[LPL Board of Directors] Internal party foolishness.
Keith Thompson
media at lplouisiana.org
Mon Apr 1 15:07:28 CDT 2013
Good afternoon all,
I wish to respond to two points not dealing
with Mr. Lewis, but dealing with claims against our technology:
Mr.
Horne's email makes the following charges against the Chairman:
1)
"[the Chairman] 'Bugs' ... emails that he sends out to all of us."
2)
"the Chairman has direct access to all of our email accounts and may at
any time delete or change anything in any of our accounts".
I don't
feel informed enough to comment on some of the other charges yet, but as
a webmaster and hosting provider myself, I'd like to address these. (And
it wouldn't necessarily mean much if the charges were true and the
Chairman addressed them himself.)
It is extremely likely that Mr.
Monteleone can access LPL email accounts (if there were sufficient need)
since he manages the service for us. If necessary, he could simply
change a member's password and login. You would be aware if this
happened, though (unless you still use the default password provided
with your account). Some information may be available via server logs,
but this is almost universally true of email and does not constitute
"bugging." I do not think that LPL email comes with a reasonable
expectation of privacy as our addresses are not intended for personal
use. They belong to the office to which you are serving and any email
contents you have are to be inherited by future volunteers filling your
role.
While it is possible for someone with access to DELETE your
email account, it is not possible for the LPL to discreetly edit emails
in your account to change what they say. Our email is not hosted
in-house, but is handled through a hosting company - we do not have
direct access to all of the data even if there were such a plot.
That
being said, it is good practice to back up important material anyway;
there's no harm in having your own archive.
But it is not necessary to
guard against secret edits to the contents of your inbox or targeted
editing done without your knowledge.
Thanks,
--
KEITH THOMPSON
_Communications Officer_
Libertarian Party of Louisiana
media at lplouisiana.org
LPLouisiana.org [3]
On 2013-04-01 09:06, T Lee
Horne III wrote:
> Preamble
>
> Today, those that wish to establish
global control use religion, ethnicity, sexuality, politics, income gaps
and more to keep people seeing each other as the enemy when the real
enemy is Big Government.
>
> If you truly wish to combat the ones
trying to establish and entrench themselves as the ruling elite of the
globe, all it takes is loving kindness towards your fellow human beings.
Even if you do not agree with all of their opinions. Support their
earthly right to have it and turn your aim towards the true enemy of the
people, Big Government in all its forms.
>
> Only together can we
defeat the true enemy of individual liberty, freedom and civil rights.
>
> Discussion
>
> I observe that the Chairman has seen fit to bring
the entire group into this and pass on confidential communications
between the two of us, part of which he has used in his publication of
additional charge against the Vice Chairman and which is included in
this chain of communication. I have now to bring you all up to speed on
these charges and actions, in a time line going back to last year.
>
>
Attached in line at the end of my reply, you will find two, one from
October of last year and one from this current hearing. The email that
Adrien chose to share with you all follows those in line attachments.
The one from last year was circulated surreptitiously by the Chairman. I
found out about it because one member who despises secret attacks and
actions forwarded me a copy. I wrote a reply and out of courtesy sent it
by email confidentially to the Chairman. Now seems the time to present
this as evidence of the witch hunt that is being apparently supported by
the current Chairman through his straw man the Secretary/Treasurer.
These attached in line documents are copied and presented with as
delivered with typos included. Likewise all directly quoted text is
presented as written.
>
> Here is where I caution you, do not believe
a phone call or personal talk with the chairman will be honored. Insist
all discussions be in writing or with a witness taking notes in some
way.
>
> The chairman spoke with me over the phone and in some email
as well, which may be brought forward later. The Chairman assured me
that the bogus list of outright lies, and petty charges amounting to
character assassination were the work of one or two men. The Chairman
never did name the men and the possible reason will become apparent to
all of you as you read both the October 2012, the current bill of
charges and the included by the Chairman formerly confidential
communications I was involved with in my now futile attempt to make
peace. The Chairman has taken my attempts to keep this calm and find a
way out. He as poured gasoline of the fire. I will not sit by quietly
and allow his agenda to go forward.
>
> The chairman assured me the
October charges were dropped because he determined there was not enough
support to bring the charges much less convict on those charges, yet
here the charges are brought once again. It's as though I am dealing
with a person who will bring up every long past and resolved
transgression at any time to beat on those old long ago resolved
transgressions. This is exactly the same.
>
> Good people of the State
Central Committee, prejudice is insidious, it is evidenced by a pattern
of behavior more than by any one single act. Often times the one or ones
acting in a racially prejudice way are so ingrained into the behavior in
their own culture they may not even realize that the behavior and
attitude is unacceptable in the rest of society. Maybe we should
consider whether we have this problem in the party or in the committees.
And we must look at whether that is in any way affecting any of our
actions. Once again, I leave the final determination to you. Look
closely at the pattern of behavior in evidence by the petty nature of
the charges, by the vague unspecific nature of many of the charges, by
the double standard of behavior of those charges. Who in here has not
asked question of a group as to the possibility of being reimbursed for
expenses? Who in here has not thought of and brought up potential ways
for a group to raise funds for the group. Look at the vagueness of the
charges made with regard to the fundraising proposals and wonder to
yourselves what is really going on. Remember, racists and bigots have
gotten quite good at not directly using the "N" word and claiming
fairness, equality of treatment and magnanimous actions, all the while
subtly acting to undermine the black people who dare to aspire to
leadership or any improvement in any area of life. We all must examine
ourselves closely and continually to determine whether we are doing
these things ourselves.
>
> In communications prior to the last
communication the Chairman said that the Vice-Chairman had 21 days from
the date postmarked on a Registered letter to respond to the charges. I
will quote directly from his email to me dated March 23, 2013 .
Furthermore, I have strong issue with the manner in which the charges
were delivered.
>
> "I advised according to Robert's Rules and our
By-Laws that 21 day notice of any charges and the specific counts for
each has to be made to each member to call a judicial session. (which
accordingly I was asked to put on the agenda) That notice should have
been sent registered mail to the accused, and mailed to the remaining
members. I don't know if they are in the hands of the postal service
already or not."
>
> When that letter never came, perhaps because it
was never sent, a letter postmarked 3-28 came, I wrote to the Chairman
that the time line was violated and the hearing could not be held April
13. Now the Chairman says the email is sufficient and he can prove that
the Vice-Chairman received the email. Think about this, the rule is now
changed on the delivery of notice AND the Chairman can prove the
Vice-Chairman received the email. So the Chairman implies he has 'Bugs'
in his emails that he sends out to all of us. "Bugs" that none of us
were aware of and none of us agreed to. Now we know why he insists all
of us must use only the official email system. Additionally the Chairman
requires one set of rules for the accused and another set of rules for
the Chairman and the party. This is appears as high handed and
unpleasant as much of the actions by the National Republican Committee
during the Ron Paul campaign.
>
> I have all of these written
communications downloaded to my personal computer because the Chairman
has direct access to all of our email accounts and may at any time
delete or change anything in any of our accounts as well as bar any of
us from access to their email account and who knows what other unknown
and unsuspected powers he holds over our communications. I suggest you,
too, may want to protect yourselves by keeping your own copy of
communications that pass through the official party email system.
>
>
I know this is getting long but just by way of example as to what could
possibly happen just from postings on Facebook, if we allow this to
proceed. I have written the following, remember this could be anyone of
us. These are just examples, this could never come up as this person has
already resigned. This is just an example of how any malicious person
could proceed. So let's decide now not to conduct the party in this way.
