Today in what can only be called extraordinary, NXIVM henchman attorney Steve Coffey braved a blizzard just to defend Keith Ranere on Talk 1300 radio. Coffey first desperately phoned into his pal, station owner and general manager Paul Vandenburgh begging for a chance to be on the show. Saying “he had something important to talk about.”
Now let me apologize for the quality of some of the sound. I do not have a sound studio and Vandenburgh makes it a point not to put up podcasts of Coffey, so I missed some points particularly him calling the New York Post a rag, but I managed to get most of it including the caller after me who called Coffey among other things insincere. And since I was cut off the show before I had a chance to finish I will finish here.
Why did the Times Union put NXIVM on the front page?
Well I don’t speak for the paper but I will take a guess. It sells. NXIVM is the talk of Saratoga these days, from City Hall to Charter Change meetings, both sides of the political divide talk about our own “home town cult” And you Stevie boy will forever be “the Cult Attorney”
Radio’s in law offices to State offices tuned into Talk 1300 to hear about the Governor’s budget proposal today but instead were treated to a shrill, bullying attorney, voice cracking, complaining about the Times Union, and anyone else for that matter that had the gall to write about your sugar mamma client.
Continually lying Stevie boy. The deposition being 10 years old {come on Steve you know better} to no one wants to read it {if that’s true, why do you give a fuck if it’s on the front page or not?}.
And I will explain one more thing for you Stevie.
The reason the TU doesn’t lead with Egypt{ again I am just using common sense and have no inside knowledge} is in a world of 24 hour cable news, a paper will always be "A Day Late and a Dollar Short." I want world news I turn on CNN.I want real local investigative journalism I read Jim Odata in The TU or Carl Strock in the Gazette. But you already know that, you sanctimonious blowhard shyster.
And here half-wit; my numbers from Stat counter yesterday. NXIVM creates hits
saratoga politics
Real-Time Stats and Visitor Reports Install Code Settings Control User Access to Project Schedule Email Reports Delete Entire Project Standard
3,398 unique users 2,068 returning users
Month summary 88,536 unique users
Not bad for a basement blogger ay Steve. Try buying that kind of press. New World,New Rules.
But hey Stevie I hear your clients are putting that $40,000 humanitarian Piano to good use
56 comments:
What’s embarrassing Coffey is a talented attorney like you would prostitute himself to a dangerous criminal cult like NXIVM.
You really had a promising career, I hope it was worth it
Coffey responds to the front-page negative news article about his clients by rambling on for ten minutes about Egypt. Great stuff.
As someone alleged to have at least a little bit of expertise in the media industry, please allow me to make some observations here on Mr. Coffey's tirade against the Times Union newspaper.
Point: Mr Coffey is full of shit on three key points.
1. His claim that "NXIVM" is "the #1 story" on the front page of this past Sunday's edition is simply NOT TRUE.
In fact, the story ran as a single-column piece in the extreme left-hand column of the multi-column front page. This is not the location of "the #1 story" on any given page of a printed, physical newspaper. Curiously, the right-hand column is treated as the more valuable space, priority-wise, in your standard editorial room.
I do not recall what subject(s) were placed in the additional top columns on that front page --- I personally tend to read the TU online, and only saw the printed version on a shelf in my local convenience store. But, whatever story (or stories) were actually published in those columns would be demmed as the "#1" (and #2, etc) "front page stories"; not the NXIVM piece on the far-left side.
Whether it was an "Egypt" story or not, I do not remember. But, if a story did, in fact, displace the breaking news in Egypt as the "#1 story", it was not the NXVIM piece that did so.
Strike One on Mr Coffey.
2. At least twice, Mr Coffey represented the deposition/information as being "ten years old" is also NOT TRUE.
The fact is that it that this deposition took place 15 months ago.
Strike Two on Mr Coffey.
3. Mr Coffey claimed that "nothing new" was revealed in this story. If the focus of the subject matter is on the particulars of what is now made available (brought to light) to the general public for the first time, the fact is that there ARE "new" details being provided.
Examples include the allegations of "the piano" purchase, the witness' recollection of Mr Raniere's claims of being some sort of advanced human being, supposed conversations directly linking him to the management of the companies and to a specific dirty trick, and on and on and on.
Therefore, Mr Coffey's claim is NOT TRUE. Strike Three.
I won't even get into the "no one cares" comment on NXIVM as a subject matter. On second thought, I think I will:
- If Mr Coffey really believes that, why is he devoting his valuable (billable?) time to this very sort of Public Affairs-related Damage Control?
The answer, of course, is that it is a hugely popular subject matter, across multiple outlets, for all the right reasons.
My only question is this: who wants to fund the screenplay to this Made for Prime Time drama ?
RM
9:57 : I think that Coffey has been endoctrinated as well in a certain manner. I think he's not that cynical and venal as he defends NXIVM knowing that it's a soulmixer, just for money.
How is it that Coffeey get’s on Vandenburgh each week? Does he pay to be on the show?
Sounds to me that Coffeey has a vested interest in keeping NXIVM looking clean? I agree that if I want to know about world issues I don’t need my local paper to inform me.
