Focus On Children Gets What's Been Coming to Them

[Daniel and Elizabeth Case]

http://kutv.com/local/local_story_060181853.html


Mar 1, 2007 4:14 pm US/Mountain

Feds: UT Company Orchestrated Fraudulent Adoptions
SALT LAKE CITY Authorities announced charges against seven people Thursday,
alleging they committed fraud in a scheme to trick poor Samoan families into
giving up their children to adoptive parents in the United States.

The alleged scheme involved 81 children from as many as 45 families, from
March 2002 to June 2005, the U.S. attorney's office said.

"We have victims on both sides of this adoption scheme, all of whom acted in
good faith," U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said in a statement.

Samoan families were told their children would get an American education and
return to Samoa when they turned 18, he said.

Adoptive families in the United States, meanwhile, believed the children
were orphans or living with a parent who could not care for them.

Children were treated "as little more than a commodity," said Kurt
Fitz-Randolph, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The whereabouts of the children were not disclosed in court documents.
Federal authorities scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. MST.

The charges include conspiracy, bringing illegal aliens to the United
States, fraud and money laundering.

Three of the seven defendants live in Samoa, a country in the South Pacific
Ocean without an extradition treaty with the United States.

The grand jury also indicted a Utah-based adoption agency, Focus on
Children, which received thousands of dollars to place the Samoan children
with U.S. families, authorities said.

A phone message seeking comment from the agency was not immediately
returned.

(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )

[Greegor]

Thank you. Cross posted to other on topic newsgroups

On Mar 1, 6:15 pm, "Daniel and Elizabeth Case"

Post by Daniel and Elizabeth Case
http://kutv.com/local/local_story_060181853.html
Mar 1, 2007 4:14 pm US/Mountain
Feds: UT Company Orchestrated Fraudulent Adoptions
SALT LAKE CITY Authorities announced charges against seven people Thursday,
alleging they committed fraud in a scheme to trick poor Samoan families into
giving up their children to adoptive parents in the United States.
The alleged scheme involved 81 children from as many as 45 families, from
March 2002 to June 2005, the U.S. attorney's office said.
"We have victims on both sides of this adoption scheme, all of whom acted in
good faith," U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said in a statement.
Samoan families were told their children would get an American education and
return to Samoa when they turned 18, he said.
Adoptive families in the United States, meanwhile, believed the children
were orphans or living with a parent who could not care for them.
Children were treated "as little more than a commodity," said Kurt
Fitz-Randolph, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The whereabouts of the children were not disclosed in court documents.
Federal authorities scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. MST.
The charges include conspiracy, bringing illegal aliens to the United
States, fraud and money laundering.
Three of the seven defendants live in Samoa, a country in the South Pacific
Ocean without an extradition treaty with the United States.
The grand jury also indicted a Utah-based adoption agency, Focus on
Children, which received thousands of dollars to place the Samoan children
with U.S. families, authorities said.
A phone message seeking comment from the agency was not immediately
returned.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )

[0:-]]

On 18 Mar 2007 22:28:23 -0700, "Greegor" <***@gmail.com> wrote:

....more diversionary nonsense.

If find it, Greg, more than passing interesting that you'd post a
piece where PRIVATE citizens defrauded and the government caught them
at it.

Or are you trying to make amends for all the times you have
maliciously lied about government?

Kane

Post by Greegor
Thank you. Cross posted to other on topic newsgroups
On Mar 1, 6:15 pm, "Daniel and Elizabeth Case"

Post by Daniel and Elizabeth Case
http://kutv.com/local/local_story_060181853.html
Mar 1, 2007 4:14 pm US/Mountain
Feds: UT Company Orchestrated Fraudulent Adoptions
SALT LAKE CITY Authorities announced charges against seven people Thursday,
alleging they committed fraud in a scheme to trick poor Samoan families into
giving up their children to adoptive parents in the United States.
The alleged scheme involved 81 children from as many as 45 families, from
March 2002 to June 2005, the U.S. attorney's office said.
"We have victims on both sides of this adoption scheme, all of whom acted in
good faith," U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said in a statement.
Samoan families were told their children would get an American education and
return to Samoa when they turned 18, he said.
Adoptive families in the United States, meanwhile, believed the children
were orphans or living with a parent who could not care for them.
Children were treated "as little more than a commodity," said Kurt
Fitz-Randolph, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The whereabouts of the children were not disclosed in court documents.
Federal authorities scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. MST.
The charges include conspiracy, bringing illegal aliens to the United
States, fraud and money laundering.
Three of the seven defendants live in Samoa, a country in the South Pacific
Ocean without an extradition treaty with the United States.
The grand jury also indicted a Utah-based adoption agency, Focus on
Children, which received thousands of dollars to place the Samoan children
with U.S. families, authorities said.
A phone message seeking comment from the agency was not immediately
returned.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )

[Greegor]

Private citizens or government contractors?

