Techdirt Threatened With Defamation Suit Over Story On Feds Getting Royalty In Movie From Mexican Drug Cartel Money Launderer

from the the-sequel dept

We recently wrote about a very strange case, in which the US government apparently ended up with a 10% royalty in a soon to be produced Hollywood movie that is being billed as the "prequel" to Passion of the Christ -- the famous Mel Gibson movie that made over $600 million. The details were convoluted, but apparently our reporting on the subject upset someone, as we were sent an email, claiming that our post was defamatory and could cause damages in "the hundreds of millions of dollars," threatening that legal action would be taken if we did not change the post immediately.

In case you missed the original story, it involved a guy by the name of Jorge Vazquez Sanchez, who everyone seems to admit was somehow connected to a Mexican drug cartel. The government specifically charged him with money laundering and extortion. Reporters covering the story, including Guillermo Contreras and Jason Buch at the San Antonio Express-News, refer to Vazquez as a "drug trafficker."

Either way, the extortion claim came from the way he took ownership of a screenplay for Mary, Mother of Christ, which was written by Benedict Fitzgerald, who also wrote the screenplay for Passion.... Fitzgerald, at some point, took out and then defaulted on a business loan for $340,000 with Macri Inc. Because of this, the owner of Macri Inc., Arturo Madrigal, took possession of the screenplay. Some time after this, apparently Vazquez had Madrigal's brother kidnapped in Mexico, and demanded the rights to the screenplay in exchange for his release. Madrigal signed over the rights to the screenplay to Vazquez. Vazquez apparently then was able to sell the screenplay to Proud Mary Entertainment, which was later renamed Aloe Entertainment, in exchange for $1 million (less some fees) and a 10% royalty rate on any profits from the movie. After Vazquez did a plea deal in which he plead guilty and handed over that 10% royalty to the US government, Madrigal hit Vazquez with a separate lawsuit, seeking to regain control of the screenplay that Vazquez had obtained through these questionable means.

As far as we can tell all of the above are undisputed facts. It's what has been reported by others. It's what's in the legal documents. And it's what we reported. Our report focused almost entirely on the oddity of the US government ending up with a 10% royalty interest in a Hollywood movie.

And yet... we received a very threatening email claiming that our post was defamatory. The full email (complete with a series of typos, though minus the odd line breaks) is posted below. The lawyer who sent it claims to represent the producers of the film who purchased the screenplay from Vazquez. This may mean Aloe Entertainment, though the email never names the client. Oddly, the email, while insisting that our post was defamatory, more or less repeats the identical facts as we described them in the original post, and which we are reiterating here. The email does appear to raise two issues:
  • Our original post referred to Vazquez as a "drug smuggler." This was based on the San Antonio Express-News report that refers to him as a "drug trafficker." Perhaps there is a difference between one and the other, but it does not seem to be one of significance. Either way, the threat email was quite upset that we did not specify that he was merely "acting as a money launderer for a Mexican drug cartel." I will admit that I do not see how this makes a major difference one way or another, but in the interest of accuracy in reporting, we have changed our original reference from "Mexican drug smuggler" to now say "money launderer for a Mexican drug cartel" -- which is how both the federal prosecutors and the lawyer sending the email appear to describe him. Considering that the lawyer claims to represent the production company, however, I still am at a loss as to how this matters. I do not believe our original statement in any way defamed the production company. It was a mere use of a synonym for the original report. But that should only concern Vazquez. It makes no mention of Aloe Entertainment nor any statement about that company.

  • The threat email says that the headline of our post "implies that the film has drug money in it" and suggests that "the film or its production has drug ties." Except we never said that. We did not state it. We did not imply it. We said nothing of the sort. We explained the same chain of events that we explained above, which noted that the production house bought the screenplay from Vazquez. Nowhere did we suggest that drug money went the other way. So, we were left somewhat baffled by the threat.
Either way, as we often do, we feel that it is reasonable and important to publicize legal threats against us. We sent an email reply to the lawyer in question, noting our general confusion about what he was complaining about, while also noting the small editing change we made for factual accuracy entirely unrelated to his client. I still do not know why the original threat email was sent, as the facts about the client that were stated in the threat email are no different than what we reported. I do wonder how much the producers of the film pay their lawyers to send out such threat emails, but I imagine that is a separate issue for them to deal with on their own.----


