Dean Phillips endorses Martha

[question everything]

From an email

“(Martha's) journey from single mother on welfare, to prosecutor, to district court judge speaks to the tenacity and problem solving resolve our community demands"
-Rep. Dean Phillips

Also, an interesting letter in the strib

The looming election for Hennepin County attorney is critical given the recent dramatic increase in violent criminal activity. Voters must make an informed choice as to who can best protect them and their families.

The candidate who cannot is the former head of the Hennepin County Public Defender's Office, Mary Moriarty ("Moriarty brings hope, not fear, to prosecutor's role," Opinion Exchange. Oct. 19). Her tenure there shows that she's unsuited to be Hennepin County's chief prosecutor.

In her six years as chief public defender, Moriarty managed to alienate nearly everyone she worked with and was essentially fired from her "dream job." In fact, the state public defender's office was so driven to be rid of her that they paid $300,000 for her promise to never apply for a position with that office again!

The state Board of Public Defense investigated her for claims of inappropriate and offensive content on social media, for her fractured relationship with criminal justice leaders and for creating an environment of fear in her office. Moriarty denied these claims. Instead she falsely alleged that Chief Public Defender Bill Ward was sexist and a racist. In truth, it was Moriarty's inability to work with other stakeholders that was the root of the problem. The report that culminated from the investigation documented, among other things, concerns with Moriarty's treatment of people of color.

Moriarty clearly supports the movement to defund the Minneapolis Police Department. Does anyone really believe that that kind of "reform" will make citizens safer?

Judge Martha Holton Dimick will prioritize public safety. She has the experience, courage and qualities to lead the office out of the quagmire left from Mike Freeman's stewardship. Dimick is the choice if you want safe streets.

Mike Furnstahl, Spring Hill, Fla.

The writer is former assistant Hennepin County attorney.

https://www.startribune.com/readers-write-hennepin-and-dakota-county-attorney-races-second-and-eighth-district-races/600217226/

[progree]

1. "the state public defender's office was so driven to be rid of her that they paid $300,000

for her promise to never apply for a position with that office again!"

These are tax dollars. I didn't know they could (or would) bribe openly. But I guess I'm just not keeping up.

[dflprincess]

2. As I understood it, the county settled with her to avoid a lawsuit

It's hard to know who to believe in this case. I lean toward siding with Mary as I have it from "reliable sources" that she clashed often with Freeman and that's a plus in my book. In my experience, he can be vindictive and may very well have been leading the charge against her.

This Strib article from 6/22/2021 adds a little detail to the deal

https://www.startribune.com/state-board-agrees-to-pay-300-000-to-former-chief-hennepin-county-public-defender/600070882/

The Minnesota Board of Public Defense agreed to pay a $300,000 settlement to former Chief Hennepin County Defender Mary Moriarty on Tuesday, less than a year after it voted against renewing Moriarty's position in a contentious dispute that laid bare a deep rift between the criminal defense board and its busiest office. The state board did not admit wrongdoing, but it "agreed to a complete settlement of all of the disputes" between state leadership and Moriarty, avoiding a future lawsuit, according to the out-of-court settlement. In return, Moriarty will officially retire from the Hennepin County Public Defender's Office, where she still is technically employed, and agree not to seek future work with Minnesota's public defense board.

"I think the number speaks for itself," Moriarty said of the settlement amount in an interview Tuesday. "Public defenders play a really critical role in criminal system reform because we see everyday injustices. I really worry about the ability of Minnesota public defenders to speak candidly about racial injustice and the policies and practices of prosecutors and justices after what happened to me."

State Chief Public Defender Bill Ward said he couldn't comment on personnel issues. "However, in general if there are situations where there is potential litigation, the board must weigh the costs of settling issues versus the costs involved with protracted litigation," he said.

Moriarty started working in the Hennepin County office as a law clerk and took a job as a public defender in 1990. She became the first woman to lead the Hennepin office in 2014 and has been an outspoken critic of racial disparities and other issues of fairness in the Twin Cities criminal justice system, at times clashing with police, prosecutors and judges outside the courtroom.

In December 2019, Ward announced he was placing Moriarty on indefinite suspension. The state board hired a law firm to investigate allegations that she had posted offensive content on social media, created a fearful environment in her office and fractured relationships with criminal justice leaders. A letter of reprimand said Moriarty made unauthorized statements "to advance [her] personal agenda" before a Hennepin County committee, and that her actions had "a disruptive effect on the work of the state board

In a six-hour meeting last year, Moriarty rebutted those accusations, saying she was being attacked because of her advocacy for her clients and against racial injustices. She accused the board of sexism, racism and holding a double standard regarding her advocacy for clients and staff. She clashed with Ward, who she said bullied and harassed her, belittling her by calling her "young lady."...

[progree]

3. Thanks for the deep dive 😊 /nt