Post by 0:-]
....more diversionary nonsense.
If find it, Greg, more than passing interesting that you'd post a
piece where PRIVATE citizens defrauded and the government caught them
at it.
Or are you trying to make amends for all the times you have
maliciously lied about government?
Kane

Post by Greegor
Thank you. Cross posted to other on topic newsgroups
On Mar 1, 6:15 pm, "Daniel and Elizabeth Case"

Post by Daniel and Elizabeth Case
http://kutv.com/local/local_story_060181853.html
Mar 1, 2007 4:14 pm US/Mountain
Feds: UT Company Orchestrated Fraudulent Adoptions
SALT LAKE CITY Authorities announced charges against seven people Thursday,
alleging they committed fraud in a scheme to trick poor Samoan families into
giving up their children to adoptive parents in the United States.
The alleged scheme involved 81 children from as many as 45 families, from
March 2002 to June 2005, the U.S. attorney's office said.
"We have victims on both sides of this adoption scheme, all of whom acted in
good faith," U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said in a statement.
Samoan families were told their children would get an American education and
return to Samoa when they turned 18, he said.
Adoptive families in the United States, meanwhile, believed the children
were orphans or living with a parent who could not care for them.
Children were treated "as little more than a commodity," said Kurt
Fitz-Randolph, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The whereabouts of the children were not disclosed in court documents.
Federal authorities scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. MST.
The charges include conspiracy, bringing illegal aliens to the United
States, fraud and money laundering.
Three of the seven defendants live in Samoa, a country in the South Pacific
Ocean without an extradition treaty with the United States.
The grand jury also indicted a Utah-based adoption agency, Focus on
Children, which received thousands of dollars to place the Samoan children
with U.S. families, authorities said.
A phone message seeking comment from the agency was not immediately
returned.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

[0:-]]

Post by Greegor
Private citizens or government contractors?

Fact, or innuendo, Greg?

Tell us, Greg. And include some proof, thanks.

Kane

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]
....more diversionary nonsense.
If find it, Greg, more than passing interesting that you'd post a
piece where PRIVATE citizens defrauded and the government caught them
at it.
Or are you trying to make amends for all the times you have
maliciously lied about government?
Kane

Post by Greegor
Thank you. Cross posted to other on topic newsgroups
On Mar 1, 6:15 pm, "Daniel and Elizabeth Case"

Post by Daniel and Elizabeth Case
http://kutv.com/local/local_story_060181853.html
Mar 1, 2007 4:14 pm US/Mountain
Feds: UT Company Orchestrated Fraudulent Adoptions
SALT LAKE CITY Authorities announced charges against seven people Thursday,
alleging they committed fraud in a scheme to trick poor Samoan families into
giving up their children to adoptive parents in the United States.
The alleged scheme involved 81 children from as many as 45 families, from
March 2002 to June 2005, the U.S. attorney's office said.
"We have victims on both sides of this adoption scheme, all of whom acted in
good faith," U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said in a statement.
Samoan families were told their children would get an American education and
return to Samoa when they turned 18, he said.
Adoptive families in the United States, meanwhile, believed the children
were orphans or living with a parent who could not care for them.
Children were treated "as little more than a commodity," said Kurt
Fitz-Randolph, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The whereabouts of the children were not disclosed in court documents.
Federal authorities scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. MST.
The charges include conspiracy, bringing illegal aliens to the United
States, fraud and money laundering.
Three of the seven defendants live in Samoa, a country in the South Pacific
Ocean without an extradition treaty with the United States.
The grand jury also indicted a Utah-based adoption agency, Focus on
Children, which received thousands of dollars to place the Samoan children
with U.S. families, authorities said.
A phone message seeking comment from the agency was not immediately
returned.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

[Greegor]

Post by 0:-]

Post by Greegor
Private citizens or government contractors?

