MediaBLITZ
Legend
Silver Level
Well there is a long ways to go yet but I do find Howard credible and genuine.
For those of you not watching the interesting point for me (there was more than one) was Howard recounting the fact that when it came to profit distribution there was one guy who was adamantly against it - Chris Ferguson.
For those of you not watching the interesting point for me (there was more than one) was Howard recounting the fact that when it came to profit distribution there was one guy who was adamantly against it - Chris Ferguson.
JusSumguy
Chipmonger
Silver Level
I dunno Media... seems a bit dodgy to me. I know every penny I get paid from anywhere.
Besides all the ... Ahhh, ahhh, clears throat, ahhh crap. He says, "I don't think I was paid a salary for the first two years" seems wrong to me. As in lie.
JMO/YMMV
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Besides all the ... Ahhh, ahhh, clears throat, ahhh crap. He says, "I don't think I was paid a salary for the first two years" seems wrong to me. As in lie.
JMO/YMMV
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MediaBLITZ
Legend
Silver Level
or any of them for that matter
MediaBLITZ
Legend
Silver Level
Well he is trying to recount stuff from 2004-2006 (at this point anyway) and there were so damn many people involved. We'll see if he gets caught in any contradictions down the road.
Not sure why not getting a salary for two years seems wrong - you mean the way he said it or the "fact" that it happened.
BTW, I never put money on FTP so I have no emotional involvement with this - just find it fascinating. I am just taking it at face value and not looking for tells - Hmmm - wonder if Joe Navarro will weigh in on this. It would be hilarious if they cut to him in the middle.
JusSumguy
Chipmonger
Silver Level
That he says he can't remember. After all the scrutiny he's been under, you know he, and his attorneys, reviewed everything.
So... I think it's a lie.
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cdooley72
Visionary
Silver Level
I was thinking something similar, Just that He seems to have aged a lot. I bet all this shit has taken it's toll on him.
JOEBOB69
Cardschat Elite
Silver Level
If poker news does not at least try to get Joe on it would be crime.Can you see after howard says something they cut to Joe like in the wsop coverage. AWESOME
F
fletchdad
Legend
Loyaler
Yea, I also am not so sure about his claim to not know if he was getting a salary after all the scrutiny that must have been involved. He was like "Salary the first 2 years? Hmm, I am not sure. I guess I should look into what my involvement was then".... (Quotes not meant as quotes, I hope that is understood) It seems a bit incredible somehow.
Otherwise, the interviewer does look at him at times with a "I would rather just gut you now" look.....
Only watched the first one yet, and was kinda "meh" all in all.....
Cliffs would be cool, if someone feels like doing it, since from every 30 minutes there may only be a couple of minutes worth watching........
Otherwise, the interviewer does look at him at times with a "I would rather just gut you now" look.....
Only watched the first one yet, and was kinda "meh" all in all.....
Cliffs would be cool, if someone feels like doing it, since from every 30 minutes there may only be a couple of minutes worth watching........
dj11
Legend
Loyaler
Cliff notes thru 2 parts;
-Howard discusses some of the history of FTP, drops a few names, none new, discusses the culture a bit, and sort of humanizes what we, post BF, have come to believe was gross mismanagement. However thru part 2 the Lederer Files have not got into the true crises.
-Brings in the move to Dublin and how that seems to have negatively affected the culture of FTP in a surprising (to HL) way. At this point HL is trying to describe (IMHO) himself as some sort of internal rah rah guy. But there is enough elusiveness about just exactly what he was doing, or expected to be doing, that we are just cliff hanging for part 3...
We are up to some friction between Ray Bitar and several of the other board members. Also HL has tried to show he was very concerned about the 'segregated funds' issues. He does not even know the last name of the CFO. He mentions Chris (Ferguson) and Chris's buddy Ray (Bitar) and notes (several times) how the whole thing FTP et al) was Chris's baby.
It looks like Howard is trying hard to be both informative, and cautious in some of his replies, and I agree that the interviewer does look like he is wanting to jump the gun and gut HL immediately....
-Howard discusses some of the history of FTP, drops a few names, none new, discusses the culture a bit, and sort of humanizes what we, post BF, have come to believe was gross mismanagement. However thru part 2 the Lederer Files have not got into the true crises.
-Brings in the move to Dublin and how that seems to have negatively affected the culture of FTP in a surprising (to HL) way. At this point HL is trying to describe (IMHO) himself as some sort of internal rah rah guy. But there is enough elusiveness about just exactly what he was doing, or expected to be doing, that we are just cliff hanging for part 3...
We are up to some friction between Ray Bitar and several of the other board members. Also HL has tried to show he was very concerned about the 'segregated funds' issues. He does not even know the last name of the CFO. He mentions Chris (Ferguson) and Chris's buddy Ray (Bitar) and notes (several times) how the whole thing FTP et al) was Chris's baby.
It looks like Howard is trying hard to be both informative, and cautious in some of his replies, and I agree that the interviewer does look like he is wanting to jump the gun and gut HL immediately....
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arahel_jazz
Unbalanced and Committed
Silver Level
This whole thing reads like a bad Venture Capital start-up. We could be talking about Facebook in this context.
- Couple of smart guys have an idea and start a company.
- Smart guys don't vet the guy they trust to be CEO.
- Money starts rolling in, smart guys lose the details.
- Company grows beyond a garage (moves to Dublin) smart guys lose control.
- Company gets in trouble (financial or legal) smart guys get vilified.
Unless the entrepreneurs are willing to hire really competent people to manage the company, most of them will be overwhelmed by the needs of running a multi-million dollar business. Even HR said that he was still operating like it was a California LLC in 2008 and not an international corporation.
- Couple of smart guys have an idea and start a company.
- Smart guys don't vet the guy they trust to be CEO.
- Money starts rolling in, smart guys lose the details.
- Company grows beyond a garage (moves to Dublin) smart guys lose control.
- Company gets in trouble (financial or legal) smart guys get vilified.
Unless the entrepreneurs are willing to hire really competent people to manage the company, most of them will be overwhelmed by the needs of running a multi-million dollar business. Even HR said that he was still operating like it was a California LLC in 2008 and not an international corporation.
MediaBLITZ
Legend
Silver Level
That's exactly the read I've got on it. I suppose I should disclose I was involved in a start up that ended with the state dept getting involved and deciding it was just a failed business venture - thank god. But from that experience it is very easy to see exactly where HL is coming from and how the left hand doesn't know what the right is doing.
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pokeyourface
Rising Star
Silver Level
Lederer needs to be hung my his balls. I will watch this and see if he has a good excuse? lol. what a douche to ruin online poker
dj11
Legend
Loyaler
I am finding these fascinating, and have changed at least a few of my views because of this.
HL appears so far to be addressing the questions and situations honestly, even tho he has brought up a 'it's not my fault' tone, he sort of explains why it's not his fault...sort of.
These guys started FTP and were not corporate exec's, the company grew too fast, and seemingly no one was truly in control. Somebody had the position to be in control, but it sounds like perhaps they were all in way over their heads.
HL appears so far to be addressing the questions and situations honestly, even tho he has brought up a 'it's not my fault' tone, he sort of explains why it's not his fault...sort of.
These guys started FTP and were not corporate exec's, the company grew too fast, and seemingly no one was truly in control. Somebody had the position to be in control, but it sounds like perhaps they were all in way over their heads.