text:
Claimants are able to check the status of their claim by accessing the following Status Check Link https://cert.gardencitygroup.com/zrwdet/fs/home. The Status Check Link allows you to log in to a webpage using the Registration ID and Password you selected when you registered on the Claims Portal.
Net Winner Class Members are able to review and respond to the Receiver's calculation of their Net Winnings by accessing the following Net Winnings Determination Response Portal http://www.zeeknetwinnerclass.com/portal. For more information regarding the Net Winner Class, please visit http://www.zeeknetwinnerclass.com.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – March 15, 2017
As previously announced, on March 15, 2017, the Receivership Estate made the third partial interim distribution to Affiliates who are holders of Allowed Claims against the Receivership Defendant. This third partial interim distribution is comprised of 122,335 checks in a total payment amount of $67,755,715. This distribution, combined with the first and second partial interim distributions and the amounts paid by ZeekRewards (prior to its shutdown), has provided victims with Allowed Claims a total of at least 75% of their losses (calculated using the rising tide method).
If you previously have received a distribution payment from the Receivership, you will receive another payment in this distribution. If you had recovered more than 60% from ZeekRewards prior to its shutdown, but less than 75% (using the rising tide method), you will receive a distribution in this distribution.
Distribution checks are being sent by United States mail and may take a week or more to be delivered to Affiliates in the United States. Delivery of distribution checks to Affiliates that are located outside the United States will take additional time. I ask your patience in the delivery process. You may request a reissuance of your distribution check if you do not receive it timely. I ask that you wait until at least April 17, 2017 to make such a request because addressing reissuance requests will reduce the amount of funds we have to make future distributions.
I thank you for your patience and your continuing support. I am confident that we will make a further distribution in the future.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – February 13, 2017
On February 13, 2017 Paul Burks was sentenced to 14 years and 8 months of imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. in Charlotte, North Carolina. Judge Cogburn cited the need to balance the harm caused by Mr. Burks' conduct against Mr. Burks' extremely poor health and 70 years of age. There is no parole available under the federal court system.
The Court also ordered Mr. Burks to pay $244 million in restitution to the receivership for distribution to victims holding allowed claims. As a practical matter the Court's restitution order will not result in any payments to victims because the receivership has already taken from Mr. Burks essentially all of his assets. For similar reasons the Court found that Mr. Burks has no ability to pay a fine and declined to enter a fine.
The Court allowed Mr. Burks to remain free on bond until instructed to report to a federal prison by the Bureau of Prisons. The process of designation to a federal prison usually takes 30 -90 days.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – February 2, 2017
As I previously announced, I continue to pursue Final Judgments requiring each member of the Net Winner Class of those who won at least $1000 in ZeekRewards to repay their net winnings to the Receivership for distribution to victims of the scheme. On January 27, 2017, United States District Judge Graham Mullen entered an Order on Process for Determining the Amount of Final Judgments Against Net Winner Class Members, which sets forth the process for determining the amount of the net winnings received by each member of the Net Winner Class. That amount plus prejudgment interest will then become the amount of the Final Judgment to be entered against the net winner. I intend to pursue collection of these judgments vigorously, and expect the ultimate amount collected, while uncertain, will be a substantial sum.
The Court's Order, which describes the process in detail, may be viewed by following this link. The first step in the process – notifying each Net Winner of the amount of their net winnings – is expected to begin next week. After notification, each Net Winner is required to provide a response stating whether he or she accepts or disagrees with that amount within 60 days of the notification using a website Net Winnings Determination Response Portal. More information and links to the Response Portal will be sent to the Net Winner Class members in the notification email. If a Net Winner does not receive their notification by February 13, 2017 then he or she should email firstname.lastname@example.com to receive instructions on how to obtain the notification.
Throughout the Receivership, the Receiver has expressed a willingness to consider voluntary final settlements with ZeekRewards' Net Winners to efficiently resolve the claims against them. Hundreds of settlements have been negotiated with Net Winners and approved by the Court. If a Net Winner wants to discuss a settlement of the Receiver's claims prior to Final Judgment being entered, please communicate with the Receiver at firstname.lastname@example.com.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – January 19, 2017
On February 13, 2017, Paul Burks will be sentenced in United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina for his role in the ZeekRewards Ponzi and pyramid scheme. The sentencing hearing is open to the public and will be held at the Federal Courthouse at 401 W. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC.
Victims of these offenses are entitled to be heard at sentencing. If a victim would like to have a letter describing the impact that ZeekRewards had on them submitted to the Court please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com. In particular, the Court would like to hear about any of the below circumstances:
- Becoming insolvent;
- Filing for bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Code;
- Suffering substantial loss of a retirement, education, or other savings or investment fund;
- Making substantial changes to his or her employment, such as postponing his or her retirement plans;
- Making substantial changes to his or her living arrangements, such as relocating to a less expensive home; and
- Suffering substantial harm to his or her ability to obtain credit.
I will be attending the hearings on behalf of all ZeekRewards victims and will present your letters to the Court.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – January 12, 2017
I am pleased to announce that we will be making a third partial interim distribution to all Affiliates who hold Allowed Claims on March 15, 2017. When made, combined with the first and second partial interim distributions and the amounts paid by ZeekRewards to such Affiliates before it was shut down, the third partial interim distribution will have returned to victims with Allowed Claims a total of at least 75% of their losses using the rising tide method.
If you previously have received payment from the Receivership, or receive a payment for the first time during the January 31 distribution, you will be issued another payment on March 15, 2017. If you had recovered more than 60% from ZeekRewards prior to its shutdown, but less than 75%, you will receive a distribution as part of the third partial interim distribution.
The funds used to make the third partial interim distribution will be taken from the reserves that I previously held for those Affiliates whose claims were disallowed and forfeited pursuant to the Court's November 16, 2016 Order that required these claimants to provide their Release and OFAC certification by December 31, 2016. Their failure to do so has permitted me to release these reserves and to pay the third partial interim distribution to Affiliates that hold Allowed Claims.
