For the People (2018) s02e05 Episode Script
One Big Happy Family
1 You know I like it when we Whoa, whoa, whoa You know I like it when we Whoa, whoa, whoa You know I like it when we Whoa, whoa, whoa I like, I like, I like, I like I like the feeling in the room - Sandra? - Hey.
- What? - Jay, get in here.
Al? What's going on? Hold her while I rip off her face.
- Oh, my God.
- Trust me.
This is a "Mission: Impossible" rubber-face thing.
That's not Sandra.
That's Kate Littlejohn.
They worked on a case together.
Sandra was in her office.
Now Kate is here.
- Yep, okay.
How do we do this? - Whoa! JILL: Bullpen.
Five minutes! - You got lucky.
- You guys are insane.
I want to clean my office.
So what? It happens.
It has nothing to do with Kate.
I like, I like, I like, I like [THUD.]
I do not want to know.
Leak in my apartment at 4:00 in the morning, in my bedroom.
It was raining on my bed.
- Cold water.
- LEONARD: What's going on? Leak in my apartment at 4:00 in the morning, in my bedroom.
- It was raining - Can we just Why don't you stay with Serena? We went on one date.
I'm gonna move in with her now? Seems like the kind of thing you would do.
I guess I could ask her if there's No.
God, no.
- How long are you out? - Landlord said a week.
So stay with Kate.
- No.
Never.
- Never? [SIGHS.]
Never.
- Never? - Nope.
Never lived away from my parents.
Oh, I did have a sleepover with Tristan Kustal once when I was 11.
We played this game called Aunt Patrol.
I thought it was like ants, but it was aunt.
You know, with a "U.
" We'd follow his aunt around.
Kind of weird.
Pretty much stayed at home after that.
Well, I think it's good to have a roommate.
You really get to know the person, and then you can tell when they've been taken over by another person.
Ah, I'll just stay with my folks.
Mm, this is heartbreaking.
I-It's really fine.
No, this letter from a girl in juvenile detention.
She's 12 years old and serving four years.
- Emma.
- Yeah.
How did you She wrote to every lawyer in the office.
Four months ago.
Asking for help on an appeal.
She probably just found our website and went down the line.
Did anyone reach out to her? Good morning.
Jay, duty.
Sandra, assault.
Allison, stamps.
Jason, fraud.
Emma? You got it, too? I'm sorry.
Did you say stamps? Four Inverted Jennys.
One of the most valuable stamps in the world.
They were stolen from the National Philatelic Gesundheit.
Foundation 59 years ago.
And then, last week, Donald Newman sent a picture of them to Sotheby's to have them appraised.
Shouldn't the statute of limitations on stolen stamps be like 58 years? They're not trying to charge him criminally.
It's an in rem proceeding.
They just want the stamps back.
But Donald refused to return them, so the court assigned him a public defender.
- Which is you.
- This is heartbreaking.
So I just convince him to return the stamps? No problem.
I was the only one who could ever talk to my grandfather.
I alone convinced him to wear pants at Thanksgiving.
I'm good with old people.
Go away.
As your attorney, I am telling you returning the stamps is in your best interest.
What kind of legal strategy is "give back the stamps"? You're no Matlock, that's for sure.
Okay, well, I have no idea who Matlock is, but I do know You don't know Matlock? The greatest TV show ever? Andy Griffith? How can you call yourself a lawyer? I guess it's the degree on my wall.
Piece of paper.
Now, if Matlock were here and we were going to court, first thing he'd say is we need to figure out how to spin our story We're not going to court.
Everyone knows you have those stamps.
Sotheby's, the National Philatelic Foundation, the FBI that is your foot with your shoe, the same shoe you're wearing right now These aren't my shoes.
This is the picture of the stamps that you e-mailed to the auction house.
And this is your apartment in the background.
No, that's a look-alike.
That's a hand-made afghan I'm I'm being framed.
The FBI will be coming to collect those stamps, and when they do, you need to turn them over.
All right, fine.
I'll give them the stamps.
[WHISPERING.]
Go away.
Okay.
[PAPERS RUSTLING, SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
[SIGHS.]
Thanks for coming.
I don't get many visitors.
I'm sorry nobody in my office wrote you back.
I just figured they throw away the mail here.
They can't throw away the mail, Emma.
They do it all the time.
Why are you here? You said something in your letter about stealing a scooter.
- But that can't be why - That is why.
I didn't steal it.
Even if you did.
Four years? What did your lawyer say to the judge? I didn't have one.
You didn't have a lawyer? The parole officer told me and my parents we didn't need one.
He said it would go quicker that way.
That the judge would go easy on me.
And the judge was okay with that? A bunch of other girls in here had him, too.
He's the worst.
A-Are you my lawyer, Sandra? I'm not the right kind of lawyer, but I will find a lawyer who can help you, and I will bug them every day until they come see you.
I am really good at bugging people.
[SIGHS.]
Who was the judge, Emma? Mr.
Kimball, you're here to enter a plea, and you've agreed to be here without a lawyer.
Is that correct? Yes.
"Yes, Your Honor.
" Yes, Your Honor.
I've earned that title.
You've agreed to plead guilty to 3rd Degree Assault, is that correct? Yes, Your Honor.
Is there anything you'd like to say before I sentence you? I'm sorry for what I did Well, now, if you mean it, say it like you mean it.
I'm sorry for what I did.
For hitting Stevie Weiss at school.
I didn't mean to hurt him.
Now Now wait a second, Alex.
You're sorry for what you did, but you didn't mean to do it? Did you hit him? Yes.
And you know hitting hurts people.
Yes.
So you meant to hurt him.
The defendant has pled guilty and is deemed convicted as a juvenile offender under New York Penal Law, Section 120.
I hereby impose a sentence of 12 months, to be served at the New Roads Juvenile Detention Center.
We're in recess.
- 12 months.
- Yes.
For punching someone at recess.
And he's basically counseling these kids not to have counsel.
95% of his convictions in the last three years end up at New Roads a private, for-profit detention center.
Sandra, what are you asking? You cannot handle her appeal.
You have clients here who need your full and undivided attention I think there's something wrong with this judge.
And if that is true, then it will help her appeal.
I will find a lawyer for her, but if I could just investigate You're gonna investigate a judge? Out of this office? No, you are not.
You are not a prosecutor, Sandra.
I am not a prosecutor.
I am not a prosecutor.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
I need your help.
[SIGHS.]
It's sad.
- It's devastating.
- It is.
But it is not evidence of a crime.
Not yet.
But if you open an investigation You want me to open a federal investigation into Judge Grant Fitzpatrick? - Yes.
- Based on what? - That.
- This is a letter from a girl.
You also have the data there about how Judge Fitzpatrick directs these kids to a for-profit detention center Which proves what, exactly? I don't know yet.
You're saying you need more information.
I am saying this is one of the most well-respected judges in New York.
I'm saying you have a girl who received a tough sentence.
I'm saying those things together are evidence of nothing.
Okay, but you're not saying no.
I am saying no.
It's not a hard no.
It is.
No! No! No! - Don't take it personally.
- I don't.
Hey, are you going back to your office? Yes.
Why? This is for your friend.
- I have a lot of friends.
- Do you? Yes.
Why do you say that? - Yes! - No.
TED: She said yes? SANDRA: She seemed interested in the case.
- Really? - Yeah.
Says if we get her a little more, then it's a go.
Let's find out everything we can about Judge Grant Fitzpatrick.
Oh, Al.
Uh, this is from Leonard.
- Leonard Knox? - Mm-hmm.
Why are you delivering something from Leonard Knox? I was in their offices, talking to someone.
- Kate? - Uh, doesn't matter.
What is it? A signed photo, maybe? I don't know.
- Worse than that.
- Worse than that? - Really? - Yes.
You told me you were going to return the stamps.
- What stamps? - Donald.
No, don't.
Don't do that.
I don't like when people call me by my first name.
