Hit-and-run driver won't face felony because he's rich

[MililaniBuckeye]

EAGLE, Colorado -- A financial manager for wealthy clients will not face felony charges for a hit-and-run because it could jeopardize his job, prosecutors said Thursday.

Martin Joel Erzinger, 52, faces two misdemeanor traffic charges stemming from a July 3 incident when he allegedly hit bicyclist Dr. Steven Milo from behind then sped away, according to court documents.

...

Erzinger, an Arrowhead homeowner, is a director in private wealth management at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Denver. His biography on Worth.com states that Erzinger is "dedicated to ultra high net worth individuals, their families and foundations."

Erzinger manages more than $1 billion in assets. He would have to publicly disclose any felony charge within 30 days, according to North American Securities Dealers regulations.

Milo wrote in a letter to District Attorney Mark Hurlbert that the case "has always been about responsibility, not money."

"Mr. Erzinger struck me, fled and left me for dead on the highway," Milo wrote. "Neither his financial prominence nor my financial situation should be factors in your prosecution of this case."

Hurlbert said Thursday that, in part, this case is about the money.

"The money has never been a priority for them. It is for us," Hurlbert said. "Justice in this case includes restitution and the ability to pay it."

Hurlbert said Erzinger is willing to take responsibility and pay restitution.

"Felony convictions have some pretty serious job implications for someone in Mr. Erzinger's profession, and that entered into it," Hurlbert said. "When you're talking about restitution, you don't want to take away his ability to pay."

Full story

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Fuck. That.


*cue Gator to the defense of this fucker*

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

*cue Gator to the defense of this fucker*

Why'd you think I started this thread?

 

[Muck]

Mark Hurlbert is probably going to run for public office someday.

His future opponents are probably already filing this story (and his quotes) away.

 

[sharkonwheels]

"Delayed adjudication" - new invention?
Say, 2-3 years later, when he's paid the victim restitution, BAM!

Adjudication on his record, and a Big

for mister Hurlbert. Thanks for playing "I couldn't give two shits HOW much money you make peckerwood" and have a nice day.

That is THE BIGGEST bunch of crap I've ever read..

Talk about manipulating the justice system...

Isn't there some kind of oath those fuggers have to take, about upholding the law?

What kind of crap is THAT?

I say, if the DA refuses to charge as a felony, file charges against him - he took an OATH to uphold the law.

Gator - what say you?

 

[Jake]

Since the DA has done everything he can to ensure the plaintiff "has the ability to pay restitution" I hope the victim sues the ever loving shit out of him.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Welcome to the Plutonomy.

 

[BuckTwenty]

Paging Gator...

 

[Gatorubet]

I don't do much (hardly any) criminal law, but is seems an odd position to take by the State. I assume the billion dollar investment guru would have some serious insurance and an umbrella - unless he is an idiot. And I assume that the good Doctor has a kick ass disability policy and health insurance. I only mention that because it seems to me that the only valid reason to not put the guy away (or at least prosecute him) for a bit would be for this reason: they do not want the state to have to pay for Doctor Got Hit's surgery. With his own and Erzinger's insurance, that is not a possibility.

So I do think it a poor move by the DA, and I do not see a valid reason not to prosecute the felony. [censored] a hit and run driver. I also think the umbrage from the doctor is also based more on the rules of evidence: he could introduce Erzinger's felony plea or conviction in the civil ($$$$) trial, but the fact of a misdemeanor plea is not going to reach the jury in his damage case. Poor, poor Doc. In any event, I hope the fund manager goes to trial on a felony charge and the injured Dr. gets his pound of flesh at trial.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Hit-and-run driver won't face felony because he's rich

No surprise there, the rich and famous have always gotten preferential treatment on criminal charges, with sentencing, and/or in the courts ever since I can remember.

:(

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Hit-and-run driver won't face felony because he's rich

No surprise there, the rich and famous have always gotten preferential treatment on criminal charges, with sentencing, and/or in the courts ever since I can remember.

:(

I agree that there's always been a degree of "how much justice can you buy" in our system. This takes it one step further and seems to imply that prosecutorial decisions will now be made on wealth and class. Well, the Supreme Court took care of the pesky "one man-one vote" problem detailed in the Citibank memo. This is just the next logical step.

 

[Gatorubet]

[censored]. That.


*cue Gator to the defense of this [censored]er*

Why'd you think I started this thread?

Sucks to be you. :p