Defamation Suit for Telling Truth
- Mayor Richard M. Daley grudgingly bears the news media’s tendency to “scrooten” him constantly. Stephanie D. Neely, the first-term city treasurer, is taking a different approach to dealing with scrutiny from at least one pen-wielding critic. She retained a lawyer and is threatening a defamation suit against a Chicago police officer who repeatedly criticized her in the F.O.P. News, a union newsletter published by the local Fraternal Order of Police.
- In the articles, Michael K. Shields wrote that Ms. Neely, acting as a member of the police pension board, cast votes that favored pension fund managers who contributed to her campaign. Her assertion that the articles entitle her to “substantial damages” from Mr. Shields and the union has not deterred Mr. Shields. State records confirm the donations from fund managers to Ms. Neely’s campaign.
In an interview this week, Ms. Neely said she was justified in threatening to sue and strongly denied that campaign cash influenced her actions on the boards of the police pension fund and other public employee funds.
“My reputation is all I have,” she said. “I have acted in the best interests of the funds.”
Don't worry about Shields though. He's on solid legal ground:
Sandy Davidson, a professor of communications law at the University of Missouri, said Mr. Shields had not defamed Ms. Neely. His “shakedown” comment, Ms. Davidson said, is a classic example of free speech known in legal circles as rhetorical hyperbole.
“The Supreme Court has made it clear that it is so important we have this wide-open, robust debate, especially in political disputes,” Ms. Davidson said after reviewing Mr. Shields’s articles. “Public officials voluntarily assume the risk that they will face scrutiny.”
Labels: city politics
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
70 Comments:
read the letter from neely's lawyer, then read mike's lawyer's response. He pretty much put the smack down on neely. Her lawyer must have gotten his law degree from city colleges.
Is Mike Shields going to run for FOP President?
Good job Mike.
Whatever happened to the Patrick Daley/Vanecko ripoff of our pension fund?
Shields was vocal and then nothing???
Mike Sheilds has brass balls.
Some might even encourage Mike to run for FOP president.
Not me. I like him right where he is, watching our fucking money.
Thanks, Mike.
(And thank you, too, Sgt. Northen.)
Countersuit.
I'll donate to his legal defense fund!
It's time for Shields, plaintiff, to treat Neeley as a defendant. Sue the bitch now, Mike!
This is why we need Mike to throw his hat in the ring to dethrone Donahue and the rest of the our stale FOP.
More waves have been made and more attention brought to the plight that is our dismal pension situation since we elected Mike than I can recall at any time in over 2 decades.
Mike was the much-needed injection of fresh blood the Pension Board direly needed, and he hasn't disappointed so far. Elected by our membership on the promise to make a difference, Mike has been true to his word. It's obvious that he has the working coppers' best interests in mind, and has other lofty aspirations regarding long term benefits to which we collectively should be paying much more attention.
Those of you (and I'd believe the number to be many) that are still reeling from the arbitrator's "award" should use this latest kick in the 'nads as motivation to get involved with the goings-on with your financial future. Specifically, attending FOP meetings (next one is this Tuesday at Noon) and the occasional Pension Board meeting will open your eyes to the redundant ass-fuckings the City and it's bought-and-paid-for lemmings keep administering to the uninformed coppers.
Get involved and get educated before they completely pull the rug out from under you - or don't bitch the next time Daley, the traitors on the Pension Board, the latest Police & Fire Committeeman, et al, try to strip us of more of which we're entitled.
Like the Democratic ghetto-dwelling masses, Daley Incorporated and his soulless minions would like nothing more than to have an ignorant constituency to manipulate, rape, pillage and plunder. When is enough going to be enough? When will YOU decide to get educated and make your objections to the status quo heard?
Mike Shields has shown that he possesses the passion for making a difference. Do us a favor, dude, and make that move. Between your accomplishments at the Pension Board, and the current atmosphere of coppers wanting an overhaul of the current pathetic FOP regime, you'll have no problem leading the union in the direction it needs to go. I even have a couple suggestions of people you might want on that ticket. There's more than a handful of intelligent, articulate, anti-Machine, tenured coppers out there that would gladly jump on board. More on that later...
