Who are your heroes?

For that matter, what is a hero?

In our “Instant Gratification Internet Generation” society, the bar as to what constitutes a “hero” is set at a level lower than the lowest bar in a Limbo Dancing Contest.

So again, what constitutes a hero?

Many apply the word to their sports idols. Especially if that sports idol is seen in the presence of an incredibly average singer who has a brilliant PR and marketing department behind her. If you can score 40 points in a basketball game, or throw for 400 yards in a football game or be the winning pitcher for a ragtag baseball franchise as it wins its first “World Serious” championship, you are a hero.

Some perhaps more enlightened people look upon police officers, firefighters and military personnel as heroes. That certainly hits much closer to the mark. We admire people who place themselves in harm’s way for the sake and safety of others.

And then, there are true heroes.

Men and women who toil in anonymity, going about life with humility, being their authentic selves, unaware that their very existence brings inspiration and hope to others.

This past month, for four (4) days, I had the privilege of being in the presence of a “true hero.”

For about the last eighteen (18) months, my son Hanford and his wife, Rebeca had been planning a trip to Disney World in Orlando for the entire family. Make no mistake, I am more of a lounge on the beach in St. Maarten guy. But when family calls, you immediately answer the call.

One of the pieces of advice my son took to heart was, “With regard to marriage, always marry up! Never down … Always up.”

Rebeca is from a traditional Mexican family. She is the oldest of three children, all daughters.

Understanding that education is the silver bullet, being bilingual and pushing academic excellence was the standard in Rebeca’s family. This no doubt led to her being valedictorian of her high school class, scholarship offers from many universities and unsolicited requests to apply to Ivy League schools. She obtained her degree from Baylor University in four (4) years, followed by an MS degree and then obtained her CPA. Her work at Southwest Airlines is being recognized for its brilliance as she ascends the corporate ladder.

And all the while, she is an incredible wife and mother to one of my little “grandbabies with rabies,” Riley.

Her youngest sibling, Natalia lives in Waco with her husband, Hector. She is a Radiologic Technologist. I cannot think of a time when I have not seen Natalia with a smile on her face. She is a very involved aunt and when the time is right, will undoubtedly be an incredible mom.

The third sister, “Sally” is in her late 20s.  Like her sisters, she is bilingual, smart and so observant of life. She also has spina bifida. She is in a wheelchair. Despite the cruel obstacles and hardships life imposed upon her, more often than not, Sally wears a smile, laughs easily and just by looking at her Facebook page, is loved by so many.

Norma, the mother of these young women is obviously incredible. A quiet fighter in her own right. Just a few days before the wedding of Rebeca and my son, Norma’s mother passed away. She handled this tragedy with strength, with resolve … yes, with understandable sadness but with grace.

Those four days at Disney World were shared with Rebeca, her immediate family and extended family who resides in Monterrey, Mexico. We were surrounded by Disney created “heroes.” Star Wars heroes. Animated heroes. Children of all ages would point in wonder, would stare with a look of awe on their faces. These fictional characters brought such joy to their lives! And all the while, they were unaware of a true hero in their midst.

The father, the daddy, of Rebeca and her sisters, the husband of Norma is Rafael. Rafael is a welder by trade. Spanish is his primary language. Yes, he speaks more English than I speak Spanish, but he struggles with English and yet, no matter the difficulties, he conveys his message.

Those days in Disney, we walked an average of about 10 miles every day. Every step of the way, he was behind Sally in her chair, making sure that she too would experience the wonder and excitement we all felt. Helping her in and out of rides. Attentive to her every need. While at the same time, sharing his time and emotions with all of us.

Yes, late in the afternoons/early evenings, hunger or fatigue set in.  And yet, Rafe handled all difficulties, both perceived and real, with no complaints, no outward display of angst.

As our vacation trip continued, I saw this man’s demeanor remain constant and strong. Laughing with us, his eyes wide open, but always aware of his family, of Sally. And even though I intellectually knew this before, I saw in action over an extended period of time, the reality that this incredible man, this selfless man, always placed his family, the needs of his children first and foremost. Without complaint. I saw it was inherent in his nature. In his soul.

I knew I was in the presence of a true hero. And what a gift he had bestowed upon me.

On our last day, the last night, I was sitting next to him. Sally and her mom had gone for a “bio break.” And there we were. The reality of who he is overwhelmed me. I was intimidated by the grace of this man. I so wanted to tell him. And yet, the words would not come. I began to tear up. Could I convey to him the gift he had given to me and convey it in a way that he would understand how important it was to me? The words caught in my throat. And then, the moment was over as others joined us.

On our second day in the Magic Kingdom, the article on Terminal Anorexia was published in the Washington Post. It included some substantive quotes and information from me and included photos of my daughter and me. National news! From a news source with a significant following! Now this was going to be important! How wrong I was … how foolish.

As I saw Rafe every day continue to place the happiness and needs of his family over himself, I saw in action, that the measure of a person isn’t dictated by stories in a news source. It isn’t about your own accolades. It is about the selfless, every day works of a humble hero. From people who would never think about using the word “hero” to describe themselves.

Years ago at Thanksgiving, I started a tradition in my family where after we dine, we sit around the table and briefly say what we are thankful for. This year, for me, it will be easy. My eyes have been opened.

Rafe, you are my hero. You are the father, the daddy, the pappa, I aspire to be. Your quiet grace. Your dignity. Your humor. Your strength.

You are a hero.

“Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.” ― Sun-Tzu, The Art of War

The Art of War was written in the 5^th Century B.C. by a legendary figure, General Sun Tzu. Composed during the tumultuous Warring States period of China, it was the first book of its kind, totally dedicated to the study of warfare.

In some business schools today, it is still required reading. That is because this scroll is not just a blueprint on tactics in warfare, but it speaks to leadership qualities and assessing strengths and weaknesses in organizations, businesses and people in general.

With regard to leadership qualities, authoritative English translations indicate one of Sun Tzu’s philosophies was:

There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general:

(1) Recklessness, which leads to destruction;

(2) cowardice, which leads to capture;

(3) a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults;

(4) a delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame;

(5) over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.

Even one of those qualities can be devastating not just for that leader but for her organization.  A combination of more than one of those qualities assures failure.

One of the most devastating flaws a “leader” can possess is equating themselves and the organization as being one and the same. This type of “leader” rules from a place of intimidation and fear. They trust no one. Suspicion and insecurity are the hallmarks of their decision making. Fact based, intelligent criticism of the organization is regarded as a personal slight and insult. That type of organization embraces the ego and selfishness and shrinks from humility and public service. The removal of that “leader” often results in the organization failing.

Which brings us to the international association of eating disorders professional foundation, inc. (“iaedp”) and its “leader” Bonnie Harken.

In late August, I reached out to Ms. Harken and iaedp setting forth troubling concerns about iaedp and the iaedp chapters. As part of that correspondence, I stated,

“In fact, I have been strongly encouraged to attempt resolution quietly and confidentially with you and iaedp. I have reached out in good faith.

I welcome an open discussion with you in which we attempt to correct any misconceptions and right all wrongs. I also believe this can best be accomplished by bringing in a few third parties to work together collaboratively.”

That discussion never happened.

I believe Ms. Harken stated that she, “would fight until the end!” I will always wonder if Ms. Harken ever asked the more important questions, “What is in the best interests of iaedp?” and “What is in the best interests of the families suffering from eating disorders?”

In the past two months, I attempted to keep the individual chapters apprised of the communications. I advised them how they could retain attorneys inexpensively. I sent information to them addressing the inconsistencies I had found. I stated that I was available for a discussion with them at any time. I stated that in my opinion, the individual chapters did not have liability and that I was not looking at them.

Now, some of the individual chapters are exploring dissolving. Some of the individual chapters, like the Orange County Chapter, the Los Angeles Chapter, the San Francisco Chapter, the SoCal Chapter cannot dissolve. This is because, according to the California Attorney General they are not properly registered in California and as such, are not authorized to conduct business in that State.

