Kevin Filan replies to Madison

>In article , 
Jonathan A. Frater  wrote: 
>> we simply take our 
>> business elsewhere. 
>   Funny, I seem to recall reccomending the same thing.  I guess that 
>makes both of us lazy.  

So what's the problem. We've recommended that people not do business with this person. We've also recommended that they come forward with any information they may have regarding criminal activities on her part.

>> The police don't seem to want to do anything about her. 
>   If you had real proof, they'd be quite interested.  Suggesting that the 
>authorities do not care about consumer fraud is a paranoid delusion. 

I'm going to be posting some affidavits from Gorman's victims in the near future. These will be signed and notarized statements; I'll retain the hard copies and be happy to show them to anyone interested. I'm not clear as to how she's evaded prosecution thus far. I plan to try getting a group of people together and presenting evidence to the bunco squad en masse.

One thing which Gorman has done -- and which we're trying to counter -- is cry "religious persecution." According to her side of the story (as I understand it; perhaps Madison would do us the favor of posting some of Gorman's writings?), the 1981 bust was a "setup" because she "loves the goddess."

From the February 12, 1981 Monmouth County Courier

Lt. Walter Monohan headed up the investigation and has been working on the case since mid-January with Det. Stephen Xanthos. Lt. Monohan said the department was first made aware of a possible problem when the prosecutor's office in Freehold reported on Jan. 26 that it had received a complaint on Jan. 12 alleging the 20 year old woman had undergone hospitalization and confinement for several days. She was treated in both the intensive care unit and the poison control center, as the result of a several days' stay with the Rakowskis.

Reportedly, the young woman had been approached by a mutual friend, Annete Wexler of Iselin, and arrangements were made for her to undergo witchcraft and herbal treatments to cure her of a diabetic condition from which she suffered for many years. Reportedly, the young woman spent several days at the house, participated in several healing rites, and ingested herbal medicines. After a period of time, the woman was reportedly told by the Rakowskis that she was cured of her diabetic condition. When the victim stopped taking her insulin, she suffered severe medical problems and was hospitalized.

(Kitty Gorman was convicted of conspiracy in this case and served 18 months on a seven-year sentence).

Madison -- you also claimed that, in your opinion, Ms. Gorman had never tortured animals. Here's another excerpt from the Feb. 12, 1981 Courier that suggests otherwise

EATONTOWN -- ``It's just something you could never get used to, no matter how long you're in this field" a distraught Leslie Eustace, executive director of the Monmouth County SPCA, said yesterday. Mrs. Eustace was referring to the serious and critical conditions of the 20 dogs brought to the shelter from 183 Seabreeze Ave., East Keanesburg. (Ms. Gorman's residence)

The 20 dogs included one Pekinise, one Lhasa Apso, eight Doberman pinschers, two mixed breed puppies with their mother, five 12 week old mixed breed puppies, one black poodle, and one black and white poodle mix.

The animals were all examined by Dr. John J. Schester, veterinarian with Asbury Park Animal Hospital, and all were found to be suffering from at least one affliction. Diseases and injuries ranged from severe matting of the hair and mange to corneal ulcerations, skin diseases, and ruptured eyes, Mrs. Eustace said.

There is no doubt some of the major problems could have been either corrected or at least alleviated with proper medical attention at an early stage of the problem, the director said. ``Surely it would have lessened their suffering, if nothing else."

Whether or not the animals can be saved now is still a matter of concern. In addition to the dogs' deteriorating physical conditions, there is the question of the staggering cost proper rehabilitation, with its attentive medical care and medication would incur.

* * * * *

Mrs. Eustace read medical reports noting the matting of some of the dogs' hair was so severe it caused the skin to bleed; in the case of one of the dogs, the Lhasa, the break in the anterior chamber of the head and the subsequent oozing of brain matter ``is unbelievable; it's so sad, it's sickening." There are several corneal ulcerations among the Pekinese, she continued, noted she is certain one of the dogs is ``dead blind" and is not certain about the vision ability of the other. Many of the dogs suffer some type of lameness, all appear to have worms. Each of the animals have either lameness, worms, mange, matting, ulcerations, ``or a combination of any of those."

* * * * *

Aside from the terrible condition of all of the animals, Mrs. Eustace said she was further disturbed by the reports that Ms. Gorman had run Save-A-Pet, a purported haven for unwanted dogs. ``It makes you wonder just how many dogs she has cared for, how many have been killed, and how many have died from illness, disease, or lack of care," Mrs. Eustace said.

>> It reminds me of what some Americans said when the Nazis began to 
>> persecute the Jews- "It's an internal German matter". 
>   Wow, is that a dramatic and irrelevant statement.  I'm suggesting we 
>not take the law into our own hands.  I'm suggesting we involve the police 
>if we have proof and that we avoid doing business with the lady.  That's 
>hardly comparable to suggesting we go out and throw a few thousand people 
>into an oven.  (Ripping off people is not comparable to genocide either 
>and you know that.  She may not be a nice lady, but "Nazi" is a foolish 
>and misleading statement.  You can do better than that.)  

Given the above, I'd suggest the statement ``she may not be a nice lady" is foolish and misleading. :)

Madison: I am sure from your encounters with Armida she presented herself well. She's a professional con artist; as such, she's good at making people trust her. Like I said; read the evidence from the people she's ripped off. Then decide for yourself what we should do.

>   If people do not buy from her based on thier own experience and the 
>testimony of others, I think that's all that needs to be done.  You are 
>suggesting laziness.  What would you like to do about her?  So far, all 
>you've done is whine.  What constructive solutions have you come up with? 
>   Honestly, don't you have anything better to do? 

See above. I'll be interested to hear your reactions.

Peace Kevin Filan