By Richard Luthmann
Investigative journalist Richard Luthmann dropped bombshell revelations about corruption in the U.S. family court system during an explosive appearance on Slam the Gavel, hosted by Maryann Petri.
Luthmann, known for exposing legal fraud, called family courts a “fraudulent business model” designed to extract money while traumatizing families.
Family Courts as a ‘Factory of Fraud’
Luthmann pointed to firms like Beermann LLP in Chicago, which he described as a “family court factory” running an elaborate racket.
“They control the family courts in Cook County and beyond,” Luthmann said.
“It’s a fraudulent business model.”
He explained how firms and court-appointed professionals manipulate cases for profit, keeping parents locked in endless legal battles.
Title IV-D and IV-E: The Federal Funding Scam
A key driver of this corruption, Luthmann said, is federal money through Title IV-D and Title IV-E, which funds child support enforcement and foster care programs.
“Follow the money, and you see how courts manufacture domestic violence findings and drag out custody cases to qualify for federal funds,” Luthmann stated.
He noted that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is often misused, with states using domestic violence allegations to secure more federal dollars.
“The incentives aren’t about child welfare; they’re about keeping the machine running,” he said.
Wall Street Whistleblower Joins the Fight
Luthmann credited David Weigel, the ‘Family Court Fraud Warrior’, for using Wall Street-style financial analysis to expose these schemes.
“Weigel is a top-tier fixed-income manager. He looked at family court numbers and said, ‘This is fraud,’” Luthmann explained.
Weigel’s “My Three Minutes” campaign encourages victims to share short videos exposing their experiences.
“They try to divide and silence us,” Luthmann said. “Weigel is uniting voices to force accountability.”
Horror Stories from the Courtroom
Luthmann highlighted several egregious cases, including:
Karen Riordan & Christopher Ambrose (Connecticut): Ambrose, a wealthy attorney, gained custody of his children despite allegations of abuse. “This is textbook corruption,” Luthmann said.
Gwen & Grace Girard (Illinois): The Beermann firm’s tactics left these children trapped in legal purgatory, with Judge Fernandez recusing herself amid a federal RICO case.
Judges Allowing Child Trafficking: Luthmann claimed courts “traffic children to the highest bidder”, favoring the parent who can fund endless litigation.
Jill Jones-Soderman: A Leader in the Fight
Luthmann praised Jill Jones-Soderman and the Foundation for Child Victims of the Family Courts (FCVFC) for exposing these cases.
“They’ve unearthed financial records, medical fraud, and judicial misconduct,” he said.
He noted that courts retaliate against whistleblowers.
“The second you expose corruption, they target you,” Luthmann warned.
He cited California journalist Julie Holburn, whose reporting has triggered judicial harassment.
The ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ Business Model
Luthmann argued that family court’s endless battles are deliberate.
“Divorce became a business in the ‘70s, and now every case is treated like Kramer vs. Kramer,” he said.
“The longer it drags on, the more money lawyers make.”
He noted that cases magically resolve when parents run out of money, proving that profit—not justice—drives the system.
Solutions and Reform
Luthmann called for federal funding cuts to family courts, citing recent government budget slashes.
“Elon Musk and others are forcing change. If Congress follows suit, family court corruption could collapse,” he said.
He also urged better judicial oversight.
“A good judge can resolve a case in an hour,” he said. “But corrupt courts thrive on dragging it out.”
‘Nobody Believes the Abyss Until They Fall In’
Maryann Petri, a family court survivor, agreed.
“Most people don’t know this nightmare exists until they’re in it,” she said.
Luthmann summed it up bluntly: “Nobody believes the abyss of family court until they fall in. It’s a system that destroys lives for profit.”
The Fight Continues
Luthmann directed viewers to Luthmann.Substack.com and his ProtonMail address for tips.
“This fight isn’t going away. We’re just getting started,” he said.
For more on family court corruption, follow Slam the Gavel on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
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