He also owns a large chunk of Arsenal football club, around 25%, I think. He's not the largest shareholder (Stan Kroenke is, who also owns the Denver Nuggets), but given Usmanov's background it's a little worrying for us Arsenal fans.
He's also no stranger to the law courts, especially the libel courts. When he first invested in Arsenal a few years ago, some bloggers looked at his background and repeated the facts that he'd been convicted of certain fraud crimes. These were all on public record, yet he attempted to have these blogs removed and suspended by their hosts.
Don't be surprised if Gawker gets a letter from his lawyer pretty soon...
The judge is acting completely irresponsibly. There's no way that this is justifiable in terms of benefit to society, nor is it fair to punish someone more than others simply because you're angry. I'd like to see how closely she's been working with the DA's office, whether there's any conflict of interest there. I hope to see good things coming out of all the publicity: meaning her being investigated and disbarred.
I recently saw a quote from a criminologist who said "Prison should be for the people we're afraid of, not the people we're mad at." Which means people like this chump, and even the white-collar criminals I hate like Bernie Madoff and Tom Petters, should be out picking up trash and sleeping in the workhouse (a concept whose time has returned). And lots of people walking around with restraining orders against them should be locked up.
Hypocritical letter from the father of a person who has appeared before her (from her site):
"Dear Judge Saldaña,
My wife and I wanted to extend to you this invitation to our son's graduation in hopes that you might realize the impact your judgment has had on ours and our son’s life. As a result of you giving him a second chance, he has successfully completed his senior year in high school, is graduating with honors, and has been named a Texas Scholar. Without your realization that at times teenagers make adult mistakes, our son would not be where he is today.
It is our hope that with your knowledge of these results, you may continue to make this type of decision that effect (sic) the lives of our city's young men and woman."
@miss_msry: Still. Weed and a can of spray paint? Hardly worth 8 years. There are plenty of criminals in this country walking the streets for far worse crimes, many involving guns and penises.
@m4ximusprim3: so basically what you're saying is he gassed the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader lockerroom and aligned them with the star on the field? *badum-chh!*
Ugh. I have a case (thankfully civil, not criminal) in Corpus Christi right now and have to visit regularly. It is the worst "coastal resort" town I've ever been to, so maybe the judge was just in a bad mood from having to live in that hell hole.
@miss_msry: Oops. No, it just means I'll have to somehow inject questions like "do you read Gawker comments? how do you feel about one Atilla the Bun? do you know her real identity?" into the voir dire.
And, btw, my full knowledge of Corpus is based on various taxi rides from airport to the Bayfront Hotel and from the Hotel to the federal courthouse next door, usually while wearing a wool suit and sweating half to death. So perhaps I know not what I speak.
Ask me sometimes about the voir dires I sabotaged when I voted in Houston. And about the Judge that ran down, shot and killed a man for stealing a briefcase. And it wasn't even the judge's.
Apparently this was not Mr. Perez' first time at the rodeo. He was already on probation (for what, I don't know) when he got charged with possession and tagging.
@Atilla the Bun: Ah, the Bayfront! My favorite Spring Break hangout. It's cheap and I can get drunk on Chaparral St. and walk across the parking lot to my room. Every time I've been there I've had awesome views of the bay, marina, and causeway. I'm not going to lie: I love that hotel!
@downlow: Are you talking about the Omni Bayfront? That's what I was referring to because it's where I always stay for work. I guess it's not a bad hotel exactly (though I think its HVAC system is bipolar), but damn, that town is depressing to me. It just seems so...industrial for a so-called coastal town.
Anywho...I'll keep my eyes pealed for graffiti next time I'm in town.
@Atilla the Bun: That's just it — it IS industrial: half a dozen oil refineries, numerous petrochemical plants and the fifth-largest port in the United States. Its authenticity, in my opinion, is what makes it cool. (The same goes for Galveston.) Only by default, really, is it a "coastal resort," mostly to Snowbirds from Iowa and to Spring Breakers who forgot to ante up for a condo down in South Padre. In any case, it's still a blue-collar town with some white-collar bigwigs who do their best, bless them, to create a cultural scene — and it halfway works. The best thing for you to do is just explore the downtown area: it ain't the French Riviera, no, but there are some cool bars and decent restaurants, and if you go outside the comfort zone a little bit you'll find some unbelievably good Mexican food. And if you're really feeling adventurous, head down to the refinery bars: I've partied with those dudes and it is an absolute trip. You will never forget it.
