It was a show that was staged with the intention of giving Dominicans living in New York a taste of local calypso but the matter is now before a US Court.
Showdown Mas Camp, NYC Invasion was held on August 10th, 2013 and it appears that the proceeds from the show have become a major sticking point to organizers.
Owner of Showdown Mas Camp, Pat Aaron and Burnham Stowe filed a joint Civil lawsuit against Marlon Giraudel, a promoter of the event, in a New York court claiming US$25,000.00 (EC$67,922.50), after the men were unable to resolve a dispute which arose over the proceeds of the show.
The summons #058089/13, a copy of which was obtained by DNO, claims “Parties contracted for the sale of the tickets and related items to the plaintiffs’ concert. The Defendant refused to give the Plaintiffs their share of the proceeds from the sale of tickets and related items. The amount demanded (US$25,000.00) represents the Plaintiffs share of proceeds.”
Stowe, who Dominica News Online has learned, was a major investor in the event, said in a statement sent to DNO, that it is time for people to be held liable for their behavior. “Unfortunately, we have become a society plagued with individuals who are not held liable for indulging in reckless behavior, false reporting, and in general frivolous acts. We as a society are guilty of promoting unsubstantiated comments. It is time that every individual be held liable for their irresponsible behavior,” he stated.
He pointed out that the NYC Showdown is not under the microscope. “There has never been and will not be any charges against NYC Showdown but individuals who find it “KOOL” to attempt to tarnish the names of others. It simply will not fly,” he noted. “Empty barrels make the most noise. This statement has been validated time and time again. We have entertained so many uncanny acts that we have become too tolerable of unscrupulous deeds, unnecessary criticism of Country, Government, Religion and each other.”
According to Stowe, while speech is a free gift, everyone is obligated to take responsibility for “uncouth behavior.”
“With this in mind, enough is enough. Individuals will be held liable for their actions, especially when they have gone to the extent of blatant propaganda. Let us not forget those who initiated the accusations. It is my hope that they intend to aggressively substantiate their acts and firmly stand their ground,” he said. “In culmination, we need to grow as a people, and be conscientious of those who will stop at nothing but to destroy each other through actions, words and deeds. We need to sow seeds of the positive, criticize constructively, and at the same time hold each other accountable for attempting to germinate seeds of destruction.”
But Giraudel is defiant. “I don’t need anyone’s authority and permission to determine that one plus one does not equal three,” he said. “Whether you are a famous prolific writer or an irrelevant and insignificant front man for that writer, the fact remains the same and will be decided when the matter is heard in court. No amount of long speeches and fancy words will remove the title of front man from person who chooses to fight the battle for others. I was taught by my mom that I should never condone or support greed and dictatorship of any kind. Let’s all await the courts hearing and the judge will decide the outcome based on the evidence so presented.”
In a statement to DNO, Aaron sought to explain the basis for his lawsuit. “The whole situation evolved from this show which we as a group, Marlon, Burnham and myself, aided by a three friends who lent us( $2000.00) a piece with the clear understanding that these friends would get their money back before any payments were made after the show.”
He said Giraudel was the main promoter of the show, and concedes that he did a good job in that capacity. “But what he did was since he sold the most tickets ( he and the people who sold tickets for him), he kept the money, paid the 3 calypsonians who stayed with him at $400 each, which was much too much based on the monies we made, and kept the balance for himself. As a result, the 5 other calypsonians did not get paid”, Aaron reported. He said Giraudel refused to come in after the show “so we could sit and finalize everything which is the way these things are done. I had to repay the loans to which I had to add a significant amount of my money to make it up”, he said adding that he and Burnham, the biggest investor, ‘were left holding the empty bag’.
“He took to the airwaves on the offensive and accused Burnham’s family and my family of financial misappropriation”. he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Showdown Mas Camp owner and prolific song writer has said that the entire matter is not about money but respect. “People who know me and those who have dealt with me know that I am neither greatly moved nor phased by money,” he said in a statement. “My main source of income is from tax preparation. Music has no net profit for me. As a matter of fact I support the music from my other professional income. I have helped many artists through the years and I continue to invest my personal finances into this because this is what I love. I may be a bad business- man but I wouldn’t change for the world.”
