This. Lananna would undoubtedly be far better than the crew they’ve had there in the past, but he isn’t without his own baggage. He seemed to think it was perfectly normal and OK to draw multiple salaries for supposedly full time jobs all at once, and even today his apparently no-work $500K U of O gig represents a potential conflict of interest for USATF with both Oregon and Nike.
wastedmula wrote:
Everyone knows Max Siegel has a private security team, right? Also paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to have a badge entry system to get into the building, etc.
USATF's security guy also does other legitimate things for the organization, I have worked with him on an issue before. He isn't just a bodyguard for Max.
USATF has a floor in the same building USA Gymnastics does, as well as many other businesses. I have no idea if USATF paid to upgrade their security, but you don't need badges to get in the building, just to get in to their offices.
USA Today had a reporter that spent a day in the lobby of the building recently, trying to get a comment from USAG after the Bono debacle.
Privileged and Confidential wrote:
Michael Conley emailed USATF membership today stating, among other things, that “Executive session discussions are privileged and confidential.” Becca, can you or anyone explain then why Caprioti was allowed to be present in the Executive Session?
Nope. I was floored when I heard that. It is beyond inappropriate.
I haven't seen Cap at a Board Meeting since December 2014, when the Board had the initial Bob/Stephanie vote, but the vote was held in executive session, and to my knowledge he was not present during executive session. Some people thought him attending a board meeting at all was inappropriate.
LookAtFacts wrote:
Wejo, I really hope you start digging in as a journalist, because so far, the articles that have been written are one-sided and rely on "USATF activists" and other people holding on tightly to some kind of relevance, who haven't been in the room for many of these discussions and are just set on defending Vin and yelling about things. They are also speaking for athletes when they don't represent them and are not in contact with the AAC.
Call the USOC and ask what they think. Call the Oregon DOJ. Call the State of Oregon. Call Phil Knight.
Figure out why Vin was forced to resign as head of TrackTown? Do you really think it was for him to be able to "focus on the future of the sport" as he claimed?
We all love Vin for what he has done for the sport, but this issue is extremely nuanced.
If you have information you'd like to share, an email is better than a post on an anonymous message board.
wejo@letsrun.comis my email.
And from what I understand no one was allowed in the meetings? Wasn't the Vin thing in executive session.
I just don't get why they don't discuss these things openly. Hell Michael Cohen is going to testify openly tomorrow. Much more sensitive issue than any of this stuff.
Max S wrote:
This. Lananna would undoubtedly be far better than the crew they’ve had there in the past, but he isn’t without his own baggage. He seemed to think it was perfectly normal and OK to draw multiple salaries for supposedly full time jobs all at once, and even today his apparently no-work $500K U of O gig represents a potential conflict of interest for USATF with both Oregon and Nike.
I don't get this criticism about Lananna having multiple jobs. If Oregon knew he was working with Nike and Nike knew he was working with Oregon how is that a problem? They are free to hire whoever they want.
In regards to Vin taking the helm at USATF, I pointed to many conflicts of interest when he took this job. Having said that, the delegates were aware of them and still preferred him to Jackie Joyner.
Just because Vin's slate isn't clean doesn't mean the Board can do whatever it wants. Bylaws need to be followed. My read on the temporary suspension is it was designed for people who are temporarily incapacitated.
wejo wrote:
Max S wrote:
This. Lananna would undoubtedly be far better than the crew they’ve had there in the past, but he isn’t without his own baggage. He seemed to think it was perfectly normal and OK to draw multiple salaries for supposedly full time jobs all at once, and even today his apparently no-work $500K U of O gig represents a potential conflict of interest for USATF with both Oregon and Nike.
I don't get this criticism about Lananna having multiple jobs. If Oregon knew he was working with Nike and Nike knew he was working with Oregon how is that a problem? They are free to hire whoever they want.
