- $7500 claim against Al M. That’s a lot of bus fares.
Irascible TriMet bus driver Al Margulies (better known as Al M) wound up in court today, facing harassment charges from another TriMet driver, Ellen Fox. Ms. Fox, who can usually be found behind the wheel of bus line 20, is suing Margulies for $7,500 after he secretly recorded a phone conversation with her and then posted it on his blog RANTINGS OF A TRIMET BUS DRIVER.
This is the third time in recent weeks that Margulies’ frenetic blog composed of hundreds of videos comprising Margulies’ daily rants has landed him in hot water. In June, TriMet wrote a new policy banning drivers from recording videos while on the job, clearly in response to Margulies blog. The public transit agency also launched an investigation into Margulies conduct after a citizen who had been warring with Al M in blog comments filed repeated complaints with TriMet.
The current trouble started back in June 30 2009, when Fox and Margulies had a gossipy phone conversation. Fox didn’t know that Margulies was taping the whole discussion, which she says included her frank opinions about coworkers at TriMet, and was shocked to discover it online later. Though Margulies took the video down when Fox asked, she says he later reposted it in an effort to intimidate her. Fed up, Fox got a lawyer and filed suit. Margulies responded in typical fashion: posting 14 videos over the months in which he rants about Fox and her claims of harassment.
At Multnomah County courthouse today, the case of the dueling bus drivers was squeezed in between hearings for stalking orders. Fox arrived late and confused, hauling a large box of documents and not sounding optimistic about the court-ordered mediation that will precede a trial.
- TriMet Driver Ellen Fox: Armed with a box.
She previously turned down an offer from none other than Judge Judy to have the case settled on TV court, after discovering that the Judge Judy show picks up the tab for any damages doled out on the series. Fox is insistent that Margulies must pay. “The whole point is to teach him a lesson. There has been way too much damage done,” says Fox.
For his part, Margulies doesn’t see what the big deal is. He didn’t technically break the law by recording their conversation, but posting it publicly the private and possibly damaging conversation with his former friend is a hazier matter.
“Why did you do it?” I asked, outside the courtroom this afternoon.
“It’s just what I do,” he replied.
“It’s just what I do”? Wow. Congrats, you win the Jackass of the Year award.
The trolls on the bus go “blah blah blah”
I don’t remember sayins “that’s just what i do” Sarah.
Fox won btw, $100.
I’m not sure the ability to employ “compose” and “comprise” correctly fully justifies using them both in the same sentence.
Hey Fox, since it wasn’t about the money can I have the 100 bucks? That or maybe you should donate it to the BTA in Al’s name…that would be funny.
I hope they don’t fire Al, trainwrecks are fun to watch.
Aaaand now his blog is gone. http://rantingsofatrimetbusdriver.blogspot…
I was confused about how Court operated. My bad about not getting information first. Sat in the hall waiting to be called. lol
Margulies lied under oath several times and presented a notarized letter from a co-worker. I have documents to prove which statements were false as well as records FaceBook is sending regarding co-worker Alexander’s statement. Will be filing perjury charges against them as soon as I receive a copy of the recorded proceedings. Although I’ve never said it on FB or anywhere else, I’d have to agree he is in fact a ‘sleazy slimy character’. He should be selling used cars on 82nd.
It appears he’s taken his blog down but that’s one of the ‘victim’ games he plays. He has a meeting with Trimet on the 5th and someone has filed “Hostile Work Environment papers on him. I have just learned that I may be able to re-file the suit because the Judge didn’t look up the laws for defamation and privacy on the internet. He dismissed it stating he “couldn’t find what he was looking for”.
The problem with Margulies is that he is so hungry for attention he will exploit anyone including friends to reach his goal. He has no conscience. He continues to secretly audio/video tape and has quite a private collection stashed in the NW apartment building that he manages’.
He harassed, bullied and intimidated me for over a year. He’s tried to control me and was threatening. I was battered! The fact that it’s legal should not go unnoticed by lawmakers. Had he done this same behavior to another personality other then myself he could have been six feel under by now.
Ellen Fox
@econoline. Good suggestion. I will donate the $100 to the BTA. (when he sends it.) That could be another problem in and of itself. 🙂
Secretly recording? Do the tenants in his building know this? What building? What a sicko.