Nowhere to Hide

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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I remember back in 1993, when I was attending school, specifically an Information Technology course, we were discussing the future of the World Wide Web.  We were talking about companies transitioning to digitalized electronic communication and advertising.

We also discussed what ATT was proposing - a device that would allow to make video phone calls. It almost seemed like an impossibility back then. Only a decade later, Skype emerged. Now, we can make video calls with our iphones as well - not to mention, messenger, yahoo and so many other different Video Conference Platforms.

And what about Social Media? Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn are the first social networking websites that come to mind because I use them.  But we cannot forget other sites that have over 5 million users each, such as About.me, Bebo, Buzznet, Care2, CaringBridge, Classmates.com, Cyworld, delicious, deviantART, Flickr, Flixster, Fotolog, Foursquare, Friends Reunited, Friendster, Gaia Online, Geni.com, Google+, Habbo, hi5, Instagram, Last.fm, LiveJournal, MyHeritage, MyLife, Netlog, Plaxo, Yammer, Yelp and Xanga.

We could say that every time we post something on our facebook wall or our twitter account, we are sharing it with the world. Our life somehow gets documented through the pictures and posts we and others post on the web. Even when we post a simple comment or a review - that also becomes part of our "history."

The internet has become an essential tool in routine background checks independently conducted. Have you googled any person you have dated? What about employees you have considered hiring? Companies or services you have planned on using? Places you dream of visiting? Everything and everyone is just a keystroke away.

We could say that everyone's life is somehow "documented" on the web.  Well, only for those who have interacted with the internet and their social network websites. There are people, like my mother, who are not best friends with technology and prefer to use more traditional ways of communication.

Texting and electronic mail have also become preferred methods of communication among many.
And because MOST people nowadays have at least an email account and a cellular phone with texting capabilities, there is practically "nowhere to hide." There is no real excuse to say, "I am not reachable." You can opt to not return emails or voice messages...  but to make a claim that those communications did not reach you??? Really?

It is also true that sometimes emails or text messages don't get delivered. I will not argue with that. But if you are really trying to contact somebody, wouldn't you try at least a couple of times?  I assure you that you will be able to have your message delivered.

Social media has become such an important part of our identity and life that there is a clear trend that will allow process service through social media or electronic mail.  Below there is an excerpt from an article by Legal Language Services:

"Facebook alone boasts a user base significantly larger than the entire population of North America. While service of process via such social media sources is not a mainstay of domestic service in the US, several countries have begun to adopt this as a method of service.

"In 2008, an Australian court first allowed for service of process via Facebook, and courts in New Zealand have followed suit. In 2012, a High Court Judge in the UK also approved service of process via Facebook.

"Even Twitter has been used to effect service in the UK. In September 2009, the High Court allowed an injunction against an anonymous blogger to be served via Twitter. A well-known British lawyer and conservative blogger, Donal Blaney, obtained an injunction after a previously-unknown blogger began impersonating him on the Internet.

"Canadian attorneys also routinely obtain orders to serve documents via Facebook when a defendant cannot be personally found or is actively trying to evade service."

---- Legal Language Services  What to Consider Before Serving Process via Social Media

Daniela Carloni, Victor Alfieri's mother, is one of the defendants in the lawsuit I filed last April. She lives in Italy. In order to serve her the summons and complaint, I had to follow the rules of the Hague Convention, as Italy is one of its signatories. Interestingly enough, Italy allows service via regular postal mail. An Italian attorney told me that in Italy, by law, all citizens must be registered under an "official" address. Legal documents that are delivered to that address are considered as "DELIVERED" - no signature needed.

Daniela Carloni was officially served in May 2014. She was served by priority mail, certified mail and email. She received the complaint and summons in both English and Italian. It has been over 60 days after her service. She has not responded.

Defendants typically have 30 days to respond. I am not sure how long Daniela has, as she lives abroad. She can claim that she needs time to respond. She could also claim that she did not receive the documents although I have clear proof of delivery by mail (2 separate deliveries). What she won't be able to claim is that she was not aware of the lawsuit.  Her only son is the main defendant in this case. The lawsuit involves the movie filmed in Calcata, where she resides. No judge would believe she had no idea this lawsuit had been filed.

Some people ask my why I sued Daniela. My complaint explains her involvement. You can read it by clicking on this link - Complaint.  What Victor and Daniela did, at least, what I believe they did, should be brought to a court of law and should be heard by a judge and jury. I don't believe people should be allowed to commit fraud through deceit and manipulation and get away with it simply because nobody is willing to do anything about it... or because it is time to move on.

This is my story. I do not blame anyone, not even Victor or Daniela for how the story turns out.  What happened in the past is done and cannot be changed. What we have now is the present... and a future that will eventually become the present.  I hold no resentment against anyone who has been somehow involved in this "story." I am proceeding with this lawsuit because it is what feels right for me. This is the way I find balance - by stepping away from the victim's position and standing up for my truth.

My life is my story. I am the one writing it. Nobody can write it for me. I refuse to be a victim of circumstances. Bad things don't happen to me. There is no such thing as a BAD experience.  A seemingly bad experience that knocks me to the ground simply happens so I can take a break, regroup and regain awareness of what truly matters to me.

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.

