Facebook case two years later: Barrow teacher still waiting for decision
One of the Facebook photos that a "parent" complained about in an anonymous e-mail
Not a week goes by when I don’t get an e-mail from somewhere around the world asking about the fate of Ashley Payne, the Barrow County teacher who lost her job two years ago after an anonymous e-mailer sent Facebook photos of her sipping wine and drinking beer in Europe.
While the case was in court last week, it remains unresolved. A decision is expected shortly but Payne’s attorney is not optimistic that she will regain her high school teaching position.
“Not yet. I don’t think it is happening,” said attorney Richard Storrs in a telephone interview today. “There is a new superintendent, and I was really hoping that this new superintendent would see things in such a way that we could move forward. But they are dug in more than ever.”
Now in graduate school at the University of Georgia, Payne said in an e-mail today, “I don’t think winning my job back has been a possibility since my contract ran out in the summer of 2010. The best I can hope for is some kind of monetary compensation and for everything to be resolved so that potential employers will know that there is no more to the story and no skeletons waiting to come out of my closet. I wonder if the ‘pending’ status of my case has made employers hesitant to hire me.”
The Facebook photos were standard travel shots in beer gardens and cafes and would have passed muster with most Sunday school teachers. Payne was simply sitting at a table with pals. Of 700 vacation photos, 10 had alcohol in them.
On her Facebook page, which was set to the highest privacy levels and was limited to Payne’s adult friends, she also posted that she was headed out to play Crazy Bitch Bingo, a popular game played weekly at Joe’s On Juniper in Atlanta.
According to an anonymous e-mail sent to the Barrow school chief, a student saw Payne’s Facebook page, an allegation that rang false from the start. In court documents, Barrow County admitted later that it never discovered the source of the e-mail or whether any student ever saw Payne’s Facebook page. (If you read my earlier blogs, you will see there is good reason to believe a colleague of Payne’s sent the e-mail, which came from a fake address.)
That is an important factor in this case as Barrow initially told me that Payne’s main offense was sharing her Facebook page with a student. Yet, the system never confirmed that a student ever saw the page.
At the time, I talked to the head of the state Professional Standards Commission, the state’s governing body over teacher conduct. He told me his office would not have responded to an anonymous e-mail, even though Payne’s boss told her that it was likely the PSC would strip her of her teaching license if the complaint came before it. The principal then suggested to Payne that resignation was a safer option for her, according to the written statement provided to me by Barrow County schools.
In an overreaction that drew condemnation around the world, Barrow forced the young teacher and UGA grad to resign. (If you are unfamiliar with this case, please read this blog.) The story sparked international debate over whether teachers should have Facebook pages, and where their privacy and school conduct codes collide
Barrow has moved for summary judgment, which is a ruling by a court without a full trial. Arguments were heard last week in Superior Court.
“The judge basically expressed that he thought some of their arguments were persuasive, basically that Barrow delayed long enough now that mandamus is not the right remedy. So, I told Ashley after the hearing that we would amend the complaint and go from there,” said Storrs. (See news story below for explanation of mandamus in this case.)
Payne continues to pursue her master’s degree to make her more marketable as a teacher, says Storrs. “It just doesn’t make any sense what happened to her. And she is such a delightful person. At every juncture, I thought we could get this resolved.”
Payne and I exchanged e-mails a while back about the case in general. I asked her if I could post her comments back then and she agreed, but I was waiting for an update to her case to share them:
So, here they are:
“I want more than anything for this case to be resolved– in my favor, but I am doing my best to move on with my life in the meantime. Teaching is still what I want to do despite the bureaucratic hypocrisy with which I have had to deal. I don’t want to let myself fall by the wayside like many passionate young teachers who are quickly jaded by the American educational system and switch to more appreciated careers that pay higher salaries.
“The system needs more young (and old!), passionate, idealistic thinkers — in spite of the fact that some of us use newfangled social networking sites and have a glass of wine or two during summer vacation. That’s why I’m seeking some semblance of justice in this case and continuing to work on my M.Ed. in Educational Psychology at the University of Georgia. I love kids, and I am learning even more about how they think and learn so that hopefully — hopefully soon — I can get back in the classroom and get back to doing what I love.”
Here is a news story about the hearing from the Gainsville Times:
Former Barrow County teacher Ashley Payne is waiting on a decision from a Superior Court judge about her former job.
