Orange County Judges Block Public and Media from Court Hearings
Grant vs. Grant and Nolan vs. Nolan
Judge Mary Kreber Varipapa and Public Information Officer Deny Access to Public Family Court Hearing
An ex parte hearing in Grant v. Grant (Orange County Family Law Case No. 21D001651) was held today to address a prior ex parte hearing that took place on January 17, 2025. During that hearing, Judge Mary Kreber Varipapa abruptly transferred temporary sole legal and physical custody to the paternal grandparents—without conducting an evidentiary hearing. Allegedly, the mother has not seen her children since. Both parents in the case are attorneys.
When this reporter attempted to attend today’s hearing via remote access, Orange County Public Information Officer (PIO) Kostas Kalaitzidis notified this reporter at 1:39pm the case was closed and then questioned this journalist’s credentials.
"In addition, I would like to clarify to you this Ex Parte hearing is not a public hearing.”
After some back and forth, remote access was eventually granted, but upon entry into the virtual courtroom, Judge Kreber Varipapa immediately announced that the proceeding was “closed” to the public, citing HIPAA concerns and the sensitive nature of the discussion.
“This case remains a closed proceeding with highly sensitive and HIPAA-protected information being actively discussed,” Judge Kreber Varipapa stated. “While the case itself is not deemed confidential, this portion of the matter is. At this time, Department L65 is deemed a closed proceeding. Anyone here from the public or online, we are going to put you in the waiting room. Anyone in the audience, we are going to have you wait outside.”
Also in attendance remotely was investigative reporter Michael Volpe.
Public court records indicate that on January 17, the paternal grandparents were granted temporary legal and physical custody. The court order further specified:
“The Paternal Grandparents are to temporarily reside at the residence with the minor children pending the next court date,” and “By agreement of Respondent, Respondent/Father is ordered to temporarily vacate the residence.”
The next hearing was scheduled for January 30.
Public court records also show that a continuance was filed on January 31.
PIO Blocks Journalist, Cites "Verification" Issues
Prior to the hearing, I sent a formal media request to the court on Grant vs. Grant. In response, PIO Kostas Kalaitzidis dismissed my request as untimely and questioned my status as a journalist, despite my previous recognition as a journalist by various California courts.
Kalaitzidis wrote:
“Your request should have been submitted five business days in advance of the hearing. Also, please notify me of the news outlet you represent. Normally, journalism ethics do not allow a person to cover their own news items. Thus, should the case you want to cover be your own, I would like to discuss the matter with your editor.”
He later added:
“This is a question that I do ask of members of the media that have not yet been vetted by the Court.”
This reporter responded, informing Kalaitzidis that I have covered cases in both civil and criminal courts, including Orange County Superior Court (OCSC). Additionally, the First Amendment Coalition has represented me as a journalist in prior legal matters (view article here).
Despite this, Kalaitzidis continued to obstruct my access and ultimately denied my media request at 3:15 p.m., citing an untimely submission—even though the hearing itself was scheduled with less than 24 hours' notice.
Pattern of Obstruction by OCSC PIO Kostas Kalaitzidis
This is not the first time that Kalaitzidis has attempted to block this reporter’s access and records requests as a journalist, even though I have been previously verified and recognized by multiple courts. When I made a records requests on June 11, 2024 I provided my written work at his request:
“Here is some of my recent published articles:
“https://original.newsbreak.com/@julie-m-anderson-holburn-1997985?s=01”
On June 18, 2024, at 1:30 PM, Kalaitzidis emailed me, claiming:
"I took the liberty to do research and discovered that you have the following cases before our bench at this time:
10D011474, 15V000254, 11D000141.
Having been a journalist myself in the past, I understand that it would be an ethical hurdle to cover the Court when you have active cases with us. Thus, I would like to communicate with your editor at NewsBreak to discuss and understand how they are proposing that such a conflict of interest can be mitigated. I am awaiting your response before proceeding with determining the feasibility of your requests, which specify a substantial amount of video footage."
In response, I made it clear that his attempt to cite a conflict of interest was unfounded and that his reasoning had no bearing on my legal right to request public information.
"Dear Mr. Kalaitzidis,
I submitted a public records request for public information that I have a right to. Any member of the public is entitled to this public information. Moreover, this conflict that you oddly reference has no bearing on and is irrelevant to the information I have requested. Any information I have requested has nothing to do with any potential personal, family law, or other legal cases that may or may not exist within Orange County, CA."
Despite this, Kalaitzidis has continued a pattern of obstruction, applying inconsistent and arbitrary "vetting" standards against me while allowing other journalists and members of the public access to court proceedings and production of records requests. OCSC PIO Kalaitzidis continues to ignore my records requests.
Background: Grant v. Grant and Prior Appellate Ruling
A November 6, 2024, Metropolitan News-Enterprise (MetNews) report on Grant v. Grant highlighted significant judicial overreach and due process violations in the case, "Family-Law Judge Had No Authority to Order Relinquishment of Firearm, C.A. Holds."
Judge Michele Bell’s Unlawful Firearm Order
In an unpublished opinion, Presiding Justice Kathleen O’Leary of Division Three of the Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled that Orange County Superior Court Judge Michele Bell had no authority to order Evan William Grant to relinquish a firearm because no Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) had been issued.
