Wall Street Journal reports: SEC probes WAMU on appraisals

The SEC is investigating WAMU in connection with alleged inflated appraisals coerced from a First American Corporation subsidiary.

What’s new? Is involvement in fraud a systemic a long lasting way of life at the First American Corporation?

The SEC better be advised that the First American Corporation, WAMU’s partner in alleged crime, has never hesitated to conceal material facts from investors in the past.

We hold tangible proof on hand that, in order to entice investors to participate in a fraudulent loan, the First American Corporation failed to disclose hard facts of record discovered by First American examiners long before the loan was made.

First American Corporation went even further. In that instance, First American did not reveal to investors that in order to entice the lenders to participate in a fraudulent mortgage scheme, First American had secretly obtained a worthless indemnity agreement from the borrower.

As in the alleged case with WAMU, at the time, the First American Corporation was eager to accept a grossly inflated appraisal. The First American Corporation obviously did so then, just as it is reported to have done now. It stays motivated by uncontrolled greed and the lure of future business at any cost.Note that in my case, I have paid leading attorneys to discover the above and reach those damning conclusions. Their opinions are on hand! Sadly, most of the senior First American Corporation senior executives involved then are still at the helm and probably just as involved now!

Can a leopard ever change its spots?

First American Corporation (FAF) - Millberg Weiss

Status of Millberg Weiss investigation should be made public soon. In the meantime I am offering them all the help I possibly can. The following is just one example:

To: Millberg Weiss, New York:

Further to my e-mail of November 22, 2007, I dug up some more ‘tell tale’ damning comments by Kennedy, Kermot and Klemens.

Could your firm develop a line of questioning that would demonstrate that senior execs at FAF have a long history of misleading the public and they have never hesitated over the years to abuse the confidence of FAF investors and employees alike?

In depositions, could you quote verbatim (with back up audio if need be) the misleading and utterly false statements blurted out by most senior FAF execs? The parallels and repeat behavioral pattern between 1999/2000 and 2007 are indeed most revealing.

Could such a line of questioning not set the scene and help establish FAF’s entrenched ‘modus operandi’?

Even in the face of gloomy company news, they have never blinked at lying in an effort to turn the red ink not even pink but to actually make it look black if not green through their wishful glasses?

IMHO the Judges should be left with no doubt that if FAF could take their loyal shareholders and employees for a ride over the years; they could likewise abuse the confidence of those trusting and faithful employees who put their blind trust and fate in the sticky hands of FAF senior execs/fiduciaries.

Furthermore I found the following message on the Yahoo/Finance/FAF/Message board interesting:

“Re: id be selling into any strength (Not rated) 29-Nov-07 03:38 pm
lol, go FAF. thanks for the cheap shares! the 15% employee discount makes it even sweeter! still adding...

I question whether FAF fiduciaries benefited of the same 15% discount when they loaded the employees’ retirement fund with FAF stock?

Regardless the 15% discount policy to employees seems to confirm that when Wall Street shuns FAF stock for good cause, FAF management/fiduciaries look to employees to artificially shore up the price!

There is a saying in French: “Qui vole un oeuf vole aussi un boeuf!”

If in 1999, FAF execs could blatantly urge people to invest in the face of undisclosed disastrous news, why would they hesitate in 2007 to compromise their employees’ retirement fund?

Incidentally Note the critical dates between 1999 and 2007: April 21, 1999 stock closes at $16. April 22, 1999, Kennedy blurts his dividend increase remark. April 23, 1999, FAF stock closes at $20.69!

A mere six months later FAF closes at $11.50 on October 21, 1999.

Thereafter FAF declares losses and FAF stock tumbles to a low of $10.69 on March 13, 2000. A 50% loss in value over six months!

In 1999 did FAF execs and or fiduciaries also tap into their employees’ retirement fund just like they are doing now in 2007? Is it all a repeat systemic performance?

In 2007, do we have a rewind of the same strategy?

In May 2007 FAF presents at Lehman Brothers Investors Conference in London UK.
On June 1, 2007 FAF stock reaches an all time high of $55.11

Thereafter FAF announces losses, Lehman downgrades FAF and a mere six months after the May conference, on November 7, 2007 FAF closes at a low of $30.07! A little less than a 50% loss within six months so far!

Is it a virtual mirror image of the 1999 FAF performance or not?
In 1999, a trustworthy Chicago Title employee assured me that certain FAF employees were being paid to hawk FAF stock among fellow employees and real estate agents and clients. He further assured me that FAF had embraced the policy to: ‘Insure anything, litigate everything’ in their quest for industry supremacy. It is all catching up to them at long last.

Some misleading statements blurted out by FAF most senior execs in 1999:

Stock will come back so we can use it again:
http://www.geocities.com/listentokennedy/kennedy2.html?969640185570

Crazy world right now, valuations really aren’t entirely fair:
(Can Kennedy outsmart Wall Street?)

FAF culture get everyone to sell everything:
(Including company stock?)

Stock down but we are going to work on that:
(How? By digging in employees retirement fund for one?)
http://www.geocities.com/listentoklemens/klemens3.html?969992503500

Accounting change effect:
http://www.geocities.com/listentokennedy/kennedy3.html?970096420290

I guarantee you some time this year we will increase our dividend:
http://www.geocities.com/listentoparkerkennedy/fafdivincreaseguar.html?978064228

Those web based audios do not appear to be still available for playback through Geocities. But I could make the original tape available to you.

While I realize that audios are not always admissible as evidence in court, I believe that in depositions, playing back their own statements to the KKK clan could be worth its weight in gold!

Furthermore you could well find a way to introduce it as evidence. Even if it were to be struck out the mind frame of the court could be favorably influenced.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further help.

Good luck! Go for it!

Yours most sincerely,

Louis Leclezio.

Millberg Weiss Investigates First American Corporation

I note with interest that your firm is investigating possible illegal conduct relating to The First American Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan. Specifically, whether certain fiduciaries of the plan may have violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") in at least two ways: (1) by allowing employee participants to invest in First American common stock when it was not prudent to do so, and (2) by failing to disclose First American’s problems.

Would your firm further consider investigating what did Parker Kennedy and Frank McMahon of the First American Corporation disclose or failed to disclose to investors when they held a conference at Lehman’s Brothers' Tenth Annual London Financial Services Conference on May 17, 2007, at 11:40 a.m. EDT.
I hereto attach a post on the Yahoo/Finance/FAF/Message board. It is rather revealing!

At the time some other posts forewarned that Lehman in conjunction with FAF was setting up a scenario to make millions of dollars by shorting the stock. Shortly after the stock reached an all time high following the FAF presentation at Lehman, Lehman downgraded the stock and FAF announced losses for the quarter! Of course the stock imploded on unprecedented volumes. It would be interesting to find out who cashed in the most on ‘short’ positions then?

Note that although they have consistently gotten away with it up to now, senior executives at FAF are not novices at manipulating the FAF stock.

On April 22, 1999 at a stock holders’ meeting Parker Kennedy guaranteed that FAF would increase its dividend some time before year end. That remark sent the stock up some $4 the next day when trading volumes increased significantly.

