Prosecutors and the police should be paying attention to the John F. Pawloski saga.
The attorney and former St. Clair County public guardian on Tuesday agreed to repay $7,522 missing from the estate of a client. In April Pawloski agreed to repay $63,075 missing from another client's estate. In both cases, his attorney said Pawloski was "contrite."
Pawloski has refused a judge's order to provide financial accountings in those cases plus a third, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self- incrimination. An appeal is pending.
In addition, the state Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has accused him of taking money without permission in the three cases.
What are the criminal authorities doing?
Maybe St. Clair County State's Attorney Robert Haida is waiting for the appeal to be decided. But the longer this saga drags on without criminal charges, the more it appears Pawloski is getting kid glove treatment from the legal system.
If Pawloski as public guardian took money from some of the most vulnerable members of our community or their estates, he abused his position of public trust and deserves to be charged with a crime. Being sorry and repaying the money is great, but that doesn't let him off the hook.
Source:
Will justice be served
See also:
Attorney Will Repay Estates
Who watches the guardians?
Lawyer Agrees to Repay Estate
Lawyer Appeals Judge's Demand
Lawyer Given More Time
Ten Days to Produce Documents
John Pawloski Case
The attorney and former St. Clair County public guardian on Tuesday agreed to repay $7,522 missing from the estate of a client. In April Pawloski agreed to repay $63,075 missing from another client's estate. In both cases, his attorney said Pawloski was "contrite."
Pawloski has refused a judge's order to provide financial accountings in those cases plus a third, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self- incrimination. An appeal is pending.
In addition, the state Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has accused him of taking money without permission in the three cases.
What are the criminal authorities doing?
Maybe St. Clair County State's Attorney Robert Haida is waiting for the appeal to be decided. But the longer this saga drags on without criminal charges, the more it appears Pawloski is getting kid glove treatment from the legal system.
If Pawloski as public guardian took money from some of the most vulnerable members of our community or their estates, he abused his position of public trust and deserves to be charged with a crime. Being sorry and repaying the money is great, but that doesn't let him off the hook.
Source:
Will justice be served
See also:
Attorney Will Repay Estates
Who watches the guardians?
Lawyer Agrees to Repay Estate
Lawyer Appeals Judge's Demand
Lawyer Given More Time
Ten Days to Produce Documents
John Pawloski Case
9 comments:
I think this article is great -- and a testiment that the media brings justice -- not the courts.
I am sure justice will be served, because this newspaper has the spotlight on the case. So, justice has to be served!
I agree 100% with this Opinion. The clock is ticking....
Why is the State's Attorney Haida silent? Where is the outrage? Why are they silent, letting this potential criminal case "collect dust"?
Could it be they do not want to disturb the muck in the snake pit of probate court? Or, are they waiting for the dust to settle - out of sight out of mind and blow off public opinion?
Or, could it be they are opposed to prosecuting one of their own, a fellow lawyer?
Or, are they waiting for the STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS to expire? What is the statute on financial crimes? I recall the clock stops ticking within 3 years in Illinois.
Investigators and prosecutors have a big bag of tricks that they can and do use to hide to avoid opening a case.
Pawloski has a criminal mind; he is a thief and a coward; he belongs in a state cage for his crimes against helpless defenseless victims.
Keep the heat of the media on the John F. Pawloski case and you can bet there will finally be an indictment.
Come on St. Clair County State's Attorney Robert Haida --- everybody's watching and waiting!
If the legal community had any sum total of ethics, they'd all rally together and demand John F. Pawloski be indicted and sent away.
Where's the outrage?
Where are the members of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission on this issue?
I would hope that someone would take a stand and would at least come forward and make a statement, pointing their fingers at the perp John F. Pawloski and make a half hearted effort at sounding like their doing their jobs.
Thanks to the investigative reporters for exposing the truth about guardianships.
Yes, thanks to the reporters for keeping the heat on Pawlowski.
It's a bit harder for them to protect their own with the media watching!
Occasionally justice is served - and thieving lawyers are outed.
How many people did this guy swindle? He's probably been doing this for many years.
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