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Line 1: − {{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}}+ == Frank Trollman case == In mid-March, 2010, a former freelancer, Frank Trollman, publicly accused Loren Coleman of being behind the disappearance of a significant amount of money – allegedly around $850,000 – from CGL, implying criminal conduct. The accusation caused a shakeup among fans as well as staff, with several valued employees or freelancers quitting CGL. The ultimate outcome was not announced, but Coleman remained at the head of the firm, did not lose the licenses and was apparently not tried or convicted for any criminal actions. CGL released a public statement providing a summary of the results of a financial review of the company, in which it disclosed strong sales and an increased demand growth of their products. Included in the review was the discovery of some accounting procedures that mixed private funds of the owner with the company's operating capital, due to "accounting procedures [that] had not been updated as the company continued to grow". The realization of this issue resulted in a reported restructuring of the accounting procedures, the start of an administrational organization review and discussions with partners and freelancers regarding indemnification.<ref>[http://catalystgamelabs.com/2010/03/17/catalyst-game-labs-press-release/ CGL: "For Immediate Release"]</ref> In mid-March, 2010, a former freelancer, Frank Trollman, publicly accused Loren Coleman of being behind the disappearance of a significant amount of money – allegedly around $850,000 – from CGL, implying criminal conduct. The accusation caused a shakeup among fans as well as staff, with several valued employees or freelancers quitting CGL. The ultimate outcome was not announced, but Coleman remained at the head of the firm, did not lose the licenses and was apparently not tried or convicted for any criminal actions. CGL released a public statement providing a summary of the results of a financial review of the company, in which it disclosed strong sales and an increased demand growth of their products. Included in the review was the discovery of some accounting procedures that mixed private funds of the owner with the company's operating capital, due to "accounting procedures [that] had not been updated as the company continued to grow". The realization of this issue resulted in a reported restructuring of the accounting procedures, the start of an administrational organization review and discussions with partners and freelancers regarding indemnification.<ref>[http://catalystgamelabs.com/2010/03/17/catalyst-game-labs-press-release/ CGL: "For Immediate Release"]</ref> Line 5:
Line 5: * The license [[Topps]] has granted to [[InMediaRes Productions, LLC]] runs out at the end of May, and is in negotiations for renewal. * The license [[Topps]] has granted to [[InMediaRes Productions, LLC]] runs out at the end of May, and is in negotiations for renewal. * For a period of several years, freelancers have not been paid on time for their work by IMR; the company has over the last several weeks issued a number of checks to the freelancers to address this situation. * For a period of several years, freelancers have not been paid on time for their work by IMR; the company has over the last several weeks issued a number of checks to the freelancers to address this situation. − * Frank Trollman accused [[Loren L. Coleman]] of having stolen a large sum of money (he alleges about $850,000; the exact amount is unknown) from InMediaRes Productions LLC. These claims have been buoyed by graphs showing the draws the Colemans have made over the last several years. IMR released a press statement in response admitting financial mismanagement, and aims to address the situation. Loren L. Coleman remains in charge, but there have apparently been some change in financial management at the company. + * FrankTrollman accused [[Loren L. Coleman]] of having stolen a large sum of money (he alleges about $850,000; the exact amount is unknown) from InMediaRes Productions LLC. These claims have been buoyed by graphs showing the draws the Colemans have made over the last several years. IMR released a press statement in response admitting financial mismanagement, and aims to address the situation. Loren L. Coleman remains in charge, but there have apparently been some change in financial management at the company. * Several employees - David Stansel-Garner, Adam Jury, Jennifer Harding, and Stephen McQuillian - have willingly left employ at IMR for various reasons in a relatively short period of time. Troy Garner was terminated from his employment. * Several employees - David Stansel-Garner, Adam Jury, Jennifer Harding, and Stephen McQuillian - have willingly left employ at IMR for various reasons in a relatively short period of time. Troy Garner was terminated from his employment. * WildFire LLC and Posthuman Studios, maker of CthulhuTech and Eclipse