By the end of 1999, FAF had not increased its dividend and had been forced to review the creative accounting practices that had caused its stock to trade at inflated values. That ‘dividend increase guarantee’ remark by Kennedy and other false statements by FAF senior executives at the time were all recorded on tape and are still available to date. At the time, the audio had also been published on the web but FAF saw to it that it got removed just like some of the messages forewarning the ‘short’ strategy allegedly set up by FAF/Lehman were recently removed from the Yahoo message board!

Incidentally, a transcript of the remarks can be read in my book: ‘First American Title To Injustice’.

As a FAF stockholder I would be glad to be a signatory to any class action you may decide to bring against those rogues! They deserve to be put out of business for ever!

First American Corporation - Fraud & Plunder...

Fraud & Plunder! An enduring way of doing business at First American for far too long!

I suppose First American views law suits, fines and penalties as part of the cost of doing business!

How about the lives that have been marred by First American along the way? How do those people view First American?

In February 1996 First American engaged in a fraudulent deal. To quote the First American lawyer: “The considerable risk First American took for reasons of its own…” ended up costing me and my family millions of dollars.

When I sued First American, Bill Heslington, the First American national accounts manager at the time told me: “Mr. Leclezio if you were to prevail in your suit, we could lose our license. We could never let that happen.”

At the time Jim Hopkins, of the Washington State Insurance department told me: “Mr. Leclezio, John P. Dahl (FAF WA. Manager) made a special trip from Seattle to Olympia to come and try and explain away your case against them. He knew that you had given me Mr. Lasky’s letter from Moses Singer New York. Dahl had ‘guilt’ written all across his forehead.”

I said to Mr. Hopkins: “Why don’t you sue First American and yank away their license?” Sadly Mr. Hopkins replied: “That is the problem with white collar crime. These people can steal millions from you and simply get away with it because they will have a battery of lawyers to defend them. We do not have the necessary funds to assign to going after them!”

I pray and hope that at long last Mr. Andrew Cuomo will have the staying power, the will it takes and the necessary funds to put First American out of business once and for all the good of the nation. Indeed the whole international financial world will be a much healthier place.

But just in case Mr. Cuomo does not have the muscle by himself to put First American out of business, I am actively and earnestly seeking a large enough reliable law firm to launch a major class action suit against First American. I pray and hope that justice will finally prevail.

Had First American lost its license back in 1996 how many American home owners and investors would have been a lot better off today?

I for one would not have been forced to live in poverty away from my dearly loved family and friends just because First American decided to engage in a fraudulent case they could not afford to lose and paying fines, penalties and law suits are just part of the cost of doing business at First American!

But! After all First American is a multi armed bandit machine, a soulless corporation without a face or feelings. Why should they care about the endless sufferings they inflict upon those they plunder, disfigure and damage for life!

New York Attorney General vs. First American Corporation

What has changed in the systemic fraudulent nature of FAF’s senior management?

It has predictably gone from bad to worse.

On June 2, 1998 Mr. Jerome Lasky of Moses & Singer, New York wrote:

“On analysis, we regard the recordation of the Deed of Trust by First American as particularly egregious conduct and, indeed a breach of its responsibilities as a licensed title company.

“Indeed we view First American’s conduct as so outrageous as to justify seeking the imposition of punitive damages as against it in any action based on its conduct.”

“In fact despite having been actively involved in title claims litigation for some thirty-five years, and having represented numerous title companies in claims litigation, the undersigned has never been presented with a comparable situation.”

“While we are addressing our letter of opinion to you personally, please be advised that we have no objection to your furnishing a copy of this letter to other counsel who are representing you in this matter or to First American, nor do we have any objection to your furnishing a copy of this letter to appropriate State Insurance Departments.

On November 1, 2007, nine years later Reuters reports that in yet another case alleging fraud by First American Corporation, New York’s Attorney General, Mr. Andrew Cuomo said: “Through this, First American helped set the current mortgage crisis in motion.”

"The independence of the appraiser is essential to maintaining the integrity of the mortgage industry," Cuomo said. "First American and eAppraiseIT violated that independence when Washington Mutual strong-armed them into a system designed to rip off homeowners and investors alike."

Should Mr. Cuomo seek help from Mr. Lasky or the offices of Moses & Singer? IMHO, a drastic meaningful action against those FAF rogues is long overdue!

Profile of Jerome Lasky, Esquire.

Mr. Lasky, joined Moses & Singer in 1948. In the course of his brilliant career, Mr. Lasky served as a Judge for the Nassau County District Court and has been an Adjunct Professor at the New York Univeristy Real Estate Institute. Mr. J. M. Lasky has also been a member of the Committee to Prepare a Code of Ethics for Nassau County.

In 1998, Mr. Lasky was a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the New York County Lawyers Association. Mr. J. M. Lasky has been a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar at the Columbia University School of Law from where he graduated in 1948. During his College years Mr. Lasky has been the Articles Editor of the Columbia Law Review.

More recently Mr. Lasky has published articles in the New York Law Journal. In 1998 Mr. Lasky was affiliated to various legal entities such as the Association of the Bar of the City of New York (Faculty, City Bar Center Continuing Legal Education Program), The New York County Lawyers Association, The New York State Bar Association and The American Bar Association.

First American Corporation Sued For Fraud...

First American involved in fraud…

This is nothing new!!!

In 1996 First American engaged in fraud and defrauded our family of millions of dollars.

At the time, FAF’s senior exec, Ad Zetz was deposed. He was asked why had First American engaged in fraud and violated its company manuals. Under oath, Zetz callously answered: “We had a chance to make a couple of thousand bucks!”

Highly respected attorney. Jerry Lasky Esquire of Moses & Singer, New York, sifted through documents and found a memo stating that the company was prepared to take a “considerable risk for future business.”

Has anything changed at FAF over the last 11 years? Why does FAF senior execs systematically condone at best shady if not fraudulent transactions?

In her post on 11/02/07 on the Yahoo/Finance/FAF/Message board/

http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/Stocks_%28A_to_Z%29/Stocks_F/threadview?m=tm&bn=6573&tid=9780&mid=10036&tof=4&rt=2&frt=2&off=1

janekane12 writes: “First American continues to prove that its leadership is ethically challenged.” Speaking from personal experience I confirm that ‘ethics’ is not a priority at FAF!

Janekane12 goes on to explain why ethics is of concern: “Most of the fines levied against title insurance companies are insufficient to deter improper behavior. Obviously, these types of arrangements are profitable. But this case, however, may be different. This one has the potential to be huge!

Now let us review the huge scope of the present case.

Could it generate a few class action suits in addition to civil and criminal proceedings by New York State?

Could investors who attended the Lehman Brothers conferences and invested heavily in FAF file suit? What did they hear from ex Lehman insider Frank McMahon that caused the FAF stock to reach an all time high shortly before it imploded? Did Frank and Parker Kennedy warn investors that FAF was about to turn in a loss for the quarter or was about to face major suits?

Could home buyers file a class action seeking refunds for all the extra payments they had to fork out as a result of their homes being overvalued?

On 10/31/07 nysemarketmaker wrote on this board:

“$12 in cash Hey! Should we be impressed? Please advise how much will be left after FAF settles claims? How much more needs to be set aside for upcoming major claims? Is FAF not also exposed to class actions that could allege that FAF and its execs have defrauded stock holders?”
And how about buyers of overvalued homes?
On 11/01/07 Forbes.com reported Cuomo’s statement: “Cuomo said eAppraiseIT and the parent company, ‘First American’ knew its actions were illegal, citing an April 17, 2007 e-mail from eAppraiseIT's president to First American that said: "We view this as a violation of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Office of Thrift Supervision, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice influencing regulation."
On 11/02/07 janekane12 also wrote:

This case has been described as "one of the highest-profile government actions yet to assign blame for the mortgage crisis that is causing havoc in the financial markets." People are looking for someone to blame for the mortgage crisis - here is an excellent opportunity to send a message.”

