DR. ERNEST GARLINGTON SUES FOR $20 MILLION

INTRODUCTION:
The Anatomy of a Rigged Criminal Trial ˗ Real Estate Racketeering Guaranteed an Innocent Man Would  Be Found Guilty of Conspiracy of Attempted Murder.

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Multi-million dollar Real-Estate Racketeering Acquisitions are often a preferred choice of illegal  money exchanges for favors between the rich and the powerful, better known as “Pay-For-Play” or  Quid Pro Quo. Corrupt payments, or kickbacks, for private real estate transactions are difficult to  trace and very hard to prove unless a rare situation arises in which the conspirators are Caught On  Tape discussing the scheme.
Dr. Ernest Garlington’s case is quite disturbing if you believe in justice and are fed up with  America’s rigged government systems which only serve the rich and powerful. The Garlington case is  filled with jealousy, fear, money, power, racism and greed. This case could very easily be a  Hollywood drama if it were not a true story in which an innocent man’s life was destroyed by a  conviction for a crime he did not commit: Conspiracy of the Attempted Murder of Dr. Derek Hopson,  the former husband of Dr. Darlene Garlington and stepfather of former NBA and Boston Celtics  superstar, Ray Allen.

The Fame (Allen), Wealth (Dolan) and Power (Clifford) of the Triad Conspirators of Families were  used to rig the jury pool against Dr. Garlington. Hartford Courant reporter, Alaine Griffin, used  Ray Allen’s fame to write biased articles hostile toward Dr. Garlington. She was asked to be  removed from the story and The Hartford Courant agreed, but the damage had already been done.  During the jury selection, one of the jurors said that when she returned home her husband told her  that she better not read the article about the Ray Allen case (written by Griffin) because she  would think that Dr. Garlington was guilty. After the trial, it was discovered that Clifford and  Griffin were friends and sat on committees together.

I. CASE BACKGROUND:
Motive to Rig the Trial Against Dr. Ernest Garlington
The background information is somewhat complex, but critical to understanding the case. Dr. Darlene  Hopson, now Dr. Darlene Garlington, divorced Dr. Derek Hopson, taking their two children and subsequently marrying Dr. Ernest Garlington. Hating Dr. Garlington, and bitter that his ex-wife  left him, Dr. Hopson blamed him for the divorce. Although Dr. Hopson eventually met and married a  wealthy woman, Flora Allen, the mother of NBA Basketball star and UConn legend, Ray Allen, he  remained jealousy enraged, refusing to see or speak to his biological children. Dr. Hopson’s rejection of his children resulted from the loving relationship they had established with  their stepfather, Dr. Garlington. Dr. Darlene Garlington expressed to Dr. Hopson that she wanted to co-parent their children, relieve  him of paying unreasonable child support, and they could set up a reasonable co- parenting  schedule. It appeared as if Dr. Hopson had it all, he was engaged to a rich woman, allowed to pay child support based on whatever he thought he could afford and have joint custody of their children. However, Dr. Hopson could not come to terms with the fact that Dr.  Darlene Garlington had left him.

Spitefully, Dr. Hopson took Dr. Darlene Garlington to court, stating that he should not have to pay  any child support because the Garlington family did not need it. At the time, Dr. Hopson was not paying child support, nor was he seeing his children. The judge was furious with Dr. Hopson and  reprimanded him. The judge said, “You have the audacity to take your former wife to court and you  have not been paying child support or seeing your children who want to see you.” The judge then  ruled that Dr. Hopson pay nearly $20,000 in back child support and told him that he needed to start  seeing his children. Following his humiliating defeat in court, Dr. Hopson continued to defy the  judgment and did not pay the back child support as he was ordered to do and refused to see his  children. (Refer to Court Transcripts.)

 

Motivated by revenge, Dr. Hopson told Prosecutor, Russell Zentner that Dr. Garlington had attempted  to have him killed. Shots had been fired into the passenger side of a car he drove, which was  purchased by Ray Allen for his mother. Dr. Ernest Garlington had no motive to have Dr. Hopson  murdered. He had married “Dr. Darlene,” the love of his life, and had two wonderful step-children  who he adored. They had a lovely mountainside home and both children were doing well in private  schools. On the contrary, Dr. Hopson had a clear, documented motive to destroy Dr. Garlington’s life.

