Java Jo'z Controversy Gaining Attention Via Blogs

I think they all must be from The Coffee Beanery franchise academy. Is there any one who beleives in just being honest. It seems these franchisors are out to steal every penny they can.

The replies to this article are getting quite numerous. It takes a lot of scrolling down to read the remarks. So I have created a forum called Cuppy's Coffe and Java Jo'z that allows readers to create sub-forums and indented discussion threads, depending on how the discussion grows. So please place your remarks about these two companies in this newly created forum for your convenience.

Mr. Blue MauMau

How can Cuppy's deny they were formerly Java Jo'z when they ACKNOWLEGE it on  their  website at this link.

You hear that everyone?  CUPPY'S ACKNOWLEDGES THEY USED TO BE JAVA JO'Z.

Don't let these lying crooks (i.e. Ben Doyle, Roy Snowden, etc.) tell you otherwise. 

As a close friend of an employee who knows Java Jo'z quite intimately, Snowden's tax issues started coming to light 2004. Changing the title to "Cuppy's" was a contingency plan set in motion when it became evident that Snowden's name was going to severely taint the Java Jo'z name, based on his criminal activity.

Don't take my word for it though.  Once Roy's sentencing has been issued later this month, the details of the circumstances that come out will verify this information.

Cuppy's is simply Java Jo'z with a different name...they can cry foul on their Wiki page all they want, but try as they might to circumvent the facts, it's all true, and there are many who already know this.  The public deserves the TRUTH!!

I find it absurd that Ben Doyle's name is conveniently missing from the Cuppy's website....but his picture is on the site.   Not only are Ben Doyle and Roy Snowden good friends,  but Ben Doyle also has the same "real estate director" position there and his picture is right there under the headquarters tab on the Cuppy's website...he's got on a red shirt.  He was the jerk at Java Jo'z that refused my calls when I asked for a deposit refund, (it was in the contract!!) after being very nice and professional up until he got my money.  After that, he was also very rude!  In effect, he's every bit the scoundrel that Roy Snowden is. Anyone should run in the other direction before dealing with ANY specialty coffee/espresso company represented by Ben Doyle. 

 Another wonderful "free speech" site on the Internet is the "Rip Off" site that permits citizens to air their complaints -------I believe this site is viewed by corporations and government and other watchdogs in the interests of the "people". 

Just google in "Rip Off site" and take a look.   The originator of this site in another free speech advocate like Mr. Blue MauMau  who "to date, I believe" provides this service to the public for nothing.  

I believe "Java Jo'z" is referring to Rip-Off Report , located at rip-offreport.com.   The site has been invaluable to me when I was investigating opportunities and companies for clients.  In several instances clients had contracted with a disreputable company, and we were able to learn about it early on by seeing complaints against them posted on the site.

However, anyone can post anything on there, so if you're on the receiving end it might not be so great.  There have also been allegations that the site is itself a scam, and that it hits up the targets of the complaints for fees to remove or exonerate them from the posted complaints.  I have seen some seemingly valid complaints either disappear or be tagged with a note that they investigated and exonerated the offender.

However, if Ben Scoble had seen the Rip-off report post on Java Jo'z , he might have saved himself $30,000 and a lot of grief.

By the way, there's a new post on FranBest.com about the Java Jo'z and Cuppy's controversy.  Is Cuppy's just Java Jo'z reborn?  Cuppy's says NO .  (Rather emphatically, I might add.)

Sean Kelly
Editor
FranBest.com

IdeaFarm
Franchisor Marketing ,  FranBest

Speciality Coffee Coop is "Cuppys" on-line store.  Funny, you click on Cuppy's on the left hand side menu, take a snapshot, then go back and click on Java Jo'z - same stuff, different name.  Enter either name in the "search" box and you'll find a file list - same stuff.  The even sport both logos on the page for both companies.  Beware, this will probably change by tomorrow.   But oh oh oh wait..remember, they aren't related.

 http://www.specialtycoffeecoop.com/

First:  Ease up on Mr. Snowden.  He is just an upstanding entrepreneur trying to live the American dream like me.  Those of us with the "Millionaire Mindset" are often just misunderstood by those we are unselfishly trying to help.

In fact, I am thinking about inviting Mr. Snowden to coauthor my next book:  "99 Low Cost Businesses You Can Start Anywhere... Even Prison."