Fact, or innuendo, Greg?
Tell us, Greg. And include some proof, thanks.

What is "Focus On Children" ?
Isn't it a government contractor?
You know don't you?

Post by 0:-]

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]
....more diversionary nonsense.
If find it, Greg, more than passing interesting that you'd post a
piece where PRIVATE citizens defrauded and the government caught them
at it.
Or are you trying to make amends for all the times you have
maliciously lied about government?
Kane

Post by Greegor
Thank you. Cross posted to other on topic newsgroups
On Mar 1, 6:15 pm, "Daniel and Elizabeth Case"

Post by Daniel and Elizabeth Case
http://kutv.com/local/local_story_060181853.html
Mar 1, 2007 4:14 pm US/Mountain
Feds: UT Company Orchestrated Fraudulent Adoptions
SALT LAKE CITY Authorities announced charges against seven people Thursday,
alleging they committed fraud in a scheme to trick poor Samoan families into
giving up their children to adoptive parents in the United States.
The alleged scheme involved 81 children from as many as 45 families, from
March 2002 to June 2005, the U.S. attorney's office said.
"We have victims on both sides of this adoption scheme, all of whom acted in
good faith," U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said in a statement.
Samoan families were told their children would get an American education and
return to Samoa when they turned 18, he said.
Adoptive families in the United States, meanwhile, believed the children
were orphans or living with a parent who could not care for them.
Children were treated "as little more than a commodity," said Kurt
Fitz-Randolph, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The whereabouts of the children were not disclosed in court documents.
Federal authorities scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. MST.
The charges include conspiracy, bringing illegal aliens to the United
States, fraud and money laundering.
Three of the seven defendants live in Samoa, a country in the South Pacific
Ocean without an extradition treaty with the United States.
The grand jury also indicted a Utah-based adoption agency, Focus on
Children, which received thousands of dollars to place the Samoan children
with U.S. families, authorities said.
A phone message seeking comment from the agency was not immediately
returned.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

[0:->]

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]

Post by Greegor
Private citizens or government contractors?

Fact, or innuendo, Greg?
Tell us, Greg. And include some proof, thanks.

What is "Focus On Children" ?

The article tells you.

Post by Greegor
Isn't it a government contractor?

Citation.

Fact or innuendo, Greg?

Post by Greegor
You know don't you?

Citation please. I don't need to know.

Why would I, and not you?

Because you are too stupid and lazy to go research it, and wish to
post insinuation instead of facts, isn't that right?

0:]

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]
....more diversionary nonsense.
If find it, Greg, more than passing interesting that you'd post a
piece where PRIVATE citizens defrauded and the government caught them
at it.
Or are you trying to make amends for all the times you have
maliciously lied about government?
Kane

Post by Greegor
Thank you. Cross posted to other on topic newsgroups
On Mar 1, 6:15 pm, "Daniel and Elizabeth Case"

Post by Daniel and Elizabeth Case
http://kutv.com/local/local_story_060181853.html
Mar 1, 2007 4:14 pm US/Mountain
Feds: UT Company Orchestrated Fraudulent Adoptions
SALT LAKE CITY Authorities announced charges against seven people Thursday,
alleging they committed fraud in a scheme to trick poor Samoan families into
giving up their children to adoptive parents in the United States.
The alleged scheme involved 81 children from as many as 45 families, from
March 2002 to June 2005, the U.S. attorney's office said.
"We have victims on both sides of this adoption scheme, all of whom acted in
good faith," U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said in a statement.
Samoan families were told their children would get an American education and
return to Samoa when they turned 18, he said.
Adoptive families in the United States, meanwhile, believed the children
were orphans or living with a parent who could not care for them.
Children were treated "as little more than a commodity," said Kurt
Fitz-Randolph, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The whereabouts of the children were not disclosed in court documents.
Federal authorities scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. MST.
The charges include conspiracy, bringing illegal aliens to the United
States, fraud and money laundering.
Three of the seven defendants live in Samoa, a country in the South Pacific
Ocean without an extradition treaty with the United States.
The grand jury also indicted a Utah-based adoption agency, Focus on
Children, which received thousands of dollars to place the Samoan children
with U.S. families, authorities said.
A phone message seeking comment from the agency was not immediately
returned.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

[Greegor]

Post something to refute the article Kane!