May 15, 2012

EDITOR

techdirt

Re: Mary. Mother of Christ

Dear Editor:

I represent the producers of the motion picture, “Mary, Mother of Christ” This is in response to the article which you published today which suggested that a drug smuggler was involved wth the "Mary, Mother of Christ" Movie Project.The title of the article is demonstrably false, misleading and libelous. Unless this article is taken down immediately and a retraction is published immediately then it is the intention of my client.to sue and your reporter. The true facts are set forth below and the damages to my client if this is not corrected immediately could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars.This is because these falsehoods and malicious misrepresentations could cause the film to lose its finacinmg and therefore its profits

If you look at the unsealed affidavit in the government prosecution they do not allege that Sanchez was a drug smuggles. Rather they say he was not smuggliong drugs but rather waqs acting as a money launderer for a Mexican drug cartel. Nowhere in the government prosecution, nor anywhere else, has it been alleged that there was drug money in the film project.

The true facts are as follows: of the two men that sold the screenplay to us, Mauricio Sanchez Garcia and Jorge Vazquez Sanchez, from Macri, which had acquired it by foreclosing on a lien with its original author, Benedict Fitzgerald, (the author of the Passion of the Christ), one of them, Jorge Vazquez Sanchez, had acquired his interest through extortionate acts.

This allegedly took place sometime after a company known as Macri lent money to Mr. Fitzgerald and his partner in 2006, and Macri had foreclosed on their lien on the screenplay in 2008, when Sanchez and Vazquez forced a third man, Arturo Madrigal, to give them his partial interest in the screenplay rights, which was collateral for the loan. They therefore owned the project for a very short period of time in 2008, perhaps a few months, before selling it to our company. They do not have and they never had any role whatsoever in producing the film.

Obviously, we had no knowledge at the time that these men were involved in illegal activities or that they had acquired their interest through extortion. And there is no allegation that the money which was originally lent to Fitzgerald and his partner, was money obtained from illegal activities or narcotics. In fact, if it was Madrigal who had lent the money to Fitzgerald, as is alleged by the government, and then had his interest in Macri extorted from him, then the money in question would be wholly unrelated to any allegations of money laundering in the Federal prosecution.

The article and the headline are therefore false and libelous in many respects. The headline itself is false, libelous and needs to be retracted immediately. The headline implies that the film has drug mopney in it and that he was a drug smuggler. This is outrageous and false and is an allegation that the government has not ever made.

This too is false and libelous. The film has not been produced yet, and the allegation is that the men who extorted an owner of the company that lent money to the screenwriter and secured their debt with the rights to the screenplay had ties to narcotics activity. If the money lent in 2006 was drug money, then how would it be possible for Mr, Madrigal to claim that he was extorted?

The U.S. Attorney has assured me that they are unaware on any criminal activity by Mr. Madrigal and there is no evidence which suggests that drug money was invested in the film project.

The screenplay is not the film, these men have nothing to do with the film or its production and the suggestion of the headline, i.e. that the film or its production has drug ties is simply false and outrageous and will cause my client to be damaged in an amount in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The truth is that the screenwriter for the film borrowed money from someone who was extorted in order to obtain control of the screenplay. It is more than a stretch, rather it is an outright lie,to say that this chain of events means that the as yet unproduced film has drug ties.

If this is not done within 24 hours then we will take appropriate legal action against you. Please contact me immediately to discuss this. The foregoing is not meant to be a complete recitation of all of my clients rights and remedies all of which are expressly reserved

Very Truly Yours,

Richard M. Rosenthal
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Filed Under: arturo madrigal, benedict fitzgerald, defamation, jorge vazquez sanchez, passion of the christ, seizure
Companies: aloe entertainment, proud mary entertainment, techdirt


Reader Comments

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  • icon
    Ima Fish (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:22pm

    This should good. Hold on while I get some popcorn.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 12:34pm

      Re:

      I see what you did there.

      &

      You accidentally a word.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Ima Fish (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:40pm

        Re: Re:

        Popcorn can't wait for mere words!

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Almost Anonymous (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:50pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          Unless this article is taken down immediately and a retraction is published immediately then it is the intention of my client.to sue and your reporter.

