Ray Hanania
What Morrison should have told the judge
By Ray Hanania
When your top employee turns out to be an accused pedophile, and is later convicted and jailed, the last thing you want the public to see is the letter you wrote urging leniency so he can continue doing your work.
That’s basically what Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison did when he learned that his senior vice president, Anthony Martin, had been accused of sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl during a pool party at Morrison’s home.
Morrison, president of Morrison Security where Martin worked, sent the letter to Judge John Hynes on Oct. 2, 2014. By then, Martin faced possible jail time but Martin’s lawyer was trying to get him probation with court-supervised alcohol treatment.
Several in the police and court records said they knew Martin liked little girls, so it’s not like it was a secret.
Morrison defended Martin saying he was an employee for over 10 years. Morrison called him “instrumental in running my business.” Morrison said Martin manages 450 of the company’s 800 employees, and was the “direct contact and account executive” for many national clients located in Wisconsin, Indiana, Colorado, Nevada and Florida.
“Due to his position with my firm, the trust I have in him and his long tenure with me, one of his core functions is to be the traveling executive for the company, he must be able to travel,” Morrison wrote in the letter on his company stationary that he signed as CEO.
Martin finally faced sentencing after the case dragged through the courts. He was expecting probation and a court-supervised alcohol abuse treatment program so that he could avoid a criminal conviction on his record, the Sun-Times wrote.
What do you think happened 19 days later after Morrison sent the letter to the judge? Martin was again arrested, this time while in Colorado on Morrison Security business where he allegedly sexually harassed another 14-year-old (who turned out to be an undercover Colorado police investigator).
In a statement published by the Sun-Times (you can read all the documents at hanania.com), Morrison claimed he encouraged Martin’s arrest and prosecution when he learned that he had sent “a very inappropriate text message to the teenage daughter of another employee.”
Of course, it wasn’t one text. It was a series of texts sent over several days (that you can read online.) Morrison claimed he didn’t fire Martin because he said his attorneys believed Martin would have a basis for “a wrongful termination” against Morrison’s company.
If you thought what he did was wrong, why even write the letter to the judge? Why not find someone out of your 800 total employees to take his place and suspend Martin until the court case was decided?
Many said they knew he liked little girls. And it was at your home at a pool party with employees from your company. Right under your nose.
Your official moral indignation against Martin, which only came after he was arrested for the second incident, is so shallow and demonstrates how poor a leader you are.
I would have written an entirely different letter like this:
“The charges against my senior vice president are disturbing and reprehensible. I am so sorry that a 14-year-old girl who was at my home at a pool party I hosted was sexually harassed by my senior vice president. I am embarrassed by it, and I believe that when convicted, he should be given the harshest possible sentence. I offer my sincere apologies to the young girl and to her mother, especially because it happened on my watch on my property and at an event I was hosting. Your Honor, please ensure the victim gets the justice she deserves by punishing Mr. Martin to the fullest extent of the law.”
But of course, we know you didn’t write that. And it happened again, right after you sent your lenient letter urging Martin be allowed to continue his work and travel for your company and for your benefit.
Shame on you, Sean Morrison. You claim to be an investigator. Why didn’t you do your own investigation?
Sexual harassment is a terrible crime. Sexually harassing a child is even worse. It demanded a tougher statement, one that was not sympathetic to the suspect, and that you were clearly incapable of writing.
Check out Ray Hanania’s columns and political podcasts at hanania.com
Local News
Police Council rallies to save ShotSpotter
Spread the love. By Alexis Bocanegra Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (773) 949-1509 • grcl.alex23@gmail.com . Chicago Lawn (8th) District Police Council members Mark Hamberlin, Al Cacciottolo and Jason Huff have created an online petition to save ShotSpotter. As you may have read in the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound back in March, Mayor…
Capacity crowd speaks out against Evergreen Park dispensary
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Additional chairs had to be brought out to seat an overflow crowd of Evergreen Park residents who attended a meeting April 15 regarding a proposed cannabis dispensary for the village. And many who were in attendance voiced their opposition to having a dispensary in Evergreen Park. Most of the people cited…
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the…
Hodgkins toasts village businesses
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work…
Pickleball courts coming to Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva There will finally be outdoor pickleball in Palos Park. In a process that went longer than anticipated, the Palos Park Village Council was able give the green light to get a pickleball project started on the Village Green. The council voted April 8 to award the contract to U.S. Tennis…
First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale
Spread the loveFrom staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at…
Donate teddy bears to our local police
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Have you ever seen the 1955 movie The Night of the Hunter? The children in this movie show such bravery and acceptance in what life has thrown at them. They have to deal with unimaginable events and sadness. …
Boy Scouts collecting tattered flags for disposal
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Goodbye April, hello May. Our American Flag, the symbol of our country, should always be treated with respect. But after bearing Chicago’s brutal winters and hot blazing summers along with being in the…
Neighbors
Police Council rallies to save ShotSpotter
Spread the love. By Alexis Bocanegra Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (773) 949-1509 • grcl.alex23@gmail.com . Chicago Lawn (8th) District Police Council members Mark Hamberlin, Al Cacciottolo and Jason Huff have created an online petition to save ShotSpotter. As you may have read in the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound back in March, Mayor…
Capacity crowd speaks out against Evergreen Park dispensary
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Additional chairs had to be brought out to seat an overflow crowd of Evergreen Park residents who attended a meeting April 15 regarding a proposed cannabis dispensary for the village. And many who were in attendance voiced their opposition to having a dispensary in Evergreen Park. Most of the people cited…
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the…
Hodgkins toasts village businesses
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work…
Pickleball courts coming to Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva There will finally be outdoor pickleball in Palos Park. In a process that went longer than anticipated, the Palos Park Village Council was able give the green light to get a pickleball project started on the Village Green. The council voted April 8 to award the contract to U.S. Tennis…
First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale
Spread the loveFrom staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at…
Donate teddy bears to our local police
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Have you ever seen the 1955 movie The Night of the Hunter? The children in this movie show such bravery and acceptance in what life has thrown at them. They have to deal with unimaginable events and sadness. …
Boy Scouts collecting tattered flags for disposal
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Goodbye April, hello May. Our American Flag, the symbol of our country, should always be treated with respect. But after bearing Chicago’s brutal winters and hot blazing summers along with being in the…