Official Statement of TarValon.Net Regarding Riley Robinson

[Eli Soljourn]

If anyone thought I was inferring they shouldn't share their thoughts, opinions, and feelings, I apologize. I was not trying to do so. I appreciate that everyone *is* sharing. I know I personally have a hard time sharing my feelings with anyone, let alone such a huge group as this. I just read some things that, in my interpretation, had made me nervous and felt a need to respond. Thank you for your response, Hammar.

 

[Jeffan Caliarthan]

I really like our lawyer, just sayin'.

 

[Lilli O' Neeus]

I was contemplating tying him to a chair until he makes Senior Member.

 

[Aran Cherubim]

I really like our lawyer, just sayin'.

I concur. Much obliged, mister O'Justice.

 

[Eniara Kisharad]

For the most part I've been keeping my thoughts and feelings to myself about this situation, partly because I'm still such a jumble of emotions I'm not sure what I'm feeling, but Kitan's comments about Riley's job made me want to share some thoughts.

I, for one, have absolutely not forgotten that he is a mental health professional. And when I heard the news I immediately asked myself, in disbelief, how he possibly could've done something to jeopardize all that he's worked for the last few years.

Riley has hurt us deeply. He's broken our trust. He's betrayed a community and individuals who I KNOW he sees as family. And I'm positive that when he did what he did, he wasn't thinking about any of that. I couldn't fathom how he would justify such a betrayal in his mind, but when I was talking this over with Ayendra she reminded me that more often than not we're inclined to take advantage of family in ways we never would strangers or acquaintances. We subconsciously assume they'll forgive us our transgressions, and that we can make things right with them.

We've not heard the exact details yet as to how much Riley stole and when he stole it...we aren't likely to for a good long time. But even so, I fully believe this hasn't been a long-term on-going problem. That Riley wasn't willfully skimming the coffers on a regular basis, so to speak, for his personal gain. If he was he's the most skilled liar I've ever met, and I'll have to accept I didn't know him at all, but I have a feeling we would've caught on a lot sooner to such activity because we do check up on the accounts and because the amount that has disappeared is obviously a hell of a lot of money. So that means he made an incredibly stupid and rash decision, likely in reaction to dire straits in his personal life.

Should he have taken the money? Absolutely not! I am in no way justifying his actions. If he needed help that badly he only had to ask, and if he let pride get in the way of asking he was a fool. Now he has to pay the consequences of this crime that he's committed. Those consequences have already begun in drastic fashion -- he's been literally (and rightfully) banned from our family. Since we're a legal entity there will be legal consequences to pay as well.

But, and this is a HUGE but in my mind, TarValon has never been about money. We're not here to make a profit. We're here to serve the community and each other. We're in the business of bettering lives. Riley was/is family. He has betrayed us in a terrible way and there have to be major consequences for that. I'm completely gutted that he's done this. I desperately, though, do not want to see his life utterly ruined by this. I don't want to see his family, his daughters' lives, ruined by this. None of our lives were ruined by this. We are wounded emotionally. We're missing operating funds, we're short a Treasurer/Board Member, and an event was immediately placed in jeopardy. That rightfully makes us angry. But we'll pull together as we always do and come ahead on the other side. In one of these threads someone commented how a corporation would immediately prosecute and here people seemed reluctant to grasp the scope of the theft. I don't think we fail to grasp it at all. I just think that TarValoners care far more about the people than the finances, and so naturally we're more emotionally invested in the situation. And naturally those of us who know Riley are even less likely to care about the amount stolen than the fact that it was even stolen at all, because it was so unexpected and out of character.

Maybe I'm just too forgiving. I admit it's my nature. When confronted Riley immediately came clean. He didn't lie, he didn't hedge around the bush, he fessed up. And he lost a decade of friendships and a place he called home the minute he did. If a beloved family member came to us and confessed stealing our life savings, we'd want to kick their butts. We'd throw them out of our house, we'd call a lawyer and possibly the police, and we'd try to get our money back. But we wouldn't do everything in our power to destroy their lives. We wouldn't bay for their blood. We especially wouldn't push it as far as possible if it turns out that family member only stole our money to put a roof over their kids' heads or keep the electricity on. Theft is wrong. However, the reasons behind it can, and should, have an effect on the punishment that is demanded.

Knowing Riley I am positive the guilt over how he's hurt people is going to be punishing that man for the rest of his life. He's done something terrible, but the fact that it blindsided all of us, including those of us who've known him for a decade or more, just goes to show that such behaviour is not the norm for him. Until Wednesday, Riley was one of the most trustworthy guys I knew...a man of deep integrity. In the days since I've had to do a lot of thinking and re-evaluation. His past character doesn't mean we let him off, but I am very wary of prosecuting if we don't have to and even more so I don't want to see him lose his counseling license because of this situation. I don't want to see him lose everything. I want to see Riley make appropriate reparations, learn a painful lesson, and come out a far wiser man at the end. I want to see the lesson learned make him a better counselor. I also understand, though, that being a counselor is a place of trust and Riley, at the least, has shattered our trust in him. I don't think we should even speculate, though, on trying to make the call whether he should still be a mental health professional. A group of his colleagues would be best suited to discuss this situation and decide whether this is indication of being unfit to do his job. I don't for a minute believe Riley would be a danger to anyone in his care. I don't believe he'd disclose their secrets or advise them poorly. But trust once broken is a hard thing to regain. Whether his clients could trust him if they knew what he'd just done, whatever his reasons for doing it...