In regards to Vin taking the helm at USATF, I pointed to many conflicts of interest when he took this job. Having said that, the delegates were aware of them and still preferred him to Jackie Joyner.
Just because Vin's slate isn't clean doesn't mean the Board can do whatever it wants. Bylaws need to be followed. My read on the temporary suspension is it was designed for people who are temporarily incapacitated.
The conflict is pulling salaries from Nike and Oregon while heading USATF, obviously.
Max S wrote:
wejo wrote:
I don't get this criticism about Lananna having multiple jobs. If Oregon knew he was working with Nike and Nike knew he was working with Oregon how is that a problem? They are free to hire whoever they want.
The conflict is pulling salaries from Nike and Oregon while heading USATF, obviously.
Not really, to me the potential issue is being able to influence public money (in U of O job) and non-profit money (in USATF) and ensure it is spent with his private company.
As a parallel: could secretary of energy hold a board position or stock in an oil company? Obviously not. Track Town USA is bidding for contracts from USATF. Nike is bidding for contracts from USATF and U of O.
Does anybody know if Max Siegel did work for the Baker Daniels law firm from 1991-1994
watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT4csJaqWxY
Listen Close Max Seigel Says directly that he worked for the Baker Daniels law firm
Also from Max's bio online: Additional Olympic-family experience includes work with USA Gymnastics, USA Skiing, USA Swimming and the Goodwill Games while he was an attorney with Indianapolis-based Baker & Daniels in the 1990s,
According to reports these guys defended and helped hide allegations against Dr. Larry Nassar as Counsel for US Gymnatics.
Mr. Jack Swarbrick (current ND athletic director) was the lead partner for the Baker Daniels Law firm now (Faegre Baker Daniels) and the last Gymnastics CEO was there 4 days because her previous employer defended Larry Nassar she worked at Faegre Baker Daniels, the same employer Max Siegel had and the very same law firm under DOJ investigation as a "target"!
First try to hire a New CEO for US Gymnastics, check out her previous employer:
https://www.vox.com/2018/10/16/17982972/usa-gymnastics-larry-nassar-mary-bono-olympics-kaepernick
Bump
Max S wrote:
wejo wrote:
I don't get this criticism about Lananna having multiple jobs. If Oregon knew he was working with Nike and Nike knew he was working with Oregon how is that a problem? They are free to hire whoever they want.
In regards to Vin taking the helm at USATF, I pointed to many conflicts of interest when he took this job. Having said that, the delegates were aware of them and still preferred him to Jackie Joyner.
Just because Vin's slate isn't clean doesn't mean the Board can do whatever it wants. Bylaws need to be followed. My read on the temporary suspension is it was designed for people who are temporarily incapacitated.
The conflict is pulling salaries from Nike and Oregon while heading USATF, obviously.
Tell me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that the president is not a full time position, but rather person who presides over the board. The CEO on the other hand, reports to the board, and is (highly) compensated as a full time employee.
FormerTree wrote:
Max S wrote:
The conflict is pulling salaries from Nike and Oregon while heading USATF, obviously.
Tell me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that the president is not a full time position, but rather person who presides over the board. The CEO on the other hand, reports to the board, and is (highly) compensated as a full time employee.
The President/Board Chair is a volunteer.
Vin was never drawing a salary from Nike while heading USATF, he resigned from his consultant gig before taking the job. I don't see working for University of Oregon as a major issue, it just means he has to recuse himself from decisions that involve U of O. Honestly, same as his gig at TrackTown that he no longer has.
The Board of Directors is not normally involved with decisions about National Championships and such, only the Olympic Trials, and Vin always recused himself from everything related to the Olympic Trials. He was not even in the room when the presentations were given for the 2020 Trials bids.
Nike is a major sponsor of various Agassi businesses that Steve Miller manages in his day job. Steve used to work full-time for Nike in a very high level position. Did Steve ever recuse himself from anything Nike related? Not that I ever saw.
polevaultpower wrote:
The President/Board Chair is a volunteer.
