VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.5) updated 2 February 2025

[KAT4DISNEY]

I found out on Twitter. I saw someone compare it to the Bill Cosby situation.

Quite a comparison. The Cosby one was such a disappointment for me in a human being.

 

[Suzabella]

For anyone who isn't aware....from another thread on the subject. I too would be very saddened to lose this resource and this group.

PSA for anyone who wants to catch up.
News broke of sexual and financial abuse on another chat board. That board cannot be mentioned here, so we cannot guide you to it. But once the news broke, it spread over here. The other board has first-hand accounts from verified people. Some of them have posted here.

Go to the DIS Unplugged Podcast area of the Board. Then go to the thread called "Disappointed". While in that thread, go to the upper right and corner and click "Search". Set your search to "Member" and do three searches. One for "Dustin", one for "TheMando" and one for "AbbeFaria". Keep your search limited to "This Thread". That will take you to all of the posts by Dustin, Sean and Charles. They are the first-hand accounts. If you want to read the rest of the 77 pages, fine. But reading their first-hand accounts should pretty much catch you up on the important stuff. And finding that other Board is not hard if you know how to do an internet search and now know the names of the people involved as well as the subject matter. There is no quick and easy way to catch up on everything. But first-hand accounts are probably the best source anyway. The rest is opinion, anger and venting.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

For anyone who isn't aware....from another thread on the subject. I too would be very saddened to lose this resource and this group.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[Suzabella]

YW. Theres a lot of posts to get through to get to the issue.

 

[jimmytammy]

Now that I understand what has happened, I must say, I feel the DIS will go on. John Magi has stated that is the intention and he seems genuine, because how many peoples jobs will be affected, alone. Obviously, us wanting the DIS to continue is not third world problems, and I for one hope we can remain the same, all we can do is try. But the bigger picture is saddening to say the least.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Caught up a bit more on details. Many thoughts and things I started to type out. I decided to just say that he is not why I was on these boards - it's all of you. The members here are what actually make up the DISboards and that is what I've always thought.
More processing to be done about the boards however.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Caught up a bit more on details. Many thoughts and things I started to type out. I decided to just say that he is not why I was on these boards - it's all of you. The members here are what actually make up the DISboards and that is what I've always thought.
More processing to be done about the boards however.

You are right Kat. You know I can get plenty of Disney information in other places but I can't get this Groupie family anywhere else. I'm so grateful for this amazing group.

 

[Suzabella]

A lot of the people who post on this site don't even know who PW is. I really don't think it will hurt this site much if at all. I do believe things will be different here going forward, though. I'm honestly surprised that the mods have let people vent on those threads. At first they deleted and locked threads but it just got too big to contain. It needed to be addressed but those actions just made posters angrier.

It's a sad situation all around and my thoughts and prayers for healing go to all his victims.

I honestly think there will be more revealed over time but as of now, only lawsuit is on the financial issue. This SA situation was, in no way, a one or two off. Just mho....enough said.

ETA: I think John is also suing PW because he had no knowledge that PW had opened that Am Ex in the business name and then racked up that massive bill. That's 2 lawsuits if that's true.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

A lot of the people who post on this site don't even know who PW is. I really don't think it will hurt this site much if at all. I do believe things will be different here going forward, though. I'm honestly surprised that the mods have let people vent on those threads. At first they deleted and locked threads but it just got too big to contain. It needed to be addressed but those actions just made posters angrier.

It's a sad situation all around and my thoughts and prayers for healing go to all his victims.

I honestly think there will be more revealed over time but as of now, only lawsuit is on the financial issue. This SA situation was, in no way, a one or two off. Just mho....enough said.

ETA: I think John is also suing PW because he had no knowledge that PW had opened that Am Ex in the business name and then racked up that massive bill. That's 2 lawsuits if that's true.

I too am surprised they've allowed the threads and comments all around to stay. Banning members for disagreement etc has been endemic on the boards with many admins (not all) for as long as I've been here. With what's out there now doing that is only going to be seen as aiding and protecting PW. Though it's got to be difficult to not hit that delete button when that's been the normal response it actually may be the 1st step in saving the boards, assuming they should be saved. My heart aches for the victims.

 

[jimmytammy]

Not to compare as its a totally different story.

But as a construction company owner along with my Dad, we work alongside with and hire employees and sub contractors and because we work so much with and beside most of them, it makes our workplace like family. If I hear of someone blasting my workers and or subs, the Daddy bear in me shines through. If I feel my guys are in the right, I will defend them to the end. Corporate ladder climbing isn't a thing in our small business world and we won't let it creep in.

