Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Minuteman chief purges ranks (Simcox-Minuteman)
Washington Times ^ | May 24, 2007 | Jerry Seper

Posted on 05/24/2007 2:08:58 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182

The top leaders of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps have been terminated by the group's president, Chris Simcox, for requesting a meeting to discuss a lack of financial accountability by the organization's leadership.

The purge was ordered by Mr. Simcox, who came under fire last year over questions about how much money the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps (MCDC) had raised and where it had gone, and included several top lieutenants, most of whom have been with the organization since its April 2005 founding......[snip]

[snip].. The committee also asked for a "full explanation" of the relationship between MCDC and other groups, including a Herndon-based tax-exempt charitable organization known as Declaration Alliance, founded and chaired by former presidential candidate Alan Keyes. It also sought information on MCDC's ties to the Declaration Alliance Minuteman Civil Defense Corps Political Action Committee, the donation-driven Minuteman Border Fence effort and "any other organization that MCDC has agreements with or intends on interacting with." ..[snip]

......[snip] Last year, many of the group's most senior members also had questions about MCDC finances and why it was being funneled through Declaration Alliance, saying requests to Mr. Simcox for a financial accounting were ignored. Gary Cole, MCDC's former national director of operations, and Mike Gaddy, who helped organize the April 2005 border watch as field coordinator, were among the first to raise questions about finances. Both were fired.

In November, in its first Internal Revenue Service Form 990 filing as a 501(c)4 tax-exempt charitable trust, MCDC said it spent $450,000 in 2005 for volunteers to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border, about $31,000 more than it collected in donations and registration fees -- significantly less than the $1.6 million Mr. Simcox told The Times in July that the group had collected in donations since its April 2005 creation......

(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: mcdc; minuteman; simcox
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-34 last
To: Halcontent
You just don’t get it. The financial statements is not what this dust up was all about! Go start up your own 501(c)3 and see what your first year statements look like.

LOL--your replies are a big steaming pile of BS, with as many gaping holes as "Program Services" in the MCDC financial reports.

21 posted on 05/25/2007 8:36:15 AM PDT by NautiNurse (Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: NautiNurse

There are none so blind as those who will not see!
Must be about time for your meds!


22 posted on 05/25/2007 11:55:50 AM PDT by Halcontent
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Halcontent
There are none so blind as those who will not see! Must be about time for your meds!

Your moronic replies know no bounds.

You don't have intelligent answers to my inquiries, and you ridicule me for asking reasonable questions. You certainly aren't helping to improve the tarnished reputation of MCDC, and you are a terrible ambassador for the organization. Oh--how is that fence coming along?


23 posted on 05/25/2007 2:34:28 PM PDT by NautiNurse (Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Halcontent; NautiNurse
>
>
BREAKING NEWS: Dissenting officials kicked out of Minuteman Civil Defense Corps


