Related To Story |
I-Team: Juvenile Court Clerk's Office Sued
Woman Says Vic Lineweaver's Office Prevented Her From Filing Petition
POSTED: 1:25 pm CST February 18,
2008
UPDATED: 7:31 pm CST February 18,
2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Weeks after the I-Team’s Jeremy Finley reported on what Juvenile Court Clerk Vic Lineweaver was doing outside his office, allegations have come out about what’s going on inside it.
Video: I-Team: Woman Sues Juvenile Court Clerk's OfficeIn previous reports, he was seen in his bathrobe at home while he told the I-Team he was in a meeting. He was also spotted coming to work at 3 p.m while the I-Team found payroll records recording full workdays."What we have seen is that you're not there. That's the problem. We followed you for a random seven days, and sometimes you would show up at 2:00 in the afternoon,” Finley said to Lineweaver.
“OK, I'm sorry. Is there anything else?" Lineweaver said."It's almost like a bad comedy,” said Tennessee taxpayer advocate Ben Cunningham in a previous report.“Let's be clear. When I called you, you told me you were in a meeting, but we just saw you in your bathrobe at home,” Finley told Lineweaver in an interview.“I believe you. I don't recollect that, Jeremy. I really don't. I apologize,” Lineweaver saidThe I-Team reported on these revelations after a juvenile court referee accused Lineweaver of failing to do his job and had him arrested.Christine Grablis said none of the issues with Lineweaver came as a surprise."I've called over there for Mr. Lineweaver; he's not there,” she said.Grablis is in the middle of a court battle for her daughter. She said the case has been more complicated because of errors in Lineweaver's office.“Frustrating is not even close to what I'm feeling,” she said.Grablis' lawyers have asked the district attorney's office to investigate Lineweaver. Another mother in a custody battle, Stetisha Ewing, has also filed a lawsuit against him.“Why do you think these people are coming forward and saying these things?" Finley asked Lineweaver.“Two things, in my opinion: Once, they just saw me on TV, Channel 4. They aren't getting what they want or how it's handled in the court. Do you think they're going to blame a judge or referee? They're probably going to pick on the clerk's office,” Lineweaver said.Clerk's offices operate and rely on the accuracy of files, and every part of the court system is supposed to have identical copies of files. But Grablis' attorneys said they believe that one copy of her file – which is in Lineweaver's office -- was tampered with.Grablis’ attorneys questioned why forms in Grablis' circuit court file differ from what's in her file in juvenile court. On one file, the juvenile court stamp is missing.Why do documents that are supposed to have exactly the same writing from a probation officer have different statements?“It is somewhat messed up. It needs to be rectified, but not in our office,” Lineweaver said.Lineweaver said his office made no mistakes and he blamed the inconsistencies on probation officers and other courts.“The staff here at the clerk's office was doing their job," he said.But Ewing said the office wasn't doing its job and has filed a lawsuit claiming Lineweaver's office prevented her from filing a petition."By law, they have to be able to do that,” Finley said."Yes,” Lineweaver said."Isn't that right?" Finley said."Yes,” Lineweaver said."So, you wouldn't deny that to somebody?” Finley said."No," Lineweaver said.Lineweaver said it was a different office that denied Ewing.Why does all this matter? Attorneys for the women said if they're denied the right to file or there are errors in the files, judges can't make fair decisions in their cases.Lineweaver said his office is not guilty of any of the accusations and that his office is doing a great job.“Have we increased and bettered ourself in this office to be more responsible, not only to the public, but to our children? It's improved immensely,” Lineweaver said.Lineweaver provided the I-Team with e-mails from court officials who had him arrested, showing that they are satisfied with how his office is performing since his arrest.Attorneys for the women said they are not satisfied. The district attorney's office said they did receive the request to investigate Lineweaver's office but would not say if they are investigating or not.
Previous Stories:
- February 1, 2008: Questioned Official Tells I-Team: 'Trust Me'
- January 31, 2008: I-Team Questions Elected Official's Schedule
Copyright 2008 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Got a story idea? E-mail newstips to news@wsmv.com or call the newsroom 24/7 at 615-353-2231.









