The masthead of the First Electric Newspaper
Judge Thomas Meyer ruled Friday morning that McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren and his legal affairs officer Don Leist will have an appointed attorney to represent them in The First Electric Newspaper‘s suit to make public an over 100-page investigatory report about Undersheriff Andy Zinke’s behavior in a DEA case.
Zinke told the owner of a Crystal Lake company, which has contributed $5,000 to his campaign for Sheriff, about an investigation the Drug Enforcement Administration had concerning the firm.
McHenry County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant John Koziol was the source of the information in his request for a Special Prosecutor to probe what he thought was an impropriety. You can read some of the details here.
The request was turned down by Judge Meyer, who basically said that if State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi wanted to investigate the charges, he could.
Bianchi decided Zinke had done nothing illegal, although “some may consider the dissemination of what would appear to be highly confidential and sensitive information an alarming and problematic matter.”
Nygren announced he had done an investigation of Zinke’s actions outlined by Koziol and found Zinke had done nothing wrong.
As The First Electric Newspaper notes, ” A picture of Undersheriff Andy Zinke was added to the McHenry County Sheriff’s website shortly after he announced his candidacy to succeed Keith Nygren.”
Perhaps relevant is that Nygren is supporting Zinke to be his successor.
Zinke is opposed by retired Des Plaines Police Commander Bill Prim, who is supported by Bianchi. (Bianachi, Brian Kelly and Gary Rabine are hosting a $40 Crystal Lake Country Club fund raiser for Prim on October 24th.)
At that point Gonigam filed a Freedom of Information request for the report, was refused and appealed to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, which ruled in The First Electric Newspaper’s favor.
Nygren did not comply with the ruling, so Gonigam went to court, that being the only remedy when the Attorney General does not issue a binding ruling. That was in July.
Nygren and Leist have argued since then that they should have legal representation other than someone from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.
After expressing disappointment that Chief Judge Michael Sullivan had not been able to find an attorney on the public payroll to take the case, Judge Meyer agreed to enter an order that a private attorney would be hired if former Assistant State’s Attorney Nichole Owens, now with a mid-state state’s attorney’s office did not agree to take on the task.
Judge Meyer suggested one of his former partners, Ruth Robinson, who heads his former firm’s office in Rockford.
“I don’t think she’s one to run up a bill.
“One of the reason I suggested her is that she’s out of the county.”
Earlier the Judge said,
“I have no interest in pouring money into a private attorney, but my hands are tied.”
He asked both the State’s Attorney’s Office and Leist to “advise me by letter this afternoon if you have the names of any local attorneys you would recommend.”
He also asked for the statutory rate that such a private attorney could be paid. It’s about $90 an hour, but the average attorney working for Bianchi’s office earns about $40 an hour., including support staff.
Referring to local attorneys, First Assistant State’s Attorney Norm Vinton observed, “There are many competent attorneys. Our concern is the expense.”
Before all of this occurred, Judge Meyer reported that the Appellate Defender had turned aside his attempt to appoint them to represent Nygren and Leist. The Appellate Prosecute was not interested either.
Nine nearby state’s attorneys’ offices were contacted by Judge Sullivan. Only DeKalb has not “declined” and the Judge was not optimistic of its accepting Nygren’s case.
Lake County has agreed to represent the County Board’s interests.
Vinton pressed the Judge to contact all 102 county state’s attorneys, but didn’t find any enthusiasm from the Court to do so. (“I don’t think our chances are good.”)
Vinton said, “The State’s Attorney is gravely concerned at the amount of money that will be spent on this case.
“If there could be a private attorney appointed at no cost, we have no problem with that,” he added.
Vinton pointed out that Nygren is expected to appeal, if he loses. (After the session, one attorney observed that the Appellate Court would take a year to render a decision, placing it after next year’s General Election.)
After the hearing, Gonigam said,
“None of this is my idea.
“Just trying to get a report, like a reporter should.”
Great article, Cal.
What a weak judge.
This guy needs to go.
Twice he refused a special prosecutor and now he can’t get a report released.
Grow a set judge.
Nygren won’t be here much longer.
We know there is a reason the walrus and the clown and their little troll don’t want this released.
The report will either show there was no investigation or it will cause the chosen suck-Sesser to lose the election.
But of course they plan to appeal and push it to after the election.
When will justice prevail in this corrupt county.
Wake up people and vote these a-holes out of office.
Justice will prevail in this corrupt county when Mr. Corruption himself, Louis Bianchi has been removed as State’s Attorney.
“Fukoku” = Kim Zinke Again, you are suffering from one of those delusional, illusional moments…. Justice will prevail when Andy Zinke is defeated in the upcoming Sheriffs election.
Judge Meyer is a “COWARD”
I have been in his court room when he refused to allow a plaintiff in a case, time to get an attorney and made the ruling regardless…
A public defenders office?
Really? Defendants in civil matters are required to hire their own attorneys.