>
>
> BISBEE - At least two state-level officers of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps have been expelled from the civilian border-watch group after raising questions about its executive leadership, particularly that of MCDC President Chris Simcox.
>
> According to internal documents that surfaced on the Internet this week, 18 state MCDC leaders sent a memo on May 8 to Simcox, Vice President Carmen Mercer and Executive Director Al Garza asking them to attend a meeting in Phoenix to address perceived problems, including a lack of financial accountability and Simcox’s leadership style.
>
> In a memo dated May 14, Simcox responded by denouncing the meeting as unauthorized and informing the 18 signers that their membership in the Minutemen organization would be terminated if they attended the meeting.
>
> Simcox told the Herald/Review that he objected to the meeting not because of the issues it meant to address, but because of how it was organized.
>
> “The way they about it was pretty underhanded,” he said. “The meeting was called the very day that I went on a three-week working vacation. It was basically set up so that it would be impossible for us to attend and so that it would create this kind of (conflictive) situation.”
>
> An estimated 12 or 13 state leaders proceeded with their meeting last Saturday and issued a vote of no confidence against Simcox, one of the attendees told the Herald/Review under conditions of anonymity.
>
> Simcox said that two of the leaders at the meeting — Greg Thompson, MCDC chapter head in Oklahoma, and Bob Wright, the group’s state director in New Mexico — had been dismissed, while two others were still under review.
>
> Wright declined to comment, saying his dismissal was an internal matter that would be resolved within the MCDC.
>
> The deposed leaders are now demanding to be reinstated and have given Simcox until Friday to schedule a meeting to resolve the crisis.
>
> See Thursday’s Herald/Review for more details.
>
> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----
> DOCUMENT 1:
>
> Monday May 21, 2007
>
> Dear State Leaders, Chapter Leaders and fellow Minutemen,
>
> By now you have probably heard rumors or received an email about a
> massive
> purge of your National and State Leaders. These rumors are true. The
> numbers
> are staggering and to any one who is capable of reason, the
> devastating effect
> on your MCDC is inescapable. As you review the documents attached you
> will
> recognize many of the names of those leaders. Maybe one is your state
> leader, or the leader of a State in which you served on the border.
> Others you
> will recognize by their reputations as long time, completely
> dedicated Minutemen
> and Leaders. None of these men have ever had their dedication
> questioned,
> or have ever brought even a hint of disgrace or scandal to your MCDC.
> Each is
> a proven dedicated Patriot who has always kept our mission foremost
> while
> fiercely protecting the integrity of the organization you and they
> have built.
> All of you know and /or have served with at least one of these
> Leaders. You
> know their quality and integrity.
>
> What great crime was committed by this group to bring about the
> termination
> of half the National Leadership and almost half of the State
> leadership? As
> the accompanying documents, the actual termination letter, and the e-
> mails
> exchanged between this committee of state leaders and Chris Carmen,
> and Al Garza
> will clearly establish, we were terminated for Inviting Chris,
> Carmen, and
> Al to a meeting of this committee so we could discuss those issues
> described
> below. This sounds preposterous but read the documents and the e-
> mails and
> they will affirm that is the reason.
>
> The following is a rough time line and sequence of events that has
> led to
> this madness.
>
> As the serving Deputy Executive Director of MCDC I was charged with
> contacting State Leaders. Toward the end of April of this year I was
> contacted by a
> Minuteman and asked to moderate a planned conference call involving
> up to 18
> State Leaders.
>
> I agreed and thought it a good opportunity to ascertain the
> health of the organization as seen through the eyes of these state
> directors.
> During the course of this tele-conference a number of issues
> developed that
> were common to most of the directors, were of a long standing
> nature , and
> each had at different times attempted to address these issues with
> Chris,
> Carmen or Al Garza only to be put off, ignored or the promised
> resolution never
> developed.
>
> As you survey the list of grievances attached to this missive you
> will see
> that most of the issues are certainly not new, all directly affect
> the health
> of the organization, the credibility of the organization, and if
> there is
> valid problems the aftermath of those problems will directly affect
> every
> Minuteman in his community, with his family, and his friends as each
> of us has
> staked our personal reputations on our Minuteman activities.
>
> During the course of the first tele-conference much of the anger and
> frustration was worked through and the state leaders distilled the
> issues down to 10
> distinct areas they felt had to be addressed with Chris Simcox as
> soon as
> possible as all were tired of being put off, ignored or receiving
> promises for
> resolutions that were never kept. Knowing that Chris was doing a
> number of
> speaking engagements across the country they discussed flying to one
> of the
> cities in which he was speaking and having a face to face with him
> there. Upon
> learning that this speaking tour was in conjunction with a family
> vacation
> that plan was scrapped as all felt it inappropriate to intrude on the
> family
> vacation in this manner.
>
> It was then determined that Chris would be back in Arizona . For the
> May 19th
> Muster. The State leaders determined to set up a meeting in Phoenix
> on the
> 19th so Chris would have no problem making it as this is his home
> town and he
