Zinke Switches Lawyers in License Plate Look-Up Case

Andy Zinke

Andy Zinke

Yesterday, the photo of the Chicago Police Office who lost her job appeared on McHenry County Blog.

She looked up the names license plate owners on the official Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS) for a Boone County recreational development (Candlewick Lakes)friend who lived in Fox River Grove across from the castle.

The accessing of LEADS was found not to be during the course of her official duties and, because of that misdeed, she is no longer a member of the Chicago Police force.

A similar set of circumstances occurred during shortly before the Republican Primary Election in which Undersheriff Andy Zinke was facing off against Bill Prim. (Prim won the primary by less than 100 votes, but scored big in the fall campaign against Independent Jim Harrison.)

Attorney Robert Hanlon filed a Federal court case against Zinke on behalf of the owner of the car for which Zinke went to LEADS to find out information about a female process server who had just given him legal papers.

It turned out that the car was owned by Sondra Matternes, the mother of the process server.

The suit against Zinke was filed on behalf of the car owner.

Gummerson law firm attorney Rebecca Lee represented Zinke until October 20th, when Lee filed a motion to withdraw from the case.

The next day Magistrate Judge Ian Johnston granted a request that Zinke be represented by Rockford attorneys Lisa Jensen and Ian Fuller.

Three days later, the new law firm filed a motion to dismiss, something that Lee had also done.

That motion is still pending.


Comments

Zinke Switches Lawyers in License Plate Look-Up Case — 7 Comments

  1. Cal,

    How in the world is what that Chicago cop did similar to what Mr. Zinke allegedly has done?

    The Chicago cop provided the privileged LEADS information to a civilian.

    Mr. Zinke obtained the LEADS information for himself, just as any law enforcement official would have done and has done in the past when an uninvited civilian shows up at their home.

    If that was a professional server, they would have served him at the Sheriff’s office and if he dodged it there, then he is fair game at home or in public.

    Showing up at his home was akin to a taunt and police don’t like to be taunted at home because you just never know who might want to hurt them and or their family in the future.

    They keep their home addresses anonymous for a reason.

    The Federal suit is akin to an ambulance chasing lawyer looking for 15 minutes of fame and a perceived quick and easy settlement.

    I really think it will be tossed by the Judge and the money hungry people will be held liable for filing a frivolous lawsuit and have to pay all fees.

    What do you think Cal?

  2. @CP or maybe a Rockford lawyer would be cheaper being that the federal court is right there and you don’t have to pay Ms. Lee for her driving time to do the same work and you probably have a sharper tool?

  3. Andy doesn’t have a defense.

    What he did was wrong and there is no excuse for his behavior.

    Coming to an agreement, would mean that Andy would have to accept responsibility for his behavior and that would be a first.

    In Andy’s world he is never wrong, and there must be something wrong with the rest of the world.

    Go sit in the corner, Andy, with your dunce cap on.

  4. Why would anyone need a Rockford attorney?

    Seems like some people like to use them.

    Is there some kind of connection here?

    Why did Rebecca Lee withdraw from the case?

  5. Remember, the dirty Federal Judge from Rockford who was completing deals right in front of FBI agents and their hired mole who was wearing a wire? There better not be any “Let’s Make a Deal” and “The Price is Right” in this case! Believe me, the public is watching so the Judge in the case conducts himself with the utmost professionalism and integrity. The public will accept nothing less!

  6. Cal,

    Why didn’t you post my comments pertaining to Zinke?

    I thought you welcomed all views?

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