Former Client is making False Accusations, Slander, Libel &a
This is a long story, but I will try to be brief.
Last fall my company experienced financial problems to the tune of $40,000.00. This affected two wholesale buyers and 5 designers.
I ended up firing two sales people who turned against the company and went on to take several designers with them in their similar company.
One of the former buyers states that my company owes them $29,000.00, when in fact it is $19,000.00. I offered several repayment options and they turned down everything.
Between the months of October 2004 - February 2005; they hired a private investigator who harased my mother, attempted to make her pay $20,000.00 - telling her that the Feds would arrest me and throw me in federal prision for wire fraud. Mind you, that is not what happened. Regardless.
This former buyer called all my designers as well as clients and told lies about me in hopes that my business would fail altogether. I have saved well over 75 harassing emails from him and other deigners. Many designers cancelled contracts with my company; thousands of dollars in unpaid cancellation fees are due to my company. I didn't purse the cancellation fees as I was more focused on trying to rebuild my business.
From the months of October to February; the company generated a little over $1,500.00. My truck was broken into out of town; I lost clothes, video equipment, camera, money and other personal affects. The items were never recovered.
In February; my home was broken into and everything was stolen. Many items never recovered. The person who did it was caught and sent to jail. I cleaned up the trashed rooms of what was not stolen and moved out. I then relocated to a different state. He had been reportedly feeding this former buyer information on myself: bank records, social security number, personal information, etc.
In March, I closed my first business client. A fresh new start. I was repaying designers the best I could; even though I was months behind in bills. I am still trying to recover.
I have been able to repay fully a few designers and have begun making payments to the other buyer. One payment of $500.00 and another in October of $100.00. I told this particular buyer that I would pay them $100.00 until matters improved in my company. This buyer has been harassing me via email and has called my current clients as well.
The amount that was orginally owed to buyer "b" was $6,700.00. $600.00 has been paid and I have set up monthly bill payment of $100.00/month. This buyer says $100.00/month won't do. I told him that was his only option for now.
Buyer A - emailed me last week. I have not resolved anything with him or his daughter who owns the business. Quite honestly, he scares me to death. This is the guy who hired an investigator to pry into my world as well as the world of my family - who is very prominent.
This is the guy who called all my clients and designers last year. This is the same guy who has slandered my company's reputation as well as myself from one coast to another. I fear for my life and my business rebuild success.
He emailed me twice in one day and his daughter emailed me three times. His letter was awful.
He started off by saying he hasn't forgotten about me (I haven't forgotten about him either). He goes on to say that he has been told that I am working in the porn industry (I am most certainly not).
He didn't mention anything about my current clients (thank god) nor my current designers (another thank god). He went on and on about my new career in the porn industry. He says that he has had people check out my new office space and how they reported back saying it was involved in porn.
I no longer have an office. My mail is sent to my former office with permission of the company that is doing business at that address. That company sells condoms and has been doing so for over 15 years. Successfully. They are a large advocate of safe sex, etc. No porn going on there.
I launched a non-profit this summer as well. It is very successful and we provide a great deal of aid to those in need. I fear that Buyer A will attempt to do something to hurt my reputation that will directly or indirectly affect my non-profit as well as my attempts of rebuilding my business.
His email, like I said, was awful. He made several assumptions....none of them true. He said he is working with the Attorney General in my home state - however, when I went to the attorney general's website I saw nothing about such a case. Buyer A claims there is a prosecuting attorney working the case, but I have not received an email, letter or phone call.
However, I have heard from current clients that other designers that I have never met are talking badly of me and my business.
I know who is talking about me....people he contacted last year.
And like I said, I have several emails to prove his harassment and libel as well.
I am not in a position to afford an attorney; but I know I need to hire one. I would like to sue those who are slandering and causing libel against myself, my business and my personal life.
Last year I backed down because I couldn't emotionally take it anymore. I was depressed for months and finally pulled myself through it.
Now, with his current email I am scared that he will harass me again or worse yet, do something to hurt me.
Currently, I am still in operation, but deeply in debt. I have moved out of my home for a few reasons: one is related to my non-profit work and the other was to cut down my expenses in order to repay those affected faster.
I have a truck payment and other nominal operational expenses; and the intent is to repay. However, with all the slander, defamation and libel going on - it is very challenging to conduct business.
I don't understand why people do this. If they wish to be repayed, why wouldn't they simply keep their mouth shut and allow me to rebuild the company so I can repay them in a timely fashion? I just don't understand the hatred in this world.
I desperately need some advice and perhaps an attorney who will agree to meet with me within the Los Angeles, CA area.
I do look forward to any suggestions, comments and or replies to this post.
Thank you in advance...
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