Finally, we do not have authority to accept new claims and are not considering further requests to amend previously allowed claims. The time to file claims or to amend claims has passed.
I am confident that we will make a further distribution in the future. I ask you for your patience, and thank you for your continuing support.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – December 9, 2016
On November 10, 2016 the Court granted the Receiver's motion to disallow and forfeit recognized claims if the claimant does not electronically sign the required Release and OFAC certification by December 31, 2016. All claimants who fall into this category received emails on October 1, November 1 and December 1 asking them to complete the process. They received another email from the Receiver today making a personal appeal for them to sign the forms online. These claimants must follow these steps:
- Log into the online claim portal at https://cert.gardencitygroup.com/zrwdet/fs/home. If you have forgotten your Registration ID and/or password, you can retrieve them by clicking on the link directly below the login box labeled "Click here if you have forgotten your Registration ID or Password."
- Once logged in, click the button "Proceed with claim completion process" on the Claimant Summary page under the Claim Status section of that page (it is in the center of the page you reach upon logging in).
- Review the Declaration and Release. To complete and submit the Declaration and Release, check the box that states "I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct" type your first and last name in the electronic signature of claimant box, and then click the "I Agree and Electronically Sign the Declaration and Release" button.
- Review the OFAC Certification. To complete and submit the OFAC Certification, check the box that states "I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct," type your first and last name in the electronic signature of claimant box, and then click the "Confirm Certification" button.
- Confirm or update your contact information for payment.
- Click the "Complete Claim Determination Process" button.
- You have now completed the submission of your Release and OFAC Certification. You may logout of the online claim portal or return to the Claimant Summary page.
For further assistance completing the OFAC Certification screen, please view the instructional video found here: http://www.zeekrewardsreceivership.com/OFACandRelease.
Failure to complete this process by December 31, 2016 will result in forfeiture of claim, meaning a distribution check will never be issued.
AFFILIATES WHO HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A DISTRIBUTION DO NOT NEED TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ANY SUBSEQUENT DISTRIBUTION THAT THE RECEIVER MAY MAKE. Those affiliates have already completed the required process.
This is not a new opportunity to file a claim. The time to make a claim ended on September 5, 2013 by order of the Court. Please do not attempt to file a claim now.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – November 29, 2016
On November 29, 2016, United States District Judge Graham Mullen entered an Order granting the Receiver's Motion for Summary Judgment Against Remaining Named Defendants and Partial Summary Judgment Against the Net Winner Class. The Court's 27 page opinion details the factual and legal basis for its decision that ZeekRewards operated as a Ponzi and pyramid scheme and that the net winnings received by the net winners are as a matter of law fraudulent transfers that must be returned to the Receivership. The opinion may be viewed by following this link.
As I have previously stated, the next step will be for the Receiver and counsel for the Net Winner Class to confer and then ask the Court to approve a process to determine the amount of judgment, or money owed, by each of the class members (other than the named defendants who have already been found liable for the full amount of their net winnings) to the receivership. This process is expected to take several months, but the entry of summary judgment is a significant event for the receivership and claimants.
The face value of these claims is in excess of $200 million. How much of that we will be able to collect for distribution to claimants with allowed claims is uncertain at this time. However, we will pursue collection of these judgments vigorously, and expect the ultimate amount collected will be a substantial sum.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – November 3, 2016
The Receiver previously announced his plan to file a motion to obtain confirmation from the Court that, subject to certain limited exceptions, any claimant that has not electronically submitted its OFAC certification and release by December 31, 2016 will be deemed to forfeit his/her claim in the ZeekRewards Receivership. Today, the Receiver filed this Motion to Affirm Disallowance of Claims and Forfeit of Distributions for Failure to Submit OFAC and Release. A copy of the motion is available at this link.
By this Motion, the Receiver requests that the Court enter an order affirming that the Receiver has the authority to deem any claim of a Subject Affiliate who has failed to submit the Required Information by 11:59 p.m., Eastern time, on December 31, 2016 as disallowed, that the distribution on any such disallowed claim be deemed forfeited, that he have the authority to make limited exceptions to the disallowance of such claims and the forfeiture of distributions on account of such claims.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – October 5, 2016
More than 41,000 claimants have a claim recognized by the ZeekRewards Receivership, but have failed to electronically submit an OFAC certification and release. The ZeekRewards Receivership cannot pay a claimant with a recognized claim unless the claimant submits an OFAC certification and release. Failure to submit an OFAC certification and release may result in these claims being forfeited.
The Receiver anticipates filing a motion to obtain confirmation from the Court that, subject to certain limited exceptions, any claimant that has not electronically submitted its OFAC certification and release by December 31, 2016 will be deemed to forfeit his/her claim in the ZeekRewards Receivership. Once approved by the Court, the funds held in reserve for the forfeited claims will be released from the reserve for payments to claimants with allowed claims in this case.
The Receiver has and will continue to contact all claimants that hold one of these more than 41,000 claims regarding the forfeiture of their claim.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – September 13, 2016
On September 13, 2016 United States District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. sentenced Dawn Wright-Olivares to 90 months in prison and Dan Olivares to 24 months in prison for their roles in the Zeek Rewards Ponzi and pyramid scheme. The Court considered their cooperation with the government in the successful prosecution of Paul Burks in handing down the sentences. I appeared before the Court and argued on behalf of the victims of these crimes, and presented to the Court letters from victims describing the impact that Zeek Rewards had on their lives.
You can read the press release of the United States Attorney's office at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/zeekrewards-former-chief-operating-officer-and-former-senior-technology-officer.
The sentencing of Paul Burks has not yet been scheduled. If you would like to submit a letter for the Court's consideration at Mr. Burks' sentencing please email it to firstname.lastname@example.com.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – August 29, 2016
On September 13, 2016 at 9:30 AM Dawn Wright-Olivares and Daniel Olivares will be sentenced in United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina for their roles in the ZeekRewards Ponzi and pyramid scheme. The sentencing hearings are open to the public and will be held at the Federal Courthouse at 401 W. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC.
