|
Temple De Hirsch Sinai
A letter to Rabbi Earl S. Starr, formerly Senior Rabbi, Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Bellevue and Seattle, Washington, drew his attention to some issues that he needed to address. They concerned Council House, Seattle, a government financially-assisted senior citizen residence and members of his congregation.
The letter gave him an opportunity to respond to exposé on how members of his congregation abuse senior citizens, misappropriate government funds, and practice racism and religious bigotry. His congregation includes members of the National Council of Jewish Women and others who have run amok against all Judaic principles. Starr did not respond. He has since left Temple de Hirsch Sinai after allegedly embezzling trust funds.
I have obtained documents from US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). [01] In those documents, Stephen Mitchell, Administrator, Council House Inc., asserts that he has received complaints from you and/or your staff about me. Mitchell, presently under a congressional investigation, has written to HUD. He told them that Temple de Hirsch Sinai (TDHS) complained to him about constant harassing email messages, letters, and faxes, to TDHS that I originated. [02]
Obviously, TDHS staff may not make assertions without proof and must, in a democratic society, allow the accused person an opportunity to refute the allegations. [03] Therefore, please send to me copies of all correspondence, telephone call transcripts, and email messages that relate to the alleged complaints made to Mitchell by you or your staff members. In addition, send copies of all communications sent to you by Mitchell that relate to this issue and the documents about which you have allegedly complained.
In fairness, I must warn you that Mitchell has launched a campaign unlawfully to evict me because I have exercised my freedom of expression as a journalist. Therefore, any documents you furnish could rank as evidence. You may have to testify to them in a court of law and/or answer questions asked by congressional investigators. I may also publish the content with anything that you say in justification of the alleged accusations. If you do not reply to this request then I will publish that fact. I will say that you neglected to respond and apparently could not, or would not, provide copies of the documents that I request. I give you until February 23, 2001, to respond.
Paul Trummel.
Letter 11 Feb 01/0850 sent to Rabbi Earl S. Starr by US Mail.
Earl S. Starr, formerly Senior Rabbi
Temple De Hirsch Sinai
556 124 Avenue NE
Bellevue, WA 98005
[Lest we Forget]
Letter to the Editor from an Erudite Rebbe
by
Rabbi Scott Sperling, Formerly Associate Rabbi
Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Seattle and Bellevue, Washington.
|
Judge James A. Doerty, Superior Court, State of Washington, issued two anti-harassment orders and contempt citations to censor this forum by prior restraint at the behest of Council House directors and their administrator. Mary Kay Becker, Washington Court of Appeals affirmed them. Washington Supreme Court reversed most of those decisions (30 Mar 06).
[Washington Supreme Court - Decision] [Background Information]
Using their financial power, the directors obtained SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) court orders and contempt citations using perjured testimony against the author of valid exposé. They then had him jailed in solitary confinement.
In this case, SLAPP consists of frivolous charges designed to bankrupt an opponent and create a prior restraint. The landlords have used this tactic on several occasions to try to cover up issues that affect all their tenants.
Doerty thwarted an appeal of his findings for more than five years by withholding court documents and other manipulation. The author/publisher claims judicial bias and arbitrary censorship that deny him his rights under the First Amendment to the US Constitution and Washington State Constitution. Doerty has challenged a principle journalism ethic - seek truth and report it - by denying a reporter’s First Amendment rights. Doerty then wrote biased decisions all without due process of law.
His findings enabled Council House directors to cover up crimes that they and their administrators allegedly committed. A Washington Supreme Court review has allowed the public to know the names of people involved in elder abuse. It will also give an ethical prosecutor an opportunity to consider felony charges of homicide by abuse against Council House directors and their staff. [Homicide by Abuse]
Homicide ranks as a class A felony punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in a state correctional institution or by a fine of fifty thousand dollars or both. Both the victim’s family and a Council House administrator benefitted financially by allegedly defrauding federal and state agencies prior to death of a resident. [Who Killed Jackie Nations?]
Doerty’s order precluded naming the people involved which forced redaction of copy pending review. Washington Supreme Court reversed the trial court decision which relieves restrictions on publishing details regarding resident deaths and other abuse.
Washington Supreme Court
Council House, Seattle - Summary
Supreme Court Decision #1
Supreme Court Decision #2
Civil Issues
Appellant [Trummel]
Respondents [Mitchell and Council House Inc.]
Appellant Reply [Trummel]
Contempt Issues
Appellant [Trummel]
Respondents [Mitchell and Council House Inc.]
Appellant Reply [Trummel]
Amicus Curiae
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
National Union of Journalists/London Freelance Branch (NUJ)
Seattle Weekly
|
|
|