Donald.
- It sounds like trouble.
- It is trouble.
You're in contempt of a court order.
That's why you're here.
Yeah.
Well, I knew there had to be some reason.
Why didn't you hand over the stamps when they came back to get them? 'Cause I want the money.
They're stolen.
From me.
What are you talking about? My father bought those Jennys during the war.
He died in 1952, and he didn't leave a will.
I wanted to just split the stamps, you know, two for me, two for my brother George.
But George took the whole block and donated it.
To the National Philatelic Foundation.
That's when George and I stopped speaking to each other.
- That's awful.
- You're telling me.
You know how rich I'd be if I'd sold those stamps back in the '50s, like I wanted to do, invested the money? Depends on the investment.
Billionaire.
That's how much money I'd have.
So maybe if I contact George No, George is not gonna help me.
He hates me.
Also, he's dead.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
It's not your fault.
Listen, I'm going to get you out of here, but then we have to get the stamps.
$595? For one night? One? One night? One?! One night?! Is that a personal call? - No.
- Just better to be truthful here.
Yes.
My apartment flooded.
I was looking for a hotel room.
- You're looking for a place to stay? - Yes.
Come stay with me.
You live with your parents.
My parents love guests.
Tina's been there.
It's great, right? - You'd stay there.
- [WHISPERING.]
Never.
- See? - I don't want to put you out.
No, it's no trouble at all.
We can take the train in together from Queens.
It'll be fun.
I've never actually spent any time in Queens.
Oh, you'll love it.
It's got the busiest airspace in the U.
S.
and the biggest cemetery, and the Mets.
Yeah.
Hey, how's Littlejohn? - She - I'm just kidding.
I don't care.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
[WHEELS ROLLING.]
Hey, what are you doing? Are you doing a magic show? How much does a family court judge make? I-I don't know.
$200,000 a year? For real, though, why are you wearing that? I was in family court, where I learned a few things about Judge Fitzpatrick.
In the last three years, he has joined a country club, upgraded his car, and taken European vacations with his three kids who are all in college with no student loans.
The math doesn't lie.
Fitzpatrick should be in significant debt, but he hasn't filed for bankruptcy or opened any new bank accounts or credit cards.
Maybe he comes from money.
Son of a Pittsburgh steel worker? I don't think so.
But his wife, on the other hand, did inherit a little dough when her mom died, which she used to buy an apartment in Gramercy.
I graduated summa cum laude from Berkeley.
I don't need a flowchart.
I didn't go to Berkeley.
I like visual aids.
Mm.
- Who's that? - Joanne Green.
Got divorced a few years back and moved into the city, where she rents the Fitzpatricks' apartment.
Their renter? Now you're just drawing things.
This is Roman Cox.
Joanne Green's brother.
You sure? He looks a lot like that other guy.
Roman is a self-made millionaire.
He owns properties all over the city, including a majority stake in New Roads Juvenile Detention Center.
The sister of the guy who owns New Roads rents Judge Fitzpatrick's apartment? See? If I didn't have a visual aid, I couldn't do all of this.
Uh [CHUCKLES.]
We need to talk to Joanne Green.
[KNOCKING.]
[SIGHS.]
What? What are you doing? I have a feeling We can't break into somebody's apartment! It's not breaking in if no one lives here.
It's a money-laundering scheme.
Joanne Green isn't paying Fitzpatrick to rent this apartment.
She's paying him to send kids to her brother's prison.
Well, FYI, this is breaking in.
I don't know if this is a good idea.
Dude, it's fine.
I don't even know if my parents are home.
No big deal.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- Mom.
Dad.
This is Seth.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
Mm.
You are real.
We thought you were another one of Jay's imaginary friends.
When he was a boy Okay.
[CHUCKLES.]
Seth, this is Vera, Sam.
Please, you can call me Mom.
Thank you so much for having me.
We are so happy you are here.
Now, dinner is ready.
I hope that you like Syrian food.
I love all food.
Here.
Sit down.
You want to see pictures of Jay before his growth spurt? - The stamps were stolen from him? - By his brother.
- Do you have any proof? - No, this was during the war.
- Which war? - The Peloponnesian War.
I don't know.
The point is, you don't have any proof that Donald stole them either.
I'm not saying he stole them.
I'm saying they're stolen.
And he has them.
- Do you know Lexi Ross? - What? Yes, she was my freshman roommate at Princeton.
- Why? - We went to high school together.
I remember her telling me about a girl named Allison.
I'm just putting this together.
Lexi is the best.
She is.
Have you met her dude? Felix? Oh, my God.
- Not the best.
- I've seen him with a monocle.
- What is Lexi doing? - Same thing she always does.
Do you remember Benedict? With the macaw? [LAUGHS.]
- Donald.
- Right.
If you release him, I think I can get to the bottom of this and convince him to return the stamps.
The stamps he says he doesn't have? Correct.
But if he stays in jail, then you have a 91-year-old man in jail and no chance of getting the stamps.
I can give you a week.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Hey.
Well, one big happy family.
- We'll be quick.
- We? Ted.
I work with Sandra.
This is very nice in here.
Very organized.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
We did some digging into Judge Fitzpatrick.
- Like you asked - I did not ask.
Fitzpatrick has an apartment in Gramercy that he rents to the sister of the guy who owns New Roads Juvenile Detention Center.
850 square feet for $24,000 a month.
She also paid a $50,000 maintenance fee and a $25,000 security deposit.
We're pretty sure she's not getting that back.
Even in New York, $24,000 is above market.
But if you compare it to how much New Roads makes per month when they're at capacity which they are thanks to Judge Fitzpatrick It's a drop in the bucket.
Fitzpatrick is taking kickbacks from the juvenile detention center? And laundering it through an empty apartment.
Everything you need.
Deeds, tax returns, a signed lease agreement Plus an analysis of Fitzpatrick's prison sentences, which shot up exponentially after New Roads opened.
- [EXHALES SHARPLY.]
That is a case.
- It is.
Against a very powerful and respected judge.
The law applies equally to everyone.
- But it's not enforced equally.
- It should be.
Well, sometimes you go harder on someone to make an example.
Sometimes you back off because the price is too high.
- Are you suggesting I do that here? - Not at all.
But I am saying if you take on Judge Fitzpatrick, you need to know it's worth the risk, the cost.
You need to know whose interest you're protecting.
The public interest in impartial justice That's an abstraction.
Who is this about? Who is the victim? If you understand that, you'll know if it's worth it.
KATE: Can you tell me about Emma's sentencing? Anything that stands out? I know it was a while ago.
I remember everything.
It was the worst day of our lives.
Judge Fitzpatrick goes to all the schools in the neighborhood.
Holds these big assemblies.
Talks to the kids about how important it is to stay out of trouble.
[SIGHS.]
We thought he would just give Emma one of his lectures and send her home.
The parole officer told us that her case was easy, that we didn't even need a lawyer.
That a lawyer would just get in the way.
Did Emma speak during the hearing? The judge asked her questions like "How old are you? Do you know why you're here?" He didn't even listen to her answers.
He was on his phone the whole time.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
She's 12 years old.
She belongs with her family.
I'm sorry.
Do you have any kids? Uh, me? No.
Having kids changes everything.
Nothing matters as much as keeping them safe.
Nothing.
And you'd do anything for them.
We didn't know what to do.
We tried, we did, but we don't have a lot of money.
We don't know anybody.
I bet Judge Fitzpatrick's kids would never be thrown in jail the way our Emma was.
[SIRENS WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
I'm saying yes.
JUDGE DREXEN: Ms.
Littlejohn, are you ready? Yes, Your Honor, I am.
Ms.
Kupfer, in your review of Judge Fitzpatrick's sentencing, did you detect any patterns with respect to where juveniles in his court were ordered to serve their sentences or in the lengths of those sentences? Both.
With respect to length, for the first 11 years Judge Fitzpatrick was on the bench, his average sentence was 18 months.