According to Aaron, Giraudel is one of many Dominicans who have benefited from his “principled living.”
“I know and respect Marlon’s mother and it took quite some consideration before I could bring myself to this decision, but respect and my good name are more important to me than money,” he said.
See copy of the suit below.
YES. all you doh want to put my comment up but doh worry. Is preference all you have.
Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Pat look Topics for 2014
1. Marlon on his own
2. Who respecting the respector
3. Big haul or small haul ?
5. Ah putting me Law -Suit
6. Dey singing the Blues
7. Wash your foot but stay outside
loololololol
5.
For many years Dominicans pickets have suffered here in Ny, at the hands of real and so called”promoters.” Some promoters advertise artists/bands and accept your money for shows, even when they know these bands are having visa issues and are not in NY at the time of the events. During Labor Day weekend is the worst! You see tons of fliers with the same artists and different venues, booked for the same night. How in the world is that supposed to happens? It’s unfortunate that we would like to support those artists, but we always get played!! It’s unprofessional! No one apologizes for “no shows” or even gives your money back!!! A few extra dollars will not give allu eternal life!!! Voller
Before allu get on me, I can spell. It’s “pockets* typos happen
ask pat how much artist he pay last season
ask pat if he pay bobby and psu
ask pat if he pay john and jane doe
pat you sue
pat u foo
Contract, contract, contract an oral agreement is legal and binding. Here: do the research for yourself.
http://myadvocates.com/business-disputes/broken-oral-agreements
http://www.lawfirms.com/resources/business/contracts/the-validity-oral-contracts.htm
A verbal agreement is just as good as a written contract. Tell them.
rubbish, at no time a verbal agreement is just as good as a written contract. what type of proof can you present in court with a verbal agreement.
REALLY
pat I hope you learn your lesson with these young people
It look like is pat best friend that moderating the comment cause he or shebwill not publish my comment and they no is the truth am writing,way to go but I will still find a way to tell the truth.
Marlon, I hope you are right because if you lose and really took more cash than you declared, guess who coming for you next! Uncle Sam for unpaid taxes and undeclared income. That would be a felony, not a civil fine.
ok knowlan
Unless they just want the opportunity to call Matt in the Morning from New York, I don’t understand why they continue to go to NY. Hmmm, interesting. One female promoter in New Yorker got away with theft and conning artists and other promoters for year. So I guess everyone trying a ting.
Promoters, need to get a life, a job and integrity. This is no way to try to make money. The love of money will always be the root of all evil.
I still do not understand for the life of me, why Dominican artists continue to rush to New York to do shows. Year after year, they continue to suffer at the hands of promoters. They hardly get paid after the promoters rob them.
but atleats marlon ensure the artist who lived at him got paid and thats what pat and knowland and burnham vex about
Because they think they will make more money in NY, or better yet, the people in NY are more easily scammed.
Is this for real? Names and dates are wrong? was this filed by a clerk for real real real?
so Pat and his partner doe realize that then. 23/9/2003? ah wah
Even the date stamp needs ink. It is not as legible as it should be. What type of person prepared this summons? This is real negligence.
I noticed. Do they not know the wrong spelling of a name can get a case dismissed? The Defendant can easily claim he do not know, and has never affiliated with any Pat Aarow.
Marlon is caught between a rock and a hard stone with respect to people who may comment on this story. I am not surprised at all what I see so far, but let me explain why…
We have 3 people involved here:
1) A young handsome energic guy, who constantly gives our Party the DLP blows on a weekly basis. Every nonsense story Matt and them come up with, he takes it and runs with it like it’s the Gospel. And when people like myself and all the others posting the comments and liking comments against him, try to defend our Party, he gets heated up and 50% of the times the conversation gets out of control. I am being fair to him, because I have seen some of his political exchanges and he kept it civil. Those that were not kept civil, appears to have left a scare in the minds of Supporters of my party, the Dominica Labour Party.
