At Fanime this year staff came out, illegally searched us, illegally detained us, assaulted me when I tried to leave, broke into an expensive locked humidor, stole all the money for gas and for the hotel room I put together, and severely damaged my cigar collection. The total amount for these damages and losses is in the neighborhood of $2,000.
I've tried to get in touch with Fanime every way I can, the emails listed on the site, mods and what not here, and all to no avail. All I'm ever told is, "Oh... we're discussing it." What the hell could they be discussing? Trying to figure out who did this? Irrelevant I say, she was representing Fanime at the time which is what counts. Moreover there was been multiple reports of this woman's flagrant disregard of her actual position and power. And further more, Fanime should have lists of people working and when they are, it should take 5 minutes to figure out who did this. If Fanime does not keep records of who is working when, then that's their own fault.
What would you do in my position?
Oh, found the thread, here's a link: http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,9961.0.html
QuoteSo... My convention was amazing, sans the last night, here's my story.
Sunday night my friend invited me to a room party, we went, and yes, there was some drinking, but I've spoken with staff, they just want to keep that out of the convention center. I was more than happy to oblige, I love Fanime, and I want it to go on unimpeded by idiots.
Eventually the party broke up, and we headed down to go outside and have a smoke. I brought my humidor which is basically a fancy cigar box with a lock. They are expensive. We were sitting outside and my friend asked what kind of cognac we had had. It was in my bag, where staff had said it was OK to keep, I slipped it out for a second to show him, then put it away. Perhaps in this instant someone saw, and told staff, but about 5 minutes later, they came directly out to us and started snatching bags and stuff. For those of you who do not know the law, this is illegal, a material witness is not probable cause enough to start searching bags.
They said something about weed, asked what we were smoking, I stepped up and tried to calm things down, i opened my humidor and let them smell, no weed. However... in that humidor was all the money for my room and gas and everything. They told us we couldn't have the bottle, I said that staff had told us as long as it was in a bag it was fine, and they were the ones who had it out and open. I then said I'd love to leave, Fanime had nothing to do with this, and I said that we would leave before anything happened. Staff told us we couldn't leave, and when I said they couldn't hold me (legally they can't) i was shoved back into my seat... that's assault.
SJPD eventually showed up, and I took all the drama away from everyone else. Of the two staffers, there was a woman, over weight, brunette, and I think she was wearing a red shirt? She was out to get me. It sounds stupid, but... I own a car... so CLEARLY I was going to try to drive around. She said I got in trouble last year, that she recognized my jacket. Yes, my jacket is very recognizable, it's very flashy, and it was very costly... however it's brand new from this year's Winter line and simply didn't exist last year, which means it being so recognizable meant she couldn't have seen it or anything like it! It was totally totally ridiculous.
So, I left with the SJPD (just to a quieter place, not arrested or anything) and while staff forced me to take my bag, because they knew it had questionable things (the bottle) they refused to let me take my humidor. After the SJPD decided this was stupid, they let me go back to my room with not even a warning. I was tired, this had taken a while and been stressful... however I did notice something interesting.
When I left the area with the SJPD and got my humidor back... the lock had been broken, and all the money for my room and gas had mysteriously vanished. As had a lighter a friend had gotten for my as a gift, and many of the cigars were crushed, as though the box had been searched. My losses are as follows:
$500 for the room
$150 for gas (freaking premium)
$70 for the lighter
$400 for the ruined humidor
$400 (EDIT: AFTER REVIEWING THE LIST I MADE BEFORE THE CON IT'S JUST OVER $600, AN ITEMIZED LIST CAN BE FOUND FURTHER DOWN) for all cigars ruined by crushing them, and others ruined by the humidor being broken open and the seal being destroyed (you must keep cigars at the right temperature and humidity otherwise they split, and can go through other nasty stuff).
Code:
10 - 5 Vegas Classic Churchill
10 - 5 Vegas Gold Series Churchill
10 - 5 Vegas Series 'A' Apostle
14 various - The Acid collectors tin.
