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Thread: EarthQuest Institute Fraud Continues / Don Allen Holbrook CEO

  1. #1
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    EarthQuest Institute Fraud Continues / Don Allen Holbrook CEO

    Fake multi-billionaire Trey White and John Marlin bankrupted the EarthQuest project. The scum are out!!!!

    EarthQuest dino-park lands in bankruptcy
    Tuesday, January 10, 2012
    Cynthia Calvert
    Whitestone Houston Land Ltd. (“Whitestone”), an entity that owns approximately 1,564 acres near New Caney, a portion of which includes the planned EarthQuest theme park and museum, has filed for bankruptcy.

    The EarthQuest theme park and museum has been promoted for years as a soon-to-come entertainment center with retail shopping, a water park, hotels, an eco-tourism area, and a residential development, along with a dinosaur area. The project grew from $50 to $500 million+ with numerous delays in breaking ground. To date, no construction has occurred.

    According to trollerbk.com, Whitestone filed a Chapter 11 petition (re-organization) for bankruptcy protection more than five months ago on August 1, 2011. The filing was made at the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas (Sherman). The bankruptcy petition number is 11- 42400.

    According to Schedule B of the petition, Whitestone has $0.00 in its business checking account. Schedule D shows a total indebtedness to secured creditors of $20,167,465.94.

    Schedule F of the petition indicates that Whitestone owes another $808,179.28 to various unsecured creditors. Notably, those unpaid amounts include $123,845.13 to local taxing agencies for unpaid property taxes for the 2008 to 2010 tax years. The status of payment for the property taxes due January 31, 2012, for the 2011 tax year is unknown.

    Also included in Schedule F is an unsecured $225,000 note payable to the East Montgomery County Improvement District (“EMCID”). However, more significant amounts have been funded by EMCID to Whitestone in the form of expense reimbursements.

    Whitestone is a limited partnership whose general partner is Whitestone Houston Holdings LLC. The manager of the general partner is John D. Marlin. Marlin is also manager of EQ Ventures GP LLC, the general partner of Global Earthquest Ventures LP (“Global”). Global is one of the parties to the contracts executed with EMCID.

    According to EarthQuest Institute, Marlin is also a director of the EarthQuest Institute (“Institute”), a nonprofit organization established to apparently manage the EarthQuest Museum and Institute. Marlin is shown on their website as a director of the Institute. The Institute is another of the parties to the contracts executed with EMCID.

    According to Eco-Resort, Hotel, Conference Center and Theme Park | Earth Quest Resort, Marlin’s real estate and development company, Marlin-Atlantis, of which he is the chief executive officer, is the general partner and developer of the planned project through an entity called EarthQuest Resort. This company does not appear to be a party to the contracts executed with EMCID. Marlin-Atlantis is based in Dallas.

    Marlin did not respond to a request for comment.

    Frank McCrady, President and CEO of EMCID, stands behind the development. “We have a new developer who is working with the bank to take over the property and the project.

    “It is not a matter of if, but when [it will be built],” he said.

    According to a website at Whitestone: A Premier Master Planned Community, Whitestone originally acquired the New Caney land for a residential development to be called Whitestone. As described in a special warranty deed dated June 14, 2004, the same being recorded in the public records of Montgomery County under Clerk’s File Number 2004-06651 and film code number 608-10-2194, the property was purchased from HS Tejas Ltd. The purchase price of the land, as stated in the first paragraph of the deed, was in the amount of $4,150,000 plus “$10 and other good and valuable consideration.”

    Over time, the idea of a dinosaur-themed park and resort was developed through the principals and affiliates of Whitestone. This new concept was then planned on about 500 acres of the land that was originally intended for residential development. Due to the projected economic impact on the surrounding region, discussions were initiated with the EMCID.

    Those discussions ultimately resulted in a series of complex agreements between Global, EMCID and the Earthquest Institute. Briefly stated, for the perceived future benefits of having a major theme park and other related developments, EMCID agreed to sell millions of dollars in bonds in order to provide funds to Whitestone for “pre-development” and “pre-construction” expenses.

    Pursuant to a Houston Chronicle-This Week article dated August 26, 2009, the aggregate funds [then] paid by EMCID to Whitestone for the foregoing expenses totaled $7,800,000. The same article referenced a second request by Marlin for EMCID to provide another $2,800,000 to Global to pay for a “site locater fee,” the recipient of which was unnamed in the article.

    McCrady said that EMCID subsequently did not advance the additional funds to pay the site locater fee.

    “We do not want people alarmed and think that the project will not be built. We have Contour Entertainment from Los Angeles. They are going to take over,” he said.

    McCrady said he was aware Whitestone had filed for bankruptcy some months ago.

    “They have a restructuring plan – a hearing on this will be held Jan. 23 in Dallas,” he said.

    The property is currently in bankruptcy but McCrady says Contour is currently working with the bank and hopes to purchase the property eventually.

    “Contour is an entertainment company with experience developing theme parks all over the world. Our board thinks that is very good,” McCrady said. Contour, McCrady said, was a subcontractor of Whitestone's and performed all the design work on the EarthQuest project, he said. “Chris Brown, CEO of Contour, has been prepared to step in from the inception,” McCrady said. Owning the site would be a first for the Los Angeles-based design firm.

    According to Contour Entertainment's website, Contour Entertainment,

    the company performs many functions related to theme park management but they do not own theme parks. Contour's website states that they perform concept development and show design, project management, operational planning, market research and architectural design. EarthQuest is already listed as one of the six projects Contour is working on.

    The site states that, “Contour Entertainment is the Resort Masterplanner and lead designer for all aspects of this $530 million, 500-acre (Phase 1) entertainment resort as well as providing the initial design for the conceptual direction and facility design for the $20 million, 40,000-sqare foot, not-for-profit EarthQuest Institute.”

    It appears that the general plan of repayment to the EMCID was to receive about one-half of the proceeds at the beginning of construction of the theme park, with the second half being repaid after construction of the park was completed. However, there have been numerous changes and amendments to the original contracts and the current status of the repayment terms is uncertain. The filing of the bankruptcy petition has created concerns about any projected construction date and whether or not the bankruptcy filing has jeopardized the repayment of the monies funded by EMCID to Global.

    “Whitestone was just a landholding company,” McCrady said. “The bond paid for predevelopment expenses, engineers, drainage, things like that all related to EarthQuest.”

    McCrady said that repayments are certain, based on future sales tax recapture as well as future taxes attached to the development zone and future hotel taxes.

    “We would not have issued bonds if there was any chance of the funds not being recovered,” he said.

    The contracts further provide that, should the project not be constructed, then EMCID would have the right to purchase certain properties owned by the Institute. That purchase option is for the 50 acres upon which the Dino Institute and Museum would be built. The option price for that tract is $1,250,000. This amount would be in addition to the original $7,800,000 already known to be approved by the bond to Global.

    McCrady said that EMCID and the bond has put up about $9 million. He said “you can add another million to the bond money” for expenses to date.

    Marlin Atlantis also received approval from taxing authorities for property tax abatements to enhance the profitability of the project via Montgomery County Commissioners Court and from the passage of House Bill 4015. At the same time, the contracts between Global and EMCID would have set in motion a set of new taxes and user fees in connection with the development and operation of the theme park and museum, including Improvement Zone sales taxes and hotel occupancy taxes, along with event admission taxes and parking fees and taxes.

    In fact, McCrady said,”Without a doubt, this will happen. If Contour fails, others are willing to step up. We are not putting all our faith in one developer. That is not the way we do business. We have backup plans A, B, C and D.”

    “From our perspective, the board thinks the future sales tax will pay back the money. The property is well suited to retail development.

    “Contour is hoping to pick up the project after the bankruptcy is complete,” McCrady said. “Houston is poised for theme park projects. We have three different economic reports that say that.”

    List of creditors and amounts owed listed in the bankruptcy filing:

    Creditors holding secured claims, according to Schedule D:

    J.R. Moore, Jr. Tax Assessor, $15,970.81; County of Montgomery Tax Office, $61,943.94; Hillcrest Bank, $20,043,611.21; J. R. Moore, Jr. Tax Assessor, $45,939.98.

    Creditors Holding Unsecured Claims, according to Schedule F:

    Anco-McDonald Waterworks, $5,385; Bracewell & Guiliani LLP, $952.50; Cindy A Schmidt, $2,521.57; Coasts, Rose, Yale Ryman & Lee, $3858.83; East Montgomery County Improvement District, $225,000; Hayne and Associates PC, $155; Hesse & Hesse LLP, $225; Ryan & Company PC, $1025; Sammons Realty Corp., $275,683.88; Texas Commission-Environmental Quality, $2,565.38; Thompson & Knight LLP, $11,978.74, and WMA Whitestone Land LP, $278,828.38.
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

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    EarthQuest Institute Fraud Continues

    All of the posts concerning Don Holbrook are now together. Will the IEDC (International Economic Development Council) step up and properly discipline this rogue member or must I file a complaint myself and keep this very public?

    http://www.iedconline.org/Downloads/...nforcement.pdf


    More of the entities tangled up in this fiasco:
    Team


    The EarthQuest Institute brings together some of the best and brightest minds from across the globe.
    They share a deep devotion to science, education and the discovery of global solutions for a sustainable future.
    Management Team

    Our Management Team is comprised of accomplished executives from a variety of disciplines. They provide expertise in private and public fundraising, financial management, non-profit leadership and the sciences.

