Loise Ogborn 6.1 Million Dollar Verdict Against McDonalds Because of Improper Strip Search

McDonalds has had some bad luck in the court room. First it was a large verdict over spilled hot coffee and now Loise Ogborn has been awarded $6.1 million because said she was forced to strip in a McDonald's back office after someone called the restaurant posing as a police officer. (Ogborn is dressed in black in the Photo courtesy of the A.P.)
Louise Ogborn, 21, claimed McDonalds failed to warn her and other employees about the caller who already struck other McDonald's stores across the country.

"Louise has stood up for what happened to her and what McDonald's failed to do for three-and-a-half years, and this jury just vindicated her completely," said her attorney, Ann Oldfather. McDonald's is evaluating whether to appeal. "While we are disappointed with the verdict, we remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our employees and provide them with a safe and respectful workplace," said William Whitman, of McDonald's USA. Ogborn settlement demand was $200 million. McDonald's Corp. denied liability. Ogborn was detained for 3½ hours.

Someone called the restaurant in Mount Washington impersonating a police officer and said a young, female employee matching Ogborn's description was accused of stealing from a customer and needed to be strip searched. Ogborn alleges that she had to undress, endure a strip search, and to perform sexual acts. Events were captured on surveillance video, which was shown to jurors.

Donna Summers, a former assistant manager, was placed on probation for a misdemeanor conviction relating to the incident. Walter Nix Jr., is serving five years in prison for sexually abusing Ogborn during the 3½-hour search. David Stewart, was charged with making the hoax phone call but was acquitted. The calls apparently stopped after Stewart's arrest.

6.1 million dollars. How many of our readers would take off their clothes for half that amount?

Ed Brown and Elaine Brown Peacefully Arrested For Tax Evasion

Legal Pub did a past story on Elaine Brown, 67, and Ed Brown,65, who were convicted of tax evasion. The couple (pictured in Jim Cole's A.P. photograph to the left) originally suggested that there would be violence if they were taken into custody. Elaine and Ed Brown were were arrested peacefully at their fortified rural Plainfield home by U.S. Marshals. This is an example of law enforcement done correctly! U.S. Marshal Stephen Monier, repeatedly said he would seek a peaceful surrender. He was true to his word.

Ed Brown had warned that he wouldn't be taken into custody alive: "We either walk out of here free or we die." However, the Browns were peacefully turned over to the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. (They were convicted on federal tax charges in January and were sentenced in April to five years and three months in prison.) "We had no indication that the Browns intended to voluntarily surrender, so we had to move forward with an operation that promised the safest possible outcome. That day was today," said Stephen Monier.
The legal community has praised the federal authorities' hands-off approach, but Plainfield's 2,400 residents were not as content. Some town officials asked Monier to restrict the flow of militiamen and other anti-government groups to the Browns' home. In September, four men were arrested and accused of helping obstruct justice in the Browns' case. (Charges ranged from accessory after the fact to possession of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.) The arrests apparently reduced the number of visitors to the Brown household.

Officials had cut power and telephone service on the couple's residence after they were convicted of scheming to avoid federal income taxes by hiding $1.9 million of income between 1996 and 2003.

"I think it's great that it happened without incident," said David Grobe, a former patient of Elaine Brown, who used to run a dental practice.

Neighbor Robert Carpenter said he did not hear anything unusual. "In many ways this was like a stab in the heart," said Mike Chambers, of Republic Broadcasting Network, an Internet-based radio program based in Round Rock, Texas that has supported the Browns in the past. Another supporter David Ridley a web blogger from Manchester said Brown supporters should take part in "peaceable protests" at the U.S. District Court.

Legal Pub salutes the Federal Agencies on their peaceful handling of this crime. There is seldom a reason to have Ruby Ridge like show of force in white collar crimes.

State Rep. Matthew Barrett Show's Naked Woman's Image to Norwalk High School Students

Google stock keeps going through the roof! Here at Legal Pub, we like to think we are doing our part to keep the company successful by reporting interesting news. In that line, here is another "political fumble" by State Rep. Matthew Barrett. The high school class lecture became a little more interesting when Rep. Barrett projected a photo of a nude woman during a lecture on how a bill becomes a law.

