Inquiry USARK/Andrew Wyatt, What's the story?

[Skiploder]

What did Justin do then? What "rumors" did Justin hear that he took to Walsh "later"?

According to Erika, "Justin Meitz later talked to me about the NV legislation. He said he had been hearing rumors from old timer herpers that Foose had had some legal entanglements and I told him I had heard the same."

Which old timers? What legal entanglements? Ken has said he had no criminal past. For Justin to "hear" the rumors, he would have had to been privy to the information found in the report. That means he either initiated it as Ken suggested, was told by Andrew or Erika, or some "old timer" came up with some juicy rumor at the same time the others were spreading what they found in the report.

Dave, I don't know Justin Meitz...........but if he is located in Reno and Ken's father operated in Virginia City then I can easily see where he might have drawn an incorrect conclusion.

For the record, I think that the only thing that Meitz in "guilty" of is making this one simple comment to Erika. What happened after that does not appear to be Meitz's doing.

I can understand why Ken is upset at a select group of people right now, and by his own accounts here, has been harboring that anger for several months now andit has probably festered something fierce. I just don't know if what little Meitz appears to have done justifies a piece of that anger.

 

[snowgyre]

Justin Meitz made this youtube video today explaining his side of the situation. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=evQjd-YTeOk#!

 

[DaveyFig]

The video seems sincere. I would like to see him post something here.

 

[Ken Foose]

Wish I could feel sorry for you, ken, but as far as I'm concerned, you are no better than the people you are accusing... Why did you bring up Justin's name like that? Absolutely NO reason to. He did not do what you are suggesting.

I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me. I don't feel sorry for me. Justin's video almost made me cry too. But he did this to himself. He should have left me alone, and not gotten tangled up in this by spreading lies about me. I don't really care what you think of me. Justin is just as much a part of this as Andrew and Walsh. And in that hour long phone call, we talked about the pending Nevada bill mostly. I told him straight up that I was going to sue him. He said at the end he was sorry. I told him I understand. I made him no promises. A man who accidently runs over a person in with a car is sorry. I understand that too. Walsh told me on the phone that Justin told her I was a molester. Of course, she could be lying. So could he. So I just figure I'll take on both of them. That's about all I have to say about this

 

[Fishbone]

I don't post here often, but you know what I can't help thinking? That I, and many others, have sent USARK money, with the intent of it being used to work towards legislation in favor of herpetoculture. And an attorney who has been a vocal part of that team, and I would assume has graduated law school, (I haven't looked for official records), can't properly conduct a background check? Birth dates, social security numbers, etc? And we have relied on this "legal prowess"? Most of the regulars on the BOI are far more thorough. Lesson learned. Note to self, do more research before sending money.

Ken, I am sorry this happened to you. I really hope this doesn't take more creditability away from us as a community.

And I don't know if anyone has suggested the possibility, but is it possible that all of this was in trying to discredit Ken because he said he didn't need USARK legal help in NV?

Just a few thoughts...

 

[Pasodama]

So, let me get this straight to make sure I understand what is being claimed.

This Erika found what turned out to be false information about Ken Foose on the internet and generated a report based on that information. Apparently this report became public via hearsay, yet the report itself has not been actually physically reviewed by anyone outside of a very tight circle (perhaps just Erika and Andrew Wyatt). Later finding out that the information was false, not only did Erika destroy that report, but "fixed" the information at the source of where she got that information from. So did she also destroy the evidence of her efforts to "fix" that information as well? She is an attorney? One would think that an attorney would recognize the importance of retaining evidence, wouldn't one? Why would an attorney destroy the PROOF that the source of a damaging report (which was also destroyed) was the source of such a report?

And at any time did the internet "source" of said information attempt to contact Mr. Foose to corroborate not only the information they had on file, but also that a person attempting to "fix" that information not only had the authority to do so, but the facts she was presenting were actually correct and factual?

Uh huh..............

With any speculations aside, I don't understand this either. An attorney who does not know how to keep evidence?
It may not exonerate her, from certain ethical misdeeds that she may have committed, but, if she had the alleged original (false) report, she could, at the very least end, show that she was acting in good faith based upon that report. That would be much better than showing herself to be an attorney who made a critical error, in fact checking (&/or a background check), and recklessly acted upon that falsehood.
This, along with other things I have seen from her, would be an attorney that I would not want as my legal counsel.

 

[Magic Merlin]

Justin Meitz made this youtube video today explaining his side of the situation. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=evQjd-YTeOk#!

Give that man an oscar.....or at least a razzie. All I saw in that video was someone who is terrified they will have to step down from their herp society position and the fact that he will be bankrupted from just the legal fees to defend himself.

