As I mentioned, Margle was still Wilson Borough's Solicitor as of their reorganization meeting in January. That may be changing soon. Wilson Borough is now looking for a new Solicitor. Proposals are due February 20.
A post about a local attorney going through hard times is going to attract a lot of interest, especially when he has public clients. Years ago, I wrote about another local lawyer who was stealing money from clients and his own firm to pay for his drinking and gambling addictions. He never forgave me and once accosted me at a high school basketball game.
I understand the anger. As most of you know, I am an alcoholic. Not a former alcoholic. There's no such thing. If you can't handle booze, you can never handle it and should always refer to yourself as a current alkie. I am very fortunate that I am one of the last of the true alcoholics, meaning that I was only using booze and no other drug. I am also grateful that one stint in rehab and one year of daily AA meetings have kept me sober.
When confronted with the reality that an addiction is interfering with matters that mean something to you, most addicts and alcoholics will blame anything but their addition for their problem. In Stanley's case, it is a mysterious "rogue cop." Certainly not cocaine.
Eventually, the lucky among us hit bottom. It finally dawns on us that we are addicts or alcoholics and it's something we can't outsmart.
In my case, I hit bottom after the Disciplinary Board saw through my bullshit and recommended that I be suspended. I actually wandered off to the Delaware Gap National Recreation Area, where I was gonna' off myself. I don't know what happened because I told no one about my problems, but a good friend who practiced law with me somehow found me and talked me down. His nickname was Sunny. To this day, I don't know how he knew or how he was able to find me.
My sincere hope is that Stanley has hit bottom and that he now realizes he's not smarter than his addiction. He still has a lot to offer this world and believe he can make an excellent contribution to this world if he meets his problem head on and fights it like the good lawyer he was a few years ago.
Wilson waited until the eleventh hour to take action. One might have thought they would have addressed this at their re-org so as to not have a fire drill to replace him.
ReplyDeleteI think you go too far. You should not say someone has or even had an addiction even if true without their permission. Words like this last forever and can affect their future. No need to publish this but keep it in mind.
ReplyDeletelol, the truth hurts.
Deletein wake of charges? No, they too pretended there was no issue with him, just like all of the court, staff & DAs. It was in wake of jail that they wisened up. They prob know he then failed the drug test and will be in the jail some length of time
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that. Hoping he makes the right turn.
ReplyDeleteStan is an arrogant asshole. Always has been and no rehab will fix that!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said, Bernie. And thanks for sharing. We all need to fight some battles with ourselves, and we are our worst opponent. Stan is a good man, a good lawyer, and I hope he reads what you've written. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteExcellent work here BOH
ReplyDeleteWhat is sad is that this has been going on for awhile and townships kept hiring Stan as solicitor. It appears he was given breaks others would not have been. He would have been appointed again, I believe, if citizens did not question those appointments. He needs help so let’s hope he gets it.
ReplyDeleteOne of the guards said his sample was hot for almost EVERYTHING...meth, coke, opioids, etc,,,and he's been sleeping for 2 days straight...sucks going thru withdrawal I'm sure...
ReplyDelete7:49am: Who is the guard that needs to be immediately suspended and disciplined? HIPAA violation says wha?
DeleteThat’s no violation. You don’t know what HIPAA actually is, do you?
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DeleteWhile generally considered a significant breach of ethics and policy, it is not explicitly "illegal" in all contexts for a jail guard to tell people a prisoner failed a drug test, though it often violates privacy regulations and internal department policies.
Here is a breakdown of the legal and policy considerations:
1. Privacy Rights (HIPAA & 42 CFR Part 2)
HIPAA Exceptions: While incarcerated individuals are covered by HIPAA, 45 CFR § 164.512(k)(5) allows staff to disclose protected health information (PHI) without consent if it is necessary to maintain the safety, security, and good order of the institution.
Substance Use Records: Regulations under 42 CFR Part 2 (Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records) are more stringent. Disclosure of these records generally requires patient consent or a court order, even for law enforcement, unless a specific, narrow exception applies.
"For Cause" Tests: In some jurisdictions, "for cause" drug test results may be considered public record, whereas random test results are handled differently.
2. Jail Policies and Professional Misconduct
Breach of Policy: Guards are typically required to keep inmate information confidential. Disclosing such information for gossip or to damage an inmate's reputation likely violates internal disciplinary policies.
Consequences: Guards who disclose confidential information can face termination, investigations, and other disciplinary actions.
Retaliation/Abuse: In extreme cases, guards have been disciplined for abusive behavior related to failed drug tests, such as forced consumption of urine or tasing.
3. Inmate Expectations of Privacy
Reduced Expectation: Inmates have a significantly reduced expectation of privacy, particularly regarding searches for contraband. However, this does not grant officers carte blanche to publicly disclose private medical or disciplinary information for non-security reasons.
Summary: While it may not violate federal criminal law, a guard revealing a drug test result is a serious violation of HIPAA privacy, specifically if it involves substance abuse records, and is a major violation of correctional professional conduct policies.
Bernie, ask around the. Courthouse...there's an AI generated picture of Margle and Creazzo going around...obviously wearing their jumpers...funny AF!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little surprised the disciplinary board hasn't put his law license on temporary/emergency suspension at this point, based on this and some of his other shenanigans of the past year.
ReplyDeleteI don't get the people defending him. Has he completely changed personality in the past 10 years? The guy has always been dismissive and belittling to women. Rude to both his clients, opposing counsel, and the Court. I don't get this whole, "he is a good guy and I hope he gets help." Guy is reaping what he sowed.
ReplyDeleteMy only experience with Stanley has him squarely in my “arrogant a-hole” category. But I still hope he can clean himself up. Addiction is not cool.
DeleteVery sad issue, alcoholics behave badly, often very badly, and at the same time, alcoholism is a genetic disorder. Some people cannot metabolize a cetain brain chemical properly, and are prone to become addicted should they sample alcohol. Some fellow named Doug Thorburn wrote a few books on the subject after his fiance did him wrong financially, and was found to be addicted to alcohol. He studied the whole matter. and wrote "How to Spot Hidden Alcoholics" and "Drunks, Drugs and Debits" among a few other titles, early 2000s, self published by GaltPublishing -- may or may not still be in print. I read them all after my late husband's daughter was jailed for a drunken attempt to attack her husband with a butcher knife, and was sentenced to choose between a decade in jail, or a residential treatment facility with positive outcome. Thorburn points out that early-stage alcoholism can cause emotional and verbal abuse, lying and manipulating, an inflamed ego, and even violence, as some of the typical misbehaviours.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the electeds on the Wilson board??? It’s no wonder they waited until the 11th hr.
ReplyDeleteJudge Mahon must have quite the impression of our local Bar. What an embarrassment.
ReplyDeleteStan is just a bad person. He has done allot of bad things to allot of people! How is he still allowed to practice???
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