The full case information can be found here: http://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/DispDetail.asp?DocNum=AAN-CV-08-4010781-S
Although this case was filed on November 13, the board majority (Bill Goichberg, Jim Berry, Randy Bauer, and Randy Hough) and the Executive Director (Bill Hall) did not inform the USCF members or the board minority. Even though I am a board member of the USCF, I did not find out about it until today.
Data Updated as of: 12/4/2008
Plaintiff Name VS Defendant Name
CYBERCAFES, LLC v. UNITED STATES OF AME
Docket Number: AAN-CV-08-4010781-S Court Location: Milford
File Date: Nov 13 2008 Return Date: Nov 13 2008
CYBERCAFES LLC 01 P . . .
Attorney: COHEN & WOLF PC (Juris No. 010032)
PO BOX 1821
BRIDGEPORT , CT 06601
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CHESS FEDERATION 50 D . Y .
Motions / Pleadings / Objections
Entry No Entry Date Description Initiated By Argu able Result Result Date Ordered By
101.00 Nov 13 2008 TEMPORARY INJUNCTION P No
102.00 Nov 20 2008 RETURN OF SERVICE No
Just out of curiosity, what is this about? Why would a Cybercafes company (presumably a business about internet cafés) start a law suit against a chess federation? I don’t have enough phantasy to have an idea what the reason could be.
I was in the chess bookstore at US Amateur East a couple years ago to buy the new Kasparov book. All of a sudden, I heard Randy Bauer insulted Mr. Russell’s son who was working at the bookstore. Mr. Russell didn’t take this kindly. This can’t be good when dealing with a company which pays the USCF $150,000 a year.
Under the Bill Goichberg, Randy Bauer, Jim Berry, Randy Hough and Bill Hall regime, they managed to cause one lawsuit after another while the USCF lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Well done gentlemen! My biggest mistake was voting for Bauer and Berry. Bauer was the one who lost his reelection bid badly until Polgar endorsed him.
Dear Anon,
The issue of how much, if any, money is due and owing to USCF Sales and the impact of the membership changes have been on the table for some time now. Other than bitching and moaning, I haven’t seen any leadership on this issue from Susan or Paul.
How can they do anything when they just learned of it today?
Why was this hidden from the membership, as well as the rest of the board?
Also, did the majority board members lie about the purpose of the newly established ‘legal defense’ fund?
What a waste of money.
I’m sick of the politics as usual. Why did they hide something as serious as this from other board members? Is there any law against this? Can the members go after these board members for wasting members’ money?
I’m not a lawyer, but I have worked in gov’t for over 30 years. This looks like a breach-of-contract action, which would probably have something to do with the Cybercafes’ action in taking the books & eqpt biz off USCF’s hands. Wonder what went wrong?!
Congratulations Bill Goichberg. You are doing such a wonderful job. Your leadership is so wonderful. Who else could add this huge expense to the current situation as outlined in another thread.
This was post by Illinois delegate Sevan Muradian on Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:24 pm #117066
I’ve looked at the financials from Sept (delegates I would request that you also request them from the office and peruse yourself) and they are nothing short of concerning.
Cash in the operating account is less than $4k
Accounts Payable is $116k
We lost just under $8k for the US Open. Pan American’s show an under $30k loss. World Junior lost under $10k.
Line of credit is tapped fully (Sept finanicals shows $120k but I’ve been told all $150k has been tapped). Bill Goichberg states that the bank would extend the line of credit if requested but says that it wouldn’t be necessary. However the line of credit is secured by the LMA which is not doing well.
Sept net loss was $122k and YTD loss is $255k
So we have near zero in the bank, $116k in payables and in Oct we will have the costs for the World Youth to pay (estimated loss is $14.5k), Olympiad costs (estimated loss of $14k though I think this number is short), any professional fees, and standard operating costs such as payroll, etc.
What do you think Bill Goichberg. Will anyone answer the USCF phone in the spring or will members get the operator saying the number has been disconnected and there is no information. Have you asked your lawyers if you can bankrupt USCF out of all the lawsuits or will you still be personally responsible if the USCF is non existant in 3 months.
Good Job Bill. I dont think anyone could have bankrupted USCF so efficiently and quickly. Your personal touch is so appreciated by the members.
I keep forgetting that the only one making money out of chess is the Bill Goichberg Continential Chess Assoc. I guess you push all chess assets toward your little baby while draining any value out of the membership. Glad to see you are rich on taking away any value out of the lifetime memberships.
Bill I bet you can drum up a few more lawsuits for good measure. If one is good a dozen must be even better.
Chewy
Suicide chess! Woo hoo! I hope they win (lose that is) in the shortest possible way.
Goichberg is is trying to KILL ME by bankrupting the USCF and forcing chess players to immigrate to Nevis and St. Kitts to ask me for money!
I hereby expell Bill Goichberg from Nevis and St. Kitts and reject his plan to KILL ME through the use of suicide chess players!
i hope they sue the daylights out of them.
After all they deserve it. It’s only money, them lawsuits can be ridiculous sometimes.