May 8, 2008

Since CCIR did not wish to do anything to cause problems with our united efforts to halt the illegal alien invasion, most are unaware of the specific Minuteman Project (MMP) scenario. Below are the facts:

1) Barb Coe, CCIR chairperson, was asked to be an unpaid volunteer member of the MMP Board of Directors. She agreed and Steve Eichler provided her business cards identifying her as such.

2) As required for all non-profit organizations, all MMP projects/actions were governed by the Board of Directors with all actions subject to a majority vote.

3) Complaints from MMP members regarding financial discrepancies and concerns as to how patriot donors' monies to MMP were being spent, prompted me and 2 other Board members, Deborah Courtney and Marvin Stewart to repeatedly request a financial accounting of MMP income and expenditures. Those requests were repeatedly refused.

4) Documented data revealed questionable fund-raising activities, "hidden" bank accounts established by Steve Eichler and advisory member Tommy Crenshaw and personal expenditures by Jim, Steve Eichler and Tim Bueler not known, authorized or approved by the Board of Directors.

5) Repeated pleas to Jim Gilchrist to insure his MMP organization was in full compliance with the law went unheeded. In compliance with our obligation (as MMP Board members to MMP donors) to insure THEIR monies were used only for legitimate MMP activities, Jim, Steve and Tim were removed from the Board of Directors.

6) Marvin Stewart was elected MMP President and Deborah Courtney was elected MMP Treasurer. Barb Coe resigned from both the original AND the new MMP Board of Directors to focus on CCIR duties and responsibilities.

7) To date, Jim's response has been:

a) A series of "poison pen" emails sent nationwide accusing Barb Coe and CCIR as "hi-jackers", "harboring" gun runners, vowing to destroy Barb Coe personally and CCIR as a patriot organization, stating he hoped we "would burn in Hell", etc.

b) He has filed 3 lawsuits and Eichler has filed 1 lawsuit against Barb Coe/CCIR with various accusations of fraud (none of which Barb Coe or CCIR participated) plus accusations that Barb Coe/CCIR tried to defame them.

As noted in our 3/2/07 statement, we laud Jim Gilchrist's founding of the Minuteman Project. However, we are shocked and saddened that Jim, whom both I and CCIR trusted, supported and played a major role in his becoming a national icon with his Minuteman Project, has so viciously attacked us.

CCIR very seldom asks for financial support. This is an exception. We are fighting for our survival and, at this time, we have no choice but to retain the services of a patriot attorney to defend us. Although we believe that Jim Gilchrist and Steve Eichler ARE using MMP donor monies to fund their legal expenses, since WE will NOT use CCIR membership monies to fund our legal expenses, we are asking those who value CCIR's efforts, to PLEASE donate whatever you can to our LEGAL DEFENSE FUND.

Checks and money orders (noted: "Legal Defense Fund") may be sent to CCIR, PO Box 2744, PMB 117, Huntington Beach, CA 92649. Also, a special PayPal account is set up on our website (CLICK HERE) for those wishing to donate via credit card. As a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, donations to CCIR are not tax-deductible.

Thank you, God bless and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Barb Coe - CCIR