It’s been nearly two years since the former Apalachee High School teacher claims she was forced to resign from her job due to the content of her Facebook page — a photo of her with an alcoholic drink and a posted curse word.
Payne filed a lawsuit against the district in October 2009, asking for a hearing from the Board of Education to determine whether she should keep her job and keep seeking payment from Aug. 27, 2009, until the day of the hearing.
Payne, her attorney Richard Storrs of Mills Paskert Divers and the counsel for the school district, Daniel Murphy of McLocklin & Murphy LLP, appeared before Chief Judge David Motes last week. Motes reviewed the Barrow County School District’s request for a summary judgment, which would allow Motes to dismiss the case without it going to trial.
The controversy surrounding Payne began Aug. 27, 2009, when an anonymous email sent to then-Superintendent Ron Saunders complained about the content on Payne’s page.Saunders forwarded the email to Apalachee Principal David McGee.
According to Payne, McGee called her into his office before classes began and convinced her to resign, saying she would be suspended otherwise.The district has always maintained that Payne resigned voluntarily.The case has gotten national attention and called into question how school faculty should handle themselves in the world of social media.
According to the attorney for Barrow County Schools, Payne’s complaint against the system should be dismissed for four reasons: Payne’s complaint, called a writ of mandamus, was filed against the Board of Education when it should have been filed against Saunders; a mandamus cannot be used to compel discretionary actions; a mandamus cannot undo an act that has already been done; and since Payne’s contract is expired, her request to initiate Fair Dismissal Proceedings is void.
Before the trial, Storrs said he filed an amendment adding the superintendent to the complaint.
On the other three counts, however, Motes appeared to favor the school district’s claims.
“The judge did not rule … but he said the school district has presented a pretty persuasive argument that this mandamus may not be right,” Storrs said. However, he still believes his client has a strong case.
“Our argument is that she was entitled to her hearing and is still entitled to that, she was entitled to her pay, so we believe the mandamus is still appropriate,” he said.
Storrs is also planning the next move for his client. “My basic plan is to file an amended complaint which will still be valid claims,” he said. “I think she has a valid claim for breach of contract for salary, and also think she has a claim for civil rights violations for not getting her hearing.”
Murphy was more hesitant to comment on the case. “The judge didn’t rule, so it’s really premature (to speculate),” he said. “We don’t know if there’s going to be another hearing. If there’s going to be another hearing, we know the issues but we don’t know when or where that will take place. … I don’t want the judge to think we’re trying this in the press. We are completely at the discretion of the court.”
–from Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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257 comments Add your comment
Jeff
August 17th, 2011
2:16 pm
Somebody has yet to explain this to me… WHAT DID SHE DO??? Is it illegal for teachers in Georgia to drink alcohol (in another COUNTRY no less!), have a Facebook page, or engage in normal, everyday adult activities? WHY was she forced to resign? On what grounds did the principal say she would be suspended? What rule or law did she break? So a teacher in this community can’t go enjoy a beer with a friend over the summer… and in EUROPE, no less??? And as long as their social networking sites don’t have nudity, vulgarity, illegal activity, or something that libels or puts the schools or students in a bad light, what is the problem?
I don’t have a dog in this fight and I don’t live or pay taxes in Barrow County, but I hope this woman sues the hel out of them and gets MILLIONS… and then I hope this principal, superintendent, and the officials in the PSC and Barrow County govt. who haven’t stepped in, well, I hope they ALL lose their jobs.
This is absurd. There are enough problems in our educational system with people who DO break the law (such as Beverly Hall and any teacher that engages in illegal sexual conduct with students)…. we don’t need to make a problem out of this and keep a bright, enthusiastic educator from teaching because of some bogus, rediculous, childish, irresponsible non-issue such as this woman having a glass of wine in France. My god… this is embarrassing to all of Barrow County and the state educational system, and SOMEBODY by-God had better step in and fix this.
AFootballFan
August 17th, 2011
2:17 pm
I can’t believe this teacher had to endure this over a few pictures of an adult with an alcoholic beverage. A parent had way too much time on their hands and needs to get a life. I agree it was a coward that could not come forward. Give her job back!!! Teachers, preachers, etc.. have lives outside the walls and she wasn’t doing anything that a normal ADULT would not be doing on vacation.
