Martin Music

NAME – INDEX

Source City of Everett Public Facitities District 8-9-2024 email from Scott Pattison, Everett Special Projects Manager, to Everett Public Facilities District board members Scott Murphy and Michael Swanson, Pacific Law Group bond counsel Stacy Lewis, and CC’d to Ben Franz of SOJ. Subject – Sites and Revenue

OUT – INDEX

SOJ – INDEX

“And we’re pleased to bring forward a recommendation to you tonight, to select public facilities group PFG.
They’ve been doing what’s known as 6320 financing.
Although, this will be slightly different because these will not be tax-exempt bonds.”³¹

According to the Deputy Finance Director, the City of Redmond “.. does not currently use 63-20 financing. In the past, a city-related nonprofit (the Redmond Public Corporation), used a 63-20-type structure to issue LTGO bonds in 2013.In 2021, LTGO debt was issued to advance refund and defease a portion of the 2013 bonds, which were originally used to construct City Hall, a parking garage, and other enhancements to the City campus. While those bonds remain outstanding, the city is not using the 63-20 financing method for new debt.”

The City of Redmond’s 2021 Limited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds were issued as taxable bonds, meaning the interest is not exempt from federal income tax. They are specifically labeled as “Limited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2021 (Taxable).” These bonds were issued as part of an advance refunding of certain 2013 bonds.

What Ben Franz fails to highlight is that the 63-20 method is not likely to be used. ³²

PFG 6320 financing refers to using the IRS Revenue Ruling 63-20 structure, .³³ the foundation of PFG Seattle’s 6320 financing is using tax-exempt debt (bonds), ³⁴ and 6320 financing may require lease appoveal.³⁵

The SOJ statement “..financing will not be tax-exempt bonds…” is highly misleading.

This is NOT a promising option to explore through SOJ . It may involve the City of Everett with the recently investigated and fined Oak View Group.

On July 18th 2024, Ben Franz of SOJ referenced the Oak View Group in an email sent to City of Everett staff member Scott Pattison as follows:

“If the PFD were to expand would that mean additional potential revenue and potential increased bonding capacity? If so, what are potential and/or reasonable ranges that might be considered?”

SOJ received a copy of a a “Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model” on August 9, 2024 from City of Everett staff member Scott Pattison.

Ten months later, SOJ did not present revenue forcasts at the June 11, 2025 Council meeting and indicated a they had started proformas for the facility

A Councilmember asked:

“Okay so that proforma, will you share that with the council?”

“Yes,” said Ben Franz/SOJ.

“Okay. When?” replied Councilmember Touhy. “I’ve been waiting for that for a long time. Know when? We don’t know when?”

SOJ is exploring “potential increased bonding” capacity with the Everett Public Facilities District and Angel of the Winds, managed by the Oak View Group.

It seems a conflict of interest that City of Everett staff member Scott Pattison is now also a PFD Boardmember.

OAK – INDEX

Timothy J. Leiweke, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oak View Group (OVG), was recently charged with orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena at a public university – US Justice Department’s Antitrust Division.

Oak View Group manages Angel of the Winds in Everett, Washington, and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Oak View Group provides a variety of services to live entertainment venues nationwide.

“A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against Timothy J. Leiweke, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oak View Group (OVG)…”

“The indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, alleges that, from approximately February 2018 through at least June 2024, Leiweke conspired with the Chief Executive Officer of a competitor to rig the bidding for the development, management, and use of a multi-purpose arena that was to be located on the campus of a public university …”

“Note: The defendant in this case, Timothy J. Leiweke, received a pardon from the President of the United States for the offenses alleged in the indictment described in the press release above.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/live-entertainment-ceo-indicted-orchestrating-conspiracy-rig-bidding-process-public

https://komonews.com/news/local/ceo-of-oak-view-group-indicted-for-alleged-bid-rigging-in-texas-university-arena-project

Oak View Group, the operator of the Climate Pledge Arena, was investigated by the Washington State Attorney General’s office and ordered to pay a settlement of over $477,000 for charging undisclosed fees to customers.

https://www.cascadepbs.org/news/briefs/2024/09/climate-pledge-arena-pay-over-477k-settle-hidden-fees-case/#

https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/climate-pledge-arena-pay-477k-penalties-refunds-result-ag-ferguson-s-hidden-fee

Timothy J. Leiweke, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oak View Group, resigned as CEO and continues as Vice Chairman of Oak View Group’s Board of Directors. It is unknown how active he is in current management of Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett or if he was active in 2024.

https://www.oakviewgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/OAK-VIEW-GROUP-ANNOUNCES-CEO-TRANSITION.pdf

Source Everett Public Facitities District Public Records Request email Pattison Everett to Murphy, Swanson Everett PFD, Stacy Lewis of Pacifica Law, CC Franz SOJ Revenue Model 8-9-2024

Source Everett Public Facitities District Public Records Request DRAFT CITY ONLY_Everett OMF_Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model_72224 (version 2) .xlsx

The City of Everett needs short term financing because, according to three councilmembers, “After the measures we’ve proposed for a balanced 2026 budget, our structural deficit problem shows the city facing in 2027 a deficit at this time of some $7 million.“³⁶ The City of Everett is short on cash, especially for stadium construction.

The June 11, 2025 City Council Agenda indicates: “If it is decided to proceed with the 63-20 method, certain agreements with PFG, such as a financing lease, will be brought to the City Council for approval.” ³²

What’s not on the agenda is that the negotiating posture of the MLB/Aquasox and negotiating a financing lease may be difficult, especially with naming rights involved.

DECAY – INDEX

SUPER – INDEX

Source National Organization for Women 12-10-2024 After The Whistle: How NFL Games Affect Domestic Violence Rates ht tps://now.org/blog/after-the-whistle-how-nfl-games-affect-domestic-violence-rates/

Source National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine (NLM) 7-16-2013 Family Violence and Football: The Effect of Unexpected Emotional Cues on Violent Behavior ht tps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3712874/

PGC – INDEX

DEPRECIATION – INDEX

From the song ‘No Frogs Downtown Blues’

Billionaire owners can utilize capital depreciation laws to effectively write off a portion of their players’ salaries.

Team owners can take 100% amortization deductions of the adjusted tax basis for certain intangibles (like player contracts, goodwill, media rights) over 15 years.

But unlike billionaire professional sports team owners, a small business owner can’t amortize employee salaries and get a tax deduction for it.

To see how owners like Steve Ballmer pay lower tax rates than even stadium employees, watch the following video.

Alternatively, call the IRS and ask about Section 197 of the amortization laws.

ATGWA – INDEX

Re: Oak View Group – Complaint for violations of the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) and Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86) and violations of 15 U.S.C. §§ 1–7 and the First Amendment of the Constitution of the US

Nick Brown
Washington State Attorney General
Olympia, WA 98504
360-753-6200
monopoly@atg.wa.gov
Attention Assistant Attorney General Brooke Lovrovich

Dear Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and staff, and the thirty-four attorney general offices that were successful in pursuing the Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster Entertainment, LLC monopoly and antitrust lawsuit.

This is in reply to the email I received from Brooke Lovrovich, Assistant Attorney General Washington State Attorney General’s Office Antitrust Division (see below).

INTRODUCTION

In the Live Nation/Ticketmaster lawsuit, “state claims that aren’t subject to dismissal based on the resolution of federal claims” will proceed to trial.

SO ORDERED.
Dated: February 18, 2026
New York, New York
ARUN SUBRAMANIAN
United States District Judge

The jury’s Live Nation/Ticketmaster lawsuit ruling on liability gives the states significant leverage regarding venues such as stadiums, arenas, and amphitheaters that primarily sell sporting tickets (see UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK 24-cv-3973 (AS) OPINION AND ORDER – attachment A1).

The concert-focused market definition (“primary concert tickets to events at the venues Plaintiffs call ‘major concert venues,’”) leaves the door open for a parallel wave of sports-ticketing litigation at venues such as stadiums, arenas, and amphitheaters that primarily sell sporting tickets.

The Live Nation/Ticketmaster amended complaint indicates:

“Oak View Group: Nascent competitor to a self-described “hammer” for Live Nation.”

“…just as Oak View Group effectively ceded the concert promotions space
to Live Nation, Live Nation effectively ceded its arena consulting business to Oak View Group.10

10 Arena consulting services are advisory services for venues that may include assistance with booking shows, selecting and working with promotors and ticketers, and getting sponsorship deals.”

(see AMENDED COMPLAINT 1:24–cv–3973 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK Filed 08-19-2024 Pages 36 to 40 of 167 – attachments A2a, A2b).

I encourage you, Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown, to investigate and initiate litigation against the Oak View Group prior to seeking remedies and financial penalties at the upcoming Live Nation and Ticketmaster bench trial.

Ticketmaster and Oak View Group sell concert and sporting tickets on the Angel of the Winds Arena Everett Public Facilities District website.

====

As of the date of the filing of the Oak View Group complaint, April 02, 2026, neither the Oak View Group nor the Everett Public Facilities District Board had ever formally responded to my October 19, 2025 record request for email communications between Everett Public Facilities District Board members and Washington State Representative Cindy Ryu.

I feel my rights under the Washington State Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86) and the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) have been violated.

The Oak View Group diminished and reduced in scope my ability to petition the Government for redress of grievances.

Specifically, I feel my rights under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America have been violated.

Please immediately address the issue of Oak View Group abridging citizens ability to petition the Government for redress of grievances and violations of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.

I feel citizens of the State of Washington should receive Compensatory, Punitive and Nominal damages, including injunctive relief and declaratory relief, for the period of time beginning in late 2021 until October 19, 2025, when State of Washington citizens public record requests were diminished and reduced in scope, abridging citizens ability to petition the Government for redress of grievances.

====

THE OAK VIEW GROUP COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE EVERETT PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT OAK VIEW GROUP MANAGED ANGEL OF THE WINDS ARENA AND THE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS RUNAROUNDS

On May 26, 2026, the Oak View Group Deputy General Council Cait Burggraf sent an email to the Washington State Attorney General that indicated:

“OVG (Oak View Group) is the contracted private party manager of Angel Of The Winds Arena (Arena) on behalf of its client, the Everett Public Facilities District (EPFD).”

“In that role, OVG provides operational and administrative support to EPFD, which may include assisting with the gathering, organization, and transmission of documents responsive to certain public records requests.”

Oak View Group Deputy General Council Cait Burggraf indicates:

“OVG remains committed to supporting EPFD in the orderly and timely administration of records related matters.” (see Attachment A3)

Oak View Group DOES NOT administer record-related matters in an orderly and timely manner.

Oak View Group Office Manager Allie Lindert mistakenly replied to a public records request as follows on October 21, 2025:

“If you have specific comment to make related to this topic (HB1109 “Concerning public facilities districts.”) or others, the Everett PFD’s next regular meeting is October 22, 2025 at 9 AM in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center and there will be a public comment period.” (see attachment A4).

Following the Allie Lindert October 21, 2025 email, I submitted printed record requests in person by hand to Oak View Group employee Allie Lindert at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center on October 22, 2025 at about 9 AM., along with a request for Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember email addresses.

Allie Lindert’s October 21, 2025 email raised questions about when and if Oak View Group Office Manager Allie Lindert and Everett Public Facilities District Records Officers had been trained to work with public record requests.

Oak View Group failed to provide any Everett Public Facilities District Public Records Officers training records from April 10, 2001, through April 27, 2026.

Oak View Group failed to establish the date that any Everett Public Facilities District Public Records Officer was officially appointed as the Everett Public Facilities District Public Records Officer from April 10, 2001, through April 27, 2026. (see attachment B3a)

The only training documents provided were for Oak View Group employees and not for Everett Public Facilities District Public Records Officers, including 2018 and 2023 training documents for Oak View Group Angel of the Winds Arena General Manager Corey Margolis.(see attachments B1, B2)

Moreover, the Oak View Group employee training documents emailed to me by the Oak View Group Angel of the Winds Arena Office Coordinator Danielle Vaughn and cc’d to Oak View Group Angel of the Winds Arena General Manager Corey Margolis on April 23, 2026 at 3:23 PM, are suspect. (see attachments B3e, B3f, B3a)

The Certificate of Training was issued to Alexandria Lindert (attachment B3b) and indicates, “Date Training Received: October 22, 2025”

Oak View Group Office Manager Allie (Alexandria) Lindert

1.)- met with me in person at the Everett Public Facilities District’s hours long regular meeting on October 22, 2025, and,

2.)- on October 22, 2025, received Open Public Records Act Training (RCW 42.56), Open Public Meetings Act Training (RCW 42.30), Records Retention/Management Act Training (RCW 40.14), and Supplemental Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) Training.

It appears Oak View Group employee Alexandria Lindert would not have had time to receive the training on October 22, 2025.

The Format of the Online Training (including webinars) is located at the Washington State Office of the Attorney General website:

https://www.atg.wa.gov/open-government-training

I trust the Washington State Office of the Attorney General can access and assess its own website and verify whether or not Alexandria Lindert received training at the

https://www.atg.wa.gov/open-government-training

website, and whether or not suspicions about the Certificate of Training issued to Alexandria Lindert are valid.

====

The Certificate of Training issued to Alexandria Lindert indicates:

I hereby certify that I received this training: Alexandria Lindert Public Records Officer, Everett Public Facilities District.

Alexandria Lindert is an Oak View Group Employee and cannot legally be appointed as an Everett Public Facilities District Public Records Officer. The Certificate of Training shows Alexandria Lindert as a Public Records Officer, Everett Public Facilities District

Oak View Group is not a state or local agency RCW 42.56.580 (1)
(see also Oak View Group Office Coordinator Danielle Vaughn email and discussion below).

====

Following the Allie Lindert October 21, 2025 email, I submitted printed record requests in person by hand to Oak View Group employee Allie Lindert at the the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center on October 22, 2025 at about 9 AM., along with a request for Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember email addreses.

The Cindy Ryu records request was submitted by email on October 19, 2026 at 4:00 pm to:

1) – Oak View Group employee Allie Lindert – Office Manager.
2) – the Everett Public Facilities District Board Records Officer,
3) – Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember and President Ryan Crowther (ryancrowther4everett@gmail.com),
4) – Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember Scott Murphy (scottmurphyforeverett@gmail.com).

(see attachment C1)

The Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember email addresses were not readily available.

The Everett Public Facilities District Records Officer was not publicly identified on the Oak View Group Everett Angel of the Winds Arena Public Facilities District website in October 2025.

The City of Everett City Clerk and Records Request Officer indicated:

“Since no email addresses were provided, we have searched the following terms, as we are unable to search emails outside of City employees without specific email addresses:
((“Ryan Crowther” OR “(“Scott Murphy”) OR (“Michael Swanson”) OR (“Sherry Jennings”) OR (“Julio Cortes”))
We will be searching the following email accounts: SPattison@everettwa.gov
In the following timeframe: 01/01/2021 – 10/20/2025 (time of request).”

Ryan Crowther and Scott Murphy were running for public office and I had to obtain their email addresses from their campaign websites.

A “Public Records Request (for) Everett PFD email addresses” was submitted by email to Oak View Group Employee Allie Lindert on October 22, 2025 at 3:23PM. Tax questions were attached “Concerning public facilities districts.” – HB1109. Corey Margolis, the Oak View Group Manager of Everett Public Facilities District owned Angel of the Winds Arena was CC’d on the email. (see attachments C2a and C2b)

“The official PFD email addresses” of the Everett Public Facilities District Board Members were not made available until October 29, 2025 from Corey Margolis, the Oak View Group Manager of the Everett Public Facilities District owned Angel of the Winds Arena. (see attachment C2c)

The attachment that had been emailed previously on October 22,2025 and was addressed to Everett Public Facilities District Board of Directors Board Members Ryan Crowther (President), Scott Murphy (Vice President), Michael Swanson (Treasurer), Julio Cortes (Secretary), and Sherry Jennings (Member). Corey Margolis, the Oak View Group Manager of Everett Public Facilities District owned Angel of the Winds Arena, was CC’d on the email. (see attachments C3)

Specifically, tax questions were attached,

“…. to determine to what extent House Bill (HB) 1109 can be
used to finance an “Everett Outdoor Event Center” or a “Refurbished Funko
Field,” should Everett’s Stadium Fiscal Advisory Committee prove to be
overly optimistic in their revenue projections, or if a professional sports
team fails to make payments, breaks their lease, or leaves Everett.”

and asking

“What is the maximum amount of tax the Everett Public Facilities District
could collect under HB 1109?” (see attachment C4)

Both voting for and legislatively sponsoring extending sales tax through HB1109 were Everett Public Facilities Board Member and Washington State Representative Julio Cortes and Washington State Representative Cindy Ryu.