Judge Kimberly Carasso Denies Access to Public Family Court Hearing in multi-day Nolan vs. Nolan Case
A bit later I logged in to the Nolan vs. Nolan case. However, after the court clerk asked who I was, he refused to allow remote access, and abruptly disconnected the remote access link.
I previously reported on the Nolan case, readers can find the initial story here: Injustice in OC: Mom of “Tar’s Road to Recovery” Faces Prolonged Separation from Her Kids and part two, Update: “Tar’s Road to Recovery” Mom Bullied by OC Minors’ Counsel in Fight Over Special Needs Trust.
Public court records listed Dr. Victoroff, M.D., as an expert witness. This reporter briefly spoke with Dr. Victoroff last week, but he declined to comment on the case.
Dr. Victoroff was scheduled to testify this week on the subject of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Additionally, according to public court documents, Judge Kimberly Carasso issued a blanket gag order on January 27, 2025:
“Admonishment
“The Court orders all parties to not communicate any of these proceedings to anyone or to post anything on social media.
”The Court informs the parties that failure to comply with the Court's non-communication orders may result in contempt and/or sanctions being issued."
I sent an email to Carasso inquiring on the reason justifying closing the entirety of the multi-day hearing to the public and regarding the blanket gag order she issued. No response was received by time of publication.
Remote public access to Orange County family law hearings is available here: https://www.occourts.org/family-law-video-appearances. Select the courtroom or department to enter the remote hearing where the case is being held you want to attend.
Recent UK Reforms Highlight Stark Contrast
Recent developments in the United Kingdom have marked a significant shift toward greater transparency in family court proceedings. "Press Now Allowed to Report from Family Courts" (BBC.com) describes this change as a "watershed" moment.
This move aims to enhance public understanding and accountability within the family justice system. Accredited journalists can now observe and report on cases, provided they adhere to strict rules protecting the anonymity of families involved. This initiative seeks to balance the public's right to know with the privacy rights of individuals, especially children, in sensitive family matters.
In contrast, the recent experiences in the Grant vs. Grant and Nolan vs. Nolan cases highlight ongoing challenges in the United States regarding media access to family court proceedings. The denial of access to public hearings and the questioning of journalistic credentials by court officials underscore a lack of transparency that can hinder public scrutiny and accountability.
The UK's reforms demonstrate that it is possible to increase transparency in family courts while safeguarding the privacy of those involved. These changes could serve as a model for jurisdictions like Orange County, suggesting that with appropriate measures, courts can uphold both openness and confidentiality.
The question remains: Will U.S. courts consider similar reforms to promote transparency and public trust in the family justice system?
If you have had similar experiences within the California family court system, please contact this reporter ASAP.
Whistleblowers and victims of family court, CPS, probate court, foster care corruption within the US, please contact this reporter at juliea005@proton.me.
This article is made possible by donations from readers like you and can be made here. Thank you for your support!
Learn more about my ongoing investigative series uncovering corruption in Orange County and its family court system:
OC Man Charged with 5 Felony Counts of Molestation: Family Court and CPS Ignored Reports for Years
Whistleblowers expose the Orange County family court crisis
Whistleblowers reveal corruption in Orange County family courts and beyond
California’s Family Court Crisis: The Failure of Oversight and the Impact of Dr. Sue Tonkins
California Family Courts: Dr. Joan Meier Exposes Bias and Systemic Failures
Orange County reunification therapist deceives courts about credentials
OC Bar Association says “I just want to protect my children” means “I just want to screw my ex”
The victims of Jessica St. Clair, part three
‘I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow’: O.C. judge charged with murder
Children Violently Removed by Court Order Celebrate New California Bill Prohibiting Practice
10-year-old’s torture, abuse was ignored for years, Orange County lawsuit claims
Former OC Supervisor Do pleads guilty to felony bribery
Who is the OC Judge Married to the County Supervisor in the Middle of an FBI Probe?
OC Supervisors to Quietly Discuss Eight Harassment Lawsuits Against District Attorney
Related:
Unchecked family policing in California: cps, family court, and foster care under fire
Lodi mourns beloved mom, entrepreneur killed in shooting
Court documents reveal new details in alleged domestic violence homicide of Lodi woman
https://www.lodinews.com/news/article_b2dea410-b42d-11ef-a984-03eb7e6fb68b.html
https://www.kcra.com/article/woodbridge-woman-killed-husband-first-court-hearing/63165799
California Domestic Violence Statistics
Data says domestic violence incidents are down, but half of all victims don’t report to police
The U.K. just made it mandatory for journalists….. the USA will not be far behind… it’s too late for me and my kids but I will keep pushing for exposed family court hearings…… if they were around when I was in court, my life and our children’s, would be VERY different now!!! NEVER stay quiet. NEVER GIVE UP. Those kids are counting on us!!! 💜
Screw that!! England kept pushing and now journalists are allowed in… this is just the beginning… keep the pressure on!! I may have lost my children’s childhoods , but if I help someone else NOT lose their kids or childhoods, I’ll keep banging on those doorways, shouting out, sharing my (god awful, @bergen county and judge G) story… no one deserves this pain and torture for simply trying to leave abuse and showing their children that THIS is NOT the narrative….. THIS is NOT love!! we need to keep shouting…. I know that I will NEVER stop!!!