Seminole Lake Owner Arrested

[[email protected]]

https://www.caymancompass.com/2015/12/31/Extradition-approved-for-Romanian-fugitive/

Extradition approved for Romanian fugitive


By James Whittaker -

December 31, 2015



The founder of the secret police service of Romania will be sent back to his home country to face jail time for corruption, a court in the Cayman Islands ruled this week.

Mihai Tanjala, a politician and entrepreneur in the former Communist country was sentenced in 2011 to five years in prison for a fraudulent business deal. He fled Romania and has been on the run ever since.

According to testimony from an Immigration officer and an Interpol agent, he arrived in the Cayman Islands from Cuba, undetected, in September. It was only when he tried to enter Jamaica after boarding a flight to Kingston on Oct. 14 that anyone noticed there was an international warrant out for his arrest.

Romanian authorities were alerted and he was sent back to Grand Cayman to face an extradition hearing.

Tanjala, who appeared before Chief Magistrate Nova Hall in a two-day hearing either side of Christmas, attempted to argue that he had been unfairly convicted in his home country for political reasons.





He claimed his life would be at risk if he was sent back to Romania and pleaded with the magistrate not to approve the extradition request.

At one point during the hearing, Tanjala suggested that if the authorities did not believe he was innocent, he could serve out his sentence in the Cayman Islands.

"If it is expensive for Cayman to keep me here, I will pay for jail."

He maintained he was not guilty of the crime for which he was convicted. "I didn't make any crime," he told the court in broken English.

"You can't extradite me for something that didn't happen. I am not a criminal, I am innocent. Please try to see the truth. If I was convicted by abuse, what do you think will happen to me in Romania?"

The magistrate, in her ruling Tuesday afternoon, said the court had no jurisdiction to make a determination on Tanjala's guilt or innocence.

She said the court was satisfied that he had been convicted in Romania and said his claims that he was victimized for political reasons could not be substantiated.

She ordered that he be handed over to Romanian authorities. Mr. Tanjala has indicated he will now file a writ of habeus corpus in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands to officially contest his original conviction.

The court heard that he had absconded from Romania immediately after his conviction and had been a fugitive ever since. He claims he was fleeing an injustice and was attempting to reopen his case from exile in the U.S.

Tanjala was convicted of deliberately underselling property of a company, part-owned by the Romanian state, to a family member.

It was alleged that as administrator of the company IC IGMUG SA Giurgiu, he had become aware of an offer to buy the property from another firm, Zone Libere SA.

Instead of authorizing the deal, he orchestrated the sale of the asset to a company owned by his wife for a fraction of the price. That company then made the deal with Zone Libere SA at a massive profit.

During the hearing, Tanjala repeatedly challenged the evidence and cast himself as a victim of political persecution.

The 58-year-old was a member of the social democratic party that ruled Romania in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Communism and the execution of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

In the chaotic privatization of state assets that followed the 1989 revolution, there were numerous allegations of corrupt deals, including the appropriation of state assets and businesses at prices far below their actual value.

Mr. Tanjala, during the hearing, painted himself as a campaigner who had fought for the return of property and businesses taken from the people at the inception of the Communist regime.

He claimed to have won several legal victories in the civil courts against the Romanian state and brought corruption in the privatization process to the attention of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington.

The media in Romania has reported that he is actually accused of being on the other side of this process and could face potential prosecution in connection with other business deals if he is returned to his home country.

Mr. Tanjala cited this possibility himself as evidence he should not be extradited, claiming in a written submission to the court, "Currently in Romania there is an intensive media campaign on his extradition in Romania and it officially shows that he is expected to open new trials and to be sentenced to life imprisonment for indefeasible criminal offences, but which he did not commit, resulting in being sentenced for life."

Prosecutor Cheryll Richards said nothing had been presented that supported his claims that the Romanian system was not working in an appropriate way.

"There was no evidence for what he said that he was at war with the Romanian state," she said. "It appeared that he was following a legitimate process that had resulted in his favor ...

"He seems to have benefited from the very system he says is being used against him."

She said there was nothing to suggest that his crime was for anything other than the "ordinary criminal purpose of financial gain."

Magistrate Hall ordered that a warrant of committal be signed for his transfer back to Romania.

[Paul Agnew]

Any speculation on how this will affect the guys already running Seminole Lake in his absence?

[Paul Agnew]

From Rich on 9/17/15

"Seminole Lake Gliderport under New Management

The home of the Senior Soaring Championship is under new management effective September 10, 2015. We are still owned by Mr. Mihai Tanjala who is outside the US to pursue another business opportunity and he has placed the reins of the operation into the capable hands of two long time aviation professionals. Mr. Rich Owen has been named the company's Vice President and Mr. Clif Mcvay is assigned as the General Manager of the operation. Rich has been soaring for over 10 years and is a retired Navy fighter pilot and Delta Air Line pilot. He has competed in Standard and Sports Class competitions in the southeast and is looking forward to flying his new ASG-29Es in 18 meter class this year.
Clif (yes, just one "f" in Clif) is a long time powered pilot , Chief Flight Instructor, airport owner/manager, tow pilot and an A&P/IA. He brings a wealth of experience both in the cockpit and in maintenance.

Our goal at Seminole Lake is to provide the very best flight instruction to the aviation community, provide safe/efficient towing support for our local and visiting pilots, introduce people to the joys of soaring and to continue the tradition of hosting the largest one class soaring competition in the United States. The Senior Soaring Championship is on track under our Contest Manager Mr. Ky McAteer and we look forward to providing him every resource to make this year's contest a success.

Seminole-Lake Gliderport
352-394-5450
www.soarfl.com "

[[email protected]]

Doesnt bode well, I tried calling the seminole soaring office on friday, no answer, also no voice mail for leaving a message. I tried earlier in the week, same problem.

[Paul Agnew]

This article was from 12/31/2015. I was in the area and stopped in to check out the airport last week. They were sprucing up the building with some fresh paint in prep for Seniors and Clif was working on one of the Pawnees.

As of last weekend, they were fully operational.

[Dave Nadler]

On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 12:49:41 PM UTC-5, Paul Agnew wrote:
> Any speculation on how this will affect the guys already running
> Seminole Lake in his absence?

Rich reassured me this morning - no problems for the operation.
See y'all in Florida (after the convention),
Best Regards, Dave

[[email protected]]

Does anyone know if they are going to have the OLC contest this year after the senior nationals? And the date? Thats what I was trying to call them about last week.
Dan

[[email protected]]

On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 5:09:09 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Does anyone know if they are going to have the OLC contest this year after the senior nationals? And the date? Thats what I was trying to call them about last week.
> Dan

I am sorry but somehow the phone's voice mail was accidentally turned off. That will be corrected asap (tomorrow morning at the latest).

Clif

P.S. The Seniors and OLC camp are "good to go."

[[email protected]]

On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 5:09:09 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Does anyone know if they are going to have the OLC contest this year after the senior nationals? And the date? Thats what I was trying to call them about last week.
> Dan

Dan, The OLC Camp will commence on Sunday 20 March and run through Saturday 26 March. We have been on the SSA Racing page for upcoming contests and events since September 2015. The Camp is a go! My email address is .
Cheers, Rich Owen

[[email protected]]

On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 5:55:31 PM UTC-5, Clif McVay wrote:
> On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 5:09:09 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> > Does anyone know if they are going to have the OLC contest this year after the senior nationals? And the date? Thats what I was trying to call them about last week.
> > Dan
>
> I am sorry but somehow the phone's voice mail was accidentally turned off. That will be corrected asap (tomorrow morning at the latest).
>
> Clif
>
> P.S. The Seniors and OLC camp are "good to go."

[[email protected]]

On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 9:25:52 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> https://www.caymancompass.com/2015/12/31/Extradition-approved-for-Romanian-fugitive/
>
> Extradition approved for Romanian fugitive
>
>
> By James Whittaker -
>
> December 31, 2015
>
>
>
> The founder of the secret police service of Romania will be sent back to his home country to face jail time for corruption, a court in the Cayman Islands ruled this week.
>
> Mihai Tanjala, a politician and entrepreneur in the former Communist country was sentenced in 2011 to five years in prison for a fraudulent business deal. He fled Romania and has been on the run ever since.
>
> According to testimony from an Immigration officer and an Interpol agent, he arrived in the Cayman Islands from Cuba, undetected, in September. It was only when he tried to enter Jamaica after boarding a flight to Kingston on Oct. 14 that anyone noticed there was an international warrant out for his arrest.
>
> Romanian authorities were alerted and he was sent back to Grand Cayman to face an extradition hearing.
>
> Tanjala, who appeared before Chief Magistrate Nova Hall in a two-day hearing either side of Christmas, attempted to argue that he had been unfairly convicted in his home country for political reasons.
>
>
>
>
>
> He claimed his life would be at risk if he was sent back to Romania and pleaded with the magistrate not to approve the extradition request.
>
> At one point during the hearing, Tanjala suggested that if the authorities did not believe he was innocent, he could serve out his sentence in the Cayman Islands.
>
> "If it is expensive for Cayman to keep me here, I will pay for jail."
>
> He maintained he was not guilty of the crime for which he was convicted. "I didn't make any crime," he told the court in broken English.
>
> "You can't extradite me for something that didn't happen. I am not a criminal, I am innocent. Please try to see the truth. If I was convicted by abuse, what do you think will happen to me in Romania?"
>
> The magistrate, in her ruling Tuesday afternoon, said the court had no jurisdiction to make a determination on Tanjala's guilt or innocence.
>
> She said the court was satisfied that he had been convicted in Romania and said his claims that he was victimized for political reasons could not be substantiated.
>
> She ordered that he be handed over to Romanian authorities. Mr. Tanjala has indicated he will now file a writ of habeus corpus in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands to officially contest his original conviction.
>
> The court heard that he had absconded from Romania immediately after his conviction and had been a fugitive ever since. He claims he was fleeing an injustice and was attempting to reopen his case from exile in the U.S.
>
> Tanjala was convicted of deliberately underselling property of a company, part-owned by the Romanian state, to a family member.
>
> It was alleged that as administrator of the company IC IGMUG SA Giurgiu, he had become aware of an offer to buy the property from another firm, Zone Libere SA.
>
> Instead of authorizing the deal, he orchestrated the sale of the asset to a company owned by his wife for a fraction of the price. That company then made the deal with Zone Libere SA at a massive profit.
>
> During the hearing, Tanjala repeatedly challenged the evidence and cast himself as a victim of political persecution.
>
> The 58-year-old was a member of the social democratic party that ruled Romania in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Communism and the execution of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
>
> In the chaotic privatization of state assets that followed the 1989 revolution, there were numerous allegations of corrupt deals, including the appropriation of state assets and businesses at prices far below their actual value.
>
> Mr. Tanjala, during the hearing, painted himself as a campaigner who had fought for the return of property and businesses taken from the people at the inception of the Communist regime.
>
> He claimed to have won several legal victories in the civil courts against the Romanian state and brought corruption in the privatization process to the attention of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington.
>
> The media in Romania has reported that he is actually accused of being on the other side of this process and could face potential prosecution in connection with other business deals if he is returned to his home country.
>
> Mr. Tanjala cited this possibility himself as evidence he should not be extradited, claiming in a written submission to the court, "Currently in Romania there is an intensive media campaign on his extradition in Romania and it officially shows that he is expected to open new trials and to be sentenced to life imprisonment for indefeasible criminal offences, but which he did not commit, resulting in being sentenced for life."
>
> Prosecutor Cheryll Richards said nothing had been presented that supported his claims that the Romanian system was not working in an appropriate way..
>
> "There was no evidence for what he said that he was at war with the Romanian state," she said. "It appeared that he was following a legitimate process that had resulted in his favor ...
>
> "He seems to have benefited from the very system he says is being used against him."
>
> She said there was nothing to suggest that his crime was for anything other than the "ordinary criminal purpose of financial gain."
>
> Magistrate Hall ordered that a warrant of committal be signed for his transfer back to Romania.