Victims of these offenses are entitled to be heard at sentencing. If a victim would like to have a letter describing the impact that ZeekRewards had on them submitted to the Court please send an email to email@example.com. In particular, the Court would like to hear about any of the below circumstances:
- Becoming insolvent;
- Filing for bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Code;
- Suffering substantial loss of a retirement, education, or other savings or investment fund;
- Making substantial changes to his or her employment, such as postponing his or her retirement plans;
- Making substantial changes to his or her living arrangements, such as relocating to a less expensive home; and
- Suffering substantial harm to his or her ability to obtain credit.
I will be attending the hearings on behalf of all ZeekRewards victims and will present your letters to the Court.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – August 23, 2016
On August 23, 2016 Jaymes Meyer was sentence in federal court in Charlotte, NC to 15 months imprisonment followed by 2 years of supervised release on charges of obstruction of justice. Mr. Meyer was the CEO of Preferred Merchants LLC, a financial services company based in Napa, CA that assisted Paul Burks and Rex Venture Group (RVG) in the last few months of its existence. After learning from the SEC of the impending shutdown of RVG Mr. Meyer caused millions of dollars of RVG assets to be transferred to accounts under his personal control. During the last four years the Receiver Team has traced these funds all over the world and through several overseas shell companies and offshore trusts. On behalf of the victims of RVG we have secured ownership of houses in the Turks and Caicos Islands and Napa, CA, and recovered nearly $1 million in cash. The Receiver Team assisted the United States Attorney's office, United States Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation during the investigation of Mr. Meyer. A link to the Justice Department's press release is below.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – July 25, 2016
On Thursday July 21, 2016, following a three week trial, a federal jury in the Western District of North Carolina found Paul Burks guilty of mail and wire fraud, and conspiracy. Each of these three counts carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. Burks was also convicted of tax fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years and a $250,000 fine.
Burks was allowed by the Court to remain on bond pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. Victims of Mr. Burks' crimes have the right to attend his sentencing hearing. We will post the date, time and location of his sentencing hearing when it is scheduled by the Court.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – July 1, 2016
The trial of Paul Burks in United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina (Charlotte) is scheduled to begin on July 5, 2016. The trial is open to the public. We will be monitoring the trial and will keep you updated. The indictment against Mr. Burks can be viewed at this link.
Also, yesterday we filed a motion for summary judgment, a memorandum in support of the motion and exhibits in the litigation against named defendants and the defendant class of net winners in the United States. By this motion we are asking the Court to rule as a matter of law that ZeekRewards operated as a Ponzi and pyramid scheme, and to find that the net winnings received by the net winners must be returned to the receivership for distribution to claimants with recognized claims. The motion, memorandum and exhibits may be viewed at this link.
The defendants will have an opportunity to respond to this motion. Thereafter, the Court may schedule a hearing. If the Court rules in our favor and grants our motion, the liability of the named defendants and class members will be established. We will then ask the Court to approve a process to determine the amount of judgment, or money owed, by each of the defendants to the receivership. This process will take several months, but the filing of this motion is a significant event for the receivership and claimants. The face value of these claims is in excess of $200 million. How much of that we will be able to collect for distribution to claimants with recognized claims is uncertain at this time. However, we will pursue collection of these judgments vigorously, and expect the ultimate amount collected will be a substantial sum.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – May 6, 2016
Many foreign Affiliates have reported that they are unable to deposit or cash their distribution checks due to local banking fees and regulations. We filed a motion with the Court seeking a remedy for this problem so that all Affiliates, could receive their distributions. On April 27, 2016, the Court entered an Order that permits the Receiver to pay certain foreign Affiliates by wire transfer in US Dollars. I sought this relief because various foreign Affiliates that were eligible to receive distributions contacted me to alert me to the fact that they were unable to cash the physical checks denominated in US Dollars that they had received. This relief will allow me to pay those foreign Affiliates who complied with the Court mandated process, but were otherwise unable to recover on account of their Allowed Claim because of their location.
If you are eligible to receive your distribution by wire transfer, my team will be sending you an email explaining how you may exercise the option to receive your distribution by wire transfer. However, if you are eligible to receive your distribution by wire transfer and you choose to do so, all of the fees and costs associated with the payment of the wire will be deducted from your Distribution (including without limitation the fees and costs associated with the sending of the wire by the estate, the receiving of the wire transfer by your bank, any currency conversion fee associated with converting the wire transfer from US Dollars to your local currency, any bank charges, and any canceled check fees incurred on account of any uncashed check which was previously issued to you. In addition, you agree to pay any costs associated with canceling uncashed checks previously issued to you). If you request a wire transfer and it is determined that the cost of the transfer will be greater than your Distribution, your Distribution will be sent by check.
In order to receive the wire transfer, you must submit all of the requested banking information via the Claim Portal. You must also give the estate a release in regard to any misdirected wire transfer caused by the entry of any incorrect banking information.
Wire payments will follow the same schedule as check Distributions and will not be made until the Release and OFAC have been submitted.
This message is directed primarily to foreign, or non-US resident, Affiliates. It is not to announce another round of distributions, but there will be at least one more distribution to all eligible claimants. I understand that all you really want to know is "when and how much." I'll do my best to answer those questions. There are three major sources of funds for future distributions. First, as you know, we are in litigation with more than 9,000 US "net winners," those who took more money out of the ZeekRewards scheme than they put in. We remain confident of success in that litigation, and that it will result in the collection of tens of millions of dollars for distribution to qualified claimants. We expect to be able to ask the Court for an Order in our favor this summer. If the Court grants our request we will begin collecting those funds shortly thereafter. Second, we are in litigation with three financial services entities to recover more than $13 million. Hopefully that matter will decided this summer as well. Third, we are holding in reserve tens of millions of dollars earmarked for those 41,000 claimants who would have already received distribution checks if they would simply log into the Claim Portal and electronically sign the Release and OFAC certification. If those claimants do not complete the process to become eligible for a distribution before the end of the Receivership we will ask the court to allow us to distribute those funds to claimants who have.
The bottom line is that we expect additional recovery of tens of millions of dollars for distribution in this year or next. I'm sorry I can't be more precise; litigation is slow and uncertain. You now know as much as I do.