Come on Keith.
You have deep pockets full of the tax payers money and you can’t get a lawyer to represent you?
Judge Meyer needs to be removed from the bench.
Calling the (JIB) Judicial Inquiry board…
By the way, you can take Judge Gordon Graham with you….
Hold me in contempt of court?
Go ahead and try……………
I have proof in this blog that Duncan Mchenry = Zane Seipler is a lair.
He tried to discredit me with his lies and failed.
Note his comments in “Judge Seems to Threaten Keith Nygren (Defending Andy Zinke) and Don Leist with Decision in Freedom of Information Suit”
“Fukoku” = Kim Zinke Go back to your Cuckoos nest where you belong..
Now your paranoid…
Go take your meds Kim…
Hey Kim how much time do you think you will get in prison for tampering with a Federal witness?
If you think Zane is Duncan you really do have issues…
Duncan Mchenry = Zane Seipler, YOU have the real issues here.
You are always making meaningless threats to cover up your lies after lies.
What’s wrong with you?
As for Kim Zinke, Undersheriff Andrew Zinke’s wife, I wish I was her, because I would know more about YOU.
I am sure the Zinke’s could tell me a great deal more than what I have read in the newspapers about YOU.
Fukoku, you sure have a way about you and your comments, be real careful with what you say.
You are being watched.
“Fukoku” = Kim Zinke Go back to the Cuckoos nest, no one wants you, and take your husband with you……
By the way, there has never been a newspaper article about me.
However, there are plenty of adverse newspaper articles about Andy Zinke (your husband, just in case you can’t remember) and Keith Nygren…
You need a reality check.
Lying again Duncan Mchenry = Zane Seipler
McHenry County Sheriff’s deputy fired again: Published: Tuesday, July 2, 2013 by the Northwest Herald.
Anotherwatcher, you sound just like Duncan Mchenry = Zane Seipler with his meaningless threats. OH, I am sorry, I forgot, you are Duncan Mchenry = Zane Seipler.
Its hard to remember all of your masquerades Duncan Mchenry = Zane Seipler = Twice Fired = Anotherwatcher.
Lying again Kim Zinke = “Fukoku” Duncan is not Zane…….
However, I do believe he has a viable cause to sue you for slander……
You are clearly wacky Kim….
This is priceless; you messed up again Duncan Mchenry.
You stated that “Duncan is not Zane…….”
Than you stated “However, I do believe he has a viable cause to sue you for slander.”
It’s obvious that you forgot which mask you were wearing when you wrote this.
YOU as Duncan Mchenry believe HE (meaning Duncan Mchenry) has a viable cause to sue you for slander.
There you go folks; there is the verification that Duncan Mchenry is talking about Duncan Mchenry as he messed up and forgot to change his posting name to Zane Seipler, Twice Fired, or anotherwatcher.
I can’t wait to see how you try to lie out of this one.
‘Fukoku” = Kim Zinke You are just as messed up as people report you are..
Duncan is not Zane, but I hope his attorney subpoenas you and your internet information Kim…
Surely, it will come to that…
And, you are a police officer that wears a badge and carries a gun?
“SCARY”
Though, your not likely to lose your job because Andy Zinke is your husband…
He needs to check you in to the nearest hospital.
Kim tell me more about the knife incident at the Sheriffs Department that caused you to lose your job at the Mchenry County Sheriffs Office???????
It is no wonder why Gary Gauger was wrongfully convicted and why we have more cases in Mchenry County like his…
Fuko,
why are you spending so much waisted co2 on blaming Duncan non stop as Zane ?
Do us a favor.
Ask Andy where he was July 01, 1997 ?
Most police officers probably could never remember such dates.
That is unless it has a huge impact in your life….
Was this a PTS situation ?
Nope, this was a situation where he found that golden egg for his career.
What did he discover on this day, and who did he tell anything about ?
Oh, by the way, make sure you ask him about dinner that night. ..BINGO !
I find it hysterical that Fuki is up at 3:21 on a Sunday morning thinking about me.
Pyle behaved the same way with his late night internet rants.
We know how stable he turned out to be.
Clean your nose honey, you look like a frosted doughnut.
Is this the best you can do?
I am disappointed.
However, how could you dispute the undisputable facts that I presented?
I strongly recommend that you file a slander suit against Undersheriff Andrew Zinke’s wife.
This way you can subpoena her internet information and you will learn that Kim Zinke is not me.
Unfortunately, you don’t have the groins, because all you do have is a big mouth with meaningless threats to cover up your lies and masquerades.
I challenge you loud mouth.
File a slander suit against Undersheriff Andrew Zinke’s wife and let’s put an end to this right now.
Do YOU have the balls Duncan Mchenry = Zane Seipler?
As for YOU “The facts state,” the answer to your question, “Why are you spending so much waisted co2 on blaming Duncan non stop as Zane?”
