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LATEST POSTS
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That's a disturbing comment. While not pleasant to think about, it is certainly possible that some of the commentators on this forum over the years probably were involved in some of these cases. It's perhaps good to remember that a tactic of the guilty is to deflect blame elsewhere and weigh comments in that light. -
In July of last year, @MYCVAStory shared some information from an attorney by the name of Lawrence Friedman. I'm reposting it. To Survivors who have filed claims in the Boy Scouts bankruptcy case: My name is Lawrence Friedman. I am a former Director of the US Trustee Program. Prior to my appointment to that position, I was a bankruptcy trustee in Detroit where I administered more than 10,000 bankruptcy cases under both Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code. I discovered considerable fraud and abuse in the bankruptcy system, and I began writing and speaking about my findings, ultimately testifying multiple times before the US Senate Subcommittee on proposed reforms to the bankruptcy system. My inside view led to my appointment as the Director of the Program responsible for the oversight of the bankruptcy system. Within 90 days of my appointment, I was faced with the mega bankruptcies of Enron, WorldCom and Adelphia. I immediately championed a change in policy which mandated the appointment of examiners in each of these cases. Examiners bring transparency to the process, and examiners also act as a clearing house for information thus adding efficiencies to the administration of these cases. Since leaving the Department of Justice, I have been increasingly troubled by the use of the bankruptcy system to solve societal problems. My focus is on these mass tort cases where victim Survivors are being victimized again by bad actor tort lawyers. I believe that my team can bring these matters to the attention of the Court and effectively free up more than $70,000,000.00 in funds which these lawyers are claiming in fees and which rightfully should go to Survivors. The explosion of claims within these cases is particularly troubling. I have authored several editorials and white papers on this topic. That said, real change comes from action. I have been reviewing claims filed in the BSA case and I am appalled by the practices of some of the attorneys. Many used claim aggregators to solicit clients and filed claims in these cases using the standard bankruptcy proof of claim form. The claim form is available online and was designed to allow non-lawyers to fill it out. The form doesn’t even have to be correct because if it’s not the debtor will object to the claim, and you get an opportunity to fix it. Yet every law firm that solicited large numbers of claimants had the client sign a one-page retainer agreement that gives the lawyers a 40% contingency fee for doing nothing more than filing out this form. The lawyers want to pretend this is a typical contingency fee case when in fact all they did was simply fill out a form. Rather than collecting 40% of the money paid to victims, these lawyers should get a fee similar to petition preparers – non- lawyers who help people fill out forms to be filed in court – which would be more like $150.00. There are other serious problems with these retainer agreements such as whether they comply with state laws and state bar ethics rules. Just as in the mega corporate cases, transparency in these mass tort cases is critical to fairness. My firm wants to help Survivors get the attention and assistance they deserve. Any compensation we receive would be a small fraction of the 40% they are being overcharged now!" I am interested in chatting with any victim Survivors who have expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which their claim has been handled by their current counsel. They can contact me with no obligation at: mailto:lfriedman@friedmanpartners.net I've been in contact with Lawrence since @MYCVAStory posted this information. The Slater Firm debacle has give him what he needs to proceed with this action. If anyone is not happy with the way your firm handled your case feel free to contact him. He is taking clients regardless of the firm you signed with. This would be a contingency fee agreement. He can represent you in order to get the fee agreement with your current attorney voided. This action is not going to delay the Settlement Trust from processing your claim in any way. For anyone that is interested. Here is the original post by @MYCVAStory: https://www.scouter.com/topic/33424-chapter-11-announced-part-14-plan-effective/?do=findComment&comment=554339 -
@Jameson76 said Bottom line, 815,000 youth in 230 (or so) councils means 3,500 youth per council. If a Council Executive (average) pay is $200K (all in) that means just for the local CE there is a burden of $57 per member. Data suggest 3,100 or so SA employees, so that may indicate (with benefits) just labor overhead burden of +/- $190,000,000 or $233 PER YOUTH member. That is before any other overhead costs such as IT, liability insurance. SA (formerly BSA) needs to reduce the costs, focus on growth, and get rid of what doesn't add value. My friend sent these. 235 councils. Only 11 with more than 10K youth. Less than 4% with more than 3K. 20% with less than 1K. -
From what I have dug up, our unit always paid its own way, though it was often enhanced by people within the larger Church Family who donated generously. And, while we may soon get out from the "Council" in theory, CO shadow, the use agreement is solid. Here is a just posted on FB Church link, for example. The Scouts have always helped the church when we needed them. It is now our turn to help the scouts. What perfect way to say thank you, and we are glad you are here. If you have some extra time and would like to help, the Church Office has a list of chores that can be done at any time. Give Kathleen a call or email because many hands make light work. -
At least in my district we did not lose units due the Methodist pull out, they all (5) found other charter organizations to pick them up. Also, while I cannot speak for all districts or councils but in this area the Methodist Church did not pay for membership. My own unit was one of those who had to find a new C.O. and while we were at the Methodist Church, we only had one member who was also a member of that church.
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