I want my local paper to inform me on local issues. NXIVM is a local issue. Coffeey how much do you pay to get your hot air time with Vandenburgh? You should really thank God and JT for the blog because it keeps your bank account full up.
So Coffeey do you charge NXIVM and the Bronfman's for the shit you talk about on the raido?
That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
Hum.... it would appear that once again what is taught as ethics a product of someones effort within the NXIVM camp is not what others "should" be doing with their product of their efforts.
Who can print WTF they want on the front page of their paper? Hum..... Hearst can.
Who can assign what story to what reporter they want to? Hum.... Hearst can.
Why can they do this? Hum.... Becase who owns the Times Union? Hum.... Hearst does.
That is right Fat Boy, it's a product of the HEARST org. It's their paper and they can print whatever story they want on the front page can't they.
It's what you teach isn't it? Betca didn't think your little legal trick with the depo would back fire in your face the way it did.
Coffey you sound like a total idiot on the show. Maybe that is because your might be one.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Knock Knock
Come in the doors open
Cut, Steve that is the wrong line
Ahhhhhh, Shit..... what am I suppose to say here?
Steve you forgot your line again....
Yes, I’m sorry, this acting stuff is really hard
Steve your line is.... WHO’S THERE
Oh that’s it, I keep forgetting that line. Can we start over, please, please please, I want to get this right.
OK Steve, let’s start from the top.
Stevie’s Knock Knock Joke take #146..... and...... action
Wait, wait you forgot to say “Quite on the set” first. I need total silence, the pressure of acting is so intense.
Steve, it just you, me and the camera dude.
OK, I can do this. Let me take a few deep breaths..... OK, I’m ready, but can you say the quite on the set this time, It feels more Hollywood.
Please God, take me now....Stevie’s Knock Knock Joke take #147..... Quit on the set...... rolling..... and …...action
Knock Knock
Come in the doors open
Cut, Jesus, Mary and Joesph, Steve you say WHO’S THERE, your God Dam line is WHO’S THERE, not come in the door is open.
Oh ya, I even wrote it on my hand this time.... shit I forgot to look. Can’t we get one of those things that shows me the lines.... like the President uses?
Are you asking for a teleprompter?
Ya, ya that’s it, a teleprompter. I’m sure the Bronfmans will pay for me to have one. They called me in after my radio show and reamed me a new ass hole. Let me tell you one thing, it’s going to cost them big time for me to have another ass hole to take care of. My wife says it’s hard enough with one ass hole. They said I sounded stupid on the radio show and being the Super Lawyer I sold them I was and they pay so much of their trust fund to me, I should sound more professional. I told them I was just being myself. They both chimed in at the same time, “We know, that’s the problem”.
Stevie Boy, this is a knock knock joke and you are not even smart enough to get your first line right.
OK, tell you what, I’m going to charge the Bronfmans for the rest of the day to rehearse and remember my lines. I will keep an eye on the blog during my breaks. Can we pick this up later?
To Be Continued
That reader count for this blog far exceeds paid Circulation of the Times Union and dwarfs the listener population for pathetic Steve's rantings on the radio.
I love how he tries to pretend he doesn't know about this blog.
I found it interesting that he came in all upset - about the TU. He sounded so worried about the impression that the 1st page story selection would give the outside world. Then, when VanDouche changed the subject to the voter fraud in Troy, Coffey was so calm about that subject - yet voting fraud is clearly much more important than any cult or the choice of 1st page story. Damn - I hate lawyers (and I'm one of them!!)
1300 annoys me so much. VanDouche puts the same boring ass whitehairs on every week. I need to get new CDs or something.
Typical diversionary tactics - create an issue about the article being on the first page to take attention away from the information contained in the article. Obvious vested interests in this one - NXIVM being a client of his, and he (just like his sociopathic client) assumes we're all too stupid to understand his "clever" diversionary tactics. And of course, disparaging his "opponents" rather than engaging in actual debate.
Your smoke screen is getting awfully thin, Mr. Coffey. Eventually you're going to have to consider how your tactics and continued support of this unsavory organization are going to reflect on your career. What we are hearing of you via depositions, radio, legal filings, etc. already projects a pretty poor image of your character.
Again, I have a request. Will all of you please put the pressure on the TU to publish their next story?? Trust me, you want to read it... the voiceless finally speak.
We just can't talk about it YET. But please, pretty please, with sugar on top... publish the fucking story.
Dear Mr. Coffey,
Alligning yourself with NXIVM is damaging your reputation. Yes, the Bronfman sisters and NXIVM may be "good" clients for you because they have money to pay you to try frivolous lawsuits but in the public eye, you look foolish. If a person who knows nothing about the cult like group reads the articles in the Times Union and then hears your rants on the radio, I'm sure they are left shaking their heads and wondering why you would represent a group who, at the very least, is questionable.
To someone who has any knowledge of how NXIVM operates, you are enabling a dangerous group to destroy people's lives. That is how this set of folks see you and it's not flattering to you or your firm. You are standing shoulder to shoulder with people who have torn families apart and caused heartache and pain.
