Direct quote from Rich Lucibella:
Derek Zeanah claims it was my intent to transfer ownership of THR to
him. In support he quotes a May 2006 email from me:
"Derek-
Provide me your full info.
I'm gonna change the NetSol contacts to you."
I find it unfortunate that Derek chooses to misrepresent my statements
and position, especially in light of our phone conversation of early
August. I thought I had clearly articulated to Derek my position and
my willingness to join this fray in the most direct and
confrontational manner imaginable, should he choose to draw me into
it. Derek appears hell bent on that outcome, given his out-of-context
quote. If Derek wishes to insist on claiming me as a co-conspirator in
his attempt to hijack this domain, I'll be more than happy to resolve
this issue in a most efficient and direct manner.
TheHighRoad.org domain was owned and paid for by me from inception in
December 2001 thru May 2006. Beginning 2005, I attempted to transfer
Domain Ownership to Oleg Volk, as the name was one of his choosing,
the staff was handpicked by him, and the originally forums were
personally delineated, described and designed by him. On December 2005
I reached out to Oleg and Derek replied:
"I guess I've been nominated to handle the renewal.
It looks like it's currently registered to you. Would you prefer to
renew it (and I'll send you a check), or transfer it, or something
else?
Thanks."
I asked that we transfer. Derek responded on that date that he was
unable to create an account with Network Solutions to accept transfer
of the domain. In the end I responded:
"I've paid you up for another year. You don't owe me anything, but
please effect a transfer ASAP before this falls thru the cracks
again."
Justin Guyett was witness to this email exchange. To my knowledge and
understanding, Derek was representing himself as Oleg's agent in this
transfer. I had no personal relationship with Derek and would never
have knowingly subsidized a site for him; nor would I have transferred
the domain name to him.
On May 16, 2006, Derek approached me to see if I wanted to co-locate
TFL at his location. I passed on the offer but reiterated the need to
move the domain:
"BTW, I really need to transfer ownership of THR. Can you assist?"
Once again, Derek had troubles effecting the transfer. It was in this
context that I emailed him, stating
"Derek-
Provide me your full info.
I'm gonna change the NetSol contacts to you."
Derek finally effected the name transfer to GoDaddy.com and that was
the last I heard of it.
At no time was I aware that Derek was acting as anything but Oleg's
personal agent. Had I been aware that Derek was acting for his own
benefit I would never have transferred the domain name to him. It is
my position that Mr. Zeanah had fraudulently misrepresented himself to
me. If he persists in publicly hiding behind my statements, taken out
of context, I will have little choice but to join this legal fray,
recover the domain name thru the courts and pursue Mr. Zeanah for my
legal fees.
Best regards-
Rich Lucibella