    Don Holbrook, President and CEO
    Dr. Matthew Gardner, Chief Science Officer
    Executive Board

    Our Executive Board represents the major creative and philanthropic developers of the EarthQuest concept, with respective backgrounds in science, communication, public education and community development.
    Leon Cubillas, Chairman
    Don Lessem, Founder and Director
    John Marlin, Director
    Entity Information: MARLIN ATLANTIS WHITE, LTD.
    GALLERIA TOWER TWO, 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23R
    DALLAS, TX 75240-0000
    Status: IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
    Registered Agent: JOHN D. MARLIN
    GALLERIA TOWER TWO, 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23RD FLOOR
    DALLAS, TX 75240
    Registered Agent Resignation Date:
    State of Formation: TX
    File Number: 0800312274
    SOS Registration Date: March 4, 2004
    Taxpayer Number: 32035637753
    Entity Information: MARLIN ATLANTIS, LTD.
    16301 QUORUM DR STE 200B
    ADDISON, TX 75001-6871
    Status: IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
    Registered Agent: MARLIN ATLANTIS HOLDINGS, LLC
    5880 SHADY OAKS DR.
    FRISCO, TX 75034
    Registered Agent Resignation Date:
    State of Formation: TX
    File Number: 0800263757
    SOS Registration Date: October 30, 2003
    Taxpayer Number: 32035701682
    Entity Information: MARLIN ATLANTIS HOLDINGS, LLC
    16301 QUORUM DR STE 200B
    ADDISON, TX 75001-6871
    Status: IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
    Registered Agent: WYATT HENDERSON
    11519 ROSSER RD.
    DALLAS, TX 75229
    Registered Agent Resignation Date:
    State of Formation: TX
    File Number: 0800263596
    SOS Registration Date: October 30, 2003
    Taxpayer Number: 32012656917

    MANAGER ARTHUR ALLEN JONES
    16301 QUORUM DRIVE, SUITE 200B
    ,
    MANAGER JOHN D MARLIN
    13455 NOEL ROAD SUITE 2300
    DALLAS , TX 75240
    MANAGER WYATT HENDERSON
    16301 QUORUM DRIVE, SUITE 200B
    ADDISON , TX 75001


    Entity Information: MAW MAGNOLIA HOLDINGS, LLC
    13455 NOEL RD FL 23
    DALLAS, TX 75240-6620
    Status: IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
    Registered Agent: JOHN D MARLIN
    13455 NOEL ROAD 23RD FLOOR
    DALLAS, TX 75240
    Registered Agent Resignation Date:
    State of Formation: TX
    File Number: 0800570581
    SOS Registration Date: November 14, 2005
    Taxpayer Number: 32018564396

    MANAGER DEBORAH A THOMAS
    13455 NOEL ROAD SUITE 2300
    DALLAS , TX 75240
    MANAGER WV HOLDINGS LLC
    13455 NOEL ROAD SUITE 2300
    DALLAS , TX 75240
    Entity Information: WV HOLDINGS, LLC
    GALLERIA TOWER II 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23RD
    DALLAS, TX 75240-
    Status: IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
    Registered Agent: DEBORAH A THOMAS
    GALLERIA TOWER II 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23RD FLOOR
    DALLAS, TX 75240
    Registered Agent Resignation Date:
    State of Formation: TX
    File Number: 0800324811
    SOS Registration Date: April 2, 2004
    Taxpayer Number: 12009713707


    MANAGER ROSCOE F WHITE III
    13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300
    DALLAS , TX 75240
    Though the LLC holding the land is in bankruptcy, the other LLCs that signed the contracts for this adventure park still exist. There are contracts with the East Montgomery County Improvement District and possibly between the parties of the various LLCs themselves. That means scammer Roscoe / Trey White and John Marlin are still tangled up in this project to some degree. The others involved need to demand they sign off and let go of any interest in this deal or alternatively Trey White and John Marlin need to be sued, hauled into court and extricated by order of a judge so this project can be taken over by honest and experienced business people that can make it happen! This is extremely complicated and it could tie this project up in court for years to come. The taxpayers and folks that invested into this project and things in the surrounding area are getting royally screwed!

    Soapboxmom
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    The EarthQuest Institute page seems to have turned into the Don Holbrook advertising venue as I noted earlier. I bet he was behind these totally misleading updates. The EMCID board is either corrupt or a bunch of totally clueless country bumpkins. Nice to know Holbrook was being paid $144,893.00 by the EarthQuest Insitute in 2009 for working 15 hours a week doing I suspect little more than promoting himself!
    • EarthQuest Institute The Park is still moving forward now that the financial markets have begun to flow our investment banking team is seeing great intrrest on the financing for the project. The average theme park project takes between 8-14 years from concept to opening, so we are ahead of the curve.June 12, 2011 at 11:42am · Like · 2

      EarthQuest Institute It makes no sense to throw out ground breaking dates until the phase one financing is definitively secured. Sorry but we are subject to king Midas and since he (Wall Street) has the gold he makes the rules.June 30, 2011 at 11:25am · Like · 1
      EarthQuest Institute Thanks Bryant. The project is picking up steam again. We are currently building our world class board of advisors from the entertainment, finance and real estate industries. Our investment bundle and project scope is being updated so we can fully pursue syndicated funding this fall and still shoot for a Spring 2012 ground breaking.September 8, 2011 at 9:43pm · Like
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    Wakeboard park, shooting range coming to East Montgomery County - Your Houston News: News

    For the love of mud. Allen, TX got the wake board park from this group and it didn't cost the public a dime. Why on earth is Frank McCrady throwing taxpayer money at this stuff?

    http://hydrouswakeparks.info/wp-cont...l-Workshop.pdf

    http://www.pahrumpnv.org/images/uplo...kup_111011.pdf

    And, it should be no surprise to learn that Don Holbrook is also likely involved in the shooting range nonsense. He met up with that bunch in Pahrump, NV and probably introduced them to EMC. It is just too much of a coincidence that the shooting range bunch is now soliciting EMC. Hasn't Don Holbrook made enough money off of us? He was paid 144 grand in 2009 for working 15 hours a week for the EarthQuest Institute alone.

    What in the world is Frank McCrady doing paying for this stuff? He will do anything to divert attention from the dino adventure park fiasco it looks like to me.

    Soapboxmom
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    In addition to the stunning, state of the art physical facility, the EarthQuest Institute plans to launch a set of education and outreach programs in the local Houston region, some prior to the completion of the actual EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park and the EarthQuest Institute.

    These programs will make a significant impact on students, teachers, parents and future leaders who will in turn share the knowledge they gain with others around the world. INTERACTIVE WEBSITE
    EarthQuest will offer a complete virtual-world designed to expand the reach of our programs beyond our facility in Texas, to reach the global community. The robust website will serve as a global communication hub and information repository with deep content and numerous engaging, interactive online activities. It will provide online research publishing; public social network; an information resources center with videos, podcasts and more; listings for volunteer opportunities; a gamer portal; an online store; and a convenient way to make donations.
    EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
    We are planning a portfolio of education and outrach programs to extend our reach to school children, teachers, and the public. These programs, some of which we will launch before construction is complete will bring EarthQuest programming to schools, public events, conferences and exhibitions where we will demonstrate our unique approach to education, communication and entertainment.
    RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
    Through assessment and analysis of scientific research, and close collaboration with cutting edge businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and other entities, we will help advance the development of next-generation technologies in energy production, environmental monitoring, information technology and other key areas. Moreover, the Institute will serve as a central “clearinghouse” for the evaluation of sustainability-related research and as a direct link between the scientific community and product manufacturers, marketers, vendors and service providers.

    CONSUMER AWARENESS
    To help consumers buy, give and use green products confidently, EarthQuest is working with its research associates to develop the most comprehensive, objective and credible web resource for the general public for assessing the environmental impact of products, services, related organizations and charities.

    MEDIA PROJECTS
    The EarthQuest Institute will cooperate with leading filmmakers, virtual reality designers, production studios and other entertainment-industry experts to create new sustainability-focused programming for many different media. The themes and core messages will focus on educating the public in an informative, engaging and entertaining way. In other words, we intend to make learning about energy, the environment and sustainable living fun and exciting.

    ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS AND INDUSTRY COLLABORATION

    We are coordinating a global effort to advance education about sustainability and accelerate the development of green technologies and products that will aid in making and keeping our planet healthy for future generations. By forming academic partnerships and collaborating with businesses in a full range of industries, we will also be helping to create new economic opportunities for millions of people the world over.
    EarthQuest News





    Follow us!



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    Newsletter






    21575 US Highway 59 North, Suite 200 | New Caney, TX 77357
    info@earthquestinstitute.org | (866) 559-4006 | www.earthquestinstitute.org
    The EarthQuest Institute © 2012
    The Insitute bragged at the first and only fund raiser that the educational programs would start in 2010. Absolutely nothing was done as far as I can tell. Holbrook and Deborah Thomas of Marlin Atlantis raked in tens of thousands of dollars in salary for this phantom project. Donors should file a formal complaint with the IRS and the 501 (c) 3 status should be immediately revoked. They are not doing what was promised.

    1-1 of 1 results Results Per Page « Prev | 1-1 | Next »
    EIN Legal Name (Doing Business As) City State Country Deductibility Status
    26-2454184 Institute Earthquest New Caney TX United States PC

    http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf

    Soapboxmom
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    Team


    The EarthQuest Institute brings together some of the best and brightest minds from across the globe.
    They share a deep devotion to science, education and the discovery of global solutions for a sustainable future.
    Management Team

    Our Management Team is comprised of accomplished executives from a variety of disciplines. They provide expertise in private and public fundraising, financial management, non-profit leadership and the sciences.

