Grifters Grifting Grifters Pt 1

BOMBSHELL: Threats, lies, and a whole lot of deceit around the cookie jar. More on America's Frontline Doctors.... How many crimes can be committed in one organization?

                                 A doctor, a preacher, and a sheriff walk into a bar.                           
                                     The doctor says, Hey, I have a stash of cash.                                                  
                                                  Wanna play hide and seek?

I wish this were the setup for a bad joke, but it’s not. It’s the pretext for a complicated, deceitful roll-out of a few bad actors’ actions within the medical/patriot freedom movement gone wrong.

I have been covering the AFLDS saga since last December, and the tale continues to get stranger and stranger by the day.

Now, the cast of characters is expanding, and the stakes are rising.

A DOCTOR WALKS INTO A BAR

As many of you know, this story began with the face and former board President of AFLDS, Dr. Simone Gold (she was not the founder of AFLDS, she was placed into that position, as I covered in an earlier post here), and her gay underwear model boyfriend, John Strand who to date have absconded with over $30 million and continue living rent-free in a $3.6 million AFLDS house in Naples, Florida.

Today, Gold continues to claim she is associated with ALFDS, fraudulently raising money for the organization and racking up trademark violations, embezzlement & tax fraud charges, etc.

All I can say is…. when it comes time for Gold to file AFLDS’s 2021 final IRS Form 990 (in October), the sh*t will hit the proverbial fan.

To give you a taste of the extent of what Gold has been doing, this is a summary of just a portion of the forensic report….

THE GOLDEN WEBS WE WEAVE

In January 2021, Gold and Strand became entangled in the January 6th storming of the Capitol (which has now clearly been demonstrated as a trap for patriotic Americans, as I reported here). After Gold and Strand participated in the January 6th “insurrection,” Gold pleaded guilty last March and served 60 days in federal prison, while Strand didn’t take a plea and will have to serve two years, eight months in federal prison, and three years of probation for his role in the event.

Their story is cautionary tale for many in the medical/patriot freedom movement. While nobody should be serving any time for this January 6th cock-a-doodle FBI set-up, it continues to be a mechanism for ensnarling individuals that the system wants to vilify and lock away.

But not all people accused of the January 6th “insurrection” are innocent of all wrongdoing. Gold and Strand, in particular.

As this AFLDS story develops, it’s clear that even more individuals may be guilty of wrongdoing…..

A SHERIFF WALKS INTO A BAR

Soon after Gold’s sentence, she recused herself from the AFLDS board in February 2022. Before serving her 60 days last summer, the AFLDS tale took another twist that involved constitutional sheriff Richard Mack, former AFLDS BOD officer, who became a board member after Gold resigned.

Despite what Mack claims today, it was clear that once Mack became acquainted with the inner workings of ALFDS, he had plenty of proof of Gold’s criminality as seen in this internal email to AFLDS’ attorney Sally Wagemaker.:

But after Mack had his face-to-face meeting with Gold last March, things took a turn for the worse. Despite all the overwhelming evidence Mack had seen as an AFLDS officer, Mack took it upon himself to behave like Gold, remove nearly $370,000 from an AFLDS account, and quietly stash it in an account in an Arizona bank without the board’s knowledge.

While Mack claims he did it for the benefit of AFLDS to “protect the money” from board misappropriation and that he had the right to take this money and hide it in a bank in a different state, it is eerily similar to how Gold has been operating — stashing large sums of money around the country without board knowledge.

Mack continues to claim he committed no crime and demands that I and others “show him the (police) charges.” However, he is oblivious that we know the Gilbert police landed on his doorstep a few weeks ago and gave him an ultimatum; tell us where the money is, or we have to arrest you.

Mack complied with the police, rather than landing behind bars with a humiliating mugshot, and admitted the money was stashed under the name of AFLDS in a brand new bank account he opened after moving the money without board approval or knowledge. But Mack didn’t tell law enforcement that he and somebody with the name of Dewey Gardner, who has NO relation to AFLDS, was put on as a signer on the “AFLDS” bank account.

Mack also postulates that because he put the stolen ALFDS funds into an account under the name of AFLDS, somehow, this made it legal.

This all transpired after Mack had a face-to-face meeting with Simone and came back demanding the board hand over AFLDS to Simone despite all the evidence of her criminality.

When the Mack story broke, I offered Mack an interview with or without Kevin Jenkins. But at that time, he yelled over the phone that I was a liar and promptly hung up on me.

Mack made it a point last week to call me up after reading Dr. Lewis’s letter (below), telling me Lewis was with him at his Arizona home and they wanted to go on with me in an interview together and set the record straight. Again, Mack yelled at me, belittled me, and told me I was lying about ever offering him an interview weeks earlier. Then, he threatened me and “my wife” on two occasions within that conversation…. if you want to call it a “conversation.”