Post by 0:->

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]

Post by Greegor
Private citizens or government contractors?

Fact, or innuendo, Greg?
Tell us, Greg. And include some proof, thanks.

What is "Focus On Children" ?

The article tells you.

Post by Greegor
Isn't it a government contractor?

Citation.
Fact or innuendo, Greg?

Post by Greegor
You know don't you?

Citation please. I don't need to know.
Why would I, and not you?
Because you are too stupid and lazy to go research it, and wish to
post insinuation instead of facts, isn't that right?
0:]

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]
....more diversionary nonsense.
If find it, Greg, more than passing interesting that you'd post a
piece where PRIVATE citizens defrauded and the government caught them
at it.
Or are you trying to make amends for all the times you have
maliciously lied about government?
Kane

Post by Greegor
Thank you. Cross posted to other on topic newsgroups
On Mar 1, 6:15 pm, "Daniel and Elizabeth Case"

Post by Daniel and Elizabeth Case
http://kutv.com/local/local_story_060181853.html
Mar 1, 2007 4:14 pm US/Mountain
Feds: UT Company Orchestrated Fraudulent Adoptions
SALT LAKE CITY Authorities announced charges against seven people Thursday,
alleging they committed fraud in a scheme to trick poor Samoan families into
giving up their children to adoptive parents in the United States.
The alleged scheme involved 81 children from as many as 45 families, from
March 2002 to June 2005, the U.S. attorney's office said.
"We have victims on both sides of this adoption scheme, all of whom acted in
good faith," U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said in a statement.
Samoan families were told their children would get an American education and
return to Samoa when they turned 18, he said.
Adoptive families in the United States, meanwhile, believed the children
were orphans or living with a parent who could not care for them.
Children were treated "as little more than a commodity," said Kurt
Fitz-Randolph, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The whereabouts of the children were not disclosed in court documents.
Federal authorities scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. MST.
The charges include conspiracy, bringing illegal aliens to the United
States, fraud and money laundering.
Three of the seven defendants live in Samoa, a country in the South Pacific
Ocean without an extradition treaty with the United States.
The grand jury also indicted a Utah-based adoption agency, Focus on
Children, which received thousands of dollars to place the Samoan children
with U.S. families, authorities said.
A phone message seeking comment from the agency was not immediately
returned.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

[0:-]]

Post by Greegor
Post something to refute the article Kane!

No.

You forget, I didn't post the article, and you didn't make a claim.

Post something to support your question

"Isn't it a government contractor?"

And my response:

"Citation."

0;]

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:->

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]

Post by Greegor
Private citizens or government contractors?

Fact, or innuendo, Greg?
Tell us, Greg. And include some proof, thanks.

What is "Focus On Children" ?

The article tells you.

Post by Greegor
Isn't it a government contractor?

Citation.
Fact or innuendo, Greg?

Post by Greegor
You know don't you?

Citation please. I don't need to know.
Why would I, and not you?
Because you are too stupid and lazy to go research it, and wish to
post insinuation instead of facts, isn't that right?
0:]

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]
....more diversionary nonsense.
If find it, Greg, more than passing interesting that you'd post a
piece where PRIVATE citizens defrauded and the government caught them
at it.
Or are you trying to make amends for all the times you have
maliciously lied about government?
Kane

Post by Greegor
Thank you. Cross posted to other on topic newsgroups
On Mar 1, 6:15 pm, "Daniel and Elizabeth Case"