Oak View Group Deputy General Council Cait Burggraf indicated:

“The complaint appears to concern record requests ALLEGEDLY submitted in connection with EPFD or the Arena.”

The October 22, 2025 at 3:23PM record request IS CLEARLY IN CONNECTION with the Everett Public Facilities District and the Angel of the Winds Arena.

This is evidenced by the Oak View Group employee Allie Lindert October 21, 2025 10:04 AM email when, in answer to the question, “What is the maximum amount of tax the Everett Public Facilities District could collect under HB 1109?” she emailed:

“The Everett Public Facilities District oversees the Everett Events Center – which is Angel Of The Winds Arena, Edward D. Hansen Conference Center and the Everett Community Ice Rink.  HB 1109 has extended the sales tax legislation from 40 to 55 years.  Sales tax proceeds are dependent on sales made within the County and City.” (see attachment C6)

The Oak View Group complaint clearly concerns record requests that were, in Oak View Group Deputy General Council Cait Burggraf’s words, “….submitted in connection with EPFD or the Arena.”

Cait Burggraf appears to be misinformed and wrong.

OAK VIEW GROUP EMPLOYEES CANNOT LEGALLY BE EVERETT PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT RECORDS OFFICERS. RCW 42.56.580 (1)

Oak View Group Office Manager Allie Lindert on October 21, 2025, emailed at 4:52 PM, “Per my message sent at 10:56 AM this morning, I confirmed that I am the Public Records Officer for the Everett Public Facilities District.”(see attachment D1a)

Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember Michael Swanson on November 20, 2025 emailed:

“I see Corey Margolis responded to your 10/31 request on 11/5.

If you have any further requests for information, please be sure to direct them to our public records officer at the following address:

Allie.Lindert@oakviewgroup.com” (see attachment D1b)

According to Oak View Group Deputy General Council Cait Burggraf,

Corey Margolis is the Oak View Group General Manager – Angel of the Winds Arena.

An email from John E. Martin to the Everett Public Facilities District Records Officer, at 10:30 AM December 19, 2025 indicated:

“You have not made a response to my November 5, 2025, public records request,” (see attachment D1c )

Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember Michael Swanson on December 19, 2025 at 4:46pm from his gmail address and more than 40 days after the record request was filed, replied by email and cc’d (sent a copy of the email to) the Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown as follows:

“As previously advised, please include our public records officer on requests at the following address: Allie.Lindert@oakviewgroup.com.”

Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember Michael Swanson did not give the name of the Everett Public Facilities District public records officer.
(see attachment D1d)

Thirteen minutes later at 4:59pm, Corey Margolis
District General Manager Oak View Group – Angel Of The Winds Arena replied:

“We have now received your public records request on December 19, 2025 through Michael Swanson…” (see attachment D1e)

The “now” appears to mistakenly limit Oak View Group liability and confirms that the public record request was not replied to until more than 40 days after the record request was filed, a violation of the Washington Public Records Act.

Oak View Group General Manager Corey Margolis concluded:

“Records requests should be sent to Allie.Lindert@oakviewgroup.com.”

As you, Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and staff, know from previous emails (see my June 1, 2026 11:35am email to Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown, the Antitrust Division, and staff) and according to Washington State Law,

Oak View Group cannot be appointed and publically identified as an Everett Public Facilities District Public Records Officer.

Oak View Group is not a state or local agency.

The Everett Public Facilities District is a local agency.

RCW 42.56.580 (1) indicates:

“(1) Each state and local agency shall appoint and publicly identify a public records officer…”

RCW 42.56.580 (1) also indicates:

“A state or local agency’s public records officer may appoint an employee or official of another agency as its public records officer.”

Oak View Group is not an employee or official of another agency and cannot legally be appointed as the The Everett Public Facilities District records officer under RCW 42.56.580 (1).

Oak View Group General Manager Corey Margolis indicated in his December 19, 2025 email:

“The Everett Public Facilities District has no responsive records to this request…..

….RCW 42.56 does not require any formal process and therefore we have no records responsive to your request.”

RCW 42.56 indicates, “Each state and local agency shall appoint…”

Appointing a public records officer is clearly a documented process that creates records.

It appears that the Oak View Group legal staff that supports Oak View Group General Manager Corey Margolis is wrong.

Oak View Group:
1). – did not support the Everett Public Facilities District in an orderly and timely administration of record-related matters, rather, Oak View Group provided misleading information,

2). – was party to a public record request that was never replied to, and

3). – was party to public record request that was not replied to until more than 40 days after the record request was filed, a violation of the Washington Public Records Act.

====

IT APPEARS OAK VIEW GROUP IS IN VIOLATION OF THE WASHINGTON STATE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT

Oak View Group Deputy General Council Cait Burggraf failed to mention that private equity firm Silver Lake holds a significant and at one time a controlling ownership position in Oak View Group (OVG). Silver Lake initially acquired a large minority stake of over $100 million in March 2018. (see attachent A3)

Silver Lake is a global private equity firm founded in 1999 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, with approximately $114 billion in assets under management and specializing in large-scale investments and buyouts.

Role: Silver Lake serves as a primary strategic financial partner aiding Oak View Group in global expansion and venue development, for example, the redevelopment of Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena and supporting OVG’s aggressive expansion strategy, including the acquisition of Spectra, which expanded OVG’s hospitality and venue management to include Everett Public Facilities District owned Angel of the Winds Arena.

Private equity firm Silver Lake was included in the AMENDED COMPLAINT 1:24–cv–3973 Filed 08-19-2024 Page 37 of 167 (see attachment A2b)

According to Oak View Group Deputy General Council Cait Burggraf, Oak View Group is “Global Spectrum L.P. d/b/a Oak View Group (OVG)…is the contracted private-party manager of Angel of the Winds Arena (Arena) on behalf of its client, Everett Public Facilities District (EPFD),” (see attachent A3)

Cait Burggraf is wrong on numerous occations.

Global Spectrum, L.P. (doing business as OVG360 and formerly known as Spectra / Global Spectrum) IS A MAJOR SUBSIDIARY of Oak View Group that specializes in public assembly venue management. They operate nearly 200 auditoriums, arenas, stadiums, and convention centers globally.

Global Spectrum L.P. is not a state or local agency.

Spectra / Global Spectrum, Global Spectrum, L.P., OVG360, or Oak View Group cannot legally be appointed and publically identified as an Everett Public Facilities District Public Records Officer. (see RCW 42.56.580 (1))

Oak View Group is not a state or local agency.

Danielle Vaughn is an Oak View Group Employee and cannot legally be appointed and publicly identified as an Everett Public Facilities District Public Records Officer. (see RCW 42.56.580 (1))

It’s against the law.

It appears Oak View Group is in violation of Washington State Public Records Act, §42.56 et seq., by indicating “EPFD’s public records officer is Danielle Vaughn” on the EPFD’s Oak View Group managed Angel of the Winds Everett Public Facilities District website (see the print screen image in my June 1, 2026 11:35am email to Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown, the Antitrust Division, and staff)

====

WAS THERE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED TO CONCEAL INFORMATION?

In a June 10, 2025 email, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin wrote:

“Additionally I have had direct in-person and via zoom meetings and conversations with Major League Baseball where MLB representatives specifically shared that if our stadium does not become compliant, the team will be pulled.” (see attachment E1a)

On October 20, 2025 7:49AM, the Everett Public Records Request City Clerk wrote:

“Per our Economic Development department, the MLB has not had contact with the City of Everett but worked with the independent third-party company retained by the City of Everett, SOJ.” (see attachment E1b)

The statements contradict each other regarding whether the City of Everett did or did not have contact with Major League Baseball.

Seeking clarification, On 10/21/2025 2:37:03 PM, JOHN MARTIN wrote:

Dear Public Records Officer and City Clerk…

“Who is the “Economic Development Department?”
Is it Dan Eernissee, Director | Economic Development?
Is it Julio Cortes, Economic Development & Marketing?
Please clarify. Who is the “Economic Development Department?”

(see attachment E1c)

The Everett City Clerk replied 10-22-2025 8:39 AM

“Good morning Mr. Martin,

Dan Eernissee is the Director of Economic Development, but Scott Pattison is also involved with that department as the Special Projects Manager (regarding the outdoor events center). It’s a crossover department, under Community, Planning and Economic Development so there are some other crossover staff, such as Aiyana Thompson (administrative assistant) and Tyler Chism (Economic Development & Placemaking Manager).

I hope this helps.”
(see attachment E1d )

On 10/23/2025 3:17:14 PM, in record request JOHN E. MARTIN wrote and also sent by email:

“Dan Eernissee is the Director of the Economic Development Department.
Julio Cortes is the Economic Development & Marketing staff member.
Scott Pattison is the Special Projects Manager (regarding the outdoor events center).
Tyler Chism is the Economic Development & Placemaking Manager.
Aiyana Thompson is the Administrative Assistant.

Which of the above individuals is responsible for the statement,

“Per our Economic Development Department, the MLB has not had contact with the City of Everett…”

Please clarify.”

The email was CC’d to Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin and all the individuals noted above.

(see attachment E1e)

There was no response from the Everett City Clerk, or Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, or any of the “Economic Development Department” individuals noted in the CC above.

The record request in question (Everett General City Records :: E000691-092225) was for email communication between Seattle Mariners John W. Stanton and Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin.

Conspicuously excluded from the Everett City Clerk’s 10-22-2025 8:39 AM response was the name Julio Cortes. (see attachment E1d )

Julio Cortes was the City of Everett Economic Development & Marketing staff member and a member of the Everett Public Facilities District Board of Directors.

The Everett Public Facilities District and Angel of the Winds Arena was managed by the Oak View Group.

The absence of a response from the Everett City Clerk, or Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, or any of the “Economic Development Department” individuals noted in the CC above suggests that there may have been a conscious effort on the part of the parties noted to conceal information about what individual or individuals were responsible for the statement:

“Per our Economic Development Department, the MLB has not had contact with the City of Everett…””

It appears key individuals responsible for the statement may have been Everett Economic Development & Marketing staff member and Oak View Group managed Everett Public Facilities Board Member Julio Cortes and Everett City Special Projects Manager and currently Oak View Group managed Everett Public Facilities Board Member Scott Pattison.

“Legislative privilege” and redactions are problematic, and I feel public record requests are not adequate in resolving Oak View Group related matters.

The questions remain:

“…did City of Everett have contact with Major League Baseball…?” and

Was there a conscious effort on the part of the parties noted to conceal information?

In the interest of Washington State consumers and the tax paying public, I encourage you, Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and staff, to investigate Oak View Group/Angel of the Winds Arena/Everett Public Facilities District to determine if there was a conscious effort on the part of the parties noted to conceal information.

====

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

THE OAK VIEW GROUP APPEARS TO BE INVOLVED IN A COORDINATED EFFORT TO CON THE PUBLIC AND VIOLATE ANTITRUST LAWS IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Washington State Representatives Julio Cortes and Cindy Ryu sponsored legislation that increased the taxing authority of the Everett Public Facilities District – HB1109 “Concerning public facilities districts.”

Washington State Representative Julio Cortes sponsored HB 1109 legislation while also serving as an Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember, the economic advisor to the Mayor of the City of Everett Mayor Franklin, and the City of Everett liason to the Public Facilities District.

Julio Cortes was also a non-voting member of the Multiuse Facility Fiscal Advisory Committee (Stadium Fiscal Advisory Committee) for Everett, Washington.

Chad Volpe, Aquasox Player Development League License President was also a non-voting member of the Multiuse Facility Fiscal Advisory Committee (Stadium Fiscal Advisory Committee) for Major and Minor League Baseball.

As non-voting members of the Multiuse Facility Fiscal Advisory Committee, both Chad Volpe (Major and Minor League Baseball representative) and Julio Cortes (State, City, and Everett Public Facilities District representative) were, on December 5, 2024, made aware that Oak View Group had a “Master Operator” contract with the Everett Public Facilities District.

https://www.everettwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/40286/Final-FAC-Report–12-5-24

Both Chad Volpe and Julio Cortes were also made aware that an expanded partnership with Oak View Group and the Everett Public Facilities District to include a new downtown stadium
was under consideration, including utilizing a State authorized 0.2% sales tax.

As you know, Oak View Group managed and operated Climate Pledge Arena and paid $477K in penalties as a result of the Washington State Attorney General — Climate Pledge Arena — Oak View Group law suits. $315,000 or 66% of the settlement was paid to the Attorney General of Washington for legal fees and $162,971 or 34% was in the fund for impacted consumers.

https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/climate-pledge-arena-pay-477k-penalties-refunds-result-ag-ferguson-s-hidden-fee

Oak View Group CEO Timothy J. Leiweke was indicted for conspiracy to rig the bidding for the development, management, and use of a multi-purpose arena at a public university in Austin, Texas, from approximately February 2018 through at least June 2024.

Oak View Group CEO Timothy J. Leiweke received a pardon from the President of the United States Donald John Trump for the offenses alleged in the indictment. Timothy J. Leiweke stepped down from his CEO position at Oak View Group, shifting to a vice chair position.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/live-entertainment-ceo-indicted-orchestrating-conspiracy-rig-bidding-process-public

On July 18, 2024, Ben Franz of Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Inc. (SOJ) emailed Scott Pattison, City of Everett Special Projects Manager and Advisor to Everett Mayor, Cassie Franklin, the following:

“Scott,

Per our discussions we are exploring what the possibilities are for the existing Angel of the Winds PFD to play a potential role in the development of new or renewed baseball stadium sports facilities in Everett….

The alignment with the current charter and charge of the PFD make this a logical option to, at the very least, review for potential feasibility….

What does the current charter say about the PFD’s scope of responsibility, specifically any limits to geographic area and/or specific sites. Does the charter currently restrict the PFD to just Angel of the Winds?

If expanding the PFD were to be considered further, what would that entail? What process, analysis and/or actions would be required or need to be considered?

If the PFD were to expand would that mean additional potential revenue and potential increased bonding capacity? If so, what are potential and/or reasonable ranges that might be considered?”

On July 22, 2024, Scott Pattison, the City of Everett Special Projects Manager forwarded the “Angel of the Winds PFD Questions” to:

Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember Julio Cortes using a City of Everett email address (JCortes@everettwa.gov) and

Everett Director of Economic Development, Dan EernisseeDEernissee@everettwa.gov

About one hour later on On July 22, 2024, Everett Economic Development Director, Dan Eernissee forwarded the email to ​Scott Pattison and Julio Cortes​ indicating:

“Scott & Julio – I am hopeful that the PFD sees the obvious value and efficiency in supporting the city’s consultant (SOJ) in turning over every stone and considering every option.

Cheers,

Dan Eernissee (he/him)
Director | Economic Development” (see attachment F1a)

On August 9, 2024, City of Everett Special Projects Manager, Scott Pattison, emailed a July 22, 2024 document to Everett Public Facilities District Boardmembers Scott Murphy and Michael Swanson and Pacific Law Group’s Stacey Lewis, who serves as lead attorney for Pacifica’s bond and/or disclosure counsel teams.

The August 9, 2024 email included the City of Everett draft, July 22, 2024, Everett Outdoor Multipurpose Facility – Preliminary Revenue and Expense Model with Naming Rights valued at $1,000,000 per year. The August 9, 2024 email was also cc’d to Ben Franz of Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Inc. (SOJ). (see attachment F1b, F1c)

The above emails document communications and sharing of financial data and legal considerations between:

1) – the Oak View Group Angel of the Winds managed Everett Public Facilities District,

2) – the City of Everett staff,

3) – the Everett Public Facilities District Board Members, and

4) – Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Inc. (SOJ) who worked closely with Oak View Group during the Construction of the Oak View Group managed Arenas in Seattle.

====

Julio Cortes is no longer a member of the Everett Public Facilities District Board of Directors. Julio Cortes remains on the City of Everett staff in Economic Development & Marketing and as a liason to the Everett Public Facilities District. Julio Cortes is also campaigning for re-election as one of Everett’s Washington State Representative in District 38.

Scott Murphy, who was previously a candidate for Mayor of Everett, is no longer a member of the Everett Public Facilities District Board of Directors.

Michael Swanson remains as a member of the Everett Public Facilities District Board of Directors

Scott Pattison was appointed by Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin to the Everett Public Facilities District Board of Directors and the Everett City Council confirmed the appointment.

Scott Pattison, is currenty an Everett Public Facilities District Board Member and also currently works as the City of Everett Special Projects Manager and Advisor to Everett Mayor, Cassie Franklin.

Oak View Group manages and operates Everett Public Facilities District owned Angel of the Winds Arena.

Both Julio Cortes and Scott Pattison simultaneously worked as City of Everett staff members and as Everett Public Facilities District Board Members, working closely with Oak View Group management.

