5thDCA Petition For Writ of Prohibition
5thDCA Petition For Writ of Prohibition
5thDCA Petition For Writ of Prohibition
NEIL J. GILLESPIE,
I)JDIVIDUALLY AND AS
FORMER TRUSTEE OF
THE TERMINATED
TRUST AGREEMENT,
Petitioners,
PETITION NO. _
L.T. NO.: 2013-CA-00115
v.
• REVERSE MORTGAGE
• ELIZABETH BAUERLE;
• MARK GILLESPIE;
• DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION
• UNKNOWN SETTLERS/BENEFICIARIES
Respondents.
1. Petitioner Neil 1. Gillespie, individually, and as former Trustee (F.S. Ch. 736
Part III) of the terminated Gillespie Family Living Trust Agreement Dated
vulnerable adult, henceforth in the first person, reluctantly appears pro se, and
petitions this Court for a Writ of Prohibition to remove Marion County Circuit
Court Judge Ann Melinda Craggs ("Judge Craggs") as judge in Lower Tribunal
No. 2013-CA-OOl15, Marion County Circuit Court, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida.
Jurisdiction
Section 4, District courts of appeal (b) Jurisdiction (3) A district court ofappeal
may issue writs ofmandamus, certiorari, prohibition, quo warranto, and other
2
Petition for Writ of Prohibition - A Case of Original Jurisdiction April 7, 2017
To Remove Marion County Circuit Court Judge Ann Melinda Craggs
(a) Applicability. This rule applies to those proceedings that invoke the
jurisdiction of the courts described in rules 9.030(a)(3), (b)(2), (b)(3), (c)(2),
and (c)(3) for the issuance of writs of mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto,
certiorari, and habeas corpus, and all writs necessary to the complete
exercise of the courts' jurisdiction; and for review of non-final
administrative action.
(1) Caption. The name of the judge or lower tribunal shall be omitted
from the caption. The caption shall bear the name of the petitioner and
other parties to the proceeding in the lower tribunal who are not
petitioners shall be named in the caption as respondents.
(2) Parties. The judge or the lower tribunal is a formal party to the
petition for mandamus or prohibition and must be named as such in
the body of the petition (but not in the caption). The petition must be
served on all parties, including any judge or lower tribunal who is a
formal party to the petition.
(g) Petition. The caption shall contain the name of the court and the name
and designation of all parties on each side. The petition shall not exceed 50
pages in length and shall contain
If the petition seeks an order directed to a lower tribunal, the petition shall be
accompanied by an appendix as prescribed by rule 9.220, and the petition
shall contain references to the appropriate pages of the supporting appendix.
• Marion County Circuit Court Judge Ann Melinda Craggs (Judge Craggs), Fifth
Judicial Circuit, Florida, presiding in L.T. No. 20l3-CA-00115;
• Marion County Circuit Court Case No. 2013-CA-OOl15;
• David R. Ellspermann, Marion County Clerk of Court & Comptroller;
• REVERSE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.; [RMS]
• OAK RUN HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.; [ORHA]
• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPIVIENT; [HUD or SECRETARY]
4
Petition for Writ of Prohibition - A Case of Original Jurisdiction April 7, 2017
To Remove Marion County Circuit Court Judge Ann Melinda Craggs
• ELIZABETH BAUERLE;
• MARK GILLESPIE;
• DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION OF AMERICA;
[DECCA]
• UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF ELIZABETH BAUERLE; [n.k.a. Scott Bidgood)
• UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF MARK GILLESPIE; [n.k.a. Joetta Gillespie]
• UNKNOWN SETTLERS/BENEFICIARIES OF THE GILLESPIE FAMIL Y
LIVING TRUST AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 10,1997; [NONE]
• UNKNOWN TRUSTEES, SETTLERS AND BENEFICIARIES OF
UNKNOWN SETTLERS/ BENEFICIARIES OF THE GILLESPIE FANIILY
LIVING TRUST AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 10, 1997; [NONE]
• UNKNOWN TENANT IN POSSESSION 1 [NONE] and
• UNKNOWN TENANT IN POSSESSION 2 [NONE]
6. RULE 9.1 OO(g)( 1) the basis for invoking the jurisdiction of the court;
See' 2; Fla. Const., Art. V, Sec. 4, (b )(3), Fla. R. App. Pro. 9.030(b )(3)
• Judge Craggs wrongly took issue with motions to disqualify her at the
Case Management held November 28, 2016; see,
22. The judge against whom an initial motion to disqualify us directed shall
determine only the legal sufficiency if the motion an shall not pass on the
truth of the facts alleged. Fla. R. Judicial Admin. 2.330(f).
23. No other reason for denial shall be stated, and an order of denial shall not
take issue with the motion. Fla. R. Judicial Admin. 2.330(f).
24. Accordingly, a judge may not rule on the truth of the facts alleged or
address the substantive issues raised by the motion but may only determine
the legal sufficiency of the motion. Knarich v. State, 866 So.2d 165 (Fla.
