Home » Mark Shurtleff, Scams, Utah

For the Childrens

Author == 17 February 2011 33 Comments

Family matters to Mark Shurtleff.

He’s protecting Utah’s childrens and stuff :: according to himself …

“Attorney General Shurtleff has made protecting our children online one of his top priorities throughout his two terms in office. He has spent more of his personal time teaching internet safety in schools, boys and girls clubs, businesses, chambers of commerce, rotary and other service clubs, churches and even homes, than any other single pursuit.”

Sounds like an efficient use of time. Hopefully he explains to the kids how they should avoid shit sandwich websites emanating from Utah where the chief legal officer is too busy pretending to investigate the BCS to do one goddam thing about a wanton fraud infestation being perpetrated by his very own BFF’s.

Talking about protecting kids really fits in with Mark Shurtleff’s moral values. Actually protecting them though … not so much.

{begin bomb dropping sequence}

Scammers :: like jackals :: prey on the vulnerable. One particularly vulnerable group :: prone to irrational decision making :: are parents who feel that they are losing control of their children. Wherever there is a rich vein of sadness :: a d-bag will arise from the mud to mine it hollow. The fact that children are involved just makes it all the easier … I guess {sad robot}.

The World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools {WWASPS} will take your troubled child off your hands for a hefty price. You can expect results :: maybe they won’t be good results :: but there will definitely be some results.

WWASPS was founded in Utah by Robert Lichfield. According to a 2003 New York Times article archived on the Rick Ross Forum

Robert Lichfield, who dropped out of college and became director of residential programs at a Utah institution for teenagers that was subsequently closed by the state for cruelty to children, says he has learned some lessons from a quarter-century of experience in the business.

“Kids think they ought to be able to do whatever they want,” he said. “And if they can’t, that’s abuse.”

That sounds like the beginnings of a beautiful educational philosophy. Match that with this beautiful financial philosophy …

“Affiliates gross perhaps $70 million a year, an estimate based on their enrollment, tuition and fees. A company spokesman, James Wall, said it had always filed its federal income taxes properly. But Mr. Wall said Wwasps, which calls itself a nonprofit corporation in Utah, had never applied for nonprofit, tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service.

The company says it does not directly own or control any of its affiliates, and claims no responsibility for their programs. But Spring Creek Lodge employees, for instance, say the program sends about 40 percent of its revenues to Wwasps.

Amberly Knight, a former director of Dundee Ranch, the affiliate in Costa Rica that collapsed last spring, said in a sworn statement that the company took 75 percent of Dundee Ranch’s income, leaving little money to care for its 200 children. The statement also said company officials maintained “offshore bank accounts,” in part to “evade U.S. income taxes.”

Keeping parents largely silenced about such obvious bullshit wasn’t easy :: that’s where an old not-friend of ours came in handy …

“A crucial part of the company’s effort to shape its success is a requisite series of emotional-growth seminars for parents. “The seminars are the most important thing we have experienced as a family,” said Rosemary Hinch, a teacher in Phoenix.

“It was painful; it was hard,” Ms. Hinch said. “They teach you to take a really good look at yourself.”

But the seminars persuaded Michele Ziperovich to pull her son Alex out. “It was 300 adults screaming and beating on chairs, three days of no sleep, and after that, you’ll buy into whatever they say,” Ms. Ziperovich said. “They berate you, they scream at you, exhaust you. It’s basically mind control.”

Yep that’s right :: they LGAT the parents!

The “schools” have been dogged by widespread allegations of horrific abuse. More than half have since been shut down by local governments … including two shut down by Mexican authorities.

Too hardcore for Mexico?

Fucking scary!

Yet the programs “flagship schools” in Utah remain open … quizzical.

{approaching target area}

According to Utah campaign records an organization named RECAF gave $50,000 to Mark Shurtleff between 2006 — 2007. RECAF is registered in Nevada and lists Lucille Olsen of Wellsville Utah as its only officer or director.

According to a class action lawsuit filed by a Dallas law firm on behalf of more than 300 child plaintiffs :: RECAF is one of many entities owned and operated by WWASPS. Lucille Olsen is Robert Lichfield’s sister. The suit also says that the original director of RECAF was Lichfield’s wife Patricia.

An article from the Portland Press Herald archived on the Coalition Against Institutionalized Child Abuse outlines a connection {and large donation} between RECAF and Mitt Romney. Lichfield was the Utah finance co-chairman for the Romney presidential campaign until the press started calling attention to Lichfield’s extreme dubiousness :: and he resigned.

Allegations in the lawsuit {and elsewheres} include sexual abuse :: kids in cages :: beatings :: and long term torture. KIDS motherfuckers :: these are KIDS!! Some of the plaintiff’s are deceased :: many came home zombies.

