As a resident of NJ, I would propose that not only is Atlantic County is a judicial hellhole, but the entire state of NJ is a virtual hellhole, judicial and otherwise. It is the most politically corrupt state in the nation. It boasts not a single decent city; it has the highest auto insurance rates in the country; the highest property taxes in the country; a decrepit infrastructure; tax mania. You’re hard pressed to find a medical professional who was educated in the U.S. and speaks fluent English. There is no new business on the horizon because of the unfriendly tax structure. Housing is un-affordable. With the possible exception of the boardwalk, the much touted Atlantic City is an embarassing slum. Trenton is a war zone. Newark leads the country in murders. The future of NJ is bleak. It has been since the mid 1980’s, and shows no sign of getting better. People who can afford to are leaving in droves. Pretty soon attorneys will have to take turns suing themselves.
Totally agree w/ ED – I litigated in New Jerksie for many years prior to retirement and supervised litgation all over the USA – only two places give them a run for their money ie: Louisiana & south Florida (Miami/Dade).
As I was watching these tapes I just want to say this for the record, the
hair on the back of my neck did — did stand up because I was seeing things
there that early on in this case I was told by (State Farm) defense counsel
didn’t exist and couldn’t be produced. So I’m not real happy with that and I
want to remind all counsel that their ethical responsibilities as attorneys
outweigh the wishes of their clients.”
Gary T. Fye, an expert in the analysis of disputed insurance claims who
lives in Nevada, often testifies in insurance cases. Fye, who said he has
testified on behalf of policyholders and insurance companies, has provided
the courts information on State Farm’s history of destroying and withholding
records.
In 1998, Fye wrote in a Florida case
“I have been witnessing document destruction, concealment, and obstruction
of discovery by State Farm for many years in connection with my review of
internal claim practices documents of the insurer. I have accumulated
certain Exhibits which show the company’s goals and objectives for document
handling by its employees. The documents show close to 28 years of
intentional destruction, concealment and distortion of claim practices
records.”
In some cases, company executives did not keep records.
Jeff Marr, the attorney suing State Farm in Oklahoma, took sworn testimony
Sept. 6 from Rust. Topics included Rust’s Chairman’s Council, made up of top
State Farm executives. The group, which includes the company’s general
counsel, meets quarterly.
Marr was fishing for records of those meetings that he could subpoena for
his lawsuit.
“Certainly,” Marr asked Rust, “you keep records of the quarterly meetings
where the entire Chairman’s Council is present?”
“We have an agenda,” Rust said, “but minutes in that, no.”
“Why not?” Marr asked.
Rust replied, “Never felt a need to.”
Marr later asked, “Are there any written agendas that are available should I
choose to request them in the lawsuit?”
“I’m not sure what might be available,” Rust said.
Rust also said policyholders, who essentially own the private mutual
company, are not entitled to know what the Chairman’s Council discusses or
decides about litigation against State Farm, citing attorney-client
privilege.
Marr questioned why the company would withhold information from
policyholders, who own State Farm.
“Well, again,” said Rust (who has a law degree), “I’m not an expert in the
area, but I think as you find — even if I’m a shareholder in a publicly
traded company, there are things that are not — you know, I do not have
access to.”
Marr later asked if policyholders have a right to see documents from State
Farm’s investigation of Haag.
“No,” Rust said.
“Why not?” Marr asked. “Is it privileged?”
Rust said, “I believe so.”
Subject Posted By Posted On
the bad boys
So what can we all do about this.. Do we run and hide? Think about the people we all remmber, the books about the truth!! Let,s not have a heart of greed. We can state the truth.. Who wins in the greed war? I will state the truth about this world of greed. For all to think about we pass thew this life one time . How will your trip be — remmber????. This is up to us…
As a resident of NJ, I would propose that not only is Atlantic County is a judicial hellhole, but the entire state of NJ is a virtual hellhole, judicial and otherwise. It is the most politically corrupt state in the nation. It boasts not a single decent city; it has the highest auto insurance rates in the country; the highest property taxes in the country; a decrepit infrastructure; tax mania. You’re hard pressed to find a medical professional who was educated in the U.S. and speaks fluent English. There is no new business on the horizon because of the unfriendly tax structure. Housing is un-affordable. With the possible exception of the boardwalk, the much touted Atlantic City is an embarassing slum. Trenton is a war zone. Newark leads the country in murders. The future of NJ is bleak. It has been since the mid 1980’s, and shows no sign of getting better. People who can afford to are leaving in droves. Pretty soon attorneys will have to take turns suing themselves.
Totally agree w/ ED – I litigated in New Jerksie for many years prior to retirement and supervised litgation all over the USA – only two places give them a run for their money ie: Louisiana & south Florida (Miami/Dade).
Look at the next article in line. It appears it is not just the bloodsucking lawyers but the State itself is involved in the act.
… and guess where those Jerseyites are moving!
Many happy times in Wildwood, sigh.
As I was watching these tapes I just want to say this for the record, the
hair on the back of my neck did — did stand up because I was seeing things
there that early on in this case I was told by (State Farm) defense counsel
didn’t exist and couldn’t be produced. So I’m not real happy with that and I
want to remind all counsel that their ethical responsibilities as attorneys
outweigh the wishes of their clients.”
Gary T. Fye, an expert in the analysis of disputed insurance claims who
lives in Nevada, often testifies in insurance cases. Fye, who said he has
testified on behalf of policyholders and insurance companies, has provided
the courts information on State Farm’s history of destroying and withholding
records.
In 1998, Fye wrote in a Florida case
“I have been witnessing document destruction, concealment, and obstruction
of discovery by State Farm for many years in connection with my review of
internal claim practices documents of the insurer. I have accumulated
certain Exhibits which show the company’s goals and objectives for document
handling by its employees. The documents show close to 28 years of
intentional destruction, concealment and distortion of claim practices
records.”
In some cases, company executives did not keep records.
Jeff Marr, the attorney suing State Farm in Oklahoma, took sworn testimony
Sept. 6 from Rust. Topics included Rust’s Chairman’s Council, made up of top
State Farm executives. The group, which includes the company’s general
counsel, meets quarterly.
Marr was fishing for records of those meetings that he could subpoena for
his lawsuit.
“Certainly,” Marr asked Rust, “you keep records of the quarterly meetings
where the entire Chairman’s Council is present?”
“We have an agenda,” Rust said, “but minutes in that, no.”
“Why not?” Marr asked.
Rust replied, “Never felt a need to.”
Marr later asked, “Are there any written agendas that are available should I
choose to request them in the lawsuit?”
“I’m not sure what might be available,” Rust said.
Rust also said policyholders, who essentially own the private mutual
company, are not entitled to know what the Chairman’s Council discusses or
decides about litigation against State Farm, citing attorney-client
privilege.
Marr questioned why the company would withhold information from
policyholders, who own State Farm.
“Well, again,” said Rust (who has a law degree), “I’m not an expert in the
area, but I think as you find — even if I’m a shareholder in a publicly
traded company, there are things that are not — you know, I do not have
access to.”
Marr later asked if policyholders have a right to see documents from State
Farm’s investigation of Haag.
“No,” Rust said.
“Why not?” Marr asked. “Is it privileged?”
Rust said, “I believe so.”
Subject Posted By Posted On
the bad boys
So what can we all do about this.. Do we run and hide? Think about the people we all remmber, the books about the truth!! Let,s not have a heart of greed. We can state the truth.. Who wins in the greed war? I will state the truth about this world of greed. For all to think about we pass thew this life one time . How will your trip be — remmber????. This is up to us…