1 - 5 Vegas Gold Series Toro
1 - CAO Gold Robusto
1 - Carlos Torano Casa Torano Toro
1 - CI Legends by Puros Indios
1 - Cusano 18 Double Connecticut Robusto
1 - Fonseca 5-50
1 - Gurkha Symphony
1 - Gurkha Gran Reserva Connecticut Robusto
1 - La Aurora Cameroon Robusto
1 - La Tradicion Perdomo Reserve Champagne 'R'
1 - Romeo y Julieta 1875 Bully
1 - Rocky Patel Connecticut Toro
1 - Camacho Corojo Limited 08/22
1 - CAO Italia Positano
1 - Cusano 18 Double Connecticut Robusto
1 - Don Pepin Garcia Blue Generosos
1 - Gurkha Legend Aniversario
1 - Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Toro Maduro
1 - Joya de Nicaragua Celebracion Consul
1 - MAXX By Alec Bradley 'The Fix'
1 - Oliva Serie 'G' Toro
1 - Padilla Signature 1932 Corona Gorda
1 - Power by Felipe Gregorio Triple R
1 - Rocky Patel Sun Grown
1 - Vegas de Fonseca Sobrino
1 - Romeo y Julieta 1875 Toro
1 - Don Diego Toro
1 - H. Upmann Toro
1 - Montecristo Platinum Toro
1 - Onyx Reserve Toro
1 - Romeo y Julieta Reserve Maduro Toro
1 - Santa Damiana Toro
1 - Royal Jamaica Maduro Toro
3 - El Mejor Emerald Robusto
3 - El Mejor Espresso Robusto
3 - 5 Vegas Gold Robusto
3 - 5 Vegas Classic Robusto
A tin of 5 Vegas Shorty (8 to a tin I think)
15 - Gurkha Master's Select Robusto #4
+20 various others I had in another box I forgot to count but found just before the con.
Seriously, I know Fanime isn't as well backed as cons like Expo, but random nerds as staff isn't going to cut it. People who have probably been beneath everyone else for most of their lives suddenly getting power over everyone else? I'm honestly not surprised that there are people who would do this, but I am appalled that Fanime would let them on staff.
I've had issues with Fanime authority in the past, some crap with an ex mod, and there's been a group of people, though it's a pretty small one, who's been against me ever since. Perhaps this is related? Even so though, this is totally ridiculous, many of my rights were violated, and though I love Fanime to death, this is really it, and I don't know if I'll be attending again.
Quote from: justkitteh on June 25, 2008, 07:38:02 PM
I made another thread, but it was locked because things were getting "off topic" and now it's gone.
At Fanime this year staff came out, illegally searched us, illegally detained us, assaulted me when I tried to leave, broke into an expensive locked humidor, stole all the money for gas and for the hotel room I put together, and severely damaged my cigar collection. The total amount for these damages and losses is in the neighborhood of $2,000.
What would you do in my position?
I would file a report. An actual report. With FACTS. Such vague, one-sided hearsay is useless, and quite frankly, laughable.
Would you care to specify, and give us proof that you were Illegally searched', 'illegal detained' and 'assalted'? You can't just throw words like these around without proof ( or at least a witness, date, time,SOMETHING) to back it up with. That's called liable (sp) and that IS illegal.
Furthermore, even if this did happen it wasn't without reason. You must have done SOMETHING to earn this so called treatment.
Why don't you collect some facts, witnesses, and something a detailed description of events and some evidence and try again.
Quote from: Yuu on June 25, 2008, 08:26:31 PM
Quote from: justkitteh on June 25, 2008, 07:38:02 PM
I made another thread, but it was locked because things were getting "off topic" and now it's gone.
At Fanime this year staff came out, illegally searched us, illegally detained us, assaulted me when I tried to leave, broke into an expensive locked humidor, stole all the money for gas and for the hotel room I put together, and severely damaged my cigar collection. The total amount for these damages and losses is in the neighborhood of $2,000.
What would you do in my position?
I would file a report. An actual report. With FACTS. Such vague, one-sided hearsay is useless, and quite frankly, laughable.
Would you care to specify, and give us proof that you were Illegally searched', 'illegal detained' and 'assalted'? You can't just throw words like these around without proof ( or at least a witness, date, time,SOMETHING) to back it up with. That's called liable (sp) and that IS illegal.
Furthermore, even if this did happen it wasn't without reason. You must have done SOMETHING to earn this so called treatment.
Why don't you collect some facts, witnesses, and something a detailed description of events and some evidence and try again.