Those chapters’ board of directors was required to make sure all legal requirements were complied with when registering in California. They were not. Ms. Harken leads each of those boards of directors (as well as all other iaedp corporate chapters)

We made one last attempt at resolution before litigation being filed, including sending a copy of the complaint to Ms. Harken’s and iaedp’s attorneys. This communication was met with stony silence. The time for a response has lapsed. And so, to litigation we will proceed. As surely we must. As well as complaints to state and federal taxing authorities.

General Sun Tzu believed that when you have your foe surrounded and their defeat is inevitable, you should offer that foe an honorable exit.

In this matter, a road to redemption was offered. And was not accepted.

The consequences for that lack of vision will inevitably lead to a conclusion Ms. Harken and iaedp cannot or will not foresee.

More’s the pity.

My beloved daughter Morgan,

Another year upon us. The lighting of a commemoration candle at 11:31 tonight marking when you left us. Another reminder of you being gone.

Leaving a hole in the heart.  A part of our soul now missing. The knowledge that for those who loved you the most, for your mom and daddy, we will never be complete again. A part of us … perhaps the best part, has been unfairly taken from us.

As for us, what do we have left? Is there a path before us? How do we find it?  And then, how do we stay on it?

For the past seven years, I have tried to get out of my own way and let greater messages, messages I was never meant to understand at the time, simply flow through me. To embrace all the life lessons I had learned up to that point, and then to simply follow the messages and leaders that would be brought to me.

I know you want … you demand that I keep fighting. You never gave up. The Heart of a Lioness and the Soul of a Warrior. Even as your last breath left you. You called us “Twins.” And I know you demand that I never give up as well.

But the burden is so great, and it is singular.  Whatever path placed before me I walk alone. At my weakest moments, the reality of never being publicly supported by even one person, squeezes some of the humanity from me. And then I remember all the times you fought. Your pain. Your turmoil. Your demons. But then the people you helped, the lives you saved … “I can seem to help everyone else, I just can’t save myself.” A message that inspires me … and haunts me.

There is so much to do. So many families being hurt. So many loved ones in such pain … as you were. And so many who should be helping and yet, are wrestling with their own demons, their own inner turmoil, their own fear. Give me the wisdom and insight to always remember that and give them the grace and understanding they so richly deserve.

I know not where this path is taking me.  I do not control it. I know I do not have the luxury of leaving the path. Despite my many flaws, my weaknesses, I know I must carry on.  To carry this burden.

How many more souls will YOU save through the messaging that flows through me? How many more sons and daughters will be restored and will return to their families with their bodies, their minds, their souls recovered and now intact? Please always remind me it is never about me.  I do not save them. You do. Your messaging saves them.

I am so weary. This year … this time, feels especially painful. And I don’t know why. Perhaps I am not meant to understand that. I do know I can never let my ego believe that I see a path of light and righteousness that others should be taking. But that would just be a misguided ego. It is not about me or my perception. It never was. Help me always remember that.

In this arena of life, the battle is becoming much more intense and threatens to overwhelm. And when that moment hits in which I may finally be overcome, imbue others with your strength, your humor, your resolve so that they may carry on your incredible, indomitable fighting spirit.

I know I do not have the luxury of giving up. This path was set before me by fates I am not meant to understand. I do not have to like this path. That does not matter. What does matter is that I know I cannot leave this path. The lessons you taught me after you were taken mandate that I stay the course.

But I need you now more than ever. Bring wisdom. Bring humility. Bring faith. Bring love. Guide me. Do not let me falter.

I know I am weak. Without your spirit, I cannot continue. At 11:31 p.m. tonight, I will light a candle. I will cry. I will remember. But through those tears, through that one candle, through quiet reflection and sorrow, find a way to embrace me with your loving arms. Find a way to let me find more strength, more resolve, more wisdom and understanding so that together, you and I can continue to love and to help others.

A future for others awaits. Help me to understand, that when I am needed, I will answer the call and help others find that future.

And maybe then, maybe one day, I can rest.

One day.

Your loving Daddy

Death.

Transitioning.

Reincarnation.

Afterlife.

Nihilism.

Charon the Ferry Man.

Cicero writing in the “Dream of Scipio” describing an out of body experience of the soul traveling high above the Earth looking down on the small planet from far away.

The Halls of Valhalla.

Heaven, Hell and Limbo.

So many beliefs, so much conjecture. So much fear.

The great unknown.

All words and terms which describe an absolute certainty, a universal truth. Our existence as we know it, using whatever belief system you embrace, on this third rock from the sun is going to end . Our fragile bodily organs are going to cease. Finis.

The finality of our current existence evokes the greatest amount of fear in so many people. And I can’t help but wonder … why? Why do we fear that which we cannot alter? Why do we fear an event that will happen to us all? Do we fear our loss of this life? Or, on a much grander scale, do we fear the loss of our very existence? That intangible essence of a soulfulness which far transcends our knowledge. What do we fear?

Now certainly, I do not relish the thought of the various pains that often accompany death. But, when a person comes to grasp the reality that all death is certain, perhaps a small light of understanding enters our consciousness, a light that can grow in intensity. A light that can temper our fear of death.

For me, with regard to the specter of death, (using the parlance of our times), the end of October sucks mammoth monkey balls.

My daughter’s commemoration day is but 6 days away. But today for me, that must wait. Today is another black letter day.

Four years ago, on October 24, 2019, my dad was taken.

Cancer visited him for the last time during his 88^th rotation around the sun. The message of its inevitability registered even though his mind was fogged with pain medication.

At 12:54 p.m., Dallas time, my father breathed his last. Surrounded by all 5 children, their spouses, significant others. Surrounded by love. Once again, hearing those devastating words, “He’s gone.”

And yet, I needed a final, last life lesson taught by my dad. When given the news of cancer and its severity, my dad faced that news not with outward fear, pain and anger, but with grace. The last life lesson he taught me was to find and then embrace, the courage which exists within us all as we face our certain mortality. Believe in something greater than ourselves. Find the grace and courage within us.

My dad did not often show his emotions. At least, until the grandbabies came on to the scene.  He flew fighter jets, was transported in a mini submarine to inspect Russian radar facilities in the 1950s, played musical instruments, made a lot of money, lost it all, and loved his children.

And when faced with the greatest fear that most people encounter, his inner strength, his courage, was passed to us, to his children, so that we could continue our battles. And continue we do as we surely must.

It is almost too contrived to say, “thank you Dad, I love you.” But no other words suffice.

“Thank you Dad.”

“I love you.”

With regard to the eating disorder community, other than being located in the United States, what do the following 28 geographic areas have in common?

• San Francisco
• Southwest Washington
• South Carolina
• New Haven
• Miami
• Lubbock
• Kansas City
• The Heartland (Illinois)
• Richmond
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• Alabama
• Tampa
• Rhode Island
• North Carolina
• Atlanta
• Central Florida
• Willamette Valley
• Philadelphia
• Denver
• New York City
• Puget Sound
• South Florida
• Southern Florida
• Los Angeles
• Phoenix
• Central Coast California
• San Diego
• Orange County California

Each area contains an “independent” iaedp corporate chapter. Yet despite the broad geographic disbursement of those “independent” iaedp corporate chapters, each chapter was incorporated in the State of Illinois.

That is strange since the “national chapter,” iaedp Foundation, Inc. is organized in the State of California. So why were those twenty-eight (28) “independent” iaedp corporate chapters organized in the State of Illinois?

Bonnie Harken resides in Pekin, Illinois.

Incorporation in Illinois matters because that allows Ms. Harken, along with Dena Cabrera and Joel Jahraus (and Ralph Carson in all but 3 chapters), to act as the Board of Directors for all of these “independent” iaedp corporate chapters.

The importance of this fact cannot be underestimated. Ms. Harken sits on the Board of Directors of each and every “independent” iaedp corporate chapter incorporated in Illinois. And the Board of Directors is the real “power” behind any organization. Not the officers. Not employees. Not contractors.

