Whoever sent this: Thank you!
Bo,
I have some news that you will find not so shocking, but this was known by VATSIM legal under George Marinakis. It was first discussed under Alex Bailey’s tenure. It concerns the offline actions of the former ATM at Miami.
http://www2.jcfloridan.com/jcf/news/local/article/sex_assault_case_slow_to_trial/83786/
This case was dropped due to prosecutorial error; the case was not brought to trial quick enough violating the defendants rights. Essentially evidence and interviews were lost. The comment from the former ATM was “My lawyer says I can beat this.”, not the comment expected like, “I didn’t do it!”, this was heard third hand.
It was stressed heavily to Alex B. that he contact VATSIM legal ASAP, it took a little convincing. This conversation took place a week before the Miami live event. No one who was attending the live event knew this, and there were children under 18 who would be attending. What if something happened, could VATSIM be held liable? You could understand the concern.
The note back from VATSIM legal was that they would monitor the situation, but there wasn’t anything they could do. Understandably they could not without a legal resolution. What was shocking to those in the know that no one said or asked him to step down until the issue was resolved.
Now we have this…..
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100407/ARTICLE/4071040/2055/NEWS?p=1&tc=pg
Read the article, the former ATM in question is mentioned by name on page 2.
I find it fascinating that there is nothing in writing on the network, code of conduct etc. With online pedophiles in abundance and the claimed number of members VATSIM has, there have to be a few on the network and it is my understanding there was one incident previous to this one (there was no mention that anything happened online).
This was the result of a Google search, these articles were not found until Alex B told a select few what the issue was and who was involved.This is public information. His initial reaction was nonchalant at best.
The ATM in question is no longer ATM of Miami, and he may have stepped down because of this new legal action. I noticed the ATM of Miami position was posted on 3/25.
Additionally, and most troubling:
The former ATM still is a Supervisor
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I find it interesting that Bo can be threatened to have his posting rights revoked on a "private network", however, nothing can be done on the same "private network" about something like this.
ReplyDeleteWhat's next? He starts a Virtual Airline "Kid Toucher Air" on the network? Look out for KTA001 visiting your scopes soon...
ReplyDeleteThe drama on this network should be made into a mini-series.
A mini-series based upon the drama of VATSIM? Yes! It would be far be a hit.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how long it's going to take before this information becomes "public" on the VATSIM forums...
ReplyDeleteI'll place a bet as to how quick that thread will be locked.....
Fact check:
ReplyDeleteAlex turned it over to Bryan Wollenberg and George Marinakis within 2 days of seeing the article, to my understanding the response he received was to sit on it and allow GSM to gain factual evidence that the Robert Brehm in the article is in fact Robert Brehm on VATSIM. Alex never heard back, so he continued his duties as Division Director and left the legal matters to VATSIM's attorney.
Fact Check:
Robert Brehm was removed from the ATM position and initially was removed as a SUP pending more of an investigation on the part of VATSIM's legal counsel and Founders.
Fact 1
ReplyDeleteAlex was told by Robbie himself, " .......touched some kid....". Accused of holding a knife at a childs throat is not "touching" some kid. When this information was discussed, an article was found within an hour and shown to Alex. That should have establshed that the suspect in the article, mentioned by name, and based on Robbies verbal statement that they were one in the same. It was strongly emphasized to Alex to contact VATSIM legal ASAP. He needed convincing. He was still hesitant when he was told, bluntly, either he should report it or someone else would. It took several inquiries to Alex to find out if he sent an email or not. Regardless two days is still 24 hours too long in this kind of situation, and in all honesty his credibility has been called into question on more than one occasion. Was it really 2 days? It is also a fact that Robbie is a friend of Alex's that is not a statement of guilt by association by any means, please do not infer anything about their friendship, and while there is no blame or anything wrong with being friends, his reluctance was more the actions of a friend and not a Division Director.
Fact 2
Excellent!
This sounds like Mr. Prescott. You're misrepresenting the facts and putting words into Alex's mouth there buddy. I know exactly what he said of the situation as well as the urgency he had in handling it appropriately, which means it didn't involve Mr. Prescott. Alex was hesitant to provide any further information at this point to Mr. Prescott because he could not be trusted to maintain the privacy of the matter.
