Two Viable Employees Plead GUILTY
Straight from the Dept of Justice website:
“Anthony Mowl, the former assistant vice president of business development for Viable Communications Inc. (Viable), and Donald Tropp, the former human resources manager for Viable, pleaded guilty today to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Video Relay Service (VRS) program of more than $2.5 million, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division. ” Read more about this: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/January/10-crm-031.html
So there you go. They did participate in defrauding FCC and the taxpayers. I’m extremely disappointed in Yeh and his cohorts. They did a lot of damage to the Deaf Community. MZ
P.S. This blog had been unmoderated for some time since I thought it was safe to. I was unable to access to the blog today as I had to go out of town. I’m disappointed that a flaming war had ensued during my absence. I will xxxx certain words. Please respect my wishes: no personal bashing or attack. Thank you.
Some of the comments ended in the moderation page. All with links were automatically directed there. The others, I don’t know why they landed there as they shouldn’t have gone there. I will remove the duplicates. Please don’t assume I was already moderating the comments during the day. Thank you. MZ
PPS. I cleaned up all except the last page, but I need to stop and hit the sack. I’ll resume later or tmw. The reason I blocked Ridor’s e-mails is I got tired of being the receiving end of his nasty e mails. I don’t tolerate nasty e mails. One can discuss issues without being nasty. Have a nice night. MZ
Update:
In exchange, federal prosecutors agreed to
dismiss three other counts, including conspiracy
to defraud the U.S., for Anthony Mowl, 25,
former assistant vice president of business
development for Viable, and Donald Tropp, 25, Business Gazette
Anthony Mowl’s Plea Agreement: http://bit.ly/8ulAq5
Donald Tropp’s Plea Agreement: http://bit.ly/6y5zgw
.
PPPS: Ridor and I vpped and resolved many issues.
Straight from the Dept of Justice website:
“Anthony Mowl, the former assistant vice president of business development for Viable Communications Inc. (Viable), and Donald Tropp, the former human resources manager for Viable, pleaded guilty today to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Video Relay Service (VRS) program of more than $2.5 million, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division. ” Read more about this: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/January/10-crm-031.html
So there you go. They did participate in defrauding FCC and the taxpayers. I’m extremely disappointed in Yeh and his cohorts. They did a lot of damage to the Deaf Community. MZ
P.S. This blog had been unmoderated for some time since I thought it was safe to. I was unable to access to the blog today as I had to go out of town. I’m disappointed that a flaming war had ensued during my absence. I will xxxx certain words. Please respect my wishes: no personal bashing or attack. Thank you.
Some of the comments ended in the moderation page. All with links were automatically directed there. The others, I don’t know why they landed there as they shouldn’t have gone there. I will remove the duplicates. Please don’t assume I was already moderating the comments during the day. Thank you. MZ
PPS. I cleaned up all except the last page, but I need to stop and hit the sack. I’ll resume later or tmw. The reason I blocked Ridor’s e-mails is I got tired of being the receiving end of his nasty e mails. I don’t tolerate nasty e mails. One can discuss issues without being nasty. Have a nice night. MZ
Update:
dismiss three other counts, including conspiracy
to defraud the U.S., for Anthony Mowl, 25,
former assistant vice president of business
development for Viable, and Donald Tropp, 25, Business Gazette
Donald Tropp’s Plea Agreement: http://bit.ly/6y5zgw
January 13th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
WTF are they thinking? Plead guilty is NOT great way to go because of possible length of prison and/or huge fine. If you plead innocent, the attorneys would fight for the reduction of sentence and/or fine once they’re found guilty. In any circumstance, never, ever plead guilty anyway even though if you are really guilty. It is all about negotiation. That’s pure and simple in the court of law.
Misha
January 13th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Misha, I won’t be surprised if they already negotiated for less jail time. In exchange, they will [produce more evidence and/or testify against the Yehs. This is a common practice in the judicial system.
We’ll find out eventually if that’s the case or not.
January 13th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
I feel gutted – I worked with both men back at Gallaudet and thought they were exceptionally bright and had great futures ahead of them… greed consumed these people. I have a feeling there was a deal to get the sentence reduced in exchange for less jail time.
Misha, if Tropp and Moel had requested a trial, it would have cost taxpayers even more millions of dollars. Its just a given they saved us $$$ by pleading guilty now.
January 13th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
If they’re testifying against the Yehs, of course that is normal to plead guilty. I forgot that part, thanks for jarring my memory. Yes, they’re looking into getting a great deal once they testify against Yeh brothers.
If they wanted to save taxpayers by pleading guilty, it may not be that good. I know it sounds weird but it is very complicated legal system.
Misha
January 13th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Both employees would be better off in the federal prison unlike state prisons. Yea, they could be pardoned or get out of the prison much sooner.
Mowl and Tropp seems very young to resist the heavy-handed federal prosecutors of making them fear of being the prison bitches. Who knows?
I had seen how the prosecutor operates.
RLM
January 13th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Clarification — the prosecution may recommend reduced sentences to the judge, but ultimately the judge decides.
Furthermore, note that no charges were dropped, so it is still very likely that these guys will be severely punished. I guess they could not get any of the charges dropped, so maybe they will serve the minimum for each charge, given they cooperate in testifying against the others.
The judge probably will consider the extent of their involvement in the fraud based on evidence supplied throughout the trial and then sentence them all at once. So if the others receive stiff sentences, it will be hard to justify letting these guys off lightly because they are guilty too.
January 13th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
That is truly shocking. Not only are they admitting to wrongdoing, they are turning on each other to avoid as much punishment as possible. What a legal system that operates this way rather than making each individual answer for his own deeds!
I feel sorry for all who are involved and will be involved in the future. And hope that when all this settles, the entire VP system will operate much cleaner and more efficiently.
The best outcome would be that the whole Federal contracting system becomes more accessible, more regulated and audited, and more affordable for the taxpayer.
January 13th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Following up, were any charges dropped?
January 13th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Tacile, I feel the same way. I worked with one during UfG. Sigh
Misha and RLM, I’m sure the lawyers gave them the pros and cons, so they can make informed decisions. They were in lower administrative capacity. I’m betting they are going to get reduced time in jail in exchange of testifying against Yeh, but see see.
Dianrez, that’s how the judicial system operates. The prosecutors find this method extremely effective. Even the Mafia members break their silence oaths to take advantage of these breaks.
Anon, let me check
January 13th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Anon, there was no mention of charges being dropped. We will find out when they are sentenced. As of now, the sentencing date hasn’t been declared yet.
January 13th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
I guess the evidence was compelling. Trust me when I say this, there WILL be more indictments and charges on other members of the Deaf community who are in the VRS industry, sadly.
When the Feds indict, its more of “guilty until proven innocent” because the Feds arent in the business of wasting taxpayers money on bogus charges.
