The Dark Closet

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

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Back in October 2011, I set up google alerts so I could be notified if there were new links with Victor Alfieri's name. I did this so I could be prepared in case he leaked more information about "the scandal" to the media. It is surprising that I rarely receive alerts. In fact, none of my links from this blog has triggered any google alerts.

A couple of days ago I received an interesting one... "Is Victor Alfieri Gay? -AllPeopleSay." Here's the link. AllPeopleSay.com. Reading it made me think of such possibility. Has he been keeping dark secrets in the closet? I started to wonder. Do all of his sexually charged jokes toward other males hold a repressed truth?

This article made me think of Victor and his odd sense of "sexual" humor. And as he stated himself during his deposition, "I'm Italian. That's the way we joke. And I like to joke like that." See "Sexual Harassment". If I were to learn that he is indeed gay, I would probably feel much more compassion toward him. His odd, erratic and vindictive behavior would be somehow "justified" by his continuous effort to cover a truth that might be too difficult to face... and to publicly share.

But does it matter what his true sexual orientation is? Does it really matter what anybody's sexual preference is?? It does not make a difference - at least not to me. It is just as if we were judged based on our choosing vanilla over chocolate ice cream.

I am not the type of person who judges others' sexuality. I believe we should all be free to make our own choices. I have many friends who are gay and love them dearly. They explain to me that being gay is not really a choice, that it is something with which they are born... A few of my gay friends have told me that they would choose to be straight if they truly had the choice.

I can only imagine how challenging it must be to try to live a life that is "acceptable" by the majority even if it goes against our own selves. Is it really easier to simply hide all those personal beliefs, preferences, opinions that are not accepted by others?

Just as we sometimes hide things in "junk drawers." We pretend that what these drawers contain actually doesn't exist and believe that by keeping their contents hidden, they will miraculously disappear.  When a guest comes to our home and opens one of those junk drawers, it might be uncomfortable. We don't really want to show that part of us. And on the other hand, we might have even forgotten what we put in there.

Something similar happens with "dark" and repressed secrets. We hide them and push them down trying to bury them. But although seemingly dormant, they grow stronger the more we try to conceal them. We might not even be aware that we are repressing them.

Two years ago, I bought into the belief that what happened to me - what I now call the Trevino-Alfieri Story - was shameful, that I should not discuss or tell anybody about it. Telling my story has been the most effective way for me to MOVE ON and to feel increasingly detached from the events that once hurt me so much.  It would be so much easier for Alfieri if he could do the same thing... if he were able to face those secrets he has been hiding in the dark closet and stopped creating "tales" to cover them.

The degree of shame associated with a "dark" secret is directly related to the effort invested in concealing or disguising it. It makes sense, of course. If it is something of which we are ashamed, we will try to hide it. But, what happens if we stop hiding it? What if we accept it and let it be? I personally believe that there is nothing too dark or shameful that needs to be locked out in a dark closet. As we practice self-acceptance and self-forgiveness, we become more accepting of others as well.

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.

Alias

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

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All my years working as a federally certified court interpreter have paid off. Not only have I improved my interpreting and translating skills, but I have also acquired some valuable knowledge during hundreds of trials as evidence is presented. I have heard testimony from law enforcement, co-defendants, confidential informants and expert witnesses.

In criminal cases, it is the job of the prosecuting attorney to bring in evidence (exhibits and testimony) to support their case against the defendant(s). In theory, the defense has nothing to prove and is not required to present any evidence. However, a good defense attorney will poke holes in the story presented by the prosecution, creating "reasonable doubt."  It is also common for attorneys on both sides (prosecution and defense) to try to discredit any evidence or testimony in order to win.

The best way to discredit someone's testimony, in my opinion, is by catching them in a lie... not a small, insignificant misinterpretation of the facts, but a substantial lie.  And this happens to all of us in our personal relationships as well. When we find out that someone, especially someone close to us, has lied or cheated on us, we stop trusting them and discredit whatever story comes out their mouths.

As I was doing some research for my book, I reviewed some internet links from 2 years ago and the comments people posted. It was actually enjoyable and entertaining to read what people had to say about me and Victor. Most of the comments were clearly from people who did not know us personally. But there was one person, Dawn Westing, who posted two comments in which she asks everyone to please leave Victor Alfieri alone because he is a very talented actor and a very handsome one.

This is her first comment. She is addressing all the people who have posted "mean" comments on the TMZ article.

