Message From Peoples Rights Board of Trustees
March 30, 2008
Last week the Board of Trustees of Peoples Rights Organization (PRO) was alerted that Mr. Mike Duve, who promoted and operated various gun and recreational shows, including the PRO Gun Shows under a sponsorship agreement with Peoples Rights Organization for more than 15 years, has fled the state, leaving behind a dizzying trail of debts, many improperly incurred in the name of this organization.
Thousands of dollars and other property belonging to Peoples Rights Organization is missing. Additionally, he has communicated to several people that he is leaving behind numerous highly indebted business and family obligations. He stated that he intends to default on all of his debts.
He has not paid numerous financial obligations related to gun shows that he has operated as “Shirt Pocket Inc,” “PRO Gun Shows,” “P.R.O.,” and other names we have learned he was using in his business via several different post office boxes and addresses in Columbus. A search of his residence reveals that he shredded any and all documentation relating to gun shows, other business interests, and personal financing. Furthermore, he has indicated that he believes the authorities will not be able to find him.
Within hours of learning of Mr. Duve’s actions, we referred the matter to the Franklin County, Ohio Sheriffs office for investigation and possible criminal prosecution. His whereabouts are unknown at this time.
In addition to severely damaging PRO financially, his acts have irreparably harmed the good name and credibility of the Peoples Rights Organization, a respected 19-year-old statewide not-for-profit firearms rights advocacy organization that provides marksmanship and personal safety instruction, and promotes citizen safety legislation at the state and local levels.
Peoples Rights Organization is providing information to the authorities to help them sort through the mountain of bills Mr. Duve left behind in a pile at his residence. The invoices, none of which appear to have been paid, are related to the gun shows he operated. Several individuals are working to contact vendors whom he has damaged – most of which do not even yet know they have been severely harmed by his scheme.
As a result of his actions, the PRO Gun Show scheduled for April 5-6 at Franklin County Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio has been canceled.
Mr. Duve either destroyed or absconded with records of who had already paid for tables for this show, who had reserved tables, and who he had on a waiting list. In addition, from the records left behind, it appears the necessary permits to operate the show had not been secured. At this point, a number of people are working toward keeping the rest of the gun show schedule intact to the extent that that is possible.
We, the Board of Trustees of Peoples Rights Organization, view this as a criminal matter. We will urge criminal prosecution of anyone assisting Mr. Duve to evade justice. They will be pursued as an accomplice.