 

[Jay Sommers Reptiles]

my thoughts exactly.I have seen him in Chicago talk the same way.He is too comfortable with the video camera.I thought it was all an act and didn't believe he was sincere for one minute.Way too polished and some crocodile tears saved for the finale.

 

[reticguy76]

Im sittin here thinkin, why is it that we are targeted so much and so easily by all the "outsiders" of this ONCE great hobby ?? After threads and incidents like this, it is plain as day to see why.

 

[Yogi Bear]

I don't know anyone involved in this situation, but the YouTube video of Justin appears to be his attempt at "damage control". He openly admits that he told Walsh (whom he knew to be a lawyer) that Ken had some legal entanglements. Why Justin? Why would you even bring something like that up? It makes me feel as if some type of conversation was going on between you and Walsh (or others) previously in order for you to even mention something of that nature, especially without verification about what you are speaking on. You should know what kind of damage such a thing can create. You are a teacher and know the importance of having a clean record (even though not all teachers have one).

Justin also claims that, upon asking Walsh if she had pulled his own police record, Walsh supposedly stated, "No, I don't need to because you are a grade-school teacher", and Justin thought to himself, "That makes sense". REALLY??? Do you ever read the news reports about teachers and students?

Justin, you have only had to deal with people saying negative things about you for the last several days, and you are hurting about it to the point of getting teary-eyed!???!! How do you think Ken has been feeling and dealing with this horrendous situation over the last several months? You are not being accused of being a child molester. I can only imagine the "tears" you would be shedding if you were.

Ken, I don't even know you but find you to be incrediblely resilient and level-headed. If it were me in your shoes, I would hope to be able to handle myself as you have. Continue to keep your cool. I am so sorry this is happening to you. No one should ever have to go through such deliberate abuse from others. I admire your self-control.

 

[meowmeowkazoo]

Im sittin here thinkin, why is it that we are targeted so much and so easily by all the "outsiders" of this ONCE great hobby ?? After threads and incidents like this, it is plain as day to see why.

I would really like to see people stop putting the blame on the reptile community for its justifiable outrage at Andrew Wyatt's behavior. Andrew Wyatt and his lawyer are the only two people who can and should be blamed for this division of our community.

It was more important to Andrew to maintain his yearly salary than to maintain unity and strength within the reptile community. To that end he has betrayed us all. A dollar that goes to USHA is a dollar stolen from the fight against HSUS and PETA.

 

[reticguy76]

This hobby and our animals (particularly the big one) are under extreme scrutiny, at all times. Andrew Wyatt is a high profile person in this hobby. His actions reflect us keepers and breeders, in their eyes. In a utopia, yes, Wyatt should be singled out and then done with. Unfortunately, its not that way. They look for any possible thing to chastise this community as a whole, and this is a major one.

 

[Lucille]

This hobby and our animals (particularly the big one) are under extreme scrutiny, at all times. Andrew Wyatt is a high profile person in this hobby. His actions reflect us keepers and breeders, in their eyes. In a utopia, yes, Wyatt should be singled out and then done with. Unfortunately, its not that way. They look for any possible thing to chastise this community as a whole, and this is a major one.

This is from another thread:

I understand how you feel about bad press. But in groups like horseracing and bicycle racing, which have come under fire recently, it is the years of secrecy surrounding the misdeeds that seems to have come under the most fire.

It is my opinion that if the reptile community stands together and shows outrage as a group against reptile keepers who do something particularly egregious, the world looking on will see that outrage and know that we are not going to just put the hush on those around us in our community who have done something we find abhorrent.

 

[deadliesthatch]

I agree with the above statement. We should all police ourselves and when someone gets out of hand, expose them for who they are and call them out. That would be Wyatt and Walsh and their intolerable practices. They should disappear now or switch sides because they sure do not represent my interests.

 

[AlexBurgos]

He openly admits that he told Walsh (whom he knew to be a lawyer) that Ken had some legal entanglements. Why Justin? Why would you even bring something like that up? It makes me feel as if some type of conversation was going on between you and Walsh (or others) previously in order for you to even mention something of that nature, especially without verification about what you are speaking on. You should know what kind of damage such a thing can create. You are a teacher and know the importance of having a clean record (even though not all teachers have one).

I agree! I find it very unlikely that this was a yes and no two minute conversation over, next topic scenario like he alluded to in the video. I would think that we all would believe otherwise and there was a lot brewing in that conversation that he didn’t mention in that video.

He stated that Andrew made a mistake and that seems like the case. But I also see it as Justin made a mistake as well. It's too late. The above quote clearly shows why Justin needs to man up and admit he made a mistake as well. Crying is not the route to take. Being a man and saying, Andrew "and I" made a mistake is the right thing to say. I really liked Justin and Andrew; this was a horrible mistake on their behalf and I don't think they will be able to save face even though Justin is giving it a shot.

