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State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Elderly

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Gottabrain

Guest
Carried over from WWP https://whyweprotest.net/community/threads/state-of-california-sues-movie-producers-over-alleged-ponzi-scheme.105302/#post-2190506(Thank you, Anon):

State of California Sues Movie Producers Over Alleged Ponzi Scheme

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/not-forgotten-lawsuit-ponzi-scheme-paz-vega-372735

The suit claims a 2009 movie starring Simon Baker and Paz Vega cheated investors, many of them senior citizens, out of millions of dollars.

Movie Director Dror Soref, Scientologist:

http://www.truthaboutscientology.com/stats/by-name/d/dror-soref.html

The following 38 individual completions for Dror Soref appear in official Scientology publications: ...
Also, CEO and Executive Producer named in the suit, Michele Kenen Seward, is supposedly a pal of Kirstie Alley and a Founding Patron of Scientology. How nice.

http://www.truthaboutscientology.com/stats/by-name/m/michelle-seward.html

The following 3 individual completions for Michelle Seward appear in official Scientology publications: ...
Folks, a possible Reed Slatkin styled shitstorm looms on the west coast. Popcorn stores may need replenished.
 

LA SCN

NOT drinking the kool-aid
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

Carried over from WWP https://whyweprotest.net/community/threads/state-of-california-sues-movie-producers-over-alleged-ponzi-scheme.105302/#post-2190506(Thank you, Anon):

State of California Sues Movie Producers Over Alleged Ponzi Scheme

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/not-forgotten-lawsuit-ponzi-scheme-paz-vega-372735

The suit claims a 2009 movie starring Simon Baker and Paz Vega cheated investors, many of them senior citizens, out of millions of dollars.

Movie Director Dror Soref, Scientologist:

http://www.truthaboutscientology.com/stats/by-name/d/dror-soref.html


Also, CEO and Executive Producer named in the suit, Michele Kenen Seward, is supposedly a pal of Kirstie Alley and a Founding Patron of Scientology. How nice.

http://www.truthaboutscientology.com/stats/by-name/m/michelle-seward.html


Folks, a possible Reed Slatkin styled shitstorm looms on the west coast. Popcorn stores may need replenished.

OMFG!!!!!

I Know this guy and did work for him through 2005!!

We were on course at AOLA on Solo 1 at the same time and I am familiar with Skyline Pictures, Windsor Pictures to a lesser degree and the movie which had a different title pre-production.

This is fucking HUGE. Dror is a celeb and well known on CCI lines and among Hollywood scilons.

It is ironic also - he got nailed by Slatkin for a big chunk of change. He has sunk a shitload of $$ into the church - tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.
 

Lurker5

Gold Meritorious Patron
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

People go to prison for ponzi schemes. New Made-off with the money movie - The Fuckers Go to Prison. The Scnos Meet Fuckers in Prison.

No offense to Ben Stillar, and no connection with his hysterical Focker movies.
:biggrin:

Don't fuck with old people.
 

AnonyMary

Formerly Fooled - Finally Free
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

Here's the official complaint
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/custom/Documents/Ponzi_Scheme.pdf

add:

03.16.2010
kirstie alley and her new diet might be a scientology trick

Organic Liaison’s advisory board includes a prominent Scientologist named Michelle Seward. Seward is also the CEO of Protege Financial, a Scientology-based company.

The corporate office for Organic Liaison is in Clearwater, Fla. — headquarters, not coincidentally, of Scientology. Organic Liaison is in the same building in Clearwater as the World Institute of Scientology.
Another member of the advisory board, Thomas Lovejoy, has a long association with Scientology through its so-called “Artists for Human Rights.” That group includes noted sect members Kelly Preston and Anne Archer.
Also: Organic Liaison’s accountant is Saul Lipson, a highly placed Scientologist.
http://www.wwtdd.com/2010/03/kirstie-alley/
 
