The Berkbridge Foundation - Questions Regarding Legitimacy 8 8

[James J Johnson]

57 minutes ago, Domo Arigato said:

Am I missing something?

I don't see any books listed for sale under their eBay account.. 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sofindtype=0&_byseller=1&_nkw=&_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=0&_udlo=&_udhi=&_ftrt=901&_ftrv=1&_sabdlo=&_sabdhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=11758&_sargn=-1%26saslc%3D1&_salic=1&_fss=1&_fsradio=%26LH_SpecificSeller%3D1&_saslop=1&_sasl=Berkbridge&_sop=1&_dmd=1&_ipg=200&_fosrp=1 

 

They're away until Oct. 10th, as is stated at the top of every listing.

[Buzzetta]

There is always this. 

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf

[Domo Arigato]

 

6 hours ago, Sweet Lou 14 said:

7 hours ago, BanjerD said:

Berkbridge posted eight new books on eBay, all BIN.

It's almost 90 books now.

 

2 hours ago, James J Johnson said:

3 hours ago, Domo Arigato said:

Am I missing something?

I don't see any books listed for sale under their eBay account.. 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sofindtype=0&_byseller=1&_nkw=&_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=0&_udlo=&_udhi=&_ftrt=901&_ftrv=1&_sabdlo=&_sabdhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=11758&_sargn=-1%26saslc%3D1&_salic=1&_fss=1&_fsradio=%26LH_SpecificSeller%3D1&_saslop=1&_sasl=Berkbridge&_sop=1&_dmd=1&_ipg=200&_fosrp=1 

 

They're away until Oct. 10th, as is stated at the top of every listing.

 

When I made my post, none of those books were listed on their eBay page (my post actually included a direct link to their account on eBay).  I checked their "items for sale" section as well as their "store" section.......twice.  

Earlier, BanjerD said they had posted eight new books for sale on eBay.....then a little later, Sweet Lou 14 said that it was almost 90 books at that time.  

When I saw their posts, I went to check, and there were no books listed for sale under their account.  Now they have nine books listed for sale.

 

 

Edited October 2, 2019 by Domo Arigato

[James J Johnson]

1 hour ago, Domo Arigato said:

 

 

 

When I made my post, none of those books were listed on their eBay page (my post actually included a direct link to their account on eBay).  I checked their "items for sale" section as well as their "store" section.......twice.  

Earlier, BanjerD said they had posted eight new books for sale on eBay.....then a little later, Sweet Lou 14 said that it was almost 90 books at that time.  

When I saw their posts, I went to check, and there were no books listed for sale under their account.  Now they have nine books listed for sale.

 

 

Are you sure you didn't search their auctions? These wouldn't have shown up if you specifically clicked on auctions rather than "all listings" or BIN listings.

[Domo Arigato]

3 minutes ago, James J Johnson said:

Are you sure you didn't search their auctions? These wouldn't have shown up if you specifically clicked on auctions rather than "all listings" or BIN listings.

I've been on eBay for 20 years and I'm absolutely positive.

I wen to this link to their account (which is where I always go to see their activity).  I then clicked on their "items for sale" link (and made sure that I was searching on "All Listings") and then I clicked on their "visit store" link (which won't even let you select "auctions" as an option).  There was nothing there.  I thought that was odd, so I went back and checked both sections again.  Nothing.

Sweet Lou 14 even mentioned that he saw almost 90 books listed when he checked.  When you posted, they had nine books listed.  Now they currently have eleven books listed.

[porcupine48]

titmouse teehee

[Sweet Lou 14]

3 hours ago, Domo Arigato said:

I've been on eBay for 20 years and I'm absolutely positive.

I wen to this link to their account (which is where I always go to see their activity).  I then clicked on their "items for sale" link (and made sure that I was searching on "All Listings") and then I clicked on their "visit store" link (which won't even let you select "auctions" as an option).  There was nothing there.  I thought that was odd, so I went back and checked both sections again.  Nothing.

Sweet Lou 14 even mentioned that he saw almost 90 books listed when he checked.  When you posted, they had nine books listed.  Now they currently have eleven books listed.

