CLF website:
Entry Level Membership
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PERSON LOCATOR – P-CNSR Name: MANWILL, DALE L (MALE) MANWILL, JASON D (MALE) MANWILL, IMO (FEMALE) MANWILL, WYVONNA M (FEMALE) 927 PO BOX CRESWELL, OR 97426- Address Type: BOX NUMBER ONLY Address Created: 1993 Birthdate: 11/1951 |
PERSON LOCATOR – P-CNSR Name: MANWILL, JASON D (MALE)
Spouse Name: MANWILL, REBECCAH 809 PO BOX CRESWELL, OR 97426 Address Type: BOX NUMBER ONLY Address Created: 2000 Telephone: (541) 895-8921 |
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OREGON SECRETARY OF STATE Company Name: MICROTECH COMPUTERS Business Address: 2189 W 17TH CT EUGENE, OR 97402 Status: INACTIVE Filing Date: 4/5/1993 Filing Number: 33977182 Officers, Directors: CAROLYN MCHORSE 2189 W 17TH CT EUGENE, OR 97402 JOHN MANWILL 1690 ARTHUR PL EUGENE, OR 97402 BECKY MANWILL 1690 ARTHUR PL EUGENE, OR 97402 MICHAEL S MCHORSE 2189 W 17TH CT EUGENE, OR 97402 History: File Date: 4/6/1995 Type: MISCELLANEOUS Comments: ABN FAILURE TO RENEW |
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As to the card:
I do not recognize it or remember it.
I have no business affiliation with this group and I have no knowledge of what they do. The business card may have some direct or indirect connection to the following, however:
I have traveled – not only to Cabo San Lucas, but to Cancun (2x), and the Dominican Republic – all expenses paid plus a $1,000 speaking fee for a group called Pinnacle Quest International. I have great respect for PQI. It has evolved and become something incredibly useful in terms of information and knowledge sharing, marketing, medicine and health, financial survival, and they present some incredibly powerful and useful legal information and lectures.
Catherine Austin Fitts has spoken with me at PQI twice.
None of this has ever been a secret. Would you like to contact the PQI executives? I’ll be happy to give you their information. They can confirm all this for you and I would encourage them to do so. They may also be able to shed some light on this business card for you.
As a journalist with an IQ above 30 you are now obligated to do just that. If you don’t I will happily see that your failure to follow professional ethics is reported accurately along with whatever else you chose to write.
You should contact first Claudia Hirmer at claudia@pqi.cc.
You might also try Mr. Mark Seaton at freequest@rogers.com.
BTW, PQI has some incredible attorneys! One of them did a presentation where he talked about Barry Seal and quoted you several times. I thought it was pretty good.
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Recent Appearances of Catherine Austin Fitts: June 20-26, 2004 Speaking Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Pinnacle Quest International (PQI) http://www.pqi.cc/ Details of speech/workshop to be announced. |
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The Toronto Sun June 20, 2004 Sunday Final Edition Nothing makes my blood boil more than scam artists ripping off people of their hard-earned money. So, as one Canadian financial journalist who dared to take on the Global Prosperity scum and who took harsh criticism from those getting rich from this international, multi-million-dollar, offshore banking scam– this makes me smile: Some of the crooks have been found guilty of fraud and are serving sentences in U.S. prisons. Others have been indicted on charges of money laundering, wire fraud, mail fraud and filing false tax returns, and are in jail awaiting trials. And arrest warrants have been issued by the U.S. justice department for three Global Prosperity principals — David Struckman, Dan Andersen and Lorenzo Lamantia… You may recall how I wrote about the threesome back in 2000, when victims started calling me to complain of an alleged scam, that involved a multi-level-marketing scheme that sold tapes and seminars promising financial freedom from paying taxes through offshore trusts… When authorities started clamping down, the name would change — from Global Prosperity Group, to the Institute of Global Prosperity, to Global Prosperity Marketing Group, the Global Group and the Institute of Global Prosperity. Now, the scam is known as Pinnacle Quest International. Ironically, my rants netted a phone call from the founder — Keith Anderson, a fervently religious anti-tax crusader, who wrote the tapes, called Gateway to Financial Freedom, but after a falling-out with Global Prosperity, was living in Costa Rica. On the line to me, he pleaded his innocence vowing his financial freedom message was legal, while blaming multi-level marketing scum for making it into a fraud. Since then, Anderson was extradited from Costa Rica, and is now in a U.S. prison, facing a number of criminal charges, over a new scheme called Anderson & Ark Associates. This scam charged fees to set up offshore corporations and moved client funds from the U.S. to Costa Rica to evade tax. Convicted of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering is Anderson's brother, Wayne, who was second in command at Anderson & Ark, and who was sentenced to 59 months in jail, plus three years of supervised release… And so far, more than 50 Global Prosperity carpetbaggers have been convicted. David Starkey of Oklahoma, who fell for the scam hook, line and sinker, has already served his eight-month sentence in a federal correctional institution — and he's now made it his personal mission to stop the scam artists from taking any more victims. |
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Warning: Pinnacle Quest International 2-May-2003 Consumers' Institute is warning people away from a US-based pyramid scheme called Pinnacle Quest International (PQI). Consumer says PQI "sales consultants" are currently touring New Zealand, holding meetings and selling "investment" CDs and seminars. "The claims and promises made by this company are absurd and in some cases likely to be illegal," said Consumer's acting chief executive, Simon Wilson. "If people sign up for the whole deal, they are going to find themselves over $40,000 out of pocket. "We've been advised of a meeting in Napier in which a PQI consultant announced that 'most people' who sign up with PQI become millionaires within five years, some even three. "We have also been assured by a PQI consultant that the information dispensed by PQI is 'usually only available to the mega-rich'. The same consultant told us the average return from investing in 'secret companies' was 'around 100 percent per annum'." Mr Wilson described these claims as the "typical nonsense" of a pyramid investment scam. How it works PQI's American website sets out how the company works. Consultants hold meetings at which attendees are encouraged to pursue a three-stage "educational process". First, they buy a set of instructional CDs (cost US$1280). Second, they attend a seminar – there's one in Mexico in June (cost US$6280). Finally, they attend a seminar on a cruise ship (cost US$15,000). These amounts do not cover accommodation, airfares, food or expenses, but only purchase of the CDs or entry to the seminars. Consumer says local PQI consultants have confirmed the same system operates here. "One of their consultants told a Consumer staffer that a very high percentage of the money paid by consumers goes in commission to the sales consultant," said Mr Wilson. "He said US$1000 of the CD package, US$5000 of the Mexican seminar and US$10,000 of the cruise ship seminar is commission." Mr Wilson said PQI also sells information on how to avoid paying taxes, through establishing offshore companies in "tax havens". "The material relates primarily to US federal taxes. It will be of little use to New Zealand citizens, and may breach American tax laws if used there." Mr Wilson says PQI may indeed make some people rich. "Like all pyramid schemes, it's a scam designed to make its inventors rich at the expense of everyone else who buys into it," he said. "We doubt the value of the advice on investments and taxes. But we are in no doubt that if you pay the thousands this outfit is asking, you will be very lucky to see any of it again." PQI has already been in trouble in US courts. Court proceedings filed last December in Oklahoma by a former PQI consultant, David Wayne Starky, described it as "perhaps the largest and most notorious tax fraud scheme in history". In another case dating back to August 1998, the Massachusetts equivalent to our Securities Commission declared Global Prosperity Group (which was closed down in May last year and "re-opened" the next day as PQI) to be "an illegal pyramid scheme". It was ordered permanently to cease trading in that state.