          Yep, he definitely. a word.

          Also:
          This is because these falsehoods and malicious misrepresentations could cause the film to lose its finacinmg and therefore its profits

          C'mon Mike, you don't really want this film to lose its finacinmg, do you? 'Cause this is gonna be hilarious!

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            John Doe, 21 May 2012 @ 12:54pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            I love how he assumes it will even make a profit.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              abc gum, 21 May 2012 @ 6:28pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              In the world of hollywood accounting, do any films make a profit?

              link to this | view in chronology ]

              • identicon
                Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 8:38pm

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                In the world of religious movies, they ALL make a prophet.

                link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            The eejit (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 1:33pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            Well, if it's drug money, then it can only be used as a loss-maker before residuals are paid.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          harbingerofdoom (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:54pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          no kiddin... wont somebody think of all those starving corn farmers? all those jobs poised on the brink of being wiped out!

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Donnicton, 21 May 2012 @ 1:35pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            God help you if Monsanto doesn't get their corn money.

            Accidents happen.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Mike C. (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:24pm

    Streisand Effect???

    Dear Mr. Rosenthal,
    Thank you for bringing this movie to the forefront again. I had originally forgotten about it, but now that I see what kind of jerk lawyers the producers employ, I'm making note of the film to ensure that neither I nor any of my family members watch the film.

    Thanks again and have a great day!!

    /sarcasm? I'll let you decide...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      :Lobo Santo (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:29pm

      Re: Streisand Effect???

      Why, I've already forgotten about this film again--except for a little checkbox in my brain that says "don't bother seeing it"

      ;-P

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      CommonSense, 21 May 2012 @ 4:15pm

      Re: Streisand Effect???

      For me, it wasn't that this Dick Rosenthal guy comes off as a d-bag, it's more that he comes off as unable to pass a second grade grammar test, and he's supposed to have gone to law school. If the outward most facing representatives of a company can't hide that they are idiots, than the inner members can't be any better....

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    GMacGuffin (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:26pm

    Madre de Dio!

    Er, atty Rosenthal doesn't even have a website. Manta listing?

    Er, how do you harm the reputation of a "money launderer for a Mexican drug cartel" - oh, doesn't matter because he's not the client.

    If this is not done within 24 hours then we will take appropriate legal action against you.

    Translation: I know we got no leg to stand on here, but my client's really upset and paying me (insert - e.g. $1,000) to write a letter. So to be clear, "appropriate legal action" in this context means, "We will do nothing." Which is actually appropriate, so it is a truthful statement that I am making.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    mikey4001, 21 May 2012 @ 12:28pm

    You slhoud be csareful, Mr mAsnick. Thes guy seeems serious, its could bae dengarous to taek this to lightley.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 12:40pm

      Re:

      This blog always gets legal threats .... and ignores them.

      Nothing ever happens.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 12:54pm

        Re: Re:

        FEAR MY BIG POINTY STICK!

        ....It's a sponge?

        Err, nevermind.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 12:55pm

        Re: Re:

        @ #15

        reminds me of another site. what is it's name now? oh yes, that's it, The Pirate Bay!!!

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 1:52pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          So you are comparing Techdirt to the Pirate Bay ... really?

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            Chargone (profile), 23 May 2012 @ 8:05am

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            the scary part is that, in this context, it's actually a kinda legit comparison.

            the Implications of the comparison may or may not be a different story.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Rikuo (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 1:13pm

        Re: Re:

        Ignore? You do know what that means I hope? Ignore means they pay no attention to it.

        Mike writing up a full sized article about the 'legal' threat (in quotes because the grammatical, spelling and formatting errors, lack of Esquire and other important pieces of information leads me to believe this isn't real), does not fit the definition of ignoring it.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    A Guy (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:32pm

    Someone at the production company is probably concerned that there may be an issue over the rights they thought they purchased.

