Someone is spreading lies about Legend [$20,000 reward]

tradedollarnut · October 12, 2012 8:52AM

I, and others, received an email today with a link to a Ripoff Report filed against Laura of Legend. This Ripoff Report is totally false. We have hired an attorney to determine the identity of the person who filed the original post AND the person who impersonated Laura in filing false rebuttals on the Ripoff Report. We will be pursuing this person to the fullest extent of our capabilities. A lawsuit as been filed seeking this information and law enforcement [including the FBI] has been contacted.

The final post in the Ripoff Report thread is pertinent:

This is Laura Sperber's attorney. The above “complaint” is completely false and defamatory. Ms. Sperber has never been indicted of racketeering and money laundering by a grand jury. Ms. Sperber has never been investigated for “helping many well-known organized crime family launder money through the front of coin collecting.”

In addition to the above post, a user who is impersonating Ms. Sperber posted comments to the above post. The above posts were not posted by Ms. Sperber and are false and defamatory. Ms. Sperber has never been charged or investigated for money laundering. Ms. Sperber has never had charges against her for money laundering dropped. Ms. Sperber has never been convicted of any crimes and has never reached a plea bargain regarding any crimes.

We have filed a lawsuit in Arizona and have issued subpoenas to determine the identities of the users who have posted the false and defamatory posts about Ms. Sperber and are impersonating Ms. Sperber.

tradedollarnut · October 12, 2012 8:56AM

I would like to stress that no matter what one thinks about Laura, she is honest as they come. I have been partners with her for 16 years and know of the many things that she has done for collectors and against the forces that be in the industry. Personally, I believe this a coin doctor out to get her. I can state categorically that I will spare no expense seeking out who is doing this.

BigMoose · October 12, 2012 8:57AM

TDN, this is disgusting to hear. I hope you nail this scumbag big time.

braddick · October 12, 2012 8:59AM

LINK

Lakesammman · October 12, 2012 9:10AM

Amazing.......what a web site.

PerryHall · October 12, 2012 9:11AM

I'm not sure what a "Ripoff Report" is and I don't think I've ever heard of them. With Laura's good reputation in the coin collecting community I doubt if many people will believe these lies but I can certainly understand pursuing the culprit. Good luck and please keep us abreast of developments.

Edited to say that I now see a link to their web site. I can't imagine why anyone would do this.

etexmike · October 12, 2012 9:15AM

Please keep us posted when this scumbag has his/her/their hide nailed to the wall.

I just don't think many (if any) here on the boards will believe any of the crapola being posted about Laura.

The email is in my inbox. What a sleeze.

Mike

MsMorrisine · October 12, 2012 9:16AM

this will get interesting.

1000+

MICHAELDIXON · October 12, 2012 9:17AM

I never knew this site existed, and now I know why! Hang em high!

RYK · October 12, 2012 9:20AM

Obviously, this is a lie, disgusting, despicable, etc. Any such case would be a matter of public record and easily searchable.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where anybody can say anything about anyone else, on the internet, and usually not be held accountable. Docs have been dealing with this for some time. Unhappy patients, competitors, pranksters, etc. can grade docs on a number of websites and pass along false information, and it is impossible to have this vetted, verified, or removed. Excellent reputations that have been made over decades have been besmirched with a few keystrokes.

I have never heard of this website, it looks shady, and calling attention to this issue may bring more harm than good. JMHO.

tradedollarnut · October 12, 2012 9:23AM

<< TDN I appreciate how you feel and what a bunch of BS that this even happened. I never heard of this web site and you might be causing Legend more harm than good by bringing attention to it here. 1-2 years from now folks will only remember bits and pieces of this whole ordeal and possibly the wrong bits and pieces. I would absolutely go legal but not sure if it is wise to post it here. Good luck with taking care of these morons. >>

At first, I was intent to ignore it - for precisely the reasons you state [and the cost of pursuit]. However, the perp has stepped up the ante by doing a mass email to members of the coin collecting community. Sorry, but it's beyond being ignored now - Legend will vigorously protect its reputation.

derryb · October 12, 2012 9:28AM

go after the website as well.

AuroraBorealis · October 12, 2012 9:30AM

It sounds like a grudge holder for sure and most her clients know her way better then that... Best of luck in exposing whom ever...

AB

braddick · October 12, 2012 9:31AM

It's a bit convoluted as to who is who. Fake owner. Lawyer. TDN. Another participant ("owner #4)?

I'd have almost been tempted not to even respond to the website itself but rather handle everything behind the scenes.
As it stands now it is a bit tough to determine the real voices from the impostors.