Dave
August 17th, 2011
2:19 pm
GM-I have 4 children, 1 a Rhodes scholar, 2 physicians, and 1 a college professor. Looks like I’m doing fairly well as a role model without your endorsement. I’m sure you have some personal behaviors or history, or faults that you don’t share with your boss……..right? So don’t cast stones GM
Maureen Downey
August 17th, 2011
2:20 pm
@Jeff, The original statement from the school was that Payne gave student access to her Facebook page, based on the anonymous e-mail. But since the source of the e-mail was never identified, that seems invalid. However, Barrow’s defense was that Payne resigned in that first meeting with the principal and assistant principal — a fatal mistake according to the teacher groups, but understandable given the choices presented to a novice teacher at the time — and thus it had no need to track down the source of the e-mail. It seems a self-serving logic for the system to use, but that’s what it did.
Maureen
Dave
August 17th, 2011
2:21 pm
Jeff-no grounds….McGee chose to hold a closed door meeting and intimidate her into resigning. He knoew she did not have the maturity or experience to stand her ground and say heck no! He is a master manipulator, not a leader.
nurse ballbreaker
August 17th, 2011
2:22 pm
Context is everything. Calling someone a “beotch” is offensive (even if they deserve it), posting a social event that has “beotch” in the descriptive is not.
Maureen Downey
August 17th, 2011
2:22 pm
@Amanda, There was no allegation that she was ever drunk, just that she allowed a student access to her Facebook page and the student saw these photos with beer and wine and the word “bitch.”
Maureen
sliderule
August 17th, 2011
2:24 pm
Bitch bingo isn’t for dogs. Your excuse is lame. GM
I really have no clue what your talking about or what the game is or what “excuse”, but I’m pretty sure you’re “confused”. Please don’t be offended, I’m confused too.
Entertainment & Arts – Nightlife
Description:
Crazy Bitch Bingo™ is a bizarre version of the old Bingo game, hosted by Bryen Christopher from Winstead Media every Wednesday night, 8pm, at Joe’s On Juniper and every Thursday night at Las Margaritas on Cheshire Bridge in Atlanta, GA. [Crazy Bitch Bingo™ is a trademark of Winstead Media LLC]
LawDawg
August 17th, 2011
2:25 pm
AN ADULT DRINKING ON VACATION?!?!?!!? LITTLE SUZIE AND JOHNNY WILL BE TRAUMATIZED!!! PLEASE FIRE THIS MONSTER IMMEDIATELY!!!!!
luangtom
August 17th, 2011
2:26 pm
This is all a pretty sad commentary on the state of our nation and its citizens. We have CRCT scandals at numerous schools throughout the state and someone sees fit to follow-through on an allegation of impropriety on the part of a vacationing teacher. No credible substantiated evidence has been produced that any student viewed the benign photos of a young teacher holding a glass with alcohol in it. My God people, get a grip…….
Anonymous allegations should hold no credence whatsoever. It is the right of the accused to face their accuser. Where is the accuser in all of this? Gutless and spineless, lurking in the corner somewhere, I assume. Shame on the school district for even following through on this, what with the state of affairs of the rest of the state of GA. Sad commentary on the mentality and sanity of the board and the district.
Money Matters
August 17th, 2011
2:27 pm
Formula: Black DA + Black Superintendent with deep pockets hires high profile black criminal defense attorney (I’ve been told he’s friend of the DA) ….and to add icing to the cake, an embarrassed Chamber that got caught up in the overall conspiracy by shielding Hall. The overwhelming logic of this equation = no prosecution.
Never hold on to false hope!
Bill
August 17th, 2011
2:27 pm
She’s going to become a very rich woman after this case is thrown out and she sues for wrongful termination. Barrow Co. is screwed. Then again, it’s Barrow Co. Their gov’t screws everything up.
To Nurseball breaker
August 17th, 2011
2:28 pm
You’re incorrect. Unless you are literally referring to a female dog, “bitch” is offensive.
It likley only seems harmless to you because you’ve heard it so often that it has become acceptable or has always been acceptable in your environment.
If you used the word “bitch” while on duty in the military, you would be brought to Captain’s Mast. If you say it in the professional work place, you can lose your job.
sliderule
August 17th, 2011
2:28 pm
LawGawg
I think she needs come competent legal advice.
Sneakers O'Toole
August 17th, 2011
2:29 pm
Right or wrong is not my concern nor does it relate to my point.
