The Latremie Post

Retired judge gets probation for stealing nearly $250,000 from elderly Tuskegee Airman

**Former Cook County Judge Sentenced to Probation for Theft from Elderly Tuskegee Airman**

*Posted on 12/6/25 by CFW | Source: CWBChicago*

A former Cook County judge who stole large sums of money from an elderly friend, a decorated Tuskegee Airman, was sentenced to probation on Friday. Patricia Martin, 66, received four years of probation after pleading guilty to theft of between $100,000 and $500,000, according to court records.

In addition to the probation, the judge ordered Martin to pay $122,763.73 in restitution and comply with standard probation conditions, including random drug testing.

Martin previously served as the presiding judge of the Child Protection Division and retired in 2020. Prosecutors initially accused her of stealing nearly $250,000 from 95-year-old Oscar Wilkerson, a longtime friend whose finances she managed under a power of attorney.

Using that authority, Martin closed some of Wilkerson’s bank accounts and withdrew more than $115,000. Officials revealed that she used the stolen money to purchase cryptocurrency.

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**Discussion and Community Reactions**

Many community members have expressed outrage over the case, highlighting concerns about corruption in the judiciary. One poster commented, “I believe corruption is part of the requirements to be a politician or judge in Chicago.”

Another added, “Our judiciary is corrupt. The one judge didn’t give the other judge jail time as a matter of professional courtesy.”

Others criticized the severity of the sentence, with some stating, “This creature committed felony fraud. It belongs in prison.”

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**Related Story**

“Ken Griffin Dumps Last Penthouse In Crime-Ridden Chicago”
Hedge fund manager Ken Griffin is reportedly selling his final piece of real estate in what he calls a crime-ridden, far-left-controlled Chicago. Since moving Citadel’s global headquarters to Miami, Griffin has not looked back.

—

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https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4356276/posts

Mariners acquire Jose Ferrer in 3 player trade

The Seattle Mariners have acquired left-handed reliever Jose Ferrer from the Washington Nationals in a three-player deal announced Saturday. In exchange, Seattle sent highly regarded catching prospect Harry Ford and minor league right-hander Isaac Lyon to Washington.

The trade comes on the eve of baseball’s winter meetings in Orlando, Florida, as the Mariners look to build on their 2025 success. Last season, Seattle won the AL West for the first time since 2001 and advanced to the American League Championship Series.

Ferrer adds another high-velocity arm to Seattle’s bullpen, joining veteran Gabe Speier and complementing closer Andres Munoz. The Dominican native posted a 4.48 ERA in 72 appearances this past season, striking out 71 batters while issuing 16 walks across 76⅓ innings. His fastball averaged 97.7 mph, and he induced ground balls on 64.3% of balls in play, ranking in the 99th percentile among MLB pitchers.

The 25-year-old was particularly effective against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .186 batting average and .521 OPS while striking out 26 of 110 lefties faced. He also set career highs with 11 saves and 21 holds. Ferrer remains under team control through the 2029 season and will not reach arbitration until 2027.

On the other side, the Mariners parted with Harry Ford, a 22-year-old first-round pick from 2021. Ford was ranked 42nd in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects and fourth in Seattle’s farm system. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Tacoma, where he slashed .283/.408/.460 with 16 home runs, 18 doubles, and 74 RBIs in 97 games.

Ford made his MLB debut in September, going 1-for-6 across eight appearances. He has a strong bat and excellent on-base skills, but All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh, who signed a six-year extension before the 2025 season, stands in his way at the major league level.

Coming off a 66-96 season and a last-place finish in the NL East, the Nationals gain a top catching prospect in Ford to improve a backstop group that ranked near the bottom of the league in offensive production. Washington catchers ranked 30th in fWAR, 29th in wRC+, and 29th in OPS in 2025, highlighting their need for reinforcement behind the plate.

Minor league right-hander Isaac Lyon, 21, also moves to the Nationals. Drafted by the Mariners in the 10th round out of Grand Canyon University, Lyon made four starts with Low-A Modesto, allowing 10 runs in 12⅓ innings for a 7.30 ERA. Lyon is the son of former major league pitcher Brandon Lyon and will continue to develop in Washington’s system.
https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/seattle-mariners/mariners-news-seattle-jose-ferrer-3-player-trade

‘Good grief’: Bombshell doc leak exposes military ‘cover up’ of boat strike survivors

A new report about a military cover-up has sparked strong reactions, including from a former GOP lawmaker who called the debacle “absolutely incredible and wrong.”