ThePennyLady · October 12, 2012 9:32AM

This persons is horrible and despicable and deserves everything he's going to get. TDN, I applaud you for bringing this to our attention and for pursuing this psycho. Anyone messing with other people's reputation like this is sick and twisted, especially if they think they can get away with it.

MrEureka · October 12, 2012 9:33AM

TDN - We're counting on you to tell us who is behind this, after you figure it out.

mingot · October 12, 2012 9:34AM

<< go after the website as well. >>

tdn, do you homework before doing this.

tradedollarnut · October 12, 2012 9:37AM

I will pay a $10,000 reward for specific information regarding the identity that leads to the conviction of the perp. Anyone with such information should contact Atty Jeremiah Reynolds at 310-566-9800

LindeDad · October 12, 2012 9:39AM

Wonder who donates to their legal fund? Oh and so nice of them to include a link to sue Rip Off Report.

Bochiman · October 12, 2012 9:45AM

First, I hate things like this. People who trash on others anonymously and negatively impact others through lies and deceit.
Second, I hope you find out who and let us all know as well.
Third....I really hate being this far out of the loop as I could use $10k for dropping a dime on this fool!

Bayard1908 · October 12, 2012 9:46AM

I filed a similar suit about 10 years ago and won a modest judgment against an internet defamer. I later levied the defamer's bank account for the full amount of the judgment.

If I hadn't filed this suit, I would still be angry about the incident. I completely understand your attitude. Hopefully the poster imitating Laura was too dumb to mask his IP address.

AUandAG · October 12, 2012 9:48AM

I too received this email. It was from: coins101@hush.com

I replied that this information is a lie.

bob

RB1026 · October 12, 2012 9:49AM

TDN-

I applaud you, Laura, and Legend for vigorously pursuing this matter. I wish you the very best in identifying the parties involved. There is certainly nothing amusing about this and I truly hope those involved are caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Hopefully with the technology available the authorities will be able to track down who owns the devices used to post this tripe and lead you to those responsible.

Good luck to you!

tradedollarnut · October 12, 2012 9:51AM

An anonomous donor has pledged to double the reward. It now stands at $20,000.

Swampboy · October 12, 2012 9:56AM

Awful.
Sad to see.

Best of luck nailing this sucker.

jfoot13 · October 12, 2012 9:59AM

I had an email in my inbox about this but deleted it without reading it because I thought it was junk but after reading this I retrieved it. I'm a computer idiot but here are the details from where it was sent if that helps

edited to remove my information

SkyMan · October 12, 2012 10:02AM

I'm sorry Laura and Legend has to put up with this sort of BS.

Please keep us informed.

Good luck in nailing the buggers!

DieClash · October 12, 2012 10:03AM

<< An anonomous donor has pledged to double the reward. It now stands at $20,000. >>

Wow!

So who would be inclined to defame Laura?

What is he/she to gain?

Bad transaction?

Ticked off competitor?

Or just out to get her?

segoja · October 12, 2012 10:04AM

Not a good thing, but why would the FBI get involved.

There is a recent coin dealer who has taken in excess of $1,500,000 from various dealers in the last 6 months and the FBI does not care.

I think I'd rather have them chasing thieves, then going after slanderers.

EagleEye · October 12, 2012 10:10AM

This is nasty and has no place in this business.

One way to combat this is for all to log on to the Ripoff Report web site and testify positive statements about Laura and that the claim is totally false. If it is 500 to 1 for Laura, anyone who reads it in the future will figure it is a mean-spirited claim and ignore it.

oreville · October 12, 2012 10:13AM

TDN:

Who is the owner of that website? You can easily find that out.

silverpop · October 12, 2012 10:19AM

lots of luck you will need it

Sonorandesertrat · October 12, 2012 10:21AM

I wish Legend good hunting. And when the perps are discovered, the dealer/collecting community should be 'alerted'. I don't think that anyone would want to do business with people who play that sort of game.

dollarsandcents · October 12, 2012 10:21AM

<< Not a good thing, but why would the FBI get involved.

There is a recent coin dealer who has taken in excess of $1,500,000 from various dealers in the last 6 months and the FBI does not care.

I think I'd rather have them chasing thieves, then going after slanderers. >>

Yep. The FBI and whatever other law enforcement agencies who were contacted probably wouldn't get involved. This appears to be a tort, not a criminal offense.

pakasmom · October 12, 2012 10:21AM

I bet they don't realize who they're messing with. Whoever this is, they just stepped on a very delicate part of their own anatomy. Go get 'em TDN!