In the last 3 years, that average has risen to 3 1/2 years.
And as to where those sentenced by Judge Fitzpatrick served their terms? In the last three years, 95% of those sentenced by Judge Fitzpatrick have been assigned to New Roads Juvenile Detention Center.
- A for-profit facility? - Yes.
Mr.
O'Bannon, how do private, for-profit prisons like New Roads Juvenile Detention Center make money? They are compensated based on inmate population.
So, the more inmates and the longer the sentences, the more money? That is correct.
Agent Moss, in the last five years, have there been any significant changes in Judge Fitzpatrick's income? Yes.
Beginning three years ago, Judge Fitzpatrick's income rose by 140%.
What accounts for this rise in income, Mr.
Moss? The income increase is due exclusively to the lease of an apartment on Gramercy Park South.
Ms.
Romanesko, in preparation for your testimony here today, did you have an opportunity to visit the defendant's apartment at 80 Gramercy Park South? I did.
And what, in your professional judgment, is the market rent for that property? It's a one-bedroom apartment.
Average condition.
No view.
850 square feet.
I'd price that at $3,900.
Would you consider $24,000 to be above market rent for that unit? I've been working in residential real estate in Manhattan for 37 years.
I've never heard of anything like that.
Ms.
Green, you lease apartment 100 - at 80 Gramercy Park South, correct? - Yes.
And what is the monthly rent on that unit? $24,000.
And that lease began three years ago, is that right? - Yes.
- When did you move into the apartment? I didn't.
I don't live there.
You pay $24,000 a month for an apartment you don't live in? - The reason is - Yes or no, Ms.
Green.
Yes.
Your brother is Roman Cox, owner of New Roads Juvenile Detention Center, correct? Yes.
And you lease this $24,000 apartment on Gramercy Park from Judge Grant Fitzpatrick, correct? Yes.
Isn't it true, Ms.
Green, that for the past three years, you, your brother, and Judge Fitzpatrick have engaged in a scheme to funnel money through this apartment? - No - That the $24,000 is not rent at all, but a payment from your brother to Judge Fitzpatrick in exchange for Judge Fitzpatrick sentencing juveniles to New Roads Detention Center? No, that is not true.
I've never even met Mr.
Fitzpatrick.
He doesn't know my brother.
This whole thing Then why don't you tell the jury why you pay $24,000 a month for an apartment worth $4,000 that you don't even live in, Ms.
Green? For the key.
What? I do it for the key.
To Gramercy Park.
Gramercy Park is a lovely, private park in the middle of Manhattan, and access is only available to those living around the park.
There are only about 400 keys.
I grew up in New York, and I have wanted to go into Gramercy Park my whole life.
This was an opportunity.
I-I know I'm overpaying, but I have the money at this point in my life, and I didn't want to lose the chance.
[SIGHS.]
- It's okay.
- It's not okay.
- She's lying.
- That is not what the jury thinks.
- We just need - Not we.
Me.
That's me up there now.
It's on me, Sandra.
[FOOTSTEPS DEPART.]
How's it going with the stamps? Started bad, then got better, then got worse, and now it's good.
- He's out of jail - [COMPUTER CHIMES.]
and now I just need to find out why he's trying to sell the stamps on eBay?! This isn't you? No.
Seller, "DonaldNewmanStamps"? - No.
- So if I e-mail the seller right now, it's not going to show up in your inbox? No.
[COMPUTER CHIMES.]
I didn't hear that.
[SIGHS.]
Where are the stamps? Who can say in this topsy-turvy world? Donald.
I'm going to call you Donald.
I know you think the stamps were stolen from you, but that is going to be very hard to prove, and the government is losing patience here.
You want the money.
I-I understand.
Maybe if you could tell me about your financial situation, I could help you.
There are resources.
I don't trust you.
You told me to go away.
Twice.
Did I? I'm here for you.
I care about you.
I work for you.
Let me help you.
If you go back to jail, that is life or death.
What is more important than life or death? [SIGHS.]
Life or death.
- Isabel Morris.
- Who? My brother's great-granddaughter.
She has leukemia.
I'm sorry.
They have this new treatment her doctors are recommending, but it's not covered in her insurance.
L-Let's, um Let's say that I did steal those stamps all those years ago.
I regret it.
I regret the fight I had with my brother.
All those lost years.
But now I have a-a chance to to make it right.
I can use those damn stamps to help my great-grandniece.
If I have to sell them illegally and go to jail to do it, so be it.
They're stamps.
This is a lovely little girl.
What I've seen.
SETH: I know this one.
- Who's Jennifer Lopez? - Yes! - [APPLAUSE.]
- I told you.
That's so wrong.
TREBEK: There's a "Super Spud" version of this classic toy.
- What is Mr.
Potato Head? - What is Mr.
Potato Head? - That one goes to Seth.
- Thank you, Sam! Hey, guys, it's getting a little loud in here.
Uh, I'm trying to work.
It's "Jeopardy!" We can only be so quiet.
Uh, what can I get you while I am up, ya ibnee? - If you're making more tea - I am now.
[DING.]
[TREBEK SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY.]
I want to dismiss the charges.
No.
Why? [SIGHS.]
You already said no.
Why do you need to know why? - Good point.
- I think this is a mistake.
You still standing there? Yeah.
This case is a mistake.
You made a mistake.
This case isn't a mistake.
I got into this case because of Sandra Bell and a letter in purple pen from a girl and sad parents.
That was a mistake.
That is not who I am.
Who are you, Littlejohn? I am deliberate.
I am cautious.
I am precise.
I am disciplined.
- You weren't any of those things today.
- That is my point.
Your point is you didn't do your job and now you want to blame Sandra and a teenage girl? That's who you are? You're out of your comfort zone.
That's not a bad place to be.
That's where the good lawyers are, and that's what I thought you were.
You made a mistake.
Now you need to fix it.
What do you need to prove? [SIGHS.]
That Judge Fitzpatrick knew Joanne Green and knows her brother is Roman Cox.
She lied about that.
And if I can show that, they'll know she was lying about everything else.
- Okay, do that.
- [TAPS PEN.]
Wait, is that it? You're not gonna help me anymore? No.
Why? The man is 91.
He was born before tape existed.
- Tape! - The man is old.
The stamps are old.
Sounds like a real puzzle.
It's a little more complicated.
In this office, we're investigating Joanne Green.
Get on task or get out.
I am looking through her social media.
- Look harder.
- Who's doing who the favor here? Sorry.
Sorry.
I appreciate the help.
Thank you.
Her son looks like a real weasel - Out! - He's wearing a sweater vest.
Even if I understood the significance of that, I would not care.
Stop moving.
You are very hard to read right now.
I know where this picture was taken.
- Can I have my phone back? - No.
[KEYS CLACKING.]
Joanne's son, Noel Green, is a lawyer at Gurnett, Reynolds, and Spear.
Graduated from Yale Law.
And clerked for the honorable Judge Byrne.
Can we talk? You're asking me to testify against a judge? Yes.
- In my courthouse? - Yes.
Grant was a friend of mine.
- He was a good judge.
- He's not anymore.
You're gonna make a name for yourself with this either way.
That's not why I'm doing it.
There are worse reasons.
There are better ones, too.
Ms.
Littlejohn.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The government calls Judge Nicholas Byrne.
Judge Byrne, what is your current occupation? I am the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
- This court? - Yes.
How do you feel about testifying here today? Uncomfortable.
I understand.
And we appreciate you coming in.
Are you familiar with a Noel Green? Yes.
He was one of my law clerks.
Can you tell us how Mr.
Green came to work as a law clerk for you? Well, he applied as a part of the normal clerkship application process.
Subsequent of that, I received a variety of personal recommendations from Yale Law faculty advocating for Noel.
In addition to recommendations from Yale Law faculty, did anyone else reach out to you about Mr.
Green? - Yes.
- Who? Judge Grant Fitzpatrick.
