Court hearing for Cyber Ninjas this morning and Doug Logan has two out of state lawyers repping him since his AZ lawyer wants off the case because he says he hasn't been paid. New lawyers are Jonathan Miller of Georgia and Mike Smith of Michigan.
AZ lawyer says Doug Logan is now the "former" CEO of Cyber Ninjas.
The new out-of-state lawyers are not licensed in AZ, so this is off to rocky start. They can't talk during today's hearing.
“The reason for withdrawl is that I’m not getting paid.” -- John Wilenchik, withdrawing lawyer for Cyber Ninjas.
"I do not believe I’ve had a more important case in the 16 years I’ve been on the bench," -- Judge Hannah
Wilenchik is near tears saying he needs to make a living. Gets real combative with the judge.
Judge denied his request to withdraw, says Ninjas could just comply with the court and turn over the records and it wouldn't cost the lawyer or the company much at all.
Nobody asked, but I will ... how is Cyber Ninjas going to pay these new lawyers if they won't pay their AZ lawyer?
The Republic asked for sanctions of $1,000 a day for not turning over records from the work Cyber Ninjas did for the Senate. Judge says that sounds "grossly" low and is thinking more like $25k to $50k a day.
Judge now tells Wilenchik to email some docs to the court (on behalf of the client that's not paying him and that he doesn't want to represent any more) and Wilenchik says he'll do it.
Wilenchik, who says he's "doing his best" despite not being paid, is now arguing to the judge that the judge's order doesn't actually order the records to be turned over. Then also argues they aren't really public records.
Wilenchik is arguing that if someone would pay Cyber Ninjas tens of thousands of dollars to cover the cost of going through their emails and forwarding them to the Senate, they would comply and turn the records over. Also says there's no workers left at company to do that.
Judge finds Ninjas in contempt.
Ninjas' lawyer asks of what order.
"Mr. Wilenchik, you are trolling me, and it's getting really close to direct contempt." -- Judge, in response to that question.
$50k a day sanctions starting tomorrow
Wilenchik says either he or his successors likely to appeal to state Supreme Court, so that doesn't sound like the records are coming out tomorrow. "I don't agree with any of that," he said after judge explained decision.
Story is now live azcentral.com/story/news/pol…
Today is actually getting worse for Wilenchik. He asked to be released from defending the Ninjas in the case from @weareoversight and the judge in that case similarly says he has to keep working until the records are released and Logan is deposed.
@weareoversight How many Ls can a lawyer take in one day? Wilenchik asked the Arizona Supreme Court today to stay Hannah's order for sanctions. Supreme Court denied motion within hours.
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