Mike Shields = Daley Waterboy
In the same article Mike Sields was quoted as saying this:
“If Mayor Daley made Jesus the superintendent,” said Michael Shields, a Chicago policeman and trustee on the department’s pension board, “the policeman on the street would say, ‘You know, that Jesus, he takes his orders from Mayor Daley.’ ”
WTF??
April 19, 2010 12:29 AM
This Shields kid will NEVER gett my vote after making the above waterboy comment about us.
Shields = Daley Suckass
This sure looks like a Daley attempt to get his chosen insider elected as FOP President.
The Shields family is very, very wired into the DemocRatic Party and the Daley Machine!
Don't be fooled by a fabricated story that is going nowhere and means nothing.
Maybe Mike Shields can tell the truth about his entire family being faithful servants to the DemocRatic Party.
The entire Shields family is in the emplo of the City of Chicago or the County of CRook.
Here is a New York Times article about Mike Shields Uncle's faithful service to the DemocRatic Party:
5 Indicted in Latest Inquiry Into Corruption in Chicago
http://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/20/us/5-indicted-in-latest-inquiry-into-corruption-in-chicago.html?pagewanted=1
Things are NOT what they seem!
How much did Paul Geiger help with staging this one?
Can Mike Shields get Fox News reporter, Larry Yellen, to do an expose on "Trojan Horses"???
These are dangerous people. They hide behind the law while the whole time working against it. The Democratic Machine has stacked the deck against the people and allowed Shortshanks and crew to steal while intimidating the population.
Thank God Almighty that we still have some cops out there with balls enough to stand up to them.
"Is Ms. Neely's accusation of libel, being patently false by all definitions of the word, libelous in and of itself against Mike Shields?"
Of course it is. "Deny everything, admit nothing, issue counter-accusations".
Go get em, Mike!
This Shields kid will NEVER gett my vote after making the above waterboy comment about us.
Shields = Daley Suckass
4/19/2010 01:53:00 AM
YOU DUMBASS. THAT QUOTE POINTS OUT THAT ANYONE THAT'S SUPER, IS TAKING ORDERS FROM THE MAYOR
Mike, no matter what these people put on an anonymous blog, you have uncovered more dirt about our pension fund. I am very proud of you for this. Disregard the people claiming you're related to the judge.
Wow Mike. It looks like ONE PERSON doesn't like you. Keep up the good work. Nevermind the rest. Keep your eye on our fund and keep up the fight. You are the biggest target in the City. Watch your back.
How much did Paul Geiger help with staging this one?
4/19/2010 02:35:00 AM
If Mike Shields is working with Paul Geiger, at least he had the sense to pick the smart one.
Somewhat OT, but Ernie's Auto on North Higgins was threatened last week. If they did not tear down their existing fence and replace it with a Daley approved Wrought Iron Fence, their license to operate would be denied. Ernie's has been operating on this site for over 25 years. Someone connected to Daley must want the property.
Mike Shields is NOT RELATED to convicted Chancery Judge Shields! End of story. Idiots.
In a story about defamation, the commentators defame Mike Shields. Nice.
Among the people Ms Neely has taken money from are Allison Davis, Robert Vanecko, and DV Urban Realty. To the 2:05 poster;
Do your home work. Mike Shields and his family are no relation to Ex-Judge David Shields. If you had more than a couple of years on the job you would know that. Asshat
Mike Shields should run for FOP President. He's done a great job on the pension board and would be a great improvement over Greg Bella and the clown slate that Bella is running next year.
I see some lies being written about Mike Shields here. The Cook County judge that got indicted, and subsequently sentenced, was from the South Side (Oak Lawn I think...) I know for a fact that Mike Shields is not the son of that judge (Also, I think Mike Shields is a Northsider). I think somebody is making shit up again!! Hmmmm, why would someone just make up shit on this blog???
Let me get this straight. The only elected spot (trustee) that makes the exact same as a P.O. is the only person (Shields) making waves and really stepping up to protect us. Stopped Huberman, J-Flegar Hoover and his goones from raiding our pension fund, called Neely out on pay to play, and got Venecko to drop out of being a fund manager.
An old timer told me once, "If you do a cop a favor he'll usually think you're tryin' to screm him."