Victor Alfieri is a great actor for all those people who are negative towards him,, I wouldn't be surprise with the likes of people like that, if I was to bump into those people they would be rude and mean, who knows they probably mean to people and to animals,, atleast with Victor Alfieri, I know what i get a great talented actor,, he was in the movie Angels and Demons alongside Tom Hanks,, and I would like to know what Tom Hanks and other celebrities think of reading this rubbish and gossip,, I feel sorry for all celebrities, they get nothing but put downs ,, so please leave Victor Alfieri alone,,, he is a great actor, director and writer,, I seen him in Angels and Demons and in great tv dramas like Persons Unknown and Undercovers,, he is a true talented actor and a very handsome one,,, and my mum is a fan of him too....

After I gave my brief side of the story to TMZ, this is what Dawn had to say.

This woman is nuts,,, and all she is saying is lies about a great actor Victor Alfieri,, I hope she leaves Victor Alfieri alone and stop her lies.

Two years ago, when I read those comments I thought that they were written by a young girl who had a crush on Victor. I also considered that this person "Dawn" could be a friend of Victor's. I could just picture him coaching her on what to write.  

Now, let's use what I have learned during all those jury trials... Let's quickly dissect these messages and determine who is truly behind them.

"Victor Alfieri is a great actor for all those people who are negative towards him..." What does that have to do with the scandal??? She adds that at least with Victor Alfieri she knows that she gets a "talented actor." Let's not forget that he was in "Angels and Demons" alongside Tom Hanks.  And what she writes next is priceless, "and I would like to know what Tom Hanks and other celebrities think of reading this rubbish and gossip."  Really? Why would Tom Hanks or any other celebrity take the time to read this TMZ gossip piece? 

This comment also states that Alfieri is a great director and writer. This movie is his first feature movie. Nobody knew him as a writer or director back then. And he still needs to prove to the industry, and himself, that he can write and direct. 

From the way these two comments are written, the choice of words, the grammatical mistakes, and the fact that this person calls Alfieri a celebrity... I can only conclude that Dawn Westing is an ALIAS. Dawn Westing is Victor Alfieri himself.  On the other hand, Dawn Westing could also be a real person who wrote the comments under Alfieri's direction. 

Now, let's go back to one of my previous posts, "Public Opinion" which is dedicated to Anonymous. Anonymous wrote a very detailed comment on the post "To Cast and Crew." The way the comment is written is very similar to Dawn's style. I noticed that in both of them instead of using the 3 dots " . . . "  they used 2 dots or 2 commas. The comma instead of the dot is clearly a typo, as the keys are next to each other. But typing two instead of three is clearly a very specific and personal style.

My conclusion is that both people are the same... or at least there is a common denominator. And that common denominator is Victor Alfieri. He was the one who wrote those comments himself or with the aid of a female just to give it the feminine touch.

Using common sense and what I have learned in the legal system, I could conclude that Victor is a liar and is not to be trusted. However, I believe that there is an underlying truth that is even more powerful. It is clear to me that Victor has been meaning to communicate with me for the last 2 years. He cannot face me or talk to me directly. He needs to use aliases or hide behind someone else while pleading to me to "move on" and to forgive him.  He even created a pseudo personal assistant to communicate with me via email.

If I could address Victor, this is what I would say to him.

Victor, I have moved on. This story is part of my life. It belongs to me as it belongs to everyone involved.  Nobody can impose on me the "correct" way of moving on. I am the only one who can decide that. Using the story as inspiration for a book and script is a personal choice I have made. It is my way of moving on. 

Aliases???  Masks????

We all wear masks. Wearing masks is a protective strategy devised by the "ego." We forget we have them on and when we look in the mirror, all we see is the reflection of those masks. We get triggered and react to other people's masks when they resemble ours. It is also true that when we get to see someone without a mask, we feel deeply touched, connected and inspired. We then instantly remove our own mask. And that is when we get to see our true reflection on somebody else.  

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.

IMDb

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

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IMDb - "the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content."

I remember what a big deal Victor would make about being listed and having credits on IMDb. He would quickly check anybody's name there. He would say that if it was not listed on IMDb, then it was not legitimate film or tv work. When I would come to his apartment to visit him, I would often see him checking his profile on IMDb. I also remember that he would regularly post his personal IMDb link on his facebook wall to have people click on it and increase his popularity rank.

The movie "Looking for Clarissa" is finally listed on IMDb. Here's the link imdb - looking for clarissa. And here's my own IMDb page IMDb - Adriana Trevino.  It is strange that I was not notified of this. Alfieri's personal assistant must be too busy to keep me informed of such developments.

