My old friends at the Center for Individual Freedom have an astonishing must-read investigative report about corruption of the legal system in south Texas. And it speaks volumes about the need for common sense legal reform and good, impartial and honest judges.

The story sounds like a John Grisham novel. But it’s all too true.

Some of the juicier bits, according to CFIF:

• There’s a trial lawyer suing Ford for tens of millions of dollars.
• He’s representing both the plaintiffs and one of the defendants.
• His lover winds up on the jury and starts tampering the moment she is sworn in.
• And, oh yeah, she helped the lawyer sign up the plaintiffs.
• And, oh yeah, she’s the city manager. Which means there’s been no investigation because, you know, the police work for her — and the state authorities need a request from the locals to get involved.
• The judge has a clear conflict of interests, but hears the case anyway.
• And, oh yeah, he was indicted on federal charges in an unrelated matter just weeks after the trial.

Needless to say, the jury found for the plaintiffs and hit Ford with a big verdict. They’ve since settled the case for undisclosed sum.

But, oh yeah – the driver who caused the crash that was the seed for the lawsuit? He was drunk.

It’s a long read, but CFIF has told the tale well. Don’t miss it.