[Rich Owen]

On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 9:25:52 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> https://www.caymancompass.com/2015/12/31/Extradition-approved-for-Romanian-fugitive/
>
> Extradition approved for Romanian fugitive
>
>
> By James Whittaker -
>
> December 31, 2015
>
>
>
> The founder of the secret police service of Romania will be sent back to his home country to face jail time for corruption, a court in the Cayman Islands ruled this week.
>
> Mihai Tanjala, a politician and entrepreneur in the former Communist country was sentenced in 2011 to five years in prison for a fraudulent business deal. He fled Romania and has been on the run ever since.
>
> According to testimony from an Immigration officer and an Interpol agent, he arrived in the Cayman Islands from Cuba, undetected, in September. It was only when he tried to enter Jamaica after boarding a flight to Kingston on Oct. 14 that anyone noticed there was an international warrant out for his arrest.
>
> Romanian authorities were alerted and he was sent back to Grand Cayman to face an extradition hearing.
>
> Tanjala, who appeared before Chief Magistrate Nova Hall in a two-day hearing either side of Christmas, attempted to argue that he had been unfairly convicted in his home country for political reasons.
>
>
>
>
>
> He claimed his life would be at risk if he was sent back to Romania and pleaded with the magistrate not to approve the extradition request.
>
> At one point during the hearing, Tanjala suggested that if the authorities did not believe he was innocent, he could serve out his sentence in the Cayman Islands.
>
> "If it is expensive for Cayman to keep me here, I will pay for jail."
>
> He maintained he was not guilty of the crime for which he was convicted. "I didn't make any crime," he told the court in broken English.
>
> "You can't extradite me for something that didn't happen. I am not a criminal, I am innocent. Please try to see the truth. If I was convicted by abuse, what do you think will happen to me in Romania?"
>
> The magistrate, in her ruling Tuesday afternoon, said the court had no jurisdiction to make a determination on Tanjala's guilt or innocence.
>
> She said the court was satisfied that he had been convicted in Romania and said his claims that he was victimized for political reasons could not be substantiated.
>
> She ordered that he be handed over to Romanian authorities. Mr. Tanjala has indicated he will now file a writ of habeus corpus in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands to officially contest his original conviction.
>
> The court heard that he had absconded from Romania immediately after his conviction and had been a fugitive ever since. He claims he was fleeing an injustice and was attempting to reopen his case from exile in the U.S.
>
> Tanjala was convicted of deliberately underselling property of a company, part-owned by the Romanian state, to a family member.
>
> It was alleged that as administrator of the company IC IGMUG SA Giurgiu, he had become aware of an offer to buy the property from another firm, Zone Libere SA.
>
> Instead of authorizing the deal, he orchestrated the sale of the asset to a company owned by his wife for a fraction of the price. That company then made the deal with Zone Libere SA at a massive profit.
>
> During the hearing, Tanjala repeatedly challenged the evidence and cast himself as a victim of political persecution.
>
> The 58-year-old was a member of the social democratic party that ruled Romania in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Communism and the execution of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
>
> In the chaotic privatization of state assets that followed the 1989 revolution, there were numerous allegations of corrupt deals, including the appropriation of state assets and businesses at prices far below their actual value.
>
> Mr. Tanjala, during the hearing, painted himself as a campaigner who had fought for the return of property and businesses taken from the people at the inception of the Communist regime.
>
> He claimed to have won several legal victories in the civil courts against the Romanian state and brought corruption in the privatization process to the attention of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington.
>
> The media in Romania has reported that he is actually accused of being on the other side of this process and could face potential prosecution in connection with other business deals if he is returned to his home country.
>
> Mr. Tanjala cited this possibility himself as evidence he should not be extradited, claiming in a written submission to the court, "Currently in Romania there is an intensive media campaign on his extradition in Romania and it officially shows that he is expected to open new trials and to be sentenced to life imprisonment for indefeasible criminal offences, but which he did not commit, resulting in being sentenced for life."
>
> Prosecutor Cheryll Richards said nothing had been presented that supported his claims that the Romanian system was not working in an appropriate way..
>
> "There was no evidence for what he said that he was at war with the Romanian state," she said. "It appeared that he was following a legitimate process that had resulted in his favor ...
>
> "He seems to have benefited from the very system he says is being used against him."
>
> She said there was nothing to suggest that his crime was for anything other than the "ordinary criminal purpose of financial gain."
>
> Magistrate Hall ordered that a warrant of committal be signed for his transfer back to Romania.

To the soaring community,

There are times in everyone's lives we find ourselves facing tough situations. Mr. Tanjala is dealing with some issues that could have a profound impact on his life. Prior to his departure from the U.S., he secured the financial health and ensured new leadership was in place for Seminole Flying and Soaring which is the company that operates Seminole-Lake Gliderport. He did this out of respect for the soaring community. He has enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship with all the visitors, pilots, and Seniors contestants through the years. His commitment to the business is strong and we plan to get better every year. Mihai is always in our thoughts and we wish him a quick resolution to his situation. The Senior Soaring Championship and OLC Camp are on track and ready to go. We look forward to seeing our friends down in sunny Florida very soon. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me at 352-394-5450 (office) or 407-325-6500 (cell) Sincerely, Rich Owen, Vice President, Seminole Flying and Soaring

[[email protected]]

Thanks Rich, I look forward to trailering over and having some fun with the FL thermals.
Dan

[[email protected]]

Well, if that were only true.

I have been to Seminole Lake twice in the last few years, and I have found it to be the worst run organization in aviation, of any kind, that I have ever been to. Yes, they have a nice clubhouse and a nice grass strip, but the staff is so rude and disorganized that I will never go back there again.

--Susan

On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 7:56:21 PM UTC-5, Rich Owen wrote:
> On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 9:25:52 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> > https://www.caymancompass.com/2015/12/31/Extradition-approved-for-Romanian-fugitive/
> >
> > Extradition approved for Romanian fugitive
> >
> >
> > By James Whittaker -
> >
> > December 31, 2015
> >
> >
> >
> > The founder of the secret police service of Romania will be sent back to his home country to face jail time for corruption, a court in the Cayman Islands ruled this week.
> >
> > Mihai Tanjala, a politician and entrepreneur in the former Communist country was sentenced in 2011 to five years in prison for a fraudulent business deal. He fled Romania and has been on the run ever since.
> >
> > According to testimony from an Immigration officer and an Interpol agent, he arrived in the Cayman Islands from Cuba, undetected, in September. It was only when he tried to enter Jamaica after boarding a flight to Kingston on Oct. 14 that anyone noticed there was an international warrant out for his arrest.
> >
> > Romanian authorities were alerted and he was sent back to Grand Cayman to face an extradition hearing.
> >
> > Tanjala, who appeared before Chief Magistrate Nova Hall in a two-day hearing either side of Christmas, attempted to argue that he had been unfairly convicted in his home country for political reasons.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > He claimed his life would be at risk if he was sent back to Romania and pleaded with the magistrate not to approve the extradition request.
> >
> > At one point during the hearing, Tanjala suggested that if the authorities did not believe he was innocent, he could serve out his sentence in the Cayman Islands.
> >
> > "If it is expensive for Cayman to keep me here, I will pay for jail."
> >
> > He maintained he was not guilty of the crime for which he was convicted.. "I didn't make any crime," he told the court in broken English.
> >
> > "You can't extradite me for something that didn't happen. I am not a criminal, I am innocent. Please try to see the truth. If I was convicted by abuse, what do you think will happen to me in Romania?"
> >
> > The magistrate, in her ruling Tuesday afternoon, said the court had no jurisdiction to make a determination on Tanjala's guilt or innocence.
> >
> > She said the court was satisfied that he had been convicted in Romania and said his claims that he was victimized for political reasons could not be substantiated.
> >
> > She ordered that he be handed over to Romanian authorities. Mr. Tanjala has indicated he will now file a writ of habeus corpus in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands to officially contest his original conviction.
> >
> > The court heard that he had absconded from Romania immediately after his conviction and had been a fugitive ever since. He claims he was fleeing an injustice and was attempting to reopen his case from exile in the U.S.
> >
> > Tanjala was convicted of deliberately underselling property of a company, part-owned by the Romanian state, to a family member.
> >
> > It was alleged that as administrator of the company IC IGMUG SA Giurgiu, he had become aware of an offer to buy the property from another firm, Zone Libere SA.
> >
> > Instead of authorizing the deal, he orchestrated the sale of the asset to a company owned by his wife for a fraction of the price. That company then made the deal with Zone Libere SA at a massive profit.
> >
> > During the hearing, Tanjala repeatedly challenged the evidence and cast himself as a victim of political persecution.
> >
> > The 58-year-old was a member of the social democratic party that ruled Romania in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Communism and the execution of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
> >
> > In the chaotic privatization of state assets that followed the 1989 revolution, there were numerous allegations of corrupt deals, including the appropriation of state assets and businesses at prices far below their actual value.
> >
> > Mr. Tanjala, during the hearing, painted himself as a campaigner who had fought for the return of property and businesses taken from the people at the inception of the Communist regime.
> >
> > He claimed to have won several legal victories in the civil courts against the Romanian state and brought corruption in the privatization process to the attention of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington.
> >
> > The media in Romania has reported that he is actually accused of being on the other side of this process and could face potential prosecution in connection with other business deals if he is returned to his home country.
> >
> > Mr. Tanjala cited this possibility himself as evidence he should not be extradited, claiming in a written submission to the court, "Currently in Romania there is an intensive media campaign on his extradition in Romania and it officially shows that he is expected to open new trials and to be sentenced to life imprisonment for indefeasible criminal offences, but which he did not commit, resulting in being sentenced for life."
> >
> > Prosecutor Cheryll Richards said nothing had been presented that supported his claims that the Romanian system was not working in an appropriate way.
> >
> > "There was no evidence for what he said that he was at war with the Romanian state," she said. "It appeared that he was following a legitimate process that had resulted in his favor ...
> >
> > "He seems to have benefited from the very system he says is being used against him."
> >
> > She said there was nothing to suggest that his crime was for anything other than the "ordinary criminal purpose of financial gain."
> >
> > Magistrate Hall ordered that a warrant of committal be signed for his transfer back to Romania.
>
> To the soaring community,
>
> There are times in everyone's lives we find ourselves facing tough situations. Mr. Tanjala is dealing with some issues that could have a profound impact on his life. Prior to his departure from the U.S., he secured the financial health and ensured new leadership was in place for Seminole Flying and Soaring which is the company that operates Seminole-Lake Gliderport. He did this out of respect for the soaring community. He has enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship with all the visitors, pilots, and Seniors contestants through the years. His commitment to the business is strong and we plan to get better every year. Mihai is always in our thoughts and we wish him a quick resolution to his situation. The Senior Soaring Championship and OLC Camp are on track and ready to go. We look forward to seeing our friends down in sunny Florida very soon. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me at 352-394-5450 (office) or 407-325-6500 (cell) Sincerely, Rich Owen, Vice President, Seminole Flying and Soaring