Money isn't everything, Mr. Coffey. When do morals or values enter into the picture for you? I'm talking about real morality, not the malarky spewed by NXIVM. I, for one, would never hire your law firm to represent me because I think you have shown very poor judgement and I want to hire professionals who are clear headed, fair and seem to want to find truths and right them. Maybe that is idealisic and naive of me, to expect lawyers to be above board. But, I know you are representing snd supporting a group who has done more bad than good and that is enough for me to pass your firm by.
6:46
Coffey pretending he doesn't know about this blog sure was ridiculous. In a previous show Steve Coffey complained about 'a blogger in Saratoga' and in this latest Coffey says the same thing.
On the previous show, when the blogger himself calls into Vandenburg, identifies himself, Steve Coffey gets all aggressive and weird, using the twisted skills of a trial lawyer and puts the onus on the blogger. 'I didn't accuse you af being the hate blogger.' Telling the blogger they must be feeling guilty to expose themselves. Keeps repeating this.
Why does Steve Coffey deny he is talking on the radio about Saratoga In Decline when he is confronted? Because it would be completely unethical and violate the rules of his profession.
Steve Coffey is like any schoolyard bully. When confronted bullies suddenly remember there are consequences and they do not want to face them. Coffey is just not in charge of his emotions. Who wants a lawyer that can't keep his cool? The clients Steve Coffey serves deserve a calm mind. Instead they get a hot headed braggart.
Mr. Coffey, instead of picking on the Times Union and John Tighe, update your knowledge of the ethics as they apply to you. You demonstrate either ignorance or blatant disregard of those rules.
Here's a link for your convenience:
http://www.nysba.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ForAttorneys/ProfessionalStandardsforAttorneys/November2010NYRulesofConductwithComments.pdf
1300 also give a forum to another ranking NXIVM zombie. As John posted months ago with a photo as evidence, and certain Lisbeth C, who is a high ranking trainer/coach/zombie, has a weekly Sunday show on 1300 where she pretends to dispense marketing expertise. What a joke she is! She knows less about marketing than John does about ballet dancing (oops! Maybe John is an expert on that nonsense -- Sorry, John). Seems the station is owned by NXIVM.
RED HOT CUSTOMER SERVICE (http://blog.talk1300.c/tag/lisbeth-calandrino/) --- WEEKLY RADIO SPOTS BY HIGH RANKING NXIVM RECRUITER, TRAINER, EM-er, COUNSELOR AND ???, Lisbeth Calandrino.
(http://saratogaindecline.blogspot.com/search?q=coaches) First on the left, top row in John's wonderful earlier post with picture!!
Seems Al Roney is only serious journalist on AM 1300.
Post above,
you are totally correct. It was a blatant attempt to divert attention away from nxivm and on to anything he can possibly think about.
It had nothing to do with first page,
nothing to do with egypt
the 10 year old part was another diversion.
It was a blatant....super blatant attempt at using the media to divert their attention to other places. The problem is coffey was sooo bad at it and soooo not to subtle that it was blatantly obvious to anyone except people who are not aware of nxivm and if that's the case by now it's too late because everyone and their mother from coast to coast knows about this crazy criminal gang enterprise.
p.s. if this blog is so unimportant then what the fuck is Nancy Salzman who is the president of nxivm doing on it at all hours of the day and night ...answer that you stupid piece of shit coffey
Mr. Coffey was correct. Your blog does not pull "3000 hits whenever I blog about NXIVM." The NXIVM post we put up yesterday attracted exactly TWO hits via individuals searching for "NXIVM." You sir, are a LIAR!
10:31
Stopppit! Ballet is not nonsense. It is a gorgeous performance art that tortures young bodies and minds into a one track field that few are every successful at. But it is a money maker for schools that teach it and exploit young dreamers and pushy unaccomplished parents. Just like all kinds of sports, it is not enough to just play basketball etc. You have to want to be famous and a celebrity.
Thanks for tip on Lisbeth C. NXIVM is everywhere in our area and worldwide. John has just struck tip of the iceberg imo.
Who cares? It's a local weekday morning AM talk radio show. I'm not sure if anyone realizes this but the current year is 2011, which means that NOBODY IS LISTENING. If Coffey wants to defend NXIVM to the public at large, he'd be better served standing on a street corner in downtown Albany and yelling, because more people would actually hear your words.
Dear Chickie Jones I see you have started a blog and for that I wish you all the luck in the world. I am afraid though chickie you are an asshole.First try knowing a little bit about what you are trying to do.
First install install Statcounter.I can see from your blog you don’t have it installed. Now look at my blog newbie and you will see it installed on the bottom of my page.
It will give you all kinds of useful stats Ip’s, length of visit, search keywords where your linked to.