> would be there. Still considering myself a facilitator to this
> committee I
> set up a meeting place and time that would make it easy for Chris to
> attend.
> I then sent an e-mail to Chris, Carmen, And Al notifying them of the
> meeting.
> I did not expect Chris to be happy about it but neither I nor the
> State
> Leaders anticipated the paranoia driven nightmare we were about to be
> plunged
> into.
>
> Bob Wright
> Deputy Executive Director
>
> ************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* **
>
> DOCUMENT 2:
>
> STATE CHAPTER LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
> 6501 Greenway Parkway, Suite 103-640, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
> Phone (520) 829-3112
>
> TO: Chris Simcox, President, Minuteman Civil Defense Corps
> Carmen Mercer, Vice President
> Al Garza, Executive Director
>
> FROM: State Chapter Director Leadership Committee
>
> DATE: May 8, 2007
>
> RE: Requested Meeting / Content
>
> Dear Mr. Simcox,
>
> We, the State Chapter Director Leadership Committee request a meeting
> with
> you and the National Team to discuss the issues we need addressed.
> Many in the
> committee will be coming in from out of state at our own cost; we
> encourage
> you to make every effort to attend this meeting. We understand you
> will be in
> Arizona that day.
>
> Saturday May 19th 2007
> 1PM-5PM
> Clarion Hotel
> 5121 E La Puenta Ave
> I-10 & Elliot Rd
> Phoenix, Arizona (480)893-3900
>
> The purpose of this meeting is to openly address the issues and
> concerns
> that many of us as leaders continue to have, with out resolution.
> This open
> format presents an opportunity to air grievances, disputes, protocol
> practices,
> all while in a private arena. We are hopeful that the issues we bring
> to the
> table will be talked about with hopes of resolution, time frame for
> possible
> changes, and future direction.
>
> Listed below are the issues in which we would like to discuss:
>
> 1) Financial Accountability: To date, there has not been a serious
> form
> of financial accountability on many levels, to Chapter Leadership. We
> believe strongly that current accountability should be provided to
> each local and
> State chapter upon request. Current and past requests go unanswered.
>
> 2) New Chapters are not getting the tools and resources they have
> been
> instructed the will receive, such as seed money and merchandise.
>
> 3) Reimbursement of expenses not made in a timely manner if at all.
>
> 4) Micro-management from Mr. Simcox: It appears to us that 1 person
> has complete control of the organization from financial, operational,
> new
> chapter development, leadership placement, media and public
> relations. Discuss the
> problems this presents.
>
> 5) SOP: Long Arms on posts (State to State difference on SOP). I.e.:
> Setting up U- Shaped entrapments at AZ operations in April 2007.
> National
> interaction over local authority in localized issues.
>
> 6) National Leadership Restructure: Mr. Simcox should remain as Pres
> of
> MCDC with sole purpose of working our political arm and media/public
> relations. Not involved in operations, chapter management, or
> finances. We seek to
> have a National Leadership Team that represents the Minutemen body of
> volunteers, and are held accountable by the same. We would like to
> address this
> restructure to include either appointing National Leadership Teams by
> State
> Chapter Director Leadership Committee, or by an open vote from
> members of MCDC.
>
> 7) Poor communication structure throughout MCDC leadership, National
> down to local chapter levels. Recommend monthly conference calls,
> regional
> conference calls.
>
> 8) Full explanation of the status of the 501C-3, relationship between
> Denier, Declaration Alliance, Alan Keyes, MCDC PAC, MCDC Fence and
> any other
> organization that MCDC has agreements with or intends on interacting
> with.
>
> 9) National HQ Office, is it worth the 60K annual expense to man and
> fund?
>
> These are the issues we would like to discuss at great length. We
> firmly
> believe in the organization we have all built, and do not want to see
> it become
> fractured. This is our effort to keep MCDC whole, and make it
> possible for
> future growth. We look forward to meeting with you and sharing our
> ideas.
>
> Semper Vigilans,
>
> Bob Wright, NM State Director, National Leadership, Committee Chair
> SDL
> Committee
> Bill Irwin, National Operations Officer
> David Jones (Pineapple 6), Prescott AZ Chapter Director
> Pete Lanteri, NY Chapter Director
> Greg Thompson, OK Chapter Director, New Chapter Development Director
> Hal Washburn, WA Ops Director
> Warren Mcquiggen, National Communications Officer
> Walter Adams, PA Chapter Director
> Jim Furnison, OH Chapter Director
> Ed Hayes, KS Chapter Director
> Jeff Henry, CO Chapter Director
> Dennis Murphy, NE Chapter Director
> Ron Oplinus, NH Chapter Director
> Claud Leblaus, WA Chapter Director
> Tom Franiac, MO Chapter Director
> Jim Carter, TN Chapter Director
> Mike Forest, OR Chapter Director
> Stacey O'Connell, Minuteman, past Phoenix Chapter Director, past AZ
> Chapter Director
>
> ************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* **
>
> DOCUMENT 3:
>
> Minuteman Civil Defense Corps
> 6501 Greenway Parkway ● Suite 103 - 640 ● Scottsdale , AZ
> 85254
> : Phone (520) 829-3113
>
> TO: Bob Wright
>
> May. 14, 2007
>
> Subject: Unauthorized State Directors Meeting in Phoenix, AZ
> 5/19/2007
>
> To: Bob Wright and Appended CC List
>
> In response to your letter of May 8, 2007 to Chris Simcox, Carmen
> Mercer and
> Al Garza you are notified that the meeting scheduled for Saturday May
> 19th
> 2007 at 1PM-5PM at the Clarion Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona you have
> proposed is
> unauthorized, and under no circumstances is it sanctioned or approved
> by the
> Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, Inc.
>
> Further, the Board of Directors of MCDC, Inc. has at no time
> authorized a "
> State Leadership Committee" and this shadow entity and any business
> or actions