I have a girlfriend, not a wife, and I don’t greatly appreciate being threatened or having anyone in my inner circle be threatened… All I can say is ya learn a lot about a person when they are under pressure, and I’m not impressed with Mack.

Today Mack continues to deny I offered to interview him weeks ago when this all began — as if I hadn’t taken part in the conversation between us. I’m happy to take a polygraph test if anyone has the contraption.

Now Mack accuses me of not being a “journalist,” and when I asked him for any evidence to back up any of his claims, he said he didn’t have to prove his innocence.

Okay. Sure. But wouldn’t you want to if somebody supposedly wrote false information about you?

I sure would.

A MINISTER WALKS INTO A BAR

Hands in the cookie jar don’t stop with Gold and Mack.

Now, this story involves minister Dr. Aaron Lewis.

Last week I read an accusatory letter from the now-former AFLDS board member, Dr. Aaron Lewis, involving Kevin Jenkins and his leadership of ALFDS. I know Dr. Lewis and have admired him. So, you can imagine how disturbing I found his letter regarding Kevin Jenkins.

After reading the letter, I  made a point to call Dr. Lewis and ask him some clarifying questions. When he made the accusations that AFLDS board members/attorney were forging his signature on BOD minutes and more and claimed that he emailed the AFLDS’ current attorney, Rachel Rodriguez, and told her to stop forging his signature, I asked Lewis for proof of that email.

I followed up with a text message reminding him to please send me the email he sent to AFLDS legal counsel to corroborate his story.

I have not received a copy of this correspondence or any evidence backing Lewis’s incendiary claims.

What I now find highly disturbing is that the claims and accusations that Lewis made are not substantiated in any of the BOD transcriptions, emails, or texts—a few of which I am sharing in this post.

If Dr. Lewis has proof otherwise, I invite him to send me what he has. I’m all ears and eyes.

AFLDS FUNDING SIMONE & JOHN STRAND’S TRIAL COSTS

What I have also received, beyond those above, is a very extensive list of bank statements and transactions of Gold’s activities that include bankrolling her and John Strands’ stay and expenses around his January 6th court hearing last September…. utilizing AFLDS funds, including $10,000 in court fees (in blue, below).

Kid, you not.

I don’t think AFLDS donors intended their donations to go towards Strand’s January 6th court case. Not only did Gold use AFLDS funds to pay for their DC court escapade, but….

Those in the know are simply sitting back and watching Gold hang herself. She can’t seem to help herself.

I have extensive evidence of the forensic audit that could be fully conducted IF Gold would release her financials as she is legally required to do…. so the current AFLDS board could uncover where the remaining $30 million went to…. But for now…. It’s just gone and hidden in a cookie jar somewhere.

To be very clear, I don’t have it out for anyone, but I do believe in calling out corruption, and it looks like a long string of corruption involving everything AFLDS related.

This next chapter is a doozy.…

GREED; A MENTAL ILLNESS

Throughout my life, I have come to the belief that greed is a mental illness. I saw this transpire within my own adopted family, the more money they acquired, the greedier they became, and I’m watching greed unravel the medical freedom and patriot movement.

I’m not saying anyone with wealth or access to money is greedy or mentally ill (I know plenty of wealthy people with their heads on straight); however, I watch many people who get a taste of the monied life succumb to an incessant appetite that is never satiated.

I have been accused of being a liar by Simone Gold when I’m simply quoting a judge’s court decision. Richard Mack has threatened my partner and me, and while I spent a good time on the phone with Dr. Aaron Lewis, who I have had great respect for in the past, he would not send me evidence to back up his story, and in fact, the evidence that I see does not bode well for him, Mack, or Gold.

I’m simply laying out the facts of a world gone mad, and it’s only a matter of time before the courts and/or IRS catch up to all three of them.

If Gold, Mack, or Lewis have conflicting evidence, please send it my way…..

If what I share with you is any joke, it’s that the joke is on all of us; the donors, the medical/patriot movement, people who continue to give these criminals the stage, and particularly the joke is on anyone accepting Gold’s money, because it would be considered criminal: accepting stolen property.

And don’t think our criminal government wouldn’t like to go after some medical freedom advocates who have ignored these warnings and accepted her stolen funds.

In the meantime, this is the current (and official) AFLDS BOD’s response to Dr. Aaron Lewis’ letter.

