Talk:Barry Minkow

Fraud Discovery Institute

The article references Fraud Discovery Institute as an unquestioned real world company. I find it somewhat disturbing that there is no information available from the FDI about their management or board or funding or legal situation or trading address. There is not really any information available that allows a visitor to make any sort of judgement on whether this is in fact a real company. Even for the three listed 'staff' there is no contact information and it is not easy to confirm that they are who they claim to be. While I'm not suggesting the company is a scam, it would seem to be incumbent upon Minkow to be whiter than white in this matter and to disclose more full information including checkable facts about the company. I have emailed the address listed on the site and asked for more information. This is relevant to the Wikipedia article as it relies heavily on the existence and success of FDI as supporting evidence of the article.

Scheme

Was this really a pyramid scheme, or was it a Ponzi scheme? -Anthropos 12:44, 11 Dec 2003 (UTC)

Though Zzzz Best had some elements of a pyramid scheme, it was more of a Ponzi scheme than anything else. The key element in the whole affair was Minkow's willingness from the very beginning to build his business on less than the complete truth - and that fact was eventually discovered and given the light of day, as these acts must. --avnative 12:29, Oct 7, 2004 (UTC)

I really would appreciate it if you would take the Churches name off your Page, Yes Nu- Way Christian Ministies.

Pastor Cooper

Please refer to Recent Developements Pastor Cooper

Interstate Appraisal Services

The article is unclear as to origin of Interstate Appraisal Services. It says Minkow met Padgett who was already working there but then later says the company was formed to support ZZZZ Best's fraud. Thepedestrian 20:28, Aug 3, 2004 (UTC)

Both statements were true. Padgett was Interstate Appraisal Services - its only person performing its work - and the name Interstate Appraisal Services (Padgett) became a company to support Zzzz Best's fraud. For more, you may obtain Minkow's autobiography on the subject: Clean Sweep: The Inside Story of of the Zzzz Best Scam. . .One of Wall Street's Biggest Frauds ISBN 0785279164, which is a fascinating read. --avnative 12:29, Oct 7, 2004 (UTC)

Allegedly?

I'm taking out the term "allegedly" in the introductory section. There's no credible allegations referenced or sourced, and until they are, Mr. Minkow deserves to have the benefit of the doubt. . . especially when he is under the oversight of a church board of directors or equivalant. These folks I'm sure know of Minkow's past, and if there was a problem with his ethical behavior - especially as it relates to financial fraud - he'd be out of there in a heartbeat. Let's cite sources before we start doubting everyone and anyone who has an article on Wikipedia. Thanks. --avnative 16:12, August 25, 2005 (UTC)

Minkow's congregation and Elder Board are very aware of his past. It is almost a weekly part of his sermons and each visitor that has returned for the third time is invited to his home and given a copy of his first book. --Aaronkaiser 17:45, 20 April 2007 (UTC)

Nu Way

I would really appreciate it if you would take the churches name off your Page.Nu-Way Christian Ministries.

Pastor Cooper

No. It's relevant. Frankly, I think your effort to hide your criminal past by scrubbing Wikipedia to be shameful, and I've added a reference to the consent decree describing your investment scam. Uucp 04:41, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

Please refer to recent developements for comments.

Pastor Cooper

Wikipedia is an encyclopedia. It is aiming to document what happened. You can contribute to Wikipedia by ensuring that the resultant references are based on a Neutral Point of View. The issue will however not be removed from Wikipedia if it is significant. Ansell 10:41, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

A suggestion -- maybe we should create an article for Pastor Cooper. It could contain some details of his investment scheme, consent decree, and his defense. These details are not appropriate on the Barry Minkow page, but they would be appropriate on the man's own page. Is he notable, other than having been busted by Minkow? Uucp 12:05, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

"Nu-Way was founded in 1993 and holds services for about 200 members in San Diego and Temecula, according its Web site." [1]

"Barry Minkow, an anti-fraud investigator who called the firm to the attention of state and federal authorities, estimated the Coopers recruited between 15 and 25 church members and raised more than $1 million" From the source listed in the above paragraph

Overall I think defrauding people of $1 million is a large enough crime to warrant having the infamy documented on wikipedia. It would seem that the Nu-way article could either have a section on its founder, or the other way around. Not sure which is more applicable. Ansell 12:43, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

HaHa

Sir you are a true joke! Isnt if funny how people try so desperetly to cover up there sins by maximizing the flaws of others. Mr minklow, (or whatever your name is) no matter how hard u slander others. you will still be a convicted fellon. that will never be erased from your record. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 205.201.164.44 (talk) 18:09, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

Pastor Cooper has many notable accomplshments:

Miss Southeast San Diego ...Prilimenary to Del Mar Fairest of the Fair, Building self esteem of our youth Little Miss Hispanic

In efforts to bring the Christian Community together on Gospel Psalm 100 which is music and speaking from differnt denomenations were brought together by him.

Gave up his 4 bedroom home to house men that were having a tough time getting started in life.

Was the visionary (17 years) to start the HeritageDayParade.org that is geared toward Community, Commerce and Christianity where the city comes together during Black History Month reaching out to all cultures and backgrounds.

2nd generation Pastor and the Father has pastored the same church for over 50 years and he has been married to my mother for 66 years.

Began Nu-Way Christian Ministries in 1993 in his livingroom with his wife and 2 children and now 6 churches have come out of it to date.

He has been honored and accomendated by notables like Sen. Steve Peace Board of Supervisors as far back as 1990 Bob Filner Steve o Cooper Day from coucilman Tony Young and Bob Filner The Channel 10 Leadership Award Mayor Maureen O'Conner Mayor Susan Golding Mayor Jery Sanders Gov. Swartzneger President George W. Bush United States Military ... Transient Unit Honorary Doctorate

And this is one that he is really proud... He married his high school sweetheart and they have been together for 33 years to whom 2 beautiful chilren were born.

Pastor Minkow I hope that this sheds a little light of the heart of Pastor Steve Cooper of Nu-Way Intl. Christan Ministies