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http://www.consumer.org.nz/newsitem.asp?docid=1585&category=News&topic=Pinnacle%20Quest%20International Pinnacle Quest International 31-Jul-2003 Absurd claims, exorbitant costs … stay well away from this scam.
Pinnacle Quest International (PQI) is a US company that promises to introduce you to "secret companies" that will provide returns of over 100 percent, and teach you how to avoid ever paying tax again. You'll also be in line for some hefty consultant commissions.
PQI sales consultants are in New Zealand promoting a "three-stage educational process".
First, you buy a set of instructional CDs (cost, $2200). Second, you attend a seminar. The next is in Mexico (cost, $10,800). Then, you attend another seminar on a cruise ship (cost, nearly $26,000). These fees cover entry to the seminar and purchase of the CDs. They do not include airfares, accommodation, food or expenses.
The sales consultants receive commissions from each participant of between 65 and 80 percent of all this money. Participants are encouraged to "introduce friends and family" to these consultants, and can become consultants themselves.
Ardie Kendall, a New Zealand-based PQI sales consultant, says the educational products he promotes are legitimate, and the average return from investing in the secret companies is phenomenally high. "I wouldn't look at anything less than 100 percent per annum."
Kendall claims to have shares in 18 oil wells around the globe. "If they are sold, it's always for four times what they are worth."
As for the secret companies, Kendall says only the mega-rich have known about them up until now. "People like Queen Elizabeth II and Muhammad Ali are involved with PQI. Not many people know this," he confided.
Kendall says he took a group to a conference in the Dominican Republic last December. "I took nine people and pocketed US$45,000 commission."
He says they "have all become very wealthy as a result". He said he would give us their contact details – we're still waiting.
PQI has not issued investment statements or a prospectus as required by New Zealand law. We think the sale of "educational CDs" and seminars is a flimsy attempt to mask the fraudulent nature of the business.
We have been unable to speak to either Queen Elizabeth or Muhammad Ali, but have passed details of our enquiries to the Securities Commission and the Commerce Commission. |
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Remedies at Law is a private law firm that was founded in 1988 as the Family Defense League: Institute of Global Prosperity Pinnacle Quest International, Inc. It has come to the attention of Remedies at Law that certain church ministerial trust managers are engaged in business practices in connection with an organization previously known as "The Institute of Global Prosperity " ((IGP). They are currently operating as "Pinnacle Quest International, Inc.". This is a matter of grave concern as the activities of IGP have been the subject of investigation by various state Attorney General offices across the nation. IGP (www.successlinks.com), is an organization which promotes a way of doing business that has become increasingly popular. The services they list on their corporate web-site and marketing materials includes High Yield Investing, Wealth Creation & Preservation, Offshore Banking Strategies, Early Retirement, Privacy & Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Establishing & Structuring Trusts, IBC ’s, and LLC ’s and Tax Reduction Strategies. They promote a business opportunity, in their words, "that can easily create six figure income for anyone in their first year ". Trips to Cancun, Mexico and other perks and attractions to the lifestyle of the rich and famous is their hallmark but there is another side to the matter which warrants serious scrutiny. You can visit the following site to do some due diligence of your own: http://mikeynett.tripod.com/links.html.
IGP has been ordered to "Cease and Desist " in 8 states presently and is under investigation now in Washington as well. IGP promotes the concerns of government that are foreign to the church. The church promotes sound financial practices and integrity toward agreements. "Financial Principles for the Ministerial Trust", written by Glen Stoll of Remedies at Law is available for all managers of ministerial trusts. It is important to understand stewardship, remain debt free, show an increase, and be charitable. The church will not promote strategies or businesses that bring unjust losses to others.
It is our studied opinion and counsel that all church ministerial trusts not be involved with IGP and/or any newly formed businesses which are offshoots of or formed from the IGP business model. It is our official position that involvement in this organization or other organizations doing the same thing is not only dangerous but will likely lead to serious legal problems and in some cases, imprisonment. These groups do not share the focus and mission of church ministerial trusts and are, by their very nature, contrary and incompatible with the church.
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Prosperity At A Price Get-Rich-Quick Scheme Leads Some Down Road To Ruin Jan. 25, 2001 CBS (CBS) The founders of the Institute of Global Prosperity say they offer a sophisticated sales and investment program over the Internet designed to make members rich… North Dakota has issued a cease and desist order to keep the company from doing business there. But because IGP has no headquarters – it only exists in cyberspace – Vinje admits he can't do much more to stop it… On top of the $1,200 audiotape package, Global members are invited to attend seminars in places like Cancun, Mexico and the Bahamas where independent entrepreneurs pay IGP to make their pitch. The cost of attendance: $6,250. For more than 12 hours a day, the attendees sit through one sales pitch after another for real estate prospects, tax avoidance schemes and high-growth investment opportunities.
