Ex-Prenda Lawyer Brett Gibbs Pleads Poverty To Judge Wright
from the like-the-folks-you-shook-down? dept
While Brett Gibbs has "parted ways" with Prenda and its copyright trolling, from all appearances he was an instrumental part of many of its efforts. Of course, the three main players, John Steele, Paul Hansmeier and Paul Duffy, were quick to throw Gibbs under a bus in Judge Wright's courtroom after Gibb's repeatedly told courts that he was little more than a puppet for Steele and Hansmeier. In Judge Wright's order, however, he lumped Gibbs in with Steele, Hansmeier and Duffy as being jointly and severally liable for the amount owed.While Judge Wright's most recent order told Gibbs to officially withdraw from the cases, it doesn't mean that Gibbs has been let off the hook for payment. In response, it appears that Gibbs is basically begging Judge Wright for mercy, highlighting that he's completely broke and has expensive medical bills due to his brain cancer. It is a sob story, and you do feel bad for the guy... but then you remember some of his actions during the course of all of these cases, including more than a few absolutely ridiculous claims and tactics in this case and in how he dealt with opposing counsel. And, of course, there's the fact that he was involved in an operation that is being widely accused (by a federal court judge, among others) of perpetrating a massive shakedown scheme, threatening people with a lawsuit for gay porn if they don't pay up.
Yes, it's sad that Gibbs got brain cancer. I don't wish that on anyone. And it's sad that he's got less than $500 in his bank account and over $50,000 in debts. But, perhaps he should have thought of all of that before getting involved in a scheme that threatens thousands of people with highly questionable lawsuits if they don't pay up. Still, the main targets of Judge Wright's focus are clearly Steele, Hansmeier, and Duffy, so it'll be interesting to see if he agrees to let Gibbs off the hook in some manner.
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Filed Under: brett gibbs, john steele, otis wright, paul duffy, paul hansmeier
Companies: prenda, prenda law
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Re:
ACS:Law / 21st September 2010 / Payback is a Bitch
Steele, Hansmeier,Duffy / ??????? / Payback is a Bitch
It's time for the victims of these copyright trolls to get together and push for payback.
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yeah i know, terrible
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(Here's proof that you have to be brain damaged to agree with Prenda.) Argh. That's just as bad.
Actually, now that I think of it, and remember Mr. Nazaire, is there something to be said for Prenda (Steele, Hansmeier, Duffy) intentionally hiring local lawyers that are easy scapegoats when something goes bad?
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How many of the people these clowns extorted/blackmailed money from were broke or had serious medical problems or financial burdens and paid up despite not being able to afford to? He didn't think about, or care, about any of them, so why should any of us care about the fact he is now in the same boat.
Mainly, though, I have no sympathy because after all the lies and BS he has peddled, I don't believe for a minute he's actually broke. Let the IRS do an audit and come back and say he's really broke, then I might believe him.
And if it turns out he is, indeed broke, then on top of everything else, he's a dumbass for letting his "partners" screw him out of a decent share of their spoils.
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You would think being a lawyer (and not just some famous movie star) he would have had a little better understanding of how things were going to play out... Meaning his 'firm' was never going to show any profit from these efforts, all the funds will be in some offshore shell companies.
Consumers pay $1,000,000 in 'settlements'
Prenda - charges $2,000,000 in processing and handling fees
Shell companies - pocket $1,000,000 in cash and $2,000,000 in processing and handling fees.
I know it doesn't make any sense... IP math is HARD
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I'll repeat what I said on popehat about it...
http://www.popehat.com/2013/05/20/prenda-law-the-sound-of-one-shoe-dropping/#comment-1056853
Its a shame that Gibbs scrubbed the web of his blog about his cancer.
http://blogs.marinij.com/bretts_journey
The Wayback Machine shows it vanished end or 2011 start of 2012.
I know that we are supposed to have sympathy for people suffering from a disease, but when they trot it out like a trick pony over and over and over to deflect the heat� yeah no.
But but but gays!
