Let the bodies hit the floor

We have settled the case. They asked for 150K. And we cried foul. The judge talked to us. According to the attorney his job is to demonstrate to both parties their weaknesses and so force them to settle (legal fees are amazingly persuasive even, or even especially, when you are the victim). And we said 60% of the original contract penalty. And they said no. And we said 100% of the aforementioned penalty. And they agreed. Which I believe was their intention from the beginning. And a few thousands more in legal fees as a bonus.

A clear win for the Bad Guys (and the lawyers who are always the real beneficiary). They have humiliated me, robbed me and provided a lot to think about to their employees. I can imagine what they do to them if they treat outsiders like me in such a way. Kudos, it is a perfect business model - why mess with engineering if you can simply steal from the confused souls who are naive (i.e. stupid I am afraid to admit) enough to trust other people.

I hope their karma will get them even if people cannot (anyone willing to file WH-4 together? asymmetric warfare is the name of the game for the oppressed in this century). As the very least I expect my story and stories of other victims to be known (two documented court cases, at least one more person threatened out of legal system - 100% of the people who managed to escape). Normal people will know better and stay away from the company. And I wholeheartedly recommend the Bad Guys never ever meet me face to face.

A vital lesson confirmed by multiple Americans around me - it will always cost you even when you are right. Do not be mislead, if you allow anyone to take advantage of you (your tenant, a con man etc) you will pay through the nose. Justice is not free unless you just bury bodies in the desert near Las Vegas :) .. If it exists it all.

And now for the better part of the story. I told it before and I will tell it again. Exadel is the company to come to the US with. They are human. In my opinion this is just about them as people. Good people. The more I know them the more I am amazed. I am almost surprised they are still in business with such a benevolent attitude to their employees. Up to the point that they are going to cover some of my expenses in this case. Enough said.

Kicking and screaming

I am sitting and waiting for a settlement conference to be commenced. Me, my CFO and our attorney in NYC will be holding our own against the enemy's lawyer under the judge's supervision. Sounds like a freaking court drama on bad TV. The previous attempt failed due to the lawyer of the Bad Guys. A specious medical story was all they could come up with. Sort of shows the kind of professionals they are :)

Frankly, I believe their strategy makes sense. Such holding someone under even mild stress and uncertainty is a terrific way to humiliate him without the fear of adequate revenge. Then you rob him a little bit. Or not so little.

Naturally, I feel pretty bad. It won't kill me but this sinking feeling that the rich crooks win here as easily as they do in certain nasty countries makes me pretty uncomfortable. I used to believe to myths of the American justice, now I am confused. Short of taking a bat, going to the evil nest and settling the score personally there seems to be little I can do to protect myself. It is so different from the usual way things work here that I cannot make sense of it.

So let's see what the future holds for me.