Richard sent a message to Sheldon Adelson Chairman and CEO, Las Vegas Sands Corp. – email address that said:
Hello Mr. Adelson,
I read in the LA Times that you are currently attempting to combat pro-Palestinian support on campus and I would like to make a suggestion that may or may not shore up any public image issues you may be experiencing, but would certainly go a big way in improving my image of the gaming industry.
First, a little bit about myself to put this all in context. Back in 1997 I wrote a petition management program for a petition management company that was active in getting gaming initiatives passed in various states. I received a partial payment, but when I billed for the remainder of the amount, the petition management CEO disappeared and wouldnt answer phone calls or respond to various payment demands. I had to sue them for breach of contract for six months work, which consisted of about $32,000.00, but they continued to use my program, even quoting statistics to reporters from my program when their partner was caught submitting dead people's signatures. With the proceeds of the money they earned using my program, they became enormously wealthy as SEC documents showed when they sold the other company they were supporting with the profits from using my program.
My son was born while I was working on this program, so I was very vulnerable and they took advantage of my situation. They also didn't pay another person who was contracted to work on another project for the company who contracted for me to work on the project in the first place. That company happened to be run by his brother, and the other programmer was recommended by myself. Yes, I pierced the veil.
After about four years and more legal bills than the amount I invoiced them, I was finally paid. It was a net loss. I then found myself out of work for the next 2½ years, with no responses to resumes I sent and nobody willing to speak to me when I followed up on those jobs with phone calls. This was all financially devastating to myself and to my family, as I was the sole support of my family - my son and my wife, who is an immigrant from Hungary.
Fast forward to today, my son has finished his first year of college and I am trying my best to get him through a state university without student debt. He made the Deant List in the Science and Math department and is hoping to get into Chiropractic College after finishing up at the state university. He has worked in the Chiropractic office of a friend and recently passed his NREMT exam, so he is doing some work toward his career. He is making very good choices for an 18 year old kid and has a bright future ahead of him and is well regarded by the partners and staff at the Chiropractic office where he worked this summer.
Although I am sure neither you, nor your gaming companies had any involvement in my losses, and in no way would I ever imply to you or to anyone that you or your companies were at all responsible for what happened because there was no involvement at all, I know that you are wealthy enough that the legal fees I paid would hardly be noticeable, but the goodwill would be tremendous and if requested, my son would be happy to help you in any way he could at the state university he is attending. We live in Woodland Hills California and have many wonderful Jewish friends, including the Chiropractor who is guiding my son in his career.
If this is something you are not interested in helping with, I would understand and would harbor no ill will toward you or to any companies you may own, nor would I ever breach the subject to anyone under any conditions. I would also wish you continued success in your career and your pursuits.
With humble disposition and good intent,
Richard