Thank you for your support as we continue to work on your behalf.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – March 28, 2016
On March 16, 2016 the U.S. District Court approved a settlement between the receivership and NewBridge Bank in the amount of $10,000,000. The settlement arose out of claims the receivership had against NewBridge Bank for its continuing to provide banking services to Rex Venture Group after mid-April 2012, by which time the receivership alleged that the bank and its executives knew or should have known that Paul Burks and RVG were using their accounts to conduct an illegal Ponzi and pyramid scheme.
Details of the receivership's potential claims and the settlement may be accessed and reviewed by clicking on the highlighted links below:
Motion to Approve Settlement and Settlement Agreement
Court's Order
On behalf of the victims of RVG and Zeek Rewards the receivership team continues to pursue and collect assets that will be paid to those with recognized claims. We hope to bring to a conclusion in 2016 our class action against more than 9,000 net winners, which will be a significant milestone.
I have written many times encouraging tens of thousands of claimants with recognized claims who have not yet received a distribution check to log into the claims portal and electronically sign the Court required Release and OFAC Certification. At some point, I will be required to distribute the funds that have been reserved for these claimants to other Affiliates who have completed the process and, therefore, hold Allowed Claims. I don't want any claimant with a recognized claim to lose out on receiving a distribution simply because they did not complete all of the steps required by the Court's Orders.
Thank you for your support as we continue to work on your behalf.
On February 11, the Receiver filed a Motion seeking to recover $13,174,015.48 in outstanding Receivership Assets from Payza, Payment World, VictoriaBank (a Moldovan financial institution), and their affiliates or, alternatively, to hold these entities in contempt for violating the Court's August 17, 2012 Agreed Order Appointing Temporary Receiver and Freezing Assets of Defendant Rex Venture Group, LLC, as amended on August 30, 2012 ("Freeze Order"). On February 12, the Court ordered an immediate interim freeze of $13,174,015.48 at a United States correspondent bank account for VictoriaBank pending resolution of the Receiver's Motion on the merits.
These funds are outstanding Receivership Assets from the payment processing relationship between Rex Ventures Group LLC, Payza, and PaymentWorld, for which a percentage of the processed funds were held on reserve at VictoriaBank in Moldova. For the past 3.5 years, the Receiver Team has worked diligently and devoted significant time and resources in its investigation, analysis, and various other efforts to reconcile and recover these outstanding funds, including negotiations with Payza, PaymentWorld, and VictoriaBank (collectively, "Respondents") and coordination with United States and Moldovan government authorities. In direct violation of the Court's Freeze Order, and despite the Receiver's repeated requests, the Respondents refused to pay the Receivership Estate the outstanding assets. Each of the Respondents has had some role in failing to freeze and or return the outstanding Receivership Assets from this payment processing relationship.
With the Respondents' failure to comply with the Court's Freeze Order and increased risk of dissipation of funds, the Receiver, after exhausting a myriad of other options, filed the above-referenced Motion. Pending resolution of the Motion on the merits, the Court issued an immediate interim freeze of the full $13,174,015.48 at VictoriaBank's correspondent bank account at a United States bank. The Receiver anticipates the Court will set a briefing schedule and hearing date to facilitate the resolution of this Motion on the merits. The Receiver will work diligently in pursuing a successful resolution of the Motion in hopes of securing the recovery of these funds for the benefit of ZeekRewards' victims.
The Receiver's legal filings and the Court's order freezing the funds pending resolution of the Receiver's motion are available at the links below:
Order Freezing Funds Pending Resolution of Receiver's Motion
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – November 5, 2015
On September 11, 2015, Judge Graham Mullin entered a Consent Order Appointing Class Counsel appointing Kevin Edmundson, counsel for several of the large named net winner defendants, to represent the Net Winner Class defendants previously certified by the Court in Bell v. Disner, et al., Civil Action No. 3:14-dv-91 (W.D.N.C.) (See Notice of Certification of Defendant Class Action). As instructed by the Court, Mr. Edmundson will be communicating with the Net Winner Class primarily through a website and collective emails. He has now set up a website for that purpose, which can be found at http://www.zeeknetwinnerclass.com.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – October 22, 2015
Since September 30, 2014 we have distributed nearly $245 million to affiliate claimants. At the end of October we will issue approximately 1,500 distribution checks to claimants who have not already received a distribution because they had not previously submitted the release and OFAC certification required by the Court. Please note that all distributions are made to affiliates who filed a claim by the Court ordered deadline of September 5, 2013, and have had their claim allowed. I have no authority to allow claims filed after that date. Contrary to misinformation circulating among some affiliates, there are no new claims being accepted.
Unfortunately, approximately 44,400 Affiliate claimants have accepted claim determinations, but have not submitted the required release and/or OFAC certification that is necessary to allow me to pay those Affiliates. If you are in this group, please log in to the claim portal and provide those documents through the webform available in the claim portal. Doing so will permit me to pay you on account of the money you are owed.
Nearly 6,000 claims eligible to be paid have not yet been sent a distribution because the amount to be paid is less than $100. It would be an inefficient expense to send distribution checks for an interim distribution for less than $100 followed by a final distribution check. We will send distribution checks to all eligible claimants at the end of the receivership.
Many non-US claimants have reported difficulty in cashing or depositing distribution checks. We are considering asking the Court for authority to make distributions to overseas claimants by wire transfer. However, wire transfer fees range from $25 to $50, an expense that would have to be borne by the claimant. Also, there would be added expenses to the receivership to solicit, receive, process and maintain required additional information from claimants, as well as additional bank fees and further governmental requirements and disclosures. It is not clear that such additional expenses are a good and fair use of receivership funds.
Many of you have asked when the receivership will end, and when a final distribution will be made. We are in litigation, or pre-litigation negotiations, with individuals and institutions seeking to recover millions of dollars on your behalf. Most notably, we continue our litigation against a class of more than 9,400 net winners (those who took more money out of the Ponzi scheme than they put in) in the United States and in several foreign countries. Litigation takes time, and collecting on the judgments we expect to win against the net winners will also take time. I can't tell you how long. If the receivership at any time holds sufficient funds to make another interim distribution cost effective we will do so.