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the update Rich. We will try to pull the Discus out of mothballs and get over to our favorite gliderport this Sunday.

[Casey[_2_]]

On Friday, February 19, 2016 at 2:19:07 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Well, if that were only true.
>
> I have been to Seminole Lake twice in the last few years, and I have found it to be the worst run organization in aviation, of any kind, that I have ever been to. Yes, they have a nice clubhouse and a nice grass strip, but the staff is so rude and disorganized that I will never go back there again..
>
> --Susan


Susan, Sorry you feel this way or believed you were treated poorly. I just left there on Feb 19th, and all staff were professional, knowledgeable, and courteous. I have been to Seminole 3-4 times in the past few years as well and I can not think of anything negative about the place.

While there I saw Cliff performing maintenance on a Pawnee, an AD being done on the 103, the field being mowed, general cleaning, and a lot of socializing. I did inquire to Cliff about the tow ropes that were being used and he was very informative about the ropes retirement time, ect.

I know the office manager is attending school and several different accasions someone else stood by for her, but I saw no discontinuity in operation.

I don't think the amount of money I spent there had any difference in the way I was treated. However, I was not demanding nor treated anyone like they were working for me and I gave an occasional hand to help get a glider in and out of a hangar. Sometimes the way people treat us is due to how we treat others. Just hard for me to believe everyone on staff woke up on the wrong side of bed on the same days.

PS: While there I did notice that Mihai called several times.

Casey

[[email protected]]

Well, Casey, I'm glad you had a good time.

Unfortunately, you decided to delve into victim-blaming by suggesting "Sometimes the way people treat us is due to how we treat others."

I have heard this so many times. "Maybe if she didn't wear that top, then guys wouldn't stare." "Maybe if she didn't say that, then guys wouldn't proposition her".

Whether I am a woman or a man, stop assuming that somehow I deserved to be treated poorly.

Regards, Susan

On Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 8:30:21 AM UTC-5, Casey wrote:
> On Friday, February 19, 2016 at 2:19:07 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> > Well, if that were only true.
> >
> > I have been to Seminole Lake twice in the last few years, and I have found it to be the worst run organization in aviation, of any kind, that I have ever been to. Yes, they have a nice clubhouse and a nice grass strip, but the staff is so rude and disorganized that I will never go back there again.
> >
> > --Susan
>
>
> Susan, Sorry you feel this way or believed you were treated poorly. I just left there on Feb 19th, and all staff were professional, knowledgeable, and courteous. I have been to Seminole 3-4 times in the past few years as well and I can not think of anything negative about the place.
>
> While there I saw Cliff performing maintenance on a Pawnee, an AD being done on the 103, the field being mowed, general cleaning, and a lot of socializing. I did inquire to Cliff about the tow ropes that were being used and he was very informative about the ropes retirement time, ect.
>
> I know the office manager is attending school and several different accasions someone else stood by for her, but I saw no discontinuity in operation..
>
> I don't think the amount of money I spent there had any difference in the way I was treated. However, I was not demanding nor treated anyone like they were working for me and I gave an occasional hand to help get a glider in and out of a hangar. Sometimes the way people treat us is due to how we treat others. Just hard for me to believe everyone on staff woke up on the wrong side of bed on the same days.
>
> PS: While there I did notice that Mihai called several times.
>
> Casey

[WAVEGURU]

He didn't suggest it was because you were a woman, he suggested you were maybe not nice. But that is probably unfair too. We weren't there. All we know so far is what you posted here.

Boggs

[Henry Retting]

Now Susan Honey....you are obviously from the North. Those boys were only
doing what a Southern Lady wants...to be notice and admired for her beauty.

If it happens to be her bosoms, which yours must be lovely base on the
level of your anger, it only means they admire your lovelyness. Yes, some
can lose track and become 'loss' in the moment, but here is a chance for
you to show your grace.
Simply wait to catch their gaze , smile, and say "Lovely, are they not?".
And if they proposition you.or take flirting a little far...well no harm or
foul ....
thank them for their interest but your heart belongs to another.
Tell them how good looking they are even if they are the ungliest creature
to walk the earth.
And understand that at least you were bless, for so many others live a life
in the dark.
You all play nice when Susan returns now, ya hear?
All the best , Susan.

R

[WAVEGURU]

It is hard enough to attract and retain women in this sport, and posts like the last one, while tongue in cheek, are counterproductive to what we want in our sport IMHO.

Boggs

[Dan Marotta]

Why do we need to attract and retain women in this sport?

I say we need to attract new blood, not of any group, sex, ethnicity,
religion, or anything else other than folks who dream to experience the
joy that we try to express to others. We need to get away from
identifying people by physical traits.

BTW, I enjoyed the honey dripping southern drawl and I understood that
it was meant in good fun. People are just too sensitive.

Dan

On 2/25/2016 8:30 AM, Waveguru wrote:
> It is hard enough to attract and retain women in this sport, and posts like the last one, while tongue in cheek, are counterproductive to what we want in our sport IMHO.
>
> Boggs

--
Dan, 5J

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 10:36:09 AM UTC-6, Dan Marotta wrote:
> Why do we need to attract and retain women in this sport?
>
>
>
> I say we need to attract new blood, not of any group, sex,
> ethnicity, religion, or anything else other than folks who dream to
> experience the joy that we try to express to others.* We need to get
> away from identifying people by physical traits.
>
>
>
> BTW, I enjoyed the honey dripping southern drawl and I understood
> that it was meant in good fun.* People are just too sensitive.
>
>
>
> Dan
>
>
>
>
> On 2/25/2016 8:30 AM, Waveguru wrote:
>
>
>
> It is hard enough to attract and retain women in this sport, and posts like the last one, while tongue in cheek, are counterproductive to what we want in our sport IMHO.
>
> Boggs
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Dan, 5J

Dan, believe it or not but attitudes like yours and Henry's are what's keeping us from having the smallest semblance of diversity in our sport - plus you are driving away the few non-old-white-men that do soaring. Making fun of others that don't look like you or use a different bathroom is never funny.

[Dan Marotta]

I'm not making fun of anyone, Herb, and I think "diversity" is damaging
in any endeavor. When we spend so much time worrying about _what _we
are rather than _who _we are is when we start having friction. I think
it's people who are more concerned with their organs, skin color,
instrumentation, hair length, wing span, as well as mine(!) who make
this such a contentious place; RAS, not soaring. You may continue to
wring your hands and fret about "diversity" and name calling and I will
continue enjoying flying and reading others' opinions, which is what
this is all about. Sheesh... Lighten up. Like it or not, not everyone
agrees with you.

Dan

On 2/25/2016 10:07 AM, wrote:
> On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 10:36:09 AM UTC-6, Dan Marotta wrote:
>> Why do we need to attract and retain women in this sport?
>>
>>
>>
>> I say we need to attract new blood, not of any group, sex,
>> ethnicity, religion, or anything else other than folks who dream to
>> experience the joy that we try to express to others. We need to get
>> away from identifying people by physical traits.
>>
>>
>>
>> BTW, I enjoyed the honey dripping southern drawl and I understood
>> that it was meant in good fun. People are just too sensitive.
>>
>>
>>
>> Dan
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 2/25/2016 8:30 AM, Waveguru wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> It is hard enough to attract and retain women in this sport, and posts like the last one, while tongue in cheek, are counterproductive to what we want in our sport IMHO.
>>
>> Boggs
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Dan, 5J
> Dan, believe it or not but attitudes like yours and Henry's are what's keeping us from having the smallest semblance of diversity in our sport - plus you are driving away the few non-old-white-men that do soaring. Making fun of others that don't look like you or use a different bathroom is never funny.