I've only met Shields a few times so I can't give an informed opinion on his character, one way or the other. He does have enough time on that if he were a Daley guy, he would have rank or at least worked in better spots. So, i am judging him on what he has done and the fact that Shields called out Hubberman when Shields was working a beat car really told me that he's a guy ready to stand up to the machine.
I don't know about his family tree, but how about judging a man by his own actions.
I had heard Neely has 2 CPD body guards that escort her at all times. One of them actually helps her remove her coat and then hangs it up for her at the PB meetings, is that part of their job description?
Is this true? If so why?
The skeptic in me thinks that Mike Shields is always causing an uproar here and an uproar there to make a name for himself. So in the end he can obtain a higher office like FOP President, Alderman, State Senate.
I still haven't determined if he is genuine or not. If he is genuine, then God bless you Mike. If all you want to do Mike is make hay for your own personal benefit then too bad; you are just another asshole looking after yourself.
A few months ago, I had to undergo the city mandated ethics training.
It seems that, according to the city own training, Ms Neely should be prosecuted for her actions in regards to business dealings.
I guess all these threats are only for wokers, not bosses.Just another example of chicago corruption
To the idiot bashing Mike Shields, telling the same silly lies in consecutive comments:
You've given yourself away as an individual commentor with an axe to grind -- likely a disgruntled old fart who doesn't know how the interwebs work. If you're going to use the same old lies, repeatedly, in an effort to appear as though many voices raise the same objection, you should wait a little bit before posting your next untruth. Six consecutive comments spewing the same bullshit are very obviously the work of one man with an agenda. Further hints in your post narrow down your likely identity, but that is for another time.
Mike, don't let the bastards, or rather, bastard, get you down. The people know the truth - continue your good work and God bless!
Some Shields family facts:
The Shields family are not in any way related to Judge David Shields from Wilmette. Mike Shields father Joe had only one sibling named Michael Shields who has since passed away.
The Shields Family are not one of Daley's faithful servants. "Nice try on that spin it sounds like a desperate person who is sinking fast who needs to do something quick." Right Greg?
Let's see Mike Shields is Daley's waterboy? "Right that is why he has caused so many waves including from Daley's right hand "boy" Ron Hunerman to bringing to light Mayor Daley's very own nephew Robert Vanecko which in now under a Federal probe."
Let's not try to re-create history here in a feeble attempt to discredit Mike and all his hard work. Going up against the Daley machine takes a special person to day after day fight against all the corruption, and "the old boy network" that has made Chicago's reputation for corruption known around the world.
Thank you SCC,
Daniel J Shields
018th District
"Maybe Mike Shields can tell the truth about his entire family being faithful servants to the DemocRatic Party."
This and the ones above it must have been written by someone from the FOP. My distant cousin was Butch Cassidy, what does that have to do with me? You can choose you friends but not your family. They are who they are.
Many coppers want Shields to run, but sorry boys and girls greg bella told Mike to "step aside" and mike did. Not to flame shields he is doing a great job where he is at! Bella wants the same old shit, a donohue protege we need all new blood! As far as neely why the fuck does she need a fleet of overpaid CPD bodyguards/valets? Hey media we are short she has a lot of drivers,like eddie burke,does neely also have a bogus court order? Or does neely get them because she stfu and daley uses her as her respectful place as a servant!
It used to be that the elcted pension representatives had the opportunity to take a lot of time off from their "job" at the pension fund. And, they got to travel frequently for seminars regarding pension funds. I often wondered if some of these elected representatives also elected to keep their mouth shut about controversial items before the board in order to protect their great jobs? I really do not know what goes on down at the board now, maybe someone should look into their working conditions??Benefits? etc.
Truth is a defense of libel. It was true in the 18th century during the John Peter Zenger case, and it is still true today. The case vs. Shields is a non-starter.
Mike, I will donate $$ towards your defense fund! Thank you for bringing this to our attention and keep up the excellent work!
I don't know Shields personally, but I will say that I've noticed that for the few short months that he's been elected, more dirt has been revealed about our pension fund and city business.
I can't be judge of who he's related to, but i don't see anyone else that is employed by the city of chicago making such waves.
I look at the posts about him being an alleged Daley guy. reveal yourself mr. anonymous poster. Go on the record like Mr. Shields has done. or are you the democratic machine?