Really, really weird.  When I looked last night, there were 87 books listed in all.  Now the number is 13.  The 13 I see are definitely a subset of the 87.  Among the books no longer listed was a Silver Surfer 4 CGC 9.8 with an asking price of $22,500.  

A quick search of sold items seems to indicate that his last sale was on September 20.  So it's not like he suddenly sold 74 books within hours of listing them.

[James J Johnson]

16 minutes ago, Sweet Lou 14 said:

Really, really weird.  When I looked last night, there were 87 books listed in all.  Now the number is 13.  The 13 I see are definitely a subset of the 87.  Among the books no longer listed was a Silver Surfer 4 CGC 9.8 with an asking price of $22,500.  

A quick search of sold items seems to indicate that his last sale was on September 20.  So it's not like he suddenly sold 74 books within hours of listing them.

Very odd. Because I could swear that about 48 hours ago, no books were listed at all!, let alone 87 listings! When I saw the 8 or so listed about 24 hours ago, I immediately thought, "OK. he didn't take it on the lam and he's coming back in about 7 to 10 days, just about right (Oct 10th) to be back in time to ship out sales so buyers don't get antsy nd hit the panic button.

Edited October 2, 2019 by James J Johnson

[Domo Arigato]

7 hours ago, James J Johnson said:

Very odd. Because I could swear that about 48 hours ago, no books were listed at all!, let alone 87 listings! When I saw the 8 or so listed about 24 hours ago, I immediately thought, "OK. he didn't take it on the lam and he's coming back in about 7 to 10 days, just about right (Oct 10th) to be back in time to ship out sales so buyers don't get antsy nd hit the panic button.

Ok....well I have no idea what's going on with their listings.  I just checked them and thought something weird was going on, so I kept hitting refresh.  These screenshots are all in chronological order starting from the top, and were all taken within less than a minute or two of each other.  Could this have something to do with their listing software or something. 

Edited October 2, 2019 by Domo Arigato

[theCapraAegagrus]

2 minutes ago, Domo Arigato said:

Ok....well I have no idea what's going on with their listings.  I just checked them and thought something weird was going on, so I kept hitting refresh.  These screenshots are all in chronological order starting from the top, and were all taken within less than a minute or two of each other.  Could this have something to do with their listing software or something. 

[James J Johnson]

1 hour ago, theCapraAegagrus said:

87 listings, I see today. All with fairly ambitious pricing. I wonder just how far the uber-defect-friendly, paper-quality/color improving blue light tinting can go towards inducing purchases at these levels.

[Domo Arigato]

15 minutes ago, James J Johnson said:

87 listings, I see today. All with fairly ambitious pricing. I wonder just how far the uber-defect-friendly, paper-quality/color improving blue light tinting can go towards inducing purchases at these levels.

87 listings is the same number of listings that Sweet Lou 14 reported seeing yesterday.  I'm also seeing 87 listings when I first go into their "sales listing" page....and it appears that the Silver Surfer #4 cgc 9.8 copy he mentioned earlier is now showing up in their listings again at the $22,500 asking price.  When I keep hitting the "refresh" button on my browser, the number of listings changes each time, so I'm not sure what's causing that.

[Cat]

53 minutes ago, Domo Arigato said:

87 listings is the same number of listings that Sweet Lou 14 reported seeing yesterday.  I'm also seeing 87 listings when I first go into their "sales listing" page....and it appears that the Silver Surfer #4 cgc 9.8 copy he mentioned earlier is now showing up in their listings again at the $22,500 asking price.  When I keep hitting the "refresh" button on my browser, the number of listings changes each time, so I'm not sure what's causing that.

Maybe someone should contact them and let them kn.... oh right.... 

[Cat]

On 9/29/2019 at 4:33 PM, Mecha_Fantastic said:

This is going to be a long post, I apologise for that. My attempts to work out a collapsible format failed miserably. Hopefully the content is worth it.

