Posted on 03/05/2007 4:41:52 PM PST by Anti-Bubba182
"..With 1,200 volunteers accepting Gilchrist's call and a handful of closely-picked advisors assisting the MPP, Gilchrist spearheaded the largest minuteman assembly since our Founding Fathers in 1776. But unbeknownst to Gilchrist, there were some foxes in the hen house. Three of the MMP's advisors, and Gilchrist's close friends, decided that Gilchrist had overstayed his welcome as MMP's president.
Last week, Marvin Stewart, Barbara Coe, and Debra Courtney, a.k.a. Debra Peterson voted to remove Gilchrist from the post he has served since MMP came into existence and transfer authority of the MMP's bank accounts, email lists, Web site and letterhead to themselves.
The only problem? MMP does not have an executive board. "This is a 9-11 to the max," stated Gilchrist from his California office. "This was a well thought out plan that has been in the works since last summer."
Gilchrist told The Bulletin in an email that these three individuals, whom he once trusted, "stole our identities, our bank account, our mailing lists [100,000+], our stationary, some equipment, hacked into every one of our Web site providers and pirated the control over them." It was a bloodless coup.
But a bloodless coup does not necessarily mean a lawyerless coup.
According to a press release issued by the MMP, the project is incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware, but Gilchrist is the only corporate officer listed. In other words, Gilchrist is running the show. Gilchrist explains that the situation is one in which MMP is "a sole proprietorship wrapped in corporate form." Even further, Gilchrist adamantly denies that Stewart, Coe, or Courtney were ever on a board of directors. Rather, these individuals were friends of Gilchrist who were brought into the MMP solely for advisory purposes. "We did give them some titles," explained Gilchrist, but "they were advisory panelists."
In a press release, Gilchrist explained, "Even if the seven-person board they claim to have been a part of existed, how could three people, who couldn't even constitute a quorum, meet secretly without notifying the others, and take any sort of legal action?"
It appears, though, that the MMP three did not get that memo, for Stewart, Coe, and Courtney met in secret, held a vote, ousted Gilchrist and then went to Delaware to change the corporate paperwork.
And once the group got a hold of the "bogus" paperwork, Gilchrist explained that they went to the MMP's bank to get Gilchrist and his wife's names removed as signatories on the account. Gilchrist further states they took $4,000 of MMP's money. This diversion of funds caused MMP's checks to bounce.
Gilchrist believes that such action violated the law and he notified the authorities. In an email, Gilchrist told The Bulletin, "I have two criminal complaints with the Sheriff's Dept. seeking the arrest of Deborah Ann Courtney (aka Deborah Ann Peterson) and Marvin L. Stewart (who has declared himself the president and leader of the Minuteman Project)."
Not surprisingly, this battle has made its way to the courtroom and on Feb. 26 Orange County Judge Randell L. Wilkinson ruled in Gilchrist's favor and ordered an expedited hearing to be held on March 21, 2007. The hearing will determine who controls the MMP.
Gilchrist, though, has also gone on the offensive seeking the aid of three law firms to defend him in this attempted corporate takeover. And while such an act is necessary, Gilchrist admits that his defense is costly and is asking his supporters for assistance in protecting the MMP..."
Ping
No doubt about it --- he's asking for donations to mount his legal defense or offense.
And the saga continues...
It sure does. At least this one is in court and there should be some resolution eventually. Simcox hasn't completed his .9 mile "Israeli" style double fence and we are closing on a year.
If I was one of the volunteers spending my own money to help the Minuteman Project, I would be dropping out right about now.
As soon as there was any hint of serious money the seeds of trouble were planted.
Exactly. Officers and BOD members are a state record. This would be like any one of us walking into Microsofts state/bank as saying "I'm Bill Gates Board Chairman, please transfer all Microsoft accounts into my name".
The court hearing should be interesting!
I believe he's telling more of the truth than they are, and he has a case. (Based on what I've read and remember.)
Could be, but he was stupid to let them near any power.
Yeah, but he probably thought he could trust them.
Idealists!
Where is Diener in all this? I expected them to be out front, representing.
Chris Simcox leads an entirely different group, the MinuteMan Civil Defense Corps. He has nothing to do with this issue.
I know that.
A lot more to read on the subjet.
Murray: Battle For Control Of Minuteman Project Rages (Gilchrist)
Posted by Anti-Bubba182
On News/Activism 03/05/2007 4:41:52 PM PST · 13 replies · 189+ views
The Bulletin ^ | 03/05/2007 | Joe Murray
"..With 1,200 volunteers accepting Gilchrist's call and a handful of closely-picked advisors assisting the MPP, Gilchrist spearheaded the largest minuteman assembly since our Founding Fathers in 1776. But unbeknownst to Gilchrist, there were some foxes in the hen house. Three of the MMP's advisors, and Gilchrist's close friends, decided that Gilchrist had overstayed his welcome as MMP's president. Last week, Marvin Stewart, Barbara Coe, and Debra Courtney, a.k.a. Debra Peterson voted to remove Gilchrist from the post he has served since MMP came into existence and transfer authority of the MMP's bank accounts, email lists, Web site and letterhead to...
