To all: Peltier Supporters and Detractors[i]
Re: A shill, PayPal, Celebrity Money and Lawyers.
Everyone is encouraged to carefully review Peltier’s April 9th
“For Freedom’s Sake,” press
release where Peltier and the International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
(ILPDC), in a desperate last ditch bid for clemency, makes public admissions
that not only validate Peltier’s infamous history but once again places him in
violation of the law.[ii]
Peltier’s statements to send him more money, for so-called
political action, and once again violating IRS regulations and laws shows how
distressed and fractured Peltier and the ILPDC have become as they face the
hopeless and final chapter of this pathetic saga.
It is important to note that the press release was sent by
Co-Directors,
PETER CLARK and KARI ANN BOUSHEE. [iii]
Money Laundering 101; Peltier style:
Kudos to Peltier because this is the first time he actually
identifies some of the donations he’s been scamming from the unsuspecting for
decades.[iv]
$3,000 for card handouts, $5,000 for postcards, an unidentified amount for “other
strategies” and still owing $30K for attorney’s fees along with a claim of
their overhead of 8%, “the lowest it’s been for a long while.”
Notice the artfully crafted words, lowest…long while, because the truth is that Peltier has not proven
to anyone that the overhead may have
been up to 100% or where and to whom those funds have really gone over the
years. It remains Peltier’s dirty little
secret.
And are we making this up? Not at all.
In 2003 one Committee
leader called for “Transparency regarding
accounting and decisions will be posted on the web.” Of course, that never
happened and as we’ve seen over the years those many Committee members who have
become disenfranchised with Peltier’s petty personality and bullying and who
speak out for some semblance of honesty are shunned and cast aside.[v]
But to bring the issue into focus, during this same period
there was an exchange posted on the Internet for all to witness Peltier’s slow-speed
train wreck;
“It is very troubling
that she (Ms. McCarthy) is suggesting that Leonard himself is directing a Non
Profit organization while still incarcerated. This is potentially a legal
problem for Leonard and the LPDC.” [vi]
Yes, excellent observations, legal problems for Peltier and
the Committee, and it continues. Peltier, still up to the same dirty tricks.
Have any Peltierites ever wondered why for many years
Peltier claimed donations were “tax deductable” and then all of a sudden that
was dropped from the Peltier lexicon. Why? Because, they weren’t tax-deductible
and letters of complaint to the IRS put an end to it, at least for a while. Was
it that the IRS did have a legal issue with Peltier’s fund-raising methods? If
they did Peltier never admitted this to all those who believed they were
providing legitimate tax-deductible donations.
More history: Peltier had solicited, while claiming tax-deductible donations,
that their 501(c)3 was “pending.” Well, if it was “pending,” he didn’t have it
to claim. But then went on to advertise that tax-deductible checks be sent to
“Global Exchange” claiming that this organization was their “501(c)3 sponsor.”
There was no such legal entity (a sponsor) and apparently the IRS had issues
with that (to what extent is not known, fines perhaps?), but the tax-deductible
claims went away, for a while at least.
Approaching 2013 Peltier tried another failed ploy through
Wind Chases the Sun, Inc., DePere, Wisconsin, run by Dorothy Ninham. That too
died perhaps due to IRS involvement in the donations-dodge scheme. [vii]
And here we are again, 2016, slithering into the final
stretch, begging for clemency and money while publically advertising and lying
to everyone, including the President of the United States (whose sympathies he
frantically seeks), the Attorney General and USDOJ Pardon Attorney, that funds
can now be sent to Peltier:
Donate online at http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/home/donate/ or send
your check or money order made payable to the ILPDC to our receiving and distribution office: P.O. Box 24,
Hillsboro, OR 97123. The ILPDC headquarters and program office is located in
Albuquerque, NM, where our finances
are managed by the Indigenous Rights Center, a 501(c)(3) organization
and fiscal sponsor. Your donation may be tax-deductible to the extent
allowed by law. (Emphasis added)
Tactics sound familiar, and maybe even legitimate, or just
dubious and convoluted?