Second:  You do these would-be franchisees a disservice letting them engage in this JAVA JO'z PITY PARTY.  When you fail, you get up, dust yourself off, borrow more money and buy another franchise.  For those thinking about buying a business, I have many to choose from.  Come peruse them at Franworst.com .  All major credit cards accepted! 

Get back on that horse and ride! 

See you on the veranda!

Millionaire Richard Quick, Esq.

Website:  FranWorst.com

franworst@yahoo.com

I am currently employed at Cuppy’s Coffee & More, I am very well informed about what has happened in the past with Cuppy’s and Java Jo’z and I can not believe some of the statements I have read on this site about my company. This is ridiculous; get the facts straight. There are statements made on this site that are obviously not true to anyone who has a clue what has really taken place. I understand if there are some who are jaded and angry about losing their money. But, this has nothing to do with Cuppy’s Coffee & More. Unless you work here or have visited these offices and met the people that work here, how do you have the right to make assumptions and generalizations about this company?

Every outrageous statement I have read has been written by those who either have nothing to do with Cuppy’s or have been grossly misinformed about the happenings at Cuppy’s Coffee & More.

Have you ever heard of the saying, “ Don’t ASSUME…” you should know the rest. If not then I guess that you are one of the people writing these offensive comments.

I have come across this blog regarding Cuppy’s Coffee. Reading through some of these postings, I have come to realize that most derogatory comments have been made by people that are not Cuppy’s Coffee affiliated and have stated their “opinions” without knowing or thinking of the possibility of opening there ears to the real Cuppy’s Coffee truth!

I am currently one of those supposed “young, undereducated” Cuppy’s Coffee employees. There are many of us here that have degrees including myself and are able and willing to have a good head on our shoulders to realize the true mission of this company.

I can totally understand the view of the people that have lost a great amount of money. Most hard working people, including myself don’t have that kind of money to be thrown around, never the less lose or never get back. Anyone would be distraught! Any level headed person would be able to go over the facts of this situation to figure out whom they need to receive justice from and not to just jump on someone else’s opinion bandwagon.

Instead of focusing all of your comments directly towards the art of proving someone wrong, your focus needs to be directed mainly on knowing and understanding the real truth of the situation and not opinions.

Sean, saw the interesting post on the other blog, which may shed some light on the parties involved in Cuppy's and/or Java Joe.

Does anyone else know of the company named by Ms. Paliotti, and what (if anything) it has to do with any of the coffee company owners/entities?

Link is: http://franchisormarketing.com/?p=170

As a business woman living on the Emerald Coast, I have been following this topic with interest.  I noted especially a post from FranSynergy about research and a post by Paul Steinberg about fraudulent conveyence, alter ego, etc.  Although I am in business, I am a detective at heart, so I started digging.  What I found, honestly, almost is bring me to tears.

Cuppys says that it bought the assets of Java Jo'z.  This brings us to the first of two points I think most readers, until recently myself included, are glossing over.  First, what did Java Jo'z get in return for those assets?

If, as has been pointed out, Cuppy's paid only $100, or basically nothing, then Java Jo'z truly is an asset-less shell, and the allegations of alter ego and fraudulent conveyence are valid concerns.  If this is the case, then this whole situation is utterly horrible, should be reported to the AG of each state, we need to bring this to the media, etc.  HOWEVER, I do not think that this is the case.  Why?  Because of the second point that point that I think everyone has glossed over.  ENTER THE IRS.

As a businesswoman who has bought companies and have been audited by the IRS, I know that they will follow every trail, no matter how remote, to find every last cent they think they are owed, overzealously in some situations.  What is telling to me is that when we search the local records of the counties here, we find a recorded tax lien on Roy Snowden, however, there is NO lien on Cuppy's, or the other principals regularly mentioned like Ben Doyle, Robert Morgan, Speed Ames, or Doug Hibbing.  I am beginning to think that their are likely less and less likely to even be crooks (defamation anyone?).  Assuming, worst-case, that the IRS did indeed follow the trail straight to the assets and that Cuppy's paid next-to-nothing for those assets, then I imagine there would indeed be a lien - but there isn't.  I also imagine that the IRS would have then raided those assets and anonymous Guest/former Cuppys employee/disgrunted Java Jo'z person would have stated, "on this day, the IRS took the furniture, computers, TVs, phones, etc.," because believe me, the IRS will get paid.  But this does not appear to have occured, if anything, everyone says that Cuppy's still has these assets.  Which gives me the final point.