What your back Shields. CYA
Love ya brother
The truth hurts.. then you get an attorney to threaten suit.
An act of communication that causes someone to be shamed, ridiculed, held in contempt, lowered in the estimation of the community, or to lose employment status or earnings or otherwise suffer a damaged reputation. Such defamation is couched in 'defamatory language'. Libel and slander are defamation. .... Telling the truth based on facts isn't....Michael has , once again, brought up factual evidence about the ethos and character of people that affect our lives on every day bases... Has anyone else proven, with ACTIONS, not words, that he has our best interest in mind?
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Mike Shields = Daley Waterboy
In the same article Mike Sields was quoted as saying this:
“If Mayor Daley made Jesus the superintendent,” said Michael Shields, a Chicago policeman and trustee on the department’s pension board, “the policeman on the street would say, ‘You know, that Jesus, he takes his orders from Mayor Daley.’ ”
WTF??
April 19, 2010 12:29 AM
This Shields kid will NEVER gett my vote after making the above waterboy comment about us.
Shields = Daley Suckass
To the anonymous that made that comment, the article was edited to appear that the Superintendent has the approval of some "visible" members of our community... From Huberman to Weiss and the treasurer, Michael has shown where his loyalty is....
Anonymous said...
read the letter from neely's lawyer, then read mike's lawyer's response. He pretty much put the smack down on neely. Her lawyer must have gotten his law degree from city colleges.
4/19/2010 12:14:00 AM
Most of the "lawyers" working for the city or people around them took the "short bus" to law school.
Good question at the end. Now only if Shields could find a lawyer who would be willing to take up that argument.
There aren't any lawyers out there who would be willing to do this purely for financial gain are there?
Ok, I don't get it - are some comments not being published? Because some of the comments posted thus far don't make sense.
What water boy comment???
This quote does not defame Chicago police officers - it makes clear that Mayor Daley pulls the strings in our dept and whomever is "in charge" is merely a puppethead:
“If Mayor Daley made Jesus the superintendent,” said Michael Shields, a Chicago policeman and trustee on the department’s pension board, “the policeman on the street would say, ‘You know, that Jesus, he takes his orders from Mayor Daley.’ ”
Mike has shown that he has the balls to take on blatant "business as usual" in the pension arena. And that he has the balls to take on more, hopefully the next stop is FOP.
On the way home last night, Newsradio 780 had a piece on, of all people, City Treasurer Neely who raved that the city's investments are all so secure and not subject to the flucuations of the stock market. Where did that come from? I know there's a City Clerk, Comptroller, etc but I really didn't know there WAS a City Treasurer and what a coincidence that in the midst of this lawsuit that she would be featured saying how fricking good she is at her job? People have to be sheep, believing that stuff appears in the newspaper/radio/TV on it's own and not because of some outside manipulations. Daley's played the game a long time and understands the principles of propaganda and misinformation. Nothing is as it appears in this corrupt, rotten city. It's all bullshit.
Mike Shields for FOP President.
MAY BE NORTHEN COULD RUN 4 THE RETIREE SPOT ON THE PENSION BOARD.
THE OTHER CLOWN HAS TROUBLE FINDING LEGAL PARKING!
Shields is the first one that has ever shed any light on the mis-managment of OUR pension fund.
Say what you want about his family, Mike's doing a better job than anyone thats on the board, or has been on the board.
Cops will bitch about things that dont even affect them. Few, very few will ever step up and "DO" something when the time comes. Mike DID it! He's there, and he's trying to secure OUR pension. Everyone knew it was fucked up, but Mike is the only one that did something for ALL OF US!
Thanks Mike!
The sad thing is that Mike is fighting for us, but is being defamed more on SCC and in these comments than by Treasurer Neely. Sickening.
Mike is not related to convicted Judge Shields and his family is not way connected to Daley. Get over it, FLOP. The kid is fo real!
If Mike gets sued, then he should ask the US Attorney's Office to investigate and verify his comments and claims-his lawyer and then have a lot of fun cross examining /interviewing witness'
Mike Shields = Daley Waterboy
In the same article Mike Sields was quoted as saying this:
“If Mayor Daley made Jesus the superintendent,” said Michael Shields, a Chicago policeman and trustee on the department’s pension board, “the policeman on the street would say, ‘You know, that Jesus, he takes his orders from Mayor Daley.’ ”
WTF??
