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The assistant attorney heading up the prosecution of ex-Circuit Court Judge Herman Thomas abruptly resigned from the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office April 5 after the FBI executed a search warrant at his home.
Steve Giardini, who last week was assigned to help lead the prosecution of 57-count indictment against Thomas that was handed down by a special grand jury March 27, resigned his position as of Sunday afternoon, according to District Attorney John Tyson. Tyson could not elaborate upon why federal agents searched Giardini’s home or what they were looking for.
Giardini, 49, has worked in the DA’s office for more than 20 years and specialized in prosecuting sex crimes against minors. He has worked specifically with the Child Advocacy Center.
Tyson said he learned of the FBI search Saturday and had a conversation with Giardini’s attorney Dennis Knizley shortly afterward. He said that conversation continued Sunday.
“On the advice of his attorney, Giardini refused to answer my questions and resigned,” Tyson said. Tyson had confirmed earlier in the day that Giardini was no longer employed with his office.
As for how Giardini’s resignation would affect the Thomas prosecution, Tyson said the veteran prosecutor was never the only attorney leading the case and that he anticipates no interruption in the prosecution. As for naming a new lead prosecutor, Tyson said for “all intents and purposes, I’m the lead lawyer.” Giardini’s expertise was to have been to ask sensitive questions of a sexual nature, Tyson said. He added that the turn of events has been shocking for his office.
“It is fair to say that everyone here and at the Child Advocacy Center and everyone interested in prosecuting crimes against children is in shock today,” Tyson said.
He stressed that the circumstances surrounding Giardini’s resignation have nothing to do with the Thomas case.
meagain says:
April 07, 2009
07:14 PM
Maybe these people working on extreme cases should have some kind of restriction put on them. Like the Blue Angel pilots. A person can endure only so much stress and unfourtunetly Mr. G. may have fallen to the dark side. For as much good as he has done and the difficult cases he has prosecuted i am not ready to throw stones. We are all human with fault and flaws. I hope the best for Mr. G. and his family
towntalker says:
April 07, 2009
04:56 PM
The two towers of Govt. Plaza are separated by hot air, but phone lines still connect them. What evidence exist to back billybob's notion that the mayor has no influence over what goes on the other tower?//
billybob says:
April 07, 2009
10:32 AM
Why on God's green earth would Steve go 15 & not 16. I don't endorse either, but something about "barely legal must make it an adventure. May God bless Mobile Co. & the good people trying to clean up this mess. And by yhe way, Mayor Jones has absolutely nothing to do with adjudication or expedition of these trials. Ever wonder why Govt. Plaza has 2 towers. Judicial & governemntal branch (if you will) are totally separate!!
proud says:
April 07, 2009
08:49 AM
My, My, My! I wonder who is next? It is so ironic that Steve situation is brought to the light. I wonder if the FBI was tipped off? I wonder how many more down at the Govt. Plaza sins is going to find them out? The only way Thomas was able to go so long without being caught is because he knew there were others that were involve in the same type of activity!!! There's no other way he would have jepodize his life and livelihood with out the covering and protectin of the D.A.'s office.
Now who else? We need the Justice Department to come down and lunch a through investigation into this level of corruption. This is the only thing that will restore the public's trust back into the our local government.
People, citizens of Mobile, let us not be fooled by these policitians that they will bring about change and they have been in office forever. It is no time to allow stupidityness to riegn over us. Please vote all incumbent policitians out and wipe the slate clean.
Mobile is now the talk of the nation, in a very negative way. My friends called me from Florida, and Washington, D.C.
Please bring Judge Hermie Thomas to justice along with Stevie Garidini. Because of their harendous crimes, Big Bubble is waiting on the both of them. If anybody know what the consequences are for this type of actions and behavior it's the judge and the prosecutor.
Now they can go to prison and play Heads and Tails! h, Ha, Ha!!!!
towntalker says:
April 06, 2009
06:15 PM
It has been obvious for some time that there is a group lurking in the shadows of Government Plaza who are protecting Herman Thomas. I suspect that at least one of them works in the DAs office. somebody in this group must had rat out Steve Giardini to the feds as away of sidetracking the case against Herman.
masquer08er says:
April 06, 2009
03:52 PM
You have to watch out for the Purple and Green ones. They show up from time to time (around Feb. to March) with the Gold ones.
mikejazc says:
April 06, 2009
03:36 PM
Black, White, Purple, Green. I don't care what color the man is. He needs to be punished for what sick things he did. Criminals or not, He was suppose to be upholding the law and he abused his authority. If he is not punished like any other person would be, It will be a sad day for or justice system in Mobile...
bluedotbama says:
April 06, 2009
03:33 PM
This certainly is a weird twist. Wish I had some insight on this one.
goatgate2008 says:
April 06, 2009
02:55 PM
I will be ashamed to be a Mobilian, if Herman Thomas is allowed to side step the punishment due him. Mayor Jones needs to stand up and make sure this is handled properly and in a timely manner.
quick-n-the-dead says:
April 06, 2009
01:50 PM
It's down right amusing, in a disgusting sort of way.
No one came to the defense of that evil monster who threw his
four children off the D.I. bridge. And for good reason. So, what
if a Jail Guard was accused of sexually abusing inmates and the
only witnesses were other inmates. Would anyone come to the
Guard's defense? Would anyone question "convicted criminals" being the
only witnesses? What makes Paddle Gate different? Is it because
Brother Herman was a popular Judge or is it because he is black?
baybumb says:
April 06, 2009
01:29 PM
This just gets better and better. I dub this "Paddle Gate"
It will be very hard for the DA's office to prosecute this case with only convicted felons for witnesses.