--
Dan, 5J

[WAVEGURU]

Yes. We need to attract people to our sport. We all suffer from declining numbers and women are some of the available pool of "blood". A condisending attitude towards women, or any other "group" might even be unappealing to a wide variety of people here. There are a lot of people reading this group and anybody that posts is, to some extent, a representation of who we are in soaring. I think bad attitudes do our community a disservice.

Boggs

[Truth]

Let it be known soaring is the last bastion of shiny white males and you will see the ranks overflow with those seeking same.

[son_of_flubber]

The majority of young people and quite a few older people are not going to join or stick around in a community that lets thinly veiled hostility to women and other under-represented demographics pass unremarked.

Let's keep it friendly. We all agree that soaring is in general awesome. It's part of the fun to passionately disagree and fight about the fine points of soaring.

But I thought we all agreed to keep politics, religion, and social theorizing out of soaring. We're too small of a group to start picking sides in those areas.

[Truth]

On Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 3:40:12 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
> The majority of young people and quite a few older people are not going to join or stick around in a community that lets thinly veiled hostility to women and other under-represented demographics pass unremarked.
>
> Let's keep it friendly. We all agree that soaring is in general awesome. It's part of the fun to passionately disagree and fight about the fine points of soaring.
>
> But I thought we all agreed to keep politics, religion, and social theorizing out of soaring. We're too small of a group to start picking sides in those areas.
Actually young people are swinging back to conservative social values, they've lived enough diversity to be over it. Darn kids with their rebellious ways.

[ND]

i just KNEW this was going to turn into a **** show. on Feb 22 i almost wrote "and now we wait for some sucker to take the bait."

[ND]

i just knew this was going to turn into a **** show. saw it coming from a mile away.

[[email protected]]

Looks like this is the end for Mihai Tanjala and his ownership of Seminole Lake Gliderport. The people of Romania want their stolen money back. It has been national news for years now and finally coming to an end.

Whoever has cash to purchase this airport and its aircraft should be able to buy it from the Romanian government for a very reasonable price.

Watch this interview with one of the worlds most wanted criminals.

https://youtu.be/tDblm82uez8

https://youtu.be/tDblm82uez8

[[email protected]]

Here is another video showing immigration officers arresting him live on television.

https://youtu.be/d66bmjxklfA

[[email protected]]

How do all the new legalities affect the glider ops there at Seminole?

[Paul Agnew]

For now, Rich's previous response answers the question. Even if Romania comes after assets purportedly purchased with illegal funds, it could be tied up in the courts for years. It has to be extremely frustrating for Rich amd Clif.

"Rich Owen
On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 9:25:52 AM UTC-5, wrote:
- show quoted text -
To the soaring community,

There are times in everyone's lives we find ourselves facing tough situations. Mr. Tanjala is dealing with some issues that could have a profound impact on his life. Prior to his departure from the U.S., he secured the financial health and ensured new leadership was in place for Seminole Flying and Soaring which is the company that operates Seminole-Lake Gliderport. He did this out of respect for the soaring community. He has enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship with all the visitors, pilots, and Seniors contestants through the years. His commitment to the business is strong and we plan to get better every year. Mihai is always in our thoughts and we wish him a quick resolution to his situation. The Senior Soaring Championship and OLC Camp are on track and ready to go. We look forward to seeing our friends down in sunny Florida very soon. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me at 352-394-5450 (office) or 407-325-6500 (cell)

Sincerely, Rich Owen, Vice President, Seminole Flying and Soaring"

[[email protected]]

Update on Mihai Tanjala's status:

Mihai Tanjala, founder of the infamous "Two and a Quarter", is currently serving life in prison in a Romanian Supermax in a solitary confinement cell.. Convicted on fraud on a large scale, was sentenced to 5 years, then became a fugitive living in Florida while owning/operating the Seminole Lake Gliderport, only to be deported and fled again to Jamaica.

The total assets that he has stolen are now estimated around 200 Million dollars. He was part of a well known group called the Moneco's who stole mainly real estate by using their status in the Romanian Government for nearly a decade totaling almost a billion dollars between multiple members in this group.

Each piece of real estate is being taken back by the Romanian legal system and returned to their rightful owners. Seminole Lake Gliderport is low on the list.

He had remained unknown until authorities in Romania discovered the website updated to show his whereabouts st the gliderport with pictures and information about him. These photos made national news. So many Romanians were extremely angered seeing him fly helicopters and gliders with ill gotten financial gains.

Justice has been served to him and each person in his group.

[Charlie Papa[_2_]]

On Tuesday, 18 April 2017 21:29:01 UTC-4, wrote:
> Update on Mihai Tanjala's status:
>
> Mihai Tanjala, founder of the infamous "Two and a Quarter", is currently serving life in prison in a Romanian Supermax in a solitary confinement cell. Convicted on fraud on a large scale, was sentenced to 5 years, then became a fugitive living in Florida while owning/operating the Seminole Lake Gliderport, only to be deported and fled again to Jamaica.
>
> The total assets that he has stolen are now estimated around 200 Million dollars. He was part of a well known group called the Moneco's who stole mainly real estate by using their status in the Romanian Government for nearly a decade totaling almost a billion dollars between multiple members in this group.
>
> Each piece of real estate is being taken back by the Romanian legal system and returned to their rightful owners. Seminole Lake Gliderport is low on the list.
>
> He had remained unknown until authorities in Romania discovered the website updated to show his whereabouts st the gliderport with pictures and information about him. These photos made national news. So many Romanians were extremely angered seeing him fly helicopters and gliders with ill gotten financial gains.
>
> Justice has been served to him and each person in his group.

As a long time snowbird customer of SLGP (15 years), I really have no interest in the legal struggles of Mihai, the owner; I am interested in SLGP as an FBO. And it is superb!

During Mihai's evasion and then arrest and incarceration, the field has been lavished with attention and affection by many of the customers, and most notably, Karen (landscaper extraordinaire), and I've never seen it look so good. Rich has overseen the on-the-ground management, and the prices are reasonable, the tugs in the best shape ever, and the field is located in a magic nexus of great soaring weather. The 'regulars' are a lot like the club members of my home field, and I'm proud that they are my friends.

The ownership is complicated, split I think, into land and FBO, and I think that the government of Romania, should it ever turn its attention to recovering this asset, will find it complicated, but strategically stupid to do anything to reduce its value as a functional FBO and soaring center for Eastern North American pilots in the winter season.

I hope that the operational status is unaffected; I intend to fly there for many years to come. You should consider doing the same.

Soaring is more pleasurable than schadenfreude!

[Rich Owen[_2_]]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It seems we go thru this issue every several months and I feel you should know who the individual is that is making these false claims. His name is Robert Turcescu and please Google his official bio. It should be pretty clear why he does these pieces of fake news. I have spoken to Mihai in the last 10 days and have emailed him over the past week regarding plans to construct new hangars at Seminole Lake Gliderport. Mister Tanjala is still very involved in the future plans of the gliderport and is not in prison as was reported. He has just returned from a trip in Romania and is beginning preparations for his return to Florida.

Seminole-Lake Gliderport has just finished another successful Senior Soaring Championship and the North American world qualifier for the Sailplane Grand Prix. We value all our customers, competition pilots, local pilots and airport residents. Please stop by and visit us on your next trip to Central Florida.

Hope to see you soon,
Richard Owen
Vice President
Seminole Flying and Soaring

[2G]

On Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 4:20:39 PM UTC-7, Rich Owen wrote:
> Ladies and Gentlemen,
>
> It seems we go thru this issue every several months and I feel you should know who the individual is that is making these false claims. His name is Robert Turcescu and please Google his official bio. It should be pretty clear why he does these pieces of fake news. I have spoken to Mihai in the last 10 days and have emailed him over the past week regarding plans to construct new hangars at Seminole Lake Gliderport. Mister Tanjala is still very involved in the future plans of the gliderport and is not in prison as was reported. He has just returned from a trip in Romania and is beginning preparations for his return to Florida.
>
> Seminole-Lake Gliderport has just finished another successful Senior Soaring Championship and the North American world qualifier for the Sailplane Grand Prix. We value all our customers, competition pilots, local pilots and airport residents. Please stop by and visit us on your next trip to Central Florida.
>
> Hope to see you soon,
> Richard Owen
> Vice President
> Seminole Flying and Soaring

A simple google search of produces:

https://kingofromania.com/2016/06/07/the-curious-case-of-mihai-tanjala/

https://caymannewsservice.com/2016/06/romanian-fugitive-loses-extradition-fight/

Excerpt:

In his ruling Justice Swift said he could find no link with Tanjala’s claims of impropriety relating to his prosecution and conviction and there was no evidence to suggest that he had not had a fair trial or that the proceedings were politically motivated. However, although the judge said it would not be unfair or unjust to deport the convicted man back to his home country, he raised concerns about human rights issues in Romanian jails.

http://www.romaniajournal.ro/former-mp-mihai-tanjala-extradited-from-cayman-islands/

Excerpt:

Former PDSR MEP Mihai Tanjala was one of the founders of the intelligence service 0215, had fled Romania after being sentenced to five years in prison..

If this is Fake News, it is PRETTY DAMN GOOD fake news!

Tom

[[email protected]]

Rich Owen,

You made a post last summer on 6/19/2016 that Hangers were to be constructed.

You mentioned it again in the post above nearly a year later

Will you actually be doing this, or is it just all talk and no action?

[Josh Fletcher]

asw20

Have you ever built anything, specifically a hangar? If so you would know that things do not always follow a nice timeline.

I have built a 50,000 sq foot hangar, and between funding, permits, cities, etc.. the time from when we thought we would start and when we actually did was 5 years!

So instead of beating people down for their efforts, maybe try being supportive of someone that is actually trying to improve our sport.

Regardless of what you think of SLGP's owner, Rich is doing a great job in Orlando.

Josh

[Walt Connelly]

If dealing with the county to get permits to build a hangar is anything like dealing with my homeowners association then it should be accomplished shortly after the turn of the next century. My HOA is run by postmenopausal Nazis bent on destroying the world.

Walt

[[email protected]]

After seeing worldwide news of criminals such as Jose Ines Garcia Jarate be deported only to be let back into the United States and eventually commiting murder of Kate Steinle, this serves as a reminder to anyone in the world that citizens should work together towards the greater cause of justice worldwide.