This young teacher failed to protect her “brand” and she did it to herself. I have no problem with alcohol, I consume it and I’m guilty of swearing, frequently, but as an adult in this econimic time I choose to not expose myself to the opinions and moral values of others. Others who may be able to have an impact on my financial well being. I have never understood peoples desire to put elements of thier personal lives on display. Privacy settings be darned, if you put content up on the internet then IT IS THERE FOREVER. It makes no difference if YOU think the documented behavior is appropriate or not, if a busy-body sees it and has time to make trouble then you now have a problem, one that you created. Employers have hundreds of resumes to fill one position and if you think that they dont dig through social media to uncover charachteristics of these candidates then you would be sorely mistaken. Why wouldn’t they. It’s there for the taking.
When I read stories like these I cannot force myself to feel pity for the “victoms” because I personally choose to refrain from documenting my behavior on the internet. The definition of a friend to me is someone that I enjoy having actual interactions with, not someone who clicks my name so that they may see pictures of my vacation. I’ll never understand why poeple put themselves out there. Carly Simon even wrote a song about it.
There will be those of you who roast my opinion and that is fine. I’m sure some will point out my overuse of commas. My point however cannot be argued. Right or wrong, SHE posted the pictures.
Emoral
August 17th, 2011
2:29 pm
An outstanding young teacher, which the country needs to improve the dismal education, is railroaded out of the system by a corrupt and hypocritical administrators school board—as they go home to their “pure” lifestyles and rape the system with obscene salaries and benefits.
Can no one read
August 17th, 2011
2:30 pm
You can’t sue for being fired or wrongful termniation when you QUIT.
To Dave
August 17th, 2011
2:31 pm
Dave, I bet you wouldn’t call any of your children “bitch now would you? Would you call your mother a “bitch?” Your wife?
It’s vulgar.
Surprised...really?
August 17th, 2011
2:31 pm
these holier than thou conservatives can be weird and scary at times…..but mostly their just seriously uncool.
Old Dawg
August 17th, 2011
2:32 pm
The Beer Nazi Strikes Again! Things like this used to happen in police states, but no, it’s right here in the good ole US of A. The facts that she was on vacation in another country and no one knows who sent the message to the superintendent are enough to throw the case out.
I really hope she is able to receive major financial retribution for this crazy as hell abuse of power … sorry, kids, I can use language like this because I don’t work for your Nazi school system.
Joseph Redding
August 17th, 2011
2:32 pm
So all of this high standard of expectarion for a job that pays 35,000/yr. Wow! And a glass of 9% alchohol chardonay. Didnt know it was illegal 4 a teacher to drink. They promote club nites for teachers. Should she not live her life because she is a 30-35,000 dollar a yr TEACHER? They are the least paid government employees in this country and are held to the highest standard. Garbage men make more money. This is sad. Someone needs to step up in government and handle this treatment of these HUMAN BEINGS. You are better off working full time at McDonalds. You’d make about the same with overtime and you could have a drink without being put on the national news. SAD
Dave
August 17th, 2011
2:33 pm
Coaches go free-I did not know Wallace is from the same school. Now we have an even better picture of the shop Principle McGee is running. I’m sure Wallace and McGee are both Deacons at the Barrow 1st Assembly Of Hipocrytical Worship. Interesting twist. I cannot believe Sonny or Mr Deal have not interveined with the State Superintendant. This is a travesty. Oh well. I guess Nathan was too busy vetting his porno client on the vacant property to care about his state’s teachers being treated fairly.
HREdu
August 17th, 2011
2:34 pm
Maureen you really should speak to someone with some background in school law.
There is no due process required under GA law for a teacher until the 4th yearly contract is signed. Period. Even if their was, the cold hard fact is she quit. Under current GA laws for educators she has no recourse. She made a stupid mistake by resigning certainly, but even so she has zero chance of winning this under current law. It is a fool’s errand.
The only thing the Barrow BOE is guilty of is defending against her lawsuit. If people want to be mad about wasted tax money they need to focus that anger on Ms. Payne. The BOE has no choice but to defend against it. In fact, I will be surprised if she doesn’t wind up paying the BOE for its legal expenses at the end of this. It is basically a frivolous suit under current law.
Teachers in her position have less legal rights in this area than a worker at Micky D’s. This sort of thing happens all the time to teachers in this state. Should the laws be changed? Probably. But as it stands, she is toast. Sad but true. Fair? Maybe not, but this is the world beginning teachers ( and school administrators for that matter) currently live in. No ‘tenure’ = no rights to your job. Especially if you are dumb enough to resign.