- The defendant? - Yes.
- He called you? - Yes.
What did Judge Fitzpatrick say when he called you about Mr.
Green? He said the sister of a friend of his had a son at Yale Law School and he thought he'd be a good candidate for my chambers.
Did he indicate who the friend was? Yes.
He said his friend's name was Roman Cox.
- And Mr.
Cox's sister? - Joanne Green.
Is it your understanding that Judge Fitzpatrick has a personal relationship with Mr.
Cox and Ms.
Green? - Yes.
- Based on that conversation? - Yes.
- Anything else? On at least two occasions, Judge Fitzpatrick, Ms.
Green, and Mr.
Cox visited Noel in my chambers while Noel was clerking for me.
I just had that case with Holiday Colgate, whose parents tried to evict her, and I told them that it's totally fine for adults to live with their parents as long as it makes everybody happy.
And you like living with your parents? I do.
I-I did.
But should I? I'm a grown man who doesn't know how much a gallon of milk costs.
Could be $20.
Could be $10.
- About $4.
- See? Never would have guessed that.
I've never filled my own refrigerator.
I have no idea what electricity costs.
It's more than milk.
That makes sense.
Watching Seth in my house has been a real mirror.
It took exactly two minutes for a U.
S.
Attorney to be completely infantilized by my mom and dad.
It is not a good look on a 28-year-old man.
I'm so happy! I never want to leave Jay's parents.
You have to try his mom's mujaddara.
I'm good.
So, when can you move back into your place? - Friday.
- It is Friday.
Next Friday.
That's a long time.
You sure your landlord has someone working? If not, that's a clear breach of Okay, fine.
The work is done.
I can move back in.
I just haven't yet.
JAY: Maybe I should move out.
I could still put in shifts, and I'm sure I'd be back a lot.
Maybe I just need some space.
Does that make me an ungrateful son? Makes you a grown-ass man.
[SIGHS.]
I have to leave, don't I? Dude, you're a man.
You are a U.
S.
Attorney.
If hanging with someone's parents in Queens is the best you're doing, you should be doing something different.
You baked? You? Okay.
We just have to get this over with.
Kate! - No! I thought it might calm my nerves.
- Uh-huh.
I sliced premade dough and burned it in the oven.
It's me, Al! Sandra! - Refrigerated dough in a tube? - Yes, of course! Always refrigerated.
Always in a tube.
You had no idea how long to leave it in there? Nope.
None.
Just randomly punching numbers into the timer.
You're really feeling this nervous? Kate's closing is tomorrow.
I'm sure she'll do great, but I started all this, and I have no control over how it ends.
It's scary.
I know how you feel.
Donald has to return these stamps, but he needs the money.
If he could sell the stamps, how much would they go for? - A few million.
- Million?! Didn't you say these were 24-cent stamps? 100 years ago.
I've never understood inflation.
This is about scarcity, not inflation.
Inflation is the increase Inflation.
That's it.
We're celebrating.
I found this while I was researching the stamps.
In 1959, the Philatelic Foundation offered a $25,000 reward for the return of the inverted Jennys.
So, let's say you didn't steal the stamps.
Assuming the reward still stands, I think it should be adjusted for inflation, don't you? Someone's been catching up on her "Matlock.
" These are disgusting.
Yes.
Tastes like firewood.
Yeah, my roommate.
She's not a baker.
[CHUCKLES.]
KATE: Three years ago, New York Family Court Judge Grant Fitzpatrick began imposing longer sentences and directed that those sentenced in his court serve them at New Roads Juvenile Detention Center, a for-profit jail owned by Roman Cox.
At the exact same time he did this, Judge Fitzpatrick began leasing an apartment to Mr.
Cox's sister, Joanne Green, for the outrageous rent of $24,000 a month.
In fact, it wasn't rent at all.
It was a payment.
Money to Judge Fitzpatrick in exchange for kids to New Roads for Mr.
Cox.
Cash for kids.
That's what this was.
Cash for kids.
Kids.
We don't know why Judge Fitzpatrick did this, but we know what it means.
It means he hurt children and their parents, that he destroyed families, real ones.
And those are the ones that matter.
Those are the ones I want you to think about.
He also hurt this family, and that matters, too.
This justice system it is a family.
We argue like brother and sister on both sides, and we do it before a parent, an honest broker, a figure of decency and integrity and wisdom.
A person who says, "I've heard you, and I'm gonna be fair.
And this is what I'm gonna do.
" And we don't always agree with it, but we respect it.
All of us.
And that is important to all of us.
It is fitting that Judge Fitzpatrick was undone by a great and honorable judge, but the work isn't over.
Now it is your turn.
You, too, are part of this family.
Protect it.
Defend it.
[KEYBOARD CLACKING.]
- Hey.
- Hey.
Let me just close this up, and we'll hit the train.
Actually, my apartment's all fixed, so I'll be moving back home.
Oh.
Okay.
Yeah.
Right.
Cool.
Probably nice to get back to your own space.
- Peace and quiet.
- Yeah.
Definitely.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
It's been really fun to be with your folks.
They're great.
I really miss hanging out with, you know, people.
Kind of in your face, though, right? - Now you can just walk the halls.
- By myself.
- No one to tell you what to do.
- No one at all.
- Freedom.
- Loneliness.
- Independence.
- Isolation.
- Do you want a roommate? - If you're ever looking for a place I-I do have an extra room.
And you need someone to watch TV with.
And I can tell my parents I'm moving out for you, which they'll totally buy because they think living alone is the saddest thing in the world.
It's kind of perfect.
Do you think your mom will bring food over? Oh, all the time.
- All right! - Ow! I can't believe what wonderful shape they're in.
Thank you for returning them to us.
Oh, thank you for the billion-dollar check.
She She knows it's just a stamp, right? Mm-hmm.
- Donald.
- Yeah? There are some people here to see you.
Okay.
Madam Foreperson, have you reached a verdict? Yes, we have, Your Honor.
As to count one, money laundering, how do you find the defendant? Guilty.
As to count two, theft of honest services, how do you find the defendant? Guilty.
Judge Fitzpatrick is going to prison for the rest of his life.
He is never going to hurt another kid ever again.
All because of you.
And now we're going to appeal and get you out here.
I will go with your lawyer to every hearing if I have to.
I told you I'm very good at bugging people.
What do you want, Emma? I want people to know what this is really like.
Hmm? I want people to understand.
Then we can make them understand.
JUDGE DREXEN: Today, before I impose your sentence, we are going to hear testimony from some of your victims.
That does not make up for the fact that they were silenced in your courtroom, but I hope it gives them some peace knowing that you finally heard what they had to say.
I was arrested for making fun of my principal on my website.
No one told me what it meant to plead guilty.
While my friends were all in school, I was in a 6x10 cell.
They put cuffs on my wrists and ankles.
I still have nightmares.
- I didn't even have a lawyer.
- I'll never forget it.
- It's been four years.
- I was 13 years old.
I lost a whole year.
I miss my mom and dad.
I miss the sound of my dad in the kitchen.
I miss my mom brushing my hair.
I miss my little brother.
He was seven when you put me in jail, Mr.
Fitzpatrick.
He's nine now.
I want you to know this.
I want you to know what you did to me.
I want you to know that you took things from me that I will never get back.
I want you to know this.
[BREATHES SHAKILY.]
[RUBY VELLE'S "NAH NAH PLEASE" PLAYS.]
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
Burned down your door 'Til you can't ask for more My love is a freight train Hot off the tracks 'Til I get you back You promised to please Got down on your knees Broke your own mama's heart No more death do us part Nah nah nah nah nah nah please I am what you need I keep sending love letters They ain't coming for me Nah nah nah nah nah nah please Nah nah nah nah nah nah please Yeah I burned down your door 'Til you can't ask for more My love is a freight train Hot off the tracks 'Til I get you back You promised to please Got down on your knees Broke your own mama's heart No more death do us part Nah nah nah nah nah nah please I am what you need I keep sending love letters They ain't coming for me Nah nah nah nah nah nah please
- What? - Jay, get in here.