They are already martyrs of the deaf community.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
They might plea guilty based on the offer they got.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Sarah, perhaps I’m missing something, but why would they be ‘martyrs’ of the Deaf Community? If they did commit these crimes, then they deserve the punishment for these deeds.
Anon, probably.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
*sighs* Needless to say, I’m truly disappointed in Viable. I believed in that company. *shakes her head*
What were those people thinking?
Those involved with the VRS scandals have betrayed the Deaf Community, and I hope the judicial system will give a fair punishment to those who are guilty, for their egregious misconduct and abuse of public trust.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
not surprised here! i worked with mowl and tropp for months at gallaudet, i had to watch them mockin’ and sneerin’ at students.
January 14th, 2010 at 7:40 am
“When the Feds indict, its more of “guilty until proven innocent” because the Feds arent in the business of wasting taxpayers money on bogus charges.”
Are you serious? Do you really think that highly of the government, such that insider bribes, political winds, and criminal globalist agendas can’t possibly affect the government’s decisions about the folks the government indicts? How naive…
Tropp and Mowl are smart, so I wait to see how this all plays out. A plea deal is definitely the route they took, but why, other than to catch the bigger fish? Why taint your reputation with a guilty plea. Hmm…the intrigue…
I chuckle about Tactile’s comment on saving “us” taxpayers money now…does she include herself in that category? Please… (I’ll be nice and not comment further on this very ironic statement from her.)
Where’s my coffee?
January 14th, 2010 at 7:42 am
Check these links out — Got it from a VRS tweet (@VRSNews).
Tropp’s plea agreement: https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B6z9SnLd9QxVNWMzNDAwNGUtYTU5MS00N2M5LThiYjAtMGQ0NmUxZmJiYWY0&hl=en
Mowl’s plea agreement: https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B6z9SnLd9QxVZWE0YTNlOTctZjM5YS00YjZjLWEwZTItZGI5NDdiYzhiMmFm&hl=en
January 14th, 2010 at 7:46 am
It appears to me both of them are pleading guilty on the mail fraud only (Count 4).
January 14th, 2010 at 7:55 am
MZ: One question for you, you wrote, “They did a lot of damage to the Deaf Community.”
Like what? Name one other than the image perceived of us by hearing peers. They had not done a lot of damage to Deaf Community. In fact, Viable is kinda Robin Hood in some sense. They acquired the funds and distribute it back to the community. They gave thousands of bucks to different deaf organizations. They also gave $100,000 to Deaf Seniors of America.
Viable was small deaf-owned company that basically got the money from the FCC and distribute it to different deaf-run organizations. SorensonVRS, Purple, SnapVRS & zVRS has not really contributed a lot to Deaf communities.
So tell me with *facts* that they “harmed” the Deaf Community, please.
And by the way, I already read the plea agreements and yes, several charges were DROPPED in exchange for one charge.
(deleted due to insult)
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 8:22 am
CyanSquirrel: Don’t change the subject. Focus on the issue in this entry. Your comments are unwarranted. I expect MZ to remove your comment.
On other hand, I’ll be willing to discuss if you care to stick with the comments from this article rather than to xxxxx about my personality, CyanSquirrel.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 8:35 am
MishkaZena: (deleted to personal attack) I attempted to email you to notify you about something else. You blocked me? How amusing.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Hey how’s that $25 donation you got from me back in 2006 doing ya? My nice hello to you is unwarranted? So much for gratitude and respect, you thin-skinned xxxxk.
Ridor, I made my comments on Mowl and Tropp already, or can’t you read? I have nothing to say about your addition except to ask if you really think Robin Hood-Viable’s actions are ethical? Steal on behalf of the “poor”?
Let me paste a comment made on the Washington Post article on John Yeh a week or so ago by someone whom I personally cannot stand, but who actually has a point on occasion about his community, the deaf community…and you tell me if stories like this do no harm to the deaf community when opinions like this abound. His comment was one of many to this effect, disparaging deaf people. Goodwill is a heck of a lot more valuable in the long run than any monetary support a community receives.
From http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/05/AR2010010504023.html
Biffgrifftheoneandonly: (any relation to you Ridor?)
“This is par for the course. All the deaf people are like this, they think the rules don’t apply to them because nobody cares or wants to speak, or sign as it is, their language. And yes, I’m an authority.”
AND (after someone was offended by his first comment):
“Nighthawk, I am deaf. It’s not a sweeping generalization. Something is truly rotten in Denmark when it comes to the Deaf Community. I avoid them like the plague. Immoral, unethical, and adulterous! The most adulterous group of people I have ever encountered. It’s like they are trying to compensate for something. For every one hard working deaf person who pays the mortage and goes to work everyday there are 9 more who want to sit around collecting Social Security Disability.”
You’re welcome to view the other comments. The deaf community’s image is indeed harmed where it matters by these antics: where the dollar meets the road. The deaf community does not have the economic clout that the hearing community does, and when you see deaf people mismanaging money that folks all around would rather see put to uses that benefit them more directly, you have a recipe for reputation damage. I don’t see how MZ was off the mark at all.
January 14th, 2010 at 8:47 am
xxxx is not something that you can reject. It amused me to no end that you would try to deflect my points by attacking me outright.
Care to challenge me on the points I wrote in the first place instead of hiding behind your SNs and calling me names, eh?
What a troll.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Viable did not give $100,000 to Deaf Seniors of America. Just provided $100,000 worth of services in which is much cheaper than actual cash!
January 14th, 2010 at 8:49 am
I’m not on anybody’s side but those people with name “Ridor xxxx” and “CyanSquirrel” comments should be removed because that has nothing to do with this topic. I fail to see why would they jump in and attack Ridor or anybody else when they don’t like. xxx with that? Ridor came here and discussed this topic, that’s simple. Regardless whether he’s more of blunt and whatever but still he sticks with this topic.
MZ, I hope you’re reading this and remove those nasty comments toward Ridor since I believe that you should be a fair person. Thanks…
Misha
January 14th, 2010 at 8:52 am
To Ridor: Why use my name as part of your pseudo-name? Create your own to reduce the confusion on others’ part. And show some respect.
Now to answer your comment. No, they gave $100,000 *cash* to DSA. PLUS they also supplied the use of interpreters unlimited for a whole week in Las Vegas. I know because I talked to John Yeh myself about it. And there are articles by DSA which expressed its appreciation for Viable’s rescue of DSA by contributing $100,000.
It appears to me that there are incredibly anti-Viable trolls here on MZ. Now I remember why I don’t read here.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Wow, Ridor xxxx….I feel so fucking honored! Why, thank you, m’dear! *blows a kiss*
*gag*
January 14th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Now to answer your comment. No, they gave $100,000 *cash* to DSA. PLUS they also supplied the use of interpreters unlimited for a whole week in Las Vegas. I know because I talked to John Yeh myself about it. And there are articles by DSA which expressed its appreciation for Viable’s rescue of DSA by contributing $100,000.