State Rep. Matthew Barrett claims that the memory stick containing the naked women had been given to him several weeks ago from a legislative liaison for the State Library of Ohio. State Rep. Matthew Barrett civics lesson livened up the class of 20 students at Norwalk High when he inserted the memory stick into the school computer and the projected image of a topless woman. Police interviewed Barrett and and seized the data memory stick to determine the image's origin.

Barrett finished his lecture using printouts and then met with the school's principal and technology staff. The school's technology director apparently determined that the memory stick contained a directory of nude images.

"I have no idea where these came from," the Democrat exclaimed. However, Barrett then revealed that the memory stick was a gift from a legislative liaison from the state Library of Ohio. The topic of the lecture was how a bill becomes a law. Legal Pub wonders if this will spawn the birth of a law against State Representatives showing naked pictures to teenagers.

UPdate 10-4: Here is a link to Matt Barrett's blog. LINK. Apparently no posts yet!
UPdate 12-26-08: The investigation of Matt Barrett apparently ended and no action was taken against Barrett. Barrett (D-Amherst) resigned as state representative of the Ohio House 58th District.

Kimberly Cooper, Real Life Wedding Crasher, Faces Jail Time For Her Actions at Charles and Sciara Daugherty's Wedding Update 11-6

According to a new study, "The sex lives of women with red hair were clearly more active than those with other hair color, with more partners and having sex more often than the average," Habermehl told London's Daily Mail. "The research shows that the fiery redhead certainly lives up to her reputation."

Wedding Crasher, Kimberly Cooper apparently can also be a lot of fun but she is not a red head. Kim is a good looking brunette with apparently some questionable morals. Kim Cooper and her daughter, not only crashed Charles Daugherty and Sciara Daugherty's wedding, Kim also apparently made off with their basket of gift cards. The Idaho couple's wedding reception was video taped and the uninvited guest's presence well documented. Police were also able to secure video from the merchants where she attempted to cash the gift cards.

While she may not be a red head, Legal Pub bets that she remains fun at parties and receptions- just keep her away from the gifts.
The video interview from CNN is linked here: video

Update 10-6-07 Reader/poster "Viking" apparently gave Legal Pub readers personal knowledge and insight into Kim Cooper's past. Mainstream media has followed Viking's information and apparently confirmed it to be accurate.On 10-3-06, six-month-old Jayden Schneider died at Kimberly Cooper's at-home day-care. (Jayden had a skull fracture - after Cooper apparently neglected to tell anyone that Jayden fell off a bed a week earlier.) Cooper was apparently not charged and the death was ruled as sudden unexplained infant death. Cooper was cited for operating a day-care without a license. Weeks later, a 5-year-old suffered third-degree burns from scalding water at Cooper's home. Cooper was charged with injury to a child.

On April 25, 2007, Judge Mark Riddoch sentenced her after the Bonneville County prosecutor agreed to a plea. Marty Anderson, Kristi Schneider's attorney says Ms. Schneider was allowed to speak at Cooper's sentencing. Judge Mark Riddoch gave her 60 days in jail and ordered her to not watch any children for two years. Cooper's attorney filed an appeal stating it was error to allow Jayden's mother to testify because she had nothing to do with the scalding injury. Judge Gregory Anderson ordered Cooper out of jail only 12 days into her 60-day sentence. So Cooper can continue watching children until further order of the court.

Update 10-9: The power of the media and the web is undeniable. Thanks to poster FRATBOY, VIKING and LocalNews8-Idaho, we know Kim Cooper spent six months in jail for doing the same thing at the Nowlin Wedding in Jackson, Wyoming. Regina and Buddy Nowlin recognized Cooper because she stole hundreds of dollars worth of gifts from their wedding. Cooper apparently also forged checks at Smith's, a store where both Regina and Cooper worked. Cooper was charged with forgery and petty larceny and spent six months in jail. She repaid the Nowlins nearly $500. Charges are also pending against Cooper in Jefferson County for allegedly crashing another wedding.

Update 11-6: You can take away the "alleged." Kim Cooper has plead guilty to burglary concerning the Daugherty wedding.

