Plaintiffs Against Ullja Kuntze Withdraw From Case

June 17, 2010 Announcement (permission to repost granted):

The Plaintiffs in the defamation case Liz Putnam et al v. Ullja Kuntze have filed to withdraw their motion seeking relief against Ullja Kuntze for defamation (libel and slander per se) and fraud.

The Plaintiffs arrived at the decision to withdraw after Ullja Kuntze, with much delay, finally complied with court-ordered disclosure and provided documents confirming that she publishes the blog "handmadeartisonfraud.blogspot.com" and has made false tax evasion reports specifically naming the Plaintiffs and many others to the IRS and state revenue offices around the country.

During the legal proceedings, the Plaintiffs attempted settlement with Ullja Kuntze and requested that she remove the blog, but Ms. Kuntze refused. The high cost of pursuing the case to completion has been weighed against the satisfaction of her admission that she is the publisher of the blog and the person behind the spurious reports to local authorities against artisans around the country. The investment to date resulted in obtaining evidence of her acts, an ample and welcome reward.

However, to pursue the case to completion and obtain an injunction against Ullja Kuntze ordering her to take the blog offline would be very expensive, given her lack of cooperation to date. With proof of her wrongdoing, the Plaintiffs and others targeted by Ms. Kuntze have the needed evidence to protect their professional and personal reputations individually.

The Plaintiffs wish to thank everyone who contributed to the legal costs and to assure their supporters that with proof of Ullja Kuntze's guilt, a win in civil court is not necessary. Thanks to the support of the artisan community, the evidence of Ms. Kuntze's acts is now a matter of public record for all to see.

Case information is available online at the Harris County Clerk's website. The case number is 200966253 and can also be located searching for Defendant name "Kuntze, Ullja".

NAME CLEARED NANCY GANT, SIMPLYLAMPWORK, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST SRA G55

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:

NOT A FRAUD NANCY GANT, SIMPLYLAMPWORK, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST SRA G55

NANCY GANT is NOT REQUIRED to register a fictitious business name with the OREGON Secretary of State when her full legal name is disclosed in the course of business.

Hence, NANCY GANT is NOT A FRAUD, nor is she a tax evader. THERE IS NO SALES TAX IN OREGON. Nancy Gant pays personal income taxes on her income.

website: www.simplylampwork.com
Etsy: www.simplylampwork.etsy.com
Ebay ID: sailthee

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

Paypal is onto Ullja's phishing scam!

Today an Etsy seller reported that Paypal sided with her after she refused to refund Ullja's purchase.

Ullja Kuntze has been purchasing items from dozens, if not hundreds, of artisans on Etsy and other venues and has either canceled the sale or returned the item if it is shipped to her. Since Ullja's sole purpose in making the purchases is to obtain the seller's name and address from the Paypal invoice, she is a FRAUDULENT BUYER.

Ullja Kuntze has established a pattern of Paypal account abuse, of which Paypal is now aware. If you shipped something to her, you are under no obligation to issue her a refund whether she returns what she bought or not!

NAME CLEARED PRECIOUSBEADS4YOU, DONNA CLARK, ETSY SELLER

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:

NOT A FRAUD PRECIOUSBEADS4YOU, DONNA CLARK, TEXAS STATE TAX PAYER AND ETSY SELLER

DONNA CLARK is volunteer manager to Susan Aulbaugh, who has a Texas State Sales Tax permit issued under her name and her business name.

SUSAN AULBAUGH pays Texas State Sales Tax on the very few sales made within the state, HENCE neither DONNA CLARK or SUSAN AULBAUGH are Tax Evaders.

DONNA CLARK and SUSAN AULBAUGH are not sisters. Our investigations find that they are fully compliant with all City, County, State, and Federal laws governing the operation of their hobby activities.

Etsy : www.preciouslinks.etsy.com
www.preciousbeads4you.etsy.com

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

NAME CLEARED RAPUNSELSTOWER, CHRISTINE A KLEIN, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST SRA K-28

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:

NOT A FRAUD RAPUNSELSTOWER, CHRISTINE A KLEIN, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST

CHRISTINE A KLEIN received the follow message immediately after ULLJA KUNTZE purchased from her Etsy shop:

Hi, I just bought from your Etsy shop a bead and as a Texas Resident, you did not charge me Texas Sales Tax and nowhere in your shop do you mention that you will collect %8.25 TX State Sales Tax. I dont do business with tax evaders. Refund my money asap back to my paypal account.