April 19, 2010 12:29 AM
This Shields kid will NEVER gett my vote after making the above waterboy comment about us.
Shields = Daley Suckass
4/19/2010 01:53:00 AM
Relax Franny. he was refering to Jose's brother Jesus.
Shields for President of FOP
FOPs running scarred. Look at all the defamatory crap posted here about Mike Shields. It appears that the guys never hurt a copper and has done us a lot of good.
What she's doing is called a SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation).
See this: http://www.anti-slapp.org/
Shields has no relation whatsoever to judge David Shields. Hey moron just because they have the same last name doesn't mean they are related!! Obvioulsy the person hiding in the rumor mill doesn't know Mike or his family. If Shields was one of Daley's people then he surely doesn't act like it since he exposes corrupion relating to our pension. The F.O.P. needs to be completely cleaned out and we need to start over with Shields as president. Remember mediocracy always attacks excellence... Shields you are excellence!!! Keep up the fight...
Mike Shields is the real deal. He has my full support. He has integrity, cojones and the passion to get the job done.
"This Shields kid will NEVER gett my vote after making the above waterboy comment about us."
Us?? As in the current fraternal FLOP kingpins?? TRU that, Mr. Turd V-P for Fisheries.
Mike has done more good for the non-clouted CPD than Marky Mark D. et al. The truth hurts and there will be a reckoning.
G*d Bless.
Hey Mike Shields,
If you want some credibility do the job you were elcted to do. Hold a press conference and demand that the US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and the FBI charge Patrick Daley and Robert Vanecko for ripping the pension fund off.
Didn't think so!!!
All posturing and NO action!
Shields can and will only do what Daley tells him to do.
""mike Shields the nephew of David Shields, the disgraced and convicted felon, who was a Crook County Judge."""
for god sake at least check you facts and do a family tree. No relation just an common irish name. not all jacksons are related either
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Mike Shields = Daley Waterboy
In the same article Mike Sields was quoted as saying t
his:
really Greg Bella that's your Best shot? try again. Anyone who knows mike knows he talks a lot shit but his comment would be much more humorous and smarter.
Anonymous said...
This sure looks like a Daley attempt to get his chosen insider elected as FOP President.
The Shields family is very, very wired into the DemocRatic Party and the Daley Machine!
if this was the case would they still be patrolman? The last time the shields had any clout I think Jane Byrne was in office
Call for an investigation into the Shield's family tree! Calling on all investigative reporters! There is a story here.
Keep it up Shields
had a brief opportunity to speak with Shields a few months ago....in my view, he is the REAL DEAL.....no question about it
wow FOP nervous about your job security? Nervous about your future run as president greg? Actions speak louder than words. what have you done for me FOP? this great contract? Hold a press conference or too saying shortshanks your words were not nice. Now lets look at what mike has done. Work to secure our future retirement and point out daley's corruption with the pension board repeatedly. Wow when I write it out in the post my vote is easily with shields. It can't be any worse in the what we have now.
I find it alarming that any sensible Chicago police officer would attack Mike Shield’s aggressive style at the pension board. He is a valuable watchdog for our pension money. The pension board has proven to be a governing body with absolute rule. We as Chicago police officers should demand more transparency from the trustees, pension director Gallagher, and pension attorney Kugler.
Anonymous said...
I find it alarming that any sensible Chicago police officer would attack Mike Shield’s aggressive style at the pension board
What would be more alarming is if Shields runs for FOP president without anyone conducting an investigation on him and his family.
I believe anyone running for an FOP position should be investigated, to see if they have any ties to City Hall, past or future. If a candidate or candidate's family has nothing to gain, then they should be considered. Haven't we all had enough of city hall pay to play politics, or do you want to continue getting it stuck up the ass? Family members tied to City Hall or who have political clout, past or present should not even run for FOP office.
Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...
I find it alarming that any sensible Chicago police officer would attack Mike Shield’s aggressive style at the pension board
What would be more alarming is if Shields runs for FOP president without anyone conducting an investigation on him and his family.
4/20/2010 10:27:00 PM
I second that, there is alot of very questionable dealings and relations within the Shields family.
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