**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
MEDIA: For more information, contact: Don Bongiovi @ 978-891-4113
Email: DonBongiovi@comcast.net
CONNECTICUT INMATE, DR. ERNEST GARLINGTON,
FILES $20 MILLION LAWSUIT
AGAINST THE WIFE OF CT CHIEF JUSTICE PATRICK CLIFFORD*
Alleges FAME, WEALTH and POWER
Rigged a Criminal Trial to Help Convict an Innocent Man
THE WEBSITE: www.DrErnestGarlingtonFightsForJustice.com
TELLS IT ALL!!
Dr. Ernest C. Garlington is currently incarcerated at the MacDougall Walker Correctional Institution located in Suffield, Connecticut. He was sentenced to a term of 33 years following a highly publicized criminal trial in 2007 (Case #MMX -CR05-0173818-T, Court: Middlesex JD). The frenzied media coverage was based on the charge that Dr. Garlington conspired to murder the stepfather of NBA star, and former UCONN hero, Ray Allen.
Beyond his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Dr. Garlington has raised serious allegations as to the fundamental legitimacy of the original trial, as well as conspiracy, obstruction of justice, fraud and coercion on the part of the presiding judge, Chief Justice Patrick Clifford, his wife, Susan Clifford and the prosecutor (Case #29976, Court: Appellate Court of Connecticut).
Dr. Garlington alleges that Prosecutor, Russell Zentner conspired with the trial judge, Patrick Clifford, in an attempted real estate racketeering scheme from which Judge Clifford and his wife, Susan Clifford could have made over $240,000 in commission (refer to transcript from April 7, 2008 hearing, page 10). The officers of the court were recorded discussing Judge Clifford’s wife, Susan (a Coldwell Banker real estate agent), who could, after trial, sell Ray Allen an $8 million beachfront home in Madison, CT owned by Judge Clifford’s close friends and neighbors, the Dolans (sellers). The commission of over $240,000 could “pay for their daughter’s upcoming wedding.” (Audio tape available).
This alleged real estate scheme was not exposed until after the trial. Allegedly, Ray Allen could not buy the home without being federally charged with bribing a judge. In support of his allegations, Dr. Garlington refers to the “Code of Judicial Conduct,” which clearly states in Canon 1: “A judge shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.”
In June 2010, while going over documents proffered in a hearing to expose Susan Clifford of conflict of interest and to disqualify her husband, Judge Clifford, Dr. Garlington discovered discrepancies in the purported signatures of Mrs. Clifford and the Dolans. In December 2010, Dr. Garlington received the results from an independent, certified document examiner (CDE), confirming, to the highest degree of professional certainty, that the signatures on the documents submitted at the hearing by States Attorney Prosecutor Russell Zentner were allegedly forged by Mrs. Clifford to cover up the fact that she would have received over $240,000 in commission from the sale of the Dolan home to Ray Allen. This accusation and supporting documentation from the CDE were presented to the habeas court: CT Superior Court, Judicial District of Tolland, Docket no. TSR-CV12-4004333-S.
Allegedly, Susan Clifford also coerced Dr. Garlington’s Public Defender, Attorney Koch, to withdraw from his case. PD Attorney DeRosa, who subsequently represented Dr. Garlington after Attorney Koch withdrew, stated in court (CT Superior Court, Judicial District of Tolland, Docket no. TSR-CV12-4004333-S) “Susan Clifford contacted PD Attorney Koch regarding Dr. Garlington’s case.” The presiding Judge responded, “I can understand why Mr. Garlington would conclude that the only reason that Judge Clifford’s wife would be calling Attorney Koch would be to pressure him about the case. Dr. Garlington explained that “Susan Clifford knows that her falsified signature is going to become a part of this habeas,” at which time the judge responded by asking DeRosa, “Are you prepared to put Judge Clifford’s wife on the stand and question her about the alleged fraud and the conversation with Attorney Koch?” To which Attorney DeRosa responded: "Sure, Your Honor."
Over the past 3-1/2 years, the CT Public Defender’s Office has assigned three different attorneys to Dr. Garlington's habeas case. The writ of habeas corpus serves as an important check on the manner in which state courts pay respect to federal constitutional rights. It is Dr. Garlington’s belief that none of these attorneys have been willing to expose the corruption in this case to defend Garlington’s innocence, due to conspiracy, coercion, threats and manipulation. The habeas case has been stalled because these Public Defender attorneys have withdrawn from the case, forcing Dr. Garlington to sit behind bars. The CT Public Defender’s Office has effectively revoked Dr. Garlington’s Constitutional Right to a Habeas trial.
-
On May 2, 2008, Dr. Garlington was sentenced to 33 years after being convicted of a crime which he adamantly denies committing.
-
On May 2, 2017, after nine years behind bars, Dr. Garlington asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to initiate an investigation into the conspiracy.
-
On May 2, 2017, Dr. Garlington asked the Department of Justice - Civil Rights Division to open an investigation.
-
On May 2, 2017, Dr. Garlington filed a $20,000,000 lawsuit against Susan Clifford and her employer, Coldwell Banker.
*UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT for the District of Connecticut (Case # 3:17-cv-00726-VAB)
#####