By Joe Nelson, The Sun
Posted: 11/14/13, 7:40 PM PST | Updated: 1 hr ago
An Upland law firm accused of double and triple-billing police union clients across Southern California and bullying two Costa Mesa councilmen now stands accused of planting a GPS tracking device on one of those councilmen’s cars.
And the alleged strong-arm tactics of the now dissolved law firm Lackie, Dammeier, McGill & Ethir, composed of mostly former police officers-turned lawyers, are believed to have extended to some of the firm’s more than 120 police union clients across Southern California, said Vince Finaldi, the attorney representing Costa Mesa Councilmen James Righeimer and Steve Mensinger, on Thursday.
“We’ve been getting calls from all kinds of people. It tells us this is not an isolated incident with Costa Mesa,” Finaldi said. “It’s a much bigger deal. That’s why the FBI is involved.”
Finaldi said he started receiving phone calls from other jurisdictions shortly after filing a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court on behalf of the two Costa Mesa councilmen. He declined to say what the other jurisdictions were, but Lackie, Dammeier represented police unions in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange counties.
In October, FBI agents and investigators from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office raided the Upland law office, Dieter Dammeier’s Rancho Cucamonga home, and Dammeier’s black Lexus, seizing a large stash of documents, video cameras, iPhones, iPads, and other computerized equipment.
One of the items seized from Dammeier’s home was described as a Handycam with GPS tracking capabilities, according to a search warrant inventory of items taken.
Finaldi and John Manly, another attorney representing the councilmen, announced Thursday the latest developments in their litigation outside the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.
According to the amended lawsuit, Mensinger was recently made aware by district attorney’s investigators that the GPS tracking device had been placed on his vehicle during the 2012 Costa Mesa City Council elections.
“Defendants, acting in concert, placed plaintiff Mensinger under unauthorized electronic surveillance by affixing a law enforcement Global Positions Satellite spying device to the undercarriage of his personal motor vehicle, without his knowledge or consent, in order to unlawfully spy, surveil, investigate, and track plaintiff Mensinger,” according to the complaint.
The two councilmen were holdouts during contract negotiations between the city and the Costa Mesa Police Officers Association, which ultimately led to an impasse and what the plaintiffs allege was the law firm’s “dirty tricks.”
“I wouldn’t just call it dirty. I call it illegal,” Finaldi said. “It’s especially illegal to be doing this in a conspiracy against many elected and public officials.”
Stephen Larson, the attorney representing the defendants — Lackie, Dammeier, the Costa Mesa Police Officers Association and private investigator Christopher Lanzillo — denies his clients did anything wrong and were merely exercising their First Amendment rights. He has filed a motion with the court requesting the case be dismissed on those grounds.
To read entire story, click here.
That’s a nice building Lackie & Dammeier had shown above. Maybe they can turn it into a half-way house for newly paroled PORAC Attorney’s?
That’s a good idea if it weren’t for the fact that a lease has already been signed. Under the terms of the civil lawsuit, Ed Fishman, and the board of trustees, with the exception of 1 with any intellect, have to reside in the very office they are responsible for dismantling over false allegations for the next 90 days. At the end of 90 days, resignations will follow and a new board of trustees will be elected all while EIRSA oversight is implemented.
In addition to, Ed Fishman will pay 2.4 million in restitution (blocked from using LDF paid dues) and the 4 board of trustees who conspired to maliciously and without merit destroy the reputation of said Law office of LDME, will split equally the sum of 575,000.00
LDME Managing partner Saku Ethir was quoted as saying in response to the settlement entered into Federal district court by Virgina Phillips, “I think that much like Sheriff McMahon, Capt Marnati, Capt Tarangle, and Internal Affairs in the Travis Bauer case learned, no matter how much power you think you have, it won’t ever defeat a well motivated and disciplined mind with superior intellect from shoving a size 10 foot up your ass”
@2 I really look forward to seeing this LDME litigation with PORAC spread across cyberspace, like the Bauer case was. I noticed no one had anything to say about that case once the docs started appearing.
The Bauer case was nothing less than a turkey shoot. I never saw anything that suggested McMahon and crew had their act together. Thanks to Silver,Hadden&Silver tubing the deputies they represented for many years, SBSD just never gave it a second thought they would lose badly.
I really hope LDME take depositions on some of these issues regarding Fishman’s past practices covering for SHS and others.
