Official Update Regarding Riley Robinson

[Lilli O' Neeus]

I'm very appreciative of the update.

I just would like to know that, when all the dust settles, we'll be apprised of what, if any, punishment Riley receives for being such an ass hat. I am quite willing to wait since I know these things can take years. I just feel that we are entitled to know the eventual outcome.

Also, I still think our lawyer has the coolest board name ever.

 

[Ajailyn Morrivinna]

Thank you for the update.


I'm extremely pleased that the authorities are investigating this so that he does not continue to do this to other organizations he's "helping".

This here sums up my feelings. I am very glad the decision to report to the law was done. I know we are a close community, but I am very glad to see that our Board doesn't also look at such close ties as reasons to forgive something so illegal.

 

[Bryher al'Venna]

Deoan definitely said what I was feeling as well. This was an incredible betrayal.

Thanks to Hammar and the Board for everything you've done to handle this mess.

 

[Stephen Lightheart]

I'm kinda disappointed with the reactions to my comment.

I was under the impression that Riley was in deep financial problems and that what started as a temporary "loan" that he thought no one would have noticed before he paid it back, turned into a big problem in which he kept using more money to keep his head above water.

I'm not saying what he did was right, nor am I saying that I understand at all why he did it, but from everything I've heard about the situation, I don't think that he's the kind of guy who just woke up one day and decided, "Tee hee, I'm gonna rob Tar Valon!"

He made a whole lot of huge mistakes, willfully stole money when he could have just asked for help, and now he's getting his due. I believe that he deserves the punishment he will receive, and I wasn't pleading for mercy. I simply can't help but feel an inkling of compassion for this guy and his family. He's likely going to jail, you know. This is a wonderful community we have here, which has been incredibly strong throughout this entire ordeal. It is a community of people who support each other and stand by each other. Please, don't let your hurt turn into blind hatred, that would defeat everything we stand for.

To quote Kitan's thoughtful post:

But instead of responding with anger, we responded with grief and action - and as we comforted each other, we began to heal. We're seeking justice through the appropriate venues, as is our duty, so that Riley hopefully cannot victimize anyone else. We need to remember the important things - we comforted each other instead of turning on anyone, and because of that, the Tower stands.

 

[Kitan Tataru]

I was under the impression that Riley was in deep financial problems and that what started as a temporary "loan" that he thought no one would have noticed before he paid it back, turned into a big problem in which he kept using more money to keep his head above water.

If I remember correctly, that's what was stated in the 2 long threads about this matter at the time, both the one by the Amyrlin and the one by Hammar.

This is a wonderful community we have here, which has been incredibly strong throughout this entire ordeal. It is a community of people who support each other and stand by each other. Please, don't let your hurt turn into blind hatred, that would defeat everything we stand for.

Stephan is right on this point, too. At the time it happened, we were in shock and didn't respond with hatred. Now, two years later, we are no longer in shock. Riley is a distant figure who some of our newer Senior Members may have never even heard of.

It would be easy for us to hate Riley, to hate the mere idea of him, now that we have an inkling of how deep his betrayal went and now that so much time separates us from the initial event. But we are a community of camaraderie. We are a family of brothers and sisters, and that includes JMs and Citizens. We strive to be Servants of All. Hate is poison. Hate would eat away at those aspects of who we are. Hate is one of the few things that can tear apart the Tower.

To be clear, I'm not saying we shouldn't be angry about Riley's embezzlement - and I am most certainly not saying we shouldn't pursue justice! Even after all this time, I am angry. (Just ask my husband.) I don't get angry often, but this got under my skin like very few things in my entire life have. I harm to.

But my anger comes from the emotional pain I have of being betrayed by someone I trusted. I'm willing to bet that a lot of other people here are in emotional pain for the same reason. But hate is easier to feel than pain, so some people turn to hatred without even realizing it.

Acknowledge your pain, your grief. We can come together and heal together as we pursue justice. Ultimately it will make us stronger and bring us closer as a community.

 

[Maresa Lyonne]

Wow.

I am so not seeing how "blind hatred" came into the game.

 

[Stephen Lightheart]

Wow.

I am so not seeing how "blind hatred" came into the game.

I don't think it has, and we should make sure it doesn't. Let's continue talking about justice, rather than revenge. We're awesome, and we've been proving that throughout this situation.

 

[Raevyn Tsornin]

Reading this, I can't help but feel really bad for Riley. Talk about a mistake that's biting him in the butt. I'm so proud of this community and its leadership, though!

Thank you Stephen

And thank you all for the update. The level of transparency with this type of incident is greatly valued and appreciated. You are all wonderful in doing such a difficult job

 

[Raevyn Tsornin]

If I remember correctly, that's what was stated in the 2 long threads about this matter at the time, both the one by the Amyrlin and the one by Hammar.


Stephan is right on this point, too. At the time it happened, we were in shock and didn't respond with hatred. Now, two years later, we are no longer in shock. Riley is a distant figure who some of our newer Senior Members may have never even heard of.

It would be easy for us to hate Riley, to hate the mere idea of him, now that we have an inkling of how deep his betrayal went and now that so much time separates us from the initial event. But we are a community of camaraderie. We are a family of brothers and sisters, and that includes JMs and Citizens. We strive to be Servants of All. Hate is poison. Hate would eat away at those aspects of who we are. Hate is one of the few things that can tear apart the Tower.