Journalists Melissa Corrigan and David Shuster — the latter known for having previously exposed GOP corruption as an Emmy-winning anchor at MSNBC and CNN — broke the story in an article titled *EXCLUSIVE: US Navy Deleted Video of October Boat Attack Survivors*. The report reveals that a leaked document exposes efforts to cover up the aftermath of an October 17 strike.

According to the report, two detainees were brought on board a US Navy vessel following an explosive boat attack. One of the individuals was in apparent medical distress but had survived the strike. Shipboard personnel, following standing protocol, captured video and photo documentation of the onboarding of these survivors. However, they were then given the questionable order to delete that footage.

David Shuster shared the story on social media, writing:
*”US Navy deleted video of October 17 boat strike survivors. In this attack, two men were rescued and detained on USS Iwo Jima. Navy was ordered to delete photos/videos, ship document reveals. This story proves the U.S. military has engaged in a coverup and destruction of documents/materials related to these boat attacks. Good grief.”*

The report has also drawn the attention of former GOP lawmaker Adam Kinzinger, who shared the article and commented, “This is absolutely incredible and wrong.”

This developing story raises serious questions about transparency and accountability within the military and is generating widespread concern.
https://www.rawstory.com/cover-up-navy-good-grief/

Why Southern Women Will Always Overdress During The Holidays

As long as I can remember, Christmas smelled like sugar cookies and Chanel No. 5. It looked like twinkling lights and bright red lipstick—specifically, the Revlon tube that resided full-time in my grandmother’s purse.

She was the most fashionable person I’d ever met. The opposite of subtle and demure, she dazzled with layers of jewelry and a loud personality, especially during the holidays. It wouldn’t have mattered if we went out on Christmas Eve to our favorite Chinese restaurant; she’d still have showed up with bells on and donning sparkly shoes. Peking Duck and Chanel No. 5 do make quite the Yuletide scent.

## Dressing To The Nines

Like many Southern women, my grandmother learned from her mother to always show up with her most confident foot forward. “Dress like your arch nemesis is going to be by the cocktail meatballs,” she once told me. I have a feeling that one came from personal experience.

I grew up wanting to be just like her, wearing the same shade of red lipstick (a dream I had to retire, as it looked terrible on me) and walking in the same cloud of perfume. And within that cloud, I knew that I should be wearing my best. Her message to me was clear: taking pride in one’s appearance is the mark of a true Southern woman.

## How Much Is Too Much?

Southern women often get thrown into a trope of being over-the-top to the point of ridiculousness, but if being bold enough to wear lipstick to lunch and keeping a miniature can of hairspray in your purse at all times gets you called “extra,” sign me up. Any Negative Nancies won’t be singing that tune when static cling has their dress suctioned to their behinds during church. (For the record, hairspray is great for solving that.)

One need only look as far as the film *Steel Magnolias* to witness this special brand of “extra” that exists among Southern women. From the quintessential salon that anchors the story to the wardrobe choices, it’s all about making a statement. If given a chance to consider it, would your statement include enough hairspray?

## Dress To Create Memories

Dressing up for Christmas dinner like you’re heading to a wedding—despite the fact that those in attendance are just your crazy family members and the Labrador retriever—isn’t silly. It’s just being prepared for all scenarios. It’s getting gussied up not because of who is going to be there, but because it makes the whole night feel more special. And if my grandmother taught me anything, it’s to make every holiday memorable.

When the images of your wardrobe choices are shared, feeling good comes with the territory. What was so special about the dress you wore on Easter? And don’t forget about the possibilities surrounding accessories. It’s a Southern woman’s right to choose what accentuates her beauty best.

## Embracing Well-Dressed Tradition

Having gone through these reasons why Southern women will always overdress during the holidays, I feel inspired to start cataloguing what I have worn as an ode to my grandmother’s philosophy. My closet is a joy of memories and inspiration thanks to her influence.
https://www.southernliving.com/southerners-overdress-for-the-holidays-11859823

Another must-watch moment for Michael Jordan as NBA great testifies at NASCAR trial

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Michael Jordan has had a lifetime of big moments. His latest came on the witness stand in a federal courthouse.

The retired NBA great testified Friday against NASCAR in an antitrust case he is pursuing against the stock car series on behalf of his race team, 23XI Racing, along with Front Row Motorsports. Both teams want to force NASCAR to change the way it does business with its teams, accusing the organization of monopolistic behavior.

“Someone had to step forward and challenge the entity,” the soft-spoken Jordan told the jury. “I felt I could challenge NASCAR as a whole.”