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Global Prosperity Co-Founder Keith Anderson… Department of Justice MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2002 [1] Washington, D.C. The founder of a nationwide abusive tax shelter promotion scheme was charged today with conspiring to defraud the United States by organizing a group of accountants who used a variety of shell corporations, trusts and partnerships to operate tax shelter schemes they sold to their clients, the Department of Justice's Tax Division announced today. [2] Keith E. Anderson, founder of Anderson Ark and Associates was charged in a criminal complaint which was unsealed today in Seattle. [3] Eileen J. O'Connor, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Tax Division, said, "By encouraging people to cheat on their taxes, promoters of tax scams defraud honest taxpayers many times over." Assistant Attorney General O'Connor called on all taxpayers to report suspected tax fraud to the IRS. "Tax fraud promoters are like all con artists. If their sales pitch sounds too good to be true, it probably is not true." [4] The complaint alleges that from 1998 through 2001, Anderson Ark and Associates obtained more than $30 million in illegal tax refunds for between 1,500 and 2,000 clients and received approximately $50 million in fees and other funds from the clients. [5] The complaint further alleges that Anderson Ark & Associates' accountants prepared tax returns that claimed large tax deductions for fraudulent "loans" and "consulting expenses." In reality, the complaint alleges, the funds were not spent as claimed, but instead were wired to Costa Rica so that Anderson Ark & Associates' clients could later withdraw them with a debit card. [6] The tax charges against Anderson are in addition to an indictment returned in the Eastern District of California on May 3, 2001, charging Anderson and several other defendants with conspiring to commit money laundering through Costa Rica. [7] Anderson, who had been a fugitive from justice, was apprehended in Costa Rica on Saturday, February 9, 2002, and is awaiting extradition to the United States. [8] The tax fraud case is being prosecuted by Tax Division Trial Attorneys Corey J. Smith and Krista Tongring. Additional information about tax fraud schemes to watch out for can found on the IRS Criminal Investigation website at http://www.ustreas.gov/irs/ci. Date Published: 02-11-2002 |
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WENT TO PRISON USING THE GLOBAL METHOD Hello everyone. Let me introduce myself. My name is David Starkey. I am 40 years old and a father of 3 children and a believer in the American Dream. Well, recently my world got turned upside down on September 5, 2000. That is the day I was sentenced to 8 months in federal prison for failing to file a proper income tax return. Like most people, I was all for making money and saving as much on my taxes as the other guy, until January, 1997. This is when I was introduced to G.P.G., Global Prosperity Group, now known as I.G.P., Institute for Global Prosperity. At the time I was looking for something to make money at and I knew that working 9-5 would not get me rich. In January, 1997, I was taken to a conference call to a presentation of an organization called G.P.G., now I.G.P., and listened to how you could make thousands of dollars and NOT have to pay any income tax on that money. I was amazed and excited and thought I had found my pot of gold! I sent my $1250.00 by way of a cashiers check to the person who brought me in, called a director. I immediately started listening to every training call and followed everything she told me to do. I ordered leads and made a sale my very first day and my second sale a few days later. I was so excited because I saw this working and then the next sale went to me and out of $1250.00, I made $1000.00 profit. You couldn’t believe how happy I was to see something working and I was actually making money! Well. As the story goes on, I kept making sales and then I was introduced to the co-founder of Global, Dave Struckman. Dave said if I stepped up to Global II, he would work with me personally. I did and I was qualified (having 7 sales under me) my second month. I was looking forward to going to the offshore seminar and hearing about all of the investments and meeting all the people I had been working with. When I got to the seminar, I saw so many positive people that were making money and not having to pay taxes on it. There were different speakers but the main guy was Keith Anderson (now a federal fugitive) and he explained how a person could set up trust and other methods to hide money from the I.R.S. Of course, I followed Dave Struckman’s and Keith Anderson’s advise and set everything up like they said. The investments looked great but I was a newbie and used most of my money to get to the seminar. It was a little scary to hear this information about taxes and the I.R.S. but I believed them. I went back and kept selling the product and by May, 1997, I sent $10000.00 in for a down payment on my Global 3 ticket, which cost $18750.00. It was supposed to be the mother of all investments, where we would get exclusive programs just for Global members. Well, moving right along, I kept marketing and working with Dave Struckman. I considered myself pretty close to Dave and we would go out to eat and dancing with some of the other top leaders. It was quite an honor to be one of the first people to step up to Global 3 and things were going good. A while later I kept hearing rumors about cease and desist orders but Dave Struckman, Dan Anderson and Zo Lamatius said that they were not a company and they just didn’t respond to it. That bothered me but I bought the explanation. Then came more problems with different states with the same thing and those states said that we couldn’t sell Global any more and some were saying the fine would be $25000.00 per occurrence. Struckman, Anderson and Lamatius took action and changed the name to I.G.P. and came out with new tapes and got into a big fight with Keith Anderson. Keith left and started doing his own thing but then new people came in and they said the trusts Keith had set up were no good and we would need something new. By changing the name, they bypassed all those cease and desist orders but the bad publicity was already out. I kept marketing the product but would run into people who had seen this on the net, so I was losing sales. More seminars came and went and all this time I wasn’t filing income tax and was worrying that I needed to get things straightened out. About that time, Global/I.G.P. brought in Bill Benson (a very nice man and friend). He had a series of books and information that said the 16th Amendment was not ratified. Struckman said that you must have this information because it explains how you don’t have to file or pay taxes. Again, I bought in and after a couple of Trusts and now this method, it was getting expensive but to keep from paying taxes legally, I felt it was worth it. Then came along Judge Rizzo and the title sounds impressive but when you check him out, he was just a city judge handling traffic court and such. Well, he modified Bill’s system, he said, and made it better. Now for the BIG news. I was contacted by the I.R.S. and they knew I hadn’t filed in some time and that I was in Global. I didn’t talk to them and I went and hired an attorney that used to work as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorneys office. It is not a good feeling having the I.R.S. come after you as a tax protestor and I was scrambling for what to do next. I tried to explain to my attorney how, through Trusts and the information I had been given, that I didn’t have to pay income tax. He we really unsure of this but he was open minded to listen to the people who had sold me all of this tax stuff. I called Dave Struckman and told him I was under investigation by the I.R.S. for not paying or filing taxes and wanted help on what to do. You see, I am the first Director in Global that had been charged by the I.R.S. and Dave wanted to fight this and prove his material would hold up in court. Dave even helped with the attorney bill, or I should say his Trust paid $15000.00 to the cause. We started getting all the details and talking to the experts, like Judge Rizzo, and having all of this explained to my attorney. Well, we finally called the attorney that represented Bill Benson and he put out all my hopes. Now this guy was the biggest fighter for the 16th Amendment argument and we were planning to hire him as a second attorney since he was an expert with this 16th Amendment stuff. I was ready for a fight and knew that if charged with tax evasion, I could be looking at over 20 years in prison. This guy burst my bubble and told me he would LOVE to fight it but it CANNOT be argued in court again. It is what they call “beyond review” which means the 16th Amendment defense is out the door and I mean gone for good! It’s a way that the higher courts locked the discussion up where no one could use it again. I had no defense and I was in deep trouble. I told Judge Rizzo, Bill Benson and Dave Struckman that this defense was useless and that every Trust and 16th Amendment was going to get everyone thrown in prison. Well, after that, Dave Struckman quit taking my phone calls and I was on my own. It’s tough to market something that you’re getting prosecuted for and then the big news: I was kicked out of Global! They came up with some lame excuse, but I was out. Now keep in mind, I had been one of the first 600 people to start with good old Dave, Dan and Zo back in 1997. Things were heating up with the I.R.S. and I didn’t want to go to prison so we brought in another attorney but he didn’t do me any good. The thought of going away to prison and being locked up like an animal was scaring the hell out of me but my attorney cut a deal. If I would plead guilty to only one count of failing to file a tax return, I would be charged with a misdemeanor and wouldn’t have to do over a year in federal prison. It was a terrible decision to make but I couldn’t do the 20 year thing for tax evasion if I was to fight them and lose. I took their deal and my life changed forever knowing that me, David Starkey, with NO prior convictions, would have to do time in a federal prison because I believed David Struckman and the whole gang selling the tax scam stuff. Everyone going to prison has to have a pre-sentence investigation where the probation office looks at your background for the Judge to sentence you by. They slammed me so hard on Global, Dave Struckman, Dan Anderson and Zo Lamitus, and labeled me a tax protestor. They told about the cease and desist orders and how we set up Trusts to keep from paying income tax. It was awful and I knew I was going to make the Judge mad with this information but there was nothing I could do and Global had pushed me aside because I was a liability and it would shut Global down if this got out that one of the top people got sent to prison for using their methods. My day in court came and my Mom and Dad were there and the Judge had made up his mind and sentenced me to 8 months in prison. My Mom busted out crying and fainted on the bench. It was then it hit me that I was going to go to prison for believing Global and their so called system. I really felt so bad for what I had put my family through and what would I tell my kids, 6,14 and 17, about why daddy had to go away. You think of many things when reality sets in and I love my children dearly but daddy had to go to prison. My parents drove me to El Reno Federal Prison at 12:00 on September 5, 2000. We pulled to the security box and told them I was there to self report and the guard yelled “Get out of the car and walk the line”. It scared me half to death and I don’t scare easily. I got out and said goodbye and not to worry. I turned and walked by this huge, double fence with razor wire and went to the iron gate and pushed the button. The guard came out and walked me in with the gate slamming closed behind me. They asked me who I was and why I was here and I told them a misdemeanor failure to file a tax return and the guard looked at me and said “Boy, you must have pissed some people off”. I was then told to strip and stand by an inspection wall where I was strip searched for weapons and drugs and then I was booked in. I was in with murderers and drug dealers that had 25 years sentences and more and boy, did I stand out. They say you don’t know what you have till it’s gone and when your freedom and family are taken from you and you become an inmate with just a number, well, you really reflect on things. |
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San Diego Union-Tribune, October 20, 1996, Sunday A new multilevel marketing operation is tailored to the Common Law movement — those folks who claim to be sovereign, and who handle disputes in their own courtrooms under their own quaint legal interpretations. It's not the first time Common Law militants were involved in multilevel marketing, which is sometimes called pyramid marketing. After all, the convicted money launderer M. Elizabeth Broderick of Palmdale, who learned how to pass out phony comptroller warrants at the knee of Montana Freeman LeRoy M. Schweitzer, was once a multilevel marketing huckster. The latest one is called Gateway to Financial Freedom, and it's hawked by the Global Prosperity Marketing Group. It operates out of mail drops in the Seattle area, but its security is so tight that its location is unknown. "They are avoiding the semblance of a real office," says Mark Taylor, editor of San Francisco's Online Fraud Newsletter. "They are probably operating out of Canada." Gateway makes wild claims: After you have recruited enough people into the scheme, you make 90 percent profit — yes, 90 percent — on each sale of the company's product. What are those products? The first, Gateway I, costing $1,250, is a binder of audio cassettes telling you about the evils of the Federal Reserve, about offshore banking and trusts, as well as Common Law. The second, Gateway II, costing $6,250, is a three-day financial seminar that improves your knowledge of offshore tax strategies, international trusts, and the like. The third, Gateway III, costing $18,750, is a one-week workshop "presented by renowned international bankers and financiers," according to promotional materials. If any of this sounds familiar to you, congratulations: It's very similar to the package offered by Orange County-based Investors International (II), whose astoundingly boastful claims were featured on these pages in early August. The II program also touted 90 percent profits, and offered cassettes and tapes on offshore banking and the like. Both Gateway and Investors International claim to provide investors protection against a grasping and gluttonous government. II is aimed at libertarians. But the