At least I now know that Alfieri has the intention to distribute the movie. He is probably very proud of himself and believes he is finally a filmmaker. I have my own opinion. I will reserve it for now... What I can say is that my opinion of Alfieri as a filmmaker is directly related to his behavior and actions. An egocentric person who believes he does not need anybody's input, will act in a similar way when working as a filmmaker. A person who deceives, lies, manipulates on a personal level will do the same in any business endeavor of which he becomes part.

Making a film requires the work, input and collaboration of many. It is truly a group effort. Everyone's role is essential, as every organ and cell in our body is necessary to keep us healthy, complete... and alive.

I have learned that we are not meant to travel in this life on our own. We are meant to share our journey with others. Our actions, even if apparently insignificant, affect the whole universe, as we are all connected.  It is a fact that if we want to create something, we need to reach out. An experience, a goal, a dream can only become real if it is shared with others.

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.

Public Opinion

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

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Today I received notification of three new comments on the post "To Cast and Crew." After reading them, I realized that they all came from the same person. The message was just too long to fit in the allowed space for a single comment.

I have corrected some of the grammar and typos. I have also edited and typeset it so it is easier to read. The original comments are published in the post "To Cast and Crew".

Hi Adriana, 

I couldn't help but read your blog. I truly believe you feel hurt by whatever events have transpired, and I commend you for trying to heal or make sense of what these lessons were.

My only concern is bringing all this to public and continuing this saga years later. You mention the names of many people who may feel uncomfortable with being brought into the limelight. For whatever reasons why they have made amends with Mr. Alfieri whether they had issues with him before or not, MUST be respected. You should not be angry with them or accuse them of turning on you. Some people fear conflict or drama.

I personally feel that you have so much healing to do. I do not feel you have "moved on"…

I feel that continuing this blog will not allow this wound to heal. I have been in a similar boat where I felt that a man used me. I would continue to think about how I was disrespected and used, and that anger did not allow me to heal.

What helped was actually forgiving him, maybe not forgetting, but I do believe that God wants us to forgive. It is even better for us to do so, even for our health.

When I look back, I can see how there were signs that the man did not love me, and that he perhaps had a motive. Instead of blaming him or even myself, I have made myself stronger and have not allowed myself to be duped again by anyone.

I am concerned for you, as by never ending this story, and by exposing so many people in this story by revealing their real names and roles in this conflict, you will alienate yourself. I am worried that others may be afraid to approach you because they will fear being dragged into this.

Have you ever thought, that through all these lawsuits and through your rating on the web, that maybe the "perpetrator" has now become a victim? Have you not thought that perhaps this man you speak of has learned his own lessons after being dragged through this experience? He must be a changed man or be in his way to change.

If you continue the blogs and Trevino Alfieri saga, neither of you will heal… Victor Alfieri will grow sadder and then resentful, and be less likely to have a space to think about what happened and be able to heal.

I just feel you will not be able to heal correctly by publicly rehashing this story. This is out of caring for all those involved. There were 2 parties here…

I know of Victor Alfieri very well. Everyone knows he has many close female friends, and seeing him it is knowledgeable what you see is what you get. He never hints of wanting a relationship and is very upfront about who he is. If he wanted money, and you wanted more, a woman should know always that one cannot give a man money in the hopes that perhaps he will be grateful and then give love and affection or a commitment. That is a cardinal rule that every woman should learn.

I understand you were in love, but we, as women need to be strong and allow men to do for us, or have a balance of give and take. 

The best way to move on, is to make peace with all this, and extricate yourself from the man and project once the movie is done.

This was a hard lesson for you, but will cause you growth in life… as has happened to me. I could have exposed the man who did me wrong or written a book, but I chose to forgive and live my life in peace and a commitment to myself.

You would be surprised at how much life will give you back when you do so. Please forgive and move on and end this saga.  

I have realized now that life is so short, and all that matters is our health and our family and our peace of mind.

I wish you peace and all of the above.

---- Anonymous

Who would take the time to write such a long comment?  It is my belief that the person who wrote this is either someone mentioned on the post or one of Victor's girlfriends. The way she writes about Alfieri and how he behaves with the "ladies" suggests that she is or has been involved with him. She seems to know him very well. It does not really matter who wrote it. However, it should get a proper response. It deserves its own exclusive post!  So here are my answers to the points raised by Anonymous.

Romantic Relationship

It is true that I had a romantic and intimate relationship with Victor Alfieri. It is also true that I loved him and wanted to help him achieve his dreams. I also trusted him as we had plans to start a production company together. Our relationship was much more than a romantic relationship - we were also business partners and friends. He later proved not to be an ethical business partner... and certainly not a friend.