Several years ago, we had a longtime painter, he and his brother painted for us at least 15 yrs. Our kids ran in the same homeschool groups. Our kids were really close in age to 2 of their 5 kids. We thought of him as a family man. He spoke all day about his kids, his wife, he adored his family. One Friday, we saw him at one of the units we were renovating at the local retirement community that we do most of our work. He was crying and and I asked what was wrong, he said his wife left him the night before. Wow, what a shock to me, he was so grounded in his marriage and family life. As the days and months passed his work declined, he would be in court, his brother striving too keep the company afloat, but me, being soft hearted, kept hanging on to him, hoping for better days ahead.

FF after a few months passed, deadlines were closing in, work piling up, and it was all because they weren't keeping up. So we finally hired another paint crew to help us out. I still didn't git rid of the brothers, tried to make it all work out. The whole time, the naive in me and my Dad was shining through. Little did we know or ever imagine the deep dark secrets this dude was keeping. He had us feeling sorry for him, praying for he and his wife to reconcile, for him to get his family dynamics back.

This is where the you know what hit the fan! His brother comes to our shop one early morning, both of them at odds at this point over trying to keep the business going. So his brother openly and blatantly spills the beans on him. He tells how he has been sexually assaulting one daughter who is same age as our DS Then tells more how he had another daughter from a previous albeit short marriage he was sexually assaulting.

WHAT???????????????????????????

That day, you could have blown up a stick of dynamite in my shop with less effect!!!! My Dad and I agreed , neither of us had ever had the wool pulled over our eyes like that. We read folks pretty well, you have to in the construction industry. Sending someone into another homes, where there may be valuables, etc., its a thing we need to feel good about. Not knocking any of these things, but the guys were clean cut, respectful not tattoos, no bad vices except the one did like his chewing tobacco, didnt smoke, swear, etc. God fearing, family men, or so we thought!!! Boy were we wrong.

He got 2-3 years in Fed prison, turns out his brother got a few years too later on for selling drugs. I guess the paint business died off as we were his primary contractor.

Here is what I wish to share, after the last 2 days have stirred up some negative memories for me and my DS especially. There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel. The daughter we knew who had been molested, came up to me maybe 5 yrs later, gave me a big ol hug(she was extremely shy and standoffish when I knew her as a child and teen, rightfully so)at our DDs wedding, she and her grandma(not his Mom)catered her reception. Im sorry, I get emotional thinking about it, she told me thank you for all you did for me back then. I was like what? I didnt do anything. She said oh you dont know it but you did. She said because we cut her Dad off financially, refused to take his calls, or refused to continue working with him, we made his life hell. She said because he controlled everything at home, he held the money, the house, kept the kids while his DW couldn't do anything to get the kids back, once the money stopped flowing, he couldn't control them anymore. Thats when all the bad stuff came out about him and those kids were finally able be with their mom.

Lets pray for the victims, pray for those whose lives have been turned upside down. There is light at the end of this dark tunnel, I pray these folks can make it to the light.

As for this group, thank y'all from the bottom of my heart in allowing me into your lives. You have been a blessing to me for a long time, and I consider you part of my family!!

 

[bluecastle]

JimmyTammy: finding out that someone you trusted and assumed was the same on the inside as he appeared on the outside and then turns out to be the opposite can really be so distressing. I tend to think the best of people. I don’t want to become a distrustful person. My motto has always been the same as Anne Frank’s, I believe people are truly good at heart. I guess in some people, that goodness is deeply buried underneath some pretty bad stuff.
As far as PW is concerned, I’ve been watching the DIS unplugged almost every week for many years and when he announced he was not going to host anymore (this was before everything was made public) I was actually glad. He was negative and all about himself. Plus, I didn’t like the way he spoke to some of the other hosts. But I never suspected anything like this. I don’t really want to know any details. I just hope the show continues with the current hosts and the forums continue to be a good source of info and camaraderie. I stop reading any thread here or on Facebook that gets mean, negative, overly complaining, or negative.
This group is the best of what online communication and friendship can be. I appreciate it so much! You guys are the best!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Not to compare as its a totally different story.

But as a construction company owner along with my Dad, we work alongside with and hire employees and sub contractors and because we work so much with and beside most of them, it makes our workplace like family. If I hear of someone blasting my workers and or subs, the Daddy bear in me shines through. If I feel my guys are in the right, I will defend them to the end. Corporate ladder climbing isn't a thing in our small business world and we won't let it creep in.

