Category Archives: Crime

Nuclear Scandal or Atomic Ado About Nothing? How Controversy “Follows” the Clintons like Thunder follows Lightening.

For good or for bad, the Clinton family is the face of American Politics.

http://legalinsurrection.com/2015/04/clinton-foundation-becoming-radioactive/

The “scandal du jour” is that “a Canadian company known as Uranium One wanted America to defend its Uranium interests from a Russian firm, Rosatom;  then later decided to simply let Rosatom acquire it. To do so,  Uranium One needed State Department approval. (The approval was necessary because Uranium One controlled American uranium mines and exploration fields, a strategic asset. And approval was gained.)” 

“As the Russians assumed control of Uranium One in separate transactions from 2009 to 2013, Canadian records show a flow of cash to the Clinton Foundation.

Uranium One’s chairman made four donations totaling $2.35 million. Other persons with ties to the company made donations as well. The donations were not properly disclosed.

Complicating matters, Uranium One had acquired its interests after its major shareholder, Frank Giustra, travelled with Bill Clinton to Kazakhstan in 2005 and met with the country’s leader. Giustra sold his interest in the company in 2007 and was not involved in the later dealings. But Giustra has put tens of millions of dollars into the foundation’s work; the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership, which bears his name, is a formal component of the Bill, Hillary, and Chelsea Clinton Foundation. Id. 

The Uranium One story is troubling, and potentially damaging, because of the personal ties, the foreign interests, the opacity, and connecting the dots, which involves Putin allies publicly gloating over Russia’s increased dominance of the world’s uranium supplies. 

Putting aside who got rich, did this series of uranium deals damage or compromise national security?   “the sale gave the Russians control of one-fifth of all uranium production capacity in the United States.” It makes Russia stronger. 

Ok, Russia has nuclear interests, So what?  Russia is also allied with Iran.  From 2005 to current, Russia has assisted Iran with developing their Nuclear Technology.  The director of the Russian state nuclear power company recently signed an agreement for the additional reactors with his Iranian counterpart, at Rosatom.

Iran has been under sanctions for years due to their Uranium Enrichment program.

The United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia and other nations want the enrichment program to be shut down because the same industrial process, using centrifuges, can be used to produce materials for nuclear weapons. 

The links above go to the New York Times and New Yorker articles with additional info.

Confused yet? Headache? It’s a big deal because who has radioactive materials matters and millions of dollars exchanging hands going to persons responsible for who ends up with radioactive materials matters and the “errors” in reporting said millions of dollars matters, and Iran’s access to radioactive materials matters and what Russia does matters.

Matthew Thompson is an Attorney in Mississippi and wondered why this story was buried about 3 pages below Jeb Bush’s Paleo diet and just wanted to see if anyone out there cares… 

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at 

(601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Hacking, Passwords and Family Email Accounts; Your Information is NOT Secure

Emails and text messages have helped “do in” more marriages, as far as evidence goes, than any Private Investigator could hope to.

What you think is deleted is NOT.  There are recovery programs and computer gurus that, for a fee, can recover that which you think is gone.

Shared emails and shared cell phone plans allow the other person the same access you have.  It’s not hacking if it’s a “joint account,” nor is it hacking if you gave them the password, even if it were years ago. It’s not criminal under these circumstances.

Key-stroking software and spyware abound. A program on the computer or your smartphone can send every button typed or your current location.

This is not so much a warning on how to cheat, but rather a warning of knowing your surroundings.  Even innocent meetings may be used against you under the right (or wrong) circumstances. Also, communications that you think or intend to be private may well not be private.

Be smart. Be safe. Be secure.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and warns clients to be careful on how they communicate.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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SOULMATES do NOT do the Following; The TOP 5 Signs that you have NOT found your “soulmate”

A noted Practitioner, Professor and Author once said, Soulmates and Unicorns live in the same zip code.” – Matthew Thompson

That is to say, that perhaps, Soulmates in the truest sense may well NOT exist, a la Unicorns.  However, regardless of your belief, for purposes of this post, assume Soulmates do exist. *

The TOP 5 Things Your Soulmate Will NOT Do:

5.  Physically/Verbally assault you.

4.  Harm your family members.

3.  Fake a pregnancy to induce you into marriage or remain in one.

2.  Isolate you from all other persons/friends/family.

1. Encourage you to establish a shell LLC so that you may then purchase their dream home at your expense, placing ownership interests into their sole name and doing all of this in a fashion as to hide it from all others. All the while, said Soulmate pays no heed as to your current financial condition and whether it is what is best for you.

*Science has yet to conclusively prove that Soulmates exist.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and can help you part ways when you realize your Soulmate is NOT your Soulmate.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or more information on Child Custody and Divorce. (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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The Judge is in Jail

A former Chancery Court Judge in Mississippi is on his way to Prison.

http://davidgaleuk.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/judge-in-jail.jpg

Joe Dale Walker, former Chancellor over Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson and Smith counties, plead Guilty in October for his on-the-bench conduct.

Federal charges included that he instructed a federal grand jury witness to destroy documents and then lied to FBI agents about it.

According to the FBI, Walker directed an attorney (the witness) he had appointed for a Conservatorship to solicit bids for the construction of a home for the ward. Of the bids obtained, one was from the Judge’s nephew.  The Judge reviewed the bids in his office and instructed his nephew to increase his bid. Walker then transferred the case to the other Judge in the district for the limited purpose of accepting and approving the bid because of his nephew’s involvement. After the contract was awarded to Walker’s nephew, the case was transferred back to Walker by the second Judge.