Finally, we have been contacted by numerous Affiliate claimants regarding the lack of 1099s being issued on account of tax withholdings that were made from such Affiliate claimant's distributions. On December 19, 2014, I announced that there would no longer be tax withholdings made on account of distributions to be made by the Receivership and any amounts that were previously withheld on account of prior distributions would be paid out to the Affiliate claimant from which money was withheld. Distribution of these withholding amounts was made in late 2014. As such, no taxes have been withheld from any Affiliate claimant's distribution and no 1099s need to be issued. Additionally, we have consulted with tax professionals and determined that the Receivership estate will not issue 1099s, even if requested by the claimant.
I greatly appreciate your continued support and patience as we work on your behalf.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – August 5, 2015
On July 31, 2015 we mailed 112,374 distribution checks to eligible claimants in the total amount of $89,200,834.29. Including that distribution, we have made distributions totaling $246,048,079.29.
Distribution checks have not been mailed to 9,394 claimants because the amount of each distribution check would have been less than $100. Due to cost efficiencies, the Court orders provide that distribution checks below $100 will not be mailed until the end of the receivership and payment of final distributions. We have created a reserve to insure those claimants will be paid at the same rising tide distribution percentage as all other claimants. If a claimant's distribution amount reaches an amount in excess of $100.00 before the final distribution, the claimant will be paid.
Unfortunately, approximately 35,400 claimants were not mailed a distribution check on July 31 because they still have not electronically signed the release and OFAC certification required by Court orders. Had these claimants done so we would have mailed an additional $46,237,165.62 in distributions. We have posted an instructional video on this site showing how these forms can be electronically signed. You may review that video by following this link: http://www.zeekrewardsreceivership.com/OFACandRelease. Those who do so before October 20, 2015 will be mailed their interim partial distribution representing 60% of their allowed claim (calculated using the rising tide method) on October 31, 2015.
Efforts to recover additional funds for the benefit of claimants continue. I fully expect that we will recover tens of millions of additional dollars that we can then distribute to claimants. It is not possible to project with any certainty, but I believe that total recovery by eligible claimants will exceed 70% by the closing of the receivership case.
I greatly appreciate your continued support and patience as we work on your behalf.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – June 18, 2015
I am pleased to announce that we will be making a second partial interim distribution to all Affiliates who hold Allowed Claims on the next Court authorized distribution date (July 31, 2015), which, when combined with the first partial interim distribution and the amounts paid by Zeek Rewards before it was shut down, will return to victims 60% of allowed claimed losses due to the Zeek Rewards Ponzi scheme.
There has been some confusion about how the amounts of distributions are calculated using the Court ordered "rising tide" method. The rising tide method of loss calculation is designed to make every recognized claimant equally whole (as a percentage of their investment). Take for example two recognized claimants, each of whom invested $10,000 into the Zeek Rewards Ponzi scheme. The first claimant received nothing back from Zeek Rewards while the scheme was operating. The second claimant received $4,000 out of Zeek Rewards before it was shut down. Under the rising tide method, the second claimant is deemed to have already received 40% of her investment back, while the first claimant has received nothing back. When we made the first partial interim distribution of 40% the first claimant received $4,000, but the second claimant did not receive a distribution check.
When the second interim partial distribution is made, the first claimant will receive an additional $2,000, and the second claimant (who did not get a first distribution) will receive $2,000. This will ensure that both claimants have received 60% of the amounts they invested. While some Affiliates have complained about the rising tide method, I believe it is the most fair way to make the Zeek Rewards victims equally whole; two investors put $10,000 into the scheme and each will receive $6,000 total, whether it was received from the scheme itself, or from distributions from the receivership, or a combination of both.
There also has been some confusion about our quarterly distributions. Some mistakenly believe that they will receive a distribution every quarter. There was a first partial interim distribution and will soon be a second. Each quarter we send distribution checks only to claimants who completed the claims process since the last quarter.
Unfortunately, nearly 50,000 claimants with recognized claims have not received a first, nor will they receive a second, partial interim distribution. The only reason for this is that those 50,000 claimants have not electronically signed the Release and OFAC certification available through the claims portal. Many have called or emailed asking for personal assistance signing and submitting these forms. We will soon create and post on the receivership website an instructional video showing how to electronically sign and submit the Release and OFAC certification through the claims portal. The cost to create and post this video will be a minimal expense to the receivership.
We have received calls and emails asking that we cut off the recovery rights of the 50,000 recognized claimants who have not completed the process and distribute their share of distributions to those who have. That day may come, but it has not yet. I will give each claimant with a recognized claim every opportunity to receive their share of the recovery. Nonetheless, I implore everyone to promptly complete the Court required process. Sometime before the end of the receivership I will have no option but to ask the Court for permission to distribute all remaining receivership assets to only those recognized claimants who have completed the process.
If your contact information has changed, or the claims portal shows that you were issued a check that you have not received, or a check you were mailed was issued in the wrong name, please click on the following link to learn how to let us know: https://cert.gardencitygroup.com/zrwdet/fs/home.
After this second partial interim distribution, the receivership will maintain sufficient funds to pay those claimants who have not yet, but hopefully will, electronically sign the Release and the OFAC certification, and sufficient funds to allow the receivership team to continue to pursue additional recoveries for the ultimate benefit of eligible Affiliates. We are not going to hold onto money that we could otherwise distribute to victims.
We are in negotiations or litigation with financial services firms to recover tens of millions of dollars for Affiliates. The litigation against U.S and foreign net winners (those who took more money out of the scheme than they put in, essentially holding the victims money) is progressing. I remain confident that we will succeed in all of these efforts. Unfortunately, litigation is never quick, and once we have judgments against the net winners, in amounts exceeding $200 million, we will have to collect on those judgments. I don't anticipate making a third partial interim distribution for quite some time because the funds for such a distribution will largely have to come from litigation recoveries that will take quite some time.