Java Jo'z is not an asset-less shell!  Cuppy's must have paid a sufficient amount, whether in whole or in the form of a promissory note, to satisfy the IRS that they are different companies.  Otherwise, we would see liens everywhere, because again, the IRS will get its money.  So fraudulent conveyence seems out, as is alter ego.  Assuming it is a note, Cuppy's payments to Java Jo'z are likely being first gobbled up by the IRS, since I would imagine it is always first in line.  So Java Jo'z does have assets, the sale was not a scam to "hide" Snowden's assets, since Java Jo'z was apparently appropriately reimbursed.  I only did a couple of hours worth of research.  If the IRS is convinced, then I am as well.

This community (bluemaumau) has always appeared objective to me and approached these topics with almost a logical perspective.  In this situation however, everyone was raving to jump on the anti-Cuppy's bandwagon without any apparent concern of the ramifications if we did so prematurely.  I combed the internet.  I found the famousreviews website about Java Jo'z and the "other company."  The website found by Truth Hunter makes this review less credible to me.  I found Ben Scoble's posts about his legitimate issues regarding a refund with Java Jo'z.  He has hidden text scattered throughout his site, ostensibly to ride up negative comments about Java Jo'z and associate them with Cuppy's.  (Isn't this a no-no for Google?)  He links to a Carol Moore, who while complaining about not understanding how to manipulate the background settings to her blog, suddenly becomes tech-savvy enough to have lines and lines of hidden text as well.  I AM SICK OF IT!  These are the people fueling this and their underhandedness makes me question the very credibility of their stories!

I feel for the Cuppy's franchisees who are wondering about the state of their investment they made from their 401Ks, retirement funds, and home equity loans.  I feel for the Cuppy's employees and their families, as they wonder if they are going to be fired.  I feel for the company itself, who it seems wanted to start off in a fresh new direction.  I even feel for Ben Scoble, whose legitimate request for a refund from Java Jo'z morphed into a quest for money from anyone that has the slightest relationship with Java Jo'z.  I am glad that I am not, even tangentially, connected to either Java Jo'z and Cuppy's, because I am sure that Ben Scoble and his big brother would be shredding my hard-built reputation now.

On his own blog, Alex Scoble has the audacity to state that even though Cuppy's may not be legally responsible for his brother's refund, perception is stronger than reality.  America used to perceive black people as sub-human, thereby justifying their enslavement, but this didn't make it right Alex Scoble.  The Naxi regime perceived the gypsys and Jews as a genetic defect and thus justifed their extermination campaign, but this didn't make it right Alex Scoble.  We all lose, ethically, morally even spiritually, if we help the Scoble brothers peddle Alex's message as the foundation for Ben Scoble's search for his refund.

The saddest part is that this community, which I have always leaned upon for advice and thoughtful insight, not only allowed this to happen, but egged the whole process on.  If I were Cuppy's I would cave to these tactics.  Pay them off.  The Scobles will extort money from Cuppy's all the while we here clapped and cheered them on.  No one, absent FranSynergy spoke up to even suggest the possibility that Cuppy's may, even slightly, be a victim here.  It was easy to cozy up to the heartbreaking tale of the corporation stealing money, and the man with a famous brother wreaking havoc - Sean Kelly (he owns some franchise sites) posted on some comments that Cuppy's is likely lamenting the day they met the Scobles.  This is probably true in some ways, since it is likely Cuppy's has nothing to do with the Scobles.  The Scobles feed us what they wanted us to hear, and we bought it, hook, line and sinker.  Look at the havoc they have wrought.

Unfortunately, given big brother's reach, I am hesitant to give it out, and can you blame me?  I had never heard of Java Jo'z or Cuppys, and within weeks, they were literally eviscerated.  I don't know if Cuppys is a viable business, hell I still don't understand Starbucks why anyone would pay 5 bucks for a caffeinated drink (can you tell I don't like coffee?  :)).  I was ready to pound Cuppys, I really was.  I mean, how could any company do that!?  I am sad to say, I was ashamed they were in my area.  But FranSynergy's post really, and I mean really, got me thinking.  What if?  and I am thinking it is legit.  I'm not an attorney, but it looks real given my business experience and knowledge of the IRS.  I could probably drive by their offices once I look it up.  I think I read a post about them having a daycare or something.  Hell, I don't offer that to my employees!  Think of the liability of a kid being hurt, I can't afford that!  I think its crazy!  But what if they are real?  The problem is that no one even seemed to consider this.