2) A song writer whose main aim is to write songs against our beloved PM. After every carnival season, there is a “roro” about calypsonians not getting paid..or not getting the right pay. After every carnival season, there is concern over how sponsorship was used, how much was really received and the value of those prices to apply to the figure being announced for the Winner of Champ of the Camp. There was a big controversy with Sye about a watch and a TV resulting in the writer refusing to work with him the following year as a form of punishment for him going to the sponsors to verify the value of the watch and tv.
3) A so-called “promoter” who many people may or may not know has the same issues coming out of every event he held to the point where people living in NY refuse to attend any of he and “Mo..Jno..” events……….It has become so bad that once people hear is mr. event, they don’t go.
So the news broke now, that the famous Marlon is being sued for USD 25 thousand dollars over proceeds from a show with the 2 gentlemen involved.
Obvious reaction from my fellow Labourites? “I glad”, “that good for him”, “it was time somebody shut him up” “he always giving skerrit blows, take that ah chow”
But what is interesting is that, the UWPites would most likely NOT speak in favor of Marlon because of who is filing the suit. “The Great Patriot” who gives them songs to use in their vicious campaign against PM Skerrit. They have seen Pat as some type of “honest” and flawless person who can identify “wrong doing” of another person so well and put it in song so nicely. He is like a hero to them and they look forward to his writings from year-to-year. I personally consider him to be an element of the Dominica Opposition. So who the hell is Marlon to step on this Patriot’s toes?
I will look at this matter based on its merit. As we may have forgotten, this matter came up in August when MARLON decided to email Pat and whoever was involved in the show demanding an explanation of what happened with respect to money collected on the night of the show, from sponsorship and ticket sales. A well put together email was read on Matt Peltier’s Q95 program where Marlon gave a complete breakdown of what was done on his end, calling for a general meeting with Pat, Stowe and whoever else. I recall clearly, the writer’s wife calling into that program and stated that her husband told her “it is marlon show, so stay out of its planning” since the wife and marlon don’t get along. I also remember the writer himself admitting that he did not really invest in the show and he was not interested and that it was Marlon’s idea to do the show and he allowed marlon to use the “mas camp brand”
So my question is, why are they now trying to sue the man claiming it was their show and he withheld their share from them? In my humble opinion, I see this case going absolutely nowhere but in the garbage bin that the writer wrote about. It appears to me that these men are only trying to punish the young man because he stood up to their USUAL habits when they hold concerts. They are suing for share of proceeds, but telling the media they are suing because of disrespect. The suit is specific and specifically states what the 25 thousand represent. But to play on the minds and emotions of the people, they come with this explanation about “respect”.
Marlon, this should be a lesson to you. Haven’t you asked yourself, why did no member of the UWP whom you go all out campaigning for reached out to the writer and tell him to stop this madness? While you are constantly campaigning for them, creating enemies for yourself, they are now turning a blind eye when 2 disgruntled men have all guns aiming at you to destroy you for daring to challenge their usual questionable activity when they hold concerts. I hope you learn your lesson and you leave those UWP people alone. They have no regard for you. They favor the writer over you. I would go on to say that they even are in favor of what the writer is trying to do to you because Silence is consent. You must never forget that you blasted the boycott after the 2009 elections. Them fellas never forgive you Marlon even if they know the that boycott was a dismal failure.
So from all angles, you are going to get blows. I hope that you have all your documentation, proof and evidence in order. I heard you told matt that you and your lawyer are “250% ready”. Everyone patiently awaits the outcome of this one. I personally will be following this one very very closely. I do not like your attacks on my party, but I believe this lawsuit is frivolous, vexatious and baseless. Fellow supporters of the DLP, I urge you to stand back a little and allow the process to go on. Marlon will more than likely come out victorious based on information that I personally received from the writer’s circle.