The following posts tell the story of our relationship (my version):

How We Met
Our Relationship - PART I
Our Relationship - PART II

The main reason why the intimate details of our relationship are mentioned is because he accused me of sexually harassing him. He also claimed I was so obsessed with him that when he rejected me, I stole the movie and "slandered" him by claiming he slept with me.  I have simply given my side of the story and have presented supporting evidence.

The following video tells his side of the story. It is actually entertaining to watch. He is very imaginative!

Lawsuit

I did not start the legal battle. He is the one who started it. Please read the following post if you have not done so yet. "Why Did Victor Alfieri Sue Me?"

The real reason he sued me was because he felt exposed when I disclosed our intimate relationship. Please read "What Truly Prompted the Lawsuit"

And let's not forget that he took my money without my authorization, disconnected his phone, went into hiding and then hired attorney Roger Muse to sue me. He sued with MY OWN MONEY. Do you want proof?  Please read "How the Lawsuit Against ME Was Financed". When I learned about this fact in early January 2013, I asked him to return that money to the budget and use it to finish the movie. He refused.

I filed a cross-complaint because it was the only thing I could do. I had to FIGHT BACK. Filing that cross-complaint and litigating cost me about $50,000 (even with insurance). Did I want to spend the extra money???? Of course not!  Did I want to get into these lawsuits??? Absolutely NOT.

Web/Media Coverage

Victor is the one who slandered me and tarnished my reputation. He filed a lawsuit against me with salacious false allegations about me. These court documents were given to the media - by Alfieri's publicist.

As a result of this internet scandal, I lost 75% of my business/income. A few of my clients who are in law enforcement told me that I should give my side of the story. I had to wait until the lawsuit was dropped. Just a couple of months after I dropped the lawsuit,  I gave a press release clearing Victor's name of any "theft" claims. The truth is that I was threatened by his attorney to either give that release or be sued again. Read "Press Release".

In early January this year, I asked Victor to give a public statement - as we had agreed - and tell the truth about our intimate relationship.  He refused.  I then said to him, "if you won't tell the truth, then I will."And that is the ONLY reason I started this blog.  Telling the truth through these posts has been the most healing experience.

Cast & Crew

Anonymous wrote, "My only concern is bringing all this to public and continuing this saga years later. You mention the names of many people who may feel uncomfortable with being brought into the limelight. For whatever reasons why they have made amends with Mr. Alfieri whether they had issues with him before or not, MUST be respected. You should not be angry with them or accuse them of turning on you. Some people fear conflict or drama."

Most of what I wrote to "Cast & Crew" are words of gratitude and appreciation. There are some people, however, that I confront with my truth while expressing my disappointment.  Most of these people are those who came to me looking for my support while we were filming. There are also a few of them who gave public statements to the press (through Alfieri's attorney). I was simply addressing their comments.

If they have made amends with Alfieri, that is their decision. I do respect it. And I also agree that it would be uncomfortable to be associated with Alfieri's unethical actions. If these people are uncomfortable for having done anything unethical, that is really something personal that they should deal with.

Everyone involved in this saga who has read that specific post knows that I am telling the truth at least to what concerns them specifically. I have been brave enough to speak up. We all have freedom of speech in this country, don't we? By concealing unethical behavior, we somehow allow it to perpetuate.

I know the post "To Cast & Crew" is difficult for some. As Anonynous said, "some people fear conflict and drama." I agree - Nobody likes to see the reflection of their own actions in the mirror... or should we say...  Nobody likes to see the consequences of their actions reflected on somebody else's life, especially when such actions are not very "ethical."

I have offered to remove any names if that request is made to me. The fact that I am ready to speak up with integrity does not mean that others are ready to do the same.  I am completely aware of that. As I have said numerous times, I am simply telling my story... the way I experienced it.

Respect, Peace & Healing

Anonymous wrote, "I just feel you will not be able to heal correctly by publicly rehashing this story. This is out of caring for all those involved."

I respect other people's choices. I really do. They are on this earth to fulfill their own life purpose... to travel their own journey. I am not angry at anyone. It has been over two years now. What I refuse to do is to lie to others and to myself. I have made the choice to stand in my truth and live my life showing who I am in the most transparent way.

I don't have a publicist. I am not a "celebrity." All I have is my words... and my story to tell. I am sharing this experience with whomever cares to listen and/or read. This blog has been a great instrument to tell my truth and to somehow clear my name after Victor made those crazy allegations about me. This blog is a practical tool I have used to document the facts of the story.

What happened is in the past. We CANNOT change the past. That is for sure. But we can change our attitude toward it and stay focused on the present.

Forgive & Forget

I believe that Victor's actions - past and current actions - are not acceptable and should not be tolerated by anybody. If we comply and agree to anything that goes against our principles, beliefs... against our integrity, then we will be partially responsible for the results, right?

