When the check bounces

[nicklikesfire]

Hi Dave,

I don't want to keep posting in this thread, because I feel like it really isn't adding anything. But I'm really curious as to why you keep arguing with me about this (you have every right too, I'm just curious).

-The thread is about a specific case of check bouncing, by Gregory Campbell.

-I have had a similar interaction with Greg Campbell.

-I was subpoenaed to testify against him after his arrest and extradition to Virginia.

-During his trial I learned he had mafia connections.

-The fact that he has Mafia connections supports the fact that he is more than just an average check bouncer.

To use your nazi example: Pretend there was a gang of neo-nazi skin heads going around and beating the shit out of people at your local park. Don't you think it might be important for any news outlet reporting on the subject to mention that they are nazis, and not just a random gang of delinquents?

Or to put it another way, just because a fact seems outrageous, it doesn't mean that it is.

If you don't want to believe me when I say that Greg Campbell has mafia connections, then don't. But I do think that putting that information out there was the correct thing for me to do.

I'll refrain from posting any more replies to you about this, sorry if I ruined the thread!

To get this more on topic:

In my situation Gregory Campbell had another person pay me my deposit for the gig (the gig was a high money gig, so it was not half, but still a sizable amount). So that money cleared no problem. (The person who paid me the deposit was not "in" on the scam and ended up losing more than $30,000 I think).

Also, the check that Greg gave me took three months before it came back as a bad check. Since the gig wasn't booked more than three months in advance, even if he had written the check himself, he still would have gotten away with it.

Banks (by law, in the US anyway) must release the funds from a check into your account within seven days of you depositing the check. In my case it took three months for them to figure out that the check from Gregory Campbell was fraudulent.

People bounce checks all the time who are not mafia-connected. Saying they're "mafia" has the same effect on people as saying they're "nazis". It doesn't improve the impact; it lessens it.

Again, get 50% up front and make sure the check clears before the performance. That's the way I work it. And those who refuse to put up 50% in advance simply aren't worth dealing with. This kind of demand is not unreasonable in the performing world when you're dealing with unknown promoters and bookers.

[jared]

I for one am glad to know more about this guy. I don't doubt his mafia connections and to hear that is a fact as brought up in court, Its worth pointing out. All performers should know to avoid this man at all costs. If you work for him, you wont get paid.
Back when I did this gig, I had more trust in humanity and didn't ask for a deposit. Some of the other performers I talked to said that they got deposits but had to persistantly bug the guy until he finally paid up. Now I always get 50% before going.

[Irina]

Why do you take personal checks in the first place? All the party artists/entertainers I know take personal checks only for advance deposits - this way the check must clear BEFORE you do the gig. I only take corporate checks from companies which book me with invoice or agencies I work with. Everybody else have to pay in cash and I let them know in advance that I only take cash.