The comedy duo of Stephen “Bowtie” Stubbs and “Chief” Thomas Finn put on a show in a Vegas courtroom yesterday. Finn, playing the red faced buffoon still has his day job as the Boulder City, Nevada Chief of Police but maybe not for long. Technically Stubbs, the straight man, is a bikers’ rights lawyer. Why these guys don’t have their own reality show on Discovery is anybody’s guess.
In previous episodes of When Stubbs Met Finn, Stubbs filed a multi-million dollar civil rights lawsuit against multiple Nevada police departments on behalf of the Southern Nevada Confederation of Clubs. The suit complains that the bikers “were willfully, maliciously, and intentionally prevented from associating and/or assembling without justification or compelling state interest as a result of their status as a motorcycle club or motorcycle club member.”
Finn then tested the outer limits of the concept “zero tolerance” when the Mongols Motorcycle Club chose Boulder City to host their national run. Local cops used their police powers to harass the visitors and then Finn destroyed some of the evidence. So Stubbs complained that Finn’s actions epitomized what the civil rights suit was all about and he tried to have Finn charged with destroying evidence.
Then, Finn sued Stubbs for defamation complaining that Stubbs had “destroyed” his career. Stubbs noticed that Finn’s defamation suit referenced that the Chief had eavesdropped on a Stubbs phone call, which is also, technically, a crime and accused Finn of filing his lawsuit as a way to bully Stubbs into silence.
SLAPP
Stubbs filed a motion to dismiss Finn’s defamation suit under Nevada’s anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, or anti-SLAPP, statute. SLAPPs are lawsuits that are filed to intimidate or censor critics of public officials by forcing those critics to defend themselves against the lawsuit until they abandon their criticism.
Yesterday District Court Judge Jessie Walsh heard arguments from both sides.
Finn’s attorney, Sean Flanagan argued that the anti-SLAPP law did not apply because Stubbs had notified the press of his allegations.
Stubb’s lawyer, Nathan Morris, rhetorically asked, “Do we live in a country where we cannot hold our government officials accountable for their crimes and let the media know what we are doing? Mr. Stubbs did just that. He made a complaint to the District Attorney and forwarded a copy of the official complaint to the media.”
Judge Walsh ruled that “This is exactly the kind of case the legislature envisioned when they passed the Anti-SLAPP laws” and granted Stubb’s motion to dismiss the defamation suit “in its entirety.”
Schadenfreude
Finn is now liable for Stubb’s legal bill which currently amounts to about $30,000. He also faces the consequences of a second anti-SLAPP motion.
When the Chief sued Stubbs for defamation he also sued three other people – retired Police Sergeant Dan Jennings, Police Sergeant John Chase and City Attorney Dave Olsen – of trying to destroy him. When he lost yesterday Finn moved to dismiss his suits against all three of those men but Jennings had already filed his own Anti-SLAPP motion the day before. When he tried to dismiss Jenning’s motion he technically lost that case, too. So Finn also now owes Jennings a yet to be determined amount of damages.
There will be another hearing to determine how much Finn owes Stubbs and Jennings in about a month.
The Boulder City Council asked the Nevada Division of Investigation to investigate Finn’s conduct in November.
And bikers all over Southern Nevada are now enjoying the bliss of schadenfreude. Schadenfreude is a German word that means “joy in the misfortune of others.” Finn asked for it. The only real question is when he will stop asking for it. He could still be charged with two felonies as a result of his conduct.
January 16th, 2013 at 5:21 pm
You can’t always get what you want. But sometimes, you get what you deserve.
Long May You Ride,
Paladin
January 16th, 2013 at 5:38 pm
Fuckin’ A! Stubbs kickin’ ass and takin’ names! Finally, the rule of law is actually working the way it’s supposed to! At least so far…
January 16th, 2013 at 7:13 pm
This article made me smile.
I enjoyed how you wrote this update Rebel.
I hope this case will somehow have an impact on others that are of similar nature.
Way to go Stubs!
sherides
January 16th, 2013 at 9:04 pm
Think Finn went home & kicked the dog?
Soiled his shorts?
Experienced some major shrinkedge?
Or puckering?