As of the time of writing, I have not heard back from anyone at Berkbridge, and it has been well over a week. I gave them that long as a courtesy. Please also note that everything past the line represented by ***** is what went 'missing' for me, but what I was luckily able to recover. The 'lost' emails were the ones where they confirmed they would not be supplying the requested information, and all that chain. Very strange indeed, and in all my years, I've never seen anything like it. 

No editing has been done, other than to remove my surname. If you're wondering why I've removed the name of the person I'm conversing with representing the foundation, I haven't. Despite requesting I identify myself in various ways fully (ie my CGC ID), at no stage did this person/s ever identify themself or sign off their email. Obviously you know who I believe it was. 

Emails from me are in Italics. 

Emails from The Berkbridge Foundation are in Bold. 

Without further ado, here they are. 

---------
Subject: Disclosure

September 10, 2019, 4:58 AM

Hi there, I'm contacting you in reference to a now-closed thread on the CGC forums, in regards to certain financial disputes that you guys are legally required to make available upon request. I'd like copies of these documents, please.

Yours sincerely, 

Craig

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September 10, 2019, 5:02 AM

Hello Craig, 

Thank you for your email.

Please provide the name and address you would like the information sent to and also you CGC Forum user name.

Berkbridge Foundation

---------

September 10, 2019, 5:31 AM

Hi, thank you for the swift reply. A physical version is not necessary, I'm perfectly happy to save some trees. You can send the files/links to this email address, please. 

Sincerely, 

----------

September 10, 2019, 5:43 AM

Hello Craig, 

Any legal documents requested from us will be sent by USPS registered mail with return receipt. 

Thank you

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September 10, 2019, 7:15 AM

Thanks once more for the swift reply. I do not wish to receive physical copies of this documentation, thank you, digital is preferable, and in line with applicable policies. In accordance once more with your required responsibilities as a registered 501(C)3, I am requesting either a link to these forms, or that they be emailed to me at this email address. This is in compliance with IRS statutes, and there are penalties for non-compliance for organisations that do not comply with law. 

Thank you once more, and I look forward to receiving the documentation. 

Yours sincerely. 

--------

September 10, 2019, 8:05 AM

Hello, 

We have forwarded your email and request to our CPA and as soon as we receive a response, we will get back to you.

Thank you

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September 10, 2019, 8:47 AM

Thank you very much. I appreciate your prompt response. 

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September 10, 2019, 10:05 AM

You're very welcome Craig. 

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September 11, 2019, 9:46 AM

Hello Craig, 

In response to your previous email:

Please let us know which document(s) you are requesting for inspection. If the particular document falls under the "Public Disclosure and Availability Requirements" of the IRS rules, we will provide them at a reasonable cost of copying and postage. There are no rules or laws requiring Exempt Organizations to keep these documents digitally. 

Please first refer to the IRS web site as these documents may be available online through the IRS site. 

Thank you

--------

September 11, 2019, 2:13 PM

Hello once again, the documents I am requesting are as follows: the 990, 990T, 1023 or 1024 (whichever is applicable), and any relevant supporting documentation and exhibits. Once more, I am asking for these in digital form. I am trying to confirm your organisation as legitimate, as I am interested in supporting it, as I know many others are. There is no need to be adversarial in this, we are united in the love of the comics medium and the shared humanity for those in need, and bettering their circumstances and futures. Also note that nothing I am asking for is out of the ordinary. These are all documents that are required to be made available to the public. My intentions are genuine. 

I look forward to receiving these documents/relevant links ASAP. Thank you in advance. 

Sincerely, 

--------

*****Mecha Fantastic Note: All emails past this point, dated September 11, went 'mysteriously missing', but were luckily able to be retrieved on my end. I mentioned this in an earlier post. This happened no later than the 24th, and could have occurred up to 3 days or so earlier, as I had been awaiting a response. Still an extremely unusual circumstance I've never experienced before, and cannot rationally explain without interference, as nothing else was affected. Regardless, I had copies, so we continue.*****

--------

September 12, 2019, 2:57 AM

Hello Craig, 

Thank you for your email. 

We have been prompt, professional and courteous in replying to your messages and addressing your requests.