Because there was no evidence connecting Dr. Garlington to this crime, it wasn’t until five years  later that Dr. Hopson’s obsession with getting revenge against Dr. Garlington was enabled; with a  web of lies and money, Dr. Hopson succeeded in having Dr. Garlington falsely charged and convicted. During the trial, neither Dr. Hopson nor the State of Connecticut ever established a motive as to  why Dr. Garlington would want to have Dr. Hopson murdered. But it did not matter, because the trial  was rigged based on hearsay, corrupt cops, racism, lack of impartiality, conflict of interests, and  false testimony. In a separate trial, five years prior to Dr. Garlington’s trial, Robbie Santos, 
was convicted of shooting at Dr. Hopson and was sentenced to 18 years. He testified that he did not  know Dr. Garlington. Had he lied and said that Dr. Garlington had hired him to kill Dr. Hopson, it is believed that Santos would have received less than half of his 18-year sentence. Two 
motives to rig Dr. Garlington’s trial are very clear:

                ▪ Dr. Hopson hated Dr. Ernest Garlington and wanted bitter revenge for Dr. Darlene Garlington.
                ▪ Ray Allen believed his stepfather’s lies that his mother’s life would remain in danger if Dr. Garlington was not convicted.

Dr. Hopson manipulated his son-in-law, Ray Allen, through lies and fear and since Robbie Santos  would not admit to knowing Dr. Garlington, Allen felt compelled to take any means necessary to have  Dr. Garlington convicted. In his own words: “we know in the future we could have to take  precautionary measures just to keep my mom safe, because that's priority number one." He stated that in order to keep his family safe, he'll do whatever the situation calls for. (Taken from ESPN.com)

 

The Prosecutor, Russell Zentner, and Judge Patrick Clifford stated throughout the trial that Dr. Garlington was a threat to Ray Allen’s mother, Flora Allen, and put her and Dr. Hopson in a witness  protection program. When the opportunity presented itself, Ray Allen helped to rig the trial in an  effort to protect his mother. Ray planned to pay off Judge Clifford through a Real Estate  Racketeering scheme to ensure Dr. Garlington would be convicted. Although a fearful Ray Allen was attempting to protect his mother, his involvement in the case  helped to send an innocent man to prison. Dr. Garlington had no motive, and absolutely no intention  of hurting Dr. Hopson nor Ray Allen’s mother, Flora Allen.

II.   CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS:
Conspirators Exploit an Opportunity via Real Estate Deal to Rig Dr. Garlington’s Trial

August 2005: The alleged victim, Dr. Derek Hopson, his stepson, Ray Allen, and Allen’s  mother-in-law, Jackie Williams (Real Estate Agent), met with Judge Clifford’s friends of 30 years,  the Dolans, at their $8.7 million beachfront home. Although the negotiating parties could not agree 
on a price at the time, the Allen family remained very much interested in purchasing the Dolan’s  home.

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October 2005: Based on hearsay evidence, Dr. Garlington was arraigned on charges of conspiracy of  attempted murder of Dr. Hopson.

 

October 2006: The Dolans hire their close friend, Judge Clifford’s wife, Susan Clifford (Caldwell Banker Real Estate Agent), to sell their $8.7M home. Ray Allen remains interested in purchasing the home.

 

July 2007:  Judge Patrick Clifford is assigned the highly publicized Dr. Garlington case. Friends of Judge Clifford describe him as a competitive basketball fanatic who has a friendship/acquaintance with Ray Allen. At this point, Judge Clifford should have recused himself  from Dr. Garlington’s case to avoid the overwhelming “Lack of Appearance of Impartiality.”

        ▪ Judge Clifford’s wife, Susan Clifford, is the listing agent of the Dolan’s home.
        ▪ The Cliffords are long-time friends of the Dolans.
        ▪ Ray Allen, an acquaintance and celebrity favorite of Judge Clifford, is the potential buyer of  the Dolan’s home.
        ▪ Judge Clifford’s family could earn over a quarter million dollars in commission if his wife sells  the $8.7M home to the alleged victim’s

          stepson, Ray Allen, after the rigged trial is over.

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The Appearance of Impropriety is undeniable whether or not Ray Allen purchases the Dolan home. Judge Clifford does not recuse himself and takes the potential payoff to “rig the trial”- Quid Pro Quo or Real Estate Racketeering.

