Official Update Regarding Riley Robinson

Kelgan al'Moranwin

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It may be appropriate to point out that TarValon.Net, Inc., is not technically a "charitable organization" in the eyes of the law. We're registered as a social club.
 
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I have to tap the brakes here a a bit.

Let me clarify that we do not, today, have any evidence that Riley stole funds allocated for transfer to charitable entities.

As the wise Frenchman Jean-Luc Picard will say 350 years from now, "If we're going to be damned, let's be damned for what we really are."

True. I have no idea what qualifies as "charity" or "non-profit" under US law. What I wanted to express was that I see it as especially bad to steal from a not-for-profit organisation that in addition to being a generally caring and compassionate community also does some charity work. That is, he didn't steal money from some greedy evil corporation, which would still have been bad, just that I see stealing from something like TarValon.net as especially immoral. A bit like some sort of anti-Robin Hood behaviour, if you will.
 
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The fact that you are quoting Picard give your three gold stars from me Hammar. :fistbump
 

Dee Aremm

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True. I have no idea what qualifies as "charity" or "non-profit" under US law. What I wanted to express was that I see it as especially bad to steal from a not-for-profit organisation that in addition to being a generally caring and compassionate community also does some charity work. That is, he didn't steal money from some greedy evil corporation, which would still have been bad, just that I see stealing from something like TarValon.net as especially immoral. A bit like some sort of anti-Robin Hood behaviour, if you will.

Plus one.
 

Alora Sionn

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I have to tap the brakes here a a bit.

Let me clarify that we do not, today, have any evidence that Riley stole funds allocated for transfer to charitable entities.

As the wise Frenchman Jean-Luc Picard will say 350 years from now, "If we're going to be damned, let's be damned for what we really are."


:clap :pleased-1:
 

Sabriane Diamodred

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To clarify - we are a non-profit. We are not a charity. Those are two different distinctions.

It is an important distinction.

One thing I will say though - as a not for profit, we (by definition) expect out income to be roughly equal to our outgo.

By stealing, Riley MASSIVELY increased our outgo, but there was no income to make up for it, no stored or retained profits to use as a buffer, so outgo to other important areas - and given why we are all here, our get-togethers and such are important - had to be massively decreased. Had we been a big 'faceless' corporation or for-profit entity we might have had some buffer but we did not.

So regardless as to whether or not we are a 'charity' the effect was the same - money was taken that could not easily be substituted or replaced - so in my mind, stealing from a non-profit is no better (in monetary terms) than stealing from a charity.
 
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Thank you Hammer for your information. I have another question, because I do not know the law very well. Is there a way to put a lien on his house, car, property and any tax refunds before trial to make sure that he doesn't put up his house for collateral for bail or to pay a lawyer? Mainly because, I wonder, how he will be able to pay the money back if he does get 9 years. Will his wife be responsible for the reimbursement or will tv.net not see any money returned ever? I ask also, because a family member once sued and won against a person that they employed who was found guilty in a court for embezzling over 10K in funds. They were never able to get a return of the money. Thanks.
 

Sarramy Valtiele

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Personally I would prefer to see him ordered to pay everything back (plus interest, if possible) but I just don't feel I could ever hope for jail time in a case like this. Maybe I'm too compassionate on that, and I know it's a serious crime (especially knowing what an incredibly large sum it was), but it's not like he murdered or raped. I would personally rather see his federal taxes be held to repay the debt, plus have his wages garnished. Like Miridyth Sedai points out too, how will he be able to repay the money if he's in his prison? No, I don't personally think locking someone up for a crime like this is appropriate. *shrugs* Just my opinion.
 

Sela Narian

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Maybe I'm too compassionate on that, and I know it's a serious crime (especially knowing what an incredibly large sum it was), but it's not like he murdered or raped.

You are basically setting up a logical argument here that anyone who has committed a crime but didn't murder or rape someone shouldn't have to go to jail as punishment. Think about that a bit.

I would also be interested in knowing exactly how far we can go to claim the money and if it's an achievable goal. According to what I've read, he's said he'll pay it back, but have we received a single cent from him as of yet? Or is that being held off as well until the investigation is concluded?
 

Sarramy Valtiele

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You are basically setting up a logical argument here that anyone who has committed a crime but didn't murder or rape someone shouldn't have to go to jail as punishment. Think about that a bit.

I would also be interested in knowing exactly how far we can go to claim the money and if it's an achievable goal. According to what I've read, he's said he'll pay it back, but have we received a single cent from him as of yet? Or is that being held off as well until the investigation is concluded?
I think we send people to jail for far too little. No I didn't expand on all the reasons I would consider acceptable for jail time but no matter, I don't consider this one of them. I think there are other consequences that are more appropriate.
 
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Raam Sho'am

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I can't see the reasoning behind this one. You're basically suggesting that large-scale embezzlement should be treated as a loan.

Riley stole tens of thousands of dollars. He took this money from people who trusted and loved him. He used the money on luxury items for himself and his family. These are all facts. He has to pay the price, and I cannot fathom a world in which that price is "well, just pay the money back, maybe with some interest", especially given that he apparently made an effort to hide exactly how much money he took. He belongs in jail.
 

Deoan Kakarot

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If someone broke into your house and stole over $20,000 worth of belongings, would you want them to go to jail for it, or just pay you back over the next decade or two with their tax refund?
 

Deoan Kakarot

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Better analogy: that person was a person you trusted, you gave them a key to your house to feed your cat while you're away.
 
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