Breaking News: Andrew Wyatt Resigns as CEO and President of USARK

From HerpNation Radio

Just about an hour ago Herp Nation broke the news about the creation of a new organization (United States Herpetoculture Alliance, Inc.) formed by Andrew Wyatt (and a team of others), and now we receive this news. Herp Nation has learned just moments ago that Andrew Wyatt has tendered his resignation as CEO and president of USARK, the organization that he co-founded in 2008, due to “philosophical differences” and “in order to pursue other interests“, effective December 31, 2012. Wyatt told Herp Nation that he “wishes nothing but the best for the reptile industry.”

Herp Nation’s Dan Krull will be conducting an exclusive interview with Andrew Wyatt, so keep it locked here on HerpNation.com for those details. Herp Nation has contacted USARK for a statement and/or interview, and will bring you that as soon as we hear from USARK on this developing story.

Scott Waters
HerpNation.com

What about all of the money sent in to USARK? Where is USARK with regards to the Federal Lawsuit?

People are not going to be sending USARK or Wyatt's new little organization any money unless the cliques involved stop with the propoganda and make with actual transparency and results.

What's the story on the lawsuit and money?

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Originally Posted by loonunit

What's the story on the lawsuit and money?

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Stop asking questions and send in your money!

Slightly off topic but worth a read....one man, an oyster farm, the Federal Government plagiarizing old reports, applying junk science, making false claims and how that man is fighting back - just weeks after being handed a crap sandwich by the Secretary of the Interior:

http://www.marinij.com/westmarin/ci_...awsuit-seeking

See how quickly he got the lawsuit out?

Okay USARK mouthpiece(s), before you ask for one more rotten dime from a member of this community, answer the following question:

How much money has been collected?

When are you going to file that lawsuit?

So basically, you're asserting that with its comparably large monetary funds, USARK should have filed a similar suit against Fish & Wildlife by now, given the junk science they're promoting on large constrictor species?

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Originally Posted by loonunit

So basically, you're asserting that with its comparably large monetary funds, USARK should have filed a similar suit against Fish & Wildlife by now, given the junk science they're promoting on large constrictor species?

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I'm asserting exactly that. Either the HerpNation is so insignificant, that it can't raise $150K (the claimed amount of the oft threatened lawsuit) or the money has been collected and has gone to other things (like expenses and salaries).

These questions has been asked many, many times:

How much money has been collected?

When will the vaunted suit be filed?

How much of a salary are the top brass being paid?

This is EXACTLY why some don't believe in anyone who claims to want to help those who haven't asked for it.

Someone who knows wyatt is or will be reading this. How about you ask him to come here, to bp.net to explain these things. Frankly I always thought he was a bullsnot kind of guy, but I'd like to hear what he has to say now.

The USARK facebook page has been taken down. Something is going on here and I hope someone gets to the bottom of it. :/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Stop asking questions and send in your money!

Slightly off topic but worth a read....one man, an oyster farm, the Federal Government plagiarizing old reports, applying junk science, making false claims and how that man is fighting back - just weeks after being handed a crap sandwich by the Secretary of the Interior:

http://www.marinij.com/westmarin/ci_...awsuit-seeking

See how quickly he got the lawsuit out?

Okay USARK mouthpiece(s), before you ask for one more rotten dime from a member of this community, answer the following question:

How much money has been collected?

When are you going to file that lawsuit?

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Ken Salazar seems to be involved in all kinds of shady deals against small business owners, along with plenty of fake science on his side....

For what it's worth:

http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps5293bba8.jpg

Herp Nation talks with Andrew Wyatt:
http://www.herpnation.com/audio/dks-sr2-010112/

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Originally Posted by Kinra

Herp Nation talks with Andrew Wyatt:
http://www.herpnation.com/audio/dks-sr2-010112/

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Yep. I expected about as much from him. Same slacked-lip blather he tried to use on NPR when Pacelle force fed him his own testicles.

There are some big guns starting to talk about the esteemed Mr. Wyatt - people I actually trust. I do not think it will be too long until the whole ugly story comes out......

Wow he is uh very uh hard to uh listen uh to.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Yep. I expected about as much from him. Same slacked-lip blather he tried to use on NPR when Pacelle force fed him his own testicles.

There are some big guns starting to talk about the esteemed Mr. Wyatt - people I actually trust. I do not think it will be too long until the whole ugly story comes out......

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Can you elaborate any? This is quite a shock to me at least.

Is there any way this can be posted in the General BP forum? Not nearly enough people are seeing this and aware of it.

- - - Updated - - -

Ben Siegal's personal drama thread had so many more viewers, it's kinda scary.