>
> ==========================
>
> Charge one: Breach of
confidentiality, conduct unbecoming, violations of ethics. The evidence
of this charge is below where Reed Ebarb and his co conspirators, Mitch
Dufour and Daniel Hayes, discuss in open forum his intentional and
malicious act of bringing the petty an malicious charges with the intent
of "Time for heads to roll." As you can see from the time line this was
IMMEDIATELY after his resignation.
>
> Reed Ebarb boasted of his
intent to cause trouble in public on FB. Starting a conversation on the
subject.
>
> March 19 via mobile
>
> Time for heads to roll. -- with
Daniel Hayes.
>
> Like * * Share
>
> Mitch Dufour ???..........
>
> March 19 at 11:05pm * Like
>
> Reed Ebarb You'll have to call for
the details on this one
>
> March 19 at 11:05pm via mobile * March 19
>
> ===========================
>
> Charge two: Breach of Ethics and
Conduct Unbecoming an officer of the State Central Committee by
attempting to solicit business for his new start up business under the
guise of a self centered self promoting Resignation Letter. Such letter
was also published in the open on Facebook. See below:
>
> Reed Ebarb
>
> March 19
>
> Dear Fellow Libertarian,
>
> After serving with
the Libertarian Party of Louisiana since April of 2012, I have decided
it is time for me to resign. I have made the decision to start my own
animal rescue in Shreveport and due to this, I can't serve on the board
of directors of the Libertarian Party of Louisiana any longer.
>
>
When I was elected to the LPL board, we had only a few members, no
income, and no candidates. I spent most of 2012 recruiting congressional
candidates, recruiting members, and raising money. When it was all said
and done, we had 2 elected Libertarians and 5 congressional candidates.
We raised more money in 4 months than the party had raised in the last
few years combined. It was a tough year but by the end of 2012, many
were talking about the resurgence of Libertarians in Louisiana.
>
>
Today, the LPL operates on a budget of more than $20,000, has a full
board of directors, has grown over 50%, and is already getting inquiries
from candidates wanting to run for office in 2014. We have come a very
long way in only a year and I am extremely proud to leave the party much
stronger and much larger than I found it. I am proud of each and every
one of you for everything we have done together. The party is larger
than ever and still growing.
>
> Although I must leave the board of
directors, I hope to still hope to volunteer where possible. I hope to
slowly pass along all of my work and lessons learned to one or more
successors. I truly wish everyone the best and I can always be reached
on my cell phone. I will be resigning after the April meeting to allow
for a succession plan to be formed.
>
> In Liberty,
>
> Reed Ebarb
>
> Secretary, Interim Treasurer
>
> ===============================
>
> Charge three: Conduct unbecoming a SCC board member, poking fun at
another person's religion as evidenced by his very public comment on
Facebook in his timeline. Again as evidenced below:
>
> Reed Ebarb
>
> February 11
>
> I am formally declaring my candidacy to be the next
Pope. I look forward to ruling over my Catholic subjects.
>
>
==============================
>
> Charge four: Conduct unbecoming a
SCC board member, threatening and advocating the use of violence against
another human to solve a personal issue. As evidenced below on his
Facebook time line, see the following:
>
> Reed Ebarb
>
> January 21
>
> Some guy pulled up at the shelter today with 4 dogs in the car and
he was holding a baseball to apparently "keep them in line". If I hadn't
been at work I would have taken that baseball bat and beat that little
mother fucker to within an inch of his life. See how he likes being kept
in line.
>
> ===============================
>
> Charge five:
Dereliction of duty, failure to mail the registered letter to the
Vice-Chairman in a timely manner. Thus, if the rules earlier sent by the
Chairman are to be followed, causing a Second SCC special board meeting
to be called to discuss the proposed charges. And thus costing the
members of the SCC great expense in time and money go attend said
special meeting. As evidenced below from his letter to the Chairman and
the SCC:
>
> "This is a very quick heads up to everyone that my report
will be a bit delayedd, as will my responses to several emails. I have
recently become involved in legal preceedings in Shreveport and I also
went through a tornado yesterday at the animal shelter where I work so
therefore, I imagine I will be working the next week straight. If it is
urgemt. please call me. Otherwise, I will respond and finish a report
ASAP."
>
> ================================
>
> I remind you, I
bring this to you to show you what could happen in the future if we
allow this witch hunt to proceed. Please not also, these charges have
actual substantial evidence attached, unlike the charges brought against
the Vice Chairman..
>
> I submit that if this is to proceed, since the
Vice-Chairman as defendant is being prohibited from voting on these
issues, the accusers, ALL of them, the Secretary/Treasurer, and the
Chairman must also be prohibited from voting on these charges. Of course
determining who "ALL of them" is will require a distinct and independent
investigation as some choose to hide under cover of a front man. I also
as representative of the Defense, must not vote on the charges. The only
people fit for the "jury" are those who have been neutral up until this
point and may be expected to weight this dispassionately and fairly.
Much as in a court law the judge, prosecution and the defense attorney
are not allowed to weigh guilt or innocence.
>
>
================================
>
> T LEE HORNE, III
>
> Organizer
of NAACP Unit 6080, Saint Joseph, LA
>
> President of Brumby
Enterprises, Inc. 800-746-1705
>
> Former Chairman of Libertarian
Party of Louisiana 2009-2012
>
> Former Candidate for Governor of
Louisiana ran a 4 year campaign 2003-2007
>
> tleehorneiii at gmail.com
>
> 318-542-4445 google voice
>
> tleehorneiii skype
>
>
HTTP://BIT.LY/12ZAQMS [1]
>
> I will now copy and paste the formerly
private communication I sent. Vice-Chairman Scott A. Lewis, III asked me
to respond to the initial letter as his defense. I would rather not have
had to bring this forward, it is quite unpleasant but I must.
>
>
ATACHMENT ONE follows.
>
>
===============================================
>
> Fellow members of
the State Central Committee, I have been made aware of an email being
circulated by our most esteemed and honorable Chairman.
>
> Mr.
Chairman,
>
> I am disappointed in you. You decided to circulate this
email accusation with malice and forethought. You chose to exclude me
from the discussion and attempted to set up a kangaroo court with only
your baseless innuendos and accusations. I trust the rest of the state
central committee will listen with an open mind to the refutation of
your specious accusations. Your actions are reprehensible and
unbefitting of the office. If anyone is liable for removal from office
for cause, it may be you.
>
> Fellow State Central Committee Members,
>
> It is with heavy heart and great sadness that I am forced to
respond to this. None of this should ever have been committed to
writing, none of this should ever have come before the committee. Our
Chairman has allowed himself to succumb to a fit of moral outrage. I
know not from whence his groundless anger arises. I do know that his
entire diatribe is fallacious. Below is his email as circulated and my
refutation, line by line.
>
>
===============================================================
>
>
This is interesting and I will address some of the points that I have
direct knowledge of.
>
> A - DERELICTION OF DUTY
>
> #1 - was not
present for the convention at which he was elected, and at which he was
to serve as an officer, being already duly elected by the previous
convention.
>
> I, in my office as Chairman at the time, discussed
with Vice Chairman Scott Lewis the coming convention and determined his
time would be better spent in Baton Rouge and New Orleans than at the
convention. The Vice Chairman was specifically told by me, the Chairman
at the time, that he did not need to attend because his time could be
put to better use in Baton Rouge and New Orleans at a large NAACP event.