    Don Holbrook, President and CEO
    Dr. Matthew Gardner, Chief Science Officer
    Executive Board

    Our Executive Board represents the major creative and philanthropic developers of the EarthQuest concept, with respective backgrounds in science, communication, public education and community development.
    Leon Cubillas, Chairman
    Don Lessem, Founder and Director
    John Marlin, Director
    Don Lessem according to the latest news article by Cynthia Calvert exited the project as reflected in the EMCID board minutes. Marlin and Deborah Thomas who was paid $140,000.00 in 2009 for working 20 hours a week are tangled up in the Whitestone (property) bankruptcy and I bet Dr. Gardner is out or well on his way there. Why is it this page has not been updated? Who is actually left on the project now being run out of the EMCID offices?
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    Don Holbrook

    The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy at Author
    Las Vegas, Nevada Area Capital Markets
    Current

    see all
    Past
    • Consultant at EMCID
    • Senior Project Director at The Institute EarthQuest
    • President/CEO at Professional Economic Development Organizations

    Education
    • University of Phoenix
    • Wright State University
    • Wright State University

    Recommendations 10 people have recommended Don
    Connections 500+ connections
    Websites

    Twitter 9thTemplar
    Public Profile Don Holbrook | LinkedIn





    Summary


    My professional practice asists both businesses in need of capitalization for their operations and/or in search of a new location for relocation or expansion of new business opportunities and market expansion. We discover the most advantageous business climate and location, recommend the short-list of possible facilities or sites, and negotiate public incentives and inducements that lower the upfront costs of such investments and increase the equity and thus ROI to the ownership.

    We also work with communities to recommend the creation of incentive and capitalization strategies and tools that will increase their ability to attract investment into their locales. Our focus is on deals that create quality jobs, significant investment and improve the quality of life for residents of our community clients. typically this helps the community economic development organization diversify their economy and improve their outcomes to their communities.
    Specialties

    Site Location Analysis, Business capitalization, Hybrid capitalization using special economic development tools, public policy such as incentive strategies tied to ROI, deal negotiations for public incentives and investment inducements.
    The following article takes a very close look at Don Holbrook's shenanigans and his response is very telling. Don Holbrook has a webpage calling himself the Economic Developer.

    Newspaper article questions theme park player’s resumé | Pahrump Valley Times

    Here is the comment about Don Holbrook probably by Holbrook himself:
    economic developer says: February 15, 2012 at 5:50 pm
    In America we don’t give rumors and opinions credence when they are not factual. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that does not mean it factual. With regard to Don Hokbrook, the facts are he was wrongfully terminated by the Red Wing Port Authority under an allegation of resume fraud. He was given a public apology by that agency and they were made by the courts to admit they were wrong and paid j
    Him approximately $100,000 for their false assertion.
    Holbrook did not mail money into La Salle and receive a degree he turned in a thousand plus pages of online curriculum assignments including a 100 page Masters thesis and nearly 200 page doctoral dissertation to his assigned professors and it took him 4 years to do the work. The FBI issues a statement to all of the thousands of professional students telling them they had been fraudulently misled and it was no fault of the students. Holbrook immediately reported it to his employer and took the degrees off his resume. His employer told him it had no bearing on his own character or expertise and closed the issue. The other claims by the newspaper are just patently false. He has not been discharged ever for any spending or other wrong doings. He choose to not renew his contract in Lake Havasu on good terms so he could move closer to his parents. He has no disgruntled employers or failed projects, that is a fact.
    He has won virtually every award in his industry for his achievements and has every prof essional certification including being awarded the industries most prestigious award of “Fellow Member” in 2008 for his lifetime of professional achievements by his more than 4500 peers.

    So neither newspaper has told the facts. He is an integritous man, well respected by his peers with remarkable skills, knowledge and expertise in the field of economic development, with no failed projects. He was asked due to this to help get the EarthQuest project headed back in the right direction, and it is doing so now. Holbrook feels EMCID is acting correctly and appropriately to get that project in a position to succeed. He has been acting as a consultant to them in this regard because at no fault of EMCID or Holbrook, the previous developer failed to perform… But many others failed as well in 2008-2009 due to the global financial crisis.
    Lastly Holbrook has never told the town of Pahrump they could attract a theme park. Rather he believes that Contour’s recommendation of a world class destination project is right on the mark and compliments the other major attractions and will attract new visitors to Pahrump to do unique tourism opportunities not available or easily replicated in Vegas. These are the real facts.
    Soapboxmom
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    The Vercitas Group
    Partner · Sep 2001 to present · Las Vegas, Nevada
    Site Location and Strategic Economic Development consulting services

    • Australia Christmas Island Destination Tourism Projectwith Simon Millcock
      2011 to present
      Creating a real sense of exotic locale to bring tourists primarily from the Northern Gateway of Malaysia, Asia and Korea to the island with high per capita expenditurres
    • Pahrump Destination Tourism Attractionwith Al Balloqui
      Jun 2010 to present
      Working on creating a unique tourism project that will allow Pahrump to capitalize on the tourism driven economy created by Las Vegas.
    • EarthQuest Institute and EarthQuest Adventure Theme Parkwith Frank McCrady and Matthew Gardner
      Oct 2004 to present
      Working on building the worlds first green and sustainable influenced Theme Park designed from the ground up with clean technologies as a foundation.
    The Vercitas Group page as linked by Holbrook on his Linkedin page goes here:
    http://www.mcsstrategies.com/services.php

    This is all quite curious. Just when did he jump on the Earthquest Titanic and whose idea was it to hijack "Dino" Don Lessem's interactive dino museum idea? Lots more questions!

    Soapboxmom
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    Talk of the Town: EDC SAYS GOODBYE TO HOLBROOK

    Don Holbrook certainly shows his true colors when those he has hoodwinked call him out!

    I did the advanced math. Holbrook was paid $185.76 an hour for every hour he worked for the Earthquest Institute charity in 2009 for a total of over $144,000. That is beyond ridiculous.

    I sent out an e-mail today. I would have included Don Holbrook as he is the President and CEO of the charity, but I didn't have his e-mail.

    From: Dobrott, Heather
    Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 4:45 PM
    To: 'leon.cubillas
    Cc: 'fmccrady@emctx.com'; 'sparmer@emctx.com'; 'dmarks (the attorney who set up the charity)
    Subject: Earthquest Institute Information Request

    This request is made under the Texas Public Information Act, Section 552 of the Texas Government Code. In accordance with the law, which requires that the “Officer for Public Records shall promptly produce such information for inspection or duplication, or both, in the offices of the governmental body,”

    The Texas Non Profit Corporation Act says:
    1396-2.23A. FINANCIAL RECORDS AND ANNUAL REPORTS. A. A corporation shall maintain current true and accurate financial records with full and correct entries made with respect to all financial transactions of the corporation, including all income and expenditures, in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices.
    B. Based on these records, the board of directors shall annually prepare or approve a report of the financial activity of the corporation for the preceding year. The report must conform to accounting standards as promulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and must include a statement of support, revenue, and expenses and changes in fund balances, a statement of functional expenses, and balance sheets for all funds.
    C. All records, books, and annual reports of the financial activity of the corporation shall be kept at the registered office or principal office of the corporation in this state for at least three years after the closing of each fiscal year and shall be available to the public for inspection and copying there during normal business hours. The corporation may charge for the reasonable expense of preparing a copy of a record or report.
    D. A corporation that fails to maintain financial records, prepare an annual report, or make a financial record or annual report available to the public in the manner prescribed by this article is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

    Also certain disclosures are required by the IRS, therefore I respectfully request access to the following information:
    All records of the Earthquest Institute or The Institute Earthquest that are required to be publicly available including, but not limited to financial records, records reflecting the activities of the charity as outlined on its website EarthQuest Institute - Programs, a list of the currently active managers and board members of the Institute, information relating to Dr. Gardner’s proposal to house the Institute on EMCID property until it could be moved to the theme park, filings with the IRS or State of Texas and any other information concerning fundraising or activities of this charity.

    Thank you for your kind help. Please make the records available to me via e-mail and or publication on the charity’s website.

    Thank you,

    Heather Dobrott
    This might clarify just a few things!

    Soapboxmom
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    Don Holbrook has filed a corporate bankruptcy in NV and claims he was not paid by some developer. I could take a wild guess who that might be. Holbrook is in full meltdown mode as evidenced by the comments. I guess he blew the 144 grand he made in 2009. The Earthquest Institute was paying him $185.76 an hour. Ridiculous! Here is his latest rant:

    Newspaper article questions theme park player’s resumé | Pahrump Valley Times
    « Older Comments


    economic developer says:
    February 16, 2012 at 10:49 pm
    I reread all these posts again and it just amazes me how smart and appropriate all of you self righteous people are. You are too small minded and malicious to even understand and accept facts and truthful commentary. I truly am glad people like you are not in control of government or there would still be lynch mobs and witch burnings. That is just how ingnorant and angry you are in your slanderous and heinous comments about good people trying to help your community create new jobs for people who need them. There is no reasoning with idiots and it just proves why most intelligent people don’t read blogs. Your community struggles with progress because it is filled with hateful nasty people and most decent folks won’t put themselves through the humiliation of working in your community. That is all this entire commentary has made clear to me. Go to Afghanistan please… Within weeks the Taliban would leave and the war would be over.
    Charming, isn't he? Can we deport him back to Mars?

    Soapboxmom
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    EarthQuest fees mount
    Tuesday, March 06, 2012
    Cynthia Calvert
    The Tribune has attempted to document the millions of dollars spent on the EarthQuest project, including past expenses and future obligations in recent articles.

    But what about other expenses? Consultant fees? Attorney fees? Travel, meals, etc.?