I await Patiently.
This makes a lot of sense. Except I do not understand why you insist on making this a UWP issue or a DLP issue for that matter. Is it really that?
You are trying to comment on the article or you are trying to make it a political football. I fed up with labourites always diving Dominica over politics and then playing righteous. God will deal with all the wickedness you all are doing to this country in the name of politics.
I was impressed with your comments . . . until you made it about POLITICS! REALLY???
Everything is about DLP or UWP???
All parties involved is to be blamed,another case of mismanagement and disorganization.These are ambitious and intelligent men,long live calypso,change is a must not an option !!!
I hope this class action suite will caught the attention of all the promoters .
Because for too long I have seen performers chasing promoters for their moneys after a show.
Allu want peepeing to respond to everything. You may have noticed peeping only responds to sensible matters.
The gentlemen should resolved this behind doors DNO is now an international online newspapaer. More wisdom should have been used. Anyways good job DNO now face no partiality. Do the same closer to elections on all matters
Whoever prepared the summons is extremely negligent; an incompetent clerk or whoever that person is. Should be fired for these major errors. Unbelievable! There are three errors in it and the year 2003; 2013 not shown. Summons are to be free of errors; perfect as ever. The judge/magistrate may throw it out of Court because of those errors in names and year. Or another proper one will have to be prepared which will cause a delay in this case. Let us wait and see. I wish the plaintiffs good luck.
At the end of the day everybody loses and the only winners are the lawyers. One third goes to the lawyers if the plaintiff wins. If they are not successful with their claim, then lawyers for both sides get paid. This really is disgraceful but I agree with he plaintiff if theft or exploitation was involved.
You have no idea how many Dominicans exploited their brothers in the construction industry here in New York City, all because they knew their brothers had no choice because of legal status.
Can’t comment. Don’t have the knack for reading long essays. Good luck guys.
Dominicans, Dominicans, Dominicans, they never change same habit where ever they go.
Leave the blues fight it out in the mud eh!!!
Three most important points to consider:
1. There was no contract duly executed
2. There was no contract duly executed
3. There was no contract duly executed
Sorry Pat… no contract, no defense.
You think they have me in this chair because I am cute? Where is the contract? There was no contract your worship, O well sorry, cant help you! You all deserve each other, Good byeeeeee lol
Good,Bad and the Ugly..All three was on a mission with the same motive.(Money).
While you all are at it give us the address for next year show. Some come for the rum and the party, others come and get cool wosh. Hope we the patrons get our just dues for putting up with this for so long. Something got to give– give to caser what is due to him.
Well yes money is really the root of evil name has nothing to do with this is about money.
DNO, why didn’t you black out the plaintiffs address?
This is on the word wide web.
Even you hide behind your computers, laptops, mobile phones etc you can still tell those bashing and lambasting you here Marlon. Leh ban mayshaystay. Those who continually sing for your supper and those who believe that Skerrit is God. Affix your names to your comments. Everyone knows you to be vocal on any matter you take on. My advise to those freedom now turn labourites singing for their supper is to do the same and stop hide behind your phony names. Marlon I have known you from Massacre from long time and I know your mother raised you right and I believe that you will be vindicated once and for all and then we’ll have see what these singing for their supper Labourites have to sing for. Be assured that if GOD goes before you none of them can put you down. God bless you!
No one is mayshaystay he did it to himself.
Trouble in you all’s camp, SOUGHT IT OUT!!!!!!!!!
i cant wait for carnival 2014
Karma has no deadline; Marlon dont never know when and where to draw the line in his name calling: it is time that someone give him a FULLSTOP.; Karma has no deadline; we sow what we rip; Goodluck to Pat and Stowe
Marlon boy you may just hhave the last laugh. Just ignore all these crazy comments from people who dislike u for different reasons. You’re a handsome intelligent straight shooter. That’s a recipe for many haters. Knowing u, I bet u just smile and laugh or I can picture u saying “look at those baboons” lol s that same lang sal that have ppl giving u pawol now but u my boyfor life still!