Yet even AFTER this lawsuit was filed :: and AFTER many schools were shut down in other states and mexicos :: and AFTER Lichfield was ousted from Romney’s campaign as specific allegations about his horrid “schools” swirled around in the local media … did Mark Shurtleff take another $25,000 from WWASPS/RECAF.

What possible excuse?

{bombs away!}

>> bleep bloop

33 Comments »

  • 422 said:

    WTF??? Kids in cages and sexual abuse?????? This is beyond horrific. Anyone who enables and supports this is a MONSTER. I hope these people roast in pure hell. Hurting kids is the ultimate atrocity. This information needs to be spread far and wide. Our leaders are not who we think they are. Good work once again, Salty.

    WINNER!! :: Thumb up Thumb down +20

    [Reply]

  • Army of One said:

    Nice offering Salty, keep connecting the dots and I’ll keep flying my B2 missions over the southwestern quadrant. Visual observation of casualties confirms there are a few shell-shocked storm troopers choking on their milk fed human veal behind the walls of their crumbling palaces.

    LDS IM’ers = Sturmabteilung (Storm troopers)
    LDS Youth Reformers = Schutzstaffel (SS)

    The Landesinspekteur (AG) is a primary target. Glenn Beck continues to head up global propaganda with ever increasing caustic infection.

    Just sayin…

    WINNER!! :: Thumb up Thumb down +11

    [Reply]

  • Cromulent said:

    Love that second pic. I used to tell people that if I had my druthers my demise would have me reprising the Slim Pickens bit at the end of Dr Strangelove, but landing on Yasser Arafat. After which I would have labored to eliminate his 72 virgins.

    Thumb up Thumb down +4

    [Reply]

    Cromulent Reply:

    Well, that was a poor choice of word. Instead of “labored” I meant to write “gone all Mack Bolan”.

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

    [Reply]

    Martypants Reply:

    @Cromulent, I heard tiny little robot “Yee-ha’s”, and immediately also went to Dr. Strangelove when seeing that image – but saw Salty falling down on Utah. Does that mean Jason is like Peter Sellers? Not bad company to keep when you’re tangent spinning.

    Thumb up Thumb down +3

    [Reply]

  • Dave said:

    I think I need to go take a shower now. What a creep. I also think it’s kind of sleazy for him to be touting his book so much, especially from his platform as AG. Just doesn’t seem right to me.

    I wonder how much malfeasance it takes to get an impeachment of the AG of Utah?

    WINNER!! :: Thumb up Thumb down +14

    [Reply]

    Jack Reply:

    @Dave, Also agree..and need to be in shower when I throw up on myself after reading this. WTF??????????????????????????????????

    PUKE!

    Thumb up Thumb down +6

    [Reply]

    Am I Not A Man Reply:

    @Dave, Unfortunately, besides the motto of “industry,” Utah also has a secondary motto: “malfeasance.”

    WINNER!! :: Thumb up Thumb down +9

    [Reply]

    Darth Reply:

    @Dave, wtf!?? what kind of hippie are you?? GO TAKE A SHOWER!!

    Thumb up Thumb down -2

    [Reply]

    SD Reply:

    @Darth ::

    He’s the kind of hippie who served an entire career in the Marines and is commenting from Afghanistan.

    So what kind of hippie are you?

    [Reply]

    Lisa Reply:

    @Dave,
    Hi ! I agree with you about impeachment. In fact, A friend of mine tried to get Mark Shurtleff impeached but it was swept under the rug like everything else Mark does.IE: Having his Assistant Attorney’s General having innocent children taken away from their parents by DCFS/CPS and he condones these crimes due to the fact that there are no court orders or warrants to do this. This destroys and ruins families. He says he wants to “protect” Utah’s children-then where is he when children are being abused and hurt in Foster Care? I’d like to see some “Justice” here -especially on my own case where his AAG committed crimes against my family-but No- he won’t do anything that would tarnish his “I am Markus ” status.
    Would like to see him get the justice he deserves.
    Lisa

    Thumb up Thumb down +1

    [Reply]

  • Lindsay said:

    I happen to be a WWASP survivor.. If we look at just the financial obligation it was about $3500.00 a month for me to “live” there. I was there for 16 months. $56,000 dollars later and I have a highschool diploma that isn’t worth crap, night terrors, and trust issues. And a slight side note.. I left there in Feb of 2004. “They” (meaning pyschologists, therapists, whomever) keep saying that eventually the post traumatic stress will subside. I doubt it.

    WINNER!! :: Thumb up Thumb down +21

    [Reply]

    what?? Reply:

    @Lindsay,

    I am truly sorry you had to go through what you did. I hope “they” are right and you will find peace.

    WINNER!! :: Thumb up Thumb down +9

    [Reply]

    Hal (the original Hal) Reply:

    @Lindsay,

    Glad to hear you survived, not everybody does in that setting.