 

August 2007: Just prior to the start of Dr. Garlington’s trial, Jackie Williams, Ray Allen’s mother-in-law, expressed to the Dolans that Ray, his wife and children were still in love with the  home and wanted to negotiate a selling price.

 

October 2007: Trial begins. Clifford, Dow and Zentner remove the only black juror.
Judge Clifford, Defense Attorney Dow and Prosecutor Russell Zentner, caught on tape discussing how Clifford could retire if his wife, Susan Clifford, sells Dr. Hopson’s stepson, Ray Allen, the $8.7M  home (yielding a $240K commission).

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November 2007: Dr. Ernest Garlington is found guilty in a rigged trial and sentenced to 33 years, a virtual death sentence for a crime he did not commit.

 

III. THE COVER-UP:
Conspirators Caught on Tape discussing the Real Estate Racketeering Plan

1st Cover-Up – TAPES DON’T LIE!  (Clifford, Dow, Zentner)
Concealed the secret tapes and omitted the incriminating conspiratorial discussion from the jury selection/trial transcripts (Refer to transcript March 17, 2008 Motion Denner & Pellegrino).

 

Dr. Garlington’s appellate counsel, Attorney Jeffrey Denner, a Harvard Law School graduate and the  founder of Denner & Pellegino, a highly respected law firm, specializing in criminal defense and  litigation, with a national reputation, stated that “Dr. Garlington was SOLD OUT by his own defense  attorney, Willie Dow (refer to transcript from April 7, 2008 hearing, page 21). Judge Clifford’s motive to rig the trial was quite obvious; MONEY. He was secretly recorded in court saying his wife  Susan “better shake the money tree. . . we have a wedding to pay for.” (their daughter’s). (Refer to transcript from 1st press release.)

 

Attorney Willie Dow conspired with the trial judge, Patrick Clifford and the State Prosecutor, Russell Zentner in an attempted real estate racketeering scheme from which Judge Clifford and his wife, Susan Clifford could have made hundreds of thousands of dollars (Refer to transcript from April 7, 2008 hearing, page 10). The three corrupt officers of the court were recorded discussing Judge Clifford’s wife, Susan (a Coldwell Banker real estate agent) who could, after trial, sell Ray Allen an $8.7 million beachfront home in Madison, CT owned by Judge Clifford’s close friends and neighbors, the Dolans (sellers), netting a hefty commission.

A TRIAD NEXUS:
(1) Ray Allen, (2) Patrick and Susan Clifford, (3) The Dolans.

This real estate scheme was not exposed until after the trial. As such, Ray Allen could not buy the home without being federally charged with bribing a judge. The original scheme reeks of judicial impropriety. The “Code of Judicial Conduct” clearly states that convictions must be vacated if the public reasonably believes that the appearance of impropriety has been violated, even if a violation has not been committed, in order to protect the public’s faith in the judiciary. Canon 2 of the Code specifically states that “a judge shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of  impropriety in all activities.” Attorney Jeffrey Alker Meyers, a former professor of law at Quinnipiac University and now a Federal judge at the United States District Court in New Haven, CT stated: “Judge Clifford should not have made those statements during Dr. Garlington’s trial.” (Refer to The Waterbury Republic American) Famed Attorney Jeffrey Denner also stated that if it were not for Judge Clifford’s prejudicial decisions to help Prosecutor Russell Zetner to prosecute this weak case by combining two faulty charges, Dr. Garlington would have been found INNOCENT! (Refer to transcript from April 7, 2008 hearing, page 11).

At sentencing, Judge Clifford was enraged because Dr. Garlington had exposed and derailed his $240K to $480K real estate racketeering retirement plan. He sentenced Dr. Garlington to 33 years, a virtual death sentence for a crime he did not commit. Clifford stated “this could have been a capital punishment case sentencing Dr. Garlington to death via lethal injection.” (Refer to transcripts)

 

In 2008, Attorney Jeffrey Denner argued the Motion to Disqualify Chief Justice Clifford, vacate Dr. Garlington’s conviction and grant him a new trial. Attorney Denner was extremely confident he would win a new trial, thereby proving Dr. Garlington’s innocence. The motion, however, was denied by Judge Robert L. Holzberg due to a Pre-Evidentiary Hearing Investigation (PHI) Report crafted by Prosecutor Russell Zentner. This report purportedly showed that all the parties involved in the real estate scheme were not guilty, therefore Judge Clifford demonstrated an “appearance of impartiality.” This fraudulent report kept Dr. Garlington in prison. 