Vin was never drawing a salary from Nike while heading USATF, he resigned from his consultant gig before taking the job. I don't see working for University of Oregon as a major issue, it just means he has to recuse himself from decisions that involve U of O. Honestly, same as his gig at TrackTown that he no longer has.
The Board of Directors is not normally involved with decisions about National Championships and such, only the Olympic Trials, and Vin always recused himself from everything related to the Olympic Trials. He was not even in the room when the presentations were given for the 2020 Trials bids.
Nike is a major sponsor of various Agassi businesses that Steve Miller manages in his day job. Steve used to work full-time for Nike in a very high level position. Did Steve ever recuse himself from anything Nike related? Not that I ever saw.
It sounds like you're convinced that Vin properly recused himself from any potential conflicts of interest.
What about the fact that he knew about this attempt to fix all future votes on leadership positions, do you have a defense for the fact that he ignored that for an entire year and only brought it up now in the context of trying to force the other board members to let him back on? To me, it seems he should have immediately blown the whistle on something like that. Failing to do that seems like a moral failing to me and in my mind makes him unfit for leadership.
Bump
Drainthefecesswamp wrote:
polevaultpower wrote:
The President/Board Chair is a volunteer.
Vin was never drawing a salary from Nike while heading USATF, he resigned from his consultant gig before taking the job. I don't see working for University of Oregon as a major issue, it just means he has to recuse himself from decisions that involve U of O. Honestly, same as his gig at TrackTown that he no longer has.
The Board of Directors is not normally involved with decisions about National Championships and such, only the Olympic Trials, and Vin always recused himself from everything related to the Olympic Trials. He was not even in the room when the presentations were given for the 2020 Trials bids.
Nike is a major sponsor of various Agassi businesses that Steve Miller manages in his day job. Steve used to work full-time for Nike in a very high level position. Did Steve ever recuse himself from anything Nike related? Not that I ever saw.
It sounds like you're convinced that Vin properly recused himself from any potential conflicts of interest.
What about the fact that he knew about this attempt to fix all future votes on leadership positions, do you have a defense for the fact that he ignored that for an entire year and only brought it up now in the context of trying to force the other board members to let him back on? To me, it seems he should have immediately blown the whistle on something like that. Failing to do that seems like a moral failing to me and in my mind makes him unfit for leadership.
+1
the OP always favors Vin & ignores the facts!
Truth be Told Please wrote:
Drainthefecesswamp wrote:
It sounds like you're convinced that Vin properly recused himself from any potential conflicts of interest.
What about the fact that he knew about this attempt to fix all future votes on leadership positions, do you have a defense for the fact that he ignored that for an entire year and only brought it up now in the context of trying to force the other board members to let him back on? To me, it seems he should have immediately blown the whistle on something like that. Failing to do that seems like a moral failing to me and in my mind makes him unfit for leadership.
+1
the OP always favors Vin & ignores the facts!
I wasnt trying to attack her, I really was asking. She does seem to have a Vin bias, but she also has more knowledge than I do of these issues and in my experience she is well intentioned. I'm truly interested in her comments.
It seems to me that failing to report on something clearly very shady for an entire year is at best a bad look. When he finally reports on it, it is only to gain personal advantage, which makes it look even worse. But Becca might have info or an understanding that clears it up? Or she might agree on this point, I dont know, that's why im asking the question.
Drainthefecesswamp wrote:
It sounds like you're convinced that Vin properly recused himself from any potential conflicts of interest.
What about the fact that he knew about this attempt to fix all future votes on leadership positions, do you have a defense for the fact that he ignored that for an entire year and only brought it up now in the context of trying to force the other board members to let him back on? To me, it seems he should have immediately blown the whistle on something like that. Failing to do that seems like a moral failing to me and in my mind makes him unfit for leadership.
USATF has a very poor whistleblower policy that offers almost no protection.