Mihai Tanjala escaped Romanian law enforcement officials fleeing to the United States of America as a fugitive. His case is highly documented not only in the Romanian publications but also the world wide web from his crimes globally, including many youtube news videos. His history and court documents show he was convicted of stealing millions of assets while taking advantage of helpless lower class citizens using his power as an elected official.

Mihai Tanjala was handed a court order for deportation from the United States on March 23, 2016 with strict orders from the United States Supreme Court.

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

wrote on 12/1/2017 10:23 AM:
> After seeing worldwide news of criminals such as Jose Ines Garcia Jarate be deported only to be let back into the United States and eventually commiting murder of Kate Steinle, this serves as a reminder to anyone in the world that citizens should work together towards the greater cause of justice worldwide.

Jury just found him not guilty. Time to stop judging people before the trial.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorgliders/publications/download-the-guide-1
- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Dec 2014a" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm

http://soaringsafety.org/prevention/Guide-to-transponders-in-sailplanes-2014A.pdf

[Tom BravoMike]

Long live the Seminole Lake Gliderport! - one of the finest soaring sites in US. I plan to go and fly there again this coming winter season, God willing.


BTW, if running a soaring FBO was so profitable (as to support Al Capone's dark dealings), we wouldn't have seen so many of them closing down, and Tom Knauff's place would have been bought long time ago.

[2G]

On Friday, December 1, 2017 at 1:40:08 PM UTC-8, Eric Greenwell wrote:
> wrote on 12/1/2017 10:23 AM:
> > After seeing worldwide news of criminals such as Jose Ines Garcia Jarate be deported only to be let back into the United States and eventually commiting murder of Kate Steinle, this serves as a reminder to anyone in the world that citizens should work together towards the greater cause of justice worldwide.
>
> Jury just found him not guilty. Time to stop judging people before the trial.
>
> --
> Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
> - "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
> https://sites.google.com/site/motorgliders/publications/download-the-guide-1
> - "Transponders in Sailplanes - Dec 2014a" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm
>
> http://soaringsafety.org/prevention/Guide-to-transponders-in-sailplanes-2014A.pdf

Negligent homicide:

Negligent homicide is a criminal charge brought against a person who, through criminal negligence, allows another person to die.

Jarate WAS found guilty of a felon in possession of a gun. By definition, therefore, he is guilty of negligent homicide. Time to judge the jury...

[Rich Owen[_2_]]

Here we go again. I posted this last April and it still applies. This year we are holding our first 18 Meter National Championship in addition to the 28th Senior Soaring Championship and the North American qualifier for the 2018 World Sailplane Grand Prix. We could not put these events on without the support of our superb staff, local pilots, dedicated volunteers and you, the soaring community.

We hope this holiday season finds you well, and from your friends at Seminole-Lake Gliderport we wish you the very best!!

Sincerely,
Rich

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

It seems we go thru this issue every several months and I feel you should know who the individual is that is making these false claims. His name is Robert Turcescu and please Google his official bio. It should be pretty clear why he does these pieces of fake news. I have spoken to Mihai in the last 10 days and have emailed him over the past week regarding plans to construct new hangars at Seminole Lake Gliderport. Mister Tanjala is still very involved in the future plans of the gliderport and is not in prison as was reported. He has just returned from a trip in Romania and is beginning preparations for his return to Florida.

Seminole-Lake Gliderport has just finished another successful Senior Soaring Championship and the North American world qualifier for the Sailplane Grand Prix. We value all our customers, competition pilots, local pilots and airport residents. Please stop by and visit us on your next trip to Central Florida”.

Hope to see you soon,
Richard Owen
Vice President
Seminole Flying and Soaring

[[email protected]]

Hope to come visit again this year. SLG is a great place. Internet trolls need to find a new hobby.

JP

[joesimmers[_2_]]

On Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 9:31:54 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> Rich Owen,
>
> You made a post last summer on 6/19/2016 that Hangers were to be constructed.
>
> You mentioned it again in the post above nearly a year later
>
> Will you actually be doing this, or is it just all talk and no action?



Asw20, are you even a real pilot?

Usually pilots know how to correctly spell the word Hangar.

[[email protected]]

Mr Rich Owen,

Through your website for Seminole Lake (including information on this forum) thankfully the Romanian government was able to successfully find Mihai Tanjala and work with the United States Supreme Court along with I.C.E. to have him deported. Prior to that, his last whereabouts were rumored to be Chicago, Illinois but could not be found.

There are many subjects we would like to discuss with you in regards to your employment with Mihai Tanjala. Please understand he was convicted as a criminal for stealing from the people of Romania and it was national news. Half of the battle has been won with him now detained in Romania. The other half of battle to return what was stolen from the Romanian people has yet to be won. Some of these assets are in your control now.

One subject we would like to discuss in an interview is this; the business address has changed from:

Seminole Lake Gliderport
4201 Soaring Lane
Clermont, Florida 34736

to

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM & ENTERTAINMENT CORP
PO BOX 3483
ROAD TOWN
TORTOLA
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

http://www.lakecopropappr.com/property-details.aspx?AltKey=3871498

This PO Box is an Offshore Bank Account for the airport owned by Mihai Tanjala. If the business you publicly defend on this forum is free from any wrongdoings, why would you need an Off Shore Bank Account? Why not just use a Romanian Bank Account?

According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, Mihai Tanjala spent over 2 Million USD to buy the airport. Throughout the past few years it appears large injections of subsidized cash flow purchasing new aircraft has caused profits to rise, at the misfortune and demise of other airports (reference Thomas Knauff's airport in Pennsylvania from the above statement) and some others mentioned to go out of business. Again I ask, why the secrecy with an Off Shore Banking account?

You have avoided questions on this forum, you have avoided phone calls. Perhaps the piloting community can apply bold pressure to convince at least a streaming live interview with a Romanian and English dual translation subscript. The people of Romania only want to receive back what was once theirs and nothing more.

[Santiago Lopez]

"After seeing worldwide news of criminals such as Jose Ines Garcia Jarate be deported only to be let back into the United States and eventually commiting murder of Kate Steinle, this serves as a reminder to anyone in the world that citizens should work together towards the greater cause of justice worldwide."

BS from an internel troll that wants to sound heroic and inspiring, and that it doesn't add anything to what follows after those words. Glider pilots, unite! Against the injustice, soar! (sigh...)

Are we going to start discussing about the southern wall and how to fly over it in here too? Please leave the grandstanding and the politics out of this forum, unless it really impacts our sport.

[2G]

On Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 4:55:11 AM UTC-8, Rich Owen wrote:
> Here we go again. I posted this last April and it still applies. This year we are holding our first 18 Meter National Championship in addition to the 28th Senior Soaring Championship and the North American qualifier for the 2018 World Sailplane Grand Prix. We could not put these events on without the support of our superb staff, local pilots, dedicated volunteers and you, the soaring community.
>
> We hope this holiday season finds you well, and from your friends at Seminole-Lake Gliderport we wish you the very best!!
>
> Sincerely,
> Rich
>
> “Ladies and Gentlemen,
>
> It seems we go thru this issue every several months and I feel you should know who the individual is that is making these false claims. His name is Robert Turcescu and please Google his official bio. It should be pretty clear why he does these pieces of fake news. I have spoken to Mihai in the last 10 days and have emailed him over the past week regarding plans to construct new hangars at Seminole Lake Gliderport. Mister Tanjala is still very involved in the future plans of the gliderport and is not in prison as was reported. He has just returned from a trip in Romania and is beginning preparations for his return to Florida.
>
> Seminole-Lake Gliderport has just finished another successful Senior Soaring Championship and the North American world qualifier for the Sailplane Grand Prix. We value all our customers, competition pilots, local pilots and airport residents. Please stop by and visit us on your next trip to Central Florida”.
>
> Hope to see you soon,
> Richard Owen
> Vice President
> Seminole Flying and Soaring

Rich,

You DIDN'T address the principal concern: Tanjala is a wanted criminal from Romania:
https://kingofromania.com/2016/06/07/the-curious-case-of-mihai-tanjala/
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca11/15-13276/15-13276-2016-03-23.html

I am not an attorney, but I recommend that you hire one immediately if you haven't already done so. You may be in serious legal jeopardy by engaging in business dealings with a WANTED CRIMINAL. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) comes to mind:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I/chapter-96

How many contests and events you hold at Seminole-Lake Gliderport is irrelevant to these issues.

Tom

[[email protected]]

Maybe Kate would have become a glider pilot if her life hadn't been taken by an illegal criminal alien. Illegal immigrants are not good for soaring and are not good for America. Use your talents to build greatness in your own countries.

> BS from an internel troll that wants to sound heroic and inspiring, and that it doesn't add anything to what follows after those words. Glider pilots, unite! Against the injustice, soar! (sigh...)
>
> Are we going to start discussing about the southern wall and how to fly over it in here too? Please leave the grandstanding and the politics out of this forum, unless it really impacts our sport.

[Santiago Lopez]

"Maybe Kate would have become a glider pilot if her life hadn't been taken by an illegal criminal alien. Illegal immigrants are not good for soaring and are not good for America. Use your talents to build greatness in your own countries."

Or maybe not. Completely absurd response. Orange elephants are not good for soaring either. This is not the group or forum to vent your grievances about the politics of immigration.

This is not the forum to bring Garcia Garate or Pedro Infante as an introduction to a story about a Romanian subject.

[2G]

On Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 1:41:18 PM UTC-8, Santiago Lopez wrote:
> "Maybe Kate would have become a glider pilot if her life hadn't been taken by an illegal criminal alien. Illegal immigrants are not good for soaring and are not good for America. Use your talents to build greatness in your own countries."
>
> Or maybe not. Completely absurd response. Orange elephants are not good for soaring either. This is not the group or forum to vent your grievances about the politics of immigration.
>
> This is not the forum to bring Garcia Garate or Pedro Infante as an introduction to a story about a Romanian subject.

I missed your post expressing outrage over the comment by Eric concerning Jose Ines Garcia Zarate (aka Juan Francisco Lopez Sanchez), could you repost it?

Tom

[Santiago Lopez]

Child to mother: My brother did that too, why don't you punish him too?
I keep repeating, this is not the place to discuss immigration politics.

[[email protected]]

On Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 8:53:16 PM UTC-5, Santiago Lopez wrote:
> Child to mother: My brother did that too, why don't you punish him too?
> I keep repeating, this is not the place to discuss immigration politics.