We welcome your comments and concerns: 

Cuppy's Coffee invites you to call Doug Hibbing, the President of Cuppy's Coffee & More, at 1-888-241-4324.

We welcome your comments and concerns: 

Cuppy's Coffee invites you to call Doug Hibbing, the President of Cuppy's Coffee & More, at 1-888-241-4324.  Or email at dhibbing@cuppys.com

 Sean Jan 17th, 2007 at 9:13 am

Steve: Fransynergy posted this on bluemaumau.com:
“…I took a look at the Nevada Secretary of States website and searched out Medina Enterprises were we learn that the corporate entity was formed 12/16/2003 and is Active and in good standing. Their officers all have the last name of Morgan (Alyssa R, Christina F, and Robert C) and use the address of 2533 N. Carson St, Carson City, NV 89706. This address is also the address of their Resident Agent Laughlin International, Inc. When you view all the companies which Laughlin serves as resident agent there are MANY!!!!. When you view the records for Laughlin International, Inc. you find that a Lee Morgan held all the officer positions AND they were dissolved on 4/24/2002. However they may somehow be tied to Laughlin & Associates, Inc. at the same 2533 N. Carson address whose file date is 3/25/77 and are currently an active NV corporation with Michelle Young holding all officers positions. If you jump over to the Florida Secretary of State site and take a look at Medina Enterprises you find that they’re active as a Foreign Profit corporation (Date Filed 5/8/06) with a principle address of 348 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, BLDG D Suite 16A, FT. Walton Beach FL 32548. Robert C. Morgan listed as both Registered Agent and Officer/Director.”

Trisha A. Paliotii

 Sean Jan 17th, 2007 at 9:13 am

Steve: Fransynergy posted this on bluemaumau.com:
“…I took a look at the Nevada Secretary of States website and searched out Medina Enterprises were we learn that the corporate entity was formed 12/16/2003 and is Active and in good standing. Their officers all have the last name of Morgan (Alyssa R, Christina F, and Robert C) and use the address of 2533 N. Carson St, Carson City, NV 89706. This address is also the address of their Resident Agent Laughlin International, Inc. When you view all the companies which Laughlin serves as resident agent there are MANY!!!!. When you view the records for Laughlin International, Inc. you find that a Lee Morgan held all the officer positions AND they were dissolved on 4/24/2002. However they may somehow be tied to Laughlin & Associates, Inc. at the same 2533 N. Carson address whose file date is 3/25/77 and are currently an active NV corporation with Michelle Young holding all officers positions. If you jump over to the Florida Secretary of State site and take a look at Medina Enterprises you find that they’re active as a Foreign Profit corporation (Date Filed 5/8/06) with a principle address of 348 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, BLDG D Suite 16A, FT. Walton Beach FL 32548. Robert C. Morgan listed as both Registered Agent and Officer/Director.”

FYI TO THOSE CUPPY'S EMPLOYEE'S POSTING ON HERE. I know that fact is greater then fiction. I know how easy it is to be "brainwshed by these people. Do your selves a favor and get out now. Before he takes you with him. I could not buy my first home, due to a tax lien on mty credit report. Roy said he was payng and reporting our taxes and never did. Thats the facts about the people you are dealing woth. I am sure they were sitting over your shpulder as you wrote your wonderful review of "THIER" company.   Get a clue fast. Trisha A. Paliotti

A few thoughts:

1. If you set up Company "A", that is a legally distinct entity from you as a natural person-- even if you are the sole shareholder.

2. If you then set up Company "B", that is legally distinct from Company "A".

3. There can be issues of insufficient operating capital, but that does not appear to be the issue here.

4. There is nothing sinister about this. Sometimes it is used in what some would regard as a legal end-run around morality (see the Janotta case involving Subway), but the law will recognize the legal separation.

