PressTige Publishing (Martha Ivery aka Kelly O'Donnell)

victoriastrauss · Jun 3, 2005

Breaking news...Martha Ivery (a.k.a Kelly O'Donnell and numerous other aliases), d.b.a. PressTige Publishing, was indicted on 17 counts of fraud and other deceptive conduct in the US Federal Court in Albany, NY on June 1, 2005. She was to be arraigned at 1:00 p.m. today (June 3). Further details to follow.

Writer Beware has been tracking Ivery since 1998, and we worked with the FBI and others to gather information and documentation leading to the indictment. It's been a long fight, and we're very pleased. This is a victory for writers everywhere.

There's more on Ivery and her scam here.

- Victoria

Susan Gable · Jun 3, 2005

Yeaaaayyy! :banana:

That's great news, Victoria. Score one for the good guys!

Susan G.

AC Crispin · Jun 3, 2005

Oh, Frabjous Day! Calloo, Callay!

(Happy Snoopy dancing in the aisles)

Six years!

Six years, but finally, she's going down!

YESYESYESYESYESYES!!!!

-Ann C. Crispin
Writer Beware RULES!
www.writerbeware.com

CaoPaux · Jun 3, 2005

James D. Macdonald · Jun 3, 2005

Woo! Federal Court!

Can we send her a fruit basket at Ft. Leavenworth, or at least a toothbrush and a bar of soap?

DaveKuzminski · Jun 3, 2005

Congratulations, Ann and Victoria!

Jaws · Jun 3, 2005

And, if you'd like to give yourself a headache following along while we determine the possible length of darling Martha's vacation at Club Fed, I blawgged it at Scrivener's Error. And yes, I am a meany, so you'll need to go see it: It's not a simple exercise.

clara bow · Jun 3, 2005

Thanks for all of your hard work!

Jaws · Jun 4, 2005

And here's a copy of the indictment, which should sound very familiar to anyone who is also following PA.

Diana Hignutt · Jun 4, 2005

Great work!

Ken Schneider · Jun 4, 2005

Great work ladies.

I have hope that I may read about another bilker one day as well.

Trapped in amber · Jun 4, 2005

That's fantastic! Congratulations! :hooray:

writerjenn · Jun 4, 2005

Congratulations Ann, Victoria and everyone else who had a hand in bringing Martha down! It was a long time coming, but it was worth it.

Jenn

NicoleJLeBoeuf · Jun 5, 2005

Jaws said:
And, if you'd like to give yourself a headache following along while we determine the possible length of darling Martha's vacation at Club Fed, I blawgged it at Scrivener's Error. And yes, I am a meany, so you'll need to go see it: It's not a simple exercise.

I saw your cryptic pre-comment there shortly after seeing Victoria's announcement here, so I figured that was what you were probably talking about. Thanks for breaking it down with an explanation the layperson can understand--or, at least, come as close to understanding as anyone without a law degree can manage!

Kasey Mackenzie · Jun 6, 2005

WOO HOO! Everyone involved in bringing this vile woman's scam down should be extremely proud of themselves. Yay for you!

JennaGlatzer · Jun 9, 2005

I could have sworn I did this before, but I didn't.

This requires a massive Snoopy dance.

:snoopy:

Congrats, Ann and Victoria! I knew this was coming!

HapiSofi · Jun 9, 2005

Yesss! That no-talent broad finally bites the dust!

bluwinteryfox · Jun 15, 2005

From someone who had Martha Ivery/Kelly O'Donnel as her agent, I say thanks. :Clap:

I was one of the lucky ones. I did pay her- I know I know I shouldn't have done that but I didn't know that at the time- but I was able to get my money back. She told me that Northwest Publishing out of Utah wanted my book. I think you all know what happened to them.

maestrowork · Jun 15, 2005

WTG Victoria and Ann!!!!!

D.J. · Jun 15, 2005

victoriastrauss said:
Breaking news...Martha Ivery (a.k.a Kelly O'Donnell and numerous other aliases), d.b.a. PressTige Publishing, was indicted on 17 counts of fraud and other deceptive conduct in the US Federal Court in Albany, NY on June 1, 2005. She was to be arraigned at 1:00 p.m. today (June 3). Further details to follow.

Writer Beware has been tracking Ivery since 1998, and we worked with the FBI and others to gather information and documentation leading to the indictment. It's been a long fight, and we're very pleased. This is a victory for writers everywhere.

There's more on Ivery and her scam here.

- Victoria

Wow! I'm glad you and Writer Beware are here! You have saved so many first time writers from fates like these. Thank you!

Alan Yee · Jun 17, 2005

Thanks for helping out so many writers. Thanks for keeping me educated at an early age. When I finally break out into SF, I'll remember to thank you and Ann and everyone who helps with Writer Beware.

Another victory! May there be many, many more to come!

This is why we should all run out and buy Victoria's (and Ann's) books. I'll make sure to add some of them to my list.

--Alan

victoriastrauss · Jun 18, 2005

Thank you, Alan. That's the best vote of thanks a Writer Beware-er can get.

And thanks to everyone, for the congratulations. It feels good!

- Victoria

Roger J Carlson · Jul 6, 2005

Article from the Albany Times Union:
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=376670&category=BUSINESS&newsdate=7/6/2005

CaoPaux · Jul 6, 2005

On June 3, Ivery -- also known as Kelly O'Donnell -- was charged with mail fraud, bankruptcy fraud and fraud in connection with an access device, all felonies. The 56-year-old woman faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Patricia · Jul 6, 2005

As they say -- "Better late, than never!" A belated thank you, Ann, Victoria, for all your hard work. I am awed at the probable number of authors you saved from a con rip-off. :Cheer:

PressTige Publishing (Martha Ivery aka Kelly O'Donnell)

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