Now try blogging for a year or so and if you ever break 100 hits or so write back and I will talk to you as an adult. Now enjoy your snowday junior and do some homework
Oh and one last thing Chickie,your profile has been scene 4 times .So that counts me,you, your mother and baby sister.Now look at mine.Yes thats right 21,249 hits
Well it would appear a lot of people
Moe Tkacik wrote about the Bronfman sisters in The New York Observer in August. The piece was one of Longreads' Top 10 Long Reads for 2010 and the most read story in the observor last year.The newspaper attracts a very hip and wealthy readership
As the manager of a local business, I can tell you that you can, in fact, buy time with Vandenburgh. If you are a high-level advertiser for a certain local college’s basketball game broadcasts, which are on 1300, part of the package is that you can have your own people go on Vandenburgh’s show once a week for X-weeks (I think we were offered 8 or 12 weeks), primarily to discuss things about your business, but essentially, you could chat about whatever you wanted. While Coffey and Paul V appear to be friends, it is also possible that some airtime could have been purchased.
An aside: I have had three random run-ins with the NXIVM folks:
1. Playing volleyball 5ish years ago, they had a team at ABC in Latham – very strange, kind of zombie like, they never talked to you and Keith came a couple of times and creeped me out. It was the first time I had heard of NXIVM, and after doing a little internet searching, was creeped out even more.
2. Saratoga Showcase of Homes. A few years ago, Barbara B’s home was one of the houses featured on the tour and she was there as you went through (not typical at all to have a non-model home as part of the showcase, and to also have the owner there while you’re going through their house). What made it REALLY weird is that she would chat with people and hand out her business cards and, she had a sign-up sheet that you could leave your name and contact info for a women’s only group she was a part of. Again, creeped me out. Looked her up after the fact, saw the NXIVM connection and was happy she didn’t have my information. An additional aside: she has an oriental-themed meditation room and a massage room in the house, my husband and I joked that it was like a tantric sex den…..little did we know then, how close to the truth we probably were.
3. Looking to purchase a new home, we discovered that a house we loved was in the same neighborhood as Nancy Salzman, and the neighbors had complained about all sorts of things going on at the house – lots of cars, numerous random people supposedly living there, and how they didn’t like the fact that NXIVM was in their neighborhood. Loved the house, but couldn’t stomach the thought of having a cult literally in my back yard.
Thank you, John, and others, for keeping the world informed of this dangerous group!
Note to Steve Coffey:
Hey, Stevie, you just stepped on your dick - and went from sideline coach to game participant. Bad fucking move, Stevie. Bad fucking move.
I don't know if I speak for all the family members out there but I can speak of mine.
Keith Raniere and Nancy Salzman have destroyed my family. My sister is totally lost to us. We speak from time to time but never about her involvement. I don’t even know what to say to her about NXIVM during the times she is so desperate to get me to take a class. I would if I could get her out, but know at this point it is impossible.
I’m sure she has slept with Keith and maybe still does. She believes he is a super being beyond this world and she is special because he shares his energy with her. I believe she has done illegal things for Raniere and Salzman and she is dependent on them for her income. I believe they have brainwashed her.
I have wondered for years why some government officials don’t step in and put an end to this man and his evil ways. What are they fearful of, another Waco? There is no ‘compound’ and I my sister has never mentioned anything about guns.
I fear from my sister and many others if the government gets off their butts and does anything. I believe she could go to prison for things she has done, she’s been there for years. It’s very sad for me to say this but I would rather see her in prison than the mental torture prison she lives in now.
I wonder if other family members feel the same about their loved one. If so would love to hear about it. You will need to post about your fears as I cannot give my email out, she will know it is me and I fear Raniere and Salzman will come after me, why I have money they would sue for and they would want me to shut up.
1st of all John Tighe actually is a supporter of the NYC Ballet and attends almost all matinees at SPAC.
Second, I think Coffey is laying the groundwork to discredit Odato when he does a longer and even more damaging expose' of everything Raniere is involved in.
Third, Paul Vandenburgh was blindsided. He had no idea why Coffey was hell bent on getting to the station in a blizzard. Vandenburgh was trying to have a nice interview with John McLaughlin someone who is a loyal friend.
Lastly, you should not underestimate Steve Coffey. He is looking at the future defense of this group. He wants to taint everything Odata writes about NXIVM claiming he's on a vendetta and he wants to be sure the editors at the TU think twice before prominently displaying a NXIVM story on page 1.
Coffey never pretended to not know who "Johnny from Saratoga" was. It was Vandenburgh who was 2 steps behind and I think his confusion was genuine.
As a new entrant into the blogoshpere, Ms/Mr Chickie needs some guidance. So let us help.
First, a 'lie' assumes prior knowledge that one's statement is incorrect. That is not the case here: John has a report telling him that he has 3,000+ daily site visitors, and is simply relating that information. So, he is not a liar, by definition.
That being said, John does mention that he is getting this data from Stat Counter. Unfortunately, this particualr counter is notorioulsy un-trustworthy, in that it over-reports site activity -- sometimes by a huge factor. Specifically, it has trouble distinguishing site visits from unique site visits, as well as site vistis from page views. I've personally learned of these shortcomings first-hand. It is generally avoided by those of us in the web-development community, and I would recommend to John that he install a more effective analytical tool.
Now, to your own "only attracted two" claim. I am confident that is true. But, that is to be expected and has little relation to John's situation and expected results.