To be clear, I'm not saying we shouldn't be angry about Riley's embezzlement - and I am most certainly not saying we shouldn't pursue justice! Even after all this time, I am angry. (Just ask my husband.) I don't get angry often, but this got under my skin like very few things in my entire life have. I harm to.

But my anger comes from the emotional pain I have of being betrayed by someone I trusted. I'm willing to bet that a lot of other people here are in emotional pain for the same reason. But hate is easier to feel than pain, so some people turn to hatred without even realizing it.

Acknowledge your pain, your grief. We can come together and heal together as we pursue justice. Ultimately it will make us stronger and bring us closer as a community.

Yes Stephan is right in this. And right in that he will likely serve jail time.
Yes i am his friend. Since my first literal minute here at TV. He was my warder. I feel the sense of betrayal as much as anyone. My heart sank when he told me. It was a series of bad judgment calls that he owned up to and is cooperating. He was man enough to call key people and own his behavior.
He had to tell his family. He has lost friends and jobs over this. He knows he has no one to blame but himself and honestly there were days that i worried and wondered IF my best friend would make it through them. We do nit talk about this. Not because i dont want to know. Not because i dont care. Mostly because my role as his friend isnt too beat him down and give him penance - there already enough of that- but because he is someone i care about and knew long before this ever happened. He is someone who i am helping deal with a crises just as i would any of my friends. And because to talk about this continues to break both if our hearts, neither of us need that.
No one will ever be able to make him feel worse than he does. Trust me. No one can beat him up more than he does.
Yes be angry. Yes be upset. You get to have your feelings. I am still stuck on hurt and pain. But know he is a person, with a family, and is suffering from his actions too.
We now always still have each other and can talk and heal and he has so much less at losing us.

 

[Sarramy Valtiele]

Reading this, I can't help but feel really bad for Riley. Talk about a mistake that's biting him in the butt. I'm so proud of this community and its leadership, though!

Thank you Stephan. I feel the same way.

 

[Hammar O'Justice]

Also, I still think our lawyer has the coolest board name ever.

I think you are a sophisticated woman of demonstrably impeccable taste.

 

[Hammar O'Justice]

There's no way that I can personally see that Riley could have done this as as one-time thing. If it were a one-time thing, I might be able to call this a mistake. Might. But I highly, highly doubt it was a one-time event.

(take this with a grain of salt, though, because I know nothing about accounting and I'm absolutely horrible at math - I still count on my fingers)

I will confirm that the activity in question was definitely not one transaction, or anything close to one transaction.

 

[Hammar O'Justice]

I was under the impression that Riley was in deep financial problems and that what started as a temporary "loan" that he thought no one would have noticed before he paid it back, turned into a big problem in which he kept using more money to keep his head above water.

This is Riley's version of the story; we do not as yet have independent confirmation whether this assertion is true or is untrue.

I make no comment on the mitigating effect, if any, such facts would have if true.

 

[Alyssa Letherio]

Thank you for the update, it is good to know this has been and is being handled correctly.

 

[Leo Kian]

Thank you for the update on this situation, and thank you for the continuing hard work.

 

[Sabriane Diamodred]

This is Riley's version of the story; we do not as yet have independent confirmation whether this assertion is true or is untrue.

I make no comment on the mitigating effect, if any, such facts would have if true.

Regardless, we are a caring community. I daresay had he asked for help rather than taking it, people would have done their best to support him. A loan is a mutual agreement, not the decision of one person.

This predates me and I don't want to get too drawn into this, but while I can sympathise with desperation making people do drastic things, we all have to take responsibility for those actions.

It sounds like, at least to some extent, he is taking responsibility, and that I do respect.

It sounds like there is no current plan for that money to be repaid, is that the case? I understand if this cannot be answered.

 

[Lilli O' Neeus]

I think you are a sophisticated woman of demonstrably impeccable taste.

Flattery will get you to a lot of places, sir. I am afraid I still have to charge for the parties, though I will buy you a drink if you ever show up to one.

 

[Ivanor Winshaw]

I have one question:
I know that several of our most awesome members helped the Tower by loaning monies to cover immediate expenses. I also know that we've had at least one fundraiser to pay back those loans. Have we(TV.net) finished paying back those loans to our members?

 

[Sabriane Diamodred]

I have one question:
I know that several of our most awesome members helped the Tower by loaning monies to cover immediate expenses. I also know that we've had at least one fundraiser to pay back those loans. Have we(TV.net) finished paying back those loans to our members?

That's a really great question, I too would be interested to know this. Also, huge thanks to those who did make loans to keep the Tower Standing

 

[Lilli O' Neeus]

If you look here, Ubah has provided a schedule of our debt repayment.

Excerpts

Many members remember the difficult situation that came to a head on Halloween 2012. To let our newer members that haven't heard, we were shocked to learn that the Tower banks accounts had been reduced to a negative amount. In the midst of this crisis, it was inspiring to see members rise to the occasion to help the Tower pay (most of the) debts accrued and provide us a starting point to keep operating.

The first step on this path, is focusing on our debt. Currently we owe approximately $4,780. Projected budgets have us paying this off before September 2016. Executive team are reviewing the budget for areas to cut back so that we can focus on paying that sucker off. We are also returning to our roots by pitching in more directly.