Lawyer Indicted Federally for Threats on Twitter

Springfield, Illinois prosecutor Samuel Cundari, just 30 years old, may find himself enjoying a VERY early retirement from the practice of law in a local minimum security prison if the indictment brought against him in the Northern District of Illinois stands up in court. Of course, noting immediately that he is presumed innocent, and that computer crimes can be hard to prove and can falsely identify the wrong people as being the perpetrators. That being said:

The social media posts

A social media post on Twitter/X tagged state representatives and the Illinois Dept of Justice, stating, “Our patience grows short with you. The day we put your kids’ feet first into a woodchipper so we can enjoy their last few screams is coming.” Another post targeted a bomb threat at Springfield Pride Fest, attempting to avoid responsibility by using the criminal gangster's mode of communication: "I sure hope somebody don't" // "wouldn't it be a shame if....." Finding glee in the torture of children, terroristic threats, punching down... if he is guilty, how did this person pass the character and fitness tests to be a lawyer?

Reminders about social media and the internet

Don't post in anger. In fact, my grandfather, the only other lawyer in my family, gave this advice: Don't ever express emotions in written communication. If you feel something as you type the words, delete and tell the person and only that person, in person, face to face. If you have any hesitation to do that, you sure shouldn't be putting it in a DM, email, social media post. I can't say I have never violated that rule, but I can say I have regretted violating the rule every time. If the prosecutor accused in federal court really posted either of those threats, he will be facing a lifetime of regret.

Our clients and social media

When we are hired, its in the first letter we send to every client facing a criminal or serious motor vehicle charge or professional disciplinary matter: Don't post about your case, or anyone involved in the case. Check your security and privacy settings on all accounts. Lock it down so someone hearing about the case can't post reputation-damaging stuff on your account.

And if you discover you are the type of person who posts stuff like this prosecutor allegedly did, get off social medial altogether. Because the feeling of power and anonymity you feel behind the phone screen is an illusion. The world is watching, the government is watching, and the company or organization that could have been your future employer ... is watching.

--- Ted