It was a different role for the 62-year-old Jordan, known best for the six NBA titles he won with the Chicago Bulls and his business interests in retirement, including his still relatively new role as a NASCAR team co-owner alongside three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. The name 23XI combines Jordan’s longtime jersey number (23) with Hamlin’s race car number (11).

Dressed in a dark blue suit, Jordan slowly headed to the stand for the afternoon session, adjusted the seat for his 6-foot-6 frame, and settled in. Those in the packed courtroom hung on every word.

Jordan shared that he grew up a NASCAR fan, attending races at age 11 or 12 with his family at tracks in Charlotte and Rockingham in his home state of North Carolina, as well as Darlington in South Carolina and the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.

“We called it a weekend vacation,” he said.

There were moments of levity during the dramatic day of testimony, which also included Heather Gibbs, daughter-in-law of team owner and NFL Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs. People were turned away from the courtroom due to capacity, and U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell couldn’t help but notice the high attendance in front of him as well as an overflow room nearby.

“I take it Mr. Jordan is the next witness,” Judge Bell quipped.

Outside the courthouse in downtown Charlotte, a crowd gathered for the first time this week to catch a glimpse of Jordan. One woman screamed, “Oh my God, Mike! You are an icon, you the best, you the best to do it in the NBA!” Another claimed to have played golf and cards with Jordan’s acquaintances while asking for a photo with him and his daughters.

Jordan responded, “Man, it’s cold out here for you guys,” before complimenting the two girls on their Nike-branded hoodies.

A spectator held a sign that read, “NASCAR Your Fans Deserve Better.” Hamlin turned to him and said, “You’re right,” as they made their way through the crowd toward a caravan of waiting SUVs.

On the witness stand, Jordan revealed he was an early fan of Richard Petty, like his father. He later gravitated to Cale Yarborough, “the original No. 11. Sorry, Denny,” Jordan testified as Hamlin watched from the gallery.

When asked to outline his career, Jordan noted his time with the Bulls and added that he remains a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Did he play anywhere else?

“I try to forget it but I did,” said Jordan, referring to his stint with the Washington Wizards in a mostly forgettable return to the NBA after his championship runs with the Bulls and a brief minor league baseball career.

However, Jordan spent most of his testimony explaining why he is suing the series he loves over the charters that guarantee teams revenue and access to Cup Series races. Among other things, the plaintiffs want the charters made permanent, something NASCAR has resisted.

“Look, we saw the economics wasn’t really beneficial to the teams,” Jordan testified, adding: “The thing I see in NASCAR that I think is absent is a shared responsibility of growth as well as loss.”

As the session wound down, defense attorney Lawrence Buterman noted the novelty of cross-examining an icon like Jordan, closing with the comment: “Thank you for making my 9-year-old think I’m cool today.”

“You’re not wearing any Jordans today,” Jordan replied with a smile.

When he was dismissed from the stand, Jordan said, “Whew,” and made his way back to the seat in the front row he’s occupied all week.

___
AP Auto Racing
https://mymotherlode.com/sports/basketball-general-news/10268682/another-must-watch-moment-for-michael-jordan-as-nba-great-testifies-at-nascar-trial.html

With Climate Change Drying Up, Democrats Switch to Affordability

The signs are everywhere: climate change is dead as a political cause. Democrats have found another focus.

Tom Steyer, a well-known climate activist, is running for Governor of California. However, he’s not running on his favorite topic: environmentalism and climate change. Instead, he’s shifted to a more pressing issue that has captured the electorate’s attention lately—affordability.

With skyrocketing costs, people are struggling to afford groceries and housing. As a result, climate change has faded into the background, and Democrats are jumping on the affordability bandwagon.

People are beginning to notice that New York isn’t underwater, the polar ice caps remain intact, and dire predictions about the world ending in ten years have not come to pass. According to Politico, Tom Steyer’s dramatic shift reflects the broader direction of the Democratic Party: moving away from climate politics and focusing on affordability.

You can gauge the party’s retreat from climate issues in one name: Tom Steyer. The billionaire environmental activist who built his political profile on climate change—even writing last year that “climate is what matters most right now, and nothing else comes close”—did not mention the issue once in the campaign launch video for California governor.

That omission was no accident.

Ironically, it’s hard to hear Steyer speak about affordability without remembering his role in policies that contributed to California’s soaring costs. Global warming ceased to be an existential crisis demanding urgent action the moment it stopped benefiting Democrats politically.

Now, Steyer is all about affordability.