Etsy does not add sales tax. Ullja Kuntze did not allow a Paypal invoice to be sent before accusing Ms. Klein of FRAUD.

CHRISTINE A KLEIN collects and pays sales tax as required by law, HENCE is NOT A FRAUD.

Our investigations have found that CHRISTINE A KLEIN is fully compliant with all City, County, State, and Federal laws governing the operation of her business.

Etsy : http://www.rapunselstower.etsy.com
website: http://www.rapunselstower.com

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

NAME CLEARED CHRISTINA M KARASINSKI, THEFETCHINGHOUND, LEGAL BAKERY

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:

NOT A FRAUD CHRISTINA M KARASINSKI, THEFETCHINGHOUND, LEGAL BAKERY, ETSY SELLER

CHRISTINA M KARASINSKI has been baking in a fully licensed kitchen in the State of Connecticut WITH a proper health department permit. As of 9/1/2009, the kitchen will no longer be available, and so due to the need for expansion, The Fetching Hound will be opening their own facility in the coming months, HENCE nothing for sale on Etsy at this time.

Ullja took advantage of the vacation notification in The Fetching Hound's Etsy shop to create the illusion that the health department had shut down their operation as stated on her Online Fraud Investigation site. CHRISTINA M KARASINSKI has never baked at Preriver School in Norwich, CT, neither has she been contacted by any STATE officials as claimed on Ullja's Online Fraud Investigation web site. LOCAL health department officials have verified that CHRISTINA M KARASINSKI and THE FETCHING HOUND, LLC is compliant with local health department rules.

CHRISTINA M KARASINSKI and her husband MICHAEL J KARASINSKI are fully compliant with all City, County, State, and Federal laws governing the operation of her business.

Etsy: www.thefetchinghound.etsy.com

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

NAME CLEARED DARLEENMB, DARLEEN MICHAEL-BAKER, HANDMADE LAMPWORK BEAD ARTIST SRA M22, NOT A WYOMING STATE TAX EVADER

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:

NOT A FRAUD DARLEENMB, DARLEEN MICHAEL-BAKER, HANDMADE LAMPWORK BEAD ARTIST SRA M22

Our investigations have revealed that DARLEEN MICHAEL-BAKER does not have a Wyoming State Sales Tax permit under her name or her business name because the state of Wyoming canceled it due to the fact that it is not necessary to have one if no sales are made within the state, HENCE is not a Wyoming sales tax evader as stated on Ullja's blog Online Fraud Investigation.

DARLEENMB, DARLEEN MICHAEL-BAKER reports all income to the IRS as required by law. DARLEEN MICHAEL-BAKER is fully compliant with all City, County, State, and Federal laws governing the operation of her business.

website: www.darleenmb.com
Etsy: www.darleenMB.etsy.com
Artfire: www.darleenMB.artfire.com

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

NAME CLEARED FARRAH MALDONADO, SWEETPAPERIE, SWEET PAPERY, NOT A TEXAS STATE TAX EVADER

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:

NOT A FRAUD FARRAH MALDONADO OF SWEETPAPERIE, SWEET PAPERY, NOT A TEXAS STATE TAX EVADER

FARRAH MALDONADO collects and pays Texas state sales tax as required by law. Hence, FARRAH MALDONADO has NOT committed tax evasion nor has she abused the Texas Administrative Code.

Our investigation indicates that FARRAH MALDONADO is fully compliant with all City, County, State, and Federal laws governing the operation of her business.

Etsy : www.sweetpaperie.etsy.com
website: www.sweetpapery.com

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

NAME CLEARED TRUDI MADISON OF AFTERDARKDESIGNS, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST SRA M66

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:

NOT A FRAUD TRUDI MADISON OF AFTERDARKDESIGNS, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST SRA M66

After investigation, officials report that TRUDI MADISON is fully compliant with all City, County, State, and Federal laws governing the operation of her business. TRUDI MADISON markets and sells her work with her brother SCOTT TANNER, also a talented lampworker, who has also been found to be in full compliance of the law.

website: http://www.trudimadison.com
Etsy: http://www.afterdarkdesigns.etsy.com

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

NAME CLEARED SUEBEADS, SUSAN KENNEDY, HANDMADE LAMPWORK BEAD ARTIST SRA M-67

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:

NOT A FRAUD SUEBEADS, SUSAN KENNEDY, HANDMADE LAMPWORK BEAD ARTIST SRA M-67

SUSAN KENNEDY, SUEBEADS is fully compliant with all City, County, State, and Federal laws governing the operation of her business.