But but but hackers!
But but but mean emails!
But but but I have bills!
But but but cancer!
But but but fraud!
But but but you represented yourself as much more important at Prenda previously!
But but but your umpteenth play for sympathy makes me ill.
Your life is so hard.
Did you ever consider if anyone you accepted settlements from had medical bills or a disease?
Did you ever consider that you might have pushed them to decide between paying you off or medicine, rent, food?
And yet now you expect better treatment than you gave to others�
AWW HELL NO.
I anticipate people might be upset with me for appearing to be a heartless bastard.
Please read this post �
fightcopyrighttrolls.com/2012/08/03/a-disabled-victim-of-a-copyright-troll-threatens-to-kill-hims elf
Then understand this was NOT the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth time I found myself in that situation. That there is much more I did in the darker corners of the web� that talking people off the very real ledge takes a toll on any empathy I can feel for anyone connected to copyright trolling.
People don't like to think about it, but consider the astronomical odds against there having not been a single tragedy caused/helped/pushed by their actions.
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Or put more simply: Extortionists don't get the play the victim card.
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Trying to avoid the 'you can't pick on the guy with cancer' reaction some people have.
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Yeeaaaaaaaaaahhhhh....
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If so, why does he not mention his medical bills?
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Its called remission.
As he has removed his brain caner blog from the web its hard to track the progress.
Notice he focuses on the special diet and supplements, which don't exactly strike me as being a medical treatment.
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I need at least three sworn MD opinions before believing.
Too harsh? Well, justice isn't about emotion, and remember, this is a LAWYER, who, had he put this over, would right now be rolling in unearned money.
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Re: I need at least three sworn MD opinions before believing.
How does it feel? If everyone who thinks copyright needs to be reformed is a pirate, then it is only fair that everyone who supports copyright is a criminal.
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don't forget
Guys with less than $500 often have expensive Caribbean destination weddings.
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Re: don't forget
From the "About Us" page: (Dated 4/20/2013!)
"As for his health, Brett's condition is stable (i.e. good), and is looking forward to hanging with all of his friends down in Grenada."
Brett, buddy. You are sooooo busted.
.
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Re: Re: don't forget
FWIW, one can be in "stable (i.e. good)" condition with cancer, and still have a huge amount of medical expenses -- including ongoing drug regimen and regular expensive checkups.
So, I don't think that statement disproves anything in the filing.
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In medical use 'stable' does not mean 'good', it just means things currently aren't changing.
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"In medical use 'stable' does not mean 'good', it just means things currently aren't changing."
I'm waiting for the "It's a miracle! I'm cured!" entry.
You KNOW it's coming!
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Trust But Verify
DTD :)
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Re: Trust But Verify
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If actually has Brain cancer
$500 in his account and $50,000 in debt? Yeah, that sounds pretty accurate for a patient with brain cancer. Those brain-cancer treatments are mind-blowingly expensive, and a lot of them are still experimental.
Even if he's involved in a den of scam artists like Prenda "Law", nobody should have to suffer something as crippling as brain cancer.
Side-note: Can anybody find out know where the tumor is located on Brett's brain?
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Re: If actually has Brain cancer
...This would actually explain a lot.
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Re: If actually has Brain cancer
The only medical expense he claims is $700.00!
Read the document.
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Re: If actually has Brain cancer
But letting him off the hook will not do anything to help the brain cancer. There is a mechanism for people who can't afford to pay back their debts: bankruptcy.
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"Your honor, I can't pay the money! I'm sick! I'm poor!"
"If you are sick, why did you post that your condition is 'stable (good)' on your wedding page? If you are poor, then how did you afford a wedding in the Caribbean?"
*stammers* "um.... um... um... look over there! Gay marriage! Hackers!"
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Because hackers hacked eBay! Plus illegal immigrants, and Chewbacca wasn't even from Endor!
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That's rough
Glad I'm not in your shoes, Gibbs. Big debt and a tough financial situation really suck, but I think we just found a good motivation for engaging in shady legal practices.
