I have now been contacted by both the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office as well as a GA police department with allegations of interstate fraud and misrepresentation... along with this - notifications that investigations have been or are being set in place with the IRS, FBI and local authorities...
Evidently, our "friend" is making good on her threats and has taken her obvious upset to another level.
I don't know what will come of all this - or if I should leave this page up or not...
I realize now that I didn't handle things properly as far as keeping receipts and documenting everything - but I wasn't looking at any of this as a buisness - - guess I should have been... I didn't keep track of what came in financially or document where the funds were spent.... when a project came up that I thought we could manage - we just did what we could...... I didn't consider the formalities of it all...
I've been told that we very well could be violating a hundred different laws and regulations... so I'm not sure how to go about taking care of it all.... but I have to admit, I'm a bit frightened of what we may be facing.
I've also been told that it may be in our best interest to return any funds received - since donations were not made under a 501 c 3 not for profit organization.... so please, if anyone feels that what we have done is less than 100% honest - - contact me - - mom2babynatalie@aol.com - - and I will find a way to return your donations.
I do ask that you all refrain from making further financial contributions - by any method.... at this point as you know, our plans to move forward with building Emma's foundation are at a stand still - so I would rather you channel your financial support through an organization already in operation.
As always - we remain thankful for your love and support - - your contacts, over the past couple of weeks especially, have touched my heart - - it's comforting to know that no matter what comes of this - we are not facing it alone.
Much love ~
**UPDATE TO THIS POST** 5/30/09 **
From the 53 comments below - and the rush of emails, messages and phone calls - - I am simply overwhelmed..... I don't know why, exactly - - this show of love and support hasn't waivered since the day I brought Emma home............... you all are such wonderful friends... I hope you all know in your hearts how very much you are appreciated!!
I honestly felt that Diane was a friend as well..... she had done so much good and had some fantastic ideas and plans to help all of us reach our goals for Emma's future.... I don't understand it - but I have to say.....
This morning I contacted back the investigator who called me from the GA police department.... I was SO ANGRY about a particular something that she had said.... something about a logo - misrepresentation - etc. - - - - I just couldn't get passed ANY of this, but that part of it absolutely blew me away....
I had every intention in the world of following up on that - getting to the bottom of it - and holding Diane accountable............... when I realized......... I'm not angry - so much as I am hurt....
I've read some posts here: "she'll get hers" - "what comes around, goes around" - "evil, bitter people"................. and yep - - at points - - I feel the same.................... but mostly, I feel bad for her........... sad that whatever made her SO hostile at me, couldn't have been resolved some other way than by trying to destroy what even she had a part in building....
I have never physically met Diane - - have never even spoken to her on the phone - - but to me, she was a friend......... while I'm stumbling over the bad things - the good that she's shared with us, is still a part of what Emma is....
What's done is done.... and I can't change any of it..... but we CAN move forward ............
My first instinct - was to lash out.... retaliate against the negativity .... but in the end - what purpose would that serve?
Better that I accept whatever "lumps" I justifiably deserve for not being better prepared and more organized - - and then................ "slip on those big girl panties n' go on about it!!"....
In the mean time................. I'll just do what I know to do............