[FR_addict]

One of the reporters asked the family man about Ed Smart helping Ricci buy a car. The family spokesman said it was purely a business deal and that Ed Smart was paying Ricci with a car in liu of money.

Gets stranger and stranger. What kind of business deal is this? To avoid paying taxes, to avoid Ricci losing unemployment benefits? Something's not right. You might make a deal about work in exchange for a car with a teenager, but not a grown man unless you are trying to get away with something.

[bluecollarman]

Someone needs to find out what kind of hat this guy wears most of the time.

[Bella]

Gets stranger and stranger. What kind of business deal is this? To avoid paying taxes, to avoid Ricci losing unemployment benefits? Something's not right. You might make a deal about work in exchange for a car with a teenager, but not a grown man unless you are trying to get away with something.

There's definitely something really strange with this entire case.

[r9etb]

Gets stranger and stranger. What kind of business deal is this? To avoid paying taxes, to avoid Ricci losing unemployment benefits? Something's not right. You might make a deal about work in exchange for a car with a teenager, but not a grown man unless you are trying to get away with something.

I suspect there are many FReepers who not only advocate this sort of dealing, but do it extensively themselves. For years now it's been called the "underground economy," and/or the barter system. It's a very common practice, especially in the building trades, to work on a cash basis. It only seems odd here because it's a kidnapping case.

If you look at Ricci's record, there are very good reasons for him to avoid taxes: if he's paying them, they know where he lives. And in case you missed it, he was originally picked up on parole violations. When the choice is between jail and unemployment....