    The Tribune has asked for numerous documents over the last eight weeks and while some have been received, The Tribune is not confident it has all the expenses related to EarthQuest, the land developer, and other associated parties. On Feb. 6, Frank McCrady told The Tribune, in response to a request for a total of expenses related to EarthQuest, particularly regarding EarthQuest promoters Don Holbrook, Don Lessem, and Thomas Gardener of Marlin

    Atlantis, the failed land developer, that EMCID was hiring an accountant to do an analysis of its expenditures.

    To date, The Tribune has not received any information. Therefore, the financial picture related here can only be considered a partial view of EMCID expenditures. The Tribune does have the cash flow statements for 2006-2011, American Express monthly statements for McCrady and office aide Suzanne Parmer from 2007-2011, detailed mileage reimbursement forms for Parmer, and EMCID employees Sandy Seelye, Warren Mather and Tom Lewis.

    The Tribune looked at one year, 2009, for this article.

    In 2009, McCrady’s and Parmer’s American Express bills together totaled $227,000, just a few thousand dollars shy of the entire amount of money funded by EMCID for college scholarships for every graduating senior in the district.

    Many expenses are related office expenditures, tourism trade shows and the like. But most of the line items show when adding McCrady’s and Parmer’s American Express receipts, EMCID spent well over several hundred thousand dollars on food. No amount was too small nor too high for meals. Charges range from as little as $1 to thousands of dollars. McCrady had numerous meals at what many would consider highend, pricey establishments, including at Humble’s Chez Nous, the most expensive local restaurant.

    McCrady was paid nearly $100,000 as an annual salary and the EMCID board voted to award him a bonus of $50,000. Parmer and Seelye also gets hefty year-end bonuses. McCrady also gets life insurance, health benefits, a retirement contribution of thousands of dollars a year and a car allowance of nearly $25,000 annually.

    EMCID employees McCrady and Parmer have their own American Express credit cards, They, along with EMCID employees Seelye, Mather and Lewis, all have Wells Fargo credit cards, too.

    Routine for McCrady and other EMCID staff and board members in 2009 was business-class airplane travel, limousines, expensive meals, and nights in luxurious hotels. McCrady’s statements show dozens of charges at airport bookstores, car rentals, cell phone bills, a $5,000-plus golf and dining membership at Kingwood Country Club, and several charges totaling $20,560 for Rockets tickets. Dallas Cowboys tickets, Cowboys merchandise and even Arbonne Cosmetics were all charged to McCrady’s American Express card and presented for reimbursement.

    In 2009, McCrady and others from EMCID made three trips to Las Vegas, one to Dallas and another to Phoenix, all trips presumably tied to EarthQuest. Holbrook lives approximately halfway between Las Vegas and Phoenix; Holbrook’s corporate office is located in Las Vegas. EarthQuest’s failed land developer, Marlin Atlantis, is located in Dallas. In December, the dino-park designers of Don Lessem, Don Holbrook and Thomas Gardener all came to New Caney. Charges from these excursions total more than $100,000.

    On Nov. 15, McCrady, Seelye, and board members Vickie Thumann, Leon Cubillas, Linda Floyd and her husband, Monte, all went to Las Vegas. Airfare was nearly $300 each. The group wined and dined at the Strip’s finest places: Planet Hollywood, Smith and Wollensky, Battistas, Margaritaville, Ruby D’s, the Stratta and two memorable meals – one at Morton’s Steakhouse for $1,324.95, followed by another at Joe’s Stone Crab for $1,357.91. The group stayed at the Mirage where room charges were several thousand dollars more.

    It is unknown if alcohol was part of these meal charges. McCrady said that EMCID does not have written policies regarding alcohol in place.

    McCrady provided the following written response to The Tribune’s queries:

    “Though no written policy is currently in place, the board has discussed with the President/CEO on the appropriate etiquette and protocol for the use of alcohol in recruiting prospects. General business etiquette guidelines and customary entertainment parameters are used in which our competitors on projects will not have any undue advantage on placing a project in their market instead of locating in East Montgomery County."

    “The entertainment policy is managed by the President/CEO based on recruiting businesses to the district and includes entertainment parameters that do not put EMCID in a non competitive posture in comparing our actions to others which we would be competing against in a project."

    Employee meals are reimbursed for actual expenses and are reviewed monthly for appropriateness prior to reimbursement. Employees attempt to utilize per diem rates when possible.”

    Holbrook, the consultant hired to do the EarthQuest feasibility study and to give advice about the project, The Tribune has learned, has been paid $304,000.

    There is, however, no dinosaur project and not a spade of dirt has been turned after approximately eight years of ‘consulting.’

    Holbrook was retained for $27,000 to assist with the EarthQuest project. Additionally, he has been paid over a 5-year period $277,000 to bring EarthQuest, travel and tourism projects, and job creation projects to the district, McCrady told The Tribune last month.

    And what of the famed, ‘nonprofit’ EarthQuest Institute funds? TheInstitute was founded as a 501(3)c organization and is subject to the strict laws regarding charities in Texas. EMCID board chairman Cubillas is also a board member of the Institute. In December of 2009, more than 275 residents of East County attended a fundraising reception at the EMCID Building. More than $75,000 was handed to Lessem, the director of the Institute. The Institute appears to be either dead or dormant and records of the funds are not forthcoming.

    Probably the person who has gained the most from EarthQuest’s complex and complicated dealings including contracts, extensions, addendums, bond issuances, elections and the like is David Marks, the attorney for EMCID, who billed the district for an astonishing $318,677.48 for 2009. Marks, presumably while billing at an hourly rate, has traveled numerous times with McCrady, to Las Vegas, to Arizona and even to Paris, France, although not for EarthQuest.

    If the East Montgomery County Improvement District was, as it states on the EMCID website, “created to improve the economic, cultural and social conditions of the area,” there are several people, and one in particular, whose lifestyle has been enormously enriched by association with EMCID – its employees.

    Credit card receipts show that McCrady and Parmer often bill at least one, if not two or three meals a day to EMCID for reimbursement. In 2009, there are literally thousands of meals presented for reimbursement by the pair. McCrady submitted receipts for entertainment, gasoline, golf, purchases at bookstores and duty-free shops in airports – all paid for by EMCID. And he is not alone. Parmer also has charged the district everything from $1.83 for Chick-fil-A, to hundreds of meals, to thousands of dollars for mileage reimbursement.

    Both McCrady and Parmer, whose salaries have nearly doubled in a decade, received and redeemed hundreds of thousands of AmEx points, earned on the taxpayers’ dime, as well as received and redeemed thousands of Continental mileage points, again earned by charges to EMCID.

    And what of the community – the taxpayers footing the bills and paying the tax dollars to EMCID? Beyond negotiated, high-dollar annual contracts(EMCID contracted with the Porter and New Caney fire departments to pay them millions in order to keep them from raising the tax rate and thereby negatively affecting EarthQuest’s ability to get as much as possible from tax revenue) and the annual donations to the scholarship foundation ($245,000) and the economic development group ($50,000), McCrady and the EMCID board approved a mere handful of grants of comparatively token amounts in all of 2009. New Horizons got $2,750, New Caney Project Graduation got $1,000, the Lone Star College Foundation got $2,000, Splendora Founders Day received $550, the Splendora FFA got $1,100. Other groups receiving grants were the Splendora Boy Scouts for $3,187.21, the Lions Club for $5,000, the Historical Society received $30,000 and the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constables Office for $94,240.80.

    For 2009 American Express report and 2009 Cash Flow report, visit http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/dinosaur.pdf. (Since it is a large file, it may take a few minutes to load)


    © 2011 Ourtribune.com
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    Our tax dollars and Earthquest Institute charity dollars hard at work. Holbrook was being paid $144,893.00 by the EarthQuest Insitute in 2009 for working 15 hours a week (that's $185.00 an hour) according to the IRS filing when he wasn't on his grand European vacation that is.

    Attachment 645Attachment 646Attachment 644Attachment 647Attachment 648
    Attached Images Attached Images
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    Don Holbrook is rambling on about Earthquest on Discussion about the New Caney Dino Park - Houston Dinosaur Park. He is not addressing the correspondence we had about the Earthquest Insitute charity.

    Team


    The EarthQuest Institute brings together some of the best and brightest minds from across the globe.
    They share a deep devotion to science, education and the discovery of global solutions for a sustainable future.
    Management Team

    Our Management Team is comprised of accomplished executives from a variety of disciplines. They provide expertise in private and public fundraising, financial management, non-profit leadership and the sciences.

    Don Holbrook, President and CEO
    Dr. Matthew Gardner, Chief Science Officer
    Executive Board

    Our Executive Board represents the major creative and philanthropic developers of the EarthQuest concept, with respective backgrounds in science, communication, public education and community development.
    Leon Cubillas, Chairman
    Don Lessem, Founder and Director
    John Marlin, Director
    It has been about 1 month since I requested the documents. I was told by Dr. Matthew Gardner that they were being sent to the East Montgomery County Improvement District office ages ago. By law certain documents must be made public. The charity and the EMCID office share the same physical address. I called the office and Frank McCrady's receptionist still has no idea where the documents are. So, Holbrook's claims that EMCID is doing a great job are completely laughable. Holbrook and EMCID have been sweeping stuff under the rug and making all kinds of positive statements when in fact the developer was bust many months before Cynthia Calvert published it. They have not according to the most recent article even talked to DR Horten to see about purchasing the property for the project. The whole thing is a huge disaster that has wined, dined and lined the pockets of McCrady and the others involved in the project while no investors are lined up and no construction is underway. Ridiculous!