> proposed by it violate the organizational chain of command most
> recently and
> formally agreed to in leadership meetings held with national
> leadership
> volunteers October 2006. By calling a "State Directors Meeting" you
> have
> violated the official corporate By-Laws of MCDC, Inc. regarding legal
> authority for
> conducting business and affairs for the corporation.
>
> Additionally, the proposed listed agenda is not within the scope of
> any
> tasks assigned to Bob Wright, who volunteered to report to Al Garza
> in a purely
> administrative role to provide support to MCDC Board-appointed
> national
> leaders to plan successful border operations and assist in expanding
> the number of
> state locations seeking to establish MCDC chapters.
>
> This proposed meeting therefore cannot be called by Mr. Wright nor
> his
> associates, nor conducted to address MCDC business as it relates to
> any aspect of
> MCDC operations, procedures or organizational structure.
>
> It is the right of anyone to freely assemble. However, this letter
> will
> serve as notice to all those listed in the "CC Appendix" of Mr.
> Wright's May 8,
> 2007 communication that Bob Wright, Greg Thompson, Stacey O'Connell
> and Bill
> Irwin have been terminated for cause as volunteers and volunteer
> leaders
> within MCDC. This proposed meeting is not an MCDC sanctioned meeting
> and should you choose attend with the stated purpose and meeting
> agenda, you will be
> terminated by MCDC.
>
> Your written response, confirmed via facsimile sent to 281-242-9820,
> for
> MCDC Arizona Headquarters records, is required by 5 PM EST on
> 5/16/2007. Your
> response must include a statement of whether you have elected to
> withdraw from
> this proposed unsanctioned meeting and wish to continue with MCDC
> affiliation, or resign.
>
> If you fail to respond within this deadline to the above referenced
> fax
> number, MCDC will assume you have elected to resign all association
> and
> affiliation with Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.
>
> If you have any questions or would like to discuss this matter
> further, do
> not hesitate to contact any of the members of the Board of Directors
> or the
> Executive Director, listed below.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Minuteman Civil Defense Corps
> Chris Simcox, President – MCDC Board Chairman
> Carmen Mercer, Vice President – MCDC Board Member
> John Acer, Secretary – MCDC Board Member
> Al Garza, Executive Director
>
> Cc:
> Bill Irwin, National Operations Officer
> David Jones (Pineapple 6), Prescott AZ Chapter Director
> Pete Lanteri, NY Chapter Director
> Greg Thompson, OK Chapter Director
> Hal Washburn, WA Ops Director
> Warren Mcquiggen, National Communications Officer
> Walter Adams, PA Chapter Director
> Jim Furnison, OH Chapter Director
> Ed Hayes, KS Chapter Director
> Jeff Henry, CO Chapter Director
> Dennis Murphy, NE Chapter Director
> Ron Oplinus, NH Chapter Director
> Claud Lebas, WA Chapter Director
> Tom Franiak, MO Chapter Director
> Jim Carter, TN Chapter Director
> Mike Forest, OR Chapter Director
> Stacey O'Connell
>
> ************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* ****
> **
>
> DOCUMENT 4:
>
> MEMORANDUM
> TO: Chris Simcox
> FROM: State Directors and National Leadership Ad Hoc Committee
> DATE: May 21, 2007
> SUBJECT: Motion
> SENT: Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested
>
> Enclosed please find a Motion, passed by the State Directors and
> National
> Leadership Ad Hoc Committee on Saturday, May 19, 2007 by unanimous
> vote of 13
> of the members.
>
> Motion:
> Resolved May 19, 2007 by the
> State Directors and National Leadership Ad Hoc Committee
>
> Whereas; the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps Deputy Executive Director
> was
> directed to contact the State Directors on a regular basis
> And
>
> Whereas; in the course of fulfilling the directive, many questions
> arose and
> requests for a national meeting to discuss problems was
> overwhelmingly asked
> for by the State Directors. Therefore a meeting was scheduled at a
> time
> and place thought to be convenient for Chris Simcox; this meeting was
> offered
> in good faith with a goal of resolving these important issues
> including managerial misconduct, in confidence and minimizing the
> turmoil within the organization
> And
>
> Whereas; Chris Simcox responded to the proposed meeting with the
> attached
> letter which threatens the very existence of the organization at a
> time in our
> nation's history when it is vital for all citizens to work to secure
> our borders and prevent amnesty.
>
> We therefore move, and resolve that we have lost confidence in Chris
> Simcox'
> s ability to lead Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.
>
> We move that Mr. Simcox reinstate the unjustly terminated Minutemen
> immediately, and restore them to the positions they held.
>
> Mr. Simcox shall be given through May 24, 2007 to schedule a meeting
> for all State Directors, to be held no later than 10, June 2007. At
> which the issues enumerated in the attached letter sent to Mr. Simcox
> on May 8, 2007 will be discussed and resolved.
>
> In addition a business plan will be developed at this meeting that
> will provide
> the volunteers an effective voice in the direction and leadership of
> MCDC.
> The plan must include a Leadership Council, or Board of National
> Leaders and
> State Directors which will, from that date forward provide input and
> oversight
> into the organization in an effort to end the one man rule MCDC
> currently
> operates under. All expenses incurred by the state directors to
> attend this
> meeting will be reimbursed by MCDC.
>
> Failure to respond to this motion by May 25, 2007 will result in the
> entire
> matter being turned over to the national media for their
> investigation.
> Passed by a unanimous vote of 13 ad hoc committee members:
>
> Please contact Bob Wright if you have any questions or comments.
>
> Bob Wright
> Deputy Executive Director
>
> END OF DOCUMENTS.
>
>