It seems as if whenever there are valid questions, one of the most common responses is a demand to chill out, wait, see what the future brings.
But I asked for an exact published breakdown of the lawsuit money collected way back on Dec. 2 in a USARK thread on Fauna (which got fairly nasty here and there when several readers asking real questions would not back down).
December 2 is too early to use the excuse of 'holidays' and I have not yet seen an accounting of where the lawsuit funds went. I think any further demands that readers and especially those who contributed, just 'chill out' is merely a way to take the heat off, heat which I believe is well justified.

Show me the money.

Can you post links to those threads? I don't pay close attention to Fauna, even though I should, and somehow I didn't see the discussion here.

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=324805
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=372641

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Originally Posted by loonunit

here.

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To clarify, here and there as throughout those threads, not here on this forum.

Thanks. That helps a lot.

The front page of their site should have a very detailed break down of everything coming in and going out. Every cent should be accounted for.

Anyone and every one should have access to where their money is going.

I wonder how many people, that see the ads for the HSUS, think that they really help the animals shown. I bet 95% of the people have no idea where the money really goes.

If they can't supply a detailed breakdown of where your money is going, then they shouldn't be handling YOUR money.

Swinging wide here, but I blame religion for all of this. People have wildly irrational fear of snakes. Why no ban on mice and rats, which can actually be invasive nationwide, vector disease, cause property damage, and spread like wildfire. Shocking ignorance runs rampant in this country. What a shame.

I do love it here, though. Skip for president!

I really don't see there being legal standing to demand that USARK account for donations. We donated, they used the funds as they saw fit, and have now started a new group.

I won't support it, USARK is who I support. We need one, maybe two counting PIJAC, but not a third. People didn't like Andrew before, and they won't now. Maybe USARK will get somewhere with a new CEO.

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kodieh

I really don't see there being legal standing to demand that USARK account for donations. We donated, they used the funds as they saw fit

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Kodieh, please cite your authority for your statement, I was under the impression that solicited funds could not simply be used as an organization saw fit if the funds were solicited for a certain purpose.


http://501c3.org/blog/misappropriating-nonprofit-funds/

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Originally Posted by Lucille

Kodieh, please cite your authority for your statement, I was under the impression that solicited funds could not simply be used as an organization saw fit if the funds were solicited for a certain purpose.


http://501c3.org/blog/misappropriating-nonprofit-funds/

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You're quite right, the law may will side with a lawsuit in misappropriated funds.

But, could they also make a claim that in an effort to fight through the lawsuit against the ban laws, a new group was needed? I guess that's stretching it, perhaps.

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

Hoping someone else can give some insight into this, as I know very little about legal matters.

As far as I understood it, USARK was supposed to be a non-profit organization, right?

And Andrew Wyatt was a co-founder of it, was he not?

I guess I don't understand how it is justifiable for him to help start USARK, then take 30% of revenue as a personal salary just because someone with his skills should be getting paid 200K per year. Isn't the point of a non-profit that you are donating your time and money toward a cause that you care about?

http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps60a90268.jpg

You can pull a salary out of non-profits.

The legal point of a non profit is merely that there is no distribution of excess funds:http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/non-profit_organizations
As 3skulls has pointed out, one does not have to work for free, one can be paid in such an organization.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MrLang

Swinging wide here, but I blame religion for all of this. People have wildly irrational fear of snakes. Why no ban on mice and rats, which can actually be invasive nationwide, vector disease, cause property damage, and spread like wildfire. Shocking ignorance runs rampant in this country. What a shame.

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I'm a born-again Christian, and I have 15 snakes. I know a couple of other Christians who own snakes or want to own one eventually. Where do we fit in with that logic?

Plus, even though Satan did turn into a snake in Eden, the Bible doesn't say they're evil. He turns into a lion at one point too, but lions aren't considered evil either. And in Proverbs 30, it is even stated that snakes are one of three of the most wonderful creations on Earth.



Back on topic, all I can say is that things will be interesting in the coming weeks as to what USARK will do and what this new group will be like.

I am not taking sides or anything I have a question. During the interview andrew stated the lawsuit had raised 30000 dollars. That is why they have not started a suit there is not close to enough cash.

Could this be correct?

I am a Canadian and I donated 50$ to USARK so although I have no benefit from anything they do (directly anyway) I would not want to see it wasted. On the other hand I don't want to see a witch hunt either. The community in the US and on a larger scale in N. America needs to unite and work together. Running a witch hunt isn't going to help at all. (breaking the opposition into two parts isn't either IMO) but if the parts work together perhaps it will be ok. There are serious questions being raised and they need to be looked into, clearly. I just hope that the new leadership (there will be won't there?) will do so and deal quietly with what they find. If the American political machine can use the distrust and divisions to discredit and disarm the opposition to the exotic laws the whole thing could come crashing down.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

I am not taking sides or anything I have a question. During the interview andrew stated the lawsuit had raised 30000 dollars. That is why they have not started a suit there is not close to enough cash.

