Judge to Founder of WSRC - Blagojevich - Stay in prison

Discussion in 'Trapshooting Forum - Americantrapshooter.com' started by Family Guy, Aug 10, 2016.

  1. Family Guy

    Family Guy Mega Poster Founding Member

    Saying Rod Blagojevich's corruption diminished the public's "already taxed faith" in its elected leaders.

    This comes the day before the ATA Board of Directors meets at the facility in an emergency meeting to change it's by-laws after giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars in guns that were against the by-laws.

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-rod-blagojevich-appeal-20160809-story.html

     
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  2. HistoryBuff

    HistoryBuff US Navy Retired US Navy Retired Founding Member Forum Leader Official Historian Member State Hall of Fame

    Family Guy,

    Were the guns bought by ATA Presidents really against our By-Laws?

    The Officers and Directors did not consider the Presidential Honorarium (Gun) Allowance as compensation and therefore it did not violate ATA By-Laws. Unless . . . . State and Federal Attorney Generals and/or the IRS regulations identify such a valuable gift as a form of compensation.

    What is so disturbing is the fact that our Officers and Directors were informed many times that the President's gun appeared to be in violation of our By-Laws and most likely in violation of the rules for non-profit (501-c-3) organizations, yet they still voted to permit the purchase of the gun in the Accountable Plan.

    The ATA Secretary made certain that all E. C. members and all Delegates were aware of the very real probability that granting approval of the gun was a violation way back in 2010.

    The voluntary review conducted by ATA member Robert Glatz in July 2011 again advised ATA Officers and Directors of this violation.

    The recent (April or May 2016) investigation of the ATA by the Illinois Attorney General's Office, according to a summary from the ATA office, recommended a By-Law amendment to permit the President's gun as an exception to the long-standing rule that Officers and Delegates shall serve without compensation.

    This gives rise to the following questions:

    First, why would Delegates agree to provide ATA Presidents with compensation even when they were aware that it violated our By-Laws? Do they consider themselves exempt?

    Second, why was there no report in the E.C. or B.O.D. minutes in August 2010, advising the membership that a vote to approve or reject the Accountable Plan which included the President's gun was scheduled and conducted?

    Third, was the ATA's not-for-profit status placed in jeopardy as a result of the actions of our Delegates?

    Personally, I lack knowledge on the rules of charitable organizations which is my reason for asking questions. My intuition tells me that Mr. Glatz made a noble attempt to correctly advise the ATA on this issue. He was highly praised as an expert when he assisted with the 501(c)(3) application about 2004, but considered to lack the credentials and knowledge after voluntarily submitting his comprehensive examination. I think I'll side with Mr. Glatz and with the scheduled vote to amend the By-Laws, thus finally permitting the President's gun to be excluded from the no compensation rule, it appears that 5 years later, our Board of Directors now also agree with his recommendation.

    Just my 2 cents on the matter.
     
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  3. Family Guy

    Family Guy Mega Poster Founding Member

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 6, 2006

    Gov. Blagojevich opens World Shooting and Recreational Complex
    State-of-the-art shooting and recreational facility will generate millions of dollars, hundreds of new jobs, and spur economic development throughout the state


    SPARTA – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today, joined by state and local officials, business leaders and sportsmen from across the nation, opened the long-anticipated World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) in Sparta. The newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility will become an economic boon for Southwestern Illinois, bringing more than 250 new jobs to the region, and hundreds of thousands of visitors to the state.

    The date coincides with Blagojevich thinking he was above the law. Above scrutiny the judge implied.

    You just have to think the corrupt asked themselves...."What would Rod Blagojevich do"?
     
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  4. wpt

    wpt Forum Leader Founding Member Forum Leader

    Blago's daughter appealed to the court that she wanted the family put back together again, The Judge did not by her line and excuses so he upheld his sentence ... One would think he has already developed a relationship with Big Bubba and probably quite happy being the new tight end on the prison football team ... WPT ... (YAC) ...
     
  5. History Seeker

    History Seeker A NoBody Founding Member Official Historian

    Don't worry anyone.

    The Floppy Eared Chimp will let his buddy Blago out before his term is up...

    I would almost go to the bank on that.