Point: your blog is brand new, and it looks like the post in question is its intial entry. Therefore, you do not have the benefit of being 'crawled' by all the search engines, of having established cross-links with other sites, of being bookmarked, in people's RSS feeds or part of their favorites' lists, or being picked up and included in the content area of other sites.
But John, by reason of his length of service and vast archive, HAS these benefits and will therefore generate a substantially greater amount of eye-traffic than will your site, even for the same stories and the same exact keywords.
I hope this helps. Now shape up!
1:56 pm is correct. Coffey is on that stupid show every week. Why was he rushing so much in the snow to complain about the TU on that particular day? That was his first 'appearance' on the show since the latest Odata article.
He was setting up damage control for The Girls and to set up future complaints about Odata. VandenDouch is too stupid to figure it out. His 'outrage' at the TU was amazing....go back to acting school Coffey.
Oh no! Now they'll be stalking John at SPAC as well as at Mass, at the Victorian Pool, at Uncommon Grounds and at his apartment. Well a few extra attendees at SPAC is a good thing. Marsha White will be happy.
A comparison of the Times Union report to the Bouchey depostion itself clearly demonstrates that the TU was generously objective and understated in favor of NXIVM. The New York Post follow-up was, also, much more incendiary and imho, accurate, in its portrayal or synopsis of the deposition contents.
Where, for example, the TU reported that Bouchey in her deposition claimed NXIVM insiders broke into Toni Natalie's home to retrieve "Keith's belongings," the deposition and the Post report stated the motive of the break-in, per Bouchey's testimony, was to collect evidence NXIVM deemed might "incriminate" insiders, etc.
i.e. in that one example and there are many others, the full deposition and the Post report were both much more incriminating against NXIVM than the Times Union report.
Coffey, NXIVM and its henchman should be thanking the TU for not going nearly as far as they might have to expose NXIVM in light of the depo!
Instead, it appears these NXIVM vampires are so fearful of any shaft of even the most dimmed light on their inner-workings, they implode like the real, blood-sucking monsters they are!
Little wonder for all the gag order attempts, scape-goating, refusal for in-camera or confidential Judge reviews of materials, etc. going on in the courts.
So much of the deposition was not or has yet to be reported on, I encourage readers here to review it for themselves and thank John for making it available.
BTW, is the testimony about Keith wearing a foot long gimmick dick in a bathroom to a party where he tried to pick up a teenager with lines about suicidal
friends, etc. protected by their confidentiality agreement? Or does that only apply to Keith's videotaped admissions of having people killed?
Hi Be Careful,
Should have given you the video link about Coffey denying he was speaking about Saratoga in Decline. Starts about the 2:15 mark or so.
http://www.youtube.com/user/soeze41#p/u/19/ktZCQzOZ43g
****************
BTW, who is claiming that our favorite blogger is not a ballet fan? Not me. The reality of the ballet world is what it is.
See http://www.amazon.com/Apollos-Angels-History-Jennifer-Homans/dp/1400060605
or the fairly accurate film, Black Swan
Ballet is an impossible, incredible art form. I am certain John respects it.
*********************
Do agree with your excellent point that Steve Coffey is play acting about his outrage at the Times Union, to get out in front of further reports by Odato. Good call.
1:53
At some level your sister is aware and grateful for your efforts, she just can't speak those words yet. Keep in touch with her. Avoid the elephant in the room of NXIVM, just keep expressing your love and that you miss her.
If you would like contact from readers here, get yourself a new email account with a pen name. Gmail is good, no spam. Those responding to you can use pen name emails also.
Peace
This one is for you, CoughFee, sez:
The NY Post follow-up story was shortened in the newspaper's print version. here's the complete story, which can be found at:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/guru_blow_off_taxes_cn5yXheJIiAv2Zh9aBzMhO
Guru: Blow off taxes
By JEANE MacINTOSH
Last Updated: 1:03 PM, January 31, 2011
Posted: 1:32 AM, January 31, 2011
Comments: 7
The leader of an Albany "cult" financed by the Bronfman booze fortune urged followers to dodge taxes, used charity funds to score himself a pricey grand piano and dispatched top advisors to break into the homes and "sweep" the bank accounts of his detractors, according to a new court filing.
Keith Raniere, who heads NXIVM -- a self-help group backed by the multi-million dollar trust funds of Seagram's liquor heiresses Sara and Clare Bronfman -- also used a trusted circle of female followers to convince other women to have "secret" sexual relationships with Raniere, sometimes in return for doing business with NXIVM, the document claims.
The filing, in Albany federal court, provides a rare look into the alleged inner workings of the controversial NXIVM (pronounced nex-ee-um.) The group touts its "ethical" teachings but has been blasted as a "cult" by former members and mental health experts.
Included in the 200-plus page document is a purported breakdown of NXIVM’s highly-guarded "business model" -- described as a multi-layered plan in which members get commission for recruiting others, and the money flows up the chain to those at the top of the "corporation."
Before starting NXIVM, Raniere ran a multi-level marketing firm that was investigated in 23 states. In 1993, New York AG Robert Abrams ordered the firm, Consumers Buyline, shut down, calling it an "illegal pyramid scheme."
