Chances are, you did not Google to get here today. At least, if Gregory Hill of Devon, PA, has his way you didn’t.
Mr. Hill is a middle-aged builder in neighboring Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was recently sentenced for a conviction for payroll-tax fraud for paying transient workers under the table. The damage? According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, he paid $80,000 in restitution and a $20,000 fine.
Mr. Hill’s attorney asked Chester County Court Judge William P. Mahon to order Google to block the 2005 news release about the case. He claims that the release has the potential to cause his family embarrassment (hmm… and he didn’t think that the actual payroll-tax fraud charges would do that?). The judge refused to sign such an order, claiming that Hill could sue Google to achieve those results. However, Hill’s attorney then produced an email from Google that said, “You are correct that a court order would be sufficient in us removing from our search results the press release concerning your client.” The judge still refused to sign the order.
And, of course, in Mr. Hill’s zeal to protect his privacy, his case was broadcast before a standing-room-only courtroom. It made the newspapers. It appeared on my blog – and I’m sure others. One wonders if he really did want to just “move forward” after taking responsibility for his actions, why he didn’t do just that…
I know Greg and he’s a real tool. A money-grubbing thief living in horsey Devon. Some advice for you Greg, you ruined your family name long before this, take your money and move to fla. they don’t throw the $ in the casket with you after you die!