Says Has Damaging Information Through Her Role As Prosecutor
posted April 21, 2006
General Sessions Court Judge candidate Mary Sullivan Moore has blasted rival Hallie McFadden in an email, saying she was trying to bring her family members into the campaign.
Ms. Moore, who recently left the district attorney's office, said she has "hurtful" information available to her from her work as a prosecutor.
She told Ms. McFadden, "Know that your campaign manager and his family and his partner and his family don't need to suffer simply because we put ourselves out there for election." The campaign manager for Ms. McFadden is attorney Barry Abbott. His partner is John Cavett.
Also in the email, Ms. Moore said she believes a forum letter in the Nooga.com website was instigated by Ms. McFadden and General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon.
She also said she believes her phone has been tapped by either Ms. McFadden or General Sessions Court Judge David Bales, the third candidate in the race.
Ms. McFadden said she was "really disappointed" by the email.
She said, "What really bothers me the most is the threats she made to use information she gained as a prosecutor against me, Barry Abbott and John Cavett. I find that unethical and repugnant."
Ms. McFadden said she has "no idea what she could be referring to." She said attorney Cavett "is an upstanding, intelligent, highly qualified attorney who is not even involved in my campaign."
Ms. McFadden said she had been told by several individuals that Ms. Moore had once been charged with assaulting her sister. She said she had been trying to find out if the "rumor" was true. She said she asked someone in the district attorney's office the name of Ms. Moore's sister so she could check out the rumor by asking her.
Ms. McFadden said, "I promise I am not bugging her phone. And I don't think Judge Bales has the authority to bug anyone's phone either."
She said Judge Moon is not involved in her campaign. She said he advised her earlier to "stick to your own campaign."
Attorney Abbott said, "We had heard the reports about Ms. Moore and her sister and we wanted to find out if if was true. Whether we would have used it or not if it was true, I don't know."
Judge Bales said, "I was on the bench working when I was told about this argument between Ms. Moore and Ms. McFadden.
"It is absolutely ridiculous that I would be accused of tapping someone's phone. I have never tapped anyone's phone and I never would tap anyone's phone.
"I have just signed the Judicial Code of Ethics on how to responsibly conduct a campaign. Both of these candidates need to compose themselves and conduct their campaigns with dignity and integrity.
"I intend to continue presiding over the court with fairness and impartiality and to ignore the arguments between Ms. Moore and Ms. McFadden."
Judge Bob Moon was not available for comment.
District Attorney Bill Cox said Ms. Moore no longer works in his office.
Nooga.com is published by Rick Igou, who was earlier charged with arson in a case prosecuted by Ms. Moore and defended by attorneys Abbott and Cavett.
Mr. Igou was charged with burning down a skating rink he owned in Hixson. The jury found him not guilty.
Ms. Moore said Friday, "I have great respect for my profession and I have great respect for the women in my profession, and that includes Hallie McFadden.
"I am proud that a good person like Hallie has offered her services to this community.
"I prefer that good people say nice things about other good people. Because Ms. McFadden made inquiries to multiple other attorneys about a family member of mine, immediately following her inquiries untrue and ridiculous statements were posted on a public forum by anonymous writers.
"I questioned Ms. McFadden about her inquiries. I researched where the anonymous postings came from.
"I feel this election should be based upon the qualifications and merit of the individual candidates and not based upon anyone's family members.
"I have offered my services to this fine community as has Hallie McFadden, and neither of our families or friends should be discussed ever again.
"We should focus on serving our community with integrity and honesty."
Ms. Moore said she has never been arrested.
The Moore email was also sent to Joanie Sompayrac, the treasurer for the Hallie McFadden campaign.
Here is the Moore email:
From: Mary Sullivan Moore [mailto:marysullivanmoore@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, April 21, 2006 12:34 AM
To: Joanie Sompayrac (E-mail); hallie@hmcfaddenlaw.com
Subject: Hello girls - We have a problem.
We promised that this would not get ugly.
We promised to each other that we would not get our families into any of this s---.
Today when you lied to my face Hallie, I must tell you I was very disgusted and disappointed. Back yourself off and see what you are doing.
You promised many things to me, and most of all, you promised to be true to yourself and this profession. You have failed me and yourself and this profession. I am truly saddened by your actions. I could not even look into your eyes today when you were talking because you were lying in my face.
It cuts worse because you are a mom and I know your kids need to believe in a mom that tells the truth.
Know this.
I have so much information that is so very hurtful to so many people, because of what I do for a living. Know that your campaign manager and his family and his partner and his family don't need to suffer simply because we put ourselves out there for election.
Know that your parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces and nephews do not need to suffer because of your actions.
The Nooga.com was instigated by you and Bob Moon and we all know that.
You are a fool to fall for those tricks. Please run that by your advisory council before you have the nerve to ask multiple people from the DAs office and inside the courthouse "what is Mary's sister's name?" and expect me to ever believe you did not go after my family.
Joanie, if this is the kind of s--- you agree with, I'm deeply disappointed.
Barry, If you want your firm's reputation in tact, I hope you will talk to your candidate.
THIS IS NOT A THREAT AT ALL.
But I can and will fight fire with fire.
Know that you have drawn first blood. I am doing nothing until I hear from people I used to know and trust on this matter.
I expect my friends in your camp to respond asap.
My phones are tapped, either by you or Bailes, so call me with caution. but since you are so cool with moon, maybe that is ok with you.
This is pitiful. I am sickened that this has happened.
We said we would remain friends no matter what.
I can't say that any longer.
This s--- is wrong and I will never stand behind someone who would do such under-handed s---. I ALMOST can't believe you did this. I truly considered if it looked like we would split the vote, stepping out and giving you my vote, because I care that much about this bench. You have shot this down the drain now.
In a perfect world, women would build each other up and be happy for the others sucess, as I have always been with you.
I may be naive to think that other women feel that way. Obviously with you. Thanks so much for backing Moon and all he does.
Tell Yolanda Hey from me.
msm
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