    I have read somewhere controversies like this often get the project killed until at least the legal issues are sorted out and often permanently.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      John Doe, 21 May 2012 @ 12:43pm

      Re:

      Heck, you can't even show an errant Coke can in a movie without clearing it, I doubt anyone will touch this movie until the rights are cleared up.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Vidiot (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 3:19pm

      Re:

      If Mr. Rosenthal closed the deal, maybe they found out that instead of purchasing the rights, they purchased the rihgts. Unenforceable!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 3:38pm

      Re:

      If this "lawyer" is from the actual production company, I'll eat my hat. The velvet one.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        A Guy (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 4:41pm

        Re: Re:

        You might be right. There are at least three sides to this fight though. The studio and the party they paid both have an interest in keeping any problems quiet until... forever. It makes sense that one of these stakeholders may be behind it.

        It could also be some random troll too. Who knows?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Trails (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 4:58pm

      Re:

      Yup, would you invest in a film whose script might get yanked because its ownership was extorted from someone?

      People will invest in Transformers 8: The Passion of the Optimus before this.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    For Serious, 21 May 2012 @ 12:32pm

    This is probably a troll

    Mike, it seems like this is just a troll. This email is so borderline semi-literate that I can't believe it was written by a lawyer -- one who doesn't specify his firm, append Esq. to his name, name the client and makes ... weird claims about communicating directly with the USAtty.

    This smells of horsepoo.

    Either that or we got a nominee for lawyer of the year at abovethelaw.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Traveller800 (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:38pm

      Re: This is probably a troll

      agreed...no lawyer, except maybe an MPAA lawyer who would clearly not have experience with computers and emails, would misspell a legal email so badly. It looks like a 6 year old typed it.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 1:43pm

        Re: Re: This is probably a troll

        I stopped read it, because it was hurting my head ...

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 12:40pm

      Re: This is probably a troll

      well, someone with his name does work in film, but it's a pretty common name so that doesn't mean much.
      http://movies.yahoo.com/person/richard-m-rosenthal-esq/

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Traveller800 (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:45pm

        Re: Re: This is probably a troll

        Not to mention the said lawyer doesn;t have the may, mother of christ' movie listed.

        This is clearly a feeble scare tactics. As some of the other sites that covered this story and I bet you they got a copy/pasted version of the email addressed to them.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Traveller800 (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:47pm

        Re: Re: This is probably a troll

        agreed...though he isn't representing the film (its not listed).

        Mike...here's a troll test. Email your colleagues in the other news sites that covered this story...and see if they got an email as well...it'll almost certainly be copy-pasted except for the name of the site/paper receiving it.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 1:11pm

          Re: Re: Re: This is probably a troll

          Real lawyers use the copy pasta too, so that by itself wouldn't prove anything.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Atkray (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 2:05pm

        Re: Re: This is probably a troll

        Now that you mention it, isn't it about time for average_joe to be on break again?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      GMacGuffin (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:47pm

      Re: This is probably a troll

      This Richard M. Rosenthal perhaps?: http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Member/Detail/152759

      Notice the AOL email address. Techie.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      AdamF (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 4:15pm

      Re: This is probably a troll

      I'm not so sure. Aloe Entertainment claims to be represented by Attorney Rick Rosenthal on their website (link). This guy has the same phone number as one Richard Michael Rosenthal, who is actually licensed to practice law in California (link)

      If it is also the same guy as this, the email could actually be real.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      G Thompson (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 10:11pm

      Re: This is probably a troll

      If you want to see how unreadable and incomprehensible lawyers can be I present to you the following Cease & Desist from Howard Schechte of "Howard Roy Schechter Attorneys" in California [bit down the page]

      http://www.regretsy.com/2012/04/24/update-ecologica-malibu/

      and then the absolutely amazing reply by Ken White

      http://www.regretsy.com/2012/04/25/no-you-cease-and-desist/

      with the best quote ever (other than "snort my taint") of “The rest of your letter relies on vague and bumptious legal threats buried amongst misspellings, bizarre malapropisms, misstatements of law and gibberish.”

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 12:35pm

    Report the truth: Defamation

    Also I agree with the "Typical semi-literate Techdirt troll trying to pose as a lawyer" sentiment. Speaking of which, I wonder what bob has been up to lately?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      :Lobo Santo (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:37pm

      Re: bob "news"

      Ranting about mandatory multi-million dollar court fees in a "the most expensive lawyer wins" court scenario in the previous thread.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Lowestofthekeys (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:52pm

      Re:

      Something with a direct and concise point? Bob has never uttered such mental visions of prospering discussion.

