Another such event was the disastrous RewindCon outside Chicago in November 2016, featuring the stars of Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, Growing Pains, and more. It was organized by fans of those shows, women who had zero experience in promoting a con of that size. They celebrated the fact that they pulled it off, ignoring the issue that most of the celebs were not paid. I believe vendors too were short on money.
https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-ne ... s-w454762/
Stars like Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Jason Priestley and Luke Perry were told that they would receive paychecks in the mail following the ’80s and ’90s-themed convention, which was held at Hilton Indian Lakes Resort from November 11 to 13. But instead, Rewind Con cofounder Jaymie Lashaway reached out to say that she was filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy.
A source tells Us that the actors found out about the situation on Sunday, November 13. “The Rewind Con checks to the Melrose Place and 90210 cast members bounced,” the insider says. In an email, Lashaway claimed that troubles began when one of her investors backed out. “I am truly sorry,” she wrote. “To see something we worked so hard for end up this way and so many of you that I’ve the utmost respect for carry such hatred for me is absolutely devastating. I am sorry.”
General Hospital alums and ‘NSync singer Joey Fatone were among the celebs that took part in the event. Priestley and Perry reportedly were given money, but Fatone reportedly hasn’t received a dime yet.
I just stumbled on another instance, dating back to October 2018, the NorthEast Star Trek Con in Albany, NY, which I attended. Like the others, the attendance was far too low, and once again, the organizers were fans who had very little convention experience. They'd put one of these on two years prior, but it had a much smaller guest list. It wasn't as if they had a ton of actors there, if I recall it was about half dozen. Well, I saw that one of them, John Hertzler, apparently had to take legal action because most of them received bad checks! He really blew his top when the organizer, Jerry Silber, tried to organized a tribute to Aron Eisenberg, who Jerry failed to PAY for his appearance. As John details, it's often difficult to lesser known actors to recoup their money, because they usually have to do it in person in another state. Most obviously live in NY or CA. Vendors as well as a camera man were not paid.
https://www.facebook.com/john.g.hertzle ... 9667393986
John G. Hertzler is feeling in a state of disbelief in the unmitigated gall of Jerry Silber with Tim McCormack and 8 others.
September 23
Let me be among the first to say I have made many many many mistakes in my life. I have screwed-up too many times to remember at this point. I've been angry and done and said things I am not proud of. I have been weak when strength was needed. But.....what Jerry Silber has done this day barely ascends to the level of primate, let alone, humanity. Mr. Silber ran NE TREK CON in Albany, NY. I appeared at his con way back in 2016. When he asked me for some help in contacting other DS9 actors for his con a few years ago, I agreed to help. I helped bring some of my friends here from California. Among these were Bob O'Reilly and Aron Eisenberg. These two men I had worked with for over 25 years, they are like family, like brothers to me. I was thrilled that they agreed to appear at NE TREK CON, of 2018. I knew it would be helpful in securing an audience for Mr. Silber’s convention and that they would do well with the Star Trek community because they are such favorites. Just as he did with Aron and Bob, at the conclusion of the convention, Mr. Silber looked me straight in the eye and handed me a bad check that he not only failed to write a number that agreed with the alphabetical amount but he post dated it for nearly a week in the future. He knew what he was doing! I didn’t notice because I trusted him. Bob trusted him. Aron trusted him. Mike Friedman trusted him. Garrett Wang, Max Grodenchik, Chris Abbott trusted him. All were handed bad checks. All were stiffed at the end of the weekend during which we all gave 110% of our ability to entertain and inspire the fans of Star Trek. Aron gave perhaps a little more…like 150%...but he always did. It’s not the money….it’s the betrayal of trust and then the dishonesty.
Because I live in New York state, it was fairly simple for me to sue Mr. Silber in small claims court to make good on his check. The judge listened to both sides of the issue and found in my favor in approximately 5 minutes. A judgement was made against Mr. Silber that would follow him about for 20 years or until paid. In two days, it was paid. Somehow he found the money! That was great for me but there were my friends and colleagues who were still left with nothing. My better half, Shevvy, is a Constitutional Law attorney but above all else, she believes in fair play. The Golden Rule, perhaps. She began to assist all those who were stiffed by Silber, but refused to take a fee. We learned that the law required those suing in small claims have to appear personally in court and all these folks lived in California or Austria, but not in New York. So we started to figure out how we could get my friends back to New York to seek relief in Albany….Aron was first on the list. He was planning to come here in November, attempting to combine this legal trip with a business trip in NYC. We were almost ready to book flights….and then the news came. Aron was gone. The worst news imaginable involving one so beloved as Aron.
Now barely 48 hours after our loss, Mr. Silber posts a Facebook statement of respect and adoration for his dear friend Aron Eisenberg. If I had had a Louisville Slugger in my hand at that moment I would have hurled it from here to Albany to visit the rock under which Mr. Silber lives. Aron could no longer sue for his money, nearly $1000. Perhaps for some, not a great deal of money, but for Aron..for any actor, artist, or candlestick maker….a handsome amount. And what does Silber do….he posts a glowing Facebook post bespeaking his immense respect and admiration for Aron Eisenberg, while in reality, Silber thought of him as so much trash, not worth even an attempt to make Aron whole for his work. Silber is the scum of the earth and if there truly is a God, Silber should avoid even the threat of a lightening storm. We just learned that Silber is hosting a “meet up” to “celebrate Aron and Malissa” at the Bethlehem Public Library in Delmar, 451 Delaware Avenue in Albany this Saturday, Sept. 28th at 1PM. I cannot get to Albany for this, and perhaps its best that I am not there. I am not a merry man…right now. But if you are reading this and can make it….please do and let Mr. Silber know you are there. Please share this if you have friends in the Albany, NY area, who might like to “attend” this so-called “Meet Up”
