Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Florida Man Barred From Filing Future Law Suits in Hamilton County


October 25, 2010
Man barred from filing future lawsuits

Stephenie Livingston The Suwannee Democrat

(Might not be the real Joe Griffin)

White Springs — White Spring's officials are breathing a sigh of relief, after a Judge ordered a White Springs man accused of filing numerous 'frivolous' lawsuits over the past decade be prohibited from filing any future lawsuits in Hamilton County.

White Springs Town Attorney Frederick L. Koberlein called the Order to terminate Joe Griffin's right to file lawsuits in Hamilton County, "An extreme remedy, rarely used in Florida."

According to the September 12 order, "In the exercise of the Court's inherent power to prevent abuse of court procedure", Griffin is prohibited from filing, in his own behalf in the Circuit Court of Third Judicial Circuit and in Hamilton County for any cause, any pleadings, petitions, motions, or other papers, wherein he is the plaintiff, or as a petitioner.

In August, the Jasper News reported on the number of ethics complaints and lawsuits filed by Joe Griffin of White Springs against the Town of White Springs and its officials. Griffin has filed five ethics complaints against a White Springs Town official. Records show that Griffin has also filed 18 lawsuits against the Town of White Springs and submitted thousands of public records requests. All of Griffin's ethics complaints have been dismissed before or upon investigation by the Commission. Of the 18 lawsuit, the Town has won 17 of them--with one case pending, according to Town officials.

Last month, the Town seized property in lieu of money owed the town by Griffin as a result of judgments against him as the losing party in the many lawsuits he filed. By court order the town seized computers and other property worth just under $10,000 last week, the amount Griffin owed the town. Shortly thereafter, Griffin paid the amount he owed in full and the town returned his property.

Griffin agreed to the entry of an Order prohibiting him from filing future lawsuits in the County.

2 comments:

  1. Omg, looks like the nut that held his daughter hostage for many years, in another country? Truly bizarre.

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  2. I believe you are right, PwoodeeCoo (nice name). The guy was from Austria, as I recall. The blog story does indicate the photo might not be the correct man. Unless the guy was leading a double life, in Florida and Austria. Weirdos do a lot of weird things.

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