founder, one Dr. Rudolf van Lin, made the mistake of claiming he had been "instrumental in the forming of the Libertarian Party." He had been no such thing, say the actual founders of the party, who denounce II as a get-rich-quick scheme exploiting the Libertarian name. "The Libertarian Party has been working to ban advertising of Investors International" in its publications, says Richard Rider, a local Libertarian. The Better Business Bureau reviewed materials from Investors International: "Because the profits are based upon the premise of recruiting rather than the underlying products or service, this appears to be an illegal pyramid scheme," says the BBB. Michigan has slapped II with a cease-and-desist order. Oregon also has moved against the scheme, and the FBI and post office interviewed van Lin at the outset. Investors International would not comment on the moves by government entities and the BBB. As far as can be determined, Global Prosperity Marketing was a separate pyramid — called a "downline" — within II. The BBB lists Global Prosperity as an additional trade name of II. "It's my understanding that van Lin was telling Global that its recorded messages were exaggerated," says a Cincinnatian, who bought into II and was pitched on Global, and now wants to get his II money back. It's hard to imagine anybody out-exaggerating van Lin, who claims he has "the most incredible money-making and profit-generating strategic financial program in the world" — a program "in which nobody loses." A senior executive of II says that Global Prosperity "was a group of people who were in our organization and are no longer with us. They used that name (Global) to sell our products. They resigned, felt they could do a different product better." However, the differences between the Gateway and II products appear minor. Certainly, II's package is more expensive. The supposed author of Gateway to Financial Freedom is one Keith Anderson, who, according to the promotional materials, "holds an Honorary Doctorate degree in Common Law. He has been actively involved in the study and practice of constitutional law, freedom and sovereignty for approximately eighteen years. He is highly regarded and recognized as one of the foremost experts and lecturers on Common Law." The group lists its Ethics of Operations. "All disputes will be settled by the course of the Common Law," explain the promotional materials. "Each party to the complaint may select an equal number of Common Law judges (not Bar Association members). There is no appeal to the final decision of the Common Law court judges." Product orders are shipped to a Massachusetts operation with its headquarters in the Turks & Caicos Islands, an offshore tax haven where Common Law adherents get their driver's licenses. |
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Please visit our web site at http://www.OracleInternational.com Page 1 of 17 Pages F l o r i d a & I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o r p o r a t e & F i n a n c i a l F r a u d I n v e s t i g a t o r s PO Box 10728, Naples, FL. 34101 :: Tel: 239 304 1639 :: Fax: 239 304 1640 Opening Report Interview Memorandum Collateral Request Interim Report Analysis Memorandum Affidavit/Declaration Closing Report Surveillance Report Other Report Number: Opened: Closed: Ongoing Case Agent: Bill E. Branscum Client: Report Title: Institute of Global Prosperity; Robert Rocco La Spada, et al. Synopsis: This case was initiated by the They provided Oracle International [the Agency] documents related to certain investment schemes and financial entanglements that the Firm’s Clients have become involved in through the Institute of Global Prosperity and investment promoter Robert La Spada. The Firm specializes in international investment scams and securities issues. In this case, the Firm reported that they represent an ad hoc coalition of investors who entrusted La Spada with several hundred thousand dollars. Most of the Clients have recovered their principal investment, but none received the interest they were represented to have earned. One member of the coalition appears to have been outright defrauded. The Agency is familiar with the Institute of Global Prosperity as being one of the world’s most vocal promoters of the collection of income tax related myths and legends that tax protesters continue to proclaim as gospel. These “tax secrets,” are hyped and promoted in spite of the fact that they have been dispositively disposed of as “frivolous arguments” in U.S. courts. In addition to serving as a forum for this nonsensical “tax protester” rhetoric, these seminars afford various swindlers and con men an opportunity to “pitch” their frauds and scams to a “pre qualified” audience. This report focuses primarily upon the Institute of Global Prosperity, and it’s associations with Keith E. Anderson (Anderson’s Ark), and the Harris Organization. A report focusing on scam promoters; La Spada, Ptak, Glover, et al., will follow. Oracle International, P.A. provided the Agency with a collection of documents related to certain investment schemes and financial entanglements that the Firm’s Clients, an ad hoc coalition of investors, became involved in through Robert La Spada, and other investment promoters they met through the Institute of Global Prosperity. The agency has previously investigated The Institute of Global Prosperity, formerly known as Global Prosperity Group. It has also been known as GPG, Global Prosperity Marketing Group, GPMG, and the Global Group. This entity is hereinafter collectively referred to as Global. The major players in Global are/have been Lorenzo "Zo" J. La Mantia, David Struckman, Keith E Anderson, and Daniel P. Andersen. Note that Keith E. Anderson is the Anderson that established Anderson’s Ark and Associates in Costa Rica. Global is also associated with the Harris Organization in Panama. Although the Clients do not identify their losses with Keith Anderson and/or Anderson’s Ark, the connection is significant and may impact dramatically upon the Firm’s strategy and position since Anderson was extradited to the United States a few days ago (December 4, 2002), his brother (Wayne Anderson) was recently sentenced to serve much of the rest of his life in a federal prison, most of his key people have been incarcerated, and his offshore empire has crumbled. Global appears to be derivative of the relationship that Daniel P. Andersen and David Struckman had with Investors International, a notorious scam operation promoted by Rudolph Linschoten, a/k/a Rudolph Van Lin, of Newport Beach, Calif. Rudolph Linschoten and Marshall Ronald, a British lawyer, apparently defrauded about 200 investors of approximately $6M. They have since been indicted on federal charges of money laundering and securities fraud. Linschoten was also targeted by the SEC in 1999, and ordered to repay investors $5.8M. Global participants who review the Linschoten scam will recognize the similarities. His potential investors attended seminars on cruise ships where they were “taught” how they could double their money. Andersen has publicly admitted that he and Struckman started out with Linschoten but he claims that they divorced themselves from him do to questions they had related to his ethics. Global is, and has been, a major player in the genre of “secret financial strategies” and offshore tax evasion scams marketed via pyramid scheme promotion. They have been one of the world’s most vocal promoters of the