Berkbridge Foundation is an active Exempt Organization with the IRS, therefore, any form which were required to establish the EO and maintain its status are available or will be available as they come due, on the IRS web site in digital format: Results for Tax Exempt Organization Search ***** Mecha Fantastic Note - this was a link******

We can also mail physical copies of the forms you are requesting as we mentioned in our previous email. 

Thank you

--------

September 19, 2019, 6:10 AM

None of the requested documents are available on the IRS site, although your response does mean that you do have them in digital form. Therefore, as requested multiple tinrs, I will take them digitally please. 

If you still refuse, you may ship physical copies, but please note that you will be responsible for all copying and shipping charges, as you are the one refusing to supply them in digital form. Had I been the one to request physical copies, I would indeed be required to pay. As we know, this is not the case. 

Thank you, and I look forward to a prompt response. 

--------

September 19, 2019, 6:37 AM

Dear Mr *****Mecha Fantastic*****, 

Any information that is required by IRS regulations to be made available for "Public Availability" are digitally available on the IRS web site. If you are having trouble finding them, please contact the IRS for assistance.  

We can provide physical copies upon written request and payment of a reasonable fee to cover copying and mailing costs. We've attached the disclosure from the IRS' website for your reference. 

If you which to have physical copies, please send us a request letter with directions on where you would like them mailed to and include a check or money order payable to Berkbridge Foundation for $5.00 to cover these costs.  Our mailing address is 401 Ryland Street, Suite 200-A , Reno, Nevada 89502

Thank you

***** Mecha Fantastic Note: Attached was a Public Disclosure Availability PDF*****

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September 19, 2019, 8:28 AM

I would prefer to pay by Paypal, thanks, and am happy to cover all PayPal transactions fees. 

--------

September 19, 2019, 8:36 AM

Mr *****Mecha Fantastic*****, 

We are not set up to accept Paypal for any payments unrelated to Ebay transactions. We provided the procedure for your request and we look forward to your letter. 

Thank you

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September 19, 2019, 8:41 AM

Please provide the mailing address for said check or money order. Who should it be made out to? The documents will also need to be posted to Australia. Can you please assure me that $5US is the correct final amount?

--------

September 19, 2019, 8:44 AM

Mr *****Mecha Fantastic*****, 

That information is in our previous email. We can only mail these documents to a US address and to US residents. 

Thank you

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September 19, 2019, 8:47 AM

Their is nothing that states I must be a US citizen to receive that information, nor have I stated whether I am or am not a US citizen. If you'd prefer, I can provide a US address. I was merely going for convenience, seeing as I am paying for these documents in the first place. 

--------

September 19, 2019, 9:05 AM

Mr *****Mecha Fantastic*****, 

With all due respect, a matter of convenience for everyone would be to access these documents from the IRS web site. It would save you money and save us time. 

If you still would like physical copies from us, please follow the instructions in our previous email. We have provided all the details and there is no need to continue this conversation. 

Thank you

--------

September 19, 2019, 9:13 AM

Again, none of those documents are on the IRS website. None of them. It would indeed be much easier if they were. I am ready and willing to pay. I would like these documents please. Thank you. 

Craig

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September 19, 2019, 10:54 AM

Sorry, I forgot to add that you will be mailing to a US address. 

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September 24, 2019, 11:53 AM

To whom it may concern at the Berkbridge Foundation, 

Can you please confirm if you intend to honour my request for documentation, or if you are indeed ending this "conversation' as you call it. Please note that I do would not refer to a serious request for required documentation as a mere conversation, but as that was your choice of terms, that is what I used. 

Please confirm so I know where I stand, and know what course I should take. 

Yours faithfully, 

Craig

--------

That's everything to date. Make up your own mind about their intentions, the legitimacy of this organisation, that of Robert S Jalali, and anyone else involved with this fiasco. 
 

Quoting myself so the full chain is here for those who don't want to have to search back. 

With this new batch: first there was shock, then fury. When you see the latest email by Berkbridge, I think you'll understand why. 

When we left off, it had been over a week with no communication, after being told I was being cut off. Days after posting the transcripts however, I received a surprise, a new email from Berkbridge. Here's the short exchange to date. As before, emails from me are in Italics. Emails from The Berkbridge Foundation are in Bold. No editing has been done, other than to remove my surname, which I've replaced with *Mecha Fantastic*. Once more, at no stage have they identified themselves. 

