UPDATE: Levi Johnston: Don't Move! |OFFICIAL MOVIE trailer #1 EU (2011)| In life the best story tellers always win. I am not a great writer however I know that it is vital to every narrative (and litigation) to soundly establish the who, what, when and where. Thus I begin this story with the photograph accompanying this article taken by me in 1999 at my home in Phoenix, Arizona. This image establishes a direct contact to my claims of association with Mr Levi Johnston of Wasilla, Alaska. Featured in the photo is Mr. Greg Weiner of New York, New York who photographed Levi for Playgirl, Inc last summer with me brokering the deal. The videographer on the upper side of pool’s cool deck is Mr. Dan Thompson ( my former colleague and roommate) filming this photo sessions for our local CNN affiliate newscast.
Later that same day I as producer for our employer KTVK of Phoenix authorized a package for the evening newscast. view larger image.Levi Johnston is making bank since his Playgirl spread and that he is standing for Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. I cannot say that he is personally responsible for the nonpayment for my services but what I know is that the people he surrounds himself with, his entourage are. In life people are and should be held accountable for the types of individuals whom they associate especially if they seek public offices. Personally I have nothing positive to say about my experience with the Levi brand.
As a compensated US military disabled veteran who has worked hard in the art and entertainment industry exceeding one decade struggling however all the while assisting noteworthy charitable organizations. The Experience with Levi and Playgirl has left me angry especially at those persons in the media who failed to investigate my allegations and did nothing to aide in exposing this travesty. Since the summer of 2009 I have made efforts to share my experience, lost a great deal of money –made hundreds of telephone calls soliciting legal counsel and contacting media outlets and seeking legal counsel stateside for redress. The following excerpts which are pertinent to my story’s narrative is the final email in full which I received from Mr. Greg Weiner dated September 2009. After receiving it I was of course disappointed with my association with the entire Levi Johnston debacle.
from Greg Weiner <xxxxx@xxxxxxx.com>
reply-to Greg Weiner <xxxx@xxxx.com>
to Lee <xxxxx@gmail.com>
date Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 4:16 PM
subject Re: Are you out of loop?
Hey, I got a call today that they are still trying to figure out the details, so it isn't a done deal yet. PG still wants him to show at least his ass, but I think they will take anything at the moment. I will keep you posted. The only thing that makes me mad is that they are giving credit to Daniel Nardicio credit for putting this together, when you were the one who brought it to light in the first place. I should of had you broker the deal so you got some PR out of it. Later, Greg
ACT I
The case...
After exhausting the previous two years and half years engaged in a complex GLBT and human rights project in Eastern Europe with no relief in sight I returned to my home in Switzerland in 2009. Daily throughout that long spring I sat in my office conjuring scenarios which might gain publicity for my project in Warsaw, Poland. The efforts to assist Eastern European friends in their quest for international publicity for their cause was paramount.
One evening I was chatting with another artist in Europe and the topic somehow reverted to Levi Johnston. My friend insisted in sharing with me the latest gossip. He held my attention because of the subject about an adult entertainment company offering Levi Johnston $25,000 dollars to pose nude. The alleged proposal was from a company which some of my artist friends had bad business dealings. The art and entertainment industry can be challenging for both managers and talent – there are many who do not pay for services or wait an incredibly long time to make good on their commitments of payment for services rendered. The company which proposed a nude photo/video session with Levi has a “history” of not fulfilling its obligations to models and artists.
The news from my friend ignited a brainstorm of ideals. Immediately I began to ponder the ideal that if Levi’s people were thinking about the possibility of nudity that what if I could arrange a mainstream endeavor – That’s when I thought of Greg and Playgirl. This would duly serve my purpose of publicity for my human rights efforts in Poland. With my contacts I thought that I could arrange a photo session for Levi with either Playgirl or G Magazine (Brazil.) I also contated Versace of Italy to inquire if they would consider placing Levi in their upcoming Winter/Spring Milan fashion show.
I contacted Greg Weiner in New York and proposed that he shoot Levi for Playgirl. Greg was hesitant but I was persistent as is my nature. The next evening I then contacted Levi’s attorney and manager. Greg in the meanwhile telephoned me the next day and emailed me several times anxious to know if I could arrange an introduction. (see below emails) I explained to him that I’d telephoned and left a message for Levi’s and was waiting for a return telephone call or email. Levi’s people telephoned me in Switzerland at my home one week later.
As you can ascertain from the email excerpts included at the foot of this letter and a previous diary .
As you can ascertain from the email excerpts included at the foot of this letter and a previous diary here I did in fact make it happen. Nonetheless with all the promises by Greg he and with Rex Butler knowledge allowed for someone else (Daniel Nardicio) to take the credit in the press and I was not paid the customary finders fee of 15 to 25% of brokering the deal by Levi nor Playgirl.
It is my belief that the thinking was since I am 10,000 miles away and with no financial means to retain legal counsel ($20,000 retainers) perhaps assumed that I would go away.
After waiting patiently 6 months for Levi’s people and Playgirl to make good on our agreement I started to shop this story around without success. The media which I am no stranger needs sensationalism and in this insistence that would be litigation – US Federal Court of Alaska.
Even though the case warrants legal actions since I am living abroad and limited in funds this has been no easy task to accomplish. I have an attorney here in Europe (Attorney Praliaud) it is unrealistic for me to have him represent me in American court nor could I pay him the travel expenses. I contacted an attorney in Alaska and se informed me that she’d love to take the case with a $15,000 retainer – which obviously I would have to borrow or receive as a gift from a very generous friend.
Perhaps it was my naïve belief that journalist stateside would investigate or attorney’s stateside would jump at the opportunity for a high profile case and do the paperwork perhaps pro bono at least to file the court pleadings – no such fortune. So thus I have patiently waited until now.
SPQR1052: You can locate me on Twitter, Facebook, MSN chat via SPQR1052@gmail.com. Additionally you can help me exploit this story to the mainstream. Levi’s people and Playgirl took advantage of my disposition of being abroad and I want the one year of my life which they have robbed me and my project returned, paid in full. I have lost too much already and cannot loose any more.
COMMUNIQUES: Lee, Rex Butler and Greg Weiner via emails.
from Greg Weiner <xxxx@xxxxxx.com>
reply-to Greg Weiner <xxxx@xxxxxx.com>
to LEE xxxxx@gmail.com
date Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 2:35 PM
subject Levi
hide details 8/25/09
Hey Lee, just wanted to check in with you about Levi, Playgirl really wants to do something with him, so if you have any info or if they should contact anyone please let me know. I told them just in case anyone got in touch with them so they would have the heads up on that and now they keep calling me wanting to know how to move on this. So please let me know if you have heard anything. They will pay you a fee if you can put this together for them which could be good for you. Let me know. Thanks, and also thanks for the nice blog, it really is nice and I appreciate that. Best, Greg
from Greg Weiner <xxxx@xxxxxx.com>
reply-to Greg Weiner <xxxx@xxxxxx.com>
to LEE xxxxx@gmail.com
date Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 4:08 AM
subject Re: Levi
hide details 8/26/09
- Hide quoted text -
Hey Lee, thanks for getting in touch. I sent him an email, he had sent one to me as well. I will try to call him tomorrow as well. Playgirl is very excited about doing this so it will be huge if it works out. Do you know what kind of money Unzipped offered him? PG can pay, I just don't know how much, I know that they use to pay pretty big, but nothing like Playboy does. But they will promote this all over. They said they would be willing to pay a fee to you, so I will keep you posted on that as well for putting this together. I will keep you posted. Thanks, Greg
from Rex Butler <xxxxx@gmail.com>
to LEE <xxxxxx@gmail.com>
date Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 2:23 AM
subject Re: Hello Rex from Lee in Switzerland.
mailed-by gmail.com
hide details 8/29/09
Lee: This business situation with Playgirl sounds like something we would be interested in.....I cannot commit Levi to a nude shoot at this time...so that may preclude some European and South American markets...I suspect that if the price were right we might seriously consider it, in the meantime with the right underwear, he would be available to do a shoot for Playgirl....we would want some time two to four week for him to shape up and define for the shoot....We are interested, that is stage one, let me know what stage two consist of so we can move forward......Rex
from Greg Weiner <xxxx@xxxxxx.com>
reply-to Greg Weiner <xxxx@xxxxxx.com>
to LEE xxxxx@gmail.com
date Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 3:49 PM
subject Levi
Hey Lee, so Playgirl is getting mentioned a lot now, it was on the Today show and CNN as well. I don't know if they have ever heard anything from Levi's people yet though, but at least it is out there now and I hope they will strike while it is hot. Later, Greg
Greg Weiner <xxxxxx@xxxxx.com>
to LEE <xxxxxx@gmail.com>
date Wed, Sep 9, 2009 at 10:36 PM
subject calls
Hey Lee, I got a couple of calls from you today, one I was going into an elevator and another I could not hear anything but my echo. Haven't heard anything yet, but it is best to leave it alone and let PG work out the details since they will be paying if it happens. So at this point I am just waiting for them to let me know. Greg