We so often give a free pass to people with deep character flaws towards petty lies, slander, and other deceit. Yet when someone commits a big deceit, even if it's only one time, we start calling for retribution. Why is this? We all have flaws. We all make mistakes. Who among us hasn't done something incredibly stupid that we deeply, deeply regret? Maybe we got caught and maybe we didn't. Maybe we were convicted of a crime and maybe we weren't. I want to make it clear I'm not trivializing a theft of this magnitude. But if what Riley did truly was a a one-off event, especially if it was in response to hardships at home (for all we know he may have been days away from his house going into foreclosure or something...), I think some understanding and mitigation is warranted. That's not to say I'm discounting the right everyone has to be bloody furious at him.

Riley is going to be paying for this for a long, long time to come. Far beyond the completion of any monetary reparations. He's committed a serious crime and I agree that should be on his record somewhere. But conviction of a felony...the thought of that happening to him breaks my heart all over again. If he loses his livelihood it's just going to make the situation that caused this to happened even worse. I can't help but be more compassionate than that. I still care about Riley. I care about ALL of us. If I had the money to pay back what he took, and help him fix this, I would in a heartbeat. What makes me cry is knowing that if the tables had been turned, and someone else had embezzled this money in desperation, Riley would've been there in the front line trying to fix things and make it right.

It's heartbreaking how one terribly bad decision can turn such an upstanding person into a villain. Riley made his choice, acted as he did, and now all of us have to live with it. I'm with those who are completely devastated. Maybe one of these days I'll get angry with the rest of you, but for now I just want to cry.

 

[Jordan Rayne]

Thank you so much for the quick update, all your hard work, and the transparency thus far. It is perfectly understandable why not much more can be said on this subject, besides what we have already been told.

Tai'shar Tar Valon! :grouphug

 

[Vallah al'Dera]

i agree 100% with Eniara.

 

[Ilissa al'Nari]

Thank you, Eni, for so eloquently putting into words what I wanted to say but couldn't.

 

[Kitan Tataru]

His past character doesn't mean we just let him off, but I am very wary of prosecuting if we don't have to and even more so I don't want to see him lose his counseling license just because of this situation. I don't want to see him lose everything. I want to see Riley make appropriate reparations, learn a painful lesson, and come out a far wiser man at the end. I want to see the lesson learned make him a better counselor. I also understand, though, that being a counselor is a place of trust and Riley, at the least, has certainly shattered our trust in him. I don't think we should even speculate, though, on trying to make the call whether he should still be a mental health professional. A group of his colleagues would be best suited to discuss this situation and decide whether this event is indication of being unfit to do his job.

To clarify my opinion:

I 100% agree with Eniara that Riley's colleagues and superiors should make the call about whether Riley should continue in his job. It doesn't matter what occupation he has - the decision whether Riley is fit to perform his job or not is NOT our call, and it shouldn't be. I, of course, have opinions about that matter, but that's all they are: opinions from a biased layperson. I just think personally that Riley's colleagues and superiors to be notified about the situation (and about its complexities) in some manner so they can handle it as they see fit.

I know our leadership will handle this situation in the best possible way for everyone involved.

:grouphug

 

[Tsubasa Kamui]

i agree 100% with Eniara.

I too agree with Eniara.

I also haven't spoken as of now about this. I'm still in shock and mourning a loss of a dear family member/friend. He was one of the first people I met on this site, and one of the nicest. And I too just feel like breaking down and crying about this.

 

[Miridyth Al'Landerin]

Eniara was a bit spot on on how I feel. I can also see the other side. I will leave it up to our attorney (who is awesome btw...can I retain him????) and our Board. Correct me if I am wrong, but we are an incorporated entity with a real Board and not just a bunch of friends collecting money and paying for things like in the past. We have a board that is responsible to its members and accountable, therefore, it is imperative that they do what they have done and the "no comments" are justified until the corporation can view the damage, rectify the damage, and then decide what they need to do for damages done to the corporation. I am not a legal person, but having owned my own company, I am pretty sure this is close to how it works.

I truly appreciate, as a member, the updates and status of the corporation. Knowing that we are currently solvent, even at the expense of anonymous donors, this is encouraging. I am strongly encouraged that we will be back on track, since Serenla (who works in finance) will be heading up. So thank you for everything.

 

[Tazren Talamar]

He's committed a serious crime and I agree that should be on his record somewhere. But conviction of a felony...the thought of that happening to him breaks my heart all over again. If he loses his livelihood it's just going to make the situation that caused this to happened even worse.

I can very much agree with this sentiment. To me, this was a crime, and should be punished. And it should be on record. But if this truly was his first serious mistake like this, and he's cooperating fully, etc, I would hope that he doesn't get sent to prison for years and years.