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triumph

Silver Meritorious Patron
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

on page 11 of the compliant
Michelle Seward gave the Kirstie Alley family trust $400K ...Michelle was originally the head of Kirstie Alley's Organic Liaison Advisory Board.. and Michelle also claims to be a major investor with OL...( $400 may be Ms Sewards stake in Organic Liaison)

I imagine once the dust is settled Kirstie will have to cough that dough up

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/custom/Documents/Ponzi_Scheme.pdf

Grant Cardone Is involved with Skyline Pictures
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117892136?refcatid=1236
according to this 2003 Variety article Grant was Partners and invested 1/3 of the initial fund.

the complaint Pdf doesn't mention the investors by name but it does go into details, wherein initial Investors were payed off, from the money taken in later.

the picture "Not Forgotten" was originally titled "Del Rio,
Grant Cardone claims on his IMDB page he was an "executive producer" on the picture when it was made.
other links list him as a producer.. or executive producer

the picture Not Forgotten bombed... it took in a total of 53K


Scott Walter Foulk is also a defendant named in the complaint, who was involved through Michelle's company Protege...

http://www.divided-by-zero.com/showthread.php?1835-another-Day-another-Scilon-Ponzi-scheme-exposed

http://ocmb.xenu.net/ocmb/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=111587

if you read the dox... the complaint is open for others to be charged...

I imagine some of those involved might have to cough up some cash...when the dust settles...maybe even the CoS
 

Sindy

Crusader
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

God that was a long document to wade through! :biggrin:

Ya know, either these people would have been incompetent greedy assholes with or without Scientolology or they have become so due to constant financial and status pressure within the cult. Either way, again, someone gets screwed. In this case it's elderly people.

Buyer beware.

This should be interesting to watch. Even if the defendants' versions of events is less nefarious than stated in the complaint, it doesn't matter -- the toothpaste doesn't go back in the tube -- and nobody "pulls this in" :giggle: for no reason at all.

Will Tom and Kirstie, et al quietly wonder why they are constantly surrounded by controversy? Are they criminals too? Wassup?
 

HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

...

Here is the upstat theta being herself, Michelle Steward:

See link for Saxe-Coburg Insurance Solutions at: http://www.saxe-c.com/company/team.html

And another company she is on the board of: US CENTER FOR CITIZEN DIPLOMACY


And, oh yes, she's a PATRON, L-11 and Clear. So I am pretty sure she would be too ethical to commit financial fraud. Scientologists don't do that that I have ever heard. LOL

mseward-200x300.jpg



Michelle Seward is a financier and entrepreneur who has spent her adult life in the financial services business. Seward's expertise in financial product design, elegant transaction structure and the ability to bring simplicity to complex dealings are her hallmarks.

Michelle built a multi-state retirement planning practice with over one hundred financial professionals before she was 30 years old and is currently the CEO of Saxe-Coburg Insurance Solutions, a boutique insurance agency dedicated to high net worth individuals and their unique needs.

She is currently a Producer on the new American musical, Twist, directed by internationally recognized, Emmy Award Winning Director/Choreographer, Debbie Allen and is the Executive Producer of the feature film Not Forgotten as well as the upcoming film Selma.

Seward's unique ability to bring together like minded parties into exceptional ventures creates value for all involved. Michelle is passionate about her responsibility to her fellow man and global community service. She is the past President of Youth for Human Rights, is on the board of The Center for Citizen Diplomacy who champions the "citizen diplomat" in shaping the worlds view of America. Seward regularly speaks in public and recently spoke at the United Nations and in 2005, was voted one of Los Angeles County's top businesswomen. Ms. Seward delights in the opportunity to mentor young women by passing on her two decades of experience as a business leader. Of all of her accomplishments her role as a mother of four children tops the list.
 

HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

God that was a long document to wade through! :biggrin:

Ya know, either these people would have been incompetent greedy assholes with or without Scientolology or they have become so due to constant financial and status pressure within the cult. Either way, again, someone gets screwed. In this case it's elderly people.

