by Structured Settlement Watchdog
On September 28, 2006 , following a telephone conversation the previous day, a letter entitled Structured Settlements and Pretender "Trusts" was sent by NSSTA attorney John Stanton via UPS overnight to Judge Paul A. Victor, of the New York State Supreme Court Bronx County.
That letter and its prequelae and sequelae could jeopardize the entire industry and your livelihood. Many of you were unfortunately left in the dark about it because your trade association failed to keep you informed. Your dues at work!
In the letter Stanton, apparently on behalf of the NSSTA, draws a comparison between a trust once offered by a convicted felon who stole millions from tort victims and one characterized by Stanton as "similar", offered by one of your competitors. Stanton' s letter, apparently on behalf of the NSSTA,made it into New York Judicial Institute materials.
If the NSSTA was made aware of the way the Stanton letter was framed in the NYJI materials, why has it done nothing to correct it in almost 2 years?
There apparently is evidence that a number of NSSTA members have used the NYJI materials in competition to disparage the competitor, Halpern Group. One NSSTA strategy appears to be to pin the blame on senior Judge Paul Victor. Do you want to pin your livelihood on the strategy?
So I ask you NSSTA members…
- Have you seen a copy of the September 28, 2006 Stanton letter? I have
- Have you seen a copy of the NYJI material quoting "the Stanton letter"? I have
Let me tell you, it ain't pretty!
A number of you have used it. You know who you are.
The following individuals were entrusted with your trade association's best interests during all relevant times:
John Stanton, Esq.-General Counsel
NSSTA Board of Directors 2006-2007
JP Steele-President
Jeff Bowers-Past President
Henry Strong-President Elect
Board of Directors
Andy McLean
Chris Diamantis
Paul Hoffman
Doug Brand
Gary Burke
John Roeser
Robert Blattenberg
Robert Boyd
John McCulloch*
Martha Hunt*
Which of these individuals had involvement in the drafting, review or approval of the Stanton letter?
Which of these individuals had knowledge that the Stanton letter exists and when?
Which of these individuals have knowledge of who was involved in the drafting, review or approval of the Stanton letter?
Don't you think you should know?
Don't you think YOU deserve an explanation?
Don't you think WE ALL deserve an explanation?
With a few exceptions, the individuals listed above are still actively involved in NSSTA and a number are on the 2008-2009 Board.
How can an industry expect to grow if its feet are riddled with self inflicted bullet holes?
*John McCulloch joined EPS and was replaced by Martha Hunt in September 2006.
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