Shouldn’t you be asking that question to Duncan Mchenry = Zane Seipler about his obsession with Undersheriff Andrew Zinke’s wife?
Also, you know that I am not Undersheriff Andrew Zinke’s wife, so please stop trying to sound important with your questions.
You sound stupid.
“Fukoku” = Kim Zinke The more you talk the worse you and Andy Zinke look..
What did you call the donation to Crime Stoppers?
You called it “Crime Preservation”
Now that’s just stupid.
Because you admitted that Andy Zinke and Keith Nygren are preserving “Crime and Corruption” in Mchenry County..
In fact, Andy proved that during the Rita Corporation Fiasco when he interfered in a DEA investigation.
That is exactly why Keith Nygren and Andy Zinke are fighting Pete Gonigam, so they don’t have to release the report that reveals corruption…
They also railroaded Lou Bianchi.
Everyone knows it.
Bianchi has far more political supporters than Andy Zinke.
You can fool some of the people some of the time but you cant fool all of the people all of the time…
Because of your BIg Mouth and your false accusations you have provided viable cause for both Lou Bianchi and Zane Seipler to Sue you for slander…and I Hope they do..
fuko,
Is it true that while on duty at Kane County Sheriffs Office last year, that you had another “one of your episodes” and crashed into another car, severely injuring the other parties ?
And that the Kane County Sheriffs Office, and Deputy Kim Zinke have a large personal injury law suit against them resulting from the accident ?
How did Deputy Zinke pass the testing process to become a Kane County Deputy to begin with, with such details that I have been reading about lately, like the love for knives, having strange break downs at work, having a porn sister, and then comes the CLOWN.
Nygren and Zinke know the report will support the allegation of Sgt. John Koziol.
The spotlight of deceit and lack of integrity will shine on Zinke so strongly that NOBODY will touch him.
Who wants to be associated with a person that puts his personal gain above the possibility of a DEA Federal Investigations hurting his election.
ANYBODY contributing to or endorsing Zinke is tacitly endorsing his lack of integrity, his lack of a moral compass.
Want your name on the list of contributors giving to a person with such low appreciation for ethics?
Nygren will appeal and appeal spending more tax dollars.
The County Board will ignore this mess but FEN will prevail and the reign of King Nygren and Prince Zinke will topple down.
Quite a legacy there KEITH!
Well at a loss for words, Fukoku must believe in “The Early Bird Gets The Worm”, his/her comments come really early in the morning, before daylight.
I guess when that can of worms was opened, he/she had to hop right on to feed.
Really sad!
http://WWW.MCHENRYCOUNTY1981 FOLLOW THE MONEY….
Well, there you go again with your Bla Bla Bla.
Accept my challenge. Let’s put an end to this right now if you have the balls mouse.
As for the donation to Crime Stoppers, it was a typo that should have been Prevention. But you are too stupid to understand that.
I read your chicken scratch once on your blog, so you have no grounds to talk.
As for Mr. Corruption, Louis Bianchi, having far more political supporters than Undersheriff Andrew Zinke is no longer true as he damaged his own credibility. The people are questioning if he is our state’s attorney, or if HE is running for Sheriff?
Also, after that stunt Mr. Corruption pulled at his own fundraiser begging for their support for Bill Who, it has turned his political supporters away.
Well, there you go again too “The facts,” talking your bull crap.
Nobody knows what you are Bla Bla Blaing about, or do we really care.
Undersheriff Andrew Zinke’s wife is NOT running for Sheriff, so try to stay with “the facts” about the candidates.
Also, try to control yourself with your obsessions with Andrew Zinke’s wife and pornography on this blog.
Anotherwatcher, retirement is beautiful, your time is your own with no set schedules and you can do what you want when you want too.
‘Fukoku” = Kim Zinke
You are not retired.
You are just living in a fantasy world..
There was no error when you typed “Crime Preservation” and that is exactly what you meant…
That is what Keith Nygren and Andy Zinke have been doing for years.
In fact, they are experts at”Preserving Crime and Corruption” in Mchenry County..
I would like to hear more about the accident you caused Kim..
But then you are not accustomed to accepting responsibility for anything.
Let me guess, there were no consequences for you because you are married to Andy Zinke……..
Accept my challenge.
Let’s put an end to this right now if you have the balls mouse.
“Fukoku” = Kim Zinke
Go back to your Cuckoos Nest Kim, that is where you belong.
By the way in the process researching your most recent civil suit.
You know, the one where you plowed into someone with with your police car.
Accept my challenge, it’s that simple loud mouth…..
Let’s put an end to this right now if you have the balls mouse.
Fukoku, yes let us put an end to this, I think you have enough challenges to take of.
Fukoku, yes let us put an end to this, I think you have enough challenges to take care of.
‘Fukoku” = Kim Zinke That’s right you have many challenges to take care of Kim… Every time you talk you chip away at your husbands chances to be elected Mchenry County Sheriff…