It appears to me that there are incredibly anti-Viable trolls here on MZ. Now I remember why I don’t read here.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 8:57 am
It is my understanding that Viable people who worked at Deaf Senors of America did not get paid yet. Their wages includes $100,000 worth of services as agreed between Viable and DSA. Can any ex-Viable workers verify that?
January 14th, 2010 at 8:57 am
ToRidor: answer your comment. No, they gave $100,000 *cash* to DSA. PLUS they also supplied the use of interpreters unlimited for a whole week in Las Vegas. I know because I talked to John Yeh myself about it. And there are articles by DSA which expressed its appreciation for Viable’s rescue of DSA by contributing $100,000 in addition to the unlimited use of interpreters.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 9:04 am
pls allow me to chime in. ridor wants an answer to his comment.
name one thing other than the negative image perceived by hearing peers: lost deaf jobs. they haven’t paid tens of employees their last two paychecks. so much for loyalty. people being evicted from their homes because they could no longer make rent.
you wrote “They acquired the funds” – apparently some of the funds they acquired was illegal. hello.
$100,000 to dsa in money or services: dirty money. taxpayer’s money.
other vrs companies not giving back to communities: wrong. dead wrong.
this begs the question why you are defending viable? you’re basically saying it’s ok and cool to defraud the government. it’s wrong period, and you should be ashamed for defending viable
January 14th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Okay, Hope that one of DSA people or Viable verify whether Viable gave $100,000 in cash to DSA is true or no. Hope one of them will post the comment.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:09 am
theSunset: I like your response despite the last paragraph where you assumed FOR me. I have a relative working for Viable. I know the current problem.
I’m talking about BEFORE they were busted. They contributed more than SorensonVRS, Purple, zVRS and SnapVRS to Deaf communities. Just ask around.
Yes, they took money illegally. News flash: All VRS companies do that. They just used Viable to make an example of. Which explained why the VRS earnings plummeted after May, 2009 via Edsalert.com
All I’m saying is that what Viable did was no different with other VRS companies. They just got caught and others hadn’t.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 9:11 am
InsaneMisha…no ill will for you. Just going to note you don’t have a clue. Seriously, no one attacked Ridor, certainly not me. He’s old hat, an old colleague, and it’s just gentle ribbing. Chill lady.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Folks, I’m out of here. I appreciated few respondents’ questions but the acidic attacks by certain individuals are disturbing. I may make a response in a short time but don’t hold your breath on it. It is good thing that I still have my contacts out there. And sometimes I smile when I see people speculating things WHEN I know the exact information.
I’m outta here. Good luck, folks!
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Jennifer Keener: Misha knew everything. In fact, she and I occasionally emailed, tweeted and vlogged with each other. I have no idea who you are. I’m not your old colleague. It is not a gentle ribbing. It is offensive. Shame on you for trying to downplay this manner.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Well Ridor, you aren’t the only one being moderated. Disappointing, as my comment was a direct answer to your challenge to stick to the topic. Wish you could see it cuz I’d love to hear if you can put together a coherent answer for me rather than deflect and avoid. Bummer MZ…bummer.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Ridor…I worked for the Buff and Blue and was managing editor before all hell broke out in 2006. You emailed and IMd me many times (CYANSQUIRREL). I find it funny you don’t know who I am. I guess that $25 you cajoled me into “donating” to you really meant nothing. What an xxxxxxxx
January 14th, 2010 at 9:20 am
that’s even more alarming. viable screwed your sister, and you’re defending them.
and we don’t know the current problem? i do not believe you have a grasp of what’s happening. see above statement.
prove viable contributed more to the community. prove it.
presently, viable executives are the ones indicted. the feds aren’t going to let anyone get off. because everyone does it does not pardon viable.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Meh…since short comments seem to go through, here is the meat of my rebuttal (without the link/proof I had in the original comment):
The deaf community’s image is indeed harmed where it matters by these antics: where the dollar meets the road. The deaf community does not have the economic clout that the hearing community does, and when you see deaf people mismanaging money that folks all around would rather see put to uses that benefit them more directly, you have a recipe for reputation damage. I don’t see how MZ was off the mark at all.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Keener: Your name was familiar. I’d have to dig up the information on my old laptop. I may have misread or misinterpret your original message as hostile. For that, I apologize. I hadn’t talked that much to anyone else except for few ones.
Otherwise, stick with the issue, please. I don’t hang out on blogs these days. Especially with the ones that runs deaf things. Too acidic for me to maintain my sanity. We only IMmed and all that, but never met in person. It is safe to say that I don’t view this as an “old colleague”.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 9:24 am
OnceAnInsider Says:
January 13th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
not surprised here! i worked with mowl and tropp for months at gallaudet, i had to watch them mockin’ and sneerin’ at students.
See, see OnceAnInsider knows Mowl and Tropp at Gallaudet and they behaved that way towards students, means they are still doing this while working for Viable.
Does that mean Mowl and Tropp stole money from FCC with or without Yehs knowledge? I wonder.
Reason, I know Yeh pretty well and had met him couple of times. He’s pretty decent guy until all this fiasco occured and now it sheds bad light towards to Yehs. Makes me wonder, does Yeh do similar tactics to deaf community in business such as Intergrated Computer System and other businesses before it was sold and started Viable because Viable so easy to milk millions from FCC thinking FCC will never know?
I got into thinking, looking back in past. Yeh was involved in prymid scheme in late 80’s and 90’s that I was invited to his Potomac house to listen in to sales pitch to join MLM. At that time, I thought it was cool till I lost several hunderds of dollars. Does that mean Yeh took advantage of deaf community because if his name is well known and everyone signed up under him and he walked to the bank laughing at us?
The picture is now more clearer and I find him to be dishonest business man. Reason: why bother involve in MLM business knowing it was all scam while he operates legitimate buiness and he is pretty well-off from his business then why join MLM?
I do not mean to be off the point, I am stated the pattern from past to present. Of course, they are innocent until proven guilty. Now with Mowl and Tropp plead guilty then it makes Yeh looks more guiltier than Mowl and Tropp.
Sigh
January 14th, 2010 at 9:28 am
(Oh and apology accepted – and seen after I posted previously. I’ll take back the job comment. That was unfair. Sorry.) Ruff!
January 14th, 2010 at 9:28 am
theSunset: It is up to my sister’s decision. She supports SnapVRS. It takes time to sort things out. I think I am aware of current problems more than you do, speaking of VRS industry. I make vlogs about it lately if you bother to check it out!
Viable contributed to NAD, DSA, Deaflympics and *many* more. I’d have to find the list. There are proof already.
i never said anything about Viable scooping free – the bottom line is that fraud is *rampant* in VRS industry for MANY years. They only used Viable.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 9:32 am
This is for Ridor.
Why you continue to defend Viable?
