[quote=earlyretirement][quote=jstoesz]I rarely appreciate commentators on news articles. Actually, I never do. But this one at the top was actually cogent and is quoted in full below.
“Some questions left unanswered in that story:
– She had a “nine-year gambling spree” that started after the death of her hubby in 1994. So, that lasted until 2003! Why did the case go to court only now, in 2012?
– She sold a hotel for 7 millions in 2009. Why hasn’t she repaid the money to the charity?
– Since her gambling spree only lasted from 1994 to 2003, why should her brain surgery in 2011 be related to that at all?
– She left the charity broke. Why didn’t anybody notice this at once, and it had to be the IRS to uncover her gambling addiction?
Only some of a lot of questions that the story leaves unanswered. All in all, yet another example of nowaday’s “journalism” that focusses on stenographing soundbites without much concern about the coherence of the report. Some actual thinking and investigating would be highly appreciated.”[/quote]
My guess is no one knows the true story except for her and maybe her lawyers. But maybe she even withheld things to them.
In this kind of situation, typically a gambler will always try to downplay how much they lost. Gamblers like to talk about how much they made and the hands they won but never the hands they lost. So my guess is this $2 million from the Foundation could be the tip of the iceberg.
Also, I would take a grain of salt with anything you hear/read with how long the addiction went on. It probably was even longer than what the stories are saying. And her lawyer’s estimate of her past net worth is probably understated as well. IMHO.
As far as the hotel she sold for $7.5 million. They never got that amount. “Mayor Mo” and her twin sister didn’t go through a traditional sale. You can read the details below:
ER, there is no one more qualified to untangle this mess and get justice for the O’Connors than bulldog Mike Aguirre. This lawsuit, now going in its third year, will be settled or adjudicated.
That 37 AC parcel situated atop a very rugged and beautiful coastal cliff is worth MUCH MORE than $2M, even WITHOUT improvements. Believe me when I tell you that there is no other place like it in the world! The charity set up by Peterson will be paid back … eventually.
I agree with just a couple of things here.
a) that Mayor Mo’s family and friends were likely “enablers” or she hid her “addiction” extremely well; and
b) that (as I had stated before) I don’t believe an “addicted” gambler should be given credit for chips in ANY casino in which said gambler is well-known to them, whether US-based or situated on tribal lands. It may be “legal” but it is wrong and should be made “illegal.”
Bartenders and cocktail wait staff can be held liable for accidents if they serve visible drunks.
The author and moderator of your Reader article is Don Bauder, who was a well-known RE reporter for the SD Union (now U/T) for decades. He’s been around the block and his comments make a lot of sense.
Stay tuned. The “fat lady” has not yet sung on the Mendocino County case. Bulldog Aguirre will see that she not only gets her chance to sing, she will get to dance and perform several encores.
