Dear Supporters:
A November 11th communiqué from Peltier/ILPDC
revealed some interesting details and potential conflicts as they have
established their new “National Office
here in Tampa, FL.”
Apparently, the November 6th Tulsa concert didn’t
meet expectations. According to the ILPDC they “didn’t raise as much money as we had hoped.” (Yet, did anyone catch the November 10th
ILPDC press release entitled, “The
Concert was a Wonderful Success.” Mixed messaging is a Peltier staple.)
The NPPA has been informed that the
concert was poorly attended and probably lost money. There were approximately 1900
seats available and less than half were filled. There was very little fundraising
activity at the venue. Aside from the poor timing of the event (months from now
no one will even remember) it is just another indication that Peltier’s
notoriety continues to slip away.
The concert begs the question; just how much did they
raise? Though the amount raised was
not disclosed; where it allegedly went was. According to the ILPDC “The money raised went directly into Leonard
Legal Trust account.” (Which is odd that it isn’t the Leonard Peltier account. But perhaps that
was just a typo or oversight.) However, this bears the markings of an oxymoron;
it is remarkable that a convicted felon/inmate is having money from various
sources funneled into a “legal trust.”
Solicitations for donations of checks, money orders, PayPal
and purchasing Peltier’s artwork continues in earnest, which raises again some
curious questions.
It certainly sounds like there’s a business being run, at
Peltier’s direction and on his behalf, from the ILPDC National Office at 116 W.
Osborne Ave., Tampa, FL 33603
Nevertheless,
the Florida Solicitation of Contributions Act (FSCA) regulates solicitation of
public contributions and requires full disclosure of certain information from
persons soliciting contributions in Florida.
The FSCA
requires anyone who solicits donations from people in the State of Florida to
register with the department and renew annually. The department collects
registration fees and has authority to impose penalties for non-compliance.
Are
Leonard Peltier and his International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
complying with Florida laws as they fund the Leonard Legal Trust account?
The City of
Tampa has certain business operating requirements and states that it is
unlawful for any person to engage in a regulated business without a current business-operating
permit. And, in fact, each day of operation without a permit constitutes a
separate offense. The city goes on to require that any person who shall commence operation of a
regulated business before obtaining a business operating permit shall pay
double the application fee prescribed for that business. The payment of the
double fee shall not preclude, nor be deemed a substitute for prosecution, as
provided for elsewhere in the city code.
Peltier’s ILPDC is located in a single-family residence in
Tampa. There are likely zoning requirements regarding potentially operating a
business from a single-family residence.
Are Leonard Peltier and his International
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee conforming to the City of Tampa (and
Hillsboro County) business and zoning regulations? That remains to be seen.
“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”
Ed Woods
P.S.
1) In November Peltier sent yet another rambling message
filled with characteristically disjoined claptrap and rhetoric. For the benefit of diehard Peltierites
who are unable or incapable of seeing through the fog of Peltier myth, folklore
and fabrications and to help connect the—dots—regarding the hypocrisy of the money
train, he publicly provides us with this little gem:
“The air, the water, the soil, all of nature is screaming against the
injustice that is continually perpetrated by those who worship money…and Peltier continues with…If you have any questions
about donations for my new legal team please call our new office in
Tampa, FL.” (Leonard Peltier,
November 23, 2017)
From Peltier’s lips to God’s ears.
Actually, from a convicted double-murderer’s lips to the
Creator’s ears.
A time will be here, one day, when Peltier will face the
Creator and mumble his truth about what actually happened at Jumping Bull, and Jack
and Ron will be watching.
2) Curiously, on 11/20/17 a Florida corporate filing was
rejected. The reason is not clear but the filing was for the International Leonard Peltier Defense
Offense Committee. Oddly though that the Peltier website clearly lists it
as the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee.
Offensive as much of the material on the Peltier website may be, is this just
another example of the mixed messaging from the Peltier camp?