All the above?
January 16th, 2013 at 10:07 pm
We’re not punished for our sins, but by them
-Mike Ness
January 16th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
I needed a big ol’ shit eating grin. Nothing like cops getting a fraction of what they deserve. I hear McDonalds is hiring.
January 16th, 2013 at 11:22 pm
One Eye: That’s really deep, and true, and it’s why “The Wages of Sin is Death” is a fact. We are constructed ultimately of spiritual fiber, and our sins are poison. It’s just the way we are, the way we’re made, there’s no way around it. “Nobody” has to do anything to us, or judge us; we do all that. It’s the ultimate Freedom, I suppose; no one can truly harm us but ourselves.
January 17th, 2013 at 6:22 am
haaaaaaaa haaaaaaaaa!!!!!
January 17th, 2013 at 9:53 am
This is great! Enjoy it Mr. Stubbs and remember “WE GIVE WHAT WE GET”
January 17th, 2013 at 10:43 am
Dear Rebel,
Do you know who is paying for Sean Flanagan, esq.? Is it police union, city, or personal funds?
Fun read, thank you!
January 17th, 2013 at 11:30 am
RLG: I don’t speak for Rebel, but I’ve been following this and Flanagan is being paid for by the Taxpayers via the City. If Stubbs wins, the taxpayers will be shelling out some more because of the city.
Let’s hope Stubbs wins and someone is paying attention.
January 17th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Thank you! That was what I wanted to know.
Well, on the bright side I suppose that is less money for them to spend on stupid stuff.
January 17th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
I’m hoping the Mongols MC is going to have their national rally there this year so businesses and local taxpayers can recoup their money with a successful and hassle free rally.
L&R,
warthog
FTP FTF FTW
January 17th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
…and as an added bonus, have Finn doing community service washing bikes.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:30 pm
BigV:
I can assure you that Boulder City is NOT paying for Mr. Flanagan in this lawsuit. This lawsuit was initiated by Finn in his individual capacity. Finn, and not Boulder City, is financially responsible.
However, Boulder City’s insurance is paying for Finn’s legal fees in the civil rights lawsuit that was initiated by the motorcycle clubs.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
great news for the coc, hopfully the taxpayers do notice who,s footing the bill,
FTP/FTF/FTG
January 17th, 2013 at 8:07 pm
Mr. Stubbs and AgingRebel Readers: My apologies for spreading disinformation.
January 17th, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Mr. Stubbs,
Thank you….
VFFV LVDV
Viva Los Vagos
January 17th, 2013 at 9:54 pm
Most excellent! Corrupt pig pays his own bills in this case, and insurance pays the civil rights case costs. Since IMO&E, insurance companies are only slightly less corrupt than alphabet soup organizations, this suits me just fine…
January 18th, 2013 at 10:25 am
Big V:
No worries.
Bowtie
January 18th, 2013 at 11:11 am
Chief Finn has taken a leave of absence.
Bowtie
January 18th, 2013 at 11:27 am
Awwwww how disappointing poor fucking Finn…. Karma mothfucker!
VFFV LVDV
Viva Los Vagos
January 18th, 2013 at 12:11 pm
Bowtie-
Thank you.
Stevo
January 18th, 2013 at 1:03 pm
Stubbs,
You da man!
I owe you personally. Thank you very, very much.
B-)
January 18th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Finn will never show his face back at the police station…..he is a coward. Way to kick his ass Stubbs!!!
January 24th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
There is something that has been bothering me about this case since Mr. Stubbs corrected my misinformed self.
The media in Nevada is couching this as though this is as (1)an attack on a “good cop” or (2)that this is being done on public funds so it ends up being taxpayer funded if Finn loses.
I went back through all the coverage on the story and saw the op-ed that basically stated that Flanagan is being paid for publicly, as well as any amount won in a civil suit.
It really disturbs me that mainstream media is “angling”(Rebel taught me a new word) this story this way.
Out of all the coverage, other than Rebel, the majority of coverage is not treating this as a story of felonies or discrimination against bikers. They’re treating it like what this pig and his piglets did is ok.
What the fuck ? Has the whole world gone mad ?
