Revenge for being ripped off by an ex employer
 

I worked for Estaff Security in Phoenix, AZ for about 7 months. During that time I observed my boss Victor, doing all sorts of shady stuff. We did event security, and he would hire people without any kind of training, and put them in positions they should never have been in. He would also randomly fire people, short paychecks, and take any advantage he could to refuse to pay someone.

I enjoyed the job, and had a hard time finding something else to do. I left in February to move to Michigan where I'm substitute teaching until I leave for the Peace Corps. However Victor owes me money for all of January, not a lot, about $250. The thing is, I've sent him numerous letters, pre-stamped envelopes, faxes and phone calls, and I have yet to see the money, or even be able to get him on the phone. I sent my dad down there on Friday, and he wasn't in the office, so we left a note that says if I don't get paid we're going to pursue legal options.

Here's the dish though, legal options seem like they're going to take a long time. I might not ever get that money, I might not even be able to prove that I worked when I did. Really, the only people that know are Victor and I, I'm sure he set it up like that for a reason.

My question to you, is do I get revenge?

I've got several ideas, and am considering doing a few if not all of them.

The first is that I'm calling the AZ State labor board. I don't think this will help, but I'm hoping that it might.

The second is that I'm going to start a letter writing campaign to all of the venues he has contracts with, and ask them to drop him, and explain why they should.

The third is that I'm considering posting an ad on Fark, with his office numbers, fax numbers, email, website, and personal cellphone number (most of that information is freely available at his website), asking people to give him a call, and help him remember to send my check.

The fourth is that I'm writing an article about the deplorable state of event security, and why your kids aren't safe at concerts, to be published in the AZ Republic, should they pick it up.

So what do you guys think, should I do this stuff? I really want to get this guy, not only for me, but for everyone else he's ripped off, or is going to rip off in the futute.

Let me know what you think.

Also if anyone would like his info, I'll post it here if necessary.

call the labour board, and other relevant employee and industry people first, just to be on the safe side.
then, write the article, because it's the more sensible option of the other 3.
if that doesn't work, the other two should be fun.

and remember, keep pursuing legal action throughout.

why revenge? if something happens and it goes out of control and you wind up with a criminal record, for what?

just chalk it up to life and be wary next time.

I guess that's another question I'm asking.

Technically, I don't think any of the things I have mentioned are illegal. The worst possibility is that I could get sued for slander, but I'm going to be very careful to only mention things that I can prove in court if necessary.

Why revenge? Because I can't stand the injustice of the world sometimes. Many people tell me that with age comes perspective and patience, well I'm 23, and I don't have those yet, so in the meantime I'm taking care of my own business.

I don't believe any of those activities are illegal. In fact, you might actually help uncover his illegal dealings. State by state things are different, but it sounds like he is improperly withholding pay to employees, never mind the potential issues on training. You would be amazed at the sh-- storm a state labor audit can cause.

I would go with the contacting the state first, and offer the info to the paper. And without attempting to suggest anything, I would assume that your funds are very meager - I don't think that the Peace Corps is known for cushy lifestyles. What could he sue you and actaully get?

Also, threatening to get a lawyer is of no use. He knows that he can dodge that for as long as he wants, because for you to actually get to the point where a judgment is gotten against him, you wil have to spend a lot more than $250 for a lawyer.

Bones,

This sounds like sound advice. Both you and Stevie think I should go to the labor board first. I agree, but needed a push. I'm going to call them on Wednesday and start and investigation.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Also, if the revenge starts, I'll let everyone know.

Revenge is childish. It's also only fun until you get arrested. Continue with your plan to call the labor board, and hold that article until their investigation is almost complete. See if they can get someone inside to investigate. IF nothing else, call your local BBB and tell them everything.

I find an open container of mayo in the ventilation system usually works like a charm.

However, on a more serious note, legal action would take more time and might perhaps be less satisfying than revenge. Do you simply want your money back, or do you want to fuck with his life a little. If you just want the money, then a simple board declaration and sustained legal follow-ups should be enough. Of course, you might be gone to the Peace Corp by the time it pays off, but still, it's worth a shot.