Power and control reside within the Board of Directors. Illinois law succinctly states:

§ 108.05. Board of directors. (a) Each corporation shall have a board of directors, and except as provided in articles of incorporation, the affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors.

The reality is that the “independent” iaedp corporate chapters are anything BUT independent. Each corporate chapter is subservient to the whims, the wishes, the desires, the demands of Ms. Harken.

The Board of Directors (AKA Bonnie and her people) of each “independent” iaedp corporate chapter:

• Can hire/fire any officer;
• Can change the mission of each iaedp corporate chapter—even without the approval of the officers of that chapter;
• Have the exclusive right to file articles of dissolution (the document that disbands the chapter);
• Change the amount of revenue each chapter pays to the national foundation, and;
• Employ attorneys to defend the corporate chapter regarding any dispute … or refuse to retain and pay those attorneys.

If the “independent” iaedp corporate chapters need additional evidence that they are subservient to Ms. Harken and the national chapter, they only need to look at each chapter’s corporate filings with the Illinois Secretary of State. All contain the following language:

5.        Brief statement of the type of activity the corporation is conducting:

CONSISTENT WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE 501C6, THE CHAPTER IS EDUCATIONAL IN PURPOSE AND IS IN COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EATING DISORDERS PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATION, INC.

But WAIT!

Ms. Harken’s national foundation, iaedp Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. However, it appears as if the “independent” iaedp corporate chapters are 501(c)(6) organizations.

In accordance with IRS rules and regulations, 501(c)(3) organization’s primary goal is charitable or educational. They must perform activities that benefit the public through services such as providing housing, food distribution, education, religion, or other publicly beneficial actions.

Contrarily, the IRS does not categorize 501(c)(6) organizations as charitable organizations. Instead, these organizations are formed to support their members’ business activities or association activities.

501(c)(3) nonprofits can receive tax-deductible donations. However, Ms. Harken’s national foundation, iaedp Foundation, Inc. largely does not solicit nor accept donations. Aren’t we justified in asking … why not?

The “independent” iaedp corporate chapters cannot solicit tax deductible donations and do not have a Board of Directors of their own choosing. Ms. Harken has invested herself with seemingly, unlimited control; if the chapters wanted to do something to enact positive change, they’d be limited by not only their filings but likely by Ms. Harken’s overlording.

Let’s review how she accomplished acquiring this power:

1).       Ms. Harken is the only full time, “officer/employee/contractor or indentured servant” of the national iaedp chapter;

2).      Ms. Harken ensures that the Board of Directors overseeing the national organization contains ZERO attorneys, ZERO persons with outside business experience and ZERO experience in other industries.

3).      As “managing director” of iaedp national, Ms. Harken has employed her son in whatever capacity she deems appropriate. Historically, that has included attempting to manage the website, the audio/visual aspects of the Symposium, and potentially any other employment she believes suits her family’s needs. Anti-nepotism rules in many organizations exist for legitimate reasons.;

4).      Ms. Harken refuses to provide documents and financial information that iaedp national, as a 501(c)(3) entity is required to disclose to any and all third parties, including the “independent” iaedp corporate chapters;

5).       Ms. Harken refuses to authorize and/or approve an independent audited, financial statement conducted by a reputable CPA firm and has so refused for in excess of ten (10) years (hmmm… what might she be trying to hide?);

6).      At 80 years old, Ms. Harken has not publicly announced any transition plan to allow the next generation of professionals to operate the national iaedp foundation. Because of her iron grip on iaedp national and the “independent” iaedp corporate chapters, this plan necessarily would need to be extensive and include changing the Board of Directors for each of the “independent” iaedp corporate chapters, reviewing all contracts, conducting due diligence on all past activities, and investigating for possible fraud;

7).       Ms. Harken refuses to pay to the California Labor Board state taxes, both past and current, for work and services performed for a California based organization and for work performed within the State of California. In all legal probability, this could expose herself, iaedp national and iaedp national’s Board of Directors for payment of taxes, penalties and interest;

8).      Ms. Harken dissolved her for profit corporation in 2016, and for every year thereafter, she made material misrepresentations to the general public on iaedp national’s Form 990 tax filing about the status of this corporation;

9).      Ms. Harken implemented an unlawful tying arrangement mandating iaedp national association membership and attendance at the national symposium in order to acquire and maintain board certification. She continues this practice even though she has actual knowledge of a federal court case in which an identical tying arrangement was thrown out;

10).    Ms. Harken’s iaedp’s national Board of Directors did not conduct a thorough investigation of Ms. Harken, did not place her on administrative leave and is allowing her to conduct business as usual despite iaedp’s attorneys admitting that mistakes and errors were made.

Each of these ten (10) items are irrefutable and/or are supported by documentation and administrative filings with state and federal agencies.

I cannot help but wonder how much of this important information has been conveyed by Ms. Harken to the “independent” iaedp corporate chapters. How much transparency has there been? Has Ms. Harken answered all of your questions to your satisfaction? Has Ms. Harken produced all of the documents and information you requested?

We can only speculate as to what will become of the “independent” iaedp corporate chapters as state and federal administrative investigations of Ms. Harken and the national iaedp chapter are conducted, especially as these issues with iaedp national are discovered.

In fact, there may be “independent” chapters who may wish to disband. If so, as officers in those chapters, you should know that legally you do not have the right nor authority to officially disband those chapters. Under Illinois law, a majority of the directors on your Board of Directors (meaning, Ms. Harken and her people) must approve and file articles of dissolution. But first, all chapter debts must be paid. Then, if there are any assets remaining, those assets must be conveyed to another non-profit organization and not insiders.

But please reconsider going in the direction of disbanding.

As stated before, the “independent” iaedp chapter corporations are 501(C)(6) organizations. Technically you are a business league or a trade association. Perhaps your interests may be best served by collaborating and operating as a trade association?

Various possibilities are allowed under the 501(C)(6) designation. For example, forming a National Alliance overseeing all “independent” iaedp chapter corporations? Creating a central repository containing research articles, items of varied and important interests and the latest in treatment regiments to be shared with pediatricians and other medical professionals who do not specialize in eating disorders.

Why should you not have a national listserv where you, as members, have 24/7 access to this listserv where you can ask questions and seek treatment experts in other parts of the nation? As providers who have been volunteering countless hours to the field, [and a very sincere, thank you for that] your passion for the field can continue to not only be utilized and valued, but exponentially grown.

As I hear about chapters wanting change and fearing the future, ideas have been shared. For example, potentially the financially stronger chapters could assist fledgling chapters. Ideas to generate revenue could be shared. Collaborating with other medical professionals on joint projects could be organized.

A national alliance of chapters could become stronger, more relevant and have access to very large libraries of research and understanding. By way of example, the universities in the Big 10 Conference have the Big 10 Academic Alliance. I am embedding information about this alliance:

https://btaa.org/%5BAS1%5D

If the primary mission of the “independent” iaedp corporate chapters is to reach out to treatment providers and educate them, imagine, for example, having access to treatment providers while they are in medical school and their residency programs… THAT could make for tremendous progress.

Why can’t your ideas and other far greater future progress which is generated by chapter members be explored, fought for, pursued and then achieved? What is stopping this type of progress? Your future awaits. A bold future. A bright future. Despite what you may have heard about me, I certainly am excited about that type of future. [And no, I do not have cloven hooves nor horns, nor a pointy tail… most of the time!]

I understand that I can come off as intimidating, as a force, as a person to be feared. Almost 40 years of fighting in courtrooms across this nation can leave that impression. However, for most of my life you could measure the depth of my soul by the thimbleful.

I am still a man of many character flaws. However, when the most precious life you have ever embraced is extinguished, the person you may have been dies with your loved one. A person can only hope that if and when your soul finds you and its purpose is made clear, you have the fortitude, wisdom and humility to stay on that path.