    Residents request more info on EarthQuest - Your Houston News: News

    Holbrook has removed boatlads of comments on the Earthquest institute Facebook page and is once again using the non-profit for his own personal inurement as his personal advertising venue. It looks to me like they can kiss their 501 c 3 status goodbye. And, as I am sure many donors are filing complaints with the IRS ,Holbrook abusing the charity and not releasing documents as required by the IRS will likely get this disaster audited. Holbrook and EMCID are destroying this Earthquest project themselves with their shenanigans.

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth...e/224584770416
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    EarthQuest Institute



    Here is where you can purchase all my books about creating positive economic change at the local level, including my latest book, "The Next America: Moving Beyond a Fragile Economy."

    Don Allen Holbrook
    www.amazon.comVisit Amazon.com's Don Allen Holbrook Page and shop for all Don Allen Holbrook books and other Don Allen Holbrook related products (DVD, CDs, Apparel). Check out pictures, bibliography, biography and community discussions about Don Allen Holbrook



    Like · Comment · December 31, 2011 at 11:00am ·



    Holbrook's book plugs and my posts linking recent news articles are all gone. Progress!!!
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    The Burghard Group | Strengthening Brand America
    Here is my comment that the owner declined to publish.
    Pardon me, but Mr. Holbrook brags of that 100 projects worth billions that created 50,000 jobs, but has yet to name even one of these. I want a complete list so I can verify that he was responsible for these lofty accomplishments he brags of.

    His recent projects have been falling through. Earthquest is in bankruptcy and the charitable institute part of that project is defunct after Don Holbrook walked away with 33% of the almost 1 million raised.

    Other projects may well not go forward as his credentials and accomplishments are being investigated.
    The owner e-mailed me this:
    You will have to ask Mr. Holbrook your questions directly. I believe you can contact him through LinkedIn.

    Sent from my iPad
    Don Holbrook, like many other scammers we have exposed, talks and people eat it up hook line and sinker. Why is he not being forced to document these successes? Holbrook's guest blog should be pulled if he cannot substantiate his wild claims.

    Soapboxmom
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    These expenses are downright criminal:

    EMCID entourage racks up expenses at resorts, restaurants, theme parks - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com
    EMCID entourage racks up expenses at resorts, restaurants, theme parks

    Monday, April 02, 2012
    Cynthia Calvert
    In early March 2007, a fat envelope arrived at the EMCID offices for Frank McCrady. Inside was a contract from Steven R Baker, CEO of the Baker Leisure Group. Don Holbrook, consultant to EMCID for EarthQuest, is also Baker’s partner.

    ‘Dino’ Don Lessem, one of the original consultants to the EarthQuest project, had recommended Baker to McCrady and after some initial discussion, McCrady signed the contract on April 5.

    Also included was a letter to McCrady and Lessem suggesting “Step One” – a 12-day familiarization trip to exotic and lush locales and theme resorts including Las Vegas, the Canada Royal Terrell Institute (sic) in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada, ( the actual name is The Royal Tyrrell Museum), Quebec City, Canada, Niagra (sic) Falls, Orlando and the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.

    A second tour, to Europe, was also recommended. This one would last 10 to 12 days and include trips to see museums about German volcanoes, the Eden Project in Cornwall, England and “other European thematic sites.” The Tribune has been unable to determine if the group took this trip.

    Baker/Holbrook charged $125,000 for this advice and a project analysis, plus any and all expenses. In addition, Holbrook received $195 per hour plus mileage, presumably to travel on his own recommended trips. Baker asked for $150-$225 per hour plus mileage. Covering all bases, they also tacked on a provision that all expenses such as copies, postage, etc would be paid at cost plus 15 percent.

    The contract, signed on April 27, was immediately acted upon. EarthQuest, at this point in time, was little more than discussion and intent but the first order of business for EMCID was an incredibly expensive,12-day tour for dinosaur consultants, an attorney, an engineer, family members, a vision creator and an artist. McCrady didn’t wait long, just a month, to take off, and along with him, came 10 others including his wife, Allison, and their son, Phillip. Holbrook brought his son, Aidan. Rounding out the entourage were board chair Leon Cubillas, EMCID engineer Joseph Costanza, EMCID attorney David Marks, Zofia Kostyrko-Edwards, a Polish, ex-Disney portraitist and illustrator, and Brian Blanchard, vice president of a company who specializes in ‘creating vision and identifying opportunities.” Last but not least was Dino Don Lessem himself. Airfare alone for the group was thousands of dollars.

    On May 28, 2007, most of the party left Houston, flying first to Atlanta. Others flew in from Burbank, California and Las Vegas. On May 30, they flew on to Walt Disney World in Orlando where lodging exceeded $10,000. One dinner, at Charley’s Steakhouse, cost nearly $3000. Then, on June 2, they departed for Nassau, The Bahamas, to stay at the Atlantis Resort. Credit cards receipts indicate the group checked out on June 5.

    Just three weeks later, the EMCID group, now swollen to 14, departed for an even more exotic locale – China. This time Holbrook brought his other son, Ian. The McCradys brought both sons, Phillip and Christopher. Cubillas and his wife Mary went. Marks tagged along and brought his wife Alexandra. Dino Don was there and so were a few others: Mary Grimord, a secretary to Marks, Joseph Costanza, and Susan Osumi, a resident of Las Vegas. Total cost? Nearly $75,000 including more than $20,000 on airfare alone.

    Twelve months later, McCrady, Cubillas, Marks and Costanza flew first class, at a cost of $7294.54 each, from Houston to Tokyo to Saigon and back. Nearly $32,000 – with food, hotels and expenses additional to this sum.

    During 2007, EMCID paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to fly Holbrook to and from Las Vegas, Dallas, Austin, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Orlando and Minneapolis. McCrady, Cubillas and other board members also traveled numerous times during 2007. Expenses racked up – hotel rooms, car rentals, golf dates, gasoline, and most of all meals. Meals upon meals upon meals. A single Christmas event at Chez Nous restaurant in Humble cost $2664.44.

    In 2008, it was the same story, with hundreds of thousand of dollars going for Holbrook’s and McCrady’s expenses. During one April trip Holbrook made from Las Vegas to New Caney, EMCID picked up the tab for $8800 for Rockets tickets, nearly $500 for sporting equipment at Sports Authority and a farewell dinner at Chez Nous that cost $1149.20. Limousine charges on EMCID secretary Suzanne Parmer’s American Express account were numerous. The largest charge was for $3937.50 on August 1. Parmer’s credit card statements show several trips to Las Vegas and charges for thousands of dollars for hotels, car rentals, and meals including a whopping $277.95 room service charge at Mandalay Bay Hotel. Other charges during 2007-08 included a Top Deck Express pass to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City, Comedy Club tickets, tickets to Las Vegas shows and everything from Smoothie King to Burger King to gasoline to phone services - all listed on her itemized statements.

    Despite repeated requests by the Tribune, as of press time McCrady has not provided a list of all the EMCID-related trips McCrady’s wife and children have taken nor has he provided documentation for reimbursement to EMCID for his wife and children’s trips or for board members’ spouses’ trips, meals, etc. As of press time, the Tribune has to wonder if the taxpayers paid for these costly, personal expenses.

    Click below to download the credit card statements:

    Suzanne Parmer: http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/emcid.pdf

    Frank McCrady: http://www.ourtribune.com/apdf/emcid2.pdf

    Loan funneled through second entity questioned - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com
    Loan funneled through second entity questioned

    Monday, April 02, 2012
    Cynthia Calvert
    Immediately prior to press time, The Tribune confirmed that EMCID, through its affiliate, the East Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (“EMCEDC”) made an unsecured loan of $225,000 to Whitestone Houston Land, Ltd. (“Whitestone”) on May 23, 2011. (Whitestone is the legal owner of the EarthQuest land). That date was only two months before Whitestone filed its bankruptcy petition. Based on correspondence uncovered by The Tribune, it appears that EMCID leadership was already aware that the Whitestone bankruptcy was imminent. So what possible motivation was there to simply throw away another $225,000 of taxpayers’ money? And why was the loan “hidden” by EMCID by using EMCEDC as the loan conduit? Was the EMCID leadership somehow persuaded into this transaction? The EMCEDC minutes reflect the approval of the loan, but make no mention of its purpose. EMCID also refused to answer The Tribune’s inquiry as to the purpose of this loan.

    I think it is high time for criminal charges. Don Holbrook swindled us out of a fortune! Don Lessem revealed to me on April 25, 2011 that the deal was bankrupt and the property was not being paid. And, on May 31,2011 Holbrook bragged to Pahrump, NV that Matlin Atlantis was bust, but Earthquest was going forward and would break ground in December 2011 or early 2012. He is a lying sack of ****. McCrady and that board are all just plain dirty.
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    Cynthia Calvert, like me, has the charity's documents and a calculator. She dug even further than I had and it is a shocking and well researched expose:

    EarthQuest Institute: a betrayal of the public's trust? - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com
    EarthQuest Institute: a betrayal of the public's trust?

    Monday, April 02, 2012
    Cynthia Calvert
    On Dec. 8, 2009, the inaugural “Friends of EarthQuest” fundraiser was held in the grand ballroom of the stately complex that houses the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID). It seemed that everyone wanted to be there, from the county judge to the county lineman. So many showed up for the festivities that some were turned away at the door, no doubt crestfallen by their inopportune misfortune.

    But for the fine folks of East Montgomery County that were allowed in, it was a gala affair, punctuated by diamonds and dinosaurs, Cretaceous critters and Christmas glee. All the while, the giant head of a T-Rex held sway over the proceedings, its toothy grin a warning, perhaps, for those who might venture a little too close.

    Most of all, this grand event was a celebration of hope for East Montgomery County and its residents.