-------

October 2, 2019, 11:55 AM

 

Mr *Mecha Fantastic*, 

 

You are welcome to send us either an electronic message or a written request along with a cashier's check or money order in the amount of $6.00 payable to: Berkbridge Foundation and mailed to: 

 

401 Ryland St., STE 200-A

Reno, NV 89502 

 

Please specify which documents you would like to inspect, provide a name and address for mailing and allow up to 30 days for receipt of requested documents. Alternatively, you can contact the IRS for assistance in accessing the documents through the IRS web site. We may also have certain documents posted online once our web site is launched in the near future. 

 

Thank you 

--------

October 3, 2019, 9:42 PM

Okay, I'm going to attempt to itemise this so we are clear and there is no confusion: By raising the price to $6.00US, I am assuming that this increase would be to cover the postage to Australia, my original preferred destination. Is this indeed the case? If not, why the increase in price? 

And can we please drop the pretence that the documents are available on the IRS website. We both know that is not the case, and this continued insistence is counter-productive. I do appreciate that documentation may be made available easily in the future, that will certainly make it easier for everyone involved, and I look forward to that day. 

Yours Sincerely. 

--------

October 3, 2019, 9:47 PM

Please send your US address details and we'll mail the documents at our cost. Please just send us a copy of your ID or the ID of the recipient.

--------

October 4, 2019, 8:06 AM

Right, well, first of all, can you please explain why the cost had risen since last quoted less than two weeks ago? 

Secondly, and this is a huge issue, asking for copies of identification is a major violation in so many ways, I'm literally flabbergasted that you even had the gall to write that. No such thing shall be provided, as you well knew would be the response. I take this and the entire chain of emails as proof of hostility and pure refusal to cooperate in providing legally required documentation as first requested on September 10th, 2019, and continually delayed since then by stalling tactics on your behalf. 

We're done here. 

---------

I don't even know where to begin on a summary, but here goes: documents were first requested September 10th, stalling and delaying has taken place since then, from their side. Any and every question I have about their legitimacy has been answered in full by their sheer evasiveness and unwillingness to cooperate in legally required means of documentation. I see no legit reason for a legitimate charity to act this way. It's that simple.

My view is that I'm flabbergasted at the sheer gall of The Berkbridge Foundation, and their apparent belief they are above the law of the land and that they may twist the good works of charities for the probable personal gain of its founder, Robert S Jalali. The arrogance is something else, and I commend @Sweet Lou 14 and everyone else involved in bringing The Berkbridge Foundation to light. 

The next step is bringing them to the attention of the proper authorities. This is far from over. 

[The Lions Den]

On 10/2/2019 at 2:29 AM, Domo Arigato said:

I've been on eBay for 20 years and I'm absolutely positive.

I wen to this link to their account (which is where I always go to see their activity).  I then clicked on their "items for sale" link (and made sure that I was searching on "All Listings") and then I clicked on their "visit store" link (which won't even let you select "auctions" as an option).  There was nothing there.  I thought that was odd, so I went back and checked both sections again.  Nothing.

Sweet Lou 14 even mentioned that he saw almost 90 books listed when he checked.  When you posted, they had nine books listed.  Now they currently have eleven books listed.

I had the same thing happen. Checked it multiple times in multiple ways...

[The Lions Den]

14 minutes ago, Mecha_Fantastic said:

Please send your US address details and we'll mail the documents at our cost. Please just send us a copy of your ID or the ID of the recipient.

Say WHAT?  

[James J Johnson]

1 hour ago, The Lions Den said:

Say WHAT?  

This.

[awakeintheashes]

2 hours ago, The Lions Den said:

Say WHAT?  

Yeah, that’s messed up. Trolling or just adding to the level of shadiness? 

[Cat]

7 hours ago, Mecha_Fantastic said:

Quoting myself so the full chain is here for those who don't want to have to search back. 

With this new batch: first there was shock, then fury. When you see the latest email by Berkbridge, I think you'll understand why. 

