In April 2008 nearly all of the General Advisory Council of the Kentucky Equality Federation resigned. But according to a Wikipedia article that’s no doubt maintained by KEF’s leader Jordan Palmer (formerly known as Brian Day, prior to a name change), the council (nine of the 14 members) was “terminated” after the organization condemned the Kentucky Fairness Alliance. And we all know Wikipedia is a bastion of accuracy and honesty. So you know everything you read is 100% truthful.

Why’d these people abandon the organization? Let’s explore the issue a bit…

We have learned, through several months of research, that the Board of Directors/General Advisory Committee is usually composed of Palmer, his mother Nancy Couch Bowling, a guy named Paul and a friend of Palmer’s named Casey. Occasionally that board structure fluctuates when Palmer has a disagreement with anyone or when he feels (we believe) that his authority is threatened. Or when someone departs the organization on their own accord, obviously.

During 2007 Palmer was in charge of KEF’s finances. And by finances, we mean there is not a system of checks and balances and the organization shares/shared a bank account with Palmer’s records removal service. Without a segregation of funds and with no system of accounting, there is no way to prove where funds have been appropriated and there’s no way to determine if, how or when funds were received. After interviewing a half dozen former directors/council members of the organization, we are still unable to get clear answers.

One of the major financial issues we have uncovered (and previously reported): KEF won money from MySpace and it (according to MySpace and all other accounts) wasn’t intended for Palmer individually, as he has suggested in comments on this very website. According to the six people we have interviewed, KEF won the funds by popular vote of MySpace membership. Since there’s no separation of funds and accounting, it’s pretty clear how the MySpace award could easily disappear. Palmer and the KEF officially settled with the Office of the Attorney General and were legally required to disperse funds to several university organizations which had been promised the money. See our previous stories here and here.

According to one of our sources, suspicions of fraud were reported to major KEF contributors and donations stopped rolling into the organization. The board/council then planned a surprise for Palmer, telling him that they wouldn’t allow him to be the sole individual responsible for funding and financial management. Palmer refused to comply, as you’ll see below, and the organization at that point fell apart with nine individuals walking away. Within a few weeks the Office of the Attorney General launched a major investigation.

Read the rest of this exposé and peep salacious emails leaked to us by former board members after the jump…

Our reporting over a year ago has proved to be spot-on. And now it’s time for us to reveal more about what we’ve learned. Including proof that any time anyone has anything remotely negative to say about Palmer or poses legitimate questions of him, he threatens them with a lawsuit (as he has done to us on several occasions). Which you’ll see backed up below.

Here’s an email from the former Director of Development that raises 8 specific questions and demands answers:

From: Jacob Barrett
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 9:05 PM
To: Boyce Dean Byrd; Brian Stephens; Clarence Wallace; James-Clifton Spires; Jordan Palmer (Kentucky Equality Federation); Nick Herweck; Paige D. Marks; Ted Tucker
Subject: Issues put to rest!
Importance: High

OK,

As some of you may or may not know there have been some questions about our finances; what are they? Part of the problem has stemmed from not know what is coming in or where it is going out too. As many of you may also know I have been working long hours and have enlisted some help in getting new By-Laws. After speaking with Jordan concerning some issues I think that it time we set up some things to make us legitimate organization in all forms.

1. New By-Laws will be adopted that include a provision that we must have a Treasurer.
2. We must set up a bank account for the organization.
3. We will have bank statements and a budget that will be sent out monthly.
4. Jordan can provide all financial statements concerning money issues(please note this is a courtesy as most everything came out of his business account)
5. Accountability for MySpace award money! (GSA money was accounted for where is it?)
6. We as an organization must be able to make ends meet as far as bills are concerned.
7. Paypal account info needs to be supplied to Treasurer.
8. Are we tax exempt at the federal level if not then we need to start the process.

These are some of the issues that adopting new By-laws will take care of. Jordan if you would please bring all tax info with you to the meeting so that we can have whomever the treasurer is open us a bank account that would be great.

We then must get past this and move to Equality Awards stuff. Lexington Fairness will be at this meeting and they have things that they would like to bring to us. We can not allow internal squabbles to destroy what we have thus far. I think that we counted on Jordan to handle everything now it is time for change! We must get the officers in and delegate responsibility and accountability. I will not and can not be a part of an organization with structure problems I will resign before that happens. So going forward from today through Sunday we will talk about things and things will be changed to make us more sound as an organization or things will fall apart. We can no longer expect Jordan to bare the weight now we will change things and set up a new system where all are held accountable to this organization.

Jacob Barrett
Director of Development
Issues of Public Significance Coordinator
Kentucky Equality Federation

Palmer didn’t like Barrett’s questions and responded with the following:

“J. Palmer (Kentucky Equality Federation)” wrote:

Money going out? Money going out has belonged to me, from my personal account and you have seen one month of it. In addition, the General Advisory Council is exceeding its charter. Everyone seems to be under the impression that Kentucky Equality Federation does not have a Board and that I am not aware of everything that goes on. By way of this email, I hereby request all Directors of the Corporation be present at Sundays meeting.