And so, for those who would trust in themselves and find a way to trust me, you will find no more loyal friend than me. I can assure you that if you have concerns and contact me, I will embrace you as a fellow soul, a person, a unique individual who deserves and will receive a respectful, civil conversation. Trust in your courage. Leave any fear behind.

The future awaits you, awaits our children, awaits progress and brighter tomorrows. And we must be bold in facing down impediments and obstacles wherever, or whoever they may be.

And so, the last question I have for you is … how much longer are we going to let any impediment deter us from accomplishing our truest mission?

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According to iaedp’s records, it has ZERO full time employees.

According to iaedp’s records, it has ZERO paid employees.

According to iaedp’s records, no officer, employee or director has any reportable compensation from iaedp.

Consider those facts.

ZERO full time employees.

ZERO paid employees.

ZERO reportable compensation for any officer, employee or director.

Since those facts come from iaedp’s own Form 990 tax forms, we can assume they are accurate. If those fact are accurate, iaedp could have many tax issues and quite frankly, does not even need a Board of Directors.

This is because a Board of Directors can only oversee the operations of an organization which has actual employees. Independent contractors must be completely free from control of the organization for which they provide their services or they cease to be independent contractors.

Iaedp is a 501(c)(3) organization with ZERO paid employees and yet generates revenue exceeding $1,000,000 annually. An organization with ZERO paid employees and yet, is charged with operating and overseeing a Board Certification program for the care and treatment of eating disorders. A Board Certification program ostensibly not subject to the whims and direction of a Board of Directors since iaedp’s “managing director,” as an independent contractor can do whatever she pleases with no direction and no oversight.

So, let us explore how iaedp and Ms. Harken performed these feats of “Keyser Sose like” prestidigitation.

The Devil’s in the Details (or Documents)

On iaedp’s Form 990 tax returns, its “managing director” Bonnie Harken, declares under penalties of perjury, that her “management company,” Crossroads Programs, Inc. is managing iaedp and that it is an independent contractor instead of employee.

To this we can safely say:

The records from the Illinois Secretary of State indicate Crossroads Programs, Inc. dissolved on June 10, 2016. Crossroads has not been in existence since that date.

When confronted with this reality, Ms. Harken through her attorneys admitted this information submitted on its Form 990 was wrong. They stated that Ms. Harken was operating through her “sole proprietorship” presumably with the same name. A sole proprietorship is merely a person doing business under an assumed name. It may have a separate tax ID number. But the individual and the sole proprietorship are the same, they are one.

We can only wonder how long Ms. Harken’s misrepresentation regarding her corporate status would have continued if not brought to their attention. We do know that corporate misrepresentation appears on at least five (5) of iaedp’s Form 990 last tax filings.

We can certainly understand and sympathize if this matter is overlooked for one year. But FIVE years? That is not a mistake. That is intentional. And it is deceptive.

Independent Contractor or Employee … Is there really a difference?

If we review Ms. Harken’s statement made under penalties of perjury that she is an independent contractor of iaedp and not an employee, we are justified in asking is that too another falsehood? For if she is an employee, the ramifications for Ms. Harken and iaedp could be quite draconian.

Since iaedp is a California organization, we must look to California law to determine if Ms. Harken is an independent contractor, as she represents to the IRS, the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and the general public or is in fact, an employee.

The facts, and common sense do not support Ms. Harken’s sworn statement that she is an independent contractor.

The State of California utilizes the “ABC test” to determine if workers are employees or independent contractors.

California law presumes that a worker is an employee and not an independent contractor. The employer (in this case, iaedp) has the burden to prove a worker is in fact, an independent contractor.

Under the ABC test, a worker is considered an employee and not an independent contractor, unless the employer satisfies all three of the following conditions:

• The worker is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work, both under the contract for the performance of the work and in fact;
• The worker performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business; and
• The worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as that involved in the work performed.

Iaedp cannot satisfy even one of these criteria.

Ms. Harken, is purportedly working 40 hours a week, has employed her son and pays him approximately $76,ooo annually. They are allegedly providing work and services clearly within the usual course of business of iaedp corporate chapters and other eating disorder organizations.

She organizes iaedp’s annual symposium and oversees all aspects of the manner in which iaedp conducts business. She can run iaedp with an iron fist without any oversight or control.  And she does. Within the context of iaedp, Ms. Harken has “unlimited power.” How likely is unlimited power likely to be ceded by an organization to an independent contractor? Someone over whom you have no control. Unlimited power!

Ms. Harken, her dissolved corporation and d/b/a/ a sole proprietorship cannot show under any circumstances that she was performing work outside the usual course of business of an eating disorder organization. To the contrary.

The facts show that on iaedp’s tax forms, Ms. Harken misrepresented Crossroad’s status, misrepresented its existence, misrepresented that she was not an employee and illegally operated in the State of California.

In Ms. Harken’s defense, we must raise the question, “If Ms. Harken is a resident of the State of Illinois, would she be subject to California taxation law as either an employee or independent contractor?” The answer is yes.

California companies have to withhold state income taxes for resident employees wherever they perform their services, and generally for nonresident employees for services performed in-state. But this is not the case for nonresident employees who perform all their services outside of California.

This provision does not apply to Ms. Harken since she performs some of her services within the State of California. We know this for a fact because the iaedp annual symposium is hosted every other year in Palm Springs, California.

But let’s give Ms. Harken the benefit of the doubt and assume, for some reason known only to God and broccoli, all state and federal agencies determine that Ms. Harken is in fact, an independent contractor. The result would still be the same.

Specifically, the issue is not where the independent contractor performed the services, but in what state the benefit was received. Accordingly, even if nonresident independent contractors never set foot in California, if they perform services for a California-based customer, they have an economic nexus with the state and are likely doing business in California for income tax purposes.

We know for a fact that Ms. Harken has set foot in California at least during those years in which the symposium is conducted in Palm Springs. Presumably the California iaedp corporate chapters pay the national chapter certain revenue.

In iaedp’s tax filing in California it reports that iaedp has no paid employees and has not withheld any state income taxes. That is a significant problem.

California requires employers to withhold state income tax from wages paid to employees. There are also three other state payroll taxes: State disability insurance, which are withheld from employees’ wages; Unemployment insurance, which the employer pays; and Employment training tax, which the employer also pays. Iaedp did not do this.

California has a reputation of strictly enforcing withholding requirements. Failure to comply may result in penalties against the organization, its directors, and employees. The penalty is generally equal to the tax evaded or not collected.

Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), Chair of the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee stated, “An independent contractor is a specific designation for self-employed people or businesses engaged in contract work. It’s not a gimmick for organizations to avoid paying for employee healthcare and other benefits or reducing their tax liability. Any company found breaking the law will be brought to justice, and they would certainly have no business advising other companies on labor law.”

Iaedp (or Ms. Harken since they are one and the same) employed a dissolved corporation as an independent contractor as its managing director. This resulted in iaedp having ZERO full time employees.  These facts are not in dispute.

And yet, that alleged independent contractor (Ms. Harken) is performing all the work for iaedp. If allowed, that would result in a Board of Directors having no power or authority over the only person acting as a full-time employee. Further, to whom does this independent contractor, this dissolved corporation or sole proprietor or individual report?

As egregious as Ms. Harken’s conduct, conduct which has a possibility of significant tax penalties being assessed against iaedp and Ms. Harken, as investigations conducted by the California Labor Board, the IRS and other entities will inevitably ramp up (followed closely by litigation), legal and financial exposure for third parties is also likely to be explored by federal and state agencies.

But it could be far worse. And it is.

In the next article, we shall discuss how Ms. Harken, and iaedp’s current president, Charlynn Smith may have exposed iaedp’s Board of Directors to significant financial liability.

Board certification programs requiring membership in the sponsoring association as a prerequisite to obtaining certification may be challenged as an illegal “tying” arrangement, among other antitrust theories.