Several years ago, we had a longtime painter, he and his brother painted for us at least 15 yrs. Our kids ran in the same homeschool groups. Our kids were really close in age to 2 of their 5 kids. We thought of him as a family man. He spoke all day about his kids, his wife, he adored his family. One Friday, we saw him at one of the units we were renovating at the local retirement community that we do most of our work. He was crying and and I asked what was wrong, he said his wife left him the night before. Wow, what a shock to me, he was so grounded in his marriage and family life. As the days and months passed his work declined, he would be in court, his brother striving too keep the company afloat, but me, being soft hearted, kept hanging on to him, hoping for better days ahead.

FF after a few months passed, deadlines were closing in, work piling up, and it was all because they weren't keeping up. So we finally hired another paint crew to help us out. I still didn't git rid of the brothers, tried to make it all work out. The whole time, the naive in me and my Dad was shining through. Little did we know or ever imagine the deep dark secrets this dude was keeping. He had us feeling sorry for him, praying for he and his wife to reconcile, for him to get his family dynamics back.

This is where the you know what hit the fan! His brother comes to our shop one early morning, both of them at odds at this point over trying to keep the business going. So his brother openly and blatantly spills the beans on him. He tells how he has been sexually assaulting one daughter who is same age wasas our DS Then tells more how he had another daughter from a previous albeit short marriage he was sexually assaulting.

WHAT???????????????????????????

That day, you could have blown up a stick of dynamite in my shop with less effect!!!! My Dad and I agreed , neither of us had ever had the wool pulled over our eyes like that. We read folks pretty well, you have to in the construction industry. Sending someone into another homes, where there may be valuables, etc., its a thing we need to feel good about. Not knocking any of these things, but the guys were clean cut, respectful not tattoos, no bad vices except the one did like his chewing tobacco, didnt smoke, swear, etc. God fearing, family men, or so we thought!!! Boy were we wrong.

He got 2-3 years in Fed prison, turns out his brother got a few years too later on for selling drugs. I guess the paint business died off as we were his primary contractor.

Here is , refused to take his calls, or refused to continue working with him, we made his life hell. She said because he controlled everything at home, he held the money, the house, kept the kids while his DW couldn't do anything to get the kids back, once the money stopped flowing, he couldn't control them anymore. Thats when all the bad stuff came out about him and those kids were finally able be with their mom.

Lets pray for the victims, pray for those whose lives have been turned upside down. There is light at the end of this dark tunnel, I pray these folks can make it to the light.

As for this group, thank y'all from the bottom of my heart in allowing me into your lives. You have been a blessing to me for a long time, and I consider you part of my family!!

You seriously don't always know what is going on in people's homes. I had a family member who was guilty of molesting his daughter. Nobody would have believed it. He was in the community where he volunteered and was very involved and thought highly of. But truth is he was a disgusting pervert and a child molester. So as far as having the wool pulled over your eyes, I hope you bear no guilt. These perverts make sure they put on a good show so people don't suspect. You are a vital part of this group, family, and I'm so glad to know you!!!

 

[twinklebug]

Just learned about and catching up with the information. Not much to say at this time as I just don't know what to say. It's a shock and I'm sad for anyone who was victimized.

Love and support to all the great people at the DIS who have been involved in keeping a community going here, that includes employees as well as posters.

We can always move our groupies group to another platform if anything happens, know I will be looking for you all. I don't think any one platform is here to stay forever and we should have a plan.

 

[jimmytammy]

We can always move our groupies group to another platform if anything happens, know I will be looking for you all. I don't think any one platform is here to stay forever and we should have a plan.

I agree, we should have a plan in motion for the just in case

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

I agree, we should have a plan in motion for the just in case

I agree too

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Not to compare as its a totally different story.

But as a construction company owner along with my Dad, we work alongside with and hire employees and sub contractors and because we work so much with and beside most of them, it makes our workplace like family. If I hear of someone blasting my workers and or subs, the Daddy bear in me shines through. If I feel my guys are in the right, I will defend them to the end. Corporate ladder climbing isn't a thing in our small business world and we won't let it creep in.

Several years ago, we had a longtime painter, he and his brother painted for us at least 15 yrs. Our kids ran in the same homeschool groups. Our kids were really close in age to 2 of their 5 kids. We thought of him as a family man. He spoke all day about his kids, his wife, he adored his family. One Friday, we saw him at one of the units we were renovating at the local retirement community that we do most of our work. He was crying and and I asked what was wrong, he said his wife left him the night before. Wow, what a shock to me, he was so grounded in his marriage and family life. As the days and months passed his work declined, he would be in court, his brother striving too keep the company afloat, but me, being soft hearted, kept hanging on to him, hoping for better days ahead.