A few on this board have attempted to opine that neither FAF nor WaMu had much to gain from overvalued real estate!!!

How asinine!

Remember we ‘were’ in a rising market. Remember FAF does not blink an eyelid before screwing a family out of millions of dollars for “to make a couple of thousand bucks” and pursuing the lure of future business!!!

How much more did FAF earn for every $10,000 a house was knowingly overvalued by?

How much more did WaMu get to collect monthly for every $10,000 a house was knowingly overvalued by? Did help WaMu inflate its paper?

Furthermore what was the perceived risk?

In a rising market, a higher valued home could increase the risk of the borrower defaulting through higher monthly payments. So what? So much more for FAF and WaMu! WaMu ends up with higher assets on its books, FAF ends up insuring and closing more deals through WaMu!!!

Open Letter To James Dufficy of First American Corporation

October 9, 2007.

To: James J. Dufficy et al,

FYI: ‘First American Title To Injustice’ has recently been used as an important exhibit in a major case in Federal Court on the east coast!

Lawyers from Massachusetts to Seattle have been requesting copies of my book!

In the light of the above, what am I to think of your recent comment, that you, your family and friends found my book to be comical? Does that comment underscore your greed, your misplaced ambition and typical arrogance? Are those facets of your personality at the root of your consistent poor judgment in this case?

For my part I wish to thank you for your greed factor, your misplaced ambition and your arrogance. They caused you initially to refuse to settle for fair value when we met in Bellevue and Santa Ana and subsequently with your head stuck in the mud, you disregarded the opprtunity to edit my book and to purchase the publishing rights from Keystar Publications!

Had you acted humbly and fairly during our negotiations, my book would not have seen the light of day. Numerous individuals across the US would not be benefiting from my book and I would not be feeling so vindicated today!

Incidentally do you have any idea how much money your consistent parochial attitude and poor judgment in this case has cost First American directly and indirectly to date?

Considering the present flow of demand for my book, should I be inclined to believe that the party has just begun?

Before ending, you may enjoy reading my blog ‘www.lleclezio.blogspot.com’ concerning the First American, Lehman Brothers and Frank McMahon connection.

Would you believe it if I were to tell you how sorry I am to note that the market cap of First American has dropped by hundreds of millions of dollars over the last few months!

What a blow to your greed and misplaced ambition James!

Good Luck, Duff duff the ‘tuff’ puff puff guy! Keep puffing and blowing hot air boy…

First American Corporation - Lehman Brothers - The Frank McMahon Connection

The following interesting posts recently appeared on the Yahoo/Finance/FAF/Message Board:

McMahon ‘Le Man’ from Lehman 18-Aug-07 12:09 pm

Fleet Street – London – UK – Reports

This interesting message posted by Leclezio on August 2, 2007 caused me to do some digging back.

Is it a mere coincidence that FAF presented at Lehman days before its stock price collapsed?

Did McMahon use his past connections and credibility at Lehman to dump an imminent loser on Lehman’s clients?

Consider the following statement by Kennedy at the time FAF’s Kennedy hired McMahon from Lehman: “McMahon, currently a managing director with Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., will join First American on March 31, 2006. Frank is an excellent investment banker who has a deep understanding of Wall Street, the capital markets and our industry said Parker S. Kennedy, chairman and chief executive officer of The First American Corporation. He has managed the West Coast financial institutions practice for Lehman Brothers for the last six years and managed a similar group for Merrill Lynch from 1994 to 1999.” Now consider that McMahon & Kennedy presented at Lehman Brothers' Tenth Annual London Financial Services Conference on May 17, 2007, at 11:40 a.m. EDT. Please check out the First American tell tale historical stock price fluctuation immediately following that presentation:

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/hp?s=FAF&a=04...

You will note that the stock went from $49.49 on May 11, 2007 to $55.14 on June 6, 2007 shortly after the presentation at Lehman back to a low of $40.93 on August 2, 2007!In message “Fleet Street UK Reports” posted on August 2, 2007 - Leclezio pertinently points out that:

“Historically this is nothing new. It is a repeat of the hysteria of the 1990s:Where there were conflicts of interest, say between the desire of investment banks to keep clients sweet by pumping up their stock price and the duty of investment banks to tell their smaller clients the truth, the big buck won and honesty lost.”

Do we have something far worse here?

Ex investment banker McMahon is presenting to clients of his ex firm ‘Lehman’, FAF stock, a company in which he has a major stake just before the stock goes down the toilet!

Ouch indeed!

Talk about conflicts of interest. Do those poor Lehman investors possibly duped by McMahon, Kennedy and Lehman have grounds for a major suit?

As if to make matters worse, Leclezio goes on to point out that shortly after that conference was held at Lehman Brothers' European Headquarters, located at 25 Bank Street, London, Lehman downgraded the First American Corporation!!!Ouch!!! Ouch!!! Ouch!!! Indeed!!!!I read ‘First American Title To Injustice.’ By Leclezio. It exposes other past similar scams By FAF chief execs.

I recommend Leclezio’s book to all those interested prior to either investing or dumping FAF.

http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/Stocks_%28A_to_Z%29/Stocks_F/threadview?m=tm&bn=6573&tid=9948&mid=9948&tof=14&frt=2


Re: Fleet Street – London – UK – Reports 7-Sep-07 12:53 am

Heard on the street - Seeking confirmation...

Frank McMahon & Parker Kennedy plan to present at Lehman Brothers again in September 2007.

The stock is expected to rise back to the same $55 ephemeral levels it reached following their last presentation on May 17, 2007.Investors can rest assured that back in May, McMahon and Kennedy had no idea the company would post losses and would be cutting jobs shortly after the presentation. Although Kennedy and McMahon are surrounded by all the latest IT, they manage to remain safely insulated from such critical info and vital corporate decisions within their IT (Ivory Tower)

Die hard FAF investors are urged to hold on to their shorts – even if weighed down with s… while P. K & F. Mc press rewind in front of loyal Lehman clients! What a difference a short 3 months can make! FAF went from $55.14 on June 6, 2007 to $39.97 on September 6, 2007!!!

But do not worry, the stock is expected to go back to $55.14 by the end of September 2007 if the presentation is once again hosted by friendly Lehman in London!


Re: Fleet Street – London – UK – Reports 12-Sep-07 01:03 am
Who do you work for nysemarketmaker? Lehman or First American?

First American only announced on September 10, 2007 that McMahon & Kennedy would once again present at Lehman in September 2007? http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070910/lam15...

How could you already know and post that on September 7, 2007?

Nothing like being well connected!Let’s be frank! McMahon will pour the Mc mayo on. No one will look for the meat that is not present! Nothing like a saucy meatless talk to move that stock right back up to $55!

How much did Lehman clients pay for FAF stock in early June after listening to Frank & Parker in May 2007 in London?

Just as well FAF stockholders can rely on ‘Le Man’ from Lehman! What a convenient inside track!We desperately need Mc's solid past connections to fish that stock out of the toilet and get back in the chips!