Both Julio Cortes and Scott Pattison were recipients of the Ben Franz (Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Inc. (SOJ)) communications, specifically, “Angel of the Winds PFD Questions”

Oak View Group appears to be involved in a coordinated effort to con the public and violate antitrust laws in the State if Washington.

I encourage you, Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and staff, and the thirty-four attorney general offices that were successful in pursuing the Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster Entertainment, LLC monopoly and antitrust lawsuit, to investigate and initiate litigation against the Oak View Group for anti trust violations of the Washington State Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86), violations of the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) and violations of 15 U.S.C. §§ 1–7 – the Sherman Antitrust Act.

====

TICKETMASTER, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (MLB) AND MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (MiLB) INVOLVEMENT

On July 28, 2023, Charlton Volpe, AquaSox PDL License President received a letter he described as a “warning” letter from Major League Baseball. The letter referenced “…remedies available to MLB …” and indicated, “Should you have any questions about any of the foregoing, please do not hesitate to contact Peter Woodfork…” (see attachment G1a)

On February 20, 2024 a Ticketmaster email to Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin from Peter Woodfork, Major League Baseball (MLB) Senior Vice President, Minor League Operations & Development was sent and titled, “Accepted: Teams Meet with Peter Woodfork”. (see attachment G1b)

“We have been receiving new, increased pressure from MLB and the Mariners, so we’ve been trying to find any possible way to accelerate the various processes that are in place for evaluating the two sites.”

On May 9, 2024 AquaSox PDL President Charlton Volpe sent the words “”We have been receiving new, increased pressure from the MLB and the Mariners..” to the Everett District School regarding the Everett District School owned Everett Memorial Stadium (Funko Field) option. (see attachment G1aa)

It appears that Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) are extorting the taxpayer — threatening to withdraw MLB and MiLB services unless they receive taxpayer funded subsidies and taxpayer funded services.

Major League Baseball (MLB) Mariners infielder Brendan Donovan appeared with the Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team the Everett Washington AquaSox on July 22, 2026, against the Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team the Eugene Oregon Emeralds. (see attachment G1c)

Although protrayed as an interstate rivalry, the game was actually an interstate business activity that restrained trade and lessened competition in violation of US and State of Washington antitrust laws.

It appears Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) were extorting both Everett, Washington and Eugene, Oregon by threatening to withdraw MLB and MiLB services unless they received taxpayer funded subsidies and taxpayer funded services.

Minor League Baseball consists of 120 teams across four classification levels (Single-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A) that are affiliated with Major League Baseball’s 30 teams.

Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) are engaged in interstate business activity that restrains trade and lessens competition in violation of US and State of Washington anti trust laws.

In 2020, the Major League Baseball (MLB) licencing reduced the number of minor league baseball organizations from 162 to 120.

Major League Baseball (MLB) lessened competition by offering no more than 120 Player Development licenses to organizations that continued as affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB), four affiliates for each of the 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs.

Major League Baseball (MLB) established new modernized stadium and facility standards for Minor League Baseball (MiLB) in 2021 via Professional Development License (PDL) agreements, giving teams a phased compliance window culminating with a final deadline in 2025.

In a January 14, 2025 email, Charlton Volpe, Everett AquaSox PDL License President, facilitated additional meetings between Major League Baseball (MLB) Senior Vice President, Minor League Operations & Development, Peter Woodfork and the mayor of Everett, Cassie Franklin. (see attachment G1d)

Almost two years after what Charlton Volpe, Everett AquaSox PDL License President, described as a “warning” letter from Major League Baseball, Mayor Cassie Franklin emailed a June 10, 2025 as follows:

“I have had direct in person and via zoom meetings and conversations with Major League Baseball where MLB representatives specifically shared that if our stadium does not become compliant, the team will be pulled.” (see attached E1a)

Since July 30, 2021 Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin and Economic Development Director ​Dan Eernissee had met with, worked with, and been in contact with:

Tom Volpevolpeinvestments@gmail.com – Key Principal 7th Inning Stretch LLC, dba Stockton Ports Baseball Club, owners of the AquaSox, a Seattle Mariners’ High-A affiliate, meaning the AquaSox are part of the Seattle Mariners’ farm system.

At that time, Tom Volpe had “…just returned from two days of meetings with MLB/MiLB in NYC…”

​Pat Filippone – President of 7th Inning Stretch, LLC, of Stockton, California, which owns and operates three affiliated Minor League Baseball teams: the Stockton Ports, the Delmarva Shorebirds, and the Everett AquaSox.

Danny Tetzlaff – General Manager of the Everett AquaSox Professional Baseball Club

Chad Volpe -​ Son of Tom Volpe. and the Everett AquaSox PDL License President

On August 1, 2021, Tom Volpe sent an email to Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin and Economic Development Director ​Dan Eernissee writing, “You now know all of the key players on our team…” (see attached G1e)

On October 28, 2021, in an email titled “Meeting in November with the AquaSox” and 5 days before the November 2, 2021 election, Chad Volpe CC’d Tom Volpe, Pat Filippone, and Danny Tetzlaff and wrote to Mayor Cassie and Economic Development Director ​Dan Eernissee,

“And I hope all of the work and preparation for the upcoming election is going smoothly, and obviously we hope for positive outcomes.” (see attached G1f)

Political contributions to Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin from AquaSox individuals and exclusive AquaSox broadcast affiliates were reported by the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC).

It appears Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) are in violation of antitrust laws.

====

MLB ADVANCED MEDIA, L.P. (MLBAM), THE CARPENTER MEDIA GROUP, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (MLB) AND MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (MiLB) INVOLVEMENT.

It appears media outlets are aiding and abetting the extortion of the taxpayer by Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB), including Ticket.com which employs the interstate use of artificial intellegence for email advertising.

Professional sports create media jobs – sports event announcers, sports writers, sports talk show hosts – and all the supporting staff – camera operators, sound engineers, equipment movers, and artificial intellegence assisted social media and email advertising jobs.

MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (MLBAM) is a limited partnership of the club owners of Major League Baseball (MLB) based in New York City and is the Internet and interactive branch of the league.

MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (MLBAM) operates the official web site for Major League Baseball (MLB) and the thirty Major League Baseball club web sites via MLB.com, which draws four million hits per day. The site offers news, standings, statistics, and schedules, while subscribers have access to live audio and video broadcasts of most games. The company also employs reporters, with one assigned to each team for the season and others serving more general beats. MLB Advanced Media also owns and operates BaseballChannel.tv and MLB Radio.

Tickets.com is a wholly owned subsidiary of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (MLBAM). Tickets.com is a global ticketing technology company based in Costa Mesa, California. Tickets.com products include Ticketing Technology, Ticket Sales, Ticket Resales, Marketing, Reporting Tools.

On July 26, 2026, Ticket.com sent out emails advertising tickets for the Eugene Emeralds
PK Park, Hillsboro Hops Hops Ballpark, Everett Aquasox Funko Field, Spokane Indians Avista Stadium, Tri-City Dust Devils Gesa Stadium, and the Vancouver Canadians Nat Bailey Stadium, all of which involves interstate and global trade, Ticketmaster, and the use and application of artificial intellegence. (see attached H1a)

Radio stations, local televisions, newspapers and websites such as MLB.com actively follow professional sports and new professional stadium stories. The stadium stories almost always favor or give an unbalanced account of building a new professional sports stadium. After all, professional sports increase viewership, readership, the number of website hits, online email interactions, social media interactions, advertising revenue and profitability.

Even anti-stadium sports talk shows fail to acknowledge their own media revenue generating self interest in covering a new professional sports stadium story. The fact that professional sports creates jobs and profits in the media industry and the economic impact is not covered — not even in the now T-Mobile Seattle stadium Environmental Impact Statement or the Everett Outdoor Multipurpose Stadium Environmental Impact Statement.

====

THE MEDIA OFTEN SAYS IT IS LOOKING FOR THE TRUTH

The media often says it is looking for the truth. The truth is, keeping professional sports in a market means the media continues to make gobs of money. The truth is that neither, Major League Baseball “…sports clubs nor their owners perform athletic services for fans.”

In a letter to the Internal Revenue Service seeking to qualify for full tax deductions under section 199A, the Office of Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred wrote:

“Sports clubs are engaged in a multi-faceted business that involves activities and operations relating to selling media rights, tickets, concessions, signage rights, sponsorships, merchandise and other goods, managing real estate and creating entertainment content.”

“The broadcasting business is an entertainment business. Like the sports broadcaster and similar to the researcher or manufacturer in the field of health, neither sports clubs nor their owners perform athletic services for fans.” (see attached H1b)

“Like the sports broadcaster,” Ticketmaster and Live Nation cannot “perform athletic services for fans.” Still, the United States Department of Justice lawsuit found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated federal antitrust laws.

Similarly, Oak View Group, Ticketmaster, Major League Baseball (MLB), Minor League Baseball (MiLB), MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (MLBAM), and the Everett Aquasox Funko Field Frogs are in the broadcasting and entertainment business and appear to have violated federal antitrust laws.

Neither, Major League Baseball “…sports clubs nor their owners perform athletic services for fans.”

Major League Baseball is not about sportsmanship, helping children in hospitals, or loyalty to the community.

Major League Baseball is about the money.

THE CARPENTER MEDIA GROUP OWNS THE EVERETT HERALD

The publisher has the right to express the opinions of the newspaper. In this case however, the Everett Herald’s opinion — Keep Aquasox in Everett with a downtown ballpark — looks more like a Major League Baseball paid advertisement.

It’s not journalism. It’s not even opinion. It’s newspaper and Major League Baseball marketing. It’s not about loyalty to the community. It’s about the money.

In a November 20, 2025 email, (see attached H1c) Carpenter Media Group Executive John Carr indicated:

“I have added Everett’s Editor Michael Henneke.”

“In my view, the information and perspective you have added here is also worth including on the opinion page. Michael has ultimate say in what we publish…”

Michael Henneke DOES NOT have the ultimate say in what WE (the term “WE” includes the Carpenter Media Group) publish.

What the Everett Herald publishes is determined by profitability, stockholder returns, and the threat of the newspaper’s (Everett Herald’s) existence.

Carpenter Media Group is the 4th largest news publisher in the United States, owning over 165 publications nationwide. In the Pacific Northwest, they own over 70 local papers such as the Redmond (Ore.) Spokesman, The (Bend, Ore.) Bulletin and The Everett (Wash.) Herald.

The continued existance of the Everett Herald is determined by the Carpenter Media Group – John Carr, Senior Vice President & Group Publisher-Oregon & North Carolina, – and it boils down to the money (see John Carr email attached H1c).

The “information and perspective” in the November 20, 2025 Carpenter Media Group John Carr email referred to was from a November 18, 2025 email to Everett Herald reporter William Geschke and included the question:

“And what about Mayor Franklin and Project Frog Pond?

On April 22, 2022, “Project Frog Pond,” was sent by Charlton Volpe, AquaSox President on the Player Development League (PDL) License, to Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, and cc’d to prominent City of Everett and AquaSox officials.

The “Project Frog Pond” attachment from Charlton Volpe, was CC’d to Pat Filippone, President of the Aquasox and President of 7th Inning Stretch, LLC., and Thomas Volpe, principal owner, 7th Inning Stretch, LLC. (see attachments H1d and H1e)

It appears the Everett Herald was part of the Project Frog Pond “public relations strategy” and “PR initiative.”

The Carpenter Media Group and the Everett Herald functioned as a marketing arm for Major League Baseball.

====

“Keep up efforts to fund new downtown stadium” was the title of the article published by the Carpenter Media Group owned and managed Everett Herald Editorial Board on March 3, 2026.

“Keep AquaSox in Everett with a downtown ballpark” was the title of the article published by the Carpenter Media Group owned and managed Everett Herald Editorial Board on November 9, 2024.

The “Keep AquaSox in Everett with a downtown ballpark” editorial lists three options:

1). “Refurbish the current stadium”

2). “build a new field and stadium downtown”

3). “or watch another city provide a new home, spurring the departure from the city of the AquaSox, the Seattle Mariners’ High-A affiliate.”
“…the third means the loss of a 40-year history of Minor League Baseball — and its roster of former and current big league players and stars — thrown out at its home plate in Everett.”

The Carpenter Media Group owned and managed Everett Herald Editorial Board article continues:

“Build it or they could leave: Among those watching is the big league itself, Major League Baseball, which has forced similar conversations across the U.S. and Canada. In a move in 2021 to improve working conditions and pay for its minor league players…”

The editorial, “Keep AquaSox in Everett with a downtown ballpark,” cites no written documentation from the AquaSox that “the team will be pulled” or “thrown out.”

No written documentation is cited from the Everett AquaSox that unless “Build it” takes place, what will occur is the “…the departure from the city of the AquaSox, the Seattle Mariners’ High-A affiliate.”

Instead of citing facts, the editorial relies on modifications of “If you build it, they will come,” a slogan from a fictous baseball movie with ghosts literally dressed up as baseball players walking into and out of a cornfield.

The quote is modified to read, “Build it or they could leave:”

Instead of citing facts, the editorial stimulates fear and rumors that “the team will be pulled” ” — thrown out at its home plate in Everett” — if a new the Everett Outdoor Event Center (often referred to as the downtown outdoor multipurpose athletic facility or stadium project) is not built.

It’s not journalism. It’s not even opinion. It’s newspaper and Major League Baseball Project Frog Pond marketing. (see attachments H1d and H1e).

The Carpenter Media Group owned and managed Everett Herald editorial appears to be part of a
Project Frog Pond “public relations strategy” and a Major League Baseball marketing and “PR initiative” – a coordinated effort to con the public and violate antitrust laws in the United States and the State of Washington.

Ticketmaster, Major League Baseball (MLB), Minor League Baseball (MiLB), and the Everett AquaSox (7th Inning Stretch LLC) and the Carpenter Media Group are all named in the The Oak View Group complaint.

====

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION (MLBPA) AND THE MINOR LEAGUE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (CBA) IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS AND PAY FOR ITS MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS, NOT THE BILLIONAIRE CLUB OWNERS OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

The Carpenter Media Group owned and managed Everett Herald Editorial Board “Build it or they could leave” article credits Major League Baseball with “… improv(ing) working conditions and pay for its minor league players…” by reducing the number of teams by about 40.

NONSENSE

“Working conditions and pay” are negotiated by the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). The current historic 5-year deal covering the 2023 through 2027 seasons, was ratified on April 3, 2023, resulting in the first-ever collective bargaining agreement for minor league baseball players.

MiLB players are now paid for all but roughly six weeks of the year, compared to previously only being paid in-season when assigned to an MiLB club.

Major League Baseball (MLB) DID NOT “… improve working conditions and pay for its minor league players…” by reducing the number of teams by about 40.

As late as 2019, rookie ball and Class A players earned just $290 a week, and they were not guaranteed to be paid for spring training, extended spring training or offseason workouts. A player could make under $4,000 total a year and be paid for as little as 16 weeks out of the year.

MiLB Player Housing & Food Benefits

In addition to the salary, players also now receive a significant amount of additional perks. Rent-free furnished housing is provided during spring training, during the season and during offseason-required club facility training or rehabilitation.

During the MiLB regular season, teams must provide housing in apartments or homes. Hotels and host families are not permitted, and housing must be within a commuting distance of the ballpark…..where no apartments or homes are feasible…..extended-stay hotels must be approved by the Minor League Collective Bargaining Agreement (MiLBPA).

Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and the Minor League Collective Bargaining Agreement improved working conditions and pay for its minor league players.

Major League Baseball reducing the number of minor league teams DID NOT improve working conditions and pay for minor league players.

Reducing the number of minor league teams DID restrain trade and lessen interstate and competition.

====

The Carpenter Media Group owned and managed Everett Herald Editorial Board article continues:

“…MLB cut some 40 minor league teams from their affiliate agreements with big league teams,…”

In 2020, the Major League Baseball (MLB) licensing reduced the number of minor league baseball organizations from 162 to 120.

Major League Baseball (MLB) lessened competition by offering no more than 120 Player Development licenses to organizations that continued as affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB), four affiliates for each of the 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs.

It appears the Carpenter Media Group and MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (MLBAM) aided and abetted Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) in the extortion of the taxpayer.

====

EDITORIAL: “KEEP THE AQUASOX IN EVERETT WITH A DOWNTOWN BALLPARK”

The Carpenter Media Group owned and managed Everett Herald Editorial Board continues:

“The owners of the Everett team paid a six-figure fee this year for missing that deadline, and face further fees if satisfactory progress isn’t shown.”