Certification programs that are anticompetitive, discriminatory, unrelated to objective standards, or implemented without fair procedures are most likely to attract antitrust challenges. Moreover, certification programs that charge an unreasonably high price to apply for or receive certification or recertification similarly are subject to and likely to attract antitrust challenge.

Whereas, certifying bodies generally have broad discretion in setting and implementing certification requirements, courts will intervene when standards are not objectively established nor substantively justifiable. 

Which brings us to Bonnie Harken and iaedp.

In layman’s terms, an illegal tying arrangement arises when a seller [iaedp] possesses market power over the tying product [Board Certification] and exploits that power to force a buyer [eating disorder professionals] to purchase a distinct tied product [membership in iaedp and attendance at a symposium] that the buyer [eating disorder professionals] could have purchased elsewhere.

And for iaedp, that is a problem … a massive problem.

One of the reasons that tying arrangement are problematic is because the seller [iaedp] has a monopoly over the first item, [Board Certification]. So buyers [eating disorder professionals] are, in many instances, stuck with that seller for that item. And if they can only obtain the monopolized item [Board Certification] by purchasing the second item, [membership and attendance at a symposium] they are coerced into purchasing the second item from the tying seller [iaedp].

Iaedp’s precarious situation is illustrated in the recent case entitled Talone, et. al. v. The American Osteopathic Association, Case No. 1:16-cv-04644 (D. N.J. Jun. 12, 2017).

A group of osteopathic doctors sought class certification in the Talone suit which was filed in a federal court in New Jersey in August 2016. The defendant was the primary certifying body for osteopathic physicians in the United States, the American Osteopathic Association (“AOA”). The AOA is the only accrediting agency for osteopathic graduate medical education. A further component of practicing medicine is board certification to signify a particular specialty. The AOA offers board certification for osteopathic medicine. The American Board of Medical Specialties (“ABMS”) also offers board certification, but osteopathic physicians who complete their residencies at AOA accredited programs—the only accredited osteopathic programs—are not eligible for ABMS board certification. AOA board certification typically costs in excess of $1000 for the examination and administrative fees, plus annual board certification maintenance.

The Plaintiffs’ case targeted the fact that starting in 2012, in addition to the annual board certification maintenance fee, the AOA required all AOA board certified physicians to purchase and maintain annual membership in the AOA—or risk cancellation of their certification. The same requirements imposed by iaedp.

After the defendant’s motion to dismiss the case was denied, the parties reached a class settlement agreement. The agreement included:

1. A mutual non-disparagement clause and non-retaliation clause;
2. The AOA had to pay for sending notices to class members;
3. Certification was decoupled (stripped) from association membership;
4. Board Certification maintenance fee was terminated;
5. AOA was required to reduce dues by $90 for 2 years and dues were capped for another 2 years;
6. AOA had to pay $2 million for awareness campaign;
7. An independent task force was established to oversee the programs;
8. AOA had to pay attorney’s fees of $2,617,000;
9. Incentive awards for Class Representative of at least $15,000 were approved.

The plaintiffs’ attorneys estimated that benefits paid to class members by AOA would eventually exceed $35,000,000.

Iaedp’s situation is more egregious.  In the Talone case, there was an alternative certifying organization. Iaedp has a 100% monopoly. In the Talone case, the defendant did not require attendance at an annual symposium once every four years.

Mandatory attendance at Ms. Harken’s symposium does not further the goals of Board Certification. Let’s call it for what it is … a money grab.

On iaedp’s latest Form 990 (for 2021), it reported the symposium brought in $580,157.00.

The year before (2020), the symposium revenue was reported as $545,192.00.

The year before (2019), the symposium revenue was reported as $464,582.00.

It’s a good gig if you can get it.

Unless iaedp leadership makes extreme changes, changes which are in the best interest of the community, class action litigation against iaedp in the near future is a virtual certainty. If the court in the expected iaedp class action litigation follows the precedent set by the court in Talone, as part of the remedies the court will strip away certification from iaedp.

Certification for the care and treatment of eating disorders is important. That is why it cannot be left to people who are controlled by their own fear, self-interest and anger.

Indeed, if Board Certification is stripped away by a court, the only thing left for iaedp at that point may onlhy be the be numerous questions asked by the Attorney Generals of the States of Illinois and California … and the IRS.

In our next part, we will go into the possible tax consequences that iaedp, Ms. Harken and unfortunately, perhaps its Board of Directors may be facing… as well as all iaedp members who paid their fees and dues and then reported those fees and dues as a charitable deduction on their own tax returns.

“Enlightenment is ego’s ultimate disappointment.”
― Chögyam Trungpa, Tibetan Buddhist Monk

Leadership and Ego

Strong, effective leaders must certainly maintain a balanced, healthy ego. Their ego must be kept in check by humility and the ability to listen and adapt. The higher a leader rises in the ranks, the more they are at risk of suffering from an out of control, inflated ego. The bigger their ego grows, the more they are at risk of ending up in an insulated bubble, losing touch with their colleagues and their culture. An unchecked ego can warp their perspective and twist their values.

Jennifer Woo, CEO of The Lane Crawford Joyce Group, Asia’s largest luxury retailer, remarked: “Managing our ego’s craving for fortune, fame, and influence is the prime responsibility of any leader. When we’re caught in the grip of the ego’s craving for more power, we lose control. Ego makes us susceptible to manipulation; it narrows our field of vision; and it corrupts our behavior, often causing us to act against our values.”

Bonnie Harken

Bonnie Harken started with iaedp in 2002. She remains its managing director today and is, ipso facto, its sole power. Certainly, twenty-one (21) years far exceeds the reign of any other leader of all other eating disorder organizations.

And yet, troubling issues abound with iaedp. One can’t help but question whether those issues arose or were worsened because of ego.

Iaedp reports that as its Managing Director, Ms. Harken works 40.00 hours per week … for free.  She does not take a salary. However, her dissolved management company, Crossroads Programs, Inc. purportedly has a consulting agreement with iaedp and is paid a base income of $156,000.00.

Non-existent corporation and conflicts of interest

The first of many problems confronting iaedp and Ms. Harken is that her corporation, Crossroads Programs, Inc. was dissolved on June 6, 2016. However, on iaedp’s Form 990 tax returns going back as far as 2017, Ms. Harken directed that her corporation be listed as “inc.” which means, a corporation in good standing. A dissolved corporation does not have the legal right to enter into any contracts or to be paid any amounts of money.  This was pointed out to Ms. Harken.

Her response through her attorneys? Oh, you’re right! It was dissolved in 2016 but it is actually a “sole proprietorship.” The IRS defines “sole proprietorship” simply: “A sole proprietor is someone who owns an unincorporated business by himself or herself.”

Ms. Harken’s sole proprietorship is a for profit entity. Iaedp’s Form 990 reveals that money from iaedp is funding Ms. Harken’s “sole proprietorship” and its “division,” Crossroad Programs for Women. According to Ms. Harken’s social media pages, these dissolved and non-existent entities are providing lectures, group discussions and therapeutic exercises on mental health and eating disorders. Those same services are also provided by iaedp members. So, aren’t we justified in asking whether a gross and obvious conflict of interest exists?

Iaedp has other grave issues.  iaedp was incorporated in California in 1996. In Illinois, an out of state (a/k/a foreign) organization must contact the Office of the Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Bureau to register as required under the Illinois Charitable Organization Laws prior to any solicitation or holding of charitable assets. In addition, any charities holding or soliciting funds in Illinois must also register with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office prior to any solicitation of funds. This was not done. When this too was pointed out to Ms. Harken, her attorneys responded and in essence said, thank you for pointing this out to us. It is being taken care of.

Of course, in all likelihood, these financial and policy concerns would have been discovered by an independent audited financial statement. The problem is, iaedp has not had an independent audited financial statement prepared going back at least as far as ten (10) years. One can speculate as to the reasons.