When we left off, it had been over a week with no communication, after being told I was being cut off. Days after posting the transcripts however, I received a surprise, a new email from Berkbridge. Here's the short exchange to date. As before, emails from me are in Italics. Emails from The Berkbridge Foundation are in Bold. No editing has been done, other than to remove my surname, which I've replaced with *Mecha Fantastic*. Once more, at no stage have they identified themselves. 

-------

October 2, 2019, 11:55 AM

 

Mr *Mecha Fantastic*, 

 

You are welcome to send us either an electronic message or a written request along with a cashier's check or money order in the amount of $6.00 payable to: Berkbridge Foundation and mailed to: 

 

401 Ryland St., STE 200-A

Reno, NV 89502 

 

Please specify which documents you would like to inspect, provide a name and address for mailing and allow up to 30 days for receipt of requested documents. Alternatively, you can contact the IRS for assistance in accessing the documents through the IRS web site. We may also have certain documents posted online once our web site is launched in the near future. 

 

Thank you 

--------

October 3, 2019, 9:42 PM

Okay, I'm going to attempt to itemise this so we are clear and there is no confusion: By raising the price to $6.00US, I am assuming that this increase would be to cover the postage to Australia, my original preferred destination. Is this indeed the case? If not, why the increase in price? 

And can we please drop the pretence that the documents are available on the IRS website. We both know that is not the case, and this continued insistence is counter-productive. I do appreciate that documentation may be made available easily in the future, that will certainly make it easier for everyone involved, and I look forward to that day. 

Yours Sincerely. 

--------

October 3, 2019, 9:47 PM

Please send your US address details and we'll mail the documents at our cost. Please just send us a copy of your ID or the ID of the recipient.

--------

October 4, 2019, 8:06 AM

Right, well, first of all, can you please explain why the cost had risen since last quoted less than two weeks ago? 

Secondly, and this is a huge issue, asking for copies of identification is a major violation in so many ways, I'm literally flabbergasted that you even had the gall to write that. No such thing shall be provided, as you well knew would be the response. I take this and the entire chain of emails as proof of hostility and pure refusal to cooperate in providing legally required documentation as first requested on September 10th, 2019, and continually delayed since then by stalling tactics on your behalf. 

We're done here. 

---------

I don't even know where to begin on a summary, but here goes: documents were first requested September 10th, stalling and delaying has taken place since then, from their side. Any and every question I have about their legitimacy has been answered in full by their sheer evasiveness and unwillingness to cooperate in legally required means of documentation. I see no legit reason for a legitimate charity to act this way. It's that simple.

My view is that I'm flabbergasted at the sheer gall of The Berkbridge Foundation, and their apparent belief they are above the law of the land and that they may twist the good works of charities for the probable personal gain of its founder, Robert S Jalali. The arrogance is something else, and I commend @Sweet Lou 14 and everyone else involved in bringing The Berkbridge Foundation to light. 

The next step is bringing them to the attention of the proper authorities. This is far from over. 

They really are showing their true colours. This email has been edited, as it contains words not appropriate for this forum, so I've had to censor them. You'll see what I mean. That's the only editing that has been done. It's a real piece of work. It's from Berkbridge Foundation, is the first one to be signed, finally, and as per format, is in Bold. 

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October 4, 2019, 11:29 AM

First of all, you smug piece of s**t, we don't owe you anything so be thankful that we've entertained your annoying messages so far. Perhaps, you should spent a little time reviewing your country's laws on Internet Trolling instead of bothering honest Americans trying to do some good in the World.

Second of all, we're not obligated to provide any information to you or your Forum cronies since we've been the subject of a harassment campaign (page 81 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i990.pdf ). Since you're too stupid or incompetent to access our documents through the IRS web site, you may want to contact an attorney to decipher the rules in the aforementioned publication for you. 

Now kindly f**k off!

Michael Dawson

ps: Please cut and paste this message in your thread, it will only strengthen our legal case against you

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Edited October 4, 2019 by Mecha_Fantastic

[Beige]

MIchael Dawson - what a complete cockwomble!