The smoking gun…
--Should it come as any surprise
that Indigenous Rights Center
corporate filings lists as Directors; Delaney Bruce (long time Peltier
supporter), Peter Clark and Karri A. Boushee (Co-Directors of the ILPDC,
mentioned above) and Chauncey Peltier (Peltier’s son)?[viii]
--It’s important to note that the heading
of the Press Release clearly lists the International
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, and more critically at the bottom
is the following:
©2016 ILPDC/Indigenous Rights Center LLC, 202 Harvard SE,
Albuquerque, NM 87106.
So here Peltier is providing the very proof that he is again
attempting to circumvent IRS laws and regulations and making it so blatantly
obvious that it doesn’t take any investigation to uncover the fraudulent
disguise behind this latest effort to scam funds and hide what’s really
happening.
To make this exceptionally clear even to the most diehard Peltierites
(including celebrities), the law is very simple and straightforward:
It remains that Peltier cannot be a 501(c)3 because it is
illegal if those funds “are…for the
benefit of private interests, such as the creator (Peltier) or the creator’s
family (Chauncey Peltier)…” and, that “no
part of the net earning of a 501(c)3 organization may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. A
private shareholder or individual is a person having a personal and private interest in the activities of the
organization.” [ix]
In other words, filtering money through the Indigenous Rights Center, to a convicted
felon for political purposes “to influence clemency decisions” goes beyond mere
suspicion or speculation that Peltier is deliberately trying to circumvent the
law.
--How are donor's checks, made out
to the ILPDC as Peltier requests and sent to Hillsboro, Oregon, processed,
deposited or handled by the Indigenous
Rights Center in Albuquerque, without violating the law?
If just one dollar ($1) is funneled through the Indigenous Rights Center for the benefit
of one private individual, e.g. Leonard Peltier, for his use, benefit or
advantage (“inure”) (or to that of his family), then the I.R.S. would have some
serious issues with that. And if it’s more than one dollar, lets suggest into
the thousands, like for attorney’s fees that could be encroaching on felony
territory.
In the real world, funneling money, trying to disguise its
true source and nature, through a third-party shill, is the essence of money laundering and is illegal.[x]
Updated letters of complaint will be sent to the E.O.
Examinations offices of the Internal Revenue Service covering Hillsboro, Oregon
and Albuquerque, New Mexico pointing out this obvious violation of the law.
PayPal:
In 2004 the
NPPA was successful in having Peltier/LPDC removed from PayPal.[xi]
Peltier was violating PayPal’s Acceptable Use policy; 1(f)
…financial exploitation of a crime.[xii]
Peltier changed the Committee name and location and slipped
back into the PayPal system.
Perhaps it’s time to write another letter of complaint to
PayPal for Peltier’s continuing violation of their Acceptable Use Policy.
(Perhaps also, some research into Son of
Sam laws would be in order as well.)
Celebrity Donations:
In an obvious reference to the No Parole Peltier Association
(celebrating its sixteenth anniversary on April 30th) Peltier
claims:
“There’s a myth about
the ILPDC being wealthy. You’ve heard the gossip and false claims of Leonard’s
detractors. The Committee is not now and has never been wealthy and, contrary
to what some believe, celebrity supporters don’t generally donate to the ILPDC.”
Interesting choice of words: “Myth” (used in its proper
context, and a focus of the NPPA for nearly a decade and a half to “Destroying the
myth and folklore surrounding Leonard Peltier”), and “generally.” “Generally”
being the Peltier way to parse and shade the deeper meaning.
The NPPA never claimed Peltier or the ILPDC (or the former
LPDC, LPDOC) were “wealthy,” only that there was never any accounting of
exactly how much Peltier has fleeced from supporters, but more importantly
where any of that money has gone. At least with this latest release we can
account for $8,000 and maybe $30K owed to an attorney.