I have learned that I will not be heard if I don't voice my concerns.  Every time Victor communicates with me (through his fake PA) via email, I express my disagreement on specific points of post-production. I have also made requests as to distribution goes. Alfieri fails to respond and does whatever he wants. I am, at least, voicing my concerns.

Have I forgiven Victor? Yes, I have forgiven him although he has NEVER apologized to me. I believe that everyone deserves forgiveness. I truly believe so.

Moving On

Anonymous suggests that I have not "Moved On." We all have our own way of "Moving On." I have opted to tell the truth through this blog. I have learned that I LOVE writing and also enjoy making and editing my own amateur video clips.

Please read "Moving On". This is a great post. After reading it, it becomes evident that I have truly MOVED ON. I can honestly say that I am in a wonderful place in my life right now!

End of The Trevino-Alfieri Saga?

Anonymous says that she is really concerned about me and my healing. It is so thoughtful of her, especially because she does not even know me. She wrote, "you would be surprised at how much life will give you back when you do so. Please forgive and move on and end this saga."

My romantic relationship with Alfieri ended when we were in Italy in May 2011. My friendship with him ended soon after that, in June 2011. Our business relationship continues because this movie has not been distributed or released yet.  Just two days ago, I went to his home and met with someone outside who gave me a DVD of the final cut of the movie.

I would really like not to have any connection with Alfieri. I have asked him to buy me out of this movie deal so we don't have to communicate ever again. Why doesn't he sell his properties in Italy and uses the money to buy me out?  I sold my home to finance his dream, didn't I? He could easily sell his assets and pay what I invested, right?

Whatever happens, the saga will continue.... but now the only thing that will keep us connected is the movie I chose to finance for him.

As to the book I am writing - it will be nothing like this blog. It will NOT be about Alfieri or what he did to me. It will be about my journey and how this experience served as a catalyst - how it shifted my life and forever transformed me.

I firmly believe that the tougher the challenge we face, the greater the reward we will receive. It is up to us to see every challenge as an opportunity. If what we had collapsed, it is simply to give us enough space to create something new. Let's take our apparent failures and use them as the foundation to build even greater dreams.

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.

The Official Trailer

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

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On October 31, 2013, I received an email from the "PA" with a link to the trailer of the film I financed.

The name of the film was changed from "Looking for Clara" to "Looking for Clarissa."  The story is indeed based on true facts. The sights and locations are also real - no built movie sets. The scary scenes have authenticity because they were more real than anyone could imagine. I was there. I saw what happened. I can attest to that. Go to Safety Violations and Abuse On Set.

If you have been reading this blog, you know that what happened behind the scenes.... what became the Trevino-Alfieri Story is far more interesting than the story contained in this movie - mainly because it continues to unfold.

As far as my book goes, it is almost finished. We are still working on the script. I can assure you that the book and movie based on the Trevino-Alfieri Story will be both entertaining and inspiring.

We all know that it takes time to write a meaningful book and produce a quality movie. For now, I leave you with the official trailer of the film "Looking for Clarissa." ENJOY!

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.

Personal Assistants - People We Trust

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

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This post is dedicated to Alfieri's PAs: C.R. and the "temp."

I first heard from C.R. on January 8, 2013 when Alfieri and I stopped communicating.  C.R. introduced herself or himself as Alfieri's PA (either Production Assistant or Personal Assistant) and offered to meet me in person to deliver the latest cut of the movie. We agreed to meet on Saturday, January 12th at 3 pm at the Coffee Bean on Sunset Blvd.

I was curious to meet Victor's assistant. When I arrived at the Coffee Bean, there was a young man waiting for me there. I asked if he was the assistant but he told me. "I am Victor's friend." To what I responded, "Oh, I'm sorry..." I really meant it. I was sorry that he was Victor's friend, as this young guy seemed to be a good person.... unaware of what type of person Alfieri really is.   I thought that I sounded rude so I added, "I am sorry I am a few minutes late."

This C.R. person continued communicating with me until July of this year. After that, this PA, C.R. did not sign off any of the emails.  Why? Because Alfieri has never had a PA. He is hiding behind an imaginary assistant to avoid confronting me. In a way, back then I didn't blame him for doing so. If that was the only way he felt safe to communicate with me, then that was ok. Young children also have their "imaginary" friends, don't they?

More recently, I confronted Alfieri and asked him to simply admit that there was no personal assistant. It seemed childish to continue playing that game. He completely ignored my words.

What Alfieri seems to forget is that I know his writing style too well. I know the way he structures his emails. I know how he underlines complete paragraphs typed in bold italics. Who does that???? The only person I know who does that is Alfieri.