Buzzybest · October 12, 2012 10:31AM

<< A a collector and client of Laura I just want to say that obviously this is complete hogwash and I hope this libelous party gets what he/she/they deserve. And let me be second to say that imho Laura is one of if not the most honest dealers I have ever had the pleasure to transact with, she is above reproach and I anxiously wait for the next opportunty to transact with her again. Every business transaction I have ever had with her has been flawless and I have always been completely satisfied with her performance. I wish more dealers were just like her when it came to her business dealings. >>

I agree with you on every word. Today, I had the pleasure of my first phone conversation with Laura,as well as my first business transaction.In addition ,she graciously gave me some sound numistmatic advice that will no doubt save me some money on future coin purchases.I would give her the highest references to anyone in the coin collector world.

breakdown · October 12, 2012 10:35AM

Some people are rotten and awful. I hope someone ends up earning the reward. Good luck to Laura and George and TDN on this.

On another note, i have never heard of the Ripoff Report but it is hard to see any redeeming value of a website that thinks it is okay to publish anonymous, unverified (and in this case, clearly untrue) accusations of criminal activity.

Nic · October 12, 2012 10:39AM

We would all love to hear who is behind this. A loser for sure. Keep us posted.

K

Wolf359 · October 12, 2012 10:39AM

Just some idiot spamming lies on the Internet. Obviously false with a little investigation. Not worth hiring an attorney and chasing this fool in my opinion unless you have really thin skin.

And really not relevant to PCGS business here. Sorry, but I don't see the point posting it here. This is Legend stuff, not PCGS stuff.

oreville · October 12, 2012 10:40AM

I posted this to their web site.

<< Laura has been an excellent and even more importantly, a most honest national coin dealer of collectible U.S. coins. I have dealt with her for over 10 years and observed her in action for 10 years prior to making my first purchase from her. I have never heard of her ever having to deal with any significant consumer complaint. I do not deal exclusively with Laura Sperber so I am able to compare her ability as well as integrity in the coin dealer industry with other national coin dealers. I can state for the record that her integrity is second to none in the coin dealer industry. I have a suggestion which is very simple. Let the ripoff reporter back up/document his or her accusations with REAL FACTS right here about this alleged charges of racketeering and money laundering within 72 hours (this is the weekend) and then we will talk and look it over. Otherwise, if not done, this ripoff reporter then has no credibility whatsoever and could be charged with libel in my opinion. Thank you. >>

adamlaneus · October 12, 2012 10:41AM

I have no idea how you track down a creep like this but I wish you luck and a speedy resolution.

Attempts at suing RipOff Report have not gone well so you may want to target your efforts solely at the poster of this crap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ripoff_Report

They do mention an 'arbitration' scheme to review and remove bad posts, but it looks like it costs money. Wow.

bestclser1 · October 12, 2012 10:46AM

I think its disgraceful,and whoever is behind it should be pursued.Laura is a wonderful friend to the numismatic cummunity!

LindeDad · October 12, 2012 10:48AM

Anybody called Dog the Bounty hunter yet?

littlebear · October 12, 2012 10:49AM

It is my sincerest wish that you find out who this lowlife is, and make a severe financial impact on him/her. Hopefully, when this occurs, the individual will be "outted" such that we can all avoid them like the plague, and collectively return the favor. What was done here was the act of a true coward.............

Larry L.

Nickcap · October 12, 2012 10:52AM

TDN,

We have your back. Anything we can do, we will.

I got the email too.

Swampboy · October 12, 2012 10:53AM

<< What was done here was the act of a true coward............. >>

Amen to that littlebear

TwoKopeiki · October 12, 2012 10:59AM

<< From: coins101@hush.com >>

Will be hard to get his email provider to cooperate. Hushmail is big on user privacy even when faced with court orders. Good luck - hope they get what they deserve.

tradedollarnut · October 12, 2012 11:02AM

<< Just some idiot spamming lies on the Internet. Obviously false with a little investigation. Not worth hiring an attorney and chasing this fool in my opinion unless you have really thin skin.

And really not relevant to PCGS business here. Sorry, but I don't see the point posting it here. This is Legend stuff, not PCGS stuff. >>

I posted it here only because members were targeted in the mass email. One PM stated the email address is only used for their CU account. Since the perp took the fight to here, I responded to here.

messydesk · October 12, 2012 11:04AM

I received it as well. The routing headers look similar to to those posted by jfoot13.

savoyspecial · October 12, 2012 11:05AM

FWIW, I received the email as well

Someone is spreading lies about Legend [$20,000 reward]

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