DealBreaker readers probably need no introduction to Overstock.com and the shenanigans of its officers. Frankly, we’ve left off talking about the faltering company because it had almost succeeded in making mockery impossible. What do you do when a CEO is complaining about “Sith Lords” and a company is bleeding board members like a European royal with a paper cut. It’s such a joke that there aren’t any more jokes to make.
But just when we thought that things could get much worse over there, things get much worse. Gary Weiss brings to our attention the most recent activities of Overstock’s chief propagandist, Judd Bagley. It seems that Bagley has been threatening to out a message critic of Overstock in an effort to chill criticism of the company. (After the jump, read Bagley’s blackmail-ish letter).
And now he’s made good on the threat. Embarrassingly for Overstock, however, the critic they’ve outed is not exactly a member of a cabal of Wall Street short sellers who have it out for Overstock. He’s just a regular guy from Connersville, Indiana who went public with his opinions about the company.
Does Overstock.com Have a Board of Directors? [Gary Weiss]
This Week's Threats [O-Smear]
THE LATEST: Hoosier daddy? ScipioAfricanus uncovered in Indiana. [Antisocialmedia.net]
From: Judd Bagley To: scipioafricanus_iv@yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 11:51:26 PM Subject: just thought I'd ask...I thought I should tell you that I've have known your real identity for a while now.
Up until last week, it appeared that you'd grown tired of o-smear and all the games (which would make "outting" you unnecessary) but lately it appears that's not the case.
I don't want to cause anybody unnecessary harm, but I'm beyond tired of the lies.
If you choose to continue as you have been, I will write about you on AntiSocialMedia.net. In doing so, my goal is not to intimidate, but to let you own your words; under those circumstances, I think the lies will take care of themselves.
Having said that, I'm also very much aware of the impact this could have on your reputation, especially where you live, and I feel obligated to offer you a way out. So, if you're ready to set things right, I'll keep your name to myself and figure we'll both be karmically better off for it.
I look forward to your response (and will be PMing this to your IV account, as well).
--
Judd Bagley
Posted by Sam E. Antar (former Crazy Eddie CFO & convicted felon) , Jun 18, 2007 2:42PM
It is particulary disgusting that Patrick Byrne and Judd Bagley use anti-Semtism as a tool to smear critics.
See my blog post:
Who is Judd Bagley trying to fool about the use of anti-Semitism to attack critics of his boss, Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne?
Link here:
http://whitecollarfraud.blogspot.com/2007/06/who-is-judd-bagley-trying-to-fool-about.html
Respectfully,
Sam E. Antar (former Crazy Eddie CFO & convicted felon)
Posted by anonymous , Jun 18, 2007 2:51PM
"...bleeding board members like a European royal with a paper cut"
WTF?!
What happened to Scott Bressler?
Posted by anonamizzle , Jun 18, 2007 3:16PM
"...bleeding board members like a European royal with a paper cut"
or:
"...bleeding board members like Dealbreaker.com bleeds interns"
you decide
Posted by Anon #2 , Jun 18, 2007 3:55PM
"...bleeding board members like Dealbreaker.com bleeds interns"
Amen, brother.
Posted by Anon #2 , Jun 18, 2007 3:56PM
"...bleeding board members like Dealbreaker.com bleeds interns"
Amen, brother.
Posted by jt , Jun 18, 2007 4:53PM
sam antar reads dealbreaker, who woulda thunk it
Posted by , Jun 18, 2007 5:22PM
Was that the whole letter? Or was there more? Because that's not blackmail. If there was more tell me where I can read it.
Posted by M. Brandt , Jun 18, 2007 6:02PM
Gary Weiss is a paid shill for naked shorters and should be exposed for the liar he is! What a dishonest POS of a human being!
Posted by M. Brandt , Jun 18, 2007 6:03PM
You ought to begin each attack against Bagley and Byrne with an explanation of WHY Overstock has been on the SHO list for 500+ days!
Posted by Sam E. Antar (former Crazy Eddie CFO & convicted felon) , Jun 18, 2007 7:17PM
Re:
"sam antar reads dealbreaker, who woulda thunk it."
To borrow a phase from Patrick Byrne:
"I am an avid reader and a raving fan."
Link here:
http://www.investorvillage.com/smbd.asp?mb=3532&pt=msg&mn=4287
Respectfully,
Sam E. Antar (former Crazy Eddie CFO & convicted felon)
Posted by abe , Jun 18, 2007 7:56PM
Brandt, you should begin each defense of OSTK and Patty Whack by explain why every damn quarter is disappointing. If management did there fucking job, running the business, the stock price would take care of itself. Instead they tilt at windmills.