehensible.” He said he wrote them as a teenage college student and “by no means hold(s) those beliefs today.”

“It was hurtful to anyone that saw it in 1993 or today,” he wrote. “I am sorry that it will hurt even more people today including my gay and transgender family and friends whom I love dearly.”

Hazard said he works to treat every litigant and attorney with that same respect “no matter their background, experience or gender identity and will continue to do so.”

Equality Toledo Executive Director Sheena Barnes said, despite the time that’s passed, “the words are still deeply harmful to our community.”

“This article still showcases the hatred and stereotypes the LGBTQ community fights against today in 2020,” she told The Blade. “We understand the judge recognized his thoughts as harmful, and we welcome him and his staffers to stop by our office for training or conversation.”

Alabama
Lawsuit over popular ‘S-Town’ podcast headed to mediation
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A lawsuit over the hit podcast “S-Town,” which tells the story of a man’s troubled life and death in rural Alabama, is headed to mediation.

WIAT-TV reported that lawyers for the estate of the key character in “S-Town,” John B. McLemore, and attorneys for the producer have selected a mediator to work on a settlement. Tom Woodall, a former justice on the Alabama Supreme Court, will handle the case, according to a court document filed Wednesday.

“S-Town” was released in 2017 and has been downloaded more than 92 million times, making it immensely popular in the world of podcasts. The serialized audio show tells the story of McLemore, an antique clock restorer from rural Woodstock, located west of Birmingham.

McLemore called the community “S-Town,” although he spelled out the first word. He died before the show was released and his grave is sometimes visited by fans of the podcast.

Dennis Bailey, an attorney representing the “S-Town” team, said the mediation attempt, ordered by U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler, is “standard practice” is such a civil lawsuit.

“It’s just part of the customary actions in a civil case where you’re encouraged to mediate,” Bailey said.

McLemore’s estate sued in federal court in 2018 contending a team that included podcast host Brian Reed, Serial Productions and This American Life didn’t have a legal right to make money off McLemore’s story. The podcast revealed details of his sexual orientation and mental struggles.

The “S-Town” makers claim their work is protected under the First Amendment. Because the podcast is journalism, it is exempt from an Alabama law which says a person’s identity can’t be used to sell merchandise or endorse products without permission, they contend.

Cooper Shattuck, an attorney representing McLemore’s estate, said Friday he hoped the dispute can be resolved in talks.

“If not, we will be ready for trial,” he said.

Maryland
Man sentenced for defrauding clients of over $1.6 million
BALTIMORE (AP) — A Maryland man has been sentenced to  four years  in prison after he took more than $1.6 million from clients at his payroll processing business used them to pay his personal expenses, federal authorities said.

U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III sentenced David Richison, 64, of Frederick, Maryland, to 48 months in federal prison for wire fraud and aiding in the filing of a false tax return, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release on Thursday.

According to his plea agreement, Richison admitted that from at least 2012 through 2014, the tax forms prepared and filed by Richison on behalf of his clients properly reported the amount of taxes owed, but a corresponding amount of tax deposits was not made with the IRS. Richison began taking money from the client escrow fund to pay for his own personal and business-related expenses, such as legal fees, rather than paying those funds to the IRS, as he told his clients.

By the end of 2014, there were insufficient funds in the client escrow account to cover the mounting debts and Richison closed his business. By that time, the difference between the amount taken from clients and reported to have been paid to the IRS per the tax returns filed on behalf of clients, and the actual payments made as required by those returns totaled at least $1,622,481.56.

Vermont
Ex-principal gets prison time for recording girls
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. (AP) — A former Vermont high school principal accused of secretly recording teenage girls was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday.

Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Mann handed down the sentence to Dean Stearns, 57, that includes an additional five to 10 years suspended, and probation upon his release, the Valley News reported.

Stearns’ sentencing follows a deal he struck in 2018 when he pleaded guilty to two felony counts of promoting a sexual recording or image and five misdemeanor counts of voyeurism.

The charges stemmed from a period between fall 2016 and late 2017, when prosecutors said Stearns used hidden cameras to film five teenage girls in his Sharon home.

Prosecutors said two of the girls were living with him temporarily, and three were visiting friends at his house. Stearns was arrested after one of the victims discovered the camera in the bathroom in November 2017.

He addressed the victims in court, apologizing for the way he “exploited the situation.”

His defense attorney Michael Shane argued Thursday that Stearns was a loving father and husband who had already suffered the consequences when he lost his job and faced his status as a felon.

The judge responded that Stearns’ actions stole “the innocence and trust” of young girls who were just starting their lives.