collection of income tax related myths and legends that tax protesters continue to proclaim as gospel. Oracle International, P.A. Page 3 of 17 Pages Unfortunately, these “tax secrets,” are hyped and promoted in spite of the fact that they have all been dispositively disposed of as “frivolous arguments” in U.S. courts. Those who accepted these representations as truths have faced significant consequences. It has been reported that a number of people have committed suicide. Dan Andersen has publicly described Global as a forum where potential investors can meet with entrepreneurs with innovative ideas. He also has described it as a legitimate source of tax information and investment advice. The reality is that Global, much like Investors International, holds seminars in exotic places where the true believers rally round and sing the system’s praises to new initiates while (more or less) independent hucksters promote their particular schemes to the attendees. The Global seminar programs begin at Level 1 or “G-1.” G-1 initiates purchase a 12 hour series of tapes for $1250, described by Global as being financial information and investment secrets. In addition, G1 investors become entitled to sell the tape package to their friends and neighbors keeping 80% of the sales price. Global promises to refund the money of any unhappy investor as a “10 day, money back guarantee” but that seems (judging by the litany of complaints) to be an empty promise. Level 1 tape sales are believed to have generated about $100M in revenues. Global offers a “G2” package of financial success secrets. These secrets are conveyed during three-day seminars in Cancun to Global acolytes who pay $6,250 to hear pitches put together, and delivered, by a rogues gallery of promoters. Investigators believe that these seminars have generated about $200M in revenue. Global offers their true believers a “G3” package allowing them to pay $18,750 for more secrets, and the privilege of spending a full week in the Bahamas, or Bermuda, being pitched to by the never ending parade of scam artists that Global attracts. At least one “G4” summit was planned for Jekyll Island, GA; this seminar was promoted at $37,500. Jekyll Island represents a twisted sort of Mecca for those willing to believe that The New World Order established the Federal Reserve in 1910 during a secret meeting on Jekyll Island attended by a cartel of international bankers, as a means of controlling governments and benefiting the wealthy, at the common man’s expense. This is the essence of the story, as laid out in The Creature from Jekyll Island, a Global cult classic, promoted as being second in significance only to the Bible. Written by G. Edward Griffin, a masterful proponent of conspiracy theory, this book promises to provide a “complete report on the secrets of the international monetary system” and encourages everyone to believe that, “You don't have to be dumb to be a Christian or a good Catholic.” Oracle International, P.A. Page 4 of 17 Pages On March 31, 2002, Global officially went out of business, replaced by Pinnacle Quest, International (PQI). At the official introductory gathering at the Hyatt Hotel in Bellevue, Washington, earlier this year, the Speakers included: Bill Benson, Tim Madden, Sherry Jackson, Kenny Wayne, Robby Struckman, Ben Graydon, Fredric Lehrman and Executive Committee Members, Dave Struckman and Claudia Hirmer. Global/Pinnacle also appears to have contemporaneously matriculated into “Stratia,” which is actually a group of entities established in Nevada during the month of April, 2002, by Michael Connaway, et al. Global’s name change games notwithstanding, they are currently the target of a federal grand jury investigation and indictments are anticipated… The North Dakota Cease and Desist Order dated April 17, 1998, alleges that Global, et al., were involved in the selling, or offering for sale, of unregistered securities by unlicensed brokers. A copy of this Cease and Desist Order is appended hereto as part of Composite Exhibit 8. On April 20, 1998, the North Dakota Division of Securities served Global Prosperity Group, with a third Cease and Desist Order. The Cease and Desist Order was addressed to: Global Prosperity Group, Global Leadership Counsel, 2245 North Green Valley Pkwy, Suite 640, Henderson, NV 89014; BJ Bishop c/o Louis Font, Font & Glazer, 62 Harvard ST, Suite 100, Brookline, MA 02106; Larry Gabel, 2488 Shamrock Way, Lawrenceville, GA 30044 and John Hoffman, 2442 Walnut ST, Harrisburg, PA 17103. The North Dakota Cease and Desist Order dated April 20, 1998, also alleges that Global, et al., were involved in the selling, or offering for sale, of unregistered securities by unlicensed brokers. A copy of this Cease and Desist Order is appended hereto as part of Composite Exhibit 8. On April 24, 1998, the State of Michigan, Department of the Atty. General, Consumer Protection Division, issued a Cease and Desist Order against Global. A copy of this Cease and Desist Order is appended hereto as Exhibit 9. On July 24, 1998, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, issued a Cease and Desist Order alleging that Global, et al., were involved in the selling, or offering for sale, of unregistered securities by unlicensed brokers and operating a pyramid scheme. A copy of this Cease and Desist Order is appended hereto as Exhibit 10. On August 6, 1998, the State of Oregon, Department of Justice, Financial Fraud Section issued a Letter to David Struckman, 1750 Ferndale AVE SE, Renton, WA 97958, alleging that Global, et al., were operating a pyramid scheme, demanding that they stop doing business in Oregon and return any funds received or risk paying a fine of $25,000 for each violation. A copy of this Letter is appended to this report as Exhibit 11. David Starkey described the events at this point very accurately. In his story, previously referenced as Exhibit 6, he said, “Then came more problems with different states with the same thing and those states said that we couldn’t sell Global any more and some were saying the fine would be $25000.00 per occurrence. Struckman, Anderson and Lamatius [sic] took action and changed the name to I.G.P. and came out with new tapes and got into a big fight with Keith Anderson[sic] .” Anderson is the author of the Gateway to Financial Freedom tapes. Oracle International, P.A. Page 8 of 17 Pages Evidently, it was sometime in the fall of 1998 that the decision was made to change the name of Global Prosperity Group to the Institute of Global Prosperity thereby circumventing all the Cease and Desist Orders. It would appear that the focus of the Global strategy shifted as well. To that point, it had focused on Keith Anderson’s vision of Christianity, tax evasion and asset protection through offshore trusts, but the focus shifted to the “Common Law” tax protester rhetoric espoused by Bill Benson, et al. Starkey reports that this series of events created dissention between Struckman and Keith Anderson who left Global to “do his own thing.” The fact is, Anderson went on to do his own thing in a big way – he established Anderson’s Ark which is the subject of another investigation in which the Agency has been involved. At this point, Anderson’s Ark is defunct and most of the major players are serving time. Keith Anderson was recently extradited to the US to stand trial. With regard to Global, Starkey went on to say, “About that time, Global/I.G.P. brought in Bill Benson (a very nice man and friend). He