Take it easy love. We passing by the gig sunday! We drinking 25 beers on pat and burnham. Then we pissing on them ignorant people who taking sides without information. Boy u have a haters eh.
@ met yo boss I have more respect for Marlon than pat so I don’t know where u coming with DLP people at least he let u know where he stand even if most the time he’s wrong,the other one write and let people sing it for him those are the ones am scared of like the one that stayed behind a mic and spread hate but now things bad they put him in the limelight.
We reap what we sow.
Marlon Girau-Gel………dats d rite name u get in d endin of d letter…smh…bhave urself boi.
Watch how they spelled giraudel..(GIRAUGEL) spelled correctly because his MOUTH is his problem… he too infront… lol
Mr. Aaron & Mr. Stowe, I agree 100% plus with you all. We as Dominicans NEED to fully understand the impact of irresponsible behaviors and be held accountable. While DA is no where close to the US,(not putting down my island at all) I hope our Justice System can try to copy a page from the US and see how quickly an issue can go to court.I have a similar or even bigger issue where I hired a Builder in Dominica to build my house, I did every thing by the Books and instead from the Bank, Quantity Surveyor to Builder did everything against what should have been done.I am presently pursuing legal consultation here in the US as the Builder is a permanent resident and some monies were paid to his and his wife US Account. With all the Politics we are talking about, Policies need to be out in place to protect Consumers.
pat I hope you learn your lesson with those young people
marlon was the one who called q95 and say tickets going like hot bread come n get yours…but that good for him.i see marlon give a woman so much on her personal life on fb…bashing the govt for any lil thing..the table have turned ..take dat..
So because Marlon supports UWP, there is no justice for him? zor pas feb en Dominique
marlon does spend too much time on facebook bashing ppl and the govt thinking he know more than ppl.u cannot put nothing on fb for mr not to object…#facebookpoliticalpolice
karma is a female dog
So that is why Marlon hate skerrit he was taught to hate
greed and dictatorship
That Marlon there not the mouth piece for the UWP nuh the same Party supported by Aaron? Ebeh look roro
So because 2 people support the same party they have to agree on everything? SMH thats small minded thinking right there.
SMALL MINDED. BIG TIME
@Anonymous: What does UWP have to do with a private matter between 2/3 individuals? What qualifies Marlon to be the mouth piece for the UWP? Is he the P.R.O of the party? Can’t he just be a regular supporter making a contribution to political discussions? Doesn’t he have the right so to do, just like you? So if any supporter of the labor party should get in some trouble, are you saying they should be referred to as the mouth piece of the labor party too? This party political diatribe that is brought into every situation, even private civil matters; is what clouds the judgment and decision making ability of Dominicans. This is why we are where we are now.
You must be retarded.SMDH
The issue is not a political one….how did you get that from reading the news piece????
wow. wow. Annonymous, you are just amazing. wow.
very narrow minded.
WHY ARE YOU ALL FIGHTING DOWN A YOUNG MAN TRYING TO PROGRESS? OMG
But who is Pat ARROw nah……
Is that I finding there…2 parties names are spelt incorrectly on this legal document can it even stand???
There is such a thing called “Application To Ammend Affidavit”. This therefore means that they can go before the judge and ask that it br ammended/corrected.
All I will say to Pat and Stowe…… You’ll should have let the matter rest since . Marlon is a very honest person and is HATED and DISLIKED for his honesty.
Dominicans stay tuned
Let the matter Rest that’s all we say in DA while these dishonest people keep doing all these dishonest acts.
That is one reason, what ever agreement you enter into; please have a signed contract, verbal agreements worked in the time of my grandparent not in this present time. It makes life soo much easier.
before we even proceed this summon has 2 errors….the name is shown as “PAT AAROW” and the date shows “23 September 2003”..
