Georgia watchdog extraordinaire William Perry held a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday where he called for an investigation into Fulton County’s family court system. Perry, and the numerous supporters/parents behind him, assert numerous examples of problematic actions within the court system.
Perry said this press conference is the most important of the hundreds he has done over the years. The issue hits families so directly in a way that many other cases do not. Perry discussed how many parents that have been through the system suffered in a variety of ways – many to the point where it could perhaps be considered a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“Since I began my work as an ethics/political watchdog with Common Cause Georgia in 2010, and continuing that work with my own organization, Georgia Ethics Watchdogs, I have been approached by numerous individuals who claim corruption in Fulton Family Court. I have found that if it is not widespread potential corruption, it is massive incompetence and coincidence,” said Perry in a statement announcing the press conference.
Between the possible corruption and incompetence, there are numerous different complaints from parents. Many of these cases never end – in one case Perry related, a judge has refused to issue a final order years later. In another case, a judge appointed a court reporter who is not certified and thus the parents cannot file an appeal because there is not an available transcript. Perry said one father came to him and relayed a story that he was going through a divorce and was told by a court employee that for $75,000, he could get the right judge that would rule in his favor.
Perry and his supporters are calling for four main courses of action to dig further into the problem:
1) investigations into potential corruption of the Fulton County family court by the Fulton County District Attorney and/or other law enforcement agencies,
2) others who have been victimized by the potential corruption who will share their stories,
3) attorneys who will offer pro bono services to assist our efforts or the victims themselves, and
4) changes to Georgia law to help stop potential corruption.
Paul Howard and the Fulton County District Attorney’s office have a Public Integrity Unit that is designed to specifically handle issues like this. The State Bar may also be able to put pressure on the system to help investigate and uncover wrongdoing.
Many of these types of cases are difficult for parents to come forward on because complaining about the court systems or judges may make their own personal cases that much more difficult. Knowing there are other potential victims out there may make it easier for others to come forward and help share their stories which may make uncovering specific instances of law-breaking or malfeasance that much easier to root out.
Now that Perry and the group has gone public, officials will likely at least take a closer look and media attention will certainly help shine light on what may be going on.
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