ReplyDeleteHaving spoken with Alex about this and receiving his permission to share this information, he specifically utilized restraint and excellent judgment in gaining the facts of the situation, as well as consulting with two close friends of his - one an attorney and the other a federal agent. His online friendship with Robbie (they were both Miami ATMs at one point and met at one live event) had nothing to do with the situation. Instead, he recognized the damage a false accusation can have on one's reputation, so he made every effort to confirm the facts before presenting his stance to VATSIM's legal counsel. Whatever happened beyond that point was outside of his control, above his pay grade, and was of no concern to the drama queens within VATUSA staff, such as Mr. Prescott. His only failure in the situation was not telling Mr. Prescott to shut up and mind his own business, which is where his inclusion of the staff got the best of him.
"The comment from the former ATM was “My lawyer says I can beat this.”, not the comment expected like, “I didn’t do it!”, this was heard third hand."
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear where you heard this bit of nonsense.
This Robbie Brehm... Sounds like a standup kind of guy. Is he available for on-site controlling demos at kid's birthday parties?
ReplyDeletePerhaps VATUSA should add "Not a suspected pedophile" to it's list of requirements for the ZMA ATM job?
Seems to me that in this situation the best and most responsible stance would have been to err on the side of caution from the get go. If whoever was in charge pushed it up the line I would think that due diligence would dictate a request for someone at the top to request Robbie to immediately step down from any and all positions of authority until the matter was entirely cleared. I would think that's SOP in any organization. It doesn't matter who's business it is, these are serious charges. If VATSIM doesn't care about the minors on the network, they should at least care about some overzealous parent getting a whiff of this and raising a ruckus.
ReplyDeleteThe ZMA mobile command post?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.motifake.com/image/demotivational-poster/0901/dont-worry-kids-free-candy-free-candy-van-van-fbi-demotivational-poster-1233115484.jpg
Nice straw man. To save time, why don't we just all agree that Hodge, Prescott and Podner are the cause of all ills on the network. They are the devil incarnate and could possibly be responsible for all the problems in the world. I have a strong suspicion that Podner is the cause of global warming, Hodge was on the grassy knoll and Prescott throws a wrench into mid-east peace talks.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone had talked about this beforehand, it would have been common knowledge long before now. So whoever had this information kept it under wraps for quite some time. If Alex waited too long to push it up the chain because he was friends with Robbie, it maybe wasn't the best decision but at the end of the day, what does it matter? Even if Alex had beat the drum loudly he's still at the mercy of the higher ups. Isn't that what most of the grumbling about on the forums is? That the DDs etc. are nothing more than ass kissers and puppets of the BOG? They dropped the ball on this one . Which really, shouldn't surprise anyone. LOL..they're going to worry about Bo being disruptive on the forums but aren't going to worry about a suspected pedophile meeting kids for live events and supervising them on their network. You can sue anyone for anything these days. This sort of thing could bring down VATSIM quicker than you can say "free candy". But hey, at least GRP2 is rolled out!
I would've never bet it would've taken that long.... I f'ing love it....
ReplyDelete=====
April 15, 2010 6:23 PM
Anonymous said...
I wonder how long it's going to take before this information becomes "public" on the VATSIM forums...
=====
April 15, 2010 10:03 PM
Anonymous said...
This Robbie Brehm... Sounds like a standup kind of guy. Is he available for on-site controlling demos at kid's birthday parties?
Perhaps VATUSA should add "Not a suspected pedophile" to it's list of requirements for the ZMA ATM job?
=====
Apr 16 2010, 06:24 AM
Bo Gercke
Can we include: NOT BE AN ALLEGED PEDOPHILE on this one, please?
Funny, it seems like the thread was removed from the forum....
ReplyDeleteI think it is hilarious that Robert Prescott thinks nothing happens unless he is involved. Both Prescott and Bo should stop trying to muddy the waters with false assumptions and altered evidence.
ReplyDeleteDid you say hilarious or sad?
ReplyDeleteDoes it matter if the waters are muddy or not? Most of you seem to be forgetting the crux of the issue here: There was an ATM in power, hosting a live event, who was being accused of holding a knife to the kids throat and forcing oral sex. Jesus! I don't have a dog in this fight (as I control in VATPAC), but even I realize this! Forget the name calling for a minute, and try to focus on the issue at hand.
ReplyDeleteAnd you also seem to be forgetting that the case was dismissed, he was never arrested (the government saw him fit to remain in society, hold his job, and continue about his daily life) and the accusation is just that - an accusation. Had there been any evidence or even the slightest threat to society, he would have been arrested. Fact is, he never was and never will be.