It is now. If America had laws as some countries do preventing the owning of real estate by non-citizens this thread about Seminole would not exist. Make Mexico great again, by keeping Mexico's native talent home.

[Santiago Lopez]

Whatever...it's getting very convoluted going from a criminal to immigration to Romania to real estate to Mexico...
Most people here will get it. No need to say more.
Let's go back to varios, gel coats, glide ratios...

[2G]

On Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 7:11:12 PM UTC-8, Santiago Lopez wrote:
> Whatever...it's getting very convoluted going from a criminal to immigration to Romania to real estate to Mexico...
> Most people here will get it. No need to say more.
> Let's go back to varios, gel coats, glide ratios...

This thread is devoted to this issue - which directly affects the soaring community. Don't like it, go to another thread (PLEASE!).

Tom

[Santiago Lopez]

You just said it. It is about Seminole Lake. Since you bring an illegal immigrant from Mexico into the discussion, maybe the one that should leave this thread is someone else (PLEASE).

Santiago

[Santiago Lopez]

"After seeing worldwide news of criminals such as ... (Insert name of favorite villain, Lopez, Trump, Flynn, Pelosi, Clinton, Kim, etc)..., this serves as a reminder to anyone in the world that citizens should work together towards the greater cause of justice worldwide"
Doesn't it sound completely dumb as an introduction to a discussion about Seminole Lake and its relation to a Romanian?

[2G]

On Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 9:10:04 PM UTC-8, Santiago Lopez wrote:
> You just said it. It is about Seminole Lake. Since you bring an illegal immigrant from Mexico into the discussion, maybe the one that should leave this thread is someone else (PLEASE).
>
> Santiago

Go away

[Retting]

Speaking of gel coat, the brake lights on my brand new Cobra trailer flash whenever I apply brakes. So I purchase a brake adjustment tool at my local auto store thats next to a Sports Bar that serves oysters. Hell, two birds with one stone I think plus oysters have always helped me with my plumbing, if you know what I mean, and as I slurp down a doz. of those beauties, a midget sitting next to me ask about the brake adjustment tool on the counter.
Well , he begins to tell me that his father invented the Thighmaster that Suzanne Sommers made millions selling.
So now whenever I brake , I think of Suzanne Sommers. "Feel the burn ladies, again, again, yes, ...7,8,9,10. Do you feel it?"

R

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 8:40:04 AM UTC-5, Retting wrote:
> Speaking of gel coat, the brake lights on my brand new Cobra trailer flash whenever I apply brakes. So I purchase a brake adjustment tool at my local auto store thats next to a Sports Bar that serves oysters. Hell, two birds with one stone I think plus oysters have always helped me with my plumbing, if you know what I mean, and as I slurp down a doz. of those beauties, a midget sitting next to me ask about the brake adjustment tool on the counter.
> Well , he begins to tell me that his father invented the Thighmaster that Suzanne Sommers made millions selling.
> So now whenever I brake , I think of Suzanne Sommers. "Feel the burn ladies, again, again, yes, ...7,8,9,10. Do you feel it?"
>
> R

And--------- I love my 2-33.
Don't know what Henry is complaining about. He's been a known flasher for years.

UH

[KEN]

On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 9:25:52 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> https://www.caymancompass.com/2015/12/31/Extradition-approved-for-Romanian-fugitive/
>
> Extradition approved for Romanian fugitive
>
>
> By James Whittaker -
>
> December 31, 2015
> Henry, Henry,Henry, Keeping on the topic of gelcoat. Suzanne Sommers would never refer to the inventor of the Thigh-master as a midget. They are little people. You know.....Dwarfs.
>
>
> The founder of the secret police service of Romania will be sent back to his home country to face jail time for corruption, a court in the Cayman Islands ruled this week.
>
> Mihai Tanjala, a politician and entrepreneur in the former Communist country was sentenced in 2011 to five years in prison for a fraudulent business deal. He fled Romania and has been on the run ever since.
>
> According to testimony from an Immigration officer and an Interpol agent, he arrived in the Cayman Islands from Cuba, undetected, in September. It was only when he tried to enter Jamaica after boarding a flight to Kingston on Oct. 14 that anyone noticed there was an international warrant out for his arrest.
>
> Romanian authorities were alerted and he was sent back to Grand Cayman to face an extradition hearing.
>
> Tanjala, who appeared before Chief Magistrate Nova Hall in a two-day hearing either side of Christmas, attempted to argue that he had been unfairly convicted in his home country for political reasons.
>
>
>
>
>
> He claimed his life would be at risk if he was sent back to Romania and pleaded with the magistrate not to approve the extradition request.
>
> At one point during the hearing, Tanjala suggested that if the authorities did not believe he was innocent, he could serve out his sentence in the Cayman Islands.
>
> "If it is expensive for Cayman to keep me here, I will pay for jail."
>
> He maintained he was not guilty of the crime for which he was convicted. "I didn't make any crime," he told the court in broken English.
>
> "You can't extradite me for something that didn't happen. I am not a criminal, I am innocent. Please try to see the truth. If I was convicted by abuse, what do you think will happen to me in Romania?"
>
> The magistrate, in her ruling Tuesday afternoon, said the court had no jurisdiction to make a determination on Tanjala's guilt or innocence.
>
> She said the court was satisfied that he had been convicted in Romania and said his claims that he was victimized for political reasons could not be substantiated.
>
> She ordered that he be handed over to Romanian authorities. Mr. Tanjala has indicated he will now file a writ of habeus corpus in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands to officially contest his original conviction.
>
> The court heard that he had absconded from Romania immediately after his conviction and had been a fugitive ever since. He claims he was fleeing an injustice and was attempting to reopen his case from exile in the U.S.
>
> Tanjala was convicted of deliberately underselling property of a company, part-owned by the Romanian state, to a family member.
>
> It was alleged that as administrator of the company IC IGMUG SA Giurgiu, he had become aware of an offer to buy the property from another firm, Zone Libere SA.
>
> Instead of authorizing the deal, he orchestrated the sale of the asset to a company owned by his wife for a fraction of the price. That company then made the deal with Zone Libere SA at a massive profit.
>
> During the hearing, Tanjala repeatedly challenged the evidence and cast himself as a victim of political persecution.
>
> The 58-year-old was a member of the social democratic party that ruled Romania in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Communism and the execution of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
>
> In the chaotic privatization of state assets that followed the 1989 revolution, there were numerous allegations of corrupt deals, including the appropriation of state assets and businesses at prices far below their actual value.
>
> Mr. Tanjala, during the hearing, painted himself as a campaigner who had fought for the return of property and businesses taken from the people at the inception of the Communist regime.
>
> He claimed to have won several legal victories in the civil courts against the Romanian state and brought corruption in the privatization process to the attention of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington.
>
> The media in Romania has reported that he is actually accused of being on the other side of this process and could face potential prosecution in connection with other business deals if he is returned to his home country.
>
> Mr. Tanjala cited this possibility himself as evidence he should not be extradited, claiming in a written submission to the court, "Currently in Romania there is an intensive media campaign on his extradition in Romania and it officially shows that he is expected to open new trials and to be sentenced to life imprisonment for indefeasible criminal offences, but which he did not commit, resulting in being sentenced for life."
>
> Prosecutor Cheryll Richards said nothing had been presented that supported his claims that the Romanian system was not working in an appropriate way..
>
> "There was no evidence for what he said that he was at war with the Romanian state," she said. "It appeared that he was following a legitimate process that had resulted in his favor ...
>
> "He seems to have benefited from the very system he says is being used against him."
>
> She said there was nothing to suggest that his crime was for anything other than the "ordinary criminal purpose of financial gain."
>
> Magistrate Hall ordered that a warrant of committal be signed for his transfer back to Romania.

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 12:23:10 AM UTC-5, Santiago Lopez wrote:
> "After seeing worldwide news of criminals such as ... (Insert name of favorite villain, Lopez, Trump, Flynn, Pelosi, Clinton, Kim, etc)..., this serves as a reminder to anyone in the world that citizens should work together towards the greater cause of justice worldwide"
> Doesn't it sound completely dumb as an introduction to a discussion about Seminole Lake and its relation to a Romanian?

I agree let's work together for the greater cause of justice worldwide.
The only way for citizens to get worldwide justice is to keep criminals in their home countries where they can be judged by their people for crimes against their own people with the justice standards of their own culture. Problem solved. You keep your criminals out of America, And America will keep our Schweizer gliders from the rest of the world.

[Retting]

.......so I'm driving along with a stupid grin on my face and my NC beauty ask "why do you have that stupid grin on your face? Are you thinking about oysters again?" Busted!
I asked her whatever happened to Suzanne Sommers?
"Did you ever fix the flashing lights on the trailer?" she asked.
No, working on it.
"Why is that midget in front of "Oyster Balls" waving at us while he knocks his knees together?"
His father , huh thighmast..., ..
hey, lets get some tacos.
"Beer"
Guacamole
"what's this tool do?"
Not what I thought.

R

[Rich Owen[_2_]]

ROBERT,

You might want to stop since no one is paying any attention to you. For all our friends, I’d ask not to add any more to this tread. This will be my last post to the troll.

Rich

[KEN]

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 12:32:54 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 12:23:10 AM UTC-5, Santiago Lopez wrote:
> > "After seeing worldwide news of criminals such as ... (Insert name of favorite villain, Lopez, Trump, Flynn, Pelosi, Clinton, Kim, etc)..., this serves as a reminder to anyone in the world that citizens should work together towards the greater cause of justice worldwide"
> > Doesn't it sound completely dumb as an introduction to a discussion about Seminole Lake and its relation to a Romanian?
>
> I agree let's work together for the greater cause of justice worldwide.
> The only way for citizens to get worldwide justice is to keep criminals in their home countries where they can be judged by their people for crimes against their own people with the justice standards of their own culture. Problem solved. You keep your criminals out of America, And America will keep our Schweizer gliders from the rest of the world.

America keeping our Schweizer gliders from the rest of the world? Now that's criminal.

[Charles Longley]

This reminds me of Spencer Aircraft and it’s Pedophile UPS pilot owner years ago.

