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Finally, in February of this year, ex-President Judge Leo A. Sereni was appointed as a special master by current President Judge Kenneth A. Clouse to locate the disputed marital assets. Sereni hired Parente Randolph and Intelysis, forensic accountants, to conduct an exhaustive search through a maze of financial institutions from Switzerland to Panama. They concluded Chadwick did not possess the funds.
Barbara Chadwick’s attorney Albert Momjian said Sereni’s report should not matter. He claims Chadwick stonewalled any attempt to search through his financial records.
Michael Malloy, who represents the jailed Chadwick, disputes Momjian’s accusation, saying his client cooperated fully with the financial investigation.
The two sides continue to square off.
Momjian argues that Sereni’s function was to "find where the money was hidden," not conclude that Chadwick should be set free. He goes on to say that numerous judges agreed with the original claim that Chadwick knew where the money was and continued to hide it.
Malloy hailed the report, claiming it should provide the necessary proof to set his client, who suffers from a recurrence of malignant lymphoma, free.
After detailing no evidence of hidden money, Sereni concluded in his report, "Mr. Chadwick’s present incarceration has, in effect, become a life sentence without the protections and benefits of the basic constitutional provisions afforded to those citizens accused of more heinous acts."
In other words, no judge could keep an accused child molester, rapist or murderer in jail for 10 years without benefit of a trial by jury. But, that’s just what has happened to H. Beatty Chadwick.
The one investigation ordered by the court cannot find the money Momjian and his client claim is there. Yet, Chadwick remains in jail.
Judge Clouse said another hearing will be held in the case in light of Sereni’s report. It should be quick. No man should be jailed with no chance of freedom when he has never been allowed to plead his case in open court.
Free H. Beatty Chadwick.
