Posted on 10/04/2001 5:42:56 PM PDT by truthkeeper
Did anyone watch O'Reilly's opening segment? He's exposing an awful story concerning the shabby treatment of surviving family members of Cantor Fitzgerald, the firm that lost 700 of the 1,000 employees in the attack on the towers.
His guests were one of the widows, Linda Fiori, and a writer named MacDonald of Forbes Magazine. The firm CEO, Howard Luttman (not sure about the pronunciation/spelling, maybe someone can correct), has been all over the airwaves crying and carrying on the past couple of weeks about how he is desperately trying to help the stricken families. (I personally saw him on Larry King a couple of weeks ago sobbing away.) The man has been begging for business and donations, saying he's pledging 25% of future business for the families. He presented them as a close-knit, devoted, and caring group; "we're like a family here."
Mrs. Fiore, however, revealed that she has never been contacted by Luttman, even after she called his house and spoke to his wife (or possibly the maid; in any event she was told "I'll have him call you back."). She hasn't received a dime of money from Cantor Fitzgerald, and not one person from the firm came to her husband's funeral, even after she sent the obituary to them. Furthermore, O'Reilly revealed that all paychecks had been stopped four days after the attack. It doesn't look like any money is forthcoming, not even the bonuses these people already earned. Mrs. Fiore was desperate, and said she's been entirely dependent upon her family and neighbors who have been giving her money. She stated, "I don't want a handout from Cantor Fitzgerald...I just want a pamphlet or information stating what they will be doing about the money." (My paraphrasing.)
O'Reilly was plainly disgusted. He asked the writer what kind of man this Luttman was, and her response was not very flattering. She said he took control of the company while the previous owner, Bernie Cantor, was dying. She added that, as a result, he was banned from his funeral. O'Reilly: "Okay, I'm getting the picture about this guy."
I can't tell you how bad this story made this Cantor Fitzgerald CEO look. You'd have to see it for yourself...it's quite an eye-opener. (Watch the rerun.)
I think this is a bone O'Reilly is not going to be letting go of soon. He wants to know who is watching these private charities. (He did mention that Mrs. Fiori heard from the Red Cross today; apparently they will pay for the funeral.)
Everything from bonuses (most of a broker's annual compensation) to medical benefits (lots of families where the Cantor employee was the sole breadwinner and souce of coverage) has been put in suspended animation, with no communication or assurances.
Ugly sad and sick.
I agree with you, HLL...which makes it all the more odd that he wouldn't want to present his side. Surely he would know how bad this must look.
It was sometime around 9/15 that I sent correspondance asking if they needed office space, since I had extra room that I could let them use for awhile. Figured if I helped them, then they could help the families, as Mr. Luttnick had so tearfully stated. No rent money was needed, and there was no catch. I just figured to help out.
To make a long story short, after the first interview, I withdrew the offer.
Never heard back from them...
Mrs. Fiore was desperate, and said she's been entirely dependent upon her family and neighbors who have been giving her money.
Sigh, how can people become desperately broke so quickly?
Having seen a few investment firms implode over the partners divy up the cash, its not suprising there are probs.It gets real ugly , fast, in this business when bonus time arrives.However, there maybe more to this than meets the eye,and O'Reilly wouldn't go of half cocked, now would he?
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