I know and understand that recovering only 60% of your investment is not what you want. I have read letters from and spoken to many of you. I know the hardships that Zeek Rewards inflicted on thousands of people. It may be no comfort, but a 60% recovery by victims of a Ponzi scheme is unusually high, and I am proud that the receivership team spends less as a percentage of total recoveries than any receivership of which I am aware.
I am entirely confident that when we are finished with our work on your behalf your total recovery will be more than the 60% we will distribute. I ask you for your patience, and thank you for your continuing support.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – February 12, 2015
On February 10, 2015, the Court granted the Receiver's Motion for Class Certification in the lawsuit Bell v. Disner et al., Case No. 3:14-cv-91 (W.D.N.C.). In that case, the Receiver alleges that because ZeekRewards' Net Winners "won" (the victims) money in an unlawful combined Ponzi and pyramid scheme, the Net Winners are not permitted to keep their winnings and must return the fraudulently transferred winnings to the Receiver for distribution to the ZeekRewards victims. A copy of the Order certifying the class and the initial Complaint in the lawsuit are available at the following links:
Order Certifying Defendant Class
Complaint in Bell v. Disner, et al.
Specifically, the Court certified a defendant class (the "Net Winner Class") comprised of all persons and entities (approximately 9,400 in total) who were "net winners" of more than $1000 in ZeekRewards. By this ruling, each of the members of the Net Winner Class becomes a defendant in the case. An updated list of those persons and entities that RVG records show to be Net Winners of more than $1000 is available here.
The Receiver believes that the certification of the Net Winner Class will provide the most fair and efficient process to resolve these legal claims and recover more funds for victims. The Court determined that "a class action is the only means to reasonably and efficiently resolve the Receiver's claims against 9,400 net winners." In addition, the Court found that the proposed class representatives (the named defendants) and their counsel are able to fairly and adequately represent the interests of the defendant class. However, any member of the Net Winner Class may of course consult personal counsel to advise them on their legal rights.
The Receiver looks forward to moving ahead in this lawsuit and the others he has filed to maximize the recovery of funds for the benefit of ZeekReward's victims.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECEIVER – February 5, 2015
At the end of January we mailed another 8,143 first interim partial distribution checks totaling $12,708,427.80 to claimants holding qualified allowed claims. While I am pleased that we have now mailed distributions to nearly 100,000 claimants and distributed approximately $147 million to victims of the ZeekRewards scheme, I very much regret that nearly 75,000 claimants have not yet completed all the steps necessary to be eligible to receive their distribution. Some 60,000 claimants have not even responded to the Letter of Determination emailed to them. Thousands more have failed to provide the release and OFAC certification required by the Court to be eligible to receive a distribution.
We receive many calls and emails from claimants who have not received a distribution check claiming that they have done all that is required to become eligible. That simply is not correct. I again strongly encourage every claimant that has not yet received a distribution check to log into the Claims Portal (https://cert.gardencitygroup.com/zrwdet/fs/home), respond to your Letter of Determination if you have not already done so, and, if you accept the Letter of Determination, provide the Release and OFAC certification. We will send a reminder email to all holders of a recognized claim who have not completed these required steps to be eligible for a distribution. We will make the next distribution to those who complete these steps and who have not already received a distribution at the end of April.
Many distribution check recipients have asked whether we will issue IRS Forms 1099 showing the disbursement. We have consulted with tax professionals and determined that the Receivership estate will not issue 1099s, even if requested by the claimant.
Finally, many affiliates call and email asking for a claim status report or help with the claims process. Because there are 175,000 claimants we decided not to offer personal, individualized assistance by phone or email. The costs of such assistance would be great and would significantly reduce the amount of money we have and will have available to send to all victim claimants. Please see my message of November 25, 2014 for further explanation of our reasoning.
We continue to pursue additional recoveries for the benefit of the victim claimants, with great success. You can read about our efforts in our quarterly status reports filed with the Court, available on the Case Documents page of this website. Thank you, as always, for your continuing patience and support.
Please click here to view prior updates from the Receiver
Other important information can be accessed using the tabs above.


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Establishing a procurement framework for social & environmental responsibility for food service in a college environment.
What should we consider when we aim to develop a sustainable food system? In this third of four seminars making up the 2014 Campus Food and Energy Seminar Series, Helene York shared her knowledge on the complex nature of food systems and invoked thoughts on setting goals for a socially, economically, and environmentally responsible food service on a college campus. Helene has worked for industry-leading national food service company, Bon Appetit, for almost ten years in a variety of positions, including Directer of Purchasing Strategy. For the past 18 months, Helene has been the Director of Procurement & Responsible Business at Google, creating opportunities for underappreciated food resources including blemished fruits and vegetables, foraged fish, and carbon-friendly no-till wheat. Throughout her career, Helene has visited hundreds of farms, factories, and production systems around the world in order to gain a clearer understanding of the true complexities behind a food system, and to develop procurement policies toward sustainable purchasing.
She began her seminar by posing the question, "[w]hat are we trying to achieve in improving our food system?" Often, people will settle with a label on their food indicating that the product is "sustainable"; however, truly sustainable food involves a plethora of attributes that often come into conflict with each other. Although people tend to focus on the best way to grow food, the variables of delivery, preparation, and actually feeding people remain in the equation of the entire system. Helene also pointed out the tendency to focus on an accretion of values that people believe represent 'sustainability' (cage-free environments, 'humane' meat, green-listed seafood species, etc.) rather than a strategy to change the system. Although values are a great place to start when establishing goals, an accumulation of purchasing commitments can lead to contradictions, counteracting goals for a sustainable food system.
Helene described examples of how such contradictions can arise in actual food systems. These examples included trade-offs in establishing true responsibility in the chicken industry and the amount of perfectly edible waste produced by the sockeye salmon industry. However, the complexities inherent in the goal for an ecologically and socially responsible food system were best deomnstrated when she recalled the process of selecting a California carrot producer at one point in her career. She described the social and environmental variables in deciding between a large conventional farm, a large organic farm, and a small diversified local organic farm, with emphasis on the yields associated with each method of growth (40 tons, 18-30 tons, and 2 tons, respectively). This narrative gave a new perspective on the assumption that a small, diversified, local organic farm is always the most responsible source. Rather, this narrative considers the land resources required to produce a sustainable yield using these methods.