Buyer beware.

This should be interesting to watch. Even if the defendants' versions of events is less nefarious than stated in the complaint, it doesn't matter -- the toothpaste doesn't go back in the tube -- and nobody "pulls this in" :giggle: for no reason at all.

Will Tom and Kirstie, et al quietly wonder why they are constantly surrounded by controversy? Are they criminals too? Wassup?


Securities violations (SEC) is how the Reid Slatkin and Bernie Madoff empires were taken down.

The defendants in this case are up against the Department of Corporations and that is not going to go away.

They aren't going to be holding a Scientology Crusade with cult members parading around with protest signs on this one.

Game over.
 

HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

Someone needs to update Soref's currently-fawning Wikipedia page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dror_Soref

:devil:

Paul


:hysterical:

You mean this line?


In 2009 Soref wrote, directed and produced the critically acclaimed thriller Not Forgotten starring Simon Baker and Paz Vega.[2]


That's the movie that bombed (under $55,000 gross boxoffice) and defrauded elderly investors of $23M.

It must be one of those obscure definitions of "critically acclaimed".

EDIT: Just noticed the "critical acclaim" from the internet's number one websites for reviews. It doesn't get much worse than this.


ScreenShot2012-09-22at114953AM_zpsa38acd7d.png
 
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HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

--snipped--

Will Tom and Kirstie, et al quietly wonder why they are constantly surrounded by controversy?



Answer: No.

Second Answer: They will assign the SPs lower conditions and get back to the task of salvaging this sector. You see, they are able to salvage this part of the Galaxy which apparently is much easier than salvaging the people they directly do business with.
 

afaceinthecrowd

Gold Meritorious Patron
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

It's become such a pleasure here recently to log on ESMB each morning and check the New Posts Menu to see what is the Cof$: Suit Du Jour. :thumbsup::yes::clap::happydance:

Face:)
 

triumph

Silver Meritorious Patron
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

I suspect theres more to Grant Cardone packing his bags and leaving Cali..then he alluded too in his dorky letter to Jerry Brown...

Grant's House that Ponzi built.. is still up for sale...

Hes moved to Miami baby....I guess his wife has given up her aspirations about becoming a star in tinsel town....


Grant Cardone's Open Butthurt Letter to Gov Jerry Brown

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/grant-cardone/open-letter-to-gov-jerry-_b_1431672.html

according to the complaint dox.. the initial investments in Skyline..are considered part of the Ponzi scheme... curious if he got any money back...the complaint dox says initial investors received significant returns...
 

Student of Trinity

Silver Meritorious Patron
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

The weird thing about this Not Forgotten movie is that according to IMDb and BoxOfficeMojo, it only actually played for five weeks in the US, and was never in more than four (4!) theaters during that time. That would be why it took in so very little money. It did apparently make about $88K outside the US, though exactly where and when isn't listed.

This is what I find weird. From online reviews, it seems to have been a mediocre film, not a ridiculously terrible one. It seems to have been an honest attempt at a good film. Why wasn't it shown in more theaters? Who is competent enough to make an actual feature film, even if it's not that great, but can't get distribution to more than four theaters? Who goes ahead and makes a full feature film, if they haven't secured a distribution channel? If it was all just a fraud, why bother to make an actual film? That's a lot of work, and it's expensive. What the heck?

Maybe Not Forgotten itself was not the fraud, but a victim of the fraud. Maybe the producers ran out of money to promote or distribute it properly, because they had paid it all out to the earlier stage investors in a Ponzi scheme.

Or something. I dunno.
 

Anonycat

Crusader
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

The weird thing about this Not Forgotten movie is that according to IMDb and BoxOfficeMojo, it only actually played for five weeks in the US, and was never in more than four (4!) theaters during that time. That would be why it took in so very little money. It did apparently make about $88K outside the US, though exactly where and when isn't listed.

