Kimmage unleashes hell, counter-sues Verbruggen & McQuaid

[Semper Fidelis]

i agree on the last, as Aaron has tweeted that all the remaining monies will be returned to the people who gave donations... semantics, maybe, but as the case has not been officially ruled over -- it's not over and those funds may still be needed.

his twitter account is still active but mightily neutered. i don't think his "chuckle" amuses anyone right now.

as for BroDeal's thoughts, yes... but if those are the reasons, it still doesn't explain why some of Cyclismas' money went astray as well, does it?

i truly do hope it is resolved soon. i don't want Kimmage to lose heart... love him or loathe him, his voice is needed in cycling if it's ever to change.

Agree, I'm not sure if I read where some of Cyclismas money went astray but if that is the case it would seem that some bad transactions have happened to the Defense fund also. That would be criminal and I'm sure the partners in this would go after more than just disolving the partnership of an online blog.

 

[thirteen]

Agree, I'm not sure if I read where some of Cyclismas money went astray but if that is the case it would seem that some bad transactions have happened to the Defense fund also. That would be criminal and I'm sure the partners in this would go after more than just disolving the partnership of an online blog.

it was on twitter (and i still haven't learned to embed a tweet) when someone was asking about the lawsuit (emphasis mine):

Lesli Cohen ‏@CyclismasEditor 15h

@dfitzger @inrng @wjohngalloway It will most likely be up on Scribd soon, but it's Kimmage Fund and Cyclismas funds that have gone missing..

eta: Paul kimmage is supposed to be on The Last Word (http://www.todayfm.com/home.aspx) at 4:30 to discuss the whole mess (or maybe it's just wishful thinking) and the aftermath of the Fuentes trial. whether we learn about the fund or no, it still should be interesting.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

I think the explanation for why he does not furnish a statement could be a couple of things.

1. He does not agree with his partners and Kimmage on the future of the fund, decides on his own that even the amount balance should not be any business of Kimmage's. (Note: - I would not go about it that way but maybe he is being petty and is acting this way)
2. There are some bad transactions in that account that shows money was paid to things other than the defense payment /fees/taxes. That in my opinion could be illegal or unprofessional business that is not acceptable.

Again, good fair post.

But to No. 1 - the direction of what the fund should be used for is separate, and in no way has anything to do with not furnishing a statement. If that had been done it is unlikely any of this would have been made public regardless of where the actual funds are located.
The petty argument might have had merit, but not now that it is in the public domain.

Which leaves us with option 2 ....

 

[zigmeister]

Livestrong is an excellent example of this!

I bet Lancey-poo knew where every penny went, even those that didn't end up in his pocket or funding his extravagant lifestyle.

Maybe now he has some free time to counsel others on how to manage charity funds - or has he already given advice to this Brown guy...

Still hoping this will work itself out. I don't see why Brown can't say what is happening even if there is legal action happening. In fact, his opening up should end any legal action if everything is above board.

Agree on the counsel regarding charitable organizations/fundraising. It is not something to be taken lightly and it is as complicated as any business model.

The heart of the matter is, Kimmage stated he never wanted money from anyone. Instead, people came swarming to his aid and wanted to start throwing money to help the "cause".

I think the publicity aspect of the situation, including the "fund" setup, really influenced the UCI to step back and re-evaluate the situation and just drop it. They already had enough publicity issues, just another one to destroy their already low moral character in the public's eye.

With that said, throwing money at causes, even when the person doesn't want the money, then managed/run very poorly the fund, this is what you get. Even the best run charities can have issues when they are legally legit and all money is basically accounted for publicly. And then every single line item doesn't have to be accounted for even in public financial statements.

So, nobody has any complaining to do about the fund IMO. You throw your money carelessly around at some "cause", prepare to never see any use come to it.

 

[Digger]

In relation to Brown possibly having a falling out with Kimmage prior to last weekend, before this all broke. I can absolutely categorically state that relations between the two were fine. All systems were go. Fund was never brought up by Brown and indeed they spent time together in Dublin at the whistleblowers talk last Saturday week where Brown flew in from Girona.

 

[MarkvW]

I think the explanation for why he does not furnish a statement could be a couple of things.

1. He does not agree with his partners and Kimmage on the future of the fund, decides on his own that even the amount balance should not be any business of Kimmage's. (Note: - I would not go about it that way but maybe he is being petty and is acting this way)
2. There are some bad transactions in that account that shows money was paid to things other than the defense payment /fees/taxes. That in my opinion could be illegal or unprofessional business that is not acceptable.