    Have you tried getting in contact with groups like the Coalition Against Institutionalized Child Abuse (CAICA)? Website: caica (dot) org

    They might even have a class action lawsuit you could join.

    Thumb up Thumb down +2

    [Reply]

    SD Reply:

    @Lindsay ::

    Lame. Which not cool “school” did you go to?

    Maybe this will make you feel better … for three minutes and twelve seconds.

    [Reply]

    422 Reply:

    @SD, cool video, made me laugh.

    Thumb up Thumb down +2

    [Reply]

    Anonymous Reply:

    @Lindsay, I too am WWASP survivor, 21 years later I still have nightmares. On the outside I appear successful while on the inside I am just beginning to try to put together the pieces after having suffered brainwashing, psychological abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, and being inprisoned for 2 years. Robert Lichfield, Karr farnsworth and all involved should be rotting in jail!!!!!

    Thumb up Thumb down +3

    [Reply]

    SD Reply:

    @Anonymous ::

    Yes … jail.

    But instead they’re serving as fundraisers for presidential candidates named Mitt Romney.

    [Reply]

  • what?? said:

    This is a coincidence…I just heard a name that I knew I had just read here so I came to make sure.The name was Paradise Cove in Samoa. It’s one of the WWASPS “schools”. A man who was sent there (and kept past his 18th birthday) is on In Session on TruTv right now on trial for the murder of his mother and attempted murder and blinding of his father. More casualties?

    Thumb up Thumb down +2

    [Reply]

    SD Reply:

    @what?? ::

    There is lots and lots of stuff out there about it … most of it way depressing. And messing with the minds of kids is the sort of gift that keeps on giving for four or five decades … causing all sorts of scary knock-on effects.

    [Reply]

  • Darth said:

    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

    LOSER!! :: Thumb up Thumb down -6

    [Reply]

    SD Reply:

    @Darth ::

    Which schools did you go to crazy town?

    I’m glad you didn’t suffer or witness any abuses … that’s nice. Of course :: you clearly still struggle to express yourself coherently :: so I fear maybe you also didn’t witness any educations. You should seek remediation.

    [Reply]

    Anonymous Reply:

    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

    LOSER!! :: Thumb up Thumb down -5

    [Reply]

    Shizzle Reply:

    So like Salty has a law degree and is a parent.

    Only a kiddie would be proud to live alone and have a full time job LOL.

    Welcome to life.

    Thumb up Thumb down +3

    [Reply]

    Anonymous Reply:

    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

    LOSER!! :: Thumb up Thumb down -6

    [Reply]

    what?? Reply:

    @,

    Sometimes if you look at the top of the blog, where it says “About”, you can learn stuff. It is always better to know what you are talking about so you don’t make yourself look like a moron.

    Thumb up Thumb down +3

    SD Reply:

    @Anonymous ::

    Whoever briefed you before you came over here to drop your wisdom bombs was uninformed.

    Why don’t you email me if you think you’re an interesting person with interesting things to say? So far I’m not impressed …

    @Shizzle ::

    I’m definitely not a parent … that I know of … boom!

    Anonymous Reply:

    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

    LOSER!! :: Thumb up Thumb down -5

    208-577-6210 Reply:

    @Darth,

    “maybe he wouldnt have turned out like this…ya know ranting about one single person..”

    Er…you sure?

    Thumb up Thumb down +3

    [Reply]

    Anonymous Reply:

    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

    LOSER!! :: Thumb up Thumb down -4

    [Reply]

  • » Get Set :: Go! said:

    [...] :: Mark Shurtleff is accepting large amounts of their monies … pretty fucked [...]

    Thumb up Thumb down +1

  • Mark Shurtleff, Utah’s AG, Protects Scammers and Fraudsters? | Hot Stuff said:

    [...] For the Children blog made me see red. Our children are our most precious commodity, if you’ll allow the [...]

    Thumb up Thumb down +1

  • Wyrd said:


    “A crucial part of the company’s effort to shape its success is a requisite series of emotional-growth seminars for parents. “The seminars are the most important thing we have experienced as a family,” said Rosemary Hinch, a teacher in Phoenix.

    “It was painful; it was hard,” Ms. Hinch said. “They teach you to take a really good look at yourself.”

    But the seminars persuaded Michele Ziperovich to pull her son Alex out. “It was 300 adults screaming and beating on chairs, three days of no sleep, and after that, you’ll buy into whatever they say,” Ms. Ziperovich said. “They berate you, they scream at you, exhaust you. It’s basically mind control.”

    Damn, that’s pretty f*cked up right there.

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

    [Reply]

Say Something!

Hurry and leave a successful comments before supplies are running out!

Do you have a great recipe for carrot cake? Email The Droid directly at saltydroid@gmail.com {please no solicitations ... or recipes}.

Or subscribe to these comments via RSS.