    After almost five years of plans and promises, the advent of EarthQuest seemed fitting for the Christmas season. For it was a gift that vowed to keep on giving, with new jobs, new businesses, new developments . . . indeed, a whole new way of life.

    But the good citizens of this community didn’t just attend as well-wishers. Not at all. They came with their pocket books in hand, ready to make a tangible contribution to the dream that had been promised them by local politicians, civic leaders and, most of all, the members of the EMCID board.

    And on this one night alone, more than $75,000 was raised for the EarthQuest Institute (“Institute”). This Institute was a nonprofit corporation established by EMCID and the EarthQuest developers as an “edutainment” center, so that the young and the young at heart would be able to learn valuable lessons from the past.

    So how ironic is it, that on the very same night the ‘Friends of EarthQuest’ were reaching into their wallets to support this great adventure, the consultants hired by EMCID and the EarthQuest developers had already plundered the Institute’s bank accounts for all that it was worth. So egregious was the theft of the public’s trust that, by the night of the great ball, the Institute was already bankrupted.

    The Tribune has obtained copies of the federal tax returns for the Institute.

    A diligent review of those records has produced a sordid tale of unbridled avarice; a story that will shock even the most cynical individual. Consider the following facts, all of which are taken directly from the federal tax returns of the Institute for the three-year period of 2008 – 2010:

    The Institute received contributions totaling $996,667.

    Don Holbrook, president of the Institute (and a consultant for EMCID and EarthQuest), received total compensation of $328,255.

    Deborah Thomas, treasurer and secretary of the Institute (and an employee of Marlin-Atlantis), received total compensation of $218,993.

    (Unbelievably, as stated in the tax returns, Holbrook only worked an average of 15 hours per week; Thomas, 20 hours per week).

    Even more appalling, “professional fees” paid to “independent contractors” equaled $601,776. These fees were apparently paid to EarthQuest consultants, including those controlled by Don Holbrook.

    Although contributions totaled $996,000 for the three-year period, the salaries and benefits paid to employees and consultants equaled $1,148,370, exceeding total contributions by more than $150,000.

    And the forgoing figures don’t even consider “other” expenditures by the Institute's two employees. These “other” costs included $118,700 for “travel expenses,” and $37,479 for “information technology” among other things.

    Consequently, on the night of the great ball, the Institute had a negative cash balance of $225,034. Hence, the prior statement that the Institute was bankrupt in December of 2009 was a factual, not a figurative, assertion.

    But the story doesn’t end there, because it’s not easy to spend more money than one has in their bank account, unless they can borrow funds from another source. So how did the Institute spend more money than they had on hand? Simple. By borrowing $332,110 from an account payable, $222,018 of which was incurred in 2009.

    Unfortunately, the tax returns do not indicate from whom the money was borrowed. Of course, the logical presumption would be EMCID (or one of its affiliates), as EMCID has been the primary benefactor of the Institute since its inception. In a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ dated January 22, 2008, EMCID agreed to donate to the Institute $300,000 in 2008 alone. What other monies may have been given to the Institute by EMCID is unknown at this time.

    Another intriguing fact discovered in the tax returns is that the Institute acquired a building in 2010, valued at about $300,000, with a $195,000 mortgage. Curiously, no one seems to know where the building is located or even its address. More importantly, who would have loaned $195,000 to a bankrupt organization? Did EMCID, or one of its related entities, provide the mortgage for the EarthQuest building? Again, the tax returns do not identify from whom the mortgage was received.

    At the EMCID town hall meeting on March 22, 2012, several questions were posed regarding the Institute. Those queries were largely deflected by board members, stating the Institute was completely separate of EMCID, that the Institute never had an office in the EMCID complex and that none of the EMCID board knew the current status of the Institute. But documents obtained by The Tribune appear to indicate that a very cozy relationship has long existed between the two entities.

    Even though Frank McCrady stated at the town hall meeting that the Institute has never had an office at the EMCID complex, all of the federal tax returns mentioned in this article listed EMCID’s complex as the domicile of the Institute. Furthermore, the EarthQuest Institute’s website also lists the EMCID complex as its business address, even specifying Suite No. 200.

    How separate is the Institute apart from EMCID? Leon Cubillas, chairman of the board of EMCID since July 8, 2004, has also been chairman of the board of the Institute since mid-2008. This dual representation would have ensured that both organizations were fully aware of each other’s activities.

    Lastly, the claim by EMCID board members that they don’t know the current status of the Institute seems incomprehensible. First, the dual representation of Cubillas mentioned above makes such a statement implausible. Secondly, the board of EMCID had a fiduciary duty to ensure that its $300,000 in grants to the Institute were properly disbursed.

    Sadly, in the final analysis, the Institute was cleaned out, and allowed to be cleaned out by the very persons entrusted with its mission and oversight.


    Well, boys and girls can we say Don Holbrook is a well dressed thug!
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    International Economic Development Council
    International Economic Development Council Code of Ethics


    Adopted October 22, 2008

    The following code of ethics was established by the professional economic developers in the International Economic Development Council to ensure a high ethical standard for those involved in economic development.
    There may be circumstances where the board may choose to interpret and apply this code to a particular event such as a man-made or natural disaster.

    1. Professional economic developers shall carry out their responsibilities in a manner to bring respect to the profession, the economic developer and the economic developer's constituencies.
    2. Professional economic developers shall practice with integrity, honesty, and adherence to the trust placed in them both in fact and in appearance.
    3. Professional economic developers will hold themselves free of any interest, influence, or relationship in respect to any professional activity when dealing with clients which could impair professional judgement or objectivity or which in the reasonable view of the observer, has that effect.
    4. Professional economic developers are mindful that they are representatives of the community and shall represent the overall community interest.
    5. Professional economic developers shall keep the community, elected officials, boards and other stakeholders informed about the progress and efforts of the area's economic development program.
    6. Professional economic developers shall maintain in confidence the affairs of any client, colleague or organization and shall not disclose confidential information obtained in the course of professional activities.
    7. Professional economic developers shall openly share information with the governing body according to protocols established by that body. Such protocols shall be disclosed to clients and the public.
    8. Professional economic developers shall cooperate with peers to the betterment of economic development technique, ability, and practice, and to strive to perfect themselves in their professional abilities through training and educational opportunities.
    9. Professional economic developers shall assure that all economic development activities are conducted with equality of opportunity for all segments of the community without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, marital status, or socioeconomic status.
    10. Professional economic developers shall abide by the principles established in this code and comply with the rules of professional conduct as promulgated by IEDC.


    International Economic Development Council

    I wrote to the IEDC about the ever charming Mr. Holbrook who referred to me as vile and disgusting. I e-mailed everyone on the list.

    From: Kelly Bielen [mailto:kbielen@iedconline.org]
    Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2012 4:59 PM
    To: Heather Dobrott
    Subject: RE: Don Holbrook

    Hello Ms. Dobrott,

    I’m confirming that we received your email.

    I’ve also been asked to pass this link along to you: International Economic Development Council.

    Thank you,

    Kelly


    Kelly Bielen
    Executive Assistant
    International Economic Development Council
    734 15th St. NW
    Suite 900
    Washington, DC 20005
    Main Line: 202-223-7800
    Direct: 202-942-9476


    Driving Innovation and Prosperity: Transforming Industries and Communities for the Next Economy
    St. Louis, MO │ June 10-12, 2012
    Attend the International Economic Development Council's 2012 Spring Conference to learn cutting-edge tools and strategies that ignite innovation and transform your community's economic base for a promising economy. After struggles in the past St. Louis is now known for world-class healthcare and research institutions, a growing brokerage and investment services sector, and as a center for plant and life science.





    From: Heather Dobrott [mailto:hdobrott@gmail.com]
    Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2012 11:52 AM
    To: kbielen@iedconline.org; kbielen@iedconline.org; landerson@iedconline.org; sghosh@iedconline.org; cmulcaire@iedconline.org; dcrater@iedconline.org; ethorstensen@iedconline.org; jsowders@iedconline.org; pmchugh@iedconline.org; mcobb@iedconline.org; pgoodwin@iedconline.org; pkelley@iedconline.org; ebell@iedconline.org; kenwemnwa@iedconline.org; jgibson@iedconline.org; ejones@iedconline.org; bklein@iedconline.org; eway@iedconline.org; scoy@iedconline.org; jchristian@iedconline.org; rthomas@iedconline.org
    Subject: Don Holbrook

    Dear IEDC,

    I think you should get the facts on your member Don Holbrook. Though he claims to have developed 100s of projects worth billions of dollars creating 50,000 jobs he has not substantiated a single one of those alleged projects. Please find the links to current news articles and the site I admin for that tell the real story:

    EarthQuest Institute: a betrayal of the public's trust? - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com

    Loan funneled through second entity questioned - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com

    EMCID entourage racks up expenses at resorts, restaurants, theme parks - Monday, April 02, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com

    http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-whi...-holbrook-654/

    Sincerely,

    Heather Dobrott / Soapboxmom Administrator for www.realscam.com
    Perhaps Mr. Holbrook will explain how extensive world travel on the taxpayers dime and drunken debauchery with the EMCID board members exemplifies the IEDC Code of Ethics! It is all catalogued and archived here!

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

    Love some Bunny! I do!

  19. #19
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    EarthQuest Institute officials reveal little history, questionable future - Thursday, April 05, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com

    EarthQuest Institute officials reveal little history, questionable future

    Thursday, April 05, 2012
    Geoffrey Geiger
    The Institute EarthQuest (EQI) spent more than $1.4 million in three years, yet institute officials are mum as to present activity.

    A “Friends of EarthQuest” fundraiser held Dec. 8, 2009 in the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) building raked in more than $75,000 from 275 attendees.