5. If Company "A" owes money and at that time transfers assets to Company "B" which renders Company "A" inable to pay the monies owed, there may be grounds for the creditors of "A" to go after the assets of "B"

6. The IRS having a lien on the assets of a natural person does not mean that they have a lien on the assets of a company. For example, if the IRS has a lien on you and you own stock in General Motors, that does not mean that the IRS will place a lien on G.M.

7. Piercing the corporate veil is a concept which is distinct from fraudulent conveyance, although the concepts may both be an issue in a particular situation.

8. I really have not seen anything posted that would raise a serious issue as to piercing the corporate veil in the Cuppy's / Java Jo'z matter. If someone has evidence to support such a cause of action, kindly post it for discussion.

9. However: There does appear to be a colorable claim of Fraudulent Conveyance which could be made by persons (whether denominated as f'zees or licensees, or widget suppliers) having claims against Java Jo'z.

10. Corporate governance is not a game of three-card monte. If you shift assets between companies (however validly organized and legally distinct) where the result is that claimants against the assets of Company "A" are left with nothing, Company "B" should reasonably anticipate having to defend against a claim of Fraudulent Conveyance.

Hope this helps to clarify matters, and remember that this may vary from state to state.

--Paul Steinberg, pwsteinberg@msn.com

Ryan at www.franchisepundit.com has an excellent analysis of the Cuppy's / Java Jo'z situation this morning. Recommended reading, even if you don't agree with him.

Heads up for the Cuppy's lawyers: Ryan knows a lot of franchise lawyers himself, so I think he'd welcome a nice cease-and-desist to post on his blog as well ;)

That the Cuppy's web-site has a big note on the top that states 'FORBIDDEN hotlinking images from this site is not allowed'?

 Also, they do have new pictures up, since I know that is of concern to some people.

Blogging and web forums are like double-edged swords in that it allows 'anyone' (SIC) the possibility to share their views publicly - no matter what it is.  If I state an opinion it should be viewed as "how I see reality from my perspective" and not as fact.  There are always, at least, two sides to every story.  So if an issue concerns me I like to weigh the facts like a good scientist or engineer.  

Anyone can throw out hearsay and claim it to be fact, but I want to see the smoking gun the validates their claims.  This whole business with the Cuppy's badmouthing started with Ben Scoble's blog claiming he was cheated by Java Joz's out of a $30,000 deposit.  But my BIG question is, does Mr. Scoble even have a contractual claim to a refund at all?  Also, if you dig deeper into the issues, and ask the right people you will see that Mr. Scoble squandered that money by having Java Joz (JJ) waste a lot of time and resources doing things for him he should have done for himself, while vacillating on decisions - like getting the proper leasing, etc.  Should he be held accountable for that?

I would love to see the contract Scoble actually signed with Java Joz when they entered in their agreement to build a Kiosk.  To me, that is the smoking gun. (NOTE: Mr. Scoble did not purchase a Franchise.  JJ was not and never was in the franchising business.)  If that contract says that Mr. Scoble is entitled to a full refund regardless of the time and resources Java Joz put into helping him get into business, I say Java Joz's owes him that money.  NOTICE, I did not say Cuppy's because Java Joz's financial responsibilities was not grandfathered into Cuppy's purchase of JJ.  Cuppy's has NOTHING to do with this spat between Mr. Scoble and Java Joz and to drag them into it is irresponsible.

The whole issue has gotten out of hand by both party's and needs to be resolved in a civil matter.  Cuppy's is a outstanding young company with great people, and should NOT be judged my the deeds or misdeeds of its predecessors.  It is a crying shame that good people are being effected by all this slanderous, emotionally charged-up issue that basically two people should be resolving, Ben Scoble and Roy Snowden.  And I will add that I personally know Mr. Snowden.  He is not the tax evading monster you guys are painting him to be.  I am certain that if approached civilly this can all be worked out and the letter of the contact abided to - maybe more.  But if you resort to name calling and slander you will get a lot of negative, counter productive feedback.

This goes back to my thoughts on Blogging.  It is a dangerous tool in the wrong hands.  With the global reach of the internet it is even more scary.  It could be you that is the next victim of malicious Blogging propaganda and slander, so the internet community needs to be more responsible, and let the law of the land deal with those that can't control themselves.   