It has been well documented that the Connecticut judicial system has a history of discrimination and bias toward African Americans. The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity found that Connecticut ranked highest in the United States in racial disparity in mass incarceration of blacks and Hispanics compared to whites. (“In 2000, the incarceration rate for African American men [9 percent] was 18 times higher than the incarceration rate for non-Hispanic white men.”) In their report the Commission stated: “The fact that Connecticut ranked higher than bastions of racial injustice such as Alabama and Mississippi was shocking news.”

After the jury had been selected and just prior to the start of the trial, Clifford, Dow and Zentner said they had to remove the only black juror. This questionable decision ensured that there would be an all-white jury further helping to “rig” the trial against a black male defendant in 
Connecticut’s racist judicial system. This fact has not gone unnoticed. Dr. Garlington’s one-time Public Defender, David DeRosa, fully 
acknowledged the racism of the Connecticut Courts.  Dr. Garlington opened up to Attorney DeRosa saying, “The Connecticut Courts see me as an N(word) Doctor and they are protecting Clifford because I’m a Black Man.” Attorney DeRosa responded by saying, “I hate to admit it, but that’s 
true.” Dr. Garlington further stated, “The system is racist.” Attorney DeRosa’s response was, “You’re right.” 

ORIGINAL CRIME: Caught on tape: (Refer to Denner & Pellegrino hearing transcript)
Conspiracy of real estate racketeering. Clifford, Dow, Zentner – Federal & Criminal Charges (see list below) 8. Bribery, Graft, Conflict of Interest. 18. Conspiracy 45. General Fraud and False Statements (Fraudulently rigged trial) 92. Racketeering 93. RICO – ($240K to $480K)

1st Cover-Up – TAPES DON’T LIE! (Clifford, Dow, Zentner)
Concealed the secret tapes and omitted the incriminating conspiratorial discussion from the jury selection/trial transcripts (Refer to transcript March 17, 2008 Motion Denner & Pellegrino).

Federal & Criminal Charges (see list below) 96. Concealing/Hiding evidence records)

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2nd Cover-Up – THE SMOKING GUN! (Clifford, Zentner, Susan Clifford, Dow)
Judge Clifford and Russell Zentner and the Dolans directed Susan Clifford to FORGE signatures and commit FRAUD in the Pre-Evidentiary Hearing Investigation (PHI) Report to protect Clifford, Dow, and Zentner from the Original Crime, Caught on tape – Bribery, Conspiracy and Racketeering.
Suspects under investigation in the FRAUDULENT PHI Report – the Allen’s, the Clifford’s, the Dolans and Coldwell Bank Real Estate Agency.
Federal & Criminal Charges (see list below). 18. Conspiracy 44. Forgery 96. Concealing/Hiding evidence records) 18. Conspiracy 45. General Fraud and False Statements. THE PHI Report was used to deny the Motion to Disqualify Judge Clifford.

**Dr. Garlington’s STAR WITNESS – EILEEN HURLEY (Certified Document Examiner [CDE] #61)

     - Forensic Document Examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
     – Office of the Attorney General Fraud Division
     - Board Certified by the American Board of Forensic Examiners
     - Certified by the National Association of Document Examiners
     - Court qualified, Superior, District and Probate Courts
     - International Handwriting Analyst Expert – United States, Canada, Caribbean and England

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CDE Eileen Hurley examined the Pre-Evidentiary Hearing Investigation (PHI) Report and determined that Chief Justice Patrick Clifford’s wife, Susan Clifford, forged signatures and committed FRAUD on the $8.7M Coldwell Banker Real Estate Contract (Refer to pages 3- 4 of the report). Expert CDE Eileen Hurley will be testifying which will help prove “The Cover-Up”.

3rd Cover-Up – THE SECRET PHONE CALLS. (Susan Clifford, Attorney Koch, Attorney DeRosa and Judge Bright)
State and Federal Criminal Charges – Intimidation, Coercion, Collusion, Lies of Omission, Conspiracy, Obstruction of Justice and Withholding Evidence. On November 13, 2015, Dr. Garlington’s third public defender, Attorney David DeRosa, requested to withdraw from Dr. Garlington’s case (Docket No. 124004333-S). As per court instruction, Attorney DeRosa met with Attorney Koch to provide background on the habeas case. Attorney DeRosa stated: “Mr. Koch said the case just got crazy. People calling me and everything else and I just had to withdraw.”
 