Private Inurement Doctrine

Other serious issues exist. There is a doctrine in the IRS Code generally referred to as the Private Inurement Doctrine. Simply put, the “Private Inurement Doctrine” applies to persons, commonly referred to as “insiders,” such as founders, directors, or officers who can influence or control use of an organization’s assets for personal gain.

Examples of private inurement violations include: “Use of organizational assets to support, fund, or otherwise invest in an insider’s business.”

Which brings us back to questions regarding Ms. Harken and her “sole proprietorship, Crossroads. If iaedp is funding Ms. Harken’s “sole proprietorship,” [which is clearly an “insider’s business] which appears to openly compete with iaedp members and chapters, that could present tax issues not just for Ms. Harken and iaedp, but also iaedp’s Board of Directors.

The IRS can hold a board accountable and potentially liable for actions the organization takes that are not within IRS boundaries. This includes fiduciary liability regarding financial matters. These penalties and sanctions can be draconian. They include Intermediate Sanctions penalties assessed on individual board members. Initially, the IRS could fine each board member up to 25 percent of the benefit received. If the nonprofit doesn’t act quickly to comply with the IRS, it could increase to 200 percent, per board member.

To attempt a quiet resolution on these issues, I reached out to Ms. Harken and brought these issues to her attention. In fact, in that correspondence, I stated: “I welcome an open discussion with you in which we attempt to correct any misconceptions and right all wrongs. I also believe this can best be accomplished by bringing in a few third parties to work together collaboratively.”

Lawyer Up and Straw Men Down

Ms. Harken’s response was to immediately “lawyer up.” [which may have been the smartest thing Ms. Harken has done in quite some time.] When I asked for basic information from the attorneys, they refused to provide that information.

Recently, I received an email from the lawyers thanking me for bringing these matters to their attention, that they are taking care of some of those issues. In essence, there was nothing to see here … move along, move along. They also insisted that I cease and desist from “disparaging iaedp.”

And then, Ms. Harken and iaedp’s attorneys attempted to deflect attention away from iaedp’s many issues and brought up their belief that the Morgan Foundation is operating illegally. This is generally known as a “straw man fallacy or argument.”

A straw man fallacy is the fallacious practice of attempting to refute an argument different from the one actually under discussion, while not recognizing or acknowledging the distinction.

Nonetheless, for transparency, I will address this straw man. In 2017, I started the Morgan Foundation to honor my daughter, Morgan, who died from anorexia. But, in early 2020, I intentionally let the Foundation lapse.

Through my investigation and research, I found that there were people in the eating disorder community who instead of helping families, were actually hurting families suffering from this disease. I knew that to expose their conduct and get them out, I had to be aggressive and utilize social media and the court system. I did not want my daughter’s name sullied with that which had to be done. So, the Morgan Foundation does not, and has not solicited donations, accepted donations or co-sponsored any events since it was closed. I leave the Morgan Foundation logo on my law firm stationary because: (1). It is a pretty cool logo, and (2). It is another daily reminder of my beloved daughter.

And therein lies a sin that cannot be forgiven.

To me, there are very few things/people beneath contempt. But, in attempting to take issue with, and besmirch the Morgan Foundation, Ms. Harken besmirched the memory of my daughter. A child who died after fighting eating disorders for seven (7) years with much more courage than people like Ms. Harken could possibly envision. In doing so, Ms. Harken crossed the Rubicon of decency. For that, there will be no forgiveness. For that, there will be no clemency nor mercy.

I understand that when these matters were brought to Ms. Harken’s attention, her response was of indignation, that she would fight until the end. Her actions certainly substantiate that belief. And I can’t help wondering what else is being hidden. After all, isn’t iaedp supposed to be operating to help families with eating disorders? Shouldn’t it be open and transparent regarding all issues to any and all interested parties?

I can’t help but wonder how many times Ms. Harken may have asked not just herself, but others, “At this point, what is in the best interests of iaedp?” Even more importantly, how many times has Ms. Harken asked, “What is in the best interests of the families who are so suffering?”

The unfortunate reality is that out-of-control egos prevent that type of introspection or questioning. Out of control egos prevent leaders of organizations from self-regulating and self-reflecting.

That type of hubris results in leaders not understanding the position of peril in which they placed their organization when that organization’s only true asset is at risk and could be subject to class-based litigation.

In iaedp’s case, that would be the certification program.

And in the next article, we will discuss the manner in which the eating disorder certification program is at great peril and could be subjected to judicial scrutiny.

Captain Renault: “I’m shocked! Shocked to find that gambling is going on in here.”

Croupier: “Your winnings, sir.”

            Casablanca

It is certainly one thing when outsiders attempt to expose issues of great concern regarding organizations. This is particularly true in the eating disorder community.

Outsiders can allege that certain organizations prioritize profit and growth over patient care until the cows come home. We can shout to the mountaintops with righteous indignation. But, more often than not, those admonitions and concerns are taken with the same pound of salt given to that old man who yells at the clouds or hollers out, “You kids get off my lawn!”

But, what if …

What if damning remarks are instead made by insiders in an organization? And not just any insiders, but a Chief Executive Officer and other high-ranking officers? Officers who know. Officers with first-hand knowledge and information. In fact, what if a Chief Executive Officer was fired for expressing concerns to a Board of Directors and the private equity owners/overlords? What are we to make of this situation and is it even remotely possible that this situation did, or does exist?

It does. I give you Exhibit 1 … our old friends at Castlewood/Alsana.

After Jennifer Steiner, the former CEO of Castlewood/Alsana was fired, she left to invest in and start a new entity based in California, Lightfully Behavioral. But all was not rosy with her departure as CEO of Castlewood/Alsana.

In fact, on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 2021, Treatment Center Acquisition Company, LLC filed suit against Ms. Steiner in a California state court. So, who is Treatment Center Acquisition Company, LLC?

Follow along on this one. Apparently, Treatment Center Acquisition Company, LLC is a Missouri limited liability company doing business as Alsana. But then, it claims its majority owner is the Riverside Company which is a Delaware company. However, its sole member is listed as ED Holdings-Castlewood, Inc. a Texas corporation. (A member of an LLC is an owner.) [I’m confused too.] Let’s just call them Alsana.

In the lawsuit, Alsana alleged Ms. Steiner breached a settlement agreement she entered into with Alsana, intentionally solicited and targeted Alsana’s employees to come to Lightfully and made disparaging and denigrating comments about Alsana and its ownership entities.

Now in the past, allegations have been made against Alsana by third parties (including me) that Alsana was more concerned about profiteering and growth at the expense of patient care. But, those allegations, no matter how well-founded, were made by outsiders, by third parties. By people who did not have first-hand knowledge. But … no longer.

NOW, PERSONS ON THE INSIDE, ALSANA’S FORMER HIGHEST RANKING OFFICERS ARE MAKING THE SAME STATEMENTS IN SWORN DECLARATIONS FILED IN A COURT OF LAW.

So, let’s get to them.

Amber Claudon

Amber Claudon, the former Senior Director of Clinical Programming and Training for Alsana for approximately 1 ½ years stated the following under penalties of perjury:

“As I explained in my June 28th cover email to Ms. Devin which attached my resignation letter, I was resigning from Alsana because I was ”witnessing what I believe to be a severance from the Alsana clinical product that I believe in.” I went on to note that I had ”witnessed a slow shift towards prioritizing growth above all other goals even to the detriment of 19 the clinical product.”

“I left Alsana freely, voluntarily, and of my own accord because I was concerned about the shift towards prioritizing growth above all other goals, even to the detriment of the clinical product, and I knew (from my time at Alsana) that Ms. Steiner’s was intently focused on patient care.”

Andrea Hollowell

Andrea Hollowell, the former Vice President for Growth for Alsana after having been an employee of Alsana for approximately 4 years, stated the following under penalties of perjury:

“I was resigning from Alsana because I had significant concerns about the company’s direction after Ms. Steiner left, and more particularly, I was concerned that Alsana was prioritizing growth and revenue above all other goals, to the detriment of patient care and the integrity of the business.”

