USATF, Max Siegel being sued by Board Member Jim Estes for defamation

Here is where Max is going to run into trouble.

Max and Renee both govern from a position of vindictiveness. They try to intimidate anyone that speaks out against them.

However, Jim has people in his corner that USATF has no power over. This means they can’t threaten or do anything to these people.

I'm really not sure who the good guy and bad guy is in this situation. It should be extremely easy for Estes to prove he turned in the documentation when he says he did about the conflict of interest. If that's the case USATF is lying about their version of the timeline.

At the same time it was really stupid of Estes to take the role with Chattanooga and put himself in that position.

Nobody in a position to award the bid, even if they've recused themselves, should be involved as consultants with a bidder.

Estes likely doesn't have to prove damages. This impacts his professional reputation and there is damage per se. Normally you are correct—defamation generally includes (1) a false statement, (2) communicated to a third party, (3) damaging the reputation of the victim, (4) resulting in damages. However, if the false statement was about the professional conduct/reputation of the victim, then damages are presumed.

It does strike me that USATF is poorly run, and the Orlando Marathon Trials is the worst of it.

I don't know if Chattanooga would be better, per se. I grew up in Atlanta, and have spent some real time in both Chattanooga and Orlando. Chattanooga has the potential to be as hot as Orlando given a number of variables. And it is definitely more hilly.

BUT, good lord! What is it, a Noon start time in ORLANDO? Are they TRYING to kill someone?

I'm not saying the USATF's Orlando bid and competition is the result of corruption. I have no idea. But, whether it is or is not corrupt, it is definitely badly managed.

The "embarrassing money" club is a good one to be a part of. But it puzzles me, the greed of the majority of individuals in it. They predominantly intend to hide their money/salary numbers. It's because they're making more than they should while others with their hand in the cookie jar are getting the crumbs. They prioritize their own selfishness and greed over everything. Max Siegal is greed personified.

The average high in Chattanooga in February is 20 degrees cooler than Orlando. Not nearly the same chance of heat

The crux of Jim’s lawsuit is that Max always needs a scapegoat and can’t ever accept responsibility. The counter suit just helps prove the point. Max and Renee may be underestimating some of the people that will be coming out in Jim’s defense (including USATF sponsors) This is going to be fun exposing Max and Renee.

Hypothetically, if Jim wins this lawsuit, what happens them? Anything more than a payout?

The USATF board likely seeks or forces Max's resignation if Estes wins. They would have to make a change at the top, even if it is just re-shuffling the deck chairs. Nothing much would change and Max walks away with a lot of money.

Max wakes up every morning, looks himself in the mirror and say: How can I be a bigger ahole today?

What a clown.

It seems more likely that the guy is just trying to clear his name and reputation after getting trashed and thrown under the bus by USATF.

If it gets far enough along that it looks like Jim has a chance of winning, USATF will do everything they can to settle it because then they can still try to control the narrative. Been there done that with the youth committee lawsuit.