Bail, Pleas and a Medical “Emergency”

I’m a little late to the party on this (work got a little too busy).  A lot of stuff has happened since the last update.

I’ve since expanded the library as we now have two active court cases – one against NASI and one against Gillis and Wishner.  The first is a civil case by the SEC and the second is a criminal case.

So, the boys were arrested on the 16th.  On the 17th, they had to appear in court.  They each ended up with $500k bail and had to surrender their passports.  Joel also is not allowed to solicit investor funds, while Ed is not to involvement in any manner with investments… of… I can’t read that writing but I think it has to do with third parties.  Also an interesting thing is that Joel has to participate in a mental health evaluation and/or counseling and/or treatment.  Per the handwritten notes, it appears that it may be part of ongoing treatment.

They had until January 7th to meet the conditions of the bail and appeared to do so.  I should note that it was not cash bail and that they both used property as bond.  Of course, what I know about bail and bonds is limited to Stephanie Plum novels (not that awful movie) and Law & Order episodes so you should read the documents in the library and let me know if I totally misread them.

On the 13th, they were back in court to enter their pleas, which was supposed to be “guilty.”  There are two entries for the docket on this day because there was a recess in the middle.  Both Joel & Ed were present for the first part, but Joel had a medical emergency and was not present for the second.  Ed plead guilty.

Now, for the fun part.  As told by Tednewsom on the Quatloos forum:

Well, I hear from a little birdie that there was some drama recently, though not necessarily of the PERRY MASON kind. Remember SANFORD & SON? Rascally Redd Foxx clutching his chest and yelling, “It’s the Big One, Elizabeth! I’m comin’ to join ya, honey. This is the Big One!”

So I’m told:

In a first-thing-in-the-morning court appearance by Wishner and Gillis, there was some idiotic typo screw up, which did not make the judge one bit happy. The entire charge sheet was read into the record (which took over a half hour), and when they came to Line 14, Gillis’ lawyer objected that the filing said Gillis was “in charge” of NASI, arguing that he and Wishner were co-responsible. It was a stupid error, and I love the idea that Gillis’ attorney wanted to shift at least half the blame onto Wishner. The judge told them the thing should have been correct in the first place. Finally they adjusted it and named both as “in charge.”

The (alleged) scammers were supported by family members– and closely observed by a couple dozen scammed victims.

The eminent Mr. Joel Gillis, auditioning for the Redd Foxx role, tells the judge he needs to sit down because he’s feeling under the weather. He then collapses with a dramatic ker-flump on the courtroom floor. It’s The Big One!

There just so happened to be a doctor in the courtroom– but in an interesting comedic plot twist, he wasn’t there for Gillis & Wishner: he was on the side of the victims. He “resuscitates” the poor fella– then turns away in disgust and walks off. In response to that, Gillis’s charming wife tells him, “Fuck you, asshole.”

They called for the paramedics. I expect if Gillis has an agent, he immediately called NBC with a great idea for a new sitcom, LOVE THAT PONZI.

It begins.