By Richard Luthmann
In the latest episode of The Unknown Podcast, Michael Volpe and Richard Luthmann discuss a wide range of issues, including political corruption, legal misconduct, and the flawed family court system.
Later, joined by journalist Julie M. Anderson-Holburn, they unraveled corruption in Orange County, family courts’ systemic failures, and how these issues intersect with national political figures like Kamala Harris.
Kamala Harris Evades Questions on Biden’s Health
The episode started with a critique of Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent NBC interview, where she sidestepped tough questions about Joe Biden’s mental fitness. Volpe highlighted how Harris was questioned about whether Biden’s cognitive state influenced his decision to step down.
Instead of a direct answer, Harris said, "People have bad debates," attempting to downplay the concerns.
Volpe didn’t hold back: “She dodged the question. If Trump keeps hammering this, everyone will see she’s not being transparent.”
Luthmann added a broader political critique, suggesting that even prominent Democrats like Barack Obama may have “buyer’s remorse” for backing Harris.
He pointed out, “It’s hard to sell yourself as a change agent when you’ve been the vice president for four years. Democrats might be wishing they picked someone else.”
The hosts underscored that Harris’ evasiveness on Biden’s fitness could become a liability in the 2024 election.
"Trump is capitalizing on this vulnerability," Volpe concluded, highlighting that Harris had struggled in early primaries and only gained traction after Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
Shaken Baby Syndrome and the Wrongful Conviction of Robbie Roberson
Volpe also revisited the troubling case of Robbie Roberson, who was wrongfully convicted based on the now-discredited theory of shaken baby syndrome. Despite new evidence suggesting that no crime was committed, the state of Texas still seeks to execute him.
“They found a theory and they were myopic in that theory. And that theory was you shook your baby until she died. And it’s probably wrong,” Volpe said.
The case is a stark example of how junk science can lead to wrongful convictions, with devastating consequences for innocent people.
Despite the discrediting of shaken baby syndrome, Roberson’s life continues to hang in the balance, raising questions about the fairness and competence of the justice system.
Paul Boyne’s Battle with the Legal System Over Free Speech
Another focal point of the episode was the ongoing legal battle involving Paul Boyne, who remains incarcerated despite not having been convicted of a crime. Boyne’s troubles stem from his blog, where he criticized the Connecticut family court system, including allegations of anti-Semitism.
Volpe fiercely defended Boyne’s right to free speech, stating, “He’s posted blog content criticizing the court, but that’s not a crime. They’ve locked him up for what amounts to mean blog posts.”
Boyne’s situation has been further complicated by a bizarre legal maneuver in which his lawyer declared him incompetent, forcing Boyne into a prolonged legal limbo.
Volpe described Boyne’s refusal to participate in the competency hearing as a strategic move, explaining, “He knows they can’t prove he’s incompetent, and he’s using the law to his advantage.”
The case has raised broader concerns about free speech and the extent to which individuals can be jailed for criticizing the legal system.
Max Goodman’s Legal Intimidation and Beermann’s Scumbag Lawyers
Luthmann shared his own run-in with aggressive legal tactics, focusing on Chicago lawyer Max Goodman, who represents a family court litigant, Felizia Castro, in defamation aspects of her case.
After Luthmann published an article exposing the client’s alleged drug use while caring for her child, Goodman sent a threatening letter.
"He demanded I take down my article, offer compensation to his client, and hand over all my communications with sources," Luthmann explained.
The hosts characterized Goodman’s demands as legally baseless and a transparent attempt to silence criticism.
"A letter from a lawyer means nothing until a judge signs an order. Until then, it’s just toilet paper," Luthmann quipped, urging listeners not to be intimidated by such tactics.
The discussion also touched on the law firm Beermann and its role in enabling legal abuse.
Luthmann referred to Beermann’s lawyers as “scumbags” for their involvement in unethical practices, including manipulating the legal system to intimidate critics and protect clients who are guilty of serious misconduct. Luthmann was especially peeved that “sock-puppets” had “doxxed” his elderly father and believed Beermann LLP was involved.
Family Court Corruption: Jessica St. Clair and the Silver Bullet Tactic
Reporter Julie Holburn joined Volpe and Luthmann. She shared her investigative findings into the misconduct of Jessica St. Clair, a licensed marriage and family therapist who worked within the Orange County family court system. St. Clair falsely claimed to hold a PhD for over a decade, continuing to present herself as a credentialed expert even though she hadn’t been enrolled in a doctoral program since 2011.
“She presented herself as having credentials she didn’t earn. For years, the courts accepted her word without checking,” Holburn stated.
More troubling than her false credentials was St. Clair’s manipulation of children in custody cases. Children who were under her care reported being gaslighted, ignored, and emotionally manipulated into staying with abusive parents.
“Some of these children ended up self-harming or attempting suicide,” Holburn revealed.
St. Clair was part of a broader network of unethical family court professionals who regularly worked together to push harmful practices. One of the most egregious tactics discussed was the “silver bullet technique,” where protective orders are used as leverage in custody disputes.
Previously, Volpe played a recording of a Texas prosecutor coaching divorce attorneys on how to use protective orders to gain the upper hand in negotiations.
“A protective order carries criminal consequences, and makes a powerful tool in negotiating a divorce,” the prosecutor explained in the clip.
Volpe condemned the practice as widespread abuse of the legal system.
Andrew Do’s $500,000 Bribe in Orange County
Volpe and Holburn then tackled political corruption closer to home, focusing on the bribery scandal involving Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do. Holburn explained how Do accepted over $500,000 in bribes and funneled the money through a nonprofit run by his daughter. The funds, intended to feed the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic, were misused.
“They didn’t just misuse funds—they exploited the most vulnerable during a public health crisis,” Holburn said.
Adding to the complexity, Do’s wife, Sherry Fee, holds a powerful position as the assistant presiding judge of Orange County. This creates a dangerous conflict of interest that has raised alarm bells among critics.
“This is more than just a bribery case; it’s a web of influence that stretches across political and legal systems,” Holburn noted.
Luthmann drew a parallel to the entrenched corruption seen in Chicago politics, where powerful political figures like Ed Burke used their influence for personal gain.
"This is Chicago-level corruption in sunny California," he said, noting that despite the scandal, Do’s daughter only received probation for misappropriating nearly $10 million.
The Subpoena Attempt to Silence Julie Holburn
Holburn also recounted her personal experience of being subpoenaed while covering a family court case, an attempt to intimidate her and stop her reporting.
The subpoena was later withdrawn thanks to the intervention of the First Amendment Coalition, but Holburn described the event as a clear attempt to silence her voice.
“They didn’t like the truth getting out, so they tried to intimidate me,” she said, underscoring the lengths some will go to shut down investigative reporting.
Conclusion: Widespread Abuse of Power
The Unknown Podcast continues to shine a light on the corrupt practices that plague the legal and political systems.
From Kamala Harris’ evasiveness on Biden’s mental health to the corruption in Orange County’s government and family courts, the episode exposed how those in power exploit their positions without accountability.
Volpe and Luthmann left listeners with a stark warning: “The system is broken, from top to bottom, and unless we keep exposing these stories, nothing will change.”
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