Those were all over in the original topic, which I linked to.
We were smoking cigars, perhaps staff thought it was weed, interestingly enough staff cannot detain anyone for anything. So even if that was what we were doing, it wasn't, they could not have done so! There were a good number of people out there, and though I don't know all of them, I do know a few.
Furthermore, that staff member was shoving people around in the dance and tearing clothing, etc, etc... from the sound of it, one can simply say oh,s he was over worked, blah blah blah...
Realistically though, knowing the people who attend these conventions, she was downtrodden her whole life, made fun of throughout school and so on... suddenly being in a position of power she abused it. It's not unlikely nor is it unreasonable.
EDIT: There, I quoted my post, cause I know clicking links before jumping to conclusions can be difficult.
Quote from: justkitteh on June 25, 2008, 07:38:02 PM
I made another thread, but it was locked because things were getting "off topic" and now it's gone.
The thread was never deleted, and the thread was getting off-topic as evidenced by all the speculation.
QuoteAt Fanime this year staff came out, illegally searched us, illegally detained us, assaulted me when I tried to leave, broke into an expensive locked humidor, stole all the money for gas and for the hotel room I put together, and severely damaged my cigar collection. The total amount for these damages and losses is in the neighborhood of $2,000.
Back up these accusations, or don't make them, ever again. It's one thing to call our staff rough around the edges; accusing staff of illegal behavior is another, so make damn sure you know what you're talking about. You open yourself up to legal action by FanimeCon by making claims like that.
QuoteI've tried to get in touch with Fanime every way I can, the emails listed on the site, mods and what not here, and all to no avail. All I'm ever told is, "Oh... we're discussing it." What the hell could they be discussing? Trying to figure out who did this?
We were discussing who was involved, what could have happened, and our response.
QuoteWhat would you do in my position?
File a complaint with the police against the person you allege stole your property.
Don't forget the details, like that you were 1) on convention premises without a badge, 2) are under 21 but were carrying cognac, 3) were displaying the alcohol to other, underage people, 4) were carrying alcohol at an event that 4a) doesn't allow alcohol and 4b) doesn't allow outside food and drink anyway, and 5) that there were six other people present who could have stolen your things.
As a guy who has been pretty drunk a few times, let me give you a piece of advice: if you've just
got to do some underage drinking in the middle of the night with a group of underage people you don't know,
don't carry over $2,000 of stuff on you.
Quote from: Tony on June 25, 2008, 09:07:22 PM
Don't forget the details, like that you were 1) on convention premises without a badge, 2) are under 21 but were carrying cognac, 3) were displaying the alcohol to other, underage people, 4) were carrying alcohol at an event that 4a) doesn't allow alcohol and 4b) doesn't allow outside food and drink anyway, and 5) that there were six other people present who could have stolen your things.
Just as I suspected. This is why I never, EVER form an opinion without having all the details.
Underage drinking IS illegal so I have no sympathy for this person what-so-ever, in fact it serves him right. If anything he should be glad he was'nt banned form fanime.
In any case, it didn't involve me so thats all I've got to so that's all Ive got to say/
Quote from: Tony on June 25, 2008, 09:07:22 PM
Quote from: justkitteh on June 25, 2008, 07:38:02 PMI've tried to get in touch with Fanime every way I can, the emails listed on the site, mods and what not here, and all to no avail. All I'm ever told is, "Oh... we're discussing it." What the hell could they be discussing? Trying to figure out who did this?
We were discussing who was involved, what could have happened, and our response.
As much as I wanted to avoid this, I'm going to have to go with Tony on this one, not only because I trust my department leads when they say they will take care of these issues, but also because one of my department leads has already responded to your thread regarding the woman you described and informed you that he is looking into it as well.
I would really like to say more on this especially with your gripe for Fanime authority and the like, but because of the nature of this thread, I'm not really allowed to say any more, other than to reassure you that Tony and the rest of the staff(especially the SoS seconds/heads) who addressed your issue are very credible people and if they say they are still investigating the issue, then that's what they are doing, despite other Fanime-related things that they may be doing.
Asides from all that stuff, I personally do hope that you find the solution you need.
Again, I know my point wasn't a convincing point, but this is really all that I am allowed to say...