There has been strong pressure to stay quiet about these matters in order to protect the sport. Negative press risks relationships with sponsors. If it is possible to work these problems out quietly, behind closed doors, that is often what is best.
polevaultpower wrote:
Drainthefecesswamp wrote:
It sounds like you're convinced that Vin properly recused himself from any potential conflicts of interest.
What about the fact that he knew about this attempt to fix all future votes on leadership positions, do you have a defense for the fact that he ignored that for an entire year and only brought it up now in the context of trying to force the other board members to let him back on? To me, it seems he should have immediately blown the whistle on something like that. Failing to do that seems like a moral failing to me and in my mind makes him unfit for leadership.
USATF has a very poor whistleblower policy that offers almost no protection.
There has been strong pressure to stay quiet about these matters in order to protect the sport. Negative press risks relationships with sponsors. If it is possible to work these problems out quietly, behind closed doors, that is often what is best.
Makes sense.
I guess this doesnt sound like a crime (correct me if I'm wrong on that). If it were a crime, federal whistleblower protections would trump any lack of whistleblower protection in USATF.
Still though, while it might justify his behavior to some extent, it still points a picture of somebody unfit to be the leader. I want to see somebody with a strong moral compass and unwavering dedication to doing the right thing at the helm, regardless of personal political cost within the organization, not somebody willing to keep quiet about a very shady deal because it would be bad press.
This organization is supposed to be leading track and field in this country, covering up shady dealings is why Russia was in the last Olympics.
Covering up flaws might protect the organization in the short term, but this is exactly the type of behavior that has driven people like me out of being a donating member for years to now watching from the outside. People like Lanana might be better than the people approaching him with proposals to fix votes, but it seems like we are discussing what part of the core is more or less rotten.
Seriously though, how is this issue less important than nonsense about "houlihan certified?" This issue should be the quote of the day, not that.
USATF board is NOT LANANA CERTIFIED!
Drainthefecesswamp wrote:
Makes sense.
I guess this doesnt sound like a crime (correct me if I'm wrong on that). If it were a crime, federal whistleblower protections would trump any lack of whistleblower protection in USATF.
Still though, while it might justify his behavior to some extent, it still points a picture of somebody unfit to be the leader. I want to see somebody with a strong moral compass and unwavering dedication to doing the right thing at the helm, regardless of personal political cost within the organization, not somebody willing to keep quiet about a very shady deal because it would be bad press.
This organization is supposed to be leading track and field in this country, covering up shady dealings is why Russia was in the last Olympics.
Covering up flaws might protect the organization in the short term, but this is exactly the type of behavior that has driven people like me out of being a donating member for years to now watching from the outside. People like Lanana might be better than the people approaching him with proposals to fix votes, but it seems like we are discussing what part of the core is more or less rotten.
Vin is by far the best person willing to do the job at this time.
I don't feel that he was "covering up" the shady dealings of Steve Miller and others on the Board, but I don't know enough about the context of how that conversation played out to put your conspiracy theory to rest.
And keep in mind that there was no one to whistleblow to even if Vin wanted to. Our whistleblower policy says that concerns about Board members should be raised with the Counsel to the Board, and the board did not have anyone in that position for several years, until this past weekend apparently. The Board also does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee. And raising concerns about board members to the Counsel to the Board is a stupid policy anyway, as they would fire their Counsel if the Counsel tried to do anything about the complaint.
Vin is dedicated to serving his constituents. Prior to his election, he spent many many hours on the phone with people from all corners of USATF, from youth to masters to elite athletes to race walk to officials and so on. After he won the election, he solicited nominations for the various presidential appointees and worked diligently with others to get feedback to make sure he was making wise decisions about how the spots were filled.
He went on a Presidential listening tour to quite a few Associations, where he listened to the concerns and feedback that many had. He would have continued that tour had he not been removed as President.
And all of that, all of the things I have mentioned, are just 180° the opposite of how Stephanie, Steve and Max operate.