PORTLAND ACTORS' CONSERVATORY, MONTGOMERY STREET PLAYERS, AND STAY FOR THE CAKE

Wes Rhodes, that's all folks!

And here we are. Doesn't my garden look lovely? Yes, I'm home, and smelling the roses. You'd hardly think there was a daft golden lion lurking in all that foliage, now, would you? (A lion generously given, gratefully received, and MUCH appreciated, by the way). I can't help but think that old Leo is a bit symbolic. He's lurking somewhere, but we can't see him any more. Instead, we are free to appreciate all the simple wonders of nature. Is that a bit heavy? Well, forgive me. This is my absolutely last and final blogpost on the subject of the F.F. Wes Rhodes.

Yes, it's mid-June, the time I promised everyone, myself included, that I'd stop. Several people have kindly said, "Oh, please continue." Only one has said, "Please stop." But in the end I'm stopping for no other reason than I don't want to spend any more time on a person who really doesn't warrant ANY energy being expended on him. He's where he ought to be. And I hope he stays there for as long as possible (perhaps he WON'T get time for good behavior, since 'bad behavior' appears to be his M.O.).

Of course the story isn't over. Pretty soon, I imagine, the Receiver will make a final distribution of those pooled assets (check out the webpage at www.grassmueckgroup.com/rhodes.php) and no doubt Wes Rhodes, via his attorneys, will come back to the court and argue for a further reduction of restitution (despite his mealy mouthed vows to spend the rest of his life paying his victims back!! Such hypocrisy!). And no doubt he will fight for other reductions also, if and when he can. But those legal actions belong more to the realm of the old Affected Investors themselves, rather than a public blog. I'll be following along, of course, checking the Pacer service from time to time. And anyone who is interested can ask me for a copy of any of those filings; I'll be happy to share. Use my private e mail address if you have it, or, for a while at least, try catherinegarrison@ymail.com (I won't keep that for ever; I'm sick of being told I've won lotteries or can help various foreign princes, if only...Yikes).

Speaking of scams, I wish I really had words of wisdom for people out there. I hope blog followers might have learned something as we've gone along, that will prevent them falling into the clutches of a Wes Rhodes, or a Bernie Madoff, or any of the other thousands of folks who don't care about loyalty and friendship in their urge to steal and live lives of useless luxury.

Remember, first and foremost, the SEC's list of questions to ask your adviser; it's a good start http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/askquestions.htm Remember, obviously, that if something looks too good to be true it probably is. But PLEASE ALSO remember that, as in the case of Wes Rhodes' investors, slow and steady gains can ALSO be deceptive because they lull careful investors into assuming all must be well. And remember that, even if your adviser is your 'friend' (yes, even a 'friend' of two decades' standing), he or she could still be stealing from you, and lying. So ask questions. Check out those forms ADV Parts One and Two (info at http://www.sec.gov/answers/formadv.htm). Ask for second opinions (and I don't just mean check the references your adviser provides you). If your adviser changes affiliation (e.g. from, say, a Schwab to a Fidelity) don't accept his or her explanations. Ask folks in the former company why the change was made, and what people thought of him or her. If your adviser seems more inclined to allow you to take money from one particular account rather than another, keep asking why, or insisting. Require ABSOLUTE transparency. Remember it's YOUR money. Don't be 'loyal' just for the sake of it. And above all, remember that EVEN IF YOU DO ALL THESE THINGS you can fall prey to unscrupulous people. Be slow to castigate folks who've been scammed, even if they SEEM to have done something foolish. Remember that even to steal from the unwary, or the innocent, or the naive, is morally, ethically and CRIMINALLY wrong. And remember that 'white collar criminals' still have a better time in the courts than poor folks who have stolen out of need. If these things happen to you, prepare for frustration and for the wheels of justice to grind exceeding slow even if, in the end, they grind well.

I believe wholeheartedly that Wes Rhodes is still conning people into believing in him. Folks in his new church, and even a lady friend. And I know that he is good enough at that hangdog look, and those sighs of repentance, that even people who KNOW he lies pathologically would not be able to convince his new 'marks' that he is lying now. That's how these things go. I can only hope that somehow they will latch on to his hypocrisy before he somehow gets more from them than friendship. But there are things we also know we simply can't control.

As to the 'missing millions?' Well, rumors still circulate. But if they are there, they will turn up. We can't agonize about them for the rest of our lives. It really is time--for me at least--to move on.

