Guadalajara Reporter

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Written by GR Staff
Saturday, 16 June 2007
Dear Sir, The outright lies put forth by Peter and Sally Rosenberg (Letter to the Editor, June 9) need to be addressed. They accuse Larry Clonts (previous Commander of American Legion Post Seven) of stealing the post funds. The truth is vastly different. Upon the departure of Loren Moss over that famous weekend, Larry arrived to open up on Monday morning. The combination of the safes that had been given to him did not work. Larry stated that Leon Gould gave him the correct combination and they counted the money together. Was there money in the safe before Loren left? Was there money in the safe after Loren left? Only one or two people know the answer to that question. Why did Leon dedicate himself to the Legion? His wife and other members of his family work there. He is assisting his wife when he does work at the Legion. His family income would drop drastically if they did not work at the Legion. On the day the Ladies Auxiliary were given control of the money, Leon resigned as Commander. When the January transition took place, the rent was four months behind. The landlady was dying of cancer and needed the rent money for her medications. Leon would give dates in the future and not come up with the money. She died without Leon coming up with the rent money. Why did Leon never tell her the truth? Add to that the fact that the business licences, IMSS and Social Security were not paid. Several benefits were held for the employees' retirement fund. The meal cost was supported by several members, entertainers provided their services for free. None of the money went to the employees' fund, but you can bet that payroll was made. The misuse of that money constitutes fraud, otherwise known as misappropriation of funds. The dues monies that were to be given to the Department were used to keep the Legion open and thereby support Leon's family. That was the criminal act of misappropriation of funds. Leon repeatedly lied to the Department Adjutant about the dues money. The Department Adjutant may be charged with misappropriation of funds because she trusted Leon. We have at least one member with over 60 years of continuous service which would have been lost if Leon had prevailed. Most all members' continuous service would have been nullified. Leon may be a hero to the Rosenbergs, but he is not mine. If a person's word is worthless, I want nothing to do with them. Hank Shiver, Acting Commander Post Seven