Etsy: www.suebeads.etsy.com
website: www.suebeads.com

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

If You're On The Fraud Blog...

If you were targeted on Ullja's handmadeartisanfraud.com blog and haven't been cleared here yet, you can help us out in our investigations by moseying on over to Ulljas.com and filling out the contact form there with information pertinent to your case, including any personal words you'd like posted here.

Your help is greatly appreciated. In the meantime, we'll be working through the fraud posts as fast as we can.

NAME CLEARED NAOSGLASS, AMBER A VANMETER

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:

NOT A FRAUD NAOSGLASS, AMBER A VANMETER

Ullja Kuntze accuses Amber A VanMeter of committing 8 years of tax evasion and fraud on her Online Fraud Investigation web site.

Our investigations indicate Amber A VanMeter is fully compliant with all City, County, State, and Federal laws governing the operation of her business. She fully discloses her identity on her websites and pays state sales tax for sales made within the state of Colorado.

website: http://www.naosglass.com
Etsy: http://Na0sGlass.etsy.com

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

NAME CLEARED JAMNGLASS, HEIDI BOND, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST SRA B-57

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:

NOT A FRAUD JAMNGLASS, HEIDI BOND, HANDMADE LAMPWORK ARTIST SRA-B57

HEIDI BOND is Vice President of Jamn Enterprise, Inc., which sells jewelry, handmade lampwork beads, jewelry supplies, and silk cords/ribbons. JAMN ENTERPRISE, INC. is properly registered with the California State of Secretary.

Poor research led Ullja to believe that the JAMN ENTERPRISE, INC is a CAR RENTAL BUSINESS, and she insinuated on the Online Fraud Investigation web site that DAVID BOND was acting fraudulently by using a separate corporation to funnel funds for Ms. Bond's jewelry and supplies business. JAMN ENTERPRISE, INC is a CAR RENTAL BUSINESS, but NOT in California, and it's NOT owned or run by DAVID BOND or HEIDI BOND. IT IS A DIFFERENT COMPANY ALTOGETHER.

Jamn Enterprises, Inc., Heidi Bond and David Bond have been found to be fully compliant with all City, County, State, and Federal laws governing the operation of their business.

http://www.jamnglass.artfire.com
http://www.jamnglass.com
http://www.jamnglass.etsy.com
http://www.jamnglasssilks.etsy.com

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

NAME CLEARED DANIELLE WEEMS, LIVELAUGHLOVESOAP

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:
NOT A FRAUD DANIELLE WEEMS, LIVELAUGHLOVESOAP


There is NO EVIDENCE that DANIELLE WEEMS has evaded Florida State Sales Tax. Collection and reporting of sales tax is required only for sales within the state, and Weems pays her taxes quarterly.

www.livelaughlovesoap.etsy.com
www.livelaughlovesoap.com

DANIELLE WEEMS was placed on Ullja Kuntze's blog the day she posted tax help information and spoke out against certain individuals creating sock puppet accounts. Apparently SOMEONE was creating Etsy accounts solely for the purpose of posting inflammatory statements and links in Etsy forum threads where the Online Fraud Investigation web sites were being discussed, seemingly in an effort to force Etsy admins to close the threads. Ullja Kuntze also made a purchase from Danielle Weems shop after Florida business hours in order to obtain her full name and address, and posted to the Online Fraud Investigation site the same evening. HENCE, no phone calls to Florida state officials were made.

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

NAME CLEARED CHARITY SLOAN, SUBEARTHAN COTTAGE, SOPHIECLS

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog:

NOT A FRAUD CHARITY SLOAN, SUBEARTHAN COTTAGE, SOPHIECLS, ARTISAN SOAPMAKER

There is NO EVIDENCE that CHARITY SLOAN has evaded Texas State Sales Tax. Collection and reporting of sales tax is required only for sales within the state.

Our investigations indicate that Charity Sloan is fully compliant with all City, County, State, and Federal laws governing the operation of their business.

Etsy: www.sophiecls.etsy.com
Artfire: www.subearthancottage.artfire.com


Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

When we have finished clearing the name of someone falsely accused, State and Federal agencies THANK US and in some cases, even OPEN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS into the people who are lodging spurious complaints and wasting their time.