Dist. Ct. App. 2d Dist. 2004).
25. In determining whether the allegations that movant will not receive a fair
trial so as to disqualify a judge are sufficient, the facts alleged must be taken
as true (Frengel v. Frengel, 880 So.2d 763, Fla.App. 2 Dist.,2004), and must
be viewed from the movant's perspective. Siegel v. State, 861 So.2d 90,
Fla.App. 4 Dist., 2003.
26. Case law forbids trial judges to refute facts set forth in a motion to
disqualify, and their doing so will result injudicial disqualification
irrespective of the facial sufficiency of the underlying claim. Brinson v.
State, 789 So.2d 1125, Fla.App. 2 Dis!., 200 I.
27. A trial judge's attempt to refute charges of partiality thus exceeds the
scope of inquiry on a motion to disqualify and alone establishes grounds for
disqualification. J & J Industries, Inc. v. Carpet Showcase of Tampa Bay,
Inc., 723 SO.2d 281, Fla.App. 2 Dist., 1998.
29. Once a motion for disqualification has been filed, no further action can
be taken by the trial court, even if the trial court is not aware of the pending
motion. Brown v. State 863 So.2d 1274, Fla.App. I Dist., 2004.
31. The court is required to rule immediately on the motion to disqualify the
judge, even though the movant does not request a hearing. Fuster-Escalona
v. Wisotsky, 781 SO.2d 1063, Fla., 2000.
32. The rule places the burden on the judge to rule immediately, the movant is
not required to nudge the judge nor petition for a writ of mandamus. G.c. v.
Department of Children and Families, 804 So.2d 525 Fla.App. 5 Dist., 2002.
On November 28,2016 at the start of the Case Management there were two
second motion to disqualify Judge Craggs would prevent her from ruling on the
first motion, thereby granting the motion to disqualify. The Judge is disqualified.
Administrative Order A-20 10-0 l-C states a court reporter must be approved
proceeding for which the court does not provide a record. But the Administrative
Office of the Court does not actually approve court reporters. There is no list of
Chief Judge Briggs has essentially banned the use of court reporters order to make
a record of a court proceeding for which the court does not provide a record.
prevent a party who wishes to make a record, from making a record, of a court
proceeding for which the court does not provide a record. Without an official
record, a corrupt trial judge is free to falsify what happened. Whenever any officer
of the court commits fraud during a proceeding in the court, he/she is engaged in
"fraud upon the court". "Fraud upon the court is fraud which is directed to the
judicial machinery itself..." Bulloch v. United States, 763 F.2d 1115, 1121 (10th
Cir. 1985). This issue is separate from disqualification and will appear separately.
"Fraud upon the court is an egregious offense against the integrity of the
judicial system and is more than a simple assertion of facts in a pleading which
might later fail for lack of proof." Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Reeves, 92 So. 3d
249,252 (Fla. 1st DCA 2012). "The integrity of the civil litigation process depends
uncover falsehoods is doomed to failure, which is why this kind of conduct must
be discouraged in the strongest possible way.... This is an area where the trial
court is and should be vested with discretion to fashion the apt remedy." Cox v.
This is a foreclosure case, and governed by the Backlog Foreclosure Program, see
Administrative Order No. A-2016-22.
(h) Prior Rulings. Prior factual or legal rulings by a disqualified judge may
be reconsidered and vacated or amended by a successor judge based upon a
motion for reconsideration, which must be filed within 20 days of the order
of disqualification, unless good cause is shown for a delay in moving for
reconsideration or other grounds for reconsideration exist.
10
Petition for Writ of Prohibition - A Case of Original Jurisdiction April 7, 2017
To Remove Marion County Circuit Court Judge Ann Melinda Craggs
10. It has long been said in the courts of this state that "every litigant is entitled
to nothing less than the cold neutrality of an impartial judge." State ex reI. Davis v.
Parks, 194 So. 613, 615 (Fla. 1939). (Opening citation in the Opinion filed
12. Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.330(b) "Parties. Any party, including the state, may
move to disqualify the trial judge assigned to the case on grounds provided by rule,
(b) Parties. Any party, including the state, may move to disqualify the trial
judge assigned to the case on grounds provided by rule, by statute, or by the
Code of Judicial Conduct.
13. Under Canon 3E(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct for the State of Florida ,
"A judge shall disqualify himself or herself where his or her impartiality
might reasonably be questioned, including but not limited to...". Canon 3E(l)
11
Petition for Writ of Prohibition - A Case of Original Jurisdiction April 7, 2017
To Remove Marion County Circuit Court Judge Ann Melinda Craggs
Canon 3E( 1). Under this rule, a judge is disqualified whenever the judge's
impartiality might reasonably be questioned, regardless of whether any of
the specific rules in Section 3E( 1) apply.
14. Disqualification under Canon 3E(l) does not require actual bias or actual
15. Rule 2.330. Disqualification of Trial Judges. Fla. R. Jud. Admin. states in
relevant part,
12
Petition for Writ of Prohibition - A Case of Original Jurisdiction April 7, 201 7
To Remove Marion County Circuit Court Judge Ann Melinda Craggs
Conclusion
Wherefore, the petition for writ of prohibition should be granted, together with
such other and further relief as the Court deems just and equitable.