“In the letter, Alsana threatened to sue me if l did not provide it with “assurances” that I was complying  with my post- employment obligations to Alsana.”

“As one might expect, receiving this type of letter from Alsana’s lawyer was very scary and nerve-racking.  Despite the fact I had done nothing wrong, Alsana’s letter made me question whether I should continue working at Lightfully.”

“Between July 2021 and mid-September 2021, I had many conversations with Ms. Steiner and certain other former Alsana employees who received similar threatening letters from Alsana, including Nicole Siegfried and Clodagh Rafferty. We constantly discussed the letters, their adverse emotional and psychological impact on us, and the impact these letters  and Alsana’s continued threats were having on Lightfully.”

Clodagh Rafferty

Clodagh Rafferty, the former Chief Operating Officer for Alsana after having been an employee of Alsana for approximately 2 1/2 years, stated the following under penalties of perjury:

“As I explained to Ms. Devin, and as I relayed to the attorneys that Alsana asked me to speak with, I was resigning from Alsana because I was concerned that Alsana was prioritizing growth and revenue above all other goals, to the detriment of patient care.”

“In the letter, Alsana threatened to sue me if did not provide it with “assurances that – [I] have not and do not plan to violate [my] obligations to Alsana[,]” including my purported obligation to comply with a non-solicitation provision set forth in certain Alsana employment related documents.”

“Although Alsana never filed a litigation against me, its threatening letters took a toll on my business relationship with Ms. Steiner. It has become increasingly difficult to perform my work as I deal with the threats by Alsana, and I continue to have serious concerns about my future at Lightfully for fear of what aggressive and vindictive course of conduct Alsana might direct against me next.”

Nicole Siegfried

Nicole Siegfried, the former Chief Clinical Officer for Alsana for approximately 4 years, stated the following under penalties of perjury:

“At the request of Alsana’ s Board, on or around June 16, 2021, I met with Margaret Sonnier, who I understood to be a labor and employment attorney retained by Alsana to investigate the clinical quality concerns that I described.”

“As I explained in my meeting with Ms. Devin, my follow-up meeting with Ms. Devin and Mr. McKernan, and my meeting with Ms. Sonnier, I was resigning from Alsana because I was concerned about the company’s direction after Ms. Steiner left, and more particularly, I was concerned that Alsana was prioritizing growth and revenue above all other goals to the detriment of patient care, staff training and retention, and the company’s culture. I also felt as though, after Ms. Steiner left the company, I was not being provided with important information, and that my suggestions for fixing the various problems at Alsana were dismissed or rejected. Finally, I found Ms. Devin, Alsana’s new CEO, to be very difficult to work with, as she often blamed other people for the issues that were ongoing at Alsana, which created an environment of fear, rather than collaboration.”

“Needless to say, receiving this type of letter from Alsana’s lawyer was very unnerving and scary. Despite the fact that I had done nothing wrong, Alsana’s letter made me question whether I should continue working at Lightfully.”

[Forgive me as I break the 4^th wall with this authorial interjection … Hi Nicole! Are you still on iaedp’s Board of Directors? If so, you will get to deal with me again in the future!]

Jennifer Steiner

And finally, from Jennifer Steiner, the former Chief Executive Officer of Alsana, who was sued by whatever entity owns the Alsana name, stated the following under penalties of perjury:

“As its CEO, I reported to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Riverside Company (“Riverside”), a private equity company, has been the majority owner of Alsana since December 2016, and it was the majority owner during my tenure as Alsana’s CEO.”

“Among many other things, during my tenure as Alsana’s CEO, the company nearly tripled revenue, with projections to have revenue quadrupled by the end of 2021. And between 2017 and 2020, under my leadership, Alsana’s EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) increased nearly ten-fold, with projections for the increase to be sixteen-fold by the end of 2021.”

“Despite all of my success, however, significant issues with Alsana, its Board and Riverside developed over time, which ultimately caused Alsana to terminate me. Specifically, I became concerned with the direction of the company and what I considered to be Alsana’s decision to maximize growth and revenue above all else. When I refused to go along with certain decisions of Alsana’s Board, including decisions that I believed would jeopardize patient care, I was terminated.”

“Unfortunately, almost from the beginning of my new business venture, it was clear that Alsana would do everything in its power to wrongfully prevent Lightfully’s growth, development and success, and to wrongfully prevent me from operating a business in the mental healthcare space.”

“Alsana’s tortious course of conduct began in July 2021 when it started harassing my key employees, Andie Hollowell, Clodagh Rafferty and Nicole Siegfried. All of these individuals are former Alsana employees who occupied signified roles at Alsana, and I am informed and believe that all of them left Alsana because they were unhappy with Alsana’s business practices.”

“As one might expect (particularly for lay people like us), these threatening letters were very intimidating. Despite the fact that we did nothing wrong, these letters scared all of us, made us question whether we should continue moving forward with our business plan, caused severe anxiety and stress, and forced us to delay certain aspects of the business that would have otherwise moved forward more quickly, ultimately resulting in lost revenue for me and Lightfully.”

“And perhaps most significantly, Alsana’s threats and continued harassment of my key employees have disrupted our business relationship. Not only have those threats made the business relationship more costly in terms of legal fees and money spent to defend their interests, but those threats also have taken a substantial toll on our business relationship that I am not quite sure could ever be remedied.”

“Of course, Alsana’s actions created continued and prolonged stress and anxiety for all of us.”

“Alsana’s bad faith and tortious conduct, which I believe was intentionally designed to frustrate my business and unfairly compete with me, has caused me to suffer both monetary damages and adverse mental health consequences.”

“Finally, Alsana’s tortious and bad faith conduct, which has now spanned almost a year, has caused me significant stress and anxiety, and has been damaging to my mental health. Ever since my key employees received their first threating letters from Alsana in July 2021, I have been living in fear of what irrational, unpredictable and aggressive course of conduct Alsana might attempt next in an effort to damage the business that I have worked so hard to develop, and what Alsana might attempt to do to drive me out of the mental health care industry altogether. Even worse, I fear that Alsana’s wrongful conduct will not relent (regardless of whether I am successful in this litigation) and that my career, financial stability, and ability to care for my family will be severely compromised by Alsana’s actions, which appear to me to be guided solely by vengeance.”

Insider Information

Those statements were all made by Alsana’s former officers. Their highest-ranking officers. Officers whose job duties included knowing that information. Officers who brought their concerns to Alsana’s Board of Directors. Officers who were either fired or voluntarily quit because of their concerns.

Officers who stated under oath that Alsana was prioritizing growth and revenue above all other goals to the detriment of patient care and the integrity of the business; Alsana was sending threatening letters to those former Officers; Alsana was directing aggressive and vindictive courses of conduct against former Officers; Alsana was not providing its officers with the information they needed to do their jobs; that an atmosphere of fear and not collaboration had been created; Alsana was engaged in tortious and bad faith conduct; that when the highest ranking Officer refused to abide by certain decisions of Alsana’s Board, decisions which she believed would jeopardize patient care, she was terminated. Harrassing former officers. Creating fear and anxiety. Again, these words are NOT mine. But, former Officers.

We also know that whatever amounts a patient’s insurance provider does not pay, Alsana sends invoices and demands for payment to their former patients/victims and presumably reports these debts to credit reporting agencies.

Much has been written in the past about Alsana’s sketchy therapists and direct care staff employees.

And now … this.

As a parent of a child suffering from eating disorders, you must ask yourself, should I entrust the very life of my precious child to this organization?

If you are a pediatrician, if you are a medical profession, why would you entrust the life of your patient to an organization like this? Especially since you could be liable for negligent referral.

Why does the eating disorder community not police itself and address organizations like this?

Why?

“First, they came for the Capitalists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Capitalist (well, I sorta, kinda am).

Then they came for the Intellectual Moderates
And I did not speak out
Because well, I thought no rational person would listen to those loons.