Six Degrees of Separation

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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According to Wikipedia -

Six degrees of separation is the theory that everyone and everything is six or fewer steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person in the world, so that a chain of a "friend of friend" statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps.

I could not agree more with this theory. In fact, I would not be surprised that new technology, social media networks and instant digital communication with even the most remote places worldwide, have resulted in a considerable decrease of that six-degree stretch.

Last week, I was trying to find an attorney in Rome to help me with my lawsuit. The film was shot in Italy and one of the defendants resides there. It made sense to me to get some legal guidance from someone who can navigate the Italian judicial system and who has handled cases such as mine... Maybe not exactly like mine, but cases that cross country borders.

I went to the Italian Embassy's website. The website provides a list of attorneys who are familiar and experienced with both the US and the Italian legal systems.  I wrote to all of them. Most of them replied immediately. A couple of them called me as soon as they read my message.

I have to admit that it was refreshing to talk and correspond via email with some of these Italian attorneys. They were very helpful and willing to listen. They were so animated when they talked... and that lovely Italian accent!

Because the attorneys I contacted were located in Rome, it was not so surprising that they knew of Calcata and have been there several times.  After all, it is just a 45 minute drive.  One of the lawyers said, "oh, Calcata, yes. I have been there many times. I go eat there often... beautiful place!"

I did not expect what was to happen when I googled two of the attorneys to whom I talked. I found their LinkedIn profiles. When I was about to request to connect with them, I realized that we already had over 100 connections in common.  This happened with both of the attorneys, not just one! Over 100 people in common! Who could ever imagine that!

Isn't it incredible how close we already are to people that we consider "strangers"?  Has it ever happened to you that you meet a person and when you request his/her friendship on Facebook, you realize you have at least one friend in common?... And this mutual friend lives in a different continent!

I believe that the theory of six degrees of separation is becoming increasingly evident. I would even dare to call it "six degrees of connectedness." If we had "imaginary" string and used it to individually connect to every single human being that we personally know... and if all these people were also to connect in the same manner to everyone they know, we would end up with a complex human network that covers the entire world, leaving nobody out.

It is just like our physical body. We have legs, arms, head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, internal organs... that are somewhat independent but still part of a whole. It is the same with humanity although we sometimes seem to forget. So, let's reach out to our loved ones, our community, our nation, our neighboring countries.... and those who seem to be so far and unreachable. Remember that six degrees do not separate us... but connect us all. In reality, we could not be closer to one another... We are one.

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 Top 10 Countdown

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.

The Most Creative and Memorable 

Claims Made by Alfieri

10 - He does not mix business with pleasure.

He constantly claims that he is very professional and respectful. He also claims that he does not mix business with pleasure when he gets the investors' money by sleeping with them.

9 - He had very professional disputes. 

This is just a funny quote by him - "very professional" disputes. It is simply memorable.

8 - He likes to make sexual jokes because he is Italian.

When he was asked if he ever made sexual comments on set he said NO. Then he admitted to asking Clark J. Gable to bend over in order to get more lines. He also admitted to telling Nicole Sienna to give him hugs to get more lines. He claimed that he was joking... but that is what sexual harassment is! He justified his sexual jokes by saying:

"I am Italian. That's the way we joke. And I like to joke like that." 

7 - His house in Italy - he doesn't own it legally... but it is his!

He had told me (and many other people) that he owned both his house and his mother's house in Italy. He told me he paid CASH for them. He owned them free and clear. During his deposition he claimed that his house in Italy belonged to a friend of his and later added... "but it is mine!"

6 - He was also the Prop Master. 

He added, that he would "take the knife back so no actors would injure themselves." When asked about safety on set. He admitted to bringing and using a real knife on set. He also admitted to using a real operating drill for a scene, claiming that he did so to save money. No money savings can justify risking actors and crew.

5 - I was his personal assistant and had access to his phone and computer. And he has WITNESSES!

Really???? This is truly laughable. Why would I be the personal assistant??? I was the one with the money and the professional education and career. I did not have any access to those items. Alfieri guards his phone like the most valuable treasure. I would also LOVE to meet the witnesses.  Alfieri's great imagination is limitless.  

4 - He sued me because he is not a thief.

During his deposition he stated that he filed the lawsuit against me because I told his mother I was going to call the FBI and put him in jail forever.. and that he was not a thief. He then used the money he had taken from me - the money that was "in dispute" for which I had called him a thief. He used it to hire Roger Muse to sue me. If that is not stealing... well...  at least, it is an innovative way of investing someone else's money.

3 - He had a Facebook Hacker.

He gave a beautiful explanation on how "hackers" operate. According to Alfieri a hacker is an IMPERSONATOR.  I must have chatted and flirted with the hacker. I could have sworn he sounded just like Victor and looked exactly like him on skype. 

2 - He did not send personal emails to me. I must have "texted" myself.

Because he did not want to be held accountable for any emails or text messages that contained personal information confirming our intimate relationship, he claimed that I had access to his phone and that I could have easily texted myself.  Brilliant imagination!!!

And the most creative and memorable claim made by Alfieri:

1 - There were 8 people out there impersonating Victor Alfieri.

No words can describe how much joy and laughter this simple quote has brought into my life. I am grateful to Victor for coming up with such imaginative tales.

Watch the following video. It's a celebration of these top 10!!!

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.