Looking back there is a detailed history of Peltier bragging
about his celebrity supporters, and certainly if they buy into the Peltier
Myth, they probably pay into his support as well, even if it’s in the guise of
overpaying for marginally acceptable Peltier artwork (albeit that one person’s
art is another’s garage sale item). Former first-daughter Chelsea Clinton has a
Peltier painting and let’s never forget who Peltier bragged owned a Peltier
painting or two and had actually overtly advertised his artwork for sale, Jane
Fonda.[xiii]
And then, aside from the “501(c)3 as a sponsor” front there’s
the money that comes in from sources that may have never been acknowledged, or
perhaps even reported to the IRS by Peltier and his Committee. Like that 2011 NYC
fundraiser concert for example.
In 2007 Peltier had a “buy a stone” website fundraiser that
wasn’t all that successful (about $12,000 in two years; what happened to those
funds?), but on November 14, 2006 in an email to the NPPA from a European
supporter, Elsie Herten, there was this startling admission;
"See, most people just
bought one or two stones, because the names on the list were more important
than donating money through that website "thingie". The real
donations were sent to the LPDC bank account instead. For example: I donated
half the donations we received. Vivienne Westwood just sent a huge donation (to
the bank account)."
Real and huge donations—to the bank—just
doesn’t smell right, does it? [xiv]
But it does provide evidence enabling the fundraising scam.
Even on Peltier’s home page today he brags about support
from the likes of Peter Coyote, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Harry
Belafonte and Jackson Brown. Certainly these Hollywood fat cats wouldn’t be
considered cheapskates and not also put their money where their mouths are and
fork over some cash, or perhaps a lot of cash, buying paintings and such.
There’s a little more history when it comes to Peltier
support, financial and otherwise.
Remember Peltier’s escape from Pine Ridge after the brutal
murder of Agents’ Coler and Williams when he was pulled over in a motor home by
an Oregon State Trooper? (Let’s not forget that found under the front seat
where Peltier sat was a paper bag containing Agent Coler’s service revolver and
on the bag, Peltier’s thumbprint: Direct evidence connecting him to the scene
of the crimes at Jumping Bull.) The motor home was registered to none other
than Hollywood actor Marlon Brando. Little coincidence that Peltier’s (and AIM’s)
financial support has deep roots with the Hollywood crowd.[xv]
Remember the armed escape from Lompoc Penitentiary?
Would it be interesting to note that Max Gail, Hal Linden,
Danny DeVito, Buffy Ste. Marie and David Soul were seen at Peltier’s trial and
that others over the years have voiced their support: David Geffen[xvi],
Danny Glover, Melanie Griffith, Whoopie Goldberg, Jesse Jackson, Jude Law,
Madonna, Michael Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Redford (and his film, Incident
at Oglala[xvii]),
Tim Robbins, Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Gloria Steinem, Oliver Stone, Barbara
Streisand, Sting, Bono and Cher.[xviii]
Wouldn’t it also be relevant that “One fan in particular
tried to create a diversion during Peltier’s prison break by showing up late to
give a motivational speech, Max Gail, the (marginal) actor best known for his
role as the lovable doofus “Wojohowicz” in the sit com Barney Miller.” [xix]
But it goes deeper than that. According to Peltier
co-conspirator Dino Butler and the decades long lie of Mr. X and the infamous
red pickup truck, that this false alibi was hatched by Bob Robideau while at
the home of Max Gail.[xx]
This is the reality of Peltier’s dirty little secret when it comes to fundraising, alleged
charitable activities and celebrity supporters. [xxi]
Attorney’s fees:
According to the federal court of appeals, “Peltier was
well-represented at trial and on appeal,”[xxii]
meaning that he had some good attorneys (Bruce Ellison notwithstanding [xxiii])
fighting for him, all paid for in the beginning by the largesse of the American
taxpayers.
