Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Aristotle, Perry Mason: What Lies Beneath The Surface of The 1031 Tax Group Case?

 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle the brilliant Scottish born Physician and creator of Sherlock Holmes utilized “Deductive Reasoning” to solve the unsolvable. Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher, utilized logic to become one of the most important founding figures in Western Philosophy. Perry Mason, a fictional television attorney, was a brilliant tactician with foresight and instinct.

What can we learn from these three figures, fictional and real, when applied to the Ed Okun 1031 Tax Group case?

Holmes

Sherlock would utilize Deductive Reasoning by taking the information in the case and then work from the general to the specific aka “Top-Down” approach.

Sherlock would begin with a theory about Ed Okun and his role in the 1031 Tax Group case. He would then deduce the information down into a “hypothesis” which he could test. Sherlock would then task Watson with remembering “observations” about Mr. Okun that would further address the hypothesis.

At this point “we are able to test the data a confirmation (or not) of our original theory.”

Analysis: Holmes would deduce that it is quite possible that hidden accomplices or a unknown “mastermind” may be behind the 1031 Tax Group case. With Watson’s constant nodding approval, Holmes could easily posit that “there is more than meets the eye here ole boy.”

Aristotle

Known as one of the father’s of Western Philosophy and founder of deductive reasoning, Aristotle’s greatest asset is his grounded belief in logic.

Aristotle would collect the facts, like Sergeant Friday, and logically eliminate what could not be proven. Working methodically, Aristotle would comb the financial records for connections that might shed light on Holmes deductive findings–unknown forces behind Mr. Okun.

Mason

With his hammer, detective Paul Drake, and his feather, the beautiful Della, Perry Mason would use his instinct to decipher the Okun mess. Is there a patsy, beside the investors, amongst the violators? Is Okun the front man or fall guy?

If nobody else exists in the Okun mess and he is the sole violator then why are there not more monies left over? Did this one man actually spend every last dime, pinch every last nickel from over blown refinanced properties, and did it all land in his lap as a result?

Your guess is as good as mine. Suffice it to say that there are many unanswered questions that may never come out let alone be answered. Like the old radio show only “The Shadow” knows.

Okun Attorney To Miami Herald: “Ed Is Confident He Will Be Proven Innocent In A Court of Law”

 Reuters.com published this article March 20, 2008

“Miami businessman Okun arrested in fraud scheme” is the Miami Herald’s Dan Christensen’s wonderful, succinct description of the events of the Ed Okun saga as it unfolds. Although most of the article is a recapitulation of information, some of the following passages paint a picture of recent events.

According to Okun attorney Rosen: ”He (Okun) was arrested early this morning by federal agents who came to his house while he was having breakfast with his wife and two-year-old child.”

Analysis: Mr. Rosen’s description of Mr. Okun’s arrest in front of Mr. Okun’s child is an obvious attempt to seek sympathy in the court of public opinion.

What about the unknown number of children who are sitting with their parents around a breakfast table trying to figure out what to do to make ends meet in the everyday real world?

What we know:

1. “Okun is being held without bond at Miami’s Federal Detention Center, according to his Coral Gables lawyer Michael Rosen.”

2. “Okun told The Miami Herald in December that his actions have been misunderstood.”

3. “More than a dozen alleged victims live in Florida, and include retirees, businessmen and even a former Broward Sheriff’s detention deputy.

4. The Miami Herald claims that Rosen will attempt to seek bail for Mr. Okun in Virginia

Analysis: Having lived in Virginia for 7 years, being told by natives that it is the northern part of the south, and witnessing the staunch very real conservatism the state supported–good luck

5. The “Simone” Factor: “The indictment says Okun had an employee overnight $15,000 in cash to him while he was aboard ”The Simone” while staying at the Atlantis Marina on Paradise Island in Nassau in January 2007.

Okun Attempting To Terminate Asset Transfer Agreement According To 1031 Tax Group Victim: “Indentured Servitude” Never Looked This Lucrative

Due to the litigious nature of this entire mess I am presenting the following comment as a service to the victims of the 1031 Tax Group. This comment is the sole opinion of the commenter–deansguide has no responsibility nor supports or opposes this comment. If you have read this blog you know how I feel–

For a true look at “Indentured Servitude” please go to the soulsurvivor channel on youtube.com for the real story.

The following comment was a reaction to my February 8, 2008 article, “California Victims of 1031 Exchange Rip Offs And Industry Professionals: You Better Look At This SB 1007 And Make Your Voice Heard Or Forever Hold Your Peace”, by long time reader, and Okun victim, Beth Callanan. It is a surreal yet real life drama unfolding and what Beth has to say should be very interesting to all 1031 Tax Group victims of Okun. Read this entire post to understand the how corrupt Ed Okun appears to be in this case.

The highlights or low points depending upon your stomach for absolute idiocy:

1. Okun is trying to “terminate” the Asset Transfer Agreement signed by him and his wife. Reasons sited– The Okun’s believe that the US Trustee breeched the ATA by failing to negotiate a “living allowance” and forcing them to live in AND I QUOTE BETH HERE “indentured servitude.”

“BRAVO! AMEN!! Couldn’t have said it better!

Thank you,
Beth Callanan (aka “Okun Victim”)

By the way, your readers might be interested to know that Okun has had the temerity to submit a motion to the Bankruptcy Court to terminate the Asset Transfer Agreement signed by him and his wife in October. The ATA is a pathetically inadequate vehicle supposedly intended to result in “restitution” to those whose exchange funds he absconded with (inadequate since he had freighted all those “assets” with debt before transferring their skeletal remains to the Trustee!). The premise for his motion is that the Trustee has breached the terms of the Agreement by failing to prevent others from going after the assets he was allowed to keep (his two manses valued by him at more than $20 million and his Hummer and Lambourghini!) AND (and this is really the best part) because the Trustee has failed to negotiate a “living allowance” for Okun, spouse and spawn (I told you this was good) such that they are now forced to live a life of “indentured servitude” (I kid you not — verbatim from the motion!) — although the abject level of “servitude” to which the Okuns have been subjected apparently allows for the acquisition of yet another vehicle — specifically, a Porche he has not yet surrendered and has asked to purchase from the Trustee. Not only that, but his victims will all be thrilled to know that the brilliant financier whose empire was built Ponzi-style on funds taken illegally from others has offered the Trustee his services to help manage the financially dessicated wasteland of properties he has so generously transferred to the Trustee. Be still my heart!

There is a hearing on the motion in NYC on Monday (Feb 11) that I suspect will be very well attended since Judge Glenn has commanded that Okun, the lovely Simone and their attorney actually appear and be prepared to testify! Anyone wanting to read the actual text of this travesty should go to the Committee website at
http://www.committeeinfo.com/1031/case_dev.htm
, go to “court documents, scroll down to “Pending Motions” pour yourself a stiff drink grab a big box of hankies and begin reading everything in “3. Motion to Vacate Order Approving Transfer Agreement.” It’s a real tear jerker.”

Feb 8, 11:01 PM— California Victims of 1031 Exchange Rip Offs and Industry Professionals: You Better Look At This SB 1007 And Make Your Voice Heard Or Forever Hold Your Peace