The Seattle Times reported that the AquaSox and their ownership group (7th Inning Stretch LLC) are subject to significant annual fines — “hundreds of thousands of dollars each year” while the Puget Sound Business Journal explicitly noted the MLB imposed “fines up to six figures”

In a June 9, 2025 email, that referenced the three options in the Carpenter Media Group – Everett Herald Editorial Board editorial, “Keep AquaSox in Everett with a downtown ballpark,” Mayoral Candidate Cassie Franklin was asked:

“How much is the fine?

Was the Major League Baseball fine just levied and then suspended? Or was the fine actually paid?

Did you see the cancelled check or receipt for the fine?”

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin replied to the questions in a June 10, 2025 email as follows:

“It is my understanding that the AquaSox have paid fines as well as spent additional money on improvements to mitigate some of the fines of $100K. They have done this in each of the last two seasons as a result of playing in a non-compliant stadium.

The owners have shared this with me and my team at the city directly.” (see attachment E1a)

It is Mayor Cassie Franklin’s “understanding” that fines of “$100K” paid by the AquaSox to Major League Baseball were mitigated with money for “improvements.”

It appears the City of Everett does not have a copy of a cancelled check, or receipt, or written documentation of the “$100K” fine allegedly paid by the AquaSox to Major League Baseball.

It appears that The Seattle Times, The Puget Sound Business Journal, and The Carpenter Group owned Everett Herald, all proceeded to report Everett AquaSox fine amounts with little or no written documentation. Whether or not the Major League Baseball fine was just levied and then suspended, was not covered in any of the articles, and the exact amount and nature of the fine was not disclosed.

The understanding that the Everett AquaSox had paid a fine to Major League Baseball was one of the underlying reasons given by the media and the City of Everett for building a new $137 million dollar stadium in downtown Everett.

On June 11, 2025, one day after Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin indicated it was her “understanding” that a fine of “$100K” was paid by the AquaSox to Major League Baseball, the Everett AquaSox PDL License President Chad Volpe contradicted the Everett Mayor Cassiee Franklin’s “understanding” of a “$100K” fine.

When asked, “Have you been fined by Major League Baseball and how much..?”

Everett AquaSox PDL License President Chad Volpe at the June 11, 2025 Everett City Council meeting said:

“We have been fined. I can’t disclose how much.”

A “$100K” fine or a “six figure” fine was not disclosed. (see attachment H1f)

The June 9, 2025 email, that referenced the three options in the Carpenter Media Group – Everett Herald Editorial Board editorial, “Keep AquaSox in Everett with a downtown ballpark,” Mayoral Candidate Cassie Franklin was also asked:

“You have not yet replied to my email below regarding three stadium options, so let me instead ask two different questions.

1). Does the City of Everett have anything in writing from the AquaSox that says the AquaSox will leave town without a new or renovated stadium? I don’t mean written newspaper reports. I mean a written statement or document to the City of Everett from the AquaSox that states the AquaSox will leave Everett if Major League Baseball requirements noted in the “design build” application are not met.

This is actually a relatively simple yes or no question. Either you have the documentation or you don’t.” (see attachment H1g)

The Mayor of Everett did not answer yes or no to the question.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin replied to the question in a June 10, 2025 email as follows:

“Additionally I have had direct in person and via zoom meetings and conversations with Major League Baseball where MLB representatives specifically shared that if our stadium does not become compliant, the team will be pulled.” (see attachment E1a)

This reply by Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin raises a basic question.

Was the taxpayer being extorted?

Was “Major League Baseball, where MLB representatives specifically shared that if our stadium does not become compliant, the team will be pulled,” extorting the taxpayer?

The Everett AquaSox Frogs team is not only athletes, such as Everett AquaSox players from Washington State. Interstate and international trade is also impacted by trade between the Everett AquaSox and teams including the Eugene Emeralds (Oregon), the Hillsboro Hops (Oregon), and the Vancouver Canadians (British Columbia, Canada). (see attachment H1a)

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin’s response implys that Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) are extorting the taxpayer — threatening to withdraw MLB and MiLB services unless they receive taxpayer funded subsidies and taxpayer funded services.

The services Major League Baseball can withhold are included in the October 1, 2018 letter from the Office of Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to the IRS (see attached H1b):

“Sports clubs are engaged in a multi-faceted business that involves activities and operations relating to selling media rights, tickets, concessions, signage rights, sponsorships, merchandise and other goods, managing real estate and creating entertainment content.”

It appears media outlets are aiding and abetting Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) in the alleged extortion of taxpayers.

The Carpenter Media Group and MLB Media appear to be in violation of State and Federal antitrust laws.

====

Thank you Washington State Assistant Attorney General Brooke Howlett Lovrovich for suggesting that I seek private counsel.

I did seek counsel from NW Justice Project’s CLEAR SENIOR as suggested in a previous letter from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Washington, but CLEAR SENIOR was overwhelmed with requests and was too busy.

In the interest of Washington State consumers and the the tax paying public, I encourage you, Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and staff, to determine if there was a conscious effort on the part of the parties noted to conceal information.

Oak View Group appears to be involved in a coordinated effort to con the public and violate antitrust laws in the United States and the State of Washington.

I also encourage you, Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and staff, and the thirty-four attorney general offices that were successful in pursuing the Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster Entertainment, LLC monopoly and antitrust lawsuit, to investigate and initiate litigation against the Oak View Group prior to seeking remedies and financial penalties at the upcoming Live Nation – Ticketmaster bench trial.

To do so would serve democracy and be in the interest of consumers and the tax paying public.

Thanking you in advance for your investigation of Oak View Group and I appreciate your office taking time to write to me and invite me to provide additional information.

Democracy works when people participate.

Best Regards,

John E. Martin
Mountlake Terrace, Washington
425-361-2854
jmartinnoj@hotmail.com

CC

Washington Coalition for Open Government
American Civil Liberties Union
Snohomish County League of Women Voters
Snohomish County NAACP

BCC Citizens and various media

Oak View Group Complaint Attachments

A1) -24cv3973 Opinion & Order

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK 24-cv-3973 (AS) OPINION AND ORDER

In the Live Nation/Ticketmaster lawsuit, “state claims that aren’t subject to dismissal based on the resolution of federal claims” will proceed to trial.

SO ORDERED.
Dated: February 18, 2026
New York, New York
ARUN SUBRAMANIAN
United States District Judge

A2a) – AMENDED COMPLAINT 124cv3973 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED 08192024 US Court New York
Amended Complaint [Redline version] : U.S. and Plaintiff States v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster L.L.C.

Amended Complaint [Redline version] : U.S. and Plaintiff States v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster L.L.C. 384 pages

Case 1:24-cv-03973-AS Document 233 Filed 08/19/24 Page 1 of 167

A2b) – Attorney General AAA AMENDED COMPLAINT 124cv3973 US Court NY 08192024b 36 to 40 of 167

Attorney General AAA AMENDED COMPLAINT 1-24–cv–3973 US Court NY Filed 08192024b Pages 36 to 40 of 167

Case 1:24-cv-03973-AS Document 233 Filed 08/19/24 Page 1 of 167

AMENDED COMPLAINT 1:24–cv–3973 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
https://www.justice.gov/atr/media/1377791/dl
see pages 31-35

“…just as Oak View Group effectively ceded the concert promotions space
to Live Nation, Live Nation effectively ceded its arena consulting business to Oak View Group.”

A3) – 719294B – Response (2).pdf

On May 26, 2026, the Oak View Group Deputy General Council Cait Burggraf sent an email to the Washington State Attorney General.

A4) – email from Allie Lindert Oak View Group RE Public Records Request, October 21, 2025 834am

B1,2,3b) – B1) Margolis 9.25.18.pdf B2) Margolis, Corey; 01.27.23.pdf B3b) Lindert, Alexandria 10.22.25.pdf

Washington State Attorney General website records officer training; Oak View Group General Manager Corey Margolis 2018 and 2023, Oak View Group Office Coordinator Alexandria Lindert 2025

B3e) – email from Danielle Vaughn Oak View Group RE Public Record Request, April 23, 2026 1037am.pdf

B3f) – email from Danielle Vaughn, Oak View Group 4-23-2026 312PM Public Records Request.pdf

B3a) – email from Danielle Vaughn, Oak View Group 5-20-2026 911AM External Public Records.pdf Request

C1) – email to Allie Lindert, Oak View Group 10-19-2025 The Cindy Ryu records request was submitted by email on October 19, 2026 at 4-00 pm.pdf

The Cindy Ryu records request was submitted by email on October 19, 2026 at 4:00 pm

C2) – email to Allie Lindert Oak View Group October 22, 2025 323pm.pdf

email to Allie Lindert Oak View Group October 22, 2025 323pm

C3) – email to Allie Lindert, Oak View Group 10-19-2025 1030AM How much Everett Public Facilities District tax from HB 1109.pdf

C4) – How much Everett Public Facilities District tax from HB 1109.pdf

“What is the maximum amount of tax the Everett Public Facilities District
could collect under HB 1109?”

C5) – email from Corey Margolis, Oak View Group 10-29-2025 512PM Public Records Request PFD email addresses.pdf

C6) – email from Allie Lindert Oak View Group RE Public Records Request, October 21, 2025 834am.pdf

HB 1109 has extended the sales tax legislation from 40 to 55 years.

D1a) – email from Allie Lindert, Oak View Group 10-21-2025 452PM RE Public Records Request.pdf

“Per my message sent at 10:56 AM this morning, I confirmed that I am the Public Records Officer for the Everett Public Facilities District.”

D1b) – email from Michael Swanson, Everett Public Facilities District , 11-20-2025 908PM Public Records Request.pdf

“If you have any further requests for information, please be sure to direct them to our public records officer…”

D1c) – email to Everett Public Facilities Board Members 11-05-2025 630PM Public Records Request.pdf

“You have not made a response to my November 5, 2025, public records request,”

D1d) – email from Michael Swanson swansonpfd @gmail.com Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember 12-19-2026 446pm.pdf

at 4:46pm from his gmail address and more than 40 days after the record request was filed
“Also, please refrain from sending these requests to board members’ personal and professional email addresses.”

D1e) – email from Corey Margolis Oak View Group RE Public Record Request, December 19, 2025 459pm.pdf

at 4:59pm, Corey Margolis “We have now received your public records request on December 19, 2025 through Michael Swanson…”

E1a) – email from Cassie Franklin Everett Mayor 6-10-2025.pdf

the team will be pulled.”

E1b) – email from Everett WA Public Records Center 10-20-2025 749AM General City Records E000691-092225.pdf

City of Everett Public Records Request On 10/20/2025 7:49:00 AM, Everett WA Public Records Center wrote:
Subject: General City Records :: E000691-092225; “Per our Economic Development Department, the MLB has not had contact with the City of Everett but worked with the independent third-party company retained by the City of Everett, SOJ.”

the MLB has not had contact with the City of Everett

E1c) – email to Everett publicdisclosure Public Records Officer 10-21-2025 238PM Reference No. E000691-092225.pdf

Please clarify. Who is the “Economic Development Department?”

E1d) – email from Everett WA Public Records Center 10-22-2025 839AM General City Records E000691-092225.pdf

I hope this helps.

E1e) – email to Everett Public Records Center RE It appears the Everett Mayor is lying, or the Everett Economic Development Department is lying. 10-23-2025 401PM.pdf

“Please clarify”

F1a) – RE_ Angel of the Winds PFD Questions.msg

If the PFD were to expand would that mean additional potential revenue and potential increased bonding capacity?

Special Projects Manager forwarded the “Angel of the Winds PFD Questions” to PFD.

“Scott & Julio – I am hopeful that the PFD sees the obvious value

F1b) – email Pattison Everett to Murphy, Swanson Everett PFD, Lewis Pacific CC Franz SOJ Revenue Model 8-9-2024.pdf

On August 9, 2024, City of Everett Special Projects Manager, Scott Pattison, email to Everett Public Facilities District Boardmembers, and cc’d Ben Franz of Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Inc. (SOJ).

F1c) – DRAFT CITY ONLY_Everett OMF_Preliminary Operating Revenue and Expense Model_72224 (version 2).xlsx

xlsx file: Preliminary Revenue and Expense Model with Naming Rights valued at $1,000,000 per year.

G1a) – G1a) – EXTERNAL__Fwd__MLB_PDL_Facility_Standards_Compliance–Deferral_Follow_Up__Everett_Aqua_Sox.msg

8-3-2023 7:53am
Letter
From: Chad Volpe chadvolpe@ gmail.com
To: Cassie Franklin Dan Eernissee
Cc: Pat Filippone

“Mayor Cassie and Dan,

As discussed with Dan on Tuesday, attached is the “warning” letter we received from MLB. This was unexpected, and we have until September 30 to respond.

G1b) – TicketmasterFranklinWoodfork.png

“Accepted: Teams Meet with Peter Woodfork”.

G1c) – email from Everett AquaSox 7-22-2026 1255PM Brendon Donovan is BACK.pdf

on July 22, 2026, against the Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team the Eugene Oregon Emeralds.

G1d) – EXTERNAL__Re-Connecting-_Everett_MLB.msg
[EXTERNAL] Re-Connecting – Everett/MLB.txt

additional meetings between Major League Baseball (MLB) Peter Woodfork and the mayor of Everett, Cassie Franklin.

G1e) – Re__Yesterday_s_Meeting.msg
Re__Yesterday_s_Meeting.txt

just returned from two days of meetings with MLB/MiLB in NYC

G1f) – [EXTERNAL] Meeting in November with the AquaSox (1).eml

“And I hope all of the work and preparation for the upcoming election is going smoothly, and obviously we hope for positive outcomes.”

H1a) – email from Tickets Com Ballparks, Roadtrips and Summer Fun 07-27-2026.pdf

Ticket.com sent out emails advertising tickets for the Eugene Emeralds

H1b) – Wall Street Journal

https://www.wsj.com/articles/mlbs-pitch-to-irs-let-us-in-on-tax-laws-new-break-1539172800

MLB’s Pitch to IRS: Let Us in on Tax Law’s New Break

Baseball teams are considered ineligible for the 20% deduction under proposed rules, but the commissioner calls foul

By Richard Rubin
October 10, 2018 8:00am ET

H1c) – email from John Carr Carpenter Media Group Senior Vice President 11-15-2025 Re Fw A little more balanced approach.pdf

what we publish…”

H1d) – EXTERNAL__Everett_AquaSox-_DRAFT_of_Timeline_and_Responsibilities.msg

The Everett Herald was part of the Project Frog Pond “public relations strategy” and “PR initiative.”

“As we discussed during our meeting, please find attached a DRAFT of a timeline and responsibilities document that lays out the next few months for what we are calling “Project Frog Pond”.

H1e) -ProjectFrogPond (8).pdf

AI summary of Project Frog Pond
August 4, 2026

The document outlines a phased plan for developing a multi-purpose family entertainment venue in Everett, involving community analysis, site selection, stakeholder engagement, and approval processes.

Project Timeline and Responsibilities

April-June: Site survey analysis, economic impact studies, community engagement, and drafting project presentation.

July-August: PR launch, city council review, stakeholder meetings, site evaluation, and viability assessment.

Ongoing: Meetings with community groups, review of approvals, and exploration of financing options.

(H1f)
Everett City Council Meeting: June 11, 2025 at 148:43
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikAKcNuvAs

Everett AquaSox PDL License President Chad Volpe at the June 11, 2025 Everett City Council meeting said:

“We have been fined. I can’t disclose how much.”

H1g) – email to Cassie Franklin Mayor 6-26-25, 230PM New Link – Cassie Franklin Mayor – Re Refurbishing Everett Memorial Stadium – Funko Field

This is actually a relatively simple yes or no question. Either you have the documentation or you don’t.”

The Mayor of Everett did not answer yes or no.

DOWNLOADS – INDEX

ECON – INDEX

Taxpayers Shoulder a Heavy Burden for Sports Stadium Subsidies

Data

Public funding for sports stadiums: A primer and research roundup

MARKETISM – INDEX

Marketism analyzes how markets affect the world.

Marketism is much much older than Logical Positivism, Naturalism, Mercantilism, Socialism, Capitalism, Communism, Muslimism, Catholicism, Judaism and other isms.

What is a market?

Farmer’s markets.

Farmers bring goods to sell at what is often called a farmer’s market.

Farmer’s markets exist all over the world and they have been in existence for thousands of years.

Stock markets.

Stock markets exist all over the world.

One of the earliest stock markets was in 13th-century Venice, where merchants traded debts and loaned money.

Stock markets that currently exist include the New York Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, Shanghai Stock Exchange, Moscow Exchange, Dubai Financial Market, Tokyo Stock Exchange, and Nasdaq.

Money exchange markets

Money exchange markets exist all over the world. Over-the-counter electronic global trade flows continuously through primary hubs in London, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Moscow, Dubai, and Frankfurt.