Error #3 Marlon Giruagel
That summon have so much mistakes SMH, September 23,2003? Pat Aarow? If the lawsuit was filed in Oct why is the interest starting in August? hmmmm
Good points you raised. It is amazing that the lawyer and county clerk missed the date, at least. Even the defendant’s last name is spelt wrongly so he could jolly well refuse to pay attention to the summons.
I think, the interest could start in August because that was when the event took place and the issue arose.
September 2003 that must have been an error on the part of the assistant who typed the summons and can be amended by the court clerk and reserve the defendant,and the interest begins from the date the sale was made, that does not have anything to do with the date the summons and complaint was filed.
The show was held in August
That Summon have so much mistakes SMH Sept 23,2003? Pat Aarow? a joke that man? stuppessss
dont forget Marlon Giraugel is it not suppose to be Giraudel?
Maybe local calypsonians should also file law suits when they not paid properly
Those workers fighting man?
doe tell me dat……The Marlon giving on Skerrit soo much he in boboll too. Is dat dat take me dere….wooosh
Well well well Mr.Giraudel you making news all where you pass. This does not sound to good for you. Take some quiet time and reflect.
Before this was submitted, didn’t they see the errors in this lawsuit? “Pat Aarow”, Marlon Giraugel”,”September 23,2003″..So can Marlon contest this?-tell them that it cannot be him, because he does not know the plaintiff,and it cannot be him, because that’s not his surname? just asking..but careful scrutiny must be made before we make any submission,whether or not someone else is doing it on our behalf.
Look bowdelle!
pat sue marlon self doe fraid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Stowe: “There has never been and will not be any charges against NYC Showdown but individuals who find it “KOOL” to attempt to tarnish the names of others. It simply will not fly…We have entertained so many uncanny acts that we have become too tolerable of unscrupulous deeds, unnecessary criticism of Country, Government, Religion and each other.”
Now, this is the co-plaintiff of the famous (or infamous) Pat Aaron. The irony is not lost.
Lennox et al will give him the $25,000.Not copy and paste he want to be doing on fb nuh.Always posting somebody’s opinion under your status like it’s his idea.
yes tell him/her hahahahahaa LOL Waw go think for your self man !!
just agree u cannot argue with the man u saying he copy paste lol
smh..u are such a fool…
Maybe like him you are too idle spending time on FB worrying about garbage. All of you are unproductive, so don’t rupture a blood vessel over his demise. You all are cut from the safe cloth in dyed coats of different colours. Meme bete, meme pwelle!
but carlise why you didnot seek the opinion from the calypsonian who may have some details on the matter like prosper, deros and trendsetter
pat remarks and that burnham sounds like drowning men grasping for straws
I am happy that Pat wants to keep his good name, but he has tarnished the good name of many others with unsubstantiated accusations. Thank God the recordings of his calypsoes are there for ALL to hear.
Well they are all entitle to the same judicial redress that Pat applies. If they choose not to take advantage of that option, you can’t blame Pat.
This is interesting reading the long speech here. What would be really interesting would be what you would uncover about others involved. talking about there actions in past similar functions and in interactions with individual people. Who the hat fit let them wear it. Now the table is turned. They got away with it in the pass because no body too them to Court Lucky… Wicked
Call Lennox and UWP to help you Marlon. You call their programs everyday lets hope they can come to your rescue.
@Concern Citizen: What does Lennox and UWP have to do with a private matter. Would you accept from someone, the advise that you give him (to call skerrit and the labor party); should you happen to find yourself in some trouble?
pat you and your boy burnham will never suceed
you guys so desperate, so you on dno now talking about good name, the suit is not defamation of character suit its a money suit , you guys wants a phantom 25,000 to pay all you bills.
tell us how you arrive at 25,000 when you claim 200 to 250 persons came to the show
the case is more than marlon selling tickets
seems you did not learn to read in school. DNO put it up for you. lol. “25000 represents plaintiffs’ share of the proceeds”. u blind? they suing the man for one thing, then telling the media is for another thing.
Patricia, in this life we living there is something called justice! We all are entitled to it