Al? What's going on? Hold her while I rip off her face.
- Oh, my God.
- Trust me.
This is a "Mission: Impossible" rubber-face thing.
That's not Sandra.
That's Kate Littlejohn.
They worked on a case together.
Sandra was in her office.
Now Kate is here.
- Yep, okay.
How do we do this? - Whoa! JILL: Bullpen.
Five minutes! - You got lucky.
- You guys are insane.
I want to clean my office.
So what? It happens.
It has nothing to do with Kate.
I like, I like, I like, I like [THUD.]
I do not want to know.
Leak in my apartment at 4:00 in the morning, in my bedroom.
It was raining on my bed.
- Cold water.
- LEONARD: What's going on? Leak in my apartment at 4:00 in the morning, in my bedroom.
- It was raining - Can we just Why don't you stay with Serena? We went on one date.
I'm gonna move in with her now? Seems like the kind of thing you would do.
I guess I could ask her if there's No.
God, no.
- How long are you out? - Landlord said a week.
So stay with Kate.
- No.
Never.
- Never? [SIGHS.]
Never.
- Never? - Nope.
Never lived away from my parents.
Oh, I did have a sleepover with Tristan Kustal once when I was 11.
We played this game called Aunt Patrol.
I thought it was like ants, but it was aunt.
You know, with a "U.
" We'd follow his aunt around.
Kind of weird.
Pretty much stayed at home after that.
Well, I think it's good to have a roommate.
You really get to know the person, and then you can tell when they've been taken over by another person.
Ah, I'll just stay with my folks.
Mm, this is heartbreaking.
I-It's really fine.
No, this letter from a girl in juvenile detention.
She's 12 years old and serving four years.
- Emma.
- Yeah.
How did you She wrote to every lawyer in the office.
Four months ago.
Asking for help on an appeal.
She probably just found our website and went down the line.
Did anyone reach out to her? Good morning.
Jay, duty.
Sandra, assault.
Allison, stamps.
Jason, fraud.
Emma? You got it, too? I'm sorry.
Did you say stamps? Four Inverted Jennys.
One of the most valuable stamps in the world.
They were stolen from the National Philatelic Gesundheit.
Foundation 59 years ago.
And then, last week, Donald Newman sent a picture of them to Sotheby's to have them appraised.
Shouldn't the statute of limitations on stolen stamps be like 58 years? They're not trying to charge him criminally.
It's an in rem proceeding.
They just want the stamps back.
But Donald refused to return them, so the court assigned him a public defender.
- Which is you.
- This is heartbreaking.
So I just convince him to return the stamps? No problem.
I was the only one who could ever talk to my grandfather.
I alone convinced him to wear pants at Thanksgiving.
I'm good with old people.
Go away.
As your attorney, I am telling you returning the stamps is in your best interest.
What kind of legal strategy is "give back the stamps"? You're no Matlock, that's for sure.
Okay, well, I have no idea who Matlock is, but I do know You don't know Matlock? The greatest TV show ever? Andy Griffith? How can you call yourself a lawyer? I guess it's the degree on my wall.
Piece of paper.
Now, if Matlock were here and we were going to court, first thing he'd say is we need to figure out how to spin our story We're not going to court.
Everyone knows you have those stamps.
Sotheby's, the National Philatelic Foundation, the FBI that is your foot with your shoe, the same shoe you're wearing right now These aren't my shoes.
This is the picture of the stamps that you e-mailed to the auction house.
And this is your apartment in the background.
No, that's a look-alike.
That's a hand-made afghan I'm I'm being framed.
The FBI will be coming to collect those stamps, and when they do, you need to turn them over.
All right, fine.
I'll give them the stamps.
[WHISPERING.]
Go away.
Okay.
[PAPERS RUSTLING, SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
[SIGHS.]
Thanks for coming.
I don't get many visitors.
I'm sorry nobody in my office wrote you back.
I just figured they throw away the mail here.
They can't throw away the mail, Emma.
They do it all the time.
Why are you here? You said something in your letter about stealing a scooter.
- But that can't be why - That is why.
I didn't steal it.
Even if you did.
Four years? What did your lawyer say to the judge? I didn't have one.
You didn't have a lawyer? The parole officer told me and my parents we didn't need one.
He said it would go quicker that way.
That the judge would go easy on me.
And the judge was okay with that? A bunch of other girls in here had him, too.
He's the worst.
A-Are you my lawyer, Sandra? I'm not the right kind of lawyer, but I will find a lawyer who can help you, and I will bug them every day until they come see you.
I am really good at bugging people.
[SIGHS.]
Who was the judge, Emma? Mr.
Kimball, you're here to enter a plea, and you've agreed to be here without a lawyer.
Is that correct? Yes.
"Yes, Your Honor.
" Yes, Your Honor.
I've earned that title.
You've agreed to plead guilty to 3rd Degree Assault, is that correct? Yes, Your Honor.
Is there anything you'd like to say before I sentence you? I'm sorry for what I did Well, now, if you mean it, say it like you mean it.
I'm sorry for what I did.
For hitting Stevie Weiss at school.
I didn't mean to hurt him.
Now Now wait a second, Alex.
You're sorry for what you did, but you didn't mean to do it? Did you hit him? Yes.
And you know hitting hurts people.
Yes.
So you meant to hurt him.
The defendant has pled guilty and is deemed convicted as a juvenile offender under New York Penal Law, Section 120.
I hereby impose a sentence of 12 months, to be served at the New Roads Juvenile Detention Center.
We're in recess.
- 12 months.
- Yes.
For punching someone at recess.
And he's basically counseling these kids not to have counsel.
95% of his convictions in the last three years end up at New Roads a private, for-profit detention center.
Sandra, what are you asking? You cannot handle her appeal.
You have clients here who need your full and undivided attention I think there's something wrong with this judge.
And if that is true, then it will help her appeal.
I will find a lawyer for her, but if I could just investigate You're gonna investigate a judge? Out of this office? No, you are not.
You are not a prosecutor, Sandra.
I am not a prosecutor.
I am not a prosecutor.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
I need your help.
[SIGHS.]
It's sad.
- It's devastating.
- It is.
But it is not evidence of a crime.
Not yet.
But if you open an investigation You want me to open a federal investigation into Judge Grant Fitzpatrick? - Yes.
- Based on what? - That.
- This is a letter from a girl.
You also have the data there about how Judge Fitzpatrick directs these kids to a for-profit detention center Which proves what, exactly? I don't know yet.
You're saying you need more information.
I am saying this is one of the most well-respected judges in New York.
I'm saying you have a girl who received a tough sentence.
I'm saying those things together are evidence of nothing.
Okay, but you're not saying no.
I am saying no.
It's not a hard no.
It is.
No! No! No! - Don't take it personally.
- I don't.
Hey, are you going back to your office? Yes.
Why? This is for your friend.
- I have a lot of friends.
- Do you? Yes.
Why do you say that? - Yes! - No.
TED: She said yes? SANDRA: She seemed interested in the case.
- Really? - Yeah.
Says if we get her a little more, then it's a go.
Let's find out everything we can about Judge Grant Fitzpatrick.
Oh, Al.
Uh, this is from Leonard.
- Leonard Knox? - Mm-hmm.
Why are you delivering something from Leonard Knox? I was in their offices, talking to someone.
- Kate? - Uh, doesn't matter.
What is it? A signed photo, maybe? I don't know.
- Worse than that.
- Worse than that? - Really? - Yes.
You told me you were going to return the stamps.
- What stamps? - Donald.
No, don't.
Don't do that.
I don't like when people call me by my first name.
Donald.
- It sounds like trouble.
- It is trouble.
You're in contempt of a court order.
That's why you're here.
Yeah.
Well, I knew there had to be some reason.
