jay helfert said:
I have to say something here Jake. I don't think it's as simple as that, "Just chalk it up to experience and go on with your life."
When someone has devoted so much time and energy and money to participate on the highest level in any sport, they do not expect their efforts to be belittled in such a manner. It's like saying "nice try, too bad, better luck next time".
It doesn't matter if they are poolplayers, bowlers or anything else. This is not simply about the tough luck of being a pool player. It is about being deceived and taken full advantage of. If they are not paid, then whoever perpetrated this scam should be held accountable. And all those who played a role in this sham should be punished to the full extent of the law.
My feeling is either make good on all promises or face prosecution either civilly or criminally. KT and his crew should not get off scot free. They have made a shambles out of many peoples lives. It's time to pay up or face the consequences.
This was not some little local shindig where a few guys put up ten bucks and the tournament director ran off with the money. These were major television events with well publicized prize funds. The world's top pool players traveled from all over the globe to participate. Someone has to pay, one way or the other.
Jay, as usual, you are so very right. But KT has a knack for, not only, evading the full consequences of the law (sometimes) but also has the uncanny ability to find new people that continue to throw their money and hopes down the toilet chasing after his false promises and dead dreams.
He never hid his past from the pool community, it's all public information and all over the internet. Most simply closed their eyes or became blinded by the large dollar signs.
What generally surprises me is that even after the very public revelations about the problems surrounding his past businesses; the Electromagmetic Chaos Eliminator, The Mega Memory System, the Hair Restoring System, the Addiction Eliminator System, the Weight Loss System, Mega Reading System, as well as his credit card fraud conviction, FTC charges and settlement, and other sanctions from several State Attorneys General, he continues to find new people still willing to be bilked by him and many are still not even aware of his tainted background. He depends on constantly finding new people that are either not aware of his history or are too desperate to acknowledge it.
Well, now he is doing it to the pool world. I cannot believe that there are still players forking over $2,000.00 to enter qualifiers for a tour that, until now, has not paid their last tournament prizes and is currently a questionable entity. He is still playing the numbers game and still getting new customers, amazing. I also can't find justification for a poolroom owner to be hosting a IPT qualifier at this point, or a player knowing the current facts allowing another player to play in one without informing him of the current situation. I always knew that most players only looked out for themselves, but this is almost unconscionable.
Even judging by some of the responses an this forum as well as at Billiards Digest, I find it startling that so many people either defend him, forgive him or make excuses for him.
Of course I hope that all of the players get paid. But, what does he finally have to do before everyone realizes who and what they are dealing with?