NOTE: As for this website Blue MauMau.  I really question your purpose and credentials.  Much of the "news" you post is irrelevant to franchising.  If you insist on posting your biased opinions please state that it is opinion and not pose it as authoritive fact.  Responsible moderation is needed as well, people straying from thread and slandering.

The techie people at the BlueMauMau site have been making some progress. Hopefully, between the electronic trail and some information which has been coming in (annonymous and from sources not wishing to be named) will lead to prosecution. 

I have urged Mr. MauMau to contact the FBI, and would urge anyone with information about attacks on websites to contact their local FBI office. This is not a game, it is a major violation of federal law and if they catch the perpetrator there should be some jail time.

 All persons posting on this blog should disclose if they have ever solicited or been offered something of value-- including free "evaluation" trips to sunny Florida in January, let alone "consulting" or similar offers-- by Cuppy's.  If you have, why not fess up? 

This is now far bigger than Cuppy’s or Java Jo’z or whatever it is called these days.

 It is about credible reports of serious violations of state and federal law.I have already spoken to one of the regulators. I have spoken to several attorneys, and have informed one of Cuppy’s outside law firms (they have ones in Texas, Florida, Virginia and New York–that alone should tell you something) as to some specific facts which have been brought to my attention.

If this were just about a single company, the story would pass.But where the response of a person or corporate entity strikes at the fundamental integrity of a larger structure (such as freedom of speech or franchise regulation or the security of the Internet from attack) there is necessarily a governmental concern which is far bigger than a spat among franchisees/franchisors.

And Dale, what is your comment about blogs being deleted from this site? Why only blogs critical of Cuppy's? And how do you feel about this website being hacked? Do you think that the timing is a bit coincidental?

Posted by Paul Steinberg

Quitting gets you nowhere on finding a good site. For some it takes awhile, but worth it, for others who put their mind to it - pays off quickly! Whine, complain - wah! Get busy. Good grief, it's easy to be lazy. It takes a winner to not give up on your dream. All your whining makes us all wanna barf. 

First and foremost, It does not matter what I say, Anyone who can read and determine with or with out my comments that ROY P SNOWDEN is a cheat...I stole from no one...I was a kid, and do some research non of these mag crews are decent people....I wish I was smart enough back then to research these companies....And also, I gave lived my life as a decent person, living life with my husband, and raising my son. I put myself through school after the whole Roy experience...No matter what someone does, to leave a Kid stranded 2000 miles away from home...in the city w/ no monet or ticket, just adds to this mans evilness...Roy is a crook, I know him.....I know what he did to these people, and I know what he did with His taxes....A grown man, nota 19 year old kid...Smarten up....I would be amazed to know who this "REALLY" is...hmmmmm

Trisha A Paliotti

J WROTE:
I am not here to 'slam'Cuppy's/Java Jo'z, however I do think its important to understand the relevance of Roy Snowden and World Media in relationship to this topic. I understand that most of the conversatio here is based on the Cuppy's/Java Jo'z scandal. But Roy is also in prison due to tax evasion and IRS fraud issues, correct? Why it is your place to decide which of us that were screwed over by this man have a write to voice oppinion here confuses me. Who are you the blog police? Back off and understand that the people who lost 30grand of refundable deposits were not the first to be screwed by Roy and Kim. I know, I am also a past sales rep for World Media.

