Haiti Earthquake | February 05, 2010 | 6 comments

Boise's Baptist leader had a long history of ignoring the law, first at home, now abroad

source: http://PersonalShopper.com

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ras_menelik
The woman who led a group of 10 Baptists on a mission to help children in Haiti admits to failing to obtain paperwork needed to move 33 children to the Dominican Republic.

But even before Laura Silsby ended up in a Haitian jail accused of trafficking in children, she had a history of failing to pay debts, failing to pay her employees and failing even to follow Idaho laws.

Ms Silsby has been the subject of eight civil lawsuits and 14 unpaid wage claims. The $US358,000 ($408,000) Idaho house at which she founded her non-profit New Life Children's Refuge in November was foreclosed in December. A check of Ms Silsby's driving record revealed at least nine traffic infringement notices since 1997, including four for failing to provide insurance or register annually.

Ms Silsby is a longtime Idaho businesswoman. As chief executive of PersonalShopper.com, which she founded in 1999, she was named eWomenNetwork's international businesswoman of the year in 2006. An email circulated at PersonalShopper.com on Wednesday urged employees not to speak to the media.

Fourteen claims, including two by the same employee, were filed against Personal Shopper Inc for nonpayment of wages between March 14, 2008, and July 21, last year, according to the Idaho Department of Labour. Those claims led to nine liens against the firm. Five were appealed against, dismissed or dropped.

The business's former marketing director, Robin Oliver, filed a civil suit against Ms Silsby and Personal Shopper Inc in October for alleged unpaid wages, wrongful termination and fraud.

The suit says that Mr Oliver was promised an annual salary of $US110,000, with twice-monthly payments of $US4583.33. It alleges that Personal Shopper was delinquent on five payments, which total $22,016.65.

''In multiple emails during 2009, Ms Silsby repeatedly told plaintiff that she had investors 'committed', that the money was being 'wired', and that investors were going to be providing funds,'' the suit says.

Ms Silsby is due in court next Wednesday; a jury trial is scheduledc for February 22. Court records show Ms Silsby is also due in court in March to answer for another civil suit brought by businesses seeking payment for services or return of goods.
http://www.smh.com.au/world/boises-baptist-leader-had-a-long-history-of-ignoring...
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    Community,   Haiti Earthquake,   Idaho
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    Idaho,  Boise,  Laura Silsby
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6 comments // Boise's Baptist leader had a long history of ignoring the law, first at home, now abroad

  • nursediesel
    • 0
      nursediesel  

    • She sounds like a whirlwind and they tend to be positive and upbeat in their disposition as they fly through projects with out dotting the i's or crossing the t's. This type of person fits well into the evangelical movement with their 'can do' attitudes.
      Unfortunately most true Christians do the right thing and are not looking for praise for their efforts. These whirlwinds appear to get a lot done and draw attention with their efforts only to end up causing negative feedback for the many unsung heroes. This happens in these newer 'feel good' churches that base much attendance on the 'feelings' gotten through singing, dancing, broadway theatrics....not always based in true scriptural, or theological foundations.

    • 2 years ago
  • jubal
    • 0
      jubal  

    • Don't you know, Fundamentalist Evangelical and Pentecostal Christians are above the law, they answer to a higher authority. Their own.

    • 2 years ago
  • davzap
  • ras_menelik
  • ras_menelik
    • 0
      ras_menelik  

    • Was she in over her head?

      She's been described as the consummate go getter. A single mother who started her own business -- and helped disadvantaged children around the world.

      “She has a way of getting what she asked for,” said Bryan Jack.

      But Bryan Jack, a manager at Laura Silsby's Idaho company says she also has another reputation with several employees.

      “Mainly comes down to promising a bill of goods that were never delivered,” said Jack.

      Silsby is facing deep financial problems. The bank foreclosed on her home, and her business -- an online retailer, once thriving, has been the target of numerous lawsuits which allege she's been delinquent with payments.

      Employee Bryan Jack filed suit just this week complaining he'd been told repeatedly he'd be paid for back wages, but wasn't.

      Silsby's world was closing in as she left Idaho for Haiti. That may help explain why the mission was so disorganized.

      Many have wondered why for such an ambitious mission, she and the group failed to clear the most basic hurdles -- such as paperwork to transport Haitian children, and registration as an adoption agency.

      “In my heart I think she probably went down with good intentions to help people in trouble. But it's a lack of foresight in planning-once again. She did that in her business life and seems to follow in personal life,” said Jack.

      This is what Silby told CNN shortly after being taken into custody.

      “We know the truth ultimately is that we came here to help the children and we know that God will reveal truth and we are praying for that and trusting him. Because we came here knowing that this was his mission not ours,” said Silsby.

      As the questions began to mount in recent days her church pastor came to her defense. CNN asked whether he had any concerns about Silsby never running an orphanage.

      “Is that problematic?” asked CNN.

      “Well, you know, we're talking about a mom for one thing. And she's raised children. We're also talking about a woman who has been a businesswoman-so the idea of knowing how to run a business-all of that was already in place,” said Pastor Clint Henry.

      In 2006, Silsby won an award from a national women's business group. The committee made note of her charitable work saying she'd given hope to countless families around the world.

      She is also a respected member of her church. And that's why several members jumped at the chance to join her in establishing an orphanage.
      They were actually asked if they would like to help. When they were asked they both said “yes.”

      Sean Lankford's wife and daughter volunteered to go with Silsby just a few days before leaving.
      “I know their character. I know they did not believe that they were not doing anything illegal. I absolutely know that would stake life on that,” said Lankford.

      Now, the question is whether their leader led them down an illegal path.
      http://www.ktvb.com/news/Laura-Silsbys-qualifications-called-into-question-83662...

    • 2 years ago
  • ras_menelik
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