Later attorneys represented Peltier because they believed in
him or his cause, many years working pro bono with some expending significant
amounts of money and legal time and talent (attorneys Michael Kuzma and Barry
Bacharach being among the most notable).[xxiv]
Peltier now claims “Attorney fees are still owed (roughly $30K)”
for a clemency application; a six page form that Peltier could fill out with a
crayon.[xxv] So what’s the $30K, or more, actually
for? Perhaps an effort to buy favor in Washington D.C., as Peltier said, “to
influence a clemency decision.” That would be a typical Peltier ploy but the
reality is that the Pardon Attorney, Attorney General and the President are
fully aware of the facts of Peltier’s conviction and appeals.
Peltier tells us that “travel” expenses are high, as it was
in 2015 and also includes “trips to Coleman, Florida, for meetings with
Leonard.” Meetings with Leonard, really? To what benefit; hold his hand; make
him feel important, help the time pass with occasional visitors (some of whom
are there with billable hours)? Is
that necessary? Any competent attorney has full access to the record of Peltier’s
conviction and appeals, none of which Peltier can change or validate. The
records have been there for decades and even available on the NPPA website.[xxvi]
What would be the likelihood of Peltier actually paying the
attorney $30K? With all the whining about money (which will always remain the dirty little secret) and if the attorney
isn’t paid for the six page form (no doubt including attachments), perhaps the
attorney can use that lost revenue as a tax write-off.
Regardless, it would be more than interesting, compelling
really, to see what Peltier’s attorney submitted. Certainly it did not contain
the four decades of Peltier’s wholly discredited fabrications.
We would offer, challenge actually, to be able to review
that application factually, which would doubtless reduce it to a pile of
worthless paper.
Mr.
President, if Peltier’s clemency application should ever reach your desk, please
consider it in relation to just two of Peltier’s many public statements
regarding the unprovoked attack and brutal murders of two federal agents, “And Really, if necessary, I’d do it all over
again because it was the right thing to do (2010),” and, “I don’t regret any of this for a minute
(2014).”
Right thing. No
Regrets. Leonard Peltier remains an unrepentant and remorseless murderer
who, in the interest of justice, should serve the remainder of his consecutive
life sentences.
“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”
Ed Woods
[i] April 30, 2016: The No Parole Peltier Association (NPPA), celebrates its 16th
anniversary continuing its stated goals to honor the memory and sacrifice in
the line of duty of FBI Agents Jack Coler and Ron Williams by providing the
facts regarding June 26, 1975, dismantling the myth and folklore surrounding
Leonard Peltier and exposing the public statements and contradictions of Peltier’s
claims of innocence. Peltier is painfully aware that January 20, 2017, his last
and only hope, is rapidly approaching and clemency, like parole, will vanish.
[iii] Peltier has made it clear in
the past that any communications sent on his behalf from the Committee (LPDC,
LPDOC, ILPDC, etc.) must first be approved by him, therefore Peltier is
responsible for the content and information he places in the public domain,
along with the directors of the Committee.
[iv] http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#fraud
[vii] http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2013/12/peltier-update-breaking-camp-mandela.html (Dorothy Ninham, Wind
Chases the Sun, Inc., DePere, Wisconsin)
[viii] It should be noted that the
NPPA has never engaged, singled out or criticized anyone in Peltier’s family.
This is not about family (except those of Agents’ Coler and Williams), and
Betty Ann Peltier-Solano, Chauncey Peltier or any other family members are
entitled to advance their efforts to free Peltier. It will remain as such
unless family members engage in overt attacks on the NPPA. On 1/12/17 Chauncey
Peltier, 42638 NW Cedar Canyon Road, Banks, Oregon 97106 registered a business,
Peltier Justice for All, Inc. How PJAI develops, and its mission remains to be
seen, and will be addressed as appropriate.