The current Chairman could have easily determined this by a simple phone
call to me yet he chose this disruptive method to bring this up as a
Central Committee item.
>
> #2 - was not present for the first SCC
meeting as required of his office by the LPL By-laws, preventing a
quorum, causing members and officers to travel at great expense to
themselves without purpose.
>
> Both Vice Chairman Scott Lewis and I
were under the distinct impression from our understanding of party
rules, rules we voted on that we could attend SCC meetings
electronically and we were both available to attend electronically. I
communicated with Reed and asked to be called so that I could attend if
needed for a quorum. I asked that Scott also be called so as to attend
electronically if need for quorum. After the meeting I called and spoke
with Secretary Reed Ebarb. He said the Chairman had an explanation of
why Vice Chairman Scott Lewis and I had not been called so that a quorum
would be present but the Secretary was not able to explain the reasons.
>
> #3 - has failed to make any attempt to constitute the Strategic
Planning Committee as required of his office under the LPL By-laws,
making only two calls for "information" or "agenda items" but has not
held a meeting, set a date for a meeting, or had any other discussion on
any matter of the committee.
>
> I cannot make first hand comments on
this other than note that Vice Chairman Scott Lewis and I had many long
conversations as he tried to get this Committee up and running wherein
the Vice Chairman expressed his frustration at not getting requested
information from the Secretary and the Chairman. Vice Chairman Scott
Lewis asked for the email addresses for these subcommittee chairmen and
was denied these email addresses. Vice Chairman Scott Lewis was also
frustrated by being told several times by the Secretary that this was
not the time to contact the members of the Strategic Planning committee.
I will leave it to Scott Lewis to address this issue in more detail.
>
> #4 - has failed to make any attempt to establish PECs for unorganized
parishes as required of his office under the LPL By-laws.
>
> I cannot
make first hand comments on this. All I have is this, I know Vice
Chairman Scott Lewis was active in several attempts to form the Baton
Rouge PEC because I was present at two of those formation meeting. I
will leave it to Scott Lewis to address this issue more completely and
directly.
>
> #5 - has not performed any duties of unorganized
parishes as required of his office under the LPL By-laws.
>
> I cannot
make first hand comments on this. All I have is what Scott Lewis told me
he was doing. I will leave it to Scott Lewis to address this issue
directly.
>
> B - CONDUCT UNBECOMING
>
> #1 - was late turning in his
Affidavit of Acceptance Elector form.
>
> Whereas the first form was
void in its form because the names were not correct and thus useless,
this is a specious charge.
>
> #2 - failed to turn in his Affidavit of
Acceptance Elector form, corrected version.
>
> Note that the first
form was turned in if later than optimal still in a full timely fashion
to get the party on the ballot.
>
> Phones work two ways.
>
> #3 -
failed to communicate why form was not turned in on time the first time.
>
> Whereas the first form was void in its form because the names were
not correct and thus useless, this is a specious charge.
>
> #4 -
failed to communicate why form was not turned in the second time.
>
>
Phones work two ways. It seems the most reasonable and straight forward
way of dealing with this would be a phone call or series of call to
inquire and discuss resolution to the problem. There seems to be a
pattern of failure to communicate with the Vice Chairman by the Chairman
and the Secretary. More on this at point #8.
>
> #5 - failed to
display any concern for his tardiness in turning in forms.
>
> Would
you have him tear the pocket off of his shirt and wail loudly Mea Culpa?
>
> Besides, I was told by more than one person the current Chairman
and the current Vice Chairman had a long and private conversation after
the recent SCC meeting on this subject. As to first hand information as
to the discussion, I have no direct knowledge. I was under the
impression all these issues had been resolved.
>
> #6 - failed to
display any interest in securing the form before the deadline.
>
>
Once again, I was under the impression that the current Chairman and the
current Vice Chairman had a long and private conversation on this
subject, in which I was under the impression all these issues had been
resolved.
>
> #7 - lack of concern for known deadlines affecting
ballot access.
>
> Once again, I was under the impression that the
current Chairman and the current Vice Chairman had a long and private
conversation on this subject, in which I was under the impression all
these issues had been resolved.
>
> #8 - causing the Chair to go to
great personal effort and expense to remedy his failure to file
paperwork in a timely manner.
>
> Expense the Chair could have easily
avoided by the simple expedient of using the telephone, calling Vice
Chairman Scott Lewis, and meeting the Vice Chairman in Baton Rouge on
the way to the Office of the Secretary of State. For some reason unknown
and unfathomable to me the Chair decided to instead have another person
sign the form thus requiring the Chair to drive to Shreveport to meet
with the Secretary. It is not the Vice Chairman's job to tell the
Chairman how to run the party, when the Chairman says words to the
effect that he will have someone else do the task. That is an Executive
decision. THE ENTIRETY OF THIS PROBLEM, THE COSTS, TIME, AND
INCONVENIENCE, IS ON THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS OF THE CHAIRMAN.
>
> #9 -
volunteering to be co-director of a Presidential Campaign for Louisiana,
and then failing to accomplish any task, attend any function, offer any
assistance, help with any planning or coordination of events, and
essentially holding the position in name only.
>
> I cannot make first
hand comments on this. All I have is what Vice Chairman Scott Lewis told
me he was doing. I will leave it to Scott Lewis to address this issue
directly. What I do know is that Vice Chairman Scott Lewis has
distributed a large quantity of door hangers, yard signs and bumper
stickers in an around Baton Rouge. I do know that he has attended
numerous events in and around Baton Rouge speaking on behalf of the
Presidential Candidate and the Libertarian Congressional Candidate. He
also gave signs to the Congressional Candidates from both Alexandria and
New Orleans.
>
> #10 - making false and baseless accusations of racism
of a fellow State Central Committee member.
>
> I cannot make first
hand comments on this. What I can say is I have had a long and positive
working relationship with Vice Chairman Scott Lewis. Yes there are some
cultural differences that we have had to work through but both of us
were and are doing it. Phone calls and direct personal visits help a
great deal. As for the statement that Vice Chairman accused a fellow
State Central Committee member of being racist, I was not there and
having said that, I find it much out of character for Vice Chairman
Scott Lewis.
>
> C - UNETHICAL CONDUCT
>
> #1 - attempted to get
re-imbursed by the SCC for notarizing an Elector form (2008)
>
> There
is nothing unethical about asking to be re-imbursed for money paid out
of his pocket for the party.
>
> #2 - attended a 2009 LSLA conference,
at party expense, with the purpose of learning more about new online
database systems, but instead used the opportunity to pitch a dubious
fundraising scheme to other state chairs.
>
> Mr. Chairman, were you
there or is this hear say and gossip? I cannot make first hand comments
on this. All I have is what Scott Lewis told me he was doing. I will
leave it to Scott Lewis to address this issue directly.
>
> #3 -
attempted to entice the LPL to enter into an expensive and poorly worded
contract to raise funds through a 3rd party via the selling of medical
information devices. (same scheme pitched at the LSLA)
>
> There is
nothing unethical in pitching a plan or project in an attempt to raise
money for the party. Vice Chairman Scott Lewis comes to us with years of
experience in promoting events for various organizations including the
state Democratic Party, the state Republican Party, the NAACP and other
charitable and for profit organizations. When he hears the LPLA needs
money he suggests things he has done in the past. It is up the Party to
decide if any of the ideas are suitable for the party.
>
> #4 -
attempted to get re-imbursed for travel expenses incurred while
fulfilling duties of his office. (travel to and from SCC meetings)
>
>
There is nothing unethical about asking to be re-imbursed for money
paid. He was not extorting money, only asking if the costs could be
re-imbursed.
>
> #5 - sought reimbursement for travel and lodging
expenses to attend the NAACP convention as a "liaison" to that
organization and representative of the LPL.
>
> There is nothing
unethical about asking to be re-imbursed for money paid. He was not
extorting money, only asking if the costs could be re-imbursed.
>
> #6
- attempted to get the party and an LP Congressional candidate to use
his personal business services at expense to the Party and to the
Candidate.
>
> There is nothing unethical in pitching a plan or
project in an attempt to raise money.
>
> #7 - has on numerous
occasions, solicited interest in holding media events, concerts,
festivals et cetera, which would not be in any way linked to the LPL,
but which would be funded by the LPL, in exchange for a share of the
proceeds of such events. (if any) In all of these events, personal
friends and himself, were to also profit.
>
> There is nothing
unethical in pitching a plan or project in an attempt to raise money.
>
> #8 - attempted to divert discussion at an SCC meeting concerning
online donation logistics, towards using his personal contacts or
himself as "bundlers" for LPL funds.
>
> There is nothing unethical in
pitching a plan or project in an attempt to raise money.
>
> #9 -
attempting to attend a private fundraiser for a Presidential Campaign
without making a required donation, and while inviting a guest who also
would not make a required donation, thus each of them partaking of
access to the candidate and party activists and of food and drink
provided, without contribution.
>
> As a member of the State Central
Committee and Vice-Chairman, I think he, the Chairman and Secretary
should be entitled to free admission to such events. I do not know and I
suspect his guest was a member of the press. The press is always granted
free access to events and the associated food and drink.
>
>
==============================================
>
> IN CONCLUSION:
>
> MR. CHAIRMAN, IF THERE IS ANYONE DERELICT IN HIS DUTY IT IS YOU FOR
FAILURE TO KEEP IN CLOSE WORKING CONTACT AND COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR
SECOND IN COMMAND, THE VICE CHAIRMAN.
>
> MR. CHAIRMAN, IF THERE IS
ANYONE GUILTY OF CONDUCT UNBECOMING TO THE OFFICE IT IS YOU FOR THE
MANNER IN WHICH YOU HANDLED THIS ISSUE.
>
> MR. CHAIRMAN, IF THERE IS
ANYONE GUILTY OF UNETHICAL CONDUCT IT IS YOU FOR MAKING FALSE CHARGES,
SENDING YOUR UNSUBSTANTIATED CHARGES OUT TO ONLY PART OF THE STATE
CENTRAL COMMITTEE AND FOR FAILING TO EVEN ASK THE PERSON YOU LAY CHARGES
ON TO RESPOND BEFORE ATTEMPTING SENDING OUT THIS DIATRIBE.
>
>
>
>
FELLOW CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS, I CALL UPON YOUR GOOD JUDGMENT TO FIND
THIS ATTEMPT TO BESMIRCH THE NAME, HONOR AND REPUTATION OF OUR VICE
CHAIRMAN SCOTT LEWIS, BASELESS AND TO REBUKE THE CHAIRMAN. I ALSO ASK
THE CHAIRMAN FORMALLY APOLOGIZE TO THE VICE CHAIRMAN FOR THIS DASTARDLY
ATTEMPT TO REMOVE A GOOD MAN FROM OFFICE. MR. CHAIRMAN, I DO NOT CALL
FOR YOUR RESIGNATION. YOU ARE YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED. LEARN FROM THIS.
I HAVE GREAT HOPE FOR THE GROWTH OF THE PARTY UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP AND
IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE DO NOT LET YOUR MISDIRECTED PERSONAL ANGER
OVERRIDE YOUR GOOD SENSE AND CUSTOMARY DIPLOMACY.
>
>
==========================
>
> The following is the current bill of
charges against the Vice Chairman as well as the responses I made as the
defense spokesperson for the Vice Chairman, note again the vague nature
of most of the charges and the repetition of charges already supposedly
resolved.
>
> ATTACHMENT TWO
>
> Wes Benedict - Finance Officer
>
Howard Kearney - Membership Officer
> Boyd Smith - Elections Officer
>
> Pursuant to the directions in the email from our Chairman, I have
information of bearing on this issue. I will ask you pursuant to the
directions, to not share this outside of your group and I include the
current party Chairman as OUTSIDE of this investigation group. " The
committee will conduct its investigation with the utmost discretion."
>
> Before we get into the charges I want you to know who Scott A. Lewis
is.
>
> EDUCATION:
>
> High School- Southern Laboratory H.S.
(lettered in football, basketball, track, baseball and basket ball)
>
> COLLEGE:
>
> Grambling State University Louisiana (4 years)
>
>
Southern University (1).
>
> All American - College Football,
>
>
DRAFTED NFL 1971 second round, to the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS.
>
> NFL
Professional Athlete (Kansas City CHIEFS and Houston OILERS)
>
> WFL
World Football League: Chicago Fire and Detroit Wheels.
>
>
EMPLOYMENT:
>
> Self-employed Businessman, Civil Rights Activist and
Community Leader.
>
> Enjoyed 20 successful years functioning as
CORPORATE MEDIA INDEPENDANT LIASON
>
> FOR/WITH:
>
> Communities,
FORTUNE 500 International Corporations, National Political Leaders,
Community Leaders.
>
> CEO/President /Owner S. A. Lewis, III &
Associates; and Stockholder of Louisiana Inner City Business Alliance,
Inc. d/b/a Louisiana Inner City Business, publication
>
> Media
Relations, Distribution, Marketing and Promotions.
>
> CULTURAL -
ENTERTAINMENT - ARTISTIC ACCOLADES:
>
> One of the first minorities to
successfully integrate California Entertainment Industry as a grip at
the Burbank Studios.
>
> Member of the Press WXOK, Radio 1460 AM
(1972).
>
> PROFESSIONAL FILM-THEATER AFFILIATIONS:
>
> Black
Theatre and Performing Arts (Houston, Texas)
>
> FILM CREDITS:
>
>
1974 American International Pictures, "Buck Town" directed by Arthur
Marks.
>
> 1975 MGM Studios, "Drum" Directed by Steve Carver.
>
>
AUDIO:
>
> Voice-overs for "Cooley High".
>
> INTERNSHIP:
>
>
American International pictures for screening and editing.
>
>
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
>
> (Houston, Texas) Project P.U.L.L. (Professional
United Leadership League) Director: Ernie Ladd. Focus: Youth building.
>
> Served on F.A.M.E. Inc., (Fraternal Athletic Marketing
Enterprises, Inc.)
>
> Marketing Campaign Strategist for United
Founders Insurance Company designing advertising, placement and on-site
promotions.
>
> Public Relations /Press Media liaison for Record
Retailers Houston, Texas
>
> Professional Entertainers Events Security
Coordinator PACE Management (Houston, Texas)
>
> Professional Concert
Event Coordinator /Press liaison for Professional Entertainers
>
>
Event Marketing /Promotion to the Stars (Houston, Texas)
>
> Artist
Development Representatives for High Profile Recording Industry
Labels/Moguls
>
> Wrote and produced "Let's Set the Record Straight"
and "The Evolution" television programs
>
> Artist management various
artist.
>
> Wrote and produced several songs for distribution, ("Gotta
Lotta Respect") Produced multiple video productions, LA
>
>
Photographed a multitude of well known and not so well known people, LA
>
> Journalist/Editor/Photographer/Video News Producer
>
> Inducted
into the Southern University Laboratory High School Athletic Hall of
Fame Awarded the Light House award.
>
> ORGANIZATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
PAST AND PRESENT:
>
> Member of Prince Hall Masonic Grand Lodge of
Louisiana
>
> SAG - Screen Actors Guild
>
> YBPC - Young Black
Programmers Coalition
>
> Kiwanis Club
>
> NAACP
>
> Honorary
Louisiana Senator
>
> Honorary Louisiana State Representative
>
>
Who's Who in Black Music
>
> BMI - Writer & Publisher
>
> YMCA -
Black Achievers
>
> LECTURE:
>
> LA Edutainment Council for Touring
United Recording Entrepreneurs
>
> Baton Rouge NAACP Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Celebration Committee
>
> The Black Family Leadership Plan
>
> Louisiana Music
>
> POLITICAL RACES:
>
> Secretary of State
2003
>
> All 4143 precincts reporting
>
> "Al" Donovan (D) 22.42%
284125
>
> Scott Lewis (O) 5.28% 66969
>
> W. Fox McKeithen (R)
72.30% 916235
>
> 2003 Results.
>
> Secretary of State 2007
>
>
All 3967 precincts reporting
>
> "Jay" Dardenne (R) 63.32% 757821
>
> Scott Lewis (O) 5.41% 64723
>
> "R." Wooley (D) 31.27%
>
> 2007
results
>
> Governor 2011
>
> David Blanchard (N) 2.61% 26705
>
>
Leonard "Lenny" Bollingham (N) 0.51% 5242
>
> "Ron" Ceasar (N) 0.80%
8179
>
> Cary J. Deaton (D) 4.89% 50071
>
> Tara Hollis (D) 17.88%
182925
>
> "Bobby" Jindal (R) 65.80% 673239
>
> William Robert "Bob"
Lang, Jr. (N) 0.89% 9109
>
> Scott Lewis (L) 1.22% 12528
>
> "Niki
Bird" Papazoglakis (D) 2.14% 21885
>
> Ivo "Trey" Roberts (D) 3.25%
33280
>
> 2011 results
>
>
==============================================
>
> With that in place,
let's move on to the specious allegations and character assassination
attempt by parties who cower and hide behind anonymous masks to hide
their treachery.
>
> Charge 1. Dereliction of Duty of the Office of
Vice-chairman
>
> Specification 1. Not being present for the
convention at which he was elected, and at which he was to serve as an
officer, being already duly elected by the previous convention.
>
> I,
T. Lee Horne, III, was the Chairman at the referenced convention. I
specifically told Vice-Chairman Lewis that he should attend a large
NAACP conference in New Orleans to represent the Libertarian Party
rather than come to the convention. This charge is a vicious lie by a
coward who remains in the bushes throwing shit.
>
> Specification 2.
Not being present for the first State Central Committee meeting, held in
Alexandria, Louisiana, such attendance being required of his office by
the By-laws, his absence preventing a quorum, causing members and
officers to travel at great expense to themselves without purpose.
>
>
Neither I T. Lee Horne, III nor Vice-Chairman Lewis attended in person,
we were readily available by telephone and I so notified the Secretary
and the Chairman that I would be ready and available should I be needed
to reach a quorum. There was no response from either saying that such
was not acceptable and such attendance by telephone had been acceptable
during my term as Chairman.
>
> Both Scott and I were under the
distinct impression from our understanding of party rules, rules we
voted on that we could attend SCC meetings electronically and we were
both available to attend electronically.
>
> Specification 3. Not
being present for a meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee which he
chairs, after calling the meeting, and inviting members from other parts
of the State to attend, causing them to travel at great expense to
themselves, and instead, attempting to chair a physical meeting by
telephone in violation of Robert's Rules of Order.
>
> Robert's Rules
clearly state that policy of any group over ride Robert's rules. It is
and always was the policy of the Vice-Chairman to hold meetings by
telephone conference whenever possible to save time and travel money for
all members. He was not holding a dance class where the bodies had to be
present.
>
> Specification 4. Failing to make any attempt to establish
Parish Executive Committees for unorganized parishes as required of his
office under the By-laws, leaving the work instead to be done at great
personal effort and expense to the Executive Director, such work being
outside the Director's contract, and causing considerable difficulties
in negotiating agreeable payment terms for such contract.
>
> This
requirement is a "best efforts" requirement. The Vice-Chairman has
worked in and around Baton Rouge as this is his natural base of
operation and East Baton Rouge PEC is proof of this work.
>
>
Additionally the Vice-Chairman has made numerous trips to Alexandria,
Lafayette, Houma, Thibodaux, La Place and other cities in attempt to
establish activists who would form PECs in their Parishes.
>
> Once
again this is baseless character assassination attempt by someone or
group who just does not like the person in the office of Vice-Chairman.
>
> Specification 5. In the absence of established Parish Executive
Committees, failing to take care that the duties assigned to these
committees are carried out in their respective parishes, either by his
own actions, or by the appointment of a parish director, organizer, or
other member as the By-laws require.
>
> Aside from this "requirement"
being a best efforts requirement, how is the Vice-Chairman to do this?
Slavery has been outlawed for a very long time and absent of people
willing to do this work how can the Vice-Chairman make anyone do
anything against their free will. Indeed why would a good Libertarian
even suggest that he should do such a thing? Charges should be brought
against those who would even suggest such a thing.
>
> I submit that,
if the Vice-Chairman is to be removed from office for dereliction of
duty, then each and every one of us is subject to the same sanction
right now today.
>
>
==========================================================
>
> The
following were all long ago handled and resolved by the current Chairman
and Vice-Chairman and have no place in this proceeding.
>
> Charge 2.
Conduct Unbecoming an Officer of the Libertarian Party of Louisiana.
>
> Specification 1. Failing to turn in his Affidavit of Acceptance form
for filing as a Presidential Elector.
>
> Whereas the first form was
void in its form because the names were not correct and thus useless,
this is a specious charge.
>
> Specification 2. Failing to turn in his
Affidavit of Acceptance form, corrected version.
>
> Note that the
first form was turned in if later than optimal still in a full timely
fashion to get the party on the ballot.
>
> Phones work two ways. Did
anyone call the Vice-Chairman and ask or inquire of him in any way? No,
no one called.
>
> Specification 3. Failing to communicate why said
form was not turned in the first time in a timely manner.
>
> Whereas
the first form was void in its form because the names were not correct
and thus useless, this is a specious charge.
>
> Specification 4.
Failing to communicate why said form was not turned in at all the second
time.
>
> Phones work two ways. Did anyone call the Vice-Chairman and
ask or inquire of him in any way? Once again, no one called.
>
>
Specification 5. Failing to display any concern for his tardiness in
turning in these critical forms.
>
> Would you have him tear the
pocket off of his shirt and wail loudly Mea Culpa?
>
> I was under the
impression that the current Chairman and the current Vice Chairman had a
long and private conversation on this subject, resolved all these
issues. Indeed, I personally spoke with the current Chairman who said
the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had resolved this in a phone
conversation.
>
> Specification 6. Failing to display any interest in
securing the forms before the legal deadline.
>
> Once again, I was
under the impression that the current Chairman and the current Vice
Chairman had a long and private conversation on this subject, resolved
all these issues. Indeed, I personally spoke with the current Chairman
who said the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had resolved this in a phone
conversation.
>
> Specification 7. Lack of concern for known deadlines
affecting ballot access for the Libertarian Presidential and
Vice-Presidential candidates.
>
> Once again, I was under the
impression that the current Chairman and the current Vice Chairman had a
long and private conversation on this subject, resolved all these
issues. Indeed, I personally spoke with the current Chairman who said
the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had resolved this in a phone
conversation.
>
> Specification 8. Causing the chair to go to great
personal effort and expense to remedy the officer's failure to file
required legal paperwork in a timely manner.
>
> Expense the Chairman
could have easily avoided by the simple expedient of using the
telephone, calling the Vice-Chairman, and meeting the Vice-Chairman in
Baton Rouge on the way to the Office of the Secretary of State.
>
>
Once again, I was under the impression that the current Chairman and the
current Vice Chairman had a long and private conversation on this
subject, resolved all these issues. Indeed, I personally spoke with the
current Chairman who said the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had resolved
this in a phone conversation.
>
> If any of these are allowed to stand
then none of us may ever count on issues resolved directly between us
and the Chairman being over and done with but will rather come up over
and over. That is just wrong unjust and unfair. I don't know about you
but I would not consider working with or under the never ending threat
of old resolved charges being brought up over and over.
>
>
==============================================================
>
>
Specification 9. Volunteering to be a co-director of a Presidential
campaign for Louisiana, and subsequently failing to accomplish any task,
attend any function, offer any assistance with any planning or
coordination of events, and essentially holding the position in name
only.
>
> The person making this accusation needs to look in a mirror.
The Vice-Chairman called repeatedly to speak with Reed Ebarb on the
campaign. Reed Ebarb refused to take his calls, refused to answer any
email communications and indeed Reed Ebarb prohibited the Vice-Chairman
and a member of the Press James Terry, a Capital reporter for the
Associated Press, from attending and covering the Presidential campaign
event in Louisiana and thus denying our Presidential candidate good
press coverage by a major news outlet. Reed Ebarb should face charges on
this but I convinced the vice-Chairman to not push it for the good of
the party.
>
> Specification 10. Making false and baseless accusations
of racism against a fellow state Central Committee member.
>
> From
what I can see of Reed Ebarb's actions the shoe fits and he should wear
it. I am glad he resigned and I believe Reed Ebarb to be actively
working to destroy the party with this whole proceeding.
>
>
Specification 11. Making an announcement for elective office in a public
forum without advising the State Central Committee in advance, thereby
raising questions among the general membership and the voting public
with respect to the Libertarian Party's implied endorsement of his
candidacy, and drawing their leadership into question accordingly.
>
>
There is no party by law nor state ethics board violation here. Reed
Ebarb is on a personal vendetta. Reed Ebarb by his actions proven to be
a prejudice bigot.
>
> Specification 12. Failing to form an
exploratory committee in advance of this public announcement, making the
announcement without any established campaign committee, platform, or
ready biography for prospective voters and media.
>
> There is no
party by law nor state ethics board violation here. But for the record
that little introduction I made at the beginning of this, well it has
been available on line for YEARS over on MySpace and other location so
don't even try to tell me any one made any good effort to find it.
>
>
As for the platform and other issues, the Vice-Chairman came to the
party members in various on line forums and asked the members what was
important to them. The Vice-Chairman came to the members asking for
assistance in fleshing out the specifics, he already has the general
state platform and was asking for people to contribute specific issues.
All he got for his trouble was a ration of shit. That is no way to treat
a candidate.
>
> Reed Ebarb is on a personal vendetta. He has by his
actions in this matter proven to be an unforgiving and unrepentant
prejudice bigot.
>
> Specification 13. Failing to provide any such
platform or biographical statement upon the request of prospective
voters, Officers and other party members.
>
> This charge is just a
rehash of the previous charge in another form solely in an attempt to
smear the Vice Chairman.
>
> Specification 14. Filing for elective
office in 2011 and failing to duly answer media inquiries, creating a
poor impression on voters and media of the Libertarian Party, its
candidates, and its leadership.
>
> This is another load of crap. The
Vice-Chairman did answer all but ONE reporter. That reporter only gave
one day for a replay saying, he would get the information from the
League of Women Voters site if the Vice-Chairman did not answer this one
reporter in the short dead line given. NOW, how can the Vice-Chairman
have had information up at the League of Women Voters and this charge
even be remotely valid?
>
> This once again is a person vendetta by
bigots.
>
> =======================================================
>
> Charge 3. Unethical Conduct
>
> Specification 1. Attempting to get
reimbursed for the notarizing of an Affidavit of Acceptance form in
2008, such cost, incidental to being a candidate for elective office,
being only legally payable by the candidate or a candidate's committee,
and which cannot be paid by the Party.
>
> There is nothing unethical
about asking to be re-paid for money paid out of his pocket for the
party. Reed Ebarb was the representative for the Candidate in the state
and present when the request was made. Never did Reed Ebarb clarify from
whom the repayment was to come, thus causing the Vice-Chairman to be
unable to be reimbursed. Where I come from this is called malicious and
a setup. The man and his may as well be wearing white sheet and hood.
>
> Specification 2. Attending a 2009 Libertarian State Leadership
Alliance conference, in the Chairman's proxy, at Party expense, for the
purpose of learning more about the new CiviCRM online database system,
but instead, using the opportunity to pitch a dubious fundraising scheme
to other state chairs in concert with a personal business partner who
made the trip, also at Party expense.
>
> I must ask of the anonymous
accuser, were you there or is this hear say and gossip as regards the
activities of the Vice-Chairman at the conference? I will grant that a
business associate did go along and said business associate paid for
half the fuel, used his car and paid for half of the room. The party
preapproved the expense and did give the Vice-Chairman the credit card
to pay for the travel. The trip actually cost the party less.
>
>
Specification 3. Soliciting the LPL to enter into an expensive and
poorly worded contract to raise funds for the Party through a 3rd party
via the selling of medical information devices, this being the same
scheme pitched at the aforementioned conference, and one in which he has
personal connections to the 3rd party which would profit from the
contract.
>
> There is nothing unethical, immoral or illegal in
pitching a plan or project in an attempt to raise money for the party.
There was no threat, no extortion, this was just a business offer.
>
>
Specification 4. Attempting to get reimbursed for travel expenses as a
condition of fulfilling duties of his office. (traveling to a and from
State Central Committee meetings)
>
> There is nothing unethical about
asking to be re-paid for money paid. He was not extorting money, only
asking if the costs could be re-paid.
>
> Specification 5. Seeking
reimbursement for travel and lodging to attend the NAACP 2012 convention
as a "liaison" to that organization and representative of the Party.
>
> There is nothing unethical about asking to be re-paid for money paid.
He was not extorting money, only asking if the costs could be re-paid.
>
> Specification 6. Soliciting the Party and a Congressional
candidate to use his personal business services at expense to the Party
and the Candidate.
>
> What? Do not sign painters and people making
yard signs charge for their work? The Vice-Chairman was offering his
professional services at a discount to his normal prices. There is
nothing unethical in pitching a plan or project in an attempt to do
business with the party. There was no demand or threat, only and offer.
>
> Specification 7. Using a Strategic Planning Committee meeting to
solicit the party again to use these same services.
>
> Again I ask,
Do not sign painters and people making yard signs charge for their work?