The real story of the Minuteman Project takeover! LIVE
Posted by Blue Collar Republican
On News/Activism 03/03/2007 1:38:44 AM PST · 3 replies · 426+ views
The Many Moods of Vince Daniels e-blast ^ | March 2, 2007 | Vince Daniels
(unable to load graphic) ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY THAT'S EPISODE # 103 AS VINCE DANIELS AND KIM JOHNSON LOOK AT THE INNER-WORKINGS OF JIM GILCHRIST'S MINUTEMAN PROJECT. THEY ONCE HELPED TO PROTECT OUR BORDERS. TODAY, THE PEOPLE SHOWN ABOVE ARE ONLY LOOKING AFTER THEIR OWN LUST FOR POWER. DRUGS CORRUPT BODIES AND MINDS. AT STONEHAWK OF BATTLECREEK, A TREATMENT FACILITY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO REHABILITATE THAT CORRUPTION, MANY STUDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED OUT OR KICKED OUT HAVE BEEN TELLING US OF STONEHAWK'S CORRUPTION! NOW, STONEHAWK RESPONDS WITH "SUCCESS STORIES." "MAN-ON-THE-MONEY," JERRY SLUCIEWICZ PICKS HIMSELF OFF THE FLOOR AFTER THE...
Board members take over Minuteman border group(Gilchrist Booted)
Posted by Anti-Bubba182
On News/Activism 03/02/2007 2:11:33 PM PST · 14 replies · 321+ views
Washington Times ^ | March 1, 2007 | Jerry Seper
The leadership of the Minuteman Project, whose civilian patrols on the U.S.-Mexico border in 2005 fueled a nationwide immigration debate, is under attack by advisory board members who say they now control the organization. The Rev. Marvin L. Stewart, a Veterans Affairs accounts receivable technician and minister who heads the My Lord's Salvation Ministries Inc., told The Washington Times this week that he had taken over the Minuteman Project because of "gross mismanagement" by James Gilchrist, the group's chairman, and others. He said Minuteman Project leaders have not been able to account for $400,000 of the $750,000 that a direct-mail...
Minuteman group splits as founder sues board (Gilchrist denies directors' allegations of fraud.)
Posted by Anti-Bubba182
On News/Activism 02/28/2007 9:18:14 AM PST · 20 replies · 552+ views
AP ^ | 02/27/2007 | Gillian Flaccus
SANTA ANA - The Minuteman Project shot into the national spotlight shortly after it was formed two years ago, but now a bitter dispute over its leadership threatens to tear the anti-illegal immigration group apart. Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court last week after the group's board of directors fired him and his executive director over allegations of mismanagement and fraud. Gilchrist alleges in the lawsuit that the firings were illegal and that board members also illegally spent Minuteman money, seized its Web site and stole 20,000 pieces of letterhead.For their part, the board...
Minuteman founder wants reins back (Gilchrist said he did nothing wrong.)
Posted by Anti-Bubba182
On News/Activism 02/27/2007 9:01:44 PM PST · 14 replies · 391+ views
LA Times ^ | February 26, 2007 | Jennifer Delson
Jim Gilchrist, the Orange County accountant who gained national recognition as the co-founder of a citizen border patrol group, will ask a judge this afternoon to issue a restraining order in order to regain control of the Minuteman Project. Earlier this month, Gilchrist was removed by his board of directors, which accused the charismatic anti-illegal-immigrant figure of abusing his power. Minuteman Project officials said they will detail their allegations at a press conference later this afternoon. The rift, Gilchrist said, "could very well bring an end to the entire Minuteman Project. There are groups around the country with the name,...
Ousted Minuteman leader seeks court remedy (Gilchrist Ousted from MMP)
Posted by Anti-Bubba182
On News/Activism 02/27/2007 11:38:03 AM PST · 27 replies · 914+ views
LA Times ^ | February 27, 2007 | Jennifer Delson
A behind-the-scenes power struggle over control of the Minuteman Project spilled into an Orange County courtroom Monday with ousted co-founder Jim Gilchrist asking a judge to give him back control of the citizen border patrol group. Superior Court Judge Randell L. Wilkinson said he would issue a ruling within a few days. Gilchrist, 58, a national figure in the fight against illegal immigration, was removed as president of the Minuteman Project this month by its board of directors, which accused him of abusing his power and leaving more than $400,000 of the organization's money unaccounted for. Gilchrist, a retired accountant...
Minuteman Project Changes Leadership [Jim Gilchrist is OUT, Marvin Stewart is IN]
Posted by RonDog
On News/Activism 02/26/2007 11:27:40 AM PST · 133 replies · 2,556+ views
Robert Vasquez, Media coordinator, Minuteman Project | February 24, 2007 | Robert Vasquez, Media coordinator
. Contact: Robert Vasquez, Media coordinator 208-989-4260 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MINUTEMAN PROJECT, Inc., CHANGES LEADERSHIP FEBRUARY 24, 2007 "The MINUTEMAN PROJECT, Inc.," (MMP) was a concept created to defend the sovereignty of the United States of America. The organization created sought to empower American citizens in the exercise of their constitutional rights to demand redress of grievances from the government's failure to enforce United States Immigration law. While "The MINUTEMAN PROJECT, Inc.," recognizes the efforts and contributions made by Mr. Jim Gilchrist at the inception of the organization, the MMP Board of Directors has determined that a change of leadership...
"Exactly. Officers and BOD members are a state record. This would be like any one of us walking into Microsofts state/bank as saying "I'm Bill Gates Board Chairman, please transfer all Microsoft accounts into my name"."
I think the missing stationary with Jim's signature may have been used.
Why is it that you ping freepers on the left when it comes to immigration and not people who might actually be interested in the article?
BTW, I ping who I want when I want unless they want off the list.
Bump
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