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In last week’s cover story, writer Jeffrey Anderson reported that a D.C. Department of Employment Services administrative law judge had been hearing workers’ compensation cases for years without a valid law license and explored the heavy caseload—and sparse oversight—the judges have. Readers weren’t necessarily surprised by the revelation. “I did meet a judge once who really seemed on top of it and I felt bad for her because the rest of that place is just a circus,” wrote not telling.
Corky, though, implied that a lot of the critiques of DOES in the story were explained by the people it quoted: “Well, now that we have heard from the plaintiffs’ bar…Did this reporter even bother to ask interview any attorney for the WC insurers or employers?” (Corky did, however, agree that the judge in question, Anand K. Verma, was a problem: “I wouldn’t want a non-lawyer as a judge, but what would you expect from a country that allows people to carry concealed weapons in bars and movie theaters?”)
That drew a reply from Anderson: “Yes, I contacted several employer-side workers comp lawyers, but none would comment for the story or even talk on background about their views. In a couple of instances, they said their clients had policies that prohibited them from talking to reporters.”
Potted Plantagenet
Chris Klimek’s profile of Drew Cortese, a banker-turned-actor who’s made a living playing villains, focused on Cortese’s role as Richard III in the eponymous play by William Shakespeare, playing at the Folger Theatre. One reader took issue with the notion that Richard III, the last king of England’s Plantagenet dynasty, should even be considered a bad guy. “Your vulgar ignorance and stupidity could only be a reflection of your lack of talent,” wrote Carmel Schmidt. “Richard was probably England’s finest King. He was an extremely handsome man with great military ability. His ‘curvature’ of the spine is exactly like that of John Kennedy and Douglas MacArthur, Elizabeth Taylor, etc., just to name of few of what must be your sacred cows. Richard was also the last lawful King of England. You should be hauled into Court for Defamation.”
Deaf Trivia Jam
For Young and Hungry last week, Jessica Sidman reported on how H Street NE bars are hiring deaf staffers and training others in American Sign Language to help make nearby Gallaudet University students feel more welcome. At Vendetta, for instance, there’s now a monthly trivia night conducted in both sign language and spoken English. Readers welcomed this development, and one pointed out an additional benefit from the synergy of nightlife businesses and deaf neighbors. “Another great thing about having deaf folks living next to entertainment districts is that they won’t complain about the noise,” wrote Jes’ sayin.
Department of Corrections
Due to a reporting error, last week’s cover story incorrectly identified At-Large Councilmember David Grosso as the chair of Committee on Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and At-Large Councilmember Vincent Orange as a member of it. In fact, Orange is the chair and Grosso is a member of the committee.