The information is part of a deposition given by Barbara Bouchey, who had been Raniere’s lover and the Bronfman sisters’ financial planner before she defected NXIVM in 2009.
Oddly, it was NXIVM’s own lawyers who entered Bouchey’s previously private testimony into the public court record. It was included in a filing to compel Bouchey to be deposed in a separate case NXIVM has against cult watchdog Rick Ross and others.
In her deposition, Bouchey claims:
*Raniere "felt the government was watching him [and] he needed to be careful" so he took "precautions to not have his name on things, not have a driver’s license." Raniere encouraged "a number of people [to] get off the grid, meaning not have a tax ID number, not to file their tax returns."
*Raniere got a $40,000 piano "for his use" paid for from $250,000 in charity funds earmarked for the Ethical Humanitarian Foundation, a non-profit run by Clare and Sara Bronfman. The sisters also arranged to have the charity named a beneficiary of their trust funds and gave Raniere a mock $20 million check to show their commitment.
MORE TO FOLLOW
AND NOW, THE REST OF THE NY POST STORY:
*Raniere was “intimately involved" with "at least seven" of his female followers while Bouchey was in the organization. Recruited by high-ranking devotees -- including NXIVM president Nancy Salzman--Bouchey was told she had to have a sexual relationship with Raniere because she was "chosen" to bear his child.
Another woman who’d been mulling a business deal with Raniere, was told "that she couldn’t stay in a business relationship with Keith unless she was actually intimately involved with him."
*NXIVM legal liaison Kristin Keeffe "bragged" that she’d helped "dig up dirt" on detractor Rick Ross by hiring people ‘’to help them get information that might not be readily available through normal legitimate means.’’ NXIVM paid $10,000 for "bank sweeps" on Ross’s accounts, got phone and credit card records and "even got his garbage."
*Keeffe discussed with Bouchey a Raniere-approved break-in to the home of his former girlfriend and business partner, Toni Natalie. The group wanted to recover letters, documents and pictures that "might be incriminating and not look good for Keith."
*Raniere considered himself a "higher power" and wanted to start "his own country," possibly by courting Native Americans. "For many years, we were collecting the names of people that had Indian in their heritage [with the idea] that if we had enough ... we could then buy enough land [that] could be considered its own sovereignty." NXIVM had a similar plan for Australia.
n for Australia.
Mental Health Break
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7NHCy13ZLk&feature=related
Punxsutawney Phil - No shadow today!
Yes it is true I’m a ballet Aficionado. I also love Classical music and opera. As a child because my father was a safety officer for SPAC I was allowed to run around and sit in the back if I behaved, then on days off we went to the rifle range. Hence my odd love of both classics and weaponry.
I didn't mean to start a ballet debate. I LOVE classical music myself and have performed in orchestras, but I personally have a strong aversion to ANY type of dance. I just dislike it. I do not mean to dish those who do any more than I do for those who eat sushi (bait, in my opinion). These are merely my personal tastes and any time the concept of "hate" enters my mind, I immediately connect that with ballet. In the future I will make every effort to direct my comments to flamenco dancing or square dancing.
John,
Since you are a ballet Aficionado, you may be interested in seeing Kathy Russell perform the book keeper for NXIVM performs ballet and she's no spring chicken.
After all, master jack of all trades raniere coached her and taught and probably patented everything she knows.
For the people under attack by NXVIM and the families that want back the person that was EM'd into such a change they are unrecognizable, for most, all they really want is for it to be over, really over. I believe in order for this to happen Keith must be put behind bars,or in a mental institution . Anyone who has withheld information in order to protect themselves, or worse, try and gain from this, stop being afraid, and tell your side to the authorities, and stop the pain of so many. If it's the Rat, the Mole, Sara, Clair, Barbara, Nancy, maybe Pam, Karen, Kristin, Lauren one of you please wake up. Once you all thought you were doing a good thing, that a deep breath and take a look at what it has turned into, he is sick and destroying all of you, and everything around you. Is this what you wanted? is this what you thought is was going to be like? Do you really think it's good for that little boy to live like this? I bet he never gets to play candy land, were he gets to make up the rules, and you both laugh with joy....
Who is going to be the one from inside to be strong enough to step out of the fog, and into the light....he is sick and must be stopped, contact John, contact Jim Odato, go to the local police, be the person you alway wanted to be....the one who make will make a difference...
ballet debate you say? why not this is saratoga...
http://www.debate.org/debates/Flamingos-are-better-at-performing-ballet-than-crocodiles/1/
@ 1:37 p.m. Steve Coughfee's dick is not long enough for him to crap on, let alone to step on as you say.
But what's perhaps more amusing, though that was a good analogy, is the fact that Crock O'Shit, after fuckin' up on pacerin' the depo, went into court ex-parte trying to get the records made confidental post facto, cept, lo an behold, they were never stamped 'confidential' to begin with...oops. Sttttrrr-k-e, what is it now, 4, 5, for Crock O' Shit, Cough-fee, time to show what you're really made of an go after the SOB not that man George Hearst. Unless, ya know, ya really wanna. My money's on Hearst and Murdock! And they'll take Crockett out too, ya yellow-bellied varmit, God Bless 'Em!