[x] Shill: An accomplice of a hawker, gambler, or swindler who
acts as an enthusiastic customer to entice or encourage others, e.g., The
Indigenous Rights Center, its founders and directors, at the behest of Leonard
Peltier.
[xiii] Jane Fonda, aka Hanoi Jane remains an insult to every
man and woman, past and present, who served this nation’s military and
especially those who died to protect our freedoms and liberty. Fonda is a loathsome
and disgusting individual. Further reference;
[xv] Peter Matthiessen, In the Spirit of Crazy Horse
(New York: Penguin Books, 1991)
249
[xvi] Written nine years ago this
Editorial Essay predicted where Peltier would be today in 2016 and how Hollywood
mogul David Geffen, a former staunch Clinton supporter and fundraiser thought
he had bought Peltier’s way out of prison. To Geffen’s dismay it didn’t happen, resulting in Geffen publicly
calling both Clintons’ liars. http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#dances
The denial of Peltier’s clemency by outgoing President Clinton led to the
infamous public comment, “These politicians are such sleazebags that you just
don’t know.” Wonder if Peltier would like to repeat that comment for President
Obama? http://www.noparolepeltier.com/speak.html
[xvii] http://www.noparolepeltier.com/movie.html Mr. X
The Movie. Coincidentally, on April 30th my bride and I went out for
lunch and a later dinner and in between went to the Cincinnati Museum Center to
see the Omnimax film, National Parks
Adventure and The Art of the Brick
art show. I expected the film to be a an elaborate photographic experience
exploring a number of America’s incredible natural wonders but from the opening
credits was disappointed to see that the film was narrated by Robert Redford.
So I had to listen to him, just like in Incident
at Oglala and contemplate how Redford could still be so ignorant over the
Peltier matter. The film had some spectacular footage but was a down-home trip
of three adventurers and was lacking in specifics about the parks and didn’t
cover nearly as much as expected. But then there was having to listen to
Redford and wondering now that he knows he was taken-in by Peltier, blatantly
lied to about the whole fabricated Mr. X and the red pickup alibi, that he was
still dense enough and lacking the courage to admit he had backed a murderous,
lying loser like Peltier. But
that’s Hollywood. http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2016/03/peltier-and-robert-redford-repost.html
The Art of the Brick, though, was incredible and well worth the price
of admission. New York corporate attorney, Nathan Sawaya, turned LEGO artist,
brings art to life in painting-like images and incredible 3-D, nearly life size
creations, experiencing almost every facet of the human condition. Just an
unsolicited recommendation, this is a must-see exhibit. Lunch was at a
Cincinnati staple, Skyline Chili, a predominant attraction in the Queen City.
Dinner was at arguably the best Italian restaurant in the tri-state, Scotti’s
on 9th Street. A little hole-in-the-wall, like some of New York
City’s best off beat eateries. This place, small, with walls lined with a
mosaic of disjointed tile work and old family photos must be doing something
right, since it’s been in the same family now for 104 years.
[xviii] Joseph Trimbach, American Indian Mafia (Denver:
Outskirts Press, 2008), 430
[xix] Trimbach, 387 (The NPPA would argue that these
celebrities either don’t have a clue about the facts, relying solely on the
folklore, or they just don’t care about justice. Unless, of course, they become
victims themselves, then it would be an entirely different story.)
[xxiv] If Peltier paid for legal services there is at least
one other attorney where he should demand a refund. Honolulu based attorney
Eric Seitz, representing Peltier at the 2009 parole hearing, stated (excerpted
from the following Editorial Essay link): "…they (the FBI and
government) don't have any creativity, they don't come up with anything new.
They don't have any greater ability to explain their justification for their
position. It's a very wooden position, kill an FBI agent and live the rest of
your life in prison. I don't think that's going to impress very many people who
aren't already of the same opinion." A
brilliant legal opinion to say the least… http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#paroledenied
[xxvi] (Court decisions and a Concise History of Guilt) http://www.noparolepeltier.com/court.html, http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#concise