Why didn't you hand over the stamps when they came back to get them? 'Cause I want the money.
They're stolen.
From me.
What are you talking about? My father bought those Jennys during the war.
He died in 1952, and he didn't leave a will.
I wanted to just split the stamps, you know, two for me, two for my brother George.
But George took the whole block and donated it.
To the National Philatelic Foundation.
That's when George and I stopped speaking to each other.
- That's awful.
- You're telling me.
You know how rich I'd be if I'd sold those stamps back in the '50s, like I wanted to do, invested the money? Depends on the investment.
Billionaire.
That's how much money I'd have.
So maybe if I contact George No, George is not gonna help me.
He hates me.
Also, he's dead.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
It's not your fault.
Listen, I'm going to get you out of here, but then we have to get the stamps.
$595? For one night? One? One night? One?! One night?! Is that a personal call? - No.
- Just better to be truthful here.
Yes.
My apartment flooded.
I was looking for a hotel room.
- You're looking for a place to stay? - Yes.
Come stay with me.
You live with your parents.
My parents love guests.
Tina's been there.
It's great, right? - You'd stay there.
- [WHISPERING.]
Never.
- See? - I don't want to put you out.
No, it's no trouble at all.
We can take the train in together from Queens.
It'll be fun.
I've never actually spent any time in Queens.
Oh, you'll love it.
It's got the busiest airspace in the U.
S.
and the biggest cemetery, and the Mets.
Yeah.
Hey, how's Littlejohn? - She - I'm just kidding.
I don't care.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
[WHEELS ROLLING.]
Hey, what are you doing? Are you doing a magic show? How much does a family court judge make? I-I don't know.
$200,000 a year? For real, though, why are you wearing that? I was in family court, where I learned a few things about Judge Fitzpatrick.
In the last three years, he has joined a country club, upgraded his car, and taken European vacations with his three kids who are all in college with no student loans.
The math doesn't lie.
Fitzpatrick should be in significant debt, but he hasn't filed for bankruptcy or opened any new bank accounts or credit cards.
Maybe he comes from money.
Son of a Pittsburgh steel worker? I don't think so.
But his wife, on the other hand, did inherit a little dough when her mom died, which she used to buy an apartment in Gramercy.
I graduated summa cum laude from Berkeley.
I don't need a flowchart.
I didn't go to Berkeley.
I like visual aids.
Mm.
- Who's that? - Joanne Green.
Got divorced a few years back and moved into the city, where she rents the Fitzpatricks' apartment.
Their renter? Now you're just drawing things.
This is Roman Cox.
Joanne Green's brother.
You sure? He looks a lot like that other guy.
Roman is a self-made millionaire.
He owns properties all over the city, including a majority stake in New Roads Juvenile Detention Center.
The sister of the guy who owns New Roads rents Judge Fitzpatrick's apartment? See? If I didn't have a visual aid, I couldn't do all of this.
Uh [CHUCKLES.]
We need to talk to Joanne Green.
[KNOCKING.]
[SIGHS.]
What? What are you doing? I have a feeling We can't break into somebody's apartment! It's not breaking in if no one lives here.
It's a money-laundering scheme.
Joanne Green isn't paying Fitzpatrick to rent this apartment.
She's paying him to send kids to her brother's prison.
Well, FYI, this is breaking in.
I don't know if this is a good idea.
Dude, it's fine.
I don't even know if my parents are home.
No big deal.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- Mom.
Dad.
This is Seth.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
Mm.
You are real.
We thought you were another one of Jay's imaginary friends.
When he was a boy Okay.
[CHUCKLES.]
Seth, this is Vera, Sam.
Please, you can call me Mom.
Thank you so much for having me.
We are so happy you are here.
Now, dinner is ready.
I hope that you like Syrian food.
I love all food.
Here.
Sit down.
You want to see pictures of Jay before his growth spurt? - The stamps were stolen from him? - By his brother.
- Do you have any proof? - No, this was during the war.
- Which war? - The Peloponnesian War.
I don't know.
The point is, you don't have any proof that Donald stole them either.
I'm not saying he stole them.
I'm saying they're stolen.
And he has them.
- Do you know Lexi Ross? - What? Yes, she was my freshman roommate at Princeton.
- Why? - We went to high school together.
I remember her telling me about a girl named Allison.
I'm just putting this together.
Lexi is the best.
She is.
Have you met her dude? Felix? Oh, my God.
- Not the best.
- I've seen him with a monocle.
- What is Lexi doing? - Same thing she always does.
Do you remember Benedict? With the macaw? [LAUGHS.]
- Donald.
- Right.
If you release him, I think I can get to the bottom of this and convince him to return the stamps.
The stamps he says he doesn't have? Correct.
But if he stays in jail, then you have a 91-year-old man in jail and no chance of getting the stamps.
I can give you a week.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Hey.
Well, one big happy family.
- We'll be quick.
- We? Ted.
I work with Sandra.
This is very nice in here.
Very organized.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
We did some digging into Judge Fitzpatrick.
- Like you asked - I did not ask.
Fitzpatrick has an apartment in Gramercy that he rents to the sister of the guy who owns New Roads Juvenile Detention Center.
850 square feet for $24,000 a month.
She also paid a $50,000 maintenance fee and a $25,000 security deposit.
We're pretty sure she's not getting that back.
Even in New York, $24,000 is above market.
But if you compare it to how much New Roads makes per month when they're at capacity which they are thanks to Judge Fitzpatrick It's a drop in the bucket.
Fitzpatrick is taking kickbacks from the juvenile detention center? And laundering it through an empty apartment.
Everything you need.
Deeds, tax returns, a signed lease agreement Plus an analysis of Fitzpatrick's prison sentences, which shot up exponentially after New Roads opened.
- [EXHALES SHARPLY.]
That is a case.
- It is.
Against a very powerful and respected judge.
The law applies equally to everyone.
- But it's not enforced equally.
- It should be.
Well, sometimes you go harder on someone to make an example.
Sometimes you back off because the price is too high.
- Are you suggesting I do that here? - Not at all.
But I am saying if you take on Judge Fitzpatrick, you need to know it's worth the risk, the cost.
You need to know whose interest you're protecting.
The public interest in impartial justice That's an abstraction.
Who is this about? Who is the victim? If you understand that, you'll know if it's worth it.
KATE: Can you tell me about Emma's sentencing? Anything that stands out? I know it was a while ago.
I remember everything.
It was the worst day of our lives.
Judge Fitzpatrick goes to all the schools in the neighborhood.
Holds these big assemblies.
Talks to the kids about how important it is to stay out of trouble.
[SIGHS.]
We thought he would just give Emma one of his lectures and send her home.
The parole officer told us that her case was easy, that we didn't even need a lawyer.
That a lawyer would just get in the way.
Did Emma speak during the hearing? The judge asked her questions like "How old are you? Do you know why you're here?" He didn't even listen to her answers.
He was on his phone the whole time.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
She's 12 years old.
She belongs with her family.
I'm sorry.
Do you have any kids? Uh, me? No.
Having kids changes everything.
Nothing matters as much as keeping them safe.
Nothing.
And you'd do anything for them.
We didn't know what to do.
We tried, we did, but we don't have a lot of money.
We don't know anybody.
I bet Judge Fitzpatrick's kids would never be thrown in jail the way our Emma was.
[SIRENS WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
I'm saying yes.
JUDGE DREXEN: Ms.
Littlejohn, are you ready? Yes, Your Honor, I am.
Ms.
Kupfer, in your review of Judge Fitzpatrick's sentencing, did you detect any patterns with respect to where juveniles in his court were ordered to serve their sentences or in the lengths of those sentences? Both.
With respect to length, for the first 11 years Judge Fitzpatrick was on the bench, his average sentence was 18 months.
In the last 3 years, that average has risen to 3 1/2 years.