 

[Emerald ní Róhan]

This has been mentioned previously, but I think it may have become lost in some other posts, and I wanted to sort of get it out there for the sake of the information.

There is a difference between pressing charges and prosecution. It will not be up to anyone at TV.net whether Riley is prosecuted for his actions. TV.net will likely have the option to press charges or not. Or, if it is brought to the attention of the prosecuting attorneys, the option of pressing charges may be taken from them. The decision to move forward with prosecution will rest with the attorneys, most likely the State.

 

[Andwin de'Gothia1]

Eniara: I do agree with some of what you write but not all. I DO think that he should go to jail for this as it is a real crime that he has committed. He has also given the Tower a bad reputation and some might not say this but I think some of us will think twice before we donate money again and thats all his fault. So he have harmed the Tower greatly as I see it.

We must also ask our self what would have happend if this was NOT discovered? Would he stop it or would he continue to take money? And for how long have he been doing this? maybe he have done thise before but have managed to re-pay the money before any one have noticed it? I do not know but this are questions that I must admit I ask my self.

Also you mention his daughters. well I would ask you: What kind of example is he to his daughters ? And should he be able to hide behind his kids when he has committed a crime?

I do not say I am the best person in the world and God should know that I have done a lot of stupid things in my life, but I have never ever stolen from any one, and I have never tried to hide behind my family. In my opinion he should pay back the money and admit to the crime (I understand he have done this). Then if he is committed for the crime he should do the time and then we can move on from there.

I for one would welcome him back IF and only if he make all things right again. I would not trust him with money, but I would accept him as a friend and as a person. And in time maybe he would be able to show me that he are worth my trust again.

Well thats how I see things.

 

[Vallah al'Dera]

To be Aes Sedai is to be a Servant of All, we must strive to help all, that is why TV.net does charity drives and such, we work to help our fellow mankind. Sending him to jail would hurt him. He needs to be punished yes, but making a decision that will make the situation he was in that prompted his actions worse, that is not the way. He needs to work to repay what he took, he needs to make restitution.

 

[Emerald ní Róhan]

^ ^ This. Thank you, Vallah

 

[Myralin al'Ser]

I agree with what Eniara and Vallah said. I hope Riley doesn't get sent to prison for this. I also understand that TarValon.net will take the necessary actions and I will accept them, whatever they end up being.

 

[Hammar O'Justice]

To be Aes Sedai is to be a Servant of All, we must strive to help all, that is why TV.net does charity drives and such, we work to help our fellow mankind. Sending him to jail would hurt him. He needs to be punished yes, but making a decision that will make the situation he was in that prompted his actions worse, that is not the way. He needs to work to repay what he took, he needs to make restitution.

As the most recent of the posts in this vein, I have chosen this one as the one I will respond to.

In this post I am in no way commenting on the Board's intentions regarding the current controversy. I do feel it would be helpful to explain a point or two about how the process works to clarify a few possible misconceptions.

Complainants and victims do not send people to jail. Courts do. After a court determines liability (meaning, Did The Defendant Do It), the court then determines the remedy or punishment. In criminal cases this is referred to as the sentencing phase. This is where the evidence of the defendant's good character, past good works, willingness to take responsibility, etc weigh in his favor to potentially reduce the sentence imposed by the Court. The Court weighs a variety of factors and then gives the punishment within certain bounds set by law.

Similarly, state licensing boards weigh many factors and hear much evidence before they choose to revoke a license. It is up to the licensing board and the standards that they have adopted (or were imposed by state law) to determine what factors get weighed and how much weight to assign. This Guy Did Bad Things is (usually) not the only thing they hear or listen to, though it could be the only thing that actually ends up mattering when the final determination is made. This guy falsified a report? Sounds shady! He did it because ninjas kidnapped his daughter? Probably unlikely to be repeated in the future, so yanking the license may not actually prevent any harm because the harm is unlikely to be repeated. Etc. etc.

What I hope this makes clear is that these processes are not as by-the-numbers or formulaic as they may seem. Some elements of the TV membership hope that TV goes forward with a particular action. Others may prefer that TV doesn't go forward with that action. Both operate under the assumption that TV going forward with the action would, by its own power, necessitate a particular desired/undesired result. I just want it known that the process reduces the certainty for both of those positions.

 

[Vallah al'Dera]

Sorry if i was misunderstood, I was just trying to respond to the several posts I have seen that have a "hang the thief" mood to them because I feel that is the opposite of who we are as a community.

 

[Aulrick Vendour]

To many here, Riley is family. If anyone has ever been to court, he has seen family members of criminals sitting in the back, praying the judge to understand that while THEIR sondid something illegal or wrong, his circumstances were different, he should be spared the jail sentence, because jail really CAN ruin people's lives... And normal families usually don't want to see their loved ones' lives ruined...

Now as for Hammar's post - correct me if I'm wrong, but if TV.net decides NOT to file a complaint, then the prosecuter can't press charges, correct?
I guess the question on everyone's mind is does TV.net's legal status means the board HAS to file a complaint, or they will be considered accomplices...

RAFO is a registered trademark of Bandersnatch Group, Inc. For me to use it without permission would incur toh.

Hammar, you rule :bow