Could this be correct?

I am a Canadian and I donated 50$ to USARK so although I have no benefit from anything they do (directly anyway) I would not want to see it wasted. On the other hand I don't want to see a witch hunt either. The community in the US and on a larger scale in N. America needs to unite and work together. Running a witch hunt isn't going to help at all. (breaking the opposition into two parts isn't either IMO) but if the parts work together perhaps it will be ok. There are serious questions being raised and they need to be looked into, clearly. I just hope that the new leadership (there will be won't there?) will do so and deal quietly with what they find. If the American political machine can use the distrust and divisions to discredit and disarm the opposition to the exotic laws the whole thing could come crashing down.

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I understand, but disagree, with your point of view. Putting the hush on after major changes, especially when they involve us, our interest in reptiles, and also involve politics, and money, is an invitation to get screwed. Telling people if they rock the boat that it may turn over is not in my opinion the way to forge strong relationships in a group. In fact, those who abuse others mentally or physically often quiet the victim by saying the group or family will suffer if reality sees the light of day so no one should talk about what is being done.
Good leaders are not afraid of searching questions. Asking about money, asking reasons for sudden changes, asking for transparency- that isn't a witch hunt, that is standing up and taking responsibility, and requiring one's leaders to take responsibility.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

I am not taking sides or anything I have a question. During the interview andrew stated the lawsuit had raised 30000 dollars. That is why they have not started a suit there is not close to enough cash.

Could this be correct?

I am a Canadian and I donated 50$ to USARK so although I have no benefit from anything they do (directly anyway) I would not want to see it wasted. On the other hand I don't want to see a witch hunt either. The community in the US and on a larger scale in N. America needs to unite and work together. Running a witch hunt isn't going to help at all. (breaking the opposition into two parts isn't either IMO) but if the parts work together perhaps it will be ok. There are serious questions being raised and they need to be looked into, clearly. I just hope that the new leadership (there will be won't there?) will do so and deal quietly with what they find. If the American political machine can use the distrust and divisions to discredit and disarm the opposition to the exotic laws the whole thing could come crashing down.

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Alex, USARK raised $300K last year but these were not specifically earmarked to the lawsuit.

Their bare bones operating expenses were in the neighborhood of $280K - something they neglected to tell us while they were cheerleading their non-wins and the efficacy of the Herp Nation.

In the end, the percentage of USARK's take from individuals is embarrassing. For the last four years, this organization can barely afford one lobbyist and one employee. Considering the amount of support that they claimed to have and the amount of sig banners on the forums, this is downright pathetic.

I have made no bones over the past two years that I thought Wyatt was less than effective. The new board, however, has some people on it that I trust. Since they key to fighting HSUS and PETA is money and clout, I'm giving the new Board a chance and have reinstated my contributions. Hopefully, they will be more forthcoming, less bombastic and more effective.

Honestly it's the whole "philosophical differences" BS that has me annoyed. Either answer the question honestly or don't bother talking at all. I'll admit that I lost interest partway through listening to that interview because I got tired of Wyatt's evasiveness, but the part I listened to seemed pretty pointless and information-poor to me.

wyatt was paid for his experience and connections.

I know the soon to be mayor of Los Angeles personally as well as some well connected lawyers in the area. Where do I sign up for this job? I don't think I could do any worse.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Alex, USARK raised $300K last year but these were not specifically earmarked to the lawsuit.

Their bare bones operating expenses were in the neighborhood of $280K - something they neglected to tell us while they were cheerleading their non-wins and the efficacy of the Herp Nation.

In the end, the percentage of USARK's take from individuals is embarrassing. For the last four years, this organization can barely afford one lobbyist and one employee. Considering the amount of support that they claimed to have and the amount of sig banners on the forums, this is downright pathetic.

I have made no bones over the past two years that I thought Wyatt was less than effective. The new board, however, has some people on it that I trust. Since they key to fighting HSUS and PETA is money and clout, I'm giving the new Board a chance and have reinstated my contributions. Hopefully, they will be more forthcoming, less bombastic and more effective.

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Thanks Skip. I did not know that I heard the 30000 number in the interview and went from there. As I said I have side and no direct stake at all. It sounds to me like there are far too many pointing fingers rather than moving forward.

The experiences I have had with a very different organization was the CEO left under question every major stakeholder started arguing. Accusations and then the government stepped in and started an inquirery about misuse of funds. The organization that was struggling against the government being investigated by the government basically stomped the opposition and the law being opposed passed and the inquirery is sill under way. It would suck to see USARK shut down by some kind of inquiry/investigation.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-0...s-boa-ban.html