Record-Eagle staff writer
CHARLEVOIX - A judge has sealed a videotaped deposition by Prosecutor Mary Beth Kur in a pair of whistleblower lawsuits that Kur's attorney said are "fraught with political undertones."
Grand Traverse Circuit Court Judge Thomas Power, who is hearing the suits, ordered the deposition sealed on a request from attorney Dennis Taylor of Traverse City, who is representing Kur and Charlevoix County.
Taylor argued the depositions contained "irrelevant, slanderous and potentially personally or professionally damaging" testimony.
That included claims of pornographic material in the prosecutor's office, "unsubstantiated claims involving school and legal issues involving prosecutor Kur's young son" and unsubstantiated allegations of "misuse of county funds" and "witness tampering by prosecutor Kur in the (John) Jarema case."
Attorney Grant Parsons of Traverse City, who is representing county employees Sandra Ward and Jacqueline Rozema in their lawsuits, questioned the sealing of Kur's deposition.
"Why close the record on a public official for something they did at work?" he said.
Kur defended the action.
"I don't have anything to hide," she said. "(But) if someone asks you a question like, 'When did you stop beating your wife?' you can't un-ring that bell.
"As a public official, I understand that I am fair game, whether it be in a deposition or otherwise. But my family is off-limits - especially my children, who are minors and cannot defend themselves."
LINK: http://static.record-eagle.com/2004/mar/28kur.htm
IN RESPONSE TO ANONYMOUS COMMENTER
AnonymousOctober 14, 2014 at 7:48 AM
So, what we have here is a victimized, conspiracy theorist, substance abusing felon who has turned her attention to cyber-stalking Mary Beth Kur. Wow - can we say "Giant ax to grind?"
Prosecutor Mary Beth Kur - Deputy John Bush fired for filing DV Report - Charlevoix
On May 10, 2004, Charlevoix Sheriff Deputy John Bush Jr. responded to a 911 call at the home of Charlevoix County Prosecutor Mary Beth Kur.
According to reports, Deputy Bush transported Kur's son to the hospital. "When talking to the doctor, a statement was made that Stephen Kur had hit his son the night before and attempted to push him down the stairs. It was also stated that both of the parents had been mentally abusive to their son..."
Prosecutor Mary Beth Kur made a phone call that night toCharlevoix County Undersheriff Donald Schneider. The phone call was recorded:
Kur: "(Our son) ended up calling 9-1-1 ....So Bush came out with (Charlevoix City Police Officer) Matt (Umulis)....I don't know Bush very well but if somebody would just please say something about respecting my son's privacy...."
Schneider: "I'll take care of it..."
Kur: "I don't want anything like… I just don't know him well enough to just ask him that..."
Schneider: "I'll take care of Bush..."
Kur: "(Our son) ended up calling 9-1-1 ....So Bush came out with (Charlevoix City Police Officer) Matt (Umulis)....I don't know Bush very well but if somebody would just please say something about respecting my son's privacy...."
Schneider: "I'll take care of it..."
Kur: "I don't want anything like… I just don't know him well enough to just ask him that..."
Schneider: "I'll take care of Bush..."