He additionally stated in court that “Susan Clifford (Judge Clifford’s wife) contacted Attorney  Koch regarding Dr. Garlington’s case.” The presiding judge (William H. Bright, Jr.) responded: “I can understand why Mr. Garlington would conclude that the only reason that Judge Clifford’s  wife would be calling Attorney Koch would be to pressure him about the case. That’s a reasonable inference for him to draw.” Dr. Garlington explained that “Susan Clifford knows that her falsified signature is going to become a part of this habeas” at which time the Judge asked Attorney DeRosa: "Are you prepared to put Judge Clifford’s wife on the stand and question her about this alleged fraud and the conversation with Attorney Koch?” To which Attorney DeRosa responded: “Sure, your Honor”.

 

Motive
Susan Clifford’s motive is understandably the fear of being locked up in a federal women’s prison for up to 20 years for FRAUD. Susan Clifford made calls to Public Defender Theodore Koch coercing him to withdraw from the case to avoid being arrested by the FBI for fraudulently forging the signatures of the Dolan’s on an $8.7M Coldwell Banker Real Estate document with the intent to deceive the Superior Court.

 

In summary, this egregious 3rd cover-up which has denied Dr. Ernest Garlington of his constitutional rights consists of four parts (A, B, C, and D):

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A. Susan Clifford’s “SECRET PHONE CALL” about Dr. Garlington’s habeas case to the Public Defender Services, Attorney Ted Koch

B. Public Defender Services, Attorney Ted Koch’s failure to report Susan Clifford and the other people calling him to Federal authorities. (June 6, 2016 motion)

C. Public Defender Services, Attorney DeRosa – Failure to report to the statewide Bar Counsel Grievance Committee Attorney Koch’s cover up of Susan Clifford and the other people calling him about Dr. Garlington’s habeas case.

D. Habeas Court – Judge Bright denied Dr. Garlington’s request to subpoena Susan Clifford to protect his colleague Judge Clifford. This is an absolute miscarriage of justice and blatant judicial misconduct because Judge Bright is on a video-taped court hearing conference telling an 
intimidated and very reluctant Attorney DeRosa in a berating tone that he must be willing to subpoena and question Susan Clifford regarding the phone calls and fraud (see above). 

Federalcharges.com
List of 121 Federal & Criminal Charges and Definitions:

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(Title 18 of the United States Code — Crimes and Criminal Procedure)

8. Bribery, graft, conflict of interest – Bribery is the use of incentive to sway to opinion or decision of an authority. Graft is the use of authority to unscrupulously create personal gain. Conflict of interest is when personal bias can interfere with objective decisions or actions.

10. Civil Rights (Violation) – Civil rights are the privileges that are afforded to each individual under Constitutional law. These include, but are not limited to, life, liberty, well-being and freedom.

18. Conspiracy – Conspiracy is a plan made with another individual or group of individuals for the purpose of committing a criminal act. Even if the crime is never carried out, the act of planning the crime is still a crime.

44. Forgery – Forgery is the illegal copy of any printed material or art work for the purpose of passing it off as genuine for the eventual attainment of personal gain.

45. General Fraud and False Statements – General fraud is deception that is deliberate intended to misinform another person or persons and often malicious, while false statements are lies which perpetrate untruths regarding a person or situation.

92. Racketeering – running of a criminal enterprise that profits from illegal activities and services and can include such acts as intimidation, bribery or forgery.

93. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations – RICO’s

96. Records – accounts or histories of situations which are written for preservation. A report is a document that officially offers an individual’s or organization’s standing upon an issue or event.

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On May 2, 2008, Dr. Garlington was sentenced to 33 years after being wrongly convicted of a crime he did not commit.
On May 2, 2017, after nine years of false imprisonment, Dr. Garlington asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to initiate an investigation into the conspiracy mentioned in the above press release.
On May 2, 2017, Dr. Garlington asked the Department of Justice - Civil Rights Division to open an investigation.
On May 2, 2017, Dr. Garlington filed a $20,000,000 lawsuit against Susan Clifford and Coldwell Banker. Were it not for Judicial immunity of Judge Clifford and Prosecutorial immunity of States Attorney Russell Zentner, they would also be defendants in Dr. Garlington’s Federal Civil Lawsuit.