Phase respectively, have ended their business relationships with IMR. * WildFire LLC and Posthuman Studios, maker of CthulhuTech and Eclipse Phase respectively, have ended their business relationships with IMR. * Several Shadowrun freelancers, including Bobby Derie and Jennifer Harding, have ceased their relationship with IMR or left the freelancer pool. * Several Shadowrun freelancers, including Bobby Derie and Jennifer Harding, have ceased their relationship with IMR or left the freelancer pool. − * Frank Trollman released a letter that had been sent to the freelancers by Randall Bills, explaining his reasons for supporting Loren L. Coleman. The \"leak\" of this letter and other documents, including drafts of chapters from other sourcebooks would have been covered by nondisclosure agreements, but many of the freelancers were not covered by NDAs. Frank Trollman has not revealed his sources. Jason Hardy responded to these leaks by enacting stricter security controls on the freelancer forums, and eventually abandoning the forums entirely. + * FrankTrollman released a letter that had been sent to the freelancers by Randall Bills, explaining his reasons for supporting Loren L. Coleman. The \"leak\" of this letter and other documents, including drafts of chapters from other sourcebooks would have been covered by non-disclosure agreements, but many of the freelancers were not covered by NDAs. FrankTrollman has not revealed his sources. Jason Hardy responded to these leaks by enacting stricter security controls on the freelancer forums, and eventually abandoning the forums entirely. * There have been substantial delays in the Shadowrun development process; most of the books recently released and currently under development were begun under previous line developers. * There have been substantial delays in the Shadowrun development process; most of the books recently released and currently under development were begun under previous line developers. * CGL has been releasing a greater number of ebooks/.PDFs for BattleTech and Shadowrun over the last few weeks; there have been no new announcements of books sent to the printers. * CGL has been releasing a greater number of ebooks/.PDFs for BattleTech and Shadowrun over the last few weeks; there have been no new announcements of books sent to the printers. Line 15:
Line 15: == Timeline == == Timeline == − * 3 January - WildFire LLC, makers of CthulhuTech terminate business relationships with Catalyst Games Lab, due to nonpayment of royalties and breach of contract. + * 3 January - WildFire LLC, makers of CthulhuTech terminate business relationships with Catalyst Games Lab, due to non-payment of royalties and breach of contract. − * ? March - Dave Stansel-Garner resigned about a week before Jennifer Harding did, for his own independent reasons. + * ? March - Dave Stansel-Garner had resigned about a week before Jennifer Harding did, for his own independent reasons. * 15 March - Jennifer "Tiger Eyes" Harding resigns from CGL due to a [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30381&st=700&p=909463&#entry909463 personal ethics conflict], to whit: Loren Coleman asked her to falsify royalty reports to Topps; Randall Bills [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30381&st=1200&p=911855&#entry911855 allegedly supported this decision]. * 15 March - Jennifer "Tiger Eyes" Harding resigns from CGL due to a [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30381&st=700&p=909463&#entry909463 personal ethics conflict], to whit: Loren Coleman asked her to falsify royalty reports to Topps; Randall Bills [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30381&st=1200&p=911855&#entry911855 allegedly supported this decision]. * 16 March - Frank Trollman makes his [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30231&st=0&p=901975&#entry901975 original post], accusing Loren Coleman of stealing money from InMediaRes Productions LLC, of which Catalyst Game Labs is an imprint. Adam Jury resigns. * 16 March - Frank Trollman makes his [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30231&st=0&p=901975&#entry901975 original post], accusing Loren Coleman of stealing money from InMediaRes Productions LLC, of which Catalyst Game Labs is an imprint. Adam Jury resigns. Line 23:
Line 23: * 19 March - ICV2 announces that some Shadowrun and CthulhuTech book sales are frozen. * 19 March - ICV2 announces that some Shadowrun and CthulhuTech book sales are frozen. * 20 March - Jason Hardy posts a correction to ICV2's original post, which ICV2 incorporates on 22 March. * 20 March - Jason Hardy posts a correction to ICV2's original post, which ICV2 incorporates on 22 March. − * 22 March - Bobby "Ancient History" Derie gets banned from the CGL freelancer forums and terminates his contracts, which sets back the development of several Shadowrun books. (More detail here). The sections of the books he worked on in development were assigned to other freelancers. Stephen McQuillian posts that several freelancers are not currently under nondisclosure agreements (NDA). + * 22 March - Bobby "Ancient History" Derie gets banned from the CGL freelancer forums and terminates his contracts, which sets back the development of several Shadowrun books. (More detail here). The sections of the books he worked on in development were assigned to other freelancers. Stephen McQuillian posts that several freelancers are not currently under Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA). * 27 March - Frank Trollman leaks Randal Bill's [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30383&st=200&p=906505&#entry906505 letter to the freelancers]. * 27 March - Frank Trollman leaks Randal Bill's [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30383&st=200&p=906505&#entry906505 letter to the freelancers]. * 31 March - Dawn of the Artifacts: Midnight ships, despite the author (Jen Harding) having withdrawn copyright. Jason Hardy says this is an error that will be fixed. * 31 March - Dawn of the Artifacts: Midnight ships, despite the author (Jen Harding) having withdrawn copyright. Jason Hardy says this is an error that will be fixed. Line 40:
Line 40: * 21 April - IMR releases a statement concerning its financial situation. * 21 April - IMR releases a statement concerning its financial situation. * 4 May - Catalyst announces that Shadowrun books are no longer frozen. * 4 May - Catalyst announces that Shadowrun books are no longer frozen. − * 12 May - A long in-development deal with Lone Wolf Development is finally completed, sublicensing Shadowrun for use with Hero Lab. + * 12 May - A long-in-development deal with Lone Wolf Development is finally completed, sub-licensing Shadowrun for use with Hero Lab. − * 17 May - IMR answers the [http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.4.0.pdf creditor's summons]. + * 17 May - IMR answers the [[http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.4.0.pdf creditor's summons]]. * 18 May - The creditors file two motions, one for immediate relief and another to shorten time. * 18 May - The creditors file two motions, one for immediate relief and another to shorten time. − * 19 May - Motion to [http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.12.0.pdf shorten time] is approved. + * 19 May - Motion to [[http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.12.0.pdf shorten time]] is approved. − * 21 May - Hearing is held. The creditor's motion for immediate relief [http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.12.0.pdf is denied]. A pretrial hearing is set for 18 June. IMR issues a statement. + * 21 May - Hearing is held. The creditor\'s motion for immediate relief [[http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.12.0.pdf is denied]]. A pre-trial hearing is set for 18 June. IMR issues a statement. ==References== ==References== <references/> <references/> − [[Category:Battletech Media Franchise]] + [[Category: Miscellaneous]]
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| − | + | == Frank Trollman case == | |
In mid-March, 2010, a former freelancer, Frank Trollman, publicly accused Loren Coleman of being behind the disappearance of a significant amount of money – allegedly around $850,000 – from CGL, implying criminal conduct. The accusation caused a shakeup among fans as well as staff, with several valued employees or freelancers quitting CGL. The ultimate outcome was not announced, but Coleman remained at the head of the firm, did not lose the licenses and was apparently not tried or convicted for any criminal actions. CGL released a public statement providing a summary of the results of a financial review of the company, in which it disclosed strong sales and an increased demand growth of their products. Included in the review was the discovery of some accounting procedures that mixed private funds of the owner with the company's operating capital, due to "accounting procedures [that] had not been updated as the company continued to grow". The realization of this issue resulted in a reported restructuring of the accounting procedures, the start of an administrational organization review and discussions with partners and freelancers regarding indemnification.<ref>[http://catalystgamelabs.com/2010/03/17/catalyst-game-labs-press-release/ CGL: "For Immediate Release"]</ref> | In mid-March, 2010, a former freelancer, Frank Trollman, publicly accused Loren Coleman of being behind the disappearance of a significant amount of money – allegedly around $850,000 – from CGL, implying criminal conduct. The accusation caused a shakeup among fans as well as staff, with several valued employees or freelancers quitting CGL. The ultimate outcome was not announced, but Coleman remained at the head of the firm, did not lose the licenses and was apparently not tried or convicted for any criminal actions. CGL released a public statement providing a summary of the results of a financial review of the company, in which it disclosed strong sales and an increased demand growth of their products. Included in the review was the discovery of some accounting procedures that mixed private funds of the owner with the company's operating capital, due to "accounting procedures [that] had not been updated as the company continued to grow". The realization of this issue resulted in a reported restructuring of the accounting procedures, the start of an administrational organization review and discussions with partners and freelancers regarding indemnification.<ref>[http://catalystgamelabs.com/2010/03/17/catalyst-game-labs-press-release/ CGL: "For Immediate Release"]</ref> | ||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
