Dan Watkins called regarding a stop payment check that I had placed on three checks. When he originally called me he threatened to turn me into the District Attorneys office immediately if I did not pay the checks. I explained to him the reason for the stop payment and informed him that I would make a payment arrangement with him regarding these checks that totalled close to $1600.00. At the time of his call I was out of state, in Ohio, visiting a brother who has terminal cancer. I returned his call from my cell phone.
At that time after his attempt to turn me into the District Attorney he then demanded my attorneys name, which I informed him that I needed to speak to my attorney first to explain the situation to him and that I would have my attorney call him. I explained to Dan Watkins that I was out of town with my brother who was sick and when I returned to California on 10/14/03 I would call him to set up a payment plan.
He insisted in order that my account not be turned over to the district attorneys office in SF that he would have to have $500.00, which I gave him from my checking account debit card. When I returned to California on 10/14/03 there was a debit in my account made for 1095.00 to Spinelli and Company. This was an unauthorized and illegal transaction that I did not approve or authorize. I immedicately called his office and the following occurred.
1) He turned on a recording device and told me he was taping my phone conversation without asking my permission which is illegal.
2) He refused to give me Mr. Spinelli's Bar Association Number to file a complaint with the NY BAR Association. He wanted me to settle for just returning the money to my account which I refused.
3) He transferred me to his supervisor named Peter Stalmo who again refused my request for Mr. Spinelli's BAR # in NY, and stated "what is your problem your getting your money back I informed him that this was not satisfactory to me. He also stated that he was going to tape the call. I then informed him that it was against federal law to phone individuals without their consent. He continued to refuse to allow me to talk to Mr. Spinelli or give me his BAR#, and hung up on me.
4) I called back again and the secreatary again put me through to Dan Watkins who then threatened that if I called him again he would file a harassment compliant against me. (It's perfectly ok for them to call at all hours of the day and night but I can't get legal public information)
I want to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and the NY BAR association on this company. I still have not been given Mr. Spinelli's # to practice law in the state of NY.
I would appreciate any and all help that you would assist me with.
Thank you,
Darrell A. Adkins, Ph. D.
Darrell
Oakland, California
U.S.A.
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