Only in America

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Can you really bridge the gap between reality and training? Between traditional karate and real world encounters? Absolutely, we will address in this forum why this transition is necessary and critical for survival, and provide suggestions on how to do this correctly. So come in and feel welcomed, but leave your egos at the door!
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gmattson
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Only in America

Post by gmattson »

Jerry MacDonald sent this true story to me: (At least he claims it is true)


A Charlotte, NC lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against fire, among other things.

Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these rare cigars and without yet having made even his first premium payment on the policy, the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company.

In his claim, the lawyer stated factually that the cigars were lost "in a series of small fires."

The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason: that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion. The lawyer sued .... and won!

In delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The Judge stated, nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable, and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be 'unacceptable fire' and thus was obligated to pay the claim.

Rather than endure a lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000.00 to the lawyer for his loss of the rare cigars lost in the "fires."

NOW FOR THE BEST PART. . . After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON!!!!

With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000.00 fine for insurance fraud.

This is a true story and was the 1st place winner in the
recent Criminal Lawyers Award Contest.
Alan K
Posts: 493
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2000 6:01 am
Location: Framingham, MA USA

Cigar Smoke

Post by Alan K »

GEM,

When I first stated to read this thread, I thought, this is an urban legend but having read the whole thing, I believe it happened and he became the Phoenix which did not rise from the fire.

He should have sought the guidance of Martial Arts and the Law Forum, and I am sure this would have resulted in a 36 month conviction.

But seriously, I feel bad because, as a felon, he was certainly disbarred.

A fun post.

Alan K
"The Goddess of Justice is Blind"
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