I know I'll keep in touch with MANY new friends, won through the blog. I thank you ALL again. I hope the Limerick Fairy will now privately reveal his/her identity (please, pretty please). I know I will continue to know all those regular commenters (you know who you are!), whom I thank all over again (and yeah, I'm expecting news of a certain ringside seat). I especially thank my amazing photoshopper friend, who has provided us with the final, wonderful picture (below) to see us out. What a joy and a laugh all those pictures have been! I feel honored, and privileged.

If you want to continue to be supportive of ME, of course, please buy and read my books, and get your friends to buy and read them! I'm doing one book group meeting in October, and would LOVE to do others. Go to http://categarrison.blogspot.com/ for details. And soon, on that page, you will find details of another blog I'm going to be starting about my current PASSION, which is family research. I think it will be called "WHO ARE WE?" with a list of the family names. I realize it won't be AT ALL interesting for the general public, but I don't care!! I'm going to put all the research I've done together in book form for my kids and close family members. And I'm doing it as a blog because I'm now so used to blogging, and because that way other people with similar names might find it, and I'll learn more. But you will have to pass through http://categarrison.blogspot.com/ to find it, okay?

I'm going to leave a few of these blog pages up of course, for the foreseeable future; I've deleted most of them, as you probably know. But of course I've copied and pasted it all, and kept it safe, and will be happy to look things up for anyone who wishes; just let me know. For now, though, this is goodbye. And what could be more appropriate than this final picture by my wonderful, fabulous, talented photoshopper friend? Stay in touch, now. I mean it.

Wes Rhodes, a last look

I leave my eldest son and his GF this morning, heading for London and a couple of days with my dear friend. A bittersweet moment, to say the least. My e mailing and general internet usage will be slim to none until I come home to Portland, Oregon. I've toyed with changing the countdown clock for Feb 14, 2008, but that would be wrong. I want the time to go very, very slowly now, and a countdown, with its swift seconds, would give quite the wrong impression. I'm not going to keep this blog alive much longer, but I will be doing something else that I expect will be totally boring for all but me. Meanwhile, I thought you would all like a last look at my fabulous photoshopper friend's two final pictures, of the Reverend Wes, and Shaved Head Wes. Please remember that I will probably stop using the spam magnet of ymail for much longer also, so if you don't know my usual e mail address and would like to stay in touch, do use catherinegarrison@ymail.com SOON to send your details.

I'll do a little post after I get back to Portland, so sometime after June 10 (June 11 or 12). I know there will be further restitution from the Receiver at some point, but I think that directly concerns Wes Rhodes' old victims rather than blog readers in general (and remember that details of the Receiver's actions will become available on the his website at www.grassmueckgroup.com/rhodes.php so you can always take a look there, if you are interested). I have all the court documents, and will continue to collect them until the whole thing stops, so if anyone wants a copy please e mail me and I'll send the relevant attachment (I'm talking about the documents on Pacer particularly in the two major cases--06-1353 CIVIL and 07-289 CRIMINAL-- plus the various transcripts of hearings).

Meanwhile, enjoy again these two splendid pictures for the next few days. And of course I'd still love to hear stories, privately (and if there's stuff to share, I'll find a way to share it). I'd love, for example, to be a fly on the wall at his upcoming class reunion at Sunset High School, in August. I've already heard--and this has made me HOWL with laughter--that he used to assume a FAKE ENGLISH ACCENT in high school, in hopes it would be a chick magnet. Yes, really. That's what someone has told me. So anything more like that, I'd love to hear. It's hilarious. For now though, bye bye. Back briefly sometime midweek.

Wes Rhodes, recent docket texts

For those of you who like to follow these things, here are a few docket texts filed today in the criminal case against Wes Rhodes, (07-289). I might post the documents another day, if I can be bothered! (I am so reluctant to spent time on the F.F. any more). As I said a few minutes ago in the addition to the top of the previous post (scroll down if you are interested), I have no idea how 120 months added to 1 June 2009 end on 14 Feb 2018, but there have been MANY details I haven't fathomed in this odd case. As I keep saying, though, I am glad he's gone. And that's the feeling I plan to hold on to for as long as humanly possible. (As always, I hate documents filed under seal. But I had to laugh at the title of this one: Statements of reasons as to Charles Wesley Rhodes! That's certainly something we ask ourselves! Why oh why was there EVER a Charles Wesley Rhodes???)