Walker, knowing that a Grand Jury subpoena was outstanding for information concerning the bidding process, spoke with the witness about instructing his nephew to increase his bid and the original bid and any existing copies.

When interviewed by the FBI, Walker denied  talking with the witness about his nephew’s  bids and denied telling the witness that the original low bid needed to be “somewhere else.”

Walker was sentenced to 5 months in prison.  His nephew was likewise sentenced to 5 months in prison and 5 months home confinement.

“Don’t do the Crime, if you can’t do the Time” – Detective Anthony Vincenzo “Tony” Baretta

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the websiteThompson Law FirmYou may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

It’s NOT the Lawyer’s Fault that You Don’t See Your Kids

But, for that d@#^lawyer!

rakratchada/ freedigitalphotos.net

I hear this a lot.  “My life was great until my lying ex and her d@#^ Attorney messed it all up!”

Right.

It was all peachy until you;

  • Had an Affair; or
  • Physically Assaulted Your Spouse; or
  • Habitually Abused Illegal Drugs; or
  • Threatened Physical Violence; or
  • Took Your Children and Refused to Return Them or Disclose Their Location; or
  • Refused to Support Your Family; or
  • All of the Above, and then some…

Is life fair? Certainly NOT.  Do your actions directly impact the quality of that life? You better believe it. So maybe your lying ex and her d@#^ attorney are NOT totally to blame.

  • Do What has Been Ordered of You
  • Be the Best Parent you Can be
  • Don’t Threaten, Harass, or Make False Allegations

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Litigation Attorney in Mississippi and believes that you reap what you sow.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@BowTieLawyer.ms

Changing the Locks!

Can I Change the Locks?

tiverlucky/ freedigitalphotos.net

The old ‘Can I change the locks?’ question is in the top 5 of divorce questions.  Today you get an Answer.

Yes.  You can change the locks if it’s your house.  If you are purchasing the home, or leasing or renting the abode, apartment, condo or camping trailer you can change the locks.  But, there’s more…

What if he changes the locks on me?  You can let yourself in if it’s your house.  If you are purchasing the home, or leasing or renting the abode, apartment, condo or camping trailer you can let yourself in.

What does ‘let yourself in‘ mean?  Exactly as it sounds. If you have a copy of the deed or lease agreement a locksmith will let you in for a fee, or you can break the window and let yourself in.

You cannot break into your own house.*

So, I can change the locks, but it may not keep him out? Correct.

How do I keep him out? Get a Court Order(a blog for another day).

(*Unless there is a Court Order awarding one party exclusive use, or if it is NOT your house.)

Matthew Thompson is a divorce attorney in Mississippi and knows a great locksmith.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@BowTieLawyer.ms

 

Mic Test: “Testing 1, 2, 3…”: Recording in Divorce- Good, Bad & Ugly

Recording Fever has swept the divorce world, at least, since the 1980s.

Recordings set the record straight, right? It’s incontrovertible proof that so-and-so said what-they-said on any given date.  It’s right there on tape…

Not so fast. First of all is it legal where you are? States have differing laws on recordings. Generally, in this state, recording is legal so long as one person to the conversation is aware that it is being recorded. However, this is not the case in every state and some require all parties know and consent.

Secondly, is the recording a set-up?  There have been instances where a spouse (or ex-spouse) intentionally created circumstances where the other spouse would “blow up.”  Under these circumstances your recording may get you in more trouble than it’s worth.

Third, is the recording complete and unaltered? Recordings can be edited. They can certainly be manipulated.  Recordings must be authenticated, complete and relevant to be considered admissible.

Fourth, is it as valuable as you think? I know a Judge whose opinion is “You need to be focusing on parenting and communicating with the other parent rather than recording every interaction…

Recordings, either audio or video or both, may well be legal, legitimate, complete and valuable, but it could easily be illegal, under false circumstances, incomplete and of no value. Discuss the laws regarding recordings and admissibility with your attorney.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and warns clients of the possibility of surveillance and recordings, reminding them to say and do things they do NOT mind being played back in Court.

You may  contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000

How Do You Tell When a Lawyer is Lying?

“His lips are moving.”

Perjury has been blogged about.

Never lie. (PERJURY)  You will get caught.  The truth is easy to remember.  Remember, usually, it’s not the crime but the cover-up that gets you.  The very affluent husband, with a great job, testified that he was unsure of his income, but knew his expenses down to the penny.  He testified under oath that his expenses exceeded his income by over $10,000 per month.  The problem?  He had no debt.  This situation of making $10,000 less than he was spending had been going on for months, if not years, but he always made payroll, carried no debt, had no loans and could not explain how this could be.  Perhaps he had a money tree out back.

Lying to your kids has, as well.

It never fails.  One of the aggrieved parties to a divorce tells the dirty details to the child regarding the other parent.  This is never appropriate or “ok.”  Never. Never to a young child. What about when….? No. Never.

But that parent, with their righteous indignation tells me, or testifies, “I do NOT lie to my child?”  My response?  “Well, what about the Tooth Fairy?

The Top 5 Lies of Divorce clients are here.

5.  Lies about Income.

4.  Lies about their role within the Home.  

3.  Lies about Other Marital Fault.

2.  Lies about Value$.

1.  Lies about Adultery.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and encourages potential clients to tell your lawyer the truth!

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms