Thanks Sam, I'll quote these in the other thread.
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I'm not going to try to give a point by point report on my conversation with Mr. Ferro.
He did say that they had put a lot of time in on this issue from their end. He also told me that one of Simco's competitors was posting on this thread. (He said he could figure this out by the email addresses that were used to leave certain comments at the Poughkeepsie Journal website.) When I asked who this person was he told me that it was up to me to go through the registered e-mail addresses for the accounts posted at Bullshido if I wanted to find this out. I replied that I didn't have the time to do a general search but that I would do so if he provided a specific name. He did not wish to provide this information.
So is someone posting on this thread who is one of Simco's competitors? And I'm talking about nearby Dutchess County.
Mr. Ferro also asked me if I am one of Mr. Simco's competitors. (No, I don't run a martial arts school or live in New York or attend any MA school in New York state. I also don't work for any of Simco's competitors.)
While Mr. Ferro did not explicitly tell me that an article was coming out, based on my conversation with him I believe that this is a distinct possibility. Certainly he did not want to answer any questions concerning what PJ had discovered.
We had a disagreement about disclosing misdemeanor arrests. His position is contained in post #299 above. Mine is if a arrest is made it should be public information, especially if a judge finds probable cause existed to make the arrest. If the case is dismissed a thread can always be updated, which is one of the differences between newspapers and electronic bulletin boards. If John disagrees with the accuracy of anything I've said about our conversation, he can always send me an e-mail and I'll print anything he wants to say here in an unedited form.Last edited by Sam Browning; 9/25/2008 1:38pm, .Comment
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He could construe that I am a competitor, though I am not. I instruct at a karate school across the river in Ulster county. I don't think you could consider us competitors (I certainly don't consider myself or my school as a competitor), due to distance and that we're not a BJJ, grappling, or competition school.Originally posted by Samuel Browning
To tell the truth, he could be talking about me. I thought I had done full-disclosure earlier in this thread. I'll check.
I'm more than willing to post credentials and/or step back from the investigation if anyone thinks there's a conflict of interest. I will say that I think I've been fair-minded regarding the veracity of the claims.Comment
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Thank you Mr. Browning, I wouldn't have remembered all that. :)Comment
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I think I know his secret...
Do they not count Gene's position as one of authority? Boy, I mean teaching martial arts where there is trusted physical contact. I would think that this example would epitomize the rule.Comment
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1point2, SamboSteve (If you realllly stretch the point that a two hour plus drive is a competitor) or bhbjj who only said he trains at a school that is close by. My guess is they are trying to lay this one on Steve.Originally posted by Samuel BrowningLast edited by joecos; 9/25/2008 7:22pm, .Comment
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How about this. I am going to send you John's Ferro's phone number via pm. If you are willing to do so, please give him a call and ask if he was referring to you. Its possible that John is not aware as well, that at martial arts schools, most of the student body doesn't travel more then five miles to attend classes.* He will ask your name so if you want to talk to him that will be a precondition.Originally posted by 1point2
* See Michael D. Massie, "Small Dojo, Big Profits: A Complete Guide to Creating Martial Arts Business Success". p. 45.Comment
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Thunderstone is in Virginia.
UmpaLumpa is in Nevada.
Glambman is in FloridaComment
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I am not in Detroit I'm out west.Comment
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So I called John, which was a surreal experience (he's very friendly, but as a reporter, he unnerved me by dropping tidbits of information about me into conversation). He didn't let on whether he thought I was the "competitor" or not, but was very willing to discuss the issue.
There were four major points from the call:
1) I concur with Sam that an article in the PoJo is most likely forthcoming.
2) There is no reason to believe, in my opinion, that there is any conspiracy at the paper, police, or DA offices to defend or protect Simco. This is born out of the facts as Bullshido has found them: it is the DA's and police's policy not to release information (if it exists), and the PoJo's web site auto-removes posts when they reach an abuse flag limit (of 3, I think). No conspiracy.
3) We agreed that this is what normally would be considered a private conversation, happening in public. That's just the nature of the beast. I am not going around town saying that I think Simco was arrested, but rather investigating the claims (true or false). Yet, the #6 result for Googling "gene simco bjj" shows up with these claims on subfighter. I think BS has been doing a good job at remaining neutral and not jumping to conclusions, but let's keep it that way.
The reason I'm mentioning this, despite it being old hat, is that I realized just how much I don't want to get any of this *&%$ on me. And that's 4) John may think I'm trying to smear Simco (which I am not), and I realized that I don't want my name anywhere near a newspaper article about these claims about Gene. Even if my name is there only as someone investigating.
That realization has renewed my desire to get the truth out--because if it is a smear, man oh man whoever started it better watch out.Comment
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That's what I figured. Also, as referenced there is nothing saying it is auto-removed, there are instant removal of posts, etc etc etc.Originally posted by 1point2
People are used to instant explanations and answering of rules here. People forget all places aren't like this.
So, you have to look at both perspectives.
Maybe in 1970's and earlier. I whole heartedly disagree now.
3) We agreed that this is what normally would be considered a private conversation, happening in public. That's just the nature of the beast.Comment
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Once an arrest was made, it was no longer a private issue. Unless of course we then want to have private arraignments, and private trials for adults.Comment
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Just to reply to PoJo editor's comment about a competing school.
If he was referring to me (I am "outwithit" on the PoJo forum as I posted earlier in this thread), I hardly think a school in Manhattan and a school in Duchess county are competing schools. I have enough competition in Manhattan to worry about...LOL. Several major schools within a few square blocks. Duchess county is not even in my scope of operations or anything I think about. All my students are NYC folks with a rare exception now and then.
I think I have been very clear in my objectivity on this thread. And, Iobviously don't hide behind internet anonynimity.
Besides myself and 1point2, Joecos was the only other BS/PoJo posters I know of.Last edited by sambosteve; 9/25/2008 9:43pm, .Comment
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HoustonComment
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Samuel Browning,
This is Heather Simco, Gene's wife. I know that you have been very diligent about getting a statement from Gene, but as much he would have liked the truth to be known earlier, he was advised by his lawyer not make any statements to anyone regarding this matter. His lawyer has provided us with a statement that you may post up on bullshido.com. In addition to this matter, I would also like to address the biographical inaccuracies about Gene that appear on your wiki page which are apart of this smear campaign in a future email from me.
Sincerely,
Heather Simco
Below is the state provided to us by our lawyer:
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I represent Gene Simco in connection with the charges scheduled for arraignment in the Village of Millbrook Justice Court. The following is a statement on behalf of my client.
My client denies the allegations. The complainant is an adult who is alleging something that happened six years ago, yet apparently never reported it to anybody.
Until now, the complainant now makes these accusations six years later at the same time that her brother has opened up a competing jiu-jitsu school a few miles away from Mr. Simco's school.
Gene Simco is a successful martial art practitioner and businessman. The motive behind these accusations is clear. They are being used for financial gain through an internet campaign to defame Mr. Simco, hurt his family and his business.
Mr. Simco was arrested about a month ago and, within hours of his arrest, the real reason behind these allegations became clear. An individual who is a friend and associates of the complainant's family as well as a business competitor to Mr. Simco put these allegations on the internet. This was weeks before the charges were even filed with the court.
Since that time, the allegations have appeared on numerous martial arts web sites where there have been tens of thousands of viewers. Unfortunately, many people in the martial arts community - possibly like many in the rest of society - don't consider the presumption of innocence when there is an allegation of sexual abuse. It doesn't matter how the allegations are being used - just ask the lacrosse players in the Duke scandal.
The charges are untrue and will be dismissed.
Kent Benzinger, Esq.Comment
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