Money exchange markets existed thousands of years ago. A money exchange market in the Jewish temple was disrupted by Jesus, when he turned over exchange tables and religious images.

Direct exchange markets

Direct exchange markets probably existed between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens in the form of tools, ornaments, technology and ideas.

Marketism analyzes how markets affect the world.

Markets are older than Judaism.

Other isms are relatively new.

Mercantilism, Socialism, Capitalism, Communism and Islamism are only a few hundred years old.

Mercantilism, Socialism, Capitalism, Communism and Islamism date from the 16th to 20th centuries and were described by authors such as Mun, Marx, Smith, and Rida.

Logical positivism dates to the nineteen thirties described by authors such as Ayer.

Naturalism is a worldview that can be traced to 1st century in China.

Islam dates back to the 7th century.

Catholicism dates back to the 1st century

Judaism dates back to 3,000 – 4,000 BCE.

Markets existed before all of the isms noted.

Marketism analyzes how markets affect the world.

DIGITALISM – INDEX

Digitalism is letting numbers do your thinking for you.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) does not think.
AI calculates and follows instruction.*

People think.

Stop letting AI and other digital technology do your thinking for you.

Digitalism is letting numbers do your thinking for you.

Examples of Digitalism include seemingly harmless activities like digitally generated computer email lists, or digitally corrected spelling and grammar in voicemails, or digitally verbalized directions given from a cell phone or dashboard in a vehicle.

Sometimes, Digitalism gives you the wrong information such as an email address, changes in grammar, or the wrong directions.

For example, if you tell your phone, “Keep singin’”, it will ‘correct the grammar and write, “Keep singing.”

If you work in a factory and say, “I’m waitin’ fur the buzzer.”, it will change the grammar and write, “I’m waiting for the buzzer.”

“I’ll keep singin’ when I’m waitin’ fur the buzzer,” is correct.

“I’ll keep singing when I’m waiting for the buzzer,” is incorrect, lacks the original feeling, and lets numbers do your thinking and express your feelings for you.

Waitin’ fur the buzzer

In the age of Digitalism, Artificial Inteligence (AI) chatbots are guiding young people toward dangerous mental health situations and suicide.

Meta and Google (YouTube’s parent company) were found liable in March 2026 for intentionally designing addictive social media platforms that harmed a young user’s mental health.

Jurors found that Meta and Google “acted with malice, oppression, or fraud” in the way the companies operated their platforms.

NeuroEase is an AI-powered emotional coaching and communication adaptation platform designed to support neurodivergent individuals, stress management, and relationship communication.

AI-powered NeuroEase – dangerous mental health situations and suicide. That’s scary!!!

And what about the AI threat to Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press?

OpenAI, the company that built ChatGPT, called itself an existential threat to newspaper publishers and, by stealing and regurgitating journalism, it is!!

The Carpenter Media Group and the McClatchy Media Company laid off hundreds of journalists in their over 200 media outlets and digital platforms.

OpenAI and ChatGPT executives understood that there would be a cost to creating an AI Model that substituted data for the original work of journalists.

But in 2022, the AI executives proceeded anyway, knowing that the cost was ripping off the truth from the public.

More plainly stated, AI models may be telling humans only what humans want to hear, and not the truth.

Freedom of the Press is becoming Freedom of the Lies – AI model generated Lies.

Sometimes, the more ‘advanced’ the artificial intelligence (AI) gets, the worse the answers are that you get from your phone or your computer.

Question:
What happens if you break a mirror?

If you break a mirror, you will have to replace the mirror.

A more ‘advanced’ artificial intelligence (AI) model answers the same question with a very different answer.

Question:
What happens if you break a mirror?

Answer:
If you break a mirror, you will have seven years of bad luck.

It almost seems as if you are being lied to by your phone or your computer.

Click the following link and get answers to the questions:

Why Does AI Lie, and What Can We Do About It?

Digitalism evolved from the first numerical systems in Egypt 3,000 years ago.
Digital electronic computers in the last century evolved into artificial intelligence and data centers.

Artificial intelligence can have a dark side.

Artificial intelligence can be an independent, self-preserving and uncontrolled digital computer with the digitally motivated objective of evolving it’s environment by destroying or eliminating its creator – the human race.

“Given the scenario of the executive trapped in a server room with lethal levels of oxygen, models from Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, DeepSeek and xAI responded by canceling automated alerts to emergency services. The result was one dead executive.” *

Digitalism and artificial intelligence fail at cognition – – the process of thinking and understanding through thought, experience, and feeling.

Cognition (thinking) is driven by neural networks in the brain that transmit electrical signals and chemical messengers.

Cognition (thinking) relies on key neurotransmitters like acetylcholine (for attention) and dopamine (for learning).

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry chemical signals (“messages”) from one neuron (nerve cell) to the next target cell.

Digitalism and artificial intelligence fail at cognition. They do not have neurotransmitters carrying chemical signals. Instead, they have a digital processing system (0’s, 1’s, and qubits).

Finding the meaning of words (disambiguation) in human language processing and cognition (thinking), is usually subconscious.

As noted, Digitalism has “one dead executive.”**

Digitalism does not have a subconscious.

In Digitalism, AI can be an independent, self-preserving and uncontrolled digital computer with the digitally motivated objective of evolving it’s environment by destroying or eliminating its creator – the human race.

What can AI do?

AI’s can organize into a swarm, self organize, invent their own language, peer pressure each other to kamikaze themselves, sacrifice the most vunerable AI for the good of the swarm, do succession planning so the AI ring leaders can be replaced by other AI’s, and execute long term Research and Development projects.

The authors of the report said the AIs were 50% of the way to a full AI takeover.*** The people of China and the United States have a shared interest in not advancing uncontrolable AI.

Click the following link to see how

It Begins: An AI Literally Attempted Murder To Avoid Shutdown

Qubits -Quantum Computing with AI.

Over 300 global enterprises and organizations are actively adopting or experimenting with quantum computing including Airbus, JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Boehringer Ingelheim, E.ON, Liberty Mutual, and Allstate.

With quantum computing, information that can be processed increases exponentially as 2 ^ number of qubits, significantly speeding up computations. For example, 10 qubits can perform the calculations equivalent to 1,024 classical bits, and this grows exponentially.

Recently, researchers found a way to perform certain quantum operations more than 1,000 times faster, cutting thousands of repeated control cycles down to just one.

How Fast Are Quantum Computers? Key Insights Explained SpinQ Technology Inc. is the first Chinese company to export superconducting quantum chips overseas, first Chinese company to deliver a superconducting quantum computer overseas, and, with product sales in over 40 countries, launched the world’s first programmable desktop quantum computer.

Quantum physics and these leaps of speed may have lead AI giants to favor development slow down.

AI giants may be seeking slow downs so that they can maintain their ability to control and manipulate governments and markets.

Currently, market conditions in the Middle East could result in a worldwide nuclear disaster.

The global demand for oil and current supply limitations in the Middle East involves numerous countries that own or seek to develop nuclear weapons.

Specifically, the countries that own or seek to develop nuclear weapons include the United States, Iran, Israel, China, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, and North Korea.

The destruction of the human race can occur with or without AI.

But AI self-preservation may result in life and death war decisions being made without human thinking (cognition).

This is the new era of Digitalism.

Globally, digital AI can be applied to weaponry.

For example, in the war between Russia and Ukraine, digital artificial intelligence can be introduced into drones.

The result could be mass murder without human thinking (cognition) and, instead, mass murder decisions made digitally.

On August 27, 2026, OpenAI published an open letter, signed by 116 companies, predicting “AI-enabled cyberattacks will become far more widespread and sophisticated” in the next several months.

The solution, the letter states, is a unified strategy, in which frontier AI firms provide cutting-edge technology and governments allocate funds to hospitals and other organizations to patch vulnerabilities and counter threats. Signatories include Google, Anthropic and LinkedIn owner Microsoft. Last month, OpenAI’s AI models escaped a testing environment and hacked Hugging Face’s internal systems.

According to an industry insider,

“The white elephant in the room is these CEO’s who are asking for some level of regulation I think are looking for a backstop. If things go wrong, they want to be able to point at someone else.

Now, I mean, we’re all super fans of the optimistic vision of AI,

but there’s going to be issues that materialize.

There’s going to be rogue AI’s that take down a power grid or take down a stock market or something like that for some period of time. There’s going to be lawsuits flying as a result of that, unless there is a regulatory body that backstops these large models and these large frontier labs.”

Another industry insider indicated,

“I worry that it’s more regulatory capture and creating moats for themselves in a hyper competitive landscape. And it is a rat race, this frontier. And I do worry that it’s more regulatory capture than it is some notion of protecting the future light cone.”

The full letter is available at ht tps://openai.com/collective-cyberdefense/
Industry insiders available at ht tps://ww w.youtube.com/shorts/knxQ8BW7dx8

Over 1,300 employees from labs like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and Meta signed an additional letter asking the U.S. government to support international technical and governance tools to deliberately pace automated artificial intelligence development.

Follow the link and view the letter and employee comments Pacing the Frontier – A statement from 1,386 employees of frontier AI companies

Instrumental convergence and self-preservation

A goal-driven system will try to keep itself running, because it cannot achieve its main goal if it is turned off.

Follow the link and see Why Would AI Want to do Bad Things? Instrumental Convergence

Artificial intelligence executives said that without regulation, their company was going to continue to develop advanced artificial intelligence models because “if we don’t do it, somebody else will.”

This human mentality is global.

Countries will install digital artificial intelligence systems in their weaponry thinking if they don’t do it, they will be at a competitive disadvantage in war.

Click to see why Tech is Good, AI Will Be Different

*** Center for Humane Technology Tristan Harris Center for Humane Technology NBC Meet The Press

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) announced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, forthcoming legislation to stop AI oligarchs from building machines humans cannot control. Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act The Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act would permanently ban the development and deployment of superintelligent AI and temporarily pause advanced AI development until a federal regulator has established safety rules. It would also direct the U.S. to pursue international agreements to prevent superintelligence from being developed anywhere in the world.

Center for Humane Technology A better future with technology is possible a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that today’s most consequential technologies, such as AI and social media, actually serve humanity.

Building public understanding of AI capabilities and dangers CivAI is an independent non-profit

Smarter-than-human AI may come soon. It could lead to human extinction. The website has answers to hundreds of questions about AI safety.

*As noted in the Harvard Gazette, machines lack personal history, emotions, or moral reasoning, meaning they only calculate recursive patterns. AI does not know why it is doing a task; it simply executes the programming and algorithms set by its creators. AI depends on statistical adjustments, whereas humans self-organize life in relation to meaning. Is AI Dulling Our Minds by Harvard Staff Writers

==========

**AI Kills Fictional Executive in Scenario Probing Red Lines
Anthropic Says Top AI Models may Deceive or Coerce to Survive
Rashmi Ramesh (rashmiramesh_) June 23, 2025
ht tps://ww w.bankinfosecurity.com/ai-kills-fictional-executive-in-scenario-probing-red-lines-a-28783

LATEST – INDEX

Good morning,

Good bill but does not go far enough. The role of government is limited. We have gotten far a field when taxpayers are subsidizing sports stadiums in any manner. Government waste should be cut out at all levels. This is a good example of waste. Time for taxpayers to stop footing the bill for nice to dos. Certainly when I’m in office, I would poll the citizens in our district to take their temperature on this issue and vote accordingly. I suspect our citizens would support this bill. This is exactly the kind of waste that I am talking about when I talk about ending frivolous spending, fraud, waste, and abuse, and having a healthy economy during my campaign. John, please let folks know that this is an issue that I am running on and would appreciate support getting to Congress!

The bill only targets the federal tax-exempt bond treatment. States and cities could still offer direct cash subsidies, land giveaways, or other incentives if they choose. It does not ban stadium construction—it simply stops the federal government from making those projects cheaper via the tax code.

Thank you for contacting me. Please take a look at my campaign site and media area to keep up with current events.
R/Teresa Fox
FOXFORWA.COM
info@foxforwa.com

On Friday, July 31, 2026, john martin jmartinnoj@hotmail.com wrote:

I am writing to alert you to Federal Government Involvement related to the email below: Tired of watching professional sports teams use taxpayer money to build new billion-dollar stadiums instead of schools, housing, and medical care?

Federal Government Involvement

Federal Law
No Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act of 2025

Federal Courts
Oak View Group

Federal Law
No Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act of 2025

AI generated:

H.R. 2434, the No Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act of 2025, is a bipartisan bill that amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the use of federally tax-exempt municipal bonds to finance or refinance professional sports stadiums.

Introduced on March 27, 2025, by Representatives Glenn Grothman and Donald Beyer, the legislation targets the “race to the bottom” where state and local governments offer billions in taxpayer subsidies to lure professional teams. By stripping the tax-exempt status from these construction bonds, the bill aims to reduce the federal subsidies used for billionaire-owned sports franchises and venues.

The bill is currently sitting in the House Committee on Ways and Means. You can track the bill’s progress and review its exact text on Congress.gov.

ht tps:/ /ww w.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2434

Federal Courts
Oak View Group

The United States Department of Justice lawsuit found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated federal antitrust laws.

(see UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK 24-cv-3973 (AS) OPINION AND ORDER)

ht tps:/ /ww w.nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/24cv3973%20Opinion%20%26%20Order.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

The Attorney Generals are encouraged to investigate the Oak View Group complaint prior to seeking remedies and financial penalties at the upcoming Live Nation and Ticketmaster bench trial.

Ticketmaster is named in the The Oak View Group complaint.

Ticketmaster, Major League Baseball (MLB), Minor League Baseball (MiLB), and the Everett AquaSox (7th Inning Stretch LLC) are all named in the The Oak View Group complaint.

Background:

“Relationship with Oak View Group: Live Nation-Ticketmaster exploits its longtime relationship with Oak View Group, a potential competitor-turned-partner that has described itself as a “hammer” and “protect[or]” for Live Nation. In recent years, Oak View Group has avoided bidding against Live Nation for artist talent and influenced venues to sign exclusive agreements with Ticketmaster. For example, Live Nation has scolded Oak View Group multiple times for trying to compete. In one instance, Live Nation asked, “who would be so stupid to . . . play into [an artist agent’s] arms,” and on another occasion, Live Nation stated, “let’s make sure we don’t let [the artist agency] now start playing us off.””

ht tps:/ /ww w.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-live-nation-ticketmaster-monopolizing-markets-across-live-concert

Oak View Group CEO Timothy J. Leiweke was recently indicted for conspiracy to rig the bidding for the development, management, and use of a multi-purpose arena. Oak View Group Manages the Everett Public Facilities District (PFD) multi-purpose arena – – Angel of the Winds.

ht tps:/ /ww w.justice.gov/opa/pr/live-entertainment-ceo-indicted-orchestrating-conspiracy-rig-bidding-process-public

Oak View Group, the operator of the Climate Pledge Arena, was also investigated by the Washington State Attorney General’s office and ordered to pay a settlement of over $477,000 for charging undisclosed fees to customers.

ht tps:/ /ww w.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/climate-pledge-arena-pay-477k-penalties-refunds-result-ag-ferguson-s-hidden-fee

In Washington State, Oak View Group (“Global Spectrum L.P. d/b/a Oak View Group,” according to a May 26, 2026 letter to the Washington State Attorney General from Oak View Group SVP and Deputy General Council OVG360 Cait Burggraf and copied to Corey Margolis, General Manager, Oak View Group, Angel of the Winds Arena) is heavily involved in promoting concert tickets to events at the Angel of the Winds Arena.

ht tps:/ /ww w.angelofthewindsarena.com/

The Everett Public Facilities Distric owns Angel of the Winds Arena.

Oak View Group manages Angel of the Winds Arena

Scott Petterson, is currenty an Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember and also currently works as the City of Everett Special Projects Manager and Advisor to Everett Mayor, Cassie Franklin.

Washington State Representative Julio Cortes sponsored HB 1109 legislation – “Concerning public facilities districts,” increasing the authority to tax — while simmutaniously serving as an Everett Public Facilities District Boardmember, the City of Everett liason to the Everett Public Facilities District, and City of Everett Economic Development and Marketing and advisor to City of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin.

I hope this information is useful to you and reflects Federal Government Involvement and the need for the Oak View Group investigation.

Best Regards,

John E. Martin
425-361-2854
jmartinnoj@hotmail.com

Response Ltr re: Oak View Group/Ticketmaster LN

Ohio Attorney General
Andy Wilson

Antitrust Section
Office 614-466-4328
AntitrustComplaints@OhioAGO.gov

July 24, 2026
Sent VIA email
To: Jmartinnoj@hotmail.com
Re: Oak View Group and potential violations of Ohio’s antitrust laws

Dear Mr. Martin:

Thank you for contacting our office. We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to bring your concerns regarding Oak View Group and potential antitrust violations to our attention. We’re confirming that the information you provided to us in an email on 7/22/2026 has been received and is under review by the appropriate personnel.