                                   INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND FACTS 

On May 18, 2023, 10:45 pm, one  Aaron Lewis forwarded an email under the subject “An open letter from  Aaron Lewis to AFLDS et al.” to the following Free Speech Foundation dba America’s Frontline Doctors leadership and Board members.  The email was also forwarded to former Board Members:  Cordie Williams and Stephen Guffanti. (Exhibit A, May 18, 2023, Email Transmittal Cover).

Following a review of maliciously defamatory accusations of corruption, forgery, and attempted embezzlement of funds raised against the leadership of the organization in  Lewis’ correspondence, an internal review was immediately conducted.

For purposes of history, please note that until four hours prior to receipt of the email from  Lewis and as of March 31, 2023 (33 days),  Aaron Lewis was the Board Chair of the Free Speech Foundation.  On May 18, 2023, at 6:47 pm, Executive Assistant to the organization forwarded an email transmittal on behalf of Kevin D. Jenkins, directly to  Aaron Lewis, attaching correspondence executed by Mr. Jenkins, advising  Lewis of the Board’s decision officially to remove him in the May 15, 2023 board meeting, stating “Please be advised that your services as a director on the Board of Free Speech Foundation, Inc. dba America’s Frontline Doctors (“AFLDS”) have been terminated by action of the remaining directors on May 15, 2023.”  (Exhibit C, May 18, 2023, Email cover and attached letter of Kevin D. Jenkins).

It appears upon receipt of Mr. Jenkins’ removal;  Lewis made the decision to forward his letter of concern and/or resignation.  A letter riddled with fabrications.   Lewis’ May 18, 2023, letter, asserts the following accusations of criminal/unethical acts:

1. “Since March 31, 2023, I have served as Chair of the Board for this organization. Also, since that date, two board members have abruptly resigned, including the treasurer, and one board member was asked to leave the board insofar as he and  Simone Gold shared the same legal counsel, which was deemed to be a conflict of interest.  Over 75% of our board has become dysfunctional in less than a month and a half. Before this, I’ve carefully witnessed actions that became increasingly concerning regarding Mr. Kevin Jenkins’s behavior regarding how a board operates and allegations made concerning  Simone Gold, Sally Wagenmaker, and Sheriff Richard Mack, amongst others;”

2. “Since assuming the role of chair of the board, every decision that has been made concerning finance, choosing new board members, and disbursement of funds has been solely made by Mr. Jenkins with the sanction of Attorney Rachel Rodriguez;”

3. “On various occasions, I’ve written to and spoken with Mrs. Rodriguez explaining that her taking all commands and directives from Mr. Jenkins and not getting any approval of recommendation from the board was in direct violation of the by-laws and also could potentially jeopardize her standing with the bar in the state of Florida which she holds her license.  Despite my admonitions, every single decision has been made with Mr. Jenkins’s direct supervision without any board approval;”

4. “There have been more than one meeting of which I did not attend, where my name was forged or misrepresented;”

5. “There were meetings without my attendance where several decisions were voted on without my knowledge or approval;”

6. “Since March 31, 2023, there were more than five purported emergency meetings of which I was unaware until after the fact, all called upon by Mr. Jenkins, where board meeting minutes were falsified by Mrs. Rodriguez, who has no authority to do so but was directed by Mr. Jenkins to carry out;”

7. “Upon information and belief, I have come to realize that much of what is and has happened is a pattern and practice of Mr. Jenkins of alleged fraud and misappropriation of resources;”

8. VIII.“When I was asked to perform this role, Mr. Jenkins told me that  Gold was a thief who robbed her followers of tens of millions of dollars. He insisted that our organization had to recover all the money he phrased as “recapture.” Both Mr. Jenkins and Attorney Rodriguez also informed me that Attorney Sally Wagenmaker committed violations and broke ethics. To date, none of these accusations have been proven, and no evidence has been given whatsoever;”

9. “Since March 31, 2023, I nor any other board member has seen one document regarding financials, bank statements, or any monthly expenses or record of payment to vendors or staff;”

10. “Upon information and belief, I have discovered that much of the accusation Mr. Jenkins has levied against  Gold and Ms. Wagenmaker, and others are a direct link to his track record of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, and deceit;” and

11. “For the past two weeks, I have had to deal with the mourning of death in my family, which is why I haven’t responded to any emails.  During that time, I witnessed unusual anxiety among non-board members, Mr. Jenkins and Attorney Rodriguez, to act without board approval, make appointments, and hold board meetings called by Mr. Jenkins, are all illegal processes and violate all board protocols.”

