Law Grad Cited for Frivolous Suits is Source of Obama Muslim Rumors

Legal Ethics

Law Grad Cited for Frivolous Suits is Source of Obama Muslim Rumors

Posted Oct 13, 2008, 08:46 am CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss

The source of false rumors that Barack Obama is a Muslim appears to be Andy Martin, a law graduate blocked from bar admission and criticized in two jurisdictions for filing frivolous lawsuits.

Martin was previously known as Anthony Martin-Trigona. He was criticized for filing frivolous lawsuits by the Florida Supreme Court and a federal judge in New York, who blocked him from filing any more suits without advance approval, reports the Miami Herald’s 5-Minute Herald and the New York Times.

The Los Angeles Times describes Martin as a "serial litigant" in its coverage.

The Illinois Supreme Court refused to admit Martin to the Illinois bar because of his abuse of the court system and a draft board’s finding that he exhibited “a moderately-severe character defect manifested by well-documented ideation with a paranoid flavor and a grandiose character,'' the 5-Minute Herald reports.

Martin has run—but lost—several races for political office. He has made several anti-Semitic comments in court motions, including one that called a bankruptcy judge “a crooked, slimy Jew who has a history of lying and thieving common to members of his race,” the Times story says. Martin told the Times that malicious judges inserted some of the comments attributed to him. The comment about the bankruptcy judge was intended to assert he was being victimized by religious bias, he said.

Martin wrote a 2004 press release, widely circulated on the Internet, that said Obama is a Muslim who had concealed his religion.

Comments

Report Abuse

Posted by David M. Camassar, Esq. - 1 month, 1 week, 2 days, 6 hours, 49 minutes ago

“Disgraceful” and “Disgusting” are the words that first came to mind when I read this story. If all the facts are accurate, this individual is simply an absolute disgrace to himself, the court, the law, and to all that is good in the human condition. Bravo to the Illinois Supreme Court for its decision! No jurisdiction should allow this man the privilege and honor of practicing law.

There is always more than enough room in our honorable profession for those with high moral character, respect for the court and the law, and dedication to service and never enough room for those without.
Posted by J.D. - 1 month, 1 week, 1 day, 3 hours, 51 minutes ago

I think the source of rumors that Obama is a Muslim is that he spent his childhood in Indonesia, which is 87% Islamic.

Or the fact that he was registered as a Muslim at this school, as confirmed by the Chicago Tribune.

Or the fact that is father was a Muslim.

Or the fact that his brother is a Muslim.

Or the fact that his middle name is clearly not Jewish, Christian, Catholic, etc.

But is it really “disgraceful” and “disgusting” to be a Muslim? The first post seems somewhat offensive, unless I’m reading it incorrectly.
Posted by Kim K. - 1 month, 1 week, 1 day, 2 hours, 36 minutes ago

Snippets like this confirm for me that I made the right decision not to renew my ABA membership.

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.

ABA Journal - Law News Now

Legal Ethics