And as to where those sentenced by Judge Fitzpatrick served their terms? In the last three years, 95% of those sentenced by Judge Fitzpatrick have been assigned to New Roads Juvenile Detention Center.
- A for-profit facility? - Yes.
Mr.
O'Bannon, how do private, for-profit prisons like New Roads Juvenile Detention Center make money? They are compensated based on inmate population.
So, the more inmates and the longer the sentences, the more money? That is correct.
Agent Moss, in the last five years, have there been any significant changes in Judge Fitzpatrick's income? Yes.
Beginning three years ago, Judge Fitzpatrick's income rose by 140%.
What accounts for this rise in income, Mr.
Moss? The income increase is due exclusively to the lease of an apartment on Gramercy Park South.
Ms.
Romanesko, in preparation for your testimony here today, did you have an opportunity to visit the defendant's apartment at 80 Gramercy Park South? I did.
And what, in your professional judgment, is the market rent for that property? It's a one-bedroom apartment.
Average condition.
No view.
850 square feet.
I'd price that at $3,900.
Would you consider $24,000 to be above market rent for that unit? I've been working in residential real estate in Manhattan for 37 years.
I've never heard of anything like that.
Ms.
Green, you lease apartment 100 - at 80 Gramercy Park South, correct? - Yes.
And what is the monthly rent on that unit? $24,000.
And that lease began three years ago, is that right? - Yes.
- When did you move into the apartment? I didn't.
I don't live there.
You pay $24,000 a month for an apartment you don't live in? - The reason is - Yes or no, Ms.
Green.
Yes.
Your brother is Roman Cox, owner of New Roads Juvenile Detention Center, correct? Yes.
And you lease this $24,000 apartment on Gramercy Park from Judge Grant Fitzpatrick, correct? Yes.
Isn't it true, Ms.
Green, that for the past three years, you, your brother, and Judge Fitzpatrick have engaged in a scheme to funnel money through this apartment? - No - That the $24,000 is not rent at all, but a payment from your brother to Judge Fitzpatrick in exchange for Judge Fitzpatrick sentencing juveniles to New Roads Detention Center? No, that is not true.
I've never even met Mr.
Fitzpatrick.
He doesn't know my brother.
This whole thing Then why don't you tell the jury why you pay $24,000 a month for an apartment worth $4,000 that you don't even live in, Ms.
Green? For the key.
What? I do it for the key.
To Gramercy Park.
Gramercy Park is a lovely, private park in the middle of Manhattan, and access is only available to those living around the park.
There are only about 400 keys.
I grew up in New York, and I have wanted to go into Gramercy Park my whole life.
This was an opportunity.
I-I know I'm overpaying, but I have the money at this point in my life, and I didn't want to lose the chance.
[SIGHS.]
- It's okay.
- It's not okay.
- She's lying.
- That is not what the jury thinks.
- We just need - Not we.
Me.
That's me up there now.
It's on me, Sandra.
[FOOTSTEPS DEPART.]
How's it going with the stamps? Started bad, then got better, then got worse, and now it's good.
- He's out of jail - [COMPUTER CHIMES.]
and now I just need to find out why he's trying to sell the stamps on eBay?! This isn't you? No.
Seller, "DonaldNewmanStamps"? - No.
- So if I e-mail the seller right now, it's not going to show up in your inbox? No.
[COMPUTER CHIMES.]
I didn't hear that.
[SIGHS.]
Where are the stamps? Who can say in this topsy-turvy world? Donald.
I'm going to call you Donald.
I know you think the stamps were stolen from you, but that is going to be very hard to prove, and the government is losing patience here.
You want the money.
I-I understand.
Maybe if you could tell me about your financial situation, I could help you.
There are resources.
I don't trust you.
You told me to go away.
Twice.
Did I? I'm here for you.
I care about you.
I work for you.
Let me help you.
If you go back to jail, that is life or death.
What is more important than life or death? [SIGHS.]
Life or death.
- Isabel Morris.
- Who? My brother's great-granddaughter.
She has leukemia.
I'm sorry.
They have this new treatment her doctors are recommending, but it's not covered in her insurance.
L-Let's, um Let's say that I did steal those stamps all those years ago.
I regret it.
I regret the fight I had with my brother.
All those lost years.
But now I have a-a chance to to make it right.
I can use those damn stamps to help my great-grandniece.
If I have to sell them illegally and go to jail to do it, so be it.
They're stamps.
This is a lovely little girl.
What I've seen.
SETH: I know this one.
- Who's Jennifer Lopez? - Yes! - [APPLAUSE.]
- I told you.
That's so wrong.
TREBEK: There's a "Super Spud" version of this classic toy.
- What is Mr.
Potato Head? - What is Mr.
Potato Head? - That one goes to Seth.
- Thank you, Sam! Hey, guys, it's getting a little loud in here.
Uh, I'm trying to work.
It's "Jeopardy!" We can only be so quiet.
Uh, what can I get you while I am up, ya ibnee? - If you're making more tea - I am now.
[DING.]
[TREBEK SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY.]
I want to dismiss the charges.
No.
Why? [SIGHS.]
You already said no.
Why do you need to know why? - Good point.
- I think this is a mistake.
You still standing there? Yeah.
This case is a mistake.
You made a mistake.
This case isn't a mistake.
I got into this case because of Sandra Bell and a letter in purple pen from a girl and sad parents.
That was a mistake.
That is not who I am.
Who are you, Littlejohn? I am deliberate.
I am cautious.
I am precise.
I am disciplined.
- You weren't any of those things today.
- That is my point.
Your point is you didn't do your job and now you want to blame Sandra and a teenage girl? That's who you are? You're out of your comfort zone.
That's not a bad place to be.
That's where the good lawyers are, and that's what I thought you were.
You made a mistake.
Now you need to fix it.
What do you need to prove? [SIGHS.]
That Judge Fitzpatrick knew Joanne Green and knows her brother is Roman Cox.
She lied about that.
And if I can show that, they'll know she was lying about everything else.
- Okay, do that.
- [TAPS PEN.]
Wait, is that it? You're not gonna help me anymore? No.
Why? The man is 91.
He was born before tape existed.
- Tape! - The man is old.
The stamps are old.
Sounds like a real puzzle.
It's a little more complicated.
In this office, we're investigating Joanne Green.
Get on task or get out.
I am looking through her social media.
- Look harder.
- Who's doing who the favor here? Sorry.
Sorry.
I appreciate the help.
Thank you.
Her son looks like a real weasel - Out! - He's wearing a sweater vest.
Even if I understood the significance of that, I would not care.
Stop moving.
You are very hard to read right now.
I know where this picture was taken.
- Can I have my phone back? - No.
[KEYS CLACKING.]
Joanne's son, Noel Green, is a lawyer at Gurnett, Reynolds, and Spear.
Graduated from Yale Law.
And clerked for the honorable Judge Byrne.
Can we talk? You're asking me to testify against a judge? Yes.
- In my courthouse? - Yes.
Grant was a friend of mine.
- He was a good judge.
- He's not anymore.
You're gonna make a name for yourself with this either way.
That's not why I'm doing it.
There are worse reasons.
There are better ones, too.
Ms.
Littlejohn.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The government calls Judge Nicholas Byrne.
Judge Byrne, what is your current occupation? I am the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
- This court? - Yes.
How do you feel about testifying here today? Uncomfortable.
I understand.
And we appreciate you coming in.
Are you familiar with a Noel Green? Yes.
He was one of my law clerks.
Can you tell us how Mr.
Green came to work as a law clerk for you? Well, he applied as a part of the normal clerkship application process.
Subsequent of that, I received a variety of personal recommendations from Yale Law faculty advocating for Noel.
In addition to recommendations from Yale Law faculty, did anyone else reach out to you about Mr.
Green? - Yes.
- Who? Judge Grant Fitzpatrick.
- The defendant? - Yes.
- He called you? - Yes.
What did Judge Fitzpatrick say when he called you about Mr.