Instead of focusing on climate, he has leaned heavily into economic populism—criticizing the wealthy and aiming to harness the same energy that propelled figures like Senator John Fetterman to office in Pennsylvania. This approach also aligns with other 2026 hopefuls, such as Graham Platner in Maine’s Senate race.

“Everyone knows that this race is really about affordability,” Steyer’s campaign strategist, Rebecca Katz, said in an interview. “Tom wants to get back to basics.”

This is a stark contrast to Steyer’s 2020 presidential campaign, where he proclaimed climate change as his number one priority, vowed to declare a climate emergency on day one, and pressed Joe Biden on his climate credentials.

The political landscape is shifting, but voters remain pawns in the game. The final irony: the architect of California’s climate policies—once hailed for environmental advocacy—is now campaigning on affordability above all else.
https://www.independentsentinel.com/with-climate-change-drying-up-democrats-switch-to-affordability/

Bills Predicted to Give Josh Allen ‘Elite’ No. 1 Receiver in Blockbuster Trade

The Buffalo Bills first adopted their “everybody eats” approach in 2024 following the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Embracing a new passing style designed to spread out the targets, the Bills found success with this strategy last season. However, this year, without a bona fide No. 1 receiver to support quarterback Josh Allen, the team has struggled.

One insider believes the Bills will address this issue next season by targeting a former NFL receiving leader who might surprisingly become available via trade.

### Bills and Vikings Could Swap Again

The Bills experienced great success with their 2020 trade with the Minnesota Vikings, acquiring Stefon Diggs while sending a No. 1 pick used by the Vikings to select receiver Justin Jefferson. Although Jefferson still has three years remaining on a four-year, $140 million contract extension signed last year, rumors suggest he could hit the trade block amid a disappointing season and rising tensions with Minnesota’s organization.

Reporter Jacob Infante from PFSN indicated that should the Vikings decide to trade Jefferson, the Bills could be front-runners to acquire him.

> “It’s becoming a running gag that the Buffalo Bills are consistently unable to get over the hump that is beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason,” Infante wrote.
> “They’re consistently one of the top teams in the NFL, but they’ve yet to make a Super Bowl since Josh Allen became their quarterback. Should they fail to reach that goal again this year, they may need to swing for the fences, even if it means getting creative with their lack of cap space.”

Infante also emphasized the Bills’ current lack of a true No. 1 receiver, noting that Khalil Shakir has taken that role by default but doesn’t provide the star-level production the team needs.

> “Khalil Shakir is a perfectly capable complementary weapon, but Buffalo doesn’t have a star pass-catcher on their offense to instill fear into opposing defenses,” he wrote.
> “Allen has been an MVP before with a middling supporting cast. Imagine what he could do with an elite WR1 like Jefferson.”

### Justin Jefferson Opens Up on a Difficult Season

Justin Jefferson has been candid about his disappointment with the Vikings’ trajectory this season. After a surprising 14-3 record last year behind the resurgent Sam Darnold, Minnesota chose to let Darnold leave in free agency, instead turning to the untested J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback.

This decision has not paid off as hoped. While Darnold leads the Seattle Seahawks to a 9-3 record, McCarthy has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play for the Vikings.

Though hesitant to label the season a complete wash, Jefferson admitted that the current campaign has been disappointing.

—

With the Bills’ need for a top-tier receiver and Jefferson’s uncertain future in Minnesota, a reunion via trade could be on the horizon — one that might finally help Josh Allen and Buffalo get over that postseason hump.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/buffalo-bills/bills-predicted-josh-allen-justin-jefferson-trade/

JFS Center for Counseling & Resilience now open

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Jewish Family Services Center for Counseling & Resilience officially opened its doors on Thursday.

The center is designed to support individuals in the community who are facing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety and depression, grief, identity and self-esteem issues, disordered eating, and more.

Trained professionals will be available on-site to provide expert guidance and support to those in need, helping them navigate their personal struggles and build resilience.
https://www.news10.com/news/mental-health/jfs-center-for-counseling-resilience-now-open/

‘Yuge!’ Floored CNN analyst steals a Trump phrase to describe ‘stunning’ drop in support

CNN’s chief data analyst, Harry Enten, borrowed one of President Donald Trump’s favorite phrases on Thursday night to describe the president’s precipitous fall in support from a key part of his coalition.

Over the last couple of months, Trump’s approval rating among young men aged 30 years and under has dropped by more than 56 points, Enten said during CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront.”

Enten called the plummeting support “stunning.” He added, “I think the word of the day, to borrow a phrase from the current president, is yuge!”

