Complaint to Texas State Bar on Bobosky
I sent this on February 21, 2019 to Claire Reynolds, official of Texas State Bar Association in Austin
Greetings Texas State Bar Official---
After several minutes discussion (2/21/19) by tel at State Bar line 1-800-932-1900 responder directed me to your office. A Texas attorney, Shelby Bobosky, is the focus of this inquiry. FYI, I am not an attorney and I have had no business dealings with Bobosky. Therefore, this is more in the nature of whistleblower rather than grievance situation. I will not contact you again re this matter unless requested.
To sum (see supporting documentation attached) Ms. Bobosky is current president of a 501 C-4 organization called Texas Humane Legislation Network. In media accounts Bobosky raves that she “spearheaded” the drive in the 2013 Texas Legislature to ban carbon monoxide euthanasia gassing of domestic pets. However, she says nothing in these media accounts admitting that in the 2011 Texas Legislature session, THLN lobbied to continue gassing of pets. Is it that Bobosky feels that if she/THLN mentions in media accounts that THLN was on the other side of the issue in 2011, donors would withhold financial gifts to THLN? I don’t feel I have to have law degree to reasonably conclude the reason they mention only the “positive” side of their record is that they understand the public would be nonplussed about giving money to THLN if prospective donors knew THLN lobbied/exerted in 2011 to continue gassing. Now it appears that their “fund” is nearing $900,000 (see their entry at Better Business Bureau of Central Texas) where they have failed the BBB criteria #11 “Standards Not Met” (due to no audit report). I contacted the BBB and notified the BBB that their criteria #15 “Truthful Materials” cannot be judged truthful but rather misleading the public as to their lobbying record.
https://www.bbb.org/central-texas/charity-reviews/charity-local/texas-humane-legislation-network-in-austin-tx-1000114012
This appears very duplicitous from my vantage point. No law expert am I; but the phrase “False Pretenses” comes to mind, forbidden in all 50 States. I direct your attention to---
https://www.legalethicstexas.com/Ethics-Resources/Rules/Texas-Disciplinary-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct/VIII--MAINTAINING-THE-INTEGRITY-OF-THE-PROFESSION/8-04-Misconduct.aspx
8.04 Misconduct
(a) A lawyer shall not
(3) engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;
Ms. Reynolds, the documentation is in the attachment. If you prefer to not open an attachment, notify me and I can send the info as a paste onto email form.
I notified the Internal Revenue Service in Dallas via Form 13909, Tax Exempt Organization Complaint; specifically, “Organization engaged in deceptive or improper fundraising practices,” Ms. Bobosky is the leader of this entity. A scan of Form 13909 appears in the attachment at the conclusion of a media sources review on THLN/attorney Shelby Bobosky. There is an additional Form 211 which I could have filed with the 13909. I chose not to file a 211 regarding possible whistleblower award. I am not seeking any “bounty” but strictly rectification for the benefit of persons who may be influenced to donate money to this Texas Humane Legislation Network; additionally, in the context of THLN’s lobbying actions in 2011, I regard their use of the word “humane” as definitely misleading.
Ms. Reynolds, if I assist ten old ladies across a street, can I still claim “no consequences” to myself in the event I picked the pocket of old lady # ten? I think not. Please do something to level the playing field for prospective financial donors to this Texas Humane Legislation Network led by Ms. Shelby Bobosky, who from my perspective, has deviated from the State Bar of Texas section 8.04 (a) (3) re “dishonesty, deceit, fraud or misrepresentation.” Mine is an appeal to facts alone and a disregard for personalities.
Very Respectfully Yours,
Charles Savoie
After several minutes discussion (2/21/19) by tel at State Bar line 1-800-932-1900 responder directed me to your office. A Texas attorney, Shelby Bobosky, is the focus of this inquiry. FYI, I am not an attorney and I have had no business dealings with Bobosky. Therefore, this is more in the nature of whistleblower rather than grievance situation. I will not contact you again re this matter unless requested.
To sum (see supporting documentation attached) Ms. Bobosky is current president of a 501 C-4 organization called Texas Humane Legislation Network. In media accounts Bobosky raves that she “spearheaded” the drive in the 2013 Texas Legislature to ban carbon monoxide euthanasia gassing of domestic pets. However, she says nothing in these media accounts admitting that in the 2011 Texas Legislature session, THLN lobbied to continue gassing of pets. Is it that Bobosky feels that if she/THLN mentions in media accounts that THLN was on the other side of the issue in 2011, donors would withhold financial gifts to THLN? I don’t feel I have to have law degree to reasonably conclude the reason they mention only the “positive” side of their record is that they understand the public would be nonplussed about giving money to THLN if prospective donors knew THLN lobbied/exerted in 2011 to continue gassing. Now it appears that their “fund” is nearing $900,000 (see their entry at Better Business Bureau of Central Texas) where they have failed the BBB criteria #11 “Standards Not Met” (due to no audit report). I contacted the BBB and notified the BBB that their criteria #15 “Truthful Materials” cannot be judged truthful but rather misleading the public as to their lobbying record.
https://www.bbb.org/central-texas/charity-reviews/charity-local/texas-humane-legislation-network-in-austin-tx-1000114012
This appears very duplicitous from my vantage point. No law expert am I; but the phrase “False Pretenses” comes to mind, forbidden in all 50 States. I direct your attention to---
https://www.legalethicstexas.com/Ethics-Resources/Rules/Texas-Disciplinary-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct/VIII--MAINTAINING-THE-INTEGRITY-OF-THE-PROFESSION/8-04-Misconduct.aspx
8.04 Misconduct
(a) A lawyer shall not
(3) engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;
Ms. Reynolds, the documentation is in the attachment. If you prefer to not open an attachment, notify me and I can send the info as a paste onto email form.
I notified the Internal Revenue Service in Dallas via Form 13909, Tax Exempt Organization Complaint; specifically, “Organization engaged in deceptive or improper fundraising practices,” Ms. Bobosky is the leader of this entity. A scan of Form 13909 appears in the attachment at the conclusion of a media sources review on THLN/attorney Shelby Bobosky. There is an additional Form 211 which I could have filed with the 13909. I chose not to file a 211 regarding possible whistleblower award. I am not seeking any “bounty” but strictly rectification for the benefit of persons who may be influenced to donate money to this Texas Humane Legislation Network; additionally, in the context of THLN’s lobbying actions in 2011, I regard their use of the word “humane” as definitely misleading.
Ms. Reynolds, if I assist ten old ladies across a street, can I still claim “no consequences” to myself in the event I picked the pocket of old lady # ten? I think not. Please do something to level the playing field for prospective financial donors to this Texas Humane Legislation Network led by Ms. Shelby Bobosky, who from my perspective, has deviated from the State Bar of Texas section 8.04 (a) (3) re “dishonesty, deceit, fraud or misrepresentation.” Mine is an appeal to facts alone and a disregard for personalities.
Very Respectfully Yours,
Charles Savoie
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