Update 12-11: Kim Cooper has been sentenced to 45 days in jail plus pay fines. Good luck rehabbing, Kimmie

Should 10 Year Old Murder Suspect Be Treated As An Adult And Thirty Year Old Newlywed Couple (Kozik) Treated As Children? Update 10-8-07

Palmer-Winans-Davis Murder

Our laws are clearly being tested in the first story by a ten year old boy and in the second by newlyweds.

Palmer-Winan-Davis Murder

A 10-year-old boy is charged with arson of his own home and for murder in the deaths of Chanan Palmer (his mother) and four others. Over the protest of the victim's relatives, the boy was released to the custody of his grandmother. The ten year old denies all the charges. He is represented by attorney, David Rohrer, in the criminal case pending before Darke County Juvenile Court Judge Michael McClurg. Rohrer contends that while the boy was read his rights before questioning, his age prevented him from understanding the situation.

Some people cheered the boy's release from the juvenile facility in nearby Troy, Ohio. The boy survived the September 16 fire that killed his mother, Chanan Palmer; his half-sister Kaysha, 8, and three children of Christy Winans: Kayla Winans, 6; Je'Shawn Davis, 5; and Jasmine Davis, 3. Christy Winans and her boyfriend escaped the blaze with minor injuries.

Darke County Prosecutor Richard Howell admits that the boy didn't give investigators a clear motive. But Howell told the newspaper that the boy is responsible for the fire. Winans' mother, Sabrina Jones, screamed at the boy's supporters outside the court Monday. "My grandkids didn't even see the age of 10," Jones yelled. While police allege that the boy confessed to setting the blaze after three days of questioning. Some claim the boy has been made a "scape goat."

William Zink, pastor of the New Life Pentecostals of Greenville, said the boy attended church and had overcome the recent death of his stepfather from AIDS. "It was not just your 'American pie' family," Zink said. He said the boy had no bed and slept on the couch. The boy will now be under house arrest and staying with grandmother Tammy Reed. A forensic and psychological exam will be performed. The charges against the boy remain as one juvenile count of arson and five counts of murder. (Arson carries a minimum of one to three years in detention. Murder could keep the boy in custody until age 21 However, if the boy is labeled a serious youth offender under Ohio law he could be imprisoned for life.) Zink said the boy is worth saving from the juvenile justice system. ) Some think the boy is innocent. Others think he should be treated as an adult. No one apparently fails to realize the tragedy that struck this family.


Mark Kozik and Heidi Kozik

Mark and Heidi Kozik got married three days before they allegedly robbed a bank. Mark Kozik, 32, and Heidi Kozik, 30, are held on $1 million bond. The couple is suspected of six armed robberies, including a heist at the National Bank in Fox Lake in August. If convicted of the the Fox Lake robbery, the Koziks could face more than 30 years in prison.

Allegedly, while Mark Kozik was inside robbing the bank, Heidi Kozik was waiting outside in a silver Grand Prix with the motor running. Kozik jumped in the back passenger side of the car and dropped his baseball cap. The car then sped away according to an unidentified witness.
A fingerprint at the bank allegedly matched Mark Kozik's. (Mark apparently has a prior conviction for burglary.) Furthermore, according to detectives, a gun they found at Kozik's house looks like the one used in the robbery. Heidi Kozik apparently does not have a criminal record. Two innocent love sick kids still blinded by the euphoria of their wedding or two hardened bank robbers? You decide...

ALL SUSPECTS ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY!

Update 10-4-07 Some family members have apparently posted exclusive insight on the Kozik couple. Apparently, neither of the Koziks are represented by counsel as of this date. Should any criminal defense attorney be interested in helping either one of the Koziks, please email legalpub@legalpub.net and we can try to get your contact information to relatives.

Update 10-8-07 Fox Lake police indicate that Mark C. Kozik, 32, and his wife, Heidi L. Kozik, 30, of Spring Grove, allegedly admitted to being involved in the Aug. 7 robbery of the National City Bank in Fox Lake. According to Fox Lake police, the couple also allegedly admitted to other armed robberies in Lake and McHenry County. If this is true, Koziks could face some major jail time. (The Koziks remain innocent until otherwise proven!)

