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Fathers Battling Injustice
Rikki's dad
Posted By: Lisette
Date: Thursday, 25 February 1999, at 6:27 a.m.
Thanks to Kevin Braend for sending us the following. ACFC
As you read this, please keep in mind that anyone can be a father, but in Minnesota it costs thousands of dollars to be a Daddy. Also please keep in mind that documentation can be provided, at nominal cost for all statements.
In June of 1992, when my daughter was three months old, my wife kidnapped her to a battered womans shelter. On the Order for Protection, dismissed three months later, it stated that I took $200.00 dollars out of a $2,500.00 savings account and went fishing with two friends of mine on opening weekend. This was the basis for the Order for Protection issued in Waseca County Court.
For three days the Waseca Sheriff Department searched for my wife and daughter. The sheriff's department had no indication that abuse would be used. No reports had been filed and there was no fight or reason for battered women's groups to be involved. We found out the location of my daughter and wife when the paperwork was filed. Even though the accusations of abuse were dismissed by the Court, I was put on supervised visitation for the first two years of my daughter's life.
One day prior to the hearing in Waseca County on the Order for Protection, another Order was issued in Lesuer County. Thus two Orders for Protection were in place at the same time. The Order in Waseca County was dismissed. Six weeks later the Lesuer Order was dismissed as frivolous. Two days after the Lesuer Order was dismissed a new Order for Protection was issued in Rice County. After two months and two hearings, this Order for Protection was also dismissed as frivolous.
Up to this point the total cost for my ex-wife was $0 - the State of Minnesota, thru the battered women's groups paid the entire bill. My costs were in excess of $15,000.00 in legal fees. Because of the constant and continual divorce hearings and O.F.P. hearings we lost the house, boat and most personal property needed to be sold for attorney's fees. After the dismissal of the Rice County O.F.P. three months went by. During that time I was denied supervised visitation with my daughter six times.
I was then informed through the mail that I was being arrested for reckless driving. A domestic abuse advocate had escorted my ex-wife to the police station, and on their word only charges were filed. On April 1994, after an expensive jury trial, I was found innocent. My ex-wife and her advocate could not even tell the court the time and place of the alleged incedent.
Two weeks after the jury trial another Order for Protection was issued. Even though my ex-wife was receiveing Legal Aid, she was also able to afford a private attorney for this action. Again the Order was dismissed. During that time frame I had moved
around a bit due to harassment. Eighteen threatening phone calls were made to my employer in an eight hour time frame. The police informed me the calls came from a battered women's shelter, and a facility could not be arrested. I was dismissed from my employment.
I then moved to Elk River and tried to build a new life. Three months after moving to Elk River the stuff hit the fan. It was now time for the criminal sexual conduct accusations to begin. A thorough investigation was done and no charges were filed. Estimated cost to the taxpayers for the investigation was over $20,000.00. Of course visitation was denied during this time frame and another job was lost due to the stress.
One week after the charges were dropped in Sherburne County an Order For Protection was again filed in Rice County with the same accusation. When brought to the witness stand my ex-wife could not recall the specifc times and place that were spelled out in the Order for Protection. She indicated that the advocate was the person preparing the form, and had to review the form to remember the incidents, times and places. O.F.P. dismissed. Upon leaving the Court, my ex-wife's advocate stated, "Well now maybe you fully understand our power and control in Court."
Two months later the divorce trial began. Of cource Legal Aid represented my ex-wfe. I appeared pro-se. On the stand my ex-wife admitted to perjury on three occasions. For her testimony in the trial and from the evidence shown to the Court, welfare fraud charges were filed.
My ex-wife pled guilty to these charges and was sentenced to two years probation. By now the total denied visitation from Court Orders was 27 times. Of cource the Court does not consider cooperation and ability to parent as custody issues, but only accusations of abuse.
Joint legal custody was awarded. Legal Aid did not like this and another trial was held in June. The court upheld the original decision. Cost to the taxpayers for trial was estimated at $30,000.00.
During the trials I had my car stolen twice. It was found by the police outside my ex-wifes home wth false licence plates on the car. Due to the work of the advocates at the County Attorneys office, no charges were filed for theft or false title transfer. The Court awarded me the car the year before. When I asked the sheriff the reason for this I was informed that, "We will have the advocate lady marching on our door if we go forward with this action."
As with Minnesota statue 609.26 and other laws in the domestic issues, prosecution depends on who you know and your sex. Not on the level of the crime. When my car was returned it had over $1700.00 worth of damage. Again no charges were brought forth. Same reason.
All through this process we asked the Court for mediation. We were told that if mediation was ordered the advocate would create more domestic abuse accusations. Minnesota statues indicate that if abuse is accused, no mediation can be awarded. Plus mediation removes power and control from the advocates. Mediation also places responsibilty on the parties and removes third party control, an issue the liberal democrats oppose.
By now I have regular visitation awarded. To date I have logged 6,000 miles in travel time only to be denied contact with my daughter. There is no relief in the Courts as I can acquire the seven Court Orders I have for visitation and light a cigar with them, as they cannot be enforced.
My now six year old daughter has been in therapy for four years because of this action. The advocate recommended the therapy due to the stress level they create (direct quote from the therapist). Of cource I am not allowed to be part of the threrapy, as I am just a Daddy and without any rights to my child's records (Please don't quote statue to me, I already know it, just try to have it enforced).
Last year I was finally awarded four weeks with my daughter in the summer. We went on a two week camping trip. Just Daddy and Rikki. We had a great time. I will treasure this time for the rest of my life. Upon my return home, I was informed by my landlord that the police had arrived on a Saturday night and gone thru my apartment with a fine tooth comb looking for something. Even my landlord knew my whereabouts. The police explained they had received a call from the battered womans shelter about an abused child.
During the rest of my two weeks with my daughter we had to stay at friend's homes for safety. During the last four years I have been attacked two times phyisically during visitation pickups. My collie of 12 years was killed by my ex-wife, admitted in Court.
My cars have been stolen twice. Trashed once. I have been run off the road by an unknown person after picking up Rikki for visitation. Been dismissed from four jobs due to harrassment. All with the assistance of state tax dollars for "Domestic Abuse". When the Director of the battered women's shelter was contacted by my attorney her response was. "Well you know we can find domestic abuse in any relationship. This is the main way that we can raise public awarness and create a statisical data base for abuse."
All five volumes of this case are available in the Rice County Court. Please contact me by email if you wish to see this case for yourself. Files are also available in Waseca County, Lesuer County, Sherburne County, Isanti County, Canton S.D. police department, Cambridge police, Lonsdale police, Rice county sheriff, Faribault police, Dakota County, and in Crosby, Minnesota.
I would greatly like the opinion of the liberal demacrats that support these organizations. Please go on record, publicly and show how this case and the support organizations work for children's issues.
In Hennepin County and in federal court my ex-wife was found guilty of harrassment, stalking and domestic abuse. No punishment was issued by the Courts. It's not politically correct and the advocates do not like the idea.
I LOVE MY DAUGHTER AND WILL NEVER GIVE HER UP, NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE LIBERAL SYSTEM PUTS UPON ME. MY LOVE FOR MY CHILD IS PARAMOUNT. TOO BAD OUR LEGISLATORS DON'T CARE AS MUCH AS DADDIES DO.
RIKKI'S DAD
Rikkisdad@webtv.net
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