      Or maybe he finally learned to...a new era of Bob is rising,he is learning, adapting albeit very very very slowly.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Nigel (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:39pm

    A quick google of that fellow only returns a few lawyers in completely unrelated fields.

    They can however speak English unlike this idiot.

    Nigel

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    John Doe, 21 May 2012 @ 12:41pm

    Did they ask for your domain name?

    I am surprised they didn't demand you hand over your domain name as well. Maybe they will get ICE to take it from you?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 12:44pm

    This guy clearly works for the same firm that translates the instructions on Chinese and Japanese imports.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Larry, 21 May 2012 @ 12:45pm

    What is/are:

    drug smuggles? Are the like smuggies? Is Vince" Shlomi doing the sales work? IS BILLY MAYS STILL DEAD??

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Lord Binky, 21 May 2012 @ 1:06pm

      Re: What is/are:

      It'll be the hit children's toy this december.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Gwiz (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 1:27pm

      Re: What is/are:

      What is/are drug smuggles?

      They are large, blanket-like robe things that are also fire retardant so you don't catch fire when you drop the roach clip.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Lord Binky, 21 May 2012 @ 12:47pm

    It's a matter of titles.

    The difference between a drug smuggler and the man who launders the money is massive. I would be insulted as well if I was an important accountant that was called mail guy. The difference between your positions is not only a major difference in authority but the increase in pay you make is a killing...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 12:52pm

    Hmmmmm, tangling with the Mexican drug cartels are you..... I wonder if you can find body armor in a 48 Portly?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 1:14pm

      Re:

      Ah yes, had to go with the "fat" insult didn't you?

      And you wonder why people here think you and the ACs just like you are a joke and shills/trolls?

      Besides, no offense, but I live right next to the border, as in we routinely have shootings/bodies turning up practically on our doorstep. Those Mexican drug cartels have one thing going for them, fear. The people who stand up to them and the people who aren't afraid to call their bluff, because that's what they usually are, bluffs, are the people who put fear into them.

      This email up above, a part of me wouldn't be at all surprised if it was someone writing it on behalf of the cartel member. The local news stations/papers have all received similar emails as well as recordings, basically threatening them (not with legal action, but genuine threats in the form of actual physical harm). You know what they did, the news stations/papers that is? Kept on reporting the facts, including the threats. Know what happened? Not a damn thing.

      But since you mentioned finding body armor, I wonder... can you find a clue? Or a backbone, Anonymous Coward/Troll?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 1:25pm

        Re: Re:

        Jesus Christ, it was a joke already. If Masnick were intimidated by this jackass, whether a lawyer or not- I doubt he'd post the email here knowing the ridicule and derision it would receive and how further incensed the sender would be.

        I have no idea what your babbling post was trying to convey. Did you just want to inform us that you live in a high crime area? Too bad; move. Or are you seriously suggesting the cartels sent Masnick a Google translation of a bogus legal threat? In which case you are a complete idiot.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          The eejit (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 1:35pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          Poe's Law, bud. Poe's Law.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 2:18pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          It wasn't a joke. It was an insult. Said per the usual "hey chubby" and similar insults used by trolls.

          My "babbling" was conveying that most of those drug cartels are all talk and are always threatening people who post anything relating to them. They've been known to have idiots send stuff on their behalf. I didn't say they sent Mike a Google translation of a bogus legal threat. I don't know how you got that from what I said. I think there's one complete idiot here. You.

          If you were joking, make it more obvious. "Too bad; move." Geez, now you sound even more troll-like. "Oh, legal content isn't available in your country, that's not justification for piracy... to bad, move." Seriously, if you don't want people to reply to your stupidity, don't post such stupidity.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 2:25pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            They've been known to have idiots send stuff on their behalf.

            The Mexican drug cartels have been known to send libel threats? Please, you're dumber than I first imagined.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 2:30pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              Its always funny how ignorant you are of practically everything.

              No wonder you troll websites.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 2:52pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              I say they've been known to have idiots do things on their behalf and you respond with that? You still aren't realizing that the idiot/dumb person here is you.