This is what I find weird. From online reviews, it seems to have been a mediocre film, not a ridiculously terrible one. It seems to have been an honest attempt at a good film. Why wasn't it shown in more theaters? Who is competent enough to make an actual feature film, even if it's not that great, but can't get distribution to more than four theaters? Who goes ahead and makes a full feature film, if they haven't secured a distribution channel? If it was all just a fraud, why bother to make an actual film? That's a lot of work, and it's expensive. What the heck?

Maybe Not Forgotten itself was not the fraud, but a victim of the fraud. Maybe the producers ran out of money to promote or distribute it properly, because they had paid it all out to the earlier stage investors in a Ponzi scheme.

Or something. I dunno.

theproducers-6.jpg


Seriously, I was thinking about the stated income and how it jibed with, you know, reality.

The opening day shows $6, as does the following, and a $9 day was in there, and then over a hundred dollars came in, and then oddly, receipts went over $1,000.

My only guess after examining the dox, was that someone had donated money, maybe even themselves, to obscure the fact that they had a $12 opening weekend. Just speculation.
 

Lurker5

Gold Meritorious Patron
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

:bump2: These happenings are too good to miss . . . .

But yeah, the poor people who honestly got involved in this.
 

AnonyMary

Formerly Fooled - Finally Free
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

on page 11 of the compliant
Michelle Seward gave the Kirstie Alley family trust $400K ...Michelle was originally the head of Kirstie Alley's Organic Liaison Advisory Board.. and Michelle also claims to be a major investor with OL...( $400 may be Ms Sewards stake in Organic Liaison)

I imagine once the dust is settled Kirstie will have to cough that dough up

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/custom/Documents/Ponzi_Scheme.pdf

Grant Cardone Is involved with Skyline Pictures
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117892136?refcatid=1236
according to this 2003 Variety article Grant was Partners and invested 1/3 of the initial fund.

the complaint Pdf doesn't mention the investors by name but it does go into details, wherein initial Investors were payed off, from the money taken in later.

the picture "Not Forgotten" was originally titled "Del Rio,
Grant Cardone claims on his IMDB page he was an "executive producer" on the picture when it was made.
other links list him as a producer.. or executive producer

the picture Not Forgotten bombed... it took in a total of 53K


Scott Walter Foulk is also a defendant named in the complaint, who was involved through Michelle's company Protege...

http://www.divided-by-zero.com/showthread.php?1835-another-Day-another-Scilon-Ponzi-scheme-exposed

http://ocmb.xenu.net/ocmb/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=111587

if you read the dox... the complaint is open for others to be charged...

I imagine some of those involved might have to cough up some cash...when the dust settles...maybe even the CoS

Good digging! We'll sure know more as information is released but I suspect, based on what you wrote here, that many scientologists were involved and or ripped off.

btw, from FilmMaker.com Fri, 07/30/2004 - 20:41 — frolicsomekitty http://www.filmmaker.com/node/9557
Films in Preparation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Del Rio
(Thriller) August 30 (United States, Mexico) Skyline Pictures, LLC, Los Angeles, CA. Phone: (310) 949-9222. Executive Producer: Grant Cardone. Producers: Dror Soref, Yoram Barzilai. Associate Producer: Erica De La Paz. Director: Dror Soref. Writers: Tomas Romero, Dror Soref. Casting: Mary Vernieu, Monika Mikkelsen.

Executive producers are the ones who get the money to finance the film. I hope we find out how long he was involved in this project .

According to this site called everyonewhosanyone.com, he's still involved, but the info could be outdated.

Tinseltown Gobbed-Up Movie Production Companies Part Six
Skyline Pictures
8228 Sunset Boulevard, Ste. 104
Los Angeles, CA. 90046
(323) 848-9848
Dror Soref
[email protected]

Erica De La Paz
[email protected]

Grant Cardone
[email protected]
http://everyonewhosanyone.com/tt/tgpc6.html
 
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Caroline

Patron Meritorious
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

Michelle Seward was US President of the International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance, according to this 2007 Scientology release:

Scientology Human Rights News Forum said:
Freedom of Expression Featured in MLK Human Rights Hero Award
Photo: The famous 'LA Freeway Kids' mural.