ReplyDeleteYou're also forgetting that VATSIM legal counsel was made aware of the situation on the second day after VATUSA was made aware.
I would venture a guess that everyone at the live event was over 18 years of age, and one of them in attendance is actually a police officer.
It was just that, an accusation. Had there been any evidence or if the state's attorney thought he posed any risk to society, he would have been arrested. This didn't happen and it never will. The case was dismissed.
ReplyDeleteI would venture a guess that nobody in attendance to the live event was under the age of 18, and one of them was a police officer.
"This conversation took place a week before the Miami live event. No one who was attending the live event knew this, and there were children under 18 who would be attending."
ReplyDeleteVATSIM is aware of who attended, and the ATM, who was 18 at the time, was the youngest member there.
Sounds like someone needs to confirm some facts before going and spreading the story.
According to the article, the case was dismissed because of prosecutor error, not because of not enough evidence. That's a far cry from being found innocent. I still think that the issue isn't who knew what or who told what but the propriety of someone with an open civil case, being accused of something like this, dealing with minors on the network. I still think that with something like this, you err on the side of caution.
ReplyDeleteIf there was enough evidence, the case would have gone to trial immediately and he would have been arrested. "Prosecutor error" means he waited too long after the alleged crime to take it to trial. Why? Because he didn't have a case.
ReplyDeleteAnd VATSIM did err on the side of caution, he was removed from his job of ATM and SUP. What more can be done? You guys are bitching and moaning for no reason.
Those of you idiots saying it's ok because he wasn't charged: Would you let your kids go on a camping trip with someone who was accused of forcing another kid to perform oral sex on him at knife point, despite it was only an accusation, and he's innocent until proven guilty?
ReplyDeleteEither you don't have kids, or you have no idea what the hell you're talking about. You can go back downstairs to mommy's basement.
Perhaps I misread the article. It looks as if the Court there is run by the Keystone Cops. They lost evidence, they handed it off due to administration changes, improper dates on filings and prosecutors on medical leave. By the time he was formally charged (and, since I've never been arrested, when you're formally charged does that mean you get booked and arrested, I honestly do not know) they got a new state's attorney and the case was yet again re-assigned. It looks like a continuous stream of ball dropping. The one hurt in all of this is the alleged victim, if this did indeed happen to him as reported he was cheated by the Florida justice system.
ReplyDeleteIn any event, the fact that he's no longer a SUP or ATM is a good thing. It was the responsible thing to do and probably should have happened when this first came up. Better late than never I imagine.
I am sure its ok, he wasnt convicted. I mean OJ wasn't convicted of murder. Would you let your daughter date him?
ReplyDelete"If there was enough evidence, the case would have gone to trial immediately and he would have been arrested. "Prosecutor error" means he waited too long after the alleged crime to take it to trial. Why? Because he didn't have a case."
ReplyDeleteSeems 4 out of the 5 prosecutors assigned to this case felt like they didn't have a chance to win. No prosecutor wants a loss on their record, and you can't lose if you don't take it to court.
His Facebook mentions nothing about his kid touching hobby. Must mean he is innocent.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/robbie.brehm
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac5/vatsim/zma.jpg
ReplyDeleteHow many kids do you know will make a story up like that? It's one thing to say, "Mom, he touched me in my goin/private area/whatever you want here" as opposed to saying, "Mom, he held a knife to my throat, and forced me to give him oral sex". Hello....big difference. Even the most vindicative of kids won't make up a story like that unless they were mollested, IMO
ReplyDeletehttp://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?p=354498#p354498
ReplyDelete"We are literally in the very last steps for choosing somebody, and are just working out a couple last things before we do."
What would that be? Awaiting the results of an NCIC check, searching West Law, or sex offender databases?
it just seemed so relevant to the discussion:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hulu.com/collections/429/143256
Sorry it's taken me a bit to reply, but I'm currently road-tripping across the US and drinking lots of great beer. I am not, however, busy touching little boys... and such.
ReplyDeleteLet's get to work.
quote
Anonymous said...
I think it is hilarious that Robert Prescott thinks nothing happens unless he is involved. Both Prescott and Bo should stop trying to muddy the waters with false assumptions and altered evidence.
