I see it as a win-win. Takara learns her lesson and gets off light, and the kid's gonna be born already knowing how to sweep the floor.

Plus, she can probably get a sweet tattoo in there.

Bring the noise.
Cheers............

Lol.

You know, there's been so much two-bit drama in the gaming community, it took me a few minutes to remember the particular -tis personae in question...

Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrama. I will say that sure, this is at least one level removed from the "MMO community," but Woody and Takara are self-appointed public figures in that community, so their conduct certainly bears recording. Furthermore, they've been soliciting money from that community, ostensibly to pay for the child Woody fathered and Tak is carrying.

Except that Tak pleaded guilty to embezzling from her employer.

And during the time of said embezzlement, she and Woody went on several trips. Trips she wrote about on the forums.

You'd think some people would be a little more skeptical. But small real estate and construction companies seem to be a lot like MMO Webcomic fans in that regard.

You know, I wouldn't ask this situation on anyone.

I admit my ignorance in most legal matters, and I can certainly sympathize with not having money for an attorney. But I can't imagine that, were I innocent of actually having committed the crime, I would put myself in a position where I was forced to pay back a sum I did not steal. Especially an amount that high.

I always wondered about that, will they garnish her wages? Just turn her over to collection and she stops answering her phone? And what happens if she files bankruptcy?

I also thought it was interesting that earlier today she was listed on the staff on the "About" page you link to in the article and since the update she is not.

"Even though this is a private matter between Kyndra and her ex-employer, it's very possible that the actions of said gaming community member could have reprocussions for GU. Any ties I have to the gaming companies may be severed. The few advertisers we do have may dry up. And contracts we have in place for coming months may be voided."


Karma's a wicked bitch, eh Woody?

That's one shoe.



That's two. And no, it's not a private matter between Kyndra and her employer, not when criminal charges and jail are involved. This is swiftly moving from "looking the other way for baby momma" and "praying this is all a bad dream."

The next step is, "404." And back in May, a month after Kyndra was arrested, he wondered aloud whether he should sell the site. Now he might not even have the chance.

The problem, Mare, is that fighting it and losing - which is probable when in a case of "my word, business owners word" on the usage of business funds - really would mean years in jail. I am a little surprised that there are no lawyers in the GU community who'd be willing to take the case on.

The common thread is that she says she did it to help cook the books.

Either way, she knew what she was doing was wrong. She either was conspiring to defraud the government for tax purposes or she was stealing company funds.

QED.

Not being anywhere near the inner circle, I'm just curious to learn what earned Woody all this rancor. To me he's just one of several gamer comics who's funny about once a week or so. Even his commentary rarely has any edge to it.

And as for the legal matters, obviously I have no idea over the guilt or innocence of Tak, but I do know that when your lawyer explains that you can either plead guilty and get off with a reduced sentence or maybe only a fine, or fight it and risk a long jail term, well, one might go for the guilty plea regardless of the truth.

That, in essence, is what plea barganing is all about.

Omg! What are you doing, Ras? DON'T YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S A COMIC AT STEAK!!!1!1!!!1111ONEONE

Hrmm. Let's just say that Takara used to be married to someone else that a few of us know. The way things began with Woody/ended the previous relationship reflect extremely poorly on Takara, and pretty damn poorly on Woody as well. And the idea of his business being hurt by public revelations of further deceit from Takara just reeks of cosmic justice.

Thanks for posting this Ras. I quit reading GU years ago for a couple of reasons. Nice to know the whole karma thing actually works out sometimes. Barnyard fowl, resting places and all that.

Beyond which, do we care? Is this what we're caring about now? Just curious.

I can't seem to access any empathy beyond "poor kid, that sucks". I exhausted all of my interest just reading the update and this thread. In fact writing this post may have moved me over to an interest deficit.

Depends on your definition of 'we.' If by 'we' you mean 'you,' probably not.

I personally find that there's a hateful little critter in one of the darker corners of my mind, just cackling away. There is very little that amuses that little critter more than to see a self-righteous public persona revealed for what it actually is and has been for some time, in much the same way as the public finds a perverse joy in hearing about anti-gay Senators looking for manlove in public bathrooms or televangelists forcing sex on underlings.

Take care,

B

Oh, not really commenting on the particular case (I don't know them, as you apparently do) as I don't know enough about it, but once it gets to that stage you're fucked even in a case where you were innocent.

(As happened to a friend of mine over here)

This is why, if you get a job as an accountant, under no circumstances should you agree to cook books for the boss. Ignorance is no excuse. First time you're asked, play innocent. Then, bring a recording device with an easily-accessible record button.

Then, blackmail.