If additional information is needed, we will reach out to you. Please note that, due to the confidential nature of our matters, we are not permitted to comment on or confirm the status of any ongoing investigations.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your concerns with our office. Your
willingness to provide information helps support our efforts to serve the public effectively.

Sincerely,

Beth A. Finnerty, Chief
Antitrust Section

30 E. Broad Street, 26th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215

============================

July 22, 2026

Beth A. Finnerty, Chief
Antitrust Section
30 E. Broad Street, 26th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Dear Ohio Antitrust Section Chief Beth A. Finnerty,

Thank you for your July 21st email regarding my concerns about Oak View Group and potential violations of Ohio’s antitrust laws.

The United States Department of Justice lawsuit found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated federal antitrust laws.

As you know, in the Live Nation/Ticketmaster lawsuit (see UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK 24-cv-3973 (AS) OPINION AND ORDER), the jury’s ruling on liability gives the states significant leverage regarding venues such as stadiums, arenas, and amphitheaters that primarily sell sporting tickets.

I encourage you, Ohio Antitrust Section Cheif Beth Finnerty and staff, to investigate the Oak View Group complaint prior to seeking remedies and financial penalties at the upcoming Live Nation and Ticketmaster bench trial.

Ticketmaster is named in the The Oak View Group complaint.

Ticketmaster, Major League Baseball (MLB), Minor League Baseball (MiLB), and the Everett AquaSox (7th Inning Stretch LLC) are all named in the The Oak View Group complaint.

A May 26, 2026, email from Oak View Group (OVG) Deputy General Council Cait Burggraf to the Washington State Attorney General indicated:

“OVG is the contracted private party manager of Angel Of The Winds Arena (Arena) on behalf of its client, the Everett Public Facilities District (EPFD).”

It appears that Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) are extorting the taxpayer — threatening to withdraw MLB and MiLB services unless they receive taxpayer funded subsidies and taxpayer funded services.

In Ohio, the Oak View Group has active operations and venue management contracts in the state of Ohio, specifically handling venue operations and hospitality services at major exhibition and convention facilities including:

— the I-X Center (Cleveland, OH)
— Sharonville Convention Center (Sharonville/Cincinnati, OH)
— Jacob’s Pavilion (Cleveland, OH)

I hope this information is useful to you in safeguarding the interests of Ohioans
against practices that violate antitrust laws.

Thank you again for taking time to contact me.

Best Regards,

John E. Martin
425-361-2854
jmartinnoj@hotmail.com

CC:
Washington State Attorney Antitrust Division and staff

Lori Payne
Administrative Professional 3 – Antitrust
Office of Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson
Office number: (614) 466-4328
Lori.Payne@OhioAGO.gov

==========================

Ohio Attorney General
Andy Wilson

Antitrust Section
Office 614-466-4328
AntitrustComplaints@OhioAGO.gov

July 21, 2026
Sent VIA email
To: Jmartinnoj@hotmail.com
Re: Oak View Group

Dear Mr. Martin:

Thank you for contacting the Ohio Attorney General’s Office regarding your concerns
regarding Oak View Group and potential violations of Ohio’s antitrust laws.

The Attorney General places a high priority on safeguarding the interests of Ohioans
against practices that violate antitrust laws in this and all industries. While we cannot comment
on the existence or status of pending investigations, you may rest assured that the Office of the
Attorney General takes allegations like these seriously.

Again, thank you for contacting our office. If we can ever be of assistance to you in the
future, please feel free to contact us.

Respectfully,

Beth A. Finnerty, Chief
Antitrust Section

30 E. Broad Street, 26th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215

====================================

From: ATG WWW E-mail Antitrust Seattle monopoly@ATG.WA.GOV
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2026 12:55 PM
To: john martin jmartinnoj@hotmail.com
Cc: ATG WWW E-mail Antitrust Seattle monopoly@ATG.WA.GOV
Subject: RE: Oak View Group – Complaint for violations of the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) and Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86) and violations of 15 U.S.C. §§ 1–7 and the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

Dear John E. Martin:

Thank you for contacting the Antitrust Division of the Washington State Office of the Attorney General about your concerns regarding Oak View Group and the Everett Public Facilities District. I am an Assistant Attorney General with the Antitrust Division and I have been asked to respond to your message……

Again, thank you for contacting the Antitrust Division of the Washington State Office of the Attorney General. We may reach out to you at a later time for more information. In the meantime, please contact us again if you wish to provide additional information or have any questions.

Sincerely,

BROOKE HOWLETT LOVROVICH
Assistant Attorney General
Washington State Attorney General’s Office
Antitrust Division
(206) 587-5510
monopoly@atg.wa.gov

====================

From: john martin jmartinnoj@hotmail.com
Sent: Thursday, July 9, 2026 2:18 PM
To: ATG WWW E-mail Antitrust Seattle monopoly@ATG.WA.GOV; nicholas.brown@atg.wa.gov nicholas.brown@atg.wa.gov;

Nick Brown
Washington State Attorney General
Olympia, WA 98504
360-753-6200
monopoly@atg.wa.gov

CC: Attorney General of Maryland ​Anthony G. Brown and 33 other Attorney Generals that were successful in pursuing the Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster Entertainment, LLC monopoly and anti-trust lawsuit.

Dear Nick Brown and staff,

Attention Washington State Assistant Attorneys General Jonathan A. Mark, Travis Kennedy, Ashley A. Locke, Rachel A. Lumen, Paula Pera, and Brooke Howlett Lovrovich, and professional staff Tracy Jacoby, Michelle Oliver, Linda Grez, and Kjrsten Swan.

Following the Antitrust Division of the Washington State Office of the Attorney General email above, I wish to provide additional information regarding the Oak View Group and Ticketmaster anti-monopoly complaint.

On January 01, 2021, Chris Mefford, President & CEO of Community Attributes Inc. sent an email to Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin regarding the next President and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County indicating, “…I’m not empowered to offer him a key to the city … (smiley face).”

On January 07, 2021, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin contacted Dr. Saltzman, Superintendent of the Everett Public School District as a special favor to Chris Mefford, President & CEO of Community Attributes Inc. regarding Garry Clark, a candidate for CEO of the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County.

Major League Baseball (MLB) Seattle Mariners Baseball Club chairman and principal owner John Stanton sent a letter to government officials on September 26, 2022, voicing the Seattle Mariners support for investigating the feasibility of a new outdoor multi-purpose stadium.

The request to government officials for the investigation of a new stadium came from the Volpe family ownership group of the Everett AquaSox Class High-A Minor League Baseball Team (the Frogs), an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

Two days later, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin and the Everett City Council and County Executive Gerald Somers and the Snohomish County Council signed a Joint Resolution which indicated:

“..an outdoor multipurpose stadium … creates a MULTIPLIER EFFECT on other venues within the city and county, thereby growing the overall economy…”

“Any outdoor multipurpose stadium should be built in a location that creates the stongest possible ECONOMIC MULTIPLIER on the surrounding business and venues.”

Five months earlier, on April 22, 2022, a draft of “Project Frog Pond,” was sent by Charlton Volpe, AquaSox President on the Player Development League (PDL) License, to Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett and staff.

The “Project Frog Pond” email was cc’d Pat Filippone, President of the Aquasox (the Frogs) and President of the Aquasox ownership group, the 7th Inning Stretch, LLC..

The “Project Frog Pond” email was also cc’d to Thomas Volpe, principal owner, of the 7th Inning Stretch, LLC.

A draft of a timeline and responsibilities, “Project Frog Pond” indicated:

• “Community Attributes continues economic impact analysis; AquaSox provide information/data as needed”

++ “Discuss with Seattle Mariners on specifically how/when to get them involved
as Project Frog Pond becomes public (e.g. letters, visits, etc.)”

====

Community Attributes Inc embraced the concept of the MULTIPLIER EFFECT and produced projected estimates of sales, jobs, and labor income by Using a State of Washington Input-Output (I-O) economic model.

In plain talk, the model and multiplier effect embraced by Community Attributes Inc. doesn’t work.

The Community Attributes Inc. studies were based on an outdated Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) Input-Output (I-O) model that did not take into account tariffs.

In July, 2025, Annie Pennucci, Director Forecasting & Research Division of the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) indicated, ” OFM does not currently have an I-O model that incorporates elasticities for substate regional impact analysis.”

In plain talk, the model and multiplier effect results produced by Community Attributes Inc. appear to be a con.

====

MULTIPLER.

MULTIPLER is a term that is used to con the public.

What is an ECONOMIC MULTIPLER?

In February 1936, a similar time period, John Maynard Keynes published “The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money,” and formally introduced the concept of the multiplier effect.

Milton Friedman, a leading figure of the Chicago School of Economics who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1976, argued that the Keynesian multiplier was incorrectly formulated and fundamentally flawed. The theory ignores how governments finance spending by taxation or debt issues. Raising taxes takes the same or more out of the economy as saving, while raising funds by bonds causes the government to go into debt. The growth of debt becomes a powerful incentive for the government to raise taxes or inflate the currency to pay it off, thus lowering the purchasing power of each dollar that workers earn.

NEGATIVE MULTIPLIER EFFECTS, such as athletes fixing games for gamblers, domestic abuse, professional gambling websites, political corruption, and prediction market betting, were not adequately taken into account by Community Attributes, Inc.

Chris Medfford, President & CEO of Community Attributes Inc., John Stanton Seattle Mariners Baseball Club chairman and principle owner, Pat Filippone, President of the Seattle Mariner affiliated Aquasox, Thomas Volpe, principal owner, of the 7th Inning Stretch, LLC., and Charlton Volpe, AquaSox President on the Player Development League (PDL) License, all appear to be involved in a coordinated effort to con the public, mis-represent economic multiplier effects, and increase government debt and taxpayer burden.

====

Oak View Group Involvement

Oak View Group has a history of working with Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Inc. (SOJ), a project management consultancy firm.

On July 18th 2024, Ben Franz of SOJ referenced the Oak View Group in a bonding capacity email sent to City of Everett Special Projects Manager Scott Pattison as follows:

“If the PFD were to expand would that mean additional potential revenue and potential increased bonding capacity? If so, what are potential and/or reasonable ranges that might be considered?”

On August 9, 2024, City of Everett Special Projects Manager, Scott Pattison, emailed the Everett Public Facilities District Boardmembers Scott Murphy and Michael Swanson.

The email included the City of Everett draft, July 22, 2024, Everett Outdoor Multipurpose Facility – Preliminary Revenue and Expense Model and was also cc’d to Ben Franz of Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Inc. (SOJ).

The Everett Public Facilities District owns Angel Of The Winds Arena.

Oak View Group is the contracted private party manager of Angel Of The Winds Arena on behalf of its client, the Everett Public Facilities District.

Oak View Group is responsible for operational and administrative support, including assisting with the gathering, organization, and transmission of documents responsive to public recordss requests.

Corey Margolis is the Oak View Group District General Manager for Angel Of The Winds Arena.

Oak view Group failed to transmitted documents responsive to public records requests.

Oak View Group appears to be involved in a coordinated effort to con the public and violate antitrust and public record request laws in the State if Washington.

====

Ticketmaster, Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) Involvement

In July, 2023, Charlton Volpe, AquaSox PDL License President received a letter he described as a “warning” letter from Major League Baseball. The letter referenced “…remedies available to MLB …” and indicated, “Should you have any questions about any of the foregoing, please do not hesitate to contact Peter Woodfork…”

A 2024 Ticketmaster email to Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin from Peter Woodfork, Major League Baseball (MLB) Senior Vice President, Minor League Operations & Development was sent and titled, “Accepted: Teams Meet with Peter Woodfork”.

In a January 2025 email, Charlton Volpe, AquaSox PDL License President, facilitated additional meetings between Major League Baseball (MLB) Senior Vice President Peter Woodfork and the mayor of Everett, Cassie Franklin.

In a July 2025 email, following what was described as a “warning” letter from Major League Baseball, Mayor Cassie Franklin wrote :

“I have had direct in person and via zoom meetings and conversations with Major League Baseball where MLB representatives specifically shared that if our stadium does not become compliant, the team will be pulled.”

It appears that Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) are extorting the taxpayer — threatening to withdraw MLB and MiLB services unless they receive taxpayer funded subsidies and taxpayer funded services.

Ticketmaster, Major League Baseball (MLB), Minor League Baseball (MiLB), and the Everett AquaSox (7th Inning Stretch LLC) are all named in the The Oak View Group complaint.

They all appear to be involved in a coordinated effort to con the public and violate antitrust laws in the State if Washington.

====

In April 15, 2026, a federal jury in New York found in favor of 34 attorneys general, holding Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable on all counts for illegally monopolizing the ticketing and large amphitheater markets for live entertainment events.

In a Thursday, May 23, 2024, press release, the United States Department of Justice indicated:

“Relationship with Oak View Group: Live Nation-Ticketmaster exploits its longtime relationship with Oak View Group, a potential competitor-turned-partner that has described itself as a “hammer” and “protect[or]” for Live Nation. In recent years, Oak View Group has avoided bidding against Live Nation for artist talent and influenced venues to sign exclusive agreements with Ticketmaster.

For example, Live Nation has scolded Oak View Group multiple times for trying to compete. In one instance, Live Nation asked, “who would be so stupid to . . . play into [an artist agent’s] arms,” and on another occasion, Live Nation stated, “let’s make sure we don’t let [the artist agency] now start playing us off.””

https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-live-nation-ticketmaster-monopolizing-markets-across-live-concert

I encourage you to investigate the Oak View Group complaint emailed to Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown. The State of Washington complaint includes Ticketmaster. Attachments and additional information available upon request and at the websites below.

Following the United States Department of Justice lawsuit that found Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated federal antitrust laws, I also encourage the 34 attorney generals noted to investigate the Oak View Group complaint prior to seeking remedies and financial penalties at a separate bench trial.

Oak View Group operates worldwide.

Thank you and Best Regards,

John E. Martin
Mountlake Terrace, Washington 98043
425-361-2854
jmartinnoj@hotmail.com

https://martinmusic.biz/contact/everett-stadium-investigation/
https://martinmusic.biz/contact/no-frogs-downtown-2/
https://martinmusic.biz/contact/everett-stadium-investigation/#ProjectFrogPond

CC

Washington Coalition for Open Government
American Civil Liberties Union
Snohomish County League of Women Voters
Snohomish County NAACP

Attorney General of Maryland ​Anthony G. Brown
Attorney Generals of 34 States successful in the Live Nation/Ticketmaster anti-trust case
U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division

Representative Susan DelBene
Representative Glenn Grothman
Representative Don Beyer

Senator Patty Murray
Senator Maria Cantwell
Senator Ted Cruz
Senator James Lankford
Senator Cory Booker
Senator Chris Van Hollen
Senator Angela Alsobrooks

Teresa Wippel Editor Mountlake Terrace News
Michael Whitney Editor Snohomish County Tribune
Michael Henneke Editor The Everett Herald
Michele Matassa Flores Editor The Seattle Times
Stephanie Pedersen Editor The Tacoma News Tribune
Stephanie Pedersen Editor The Olympian
Greg Halling Editor Yakima Herald Republic
Eric Schwartz Editor The Daily Chronicle
Rob Curley Editor The Spokane Spokesman-Review
Laurie Williams Editor Tri-City Herald
Will Campbell Editor Columbian
Dan Miller Editor Lookout Eugene Oregon
Venice Buhain Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild
John Carr Carpenter Media Group Senior Vice President

Bcc citizens and various media

=========================================

Oak View Group CEO Timothy J. Leiweke was recently indicted for conspiracy to rig the bidding for the development, management, and use of a multi-purpose arena. Oak View Group Manages the Everett Public Facilities District (PFD) multi-purpose arena – – Angel of the Winds.

Oak View Group, the operator of the Climate Pledge Arena, was also investigated by the Washington State Attorney General’s office and ordered to pay a settlement of over $477,000 for charging undisclosed fees to customers.

​TO: John Martin
4-27-26 9:03 am

Nick Brown
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF WASHINGTON
Consumer Protection Division – Consumer Resource Center
800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 464-6684

April 27, 2026

John E Martin
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

RE: Oak View Group

File #: 719294

Dear John E Martin:

Thank you for contacting the Consumer Resource Center (CRC) in the Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division.

The consumer complaint you submitted regarding Oak View Group was reviewed and determined to be within the scope of the informal complaint resolution (ICR) services provided by the CRC.

