Cult News

Matt Hale may be an obnoxious hate monger, but he managed to get a law degree. The problem is he can’t use it to make a living.

No one will grant the founder of the “World Church of the Creator” a law license.

But the ever-persistent bigot is back in court with a practicing attorney to argue his case again, reports Copley News Service.

Somewhat like the old adage, “You can’t keep a good man down,” Hale appears to be proof that some bad men are just as buoyant.

CultNews.com was first to break the story that Hale was promoting himself through Internet listings as a lawyer, despite repeated court rulings that he could not practice law. According to the State’s County Attorney though, he could get away with such antics through a technical legal loophole.

Hale’s latest effort to exercise his First Amendment rights is stumping for public office. He is running for city council in East Peoria, Illinois. However, the last person to publicly endorse Hale’s character seems to have been Benjamin Smith. Smith subsequently went on a racist killing spree and then committed suicide.

Hardly the kind of endorsement that will get Mr. Hale elected.

The White Supremacist’s prospects for public office look as promising as his law career. Hale couldn’t get elected town dogcatcher. But he might take a shot applying for a janitorial position at the local pound. Maybe then he could find some practical use for his law degree— to paper a pen.

According to an Illinois State’s Attorney, Matthew Hale can publicly list himself as an attorney, despite repeated court rulings that deny him the right to practice law in Illinois.

Stewart J. Umholtz, the designated County State’s Attorney responsible for Peoria spoke today by phone from his office in Pekin, Illinois. Mr. Umholtz explained why he has taken no action against Matthew Hale concerning the Neo-Nazi’s published promotion of himself as an “attorney.” Umholtz said, “If he does not charge and/or collect fees, it’s not criminal.”

However, Umholtz’s assessment seems to contradict a previous statement made by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) of the Supreme Court of Illinois. The ARDC said, “In Illinois, a person who falsely represents him or her self to be an attorney has committed a criminal offense.” When advised of the ARDC statement Mr. Umholtz replied, “I will call the ARDC and check on that.”

Mr. Umholtz acknowledged receiving a complaint about Mr. Hale some time ago regarding this matter from a Peoria resident. But he insisted that his office had more pressing and important matters to attend to, such as “burglaries.”

Matthew Hale, founder of “World Church of the Creator” was linked to Benjamin Smith. Smith murdered two people and wounded nine, during a three-day rampage of hate in 1999. He was a member of Hale’s church. Hale said that the Illinois refusal to let him practice law likely led to Smith’s rage. Whatever the reason, he was a pivotal influence in Smith’s life.

Matthew Hale continues to test the law, some might say he flaunts it. But according to State’s Attorney Umholtz he can do that.

Note: According to the Peoria resident who originally filed a complaint with County State’s Attorney Stewart Umholtz, he knew the ARDC stated that Hale had committed a “criminal offense” from the beginning. The Peopria resident says Umholtz received forwarded email from the ARDC, which specifically stated that opinion. This seems to contradict Umholtz inference that he somehow didn’t know what the ARDC said and/or needs to “check on that.”

Matt Hale, leader of the so-called “World Church of the Creator,” may have graduated from law school and passed the Illinois State Bar, but he seems to be ignoring its courts.

Hale tried to become a practicing attorney in Illinois, but a state panel that evaluates the character and fitness of prospective lawyers turned down the hate group leader.

Subsequently Hale appealed that decision to a state court and lost. Not deterred he appealed once more in federal court, but lost again. At Wrigley Field after three strikes you’re out. But Mr. Hale if nothing else is persistent, the ardent Neo-Nazi just couldn’t accept three adverse decisions. So despite the calls against him, Hale decided to hang out his shingle anyway. He listed himself as an attorney at Lycos, Yahoo and his own hometown Yellow Pages in Peoria.

But a concerned Peoria resident found out and in June contacted the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) of the Supreme Court of Illinois. The ARDC advised, “In Illinois, a person who falsely represents him or her self to be an attorney has committed a criminal offense. Such matters are under the jurisdiction of County State’s Attorney’s Offices.” Dutifully the Peoria resident then reported the matter to that office.

However, after more than two months and repeated contacts with the County State’s Attorney’s Office and its investigator, who said in July that he was “waiting for an opinion from the US Attorney’s Office,” nothing appears to have been effectively done.

The Peoria resident also contacted the regional counsel for the Anti-Defamation League and the Illinois Attorney General’s Criminal Enforcement Division, who referred the Peoria resident back to the County State’s Attorney’s Office again.

And so what happened after this bureaucratic process? Matt Hale’s shingle is still hanging.

When contacted the State’s Attorney’s Office Investigator Dave Frank refused to comment. Stewart J. Umholtz, State’s Attorney and David Barkey, Midwest Civil Rights Counsel for the Anti-Defamation League, did not return calls.

What now compounds the situation is that Mr. Hale is running for City Commissioner of East Peoria, Illinois. Hale’s campaign platform includes the following statement; “Whether people like it or not, there is a direct link between race and criminal activity [sic].” Well, there appears to be at least a “direct link” between Matt Hale and “criminal activity,” which should exclude him from public office.

Interestingly, according to the “World Church of Creator Membership Manual, 3rd Edition,” under “Grounds for Revocation of Membership” the first cause is listed as; “Committing illegal acts or encouraging others to do the same.” Does this mean that Matt Hale may soon have his membership revoked? Something tells me an exception might be made.

Note: Hale hates Jews and has posted the video of Daniel Pearl, Wall Street Journal reporter, being murdered by terrorists at his website message board. One visitor commented, “Nothing like a dead Jew!”
[edit]