I certifying that this petition complies with the font requirements of Rule 9.100(1).
M~
Neil J. Gillespie, individually, and former Trustee,
F.S. Ch. 736 Part TTT, of the Terminated Trust
Phone: 352-854-7807
Email: neilgillespie@mfi.net
13
I hereby certify the names below were served by email April 7, 2017 through the Florida
Portal, unless otherwise expressly stated. May include additional names on the Florida Portal.
Matthew Minter, Marion County Attorney Kathy Bryant, Marion Co. BOCC
AIL Member Canvassing Board AO M-2016-8 Marion County Canvassing Board
Email: Matthew.Minter@marioncountyfl.org Email: Kathy.bryant@marioncountyfl.org
Governor Rick Scott Jeffrey S. Bragg, Secretary, DOEA
Email: Rick.Scott@eog.myflorida.com Email: braggj@elderaffairs.org
Executive Office of the Governor Department of Elder Affairs
400 S Monroe Street 4040 Esplanade Way
The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-7000
Tallahassee, FL 32399-6536 http.velderaffairs.state. t1. us/index. php
Office: 850-717-9310
Fax: 850-922-1278 Richard Prudorn, Deputy Sec/Chief Staff
William Nicholson Spicola Email: Prudornrrnrgjelderaffairs.org
General Counsel for Governor Rick Scott
Email: william.spicola@eog.myf1orida.com Sarah K Halsell, DOEA
Email: Halsellsk@elderaffairs.org
Florida Supreme Court
500 South Duval Street Madeleine Nobles, Director
Tallahassee, Florida 3230 I Email: noblesm@elderaffairs.org
Email: e-file@1t1courts.org
Email: supremecourt@f1courts.org Florida Public Information Office
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/ Email: publieinformation@f1courts.org
I hereby certify the names below were served by email April 7, 2017 through the Florida Portal,
unless otherwise expressly stated. May include additional names on the Florida Portal.
Email: joe@joenegron.com
Email: richard@richardcorcoran.com
Florida Senate
Florida House of Representatives
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300
Tel: 850-487-5229
Tel: 850-717-5037
https.r. www.flsenate.gov/OtTices/President
http.. www.myfloridahousc.gov/
Washington, DC 20551
Via U.S. Mail, First Class or Priority
Email: OIGHotline@frb.gov
CFPB Complaint No. 120914-000082
1700 G Street, NW
Enforcement Division
Washington, DC 20002
Consumer Finance Protection Bureau
Email: Richard.Cordray@cfpb.gov
Email: Stcfanie.Goldblatt@:cfpb.gov
Chief Judge, Fifth Judicial Circuit Circuit Court Judge, Fifth Judicial Circuit
Neil J. Gillespie and Mark. Gillespie as Co-Trustees of the Gillespie Family Living Trust
Agreement dated February 10, 1997: Terminated Trust, February 2, 2015
8092 SW 11 5th Loop
Ocala, FL 34481
Email: neilgillespie@mCi.net
Termination of the Gillespie Family Living Trust Agreement Dated February 10, 1997
BEFORE ME, this day personally appeared NEIL J. GILLESPIE, who upon being duly
I. My name is Neil J. Gillespie. I am over eighteen years of age. This affidavit is given on
2. I am sole Trustee of the Gillespie Family Living Trust Agreement Dated February 10,
My Florida residential homestead property is the sole asset of the Trust, property address
8092 SW 115th Loop, Ocala, Florida 34481, Marion County, Florida, (the "property") where I
have lived in the property continuously and uninterruptedly since February 9, 2005, Tax ID No.
Lot(s) I, Block G, OAK RUN WOODSIDE TRACT, according to the Plat thereof as
recorded in Plat Book 2 at Page(s) 106 through 112, inclusive of the Public Records of
Marion County, Florida.
4. Pursuant to my authority as Trustee of the Trust, and acting in that capacity, I transferred
5. Pursuant to my authority as Trustee of the Trust, and acting in that capacity, J hereby
terminate the Trust as provided by Fla. Stat. § 736.0414, and Article V, the Trust. The total fair
market value of the assets of the Trust is zero. The Trust served its intended purpose of
After notice to the quali fied beneficiaries, the trustee of a trust consisting of trust property
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me, this 2nd day of February, 2015,
f"l,..'bl
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by Neil J. Gillespie, who is personally known to me, or who has produced as
identification and states that he is the person who made this affidavit and that its contents are
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of Notary Public
STATE OF FLORIDA
NEIL 1. GILLESPIE,
INDIVIDUALLY AND AS
FORMER TRUSTEE OF
THE TERMINATED
GILLESPIE FAMILY LIVING
TRUST AGREEMENT,
REVERSE MORTGAGE
SOLUTIONS, INC., ET AL,
INDEX TO APPENDICIES