The first option doesn't compute. Brown owes his business partners a duty of good faith and fair dealing. If he's refused to account for monies under partnership control that he has assumed sole control over, then he's breaching that duty and inviting a lawsuit--a lawsuit that he's now got--with all its attendant expense and stress. Not only that, the man's good reputation (a journalist's necessity) is being worse than flushed down the toilet. Pettiness can't describe Brown's behavior very well. Fear looks like a pretty good fit, though.

Your second option describes a good motivation for fear.

Brown probably can't afford a lawyer right now to advise him on his right to remain silent. If he could, his lawyer would have told him to STFU. He's got to be at major risk for a felony theft indictment. I bet he lacks the funds (OR THE WORK VISAS!!) necessary for an extended European stay. Wonder if Spain wants to keep him?

That was one horribly administered fund. Everybody involved should be ashamed.

 

[diorgen]

In relation to Brown possibly having a falling out with Kimmage prior to last weekend, before this all broke. I can absolutely categorically state that relations between the two were fine. All systems were go. Fund was never brought up by Brown and indeed they spent time together in Dublin at the whistleblowers talk last Saturday week where Brown flew in from Girona.

I wonder how he paid for the flight

 

[Digger]

The first option doesn't compute. Brown owes his business partners a duty of good faith and fair dealing. If he's refused to account for monies under partnership control that he has assumed sole control over, then he's breaching that duty and inviting a lawsuit--a lawsuit that he's now got--with all its attendant expense and stress. Not only that, the man's good reputation (a journalist's necessity) is being worse than flushed down the toilet. Pettiness can't describe Brown's behavior very well. Fear looks like a pretty good fit, though.

Your second option describes a good motivation for fear.

Brown probably can't afford a lawyer right now to advise him on his right to remain silent. If he could, his lawyer would have told him to STFU. He's got to be at major risk for a felony theft indictment. I bet he lacks the funds (OR THE WORK VISAS!!) necessary for an extended European stay. Wonder if Spain wants to keep him?

That was one horribly administered fund. Everybody involved should be ashamed.

I am proud to have been proud of it. And i would do so again. It's a shame you didn't do anything to help when it was needed.

 

[thirteen]

<not worth repeating>

congratulations, Mark. you actually contributed to the conversation for the first time... and then blew it with your last paragraph.

YOU should be ashamed of yourself.

Digger, Andy, and Lesli have every reason to hold their heads high.

 

[DirtyWorks]

That was one horribly administered fund. Everybody involved should be ashamed.

I can't abide by this statement. This is a kind of easy hindsight criticism. Should there have been a non-profit set up somewhere in the world? Sure.

There is no doubt Hein and Pat are getting some pleasure from posts like this. Better still any opposition to the UCI can't keep it together long enough to get anything done.

To broadly condemn the goodwill and effort on the slimmest of known facts of the matter is not okay. Even in the worst case scenario, there's no shame in the effort. None. Does it need to be done differently? Yes.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

I am proud to have been proud of it. And i would do so again. It's a shame you didn't do anything to help when it was needed.

Because you have been very obvious in your objections to the behavior of Brown. I would go out on a limb and say you are a honest person. Really not out on a limb but just a figure of speech. I trust that you are being up front because of the reaction you have had to this. It was spontaneous and natural. That I can trust because when I think (I know it is hard for some of you to have the thoughts that I might think once and a while.) about it my reaction would meet yours or equal.

WTF is going on with dude? I can think of ways to **** something up and he has done all of them.

I don't like "Journalism Jesus" but the folks here or involved ...the partners seemed to have been duped by this guy and yes that is just what I can observe from the surface.

Anyhow I know I have been a **** to many persons on many occasions but with this it seems like a few good people have been conned and it makes me ****ed.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I don't like "Journalism Jesus" but the folks here or involved ...the partners seemed to have been duped by this guy and yes that is just what I can observe from the surface.

Anyhow I know I have been a **** to many persons on many occasions but with this it seems like a few good people have been conned and it makes me ****ed.

Nice job leaping to numerous conclusions. Right now is the wrong time to condemn what little is known about the situation.

That's not to say that won't be what eventually becomes public. It might be. The situation doesn't need your help.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Nice job leaping to numerous conclusions. Right now is the wrong time to condemn what little is known about the situation.

That's not to say that won't be what eventually becomes public. It might be. The situation doesn't need your help.