06/04/2009
85
Amended Judgment as to Charles Wesley Rhodes, Jr. (1), Count 1, AMENDED JUDGMENT DATED 6/4/09 FOR MODIFICATION OF THE RESTITUTION ORDER: RESTITUTION IS ORDERED IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,892,982.13. DEFENDANT IS GIVEN CREDIT OF $3,968,000.00 THAT THE RECEIVER HAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE VICTIMS. DEFENDANT WILL BE ALLOWED TO PETITION THE COURT FOR A FURTHER OFFSET OF THE AMOUNT OF RESTITUTION. BALANCE REMAINING IS $15,924,782.13. ORIGINAL JUDGMENT DATED 2/17/09 - IMPRISONMENT: COUNT 1 - 120 MONTHS. COUNT 2 - 120 MONTHS. SAID SENTENCE TO BE SERVED CONCURRENTLY WITH SENTENCE IMPOSED IN COUNT 1. COURT RECOMMENDS TO BOP THAT DEFENDANT BE DESIGNATED TO THE CAMP AT SHERIDAN AND BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN DAP. DEFENDANT SHALL SURRENDER FOR SERVICE OF SENTENCE AT THE INSTITUTION DESIGNATED BY BOP BEFORE 2:00PM ON 6/1/09. SUPERVISED RELEASE: 3 YEARS. RESTITUTION: TO BE DETERMINED. INTEREST REQUIREMENT FOR RESTITUTION IS WAIVED. SPECIAL ASSESSMENT: $200.00.; Count(s) 2, COUNT 2: 120 MONTHS. SAID SENTENCE TO BE SERVED CONCURRENTLY WITH SENTENCE IMPOSED IN COUNT 1. by Judge Ancer L. Haggerty signed on 6/4/09. (mkk) (Entered: 06/05/2009)
06/04/2009
86
Statement of Reasons as to Charles Wesley Rhodes, Jr (NOTE: This document is filed under seal and will be served conventionally) Signed 6/4/09 by Judge Ancer L. Haggerty. (mkk) (Entered: 06/05/2009)
06/05/2009
83
Order to Return Passport to U.S. Pretrial Services as to Charles Wesley Rhodes, Jr. Signed 6/5/09 by Judge Ancer L. Haggerty. (mkk) (Entered: 06/05/2009)
06/05/2009
84
Passport Returned (specifically: Passport for Charles Wesley Rhodes, Jr) to Pretrial Officer as to Charles Wesley Rhodes, Jr Referencing Receipt No. 5263 (cib) (Entered: 06/05/2009)

Wes Rhodes? Or Charles Manson?

***I've had a wonderful couple of days away from blogs, e mails, twitters, and, above all, Wes Rhodes. So I'm sure I'm the LAST person to see the update on the BoP website! But just in case, here it is (as per Louis's comment):

CHARLES WESLEY RHODES JR
70522-065
58-White-M
Release date (actual or projected): 02-14-2018
LA TUNA FCI

I have to say that, while I love the irony of his being released on Valentine's Day (how romantic!), I'm not quite sure why ten years from June 1, 1009 ends up being 14 Feb 2018. Presumably good behavior is factored in? Anyway, as before, I'm not going to worry about it. In fact, I'm NEVER going to worry about the F.F. again! Now, off for more fun before my vacation ends...

BTW, I heard from Thom Jensen that they ran a short story on KATU the other evening. Big ups again to Thom and the KATU crew for their consistent coverage. Thanks, guys.****

I know, I know, I KNOW. I said no more posts. I'm off to the Lakes tomorrow. But I told my fabulous, wonderful, adorable, amazingly talented photoshopper friend (EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE ONE IN ORDER TO FEEL GOOD) about the possible SHAVED HEAD OF WES RHODES (sounds like The Shrunken Head of Pancho Villa), and this is what I received (with apologies--hmmm, not really--to Charles Manson). Oh, it's lovely! Enjoy.

Isn't life GREAT?

Off to the Lake District. My foot is doing okay. Life is wonderful. Scroll down for the picture of the Reverend Wes, also of course from my GENIUS chum, and notes from La Tuna. Did you ever see the show GREATER TUNA? Set in Tuna, Texas? Hilarious.