This is the reason the General Advisory Councils authority was restricted to consist of non-director members to oversee the Federation’s position on social responsibilities, alliances, and issues of public significance. The General Advisory Council is the sole authority for determining the Federations short and long-term political platform, goals, political alliances, coalitions, and issues of public significance If anyone has any questions about the Corporations policies, regulations, etc. email me or one of the Directors.

Everyone has specific jobs to do; modifying the Corporations Bylaws, etc. is not a concern for me as President. The Bylaws are fine as they are, and as a Corporation, we have never had any problems. Perhaps communication has been the problem however.

I will not stand-by and/or allow crap shot off by my former friend (Manuel Moore) divert my attention, or refocus that of the Federation. Kentucky Equality Federation has survived until January 2008 with absolutely no contributions from anyone other than me. My personal attorney, Ms. Jill Hall Rose (www.jillhallrose.com) is being instructed to sue Manuel Jackson Moore for slander and deprivation of professional character.

Isnt it amazing that all of my hard work for the past three (3) years can be questioned because of the ramblings on one idiot.

Manuels real problem was that I would not appoint him to the GAC, and he was VERY pissed that neither Brian nor Jacob responded to his online volunteer request. I refused because I felt it would be a conflict of interest.

In addition, this organization does not have structure problems, or it has never until recently and I am putting the brakes on it here and now.

All Directors of the Corporation are requested to respond to everyone and respond ASAP.

As you can see, when approached with legitimate concerns about finances and other matters of operation, Palmer took great offense and brushed them off, suggesting that board members were exceeding their authority. Yeah, how ridiculous to question the operation and finances of an alleged 501(c)3 organization tasked self-tasked with protecting equal rights for all.

Palmer’s mother then had her say:

Nan Bowling wrote:

I would like to take this time to introduce myself formally as some of you may not know me. I am Nancy Couch, Secretary of the Corporation for Ky Equality. I have held this position since the day the organization was started. I have been around and can tell you where the money came from and where it has gone. I was in business with Jordan when we owned a business in the hospitality industry and at that time I agreed to allocate a certain amount of MY as did Paul Johnson money to start and keep this organization going. This was something that was close to the heart of Jordan, and we felt it important for this organization to get off the ground. Jordan on the other hand spent most of his money that he made with this company to support KY Equality.

Jordan Palmer had a dream, and from that dream he formed and started Ky Equality Federation. From day one, he has paid for everything so I so do see where anyone can question where the money goes to! Lets not forget what JORDAN HAS DONE ALL BY HIMSELF!!

1.) Formed the company, paid the filing fees and has maintained the web site our of his own money. WOULD KY EQUALITY EVEN BE HERE IF HE HAD NOT DONE ALL OF THIS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS? The answer is NO!
Has anyone come forward and said “Jordan, I realize that you have been paying for this web site for the past three years, let me help you with that payment.” The answer is NO!

EXACTLY HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK IT HAS COST TO MAINTAIN THIS WEB SITE and not to mention develop it and keep updating it for three years? I would like for each of you to think about this cost and how it has been maintained all this time!

2.) What about the banners, posters, pens, stickers, vehicle license frames, shirts, buttons? Where do you think the money came from for all of this stuff? Where do you think the money came from when Soulforce came to this area to pay for their motel rooms? IT came from Jordan’s billfold. Did he get any donations at that time, the answer is NO! That cost alone was $400.00. Who paid for the food to feed this group? Jordan did, and did he get any donations to help? No, he did not, he again paid for this out of his wallet.

NOW TO SPEAK TO THE ADVISORY BOARD. This is your duty, to advise not to take into questions what Mr. Palmer has done. You are overstepping your boundaries. Not to mention the fact that instead of standing up and supporting this person, you are adding fuel to the fire by attempting to come up with ways to set up banks accounts, etc.

You are attempting to take on the duties of the Directors. Please stink to the duties of which you were appointed.

Mr. Barrett, you were appointed by the President to be the Director of Development not to be a Director. of the corporation. We need to stay in the roles that we have been appointed. It is not my intentions to personally attack you but I am angry that Jordan’s character has been put into question by a rambling idiot!

The first step in this mess is for everyone to stop all of the emails, firing back and forth at Jordan. Can’t you simply say, I trust Mr Palmer, he was the founder and has been the SOLE SUPPORT of the organization for the past 3 years and I will not be part of putting his character into judgment.

Now you want to questions the money that came from myspace, I don’t see what that has to do with anything. Mr. Palmer won this money as well as a plaque for his hard work and dedication to gay rights and who are you to questions what he did with this money. Well, let me tell you what happened to it. He used it to buy buttons to support Ky Equality, help pay for the upkeep of the web site and the monthly fee it cost to keep it going and numerous and sunders other things that he has done to keep this organization alive for the 3 years.

You guys just came on board by the grace of Mr. Palmer, I don’t understand why you cant support him instead of question his every move. I know where this is headed, you are going to keep this up until Jordan says I have had enough, I quit! You will be losing the BEST leader you could possible have and this would be a very sad day for KY Equality for the person that had worked long hours and spent a large amount of money to start and keep this organization going and when this happens.

