Judge calls Ornstein a liar
 

Judge plays hardball — with fairness

By Rick Daysog
Advertiser Staff Writer

It was a stunning rebuke of the high-flying corporate titan.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Faris had just ordered Mesa Air Group to pay Hawaiian Airlines $80 million for misusing confidential business information.

Now he was questioning the credibility of the Phoenix-based company's CEO, Jonathan Ornstein.

"I must say I did not not believe his testimony at that point," Faris said during a Dec. 13 hearing.

"I — I — I simply didn't believe that testimony."

The remarks raised eyebrows among courtroom observers, who had become accustomed to the judge's low-keyed and measured demeanor. But those who have known Faris well said they weren't surprised by the stinging criticism.

Since his appointment to the bench in 2002, the 49-year-old Faris has built a reputation in local bankruptcy circles as an even-handed jurist, who is willing to take on difficult issues.

In the Hawaiian and Aloha bankruptcies, he played hardball with management and organized labor to get them to settle disputes over pay, work rules and pension benefits.

He also took the unusual step of ousting Hawaiian's CEO John Adams after creditors accused Adams and his investor group of self-dealing. Faris later chopped down court-appointed trustee Joshua Gotbaum's bonus request from $8 million to $250,000.

"His reputation out there is that he is a very fair judge," said local real estate broker Steve Sofos, who was a creditor in a two-year-old bankruptcy dispute involving a local family-owned real estate company.

Mesa's Ornstein disagrees. Ornstein, whose company is appealing Faris' ruling, has said in recent news releases that Faris' "judgment was wrong."

"The order is not a result of a jury finding, but from a bankruptcy judge who entered sanctions against Mesa concerning evidentiary issues," Ornstein said in an Oct. 31 news release. "We believe these sanctions went too far and that an impartial appellate court will find the sanctions and this judgment should be set aside."

Read the full article here: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080127/BUSINESS/801270338/1071

So pretty much every pilot in the United States knows that Ornstool is a lying scumbag and now a US judge feels the same way. Perfect basis for the BOD to extend his contract for another three years. Baffling.

Maybe he should take a drive over to 4255 Amon Carter blvd. I would like to see what he has to say about those guys. hahe

I hope you're not giving JO an idea to buy us!

Never thought Papa Bravo would be the better of two leaders but the thought of JO in Fort Worth sends chills down my spine

Hahe, oh god no. I meant to see what the judge thinks of Arpey and friends.
Funny, because I talked to a few friedns that came to Eagle from Mesa said that if Mesa buys Eagle they will just be ready quit flying.:D

Most all regional pilots know that he is a scumbag.

It's the CFIs and newhires that are even thinking about applying over there that need to know. BOYCOT FLYING FOR MESA.

Most definitely. I tell everyone I can to steer clear of that sweatshop.