Post by Daniel and Elizabeth Case
http://kutv.com/local/local_story_060181853.html
Mar 1, 2007 4:14 pm US/Mountain
Feds: UT Company Orchestrated Fraudulent Adoptions
SALT LAKE CITY Authorities announced charges against seven people Thursday,
alleging they committed fraud in a scheme to trick poor Samoan families into
giving up their children to adoptive parents in the United States.
The alleged scheme involved 81 children from as many as 45 families, from
March 2002 to June 2005, the U.S. attorney's office said.
"We have victims on both sides of this adoption scheme, all of whom acted in
good faith," U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said in a statement.
Samoan families were told their children would get an American education and
return to Samoa when they turned 18, he said.
Adoptive families in the United States, meanwhile, believed the children
were orphans or living with a parent who could not care for them.
Children were treated "as little more than a commodity," said Kurt
Fitz-Randolph, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The whereabouts of the children were not disclosed in court documents.
Federal authorities scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. MST.
The charges include conspiracy, bringing illegal aliens to the United
States, fraud and money laundering.
Three of the seven defendants live in Samoa, a country in the South Pacific
Ocean without an extradition treaty with the United States.
The grand jury also indicted a Utah-based adoption agency, Focus on
Children, which received thousands of dollars to place the Samoan children
with U.S. families, authorities said.
A phone message seeking comment from the agency was not immediately
returned.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

[Greegor]

Posted by Daniel and Elizabeth Case Mar 1, 6:19 pm
Newsgroups: alt.adoption.agency


From: "Daniel and Elizabeth Case" <***@frontiernet.net>
Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:19:53 GMT
Local: Thurs, Mar 1 2007 6:19 pm
Subject: Even More on Focus On Children

I can't say I'm sorry to read this. They got what was coming to
them.

Utah agency indicted in Samoa adoption scam
By Pamela Manson
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 03/01/2007 04:51:59 PM MST


Posted: 4:54 PM- Operators of a private adoption agency in Utah are
accused of duping parents in Samoa into giving them their children
and
then falsely describing the youngsters as orphans to prospective
adoptive parents in the United States.
More than 80 children were illegally taken from their families by
conspirators working through the Wellsville office of Focus on
Children (FOC), according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday.
The agency allegedly charged the adoptive parents a fee of $13,000 to
facilitate the adoption and immigration of a Samoan child.
Both sides of the adoption process had acted in good faith,
authorities said. The alleged fraud leaves the status of the children
and their placement in U.S. homes, including some in Utah and
Wyoming,
uncertain.
"For the birth parents in Samoa, who believed they were only
temporarily releasing their children, the pain in palpable," Thomas
Depenbrock, of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic
Security, said at a Thursday news conference in Salt Lake City. "For
the adoptive parents accepting children they were told were uncared
for and in need of good homes, the deceit is shocking."
U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman said authorities are working
to put the birth parents and adoptive parents in touch to discuss a
resolution. If no agreement is reached, courts in either or
Advertisement


both countries might become involved in determining on a case-by-case
basis who gets legal custody of the adoptees.
"It is impossible to articulate how deep the pain is," Tolman said
of families on both sides.
The indictment charges FOC and seven individuals with a total of
135 counts: Two of conspiracy, 37 of bringing in illegal aliens to
the
United States; 37 of encouraging or inducing illegal aliens to come
to, enter or reside in the United States; 34 of fraud and misuse of
visas; 19 of laundering of monetary instruments; and six of monetary
transactions in property derived from unlawful activity.
Named as defendants are Scott Banks, 46, of Wellsville; Karen
Banks, 45, Wellsville; Dan Wakefield, 70, a U.S. citizen living in
Apia, Samoa; Tagaloa Ieti, 44, Samoa; Julie Tuiletufuga, age unknown,
Samoa; Coleen Bartlett, 40, Evanston, Wyo.; Karalee Thornock, 34,
Tooele; and FOC.
Scott Banks, Karen Banks, Bartlett and Thornock had court
appearances Thursday morning before U.S. Magistrate David Nuffer in
Salt Lake City. The government did not seek detention pending
resolution of the case; the next hearing is scheduled for April 2.
The United States does not have an extradition treaty with Samoa.
It will petition the Samoan government to deliver the other three
defendants to the United States.
The indictment alleges that FOC employed recruiters in Samoa to
persuade birth parents to place their children in an international
adoption. These parents allegedly were induced to participate in the
"program" through lies, including:
- The adoption program was created by the U.S. government or by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to assist families in
Samoa that were struggling financially or desired that their children
be educated abroad. Neither the government nor the church were ever
involved with FOC.
- The children would be "adopted" by a family in the United States
and remain there until age 18, then return to Samoa.
- The birth family would receive letters and photos from the
adoptive family.
- The birth relatives might receive money either from FOC or the
adoptive family until the children returned and could help take care
of them.
- The adoptive family would occasionally bring the children back
for visits.
- Siblings placed in the program would all be adopted by the same
family in the United States.
Some birth family considering placing their child in the program
were given what conspirators called "humanitarian assistance," such
as
nominal amounts of money or bags of rice, the indictment alleges. The
assistance allegedly stopped when the child was delivered to the
adoptive parents.
FOC also employed people in Utah and Wyoming to refer children to
a new family, even when the youngsters were still living with their
parents in Samoa, the indictment claims. It says the defendants
frequently fabricated statements about the birth family to convince
prospective adoptive parents that the children were living in dire
circumstances.
The indictment alleges the conspiracy began no later than March
2002 and continued through June 2005. The children ranged in age from
infants to 12 years old.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The
investigation is ongoing.