First American Title To Injustice

Book Presentation & Distribution Proposal

August 15, 2007

A new book entitled "The American Title Insurance Industry," by Joseph Eaton, David Eaton, and Tom Vilsack was released on August 1, 2007. Its subtitle is "How a Cartel Fleeces the American Consumer." Professor Joseph Eaton (U. Pittsburg) has a very impressive biography on Wikipedia. Professor David Eaton is a Bess Harris Jones Centennial Professor of Natural Resources Policy Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Tom Vilsack, of course, is the ex-Gov. of Iowa.

Two commentaries on that book review state: "In this important and fascinating book, the authors expose a scam that has fleeced Americans of billions of their hard-earned dollars since World War II.” “But they (authors) go on to charge that, beyond mere obsolescence, the title insurance industry is guilty of anticompetitive pricing, overcharging, and possibly fraud.”

The media across the United States has consistently exposed the scams and common abuses inflicted by the title industry upon the American public. Even the usually pro big business Forbes magazine came out with a scathing article on November 13, 2006 highlighting the obsolescence of the First American Title Company and others. Additionally the industry has been the subject of recent Congress hearings.

Another little known book so far, First American Title To Injustice, by Louis Leclézio, was published by Keystar Publications and released in August 2006. Leclézio has neither the impressive credentials of the authors mentioned above nor does he have the name recognition of a magazine such as Forbes.

But Bhishmadev Seebaluck accurately pin points the captivating aspect of this uncommon book. It reveals a different dark facet of the thoroughly corrupt title industry. In his preface to First American Title To Injustice, Mr. Seebaluck writes: “Louis Leclézio has invested all his faith, hope and bitterness in this revealing book which beats all attempts at fiction writing. This work is a penetrating ‘cri de coeur’ which reaches out to the reader and touches the innermost recesses of his heart. First American Title to Injustice is edifying, vindicating. It makes compelling reading… at one sitting.”

For reasons made obvious in the book, Leclézio had limited funds to publish, to promote and to market his book. But that in no way diminishes the broad implications the book should have on the American title industry and the American justice system. Indeed the book has already attracted a number of very positive comments from various circles.

The book was officially launched in the Republic of Mauritius at the opening of World Book Day celebrations on April 28, 2007 by an eminent scholar, the Prime Minister of the Republic. On that occasion, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, a highly respected figure on the world stage commented as follows: “… the National Library has been behind the launching of several books, the next one being one by Mr. Louis Leclézio, whose family has a long standing friendship with mine.

Mr Leclézio swam against the tide – he has gone against the brain drain to come back to the country after many years in the United States. His book “First American Title To Injustice” is an eye opener and I commend it to you all. Especially to those who think the grass is greener on the other side.”

After its publication in August 2006, the book found a place on the shelves of the local bookstores. From there, First American title To Injustice made it in the local press and on the World Wide Web.

The following comment was picked up on the Crime & Federalism site on the web:
“I read in the Sept 1-7, 2006 issue of the "News on Sunday" circulated in Mauritius, an article called "Hitting Back at America". The author calling himself "The Rambler" was describing a book by Mauritian author Louis Leclézio that was predicted to "likely make strong ripples like a tsunami in the United States, and it hits hard against some American giants and the American type of justice". The book's title is "First American Title to Injustice". I was intrigued as I am with all things Mauritian and took the article home with me to wait and see as to the progress of this tsunami-book. As it is, I still can't find the book on Amazon.com or other sources where I would have quickly bought the book, and now remain surprised that a book with such enormous impact doesn't seem to be on the radar screen of the major book vendors in the USA. The point is, please direct me where this book can be purchased. Maybe I can buy it at Bookcourt in Port Louis during my next visit?? thanks in advance.
Posted by: F. R. Smith Mar 28, 2007 3:27:05 PM

A major week end paper also carried an article in color on the book. (See attached) The well known journalist who was recognized at Harvard for past articles had picked up a copy of the book in a local bookstore. After writing the article, Mr. Henri Marimootoo contacted the author, Louis Leclézio and strongly recommended that the book and his article be distributed to his fellow members of the investigative press in the US. That journalist and numerous others who have read the book perceive that there should be broad appeal for the book in the US.

Indeed Leclézio was recently interviewed to appear on a locally well known prime time TV show. After the show covering Leclézio and First American Title To Injustice is aired in Mauritius, it will be forwarded to US producers such as Oprah and a number of US channels.

With the recent launching of "The American Title Insurance Industry," by Joseph Eaton, David Eaton, and Tom Vilsack in the US, it appears the time has come for the book by Leclézio to be also launched on the American market. Louis Leclézio hopes that First American Title To Injustice can be sold side by side with "The American Title Insurance Industry".


To Recap

Why First American Title To Injustice will sell well in the US?

First American Title To Injustice distinguishes itself from the spate of newspaper articles and other books covering the well publicized scams and abuses perpetrated by the title industry.

It is a poignant true to life story. It shows how an all mighty title insurer destroyed the family’s resolve to live out the American dream to the full after immigrating to the US. The book speaks of the trials and tribulations the family went through while attempting at all costs to safeguard that dream.

Who is likely to read the book?

Every American who has ever dealt in real estate and purchased fraudulently mandated title insurance should read the book.

Are chapter titles thought provocative enough?

Contents:

Chapter 1: The storm gathers.
Chapter 2: “No duty to do the ethical thing”.
Chapter 3: Enter Hagens and Berman.
Chapter 4: A bullet proof case.
Chapter 5: “A couple of thousand bucks”.
Chapter 6: Money-making business.
Chapter 7: Agenda in hiding.
Chapter 8: Puppet on a string.
Chapter 9: “Do you feel like jumping from a bridge?”
Chapter 10: A mock trial.
Chapter 11: Sacrificial lamb.
Chapter 12: When insult is added to injury.
Chapter 13: Wanted: A miracle.
Chapter 14: Courtroom or theater stage?
Chapter 15: The games that lawyers and judges play.
Chapter 16: Clowns and jugglers.
Chapter 17: Scandals galore.
Chapter 18: Reflections and flashbacks.

The book containing some 220 pages has an attractive cover.

Is there sufficient name recognition?

First American Title… is a household name in the US.

It has been the subject of recent Congress hearings.
It has been sued by various States as reported in the press across the US.
Forbes (November 13, 2006) has a lengthy article and an editorial on First American.

Hagens Berman… is also a well known name. It has often been covered in press reports across the US.

Hagens and Berman have been involved in a number of landmark class action cases such as: Boeing, ‘Big Tobacco’, Enron, and the Average Wholesale Price litigation against the Pharmaceutical Industry to name but a few!

The book by Leclézio offers a challenging perspective into some of the intricacies and possible intrigues involved in wins and losses scored by Hagens and Berman in US courts of law.

Indeed in today’s virtual world, the notion of right or wrong is too often superseded by motions of law that convert the illegal into the legal at the strike of a judge’s pen.

Leclézio:

The author shares the name ‘Leclézio’ with his cousin, Jean Marie Le Clézio, the well known author.

The topic, title insurance is a hot and current issue.