/quote
I think YOU should come out from your mom's basement, and your monitor, and at least post your name. Come on; sack up, and let your balls drop. Anyways... I was sent an email. I'm passing on info as I got it. Nothing more. Muddying the waters? With what? An email that I received? Ummmmm... ok.
I am glad, however, that you were not able to confuse the discussion your remark. The facts are what they are; an ATM and Supervisor on the network was accused of a violent sexual assault on a minor and the BoG took too long to react to the allegation, and even worse, hid it from the members.
I find the last part appalling.
quote
Anonymous said...
It was just that, an accusation. Had there been any evidence or if the state's attorney thought he posed any risk to society, he would have been arrested. This didn't happen and it never will. The case was dismissed.
/quote
I'm willing to bet a day at the beach that this post was made by Robbie Brehm. Trying to justify an allegation this egregious by saying that it was "just an allegation" is asinine. Trying to put this into perspective, I would suggest that Robbie wouldn't have made it to trial alive after inmates discovered why he was there. Prison rule number one: Old ladies and kids are off-limits.
I saw this post:
ReplyDeletehttp://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?p=355189#p355189
And made me think. With the turnover in the VATUSA1 position, we now have a database to keep all those "next in line" names at the ready?
At what point do you cross the line and actually start holding leadership accountable (in this case VATNA) for the incredible attrition rate? Something is obviously broken, and the response is to create a database of potential VATUSA1's? Perhaps it's that thinking that's part of the problem...
Can't they just go through all the episodes of Datelines " To Catch a Predator" to find candidates?
ReplyDeleteTo bad they didn't hire John Walsh from America's Most Wanted as VATUSA543466 - Director of Human Relations and Hiring Policy. Would have had someone hired weeks ago.
ReplyDelete"At what point do you cross the line and actually start holding leadership accountable (in this case VATNA) for the incredible attrition rate?"
ReplyDeleteWhat's truly amazing how this isn't happening anywhere else within VATNA. If it were a VATNA issue, wouldn't this be happening everywhere within VATNA? Hmmmmm...maybe it really is a VATUSA issue after all.
"What's truly amazing how this isn't happening anywhere else within VATNA. If it were a VATNA issue, wouldn't this be happening everywhere within VATNA? Hmmmmm...maybe it really is a VATUSA issue after all."
ReplyDeleteSo, because it's not happening in the other 3 much smaller divisions, or isn't happening with the drama and scale of what's going on in VATUSA, means it's not a VATNA problem, but has to be within VATUSA? You're not too intelligent or bright on managing organizations and leadership, are you?
We're not talking about 1 person who wasn't best for the job. The simple fact is that the attrition rate of the largest division director job in VATNA is nothing short of alarming. There have been some intelligent and very competent people holding the position, yet quitting after citing the same reason.
There is a problem within the management structure above the VATUSA1 position, where that is, is the question. It's too bad you can't see that.
Yeah because we all know Podner, Bailey and others were the problem. Those poor guys and their inability to virtually lead a bunch of virtual artccs and deal with the virtual drama. Yep...shame on them..
ReplyDeleteI've seen the emails, read the comments, and have been a big part of the discussions. No one likes feeling like the people above them (read: EC/BOG) are doing everything in their power to work against them. Is it reality? Maybe, maybe not, but that is how it was perceived. I stepped down just for that reason. I saw the shit storm which occurred on a weekly, sometimes daily basis, and I didn't want to even give it the opportunity of affecting me. So when Andrew left, I decided too as well. Shame on Andrew not wanting to put up with it. Shame on me for "being a follower".
Though if any of you have read the emails and taken part in the discussions, your perception would fall in the same category as everyone elses.
Anyone who says that they can do the position, well I hope they applied for it. I hope they are much stronger than everyone before them. I sincerely hope that they do what is best for the division..however at the same time..i hope they remember one thing: perception is everything. It's obvious the BOG/EC has forgotten that...
I think its not a matter of the new candidate being "stronger". I think if they want to stick around they're going to have to be "weaker" and just be happy with the title and they're just a patsy for who is above them. Go along to get along. Anyone with any backbone or drive who wants to affect any sort of change for the better is going to be SOL and gone in six months.
ReplyDeleteThe previous two comments are absolutely correct ^
ReplyDeletehttp://www2.jcfloridan.com/news/2011/feb/15/man-accused-sexual-battery-takes-plea-deal-ar-1463465/
ReplyDelete