This is not a personal attack on you, please keep that in mind, but WHY do you not think what mr. Stroud did was ripping people off? Lots of people spent lots of time on their designs, and there are actually laws in the US I believe, that prohibits setting up contest and not paying the winners. He may have found a loophole and it's unlikely that he will be sued now, after all this time, still you can't feel good about what he did, or can you?
If you break the law or rip somebody off, you are a criminal or a rip off artist until you admit to your wrongdoing and try to make amends. That is my view on the matter. I am all for second chances but the person has to at least try to make it right first.