Excerpts:

James J. Dufficy: As Dufficy was speaking, I could not help but think that in life there are obviously those who having a small profile engage in petty blue collar crime yet receive much attention. And then there are those who having a larger profile have no shame plundering millions of dollars in white collar crime. Yet, they manage through connections and the law to remain out of detention.I further considered that regardless of the level of crime, common criminals share the same tools of the trade to break into somebody’s property and steal value – Blue collar criminals hammer and ax through doors and walls while white collar gangsters hammer and ax through documents and agreements.

In the end all criminals share a common objective. They all attempt to bag their haul in silence hoping that silence will somehow serve to squash the sin. (p. 20.)First American Title Insurance: Apparently the First American senior vice president for claims had endorsed that public company policy. In a letter addressed to me, dated March 24th 1998, James J. Dufficy had stated that his company had no duty vis-à-vis the public to do the 'correct’ thing. (p. 50)Steve Berman: Then we prayed as we still do now, that some day before it is too late the Judge and lawyers such as Berman, will, like Bartimeus, turn away from the blinding law and its bitter fruits towards God and the Spirit and say:
“Master, Lord Judge of all, we want to see…!” (p.123.)

American Congress: I hope that through this book, through the American Congress and through the court of public opinion, the lawlessness of a few will end up serving the best interests of the many. (p.141.)

Faith:

We grasped that in the light of God we can question the dark actions of man, but through the dark actions of man we cannot question the light of God. (p.176.)

Hope:

Yet through God’s grace, we had refused to jump from a bridge. We had refused to yield to the devils of despair so hard at work at the anvils of evil. (p. 197)

“May our family’s suffering at the hands of Hagens and Berman and First American open a window on universal misery. May the poor, hungering for justice, point to the spiritual dearth of the opulent. May the anguish of those who are condemned to live in penury, expose the decaying heart of those who languish in the lap of luxury.”

Author:

Louis Leclezio,
Mary Gold Street,
Forest Side,
Republic of Mauritius.

Tel. + 230 – 670-7120
US Tel. (206) 331-3984
e-mail: leclezio@hotmail.com

Publisher:

Keystar Publications,
Mary Gold Street,
Forest Side,
Republic of Mauritius.

Comment:

The book leaves the reader with a compelling spiritual message. The Justice of the above through The Truth, the Light and the Life are the only way!

Copy of a Message on First American/Yahoo Msg/bb

Take Heed….

Who is pressing rewind?Parker Kennedy? Louis Leclezio? Both?

A few years ago the company’s stock price was inflated through creative accounting. Concurrently Parker issued a false statement at a share holders’ meeting concerning dividend hikes. The company stock surged. The dividend hike never materialized and the stock price imploded.

At the time Leclezio published an audio on the web of the false statement made by Parker Kennedy. The company was so infuriated that it sent its attorney John Ludlow of Bellevue to meet with Leclezio’s attorneys in Seattle. In his briefcase Ludlow carried a pile of posts purported to originate from Leclezio. Ludlow threatened to sue Leclezio on behalf of First American unless Leclezio stopped posting on the Yahoo/Finance/FAF/Msg board forthwith!

Leclezio refused to succumb to threats and could not be silenced.

The company suffered huge losses but they never dared to reopen their can of worms involving Leclezio.

Gradually the market cap of the First American Corporation dropped from approximately $2.5 billion dollars to $900 million dollars.

The First American shill on this board then posted messages to intimidate Leclezio. He suggested that Leclezio should be dumped in the sea with brick boots on!!! Leclezio’s address at 10021 N.E. 16th Place Bellevue was also published on this board.

Some of that past history may no longer be available on the Yahoo/FAF/Msg board. But hard copies have been saved.

First American appears to have ways and means to cause incriminating messages to be deleted.

Does anyone know what happened to the recent message by ‘avoidbiglosses’ published on this bulletin board? Was it revealing too much about First American’s potential market manipulation shortly before the stock imploded? Does that possibly explain why that message was promptly removed? Have hard copies of that message been saved by anyone?

Does anyone know how the audio published by Leclezio on the web to expose Parker was also made to disappear a few years ago? Luckily a copy of that tape has been saved for future reference.

Who is pressing rewind?Parker Kennedy? Louis Leclezio? Both?

Parker was hyping the stock recently.

Leclezio reappeared on this board after a long absence.

The market cap has already dropped over one billion dollars!

IMHO FAF misjudged the power of truth!

Has Dufficy caused enough harm to Leclezio and to the company yet?

First American! Draw your own conclusions...

A quote on the Crime and Federalism internet site caught my attention:

http://federalism.typepad.com/crime_federalism/2006/05/hagens_berman.html

“I found the book "First American Title to Injustice" to be completely devoid of anything even remotely factual. The author seems to be extremely delusional
Posted by: R.Namkus Apr 30, 2007 9:18:34 PM

That post reminded me of James J. Dufficy’s statement in mail dated November 27, 2006: “Louis: I have refrained from responding to your many slanders, lies and distortions, published in your book…” It also reminded me of a 2 page letter from Hagens & Berman asking that I stop publishing and distributing my book! Yet, all I ask is that justice be done.

However, being privately accused of slander and publicly cited as delusional offers me the opportunity to lay out the evidence before a world wide audience. I am forced to do so in support the bare facts as laid out in my book: ‘First American Title To Injustice’.

From time to time I will post on the web some of the hard evidence gathered against Dufficy and the First American Corporation. Let an unbiased public be my judge.

In any event, I hope that the evidence will serve to expose perjury by Dufficy and others. It will also highlight how First American tampered with some of the evidence gathered in Federal Court Case # D.C. No. CV – 98 – 01198 – TSZ.

And how thereafter with the help of Hagens and Berman, First American Title was able to coerce a corrupt ruling out of dishonorable Federal Court judge Thomas S. Zilly of the US District Court – Seattle - Washington.

Indeed numerous well qualified impartial experts have opined that First American dealt with such dirty hands, that they did not even deserve their day in court!

Although a file has already been compiled and will be turned over to a Grand Jury Investigation in due course, please note that for the public consumption through the internet, no priority will be given to the severity of the crimes committed by Dufficy, the First American Corporation and Hagens and Berman. Documents will be published at random in no specific order starting with the following.

Let us consider the facts disclosed at pages 37 & 38 of my book ‘First American Title To Injustice’:

“For example on November 20th 1998, James J. Dufficy, Senior National Claims Counsel for First American signed a document under oath stating that he had read First American’s responses to our interrogatories and requests for documents, that he knew the contents of the documents and believed the same to be true!

In answer number 9 to our request for admission, Dufficy and counsel for First American state:

“First American admits recording a Deed of Trust in favor of the lender and a Deed of Trust in favor of First American. First American denies that it ‘caused’ either Deed of Trust to be recorded, and states that said Deeds of Trust were recorded at the request and direction of the lender and of (our ex-partner!)”

Having made that statement, when First American was asked to provide copies of documents during the discovery process, First American must have felt that it had no other option but to tamper with the Indemnity document it had obtained from our ex-partner. Thus First American supplied us with a copy of the Indemnity Agreement wherein paragraph 6 had been blanked out. Since paragraph 6 was at the bottom of the first page of the document, First American must have hoped that in flipping the page over we would miss the fact that the paragraph sequence jumped from 5 to 7. When we asked First American for the original of the document, we understood why paragraph 6 had to disappear.