Green? He said the sister of a friend of his had a son at Yale Law School and he thought he'd be a good candidate for my chambers.
Did he indicate who the friend was? Yes.
He said his friend's name was Roman Cox.
- And Mr.
Cox's sister? - Joanne Green.
Is it your understanding that Judge Fitzpatrick has a personal relationship with Mr.
Cox and Ms.
Green? - Yes.
- Based on that conversation? - Yes.
- Anything else? On at least two occasions, Judge Fitzpatrick, Ms.
Green, and Mr.
Cox visited Noel in my chambers while Noel was clerking for me.
I just had that case with Holiday Colgate, whose parents tried to evict her, and I told them that it's totally fine for adults to live with their parents as long as it makes everybody happy.
And you like living with your parents? I do.
I-I did.
But should I? I'm a grown man who doesn't know how much a gallon of milk costs.
Could be $20.
Could be $10.
- About $4.
- See? Never would have guessed that.
I've never filled my own refrigerator.
I have no idea what electricity costs.
It's more than milk.
That makes sense.
Watching Seth in my house has been a real mirror.
It took exactly two minutes for a U.
S.
Attorney to be completely infantilized by my mom and dad.
It is not a good look on a 28-year-old man.
I'm so happy! I never want to leave Jay's parents.
You have to try his mom's mujaddara.
I'm good.
So, when can you move back into your place? - Friday.
- It is Friday.
Next Friday.
That's a long time.
You sure your landlord has someone working? If not, that's a clear breach of Okay, fine.
The work is done.
I can move back in.
I just haven't yet.
JAY: Maybe I should move out.
I could still put in shifts, and I'm sure I'd be back a lot.
Maybe I just need some space.
Does that make me an ungrateful son? Makes you a grown-ass man.
[SIGHS.]
I have to leave, don't I? Dude, you're a man.
You are a U.
S.
Attorney.
If hanging with someone's parents in Queens is the best you're doing, you should be doing something different.
You baked? You? Okay.
We just have to get this over with.
Kate! - No! I thought it might calm my nerves.
- Uh-huh.
I sliced premade dough and burned it in the oven.
It's me, Al! Sandra! - Refrigerated dough in a tube? - Yes, of course! Always refrigerated.
Always in a tube.
You had no idea how long to leave it in there? Nope.
None.
Just randomly punching numbers into the timer.
You're really feeling this nervous? Kate's closing is tomorrow.
I'm sure she'll do great, but I started all this, and I have no control over how it ends.
It's scary.
I know how you feel.
Donald has to return these stamps, but he needs the money.
If he could sell the stamps, how much would they go for? - A few million.
- Million?! Didn't you say these were 24-cent stamps? 100 years ago.
I've never understood inflation.
This is about scarcity, not inflation.
Inflation is the increase Inflation.
That's it.
We're celebrating.
I found this while I was researching the stamps.
In 1959, the Philatelic Foundation offered a $25,000 reward for the return of the inverted Jennys.
So, let's say you didn't steal the stamps.
Assuming the reward still stands, I think it should be adjusted for inflation, don't you? Someone's been catching up on her "Matlock.
" These are disgusting.
Yes.
Tastes like firewood.
Yeah, my roommate.
She's not a baker.
[CHUCKLES.]
KATE: Three years ago, New York Family Court Judge Grant Fitzpatrick began imposing longer sentences and directed that those sentenced in his court serve them at New Roads Juvenile Detention Center, a for-profit jail owned by Roman Cox.
At the exact same time he did this, Judge Fitzpatrick began leasing an apartment to Mr.
Cox's sister, Joanne Green, for the outrageous rent of $24,000 a month.
In fact, it wasn't rent at all.
It was a payment.
Money to Judge Fitzpatrick in exchange for kids to New Roads for Mr.
Cox.
Cash for kids.
That's what this was.
Cash for kids.
Kids.
We don't know why Judge Fitzpatrick did this, but we know what it means.
It means he hurt children and their parents, that he destroyed families, real ones.
And those are the ones that matter.
Those are the ones I want you to think about.
He also hurt this family, and that matters, too.
This justice system it is a family.
We argue like brother and sister on both sides, and we do it before a parent, an honest broker, a figure of decency and integrity and wisdom.
A person who says, "I've heard you, and I'm gonna be fair.
And this is what I'm gonna do.
" And we don't always agree with it, but we respect it.
All of us.
And that is important to all of us.
It is fitting that Judge Fitzpatrick was undone by a great and honorable judge, but the work isn't over.
Now it is your turn.
You, too, are part of this family.
Protect it.
Defend it.
[KEYBOARD CLACKING.]
- Hey.
- Hey.
Let me just close this up, and we'll hit the train.
Actually, my apartment's all fixed, so I'll be moving back home.
Oh.
Okay.
Yeah.
Right.
Cool.
Probably nice to get back to your own space.
- Peace and quiet.
- Yeah.
Definitely.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
It's been really fun to be with your folks.
They're great.
I really miss hanging out with, you know, people.
Kind of in your face, though, right? - Now you can just walk the halls.
- By myself.
- No one to tell you what to do.
- No one at all.
- Freedom.
- Loneliness.
- Independence.
- Isolation.
- Do you want a roommate? - If you're ever looking for a place I-I do have an extra room.
And you need someone to watch TV with.
And I can tell my parents I'm moving out for you, which they'll totally buy because they think living alone is the saddest thing in the world.
It's kind of perfect.
Do you think your mom will bring food over? Oh, all the time.
- All right! - Ow! I can't believe what wonderful shape they're in.
Thank you for returning them to us.
Oh, thank you for the billion-dollar check.
She She knows it's just a stamp, right? Mm-hmm.
- Donald.
- Yeah? There are some people here to see you.
Okay.
Madam Foreperson, have you reached a verdict? Yes, we have, Your Honor.
As to count one, money laundering, how do you find the defendant? Guilty.
As to count two, theft of honest services, how do you find the defendant? Guilty.
Judge Fitzpatrick is going to prison for the rest of his life.
He is never going to hurt another kid ever again.
All because of you.
And now we're going to appeal and get you out here.
I will go with your lawyer to every hearing if I have to.
I told you I'm very good at bugging people.
What do you want, Emma? I want people to know what this is really like.
Hmm? I want people to understand.
Then we can make them understand.
JUDGE DREXEN: Today, before I impose your sentence, we are going to hear testimony from some of your victims.
That does not make up for the fact that they were silenced in your courtroom, but I hope it gives them some peace knowing that you finally heard what they had to say.
I was arrested for making fun of my principal on my website.
No one told me what it meant to plead guilty.
While my friends were all in school, I was in a 6x10 cell.
They put cuffs on my wrists and ankles.
I still have nightmares.
- I didn't even have a lawyer.
- I'll never forget it.
- It's been four years.
- I was 13 years old.
I lost a whole year.
I miss my mom and dad.
I miss the sound of my dad in the kitchen.
I miss my mom brushing my hair.
I miss my little brother.
He was seven when you put me in jail, Mr.
Fitzpatrick.
He's nine now.
I want you to know this.
I want you to know what you did to me.
I want you to know that you took things from me that I will never get back.
I want you to know this.
[BREATHES SHAKILY.]
[RUBY VELLE'S "NAH NAH PLEASE" PLAYS.]
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
Burned down your door 'Til you can't ask for more My love is a freight train Hot off the tracks 'Til I get you back You promised to please Got down on your knees Broke your own mama's heart No more death do us part Nah nah nah nah nah nah please I am what you need I keep sending love letters They ain't coming for me Nah nah nah nah nah nah please Nah nah nah nah nah nah please Yeah I burned down your door 'Til you can't ask for more My love is a freight train Hot off the tracks 'Til I get you back You promised to please Got down on your knees Broke your own mama's heart No more death do us part Nah nah nah nah nah nah please I am what you need I keep sending love letters They ain't coming for me Nah nah nah nah nah nah please