Update 8-11-08: In the comment section, an 8-11-08 update indicates that some charges against the Koziks have apparently been dismissed. It also indicates that there may be a civil suit filed against the detective. (Keep in mind, the Koziks (as well as the police officer(s) in question) remain innocent of all charges unless otherwise convicted.)

Update 6-22-11: In the comments section, it was reported that Heidi Kunz admitted to serving as a get-away driver in a 2006 robbery of a Payday Loan Store in McHenry, Illinois. The chief detective was reported as John Birk and the prosecutor as Assistant State's Attorney Sharyl Eisenstein. Mark Kozik is apparently serving time in Atlanta until 1-30-29. LINK.

In This Day of Price Gouging, Apple Sued by Dongmei Li For Cutting IPhone Price

Dongmei Li of New York woman is angry because Apple cut the price of the iPhone by $200. As a consequence of that anger, she's filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages. Ms. Li claims Apple violated price discrimination laws when it slashed the price of the 8-gigabyte iPhone from $599 to $399 since June. (Apple lowered the iPhone 's price on Sept. 5.) Early customers who paid full price didn't expect a reduction so soon. Apple issued an apology and refunded the $200 difference for those who bought the phone within 14 days of the price reduction. In addition, those who purchased the higher-priced phone before the 14 day grace period were offered a $100 credit at Apple stores. Li's lawsuit was filed on Sept. 24 in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York. Li purchased a 4GB iPhone for $499 (which Apple no longer sells). She alleged that owners of the 4GB model were given less favorable terms than purchasers of the 8GB model. The lawsuit also named AT&T, Inc who is the exclusive wireless provider in the U.S. for the iPhone. She alleged the companies' required two-year service contract for the iPhone constituted unfair business practices.

While Legal Pub tends to be critical of cell phones and those associated with them (See : September 21, 2007 Can Your Hear Me Now? No? Perhaps My Lawyer Can Speak Up to Account For Your Cell Phone Hearing Loss! and June 7, 2007 Cell Phones Kill! Wrongful Death Suit Around the Corner For Drowning in Sewer? on this one, Apple, Inc. seems to have done a good thing by slashing prices and making the IPhone more compatible with people's budgets.

Carol Anne Gotbaum Dies in Holding Cell At Sky Harbor International Airport After Altercation With Authorities Update 2-21-08

Carol Anne Gotbaum, age 45, is now dead. Speculation is running rampant as to why. One theory is that she may have accidentally choked herself to death while handcuffed in the airport holding cell. Carol Anne Gotbaum was arrested Friday at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix apparently after she became angry when gate crews refused her permission to board a flight. (She was apparently late arriving to the gate.) Although she was rebooked on a later flight, she kept screaming which apparently led to officers taking her to the ground and handcuffing her. They apparently took her to a holding room. They checked on her when she finally became quiet. Unfortunately at that point, she was unresponsive according to Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill. Further speculation is that Gotbaum may have tried to get out of her handcuffs which some how ended up around her neck. A medical examiner will perform an autopsy in the immediate future.
Betsy Gotbaum, Carol Gotbaum's stepmother-in-law, said that Carol was "a wonderful mother; she was sweet and kind and loving.'' Betsy Gotbaum, the woman's stepmother-in-law is a public advocate that helps people resolve problems with the government

Neither pepper spray nor a taser were apparently used.
Update 10-2-07: The family has apparently postponed the autopsy. Whether she needed treatment for alcoholism is not the issue. Even if this allegation is true, it would not have been the cause of her death. This incident is a tragedy.
Update 10-3-07: The autopsy was inconclusive. Toxicology results are still not available. An alleged eye witness claims the lady was screaming I am not a terrorist and the police did little or nothing to calm her down. (Andy Hill disputes this witnesses account and states a video of the incident will be revealed soon.)

Update 10-4-07: The Gotbaum family has hired a noted pathologist, Dr. Cyril H. Wecht. (See JFK ? Warren Commission / Conspiracy theory). Dr, Wecht, was apparently allowed to perform a separate exam. According to family attorney, Manning Dr. Wecht is awaiting lab results before announcing his conclusion. A private investigator apparently observed signs of “very serious trauma,” including bruises and a mark on her neck from the metal chain.
Update 2-21-08 A new L.E.D. bright light which temporarily disables would be criminals may make tasers obsolete!