Is it because they’re deaf-owned business?
Wake up! There are dishonest deaf businesses out there and Viable happened to be one of them.
What about BIS? They’re deaf owned business and BIS do provide VRS and VRI. They’re honest to my knowledge.
You cannot have both ways and keep at targeting towards hearing business that serves deaf community.
Some hearing business who serves deaf community are good and some are bad. No difference between deaf and hearing owned businesses.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Keener: If you’re talking about damage the reputation. That’s all it is to that. Plus Viable employers. Some would include taxpayers. But again, few thinks Viable is Robin Hood to an extent.
About your demeaning comment, apology accepted. Actually, whether I got a job, you and others shall not know. I don’t share that. Why? Just take a good look at your comment. Worry about your career rather than to meddle in people’s careers.
HarleyLady: I’m not *defending* Viable. I’m pointing out that all VRS companies cheated. The chart on Edsalart.com is a proof of what has occurred in VRS industry. Don’t speak things *for* me. Be fair. I use BISvrs and Convo, TYVM.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 9:40 am
One more thing for HarleyLady, I target hearing-run VRS companies mainly because they created a glass ceiling to prevent Deaf people from getting promotions. It is HIGH time that we hold these VRS companies accountable for not hiring enough Deaf people.
Stop defending the VRS companies that denied their Deaf employees from getting promotions and higher positions!
If you notice something about my posts, I don’t approve Viable’s actions but I also point out that other VRS companies has to come clean as well. Oh, you won’t admit that.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Well…colleagues in respect to the fact we are both damn fine writers and seek out the truth. I’m on facebook should you care to look, smiles.
It’s all good. NOW, to my comments to you which just keep disappearing…hopefully you’ll see them this time
1. I want to ask if you really think Robin Hood-Viable’s actions are ethical? Not justified…ETHICAL. Steal on behalf of the “poor”? What say you?
2. The deaf community’s image is indeed harmed where it matters by these antics: where the dollar meets the road. The deaf community does not have the economic clout that the hearing community does, and when you see deaf people mismanaging money that folks all around would rather see put to uses that benefit them more directly, you have a recipe for reputation and collateral damage. Given that successful (and visible to the mainstream) deaf business people are very rare, it makes damage to the community – people love to make generalizations – that much more probable. I don’t see how MZ was off the mark at all. Does this make sense? I do understand the help they gave to the various deaf organizations, but what good is that (past tense, to boot!) when funding dries up from other sources that would have given freely and ongoing until this scandal, and the questions surrounding it, broke? More damage than good overall, in my opinion…
January 14th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Ridor,
I got it. Can you provide information that you said *ALL* VRS companies cheated? Are you saying the chart on Edsalart is proof?
Let me know I’ll check it out and the source on where this information comes from
January 14th, 2010 at 9:45 am
Ridor,
I checked http://www.edsalart.com and it is not showing. Are you sure you spell it right?
About glass ceiling at VRS companies. I am not here to argue about this. It is separate issue. This blog is about Viable and FCC
I did saw your vlog about glass ceiling at VRS companies. I cannot say if I agree or not because I do not have the information to reach a decision to agree what you said.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Harleylady: Ed Bosson is one of nation’s respected figures when it comes to VRS industry. He is considered to be the “father” of VRS industry. Anything he posts is true and accurate. The chart which he posted on his site simply showed the steep decline in VRS billings after May, 2009.
I have interpreters, VRS employers and FCC employers who said that there are red flags with *all* VRS companies that bilked the TRS fund. It is an open secret among the VRS folks! Been like that for many years. FCC nailed Viable as a way to give a warning towards all VRS companies.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Has anybody wondered, if all VRS companies have dabbled in fraudulent methods, why Viable was targeted? Is it because its owners are Deaf and thus less likely to have corporate lawyers covering for them? Or because they cooperated willingly with investigators?
Fair’s fair. Every VRS company that has engaged in similar fraud has to be investigated and brought to account just as Viable was. Punish wrongdoing, yes, but punish all equally.
January 14th, 2010 at 9:56 am
I don’t care if you have a day job or not, dude. The point of that was…ah never mind. *drops topic* *thud!* *looks around guiltily to make sure boss didn’t hear my “ARGH!”*
This Viable topic is dear to me for two reasons, actually: Tropp (and to a lesser extent Mowl) are/were friends of mine. I don’t judge either of them…we all have to face the same firing squad when our time is up, ha!
Secondly, because of where I work. This is one of those issues that affects the interpreting profession, the deaf community, and even Gallaudet (what kind of graduates does it put out?) It’s something that makes you sit up and say maybe I don’t have all the answers. Some things are very complex, and teething out the individual threads and the consequences of one action over another can be all but an impossible feat, don’t you agree? You, Ridor, have your sources, but neither they nor you know everything. At best, you have shards of the broken picture that you are able to pick up and make fit together, but you do not, unless you were there in the room and overhearing the decisions being made, have the complete picture. We see through a glass, darkly, as the verse goes?
January 14th, 2010 at 9:56 am
For what it is worth, here is the link to the press release Viable sent out about its contribution to the Deaf Seniors of America conference:
http://www.viable.net/company/release/2009/6/19/1
It was sent out last June and is the last press release posted on the Viable website.
January 14th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Guys and Gals – What bull are you spewing? You need to realize that every cent Viable donated was made very possible by fraud because Viable’s core beginning was made possible by CACVRS which was naive and desperate to start with. Before Tropp and Mowl came along it was John’s help that got Jason and Larwan on improving CACVRS’s call center platform system in exchange for seed money to start their own VRS. Along the way they came up with the idea to get warm with a South Korean manufacturer to create their version of the already existing and in use by few others but in generic “as is” format. CACVRS ended up ponying over too much to Viable because of dirty activities going on PRIOR to Viable launch. CACVRS was feeding a monster before Viable launched. Mowl and Tropp enhanced what was already a preexisting scheme going on before Viable launched. They can’t launch without CACVRS. This is why it’s very odd Larwan and Jason wasn’t indicted but maybe if evidence comes. Don’t give Tropp, Mowl and anyone indicted credit for saving taxpayers time and money. First and foremost they pled guilty to ease their own process. Don’t twist the meaning of cooperation to point you give too much credit and they end up heroes. STOP BEING SO NAIVE AMONGST YOURSELVES! MANY OF YOU ARE UTTER EMBARRASSMENT THANKS TO GROSS MISINFORMATION!
January 14th, 2010 at 10:41 am
I had hell of time trying to get here for an hour. Now I’m here.
I don’t know who the xxxx you are, Jennifer Keener but I don’t really appreciate you jumping on me because you think I’m clueless. Do me a favor…buy me some clue because I believe you’re still blind that “Ridor xxxxx” sure do attack Ridor. Seriously I don’t get what you’re thinking that I aimed you. I mentioned Ridor xxxx and CyanSquirrel unless you’re either of them. So do me a favor….get the xxxx off of my back.
