Press Kudos for Thomas Frongillo's Win Over Asbestos Trial in Montana

[Mark A. Bartlett]

Dear Editor of the Sun Chronicle:
My name is Mark Bartlett and I live in Wasilla, Alaska. I just read your article on Thomas Frongillo by Michael Gelbwasser in your Newspaper. I was appalled and sickened by the article. Mr. Gelbwasser should have paid a visit to the town of Libby, Montana and seen the heartaches and death that lingers in this community because of WR Grace and Company's actions over their time spent as Owner/Operator of the Zonolite Mine.
The articles' analogy to the game of football and the touchdowns scored by Mr. Frongillo in a court of law is laughable. This man was sent in as a high profile hit man to decimate the American Worker wronged by an American Corporation so he could add a star to his resume. WR Grace and Company are corporate killers that should be held accountable to the already deceased employees and their immediate families and also to the remaining few that are dying a slow, painful, and choking death from this Company's lies and deception.
A little harsh, you might say? Hardly. I am a former employee that was exposed to years of poisionous air at their old dry mill operation in Libby...and I verify that unlike Mr. Frongillo, I will not be running for a touchdown pass to win a game; I cannot hardly catch a breath to run for a pass.
Sleep well, Mr. Frongillo, your future is a bright one.
Submitted,
Mark A. Bartlett
1830 E. Parks Hwy
Wasilla, Ak.
99654
1.907.376.6037

[ricknkim]

I wondered whether this article was a "news article" or a self-promotion submitted by Frongillo and company. I like to see a local make it big on the national stage, but not when it is at someone elses's expense. Although I do not know the details of this case, it sounds an awful lot like a Grisham novel about yet another corporation escaping litigation thanks to some slimy lawyer . . . . I would be interested in knowing more about the case and whether Frongillo and company won a well-deserved victory or whether that victory was another example of the little guy getting screwed.

[Mark A. Bartlett]

Hello ricknkim:
I've never done anything like this --until today! Of course, being an ex-employee of WR Grace and Company, i have been following this case up until the minute that they read the final verdict...me and everyone else in the town that is. Following the entire trial has been a great lesson in the American Justice System--where I was hoping that just would prevail. To do a thorough job of following this trial--I put a "subtitle" on my Google and Yahoo account that looked for ANYTHING in the National Press that had ANY line in it that had the name WR Grace and Company--or Asbestos Trial in Montana--Federal or State in nature. If you do the same--you'll be innundated with more than you can digest with articles written by everyone from local writers to national names that were there to cover this Federal trial folly.
So, today--when I received a Google Notification in my mailbox--I opened it thinking that it would be a repeat of another newspaper's take on the outcome of this particulat trial--and then there it was...the Sun Chronicle's tribute to a "small town boy done good" about Mr. Frongillo written by Mr. Gelbwasser. I read this and was absolutely astonished--not just about Mr. Frongillo's feather in his hat from "winning" the case for his client, but how Mr. Gelbwasser used these football metaphors so irregardlessly of human feelings from the "losers" that my guts just ached--and I had to get a letter off to half of the Sun Chronicle's Editors, Owners, and contributers. But you know, ricknkim, it was futile and in vain. This paper doesn't have the honor or gumption to print this in their Letter to the Editor Section of their publication. Well, let me tell you this; while they are feathering this man's hat and adorning him with local boy praise for his magnamious defeat over a bunch of small-town hicks, people are dead (over 200!) and people are continuing to suffer drawn-out deaths and suffocating from lack of oxygen because of his Client. Now, I must say at this point before going any farther, ricknkim, that I do not know Mr. Frongillo personally, nor do I care to--I do not hold him in contempt because of his job skills and professionalism, on the contrary, he did his job and raised the bar for legal preparation in his guardianship; it is his Client that is reprehensible in their actions to it's employees and their Families. I would equate Mr.Frongillo and his courtroom skills to men that have, in American Justice, made landmark cases for all of us to look at in awe of their expertise. I look upon his energy expended towards proving their innocence as I would look upon him using the same skills to defend the head of the Cali Cocaine Cartel from drug charges. It is the notoriety and the money that buys more notoriety, from these cases that sickens me and demeans the word "honor".
Thank you for even acknowledging this articlle that I felt nobody would even give a second look. ...and yes, you hit it on the head...in your words--slimy lawyer...Grisham novel...little guy getting screwed.

My Regards,

Mark A. Bartlett
Wasilla, Alaska

[ricknkim]

I took your advice and did a little research of my own and although I did not get the court transcript, I think I got enough details to conclude that your analogy of a lawyer defending a Cali drug cartel is probably spot-on. Too bad the paper didn't include the other side of the argument rather than simply praising the local lawyer. It seems as though they (the company/lawyer) tout the millions they've spent on clean-up and medical bills, I wonder how much has been spent on punitive damages to the families torn apart? I also wonder what the date was when they knew the ill-effects of the mine and when they started with their efforts to protect both workers and employees. I am willing to bet that those dates were far apart . . . . therefore, the execs should be held accountable even if this "skilled lawyer" prevented them from that.