[0:-]]

On 25 Mar 2007 14:33:43 -0700, "Greegor" <***@gmail.com> wrote:

In earlier posts you questioned if the was a government agency.

I told you to find a citation to answer your question.

Your response was simply to challenge me to "refute" the article.

What would I refute, Greg?

Or are you compounding your stupidity with that strange challenge, no
citation from you to show it if was or was not a government agency,
and do you still wish me to refute something?

What would it be you'd like me to refute.

The article, as best as I can tell is just a reporter doing the job.

Comments, Greg, the Brilliant?

0:]

Post by Greegor
Posted by Daniel and Elizabeth Case Mar 1, 6:19 pm
Newsgroups: alt.adoption.agency
Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:19:53 GMT
Local: Thurs, Mar 1 2007 6:19 pm
Subject: Even More on Focus On Children
I can't say I'm sorry to read this. They got what was coming to
them.
Utah agency indicted in Samoa adoption scam
By Pamela Manson
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 03/01/2007 04:51:59 PM MST
Posted: 4:54 PM- Operators of a private adoption agency in Utah are
accused of duping parents in Samoa into giving them their children
and
then falsely describing the youngsters as orphans to prospective
adoptive parents in the United States.
More than 80 children were illegally taken from their families by
conspirators working through the Wellsville office of Focus on
Children (FOC), according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday.
The agency allegedly charged the adoptive parents a fee of $13,000 to
facilitate the adoption and immigration of a Samoan child.
Both sides of the adoption process had acted in good faith,
authorities said. The alleged fraud leaves the status of the children
and their placement in U.S. homes, including some in Utah and
Wyoming,
uncertain.
"For the birth parents in Samoa, who believed they were only
temporarily releasing their children, the pain in palpable," Thomas
Depenbrock, of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic
Security, said at a Thursday news conference in Salt Lake City. "For
the adoptive parents accepting children they were told were uncared
for and in need of good homes, the deceit is shocking."
U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman said authorities are working
to put the birth parents and adoptive parents in touch to discuss a
resolution. If no agreement is reached, courts in either or
Advertisement
both countries might become involved in determining on a case-by-case
basis who gets legal custody of the adoptees.
"It is impossible to articulate how deep the pain is," Tolman said
of families on both sides.
The indictment charges FOC and seven individuals with a total of
135 counts: Two of conspiracy, 37 of bringing in illegal aliens to
the
United States; 37 of encouraging or inducing illegal aliens to come
to, enter or reside in the United States; 34 of fraud and misuse of
visas; 19 of laundering of monetary instruments; and six of monetary
transactions in property derived from unlawful activity.
Named as defendants are Scott Banks, 46, of Wellsville; Karen
Banks, 45, Wellsville; Dan Wakefield, 70, a U.S. citizen living in
Apia, Samoa; Tagaloa Ieti, 44, Samoa; Julie Tuiletufuga, age unknown,
Samoa; Coleen Bartlett, 40, Evanston, Wyo.; Karalee Thornock, 34,
Tooele; and FOC.
Scott Banks, Karen Banks, Bartlett and Thornock had court
appearances Thursday morning before U.S. Magistrate David Nuffer in
Salt Lake City. The government did not seek detention pending
resolution of the case; the next hearing is scheduled for April 2.
The United States does not have an extradition treaty with Samoa.
It will petition the Samoan government to deliver the other three
defendants to the United States.
The indictment alleges that FOC employed recruiters in Samoa to
persuade birth parents to place their children in an international
adoption. These parents allegedly were induced to participate in the
- The adoption program was created by the U.S. government or by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to assist families in
Samoa that were struggling financially or desired that their children
be educated abroad. Neither the government nor the church were ever
involved with FOC.
- The children would be "adopted" by a family in the United States
and remain there until age 18, then return to Samoa.
- The birth family would receive letters and photos from the
adoptive family.
- The birth relatives might receive money either from FOC or the
adoptive family until the children returned and could help take care
of them.
- The adoptive family would occasionally bring the children back
for visits.
- Siblings placed in the program would all be adopted by the same
family in the United States.
Some birth family considering placing their child in the program
were given what conspirators called "humanitarian assistance," such
as
nominal amounts of money or bags of rice, the indictment alleges. The
assistance allegedly stopped when the child was delivered to the
adoptive parents.
FOC also employed people in Utah and Wyoming to refer children to
a new family, even when the youngsters were still living with their
parents in Samoa, the indictment claims. It says the defendants
frequently fabricated statements about the birth family to convince
prospective adoptive parents that the children were living in dire
circumstances.
The indictment alleges the conspiracy began no later than March
2002 and continued through June 2005. The children ranged in age from
infants to 12 years old.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The
investigation is ongoing.