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WES RHODES IS IN JAIL. Did you ever hear anything finer? And I have it on REALLY good authority that the prison guards have absolutely NO truck with fake sickness, and all that other malarkey. I truly believe he is in for a bit of a shock. Though maybe not as great a shock as the one we all had when we learned out of the blue that he was a con artist and a thief. It's about time he had a few shocks himself, no? As to the question everybody keeps asking about who paid his air fare to get down there? I don't know, and frankly I'm not going to let it worry me too much, at this point. I imagine he conned his new friends in church to help him out. Well, that's a possibility, and I'm truly sorry for them, if that's the case. But I don't suppose for a minute that he will manage to maintain fake piety and sanctimoniousness for the best part of this next decade. So let's just be glad he's there, okay? I'm sorry for everyone he's still fooling. I hope they read this blog. Or listen to people who know him of old. But for now, I'm just glad he's where he ought to be, however he managed to get there (and I KNOW for sure, in my own heart, that he is still lying).

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Me? I'm off, now, for some serious fun, for a day or two. Bye for now. TTFN.

Wes Rhodes in LA TUNA, hurrah!!!

Well, my scuttlebutt provider was right (as I suspected, of course--SEE BELOW--and also PLEASE check out my fabulous photoshopper friend's picture of 'Reverend Wes,' if you haven't already; just scroll down). He is THERE!!!! IN CUSTODY. You can click on the link for yourselves, obviously, at http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/LocateInmate.jsp . But here is what it says:

Inmate Locator - Locate Federal inmates from 1982 to present

CHARLES WESLEY RHODES
70522-065
58-White-M
Release date: UNKNOWN
Location: LA TUNA FCI

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You even get his mailing address, should you require it:

INMATE NAME & REGISTER NUMBER (as above, obviously)

FCI LA TUNA

FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

P.O. BOX 3000
ANTHONY, TX 88021

~~

What is more, this location appears to be a LOW SECURITY facility, as opposed to a MINIMUM security facility (or camp, as in Sheridan), and while I wish he was in MAXIMUM security, LOW is certainly better than some kind of 'camp.' Of course who knows whether he will stay there, or where he will end up.

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As you can imagine, I'm ecstatic (Hence this bright new template, which I may not keep; it's a bit hard to get used to, just like the incarceration!). And, what's more, I'm now going to take a few days away from any of this. We are going to the Lake District tomorrow (Wednesday), and I don't plan on taking a laptop. So I'll pick up emails today, and then not until Friday (for those of you who would like to post comments etc). I'm just going to leave this news on the blog with no new posts for a while (and of course the blog in its present form will soon end completely). There will be dribs and drabs of further information in the two cases, I'm sure (there have been occasional Pacer documents, but nothing I considered blog worthy--e.g. the judge signed the orders allowing the receiver and his professionals the fees they'd asked for, etc etc etc). And my guess is that the Receiver will at some point soon be making the second (final?) disbursement to old Rhodes' investors, and that, as he predicted, will amount to a total of about 22 to 23% of proven original investment. All that will be available, when it happens, on his website, at www.grassmueckgroup.com/rhodes.php, for those of you who are interested. But from MY point of view that concerns the old AIs rather than the blog (though, again, I thank the Receiver and his staff for their hard work with NO cooperation from you-know-who). Again, I just want to thank EVERYBODY who has been involved in this incredible enterprise. I said I'd do this at least until he was sentenced, and perhaps until he was incarcerated. AND NOW HE IS. I don't know that I'd have managed without all your support. Thank you.

BTW, I gather he has shaved his head and sports a goatee. Will that help him look tough, I wonder? Or just absurd??!!

Anyway, please comment today, or send me e mails. If after tomorrow, I won't see them until almost the weekend. Enjoy these days. Personally, I repeat---I'm ecstatic (now scroll down, for a giggle at the Reverend Wes).

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OH DOUBLY HAPPY DAY!!

Wes Rhodes, the ordained one

Well, he still hadn't shown up in the system last time I looked, but scuttlebutt says you-know-who is already down there, deep in the heart of you-know-where and has already handed himself in. Again, I have to point out that scuttlebutt is just scuttlebutt until we have official proof. But, again, I have no real reason to doubt my sources. I'll keep watching, as I know you will also. Meanwhile, many thanks to my incredible photoshopper friend for this beautiful picture of The Reverend Wes Rhodes ;) And don't you love all those 000s on the countdown clock? I'm going to leave it like that for a while, for the sheer pleasure of contemplating it.

It's a beautiful day here again (Tuesday 2nd for me, as I write, no matter what the Pacific time date says on the blog). How lovely the world is.