Friday, October 2, 2009

A "Santa" in Tennessee at the center of controversy

The headline at DefendingSanta.com loudly proclaims:

Celebrate Santa Fractures on Charges of Corruption

portions of the article reads:

“Santa Joe” Moore and his wife, “Mrs. Mary Claus” Moore, owners of the Jolly Old Elf Company and Celebrate Santa, are documented in a web of conflicting stories that have led to mass defections of all Celebrate Santa’s 2009 chairpersons

The problem centers around some plaques sold to benefit a charity;

Joe Moore is hesitant to discuss the situation on the record. “The issue with the plaques is a private matter between us and the vendor,” Joe Moore said.

A private matter between him and the vendor? We Wonder why Joe Moore posted about it publicly then;

Over the months, the Moores have delayed or explained away delivery of the plaques and accounting for the funds. Shortly after the convention was over, the Moores committed to deliver the plaques by the end of April. Then on May 6th, Joe Moore posted a note on Clausnet.com, the popular Santa forum online dedicated to professional Santas, indicating that the plaques were “still being worked on”.

Mary Moore says the hold up is the charity's fault;

On July 17th, Mary Moore told the vendor in an email “Indeed we are waiting for Santa America’s portion of the plaque payment which they assure me will be here shortly”. Santa America denies any involvement in the collection of funds or obligation to the vendor for the plaques.

There will be more news being published apparently;

In our next article in this series: What Joe Moore Really Thinks of the Santa Claus Oath

Go read the article for yourself;
http://defendingsanta.com/?p=63

Remember just like our other posts, we are not creating accusations, nor are we originating these events, we are simply bringing them to your attention. Most of our posts are in the "santas" own words, or they are articles that have made the news, as in this case.