Moreover, Alfieri's grammar and spelling mistakes are easy to spot. Because he is Italian, he has a hard time with the "s" and plural nouns.  He adds the "s' to nouns that generally are not written as plural, such as " chewing gum," "legal action," "documentation."  And it is not that it is horribly wrong, but it is clear that a native English speaker would not make such mistakes.

A Personal Assistant With Access to EVERYTHING!

During his deposition, Victor Alfieri claimed that I was his personal assistant. His personal assistant?  He claimed that I had access to his phone, his computer, his email.... access to everything!  The reason why he said that was because he had no way to explain the very personal text and email messages between the two of us. He refused to be held accountable for any message that would suggest we had an intimate relationship.

Didn't he accuse me of harassing him and of being a relentless "fan" obsessed with him?  So, if I were so obsessed with him, why would he trust me with his phone and computer?

Another version he gave during his deposition was that I was a VERY good friend, a friend who was always there for him. So, if we were such close friends, why would he accuse me of harassing him? Wouldn't a friend tell another friend about it??

None of his stories adds up. They actually contradict one another. He does deserve credit on the great effort he puts into creating this brilliant imaginative tales.

Watch the following video, "Premeditation" if you have not watched it yet.  Alfieri suggests that I must have "texted" myself!

In a recent message that I sent to his "assistant," I confronted him.

Alfieri, why do you pretend to have a personal assistant? Like the personal assistant I was to you???? having access to your phone, computer, email and everything???? Be careful!!!! Your PA might get obsessed with you and start sending messages on your behalf... to herself (or himself)... or maybe there are 8 Alfieri impersonators still "out there."

It is my opinion that once he has created one of his "tales," Victor Alfieri cannot tell the truth. He starts believing his own lies. He immerses in his self-created fantasy. He even feels offended if you don't participate in it!

I decided to write this specific post about Personal Assistants because I do not want to pretend I don't see the truth.  I simply don't want to play this game with Alfieri anymore.

The past is in the past. Whatever happened to us cannot be changed. The only thing we can change is our attitude. Today we all have an opportunity to write a new story, a story based on truth and honesty.

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.

Financing a Dream

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

Independent Filmmaking

I still remember the day I read the financing agreement. The contract was clearly one sided and favored Victor in every single way. He would get my money to pay for the production of the movie. He would also be paid about 25% of the total budget for his "services." I would be risking my life savings and would not get anything in return if the film failed or did not reach completion. I am not stupid and knew that the contract was not fair at all. Why wouldn't I take over the rights to the film if Victor breached the contract? I am the one financing it, right?  I remember jokingly telling him. "Wow, this is such a one-sided contract. You are not going to stab me in the back, are you?"  He quickly responded without looking at me, "of course not. I would never do that to you. I love you, baby."

After he responded to me, something felt really wrong. I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. I ignored it while I talked myself into this "generous act" I was doing for the man I loved....  and failed to hear my own inner truth.

Alfieri took advantage of my lack of experience in filmmaking. He led me to believe that I would virtually have no rights even though I was the sole financier of the film. The person with the money should have control and ownership, right? But that is not what Alfieri believes. He claimed to be entitled to my money, to all production decisions and to the rights over the film.

Almost three years after I signed that financing agreement with Alfieri and Bondolini Productions, I have acquired much more experience in independent filmmaking. I have learned that the toughest obstacle to overcome is the financing of the film. I have worked with production teams in raising funds and attracting investors.

These great teams with which I have worked, have been really appreciative and grateful for my contribution to the film. These films have great scripts and wonderful actors already attached to the projects. But why aren't some of these films in production already? Because the complete budget has not been raised.

This was not the case for Victor Alfieri. I gave him the greatest gift any independent filmmaker could ever wish for - I financed his dream!

How Did Alfieri Pay Me Back?

He took my money and did not thank me once. In fact, he acted as if he were doing me a favor by "allowing" me to invest in his great masterpiece. He eventually took what was left of my money and used it to hire and attorney to sue me.

The "traumatic" experience financing and producing "Looking for Clarissa" (formerly "Looking for Clara") turned my whole existence upside down. There were so many false statements about me made by Alfieri all over the internet. The assumptions people were making about me were harming my personal and professional life while tarnishing my reputation. I felt I had no other choice but to give my side of the story.  I became brave to speak my truth.

Just right before the Trevino-Alfieri story started, I used to be so afraid to speak up if it involved "telling on" somebody or  simply disagreeing with someone else's opinion. I wanted to be liked and accepted by everyone.