              These organizations members aren't all rocket scientists. Some of them are idiots. Some of them have a thing about how they are perceived to the public. It is completely within the realm of possibility that someone sent the letter above as a terrible attempt to intimidate a website/news source to changing a part of the story to reflect the person in a slightly better manner. That it is a "libel threat" is irrelevant. I mean geez. Are you an idiot or do you just try to be one? If it had been an out and out letter stating "Mike, I am a drug cartel member. Change your story or you will be hurt." Would that have made you happy? Or better said, would that conform to your apparent belief/knowledge of how the Mexican drug cartels work?

              I think we're done here. Obviously, the cartels aren't the only places idiots are found. Proof of that is apparent in the form of the person I'm bothering to reply to.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

              • identicon
                Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 3:47pm

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                Do you really have evidence of the Mexican cartels threatening legal action? I'll be right here waiting.

                link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    ah yes, 21 May 2012 @ 12:54pm

    some guy trying to do a shakedown...

    how original mr lawyer no one has ever heard of.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Lowestofthekeys (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 12:57pm

    I'm surprised he didn't ask Masnick for recompense...in the form of claiming the winning South Africa lottery numbers.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 1:02pm

    Is this your boy:

    http://www.flashforwardhollywood.com/rick_rosenthal.html

    It looks like he used to represent Jane Fonda and had a falling out and sued her- which didn't go well:

    http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/862/1398/20042/

    Though it appears that there are more than one Richard M. Rosenthals practicing in california, this may or may not be the guy.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 1:07pm

    Its the drugs.

    Its ALWAYS the drugs...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    heyidiot (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 1:16pm

    WTF?

    I don't get this:

    apparently Vazquez had Madrigal's brother kidnapped in Mexico, and demanded the rights to the screenplay in exchange for his release. Madrigal signed over the rights to the screenplay to Vazquez. Vazquez apparently then was able to sell the screenplay to Proud Mary Entertainment...

    In what bizzaro world is a contract signed under duress legally binding anyway?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Dark Helmet (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 1:34pm

      Re: WTF?

      "In what bizzaro world is a contract signed under duress legally binding anyway?"

      The answer to your question: Mexico. Make sure you roll your "r"s when you say "bizarro", btw. It's important for some reason....

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Rikuo (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 2:21pm

      Re: WTF?

      A world of EULA/TOS's? A world where content can be purchased, brought home, then we're told to accept terms written in some strange language no-one can understand. I consider it duress because not a single store would accept the content back, even if it was actually unused.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Baldaur Regis (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 1:18pm

    Who was that reporter...

    ...who, when slapped with a defamation lawsuit, said "Hey, thanks for reading my byline!"?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 1:38pm

    Apparently they're avid readers and are pulling a "Streisand effect"in an attempt to further promote the movie.

    No such thing as bad press in Hollywood.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Capt ICE Enforcer, 21 May 2012 @ 1:42pm

    To: Richard Rosenthal

    TO: Ima Buttkiss

    SUBJECT: Response to defamation charges.

    Hi Johnny, this is to inform you that someone played a very bad practical joke on you. They even mistyped your name and put Richard Rosenthal instead of your real name Ima Buttkiss. But do not fear, we know that your legal office, or maybe Microsoft Word 1987 spell check was to blame for this hideous, yet laughable attempt to communicate. We applaud your attempt to use modern technology and understand your difficulties. After all, your company has made a massive leap in technology advancement. Remember, just 2 weeks ago your office used 2x dixie cups and a really long string. Now you have a computer with 256 kilobytes of RAM... Awesome. Keep up the good work, and thanks for the laugh.

    Capt ICE Enforcer
    Comm Phone: 867-5309 Ext:1999
    Smoke Signal: Puff, Puff, Hold Puff Puff Then Smoke trail when connected.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Vukovar (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 1:47pm

    Introducing: Do-It-Yourself Lawsuit Classes!

    Tired of not getting your slice of the lawsuit pie? Have you watched others sue successfully while you have failed over and over again? Has Robert Shapiro and legalzoom.com even refused to sell you generic forms that you can find free all over the internet? Fear not! Do-It-Yourself Lawsuit classes are here! We're currently accepting new students for our upcoming semester! Classes will focus on the following:

    Selecting a target: facts are irrelevant.

    What constitutes a tortious issue (formerly titled Obfuscate! Obfuscate! Obfuscate!).

