Posted in: Comics | Tagged: comic con, Comics, entertainment, gareb shamus, shamusgate, Stephen Shamus, wizard, wizard world

Stephen Shamus Names Names In Case Against Wizard World

Published Fri, 09 Dec 2016 10:08:36 -0600

by Rich Johnston

Last updated Fri, 30 Dec 2016 06:11:18 -0600

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We've been following and reporting on the Wizard World Vs Stephen Shamus case being going through the courts. With pop culture comic convention organiser Wizard World initially launching the case stating that Shamus had been stealing from the company, and engaging in fraud. Wizard co-founder Shamus denied this, stating that he hadn't been paid what had been contractually stated. And playing out against a background of Wizard World declaring it will be going out of business and getting a 2.5 million dollar investment at 12% from the chairman's company, increasing his shareholder stake in the company

In the latest documents, Stephen Shamus has offered a deposition of the people he expects to be calling for his case, and the information they may possess. Including those who are part of the suit against him. It's quite the list. A veritable Wizard World Who's Who… though sadly no wrestlers.

1. Paul Kessler, Chairman of the Board: knowledge of Shamus contract and monies due and owing thereunder; day-to-day operations of Wizard World, including business operations, strategy, internal controls, finances, and governance;
2. John D. Maatta, CEO: knowledge of Shamus contract and monies due and owing thereunder, as well as verbal representations and promises regarding payment to Shamus of monies outstanding; knowledge of poor financial position of Wizard World; knowledge of and promises regarding commissions for JSA, Ultra Pro, and Heritage Auctions deals; knowledge of duties and obligations of Shamus to Wizard World; knowledge of oversight mechanisms for all contracts negotiated by Shamus on behalf of Wizard World; knowledge of custom and practice at Wizard World of receiving and gifting free autographs and photo ops and memorabilia to a wide variety of recipients;
3. Randy Malinoff, COO: knowledge of Shamus contract and monies due and owing thereunder, including commissions, as well as verbal representations and promises to Shamus regarding payment of monies outstanding, including commissions; knowledge of custom and practice at Wizard World of receiving and gifting free autographs and photo ops and memorabilia to a wide variety of recipients; knowledge of and promises regarding commissions for JSA, Ultra Pro, and Heritage Auctions deals;
4. Vadim Mats, Board Member: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
5. Gregory H. Suess, Board Member: knowledge of custom and practice at Wizard World of receiving and gifting free autographs and photo ops and memorabilia; knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
6. Kenny Shamus, Board Member: knowledge of Shamus contract and financial operations of Wizard World; knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
7. Jordan Schur, nominated Board Member: knowledge of Shamus contract and monies due and owing thereunder; knowledge of financial position of Wizard World; knowledge of events and circumstances surrounding Shamus's termination; knowledge of and promises regarding commissions for JSA, Ultra Pro, and Heritage Auctions deals;
8. Joseph Lucosky, Legal Counsel to Wizard World: knowledge of Shamus contract and monies due and owing thereunder; knowledge of events and circumstances surrounding Shamus's termination including allegations of "stealing"; knowledge of Wizard World's offer, prior to termination, to extend Shamus's employment through February 2017;
9. John Macaluso, former CEO/Chairman of the Board: knowledge of Shamus contract and monies due and owing thereunder, as well as verbal representations and promises to Shamus regarding payment of monies outstanding, including commissions; knowledge of custom and practice at Wizard World of receiving and gifting free autographs and photo ops and memorabilia; knowledge of and promises regarding commissions for JSA, Ultra Pro, and Heritage Auctions deals;
10. Gareb Shamus, former CEO: signatory to Shamus contract; knowledge of Shamus contract;
11. Eric Weisblum, Major Shareholder: knowledge and information that Wizard World shareholders intended to replace the current Board of Directors, withdraw the instant lawsuit and issue a public apology to Shamus;
12. Robb Knie, Major Shareholder: knowledge and information that Wizard World shareholders intended to replace the current Board of Directors, withdraw the instant lawsuit and issue a public apology to Shamus;
13. Vince Labarbara, Major Shareholder: knowledge and information that Wizard World shareholders intended to replace the current Board of Directors, withdraw the instant lawsuit and issue a public apology to Shamus;
14. Michael Mathews, former CEO/Chairman of the Board: signatory to Shamus contract; knowledge of Shamus contract and monies due and owing thereunder;
15. Brad Powers, former VP of Business Affairs: drafter of Shamus contract; knowledge of Shamus contract and monies due and owing thereunder;
16. Damian Breuer, former Videographer: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property"; knowledge of custom and practice at Wizard World of receiving and gifting free autographs and photo ops and memorabilia;
17. Stephen Shamus: knowledge of Shamus contract and monies due and owing thereunder, as well as verbal representations and promises to Shamus regarding payment of monies outstanding, including commissions; knowledge of custom and practice at Wizard World of receiving and gifting free autographs and photo ops and memorabilia; knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property"; knowledge that Shamus and/or his family did not sell Wizard World property online or otherwise; knowledge of Wizard World major shareholders and Shamus's disincentive to "steal" from Wizard World;
18. Stan Gloss, Controller: knowledge of Shamus contract and monies due and owing thereunder; knowledge of data compilations regarding monies paid and owed to Shamus; held Shamus contract at Wizard World since inception in May 2011; knowledge that all private signing monies were accounted for in TicketLeap and deposited in Wizard World bank accounts;
19. Peter Katz, Sales Director: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
20. Marlene Frias, former Talent Manager: knowledge of custom and practice at Wizard World of receiving and gifting free autographs and photo ops and memorabilia; knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
21. Auri Shervington, former Talent Coordinator: knowledge of custom and practice at Wizard World of receiving and gifting free autographs and photo ops and memorabilia; knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
22. Shelby Engquist, Talent Coordinator: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
23. Joe Bertolino, Talent Coordinator: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
24. Alex Rae, Artist Alley Coordinator: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
25. Katie Ruark, Artist Alley Coordinator: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
26. Erik Santomauro, JSA: knowledge and information that Shamus had a total of fourteen (14) personal items authenticated by JSA, which were mostly gifted to Wizard World executives and staff and others;
27. Harshen Patel, CGC: knowledge and information that Shamus had approximately seventy-five (75) items signed and encapsulated, which were then mostly gifted to Wizard World executives and staff and others;
28. Gary Hasson, Outside Talent Manager: knowledge and information that Shamus asked for a few autographed items over a fifteen (15) year period;
29. John Alcantar, Outside Talent Manager: knowledge and information that Shamus asked for a few autographed items over a fifteen (15) year period; 30. Ryan Munoz, Events Manager: knowledge of internal controls regarding, and inventory of, all signed merchandise at Wizard World;
31. Michael Abalos, Logistics: knowledge of custom and practice at Wizard World of receiving and gifting free autographs and photo ops and memorabilia;
32. Debbie Hong, former Artist Alley Coordinator: knowledge of custom and practice at Wizard World of receiving and gifting free autographs and photo ops and memorabilia;
33. Nicole Concepcion, Coordinator: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property"; knowledge of custom and practice at Wizard World of receiving and gifting free autographs and photo ops and memorabilia;
34. Donna Chin, former Artist Alley Coordinator and current Programming Coordinator: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
35. Tegan Dunk, Coordinator: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
36. Jason McDonald, former Senior Executive: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
37. Jerry Milani, Public Relations: knowledge that Shamus did not "steal" Wizard World "property";
38. Tim Raybould, TicketLeap CEO: knowledge that all private signing monies paid through TicketLeap were deposited in Wizard World bank accounts; knowledge that Shamus had no personal accounts with TicketLeap; 39. All persons identified in Wizard World's Initial Disclosures;
39. All persons identified in Wizard World's Initial Disclosures;
40. All persons identified in any documents produced by any party; and
41. All persons identified in any responses to interrogatories propounded by any party. All of the individuals identified are likely to have information regarding Wizard World's claims and Shamus's counterclaims and the facts and circumstances of Shamus's work history and reputation, his purported "stealing" of Wizard World's "property," the formation of the May 11, 2011 employment contract and performance by Shamus thereunder, the circumstances surrounding Shamus's termination, the monies owed to him by Wizard World's breaches, as well as the general course of conduct and business activities of the parties as they relate to the causes of action by all parties in this lawsuit.