Then they came for the Rational, Science Based Treatment Providers
And I did not speak out
Because well, those Treatment Providers Should Have Known Better.

Then they came for Me
And there was no one left … Uh …
Actually, no, they didn’t come for me since they do not have the courage to face people individually.”

            Steven Dunn, adapted without permission

Once the social injustice movement began its hate-filled, self-loathing rampage through society, it was inevitable that it would come for the sciences. This movement seeks to replace well-established, evidence-based ideas with postmodern victimization and vacuous pablum. Examples abound. Charles Darwin wasn’t a pioneering scientist but a racist, sexist white man whose problematic views “undermined” his work and legacy. BMI [although not a human being] is racist. Biotech crops aren’t a yield-boosting innovation; they are a tool of Western Imperialistic Colonizers looking to exploit the developing world.

Extremist political activism that openly rejects the ability to gather objective facts about the world is jeopardizing scientific discourse and creating divisiveness in mental health communities. 

In the past decade, the Social Justice Warriors/Loons have published a number of articles pushing this theatre of the absurd. Some of the articles have included the following titles:

Weight is a social justice issue.

Fat is a social justice issue.

Fat is not the problem; fat stigma is a social justice issue.

Weight bias is a social justice issue.

Obesity is a social justice issue.

Ob*sity is a social justice issue.

Eating disorders are a social justice issue.

Urban obesity crisis is a social justice issue.

Childhood obesity is a social justice issue.

Weight stigma is a social justice issue.

Obesity bias in the gym is a social justice issue.

United States Obesity Epidemic is a social justice issue.

Obesity Epidemic is a social justice issue.

Mental Health is a social justice issue.

World Mental Health Day: Prioritize social justice.

Mental Illness Stigma is a social justice issue.

Health Equity is a social justice issue.

Fat Acceptance as social justice.

3 Social Justice Issues of Obesity.

Woke Science Denial: Social Justice Comes For ‘Obesity,’ And Other Harmful Language

Anything, any issue, any stance about which the Loons disagree becomes fodder for the absurd. In fact, the Loons would have us believe that everything is a social justice issue. Which caused me to attempt to find a viable definition of “social justice.” Some definitions include:

“Social justice manifests fairness in society, including fairness in access to healthcare, employment, housing, quality education, and many more.”

“Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. Social workers aim to open the doors of access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need.”

“Social justice is aimed at promoting a society which is just and equitable, valuing diversity, providing equal opportunities to all its members, irrespective of their disability, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation or religion, and ensuring fair allocation of resources and support for their human rights.”

Some may be surprised to learn that social justice is not a recent phenomenon. In fact, the notion of social justice goes back thousands of years.  Evidence exists that philosophers such as Plato (427–347 B.C.), Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), and Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) addressed social justice issues.

However, today, most discussions around social justice explore what a “just” society must look like, and the injustices people face because of factors such as race, gender, ethnicity, class, religion, age, and sexual orientation.

Unquestionably, a compassionate society must address these factors. And yet, the Loon extremists, the alarmists, will continue to not only fail to achieve their utopian goals, but they also won’t even approach the same area code of their social justice goals. Besides being held back by their “tik-tok mentality and room temperature IQ” they fail for one fundamental reason. And that is they do not understand that …

JUSTICE IS NOT A ZERO-SUM GAME!

When it comes to justice, one person’s gain is not another person’s loss. When it comes to justice we must commit to ensure “justice for ALL.” The world needs MORE justice not less justice. Justice is for everyone. Working to ensure justice for a specific group of people does not diminish the availability of justice for others. It is not a zero-sum game because justice is not a finite quality.

This reasoning is proven by examining just one real-world example. That is, the opening of economic opportunities for women in the past 50 years.

The less enlightened, more Neanderthal-like men argue that they may have lost some psychic benefit in feeling superior to women. They are idiots. That is because not just men as a group, but society as a whole is much better off economically now that women pursue all sorts of careers that were previously closed to them.

In pursuing careers commensurate with their talent, women make American society much wealthier, which means that all people have better doctors, better products to buy, better job opportunities and so on. And strong, independent, intelligent women make the best partners, mentally, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.

And yet, the Social Justice Warriors/Loons in the eating disorder community fail to understand this reality. Instead, they talk of “centering marginalized individuals with eating disorders.”  They talk of “centering and supporting BiPOC, LGBTQ+, fat therapists and professionals.” And then, they state that, “This is no space for white, straight and thin folks to jump in.” They file ethics complaints on presentations given by men, not because the topic is improper, but because they do not like or are afraid of certain men. They attempt to have men banned from being on site at their conferences with instructions to have them escorted off the premises should they resist. Behind the scenes they oppose symposiums organized by men, not because the topics at that event don’t need to be discussed but because of their own self-loathing and fear. Fear of being excluded. Fear that their own insecurities and inadequacies will be brought to light. Fear that science and reason will win the day. Irrational, all-encompassing fear.

One would be justified in thinking that even though these Social Justice Loons brainlessly prattle on about their belief that they can cure all social justice issues, they would and must respect the sanctity of the therapy room. That they would remember their sole fiduciary duty is to the patient who is seeking, in some cases, life saving help. 

You could think that.

But you would be wrong. There is a sect of the Social Justice Loons who advocate that therapists should not only be allowed but are obligated to reduce the priority of their patient’s needs in order to pursue social justice agendas.

There is Marcella Raimondo, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Kaiser Permanent’s eating disorder clinic in Oakland, California. She conducts a one-hour course on the need to incorporate social justice perspectives and practices in our understandings of and approach to eating disorders treatment. She states that her theory is irrefutable.

Then, there is Shelly Russell-Mayhew, PhD. In 2006, Ms. Russell-Mayhew who was then an Assistant Professor in the Division of Applied Psychology at the University of Calgary had published an article entitled, “Eating Disorders and Obesity as Social Justice Issues: Implications for Research and Practice.” She is now a full professor at this school.

Some of her statements in the article include:

“Social justice is an emerging concept in counseling (Helms, 2003; Kiselica & Robinson, 2001).  The purpose of this paper is to begin to explore the usefulness of considering eating  disorders  and  obesity  as  social  justice  issues.  A social justice approach to counseling refers to using counseling to confront injustice and inequality.” [emphasis added]

“The purpose of social justice work is twofold. Firstly, it is meant to increase a client’s sense of personal power or efficacy (Kiselica & Robinson).  Secondly, sociopolitical change should result.  Oftentimes, unconventional approaches are needed in order to reach both goals. Kiselica and Robinson (2001) “…urge counselors to identify some human condition that moves them so deeply it inspires a personal moral imperative to make this world a better place by advocating for others…”

“The overriding goal of social justice is ‘full and equal participation of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs.  Social justice includes a vision of society in which the distribution of resources is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure (Bell, 1997, p. 3).”

“Current approaches to the treatment and prevention of weight-related issues tend to see the problem as within the individual.  A social justice approach pushes the boundaries of problem definition beyond the individual to consider larger systemic influences.”

Using counseling to confront injustice and inequality? Good Lord. Why not just brainwash your patient “Manchurian Candidate” style and be done with it?!

In essence, Ms. Russell-Mayhew is advocating violating the sanctity of the therapy room by abandoning resiliency, perseverance, strength and resolve … and instead, embrace being a victim, placing blame elsewhere, especially on the patriarchy and keeping your hand extended outward, not to help another soul to rise, but to demand payment because you are owed something.

Social justice warriors have created such chaos and divisiveness in the eating disorder community because of their self-loathing, insecurities, tribal mentality and cowardice. They care not that families who suffer from this illness continue to suffer. They seem to only care about their naïve, ill-founded beliefs and trying to alleviate their own inner turmoil.

Enough.

In future articles, names will be named, people and organizations will be called out, the reasons behind such conduct will always be disclosed. Families will know who and what you are. Fact based ethics complaints will be filed. Credentialing boards will be notified.

Especially for those Loons who irrationally fear and hate.

Only now, you have a reason to fear.