Actually, I agree with Glenn.

And i think there is nothing at all wrong with coming to conclusions. As long as one is prepared to back them up.
And in particular in this instance, when there is an easy solution to stop any worry of impropriety and there has bee no information coming from AB even though it is 3 days since it went public.

 

[Benotti69]

I don't like "Journalism Jesus" .....

But hey you bought into the cancer jesus big time.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Actually, I agree with Glenn.

And i think there is nothing at all wrong with coming to conclusions. As long as one is prepared to back them up.

Back up jumping to a conclusion based on little information with what? A little information?

Again, I'm not saying the worst case might have happened. But, leaping to regrets....

 

[keithmcmahon]

I feel really sorry for Paul Kimmage after that interview on the radio. He is clearly very, very upset by the past week - he called it "going into a black hole". I totally believe everything he says.

Saturday - calls Aaron and asks him directly if he has used funds for his own business. No. Asks for a statement.

Couple days later Paul Kimmage gets a screen shot of US$64k paypal account balance. No statement. Asks to transfer remaining funds to a neutral account. Nothing since.

Paul Kimmage did contact a couple of reporters.

As far as Paul Kimmage is concerned only legitimate expenses are SFR21k and various charges.

As far as I am concerned it can't be hard to provide an accounting of the defense funds and the refusal to do so says a lot.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Back up jumping to a conclusion based on little information with what? A little information?

Again, I'm not saying the worst case might have happened. But, leaping to regrets....

To me this is an easy fix.

Lesli spotted something amiss on Saturday, and AB did not allay her fears. She contacted Kimmage who wanted a statement & the account moved. AB again did not comply with fairly straightforward requests. The simple question is "why?" .

Indeed there is little information, on something that requires little information (a financial statement) that has not been issued in almost a week.

 

[thehog]

The first option doesn't compute. Brown owes his business partners a duty of good faith and fair dealing. If he's refused to account for monies under partnership control that he has assumed sole control over, then he's breaching that duty and inviting a lawsuit--a lawsuit that he's now got--with all its attendant expense and stress. Not only that, the man's good reputation (a journalist's necessity) is being worse than flushed down the toilet. Pettiness can't describe Brown's behavior very well. Fear looks like a pretty good fit, though.

Your second option describes a good motivation for fear.

Brown probably can't afford a lawyer right now to advise him on his right to remain silent. If he could, his lawyer would have told him to STFU. He's got to be at major risk for a felony theft indictment. I bet he lacks the funds (OR THE WORK VISAS!!) necessary for an extended European stay. Wonder if Spain wants to keep him?

That was one horribly administered fund. Everybody involved should be ashamed.

Work visas are not required for EU member states.

 

[Raul Ramaya]

I can't abide by this statement. This is a kind of easy hindsight criticism. Should there have been a non-profit set up somewhere in the world? Sure.

There is no doubt Hein and Pat are getting some pleasure from posts like this. Better still any opposition to the UCI can't keep it together long enough to get anything done.

To broadly condemn the goodwill and effort on the slimmest of known facts of the matter is not okay. Even in the worst case scenario, there's no shame in the effort. None. Does it need to be done differently? Yes.

This. (+10 chars)

 

[Semper Fidelis]

But hey you bought into the cancer jesus big time.

You think I came up with that term? I parroted it and you came in to slam me. There are quite a few who call Kimmage that on twitter, thus the quotation marks around the comment. Are you **** hurt about something?.

Nice move, TROLL

 

[thirteen]

Back up jumping to a conclusion based on little information with what? A little information?

Again, I'm not saying the worst case might have happened. But, leaping to regrets....

for exactly the reasons Glenn believes Digger (who is being honest), i really respect Glenn for what he said. i may not always agree with him (and he does love to provoke), but what he said came from the heart.

he may have jumped to conclusions, but haven't most of us? honestly?

he's defending good people here. give him a break.

 

[Netserk]

Work visas are not required for EU member states.

Yes they are if you are from a non-EU member state.

 

[MarkvW]

Work visas are not required for EU member states.

Not even for Americans?

 

[thehog]

Not even for Americans?

For Americans yes. For EC citizens no.

 

[MarkvW]

I am proud to have been proud of it. And i would do so again. It's a shame you didn't do anything to help when it was needed.

And what should the next person think when you ask her to donate to another internet cause you've helped establish?

We now know that you are proud of this horribly administered fund that you recommended and helped set up.