“I spend my days in the spreadsheets,” Enten continued. “You just don’t see drops like that. It’s stunning.”

Trump’s success with young voters was one of the contributing factors to his strong performance during the 2024 election, Enten pointed out. Between 2020 and 2024, Trump won 43% of voters under the age of 30 during the 2024 election, compared to 31% of those voters during the 2020 campaign.

The significant drop in support among this group could prove disastrous for Trump in the 2026 midterm election.

“This is hugely important to Trump,” Enten said.
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-2674371441/

Planning upholds denial of self-storage next to Aldi

A prominent orthopedic surgeon denied during testimony on Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the Tyler Skaggs wrongful death trial that he was informed of the Los Angeles Angels pitcher’s issues with opioids when he performed Tommy John surgery on him in 2014.

The testimony by Dr. Neal ElAttrache contradicted earlier claims by Skaggs’ mother that he was told Skaggs had battled an addiction to painkillers. Since the medical procedure was effectively a workers’ compensation issue for the Angels, the organization would have had access to medical records tied to the Tommy John surgery. Exactly what the team knew about Skaggs’ use of illicit pills and when they knew it is a key question in the ongoing trial.

“Were you ever advised by Tyler Skaggs or anyone in his family that Tyler had a previous issue with opioids?” asked Stephen Ladsous, an attorney for the Angels.

“I can’t recall ever having that discussion,” said ElAttrache, who, along with serving as the head team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Rams, has performed surgery on numerous celebrities and sports figures. “I can’t recall ever linking, in my mind, opioid problems and Tyler.”

ElAttrache confirmed that he prescribed Percocet and oxycodone to help Skaggs deal with his recovery from surgery. The doctor added that had he known of Skaggs’ issues with opioids, he would have instead referred him to a pain management specialist.

“I want to know what is available to me and if the typical ways to relieve pain are not available to me, there are other ways we can do it,” ElAttrache said. “But we can’t go bare after surgery.”

According to testimony and evidence presented during the ongoing trial, Skaggs routinely used illicit opioid pills obtained for him by Eric Kay, a Los Angeles Angels communications staffer. Skaggs also informed several other players that Kay could get pills for them as well.

Tragically, Skaggs died in a Texas hotel room in 2019 at the start of a team road trip. He had snorted a counterfeit pill that Kay provided him, which turned out to contain fentanyl combined with oxycodone and alcohol. Kay is currently serving prison time for his role in Skaggs’ death.

Family members have acknowledged that Skaggs, in 2013, told them about issues he had with Percocet while pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, the family, as well as Skaggs’ wife and his agent, have denied knowing at the time that his opioid use continued after he was traded to the Angels in 2014.

“I did not think he was using,” said Ryan Hamill, Skaggs’ agent, referring to the pitcher’s time with the Angels. “I never saw any signs.”

During the defense phase of the trial, attorneys for the Angels have continually elicited testimony about Skaggs’ efforts to hide his addiction. They are expected to argue that by hiding his drug use, Skaggs made it impossible for the team to help him and prevent his death.

Attorneys for the team have also pushed back against claims by other former Angels players that the pressure and wear and tear of professional baseball led them to turn to illicit opioids.

In one text exchange from August 2018 shown in court on Wednesday, Skaggs complained that he was hurting after a pitching start but couldn’t get the team to give him a “dose pack,” a prescribed, tapered course of anti-inflammatory steroids. Hamill, his agent, texted Skaggs that teams usually gave those packs out “like candy,” but the agent refused Skaggs’ request for him to secretly obtain a pack, noting it would be illegal.

Hamill, during his testimony, acknowledged that teams have since dialed back their reliance on dose packs since they can be bad for a player’s liver.

“I’d say they were one of the first teams to pull back on handing them out,” he said of the Angels.

Hamill hesitated when asked if he blamed his former client for his illicit drug use.

“I don’t blame Tyler,” he said after a long pause. “I just wish he would have told me.”

Employees who worked in the Angels’ front office, including in the communication and HR departments, have denied knowing that Kay had his own opioid addiction issues or that he was providing pills to Skaggs and other players. But several members of the clubhouse, as well as Kay’s ex-wife, have testified that Kay’s addiction issues were well-known by the team and that they were warned of his drug connections to Skaggs.

The trial is on break Thursday, but testimony will continue Friday in an Orange County Superior Courtroom in Santa Ana.
https://signalscv.com/2025/12/planning-upholds-denial-of-self-storage-next-to-aldi/