The following is a letter to the Department of Consumer Affairs for the Tennessee State Attorney General's office.
I have a situation requiring some consumer affairs guidance. A gambling writer has reported on multiple online sites that he has been solicited via phone by people claiming to be working for me. Since no one is working for me, I would appreciate some guidance in how to pursue and quash this. I have been a sports handicapper and sports writer specializing in college football for more than 40 years. If people are using my name and reputation for phone solicitations while claiming to work for me, I would like to put a stop to it.
I assume such a thing is illegal, but I know nothing about the law in this regard. I would appreciate guidance in what laws are being broken and what steps I can take to protect my reputation. I have never done phone, text, email, or private messaging solicitation. Thirty years ago, I did some direct mail, but that has been the extent of my soliciting, other than to call or write to former clients once a year. I have never cold called anyone, and no one has ever been approved by me to do so. If people are pretending to work for me, what steps can be taken to shut them down?
The gambling writer who reported these salesmen contacting him is Robert H. Argentino of Scottsdale, AZ. He was a columnist for Gaming Today 20-some years ago and has published a couple of video poker books. He posts at a forum called Vegas Casino Talk under his pen name, Rob.Singer. The forum is owned by professional poker player, Todd Witteles. Argentino also posts at a forum called GamblingForums.com under the handle RobSinger.
I'd appreciate any guidance you can provide on how to deal with these salesmen who, according to Argentino, allege they are working for me. I will testify under oath to any of the details presented in this letter. If an affidavit would be helpful, please let me know and I will send one along. If it's in my best interests to send affidavits to the forum administrators, let me know. My reputation is important to me. I will take whatever course of action you recommend.
Bob Dietz
Rob, it would be helpful if you would contact the state attorney general's office with contact details regarding the solicitation(s) and your phone number or email. It would go a long way towards clearing this up and pinning down who is claiming to work for me.
Todd, I need a physical address so I can send along an affidavit affirming the details in the letter above.
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