In flagrant contradiction of Dufficy’s sworn statement, under paragraph 6 of the Indemnity Agreement that had been prepared by First American for its sole benefit – First American, an expert in the field, best equipped to engineer the fraud and map out its execution, makes the request from our ex-partner and instructs him as follows:

“Indemnitor (our ex partner) shall deposit with First American a properly executed Deed of Trust to be recorded in a second lien position against the property as described in paragraph 1 above to secure the indemnity obligation herein.” Indeed First American directed the actions of our ex-partner. That was most contrary to what Dufficy, a senior officer of First American and also an officer of the court, considering himself fully informed, had stated and signed under oath!”

Now please compare exhibit 42, a copy of the Indemnity agreement first produced by First American with the original document being exhibit 43 I was forced to call for from First American.

Exhibit 42 where para 6 is missing:

Exhibit 43 with para 6:



The public is kindly asked to disregard the conclusions I reached in my book and draw their own!

I apologize for the poor quality of the pictured document. All relevant documents will soon be clearly visible and published in a web folder.

The tampered with Para 6: states: "Indemnitor shall deposit with First American a properly executed Deed of Trust to be recorded in a second lien position against the property as described in para 1 above to secure the indemnity obligation herein."!

First American Corp - Fleet Street – London – UK – Reports

Yankee doodles Kennedy and McMahon came to town for their dog and phony show.

The First American Corporation momentarily feathered its market cap.

It took some European donkeys for an all time American ride.

Fleet Street got fleeced. The stock price and market cap is now going to crap.

Disillusioned European investors have little else than losses to show.

Yet 'mum' the dumb will stay to save their pride.

Check out the links below

http://members.forbes.com/forbes/2006/1127/024a.html

http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07401high.pdf

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-barrington1007apr10,0,1325766.story?coll=orl-business-headlines

Calif. regulator seeks to reform title insurance

The First American Corporation to Present at Lehman Brothers' Tenth Annual London Financial Services Conference

The First American Corporation to Present at the Stephens Spring Investment Conference

Historically this is nothing new. It is a repeat of the hysteria of the 1990s:

Where there were conflicts of interest, say between the desire of investment banks to keep clients sweet by pumping up their stock price and the duty of investment banks to tell their smaller clients the truth, the big buck won and honesty lost.

But you don't get any sense of a great wailing of guilt at the institutions.

For crying out loud:

Check it out. First American Kennedy and McMahon were presenting at the Lehman Brothers 2007 Financial Services Conference on May 17, 2007, at 11:40 a.m. EDT. That conference was held at Lehman Brothers' European Headquarters, located at 25 Bank Street, London.

It sent the First American stock momentarily sky rocketing only days before Lehman downgraded the company days later.

On June 7, 2007 the stock imploded on unusually high volume while Kennedy and McMahon were desperately trying to pump it up at the Stephens Springs Investment Conference.

The tell tale historical quotes can be viewed through the link below:

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/hp?s=FAF&a=04&b=11&c=2007&d=05&e=9&f=2007&g=d

From $49.49 on May 11, 2007 to $55.14 on June 6, 2007 back to $51.20 on June 8, 2007!!!

Ouch!!! Almost a $6 fluctuation based solely on Kennedy Hype! How many times in the past has Kennedy outright lied to hype the stock? Keep pressing 'rewind' Parkie till you get caught.

What a justified well deserved flop the presentation proved to be at the Stephens Springs Investment Conference!

Incidentally some other similar First American scams are exposed in ‘First American Title To Injustice.’

It can be purchased on line through: (www.lleclezio.blogspot.com)

As a result of facts disclosed in that publication, a Grand Jury Investigation is being sought in numerous aspects of FAF corruption.

This message is also posted on the Yahoo/Finance/First American message board.

Dr. Issa Asgarally – ‘L’interculturel ou la guerre’. Part 1.

Issa me présentait une copie de son livre le 4 Mai, 2007. Depuis je le savourais lentement. Je mâchais les mots, les phrases et je ruminais certaines pensées pendant longtemps. Je voulais les digérer doucement pour les apprécier à leurs justes valeurs. J’essayais de retirer le maximum de nutrition de ce met mentale, morale et spirituelle que Issa avait préparé avec tant de soins et d’amour.

Je m’appesantissais donc sur certaines saveurs que je reconnaissais et d’autres que je découvrais. Les unes étaient plus prononcées, les autres moins épicées tandis que d’autres encore étaient si subtile et relevaient tellement d’un terroir riche et divers qu’il me fallait être du même sol pour les reconnaîtrent.

Finalement le 21 Mai, 2007 tout le repas, a partir des entrées jusqu’au dessert suivi de fromages et de fruits, tout avait été entamé. Comme bien convient a la fin d’un tel rare et somptueux repas je me mettais au lit détendu et heureux. Ma dernière pensée avant de m’endormir fut : ‘Mon dieu, Merci pour ce repas. Merci pour Issa qui l’a préparé et me l’a offert. – Mon Dieu, ce repas, combien j’aimerais pouvoir le partager avec mes frères a travers l’humanité toute entière.

Ce soir la j’ai rêvé que je me promenais dans un magnifique verger. De nombreuses années s’étaient écoulées depuis que j’avais passé par là. Quoique je fusse né à Eureka et que mon enfance jouait par là, je ne pouvais reconnaître si je me trouvais de nouveau dans le même verger d’antan? Tout avait tellement grandi. Tout était tellement plus beau et plus grand. Cependant, des nombreuses variétés de mangues par exemple, il n’en restait plus que quelques unes qui avait survécu. Regardant les arbres de très près, j’essayais de reconnaître les arbres et les espèces qui auraient été greffé par Mailo.

Oui Mailo était cet expert botaniste que la nature avait choisi pour lui apprendre ses secrets. Seul son amour intense de la nature et sa compréhension instinctive que nous sommes tous nourris par la même sève avait enseigné à Mailo comment greffer avec soin et délicatesse des espèces de formes, de goût et de couleur varié les unes sur les autres. Ce vieil Hindou aux cheveux blancs, travaillait humblement et paisiblement tantôt dans les jardins du Gouverneur au Réduit et tantôt dans le verger d’Euréka à Moka. Il avait aussi bien réussi ces greffes dans le jardin du représentant de la couronne Britannique que dans le jardin d’un colon français à faire un arbre portait différents fruits ou encore un seul rosier donner des fleurs de couleurs variés.

Même dans mon rêve, je reconnaissais les senteurs des fruits. Je me rappelais de la couleur des arbres et de la forme des différentes feuilles. Je me remémorais aussi les parfums qui montaient de la terre et des ruisseaux qui sillonnaient le verger pour l’irriguer. Le tout faisait encore un dans ma mémoire. Cependant le tout avait tellement évolué que je me perdais dans ce jardin devenu méconnaissable tant il avait grandi, tant il était beau et tant les fruits, les fleurs, les oiseaux et les papillons étaient abondants.

J’essayais de comprendre comment en l’espace d’une quarantaine d’années si vite écoulée, ce jardin s’était tant métamorphosé. Je regardais vers l’horizon. Vers là où enfant, nous regardions dans la direction du coucher du soleil. Nous étions si souvent plein d’espérance. Au delà de la limite du verger, a l’horizon, pourrions nous ce soir voir de nouveau le rayon vert ? Comme nous étions heureux les soirées ou nous pouvions fièrement crier : Oui ! Ce soir je l’ai vu moi, le rayon vert. Et toi, l’as-tu vu aussi ? Il a paru pour moi juste au moment même ou le soleil semblait sombrer à jamais à l’horizon. Où encore durant certaine soirée quand l’air était pur on pouvait distinguer la Réunion qui se dessinait à l’horizon. La vois tu toi, cette Réunion dans le lointain ?