[2G]

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 10:35:05 AM UTC-8, Rich Owen wrote:
> ROBERT,
>
> You might want to stop since no one is paying any attention to you. For all our friends, I’d ask not to add any more to this tread. This will be my last post to the troll.
>
> Rich

Rich,

This is they guy YOU are doing business with (excerpt from one of the links https://kingofromania.com/2016/06/07/the-curious-case-of-mihai-tanjala/ you obviously ignored):

* Prior to 1989, Tanjala is paid to ruin the lives of people who disagree with the government in Communist Romania.
* Immediately following the revolution, Tanjala and his buddies form a secret police unit which plays an instrumental role in crushing democracy during the Mineriad of 1990.
* Tanjala then joins a political party for fun and profit, mostly profit.
* Tanjala goes to the United States in 2003 where he befriends another Romanian crook and ultimately goes into business with him.
* All goes well until his fellow crooks snitch on Tanjala in 2008, causing him to flee Romania.
* Tanjala hightails it to the United States where he lives a great life, flying around with celebrities at his airfield that he bought for more than 2 million dollars.
* Tanjala is convicted in absentia and put on Interpol’s fugitive list.
* Tanjala then pays someone $50,000 to leave the United States without being arrested.
* Tanjala travels the Caribbean, working on his tan and enjoying the good life.
* After leaving the Cayman Islands and heading to Jamaica, a miracle happens and a border officer actually checks Interpol and finds out Tanjala is on the most wanted list.
* Tanjala gets sent back to Cayman where he tries to bribe his way out of trouble.
* This week, justice is served. Tanjala loses his case and is set to be extradited to Romania.

Tanjala told the Cayman judge that he feared for his life if he is sent to Romania to serve his 5-year jail sentence. Considering the huge numbers of people dying in Romanian jails, he might be right.

But even if he does die, the people of Romania will never get their 100 million euros back and Tanjala’s family is still living the good life in south Florida.

----------------

I would expect that the people Tanjala defrauded will seek to regain what is rightfully theirs. This would include the Seminole-Lake Glider airfield and all of the equipment purchased with illegal funds.

Tom

[flgliderpilot[_2_]]

Well, hopefully someone will step in and buy the operation and the money can go to the victims. I just hope that person is a glider pilot.

Until then, I’ll be there flying.

[2G]

On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 11:57:16 AM UTC-8, flgliderpilot wrote:
> Well, hopefully someone will step in and buy the operation and the money can go to the victims. I just hope that person is a glider pilot.
>
> Until then, I’ll be there flying.

It is REALLY HARD to move an airfield overseas! It is in the best interests of Tanjala's victims to keep operating the facility - and generating revenue - while they are looking for a new buyer.

Tom

[Ernst]

2G you are such a jerk.
I am one of the many celebrities that fly at Seminole and I enjoy the luxurious life style there.

Ernst

[2G]

On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 6:58:15 PM UTC-8, Ernst wrote:
> 2G you are such a jerk.
> I am one of the many celebrities that fly at Seminole and I enjoy the luxurious life style there.
>
> Ernst

THANK YOU for the endorsement! I think you should also send emails to ALL of Tanjala's victims informing them how they are ALSO jerks. Why you're at it, send that DUMB JUDGE who deport Tanjala an email how he is STUPID JERK! And, then, you might want to hire a lawyer...

Tom

[richard wilkening]

Tom would it make you happy if Seminole was shut down, Rich Owen and others were unemployed and destitute, the buildings were falling down with the runway grown up in weeds?

Then when the people of Romania finally reclaim “their” swproperty, it is worth less than a vibrant faculty with a dedicated staff and established customer base? That seems to be what you are advocating...

I’ve never been there and never met Rich, but I doubt he was looking to be in the middle of an international situation, and is just trying to do the best he can while the courts sort this out.

[[email protected]]

What’s wrong with giving other soaring sites in the area business? Sounds like most people are doing that with Treasure Coast Soaring already..

A gliderport with offshore bank accounts! I find it very telling that Rich Owen refuses to address the core issues, other than pleading the 5th!

Rich, just go work for another gliderport before you end up in jail.

RICO Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizaton
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

What a judgmental lot of Hens. Is the view good up there on your high horse? Could be, it is none of your business? Take care of your own house, and keep liable per se of RAS. And as far as a thief from Romania, where the hell do you think gypsies come from. US has a long tradition of being a place where foreign government officials come with billions or hundreds of millions and stay. China, Russian, Ukrainian...

How about we stick to subject of Soaring and not someone's business. How does this affect or effect you? I don't know Rich but he is a career Naval officer who I am sure can manage his affairs properly.

On Friday, December 8, 2017 at 6:17:10 AM UTC-8, wrote:
> What’s wrong with giving other soaring sites in the area business? Sounds like most people are doing that with Treasure Coast Soaring already.
>
> A gliderport with offshore bank accounts! I find it very telling that Rich Owen refuses to address the core issues, other than pleading the 5th!
>
> Rich, just go work for another gliderport before you end up in jail.
>
> RICO Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizaton
> https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act

[Walt Connelly]

While Mihai might not be the most savory character I have ever known he is nonetheless the owner of record of SLGP. He existed and lived under his own name and no one was aiding and abetting him in any way, shape or form. The facility is open for business and when and if the people of Romania take ownership they can be proud of how well it has been maintained and run.

Now let's discuss something of greater importance. Who else thinks wrestling is phony?

Walt

[flgliderpilot[_2_]]

On Friday, December 8, 2017 at 9:17:10 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> What’s wrong with giving other soaring sites in the area business? Sounds like most people are doing that with Treasure Coast Soaring already.
>
> A gliderport with offshore bank accounts! I find it very telling that Rich Owen refuses to address the core issues, other than pleading the 5th!
>
> Rich, just go work for another gliderport before you end up in jail.

There is nothing particularly wrong with an offshore bank account.

It's pretty common. Google it.

[[email protected]]

"There is nothing particularly wrong with an offshore banking account."

Yeah, but your pants get wet while using the ATM.

[Ernst]

asw20,

You are in the same category than 2G.
I am one of the many celebrities that fly at Seminole, enjoy the luxurious life style there, and pay from my many offshore bank accounts.

Horst

[2G]

On Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 3:56:35 PM UTC-8, Richard Wilkening wrote:
> Tom would it make you happy if Seminole was shut down, Rich Owen and others were unemployed and destitute, the buildings were falling down with the runway grown up in weeds?
>
> Then when the people of Romania finally reclaim “their” swproperty, it is worth less than a vibrant faculty with a dedicated staff and established customer base? That seems to be what you are advocating...
>
> I’ve never been there and never met Rich, but I doubt he was looking to be in the middle of an international situation, and is just trying to do the best he can while the courts sort this out.

Let's be clear here: I am not ADVOCATING ANYTHING! I have no dog in the fight either way. What I read was a seeming denial by Rich Owen that anything untoward, let alone illegal, chain of events had occurred. A very simple internet search showed the truth to be exactly the opposite. Maybe Rich is very naive, so I felt it appropriate to put the facts out there and let the chips fall where they may. Rich could very well be in serious legal trouble, but that is not for me to say. If I were him I would hire a criminal attorney and find out.

What the rightful owners of Seminole-Lake a/p do is entirely up to them, not me. I have ALREADY stated that it is in their best interests to keep operating it; did you not read that?

Some people on RAS want to put their heads into the sand and pretend that things are not as they are. But one thing is very clear: Tanjala is a VERY BAD character, and I would have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with him.

Tom

[Bruce Hoult]

On Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 5:42:56 AM UTC+3, wrote:
> "There is nothing particularly wrong with an offshore banking account."
>
> Yeah, but your pants get wet while using the ATM.

Internet banking is a wonderful thing.

I have bank accounts in Russia and New Zealand. Sometimes in the past I've even had a bank account in the USA, though they are the most painful to deal with and the most primitive banking system.

[[email protected]]

For one, I am sick and tired of this character assassination of Rich Owen. I have been a part of Seminole Flying and Soaring as a part-time instructor/tow pilot starting at the Flying Seminole Ranch NE of Orlando. With the threat of Orlando's rapid growth Knut and Ingrid Kjenslie wisely purchased land in rural Lake County where they built from scratch the Seminole Lake Gliderport. The Kjenslie's sold several residential lots on the gliderport just to financially survive! Many Orlando glider pilots found SLG a place where soaring is great and the business atmosphere is more like a gliding club. The Seniors' competition has cemented SLG's reputation as a world-class soaring destination.
Yes we all had misgivings including Knut when Mihai purchased the gliderport. And yes we knew how to Google! We have been assured by reliable sources that SLG is safe from seizure.
Now this is where Rich comes in. I find him to be an honorable man who is passionate about soaring. He is a retired Navy and airline pilot and DOES NOT get paid other than expenses for being vice-president of SLG. His biggest vice, he's addicted to Jimmy Buffet concerts! His only goal ( as well as Knut's and a huge majority of the soaring community) is to keep SLG as a healthy, viable soaring destination.

