By Richard Luthmann
New Jersey Mom Monica Ciardi’s legal battle took center stage on the latest episode of the "Slam the Gavel" podcast, where investigative journalist Richard Luthmann laid bare the shocking details of her case.
Speaking with host Maryann Petri, Luthmann delivered a scathing critique of the New Jersey judicial system, exposing what he called “blatant corruption” and “weaponized family court tactics” used to keep Ciardi imprisoned.
"Monica’s Been in Jail Over 180 Days”
“This poor woman has been in prison for over 180 days,” Luthmann told Petri. “Under New Jersey law, after 180 days, they either have to release you or indict you. The indictment should’ve been filed last week, but we haven’t seen it.”
According to Luthmann, authorities used a clerical error by the Mendham Township Police to delay Ciardi’s indictment.
“They basically gave the government two or three extra days from the arrest date to push the indictment forward. It’s unconstitutional,” he said. “I think they rushed to a grand jury after the 180-day period had lapsed.”
Jailed Over Facebook Posts?
Luthmann pointed out the absurdity of Ciardi’s charges, claiming they stemmed from a Facebook post in which she forgot to use quotation marks.
“She quoted Judge Peter Bogaard’s words from the bench but didn’t use quotation marks. They twisted that into a ‘terroristic threat,’” he explained.
Judge Bogaard, a Morris County judge, allegedly told Ciardi, “If you don’t do what I say, you’ll never see your children again.”
Ciardi repeated the statement online without quotation marks, prompting Bogaard to claim she threatened his children—despite them being adults and living independently.
Corruption Runs Deep
“It’s a disgrace what they’re doing to this poor woman,” Luthmann said. “Her ex-husband, John Uanis, is a firearms instructor with deep ties to the police and prosecutors. If Monica’s claims had been entertained, he would’ve lost his firearms and his job.”
Luthmann detailed how Uanis and his new wife, Melanie Hemsey, allegedly used their connections to harass and surveil Ciardi. When Luthmann contacted Uanis and Hemsey for comment, their attorney, Joseph Scura, fired back with threats.
“Their lawyer accused me of ‘harassment by proxy’ just for doing my job as a journalist,” Luthmann said. “I told him, ‘Buddy, I don’t know what law school you went to, but you slept through the First Amendment.’”
Why Is Monica in Essex County Jail?
Luthmann expressed outrage over Ciardi’s detention in Essex County Jail, which is known for its harsh conditions.
“Why is this 110-pound woman in Newark, one of the worst jails in the country, instead of Morris County?” he asked. “You start connecting the dots, and it leads to a rabbit hole of corruption.”
Ciardi’s health has deteriorated significantly during her incarceration.
“She’s got pre-existing conditions, and jail is the worst place to be. It’s medieval medicine at best,” Luthmann noted.
Judge Bogaard’s Role in the Nightmare
Luthmann reserved special criticism for Judge Bogaard, describing him as “a disgrace to the bench.”
“This guy called Monica crazy from the bench and said he’d have Adult Protective Services pick her up,” he said. “People like that don’t have the temperament to be judges.”
Bogaard’s dismissive attitude isn’t limited to Ciardi’s case. Luthmann revealed that Bogaard barred a qualified expert witness from testifying in another case simply because she spoke out about family court corruption.
“This judge said, ‘She talks about family court corruption, so she won’t be an expert in my court,’” Luthmann recounted.
Systemic Failures and Institutional Bias
Luthmann connected Ciardi’s case to a broader pattern of systemic failure in New Jersey’s family courts.
“You have judges mailing it in, clearing dockets without caring about the people involved,” he said. “The lawyers, guardians, and court-appointed experts run the show, and the judges don’t get in the way of the gravy train.”
He also highlighted the role of Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, who presided over Ciardi’s divorce case before becoming a prosecutor.
“Monica is suing McDonald right now, and there’s a clear conflict of interest,” Luthmann said. “Powerful people are aligned against this woman.”
A Call for Justice
Despite the grim details, Luthmann remains hopeful.
“I’d love to see Monica get out of jail and start fighting this from the outside,” he said. “She’s got two beautiful children, and she deserves a chance to be their mother.”
Luthmann’s final words were a rallying cry against corruption.
“Monica’s only crime is exposing the truth. Her real threat is her speech. And we have this little inconvenient fact for the corrupt—the First Amendment.”
The interview left listeners with a clear message: Monica Ciardi’s fight is far from over, and the world is watching. Justice may be delayed, but it will not be silenced.
Share this post