Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > General Discussions > Off-Topic Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-12-2008, 02:21 PM
Kuan's Avatar
unband
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: At the Birkebeiner
Posts: 3,841
A Lesson in Personal Responsibility

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03092008/news/regionalnews/gall_in__bankrupt_gambler_sues_nj_101010.htm

Quote:

GALL IN! BANKRUPT GAMBLER SUES NJ
CASINOS THIEF ATT'Y: THEY FED MY ADDICTION
By JENNIFER FERMINO

March 9, 2008 -- A crooked Queens lawyer who bottomed out at the blackjack tables to the tune of $1 million is trying to recoup her losses and then some with a $20 million lawsuit blaming seven casinos for her downward spiral.

Arelia Margarita Taveras, 37 - who represented victims' families in both the World Trade Center attacks and the Flight 587 crash in the Rockaways - said her gambling problem was so out of control she once spent five straight days at Resorts Casino tables in Atlantic City subsisting on complimentary candy bars and orange juice.

The Corona native and Cardozo Law School graduate was a regular at several gaming palaces - even keeping her dog by her side and brushing her teeth with disposable wipes so she wouldn't lose her seat.

"I would pass out at the tables. They had a duty of care to me," Taveras told The Post yesterday. "Nobody in their right mind would gamble for four or five straight days without sleeping."

"They [the casinos] knew I was going for days without eating or sleeping."

Not only did she lose nearly $1 million, her bad habits cost her the license to practice law, her apartment and her parents' home.

On top of that, she faces a laundry list of criminal charges filed by the Queens DA - including grand larceny and forgery - for bilking four clients out of $99,142.

"We're trying to work it out so I can pay restitution," she said.

Taveras, who now lives in Minnesota, owes the IRS $58,000 and said she has contemplated suicide.

It's a shocking fall for the ambitious lawyer.

She had represented WTC families in 400-client practice that earned $500,000 a year.

And she made a name for herself representing the families of victims of American Airlines Flight 587, which crashed just after takeoff from Kennedy Airport in 2001, killing 265 people.

She then appeared on TV and radio to discuss legal issues, wrote a guidebook for women dealing in the court system with deadbeat dads, titled "The Gangsta Girls' Guide To Child Support," and was a regular contributor to Hispanic-culture Web sites.

But the stress of her high-flying career led her looking for ways to blow off steam - and she found it in the casinos of Atlantic City and occasionally Las Vegas.

In September 2003 she started going regularly to the New Jersey gambling mecca to unwind.

She said she also gambled at other casinos but spent most of her time - and money - at Resorts, dropping $850,000 there in two years.

During one five-day gambling jag there in June 2005, Taveras says she existed on nothing but orange juice and Snickers bars that staff gave her.

A month later, according to her suit, Taveras was playing seven blackjack hands at a time so she could have the entire table to herself, and was losing $5,000 per hour.

In addition to Resorts, her lawsuit in US District Court in New Jersey names five other casinos in Atlantic City, including two owned by Donald Trump, as well as the MGM in Las Vegas.

The casinos did not return calls for comment.

Taveras insists it was obvious she was a gambling addict, and they should have stepped in on her behalf.

Paul O'Gara, an a lawyer specializing in Atlantic City gambling issues, said it will be difficult for Taveras to prove the casinos knew she had a problem but ignored it.

"How are you supposed to know whether this was a woman who was just having a good time, or had money and was just lonely, as opposed to someone who couldn't control themselves?" he said.

With Post Wire Services

jennifer.fermino@nypost.com


__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-12-2008, 02:26 PM
Mistress's Avatar
No crying in baseball
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Inside a vortex
Posts: 626
That's like an alcoholic suing MD 20/20 or Thunderbird because they drank. Give me a break....I hope it gets thrown out of court.
__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-12-2008, 02:27 PM
Dee8go's Avatar
Senor User
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: The People's Republic of Arlington, VA
Posts: 7,193
Hey, taking responsibility for her own actions isn't going to get those bills paid off . . .
__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-12-2008, 02:41 PM
LUVMBDiesels's Avatar
Dead on balls accurate...
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Red Lion,Pa
Posts: 2,207
I don't get it, so a casino which is in the business of taking away your money, house, etc should stop her from gambling? If she had won 3million at the tables should they not pay her because the dealer's feet hurt?