Lewis’ decision to make a record of falsehoods was solely with the intent to permanently defame the character of leadership and destroy the organization.  This decision, without question, was based on leadership’s effective protection of the organization and donors from  Lewis’ own efforts to engage in the very criminal actions of which he accused the leadership of AFLDS:  embezzlement.  On or about April 7, 2023, and after returning from a business trip (Tennessee Security Bank and Trust Co., 4/5 – 4/6/2023) with Kevin D. Jenkins and Rachel Rodriguez,  Lewis advised Mr. Jenkins he’d lost “pay” while on the trip and wanted compensation for lost salary, requested $15,000. per month to serve as Board Chair.  Mr. Jenkins agreed that  Lewis should be reimbursed for any salary lost for engaging in activities beyond the general oversight and policy service of a Director of the Board, and he was paid $5000. on May 3, 2023, for costs due to his serving in the extra-directorial capacity.  (Exhibit D, May 3, 2023, email transmittal from Lauren Bradford with Wire Transfer).

With regard to the $15,000.; however, Mr. Jenkins explained that by-laws would have to be changed in order legally to compensate board directors for membership on the Board and the amount requested also seemed way out of reasonable bounds.

During the week of April 10, 2023, several legal matters arose, as well as financial matters in the organization’s accounts in Arkansas and travel arrangements were made for  Lewis, Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Rodriguez for the week of April 24, 2023, to travel to Arkansas and so the issue of  Lewis’ request was not brought to the full board.  On April 19, 2023, there was a sudden death in the family of Kevin D. Jenkins, and he returned home and did not return to work until Tuesday, May 2, 2023. The trip to Arkansas was canceled.

During Mr. Jenkins’ thirteen (13) day absence (April 19, 2023 – May 2, 2023) from the organization,  Lewis, along with the organization’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), JoAnna Laiscell, immediately began to contact Lauren Bradford, COO and Rachel Rodriguez, General Counsel with attempts to convince the two leaders to approve and fund the request of Chairman  Lewis’ $15,000. monthly compensation.  Please note JoAnna Laiscell’s hiring as CFO, came at the advice and promotion of  Lewis.   Lewis and Ms. Laiscell were advised on several occasions by Bradford and Rodriguez that the matter must be brought to the board and that there was obvious impropriety of changing the organization’s by-laws for the sole purpose of rendering compensation to  Lewis.  Nevertheless,  the pressure continued from the chairman and the CFO, until April 28, 2023, when Ms. Bradford advised, she would not make such a decision, without Mr. Jenkins approval, upon review by the Board.   Lewis then sent a text to Mr. Jenkins stating, “Good morning brother.  Please give me a call.  Lauren says I’m already set up in the system.  She was just waiting on you for the okay.  I’m in a rough spot, my brother.  It’s been two months.  Reach out.  Thanks.”  (Exhibit E, April 28, 2023, text message from  Lewis to Kevin Jenkins).    

During Mr. Jenkins’ absence, board member Cordie Williams abruptly resigned after about two weeks of complete silence and failure to respond to any communications to  Williams.  In that same period, it was discovered that board member,  Stephen Guffanti, had a material conflict of interest he failed to disclose during the nomination and appointment period to the Board.   Guffanti was therefore requested, by letter, to resign from the board and he refused in writing.  So, upon Mr. Jenkins’ May 2, 2023, return, an emergency meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, May 3, 2023, via Zoom, to which  Lewis was invited expressly.  At the May 3, 2023, meeting, Chairman Lewis officially confirmed disqualification of  Guffanti from the board due to material conflict of interest and accepted  Williams’ resignation.  He also appointed to the Board two additional members, including Trent Loos.

Following the May 3, 2023, meeting and after an early morning email transmittal on May 4, 2023,  Lewis ceased any and all communication with any leader or board member and provided no explanation for the silence and abdication of his duties as director.  Immediately following the meeting,  Lewis once again attempted to extort Mr. Jenkins for $15,000 and Mr. Jenkins advised that he would not make such a decision without board approval.  The Board called a meeting with  Lewis for May 8, 2023, specifically to discuss his demands for compensation for being a member of the Board.  He did not respond to the meeting notice and did not attend, nor did he respond to any other calls, texts, or emails at any time since May 4, 2023, for any purpose, except his May 18, 2023, email with the attached defamatory letter, in response to the foundation’s letter terminating his membership on the Board.

American Author Louisa Alcott said, “if you want to know someone’s mind, listen to their words.  If you want to know their heart, watch their actions.”  Let us introduce you to the mind and heart of  Aaron Lewis.  Per the zoom Board Meeting recorded May 3, 2023,  Lewis in his very own words, proves his May 18, 2023 “Letter of Concern” and any and all accusations made therein were blatantly and maliciously defamatory, the falsehoods of which he is fully aware.

Stay Tuned for PART 2: Zoom Transcript of ALFDS BOARD VIDEO RECORDED MEETING & MORE…

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