UPDATE: Man Gets Fine, Avoids Jail...
A U.S. District Court judge is deliberating whether to punish a one-time juror for leaving town during a trial.
Scott C. Enke, 33, of Plainfield, went on a business trip to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on March 8, the Sun-Times reports. Enke was assigned to serve on a jury for a Medicare Fraud trial, and his absence led a federal judge to hold him in contempt for failing to appear
A U.S. District Court judge is deliberating whether to punish a one-time juror for leaving town during a trial.
Scott C. Enke, 33, of Plainfield, went on a business trip to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on March 8, the Sun-Times reports. Enke was assigned to serve on a jury for a Medicare Fraud trial, and his absence led a federal judge to hold him in contempt for failing to appear
“It is plain that Enke acted under the assumption that fulfilling his obligation to serve on a jury was not as important as his business trip for his employer,” wrote U.S. District Judge James Holderman.
Enke’s lawyer insisted that wasn’t true, saying there were a lot of "crossed signals" and his client isn't one to disrespect the law.
According to the Sun-Times, Enke received five days off from his employer, Covidien PLC, a medical device supplier, for jury duty, but he failed to tell the court about a business trip that was rescheduled. His company’s client threatened to take its business elsewhere if someone from Enke’s company didn’t show up for the procedure, the paper reports.
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Enke called the courtroom deputy clerk and claimed he was excused. The clerk denied that. Enke also said he left a message on the trial judge’s voicemail.
Judge Holderman postponed until July 10 whether to fine Enke up to $1,000, send him to jail for three days or give him community service.
The judge said he needed more time to examine Enke’s background before handing down a punishment.