If you have a day off, go down to Port Aransas and hang out with the fishermen. Go to Aransas Pass and talk to the Vietnamese shrimpers at Conn Brown Harbor. Go to Mustang Island and smoke a doob with the surfers. Go to the Cut, the quote-unquote ghetto between downtown and the port, and eat soul food at Miss Erma's Diner.
You get the picture. If you're looking for La Jolla*, you're out of luck, but if you have time to explore a genuine coastal city, you might have a great time. Good luck!
*I lived in La Jolla for a time, and while I really liked it — who wouldn't? — there's nothing very "real" about the place.
@Atilla the Bun: Yes! That's the one. It's run-down but I'm poor so actually going out of town and staying in a hotel with a view is fun for me, no matter that the bay is brown.
Corpus definitely has it's ugly side but there is something about that first glimpse of the bay that I just love. I also like Port Aransas. It has more of beach town feel to it.
07:45 AM
He's also no stranger to the law courts, especially the libel courts. When he first invested in Arsenal a few years ago, some bloggers looked at his background and repeated the facts that he'd been convicted of certain fraud crimes. These were all on public record, yet he attempted to have these blogs removed and suspended by their hosts.
Don't be surprised if Gawker gets a letter from his lawyer pretty soon...
01:04 AM
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12:52 AM
12/16/09
"Dear Judge Saldaña,
My wife and I wanted to extend to you this invitation to our son's graduation in hopes that you might realize the impact your judgment has had on ours and our son’s life. As a result of you giving him a second chance, he has successfully completed his senior year in high school, is graduating with honors, and has been named a Texas Scholar. Without your realization that at times teenagers make adult mistakes, our son would not be where he is today.
It is our hope that with your knowledge of these results, you may continue to make this type of decision that effect (sic) the lives of our city's young men and woman."
Why the change of heart, Judge?
12/16/09
12/16/09
Perez was already on probation for a previous violation and the marijuana charge turned it into something more serious.
09:52 AM
10:25 AM
Totally agree, but guns and peen crimes should get life. Why isn't that happening?
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Shiite, I have a weekend home on the Island, I vote there so I might be on the jury. Does that make us buds?
12/16/09
And, btw, my full knowledge of Corpus is based on various taxi rides from airport to the Bayfront Hotel and from the Hotel to the federal courthouse next door, usually while wearing a wool suit and sweating half to death. So perhaps I know not what I speak.
12/16/09
Ask me sometimes about the voir dires I sabotaged when I voted in Houston. And about the Judge that ran down, shot and killed a man for stealing a briefcase. And it wasn't even the judge's.
PS. I don't know you're real id.
12/16/09
12/16/09
Apparently this was not Mr. Perez' first time at the rodeo. He was already on probation (for what, I don't know) when he got charged with possession and tagging.
12/16/09
That city sure tries to make sure you can't forget her.
Bidi bidi bom bom
12/16/09
The cruddy thing is that he's basically consigned to a lifetime of car- or dish-washing with this felony on his adult record. Sad.
12:23 AM
01:24 AM
Anywho...I'll keep my eyes pealed for graffiti next time I'm in town.
11:03 AM
If you have a day off, go down to Port Aransas and hang out with the fishermen. Go to Aransas Pass and talk to the Vietnamese shrimpers at Conn Brown Harbor. Go to Mustang Island and smoke a doob with the surfers. Go to the Cut, the quote-unquote ghetto between downtown and the port, and eat soul food at Miss Erma's Diner.
You get the picture. If you're looking for La Jolla*, you're out of luck, but if you have time to explore a genuine coastal city, you might have a great time. Good luck!
*I lived in La Jolla for a time, and while I really liked it — who wouldn't? — there's nothing very "real" about the place.
11:44 PM
Corpus definitely has it's ugly side but there is something about that first glimpse of the bay that I just love. I also like Port Aransas. It has more of beach town feel to it.
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This kid had weed, and spraypaint! AT THE SAME TIME. I'd throw the book at him too.
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