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Gibbs was a huge part of the Prenda Team, he hired the council in the Sunlust case and Gibbs in the case before Judge Wright is the one who asked to have Judge Wright removed from this case for "Bias".
Gibbs was a long time partner of this scheme and I used the word "scheme" lightly.
Gibbs should have to pay his share of the order for costs. Gibbs could have walked a long time ago when he knew what was going on with Prenda and their litigation tactics, but he chose to stay till the very end.
Now Gibbs is supposedly not with Prenda anymore, but yet he still has e-mail addresses at Prenda related ended entities.
I don't but that Gibbs is totally out of the Prenda machine. I am more than wary that most of Team Prenda lawyered up before Judge Wright's hearing, and the Gibbs did as well.
For a broke guy Gibbs sure can afford someone to represent him. Another rpoint of contention was that when Mark Lutz was all of a sudden the master CEO of these holding companies, why was Brent Gibbs listed as their corporate lawyer AFTER order to show cause was brought down?
In one of the California cases, there was a request for Prenda or AF Holdings to put up a 45k bond, and Prenda complained to the court that it couldn't afford that bond and would not put a bond up, Gibbs was the lawyer in that case complaining about the bond.
Sorry but I see Gibbs and everyone else with Team Prenda trying the poverty angle. Sorry Gibbs, your health may have been ravaged at one time by cancer, but you are and were more than just a hired gun in this little conspiracy, your place in these lawsuits goes quite deep and your were part of this for YEARS!!
Gibbs is not as innocent as he claims and he deserves his share of this order for the 81k. Gibbs was also and has been listed in the documents as the lawyer for the Class Action Settlement Objectors suits.
Gibbs was the lawyer in the Class Action Settlement Objector Suit letter that said for 30k we will drop our objection to this settlement.
That 30k letter in that case was the one that the Lawyer handling that settlement sent a letter back to Gibbs stating he was in violation of the rules and could be seen as what it was.
As a matter of fact that letter was filed with the court and Gibbs was the author of a response letter back to the lawyer handing the settlement, where he told the other lawyer he was being unprofessional and launched a little attack in it.
Sound familiar? That is the Prenda Modus Operandi. Gibbs is far from a victim in all this and his participation in the Class Action Settlement Objectors game shows that he has been more than a willing participant in the copyright lawsuits and the class action objectors suits.
Sorry Gibbs, better get that chequebook handy!
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Doesn't Club Fed provide free healthcare
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Too fucking bad, now pay up...
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Brett diagnosed with Brain Cancer July 10, 2009
After working as an attorney for 2 years, Brett was diagnosed with Brain Cancer on July 10, 2009. While a devasting set back, he fought through it with Shannon at his side, and, well... now they are getting married in Grenada in April of 2013. As for his health, Brett's condition is stable (i.e. good), and is looking forward to hanging with all of his friends down in Grenada.
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Real Gems
Let is remember that ACS:Law in the UK was making a good �1 million to �2 million on speculative invoicing. Andrew Crossley the only lawyer involved, before his downfall, had just purchased a new car and was working on a deal to buy a new luxury house.
Most interesting is that only a few months later when he lost his Court case against suspect infringers, where Speculative Invoicing came to an end, and he was punished by the SDT, that he did declare bankruptcy. Riches to rags in a short space of time.
My point is that I am sure a wise Prenda would shift all their profit to offshore tax havens away from USA eyes and knowledge where they declare bankruptcy as the punishment come rolling in.
It is not so hard living a bankrupt life when you can just take a really long holiday to spend your millions in untraceable cash, bearer bonds, gold bars and gemstones.
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Expecting the book any time
"How I fucked over the American public and lost my ass!"
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Wedding site now password protected
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"Because Alan Cooper, your Honour."
"What?"
"Because gays, your Honour."
"Huh?"
"Because hackers, your Honour."
"What in - "
"Because FUCK YOU, THAT'S WHY, your Honour."
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I don't really know but...
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Brain cancer?
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