    The event was a hopeful celebration for the county residents and public officials after several years of courting the 500-plus acre eco-resort development for New Caney. Another large fundraiser was held in September of 2010 at Kirksey Architecture in Houston.

    The Tribune has attempted to document EQI's history from its creation in February of 2008, and recent findings present several gaps in who is left in charge and how EQI funding was used.

    Here is the sequence of Tribune findings:

    A request made to EarthQuest and development consultant Don Holbrook by another entity, received a denial of current involvement with EQI by Holbrook on Feb. 28. Holbrook said he ceased his officialy employment after John Marlin, of Marlin-Atlantis and a director of EQI, was unable to meet financial obligations. Holbrook also denied knowledge of available access to any current financial records. However, this appears to be a contradiction to what EQI's accountant, Derek Ryan, told The Tribune on March 20 after an information request was made.

    According to Ryan, Holbrook would not authorize Ryan & Company, PC from releasing any records to The Tribune. Although Ryan said EQI has not reported any activity to his firm since 2010.

    A phone call and email to Holbrook were not returned. However, Holbrook wrote to another entity that “EarthQuest Institute has gone on hiatus from operations and fundraising,” which EQI Chairman and EMCID Chairman Leon Cubillas publicly confirmed on March 22.

    Existing financial documents for EQI are presently at the EMCID building, according to Dr. Matthew Gardner. He claims they were shipped to the New Caney address following his resignation from the board in 2011.

    “You'll need to go to EMCID and talk to Frank McCrady,” Gardner told The Tribune.

    EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady denied Gardner's claim since the institute is a private corporation. McCrady emphatically stated that the institute did not an office, nor a filing cabinet at the EMCID address, which is listed as the same physical address as EQI on its website. An information request sent to McCrady, Cubillas and EMCID attorney David Marks on Feb. 16 was met with the following response on March 12:

    “Since the District is legally not affiliated … it has no control over its records and if request, would refuse to accept such responsibility for the records...” Marks wrote.

    Don Lessem, one of the directors for EQI and the original proponents of EarthQuest, claimed that any documents could have been shipped to EMCID, but they would have to be forwarded to Holbrook. Lessem also mentioned that he has not been involved with EQI for well over a year.

    Cubillas said he could not produce any knowledge of the whereabouts of any records, their accessibility nor a current director or employee roster for the institute when questioned on March 9 and March 22.

    The only records The Tribune has obtained are tax returns (Form 990s) for 2008, 2009 and 2010 and documents relating to the formation of EQI, still in existence, according to records from The Texas Secretary of State. The tax returns, eventually found online through a nonprofit information website, GuideStar, consecutively list Holbrook, Cubillas, Gardner, Lessem, Marlin and Deborah Thomas as officers for EQI. Holbrook as President and CEO, Thomas as Treasurer, Cubillas as Chairman, Gardner as Science Officer, Lessem as Director and Marlin as Director. Only Holbrook, Thomas and Gardner received compensation from EQI.

    According to the formation filings through the Texas Secretary of State, EQI was formed on Feb. 28, 2008, and restated formation on Oct. 1, 2008. David Rosenberg, an attorney with Thompson & Knight, LLP, is the current registered agent. However, Rosenberg said he is in the process of resigning. According to Rosenberg, EQI ended a formal client relationship with him in 2009, yet he “forgot to resign.” Thomas was his primary contact with EQI, who is allegedly also not connected any longer, yet phone calls to confirm have not been returned.

    The original certificate of formation lists Lessem, Cubillas and Austin attorney Daniel Matheson as the EQI directors. Matheson told The Tribune he originally signed, but did not conduct any role beyond that. According to him, Marlin and Lessem took more control over the direction of EQI.

    The restated certificate, signed on Sept. 30, 2008 by Lessem, replaces Matheson with Marlin. The assumed name certificate was also signed on Sept. 30 by Lessem and notarized by Patricia Suzanne Parmer, the office administrator for EMCID.

    Although Parmer notarized the certificate, it is still unclear the ties between EMCID and EQI. Questions were raised about EMCID funding sent to EQI, yet it is currently unverifiable.

    On March 22, EMCID member Vickie Thumann said EMCID did contribute to EQI, but could not present a specific itemized amount, but assured it would be listed in EMCID records. Lessem confirmed that EMCID contributed to EQI during its early incorporation but could not recollect an exact amount, nor could he state whether it a grant in one sum or through several contributions. EMCID cash flow records for 2008 and 2009 do reflect EarthQuest and Project Rex expenditures. However, it is currently uncertain if any of those funds were ever used specifically for EQI.

    Those expenses are:

    $18,257.74 (Feb. 14, 2008) for Project Rex

    $13,500 (March 24, 2008) to Holbrook Development Company for Project Rex

    $5,000 (March 24, 2008) to Holbrook for EarthQuest

    $24,250 (Aug. 14, 2008) wired to Project Rex

    $1,383,036.86 (July 9, 2009) to Global EarthQuest Ventures, LP for a developer reimbursement

    $386,223.61 (Aug. 26, 2009) to Global EarthQuest Ventures

    $388,864.11 (Sept. 10, 2009) to Global EarthQuest Ventures

    $111,937.15 (Oct. 2009) to Global EarthQuest Ventures

    Another awesome article from Ourtribune.com. I am happy to report I am "another entity" and had contacted many associated with the questionable charity!

    Global Earthquest Ventures is one of a number of entities that are associated with the Marlin Atlantis White (Trey White fake multi-billionaire gang).

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

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  20. #20
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC




    EarthQuest the Ultimate ProjectDon Holbrook · EarthQuest the Ultimate Project
    2 of 23


    Don Holbrook
    SubscribeSubscribed · July 28, 2009 via Facebook Exporter for iPhoto

    Mike Dimengo making progress on developing the donations for the operational programs of EarthQuest Institute our 501C.3 non-profit showcase center of green technologies and best practices.















    Don Holbrook
    SubscribeSubscribed · July 28, 2009 via Facebook Exporter for iPhoto




    No worries folks... I got it all under control this is my state. Frank McCrady takes charge and leads the way on the public sector side of the EarthQuest adventure project and EQI.

    Allison McCrady







    EarthQuest the Ultimate ProjectDon Holbrook · EarthQuest the Ultimate Project



    Don Holbrook
    SubscribeSubscribed · July 28, 2009 via Facebook Exporter for iPhoto

    Frank and Allison visit with the Dali Lama in Indiana, yes EarthQuest got his blessings.
    — with Allison McCrady.
    How involved McCrady and the EMCID are with the Earthquest Institute is a very pressing question, but as Don Holbrook says Frank McCrady "takes charge and leads the way on the public sector side of the EarthQuest adventure project and EQI." I think there is no way Frank can deny his involvement. He is leading the way for the EQI (Earthquest Institute) according to the CEO and president, Don "fat pockets" Holbrook. Of course 1.4 million dollars and no charitable activites later everyone has dropped the box of documents and run!!!

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    Earthquest: Sinkhole for residents
    Posted: Friday, April 6, 2012 12:00 am By Nancy Flake
    As hopes for a $500 million dinosaur theme park in East Montgomery County – including the jobs and tourism dollars that would follow – continue to dwindle, Montgomery County Judge Alan B. Sadler is asking the president of the East Montgomery County Improvement District to scale back on his advocacy of the project.

    Residents appeared en masse at a March 8 EMCID board meeting hoping to hear an update on EarthQuest and to question EMCID officials about money the organization has put toward the development. But board members deferred the item because representatives from Contour Entertainment, the developer of the park, could not attend.

    Announced in 2005, EarthQuest was to have broken ground by now. The approximately 1,600 acres to be used for the giant park is in bankruptcy, but EMCID President Frank McCrady previously said D.R. Horton homes purchased the land and will close on it in June.

    A provision in the land sale to D.R. Horton allows for Chris Brown, of Contour Entertainment in Van Nuys, Calif., to enter into an agreement to purchase the right to the property where EarthQuest will be located, McCrady previously said.
    McCrady will not discuss when Contour will begin developing the park, saying that’s for Brown to say. Brown did not return calls for comment Thursday.

    But with resident concerns that EarthQuest may never happen – even after receiving $7.8 million in bond money and $2.5 million from EMCID, McCrady said – Sadler is cautioning McCrady about his role in continuing to fire the hopes of East County residents and business owners over the promise of EarthQuest.

    “Having been a department head of real estate at a major Houston bank for 12 years, I have always been supportive of this project, yet skeptical of its viability for a number of reasons,” Sadler wrote in a letter Wednesday to McCrady.

    “There has never been a lender, bank, investment banker or the like who has stepped up to the plate to fund this project. To the best of my knowledge, there has never been an individual or corporation with the ‘credit’ or financial statement to make a project of this scope and size become a reality.

    “In short, the entirety of this project has been nothing but photos, renderings and dreams funded with taxpayer dollars.”
    Sadler concludes his letter by advising McCrady “that I would not continue advocating this project or addressing the media that ‘this project will happen’ unless and until the above two questions can be answered with clarity and with certain assurances.”

    EarthQuest is “busted,” Sadler said. “I’ve been following this for five years; I could have written this a year ago. Hell, enough is enough. It’s unbelievable.”

    Sadler said he also has advised McCrady to quit spending money on EarthQuest until an investment banker steps forward.
    He also has sent some information regarding EarthQuest to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, he said.
    “Anytime something is brought to the attention of the Texas Rangers or the Public Integrity Division of the District Attorney’s Office, this office has a duty to investigate,” District Attorney Brett Ligon said about EarthQuest and EMCID’s involvement. “We have been receiving information from not only the county judge but other members of the community regarding what they believe is conduct considered to be questionable.”

