Send an email, GO TO JAIL!

Reid Welch

We're all aware of the ongoing feud between City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and Coconut Grove resident Reid Welch which last month culminated in Sarnoff getting a restraining order against Reid.  For those of us that have been following the story, we knew it was only a matter of time before Sarnoff figured out a way to get Reid arrested.  Well, last week that's exactly what happened, Reid allegedly sent Mr. Sarnoff an email and next thing you know according to the word on the street, six City of Miami cops (unconfirmed) showed up and arrested Reid.  Here's a copy of the arrest report...

Reid Welch Arrest Report

Does anyone see the problem with this arrest report?  I mean other than the fact that it states that the poor guy was arrested for simply sending an email?  Take a look at the text of the report...

On November 21, 2011, the defendant was served with an injunction for protection.  The terms of the injunction dictate that the defendant shall not contact the listed victim directly or indirectly.  In addition, the court order also stipulates that the defendant shall not contact the listed victim via e-mail or any in any other manner.  On 12-14-11, the victim discovered an electronic mail that was sent by the defendant to his e-mail account.  The e-mail is clearly identified with the defendant's name and his e-mail address information.  The content of the electronic mail leads the victim to a specific blog in which a clear message is sent to the victim.  The nature of the message is directly sent to the victim and it clearly describes prior episodes and specific information that would entail and describe the defendant's previous encounters with the victim.  The defendant's actions constitutes a violation of the injunction and his behavior serves as in irritant to the victim who has endured substantial emotional distress from a defendant who is unwilling to cease the harassment despite the active court order that prohibits him from engaging in this type of behavior.  The defendant was arrested.

Now, honestly, I don't mean any disrespect to the Detective that supposedly wrote that arrest affidavit, but I sincerely doubt that this affidavit was authored by anyone other than an attorney.  Am I the only one that thinks so?  Does that sound like a cop talking or a veteran attorney making a closing argument?  Could this arrest report have been written by none other than City of Miami attorney George Wysong who not only represents the City of Miami Police but in this case somehow represents City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff against Reid Welch as well?

This brings us to another point, back in November, we alleged that City of Miami attorney George Wysong's representation of Mr. Sarnoff against Reid Welch in the restraining order hearing was clearly in our oppinon a conflict of interest, from that blog post...

So Mr Wysong is the City of Miami police liaison, from his bio says his job is to "handle matters which affect the Police Department."  If that's the case, why was he representing Sarnoff at this hearing?  In fact, based on his bio, shouldn't he have been attending this hearing on behalf of the City of Miami police department who should have arrested Mr. Sarnoff for his assault on Mr. Welch?  Doesn't this constitute a serious conflict of interest for Mr. Wysong?

Now, this isn't the first time that I've found Mr. Wysong wearing two hats, there are several other instances where Mr. Wysong has found himself in places where he shouldn't be where there is a clear and undeniable conflict, we're going to have to wait a couple of weeks before we can reveal those stories.  Regardless, if this was any other city, I'd be shocked and appalled at Mr. Wysong's behavior but it's Miami so it's par for the course!

Jason Wandner

Well, apparently we're not the only ones that believe that there is a clear conflict of interest as a result of Mr. Wysong representing both the City of Miami's Police department and representing Mr. Sarnoff on a matter that nothing to do with his capacity as a City Commissioner.  Mr Welch's attorney, Jason Wandner, filed this motion with the court to disqualify Mr. Wysong from the restraining order matter, take a look... 

George Wysong Motion to Disqualify

Clearly this is a textbook example of a conflict of interest.  The motion speaks for itself, I find this part most damning...

4.  Moreover, the respondent intends to call certain police officers from the City of Miami Police Department as witnesses in the instant matter.  Attorney Wysong is the lawyer for those "independent" witnesses.  Representing both, a party to a case and an adverse witness, is inherently a non-waivable conflict of interest, especially if the "independent" witnesses' testimony is skewed toward the Plaintiff due to their relationship with his lawyer.

Even better...

5.  Moreover, the undersigned sent the defendant to the City of Miami Clerk to obtain certain documents in his defense in the instant matter, and needless to say, the clerk directed him to Mr. Wysong.  In other words, the opposing counsel is now aware of my trial strategy and has the authority to block access to public records.

DUH!  What the fuck is this shit Mr. Wysong?

Honestly?  In what alternative universe is this nonsense supposed to fly?  Perhaps this may only make sense within the City of Miami Attorneys office and in Mr. Sarnoff's crooked mind but in the real world this is straight up bullshit.  If my guess is right, what we have here is a well coordinated conspiracy between Mr. Sarnoff and Mr. Wysong to railroad Mr. Welch.  From the suspicious arrest report, which in my opinion was not written by anyone other than Mr. Wysong, to this monkey grab ass bullshit where Mr. Wysong is representing the City of Miami Police department and also representing Mr. Sarnoff in a private matter before the court, this is a City of Miami Mob style inside job.  We'll have to wait and see what the judge thinks of this matter...