I have finally learned that my former people-pleasing attitude does not serve me any longer. It does not serve me, or anybody else, for that matter.  Who wants to hear lies or "sugar coated" truths? Some might say that they prefer to hear "white" lies instead of something hurtful. Is this actually true? If we search deep inside of us, we will find the answer... We are always looking for the truth. Being ready and able to face other people's and our own truth... That is a different story.

So do we bluntly state our likes and dislikes? There are always multiple ways to say the same thing without lying. There is nothing wrong with being polite and considerate towards others when communicating. In fact, that is the way I choose to live my life. But, there is a line that, when crossed, blurs our sense of self-respect and integrity.

How do we know we are crossing that line?  We ALWAYS know. It is that feeling in your gut - a sudden blow to the stomach, alerting you that you are stepping into a situation that goes against yourself, a situation that will throw you off balance. This experience certainly knocked me to the ground. Two years have passed... I have gotten up. I am standing strong in my truth, facing the present with honesty and looking forward to the future.

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.

Justice Will Prevail

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

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Update - On April 15, 2014 I filed a new lawsuit.  Read Above the Law

What is Justice???

jus·tice     jəstis/

1. The maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments.
2. The administration of the law; especially: the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity.
3. The quality of being just, impartial, or fair.
4. The quality of conforming to law.
5. Conformity to truth, fact, or reason.

--- Merriam-Webster Dictionary on Line

Last Thursday I went to the Los Angeles Superior Court to refile my lawsuit against Victor Alfieri and Bondolini Productions. I went to the window and asked the lady, "what forms do I need to fill out to refile a lawsuit I had dismissed without prejudice last year?" She told me that she did not know and gave me a three-ring binder with a long list of forms used in court.  I asked two more clerks. Nobody seemed to have an answer - not even a "general" answer. The last person I asked, suggested I talked to an attorney. "Good idea," I thought, "I will contact one of the attorneys who represented me in this case."

I contacted one of my attorneys and left him a voice message explaining that I would be refiling the lawsuit and would proceed "pro se."I simply asked him to guide me a little by telling me which forms I needed to refile this case. He sent me a text message - "there are multiple forms." "OK," I thought, "I know that... but which are those multiple forms?"

I went home and did some research on line. I found "justanswer.com" a website with attorneys who answer questions for a nominal fee. I asked this question (about the forms) and was told that $18 would be the smallest fee I would pay, considering that it was not complicated and I was not in a rush. Thirty minutes passed and I had gotten no answer from this site. An hour later, I received an email from this site requesting more money, claiming that the answer was complicated.

I continued searching on line and found Avvo - a great free service. They gave me concrete answers and good advice. This is one answer I received.

Assuming the claim isn't barred by the statute of limitations, you need a complaint, summons, civil case cover sheet, civil case addendum, and have to pay the filing fee, unless you have a fee waiver.

This service was completely free. I can't believe justanswer.com wanted $40 dlls to give me this information.  I went to the Los Angeles Superior Court website and actually found the same answer. Refiling a complaint that has been dismissed without prejudice is just like filing a new lawsuit and needs the same forms.

What has happened to the legal profession, specifically attorneys in civil cases? It seems that it is always about money. They bill for EVERYTHING!!! If they cannot get compensated monetarily for every single word they utter or type, they are not interested in helping you. Is that what they learn in law school? Are they taught to care about justice and fair respectful treatment of non-lawyers? Or is it all about making money? Don't they get paid enough already????

Fighting for Justice

Can a person fight for justice in the court system without legal counsel? Not really. I believe that the court system is designed in a way to make sure people are represented by an attorney. A simple request  for a "continuance" of a court hearing has to be done in such a way that only attorneys know. Judges get really irritated when a person opts to go to trial "pro se." But don't we have the right to do so if we cannot afford an attorney in a civil case? In theory we have the right. In reality, we don't stand a chance to "fight for justice" in the judicial system if we are not represented by an attorney.

Victor Alfieri got intimately involved with me and convinced me to trust him and to invest in his independent film. He then hid our relationship and started slandering me claiming I was obsessed with him and was sexually harassing him. When I disclosed our intimate relationship to his manager and the production attorney, Alfieri took the rest of my money, disconnected his phone and disappeared (went into hiding). Alfieri then sued me because, as he stated during his deposition, I called him a thief, I accused him of "stealing money that he never stole." Then he used that same money to hire attorney Roger Muse to sue me and slander me in the process.

Now Alfieri is doing whatever he wants with the movie. He is not respecting the agreement and does not care to listen to my feedback on the "amateur" film he made with MY money.  Is this fair???? Is it fair to just "move on" and do nothing about it???? I have moved on as to my personal relationship with him - that relationship died while filming in Italy. But what is wrong with wanting to recover what he took from me?

