Amy worked for a Bully

Amy update
I blogged about this a while ago...though I did it as a veiled in a manner.

Now the gloves are off.

My daughter worked for a company whose owner (a wacko jerk) is now bullying her. His behavior when she worked for his firm was part of why she didn't work there long - only a few months. He insisted she sign a non-compete contract that was so over-the-top that her father and I advised her to quit before signing it - it was too restrictive for someone like her who hoped to start her own business some day. When Amy told the guy she was quitting to start her own company he initially was supportive.

Then he became scared - I guess he's now fearful that she will run him out of business! When Amy finished up at that company she sent herself work files of some of the jobs had worked on.  That's what designers do - they put those files in their portfolios as examples of their work. Even before Amy got home that night, the guy called her and started making threats - accusing Amy of stealing and trying to take his clients. He scared her - he's a scary man who is around 45 years old.

That was in December and it's only gotten worse. At first Amy was indignant - she believed that she is perfectly within her rights to those files, she argued that point with the guy. He threatened to "out" her to former employers that she was using their files (that she'd had a hand in designing) on her website. Amy cleared the use of those files with those former employers and added a disclaimer on her site.

Then in January a Denver detective showed up at her door. Her former employer had charged her with theft. Right now that case is still sitting with the Denver police. The guy told Amy that if that criminal case doesn't go anywhere he's going to file a civil suit against her. This world is F'd up if a guy like that can file frivolous cases against people like her. Where is the harm to him? This thing...it has weighed on her every day of 2014...hindering her ability to get her new business. I'm sure that's exactly what the guy wants - grrr.

All along this guy sent Amy threatening emails and would then tell her not to contact him anymore. Eventually Amy decided it wasn't worth it to keep the files. So she deleted all the files she had emailed herself. Then he insisted that Amy should send him a certified letter listing all the filenames that were deleted....except that's not going to happen. Because the files are gone dude - so she doesn't have the filenames!

It had been quiet for a while until Amy was required by the State of Colorado to provide documentation that she no longer worked at that company - for medical insurance purposes. She didn't want to contact the guy. He'd insisted she shouldn't - so she contacted the HR person. That was a mistake because the rant he went (that person told him she'd contacted her) on was a bit nutso. Here's a little part of what he emailed her:

I’m sorry, we cannot help you.  You need to use your Resignation Letter to explain your situation.  You’re the one who created your situation. 

 

Your request for this info is very fishy as it doesn’t jive with my experience  with COBRA and other health care coverage.  It would appear your possibly trying to file an unemployment claim.  Please see this fraud website for review.   We will assist the State in any investigation 

 

And he spelled you're wrong...idiot! Fraud website? What? Besides...Amy was able to use this information as the documentation she needed. Haha.

 

Still we just want this and him to go away. This family has a history of intimidation tactics. My brother-in-law, an attorney helped advise Amy through some of this, but she may now need to actually pay someone (more than bottles of wine) to assist her. I don't believe the cops will throw her in the slammer over this - even the detective that came to Amy's apartment said the guy was a jerk. And everyone she has spoken to, including a copyright attorney tells her the file thing shouldn't be a problem. So why won't this guy STF up and go away? 

 

Amy is not going to steal his clients (though one actually asked her to do some work for him already and because she is classy - she gracefully said no, but hey - she's trying to start a biz and could really use the work - that's the kind of ethical person she is Jerkwad).

 

She's filed all that guy's emails in a gmail file called "puppies". She didn't want to label it with the guy's name - because that would make her nervous when she saw it. Is that someone you would want to sue? But I'm afraid that's just what this guy wants to do...because he's a Richie Rich with nothing more to do than bully people - and his attorney will just follow orders.

 

Despite the distraction of having life sentence in the Big House hanging over her due to the "Case of the (not really) Purloined Files", things are going okay for the kid. AEG Design Company is in its infancy - only 4 months old. The website is nearly complete - so the "under construction" will be removed soon. She's been doing a bit of freelance work for a Denver design firm, designed a logo for a business, had a few misfires (that wedding cake thing didn't work out) and has been networking like mad. Denver isn't as big as one thinks! Branding is her specialty and food/restaurants are her specialty. But she won't turn down any work. So if you need wedding invitations, a logo, fact sheets, help with your resume or any other publication - give the kid a call!

 

 In her free time she drives in taxi-like fashion for Uber - cheaper than a taxi.

 

So stay tuned. It's one of those times I wish I were in a movie when the good guys finish on top. I'd crush this guy. I'd either be a superhero and kick his ass. Or I'd have the kick-butt attorney who would wipe this guy out in court, leaving him a shell...taking all his money. Oh yeah!

 

I get to see her Thursday as I head to Denver for my uncle's funeral. It will be a good time to hang out with my baby. And lots of other family members as we support each other. That's what fam is for!