[[email protected]]

Agree totally -- Amen

[[email protected]]

On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 9:25:52 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> https://www.caymancompass.com/2015/12/31/Extradition-approved-for-Romanian-fugitive/
>
> Extradition approved for Romanian fugitive
>
>
> By James Whittaker -
>
> December 31, 2015
>
>
>
> The founder of the secret police service of Romania will be sent back to his home country to face jail time for corruption, a court in the Cayman Islands ruled this week.
>
> Mihai Tanjala, a politician and entrepreneur in the former Communist country was sentenced in 2011 to five years in prison for a fraudulent business deal. He fled Romania and has been on the run ever since.
>
> According to testimony from an Immigration officer and an Interpol agent, he arrived in the Cayman Islands from Cuba, undetected, in September. It was only when he tried to enter Jamaica after boarding a flight to Kingston on Oct. 14 that anyone noticed there was an international warrant out for his arrest.
>
> Romanian authorities were alerted and he was sent back to Grand Cayman to face an extradition hearing.
>
> Tanjala, who appeared before Chief Magistrate Nova Hall in a two-day hearing either side of Christmas, attempted to argue that he had been unfairly convicted in his home country for political reasons.
>
>
>
>
>
> He claimed his life would be at risk if he was sent back to Romania and pleaded with the magistrate not to approve the extradition request.
>
> At one point during the hearing, Tanjala suggested that if the authorities did not believe he was innocent, he could serve out his sentence in the Cayman Islands.
>
> "If it is expensive for Cayman to keep me here, I will pay for jail."
>
> He maintained he was not guilty of the crime for which he was convicted. "I didn't make any crime," he told the court in broken English.
>
> "You can't extradite me for something that didn't happen. I am not a criminal, I am innocent. Please try to see the truth. If I was convicted by abuse, what do you think will happen to me in Romania?"
>
> The magistrate, in her ruling Tuesday afternoon, said the court had no jurisdiction to make a determination on Tanjala's guilt or innocence.
>
> She said the court was satisfied that he had been convicted in Romania and said his claims that he was victimized for political reasons could not be substantiated.
>
> She ordered that he be handed over to Romanian authorities. Mr. Tanjala has indicated he will now file a writ of habeus corpus in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands to officially contest his original conviction.
>
> The court heard that he had absconded from Romania immediately after his conviction and had been a fugitive ever since. He claims he was fleeing an injustice and was attempting to reopen his case from exile in the U.S.
>
> Tanjala was convicted of deliberately underselling property of a company, part-owned by the Romanian state, to a family member.
>
> It was alleged that as administrator of the company IC IGMUG SA Giurgiu, he had become aware of an offer to buy the property from another firm, Zone Libere SA.
>
> Instead of authorizing the deal, he orchestrated the sale of the asset to a company owned by his wife for a fraction of the price. That company then made the deal with Zone Libere SA at a massive profit.
>
> During the hearing, Tanjala repeatedly challenged the evidence and cast himself as a victim of political persecution.
>
> The 58-year-old was a member of the social democratic party that ruled Romania in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Communism and the execution of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
>
> In the chaotic privatization of state assets that followed the 1989 revolution, there were numerous allegations of corrupt deals, including the appropriation of state assets and businesses at prices far below their actual value.
>
> Mr. Tanjala, during the hearing, painted himself as a campaigner who had fought for the return of property and businesses taken from the people at the inception of the Communist regime.
>
> He claimed to have won several legal victories in the civil courts against the Romanian state and brought corruption in the privatization process to the attention of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington.
>
> The media in Romania has reported that he is actually accused of being on the other side of this process and could face potential prosecution in connection with other business deals if he is returned to his home country.
>
> Mr. Tanjala cited this possibility himself as evidence he should not be extradited, claiming in a written submission to the court, "Currently in Romania there is an intensive media campaign on his extradition in Romania and it officially shows that he is expected to open new trials and to be sentenced to life imprisonment for indefeasible criminal offences, but which he did not commit, resulting in being sentenced for life."
>
> Prosecutor Cheryll Richards said nothing had been presented that supported his claims that the Romanian system was not working in an appropriate way..
>
> "There was no evidence for what he said that he was at war with the Romanian state," she said. "It appeared that he was following a legitimate process that had resulted in his favor ...
>
> "He seems to have benefited from the very system he says is being used against him."
>
> She said there was nothing to suggest that his crime was for anything other than the "ordinary criminal purpose of financial gain."
>
> Magistrate Hall ordered that a warrant of committal be signed for his transfer back to Romania.

I do not have a dog in this fight, cold really care less about the entire situation. I must comment on the statement made on the assurance that everything is immune from the US Marshal Service in the shut down that could be directed from the DOJ. Beware, things could become very complicated.

[son_of_flubber]

Are 2G, ASW20, and Ernst (the celebrity) three voices inside the same person's head?

What does Wilbur think?

[2G]

On Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 4:34:21 AM UTC-8, wrote:
> For one, I am sick and tired of this character assassination of Rich Owen.. I have been a part of Seminole Flying and Soaring as a part-time instructor/tow pilot starting at the Flying Seminole Ranch NE of Orlando. With the threat of Orlando's rapid growth Knut and Ingrid Kjenslie wisely purchased land in rural Lake County where they built from scratch the Seminole Lake Gliderport. The Kjenslie's sold several residential lots on the gliderport just to financially survive! Many Orlando glider pilots found SLG a place where soaring is great and the business atmosphere is more like a gliding club. The Seniors' competition has cemented SLG's reputation as a world-class soaring destination.
> Yes we all had misgivings including Knut when Mihai purchased the gliderport. And yes we knew how to Google! We have been assured by reliable sources that SLG is safe from seizure.
> Now this is where Rich comes in. I find him to be an honorable man who is passionate about soaring. He is a retired Navy and airline pilot and DOES NOT get paid other than expenses for being vice-president of SLG. His biggest vice, he's addicted to Jimmy Buffet concerts! His only goal ( as well as Knut's and a huge majority of the soaring community) is to keep SLG as a healthy, viable soaring destination.

Sigh. NO ONE is impugning Rich's character; it is his business partner, Mihai Tanjala, whose character has already been assassinated by a jury in Romania and confirmed by a US judge. I believe (or at least I hope this is the case) that Rich has been duped by Tanjala (an expert at these sort of things), although Rich continues to defend the felon in the face of extremely damning facts.

Tom

[KEN]

On Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 8:22:54 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
> On Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 4:34:21 AM UTC-8, wrote:
> > For one, I am sick and tired of this character assassination of Rich Owen. I have been a part of Seminole Flying and Soaring as a part-time instructor/tow pilot starting at the Flying Seminole Ranch NE of Orlando. With the threat of Orlando's rapid growth Knut and Ingrid Kjenslie wisely purchased land in rural Lake County where they built from scratch the Seminole Lake Gliderport. The Kjenslie's sold several residential lots on the gliderport just to financially survive! Many Orlando glider pilots found SLG a place where soaring is great and the business atmosphere is more like a gliding club. The Seniors' competition has cemented SLG's reputation as a world-class soaring destination.
> > Yes we all had misgivings including Knut when Mihai purchased the gliderport. And yes we knew how to Google! We have been assured by reliable sources that SLG is safe from seizure.
> > Now this is where Rich comes in. I find him to be an honorable man who is passionate about soaring. He is a retired Navy and airline pilot and DOES NOT get paid other than expenses for being vice-president of SLG. His biggest vice, he's addicted to Jimmy Buffet concerts! His only goal ( as well as Knut's and a huge majority of the soaring community) is to keep SLG as a healthy, viable soaring destination.
>
> Sigh. NO ONE is impugning Rich's character; it is his business partner, Mihai Tanjala, whose character has already been assassinated by a jury in Romania and confirmed by a US judge. I believe (or at least I hope this is the case) that Rich has been duped by Tanjala (an expert at these sort of things), although Rich continues to defend the felon in the face of extremely damning facts.
>
> Tom

Sigh all you want. Rick became vice-president of Seminole-Lake (without pay ) to make sure we would have a place to fly.
Rich does this to promote soaring not because he was duped by Mihai. The pilots that fly here and like to fly at Seminole-Lake Gliderport are not going to stop flying here because a few don't like the owner. IMO keep politics and religion topics from RAS and glider-ports.

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

On Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 5:22:54 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
>
> Sigh. NO ONE is impugning Rich's character; it is his business partner, Mihai Tanjala, whose character has already been assassinated by a jury in Romania and confirmed by a US judge. I believe (or at least I hope this is the case) that Rich has been duped by Tanjala (an expert at these sort of things), although Rich continues to defend the felon in the face of extremely damning facts.
>
> Tom

Yeah,you missed [the part ]about where you wrote "I am not an attorney, but I recommend that you hire one immediately if you haven't already done so. You may be in serious legal jeopardy by engaging in business dealings with a WANTED CRIMINAL. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) comes to mind:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I/chapter-96 ". To review, that means you have committed Liable per se thus you putting you and your family in both legal jeopardy and financial peril . That means [you] are NO GOOD. Got it now?

[Kevin Christner]

Tom,

Your comments here show an ignorance of some pretty fundamental business principals. Seminole Lake is almost surely worth more as a going concern than as a piece of property. By keeping the business going, Rich is maintaining the value of the asset. As this works it’s way through the courts at some point a sale of the business will likely occur returning the value to Romania.

I would suggest your posts are highly counter productive to achieving the result you appear to be looking for.

2C

[2G]

On Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 8:42:21 PM UTC-8, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
> On Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 5:22:54 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
> >
> > Sigh. NO ONE is impugning Rich's character; it is his business partner, Mihai Tanjala, whose character has already been assassinated by a jury in Romania and confirmed by a US judge. I believe (or at least I hope this is the case) that Rich has been duped by Tanjala (an expert at these sort of things), although Rich continues to defend the felon in the face of extremely damning facts.
> >
> > Tom
>
> Yeah,you missed [the part ]about where you wrote "I am not an attorney, but I recommend that you hire one immediately if you haven't already done so.. You may be in serious legal jeopardy by engaging in business dealings with a WANTED CRIMINAL. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) comes to mind:
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act
> https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I/chapter-96 ". To review, that means you have committed Liable per se thus you putting you and your family in both legal jeopardy and financial peril . That means [you] are NO GOOD. Got it now?

Who and how have I libeled anyone? Saying you MAY be in legal jeopardy by consorting with a convicted criminal is a fact: you may or you may not. Saying I am not an attorney is true. Now, calling me NO GOOD is libel. Got it now?

Tom

[2G]

On Monday, December 11, 2017 at 9:12:22 AM UTC-8, Kevin Christner wrote:
> Tom,
>
> Your comments here show an ignorance of some pretty fundamental business principals. Seminole Lake is almost surely worth more as a going concern than as a piece of property. By keeping the business going, Rich is maintaining the value of the asset. As this works it’s way through the courts at some point a sale of the business will likely occur returning the value to Romania.
>
> I would suggest your posts are highly counter productive to achieving the result you appear to be looking for.
>
> 2C

You comment shows you HAVE NOT read my comments (sigh...). In particular I wrote:

"It is in the best interests of Tanjala's victims to keep operating the facility - and generating revenue - while they are looking for a new buyer."

The victims would likely want Rich to continue operating the facility, but I can't - and won't - speak for them.

I just want the truth to be known. Whining, bellyaching and bitching won't change the truth - it speaks for itself.

Tom

[flgliderpilot[_2_]]

wondering the same.

[Kevin Christner]

On Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 6:59:37 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
> Are 2G, ASW20, and Ernst (the celebrity) three voices inside the same person's head?
>
> What does Wilbur think?

I think 2G and Ernst are actually real people, but ASW20 is a Fidler/Wilbur multiple personality disorder alias.