There is not a school district in this state that would not be doing the same thing Barrow County is.
Observer
August 17th, 2011
2:35 pm
Hey! Where’s the teachers’ union when you need ‘em?
MoscowJoe
August 17th, 2011
2:35 pm
These types of back woods antics proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that 1950s KKK lynching tactics are alive and well in Georgia in 2011. Granted, ATL is but a small island in the NW corner of Ga but hopefully a run by the State Supreme Court would remedy this case. These types of self-righteous low life are also the same that would sneak shots of moonshine under their basement steps while all the while preaching hell fire and brimstone. I’d love to have been this young lady infact as I would have laid them all out and embarrassed them so bad they would never forget. Right wing nutters to be sure.
We Need Prayer
August 17th, 2011
2:36 pm
@ St John
I ditto your comment to “This is bs”. Wrong is wrong and I pray Ashley is re-instated.
Dave
August 17th, 2011
2:36 pm
Ok Can No One Read, you are a genius. I guess we need to explain the circumstances aspect, or are you too busy watching Law and Order reruns oin TBS?
Money Matters Is Right
August 17th, 2011
2:36 pm
Wow!
Big time criminal defense attorney Rick Deane. You would think Hall is accused of pushing narcotics instead of test scores. Rest assure she or somebody is paying through the nose.
HREdu
August 17th, 2011
2:37 pm
Maureen you really should speak to someone with some background in school law.
There is no due process required under GA law for a teacher until the 4th yearly contract is signed. Period. Even if their was, the cold hard fact is she quit. Under current GA laws for educators she has no recourse. She made a stupid mistake by resigning certainly, but even so she has zero chance of winning this under current law. It is a fool’s errand.
The only thing the Barrow BOE is guilty of is defending against her lawsuit. If people want to be mad about wasted tax money they need to focus that anger on Ms. Payne. The BOE has no choice but to defend against it. In fact, I will be surprised if she doesn’t wind up paying the BOE for its legal expenses at the end of this. It is basically a frivolous suit under current law.
Teachers in her position have less legal rights in this area than a worker at Micky D’s. This sort of thing happens all the time to teachers in this state. Should the laws be changed? Probably. But as it stands, she is toast. Sad but true. Fair? Maybe not, but this is the world beginning teachers ( and school administrators for that matter) currently live in. No ‘tenure’ = no rights to your job. Especially if you are dumb enough to resign.
sliderule
August 17th, 2011
2:40 pm
Sneakers O’Toole
Welcome to the electronic world. Not using social media is your choice and will prevent situations like this (perhaps). Perhaps a friend or stranger takes a picture of you somewhere enjoying a cool one and posts it. Have you heard of face recognition software. Better hunker down.
The real point is whether any sane person would take offence at her posts and force her resignation.
Dave
August 17th, 2011
2:40 pm
HREdu-so your in fact correct as it relates to Georgia Law. We all know that. What we are commenting is right and wrong. McGee however should be held accountable for creating the circumstances under which Ms Payne resigned. She was manipulated and pressured during the closed door meeting. Under duress, her resignation could be reversed by the Goergia Court of Appeals. Indeed.
LawDawg
August 17th, 2011
2:42 pm
Can no one read: You are wrong. There are theories under which someone who quits is constructively terminated (quit to prevent negative consequences of imminent firing. Don’t talk about what you don’t understand.
Maureen Downey
August 17th, 2011
2:44 pm
HREDu, I understand the law. But I think the legal argument that her attorney is making is constructive discharge, that Payne was essentially forced to quit a job.
Maureen
Dave
August 17th, 2011
2:44 pm
Sneakers……..and your point is?……………………………she posted a picture of her having a glass of wine………so she did herslef in. Ooooooops, I better pull those pics of me trimming my rose bushes……..
sliderule
August 17th, 2011
2:45 pm
Sic ‘em LawDawg
BigBird
August 17th, 2011
2:46 pm
Yep, pictures of you trimming your bush definitely need to go!
Dave
August 17th, 2011
2:47 pm
Amen Maureen! The constructive discharge was calculated and coordinated but the administartion. They commiserated to create an environment of intimidation, her duress and manipulated Ms Payne into resignation.
Dave
August 17th, 2011
2:48 pm
Manscaping.
Snoopy
August 17th, 2011
2:49 pm
Sounds like a little e-discovery is in order to find out who wrote that accusing email. I just wonder if it didn’t come from somebody in the school’s administration.
