question tag
You don't play golf, do you?Spotlight · 2015 — Chapter 3 of 21 · 2'01" · C1
Lawyers Break Down the Geoghan Case, Explained: have something on someone
The reporters want leads on Cardinal Law, and Macleish gives them the hard math of abuse cases: the statute of limitations runs out before most victims ever come forward. His advice is to "try these cases in the press," and his read on Garabedian is that he is "grandstanding to cut a better deal."
What happens
At Macleish's conference room, Robinson and Sacha ask about the Geoghan case and the allegations against Cardinal Law. Macleish lays out why the cases are hard: a three-year statute of limitations, victims who stay silent for years, and a Church that fights back. His advice: take the cases to the press.
Listen for
take money off someonestatute of limitationsbe screwedtry a case in the press
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Now
Phrase of the scene
have something on someone
to have evidence that can harm someone
麦克利什猜加拉本迪安手上根本没有能指证劳主教的材料，用 have anything on 点破他其实没牌可打。
The reporter had nothing on the senator, so the story never ran.
Also in this scene
- take money off someone
to win money from someone in a game or bet
- statute of limitations
the time limit for bringing a legal case
- be screwed
to be in a hopeless situation with no good way out
- try a case in the press
to pursue a case through publicity rather than only in court
Everything marked in this scene
33 notes across 40 lines
to win money from someone in a game or bet
Your colleague here took some money off me at a charity event last year.liaison
Your colleague here took some money off me at a charity event last year.It was a very lucky putt. I actually had my eyes closed, by the way.liaison
It was a very lucky putt. I actually had my eyes closed, by the way.So, how can I help you guys?Eighty plaintiffs. All of them individual cases.Garabedian must be swimming.Garabedian must be swimming.Yeah, it's tricky. Um...This is what you need to understand. These are shitty cases.This is what you need to understand. These are shitty cases.The statute of limitations is only three years, and most of these victims don't come forward until long after that.The statute of limitations is only three years, and most of these victims don't come forward until long after that.not until
The statute of limitations is only three years, and most of these victims don't come forward until long after that.liaison
The statute of limitations is only three years, and most of these victims don't come forward until long after that.And most of these kids come from tough neighborhoods.So, you're screwed on the time limit.So, you're screwed on the time limit.even if you argue your way around thateven if for concession
even if you argue your way around thatTwenty grand for molesting a child?Twenty grand for molesting a child?That is the way the system is set up. Yes.passive voice
That is the way the system is set up. Yes.to pursue a case through publicity rather than only in court
So, your best shot is to try these cases in the press like I did on Porter.So, your best shot is to try these cases in the press like I did on Porter.And, uh, Mitch isn't exactly a people person.to have evidence that can harm someone
My guess is he doesn't have anything on Law.I think he's grandstanding to cut a better deal.infinitive of purpose
I think he's grandstanding to cut a better deal.I think he's grandstanding to cut a better deal.Seems a bit reckless.Lawyers Break Down the Geoghan Case, explained
What's really going on
The scene is a tutorial in how an institution protects itself, delivered politely over small talk about golf. Macleish is not hostile; he is explaining why the story is hard. The details are the argument: "The statute of limitations is only three years, and most of these victims don't come forward until long after that." By naming guilt and shame, and by noting that most of the children came from tough neighborhoods, he shows the obstacles are built into the system rather than any single villain. Then he hands the reporters the practical path — "your best shot is to try these cases in the press" — and quietly undercuts Garabedian, saying he thinks the lawyer is "grandstanding to cut a better deal" and probably has nothing on Law. What lingers is the calm of it: the worst facts are delivered without anger, as if the rules were weather.
Theme
CorruptionMacleish describes a system where the Church's power and a three-year deadline shelter abusers.
JusticeHe points the reporters to the press, the only route left when the courts are closed.
Listen for
- off me — liaison
- my eyes — liaison
- come forward — liaison
So, your best shot is to try these cases in the press like I did on Porter.His advice: since the courts and deadlines fail, public pressure through the paper is the most promising route.
My guess is he doesn't have anything on Law.A dismissal of Garabedian's leverage: Macleish suspects the lawyer has no real evidence against the Cardinal.
I think he's grandstanding to cut a better deal.His read on the other lawyer's public moves: they are theater meant to improve a settlement.
That's right. He has a long road ahead of him.An agreement that Garabedian's fight will be long, coming right after the doubts about his case.
Questions about this scene
What does a statute of limitations have to do with these cases?
It sets a three-year deadline for filing, and most victims do not come forward until long after that, so the cases are often too old to pursue.
Why does Macleish say the cases are hard to win?
The deadline runs out, victims stay silent out of guilt and shame, many come from tough neighborhoods, and the Church fights back hard.
What does Macleish advise the reporters to do?
He tells them their best shot is to try the cases in the press, as he did in the Porter case, because court and deadline routes are closed.
Why does Macleish think Garabedian is bluffing?
He believes Garabedian is grandstanding to cut a better deal and probably does not have anything on Cardinal Law.
Is Macleish helping the reporters?
He is candid about the obstacles and shares strategy, but he also speaks for the Church's side and doubts the victims' lawyer, so his help is limited.
Spotlight · 21 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 4think in centuriesRezendes Meets Garabedian
Chapter 1take a hard look atBaron Meets Robinson for a Drink
Chapter 2file a motionMarty Baron's First News Meeting
Watching · Chapter 3have something on someoneLawyers Break Down the Geoghan Case
Chapter 4think in centuriesRezendes Meets Garabedian
Chapter 5stand aloneMarty Baron Meets Cardinal Law
Chapter 6preyed uponPhil Saviano Tells His Story
Chapter 7the beginning of it allReporters Interview Abuse Survivors
Chapter 8out of circulationPressuring Macleish on Settlements
Chapter 9it takes a villageRezendes Meets the Informant
Chapter 10Good GermansSipe's Six Percent Estimate
Chapter 11off the estimateThe Team Counts 87 Priests
Chapter 12cottage industryRobby Confronts Macleish
Chapter 13from the top downThe Team Goes After the System
Chapter 14sledding uphillSpringfield Hearing on Sealed Records
Chapter 15off the recordGarabedian Reveals the Sealed Documents
Chapter 16get on the same pageReporters Confront Boston College
Chapter 17broke ranksRobby Refuses to Rush the Story
Chapter 18a few bad applesPete Pressures Robby Over Drinks
Chapter 19on a clockRobby Gets Six Weeks to Publish
Chapter 20lay something on someoneRobby Confronts His Old Friend
Chapter 21stumbling around in the darkThe Newsroom Finalizes the StoryChapter 3 of 21 · about 52 min to go