Helene touched briefly on the big picture issues associated with food system development including: the drastic amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with agriculture, the inequity in food distribution (1 billion people are currently underfed, while another 1 billion are overfed), and the anticipated need for a doubling of calories available by 2030 to support the global population's hunger needs. However, this area of research was covered in depth during the previous two Campus Food and Energy Seminars: The Big Picture, featuring Doug Lantagne and Eric Garza, and The Impacts of Campus Food on Climate Change, featuring Chris Gassman. Still, the four issues Helene mentioned were enough to demonstrate the challenges that we're up against in our aim for a sustainable food system.
Fortunately for the audience, specifically for myself as one particularly ignorant to the issues involved in food systems, Helene ended her lecture on a hopeful note. She stated it is very possible for us to develop our food systems to continue to prosper far into the future; however, changes must be made. With a somewhat simple approach, Helene advised we "start with the plate". This means by focusing on culinary and nutritional development, we should ask a number of hypotheticals. What if vegetables were a part of every meal? What if we introduced new flavors and varieties? What if we incorporated "The Responsible Business Framework" (developed by Carol Stanford)into our food system, balancing decisions in light of their impacts on the consumer, the co-creators, the Earth, community/society, and investors?
After the seminar, I had the opportunity to join Helene, along with a number of graduate students studying food systems, for dinner at my favorite local food restaurant in downtown Burlington. Yes, of course I'm speaking of The Farmhouse. Over plates of locally raised beef and vegetables, we discussed the food industry, the hierarchy of staffing operations in the restaurant industry, and a plethora of different topics concerning how we can cultivate the mindset that food is meant to be nutritious, delicious, and humanely produced. Not only did Helene have a great number of interesting points to raise about said topics, but she was a joy to share a humanely produced meal with.
Helene's main take-home message, both at her seminar and at The Farmhouse, was to question the food products that we passively accept as permanent variables in our lives. Is it nutritious? Do the certifications slapped on the item truly reflect our values? Is it delicious? When we start to question the food system, and do our best to incorporate our individual perspectives and opinions into our food service provider's operations or our own individual food-selection process, we can begin to invoke change that will lead to a healthier and more responsible future.
The Clean Energy Fund and Food Systems Initiativehave sponsored this semester's Campus Food and Energy Seminar series. The goal of the series is to engage in critical dialogue about UVM's current food system and, eventually, use the feedback compiled at the seminars to create a meaningful action plan for a sustainable food system on campus.
Food Systems Initiative: The UVM Food Systems Initiative is an transdisciplinary academic effort that includes research and the Food Systems minor in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, among other endeavors.
Office of Sustainability: The UVM Office of Sustainability is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE--link) and works to advance sustainability and environmental responsibility at UVM.
Clean Energy Fund: The Clean Energy Fund is the result of a self-imposed $10 student fee that works to advance renewable energy at UVM.
Real Food Challenge: In 2012, the University of Vermont became the fifth school in the country to sign on to the Real Food Challenge. UVM has agreed to work with University Dining Services to buy at least 20% real food annually by 2020, with "real food" being defined as local, sustainable, fair trade, and humane. UVM uses the "Real Food Calculator" to calculate the amount of "real food" consumed on campus. As of Fall 2012, UVM has purchased 13.58% real food, and the numbers keep growing.

subset: commoncrawl


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subpatcher with UI
Good afternoon,
If I am modularizing large patches, and the resulting subpatchers contain UI elements, does that mean, in order to display those at the parent level, I have to use bpatchers and store the subpatcher as abstraction (file) ?
any other way to have it just contained in the main patcher ?
cheers, nick
Yes, you can turn on the toggle to "Embed" in the inspector. To then edit the patch, ctrl-click on the bpatcher and choose Object->New View of "
You might also appreciate the articles on our website called Freshening Up.
Andrew B.
btw, what do you reckon when you will publish the next part of the jitter of the video processing series ?
I am having two problems (i'd go so far as to call them bugs) with the method you suggest:
I have added the following line to my max-keycommands text:
max definecommand B patcher inserttextobj "bpatcher @presentation 1 @embed 1";
Shift+b now creates a bpatcher with both 'include in presentation' and 'embed in parent patcher' set.
However, when I right click the bpatcher, the 'object' entry in the contextual menu is greyed out (thus Object->New View of "
I have to manual set 'embed in parent patcher' off (or 0) then back on again before the 'object' submenu is enabled.
I copy and paste that which I want to encapsulate into the bpatcher, add the ui elements i require to presentation, then use the inspector to set 'open in presentation' to 1.
When I return to the parent patcher, the bpatcher is not in presentation mode.
If I close theparent patch and reopen the bpatcher is now in presentation mode, as expected.
Any way to have the parent view of the bpatcher update to 'presentation' without closing/reopening the parent in which it is embedded?
I am using Max 5.0.5 on Os X by the way.
Ah thank you Stefan. A case of overlooking a simpler solution.
Anyway therefore of defining a keycommand that creates a prototype of an object?
I know it will only save a couple of mouse clicks, but this is something I tend to do quite a lot…
On 26 janv. 09, at 07:47, Stefan Tiedje wrote:
>> Anyway therefore of defining a keycommand that creates a prototype of
>> an object?
>> I know it will only save a couple of mouse clicks, but this is
>> something I tend to do quite a lot…
> I haven't found one, maybe Emmanuel knows what to put into max-
> keycommands?
> "; max definecommand B patcher insertbpatcher" doesn't work…;-)
> This is a feature request if it isn't possible yet…
> Usually, the double click would open them, as I mostly had choosen
> them last, and other UI objects I tend to type by name…
You can't solve every problem with a single key click. For that one
you'll have to use your mouse, and use the prototype feature.
