WSB-TV: 20 years ago, a judge called lawyer John Oxendine an ‘abomination’
There’s no video link yet, but WSB-TV has posted this:
GOP candidate for governor John Oxendine
A Whistleblower 2 Investigation uncovered records that reveal an ugly chapter in the brief legal career of current Insurance Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine. Before he ran for state office, he represented a small company in a tax dispute. During the case, the judge described Oxendine’s behavior as “an abomination” and said he’d like to end his career.
The whistleblower steered Channel 2’s Richard Belcher to civil action 89-V-36917 in the Houston County Courthouse in Warner Robins. It’s a dispute filed in 1989 about a modest amount of money. Court documents that a Channel 2 producer got at the courthouse show Oxendine represented a cleaning company that had a contract at Robins Air Force Base in Houston County. A search of his history proves he had only been practicing law for two years at the time….
According to the records, by July 1991, Superior Court Judge Lewis McConnell was furious about Oxendine’s refusal to produce the documents the judge had ordered months before. The hearing transcript reveals the judge’s attack on what he considered Oxendine’s contemptible legal conduct.
….The transcript of McConnell’s comments read, “If I knew I could suspend you from practicing law in the state of Georgia for the rest of your life I would do so. You’re an an abomination as far as I’m concerned.”
The TV station obtained the following response from the state insurance commissioner:
Oxendine’s campaign manager, Stephen Puetz, released a statement Thursday that said, “For over a year our opponents have been attacking us with unfounded accusations and worn out stories from the past. What a judge said to John 20 years ago has no bearing on what kind of governor he will be. John will spend the next six weeks talking about what he’ll do as governor to bring jobs back to Georgia.”
We understand that WAGA-TV is working on a similar piece on the Republican candidate.
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78 comments Add your comment
Chuckl
July 1st, 2010
5:39 pm
John, You gotta have thick skin to run this race. Just pick one issue like the tax system in Georgia and campaign on that. You cant be all things to everyone. but fixing the tax will benefit everyone.
Chuckl
July 1st, 2010
5:41 pm
And another thing! Get Georgia on Natural Gas!
Please support the NAT GAS Act of 2009
Complete the form below to encourage your U.S. Representative and your U.S. Senators to support the NAT GAS Act of 2009.
This legislation has almost all of the elements for natural gas that we have been pushing for in the Pickens Plan.
It extends the tax credit for natural gas used as a transportation fuel.
It provides a tax credit for 80 percent of the additional cost when purchasing a dedicated natural gas vehicle.
It extends the tax credit for the installation of natural gas refueling pumps.
It creates incentives for the major manufacturers to sell natural gas vehicles (which they already produce for overseas markets) in the United States.
jack
July 1st, 2010
5:43 pm
I’m no Oxendine fan or supporter but, the fact that WSB and the AJC are so vehemently opposed to him but will support a slime ball like Roy Barnes almost gives me enough reason to vote for Oxendine.
John H
July 1st, 2010
5:52 pm
Wow, the AJC is really grasping for straws. Anyone who does anything will be criticized at some point. It speaks very well for Oxendine that the AJC had to go back 20 years to find a judge who was upset with him.
JDW
July 1st, 2010
5:52 pm
Ethics violations, legal misconduct, and fund raising irregularities…yep Oxendine will fit right in as governor. I wonder if he needs to buy some land or borrow some money on great terms? Maybe he could even have the tax laws changed at the end of a session to save himself $100K. Won’t Sonny be proud?
Doc
July 1st, 2010
6:11 pm
The spots on a leopard never change. The man s a thief & a liar. Out for no one but himself. All Lawyers should be banned from runnig for office. They are ALL paid to lie for a living.
Ford Ranger
July 1st, 2010
6:19 pm
This is just the tip of the iceberg on Oxendine. Check out his 500 page binder of ethics violations, ineffective management and general misconduct:
http://www.peachpundit.com/2010/06/21/john-oxendines-binder/
What about the time he rounded up 40 mentally retarded people to vote for him to be an Al Gore delegate?:
http://www.peachpundit.com/2010/06/24/john-oxendine-and-the-mentally-retarded-registered-voters/
gkingii
July 1st, 2010
6:28 pm
Oxendine must be really scaring the democrats. That’s what brings out the “investigators” in a political race. Thay had to look back 20 years to find some judge who didn’t like his tactics. Not much there, I guess. Didn’t notice any info on why he didn’t follow the judge’s “orders”.
Darling Diedre
July 1st, 2010
6:37 pm
Well put. A leopard never sheds his spots. I find his TV ads ludicrous. He says he doesn’t care who gets the credit. That in itself is an abomination. Everything John Oxendine does is for John Oxendine – make no mistake about it. He’s wreckless, arrogant, while crafty he is not terribly bright, he is less than entirely truthful, he is facing an ethics investigation, his fundraising irregularities – shall we go on? He makes Sonny Doo-Doo and Roy Barnes look like Choir Boys. It would be a terrible error in judgment to elect this man. Please, let the madness end on July 20th. I’m proud of the AJC and WSB. Keep it rolling.
