Emissaries of S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal, Senate President Glenn McConnell and embattled Lowcountry family court judge F.P. “Charlie” Segars-Andrews reportedly gathered for a secret meeting Monday night in Charleston, S.C. to discuss a hugely controversial case that has the state’s legal community up in arms.
To the disdain of many prominent members of the Lowcountry legal establishment, Segars-Andrews has twice been declared “unfit to serve” by South Carolina’s notoriously corrupt Judicial Merit Selection Commission. That means she’ll be forced to step down when her term expires next year. Of course, sources tell FITS that the Commission reached its verdict on account of Segars-Andrews being notoriously corrupt herself, even though very little evidence of that assertion was included in the Commission’s report on the judge.
Nothing would surprise us with respect to this case, though …
Anyway, Segars-Andrews has sued the commission over its decision, which has opened the door to a discovery process that nobody in the State Capital of Columbia seems to want.
Specifically, sources tell FITS that Chief Justice Toal and Senator McConnell are doing everything within their power to block any investigation into the Judicial Merit Selection Commission (which Toal and McConnell control) as well as any investigation into Toal’s Gestapo-style Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
How come?
That’s easy – both of these taxpayer-funded “judicial oversight” agencies have enough skeletons in their respective closets to fill an SEC football stadium. Also, maintaining control over these two entities (and secrecy concerning their inner workings) gives Toal and McConnell effective control over every judge, every attorney … and therefore every judicial ruling in the state.
In fact, Toal has reportedly teamed up with McConnell in the past to block judicial candidates who favored overhauling the “Inquisition,” as the Office of Disciplinary Counsel has been referred to in the past.
No wonder the Segars-Andrews suit has Toal so concerned.
Yet while there is motivation to keep the whole thing from ever reaching a boiling point, some of the accusations that have been made against Segars-Andrews during this process are beginning to take more concrete form. Specifically, her opponents are pointing to a $300,000 fee collected by her husband, local divorce attorney Mark Andrews. This payment is allegedly part of a sophisticated Lowcountry legal racket that steers favorable rulings to Andrews’ clients and the clients of another local law firm.
Again, those allegations have not been proven, although the Judicial Merit Selection Commission has uncovered some evidence that Segars-Andrews’ opponents claim “fits the (scam’s) pattern.”
Stay tuned …
UPDATE: BTW, what is it with S.C. headlines mirroring our favorite songs today? Because here’s one of our all-time favorite bands, The National, performing “Secret Meeting.” Enjoy …
By Todd December 29, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Ain’t nobody in the legal profession touching this one, Sic. The stakes are too high this time.
By DudleydoRight December 29, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Oh, I forgot, it is OK to publish anything as “news” by couching it with words like “reportedly”, “allegedly” “although not proven” as long as “sources” tell you so. Who was your “source” for this article, a crack head on the corner who just got out of jail for non-payment of child support? What a BS crock of yellow journalism at it’s worst.
By Lilly Collette December 29, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I wasn’t the source for this article. However, it would be my pleasure to be the source for a full exposure on this family court snake pit.
PS://
I have the evidence — so watch your mouth.
By Zach December 29, 2009 at 4:57 pm
DudleydoRight: You are either one of Jean’s family members or one of her fawning, adoring servants at either the Supreme Court Building or the Calhoun Builing. If you believe Jean is sitting back and taking a chance on her dynasty being investigated – well, the “source” must have just passed you the crack pipe – and you did inhale or whatever crack heads do.
By Patriot1776 December 29, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Rosen, Toal, and SA are likely going to fall so hard none of them will ever recover.
And to think, the hand full of ACE cards haven’t even been shown in his poker game.
By No Name December 29, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Those of us not in the Legal Mafia …..but still respectful of how brutal and capricious are the rules and rulers therein ….want to know why there are not some Capos or Soldiers in the Legal Mafia
that just take The Godmother out .
I cannot believe that someone would not enjoy some of her power
or who get a little tired of all this laughable and belittling behavior.
What has she got on everyone…..just turn on her by turning her in.
The public….maybe not the mafia …
is moaning for a public beheading……do it and watch how FEW cry.
By Zach December 29, 2009 at 8:01 pm
No Name: The Queen has been able to get the 4 do-boys behind her who none will ever a chief justice to do exactly as she pleases. Hearn is the best shot at bringing in some balance, but she owes so much of her career to the throne, it is unlikely she will ever challenge her. And Coggiola – now one of the most disreputable ones up there now – used to work for Hearn. I agree. A figureative be-heading of the Queen would be met with the munchkins coming out from the bushes singing in the streets, “Ding dong,……”
By 1254343 December 29, 2009 at 8:09 pm
This is just the top of the iceberg. The corruption of the family court is systemic. I have judge Cate on transcript denying me my consitutional rights, she said it three times. Then there is Judge Garfinkel who’s corruption spans decades. All proven cases. These currput judges have been protected and I am surpised that this judge is going down. It must scare the others like none other.
By Longtimecoming December 29, 2009 at 9:30 pm
This has been a long time coming! My case has languished in family court for yrs & yrs & yrs! Almost every hearing was set before segars-andrews. Now I know why. I knew it but how dare I voice it. She favors attorneys and rules in their favor no matter what evidence was put before her from my side. They couldn’t even produce a witness to corroborate their stance and she still ruled for them! Try and get an accurate transcript of her hearings HA HA HA HA! LOL HAHAHAHAHAHA! With her being found “UNQUALIFIED” maybe the other family couurt judges will start walking the line, go exactly by the rules and rule by only the evidence setr before them and not their pockets. LET THE FAIRNESS IN THE COURTS BEGIN AND THOSE THAT DON’T RULE BY THE RULES LET THEIR HEADS ROLL RIGHT DOWN MAINSTREET!