    IANAL - Look in the mirror 'cause it's not a porn reference.

    Spellcheck and You: a working relationship!



    Prerequisites for the course:

    Valid email account.

    Ability to maintain/nodding acquaintance with sentence structure.

    A pulse.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 2:08pm

    Can you say 'Streisand effect'?

    What is sought to be silenced will now receive wider publicity. What had passed without much hup-a-la is now back in the news and front page.

    No better way to get a message out than complain about it. Or perhaps that is the point. I've heard off and on, through news reading that there is no bad publicity. Maybe that's what is being sought here, I'm not sure.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 2:37pm

    You slhoud be csareful, Mr mAsnick. Thes guy seeems serious, its could bae dengarous to taek this to lightley.

    But ossifer, I only had ti martoonis!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 2:56pm

    This Dick (Richard M. Rosenthal) requires a good Pirate Bay Mocking.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2012 @ 3:04pm

    CONTACT US:

    ROSENTHAL & MARSH, LLP.
    Malibu Canyon Plaza
    26500 W. Agoura Road, Suite 211
    Calabasas, California 91302-1952
    TELEPHONE: (818) 746-9222
    FACSIMILE: (818) 746-9212
    EMAIL: info@RosenthalMarshLaw.com

    Warning the website looks like it was designed by a 5 year old.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Capt ICE Enforcer, 21 May 2012 @ 3:28pm

    OMFG

    OMFG, You should quickly try and settle with them, before it is too late. Billions of lives are at stake.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymoose, 21 May 2012 @ 3:36pm

    I missed the story the first time...

    ...but thanks to the lawyers trying to suppress factual information, I have now learned of it. Streisand, 11,715. Lawyers, 0.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    TDR, 21 May 2012 @ 4:26pm

    Maybe the cartel members forgot the right way to sort the drugs, as Mouth pointed out:

    "The MARIJUANA goes in the top drawer. The COCAINE and SPEED in the second. The HEROIN in the bottom. Always separate the drugs."

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    FM Hilton, 21 May 2012 @ 6:39pm

    Desperate tactics

    It shows how desperate the cartels are for money-shaking down some tech blog over factual reporting-or else a troll looking for some laughs. (probably the latter)

    Especially with a misspelled and just barely readable threat.

    I wonder if it rates on the scale with pasted on letter threats?
    "Ur kids will dye soon if u don't give us monee."

    Right.
    I thought lawyers had better writing skills-even the guys representing the drug dealers. Business must be slow or something for them to do this.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Spaceman Spiff (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 7:52pm

    Smuggler vs. Trafficker

    A drug trafficker sells or distributes drugs. A drug smuggler transports drugs across international boundaries into a country that has laws against the import of such drugs. A smuggler may be a trafficker, but frequently they are "mules" who are simply transporting the drugs for traffickers, and have no financial interest in their distribution and sales other than what they are paid for moving the product from point A in one country to point B in another.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    TtfnJohn (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 7:56pm

    What's curious here is that Rosenthal refers to his clients in first second and third person at various points in his friendly little note. Often, in the same sentence though that may not be the case because the syntax and punctuation is so bad that it's impossible to tell where one sentence really begins and if it ever really ends.

    Still, "my clients", "us", "we" and "they" or "them" sort of leaves me wondering who the hell he's talking about.

    If he has an monetary interest in the production then all that I come away from here is "A fool is his own lawyer in court". Old saw, largely true and wonderfully illustrated here!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      G Thompson (profile), 21 May 2012 @ 10:22pm

      Re:

      I think he is somehow trying to represent the film, that doesn't exist as yet, whilst trying to figure out how to incorporate some alleged defamation of one of the financial backers (who aren't his clients) and how there can be no ties between any of them including himself(???) and the movie with drugs - whilst also explaining about the actual ties with the money laundering that comes from drugs that the movie was originally backed with and how he cannot spell.

      or something seriously weird like that

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Digitari, 22 May 2012 @ 4:54am

    RE

    I dunno, my spelling sux in general, and gets really bad when I have a gun to my head

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 22 May 2012 @ 5:45pm

    I never would have imagined that Techdirt would get taken over by the cartel. Is this the end of TD? OR will it become your new mexican propaganda gateway? Careful Mike!

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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