Knock Knock
Come in the doors ..... I mean, Who’s there
Trust Fund Babies
Ahhhh... Trust Fund Babies who....
Steve, it’s us, the # 1 clients in the world, and yes the clients every attorney creams themselves over when we walk through their door.
Hum.... #1 clients who.....
Steve, trust fund babies, the girls who made you into the attorney you are today, the ones whom if you were without as clients, you’d be nothing
Hum..... Under his breath.... (I might be nothing when this is all said and done).......Come in the doors open.... (Oh shit was I supposed to say “Who’s there”, this is so confusing)
Steve, darling, we want to talk to you about the last bill you sent us
O.....K.... is there a problem with the bill
484.5 hours for watching the blog last month at 500.00 an hour......really Steve.... is that not a 10.00 an hour job? Are you stealing from us Steve
(Brother, here we go again)..... You girls are not going to ream me a new one, are you? My wife is upset that I am twice the ass hole I was before you got a hold of me..... That reminds me.... I’ve been meaning to talk to you about how big that last strap on you used on me was. By golly, I thought I was going to pass out at first..... but..... than...... I kind of started to like it. It was a bit over the top when you started spanking me and asking “Who’s your daddy”.
Steve, Steve, Steve....
Who’s there.... Oh shit I forgot my line.... Hum.... what
Who is your Daddy
That would be VanGod, yep VanGod is my Daddy and you are my sugar Mama's
Steve darling, you bring a tear to our eyes, finally you accept him as your savior, don’t you.
Hum..... Not there yet.... I might need a few more of those bend over here it comes sessions before I can say that honestly
Steve, why start being honest now.....
To be continued, or not
Coffey has likely taken some of Raniere's courses. He has offered them to attorneys in the past, who have taken them. Coffey's rabid defense of NXIVM is outside the normal obligations of an attorney, since no legal action is pending against Raniere. He is acting more like an agent or a PR representative.
If he has taken the courses, then he has been brainwashed like the rest of them.
Let's welcome another B-list actress / hot babe / recruiting tool / Keith Raniere play doll to the Espian family.
Introducing Bonnie Piesse:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/bonarella
Waldorf educated. Star Wars. Singer (making Siobhan VERY jealous). A Cappela fan.. Babelicious. Dumb. Slim. Blonde.
What? Blonde?
Memo to Bonnie: Vanguard likes brunettes. Rectify. Rectify.
If Vanguard gets sent to prison or institutionalized, it might get worse. He could then be viewed as a martyr and further deified by the brainwashed followers. Coffey and crew would also further enrich their coffers (pun intended) mounting endless appeals and filing jail house motions, like complaints about the bologna sandwiches and jello in the prison dining hall.
Has anyone else noticed how much Raniere and David Koresh (the wacko from Waco) look alike? John, we simply must have a side-by-side photo of the "twins". Same 1950's glasses and all!
@9:27 So what would you suggest rather than prison or institutionalization? If you chop the head off the snake, yes - there's going to be some dying thrashing around that might do some damage. Which is more damaging - allowing the snake to continue poisoning people or cleaning up after the death throes?
The number one requirement in detaching from a narcissist/sociopath is low/no contact. If he is removed from the picture, an involuntary low contact situation is created and some of these brain-addled women may get enough breathing space to recover their critical thinking capacity. Also, families and friends may have an opportunity to step in and help their loved ones recover.
Coffey and crew are going to earn money off all of this until the funds are exhausted. They are ancillary to the real problem - the reach of Raniere's sociopathic behavior. Maybe shifting gears to defend Raniere in court would relieve some of the pressure on the current victims of Raniere's and NXIVM's legal harrassment. After all, there are only so many billable hours in the day.
I said it before and I will say it again,
non of this shit is doing anything to raniere or nxivm. These stories this blog, I soooo wish I was wrong, but unless a federal gov. or state gov. gets involved aggresively, nothing will happen. These articles are just not strong enough to do something to someone who is as crazy as raniere. HE will NOT stop till he is stopped. Raniere is very optimistic when it comes to his propaganda. He will tell followers that john is a crazy blogger, he will tell his followers that odato is conspiring, etc, etc. and they will / are believing it all the way.
The only way and I mean the only way is for feds to come and take him and I see no evidence yet of him doing anyhting that is actionable criminally. I think if he was doing something the gov. would have already got him.
If I'm wrong I apologize and there's nothing I would like more than to see him locked up but the sad truth is it ain't happenin any time soon
So much corruption is revealed in Bouchey depostition it is astonishing. Just need to connect the dots. Currently the IRS and others are overwhelmed, but if this information is digested for them, and the press picks it up, perhaps it will get further up the list for attention.
Will be making an attempt to bring some of this information forward in comments here as time permits. Thank you John for the media outlet.
There is something that just cannot wait however. It involves Robert Crockett, who reveals himself in the deposition as a complete ignoramous. All Robert Crockett has going for him as an attorney is that he is a bully. Same goes for Steve Coffey.