I think the paper failed in their mission to provide an objective news article and I also feel they are completely wrong in not publishing your letter to the editor. I wish they'd reconsider. Did you send the letter direct to the editor in addition to posting it here? Take care and thanks for your information.

[Mark A. Bartlett]

Good Morning ricknkim:
I did send this and more to everybody that has anything to do with Management of this Paper--but they wouldn't begin to start a jousting exhibition from Massachusettes to Alaska.
Yes, it is also true, as you pointed out from your brief read through some of the material provided, that WR Grace did fork over money to start in the rehabilitation of the Region...but only because they were forced into these actions by the Attorney General of the State of Montana and other Agencies (both State and Federal) that held their foot to the fire and tried to make them accountable. But it is YOU and I and ALL of the OTHER TAX PAYING AMERICANS that footed the bill (and will continue to do so) for this massive clean-up. Massive toxic clean-up that the EPA says dwarfed the Three Mile Island clean-up costs. Please, re-read that last sentence and let that settle in. Oh yeah, as if the American Taxpayer NEEDS ANOTHER item to pay for from his already nit-picked payroll check.
Once again, thank you for even giving this a second look. Oh, and ricknkim, if you ever need a good lawyer, I know one. (Good lawyer; isn't that an oxymoron?)
Good Day to You!
MARK A. BARTLETT
WASILLA, AK

[Vincent LeVine]

Mark,

I read the Sun Chronicle's article about W.R. Grace and their lawyer, Mansfield native Thomas Frongillo. Two things of interest caught my eye:

1) My father worked for W.R.Grace at one time, many years ago, early 70's. When we would sit down to eat dinner then, my father would joke and say "It's time to say Grace-- W.R.!" With that came chuckles around the table, but even then I understood how powerful W.R. Grace was. Even if only in jest, we thanked them for our food!

2) I graduated from Sharon High in 1974, the year Thomas Frongillo graduated from Mansfield High. I played football against him.

After reading that the article was really about how Goliath slayed David, and not the other way around, I was kind of shocked. The article went on to describe how Mr. Frongillo proved no wrong doing on the part of W.R.Grace, the corporate giant. I felt the same way about this situation as I did about all the past Yankee pennants-- You have the money, spend the money, and you win! (most of the time)

As I thought about the article I began realizing how deeply our American culture has tumbled. We've become blood thirsty capitalists who applaud those who do the slaughtering because it's good theater.

I'm sure Mr. Frogillo is a well-schooled lawyer and his skills far exceeded those of the firm representing the litigants.

As for me? Give me truth, justice, but NOT the American way!

And definitely not articles that glamorize corporate slaughter--

[ricknkim]

Well said Vincent - I share many of those feelings and thought it to be in bad taste for the paper to present the story as it did without exploring the true "cost" of Goliath's victory over David. Would have been better if they told both sides of the story - I'd challenge them to run a story about the old guy who lived nearby and has serious health issues as a direct result of the company's operations. Doubt we'll see it but it sure would be cool if they did.

[Mark A. Bartlett]

Good Morning Vincent:
Good to hear from you and the other gentleman "ricknkim" on this topic. First, I would ask you to talk with your medical Family Doctor or visit the Libby Clinic to see if you've been exposed and also mention this to your other Family members. Stay on top of this.
Now in reply to your points made above--bravo. In the back of my mind, I wondered just how revered this Frongillo character was. It does surprise me a bit to hear your perspective on the man, the "game", and the Legend. (I'll bet he cried when your Team took it to him!)
Grace did well to pay him his exorbitant fees. He now has more notoriety than he knows what to do with it. His pact with Beelzebob paid dividends.
What a pity, that someone of this caliber could not have taken the other side; helping all those sickened, disparaged, and unsuspecting individuals that Grace infected. Instead of being the Hair Club For Men President, he could have been President of the United States of America.
History, gentlemen, will judge this man right up there with Pol Pot.
Once again, Thank you for the input. Very kind of you both.

MARK A. BARTLETT
WASILLA, ALASKA

[Vincent LeVine]

Hi Mark,

I started my own blog concerning this matter at:

http://thesunchronicle.ning.com/profiles/blogs/david-and-goliath

[Mark A. Bartlett]

Good Morning Vincent:
I am leaving my job on the North-Slope today to take my 2009 Vacation. I won't be returning back to work here until July 30th. It's been nice talking with you. I hope that when I get back with you at this time--I can answer any other questions that you might have on this topic.

Regards,

MARK A. BARTLETT
WASILLA, AK.