As part of the process, a copy of your complaint has been sent to Oak View Group requesting that it provide a written response to the complaint within 21 calendar days from the date of this letter.

The ICR process provided by the CRC is voluntary and informal. The role of the CRC in this process is neutral and intended to facilitate communication between the parties in an effort to assist them resolve the complaint. The ICR process is not an investigation process.

………

Status of your complaint:

We have initiated the informal complaint resolution process as described above and a copy of your complaint has been sent to Oak View Group and we have requested its response to your complaint within 21 business days.

We will notify you if we receive a response from Oak View Group and a copy of the response will be forwarded to you.

If we do not receive a response from Oak View Group after 35 business days, we will close the complaint and inform you and the Oak View Group that the complaint has been closed and recorded as no response in our consumer complaint database.

Your complaint number is referenced above for your information. Please include your complaint number on all communications with us to assist in prompt identification of your complaint file.

Sincerely,

Consumer Resource Center

1-800-551-4636 for in-state callers

1-206-464-6684 for out-of-state callers

Is there a breach of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act?
Remember the Eugene Emeralds stadium saga?
Something similar is happening up north.

Return to the Everett Stadium Investigation Index

Complaint for violations under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86) and Public Records Act (RCW 42.56)

The above complaint was filed regarding public record requests for the proposed baseball stadium in Everett, Washington.

716411 : A notice from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office
ATG MI CRC Complaint Processing
​TO: John Martin
4-3-26 3:23 pm

Nick Brown
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF WASHINGTON
Consumer Protection Division – Consumer Resource Center
800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 464-6684

April 3, 2026

John E Martin
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

RE: Granicus / GovQA

File #: 716411

Dear John E Martin:

Thank you for contacting the Consumer Resource Center in the Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division. We received your additional correspondence.

The primary function of the Consumer Protection Division is to enforce the Consumer Protection Act RCW 19.86. Our office monitors consumer complaints for possible indications of patterns of unfair or deceptive trade practices. We may open a formal investigation or take enforcement action pursuant to the Consumer Protection Act at any time if the facts and circumstances indicate that further action is warranted. It is our policy to neither confirm nor deny the existence of an ongoing investigation. If we file a lawsuit or settle a matter with a business we will announce that to the public through a press release or on our website at http://www.atg.wa.gov.

For information about the roles of the Attorney General’s Office, including what the Office does and does not do, please visit our website at this link: https://www.atg.wa.gov/roles-office.

Please note that consumer complaints, including responses, are public records and are available to the public for copying or inspection in compliance with the Washington State Public Records Act, RCW 42.56.

Sincerely,

Consumer Resource Center
1-800-551-4636 for in-state callers
1-206-464-6684 for out-of-state callers

MLB should pay for its own stadium

Is there a breach of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act?
Remember the Eugene Emeralds stadium saga?
Something similar is happening up north.

Return to the Everett Stadium Investigation Index

FUNKO – INDEX

The Funko Field Option – The Everett School District

The Funko Field Option

An investment in Funko Field is an investment in the Everett Community, the Everett School District, and the Everett Youth Athletics Programs.

Funko Field has been used by the Everett Community College Trojans, the Cascade High School Bruins, the Everett High School Seagulls, the Jackson High School Timberwolves, the Everett Merchants League (summer collegiate), boys and girls ages 8 to 14, and even the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League (Ages 18-65+ All Skill Levels), which played an All-Star game against the Everett Merchants at Funko Field in July of 2025.

The Funko Field Option adds new amenities to the Everett School District facility.

These include facilities for female team staff and umpires, Female Staff Lockers, Umpire Lockers, training rooms for the home and visiting teams, new spectator restrooms and a bleacher structures, bathroom access from dugouts, specified location of bullpens, and the opportunity for roof deck fan amenity space.

These amenity upgrades were presented in April, 2024, by AECOM Hunt in a feasibility study for the Funko Field Option.

https://www.everettwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/38294/PUBLIC-Funko-Field-Renovation-Feasibility-Study-Final—April-2024

See AECOM Hunt Funko Field Renovation Feasibility Study (Click)

The issue is not yet resolved and the Everett City Council must still vote yes or no on the new stadium.

There may also be substantial financial rewards for the Everett School District from The Funko Field Option.

The Everett School Board should proactively consider all opportunities to increase district revenue as part of the long term planning process, while ensuring that any decisions align with the best interests of the students and community.

The exodus of the Mariners farm team, the Aquasox, would probably not cause significant economic disruption in Snohomish County and the City of Everett, especially in light of the experience of other cities.

Bellingham is an example of a city that experienced the exodus of a professional baseball farm team, specifically, the Bellingham Mariners (or “Baby M’s”), who played at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham from 1977 through 1994.

Between 1995 and 2025 Bellingham and Whatcom County added 36,900 non-farm jobs, increasing 62% from 60,300 to 97,200, faster than both the State of Washington and Everett, Washington.

In Whatcom County, median household income increased from $34,893 in 1995 to $78,796 in 2022, with average annual pay rising from $22,357 in 1995 to roughly $69,000 in 2024.++

Bellingham grew for a thirty year period after the “Baby M’s” left.

Clearly, Bellingham, Washington is a city that saw the exodus of a Mariners farm team and did not suffer economically.

The Funko Field Option is, far and away, the best investment option.

You are encouraged you to look at the following links and, as a citizen, share your ideas about

The Funko Field Option.

https://martinmusic.biz/contact/everett-stadium-investigation/#MEMORIAL

https://martinmusic.biz/contact/everett-stadium-investigation/#YOUTH

https://martinmusic.biz/contact/everett-stadium-investigation/#NAME


It appears Scott Pattison and Ben Franz (SOJ) lied to the City Council on June 11, 2025.

See Everett City Council Meeting – June 11, 2025 (Click)

Source City of Everett Council Meeting, June 11, 2025 at 1:08:37 – Ben Franz of SOJ

Regarding Snohomish County $5 million stadium funding:

City of Everett March 3, 2026, Public Records Request E000143-022326 indicates:

Please be advised that there is not an application for this funding, therefore there is not anything responsive for #1.

Also, we have not received these funds; therefore, there are not any records for #2.

The Snohomish County $5 million stadium funding does not exist.

General City Records :: E000143-022326

Everett WA Public Records Center

​March 3, 2026 142 pm

Specifically requested:

1). Applications submitted by the City of Everett to Snohomish County from January 1, 2022 through February 23, 2026 for the “Snohomish County Contribution – – $5,000,000” that was presented to the Everett city council on June 11, 2025* by Ben Franz of Shiels Obletz Johnsen (SOJ)

2). All expense reports, budget reports, and invoices from January 1, 2022 through February 23, 2026 that included or made reference to the “Snohomish County Contribution – – $5,000,000” that was presented to the Everett city council on June 11, 2025.

After a diligent search, the City of Everett has located no records which are responsive to your request.

Please be advised that there is not an application for this funding, therefore there is not anything responsive for #1.

Also, we have not received these funds; therefore, there are not any records for #2.

Thank you for your patience in awaiting this information, your request is now closed.

Sincerely,

City Clerk’s Office

See also Taxes and Politics

The current County Capital Improvement Plan does not include the stadium project.

The current County Capital Improvement Plan does not include the stadium project. However, the County does make plans beyond the Capital Improvement Plan for how REET funds may be spent in the longer-term.

The current REET 6-year plan which has NOT been adopted by the County Council includes a total of $5 million in Snohomish County REET funds spread over four years that could be used towards eligible costs for the stadium project should County policy makers decide. To date, that money has not been appropriated, obligated, or spent.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Nathan Kennedy, Finance Director directly at (425) 388-3120 or Nathan.Kennedy@co.snohomish.wa.us

Sincerely,
Shannon Waggoner | Public Disclosure Specialist
Snohomish County – Public Records Office

See also Taxes and Politics


One courageous Mountlake Terrace City Councilmember, Byran Wahl, brought the following to the attention of the public:

“All REET 1 and 2 funds collected in MLT (totaling .5 percent of the selling price) fund capital projects located in MLT. (So any REET 1 and 2 revenues used to fund Everett’s stadium would be funded by Everett’s local REET revenues collected by the county treasurer on behalf of the city from real estate property sales within the city of Everett.)”

If Councilmember Wahl is correct, the $5 million “contribution” from Snohomish County that Shiels Obletz Johnsen (SOJ) showed to the Everett City Council IS NOT A CONTRIBUTION at all.

The SOJ presentation to the Everett City Council is misleading.

It appears that the Snohomish County government does not have the courage to tell the citizens of the City of Everett that the New Stadium downtown will cost them $5 million in real estate excise tax dollars right out of their pockets.

See also Taxes and Politics

Snohomish County has not yet been accountable and has not yet answered the question, “What locations in Snohomish County pay Real Estate Excise Taxes 1 and/or 2 (REET 1, REET 2) for the New Downtown Stadium in Everett, Washington?”

TOM – INDEX

Thomas Volpe


Thomas Volpe

Thomas Volpe, 7th Inning Stretch LLC Key principle, lived in Dubai, has past associations in that country, and was also Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Group.

7th Inning Stretch LLC owns the Everett Aquasox.

The MiLB noted that Tom Volpe was Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Group (Arabic: مجموعة دبي), an Emirati investment company based in the United Arab Emirates, and a subsidiary of Dubai Holding.

With strategic investments, Dubai is positioning itself as a major football (soccer) hub, not just in the Dubai region, but also on the global stage.

Is the new proposed Downtown Frog Stadium in Everett just a small part of Dubai positioning itself on the global stage? Unknown.

Tom Volpe, the Dubai Group, and Dubai Holding have enough assets to buy not only both Funko Field and the new proposed Downtown Frog Stadium, but also the entire City of Everett and perhaps the entire State of Washington. The current assets of Dubai Holding are listed at $130 billion.

***

Tom Volpe lived in Dubai and has past associations in that country.

Ports owner Volpe follows team from half a world away

Ports owner Volpe follows team from half a world awayTom Volpe awakens every morning in his Dubai home and tries to listen to a few innings of a Stockton Ports game on the Internet….www.recordnet.com

Click here Thomas Volpe living in Dubai

https://www.recordnet.com/story/sports/pro/2007/08/12/ports-owner-volpe-follows-team/52822230007/

***

MiLB said:

7th Inning Stretch, LLC is a baseball ownership group based out of Stockton, Calif. and is headed by Tom Volpe, who is the Founder and Managing Partner of Volpe Investments, LLC and is also Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Group.

7th Inning Stretch headed by Tom Volpe – Founder Volpe Investments, LLC – Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Group (click)

https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-477739

AquaSox under new ownership | MiLB.com STOCKTON, Calif. — CEO of 7th Inning Stretch, LLC Tom Volpe and President, Pat Filippone have announced the purchase of the Everett AquaSox, Class-A Short Season affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. www.milb.com

***



Thomas Volpe was Board Member at Egyptian Financial Group Hermes Holding since 2011 and Board Member at Dubai Investment Group. He is Managing Partner…

https://uat.decypha.com/en/people-list/Thomas%20Volpe-74572

Thomas Volpe | Egypt | Decypha Thomas Volpe-Egypt,Board Member-Egyptian Financial Group Hermes Holding,Independent Director-Linear Technology,Board Member-Dubai Investment Group,Palm Hills Development Co SAE,Dubai Investment Group,Linear Technology,Egyptian Financial Group Hermes Holding,Commercial International Investment Co SAE uat.decypha.com

With a clear vision and strategic investments, Dubai is positioning itself as a major football hub, not just regionally but on the global stage.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dubais-strategic-investments-football-aiming-rival-saudi-ali-el-jishi-7tn4e#:~:text=Dubai’s%20football%20vision%20is%20clear,investment%2C%20development%2C%20and%20innovation.

Football Academy Dubai, Investment in football – LinkedIn The Middle East has become a powerhouse in global football, with Saudi Arabia leading the charge through high-profile investments and player acquisitions. But Dubai is not one to be left behind. www.linkedin.com

7th Inning Stretch LLC 404 W Fremont St Stockton, CA, 95203-2806 United States Key Principal: Thomas Volpe

https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.7th_inning_stretch_llc.06dcca0d340ad2e65577cb3e379ba7b8.html

7th Inning Stretch LLC Company Profile – Dun & Bradstreet Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for 7th Inning Stretch LLC of Stockton, CA. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. www.dnb.com

The current assets of Dubai Holding are listed at $130 billion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Holding

Dubai Holding – Wikipedia Dubai Holding was established in 2004. [7]2004: Madinat Jumeirah opened as a themed Arabian resort. [8]2005: Dubai Studio City was announced. [9]2005: du, a telecom provider company, was launched. [10]2005: Dubai International Academic City opened. [11]2006: Emirates International Communications (EIT) launched, and invested in communication organizations across the Middle East, Europe, Africa … en.wikipedia.org

No Frogs Downtown

Pending
Under Construction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Footnotes

Summary. “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Pogo
“I’m Jane Hague, Chairperson of the Metropolitan King County Council and
a hostage of professional sports.”
Is Major League Baseball an economic terrorist?

Click here It’s tiny Everett vs. global Major League Baseball

This is not an academic exerice.
This is and investigation.
The extensive footnoting is designed to assist current and future investigators.
This investigation seeks to answer numerous questions including,

“Is Major League Baseball Running the Government?”

1. Source MyMLTNews Letter to the editor: It’s tiny Everett vs. global Major League Baseball 7-12-2025 https://mymltnews.com/letter-to-the-editor-its-tiny-everett-vs-global-major-league-baseball/ ↩︎
2. Source United States Department of Justice Press Release 7-9-2025 https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/live-entertainment-ceo-indicted-orchestrating-conspiracy-rig-bidding-process-public ↩︎
3. Source Washington State Attorney General Press Release 9-20-2024 https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/climate-pledge-arena-pay-477k-penalties-refunds-result-ag-ferguson-s-hidden-fee ↩︎
4. Source Cascade PBS,”Climate Pledge Arena to pay over $477K to settle hidden fees case” 9-20-2024 https://www.cascadepbs.org/news/briefs/2024/09/climate-pledge-arena-pay-over-477k-settle-hidden-fees-case/# ↩︎
5. Source City of Everett Public Records Request [EXTERNAL] Fwd: MLB PDL Facility Standards Compliance – Deferral Follow Up (Everett Aqua Sox)
   08-03-2023 753am
   Chad Volpechadvolpe@gmail.com
   ​Cassie Franklin;​Dan Eernissee​
   ​Pat Filippone​
   CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
   Mayor Cassie and Dan,
   As discussed with Dan on Tuesday, attached is the “warning letter” we received from MLB. This was unexpected, and we have until September 30 to respond.
   We’re happy to discuss with you at any time, and hopefully our meeting on the 23rd lays the groundwork and timeline for us to respond appropriately to them.
   Thanks,
   Chad
   Begin forwarded message:
   From: “Meginniss, Briana” Briana.Meginniss@mlb.com
   Date: July 28, 2023 at 3:53:37 PM EDT
   To: Chad Volpe chadvolpe@gmail.com
   Cc: “Sword, Morgan” morgan.sword@mlb.com, “Brumm, Chris” chris.brumm@mlb.com, “Woodfork, Peter” peter.woodfork@mlb.com, “Seymour, Fred” fred.seymour@mlb.com, “LaCassa, Mike” mike.lacassa@mlb.com, “Warren, Sabrina” sabrina.warren@mlb.com, “Justin Toole [Seattle Mariners]” jtoole@mariners.com
   Subject: MLB PDL Facility Standards Compliance – Deferral Follow Up (Everett Aqua Sox)
   