Stubbs is the kind of lawyer I wish I had had. I might be something other than a broke knockabout if I’d had someone like him. A lot of our stories might be different.
It cannot be ignored that this “officer of the law” broke the law, likely repeatedly. Yet, it sure seems like he’s exempt from the rules.
January 25th, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Hey everyone, keep your posts coming in. Trust me, Finn AKA Coward of the County is reading them at home, and it is eating him up. He is too ashamed to return to work so he took 12 months off due to high blood pressure. He is a jerk-off and now not only does New Jersey know what he is all about, but now nevada does. He is mortified that his wife and his sister are reading these because he lies to them about having 35 years in as a cop ( Bullshit 29 yrs) and that he does not have a blemish on his record. huh????
Tom, I know you are reading this……….You are a PUSSY.
Don’t worry, 1 to 4 years in jail will go by quickly you coward
January 25th, 2013 at 8:12 pm
I meant to say, 12 weeka
January 25th, 2013 at 8:12 pm
I meant to say, 12 weeka off with high BP
January 29th, 2013 at 7:24 am
Trust me if you contact The East Brunswick Police Union PBA local 145 and the East Brunswick Union FOP 98 1-732-390-6900 you will get a wealth of information from current officers about Finn.
They can provide you with names and numbers of retired officers who are willing to let the cat out of the bag. He was no goo in NJ and got booted out before he had the timein to retire. This man is a legend in his own mind and the mind of his sister. Please take me up on the phone call to NJ. You will be glad you did.
January 29th, 2013 at 8:42 am
Howard Anderson, Howard c. Anderson? Paterson Fire Chief, New Jersey.
reason I ask, and if I am mistaken, i do apologize, is that it is hard to trust any public official with a badge, when they start soliciting anyone to call in to any government run office. Especially when we are being encouraged to call in for information on police officers.
Now, like I said, I might be mistaken, but it is a small world and all, especially in the armpit of America, such as New Jersey. Just because I am paranoid, doesn’t mean I am wrong.
January 29th, 2013 at 8:58 am
No I am not the Fire Chief in Paterson. My name is very common wouldn’t you agree? Who said I am from New Jersey?
January 29th, 2013 at 9:22 am
Fuck me… If he was here i’ve probably had run ins with him before. Anyone got a picture?
Respects,
Caretaker
January 29th, 2013 at 9:48 am
@Caretaker -
Watch the youtube video at the bottom of the article, you only have to get about 7 seconds in before you see him.
January 29th, 2013 at 9:52 am
exactly, who said anything? i was simply asking, considering your name is so common and all, especially in public offices.
January 29th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Chesty-
Thanks… Kinda looks familiar,and if he’s the pig I THINK he is,he’s an arrogant douchebag.
Respects,
Caretaker
January 31st, 2013 at 11:44 am
Fuck You Finn. Enjoy the rest of your miserable life. -Junior
February 3rd, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Hey Caretaker………trust me, he is such a coward and he wouldn’t have the balls to stop you. He would have had one of his guys stop you. He is a hide behind the desk and hide behind the badge type of an individual. The true meaning of a P U S S Y
February 17th, 2013 at 2:58 pm
I hope the proper authorities surrounding this case are going to take his work computer for a complete forensic check. I would bet the house there is a enough general misconduct activity alone on that thing even if he isn’t charged with the felony crimes that he committed. That would be enough to terminate his employment with the city.
February 17th, 2013 at 8:16 pm
how odd, the ‘Destination America’ channel (a secondary outlet for the bile that is Laffin Devils) doing an hour on the Mongol Nation opening with Boulder City, dated 2013.
I can’t recall seeing coverage of an event WHILE litigation is in effect.
Things that make you go wtf?
February 22nd, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Heard he lost another SLAPP hearing!! Fag, now pay their attorney’s fees. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA
February 22nd, 2013 at 7:12 pm
I heard he lost another SLAPP hearing and now has to pay that guys attorney fees. Hey Finn, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA You drunken, cheating hypocrite, coward! It’s jail time next for you Mo-Fo
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:29 pm
Heh heh heh…good to see the pigs getting the shit thrown back at them for once.