Et puis, tout a coup, dans mon rêve, au delà de l’horizon, par delà le rayon vert, dans la direction de cette Réunion si rarement visible, un Baobab énorme se dressait. Il s’élevait et se dessinait majestueux sur la toile du ciel multicolore qui annonçait le crépuscule. Je marchais de plus en plus vite vers lui. Et plus je me rapprochais de ce Baobab, plus je réalisais, qu’il n’était pas exactement comme les autres que j’avais déjà vus à Madagascar ou en Afrique. Il n’avait du Baobab que le tronc et le début des branches. Mais certaines de ses branches étaient chargées de fruits différents tandis que d’autres portaient des fleurs offrant un véritable kaléidoscope de couleurs. Une multitude de papillons de couleurs vives se joignaient aux abeilles dans une danse folle pour butiner les fleurs qui à leur tour donneraient une variété de fruits. Tout autour de lui épelait bonheur et joie.

Regardant de près certaines des branches de ce Baobab géant, je croyais reconnaître le travail méticuleux de Mailo. Il avait tant essayé de m’éduquer, et avec combien de patience, dans son art de greffer une variété de fruit fragile et délicate sur le tronc d’un arbre plus robuste. Mailo considérait cela comme étant sa mission dans le monde. C’était sa vision d’un verger parfait. Il était convaincu que tout les arbres peuvent être améliorés et peuvent se surpasser en se supportant les uns les autres, en partageant leurs sève, leurs valeurs et en métissant leurs nature fondamentalement similaire quoique différentes sur la surface . Malheureusement, moi j’étais alors trop jeune et trop bête pour saisir l’importance et la valeur de l’enseignement que Mailo était si désireux de m’offrir gracieusement et gratuitement !

Dans mon rêve, non seulement je revoyais Mailo, mais je l’entendais aussi me répéter combien cela était important d’identifier le point commun de chaque espèce avant de choisir où, comment et à quelle profondeur faire l’incision qui serait propice au succès de la nouvelle implantation. Pour Mailo tout cela n’était plus un secret. Au départ, il suffisait pour lui de connaître les liens communs de chaque espèce et de reconnaître le parcours de la sève de vie. A partir de là il ne lui restait plus qu’à les rassembler et puis à les assembler tout en comprenant, espérant même, que l’un ne ressemblerait jamais totalement à l’autre. Il fallait aussi beaucoup penser pour savoir comment les panser, comment abreuver et nourrir leur évolution, et finalement les élaguer et exposer celui si à la lumière et celui la à l’ombre.

Oui mon rêve m’avait bien reconduit dans le verger évolué d’Euréka. Grâce a Mailo, aujourd’hui tout était beau, tout était bon, tout s’était épanoui autour de ce Baobab geant. Ces fruits étaient en abondance. Mais ils ne s’appelaient plus mangue, pêche, ananas, banane ou goyave. Ils avaient de nouvelles étiquettes tel que paix, entente, joie, espoir et amour ! Alors que ses racines s’accrochait pour se nourrir a une variété de sol, sur le tronc lui-même, touriste, linguiste, philosophe, anthropologue, religieux, historien ou jardinier avait peint en graffiti et aussi graver sur l’écorce le mot : ‘Interculturel’ ! Cela valait bien tout.

Il m’était évident que là, dans ce verger enchanteur, Mailo avait dévoilé au monde qui l’avait compris sa conception de l’interculturel. Les arbres que Mailo avait habilement greffés et éduqué étaient arrivés à se dépasser. A travers ce métissage qui respectait la force individuelle d’un chacun tout en recherchant l’essentiel commun de tous, ils avaient tous pu et su s’améliorer mutuellement pour résister aux attaques des pestes, aux intempéries, aux fléaux et rapporter des fruits abondamment.

Combien de tels Baobab existe dans notre monde aujourd’hui ?
Combien ont lu L’interculturel ou la guerre ?
Combien devrait lire L’interculturel ou la guerre ?
En combien de langues cet œuvre se doit d’être traduite ?

Le monde a un urgent besoin de combien de Mailo?

Cela Dr. Asgarally nous l'apprend avec sagesse dans son livre: 'L'interculturel ou la guerre'.

Le Mardi 22 Mai 2007, la Providence Divine me faisait lire le passage suivant de Pierre Debergé. Il etait publié dans le Calendrier de Saint Paul. Elles sont en ligne avec les Écritures Saintes recommandées pour ce jour.

« Qu’ils soient un ! » (Jn 17, 1-11) Voila la grande et dernière prière de Jésus. Il prie pour que ses disciples vivent dans l’unité de l’amour.

Comment comprendre cette unité ?

« Sûrement pas comme une uniformité qui ne laisserait pas de place au souffle de l’Esprit, aux richesses de chacun et a la diversité qui fonde la véritable communion. « Qu’ils soient un ! » : Ce n’est pas non plus la nostalgie d’une unité perdue, mais l’espérance de ceux, qui dans un réel souci de communion, se laissent bousculer par les attentes des hommes et des femmes d’aujourd’hui, avec les nécessaires conversions qu’elles impliquent. »

A Suivre.

Mauritius Sugar Industry - Restructuring - Part 2

Dear Editor,

In our last correspondence, I mentioned that another comment concerning the restructuring of the Mauritian sugar industry would follow.

I hope it is helpful and that you deem it worthy of publication.

Yours sincerely,

Louis Leclezio.

It is important to note that I have no individual stake or any personal financial benefit to be derived from my opinions below.

My only standing is that of a ‘run of the mill’ Mauritian with deep roots in the ‘di lo diboute’ industry. This alone causes me to stand up for what I firmly believe in.

One of the ideals of John F. Kennedy: Ask not what your country can do for you but rather what you can do for your country provides my otherwise arid imagination with the fertile soil it needs to grow the following suggestions.

I like to think that Government and the sugar industry already have in place a far better blue print than the simplistic one I dreamt out below.

1) A value of ‘x’ million rupees should be contributed by the sugar industry for compensation in the form of land. Regardless whether ‘x’ representing ‘La Clef des Champs’ unlocks the door to one thousand or ten thousand acres, acreage should be a token, key part of the restructuring. At a minimum it would be in recognition of Government’s relentless efforts and in appreciation of the settlement offered by the EU.

2) A basket of parcels of land should be identified. It should comprise land of different extent and of varying ‘highest and best use’. It should be spread over a broad geographic area.

3) The appraised value for the final acreage of the designated desirable land will obviously be equal to ‘x’.

4) The value of the land will be appraised according to standards of MAI. (Members of Appraisers Institute) rather than made as instructed.

5) Desirable parcels and the adequate zoning thereof should meet a wide variety of objectives.
a. Possible IRS and residential development to provide both short term capital and long term revenue to government. It will help meet the progressive needs of all Mauritians affected by the restructuring process.
b. Commercial/Industrial parcels within or on the outskirts of villages.
c. Agricultural land to cater for the needs of those whose roots are steeped deep into farming.