* The license [[Topps]] has granted to [[InMediaRes Productions, LLC]] runs out at the end of May, and is in negotiations for renewal. | * The license [[Topps]] has granted to [[InMediaRes Productions, LLC]] runs out at the end of May, and is in negotiations for renewal. | ||
* For a period of several years, freelancers have not been paid on time for their work by IMR; the company has over the last several weeks issued a number of checks to the freelancers to address this situation. | * For a period of several years, freelancers have not been paid on time for their work by IMR; the company has over the last several weeks issued a number of checks to the freelancers to address this situation. | ||
| − | * | + | * FrankTrollman accused [[Loren L. Coleman]] of having stolen a large sum of money (he alleges about $850,000; the exact amount is unknown) from InMediaRes Productions LLC. These claims have been buoyed by graphs showing the draws the Colemans have made over the last several years. IMR released a press statement in response admitting financial mismanagement, and aims to address the situation. Loren L. Coleman remains in charge, but there have apparently been some change in financial management at the company. |
* Several employees - David Stansel-Garner, Adam Jury, Jennifer Harding, and Stephen McQuillian - have willingly left employ at IMR for various reasons in a relatively short period of time. Troy Garner was terminated from his employment. | * Several employees - David Stansel-Garner, Adam Jury, Jennifer Harding, and Stephen McQuillian - have willingly left employ at IMR for various reasons in a relatively short period of time. Troy Garner was terminated from his employment. | ||
* WildFire LLC and Posthuman Studios, maker of CthulhuTech and Eclipse Phase respectively, have ended their business relationships with IMR. | * WildFire LLC and Posthuman Studios, maker of CthulhuTech and Eclipse Phase respectively, have ended their business relationships with IMR. | ||
* Several Shadowrun freelancers, including Bobby Derie and Jennifer Harding, have ceased their relationship with IMR or left the freelancer pool. | * Several Shadowrun freelancers, including Bobby Derie and Jennifer Harding, have ceased their relationship with IMR or left the freelancer pool. | ||
| − | * | + | * FrankTrollman released a letter that had been sent to the freelancers by Randall Bills, explaining his reasons for supporting Loren L. Coleman. The \"leak\" of this letter and other documents, including drafts of chapters from other sourcebooks would have been covered by non-disclosure agreements, but many of the freelancers were not covered by NDAs. FrankTrollman has not revealed his sources. Jason Hardy responded to these leaks by enacting stricter security controls on the freelancer forums, and eventually abandoning the forums entirely. |
* There have been substantial delays in the Shadowrun development process; most of the books recently released and currently under development were begun under previous line developers. | * There have been substantial delays in the Shadowrun development process; most of the books recently released and currently under development were begun under previous line developers. | ||
* CGL has been releasing a greater number of ebooks/.PDFs for BattleTech and Shadowrun over the last few weeks; there have been no new announcements of books sent to the printers. | * CGL has been releasing a greater number of ebooks/.PDFs for BattleTech and Shadowrun over the last few weeks; there have been no new announcements of books sent to the printers. | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
== Timeline == | == Timeline == | ||
| − | * 3 January - WildFire LLC, makers of CthulhuTech terminate business relationships with Catalyst Games Lab, due to | + | * 3 January - WildFire LLC, makers of CthulhuTech terminate business relationships with Catalyst Games Lab, due to non-payment of royalties and breach of contract. |
| − | * ? March - Dave Stansel-Garner resigned about a week before Jennifer Harding did, for his own independent reasons. | + | * ? March - Dave Stansel-Garner had resigned about a week before Jennifer Harding did, for his own independent reasons. |