[0:-]]

On 25 Mar 2007 14:33:43 -0700, "Greegor" <***@gmail.com> wrote:
...prior questions and challenges.

Are your questions answered now, Greg?

How did it come out, in your mind. Was this a government agency?

Can you read?

Post by Greegor
Posted by Daniel and Elizabeth Case Mar 1, 6:19 pm
Newsgroups: alt.adoption.agency
Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:19:53 GMT
Local: Thurs, Mar 1 2007 6:19 pm
Subject: Even More on Focus On Children
I can't say I'm sorry to read this. They got what was coming to
them.
Utah agency indicted in Samoa adoption scam
By Pamela Manson
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 03/01/2007 04:51:59 PM MST
Posted: 4:54 PM- Operators of a private adoption agency in Utah are
accused of duping parents in Samoa into giving them their children
and
then falsely describing the youngsters as orphans to prospective
adoptive parents in the United States.
More than 80 children were illegally taken from their families by
conspirators working through the Wellsville office of Focus on
Children (FOC), according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday.
The agency allegedly charged the adoptive parents a fee of $13,000 to
facilitate the adoption and immigration of a Samoan child.
Both sides of the adoption process had acted in good faith,
authorities said. The alleged fraud leaves the status of the children
and their placement in U.S. homes, including some in Utah and
Wyoming,
uncertain.
"For the birth parents in Samoa, who believed they were only
temporarily releasing their children, the pain in palpable," Thomas
Depenbrock, of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic
Security, said at a Thursday news conference in Salt Lake City. "For
the adoptive parents accepting children they were told were uncared
for and in need of good homes, the deceit is shocking."
U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman said authorities are working
to put the birth parents and adoptive parents in touch to discuss a
resolution. If no agreement is reached, courts in either or
Advertisement
both countries might become involved in determining on a case-by-case
basis who gets legal custody of the adoptees.
"It is impossible to articulate how deep the pain is," Tolman said
of families on both sides.
The indictment charges FOC and seven individuals with a total of
135 counts: Two of conspiracy, 37 of bringing in illegal aliens to
the
United States; 37 of encouraging or inducing illegal aliens to come
to, enter or reside in the United States; 34 of fraud and misuse of
visas; 19 of laundering of monetary instruments; and six of monetary
transactions in property derived from unlawful activity.
Named as defendants are Scott Banks, 46, of Wellsville; Karen
Banks, 45, Wellsville; Dan Wakefield, 70, a U.S. citizen living in
Apia, Samoa; Tagaloa Ieti, 44, Samoa; Julie Tuiletufuga, age unknown,
Samoa; Coleen Bartlett, 40, Evanston, Wyo.; Karalee Thornock, 34,
Tooele; and FOC.
Scott Banks, Karen Banks, Bartlett and Thornock had court
appearances Thursday morning before U.S. Magistrate David Nuffer in
Salt Lake City. The government did not seek detention pending
resolution of the case; the next hearing is scheduled for April 2.
The United States does not have an extradition treaty with Samoa.
It will petition the Samoan government to deliver the other three
defendants to the United States.
The indictment alleges that FOC employed recruiters in Samoa to
persuade birth parents to place their children in an international
adoption. These parents allegedly were induced to participate in the
- The adoption program was created by the U.S. government or by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to assist families in
Samoa that were struggling financially or desired that their children
be educated abroad. Neither the government nor the church were ever
involved with FOC.
- The children would be "adopted" by a family in the United States
and remain there until age 18, then return to Samoa.
- The birth family would receive letters and photos from the
adoptive family.
- The birth relatives might receive money either from FOC or the
adoptive family until the children returned and could help take care
of them.
- The adoptive family would occasionally bring the children back
for visits.
- Siblings placed in the program would all be adopted by the same
family in the United States.
Some birth family considering placing their child in the program
were given what conspirators called "humanitarian assistance," such
as
nominal amounts of money or bags of rice, the indictment alleges. The
assistance allegedly stopped when the child was delivered to the
adoptive parents.
FOC also employed people in Utah and Wyoming to refer children to
a new family, even when the youngsters were still living with their
parents in Samoa, the indictment claims. It says the defendants
frequently fabricated statements about the birth family to convince
prospective adoptive parents that the children were living in dire
circumstances.
The indictment alleges the conspiracy began no later than March
2002 and continued through June 2005. The children ranged in age from
infants to 12 years old.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The
investigation is ongoing.