Like most Mauritians are, I am also fully aware of the key role education has played in the present day gigantic economic success of our island. In step with his own father, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the father of education for all Mauritians in an independent Mauritius, I know that our Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, will do all in his power to further the education of the present and next generations of Mauritians.

Further witnessing the accomplishments of the director of our National Library, Mr. Yves Chan Kam Lon and aware of the importance Mr Chan Kam Lon attributes to providing access to libraries to children and adults living in villages and rural areas, some of the funds generated from the above ventures could be designated to the development of libraries in rural areas.

I like to think that a road map along the route of the above but much improved and as traced out by Government professionals will be gladly followed by the private sector. It would serve to fuel our economic progress and education needs. It could go a long way to generate goodwill and add momentum to the continued harmonic and economic growth of our overall population for years to come.

Mauritius Sugar Industry - Restructuring Part 1

Dear Children, grand children, family and friends,

A set of coincidental circumstances took me last Wednesday night to a grandiose gathering. Had I known where I was going, I would have taken my camera. You could have seen pictures of the age old most famous Mauritius Police Band playing on the verandah of this Colonial day’s home set amid sugar cane fields.

This trip back in time for a present day small peon like me stirred up old feelings. And after a brief conversation I had with one of the guests, I could not resist forwarding the following to the local press.

As John F. Kennedy once said, I am here looking for what I can do for my country…

Dear Editor,

I hope that my reflections prove timely, helpful and worthy of publication.

Yours truly,

Louis Leclezio.

Down memory lane…
Has much changed?

Over the past weeks there has been much discussion about adequate compensation for all concerning the restructuring of the sugar industry.

Two recent remarks caught my attention. “Should the Government ask the sugar industry for 2000 acres only or should Government ask for 10,000 acres?” Likewise on the subject of IRS, Government also recognized that rules need to be reviewed urgently. Otherwise Government could end up being “Le dindon de la farce”.

Those two remarks sent me down memory lane along the ways of the past.

Fernand Leclezio, our father, is remembered by some for having set the foundation in the forties for three of the four sugar mills that will survive the crucial present restructuring. He is also remembered fondly by some past Government members. In an interview with l’Express published on Friday November 21, 2003, Sir Satcam Boolel was asked:

Quels sont les chemins que vous avez croisés au cours de votre carrière et qui restent pour vous des références ?

Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Sookdeo Bissoondoyal, Bickramsing Ramlallah et aussi Fernand Le Clézio qui était un avant-gardiste. Je le rencontrais souvent. Il avait une grande ouverture d’esprit. Et puis, il y a Guy Rozemont. Si je ne l’avais pas rencontré, je ne serais sans doute pas dans le Parti Travailliste.

Today the sons of Sir Seewoosagur and Sir Satcam are following in their father’s footsteps. With continued vision they are leading our country on a voyage to an ever better exemplary land.

Today, my brother, my sisters and I best remember our father for setting the foundations to better housing and better living conditions for labour. Back in the mid fifties Government did not have to ask him to do so. He gladly did so of his own free will. Way back then, Government and F.U.E.L. got together to develop ‘Happy Village’ with all its social activity centers, recreation fields and shopping facility.

Two old pictures dating back to the fifties testify to the ‘revolutionary’ or should I say counter revolutionary housing our father laid the foundations to.

Has much changed…?

I recall that way back then other sugar millers complained bitterly about our father. Some even went as far as to accuse him of being a communist. Others simply blamed him for doing the right thing and setting a commendable example. They argued that he was introducing a precedent within the industry. That his worthy efforts would turn out to be very costly to the rest of the industry. They feared that labour across the island would now come to expect equal housing standards from all other millers and they claimed that they could not afford it!

Today, our Government takes to heart the welfare of all Mauritians. So, it is asking over and over again for a fair deal for all through the restructuring process. Is the sugar industry hearing? If so, what will be the noble, fair, just and equitable final answer from that industry?

Today, we further ask: Are those within the sugar industry who are benefiting most from our father’s vision, leading that industry with the same open mind and open hands that characterized our father? Are they continuing the journey along a visionary path for the fair, just and equitable benefit of all Mauritians?

Indeed, the members of the industry would not even have to reinvent the WEAL in order to bring the West and the East together in an Association that Lasts. They should merely, follow the example originally set in the fifties. (More to come in a future column on a possible present day fair restructuring involving acreage – Is 2000 acres a mere snack?)

Interestingly enough, on May 9th, I was at a reception that gathered Honourable members of the Government, honourable members of the EU and members of the sugar industry. Back stage, I was helping Jacqueline Dalais of 'La Clef des Champs' (purely coincidental name) provide palatable snacks to the hungry crowd. For a brief moment I ventured among the guests. A lady guest said to me: “The sugar industry desperately needs a visionary like your father to day”. Does that lady have some uncanny vision or was it wishful thinking on her part?

Had I had a glass in hand right then, I would have raised it high to the fathers of our great nation and to those who are still walking in their footsteps.

“It is in giving that we receive.” (St. Francis.) Our father often reminded us that when we die, the only worthy goods we get to take with us are those we gave away.

Fernand & Louis Leclezio.

Believe and Be...

Be and do all this and:

Having experienced the closeness of death a few times, I am most thankful for the intense beauty of life at all times...

I find Jesus on the loneliest and most isolated beaches of my life. From there, He invites me to step out towards unknown horizons. His love for all is present everywhere.

Believe and be…

Alleluia! Praise be to God!

Fraudulent First American Title (NYSE trading symbol: FAF)…

Fraud & Racketeering at First American are an enduring way of life:

http://members.forbes.com/forbes/2006/1127/024a.html

http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07401high.pdf

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-barrington1007apr10,0,1325766.story?coll=orl-business-headlines

We recommend reading the Forbes article: 'Inside america's Richest Racket'

First American as represented by James J Dufficy (aka Jim Dufficy) would have had me eat off rocks just like these hungry Rodrigues goats.


But, by the grace of God, family and friends, I am well fed, happy and alive.

Rodrigues turns Human Vanity upside down...

The name of this upside down boat is 'Vanite'!

Happiness is: owning ‘my’ primary residence in Rodrigues.


(Sorry I could only afford the door in 'tole'. The rest had to be free thatch.)

Supreme happiness is: owning ‘my’ secondary residence in Rodrigues so Eve, all the children, grand children and friends can come visit.

‘My’ captivating private aquarium teems with colorful fish. Free entrance…


‘My’ ultimate exclusive swimming beach.


‘My’ most helpful fishing pals netting bait for me by my father's favorite fishing hole.


“My’ favorite flavored fresh fine flesh fish.

'Riviere seche' is often dry. This fish can only be caught when the river flows.

‘My’ children, grand children, family and friends represented or not on this blog are all sources of immense earthly joy and peace.

But of course none of it all belongs to me. It is all on lease to me for a short time on earth.
God, my ultimate landlord, alone decides the terms, conditions and duration of the lease.

Only God belongs to me as I totally belong to Him for eternity.

He has taught me that when life throws unexpected angles at us, we must look for the angles that the Rock cast in stone.

Whether mostly invisible or not, I thank God for reminding me often that His light is always there to guide me from this rented beautiful world to the infinitely sublime eternal one. There, in John 14, Jesus has promised me that there are many rooms waiting for us and our loved ones.

Lord wherever I feel the light of Your intense pure loving presence – That is where I want to be…