How can you listen to the ramblings of a AIDS infected idiot! If you want to see a true blue meth addict, then look Mr. Moore up! His pride is wounded so what does he do he starts vicious rumors on someone that has done NOTHING WRONG! The only thing that Jordan is guilty of, is being TOO KIND HEARTED and he is this to a fault.

Can’t each of you just say, WE SUPPORT OUR LEADER, and we are not going to listen to lies and vicious rumors?

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS SATISFIED WITH THE STATEMENT THAT JORDAN HAS MADE! WE WILL NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES AT THIS TIME, AND IF AND WHEN WE DEEM IT APPROPRIATE WE WILL LOOK INTO NEW WAYS TO DO OUR BUSINESS. UNTIL THIS TIME I ADVISE EVERYONE TO STOP PARTAKING IN THESE LIES AND RUMORS! STAND UP FOR WHO YOU BELIEVE IN.

My honest evaluation of this situation is Jordan needs to disband everyone and get Ky Equality back to what it was before all of this started, it was just fine with the dedicated people you had before! JORDAN PUT A STOP TO THIS NOW!

Nancy Couch
Secretary of the Corporation

Very becoming of an “equality” foundation, isn’t it? Attacking someone in an email sent out to dozens of others by alleging they’re infected with HIV/AIDS and that they’re addicted to meth. We’re not sure what any of that has to do with protecting and promoting equality, but whatever.

Despite Couch’s protestations and weird personal attacks, she never addresses the concerns brought up in the earlier email and suggests that they’re just a waste of time. How dare anyone ask questions or require accounting and documentation, right?

She followed her message up with a clarification:

From: Nan Bowling
Sent: Apr 11, 2008 9:49 PM
To: Nan Bowling , “J. Palmer (Kentucky Equality Federation)” , ‘Jacob Barrett’ , ‘Boyce Dean Byrd’ , ‘Brian Stephens’ , ‘Clarence Wallace’ , ‘James-Clifton Spires’ , ‘Nick Herweck’ , “‘Paige D. Marks’” , ‘Ted Tucker’
Cc: ‘Paul Johnson’ , Nancy Couch, Casey Kurtis
Subject: RE: Issues put to rest!

Perhaps I was a bit to abrasive with my last email but I see what this is to the the FOUNDER of this organization. For the past few months Ky Equality has grown into what Jordan wanted in the beginning and this is a WONDERFUL thing.

I was not saying that Mr Barrett was a rambling idiot I was referring to Manuel Moore. I do not know Mr Barrett, and I would never want anyone to think I was referring to him when I made this statement. I apologize for not making this clear.

What DIFFERENCE does it make WHO I AM? I have given you MY HONEST OPINION and I am a Director. I have keep out of most of this until these emails starting flying right and left about Jordan, this is where I stand up and take a stand.

Hoo boy. What a mess.

We’re sure Palmer will probably threaten to sue us again and will demand to know how we obtained these email messages discussing official organizational business matters. So we’ll go ahead and answer his no-doubt weird complaints and threats: The documents were leaked to us by several individuals formerly affiliated with KEF who believe there is wrongdoing going on/has gone on. We have hundreds of other emails and documents in our possession and as we have time to examine them more thoroughly, may consider publishing them. We have protected individual email addresses and contact information as a courtesy.

And if you threaten to sue us again? That’s fine. We will not be deterred. It is our duty to report what we uncover. And we are well within our rights to publish the stories we’re publishing, which are 100% factual and warranted. In instances where our opinion is provided, we’re also clearly within our rights as we have based our opinions on provided documents, public activity and open records. If you want to sue us over that or for some far-fetched accusation of “deprivation” or whatever, then do it. Because we have two years under our belts of reporting various pieces of news and have a well-established history of doing this sort of reporting for the public good. We will adequately defend ourselves.

It is our personal belief and opinion that the Kentucky Equality Federation is a risky operation at best. Well-meaning donors and supports are getting ripped off (see OAG agreement, signed by Palmer, previously reported by us). The organization, which is not a 501(c)3 non-profit (according to the IRS and Guidestar.org), as Palmer claims, should be dismantled and should not be allowed to continue operation in the Commonwealth of Kentucky if current practices prevail.

Further, since there’s no proof that KEF is a 501(c)3 or otherwise non-profit organization as claimed on dozens of documents on file with the Kentucky Secretary of State, that issue needs to be immediately addressed and resolved.

Palmer also claims existence of “Kentucky Equality PAC” – a political action committee. This is one instance where something actually exists. It’s on file with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. There is, however, no record on the federal level with the Federal Election Commission. This means (to answer questions we have received) that political activity may only occur on the state level with state candidates. Any action or activity directed at candidates on the federal level (like the recent presidential election)– even posts on the internet advocating the defeat of or election of a candidate by the PAC– are potential campaign finance violations. This issue needs to be immediately addressed and resolved, as well.

All this said… get ready, we’re likely to be threatened from here to eternity. But we’re tired of wasting time on bull like this when there are legitimate fairness organizations in Kentucky which have existed for nearly two decades. It’s time we all stand against this level of ignorance, potential corruption and embarrassment.