As fact, I don’t give a xxxx what Ridor insults who or anything. If he insults me, I don’t give a xxxx because I’d insult him back. So what?
I’m very interested in discussing this TOPIC about Viable, FCC, so forth, not get in the middle of insult war. If Ridor insults you, it’s not my problem. It’s your problem. Your job to defend yourself, xxxx
Have a nice xxxxxxxx life….I’m outta here because I’m very disgusted with most of you for being not very civil and/or respectful.
Sorry, Mishka…but that’s how I feel.
January 14th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Says the pot to the kettle. Who used profanity? Who? Ah…
Yes I am CyanSquirrel. I used my real name (unlike you) lest anyone accuse me of hiding. Wherever Ridor goes, insults follow. It is attached to him like a life force. Those of us who have been around (apparently much longer than you or you’d have a thicker skin) know this. Ridor xxxx is probably very fond of Ridor (chuckles…J/K!)
Insane, when you want respect and civility, make sure you are giving it first. There’s enough rudeness online, and your profanity is, out of all of the comments, probably the least desirable post. Pot, meet kettle.
Now take a deep breath, and do what I did when Ridor misunderstood me: DROP THE TOPIC. There are plenty of other food for thought comments after the one or two flung your way. What do you have to say about them? Something that leaves the f-bombs behind, hopefully…
January 14th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Keener: If you knew InsaneMisha well like I do. Profanity is part of who she is, like it or not which is fabulous. And knowing Misha, she has a thick skin but she has no tolerance nor patience for anonymous bashers.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 11:26 am
About me: I worked at Viable, Inc. I have worked closely with Mowl in marketing area and guess what, he xxxx. So does Troop.
January 14th, 2010 at 11:36 am
RE Ridor’s comment: they gave $100,000 *cash* to DSA. PLUS they also supplied the use of interpreters unlimited for a whole week in Las Vegas.
His values/morals may be twisted. For him, it is ok if Viable defrauds the government because Viable dontaed 100K to DSA. *laughs* He apparently does not understand “integrity”.
@ Dianrez…Either Viable is being used as an example. However, I have been hearing through the grapevines that we may be seeing more. Word is that, Indictment of Viable is just the tip of the iceberg. Investigation is not over. We may be seeing other VRS companies being indicted in the future. We’ll just have to wait and see.
@ anyone who cares…Word is that other VRS companies have committed the same deplorable acts.
Almost every American’s money is involved in this. Just about every Americans have this surchage taken out of their phone/cell phone/pager bill. It is OUR money that has been abused. It has nothing to do with hearing/deaf.
This shouldn’t be about anything but integrity.
Simple as that.
January 14th, 2010 at 11:42 am
@ Deb M,
Clearly, we do not know the exact truth, yet.
I don’t know if ALL VRS have committed the same fraudulent practice. However, by word of mouth, several connected to VRS companies have admitted as such. I do not think ALL have committed, but believe that MOST have. The chart is very revealing. Projected and actual calls were almost parallel until at or after the indictment, the actual dropped tremendously. Quite revealing, don’t you think? This really makes VRS companies look bad. We clearly do need stricter oversight due to GREED.
January 14th, 2010 at 11:44 am
Candy: I never said it is OK. I simply pointed out that Viable DID donate $100,000 when someone claimed it is not true. On other hand, Viable is simply a target for the FCC to make an example of. The truth is that every VRS company cheated.
Since VRS companies exploited off from Deaf consumers’ VP calls, they should make a priority in hiring & promoting deaf people in their workforce AND make investments/contributions to our communities at large. They chose not to.
That is my beef. Viable did throw lots of $ away to our organizations and communities before they were caught. Other VRS companies has yet to make *strides* in doing the same.
Don’t twist my words like you would do towards many, Candy.
Typical.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 11:46 am
*banging my head on the wall*
People here do not get it. That’s it. I’m outta here.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 11:49 am
I’d probably know “of” her if she used her real name. But I am glad I do not personally know her. Lordy, what a mouth. Dictionaries make great Christmas gifts for folks who have language crutches like that. If I give you another $25, will you buy her one? *ducks and hides from tomatoes thrown from the gallery*
Yes there are more fish in to be caught in this sea…which is probably why I think Mowl and Tropp were offered and took a deal. They’ve got insider information Viable, no doubt, but perhaps also on the entire industry. The Feds must be dancing to the courthouse about now. We haven’t seen nothing yet. A damn shame is what it is…
January 14th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Ridor, I get what you are saying about the other VRS companies versus Viable. So Viable deserves more sympathy because they happened to have deaf-centric hiring? Sorenson, on the other hand (just to pick an example), should be left to burn at the stake should the sh*t hit the fan there because of their hiring record? Is that the point you are trying to make? Clarify please…
January 14th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
@ Ridor, you said: That is my beef. Viable did throw lots of $ away to our organizations and communities before they were caught. Other VRS companies has yet to make *strides* in doing the same.
Need I say more?
*grins*
January 14th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Devils advocate here: aren’t VRS companies just as much advocates of the hearing interpreting profession as they are of deaf consumers? To give an analogy, look at Band Aids. They arose from a need in the community of hurt and injured people. Band Aid profits from the suffering of hurt people. Are they obligated to give back to the community of hurt people? What about plastic manufacturers who provide their product? Or truck drivers who deliver their products to stores where hurt people can access them? Or are they, just like any for profit company in this capitalist system, free to do what they want with their resources?
While I understand and support the cultural “take care of our own”, VRS has many constituents besides the deaf community. What about the good they are doing for those constituents with their resources? Constituents which then may turn around and help benefit the deaf community (the interpreting profession comes to mind…VRS is stimulating both supply and demand, which should work out to be a positive thing for the deaf community at day’s end.)
Just some food for thought. Like I said, there are no cut and dried answers, and many complex threads and any honest reporter/blogger will admit as much.
January 14th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
MishkaZ/Candy –
If I owned the DSA and received $100K, DSA and I’d feel that we’d get victimized by the horrible Viable that uses the fraudulence *during* the viable’s operations. Make sense, Mishka/Candy?
As you know, Mowl and Tropp are under 30 years old and much younger than Yeh’s and worked for Yeh. So, they cannot afford to say “no” to Yeh’s commands, otherwise, they’ll get fired. They would keep their careers clean and tidy but they didn’t. I don’t think Mowl and Tropp do not know where to go to the Police or FBI office if Yeh broke Uncle Sam’s rules. They were not the whistleblowers.
Remember the whistleblowers from Enron? They were very smart move.
January 14th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Why no news on the other 22? Especially the NY companies??? Have they entered a plea yet? Yeh’s info seems to make it to the news…. But not the othera
January 14th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
HER, maybe it is because there are, as I recall, only six deaf defendants out of the 26….??? At any rate, I think they (the 22 you mentioned) have been indicted and are awaiting their hearing. Mowl and Tropp just concluded theirs and Yeh is still in the spotlight because this whole mess emanates all the way to the top to Yeh, the rest being, more or less, small fry.
