February 9, 201214 yr http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinehoward...-her-kids-away/ Mother Files $900 Trillion Lawsuit Against NYC For Taking Her Kids Away Staten Islander Fausat Ogunbayo, 46, has filed a shocking $900 trillion federal suit against the City Of New York for placing her two children in a foster home over three years ago. In court documents filed last week, Ogunbayo has accused the Administration for Children’s Services and city for causing economic hardship, substantial economic injuries and violating her and her children’s civil rights. Her sons, removed in June 2008, are now ages 16 and 13. Ms. Ogunbayo alleges she and her children have suffered “over three years of terror, horror, grievous harm, time lost, substantial economic hardship and injuries” due to their separation. In removing the boys, the city contended Ms. Ogunbayo was mentally unstable and had refused treatment, said court papers. She allegedly suffered from hallucinations and delusions, and also left the boys at home alone for extended periods while she was working, the city maintained. Ms. Ogunbayo, who is representing herself, has branded the allegations a “huge lie.” Further, in her complaint she states the city “recklessly disregarded” her “right to family integrity.” Ogunbayo no doubt took note of a state Appellate Division decision from January in a separate case vacating the neglect charge by Family Court due to lack of evidence the boys were in “imminent danger.” In fact, the youngsters had “near-perfect” attendance in school and “were doing well, even thriving, academically,” while in their mother’s care, the appellate division said. In addition, the boys were up to date on their medical examinations and vaccinations, and their heights and weights were appropriate for their ages, said the court. The children remain in ACS custody due to a petition pending in Family Court, according to the city Law Department. The net effect of the forcible removal of your kids is soul-crushing. But at a net price of $900,000,000,000,000? For perspective: The largest City settlement to an individual is $18,278,000 to James McMillan who suffered paralyzing injuries in the 2003 Staten Island Ferry dock crash that killed 11 passengers. He was originally awarded $22.9 million by a jury. And the national debt is $15 trillion. “It’s hard to even take it seriously,” says a spokesperson for the city Law Department. “There may be a case, which is for a court of law to decide, but that’s a made-up number.” SOURCES: Staten Island Advance, The Smoking Gun Follow me on Twitter @CarolineLHoward
February 9, 201214 yr Im not sure suing for 900 trillion is a good way to convince people that you dont suffer from delusions...
February 9, 201214 yr QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Feb 9, 2012 -> 02:48 PM) Im not sure suing for 900 trillion is a good way to convince people that you dont suffer from delusions... I like how the City Attorney felt the need to point out that $900,000,000,000,000 is just "a made-up number."
February 9, 201214 yr QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Feb 9, 2012 -> 01:48 PM) Im not sure suing for 900 trillion is a good way to convince people that you dont suffer from delusions... Exactly
February 9, 201214 yr Author QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Feb 9, 2012 -> 01:48 PM) Im not sure suing for 900 trillion is a good way to convince people that you dont suffer from delusions... She is now suing you for $850 trillion for the mental anguish of doubting her.
February 9, 201214 yr Can one of the legal people give a reason for why one would file a case with an initial damage claim this high?
February 9, 201214 yr She is a Pro Se Plaintiff and she has no idea what she is doing. That being said the amount demanded really is irrelevant (in certain counties it may determine if you are in municipal or law division or if its a small claims complaint different rules apply), she could file a lawsuit for $100 and say that the damages are ongoing and continuing and ultimately be awarded with $900 trillion if she was to be able to prove the damages. As a practical matter the amount claimed is usually your best shot, its a starting point for settlement etc.
February 9, 201214 yr QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 9, 2012 -> 03:11 PM) Can one of the legal people give a reason for why one would file a case with an initial damage claim this high? Only thing I can think of is she is truly crazy or that she wants the publicity.
February 9, 201214 yr Author QUOTE (iamshack @ Feb 9, 2012 -> 02:16 PM) Only thing I can think of is she is truly crazy or that she wants the publicity. I know which one I am betting on...
February 9, 201214 yr She asks for $900 trillion, they counter with free coffee for life from Java World. Case closed.
February 9, 201214 yr QUOTE (Tex @ Feb 9, 2012 -> 03:22 PM) She asks for $900 trillion, they counter with free coffee for life from Java World. Case closed. She didn't hear the plus?!
February 10, 201214 yr QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Feb 9, 2012 -> 02:14 PM) She is a Pro Se Plaintiff and she has no idea what she is doing. That being said the amount demanded really is irrelevant (in certain counties it may determine if you are in municipal or law division or if its a small claims complaint different rules apply), she could file a lawsuit for $100 and say that the damages are ongoing and continuing and ultimately be awarded with $900 trillion if she was to be able to prove the damages. As a practical matter the amount claimed is usually your best shot, its a starting point for settlement etc. Yeah, my first thought was, "Well, there's a lawyer that's getting sanctioned" until I saw she was a Pro Se plaintiff. There's plenty of wriggle room for the amount of damages a plaintiff can claim -- there just has to be a legal certainty it's POSSIBLE to get the relief claimed. Safe to say that rule isn't satisfied here.
February 10, 201214 yr $900,000,000,000,000 is roughly 15,000 times the net worth of Bill Gates and 60 times the entire GDP of the United States.
February 10, 201214 yr QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Feb 10, 2012 -> 06:28 AM) $900,000,000,000,000 is roughly 15,000 times the net worth of Bill Gates and 60 times the entire GDP of the United States. So you're saying it's a little unreasonable?
February 10, 201214 yr But by asking for such a high amount her case now gets lots of free publicity and just maybe she gets a lawyer to represent her for free or some reduced percentage because of this.
February 10, 201214 yr QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 10, 2012 -> 06:54 AM) So you're saying it's a little unreasonable? Maybe just a little. My guess is she made up a number and didn't know what came after "trillion". If I was her, I would have gone for the cool One Quadrillion.
February 10, 201214 yr A lawyer would be in for a minimum of $300 trillion if they win the case. Hell, settling before court for $450 trillion would be a sweet paycheck.
February 10, 201214 yr QUOTE (Tex @ Feb 10, 2012 -> 02:04 PM) A lawyer would be in for a minimum of $300 trillion if they win the case. Hell, settling before court for $450 trillion would be a sweet paycheck. If they settled for one-millionth of one percent it would still be $9,000,000
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