Just Left of Center
July 1st, 2010
6:50 pm
As a lawyer, we all get in spats with Judges and an arguement from 20 years ago with that Judge means little to me. If Oxendine’s conduct was really that bad the State Bar would have acted, but they never took any action. What does resonate is that the media has to dig up “dirt” from 20 years ago instead of reporting on the issues.
Mugwump
July 1st, 2010
6:53 pm
The fact that the ox is even considered for govenor gives insight as to why Georgia is at the bottom of most everything. From the quail hunting fields of N. Georgia to the Atlantic shores the ox has shown over and over that he has no respect for the laws and cares not for the little people. His ethics now are no different than 20 years ago.
DannyX
July 1st, 2010
6:54 pm
I would think a lawyer would at least know how to spell “arguement.”
Nice try. (Also liked the “Just Left of Center” decoy.)
The Goobernator
July 1st, 2010
7:10 pm
The judge was right, Ox has lived up to the description every day forward.
Madison
July 1st, 2010
7:56 pm
Will the AJC do a little research on Superior Court Judge Lewis McConnell? Of course not! I won’t vote for the Ox in the primary but if he wins I will vote for him just to piss the AJC (aka Barnes light) off.
about time
July 1st, 2010
8:08 pm
hey chuckl: before you start spouting the benefits of the Natural Gas act, have you seen the movie Gas Nation. it’s currently playing on HBO. It documents the hundreds of families in the Midwest whose wells have been contaminated by natural gas and the chemicals used to extract that gas. The process is basically destroying the water supply. Hundreds of people can literally light on fire the water coming from their kitchen sink. It also goes into depth about the Bush/Cheny administrations involvement in exempting the natural gas/oil industry from almost every environmental law including the clean water act. Something like the Haliburton clause. It’s really scary stuff. You should watch the movie. thanks
4T9
July 1st, 2010
8:18 pm
Mr. Oxendine shows the same attitude now. A young man of privilage who resigned the dems in ‘93 to become a republican in ‘94 to run for office. Ox is exactly what the republican party needs to rid itself of. If he went back to practicing law, he could gain more experience, and once again become the democrat that he’s always been.
UGA 1954
July 1st, 2010
8:35 pm
For everyone who is critical of WSB and the AJC for running this story. Think about this. If a person is defiant of a court and does not feel as though he should follow the rules, then that person should not be put in a position to uphold laws and rules. Ethics is stressed in law schools everywhere. Discovery is taught for many semesters. For an attorney to withhold evidence from the opposing party then that attorney is not following the rules of discovery. Further, for a judge to call an attorney an abomination because of his actions in the judge’s courtroom it speaks volumes of the attorney’s character (or lack thereof). Finally, settlement agreements contain clauses or provisions relative to the settlement reached between the parties in the pending lawsuit — settlement agreements do not contain clauses or provisions that no ethics charges can or will be brought against an attorney. This doesn’t happen. I think that the events of 20 years ago speaks volumes to the lack of character and ethics that John Oxendine has and is totally relevant today.
No Ox, Noo Raw Deal, Nooo Linger Longer Johnson, Noooo King Roy
July 1st, 2010
8:40 pm
The name says it ALL
UGA 1954
July 1st, 2010
8:44 pm
@No Ox, Noo Raw Deal — what’s left? I thought about Yosemite Sam; however, he didn’t get enough signatures to be considered a write in candidate.
Union
July 1st, 2010
9:42 pm
i see the cox group has given its marching orders to its “reporters” ahh.. it seems like just yesterday that reporters had some kind of cajones..
David in Atlanta
July 1st, 2010
10:02 pm
Since when is incompetence a problem for Republican candidates?
AJC sucks
July 1st, 2010
10:08 pm
wow the ajc really has their sights set on ox. It’s amazing how we don’t hear about all this nit picking on DemocRATS. Wow AJC, wonder why you are down to about 1 buyer of your RAG.
joejoe
July 1st, 2010
10:08 pm
I think Roy is going to win but for the life of my I can’t figure out what something Oxendine did in court nearly twenty years ago justifies a TV report now.
The Cynical White Boy
July 1st, 2010
11:00 pm
Heh heh heh…..McConnell ain’t exactly a saint in a black robe either….a more thorough investigation would have detailed why McConnell’s political exploits and string pulling led to drastic changes in the entire statutory scheme on how long it takes – and under what circumstances – a regular Superior Court Judge can become a “Senior Judge”…with all the nice benefits for them (and their surviving spouse).