The Vice-Chairman was offering his professional services at a discount
to his normal prices. There is nothing unethical in pitching a plan or
project in an attempt to do business with the party. There was no demand
or threat, only an offer.
>
> Specification 8. Using a Strategic
Planning Committee meeting to solicit volunteers and support from party
activists and officers for his campaign for elective office, rather than
using the meeting to plan strategy for the Party.
>
> How does anyone
ethically and reasonably make such ludicrous charges? This is just a
rehash of Specification 12 above in the conduct unbecoming section and I
will answer it the same.
>
> As for the platform and other issues, the
Vice-Chairman came to the party members in various on line forums and
asked the members what was important to them. The Vice-Chairman came to
the members asking for assistance in fleshing out the specifics, he
already has the general state platform and was asking for people to
contribute specific issues. All he got for his trouble was a ration of
shit. That is no way to treat a candidate.
>
> Specification 8. Using
a Strategic Planning Committee meeting to solicit volunteers and support
from party activists and officers for his campaign for elective office,
rather than using the meeting to plan strategy for the Party.
>
> This
is the same charge reworded and as such just a rehash of Specification
12 in the above section on conduct unbecoming. The answer is the same.
>
> As for the platform and other issues, the Vice-Chairman came to
the party members in various on line forums and asked the members what
was important to them. The Vice-Chairman came to the members asking for
assistance in fleshing out the specifics, he already has the general
state platform and was asking for people to contribute specific issues.
All he got for his trouble was a ration of shit. That is no way to treat
a candidate.
>
> Specification 9. Attempting to involve the Party in
an electronic communications scheme which would expose its contact list
to his personal business interests.
>
> This is so vague as to be
completely unanswerable. It is just another smear by someone attempting
a personal vendetta and character assassination.
>
> Specification 10.
Has on numerous occasions, solicited interest in holding media events,
concerts, festivals et cetera, which would not in any way be publicly
linked to the Party, but which would be partly or entirely funded by the
Party, in exchange for a share of the proceeds of such events, if any.
In all of these events, personal friends and himself, were to also
profit.
>
> This is an interesting half truth. Yes money making events
have been proposed. The party is constantly and incessantly saying it
needs money, has no money can't do this or that because there is no
money. The Vice-Chairman has made good faith efforts to offer his
services to the party for fund raising. These are legitimate business
offers and the party is and has always been free to accept or decline.
>
> Specification 11. Attempting to divert discussion at a State
Central Committee meeting concerning online donation logistics towards
using his personal contacts or himself as "bundlers" for Party funds.
>
> I submit that there is not enough information in this charge to make
a response. Once again it appears to be the blather of a prejudice bigot
intent on smearing the Vice-Chairman.
>
> In any case, there is
nothing unethical in pitching a plan or project in an attempt to raise
money.
>
> I submit that if the Vice-Chairman is to be removed from
office for asking if expenses incurred for the party at the direction
and request of the party could be repaid and for proposing money making
projects then several others must also be removed and NONE will ever be
brave enough to ever again suggest ways to raise money.
>
>
====================================
>
> In summary, what you see
before you gentlemen is an attempt by a party or parties mostly unknown,
cowardly hiding in the shadows making unsubstantiated charges. Yes the
party has a problem. The problem is with this self-righteous,
mean-spirited and bigoted crew and Reed Ebarb is the current leader.
>
> As a friend of mine put it, "The have got together the mob. They have
found the rope. And they are going to hang someone." Do not let
yourselves be the tree these bastards use to hang a good man.
>
>
Sincerely,
>
> T. Lee Horne, III
>
> for the defendant.
>
> FROM:
scc-bounces at lplouisiana.org [mailto:scc-bounces at lplouisiana.org] ON
BEHALF OF Adrien Monteleone
> SENT: Friday, March 29, 2013 3:27 PM
> TO:
Mailing list for LPL Board of Directors
> SUBJECT: Re: [LPL Board of
Directors] Internal party foolishness.
>
> To all Board members,
>
>
The following is my response to a communication from T. Lee Horne, who
has been communicating directly with Mr. Lewis through this present
judicial action.
>
> I am now including the rest of you in this
discussion because this has grown beyond any attempt to handle this
matter quietly and without full attention of the Board. Please scroll
down and read from the bottom up for the proper order of the thread. You
will see why I felt it necessary, since everyone is now personally
involved, that I chose to include the entire Board.
>
>
-------------------------
>
> What case does he intend to bring in a
court?
>
> There is nothing illegal about an organization attempting to
remove a member or disciplining a member.
>
> Is the involvement of the
NAACP mean he is alleging he can't be subject to disciplinary procedures
because of his skin color?
>
> Is he alleging he can never be removed
from office through the rules and the procedures in Robert's because of
his skin color?
>
> No cause for relief from a court exists as of
today.
>
> No action has been taken by the Board against him.
>
>
Allegations are being investigated. There has not yet been a trial nor
any decision been made. He has not been harmed in any way, and certainly
not publicly. This information is strictly within the confines of the
Board members.
>
> Is he alleging just the mere investigation is an
injury to him?
>
> Is a private organization powerless to investigate
allegations against one of its members?
>
> Is he alleging this
powerlessness is simply due to his skin color?
>
> Recall, one of the
allegations is an unsubstantiated claim of racism against a fellow Board
member. By threatening legal action on such grounds, and for things
which are according to our By-laws and accordingly under Robert's Rules
of Order as our Parliamentary authority, within the Board's prerogative
to engage in, he is in fact, making a blatant unsubstantiated claim of
racism. He is outright claiming that rightful action and behavior by the
Party is inherently racist, simply because of his skin color, thus
falsely claiming that he is not and can never be subject to any such
procedures or subject to enforcement of any rules or By-laws because of
his skin color.
>
> He just added another specification to his
charges.
>
> And you just provided the evidence with his quote.
>
>
And this time, it isn't against just one or two members, he is now
claiming the entire Board is racist just for the mere "crime" that some
of them sit on the Board. Recall, other Board members have not signed on
to these charges. No one, not even the Secretary has weighed in or
commented on them. And no such comments would even be appropriate at
this time. (as I think everyone recognizes)
>
> I made it clear that a
committee was appointed to investigate the veracity of the charges. Thus
it is apparent, their status as fact is not yet decided and no opinion
should be offered on such until the committee issues its report.
>
>
Thus he is accusing everyone, who simply received notice as he has, of
being racist for their mere presence on the Board, and is threatening
them with legal action on such grounds.
>
> His legal counsel would do
well to reconsider, as would he, so as not to be sanctioned by any court
of law for bringing a frivolous suit. There's not much harsher a rebuke
a court can issue an attorney beyond declaring their suit "frivolous."
Alleging a crime and demanding relief from a court, on the grounds that
members of the Board are merely members of the Board is a good candidate
for such a rebuke and dismissal of such a case "with prejudice." (which
is a legal term meaning "don't ever bring this before this court again,
as it will be dismissed outright without being considered. And this is
not appeal-able and will not be reconsidered.")
>
> Not only will this
cause the Investigative Committee to add this to its specification list,
I doubt highly that it will engender him any votes in support of his
non-guilt or encourage anyone to give deference and vote to retain him
in his office.
>
> If his fate wasn't already sealed by a potentially
long list of improper actions if they are verified, this one action on
his part, which now the entire Board is aware of, may be sufficient to
secure his removal, and likely now expulsion and life-time banishment
from the party.
>
> Lawsuits are an act of government force. As
Libertarians, we do not believe in initiating force to solve our
disputes. In fact, we find it reprehensible. We do of course allow for
self-defense, or the proper seeking of redress for previous injury or
use of force by someone else upon us.
