[...] We can go on about Kerr–and we will! Click here for the next post on Kerr!   [...]

I am one of those Rotarians who think that this is a great project. I know nothing about Mike Kerr's history. I do know that you have tried to sink this very worthwhile venture by a nasty
ad hominem attack that is totally irrelevant to the success of this project. And you do it just before the event. You should turn in your notebook and hang your head in shame. I am sure your journalism teacher would have had you stay after school for this trick.

I am Gustavo's journalism teacher. The success of the project you mention is totally irrelevant to Gustavo's story. In our business, what you describe as a "trick" is actually called "timely investigative reporting" and there's no shame in that. I give him an A plus!

Oh, look! Mr. Kerr has sent around an email asking his friends to post something nasty about Gustavo. I wonder how many more will show up.

Why are you prying into this guy's private life, which is not your or anybody else's business? I am sure you are perfect and have no skeletons in your closet either. You obviously don't know the whole story so why are you beign such a pest to this man who is doing a good thing at this time of year? Get a life Gustavo!

I know why--because it's none of your business!!

Lisa: a man's private financial life is very much the business of those corporations and individuals who are donating money to Snowball Express. Don't get blinded by the noble cause. And I'd love to know the whole story, but--as I showed--Kerr wouldn't tell it to me. Wonder why?

The Snowball Espress is a wonderful concept and MSK deserves all the credit. So was the Volkswagen, and we
know who is responsible for that! Be patient.

MSK does not deserve the credit. The hundreds of volunteers and individuals working behind the scenes, who are not seeking selfish gain, are responsible for the success. Donors should be aware that Snowball Express is not registered in the State of California for tax-exempt status. Donations given to Snowball Express are being routed through the M.Scott Kerr Foundation, which is not a registered charity.
If you need further proof that this man is a con, read the story online at Snowball Express about how he sat down to have a conversation with "Jane's" daughter. If the story doesn't ring true, that's because it most likely isn't.

Marine Corps Widow is on the right track. Follow the money. YOUR money, NOT THEIRS. I will, and so will the IRS, the Attorney General, and others. My nine year-old boy said this man sounds like the King in "The Emperor's New Clothes". Out of the mouths of babes.

It looks like Mr. Arellano is our little boy who had the
curiousity and innocence to point out the obvious.

Aliso Viejo CPA

Dear Snowbound:

As a former Phoenix, Arizona native, I know how much devastation this "con man" caused his family before, during, and after his "wicked divorce". You are absolutley right, the individuals who took his good idea to heart, and ran with it, deserve all the credit. Who knows anything about his "Co-Founder", in whose name all the "fictitious" business names are registered? Make a donation and see who endorses your check!

To ALL concrened, PUBLIC records are just that. Use them.

MCW

John Gotti, to many, was a great man. This modern day Robin Hood robbed the rich to give to the poor. He provided his humble community of Queens with jobs, hand-outs, protection, and even a fireworks display every 4th of July. The "Teflon Don" was a hero indeed.

His downfall was his massive ego, his addiction to publicity, and his decision to "hide in plain sight".
The rest is history, Mr. Kerr.

Badda Bing-Badda Boom,

Little Italy (a faithful Rotarian for 16 years)

The reporter has done a fine job of investigate reporting. There does, however, exist a second child support order in the State of California for another "nasty" divorce that Mr. Kerr went through. While it is unclear why this one was not pursued to the extent the AZ one was, great care and concern should be used before money is given to someone who owes so much.

Hey Gustavo,

Thanks for your article which a friend pointed out to me last night. (Sorry--I've been out of town.) A couple of items to add:

1) Do the people donating money to this project realize that it's not a registered charity (501 c(3))? I'm just assuming this is the case since a registration like this takes awhile and I can't find any record of the Kerr Family Foundation at the AG's website. I think there could be more here than meets the eye. This could be another Esperanza-Fire-type-situation.

2) Has Mr. Kerr served some jail time too? You might want to check into that.

3) What is Mr. Kerr's "visible means of support" now that he has left the Saywitz company?

4) Didn't there used to be a Snowball Express run by Mr. Kerr in Phoenix?

Thanks again; also enjoy hearing you on KPCC when I get the chance to catch the program.

Marky

It is unfortunate that Mr. Kerr's past is casting a shadow over this worthwhile event. But hundreds of volunteers, both locally and across the country, have worked hard to make this happen. They are just a little busy right now, but I'm sure they will fully review the situation top to bottom as soon as the last tired child heads home.

As for Mr. Kerr's charity: the M. Scott Kerr Foundation, Inc., (which is doing business as the Snowball Express) was formed in California on September 25, 2006. Yes, it takes months to get your tax-exempt status approved--the IRS is currently reviewing applications submitted in May.

But most companies and corporate sponsors will not care about charitable status. It will be good public relations for them and they will exercise their own oversight and control over the money they donate, writing it off to marketing expense. And remember,a lot of the donations are not cash, they are goods--parties, tickets, hotel rooms, food--that cannot be diverted to anyone's private use.

Also, keep in mind that the name Michael Kerr is a relatively common one. The California support order may be someone else entirely. And, websites are not always complete sources of information. For example, the M. Scott Kerr Foundation could not be found on the Secretary of State's website, although the corporation does in fact exist.

There are clearly a number of questions that Mr. Kerr will have to answer to satisfy the many persons and organizations that have helped him with this event. But a rush to judgment serves no one. Hopefully, this will be a weekend of joy for families that are in great need of happiness in their lives. There will be plenty of time to sort out the credit, or blame, come Monday.

[...] Today on All Things Considered, reporter Howard Berkes picked up the Weekly's story on Michael Scott Kerr, the man behind the Snowball Express and who we've shown over the past week to be little more to be a schmuck: a negligent father, possessor of an child support arrest warrant in Arizona, and a resume-padding liar. Kerr, of course, denied it all–not to us, but to another blog, where he also dismissed us as "a local smut paper selling porno and the like." [...]

I HAVE NO PERSONAL KNOWLEGDE OF MR. KERR HIMSELF HOWEVER I DO OF HIS "CO-FOUNDER" AND IT TOOK SERVING PAPERS FROM COURT TO FINALLY GET A PAYCHECK I WAS OWED BY HER FOR OVER 2 MONTHS. IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY DESERVE EACH OTHER. THEY BOTH SEEM TO THINK LIES AND EMPTY PROMISES ARE OK. MR. KERR SAYS HE 'DID NOT MAKE A CENT' FROM THE EVENT BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW DID HIS MONTHLY BILLS GET PAID BY THE FOUNDATION?