He got a sweetheart deal with just a few years of service on the bench…with the tab picked up by all of us taxpayers. They changed the law to prevent others from doing it in the future.
In any event, why do I seem to smell the scent of Bobby Kahn around this “whistle-blowing”?
Anonymous
July 1st, 2010
11:05 pm
What kind of dirt would be dug up if McConnel were running for office?
Travis McGee
July 1st, 2010
11:49 pm
When I begin to dispair over the quality of our candidates for governor, I remember that the state of Georiga has been assailed by incompetence for most of it’s history — including the likes of Gene Talmadge, Marvin Griffin, Lester Maddox and the list goes on and on.
So, cheer up, ol’ friends, this too shall pass.
And, so it goes. . . .
Vickie King
July 2nd, 2010
12:31 am
John Oxendine is still an abomination.The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. He was taught well. But, then, I guess when you have money and power and influence;it doesn’t matter how many little people you step on to get where you’re going; doing things that are illegal are covered up for you; aren’t they, John ? Things like Insurance cover ups and money laundering, pay offs and dirty deals behind closed doors.The Lord doesn’t Love Ugly John; and you’ve been ugly !! You stepped on one too many. I’m praying for you !!
Oxendine an “abomination” › Blog for Democracy
July 2nd, 2010
1:15 am
[...] WSB-TV: 20 years ago, a judge called lawyer John Oxendine an ‘abomination’ A Whistleblower 2 Investigation uncovered records that reveal an ugly chapter in the brief legal career of current Insurance Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine. Before he ran for state office, he represented a small company in a tax dispute. During the case, the judge described Oxendine’s behavior as “an abomination” and said he’d like to end his career. ….The transcript of McConnell’s comments read, “If I knew I could suspend you from practicing law in the state of Georgia for the rest of your life I would do so. You’re an an abomination as far as I’m concerned.” Like what you read? Get updates for free! ‹ How should UGA handle Damon Evans’ DUI arrest? [...]
Time for a Woman!
July 2nd, 2010
1:21 am
I’m telling y’all, no way Oxendine can win in November with all these skeletons in the closest. He’s so corrupt he wouldn’t last long even if he did win. Karen Handel for governor!
WSB-TV: 20 years ago, a judge called lawyer John Oxendine an … « Harrington Fundraising
July 2nd, 2010
1:28 am
[...] Continue reading here: WSB-TV: 20 years ago, a judge called lawyer John Oxendine an … [...]
Left of Left
July 2nd, 2010
5:56 am
There are no candidates running in Georgia that are not somehow bought and paid for by someone. The state of Georgia and the United States are merely corporate oligarchies. When will people actually wake up and realize this?
Winfield J. Abbe
July 2nd, 2010
6:10 am
How about the abomination of Superior Court Judge English caught having sex with a Public Defender almost two years ago in a car in an abandoned subdivision? He was a UGA Terry College graduate and UGA Law School Graduate. Both have resigned but nothing happend to them and nothing likely will happen. This is what happens in the corrupt state of Georgia when judges and lawyers are allowed to police themselves. Citizens here love to be fooled. There were over 200 cases between these two after this outrageous activity in patent violation of the meaningless ethics rules.
The leaders at UGA set a high ethical standard don’t they as the arrest of its Athletic Director just illustrated who not only refused a breath test, but had a women with him too. LIke the judge and public defender above, he also has a family with children. The immoral incompetents will be promoted and rise to the top in Georgia.
Just Jane
July 2nd, 2010
6:11 am
His questionable ethics are just the beginning. Research contributions to his campaign. As a matter of fact, research the contributions to everyone’s campaign. Will we be governed by the insurance industry? Maybe a corporate behemoth? That’s who we really elect.
Tommy Maddox
July 2nd, 2010
6:37 am
I guess many of you folks don’t make it to Court too often.
Speaking of that Doc, I suppose you can hire a carpenter to represent you the next time you get sued…
No Ox, Noo Raw Deal, Nooo Linger Longer Johnson, Noooo King Roy
July 2nd, 2010
6:39 am
UGA 1954
July 1st, 2010
8:44 pm
Handel, Chapman… Handel has problems but is less bad than the others.. Chapman would make a great Governor but he won’t sell out so he can’t raise money. Look where The Ox, Raw Deal & Johnson’s money comes from.
Keep doing this GOP
July 2nd, 2010
6:48 am
This makes Gen. David Poythress look better every day.
Willis
July 2nd, 2010
7:30 am
The Ox is a liar. He has protected the insurance industry for the entire time he’s been the commissioner. Funny how he doesn’t talk about all that in his campaign ads.
Jay
July 2nd, 2010
7:48 am
Good grief! So some judge makes a comment because the judge doesn’t get what he wants when he wants it. I have seen a few judges to which I would make the same comment. This “apparent” situation proves nothing other than a young lawyer desires to assertively represent his client…..something he is expected and paid to do. Could it be that the media is looking under every rock because Oxendine dares to suggest abolishing a tax?