>
> Since no force has been used
against Mr. Lewis, no any injury committed upon him, and since an
organization has every right and power to protect itself from members it
deems are harmful or destructive to its purpose, and since the Board has
not even heard all of the evidence or taken any official decision on the
allegations, Mr. Lewis' threat of the use of force might well constitute
an initial use, and would therefore be about as un-Libertarian as one
can muster without actually using direct physical violence against
someone.
>
> This may well provide the justification for penalties of
expulsion and life-time banishment.
>
> Mr. Lewis is making it clear by
such threats that he has zero interest in the Party and no concern for
its purposes, or even respect for its most basic tenet.
>
> As
chairman, I will not allow this process to be turned into a round robin
circus of threats.
>
> The Board has to follow the procedures in
Robert's Rules and our By-Laws, and so does the accused. He will be
given ample opportunity to defend himself against any charges brought
against him, if the investigators bring any, the Board will then
deliberate according to Robert's on the question of guilt and the
appropriate disciplinary measures if he is found guilty.
>
> I will
also not allow this Board to be intimidated, in any way shape or form,
especially via threats of lawsuits for conducting themselves according
to our established and accepted By-Laws, Rules, and Parliamentary
Authority and certainly not for merely being members of the Board.
>
>
Mr. Lewis VOLUNTEERED for this position and has served on this Board
since April 2008, and in his current capacity since September 2008. The
rules and procedures have never been secret from him. He has even voted,
on the record at conventions, to adopt the present By-laws which we all
now serve under.
>
> -------------------------
>
> I hereby declare
that it is the opinion of the Chair that such threats and behavior on
Mr. Lewis' part are entirely OUT OF ORDER and remonstrate him to not
only refrain from making any such further threats or making such similar
speech or comments, or taking any action upon such words and threats,
but call upon his IMMEDIATE, UNCONDITIONAL, and UNEQUIVOCAL apology to
ALL Board members.
>
> Since this infraction occurred outside of a
meeting, but one that now the entire Board is aware of, according to the
procedures as outlined in §61 of Robert's Rules of Order, I, as Chairman
of the Board, hereby instruct the Investigative Committee to add to
their list of Specifications under Charge 3 - Unethical Conduct or
whichever charge, or an additional charge if they see fit, the
aforementioned threats of use of government force against the Board in
general and a single member in particular, AND a Specification, under
whatever charge, or an additional charge, as they see fit, for the
unsubstantiated claims or insinuation of racism upon the entire Board or
any of them, simply for being on the Board, and for actions not yet
taken, said actions being within the prerogative of the Board under its
right to discipline its members and protect itself from members whom it
deems dangerous or destructive to itself and/or its purposes.
>
> In
Liberty, Adrien Monteleone - Chairman Libertarian Party of Louisiana
>
> On 3/28/13 2:24 PM, T Lee Horne III wrote:
>
>> Adrien,
>>
>> I
spoke with Scott Lewis at length just now. He is quite angry now. He has
been talking with his friends who are, as friends will be, very much in
his corner and they are not helping me calm him down. One of his friends
is a lawyer and is suggesting pro bono legal action against Reed
personally and the party in general. I'll need at least another over
night to work on calming this down.
>>
>> It may not calm down, in
which case there will be blood in fields so to speak. Reed will have won
a very pyrrhic victory. It will cost him all he has and all he may ever
get just in legal fees. This could easily turn into an NAACP vs.
Libertarian Party of Louisiana State Central Committee battle. There are
a lot more of members at the NAACP than there are at the LPLA. Can the
treasury take this risk?
>>
>> As Scott said, "They formed the mob,
they brought the rope and they are looking for a tree and I'm going to
defend myself."
>>
>> T LEE HORNE, III
>>
>> Organizer of NAACP Unit
6080, Saint Joseph, LA
>>
>> President of Brumby Enterprises, Inc.
800-746-1705
>>
>> Former Chairman of Libertarian Party of Louisiana
2009-2012
>>
>> Former Candidate for Governor of Louisiana ran a 4
year campaign 2003-2007
>>
>> tleehorneiii at gmail.com
>>
>>
318-542-4445 google voice
>>
>> tleehorneiii skype
>>
>>
HTTP://BIT.LY/12ZAQMS [1]
>>
>> FROM: Adrien Monteleone
[mailto:chairman at lplouisiana.org]
>> SENT: Wednesday, March 27, 2013
1:57 PM
>> TO: Paladin at LPLouisiana.org
>> SUBJECT: Re: Internal party
foolishness.
>>
>> ...
>
> The Investigative Committee already has
plans to talk to Scott once they were informed he had received the
official notice.
>
> (has he received it yet?)
>
> But certainly, they
can do so now regardless.
>
> Charges do not have to be officially
brought. They haven't even finished investigating yet.
>
> This
suggestion is perfectly within the framework of Robert's.
>
> I'll
inform the Investigative Committee at once so they can contact Scott and
get this over with.
>
> If he resigns - and certainly if he does so to
focus on the campaign, the committee can simply drop the matter and
return "no bill" as you suggest since the issue would be a moot point.
>
> I wouldn't have him address the charges directly in any letter of
resignation though. They aren't public outside of the Board and never
will be. But his resignation will be official record if someone wants to
read it. Best to leave it speaking only of his campaign reasons. If he
feels compelled to say something in some fashion otherwise, perhaps the
usual artful phrases "differences of vision/opinion" or "irreconcilable
differences" would be best.
>
> If however, he waits too long and we
have to proceed with a trial before he offers to resign, the Board under
Robert's can refuse the resignation as affecting the trial and proceed
anyway. Our By-laws state his resignation is always effective without
the need for acceptance, and this would still be true, but the Board
could proceed with the trial, still vote on guilt or innocence, and
still vote to impose other penalties or sanctions. The sooner the
resignation is offered the better.
>
> ...
>
> In Liberty,   Adrien
Monteleone - Chairman Libertarian Party of LouisianaÂ
>
> On 3/27/13
5:47 AM, T Lee Horne III wrote:
>
>> Adrien,
>>
>> I sent the
following to Scott Lewis this morning.
>>
>> Scott,
>>
>> ...
>>
>> I'm thinking it may be time to end the BS and go your own way. It's
just a matter of negotiation. To me the issue is clearing the charges
with a rebuttal and a resignation all at the same time in the same
letter. That will give you a clean exit and if the investigating
tribunal will return "No Bill" as in no charges you resign with a clean
and clear name. What say you?
>>
>> ===========================
>>
>> Adrien, do you think this can be done on the side of the party? I
know Scott wants to be able to say he resigned because he found his
campaign needed more attention and he did not feel he could effectively
be vice-chairman and run a full time campaign. I know we are bending
things a little and that is the art and science of political
negotiation.
>>
>> T LEE HORNE, III
>>
>> Organizer of NAACP Unit
6080, Saint Joseph, LA
>>
>> President of Brumby Enterprises, Inc.
800-746-1705
>>
>> Former Chairman of Libertarian Party of Louisiana
2009-2012
>>
>> Former Candidate for Governor of Louisiana ran a 4
year campaign 2003-2007
>>
>> tleehorneiii at gmail.com
>>
>>
318-542-4445 Google voice
>>
>> tleehorneiii Skype
>>
>>
HTTP://BIT.LY/12ZAQMS [1]
>
>
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>
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>
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Links:
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