It is just as important for someone like Trisha to voive her oppinion as it is for the rest of you. You all may be involved a little more on a professional level and feel that because you may be directly related to the coffee end of the scandal, that your oppinions here are more valid. You are adults who probably make rational decisions and you were still taken for a ride by this guy. Trisha was a child when he manipulated her and so was I. And....so were hundreds of other children as young between 16 and 20 years old.....and so were hundreds of thousands of folks who bought or renewed magazine subscriptions from these kids at their doorstep, perhapse paid in cash and never recieved one issue of the magazine and no doubt never saw the $40 to $80 again. Maybe this is not the place to be bringing this up. But its definitely not your right to tell Trisha to take it somewhere else. If you people heard her story and stories from hundreds of other children (or the parents of these kids) 5 or 10 years ago it may have helped you to make different and better decisions regarding your trusting your investments with this man. If you had known me, and my story, you would have asked different questions and maybe taken your business elsewhere. What happened to us on the magazine crew is relevant because it shows a cycle and a trend of how this man operates. Falsley advertising in local newspapers directed at appealing to kids. Liying to them about the expectations of the job when you hire them. Bussing them from there home in Seattle to Escondito, CA where they pack 4 to 7 kids per room in ratty, shabby, filthy hotels in ghetto-esque neighborhoods. Bussing them around these same neighborhoods and dropping them off, alone, for hours at a time with no phone or possible way to call for help if something should happen to them or if they should get lost. Only allowing them 2 meals a day, one very early and one very very late. Requiring them to work 6 or 7 hours a day from 8am until they got there 'quota', often times keeping them out in crime ridden neighborhoods long after dark knocking on strangers doors asking for money for magazines at 11pm or later. At the popular chance that one did not get their 'quota' there was punishment. You might go hungry, you might sleep on the floor or worse, you might be physically harmed during a fit of rage in one of Roys temper tantrums. I can tell you about a time where I had raised some eyebrows in the group and caused negativity because I complained when I was not allowed to visit my family for my birthday. A meeting was called for the entire crew and in Roys rage he picked up an adding machine and sent it flying accross the room, landing against a wall inches from my 19 year old head. After that, it was thought that I might try to leave the crew so I was not given my 15$ a day money to eat for the next few weeks and was forced to borrow or share from other kids. My phone card given to me by my mother was taken from me. I was threatened that if I left I would owe thousands of dollars for my hotel accomodations for the last several months, though I had made thousands of thousands of dollars for Roy that I never saw a penny of. Tell me that my oppinion on the man does not matter. Tell me I cant voice it here. He was lying, cheating and stealing long before this story became public conversation. The difference is, at that time he was lying cheating and stealing from your children or your grandchildren.

I for one am happy to see him get what he deserves. To bad Kim is not getting hers as well. I give props to Trish for standing up for herself here.

J.Gleason, Seattle Washington
jlglea@msn.com

I have said from the beginning this was not about me being a part of the franchise...But As J. Gleason points out this man and His wife have a track record...the Jail time he is doing is because of hiding his ASSETS of WORLD MEDIA INTERNATIONAL INC... and the money he made during 4-5 years of that buisness---- I am sorry that the taste left in my mouth by this man is still bitter....Excuse the Pun... To say that the only ones important here are those that Lost 30,000 from the Java JO'z....Is Ignorant....I wish I could tell you how much money the man owes me and thousands of other kids and MAGAZINE customers. I have every right to comment on this and back up the anger that these other people are, that were screwed by ROY P SNOWDEN and KIM SNOWDEN.

The fact I am dead or kidnapped after being left in the Ghetto of ST.paul w/ no money or way home....TO RI....at 19 years old shows the reason for my bitterness....anger ...and complete satisfaction in his imprisonment.

Trisha A. Paliotti
good2bmom2001@yahoo.com

I AM A JAVA JOZ LICENSEE, AND I HAVE BEEN SINCE EARLY 2005. I HAVE A STORY TO TELL ABOUT THE COMPANY THAT WILL TOP ALL OF YOURS. BUT BEFORE I PUBLISH IT I NEED SOME INFO ON HOW I MIGHT GO ABOUT GETTING MY 30,000 BACK. ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS????

My husband and I started the fiasco with Java Jo'z right before the "asset acquisition" and were lied to from beginning to end. We since have lost our store and are being sued by our creditors. We have always had stellar credit and are now worried about our future. Robert "Morg" Morgan told me that he "prayed on it" and I should quit my job as a teacher and all would be fine. Well I am still unemployed and without our store. We had great reviews in the community but could simply not overcome the hole that their lies put us in. We have a second mortgage on our house and that does not count the $229,000 that we owe on our business loan. Our attorney told us that we have a 6 figure case but will not take us on without a 25K retainer. Cuppy's has sapped us. We were one of the first cafes and they learned all of their lessons on our back. Lessons like changing the sign for the cafes while we didn't have proper signage for almost 4 months. Please anyone who is considering anything to do with these people run screaming. You will be left with nothing and no recourse. DO NOT ASSUME BECAUSE YOU ARE HONEST HARDWORKING PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE!! BUYER BE VERY AWARE! My husband and I want nothing extra, just to be made whole again and that will never happen because we do not have the resources they do. It is not about fairness, it is about what is right and they are so wrong!!