January 14th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Ridor
Thank u for proving this guys name who did the research, I a will goggle and find it
White ghost
Are u saying both younger guys are scared of losing their jobs if they are under orders to do something illegal? Where are their moral values? Why can’t they stand up and say no. If get fired, no problem they can be the whistleblower and they will look good instead of following orders to break laws and now they are in serious trouble.
January 14th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I know finkle azrelyant are deaf….plus the 2 Russian interpreters and simmons.
January 14th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
HarleyLady57 –
Remember that Viable was formed and adopted in several years ago.
These two young men were just got out of school and got job immediately. Why would Yeh hire those two fine young men into an executive level along with their inexperienced backgrounds? They were only 25 years old and were unfamiliar with the IRS and its laws and the management-level positions? My gut feeling tells me is that they were not trained in the management-level. It was not enough. Many industries wouldn’t do that unless the employees were trained in the management position in the long run.
If they *knew* that the incidents/counts were illegal, so, why would they plead quilty?
January 14th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Harleylady: My apologies for misspelling of Ed’s Alert. It is edsalert.com with “e” between L and R, not “a” like I initially posted.
I’m only responding to Harleylady because I felt I am obligated since I botched it earlier in the day. Otherwise, I lost the interest in discussing the case with everyone else.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Keener: The comments by James along with few others who seemed so intent on slander my reputation with false claims has prompted me not to discuss further despite the fact that you asked some good questions.
Sorry about that. You have yourself and others to blame.
R-
January 14th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
WG raises an interesting point. Why was it that Yeh hired two greenhorns barely into their 20’s and placed them in high positions of executive power at Viable?
They may have or may not have MBA’s, I don’t know their background, but they are quite young for executive positions such as assistant VP of business development and human resources manager. Such positions are filled by those who have had some experience under their belts in those fields and judging from their ages, Mowl and Tropp are barely old enough to have acquired such experience.
Yeh may very well have taken advantage of the two young men’s naivete and brashness to get ahead, that they got in way over their heads before they understood the implications of the fraud. Unfortunate for them, as they are young men trapped by federal charges now. One wonders if Yeh had a calculating rather than charitable mind– after all, criminals donate to charities and honorable causes, too, in order to make them look legit.
We’ll know more as the court dates approach…
January 14th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Your responce to Elizabethg Gillespie in #15 (vide supra) has lost me!
Exactly what did you work for Mowl and Tropp on the Gallaudet campus? Why did you not report to the president of GU about their working illegally on campus owned by the Federal government?
Why did you work for people like Mowl and Tropp who mocked and sneered at them? Again, why did you not report to the president of GU that Mowl and Tropp were anti-diversity? What you said above is beyond me, forasmuch as since 1988, we have been combating against anti-diversity.
January 14th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
I see a couple of folks here trying to make excuses for Mowl and Tropp; well, guess what? Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Why else do you think they got prosecuted? To try to say that padding/fabricating/bloating, etc phony phone calls is something they didn’t know is wrong tells me something about your own Mommies and Daddies, lol!!
January 14th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Tousi,
It’s possible that Yeh who came off as a successful deaf businessman who headed a company he sold then started another (Viable) was seen by these two young men as a father image. Maybe not an ethical, but a “successful”, albeit calculating, father image. Like father, like son.
Perhaps they thot that since Yeh got on easy street that they could, too. You will note that I not only mentioned their naivete but also their brashness to get ahead. Brashness equals youthful greed.
January 15th, 2010 at 8:31 am
I cleaned up the best I could. If I overlook any personal attack, please let me know via e mail, mishkazena@aol.com and I’ll remove it. Thanks.
I will write a post why this scandal hurts the Deaf community big time. One thing I want to address. Though Viable had contributed to the Deaf programs with money, Viable is NOT the Robin Hood of the Deaf community. I’ll explain the reasons.
January 15th, 2010 at 9:19 am
MZ, thanks for the housecleaning. What was troubling is that when Viable went down, so did the willingness of bloggers to be respectful of each other and to refrain from cheap shots at one another. Even Tactile didn’t escape this.
What are we coming to? It’s one thing to analyze the situation, and a different thing entirely to tear apart people not even involved in the Viable situation. One thing to ask questions why a young man attained high positions within Viable, and another to attribute dishonorable intentions to the situation.
A lot of this is speculation because not all the information is available yet…but idle gossip will stay in cyberspace past when we learn it is not the case.
Let’s be cool and professional about this.
January 15th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Dianrez, I’m sorry I was unable to clean up the blog earlier due to being away. I didn’t see this coming.
I think it’s due to the deep feelings of betrayal and disappointment as Yeh and others were positive role models. They contributed a lot to the Deaf community and hired many Deaf people. Some people continue to defend Viable while others are critical of the illegal actions done by Deaf owned and Deaf operated company.
The reason for hiring the young talented men could be due to their potential, energy, and new ideas. It’s a good question, though.
January 15th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
In exchange, federal prosecutors agreed to
dismiss three other counts, including conspiracy
to defraud the U.S., for Anthony Mowl, 25,
former assistant vice president of business
development for Viable, and Donald Tropp, 25, Business Gazette
Anthony Mowl’s Plea Agreement: http://bit.ly/8ulAq5
Donald Tropp’s Plea Agreement: http://bit.ly/6y5zgw
January 15th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Thanks for posting the Plea Agreements. I’m no attorney, but in looking at the US Sentencing Guidelines (http://www.ussc.gov/2005guid/5a.htm), this being an Offense Level 24 for each, and presuming they have no prior criminal history, this would represent a sentencing guideline of 51 – 63 months imprisonment. This is, of course, at the discretion of the sentencing judge.
January 15th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Mishka-
So basically all those events and donations etc. were stolen money-maybe the recipients should give it back on principle! But after reading this blog I’m starting to undy the deaf community’s divide on this issue: it’s a case of Robin Hood. Viable and its associates stole from the American taxpayers (some of us do have jobs) and gave to the ‘poor.’ Unlike RobinHood, these criminals kept most of the $$ for themselves; getting $400 an hour, ten dedicated vp machines could garnish nearly thirty thousand dollars over the course of a weekend, and far more seem to have been used. How big and impressive do those donations sound now, when you think that most of them could be gotten just by turning on more computers?