I just want to know how ALL this double and triple billing got by Fishman and his boys in the first place? We must assume that Fishman with his prior SUCCESFUL law practice would have caught all this.
That CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINER hopefully can explain how a bill from many months prior SLIPPED by his client.
I bet Fishman is foolish enough to think that double standards won’t apply in this case, right along with disparate treatment. I want to hear FISHMAN say he NEVER suggested Saku tube cops to save money.
I have dealt with Fishman personally, I don’t see anything about him that would make any battled hardened warrior think twice about taking him to task.
We will see. Marc Bracco’s ONLY hope for behind the scenes redemption.
How about that incompetent coward LAPD cop who let the tsa agent bleed to death? Dont preach to us you worthless dirty cops.
@4 who are you referring to? The article itself or the posters?
@ ACU: You are correct that Ed Fishman is as dirty as the day is long, but he did nothing without the blessing of PORAC President, Ron Cottingham. First clue that Cottingham is just as dirty? He is a lieutenant. Is there a more worthless position in law enforcement than that of a lieutenant? A lieutenant is nothing more than an ineffectual, middle-management, admin. boot licker. This is what is in charge of PORAC? All POA’s should dump PORAC for a rank-and-file alternative.
#6, I think you bring up a great point. I have been pondering where is it that it all goes wrong… I know many of the rank and file are good honest people. I also believe very few of those that get to the top are. I have figured out that those that get to the Sergeant level are either hard working(someone has to do the job) or a**kissers on their way up. So, if you make it to Lt., you are either a corrupt POS, or someone who works hard but has no power and will never get any higher, “ineffectual” as you say. I think it is a public service to let the ordinary Joe in on this, I certainly wish I had known this.
I would agree it was a mutual decision between Cottingham and Fishman. I believe both will have a lot to answer for when depositions start being taken. And one would be remiss if they didn’t take these two clowns depositions.
Cottingham has been out of the cop game so long I doubt he can remember how to fill out a parking citation. I’d have to read his reports from back in the day to believe he knew what he was doing then. Same for Fishman in the courtroom.
Both are masters at drinking wine and rubbing elbows with certain people. But now they get to show us what they REALLY have. I bet Sheriff McMahon will have a better performance than either of these two at the end of the day.
A 20 year law firm associated with PORAC/LDF and suddenly there is an over billing problem has most of us laughing when you know the other shenanigans associated with PORAC/LDF. Fishman specifically.
Some of us can go back 3 plus years and tell you how Fishman DENIED members using LDME and forced the unknowing to use Silver,Hadden&Silver or Mike Stone.
I find it very interesting that Saku Ethir use to work for Mike Stone but left his firm. Then you look at Michael Schwartz leaving SHS after 11 years of practice.
Both Stone and SHS have been shown NOT to rock the boat and take on management. Hmmm sounds like the same conversation Fishman and Ethir had back in June. My bet it wasn’t the first such conversation over the years of Fishman’s regime.
Funny how both Ethir and Schwartz joined the scumbag firm. But both attorney’s have left their mark on the judicial system on behalf of their clients. Fishman WISHES he had a RESUME he could plaster all over cyberspace.
I want a piece of this action one way or the other.
I saw some photos last night of those in attendance at the recent LDF conference. The audience of about 6 people were being informed of the CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINERS resume.
As one would imagine, NO FACTS put forth on LDME, despite the continuing demand by some POA’s to put up or shut up. I guess Fishman and his band of fools thought this little presentation showing the SELF MADE resume would satisfy the desire of LDF membership.
As expected some POA’s have left LDF as a result of this fiasco, the exact number is unknown at this time.
You keep after it Eddy. Your having ran a successful law firm before you became LDF Administrator is REALLY starting to show. You prepare cases for Melvin Belli back in the day?
I really liked hearing how those POA Presidents and the accused were not allowed to ASK ANY questions, or be present for you Kool-Aid banquet.
Hey Fishman how does it feel NOT to have qualified immunity in this case?
Can’t wait to hear how DEEP Silver,Hadden&Silver right along with Rains & Lucia were involved in this obvious conspiracy of territorial take over.
Is it true that the GREAT William Hadden was looking for employment with LDME just a couple days before this scandal was announced?
It is also amazing how QUIET SBSD has become since LDME left. Rains and Lucia must be playing along with Fishman in saving money and tubing cops.