No wonder they call Simcox, "The Little Prince". The Red is typical of his long standing high handed practices. This is not the first schism in his organizations. Gilchrist himself left early.

24 posted on 05/25/2007 3:41:13 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Halcontent

Simcox, Mercer and Acer are the three Executive Officers of the corporation (P,VP and Sec)...AND...they are the only three Board of Director Members as well?

One of the main purposes of a corp BOD is to create supervision and oversight of it’s officers, their decisions and their actions.

Seriously, I’m thinking I must have read this wrong...


25 posted on 05/28/2007 7:11:23 PM PDT by Bob J (nks)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Halcontent
The details are not there, they are hidden. Do you have any information on the 278,000 that was spent on “Professional Services”? I can guess where the 100,000 went that is listed under fund raising, how about the OTHER 175,000 that is listed as “Professional Services” under Program Services? Aren’t you the least bit interested in where all the money is going in an organization you defend so vehemently?
26 posted on 05/30/2007 1:40:46 PM PDT by Bob J (nks)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Anti-Bubba182

I went to th site and could find no information (none, zippa, nada) on the Executive leadership nor the Board of Directors.

Tha information is hidden just like the “Professional Services” expenses. There are some things people just don’t want you to know.


27 posted on 05/30/2007 1:42:23 PM PDT by Bob J (nks)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Bob J

I haven’t seen Connie on their Forum for some time. I wonder
if she moved on.


28 posted on 05/30/2007 1:48:20 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Anti-Bubba182

I doubt it. She knows enough to put them all in stripes.


29 posted on 05/30/2007 1:52:47 PM PDT by Bob J (nks)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Bob J

Did you notice the defendants list on the lawsuit? They did not sue Keyes but they did sue a lot of organizations he is affiliated with.


30 posted on 05/30/2007 1:55:59 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Anti-Bubba182

Heil Simcox!


31 posted on 05/30/2007 2:02:39 PM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Anti-Bubba182
I’m not surprised he is not on the list, all DF transactions would be conducted by officers and other surrogates with signing authority.

Frankly, I was surprised to see those names at all considering this dispute seems to be between the plaintiff and MCDC/Simcox. The only explanation is that the check was written directly to the DF and/or it’s agents at Denier.

32 posted on 05/30/2007 4:05:29 PM PDT by Bob J (nks)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Anti-Bubba182

Another explanation is that ownership of all the organizations is incestuous...the membership ain’t going to like that.

As another poster commented on another site, it will be interesting to see how fast Keyes and Sheldon make this go away.


33 posted on 05/30/2007 4:07:37 PM PDT by Bob J (nks)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Bob J
"Another explanation is that ownership of all the organizations is incestuous...the membership ain’t going to like that."

I agree, Probably Simcox gets most of his money from people out of the old guard. There has been so much negative the regulars are leaving. I bet his donations are down.

34 posted on 05/30/2007 5:34:13 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-34 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson