From: sal costello
Subject: Re: May 9, 2007 "blog publication"
To: Jill McClure
CC: salcostello@yahoo.com
May 15, 2007
J. Hampton Skeleton
Skelton & Woody Attorneys
www.SkeltonWoody.com
HillCo Partners Representatives
Dear J. Hampton Skeleton,
I endeavor to be 100% accurate with my Muckraker blog publication.
Please explain exactly and precisely all current and past relationships between HillCo and Melinda Wheatley (the most wanted lobbyist in the state of Texas according to the Texas Ethics Commission website), so that I may accurately convey that information to my readers.
While you deny that Wheatley is "employed" by or "affiliated" with HillCo, you do not deny that Wheatley works for HillCo, perhaps under contract, or as a subcontractor. Do you wish to deny that?
Also, are you willing to send me a copy of Hillco’s entire check ledger for the last year? Or perhaps you might select to identify every person and every firm working with HIllCo Partners?
Thank You,
Sal Costello
Blogger for “The Muckraker”
Sal@TexasTollParty.com
---------------
From: "Hamp Skelton"
To:
Subject: FW: response to your e-mail of earlier today
Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 18:13:18 -0500
Dear Mr. Costello:
I am writing in response to your email of today, May 15, 2007. Please go back and reread my May 14 letter. A copy is attached for your convenience. I quoted the language in your erroneous blog and denied every word of it relating to HillCo Partners. I unequivocally denied any affiliation between Ms. Wheatley and Hillco Partners. I did not use the words "under contract or subcontract" because you did not use them in your blog, but my letter was unambiguous in denying a broader range of affiliations which would necessarily include "under contract or subcontract." At the risk of indulging what appears to be deliberate gamesmanship on your part, I will specifically answer the new accusation you make in your email of earlier today: Ms. Wheatley has no current relationship and has had no past relationship with HillCo Partners that lend even the most slender reed of credence to your May 9 post. She has never worked for HillCo Partners in any capacity, including under contract or as a subcontractor. I mean this to be an unequivocal denial of any relationship and mean it in the broadest possible sense.
Taking you at your word that you strive for 100% accuracy in your blog, may I assume you will immediately post a clarification and an apology to HillCo Partners, making it clear your entry of May 9, 2007 concerning Hillco Partners was erroneous in every respect? I would appreciate an answer this evening or by 9 AM on May 16 at the latest.
You initiated this dispute by writing and widely disseminating false information that defames my client. My client has pointed out the errors to you in a professional manner and offered you an opportunity to correct the situation without incurring legal fees or the inconvenience associated with litigation. So far, you have failed to correct the misinformation. Nothing about this sequence of events calls for Hillco Partners, the victim of your wrongful conduct, to open up its confidential internal records to you, or anyone else. Accordingly, HillCo Partners declines to show you its proprietary information. If it is your position that you will not correct the defamatory remarks made in your May 9 blog without examining HillCo Partners' confidential and proprietary financial information, then I will have no other choice but to proceed with appropriate legal action.
You or your attorney should feel free to contact me at 651-7000 or 461-6112 at any time if you require any further clarification.
Sincerely,
Hamp Skelton
(512) 651- 7000 office
(512) 461-6112 cell
No comments:
Post a Comment