* 15 March - Jennifer "Tiger Eyes" Harding resigns from CGL due to a [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30381&st=700&p=909463&#entry909463 personal ethics conflict], to whit: Loren Coleman asked her to falsify royalty reports to Topps; Randall Bills [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30381&st=1200&p=911855&#entry911855 allegedly supported this decision]. | * 15 March - Jennifer "Tiger Eyes" Harding resigns from CGL due to a [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30381&st=700&p=909463&#entry909463 personal ethics conflict], to whit: Loren Coleman asked her to falsify royalty reports to Topps; Randall Bills [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30381&st=1200&p=911855&#entry911855 allegedly supported this decision]. | ||
* 16 March - Frank Trollman makes his [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30231&st=0&p=901975&#entry901975 original post], accusing Loren Coleman of stealing money from InMediaRes Productions LLC, of which Catalyst Game Labs is an imprint. Adam Jury resigns. | * 16 March - Frank Trollman makes his [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30231&st=0&p=901975&#entry901975 original post], accusing Loren Coleman of stealing money from InMediaRes Productions LLC, of which Catalyst Game Labs is an imprint. Adam Jury resigns. | ||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
* 19 March - ICV2 announces that some Shadowrun and CthulhuTech book sales are frozen. | * 19 March - ICV2 announces that some Shadowrun and CthulhuTech book sales are frozen. | ||
* 20 March - Jason Hardy posts a correction to ICV2's original post, which ICV2 incorporates on 22 March. | * 20 March - Jason Hardy posts a correction to ICV2's original post, which ICV2 incorporates on 22 March. | ||
| − | * 22 March - Bobby "Ancient History" Derie gets banned from the CGL freelancer forums and terminates his contracts, which sets back the development of several Shadowrun books. (More detail here). The sections of the books he worked on in development were assigned to other freelancers. Stephen McQuillian posts that several freelancers are not currently under | + | * 22 March - Bobby "Ancient History" Derie gets banned from the CGL freelancer forums and terminates his contracts, which sets back the development of several Shadowrun books. (More detail here). The sections of the books he worked on in development were assigned to other freelancers. Stephen McQuillian posts that several freelancers are not currently under Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA). |
* 27 March - Frank Trollman leaks Randal Bill's [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30383&st=200&p=906505&#entry906505 letter to the freelancers]. | * 27 March - Frank Trollman leaks Randal Bill's [http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=30383&st=200&p=906505&#entry906505 letter to the freelancers]. | ||
* 31 March - Dawn of the Artifacts: Midnight ships, despite the author (Jen Harding) having withdrawn copyright. Jason Hardy says this is an error that will be fixed. | * 31 March - Dawn of the Artifacts: Midnight ships, despite the author (Jen Harding) having withdrawn copyright. Jason Hardy says this is an error that will be fixed. | ||
| Line 40: | Line 40: | ||
* 21 April - IMR releases a statement concerning its financial situation. | * 21 April - IMR releases a statement concerning its financial situation. | ||
* 4 May - Catalyst announces that Shadowrun books are no longer frozen. | * 4 May - Catalyst announces that Shadowrun books are no longer frozen. | ||
| − | * 12 May - A long in-development deal with Lone Wolf Development is finally completed, | + | * 12 May - A long-in-development deal with Lone Wolf Development is finally completed, sub-licensing Shadowrun for use with Hero Lab. |
| − | * 17 May - IMR answers the [http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.4.0.pdf creditor's summons]. | + | * 17 May - IMR answers the [[http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.4.0.pdf creditor's summons]]. |
* 18 May - The creditors file two motions, one for immediate relief and another to shorten time. | * 18 May - The creditors file two motions, one for immediate relief and another to shorten time. | ||
| − | * 19 May - Motion to [http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.12.0.pdf shorten time] is approved. | + | * 19 May - Motion to [[http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.12.0.pdf shorten time]] is approved. |
| − | * 21 May - Hearing is held. The creditor's motion for immediate relief [http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.12.0.pdf is denied]. A | + | * 21 May - Hearing is held. The creditor\'s motion for immediate relief [[http://ia800700.us.archive.org/9/items/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666/gov.uscourts.wawb.504666.12.0.pdf is denied]]. A pre-trial hearing is set for 18 June. IMR issues a statement. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category: Miscellaneous]] |