NOTE: There has been a significant delay in news publication on Substack since last Friday. Hopefully, the issue is now resolved.
By Richard Luthmann
MORRISTOWN, NJ – Protesters gathered outside the Morris County Courthouse on Friday, February 14, 2025, demanding the release of Monica Ciardi, a New Jersey mother jailed under dubious circumstances.
The protest by David Weigel’s Family Court Fraud Warrior Project highlighted family court corruption.
At the same time, new video evidence shows Ciardi’s children reporting physical abuse by their father, John Uanis, to Mendham Township Police—claims that were ignored by authorities.
While supporters rallied in Morristown, Ciardi was too sick to attend her scheduled arraignment before Judge Mark S. Ali in Essex County, where she remains detained. Despite her illness, Judge Ali refused to allow a video appearance, forcing another delay in an already controversial case.
The case was transferred to Essex County last month because top Morris County Judge Stuart Minkowitz made a “conflict” finding.
“They want Monica silenced,” said David Weigel, a fiduciary asset manager-turned-activist fighting for Ciardi’s release. “She exposed their fraud, and now they’re using the courts to destroy her.”
Judge Ali’s Secretive Proceedings Keep Monica Jailed
Last week, Judge Ali denied Ciardi’s release, ordering her to remain in custody at Essex County Jail despite serious concerns about her health. The judge also demanded Ciardi submit three financial affidavits to determine whether she still qualifies for a public defender—a move Weigel says is a blatant attempt to strip her of legal representation.
“This is about crushing her ability to fight back,” said Weigel. “They want her locked up, drugged up, and defenseless.”
Adding to the confusion, questions remain about the legality of Ciardi’s indictment.
“Where is the indictment? Who filed it? Did it originate in Morris County, even though Judge Minkowitz transferred the case to Essex?” asked Weigel. “And why are Morris County’s top prosecutors still involved despite that transfer?”
Ignored Evidence of Child Abuse Against John Uanis
The most disturbing revelation at Friday’s rally was video evidence of Ciardi’s children telling Mendham Township Police that their father, John Uanis, had choked them.
Despite this, authorities failed to act against Uanis and instead pursued felony charges against Ciardi for allegedly making false allegations.
“The police had children right in front of them saying, ‘Dad choked me,’ and they did NOTHING,” said Weigel. “Instead, they locked up their mother. How does that make sense?”
Who is John Uanis?
Uanis, a firearms instructor with deep ties to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement, is the primary complaining witness in Ciardi’s indictment.
“The guy has cops in his pocket, and that’s why he got away with this,” said Weigel. “If Monica had been believed, he would’ve lost his firearms license and his job. They weren’t about to let that happen.”
Instead, Ciardi—who exposed Uanis’s alleged abuse and publicly criticized corrupt judges on Facebook—became the target of a legal vendetta that now threatens to put her behind bars for 33 years.
“This is what happens when a mother speaks out against the system. They make an example of her,” Weigel added.
‘Justice for Monica’ Rally and Press Conference
More than a dozen protesters, including parents who say the family court system has also victimized them, traveled to Morristown to demand Ciardi’s immediate release.
“She noticed the fraud, and she spoke up,” said Weigel during the rally. “The one thing they won’t let you do is call them out. That’s why she’s in jail.”
Protesters held signs reading:
"FREE MONICA NOW!"
"JAIL JUDICIAL ABUSERS!"
"END FAMILY COURT HOSTAGE-TAKING!"
Weigel stressed that Ciardi’s case represents a much larger issue—the weaponization of family courts to silence whistleblowers and protect abusers.
“This isn’t just about Monica. This is about every mother who has been railroaded by a corrupt system that rewards abusers and punishes truth-tellers,” he said.
Ciardi Faces 33 Years in Prison for Facebook Posts and False Allegations
Ciardi’s indictment includes:
Three counts of second-degree Falsely Incriminating Another
One count of fourth-degree Contempt
A disorderly person’s contempt offense
If convicted, she faces a staggering 33-year prison sentence—all stemming from what her supporters call politically motivated charges designed to keep her silent.
“She’s in jail for Facebook posts and calling out corrupt judges. That’s it. That’s her crime,” said Weigel. “Meanwhile, her ex-husband is out there, despite video evidence of abuse.”
Call for Transparency: Demand Open Court Proceedings
Ciardi’s supporters are urging the public to demand transparency in her case:
📞 Call Judge Mark S. Ali’s Chambers: (973) 776-9464
🔎 Demand transparency in all future proceedings
📢 Ask for a public livestream of hearings, citing Richmond Newspapers v. Virginia and In re VV Pub. Corp.
“Why are these hearings secret? Because they know the public would be outraged,” said Weigel.
🚨 CALL TO ACTION: FREE MONICA CIARDI! 🚨
With her arraignment postponed, Ciardi’s next court date remains uncertain. But activists like Weigel are vowing to keep the pressure on until she is free.
“This fight is just getting started. We won’t stop until Monica is out of jail and the people who put her there are held accountable,” said Weigel.
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