The famous "LA Freeway Kids" mural.

February 1, 2007

Is artistic expression a human right?

According to Michelle Seward, US President of the International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance, it absolutely is. So much so, that the recipient of the first annual Los Angeles Country Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Hero Award was Glenna Boltuch Avila, fine artist and Director of the CalArts Community Arts Partnership Program (CAP) for her work to enable inner city youth to exercise their right to artistic expression through art education.

CSI. (2007, 1 February) Freedom of Expression Featured in MLK Human Rights Hero Award. Retrieved on 22 September 2012 from http://www.theta.com/freedom-of-speech/20070201_fos_1.php

Seward was profiled in the Winter 2011 edition of Women of Wealth Magazine.

Women of Wealth said:
We recently brought in 10 young girls and interns from around the nation to learn about our Advanced financial planning tools and techniques, and how to apply them to everyday situations. Our motto is Never worry about money; it comes from doing good.

Michelle Seward is the CEO and President of Protégé Financial, which is quickly becoming one of the premiere financial companies in the nation, assisting clients across the country. Michelle began her financial services career in 1991. Her outstanding reputation is built on her expertise in areas of retirement and pensions for seniors, educators, and nonprofits. Michelle was voted one of Los Angeles County's top businesswomen in 2005. She shows her love for humankind via community service. She was the President of Youth for Human Rights for the past five years. She speaks annually at the United Nations regarding the importance of human-rights education. Michelle's International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance rebuilt schools in Sri Lanka after the tsunami, and has educated hundreds of thousands of children on human rights around the world. She is also proud to be on the board of the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy where American citizens partner with the world to address global challenges of the 21st century.

(Winter, 2011.) womenofwealth.com. Retrieved on 22 September 2012 from http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1tj5r/WomenOfWealthMagazin/resources/28.htm
 

AnonKat

Crusader
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

[video=youtube;vhSh9yNnmgc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhSh9yNnmgc[/video]

Carried over from WWP https://whyweprotest.net/community/threads/state-of-california-sues-movie-producers-over-alleged-ponzi-scheme.105302/#post-2190506(Thank you, Anon):

State of California Sues Movie Producers Over Alleged Ponzi Scheme

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/not-forgotten-lawsuit-ponzi-scheme-paz-vega-372735

The suit claims a 2009 movie starring Simon Baker and Paz Vega cheated investors, many of them senior citizens, out of millions of dollars.

Movie Director Dror Soref, Scientologist:

http://www.truthaboutscientology.com/stats/by-name/d/dror-soref.html


Also, CEO and Executive Producer named in the suit, Michele Kenen Seward, is supposedly a pal of Kirstie Alley and a Founding Patron of Scientology. How nice.

http://www.truthaboutscientology.com/stats/by-name/m/michelle-seward.html


Folks, a possible Reed Slatkin styled shitstorm looms on the west coast. Popcorn stores may need replenished.
 

Smurf

Gold Meritorious SP
Re: State of Calif Sues Scientology IAS Patron Movie Producers over Ponzi Scam of Eld

Something to point out to those who are unaware how "Hollywood" works..

Grant Cardone being the "executive producer" on a film could mean different things.. he was involved in the concept of the movie, he may have invested money in it, or he's friends with the producer, and he received honorary mention.

Often, when someone is named as an "executive producer", they have had no direct role in producing or work on the film. It is an honorable mention so their name appears in the credits & it massages the person's ego. Clint Eastwood was known for years listing family members & friends as executive producers.

Second, producers often created limited liability companies with the name of their film for the duration of pre-production, filming & post-production, then close the LLC. The lawsuit refers to Windsor Pictures & the movie's title, Not Forgotten, LLC. Dror named the company after the street he & his wife, Virginia, live on..
*** N Windsor Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004.
 
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