HREdu
August 17th, 2011
2:51 pm
Dave – “she was manipulated and pressured”
How do we know that? Sounds like last time I bought a car.
The point is the current law is wrong. She can’t win this under current circumstances. The real outrage needs to be there, not at the principal or the BOE.
Unless He held a gun to her head and there was a witness, there is no proof of duress. Seen it 100 times.
Inman Park Boy
August 17th, 2011
2:53 pm
MORE proof that government bureaucrats are idiots. Let me say it again, and again and again: IDIOTS!
Maureen Downey
August 17th, 2011
2:53 pm
@HREdu
According to court documents filed by the district, “Mr. McGee {principal} told Plaintiff that she would be suspended and her conduct reported to the Professional Standards Committee. Plaintiff asked if she could resign.”
At that point, however, the stories diverge. McGee says that Payne volunteered to resign. Payne says she was coerced.
“There was no mention of a warning, ” Payne said. “No ‘Could you please take these things down?’ I was told, ‘We are going to have to suspend you and your only other option is to resign.’ ”
“At no time did I tell her she had to resign, ” said McGee in a statement released by Barrow officials. In that statement, McGee concedes that he presented Payne with some dire scenarios:
“She asked about options and I told her she always had the option of resigning. I told her that I had no idea what the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) would do. I told her I had seen suspensions, fines and loss of teaching certificates.”
LawDawg
August 17th, 2011
2:54 pm
HREdu : So much of that is wrong.
Dave: So much of his post is wrong and your =/= you’re
sliderule
August 17th, 2011
2:55 pm
i always wondered what happened to Fibber.
chrisitna
August 17th, 2011
2:56 pm
Wow this is so stupid… Big deal she had something to drink when she was on VACATION and NOT at school… People have done worse and not gotten punished for it… It is so sad to that some people care to much about other people’s business.. Personal i would not even offend me if i saw a teacher in a bar drinking as long as he or she was not drinking at school in front of my kids and still teaching my child and the other children to the best of their ability….
To Slide Rule
August 17th, 2011
3:02 pm
It doesn’t matter whether some bar owner calls it “Bitch Bingo” or whether the teacher in question said “Bitch, I am going to bingo.”
“Bitch” is offensive. It’s insulting to women. It’s disparaging. It also says a lot about the teacher’s lack of maturity that she would patronize a place that advertised itself in such a way.
It also says a lot about the teacher’s maturity level that she would post her pictures on Face Book and post her thoughts on Face Book. There is no privacy on social media. Heck, the Pentagon’s computers and Citibank computers get hacked into.
It should be a lesson to everyone to keep their private pictures and thoughts out of social media.
However, I don’t think she should have been fired for it. I think she should have been reprimanded for it. I also think she should have apologized
sliderule
August 17th, 2011
3:06 pm
“Personal i would not even offend me if i saw a teacher in a bar drinking”
Wow, where do these people come from?
pb
August 17th, 2011
3:07 pm
What the school board did to this teacher is clearly wrong, and probably illegal. But one has to wonder what this young lady did to p*ss someone off enough to get her in trouble. A refused date, personality clash, or someone just doesn’t like her? But it’s still wrong.
LawDawg
August 17th, 2011
3:07 pm
““Bitch” is offensive. It’s insulting to women. It’s disparaging. It also says a lot about the teacher’s lack of maturity that she would patronize a place that advertised itself in such a way.”
If you choose to be offended by it, fine, but do not act like it is inherently offensive and that we all have to kowtow to your puritanical and tyrannical sense of decency. If you think high schoolers do not hear much, much worse on a daily basis, you are either crazy or sheltered to a frightening degree. If you cannot bear to have your kid hear the word bitch, it is time to home school.
In short, quit your bitching.
Me
August 17th, 2011
3:19 pm
Where are the IT professionals in all of this? Every email received contains “header” informaton that details the exact IP address from which the email was sent. The “from” field is nothing but text and can, therefore, contain any email address including a “fake” one. Any IT person could have reviwed this header information, obtained the IP address of the originating host and the IP of the SMTP mail server , could have then immediately ascertained the ISP that “owns” said IP address(es) and then obtain a court order for the ISP to reveal to whom that particular IP was assigned on that date. It’s perhaps a bit more technically involved in this but, at a high level, it would have been this simple to obtain some idea of the party responsible at least down to the household that sent it.