Is there a better way of displaying notes in a score like way? I want
to be able to input a short sequence of notes (from kslider) and see
what I've entered on a stave. I was trying out MaxScore, which does
exactly what I want, but the JSML licence is a bit expensive just to
be able to see 12 notes entered in sequence!
Here's the immediate solution, but it's a horrible kludge! I'm
wondering if this is something for lcd? And if so has anyone done
this? (I think it's way beyond me)
----------begin_max5_patcher---------- 618.3ocyW1sbiBBEG+ZySACWmMiHfer20miNc1wnror0.YTxrY2N8ceiGzDa WaIIsC5Ehx4bD9yONfxyKBvq0GDMXz2Q2iBBddQP.Xp0PPW8.717CEU4MPXX k3250+Buz5xHNX.yFjDUTIxqQq68IKAOGi9aDVuwepUFU9VA35tZYdUuG09s RUkv.cC4rQ8dSuUZm0c4lhGkpM+nVTXrhmPyVEtDQhhZuwgJQgqBQOLniaj+ E5XRaPVy1V27mcBa6fkJCdIBCik1GVmq1fQOzF8KKVzVr7yQpB8dkQTiBQDT 5XrhdkrhOJqXe.qxR.VwfaojOKq5uZq9URpM4FAJEQFCRQWIjhFERoe.jhrP JMFtQnq32HkFhn+6513USkrTTehKaT5iBuRV7zv0NCvUben6pEMBkI2H0pAC 1DJrrgjAqaB6JNMRu.R1acst9nxJzU55NNBM7vhSM6HTOlvgrQFHjDtUUoCd o2KI71S9tVXl3.lww1QpcU1DBSNiM6gYpCXxyBOI6IElrD5rGlYtfIw9Qxr3 oFlgQydXxb.SFqCl7IFlT57GlbGvjljZkMchgYjcy6YMLotfYn8WWxXSLLI1 Mu8ILe5Mv7L0hvW+3ezCZ.YpbnjRgcR4zYU9AA6+Y5nuruNBuAtRpd64Rgts 09qYUidecQei1MQiN2ukhFiTAKQFDS6ARGDzixxRA3u+u32JK2oOpsNM7NSb WpjZOtBJwglh8ujhcHoD+KItCIk5eIwbHoL+KIpCIMAo2QNjD2+Rh3PRT+KI maL4WIwtDI8ZT5EMQlgZxUBNwyoSzKct6V0zwJur3ePfdTwS -----------end_max5_patcher-----------
Forums > MaxMSP


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This might be an alternative for the gram conscious. Do due diligence, I have not seen or used this material!
This might be an alternative for the gram conscious. Do due diligence, I have not seen or used this material!
Very interesting, I was surfing 2QZQ's site about 2 minutes before reading your thread, looking at their tarp mods. Yours is the first I have seen on the outside, is this how the cool kids are doing it now?
I might look into using PVC for poles, thanks for the tip - I've been looking for a cheap material to use to experiment with my 2-person MustardDog stand.
That's awesome! I did a little experimenting with this type myself. I used a tent pole from a small dome tent cut in half . So each one is three sections. Doubt its lighter then that but throwing it out there. PS mine didn't come out anywhere near as nice. I made the cheap *******s tarp out of plastic drop cloth lol.
I am currently working on the same Winter Dream tarp made from plastic window film...so I understand where you are coming from! As far as the three sections, that is the next step for me with the CPVC. I bought couplings and plan to cut each pole into three sections that can be easily packed or attached to the backpack. Thanks for the suggestion about the tent pole. I was trying to find an old tent pole before I thought about using PVC.
As you note, the "outside" pole mod has been around for a while. I posted my attempt and links to several other related threads here: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=56396
Do the guylines from the pull outs serve any purpose?
I use those lines just to pull the tarp sides out and make more room.
Doesnt your pole mod do that?
I guess I am asking: Cant you just use the poles w/o the guy lines?
ZQ here. If the tarp will be used in a snow storm...keep in mind that there might be a shelf of sorts created when the snow lays on the top sides of the tarp. That is why we put the poles inside. 2Q has been in several snow storms...one with 18" falling overnight. His tarp with the inside poles worked great to keep the snow from weighing down the tarp. He just needed to tap on the inside walls every so often, and the snow slid off.
2QZQ Hammock Specialties
Specializing in:
Hennessy Hammock zipper modifications
Sewn on Tarp doors, Pole Pockets, and Grizz Beaks
Ridgeline and gear organizers, peak storage bags, UQ protectors, 2QZQ tree table!


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How many times have you said, "I wish there was an app for that"? Here are 8 of the most useful ones on my iPhone. Please leave your suggestions to add to this list.
I don't think I could function properly if I didn't have Roboform as my app for remembering logins. I know there are others, but to me, Roboform is still #1. While it's great at remembering logins, it's also extremely handy for filling in forms, and making purchases online with your stored banking details. Yes, you can password protect Roboform app.
I actually have *two Pinterest accounts, one for personal fun things, and the other as a business account to share blog posts and sites I like for business like WordPress, Cafepress, Amazon, etc.
*Find me on Pinterest iPentimento Emporium (business) and Carol Wilkerson
After a few hours of composing and researching, I need a break now and then. So, I open the WordBrain app and have a little word fun. It's not as easy as you assume!
Truthfully, you never know when someone is going to bust out with a story about themselves or their friends. Created by David Isay, this app allows us all to tell the human story. It can be planned, or impromptu but always a great way to preserve memories for posterity.
I use this app to add a watermark to my photos on my iPhone to point friends and clients to my blog, or just to say "it's mine". "Marksta allows you to watermark your photography, adding text or a logo directly from your iPhone or iPad."
This one is location specific, but if you live in Washington State, this app is your ticket to historical adventure in the Evergreen state.
Trying to save some dollars while on the road? Try using GasBuddy to see the most recent gas prices in the next town. Or, your town.
Find Me Rest Stops ($.99)
This one is crucial for any traveler on the road. This app tracks your location and gives you several results for available rest areas. Make sure you check out some of the other apps they've created too.