had a series of books and information that said the 16th Amendment was not ratified. Struckman said that you must have this information because it explains how you don’t have to file or pay taxes . . . Then came along Judge Rizzo [who] . . . modified Bill’s system, he said, and made it better.” On November 8, 1998, Global was the subject of a thousand word expose in the Boston Globe. In this newspaper article, a copy of which is appended to this report as Exhibit 12, the article said: “Global has done something else new: tapped an apparently lucrative underground market of angry, disenfranchised Americans who mistrust the government. Global's tapes and seminars espouse the same kind of fierce antigovernment rhetoric that erupted around the 1993 siege at Waco, Texas. Global claims a corrupt, foreign-controlled US government stands between ordinary citizens and wealth. The group offers ways for members to discard forms of identification such as Social Security cards and driver's licenses and to use offshore trusts to shelter income. It's brilliant marketing," said Gail Sheppick, enforcement director for South Dakota's securities division, which in February banned Global from operating in the state. "It boggles the mind how much these people lose. And then they won't go to the authorities. When you don't trust the government, who are you going to complain to?" Oracle International, P.A. Page 9 of 17 Pages At some point during this time period, Starkey was the first of the Global Directors to be criminally prosecuted. He says: “I called Dave Struckman and told him I was under investigation by the I.R.S. for not paying or filing taxes and wanted help on what to do. You see, I am the first Director in Global that had been charged by the I.R.S. and Dave wanted to fight this and prove his material would hold up in court. We started getting all the details and talking to the experts, like Judge Rizzo, and having all of this explained to my attorney. Well, we finally called the attorney that represented Bill Benson and he put out all my hopes. This guy burst my bubble and told me he would LOVE to fight it but it CANNOT be argued in court again. It is what they call “beyond review” which means the 16th Amendment defense is out the door and I mean gone for good! I had no defense and I was in deep trouble.” This is particularly interesting. Starkey said that Bill Benson came aboard the Global train, preaching his theories about the 16th Amendment, and other tax protester rhetoric, just before Starkey was prosecuted. When he was indicted, Starkey got together with Rizzo and Struckman who were eager to “test” their theories in court, but the lawyer who had represented Bill Benson made it clear that there was nothing to argue. If Starkey’s assertions are factual, the conclusion is undeniable. Benson was a star performer at Global seminars, touting his book and preaching this nonsense at a time when he knew, or should have known, based upon his own personal experience, that it was a totally bogus position that could not even be argued. On August 20, 1999, State of Missouri, Division of Securities, issued a Cease and Desist Order alleging that Global, et al., were involved in the selling, or offering for sale, of unregistered securities by unlicensed brokers. A copy of this Cease and Desist Order is appended to this report as Exhibit 13. On June 4, 2000, The Toronto Sun published a report characterizing Global as a pyramid scheme. The article is appended to this report as Exhibit 14. On July 2, 2000, the Spokesman-Review published a 2665 word expose on Global which is appended to this report as Exhibit 15. In this article, they quote North Dakota Securities Commissioner Syver Vinje as saying, “What this company really does is tell people how to commit tax evasion and fraud. The tapes and seminars of Global Prosperity are worse than worthless. They could put you in jail.'' On February 8, 2001, IRS agents raided the home of David Struckman in Issaquah, Washington. Oracle International, P.A. Page 10 of 17 Pages On March 7, 2001, the San Diego Union-Tribune published a particularly informative article announcing the IRS enforcement actions initiated against Global and others. According to this news report, IRS agents raided the office of David Struckman in Issaquah, WA. The article is appended to this report as Exhibit 16. In reviewing this article, note that it debunks whatever claims Global may have made to legitimacy based upon the cover story article in Tycoon Magazine. The Editor of the magazine indicated that it was a “paid for” advertisement masquerading as an independent rave review. He said they, “regret that they did that.” The IRS has since executed search warrants and seized records at several Global offices across the country. IRS Commissioner Charles Rossotti said at the time that the raids were part of the largest enforcement action in IRS history. Daniel P. Andersen, Lorenzo La Mantia, et al., unsuccessfully sought the intervention of the courts. They petitioned that the government be enjoined from executing further search warrants, and be required to return the documents seized thus far, claiming that the governmental actions had a “chilling effect” on their right to freely associate. From the standpoint of the Clients, the most significant aspect of the published Ninth Circuit opinion, which is appended to this report as Exhibit 17, may be the acknowledgement that a federal criminal prosecution is underway. In April 2001, Net Return, Inc., a Dallas based business entity controlled by Paul Owen Ptak, reportedly extended $11.7M in unsecured loans to three business entities controlled by Joe Harold Glover; Talk Productions Network, Inc., see Composite Exhibit 18 Money Business, Inc., see Composite Exhibit 18 Digital Information & Virtual Access, Inc, see Composite Exhibit 18 Curiously, all three Glover businesses filed bankruptcy a few days later as evidenced by the exhibits adjacent to the business names above. The IRS and Department of Justice officials are investigating these transactions – it has been reported that Glover and Ptak caught the attention of federal investigators at Global seminars. A relevant newspaper article is appended to this report as Exhibit 19. On May 3, 2001, an Indictment was returned in the Eastern District of California alleging that Keith E. Anderson, Anderson’s Ark and Associates, et al., had conspired to commit money laundering through Costa Rica. The DOJ Press Release published after Anderson was arrested is appended to this report, see Composite Exhibit 20. Oracle International, P.A. Page 11 of 17 Pages On July 25, 2001, Accountant Roy Lentz pled guilty on charges that he had conspired to defraud the Internal Revenue Service in connection with his work at Anderson’s Ark. As part of his Plea Agreement, Lentz admitted that he participated in an illegal tax scheme and he agreed to cooperate with the government and his Guilty Plea was sealed. The DOJ Press Release published when the plea was unsealed is appended to this report, see Composite Exhibit 20. On October 16, 2001, Accountant Roosevelt L. Drummer pled guilty on charges that he had conspired to defraud the Internal Revenue Service in connection with his work at Anderson’s Ark. As part of his Plea Agreement, Drummer admitted that he participated in an illegal tax scheme and he agreed to cooperate with the government. His Guilty Plea was sealed. The DOJ Press Release published when the plea was