The highest virtue for lawyers today is not that they are ethical, intelligent and thorough. No the highest virtue for an attorney today is that they are AGGRESSIVE. Just do a Google on 'aggressive lawyer', 4,800,000 results. What a sick profession it has become. Lawyers get little respect today for good reason.
During the Bouchey deposition, the question is asked about the names of the donors of the $350,000 collected that were to be deposited in the completely phony foundations formed by Clare and Sara Bronfman.
Crockett objects to this question as an invasion of privacy of 3rd parties based on NAACP vs Alabama. Now that decision was a good one for 1958 when it was made.
The state of Alabama had ordered the NAACP to disclose its membership lists during the civil rights struggle. That was a life and death matter so wisely the Supreme Court ruled the demand for the lists violated the First Amendment.
However, that was 1958. This is 2011 and things are very very different. Robert Crockett is unaware and seriously deficient as an attorney in not knowing that anyone at all can simply look up a non profit's Form 990 and learn all they want about that organization. Everything. The world is transparent today and nothing is hidden.
A very sad part of that exchange was that the other attorneys were cowed by the bully Robert Crockett. All lawyers need to spend more time keeping up with the body of knowledge they need to serve their clients better so they have information to counter an aggressive bully's attacks.
Robert Crockett and Steve Coffey are one trick ponies. No real intelligence, no diligence at all, just be mean and aggressive.
Interested in learning about a non-proft?
Easy to find out everything you want to know:
http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/990finder/
You want to talk about Crockett being aggresive.
He files lawsuit against the plyams 3 weeks after parlato comes to investigate and accuses plyams of stealing. 3 years later and after two forensic accountants got paid 2 million dollars they still can't find a specific thing plyams did wrong. How did Crockett know or was able to make these accusations within 3 weeks when 2 forensic accountants couldn't find anything wrong in over 2 1/2 years !!
That's aggresive behaviour.
Someone at the california bar association should look at Crocketts nasty behaviour.
No wonder his #2 man flew the coop.
What I find most disturbing in Coffey's comments is calling john t crazy.
Let's examine some facts.
He works for people who call themselves
vanguard and prefect
his clients the bronfman brats spent millions following a crazy cult
they bribed the dalai lama into coming to albany
the person they worship claims to be a prophet and highest iq
I can go on and on and on and on but coffey you represent these people, you are a reflection of these people.
Who do you think is crazy you or john who is pointing out your crazy behaviour.
You should be ashamed of yourself coffey you are the crazy one here and so are your clients.
@ 10:54 a.m. Agree with you to the degree that criminal justice authorities must step up, if they are not investigating already, but otherwise, what planet are you living on?
Whole lotta folks on THIS planet are doin' time and payin' fines for a whole lot less criminal activity than what NXIVM is involved in.
And if this media exposure is helping to prevent even one soul from suffering the same fate as dozens of other NXIVM and Keith Raniere victims who were suckered in unwittingly, it's well worth it.
Or haven't you read the accounts of huge money losses through NXIVM's pyramid scheme structure, Madoff-style loan and investment losses, harassment including but far from limited to legal harassment, sexual violation, psychotic episodes and suicides of people under NXIVM's 'counseling,' etc., and that's just the tip of the ice burg made public, so far.
"He who saves one life has saved the whole world."
So, God Bless John T., Odato, Hearst, etc.
Also, the crisis in Egypt right now began with a meglomaniac not unlike Keith Raniere, as did the the 3rd Reich, but mebbe the local papers then did not have the sense to nip Hitler in the ass bud. Mebbe they were too busy covering international news like the invention of spaghetti in Italy. Or was it China?
"However, that was 1958. This is 2011 and things are very very different. Robert Crockett is unaware and seriously deficient as an attorney in not knowing that anyone at all can simply look up a non profit's Form 990 and learn all they want about that organization. Everything. The world is transparent today and nothing is hidden. "
That would assume that the organization has filed a form 990. Want to take any bets n this being the case with THIS laughable non-profit.
Ps / I can get the list - not sure if John would get in trouble for posting
9:13
Thank you for commenting. That is exactly the point to be demonstrated. There are no Form 900's for ANY of the Bronfman's so called non profit Foundations. Including the one, Human Analysis that O'Hara tried to buy. NONE at all.
More to follow on analysis of all that. Will post in newer thread. Whatever you have that you can present that helps why not post? f Include your analysis of how it makes the case for fraud. Just data requires too much cogitation.
Those Bronfman girls are in deep doo doo. They blatantly lie about so many things all for their beloved Vanguard.
The brainwashed will do ANYTHING their leader/handler tells them to do. ANYTHING. There is NO morality when you are programmed except that of following the leader.
Steve Coffey is one of them. He said on Vandenberg's Talk 1300 "I believe in what Clare and Sara are doing. I am their friend." This NXIVM case will ruin Steve Coffey's career. At least for decent folk.
This all confirms my belief that E. Stewart Jones is THE reputable/ethical "big name" Attorney in the area.
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