I did not refile the lawsuit against him. I will be consulting with an attorney in a couple of weeks. I know the statute of limitations will bar some of the causes of action. So that is why I need to act in a timely manner. I might file a brand new lawsuit that will include many of the other parties involved... or, I might just forget about the false sense of "fighting for justice" in the judicial system and let God take care of it.  Please read Above the Law for updated information.

It is certain that "what goes around, comes around."  I know that "justice will prevail" - not necessarily through the judicial system... but through the events that keep unfolding. There is always a BALANCE. It is up to us to find our own inner balance and peace... I continue working on maintaining that equilibrium.


Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.

Return On Investment

Graphic by Resource Management Systems Inc.

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

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Definition of 'Return On Investment - ROI'

A performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment or to compare the efficiency of a number of different investments. To calculate ROI, the benefit (return) of an investment is divided by the cost of the investment; the result is expressed as a percentage or a ratio.

The return on investment formula:




In the above formula "gains from investment", refers to the proceeds obtained from selling the investment of interest. Return on investment is a very popular metric because of its versatility and simplicity. That is, if an investment does not have a positive ROI, or if there are other opportunities with a higher ROI, then the investment should be not be undertaken.


Keep in mind that the calculation for return on investment and, therefore the definition, can be modified to suit the situation -it all depends on what you include as returns and costs. The definition of the term in the broadest sense just attempts to measure the profitability of an investment and, as such, there is no one "right" calculation.

--- From Investopedia.com

It is clear that if we were to calculate the ROI of the Trevino-Alfieri Story, the return on my investment would be negative. And I say the Trevino-Alfieri Story because there was more than one investment in this "story." I invested in the project, the litigation, the personal relationship with him and  relationships with other people.

Film Project Investment

There is an actual movie that is "finished and ready for distribution" according to Alfieri. As I mentioned in my previous post "Final Cut," I am reserving my personal comments about what was given to me as the Final Cut. I will disclose my opinion when the time is right.

Although there is a movie that has apparently been completed, the money I invested in this film project has not been recovered yet. In fact, there is no guarantee that I will ever see any of that money. 

It is hard not to feel upset when I think of all the other things I could have done with my money. It is really difficult not to judge myself for making such a bad investment decision... for trusting someone I should have avoided from the beginning. 

Litigation

In any civil litigation the only parties that truly receive any financial gains are the attorneys. There are instances, of course, when the plaintiff gets a good settlement. This is clearly not the case in the Trevino-Alfieri Story. The attorneys involved are the only ones who received a financial benefit from this lawsuit.

Although I did not receive any financial benefit, I do feel that I got a lot of value when I hired my two wonderful attorneys, David Hakimfar and Hass Sadeghi. They listened to my story and were willing to fight for me. They believed in me and knew how to represent my interests. Their commitment to me and my case went beyond any fee agreement I reached with them. 

I did not receive any monetary "settlement" mainly due to the fact that I dismissed my lawsuit against Bondolini Productions and Victor Alfieri. However, I did get something of unquantifiable value - Alfieri's testimony under oath on video. He gave the most outrageous justifications to "evidence" of very personal communication between us. Go to The Facebook Hacker and Premeditation if you have not read those posts yet. 

Here are the videos "The Facebook Hacker" and "Premeditation." They show Victor's great imagination and "fast" thinking.

Alfieri is certainly very creative and witty. He, himself found his own answers humorous. He believes that sexual harassment is funny and nobody should feel offended by it. After all he is Italian. "That is the way they joke," and he likes to "joke like that," Read Sexual Harassment. It is quite entertaining. 

And here's the video.

Although his creative tales were very imaginative and amusing, they were lies. He lied under oath... again and again. He committed perjury. And  perjury, as we all know, is a CRIME.  Go to "Perjury" to read about the false statements given under oath by Alfieri. The post also contains a video.

Alfieri said many things during his deposition. Because he lied so much, he constantly contradicted himself. Even though his multiple versions of "what happened" did not make much sense, he seemed really proud of his statements and imaginative tales. Watch the following video. It is MEMORABLE.

Relationships

I believe that the #1 Post "To Cast and Crew"summarizes the relationship I had with everyone involved. 

Personal Relationship with Victor Alfieri

I can say that my personal relationship with Victor has definitely been a very poor investment, costing me my life savings and three valuable years... that is, if I only consider time and money. 

On the other hand, if I consider the experience, awareness, strength and courage I have gained, then it has certainly been one of the BEST investments of my life.

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.