Here is an exchange of emails between Jeffrey Epstein of America’s Truth Forum and a General Motors executive:
1. Epstein to GM:
As discussed, we would appreciate the opportunity to secure a GM vehicle to raffle at our Dallas symposium. Once again, we”re not looking for GM to donate a vehicle but to provide one at a discounted rate. Please note that our presence in Dallas was at the request of Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies. We expect that 40-60% of those in attendance will be law enforcement agents, counter-terrorism experts, Military leaders and veterans — people that drive GM products.
Your prompt attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Jeffrey Epstein, President
America’s Truth Forum (a 501(c)3 Non-profit organization)
2. GM to Epstein:
The South Central Region has responded and is not interested in supporting this program at this point. Still waiting for word from the specific Divisions here in Detroit.
3. Epstein to GM:
Your South Central Region might want to reconsider its position given that a portion of raffle proceeds will be used for Veteran causes. Plans are in the works to honor a serviceman who was lost this past year in Iraq.
4. GM to Epstein:
This morning we completed polling our Divisional clients and I’m afraid we will be unable to support your event. As you can appreciate, GM gets numerous requests from organizations such as yours for varying levels of support and we cannot work with them all. We appreciate your interest in General Motors and wish you good luck with your program.
5. Epstein to GM:
Due to our tax exempt status, I was referred to your office to secure a vehicle for our raffle. Do your divisional clients and South Central mangers realize that we intended to purchase the vehicle? Was it my request for a minimal discount or our initiative that turned them off?
6. GM to Epstein:
Not sure who recommended you contact us because of your tax-exempt status. We are GM’s promotional agency and work with consumer-facing, marketing budgets. The reason we declined this opportunity is that it simply doesn’t fit within any of the promotional platforms we support and from a timing perspective we typically need at least a six-month window to evaluate, approve and finalize all deals to the satisfaction of GM Legal, Finance and Risk Management standards. Tax-exempt, not-for-profit solicitations should be directed to the GM Foundation for consideration.
Hope this helps clarify.
Some suspect that GM”s apprehension stems from the fact that they sell their vehicles all over the Mideast. Epstein also reports that he faced similar responses in the past when trying to secure support from a cross-section of American Industries:
a) Cantor Fitzgerald, the investment house that lost 66% of its workforce on 9/11, claimed that terrorism wasn’t their issue.
b) The President of Zodiac Boats told me that terrorism wasn’t a maritime issue.
c) The insurance carriers that covered the 9/11 losses showed no interest.
d) The food and beverage industry (including Busch, Coors, etc.) showed no interest.
e) BP Petroleum stated that terrorism was a non-issue.