Bill Orvis White
July 2nd, 2010
7:50 am
This is a hatchet job on the Ox, an honest honorable man who has a record of helping out thousands of Georgians including my aunt near Brasstown. I would put up John’s character against King Roy any day of the week and you will find out that he’s a solid conservative, Christian who fights for the average person. Thank the Lord Almighty the He created the Honorable John Oxendine. If he wins, I will be mailing a very large check to his campaign to make sure that he continues to take care of my aunt and the good conservative God-fearing folk in Georgia. More states need to recruit people like John to their highest office. If that happened, this would be a strong union of all 50 states that could oust the current far-left radical “leadership” in Washington. We are in our worst shape because of this president who did more damage in just “his” first six months than in all of Jimmah Carter’s four embarrassing years in the White House. By the way, the Honorable George W. Bush made us safe and didn’t cause the first recession and definitely didn’t cause the next recession, folks. Yes, we are heading into the second part of this double-dip recession. Do you know why? There’s plenty of proof that Hussein Obama caused our current troubles, but we need to go back to Bubba Clinton and Jimmah who created a lot of the housing mess for us because they wanted to get lazy secular folk into houses so bad they gave them money for loans. All of a sudden the whole bubble burst. Also, if you really want to blame someone besides Hussein Obama, you have to go back to Socialist Roosevelt who took us off the Gold Standard.
So, what should people do? Well, I stocked up on my gold as well as my shelter which has canned goods and a weapons cache. If you want to survive the future with leaders like Hussein Obama in charge, then follow my lead.
God Bless,
Bill
Octopus Oxendine
July 2nd, 2010
7:55 am
The fact that John Oxendine was elected as Insurance Commissioner while married to a high-ranking Blue Cross Blue Shield official was enough to turn my stomach. Being caught with his hands in everyone else’s cookie jars (and then saying he was sorry and would give the money back!) made me disgusted enough to call him Octopus Oxendine. Can we please vote this man out of office and KEEP him there?
Jon but not Jon Voight
July 2nd, 2010
8:09 am
And he leads the polls. Just the kind of guvnor Georgians want! Get used to it people – he’s your next guvnor. These yahoos down here never cease to amaze me. Well, when you can’t read or write – what do you expect? As long as we get to keep our guns!
Buzz G
July 2nd, 2010
8:10 am
I love the Ox. He is always putting his thumb into the eyes of the liberal media. They hate him with a passion. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
Tom
July 2nd, 2010
8:28 am
I’ll vote for John over the King Rat. All I can say is, “Fool me once, shame on you but fool me twice, shame on me!”
elaine
July 2nd, 2010
8:37 am
Do you people not remember when the state was sooo glad for Roy to be OUT of office. It is obvious the media and ajc are anti Oxedine. Go dig in all the other runners pasts and I’ll bet you can get dirt on them all. What’s good for one is good for all.
Baby's Daddy
July 2nd, 2010
8:40 am
Now, dat be what I call an honest judge. John couldn’t make no money bein’ a real lawyer–instead he been suckin’ government tit all dee years. Oxy got a complex, flashin’ that luminum badge of his and racing all over wit his blue lights like he was 1-Adam-12. Dis ain’t
no man to have spinnin’ round in da governor’s chair. Get Roy in dere
and he’ll sit straight, won’t spin, keep his eye on da papers on da
desk, know what I’m sayin’.
elaine
July 2nd, 2010
8:49 am
Yea right like he did before ???
Yea right lol
July 2nd, 2010
9:03 am
I know enough from watching the washington government that a candidate who will smear to this level must not have my vote or the votes of the people. Voting for Barns is well, #1 going back and we already voted him out once and #2, voting for a Obama clone who will spend this state dry and then clammer onto the shirt tails of Obama for more spending which will bankrupt this state.
Ox stands for a lot of good things and hes qualified to pull this state out and go after jobs for georgians. He will not ride on the washington shirt tails and thats why their are scared to death right now. I am hoping that Ox is our next governor. We need a real leader, not a spend thrift who wants to be like Obama.
green green
July 2nd, 2010
9:09 am
Ox is a great guy … if you’re his buddy.
Mike
July 2nd, 2010
9:25 am
And John (The Sleaze) Oxendine is still an abomination. Too bad the judge couldn’t have gotten rid of him then. Maybe we wouldn’t have to put up with him now.
Katy
July 2nd, 2010
9:53 am
I totally agree with Jack. This is desperation at its lowest level. Also, check out politifact.com. Roy Barnes’ claims that during his term as governor, he created all these jobs. NOT!!! Why isn’t that being discussed instead of this tripe?