Unfortunately, the real harm to the Deaf community has already been done: the scores of terps ’stolen’ from regular, in-person interpreting jobs by videophone companies seem to be barred from working at those companies which escaped federal notice. Not that VRS companies care; bills have been being written and probably passed which are allowing telecom corporations to change billing policies to amount of data instead of speed of connection – meaning you would pay more for more data transmitted, and VP calls are a lot of data…
If you like conspiracy theories it’s even probable that the VRS corporations were milking the system NOW! because they knew the current system was about to collapse, and that a videophone call could potentially add a ton to the Deaf consumer’s cable or DSL bill in the near future. Bye-bye unlimited data, bye-bye unlimited money.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Play Video Comment
January 15th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Play Video Comment
January 15th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Ridor,
ENOUGH! You’ve always talking xxxxxxx like this… You know VIABLE is GUILTY of their wrongdoing- stop defending them! God!
January 15th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Play Video Comment
January 15th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Interesting to note..
The cover letter on the plea agreement is dated Dec 2, 2009
Isn’t that before the arraignment date?
the legal process is confusing
January 15th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Her –
See the bold stamp. It was on January 13, 2010. it’s official by the court clerk. It would not be posted if there is no official stamp.
It approximately takes about six weeks to process. It’s not confusing.
The agreement between the defendant and plaintiff (U.S. Federal) is much longer than we thought but it is more lengthy, procedure and appropriate.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
I think I get it…. so that means they pleaded “not guilty” in December…. because the plea agreement wasn”t processed yet?
January 15th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
I want to make something really clear. The money defrauded is NOT From “American Taxpayers”. It is from pretty much ALL of us, or better yet…those of us who PAYS this surcharge. This means any one of you who pays for any kind of phone service, may they be a house phone, cell phone, pagers, etc. Check your phone bill, it is a surcharge that ALL Americans pay. You could be unemployed, living off welfare, or even SSDI, and own a phone, you are still required to pay for this surcharge that is automatically billed to every American that has a phone/cell phone/pagers, etc.
I find it interesting that this “Robin Hood” card is being played. I don’t see it as that. Robin Hood does not steal from the poor, nor does he steal from the working class.
Those of us who work (including those who are poor, unemployed and get handouts) and pay for having a phone, All Americans w/ phone services are required to pay this surcharge so that the deaf Americans can have FREE video phone service.
What happened was GREED.
Yeh was no Robin Hood.
He was a Greedy MoFo.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:42 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by DeafRead, Deaf guy. Deaf guy said: Two Viable Employees Plead GUILTY … http://tinyurl.com/yae65tl [...]
January 16th, 2010 at 6:22 am
Hi MZ
thanks for sharing this news and for putting on ur moderator hat
a while ago u had blogged the proverb:
Great minds talk about ideas
Average minds talk about things
Small minds talk about other people
so what are we talking about here – ideas, things or people?
I think the main IDEA to discuss is accountability by companies (ANY) company getting federal money for VRS
MLK Jr talked about the importance of giving our best and being our best. he asserted that this is especially important for African-Americans since they had been down trodden and oppressed which often resulted in folk feeling either worthless or having work ethics were worthless or both. Hence, MLK advocated for pride in work and ethics and DOING THE RIGHT THING.
The Deaf community mirrors the majority culture in the US in many ways – “getting ahead at all cost” “corporate greed” – look at the banks and wall street scandal that bankrupted the country (morally and economically) and look at reality TV dominating the airwaves and the www and the Deaf blogsphere
what are we talking about:
Great minds talk about ideas
Average minds talk about things
Small minds talk about other people
We each decide
Peace
Patti
January 16th, 2010 at 9:03 am
LOL, Patti…if the media adhered to that saying, there would be NO news!
Ahem!, great minds talk about things, ergo, the media would not be reporting any news about any people. We wouldn’t know that Nixon focked up nor would we know that Clinton really had sex with that women! How about, Tiger, Gay!?
This is too funny.
Really, that quote is a very wise quote that does not apply to everything, but applies to a period or a time where one need to ask self, what is the purpose of bringing up so and so? I don’t think that applies to discussing things that are already news in the papers and such.
January 16th, 2010 at 10:03 am
It’s the concept. Breaking the laws and stealing are inexcusable, regardless of the hearing status of the lawbreakers. Being accountabe and maintaining integrity are important in operating a business. Deaf people shouldn’t be treated differently from their hearing peers.
I understand the level of anger and betrayal some Deaf people feel. This scandal isn’t helping the Deaf community. It may have long term ramifications, especially with the funding of the relay services. The good news is that the DoJ is finally cleaning up the mess and FCC becoming stricter with its enforcement of laws. FCC had been too lax in the past and the VRS companies (both hearing and Deaf) took advantage of that. I expect them to go after the hearing VRS companies soon.
This report from DoJ had been released to the public. I’m reporting to the Deaf community. They deserve to know what’s going on in their community.
January 16th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Candy, thanks for catching my error. I was exhausted yesterday and it showed. I meant the telephone users paying the universal fee, not the taxpayers! lol.
In a bulletin board like five years ago, several hearing people objected to the mandatory universal fee. My explanations about equal accessibility didn’t sway them as they complained about the high cost of operability of these relay services. Finding out that some of the expenses were lost due to fraud, how do you think they will respond? The government and the courts listen to its citizens. How do you think the original ADA become weakened over the years in the first place.
I’m not sure people understand fully the long term ramifications of this scam. Fraud hurts everybody. Looking the other way and denial because some of the perpetuators are Deaf are considered to be enabling which promotes the fraud. One possible outcome of this scandal is a reduction of funds to VRS companies, like FCC had wanted the last few years. That will hurt the Deaf community.
We must remain vigilant and protect our rights as VRS consumers. By doing that, we need to condemn fraud or anything that may affect the VRS business or our rights to accessible phone services. I hope the FCC and DoJ will go after the other companies real soon.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
The quote by Eleanor Roosevelt about great minds applies to us, people who discuss what is going on in the news.
For news we demand the five W’s–who, what, when, where, and why–plus how.
For discussion and analysis we focus on the three separate areas in a balanced way: people, events, and ideas.
If we stick close to these principles, we need not stray into areas of speculation and gossip where it is not warranted.
That is where small minds become obvious–overemphasis on people and gossip. Average minds focus on events and go tsk-tsk over the criminality of them. Great minds focus on the principles involved and how these ideas can be advanced better.
January 16th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Candy i was not admonishing anyone for mentioning the names as facts in this case. in fact i commended MZ for covering these stories. I was quoting that quote because “talking about people…” as some commenters have been engaging in – i assume – is not in synch with MZ original intent in covering the VRS scandals
MZ and Dianrez your comments are what i was searching for – to see if this thread was to discuss accountability and work ethics etc and not to engage in character assassination etc
lots of dirty laundry out there for folks to dig up – “i remember several years ago i talked to that guy and he looked down on me because i ….
fill in the blanks with…. have a CI, use ASL, am gay, am straight, have no degree, have a hearing ear dog, have a truck instead of a car….)
i mean sometimes the comments are really really really personal and appear to be petty when we r talking about M A J O R crimes having taken place – isnt that sensational enough
and how things ping pong way OFF topic – wow!
the topic – VRS companies designed to serve the Deaf and Hearing community ROBBING the gov’t:
i think it is heartbreaking and appalling and REALLY REALLY REALLY wrong that these companies engaged in fraud and stole from US citizens and the govt
that ain’t cool
i too hope this will convince other VRS companies not to generate false calls and rack up hours to falsely bill the govt for
this widespread plundering of the universal fees coffer results in U.S. citizens getting a wee bit tired of bailout and hand outs, etc only to find out they have been fattening up the CEOs (and upper administrations) pocketbooks at their expense
it truly is shameful
my hopes are that the guilty parties will reform themselves and the remaining companies will do right by the public they serve
so the princples dianrez speaks of in this case – what are they?