I never really knew much about Erika. I've seen her name here and there but never knew much about her or had an opinion, until now.

 

[Ken Foose]

One last bit. This was sent to me via face book a bit ago. I believe this is the last nail. I hate to come on here and defend myself like this, but it seems it keeps coming down to my word against these other peoples. I have no reason to lie.

Ken, I regret what you have been through recently and I wouldn’t will that on anybody. I can no longer stand by and witness Justin’s denials of having talked about you in conjunction with child molestation. I am the Vice President of RHS and administrating Board member of NHC and actively function on both boards. Recently, at a RHS board meeting attended by Lisa Totten, Secretary, she and I were subjected to Justin’s verbal accusations of your alleged criminal background. Although I currently serve on the board, Lisa has since resigned from the board and is not currently serving and is aware and in agreement of my posting this information. I believe this situation to be unfortunate but the truth is the truth and I cannot deny Justin’s speaking on these serious charges pertaining to you. I realize that there will be continuing fallout on these matters including my positions on Justin’s boards. As the president of NHC and RHS, Justin needs to come to terms with his involvement in these grave and the ramifications and suffering it causes people like you. Good luck to you and I hope this bring some measure of closure to you on this situation.

 

[AlexBurgos]

I agree with the above statement. We should all police ourselves and when someone gets out of hand, expose them for who they are and call them out. That would be Wyatt and Walsh and their intolerable practices. They should disappear now or switch sides because they sure do not represent my interests.

Plus one! I've always believed in this. It’s our duty to throw our own under the bus when they make a mistake that damages us all. We don't do ourselves a service by covering up scandals and mistakes especially when the culprits are not owning up and saying “my bad, I screwed up. I gossiped and lied and I'm really sorry for doing that.” Only then would we as a community be able to say ok they owned up, how we can fix this.

Sometimes people think that taking their mistakes to the grave ideology is the only way to go but unfortunately this is a sure way to dig them into an early grave. Own it. I know it’s hard and I don’t know if I would be able to own it if I was Andrew, Erika or Justin but I know it’s the right thing to do. Justin clearly didn't own it in that video and anyone who listens to what he did admit to in that video in the early part of it can get a sense that there are some things missing. Cmon, that false report is a hot topic for anyone. I find it likely it would touched as briefly as it was portayed in that video.

 

[Lucille]

One last bit. This was sent to me via face book a bit ago. I believe this is the last nail. I hate to come on here and defend myself like this, but it seems it keeps coming down to my word against these other peoples. I have no reason to lie.

Ken, I regret what you have been through recently and I wouldn’t will that on anybody. I can no longer stand by and witness Justin’s denials of having talked about you in conjunction with child molestation. I am the Vice President of RHS and administrating Board member of NHC and actively function on both boards. Recently, at a RHS board meeting attended by Lisa Totten, Secretary, she and I were subjected to Justin’s verbal accusations of your alleged criminal background. Although I currently serve on the board, Lisa has since resigned from the board and is not currently serving and is aware and in agreement of my posting this information. I believe this situation to be unfortunate but the truth is the truth and I cannot deny Justin’s speaking on these serious charges pertaining to you. I realize that there will be continuing fallout on these matters including my positions on Justin’s boards. As the president of NHC and RHS, Justin needs to come to terms with his involvement in these grave and the ramifications and suffering it causes people like you. Good luck to you and I hope this bring some measure of closure to you on this situation.

Ken, could you please attribute the quote above with a name?

 

[Skiploder]

Ken, I heard that your Westlaw report was published on line today........I for one will refuse to look at it.

My deepest condolences Ken. I had one run on me in 2004 for a high security project and they are absolutely frigging brutal. They list just about everything that ever happened in your life - down to what size condoms you buy.

They are also notoriously inaccurate as they do a rough aggregate search of public records by name and run it into accuracy "percentages". Since your father was also named Kenneth W. Foose, I would not be surprised if a lot of his personal info got mixed into yours - especially if you lived in the same area or state. This also include marriage info, credit info, etc. What a damn mess......but one that could have been avoided if a certain lawyer had done her due diligence.........

The fact that you had to air this crap on a public forum to prove something sickens me. I hope that the community will resolve now to do two things:

(1) Unite behind either USARK, PIJAC, GRAIN or NRAAC - all of these groups are working together.

(2) Reward USHA for this shameful behavior by showing them the door.

 

[AlexBurgos]

Ken, thanks for the post you just put up at about the same time I posted mine. So it appears I was not wrong in my statement that Justin needs to own this. I can't believe he cried in the video after reading what your jsut posted, now I guess the magis show is over. Good for you and USARK Ken!