By O. G. December 29, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Obviously, some people responding to this dilemma have never sat in a courtroom being presided over by “Charlie” or they would never express sympathy for her. Segars-Andrews never should have been permitted to preside in a courtroom in the first place. She is not a “Judge” but she has been permitted to judge and she treats the courtroom as her play ground instead of, by, and for the people! She is not well versed in the law and lacks the sound prudent judgement to render a proper decision. She does not preside over the proceedings, but permits her findings to be influenced by unscrupulous lawyers with their repeated distortions of the law. Her summations do not always accurately reflect what was stated or actually occurred in the court, and she doctors the record to reflect what she wants in it. It is impossible for justice to prevail in the courts of South Carolina when there is no complete accurate recording of the events occurring within the court. Under the presenr procedures it is next to impossible to get a transcript of the court and even if you get it, it does not reflect what occurred. What is needed is to remove all possible human tampering with what occurs in the court such as a hard recording even if it takes three recordings to ensure its accuracy.
By The Walls Come Tumbling Down December 29, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Whoa the webs they have weaved! Ding Dong the witch is dead, she is melting, melting, and melting all over the judicial community! She will not melt quietly! Those who have been her flying monkeys will have their wings clipped and hopefully land in her dungeon with her! Then and only then will the South Carolina Family Court system have clean hands. Then and only then will South Carolinians gain their faith back in the judicial system of South Carolina! Dind Dong the witch is dead. (figuratively speaking of course!):) :) :) :)
By YES! December 29, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Patrot 1776, God does anwer prayers!
By WHY?????? December 29, 2009 at 10:25 pm
I just read some realy good posts and now they are gone. I don’t understand why. ONE POST really reflected what has been going on in my case too. Come on don’t remove the comments everyone needs to read all of them.
By Lilly Collette December 30, 2009 at 8:27 am
The Post and Courier is showing its colors. They go to extremes in blocking comments about little ms. white-trash Segars-Andrews yet they allow hate-filled remarks about disabled people.
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/dec/30/desperate-time/
By Guy Richards III December 31, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Lilly Collette.
YOu call Judge SA white trash? At least her facebook profile picture isn’t from Glamour Shots taken in the mall.
By Lilly Collette December 31, 2009 at 3:42 pm
How can Jean Toal grant Segars-Andrews “ASININE COMPLAINT AND PETITION” and have the Supreme’s declare the JMSC unconstitutional — without raising serious questions about the appointments of all members of the judiciary?
Enquiring minds want to know.
By Lilly Collette January 1, 2010 at 6:07 am
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/01/court-rejects-case-for-disabled/?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:124e1cc8-fe4b-4bed-b444-1fe6813def20#CommentKey:124e1cc8-fe4b-4bed-b444-1fe6813def20
Court rejects case for disabled
Cuts in help for services at home will take effect
I see what they did here at http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/whatsnew/displaywhatsnew.cfm?indexID=615
[...] Petitioners’ motion for an emergency preliminary injunction is denied. Any respondents wishing to file returns to the December 23, 2009, petition for original jurisdiction shall serve and file returns by January 12, 2010, in accordance with Rule 245(c), SCACR.
I’m just waiting to see what happens at http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/whatsnew/displaywhatsnew.cfm?indexID=611 Original Jurisdiction Action Filed by Judge Segars-Andrews
Both of these matters was filed on the same day (12-23-09).
By Lilly Collette January 11, 2010 at 6:52 am
Some interesting reading to while the time away while we are waiting for more on that Segars-Andrews creature:
http://mensnewsdaily.com/2010/01/07/the-loss-of-the-right-to-a-trial-by-jury-child-support-and-divorce-cases-in-america/
By Lilly Collette January 21, 2010 at 4:33 pm
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/21/judge-screenings-hold/
Judge screenings on hold
[...] the state will postpone screening of judge candidates until the state Supreme Court settles legal questions about the process. The move is the most recent fallout from the controversy swirling around the reappointment of 9th Circuit Family Court Judge F.P. “Charlie” Segars-Andrews. [...] State Senate Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, [...] planned to suspend future screenings until the lawsuit is resolved. “We now are concerned about the elections going forward on the basis that if the commission is unconstitutional, we have eliminated people in some of those races because, though, they were found qualified, they were not nominated,” he said. “It may taint or would taint all of these elections if the commission is unconstitutional.” The Legislature was scheduled to hold elections for new judges on Feb. 3. The Supreme Court is expected to decide soon whether it will hear the lawsuit.
By Lilly Collette February 1, 2010 at 6:51 am
I would like a truthful and precise explanation of what exactly did Segars-Andrews presume to accomplish with her asinine petition.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/judgeandrews
# 1,391: 5:28 am PST, Jan 28, Mercy Me, Washington D.C.
This petition looks like an illegal solicitation for public votes to a non-elective office.
By charg March 10, 2010 at 12:03 am
Ms Andrews do you realize how many family lives you have destroyed, emotional, finacially. mentally and a lot of nights not smiling around the supper table and rolling and tossing at night. Maybe a person like you have no heart and it doesn’t bother you. Your love of life is the $$$$$$$$$$ signs which make you happy. How would you feel if this was your family? I hope you get everything coming to you which is due. I feel your position should be replaced at the time you were found guilty of the charges. How are you any better than anyone else. But as I taught by my honest parents, a Bird never flies so high they do not have to lite. I have never wished anyone bad luck, but I hope your days znd future are not the most pleasant ones,