- accountability of all VRS providers
- the Deaf parties shall not be portrayed as heroes or as Robin Hoods nor as monsters but rather as humans who fell pray to greed over the greater good
i am asking because i do not fully know and because im sure there are more principles that i am over looking
i do commend the defendants for coming clean rather than denying and generating more fabrications. My heart goes out to their families.
Peace
Patti
January 16th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Patti, moderating isn’t an easy job for me. For a long time, I’ve tried avoiding interfering with the commenters, so strong is my belief in their freedom of speech. After the unfortunate debacle two summers ago with DBC, I decided to moderate, but it remains a difficult job balancing between the freedom of speech and censorship. In this case, I was away the first day, leaving the blog unmoderated (I thought it was safe, but not this time) and it ballooned out of control rapidly. I did screen the night and the day afterwards, but I was tired from the trip. Apparently I will need to screen the comments again. That’s the reason I ask the readers to alert me if I miss any. Still, it is a fine line between freedom of speech and censorship. I appreciate your feedback.
Do I see the Viable administrators as monsters? No, not at all but I was extremely disappointed because my admiration for these leaders was high. Mowl and another one, a friend of mine, was extremely active during UfG. Yeh was a successful businessman and he contributed so much to the Deaf community. He was very generous with his sponsorship. The loss of these leaders as positive role models. The potential of Mowl, Tripp, Simmons, and other young people will be suspended temporarily or permanently, so that’s a big loss to the Deaf community. Yet they are human beings with faults. A constant reminder to us that even leaders we admire aren’t perfect, either. .I’m very sorry this had to happen in the first place. Because this may end up hurting the Deaf community more in the long run.
I hope Deaf people will continue to establish more Deaf-centered VRS businesses. As minorities, they are eligible to take advantage of the small business loans like Yeh did. Setting up a new organization, especially with the VRS requires heavy financing.
January 17th, 2010 at 5:56 am
Thanks MZ
my comment is really directed at all of us as commenters and bloggers/vloggers and moderators
MLK said “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” so if we are saying – those folks gotta be accountable we also need to know that we should be accountable and that we are all fallible
i have not always done a perfect job moderating, b/vlogging, or commenting – i think we will all go far if we can figure out how to navigate this terrain – how to we “agree to disagree” how do we keep our eyes on the principles and main topic and not the personalities
this is something i would like to learn along side u and dianrez and other folks
thank u again for posting this and the dialogue
re: the topic of VRS fraud and indictments – i may have missed it but is there a listing of how much EACH company stole / falsely billed the govt for?
just wondering if its a similar amount across the board or if some are worse than others etc. if u already posted this somewhere my apologies for the repeat
thanks again
peace
patti
January 17th, 2010 at 5:59 am
note i should have written above
amount they are accused of ….
i understand some have not been tried yet nor have they confessed their guilt but i thought at some point i saw a listing of amounts they are charged with defrauding the govt for and now i cant find it
peace
patti
January 17th, 2010 at 9:54 am
ridor thinks they are “robin hood”? give me a break. Stealing tax payer money isn’t good, no matter how you (deleted due to insult) spin it.
January 17th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Links above aren’t working to view the plea agreements.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
The way it was set up, the VRS providers had the carte blanche to do whatever they pleased. They were handed the money on a silver platter. A little over $6 a minute or about $360 an hour.
Computer with webcam = $1,000
Internet service for a month = $50
Raking in dough = priceless
Let’s not forget it was originally $17 a minute. When a reduction was proposed, it drew shrill cries from many VRS providers, never mind the fact people were getting rich off of this. Some VRS providers encouraged their users to send letters to the FCC. I stopped using the VRS providers who engaged in such strong arm tactics. I mean, $17 a minute was way too generous. $1,000 an hour. A lot made hundreds of thousands a year at our expense.
With the VRS industry being overly saturated as well as the dwindling FCC rates, it was not at all surprising to see some resort to thievery. It will adversely impact the deaf community’s accessibility.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
I suggest that you read the comments about fraud and dishonest by Bonheyo and Purple at deaf victims viable blog The blogs were posted in the last two weeks
January 30th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Look at deaf victims viable. They talked VRS fraud made by Purple,BIS,and Bonheyo.They were involved using datastar and engage illegal activities ! I wonder if SnapVrs engaged that in past ? Possbily second round of arrest will occur soon ?
Purple is hearing owned company
BIS and Bonheyo are deaf owned company
Sarah Moreland speak out if she has some evident. I will work on the issue and will post deaf victim viable soon. That is very hot blog now
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:17 am
Well, at that site, many allegations were made anonymously. As of now, we don’t have proof except for hearsays. So please keep that in mind.
Meanwhile, I’ve been hearing stories about abuses within the VRS industry, some with names mentioned, some with no names mentiones, for quite some time. So this doesn’t come as a big surprise at all. From what I’ve heard, more investiation into the practices of other VRS companies will be done and more charges levied against them. What many people didn’t understand until now is that ignoring these illegal schemes, pretending that they don’t exist, ends huring us, the Deaf Community. FCC since then had refused payments to certain types of calls. Again no surprise there.
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Patti
are you holding some of us to different standards than you are with others?
February 4th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Hello MZ – thanks for the mention as well.
I want to jump in to dispute “VRS User” who encouraged others to check a certain blog whom refused to identify the owner(s) who allowed anonymous commentators to engage in character assassination, destructive accusations, libel, defamation and slander. These are not productive nor healthy way to discuss ourselves.
I merely indicated that it SEEMED to me that Viable’s actions were more of Robin Hood. You’re entitled to your opinion. It does not mean that I approved of their actions.
Otherwise, yes, all VRS companies engage in fraud.
R-
February 7th, 2010 at 5:40 am
They aren’t Robin hood & I don’t pity them. Is there any news on the company Deaf Studio and when Marc or Mark Velasquez will be going to trial? He’s one of the deaf defendants. He has been a thief,con man & a dead-beat dad all his life, so I know these people were not good people doing bad things. It was out of greed & self interest. The money they donated was used as tax write offs. Nobody does something for nothing. If you know how I can get specific court information pertaining to Marc Velasquez Verson please e-mail me at paulvelasquez7@gmail.com
Paul