MORE INFORMATION ON ULLJA KUNTZE AND THE ONLINE FRAUD INVESTIGATION WEB SITES.

NAME CLEARED KRISTIN PURCELL, JUST PEACHY, PEACHES4ME, ETSY SELLER

NOT A FRAUD: KRISTIN PURCELL, JUST PEACHY, PEACHES4ME, ETSY SELLER

Jewelry Artist KRISTIN PURCELL, has been selling online handmade jewelry at Etsy since Jan 2009.
She also sells on Artfire.

This seller has been vindicated and her name cleared against the false accusations of fraud published on Ullja Kuntze's blog, http://handmadeartisanfraud.blogspot.com/2009/08/fraud-kristin-purcell-fraud-just-peachy.html

http://www.peaches4me.etsy.com/ her shop was opened on Etsy in 2008

KRISTIN PURCELL has a current Texas State Sales Tax permit and is up-to-date on her tax payments.

The Harris County Tax Assessor, Houston-TX is fully aware of the tax status of Ms. Purcell's property. Ms. Purcell has been found to be in compliance and current on her property tax payments, as well as all other taxes.

Remember, a legitimate consumer protection organization will always report on the outcome of their cases, in order to maintain the integrity of the organization and avoid the libel lawsuits that arise from falsely tarring the reputations of businesses that are not engaged in wrongdoing.

A few of the things we've confirmed in our investigations:

A Business Paypal account is not required to conduct business in any state.

Home businesses are legal in all 50 states and do not change your real estate tax rate... although the square footage you use for your business may be tax-deductible.

Non-Business Hobbyists who occasionally make an incidental sale are exempt from sales tax rules in most states.

Most states do not require a business or sellers license if you are a hobbyist and you earn under a certain dollar amount or make fewer than a certain number of annual sales from your hobby. This amount varies from state to state.

Most states will only issue a single business license to a given residential address, and that license is valid for all the permanent businesses residing at that address.

It is acceptable practice to wait until a sales tax permit becomes necessary according to the laws of your State before acquiring one. Most hobbyists wait until it is clear that they are making the jump from hobby to business before obtaining their sales tax permits.

And of course, as we all know, many people have eBay or Etsy accounts for many years before beginning to sell their work, so the age of an eBay or Etsy account is the least reliable method for estimating the age of a business.

We have tightened up and clarified our wording here to make it more clear that we are not talking about people who start out with the intent to do business here... we are addressing the cases where people are being publicly accused of fraud on the basis of having had eBay accounts or Etsy accounts for months or even years before they started selling.

States with sales tax do not require everyone to have a seller's permit before they sell a single item... in Texas, for instance, if you are not presenting yourself as a business, your residence is not considered a place of business until you receive three orders in a calendar year. http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/sales/faq_permit.html. In Oregon, which has no sales tax, the definition is extremely vague... you are considered to be "probably doing business" if you "expect to make a profit". http://www.filinginoregon.com/business/faq.htm. Minnesota manages to take this vagueness to a new height by simply not addressing incidental sales at all. They do state that you do not need a sales tax permit if you sell through consignment or resale stores. See item #154 here: http://taxes.state.mn.us/taxes/sales/publications/fact_sheets_by_name/sales_fact_sheet_by_name.shtml

If you set up and present yourself as a business in preparation for selling, then you know in advance that you will be selling, and would quite reasonably be expected to obtain a seller's permit and/or business license prior to opening your business. However, many (if not most) hobbyists make incidental sales to people who offer to buy the item, despite not technically having presented it for sale. People who are not actively attempting to sell are not required to have a business license or seller's permit unless their incidental sales warrant it. This includes people who have set up an Etsy or Artfire store but have not placed any work for sale in it.

There are some unaddressed areas in the tax codes when it comes to hobbyists who sell. The Man is not, actually, trying to keep us down, or punish Casey Cupcakebaker for selling one more plate of cupcakes to Aunt June than he should have. If you realize partway through the year that you need a sales tax permit, and you go apply for one and tell them that you have sales from earlier that you need to report, they'll help you file the right papers, not punish you for not doing it in advance.

Deliberate evasion and fraud is one thing. Taking a little too long to get your ducks in a row and playing catch-up is something else entirely... it's called "being human" and amazingly, most government agencies are pretty understanding of that. They're, on average, not staffed by scary people who want to get you in trouble; they're staffed by nice, friendly, helpful people who want you to succeed, and want to help you be in compliance with often-confusing tax code.