[Greegor]

Post by 0:-]
Was this a government agency?

I thought I asked if it was a CONTRACTOR!

[0:-]]

Post by Greegor

Post by 0:-]
Was this a government agency?

I thought I asked if it was a CONTRACTOR!

I thought you knew what you asked. 0:]

Apparently you still can't get it right.

So, what you asked?
Did you get it answered by reading the article?

If not then I've nothing to contribute. I'm not a reading skills
teacher.

If you found something YOU think makes them what you questioned they
might be, then speak right up.

'Fraid to?

0:]

[Greegor]

What do you think about these SCAM adoption agencies Kane?

What do you think about the international adoption agencies
that are NOT scams?

Doesn't all of this indicate quite a DRIVING FORCE to
obtain kids for people to adopt?

The scammers know just how desperate and
obsessed people can get to possess kids.
If there wasn't a strong market pressure the
scammers wouldn't be swarming around it.

[0:-]]

Post by Greegor
What do you think about these SCAM adoption agencies Kane?

You wouldn't be insinuating that I approve, now would you, Greg?

Post by Greegor
What do you think about the international adoption agencies
that are NOT scams?

They meet a need at both ends.

Post by Greegor
Doesn't all of this indicate quite a DRIVING FORCE to
obtain kids for people to adopt?

Wouldn't I be silly to deny that?

I don't suggest grocery stores are unethical because they meet a
driving need to appease human hunger, Greg.

Post by Greegor
The scammers know just how desperate and
obsessed people can get to possess kids.

No doubt. I've seen grocery prices in poorer neighborhoods so bad, and
the quality of produce so lousy, and the service an insult to the
locals (armed uniformed security...for shit sake) that I wrote the
major grocery chain a letter of complaint.

I considered THEM scammers, Greg.

Post by Greegor
If there wasn't a strong market pressure the
scammers wouldn't be swarming around it.

I've been in a number of businesses over the years, Greg. Not a single
one lack that factor we business people refer to as 'demand.'

Where there scammers?

I helped put one I bought a business from in a federal penitentiary
for a few years.

He sold a product to the government, and delivered a much cheaper
knock off. I knew the product lines well, and helped them sort out the
inventory from the orders and bills of lading.

They did not match.

Do you know of any business where there are not scammers? Big or
small?

So, tell me, Greg, how does that make this issue of the private
PRIVATE adoption agency any more or less my responsibility, Greg?

You seem to want me to 'take a stand,' when you ask questions such as:

"What do you think about these SCAM adoption agencies Kane?" and,
"What do you think about the international adoption agencies
that are NOT scams?"

Have you ever seen me champion criminal acts?

Of course I know where your mind just dodged to.

I argue with you on the criminality or lack thereof, but if a crime is
clearly seen you've never seen ME defend it, Greg.

So why would you think I'd defend these crimes in the article?

Or where you just wanting to chat?

So tell us, Greg. Was this a government contractor, or not?

0:]