She needs to stop contemplating suicide and pull the trigger! Then her heirs could sue S&W for making the gun!
__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-12-2008, 02:46 PM
Dee8go's Avatar
Senor User
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: The People's Republic of Arlington, VA
Posts: 7,193
There you go!
__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-12-2008, 10:36 PM
OldPokey's Avatar
0-60 in 10 minutes flat
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Middletown MD
Posts: 527
Let me summarize her theory: "I'm an idiot and have no self control. And it's all your fault." Sounds good to me.
__________________
1984 300TD

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-13-2008, 06:28 AM
MS Fowler's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Littlestown PA ( 6 miles south of Gettysburg)
Posts: 2,278
The poor girl has had years of education where the emphasis was on her self-image, rather than logical argument.
__________________
1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-13-2008, 07:11 AM
ImBroke's Avatar
Diesel way of Life
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Cleveland, NY
Posts: 2,230
It's the American way lately,, it seems....

We need to step back in time.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-13-2008, 08:06 AM
LUVMBDiesels's Avatar
Dead on balls accurate...
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Red Lion,Pa
Posts: 2,207
Isn't this all a result of the Bush administration's emphasis on greed and corruption...

Yeah that's it, it is "W's" fault!



I still think her suicide thoughts are the right ones...
__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-13-2008, 01:50 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
Wow, I can't see that case getting any serious attention.
__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-13-2008, 02:10 PM
I'm thinkin, I'm thinkin.
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Arlington, Texas
Posts: 440
Quote:
Originally Posted by OldPokey View Post
Let me summarize her theory: "I'm an idiot and have no self control. And it's all your fault." Sounds good to me.
Par for the course in our society. I deal with it every day.
- I was driving along and the tire just "blew up'. It has to be defective.
The fact that you hit a pothole at 70mph has nothing to do with it.

- What do you mean the MMI control is going to cost $1000 ?!?! The truck is 3 weeks old ?
Yes it is but Budweiser isn't original equipment from Germany. The "defective beer" didn't spill on the MMI controls all on it's own.

And the one that takes over the Number 1 spot from "Doesn't my lease cover that ?" is: (phone call)

- Hi, I'm driving one of your cars and I had an accident. How do you guys take care of that ?
It's one of our loaner cars ?
- No, I lease the car from you so it's your car. Do you have a contract with a body shop that can fix the car ?
Um, no mam. It's your car. You make the payments, you pay the insurance. Your lease is merely your contract with the finance company. Free body shop repairs are not included in any lease I've ever heard of. I can recommend a body shop for you.

I drive the car but it's your fault for any single thing that happens to it.......
__________________
Sharing my partner's 2012 Forte 5dr SX til I find my next 123 or 126..
-
Do I miss being a service advisor ???
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-13-2008, 02:16 PM
Redefining normal daily
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 445
Not that I have any feelings of support towards the lawyer lady, but.......

How is this any different than the tobacco company lawsuits? Courts have held again and again that smoker's addiction is at least partially the tobacco company's responsibility....
__________________
1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-13-2008, 02:24 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,292
Quote:
Originally Posted by ramonajim View Post
...How is this any different than the tobacco company lawsuits? Courts have held again and again that smoker's addiction is at least partially the tobacco company's responsibility....
I don't know the details of the tobacco litigation, but at least those cases involved deception by the tobacco companies. Maybe the tobacco plaintiffs didn't deserve compensation, or maybe they did, I don't know, but the tobacco companies definitely deserved to pay. I don't see the same logic applying to casinos, unless there is more to the story.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-13-2008, 02:24 PM
LUVMBDiesels's Avatar
Dead on balls accurate...
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Red Lion,Pa
Posts: 2,207
Quote:
Originally Posted by ramonajim View Post
Not that I have any feelings of support towards the lawyer lady, but.......

How is this any different than the tobacco company lawsuits? Courts have held again and again that smoker's addiction is at least partially the tobacco company's responsibility....
I will bet that is how she goes...then when she has 4 BILLION dollars she will be the one laughing!
__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 03-13-2008, 02:24 PM
I'm thinkin, I'm thinkin.
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Arlington, Texas
Posts: 440
I don't think casinos will be paying class action awards until there's a genetic/medical link that gambling is an addiction caused by placing poker chips between your fingers. Tobacco companies knowingly misinformed everyone about the addictive qualities of tobacco. I haven't read the surgeon general's report on poker chips yet..

__________________
Sharing my partner's 2012 Forte 5dr SX til I find my next 123 or 126..
-
Do I miss being a service advisor ???
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:20 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page