I have to admit the Fark option sounds like a lot of fun...

"I could squash him like a bug. Ah, but revenge is a dish best served cold! I'll bide my time until.... Oh, what the hell. I'll just squash him like a bug."

--C. Mongomery Burns

I was just thinking about this again, while the activities individually may not be illegal harrassment is, and it could be construed as such.

I've got several ideas, and am considering doing a few if not all of them.

The first is that I'm calling the AZ State labor board. I don't think this will help, but I'm hoping that it might.

It should. I had to do it in the past with an employer. The key is that you've turned him in for a violation and now they have a record of it.

The second is that I'm going to start a letter writing campaign to all of the venues he has contracts with, and ask them to drop him, and explain why they should.

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! If you do this, then it can come back to bite you in the ass!!! He can accuse you of trying to slander him and many other things.

The third is that I'm considering posting an ad on Fark, with his office numbers, fax numbers, email, website, and personal cellphone number (most of that information is freely available at his website), asking people to give him a call, and help him remember to send my check.

Again, NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! That would be harrassment. And he would be able to prove it and use it against you.

The fourth is that I'm writing an article about the deplorable state of event security, and why your kids aren't safe at concerts, to be published in the AZ Republic, should they pick it up.

I disagree with it, but it is not as bad as the previous two. Keep in mind, anything you say should be true and PROVABLE. If not, you are just slandering and harrassing him.

So what do you guys think, should I do this stuff? I really want to get this guy, not only for me, but for everyone else he's ripped off, or is going to rip off in the futute.


The best option is just to turn him into the state agencies. If he has done things like you say he has, then they can do more harm than you can. Be prepared to prove through timesheets what he owes you. Once they start investigating, who knows what else they will find.

DO NOT turn this into a personal revnege scenario. It can only come back to haunt you.

Update:

Suggesting that I was ready to take legal action has prompted them to promise to send my check on Thursday. We shall see if they comply.

Good luck.

Don't do anything illegal, or that which could be construed as illegal.

Mr Mephisto

I still haven't seen anything from these fucks.

I especially haven't seen any tax information. I'm pretty pissed about that. Does anyone know how I can report them to the IRS?

The Fark idea sounds like fun, but it also sounds like harassment. He could probably argue that it cost him a lot more than $250 to change his phone #, business cards, etc.

I think you should be able to make his life plenty hellish enough with a few calls to the state Department of Labor.

Make sure you get any correspondence with this guy in writing. If you talk on the phone, send him a letter detailing your conversation and save a copy. If he knows you've got a stack of papers prooving his guilt, you might see him start to follow through.

Most important, though: don't sweat it too much. Revenge will only bring you down.

he the shady one, report him to the better business bureau (or threaten to, if he doesn't cough up the dough)

I like the Fark idea :-) Seems quite comical to me.

In fact... I may actually help out my fellow TFP hound.

cheers.

good luck, mate

Dude. Do the fark thing.

Also, the IRS takes a very dim view of employers who fuck around with their employees' taxes. Talk to the IRS. can't hurt.

Got a check.

They paid me $108. That's about half of what I'm owed. It's also enough money to get me to just give up. I'm pretty sure that's what they were thinking when they picked that number.

For future reference, never work for E-Staff Security in Phoenix, Arizona. If you're at a Phoenix show, and you see the guys in red shirts, or yellow smiley face shirts, give the bald fat fuck ordering them around the finger for me.

Hound them for the rest, anyway.

File criminal charges against him....I am sure you can think of something, theft or fraud come to mind, since he deliberately mislead you and is not paying you.

ok. your happy with $108.

now have a chat with the IRS. dodgy business owners need to be screwed six ways from sunday. i know for a fact the Australian Tax Office (ATO) is the master at this, I think the IRS would be gods at it.

Too bad u already got $ cause the fark idea was really good.

I'd call 'em and tell him to send more $