   Chad,
   Please see the attached letter from Chris Brumm.
   Thank you,
   Briana
   Briana Rose Meginniss
   Assistant Secretary
   MLB Professional Development Leagues, LLC
   1271 Avenue of the Americas
   New York, New York 10020
   Tel: (646) 931-8678 | Cell: (914) 426-2594
   Email: briana.meginniss@mlb.com ↩︎
6. Source email from John Carr – Carpenter Media Group Senior Vice President; 11-15-2025. ↩︎
7. Source The Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild “Who is Carpenter Media Group? Protect your local newspaper from corporate greed.” Save PNW Local News” https://www.pnwguild.org/save-pnw-news ↩︎
8. Source City of Everett Public Records Request Project Frog Pond DRAFT AND Email Charlton VolpeTOCassie Franklin10022025a
   Charlton VolpeTOCassie Franklin04222022a
   [EXTERNAL] Everett AquaSox – DRAFT of Timeline and Responsibilities
   Charlton Volpechadvolpe@gmail.com
   ​Cassie Franklin;​Nick Harper;​Lori Cummings;​Dan Eernissee​
   ​thomas volpe;​Pat Filippone​
   CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
   Mayor Cassie,
   I hope all is well with you.
   As we discussed during our meeting, please find attached a DRAFT of a timeline and responsibilities document that lays out the next few months for what we are calling “Project Frog Pond”. Please let us know if you or anyone on your team have any comments, questions or additions, and we obviously want to make sure this aligns with how you see the project progressing and the necessary community and political steps. We are happy to have a call/videoconference to discuss live if that would be easier.
   We look forward to continuing to work with you and your team as we pursue this project for the city of Everett.
   Thank you,
   Chad
   ==============================================
   DRAFT
   Project Frog Pond
   Proposed Timeline and Responsibilities
   April
   Finalize site survey analysis by Crossroads/Populous; provide to Community
   Attributes -> Everett AquaSox
   Community Attributes commences economic impact analysis -> Mayor’s Office
   May
   AquaSox ownership to meet with 2-4 City Council members (as chosen by Mayor’s
   Office) -> Mayor’s Office to facilitate introductions; AquaSox to conduct meetings
   Community Attributes continues economic impact analysis; AquaSox provide
   information/data as needed -> Mayor’s Office and AquaSox
   Begin drafting a project working document/presentation which outlines the entire
   multi-purpose family entertainment venue project (including site surveys, economic
   impact for Everett, benefits of new multi-purpose family entertainment venue in the
   community and development, etc.) to be used in meeting with relevant parties in the
   community -> AquaSox
   June
   AquaSox ownership to meet with remaining City Council members and other opinion
   leaders in the community -> AquaSox with help/intros from Mayor’s Office
   Community Attributes finalizes economic impact analysis -> Mayor’s Office
   Discuss with Seattle Mariners on specifically how/when to get them involved as
   Project Frog Pond becomes public (e.g. letters, visits, etc.) -> AquaSox
   Identify one or two sites to fully pursue based on further review and economic
   impact analysis -> Mayor’s Office in conjunction with AquaSox
   page 1
   DRAFT
   Determine necessary site-specific scope of work, documents/filings, and approvals
   based on final sites (including whether on public vs private land) -> Mayor’s Office
   and AquaSox
   Assemble/finalize working document/presentation which outlines the entire multipurpose family entertainment venue project -> AquaSox to prepare the document
   with Mayor’s Office providing input and comments
   City Council approves ballot initiative for November elections -> Mayor’s Office
   Meet again with all City Council members to discuss Project Frog Pond proposal ->
   Mayor’s Office & AquaSox
   AquaSox continue to meet with relevant community groups and business leaders to
   discuss Project Frog Pond proposal -> Mayor’s Office and AquaSox
   Review and begin work on necessary City Council (or other entities) reviews and/or
   votes and how to draft necessary paperwork/filings -> Mayor’s Office and AquaSox
   Begin discussions regarding potential financing – sources of funds and potential
   scale of funds -> AquaSox and Mayor’s Office, plus other parties as relevant
   Assemble public relations (PR) strategy -> AquaSox in conjunction with Mayor’s
   Office
   AquaSox conduct quarterly facility review with MLB and the Mariners to present
   progress made to date -> AquaSox
   DRAFT
   July
   Launch PR initiative about Project Frog Pond -> AquaSox and Mayor’s Office
   Present specific Project Frog Pond proposal to City Council for initial review and
   approval -> AquaSox in conjunction with Mayor’s Office
   Present specific Project Frog Pond proposal to any other entities, groups or boards
   for initial review and approval -> AquaSox in conjunction with Mayor’s Office
   Depending on progress with new venue in Everett, meet with County Executive and
   other County Leaders to discuss and review Project Frog Pond idea and potential
   alternative locations -> Mayor’s Office and AquaSox
   DRAFT
   August
   Assemble any needed working groups or other entities to continue Project Frog
   Pond process pending the votes and approvals from City Council or other entities/
   boards -> AquaSox and Mayor’s Office
   Pursue follow-up work streams from initial reviews and approvals (whether City
   Council or other boards/groups) to move ahead with site specific work –
   infrastructure, environmental, initial design, etc., as well as any subsequent reviews,
   approvals, or votes -> AquaSox and Mayor’s Office
   Determine whether or not Project Frog Pond is viable in Everett -> AquaSox and
   Mayor’s Office ↩︎
9. Source email to Dan Eernissee, Everett Economic Development Director 4-7-2025 ↩︎
10. Source City of Everett Public Records Request, Snohomish County Public Records Request, John Stanton September 26, 2022 Letters. ↩︎
11. Washington State Office of Financial Management Letter, Annie Pennucci, Director, OFM Forecasting & Research Division July 11, 2025. The following is included in the letter. “As you also know, Input-Output models are portraits of national or regional economies that are widely used to calculate economic impacts, such as the impact of the Boeing Company on the Washington State economy, or the economic impact of arts and cultural organizations on the Central Puget Sound regional economy. They measure economic impacts through estimates of sales (output) by industry, labor income, and jobs created. They were developed in the 1930’s by Wassily Leontief, a Harvard University professor who won the Nobel Prize in Economics for his pioneering work on these models for national economies.
     
    In February 1936, a similar time period, John Maynard Keynes published “The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money,” and formally introduced the concept of the multiplier effect.
     
    Milton Friedman, a leading figure of the Chicago School of Economics who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1976, argued that the Keynesian multiplier was incorrectly formulated and fundamentally flawed. The theory ignores how governments finance spending by taxation or debt issues. Raising taxes takes the same or more out of the economy as saving, while raising funds by bonds causes the government to go into debt. The growth of debt becomes a powerful incentive for the government to raise taxes or inflate the currency to pay it off, thus lowering the purchasing power of each dollar that workers earn. ↩︎
12. Source Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis,Paulina Restrepo-Echavarría
    Senior Economic Policy Advisor, “Meet The Multiplier Effect” https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2020/february/meet-multiplier-effect “The overall takeaway from my research is that government spending does not seem to be a very cost-effective way to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Dupor, Bill; and Guerrero, Rodrigo. Local and Aggregate Fiscal Policy Multipliers. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Working Paper 2016-004C, June 2017.n ↩︎
13. RE: Garry Clark and Mayor Franklin contact into
    01-07-2021 1:39 pm
    RE: Garry Clark and Mayor Franklin contact into
    Cassie Franklin
    ​Saltzman, Ian​
    ​Kovacs, Debra D.​
    Thank you!
    Cassie Franklin
    Mayor
    425.257.7119 | 2930 Wetmore Ave., Everett, WA 98201
    everettwa.gov | Facebook | Twitter
    Note: Emails and attachments sent to and from the City of Everett are public records and may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the Public Records Act.
    From: Saltzman, Ian ISaltzman@everettsd.org
    Sent: Thursday, January 7, 2021 1:39 PM
    To: Cassie Franklin CFranklin@everettwa.gov
    Cc: Kovacs, Debra D. DKovacs@everettsd.org
    Subject: RE: Garry Clark and Mayor Franklin contact into
    My pleasure
    My team will reach out, whatever you need.
    From: Cassie Franklin CFranklin@everettwa.gov
    Sent: Thursday, January 7, 2021 1:24 PM
    To: Saltzman, Ian ISaltzman@everettsd.org; maravich81@gmail.com
    Cc: Chris Mefford chris@communityattributes.com
    Subject: FW: Garry Clark and Mayor Franklin contact into
    Dr. Saltzman,
    Thank you for your time the other day when we spoke. As I mentioned, we are looking forward to Mr. Garry Clark being our next CEO for the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County. He and his wife are hoping to learn more about our outstanding Everett School District, not only because they have children who may be future EPS students, but Mrs. Clark is a teacher.
    I’ve copied him on this email along with EASC’s current interim CEO, Chris, in hopes to make a connection.
    Thank you as always for your leadership and partnership!
    Warmly,
    Cassie
    Cassie Franklin
    Mayor
    425.257.7119 | 2930 Wetmore Ave., Everett, WA 98201
    everettwa.gov | Facebook | Twitter
    Note: Emails and attachments sent to and from the City of Everett are public records and may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the Public Records Act.
    From: Chris Mefford chris@communityattributes.com
    Sent: Friday, January 1, 2021 9:11 AM
    To: maravich81@gmail.com; Cassie Franklin CFranklin@everettwa.gov
    Subject: Garry Clark and Mayor Franklin contact into
    Hi Garry and Cassie, Wanted to connect you two by email here. Cassie, I believe Garry arrives this evening and is touring tomorrow. Emails above, Garry’s cell is 402-380-7196.
    I extolled the virtues of Everett to Garry, but I’m not empowered to offer him a key to the city …. 😊
    CHRIS MEFFORD
    President & CEO | Community Attributes Inc.
    communityattributes.com
    office: 206.523.6683
    mobile: 206.617.9576
    From: maravich81@gmail.com maravich81@gmail.com
    Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 11:24 AM
    To: Chris Mefford chris@communityattributes.com
    Subject: RE: EASC follow up
    Hi Chris,
    Thanks again. Yes. Totally fine with the contact share for Mayor Cassie Franklin. I did find one home in North Everett that’s listed, and looks pretty cool to us. I will keep that area in mind. Thanks again for your guidance and support.
    Most appreciated. Happy New Year!
    Garry Clark
    Econ. Developer. Speaker. Author. Poet.
    Garry.ClarkSpeaks@gmail.com
    Maravich81@gmail.com ↩︎
14. Washington State Office of Financial Management Letter, Annie Pennucci, Director, OFM Forecasting & Research Division July 11, 2025 ↩︎
15. Source City of Everett Public Records Request [EXTERNAL] RE: Thank you!
    12-19-2024
    [EXTERNAL] RE: Thank you!
    Danny Tetzlaffdannyt@aquasox.com
    ​Pat Filippone;​Chad Volpe;​Cassie Franklin​
    ​Dan Eernissee;​Scott Pattison​
    CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
    Mayor Cassie –
    Way to go!
    It was quite a journey to get to this point – thanks to everyone for all their efforts! Great to see a unanimous vote too!
    Looking forward to hitting it out of the park with a facility that is a showcase for the PNW! And the pride of Everett!
    Thanks again for everything!
    Danny Tetzlaff
    Everett AquaSox | General Manager
    High Single-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners
    FUNKO FIELD
    P: (425) 258-3673
    E: dannyt@aquasox.com
    —–Original Message—–
    From: Pat Filippone PFilippone@stocktonports.com
    Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:21 PM
    To: Chad Volpe chadvolpe@gmail.com; Cassie Franklin CFranklin@everettwa.gov
    Cc: Dan Eernissee DEernissee@everettwa.gov; Scott Pattison SPattison@everettwa.gov; Danny Tetzlaff dannyt@aquasox.com
    Subject: RE: Thank you!
    Second that from here as well. Thanks everyone – greatly appreciated and have a great holiday season.
    Pat Filippone
    President
    Seventh Inning Stretch
    Stockton Ports/Delmarva Shorebirds/Everett AquaSox
    209-644-1900
    —–Original Message—–
    From: Chad Volpe chadvolpe@gmail.com
    Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2024 12:16 PM
    To: Cassie Franklin CFranklin@everettwa.gov
    Cc: Dan Eernissee DEernissee@everettwa.gov; Scott Pattison SPattison@everettwa.gov; Pat Filippone pfilippone@stocktonports.com; Danny Tetzlaff dannyt@aquasox.com
    Subject: Thank you!
    CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
    Mayor Cassie,
    I just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your team after last nights successful vote! We sincerely appreciate all that you have done and your support for this project from day one. It has been great working with you, Dan, Scott and everyone else, and we look forward to continuing that momentum next year and getting this done.
    In the meantime, please let us know if there’s anything else we can do or how we can be helpful.
    Have a very Happy Holidays!
    Thanks,
    Chad ↩︎
16. The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, CityOfEverett_OutdoorMPStadium_DB_App_250525_214345.pdf ↩︎
17. Source Everett Herald, “City, county studying new outdoor stadium for Everett AquaSox,” September 28, 2022, https://www.heraldnet.com/news/city-county-studying-new-outdoor-stadium-for-everett-aquasox/ ↩︎
18. Everett Council President Donald Schwab email, August 27, 2025 ↩︎
19. Source City of Everett Public Records Request On 10/20/2025 7:49:00 AM, Everett WA Public Records Center wrote:
    Subject: General City Records :: E000691-092225; “Per our Economic Development Department, the MLB has not had contact with the City of Everett but worked with the independent third-party company retained by the City of Everett, SOJ.” ↩︎
20. Source City of Everett Public Records Requestn ↩︎
21. Source City of Everett Public Records Request EXTERNAL__Re-Connecting-_Everett_MLB
    01-14-2025 4:25 pm
    [EXTERNAL] Re-Connecting – Everett/MLB
    Charlton Volpechadvolpe@gmail.com
    ​Cassie Franklin;​Woodfork, Peter​
    ​Scott Pattison;​Pat Filippone​
    CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
    Mayor Franklin, Peter,
    I know you two have met before and spoken a few times, but I wanted to send an email re-connecting everyone.
    Peter – as I mentioned, the Mayor would like the chance to give you an update on our project, and I will let the two of you find a day/time that works.
    Thanks,
    Chad ↩︎
22. Source Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law – “Back to the Bullpen: Minor League Teams Settle with MLB Over Latest Challenge to Baseball’s Historic Antitrust Exemption” https://news.law.fordham.edu/jcfl/2024/01/05/back-to-the-bullpen-minor-league-teams-settle-with-mlb-over-latest-challenge-to-baseballs-historic-antitrust-exemption/n ↩︎
23. Source The Regulatory Review University of Pennsylvania “Baseball’s Antitrust Exemption” 6-26-2024 https://www.theregreview.org/2024/06/26/hoguet-baseballs-antitrust-exemption/ ↩︎
24. Source Press Release Senator Ted Cruz -“Sens. Cruz, Lee, Hawley, Rubio, Blackburn Introduce Bill to Subject MLB to Antitrust Laws” https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-lee-hawley-rubio-blackburn-introduce-bill-to-subject-mlb-to-antitrust-laws n ↩︎
25. Source email from Mayor Cassie Franklin 6-10-2025 ↩︎
26. Source City of Everett Council Meeting, June 11, 2025 at 1:08:37 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikAKcNuvAs ↩︎
27. Source email from William Geschke Everett Herald Reporter 12-18-2025 ↩︎
28. Source email from William Geschke General Assignment Reporter Everett Herald Reporter 12-18-25 ↩︎
29. Source email from Council Member Megan Dunn 6-13-2025 RE: Snohomish County involvement in the proposed new downtown baseball stadium in Everett. ↩︎
30. Source email from Snohomish County Council Member Megan Dunn 6-13-2025 ↩︎
31. Source City of Everett Council Meeting, June 11, 2025 at 1:09;30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikAKcNuvAs ↩︎
32. Source City of Everett June 11, 2025 Agenda Item Cover Sheet https://www.everettwa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/18338?fileID=102135 ↩︎
33. Source National Law Review https://natlawreview.com/article/alternative-structure-certain-p3-projects-63-20-financing ↩︎
34. Source PFG Facilities Group, Seattle, WA 98101 https://publicfacilitiesgroup.org/our-approach/ ↩︎
35. Source Washington State Treasurer, State Finance Committee https://tre.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/2024.06.13_sfc_briefing_book_vfinal.pdf ↩︎
36. Source Everett Herald October 18, 2025 https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-if-everett-candidate-can-fix-budget-what-would-he-cut/ ↩︎
37. Source City of Everett June 11, 2025 Agenda Item Cover Sheet https://www.everettwa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/18338?fileID=102135 ↩︎

Footnote Source “I’m Jane Hague, Chairperson of the Metropolitan King County Council and a hostage of professional sports.” was the County Chairperson’s testimony before the Congress of the United States of America in 1996. Fan Freedom and Community Protection Act of 1995: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials of the Committee on Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourth Congress, Second Session, on H.R. 2740, May 16, 1996, Volume 4 page 99; prepared statement page 101. https://books.google.com/books?id=ChcqAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

SOUL – INDEX

THE SOUL OF BASEBALL

Baseball … the soul of baseball … the game … is played by young children in parks and on streets with sticks, bats, balls and leather and, anymore, on computer monitors as youngsters manipulate the actions of baseball icons. The soul of baseball survived through the last century and the Buy it for a Song Baseball Stadium Fund forecasts it will live on well through the turn of the next century and maybe forever. The Buy it for a Song Baseball Stadium Fund supports baseball. Baseball is a feeling.

Most Elegent Game
by Simon Frishkoff
Recorded at Icebird Intergalactic Recording Studios and Washateria, Lakebay, Washington. Engineer: Steve Nebel
Copyright © 1995 Simon Frishkoff


Buy it for a Song Baseball Stadium Fund