unsealed is appended to this report, see Composite Exhibit 20. Drummer had been previously convicted on federal charges of conspiracy, making false statements and securities fraud. In 1994, US District Court/Sacramento Judge Edward J. Garcia sentenced him to serve a year in prison. On November 19, 2001, a criminal Complaint was filed in the Western District of Washington against Keith E. Anderson alleging that Anderson’s Ark and Associates had obtained approximately $28M in illegal tax refunds for more than 1500 clients from 1998 to 2001 and had approximately $50M of client’s funds under management. The DOJ Press Release published when the Complaint was unsealed is appended to this report, see Composite Exhibit 20. On February 9, 2002, Keith E. Anderson was arrested in Costa Rica and held for extradition. The DOJ Press Release published following his arrest is appended to this report, see Composite Exhibit 20. On February 11, 2002, the Department of Justice's Tax Division announced that a criminal Complaint had been unsealed in Seattle alleging that Keith E. Anderson was the founder of Anderson’s Ark, which they had characterized as a nationwide abusive tax shelter promotion scheme. He was charged with conspiring to defraud the United States by organizing a group of accountants who used a variety of shell corporations, trusts and partnerships, to operate tax shelter schemes they sold to their clients. The DOJ Press Release is appended to this report, see Composite Exhibit 20. On March 5, 2002, Michael Gonet of Stow, Massachusetts pled guilty to money laundering related to Anderson’s Ark in the District of Massachusetts. The DOJ Press Release is appended to this report, see Composite Exhibit 20. Oracle International, P.A. Page 12 of 17 Pages On March 31, 2002, Global officially went out of business, replaced by Pinnacle Quest, International (PQI). At the official introductory gathering at the Hyatt Hotel in Bellevue, Washington, earlier this year, the Speakers included: Bill Benson, Tim Madden, Sherry Jackson, Kenny Wayne, Robby Struckman, Ben Graydon, Fredric Lehrman and Executive Committee Members, Dave Struckman and Claudia Hirmer. A lawsuit has already been filed against Pinnacle Quest in Arizona. The Complaint, in PDF format, is appended hereto as Exhibit 21. On April 22, 2002, Squaw Valley California residents Terri Yvonne Lewis (42), and Steven Lyle Anderson (37), each pled guilty in US District Court/Fresno to charges related to conspiracy and obstruction of justice. The defendants are children of Wayne Anderson and they were charged with shredding documents and erasing computer files in an effort to thwart a federal grand jury investigation. The DOJ Press Release is appended to this report, see Composite Exhibit 20… Keith Anderson is a self professed; patriot, Christian, financial genius, trust guru and expert on “Common Law.” The reality is, Anderson is a convicted felon who knew how to work a crowd, persuading investors to accept his tax related protestations and proclamations presented in seminars which have been described as “evangelistic.” The truth is, he and his co-conspirators, were nothing more than hi-tech purveyors of snake oil, charismatic preachers of “prosperity,” and “tax freedom,” who generated tremendous revenues hosting international Holy Rollin’ Rip-off Revivals. He is currently in US custody pending trial. He is, no doubt, negotiating his Plea Agreement as we speak – whatever else he is, the man does not appear to be a fool; it would be uncommonly foolish for any man in his position to refuse to plead guilty and cooperate with governmental authorities. That, of course assumes that the offer is available. The government has a “slam dunk” case and they may choose to make an example of him. Marc Harris is another flamboyant flim-flam artist who understood that image is everything in the world of theft by persuasion. His “Harris Organization” served to “back office” a host of offshore swindlers and thieves. Robert Rocco La Spada was one of his Clients, the “Third World” account he used was a Harris Organization account and the office address that La Spada provided to the Firm’s Clients was the Harris Organization’s address in Panama. Harris recently relocated from Panama to Nicaragua where he now operates under the name of the Mitchell Astor Gilbert Trust Company. 1 I say, “the vast majority” but I have yet to see a legitimate operation of this type Oracle International, P.A. Page 17 of 17 Pages Global associates Struckman, LaMantia, Andersen, Connaway, et al., continue to do business. As has always been their modus operandi, they responded to governmental sanctions, search warrants and grand jury subpoenas by reorganizing under new names. I see limited potential for recovery but, in the event that the Firm chooses to proceed with these inquiries, an investigation of their current business structures and business/personal assets will be initiated and the results will follow in a separate report. Paul Owen Ptak, and Joseph Harold Glover, are promoters known to present investment strategies at Global Seminars. It has been reported that their involvement with Global brought them to the attention of federal authorities, leading to the discovery of the curious nature of their business activities in Dallas. Ptak and Glover have been fully identified, preliminary inquiries have been initiated and further investigation of their current business structures and business/personal assets will be pursued. The results will follow in a separate report. Robert La Spada and his son, John M. La Spada continue to operate. John La Spada called me and discussed this situation. He made a number of disingenuous representations as well as some interesting admissions. Generally, John La Spada would have it believed that his involvement in his father’s operation was minimal, and he did not profit thereby. Robert Rocco La Spada, SR, and his son John M. La Spada, have been fully identified, preliminary inquiries have been initiated and further investigation of their current business structures and business/personal assets will be pursued. The results will follow in a separate report. It is critical that the Firm determine the true nature of the Client’s “investments,” and the parties with whom they have dealt, in order to make viable decisions as to how to proceed. In this case, it is reasonable to conclude that there were no real investments, and the representations to the effect that the Clients earned substantial interest were fraudulent fabrications in furtherance of fraudulent solicitations. The facts are significant, and perhaps determinative, to the Firm. In cases of this nature, there may be significant risks and exposures associated with the “recovery” of anything beyond principal invested and legal expenses. The Firm will evaluate the situation, and discuss strategies, and their potential ramifications, with the Clients. Finally, I would be remiss in my responsibilities if I did not mention that in most of the cases of this nature in which I have been involved, the Clients were vested in other “programs” that they mistakenly believed to be legitimate. The Agency respectfully suggests that the Firm encourage the Clients to scrutinize their ongoing financial relationships, take steps to extricate themselves from any that seem questionable, and be highly suspicious of any solicitations that they receive. This investigation is ongoing unless otherwise instructed by the Firm. |