The Case
Timeline
The following a generalized timeline of court proceedings so
that you can see how our case is progressing.
To date, Bob and Lisa have spent well over $100,000 in litigation
costs. We still owe our attorneys over $40,000, while the birth parents have had all
their expenses paid for by the court (in other words, the California taxpayers), which we estimate to be over $100,000 as well.
| 2010-04-15 |
The
appellate court promptly denies the appellants' request for a rehearing and
publication of the appellate judges' decision of April 7. |
| 2010-04-14 |
The
appellants'
attorney files for a rehearing to appeal the case before the adoption is
finalized and to
have the April 7 ruling published in an attempt to take the case to the Supreme
Court if the appellate court eventually dismisses the appeal. |
| 2010-04-07 |
The appellate court
rules that the trial judge's order is not yet appealable. The finalization
will take place first, then the birth parents can and will most likely
appeal. |
| 2010-03-03 |
Bob and Lisa's attorney submits that no oral
argument is needed. |
| 2010-03-01 |
The
appellants' attorney requests the
appellate court to hear oral arguments regarding a timing issue. The
appellate court is asking if this appeal should be heard now or after the
adoption is finalized. |
| 2010-02-26 |
Bob and Lisa's attorney files brief. |
| 2010-02-16 |
The
appellants' attorney files
supplemental brief. |
| 2010-01-27 |
The appellate court asks the appellants'
attorney to file a supplemental brief. |
| 2010-01-25 |
The
appellants' attorney files their
opening brief. |
| 2010-01-19 |
The
appellants' opening brief is
due. |
| 2009-12-17 |
Although the appellate court is
aware that the birth parents (appellants) are financially capable of retaining their own
attorneys, as well as the financial crisis that the state of California is
currently in, the court still appoints an attorney for them. |
| 2009-10-19 |
The birth father files for appeal at the last
minute. |
| 2009-10-09 |
The birth mother files for appeal. |
| 2009-08-20 |
Closing arguments and the judge's
decision. During an emotional statement, the judge rules in favor of Bob and
Lisa. After more than a year of court proceedings, much of which were delayed
for a variety of unknown reasons on the part of the birth parents and their
attorneys, the adoption is to proceed. |
| 2009-08-04 |
The trial resumes in California and
lasts two weeks. Bob and Lisa are present on all days. Despite the court paying
for ALL travel expenses, including airfare, hotel, car rental and meals, the
birth parents do not appear for reasons unknown. |
| 2009-07-27 |
The trial starts in Ohio and lasts four
days. Bob and Lisa's appearances are waived. The birth parents, who live just 20
minutes from the Ohio courthouse, do not appear for reasons unknown. Bob and
Lisa's Ohio attorneys and hospital social workers give their testimonies. |
| June 2009 |
The birth mother's attorney deposes Lisa and
Bob. Lisa and Bob's attorney deposes the birth father. Here are a few
interesting highlights of his testimony:
 | Claims of conspiracy on the part of our adoption attorneys, the
adoption agency, the social workers, the judge himself and even
the Governors of our respective states. |
| He has come up with 170 violations in the adoption
process |
| He has taped phone conversations with 300 politicians
and law enforcement agents that he says are part of the conspiracy and
will be calling them to the stand during trial. |
| He confessed to taping phone conversations between Lisa
and his wife which began as soon as we were matched, more than two months
before Bryan was born. |
| Another of his comments worth mentioning is the fact
that he confessed that he is going to sue everyone because "I want my $18
million", and that having that much money solves all your problems. |
|
| April 2009 |
Scheduled status conference. The birth parents' psychological evaluations and final depositions
are rescheduled for June 2009. The three week trial is
finally scheduled for
July 2009. |
| March 2009 |
Scheduled status conference. Neither party
were required to attend, however, Bob did attend. One week later, the birth parents visit with
Bryan at the courthouse. Over the next three days, the birth parents were to have their psychological evaluations,
and the birth father, Bob and Lisa were to finish their depositions.
However, the birth parents left California before their evaluations and deposition. |
| January 2009 |
The birth mother's deposition lasted two
days. The birth father, Bob and Lisa's depositions were rescheduled for March
2009. |
| October 2008 |
Court ordered status conference. The birth
parents attended via teleconference. Bob and Lisa were present in court.
Depositions were rescheduled for January 2009. |
| September 2008 |
The birth parents did not show up for
the scheduled depositions or court ordered psychological evaluations. Bob and Lisa's depositions were then postponed
as a result. |
| July 2008 |
Scheduled status
conference. All parties were required to attend, however, the birth parents
again did not show up. Another status conference was rescheduled again for
later in the month in which all parties
attended. The court paid all expenses for the birth parents, including
airfare, hotel, car rental and meals. The court appointed separate attorneys
for the birth parents, due to a conflict in that the birth father indicated
that he does not want the child and the birth mother does. The court is
paying for the birth parents' attorneys despite findings that the birth
father's family had allegedly won a previous $18 million lawsuit against Chevron.
Depositions and psychological evaluations were scheduled for all parties for
September 2008. |
| June 2008 |
Scheduled status conference. All parties were
required to attend; however, the birth parents did not show up. Another
status conference was rescheduled for July 2008. |
| May 2008 |
Four months after the adoption, the birth
parents changed their minds and decided to contest the adoption. Since their
right to revoke consent had long passed, they have been trying desperate
measures to convince the court that the adoption was a scam. Although they
have made many, many astonishing accusations, the following should describe the
absurdity that we are up against:
They claim that Lisa and I, the adoption agency, our California and Ohio
adoption attorneys, the California and Ohio case workers and social workers assigned to the
adoption, the Ohio hospital where Bryan was born, as well as the
governors of California and Ohio, are
all a part of a "black market baby smuggling ring". |
| January 3, 2008 |
Bob and Lisa adopt beautiful Baby Bryan
at birth in
Columbus, OH. |
