Bad Legal Strategy

Aaron Wider, CEO of the HTFC Corp, dropped the F-bomb at least 73 times in a deposition over the mortgage crisis on top of not answering questions and being a general ass. The judge fined him and his attorney $29,000 for violating the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Here's a little snippet for your enjoyment. Mr. Wider is being questioned by opposing counsel:

Q: This is your loan file. What do Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald do for a living?
A: I don't know. Open it up and find it.
Q: Look at your loan file and tell me.
A: Open it up and find it. I'm not your fucking bitch.
Q: Take a look at your loan application.
A: Do it yourself. Do it yourself. You want to do this in front of a judge. Would you prefer to [do] this in front of a judge? Then, shut the fuck up.
Q: Sir, take a look--
A: I'm taking a break. Fuck him. You open up the document. You want me to look at something, you get the document out. Earn your fucking money, asshole. Better get used to it. You'll retire when I'm done.

We've certainly had a bunch of legal missteps historically at Microsoft, but I don't think we've ever been this boneheaded (I'm sure others will disagree). I seem to recall something in our legal training about not being such a doofus in a deposition. Oh wait, they didn't say anything about this because anyone with half a brain would know better.

HTFC's website is equally classy.

From The Legal Intelligencer

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