    Sadler has not personally given any money to EarthQuest, and said the county has only “informally” supported the project.
    But in 2009, county commissioners agreed to consider a tax abatement for EarthQuest, The Courier previously reported.
    The EarthQuest Institute is meant to be a “leading edge” learning center “focused on how we can live and prosper in a responsible, efficient and environmentally balanced manner,” according to the EarthQuest Institute website.
    The website also states that it is located at the same address as the EMCID offices on U.S. 59. Leon Cubillas, who serves as EMCID board president, also is board president for the EarthQuest Institute.

    Sadler believes that to be a “huge” conflict of interest, but McCrady disagrees.
    “The way we structured our (agreement) was that one of our board members would serve on their board,” McCrady said. “It gave our board insight.”

    But according to federal tax returns obtained by The Courier, the EarthQuest Institute is essentially bankrupt.
    Its 2010 tax return lists total assets at the end of the year as $309,797, with total liabilities as $514,468.
    The institute paid Don Allen Holbrook, the president and CEO, $44,940 in 2010 for 15 hours of work per week, and paid CFO Deborah A. Thomas $43,920 for 20 hours of work per week, the tax reports state.

    The 2012 approved budget for EMCID shows total income of $5.75 million and $5.075 million in expenditures. The budget, which can be found on the EMCID website, also lists expenses of $190,000 to EarthQuest.

    In an audit completed in June last year by McCall, Gibson, Swedlund and Barfoot PLLC, also on the EMCID website, the district’s liabilities exceeded its assets by $15,118 as of June 30.

    “Actual expenditures were $523,384 more than budgeted, primarily due to expenditures for community development, contract labor, capital improvements and EarthQuest costs,” the audit states.

    EMCID had $12.39 million in bond debt at the end of its 2011 fiscal year, the audit states.
    That year, EMCID had more than $414,000 in expenses for EarthQuest. It paid $293,337 in salaries, $178,169 in professional fees and $135,925 in travel expenses, the audit states.

    McCrady could not say when Contour Entertainment will begin developing EarthQuest.
    “We want the developer to be successful in putting it on the ground, period,” he said. “If we have one idea and they have another idea, we want to be in sync with what our developer is proposing.
    “We’re going to let our developer speak for the project from now on.”

    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    profilesprofiles Deborah Thomas
    Chief Financial Officer
    Ms. Deborah Thomas gained capital markets experience while working at Morgan Stanley and at Manufacturer Hanover Merchant Banking Group-both in New York City-and at Merrill Lynch Private Capital in Dallas, Texas. After leaving Merrill Lynch in 1989, Ms. Thomas served as President and Chief Financial Officer for Just Brakes Corporation, a chain of wholly-owned automotive after-market service centers in Texas. She has since held the position of CFO for a number of early- to mid-stage companies in the software, telecom, and financial services industries. Deborah Thomas has extensive experience in securing debt financing, raising capital for expansion and corporate restructuring, preparing and implementing strategic and operational business plans, preparing corporate and project budgets and financial analysis, and managing all aspects of company accounting functions.
    For the last 3 years, Ms. Thomas has been affiliated with White Ventures as CFO, and has managed all private equity investment activities and real estate development projects and partnerships.
    Deborah Thomas has a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. She earned her Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting from The Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, and earned her CPA while working for Ernst & Young in New York City.
    Thomas was the CFO of the now defunct Earthquest Institute. Why on earth was she paid $135.00 an hour in 2009 when a CPA firm was doing the books and preparing the tax returns???

    Also from 2005 we have:
    profiles Trey White
    Chairman
    Mr. White is Chairman and CEO of White Ventures, Ltd., a private equity company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. White Ventures controls and manages over $200+ million in assets through White Ventures and its affiliates. The company holds controlling interests in real estate property, real estate development, manufacturing, technology, and oil and gas companies. Mr. White is also committed to investing in the production of renewable fuel sources both domestically and on a global basis. White Ventures’ philosophy is to invest in forward thinking solutions where technology will accelerate and create exponential benefits and new markets in global economies.

    Mr. White funded and co-founded HomeBuilder.com, the nation’s largest MLS system for new homes and the official web site of the National Association of Homebuilders. Applying innovative technology to the business, he opened over 250 US markets and created the most comprehensive real estate listing site in the nation. He took the company public in 1999 as HomeStore.com with a market capitalization of $3 billion. Prior to a secondary stock offering, HomeStore reached a market cap of $10 billion with $350 million in revenues in 250 markets employing 3,000 nationwide. Mr. White resigned shortly after the secondary offering to pursue new investment opportunities through White Ventures. Mr. White serves on boards of several corporations.
    « Back
    Trey White's profile is now gone from the Marlin Atlantis site. From a high of 26 people profiled we now have 4. With Trey's reputation ruined by the Evolv "zero water" fiasco I am sure sanitizing him from the site was a no brainer!!!

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

    Love some Bunny! I do!

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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    Snest,

    Welcome to the site. Drunken debauchery with folks that are clients is not professional. Holbrook should have maintained an arm's length relationship with Frank McCrady and the board members of the EMCID.

    It appears the car Mrs. Holbrook was slobbering over belongs to Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment. But, that is the least of the problems that need to be addressed. Holbrook walked away with hundreds of thousands of dollars from the defunct Institute Earthquest and God only knows what the taxpayers in East Montgomery County paid that buffoon. The IRS is in receipt of my formal complaint I must add. Millions of dollars have just vanished and the chances anyone will be able to resuscitate this project are very slim. Holbrook was paid really big bucks to handle the fundraising by the way. Obviously, he failed in that mission in a catastrophic manner!

    I suggest you quote and refute the false statements of facts you are fantasizing about. This site isn't going anywhere. Don Holbrook posted the pictures himself. This was one of his most brilliant comments he personally made in his public album:

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...6904264&type=3
    Frank McCrady has too much fun doing this stuff it should be illegal, sometimes it might come close so we just reinvent the rules!The worlds foremost Green Technology Sustainability Center and Thematic Destination By: Don Holbrook

    Meltdown Holbrook just posted this on my Earthquest fan page:
    Don Holbrook I apologize everyone. These photos were posted by a cyber stalker that has decided to take an innocent situation like my surprise 50th birthday and post them all over the internet in blogs and such. She has made a great deal of defamatory comments about this being a drunken party. Well for one I have never been drunk in my life and second these were my personal facebook pictures of me and close friends who flew in to be with me two years ago. My wife planned it. We did have a great deal of fun. But nobody that I recall got drunk. I am so sorry that this scary stalker called Soap box Mom has taken it on herself to do malicious character assassination on me and other good people where there is no conspiracy and/or inappropriate conduct. I am fairly certain it was probably her that has posted these comments. Stealing someone's images is a very serious matter that is why you have to sign release forms in order to do so. She will be dealt with for her actions by the legal system.
    He made the images public and there was a share button. So, the shots got shared just as Holbrook intended. Using Facebook to advertise does tend to backfire. Is it Holbrook's contention that sober people dance on tables??? Should we make a poll or fund a study on that? I don't believe I will be rotting in jail, hell or for that matter be held civilly liable for using the share button on pictures the Don choose to make public and used to brag about his Earthquest escapades.

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

    Love some Bunny! I do!

  24. #24
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    Snest,

    You have been banned from the Facebook page. Folks go there for quick updates on the project and intelligent discussions. If you want to bicker with me and make all sorts of wild accusations about slander (which is spoken -- look it up) you may do so here.

    You seem so interested in the facts though apparently you are in possession of none yourself. Perhaps, you would be kind enough to ask Holbrook why he is refusing to release the charity, Institute Earthquest, papers. Some of those documents are required to be publicly available by law. He should be explaining where all the money went as he was the president and CEO of that disaster and there is absolutely nothing to show for it.

    Then ask him how the hundreds of thousands in meals, travel and hotel expenses were in any way truly necessary for an experienced designer like Contour and all the consultants and board members. All that was for naught. Holbrook was paid the big bucks to raise the funding for Earthquest and nothing ever went forward. The land should have been purchased years ago.

    Lots of questions and Holbrook has no answers! Let's have those answers. Let's have those hundreds of projects worth billions of dollars that created 50,000 jobs that he brags of. Let's have those false statements of fact.

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

    Love some Bunny! I do!

  25. #25
    Join Date
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    re: Trey White Fake Multi-billionaire / Marlin Atlantis / EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook of IEDC

    I think Don Lessem, talking about Don Holbrook's disastrous time as president and CEO of the defunct Earthquest Institute, said it very well in the Houston Press article:
    Lessem outlined his concern in a few letters to the EarthQuest Institute board. In one he wrote, "Not one person among us has significant national or local contacts among the business and personal philanthropic communities. None of us has the right kind of board experience for leading what was chartered as an international educational effort. None of us has been able to set this organization on the right course...We all need to remember that this is an organization we SERVE, not our fiefdom to control."
    All that will be mine if any suit should be filed and I will publish every scrap of information about this project that goes into the public record. Holbrook isn't about to dictate to me what questions to ask and documents to demand. We taxpayers in Texas are not about to be bullied by a pompous buffoon like Holbrook! My opinion that Holbrook was fiscally irresponsible is totally justified by what the mainstream media has dug up so far. Lots more will be coming no doubt!

    Soapboxmom
    Anyone needing assistance please feel free to use this e-mail in addition to the PM system here to contact me: soapboxmom@hotmail.com

    Dallas College Richland Campus Music Advising Derrick Logozzo / Melissa Logan / Not NASM Accredited / Out of State Tuition Nightmare!

    Love some Bunny! I do!

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