FF after a few months passed, deadlines were closing in, work piling up, and it was all because they weren't keeping up. So we finally hired another paint crew to help us out. I still didn't git rid of the brothers, tried to make it all work out. The whole time, the naive in me and my Dad was shining through. Little did we know or ever imagine the deep dark secrets this dude was keeping. He had us feeling sorry for him, praying for he and his wife to reconcile, for him to get his family dynamics back.

This is where the you know what hit the fan! His brother comes to our shop one early morning, both of them at odds at this point over trying to keep the business going. So his brother openly and blatantly spills the beans on him. He tells how he has been sexually assaulting one daughter who is same age as our DS Then tells more how he had another daughter from a previous albeit short marriage he was sexually assaulting.

WHAT???????????????????????????

That day, you could have blown up a stick of dynamite in my shop with less effect!!!! My Dad and I agreed , neither of us had ever had the wool pulled over our eyes like that. We read folks pretty well, you have to in the construction industry. Sending someone into another homes, where there may be valuables, etc., its a thing we need to feel good about. Not knocking any of these things, but the guys were clean cut, respectful not tattoos, no bad vices except the one did like his chewing tobacco, didnt smoke, swear, etc. God fearing, family men, or so we thought!!! Boy were we wrong.

He got 2-3 years in Fed prison, turns out his brother got a few years too later on for selling drugs. I guess the paint business died off as we were his primary contractor.

Here is what I wish to share, after the last 2 days have stirred up some negative memories for me and my DS especially. There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel. The daughter we knew who had been molested, came up to me maybe 5 yrs later, gave me a big ol hug(she was extremely shy and standoffish when I knew her as a child and teen, rightfully so)at our DDs wedding, she and her grandma(not his Mom)catered her reception. Im sorry, I get emotional thinking about it, she told me thank you for all you did for me back then. I was like what? I didnt do anything. She said oh you dont know it but you did. She said because we cut her Dad off financially, refused to take his calls, or refused to continue working with him, we made his life hell. She said because he controlled everything at home, he held the money, the house, kept the kids while his DW couldn't do anything to get the kids back, once the money stopped flowing, he couldn't control them anymore. Thats when all the bad stuff came out about him and those kids were finally able be with their mom.

Lets pray for the victims, pray for those whose lives have been turned upside down. There is light at the end of this dark tunnel, I pray these folks can make it to the light.

As for this group, thank y'all from the bottom of my heart in allowing me into your lives. You have been a blessing to me for a long time, and I consider you part of my family!!

Here's a sad thing to know - getting jury members for a sexual abuse trial generally requires calling in 3x the normal # of prospective jurors just to find enough who have not either been abused or known friends or family that have been abused. Finding jurors for a murder trial is easier. I was called for jury duty last year and the number of us there was huge - some had to stand to start out. That's when I became concerned - and then learned that yes, it was a sexual abuse case. It was exhaustive going thru the process and time after time jurors were excused. Ultimately that included me too.

 

[twinklebug]

Here's a sad thing to know - getting jury members for a sexual abuse trial generally requires calling in 3x the normal # of prospective jurors just to find enough who have not either been abused or known friends or family that have been abused. Finding jurors for a murder trial is easier. I was called for jury duty last year and the number of us there was huge - some had to stand to start out. That's when I became concerned - and then learned that yes, it was a sexual abuse case. It was exhaustive going thru the process and time after time jurors were excused. Ultimately that included me too.

Yes, I was called in for one such case as a potential juror. The room was packed, they filtered out half of us, then one by one interviewed us. The judge was not very happy when I suddenly realized I had a case of my own (child support) to attend to that week.

I think the bigger issue with what will happen to this forum lies with the case with American Express, they're after Dreams Unlimited... for now, but D.U. is fighting to have it turned over to the person who built up the charges.

 

[Suzabella]

As of now, there aren't any charges on the SA allegations that I've heard of. Sean posted a few months ago and Dustin saw his recount of what happened. He contacted Sean and it was Sean who urged Dustin to come forward with the support of his wife, from what I understand. There are other people who have discussed the toxic work environment but haven't disclosed specifics at the last I read.

There are people who looked up any legal action against PW on the Orange County site and saw the Am Ex filing. I believe the suit from John was also public record.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Here's a sad thing to know - getting jury members for a sexual abuse trial generally requires calling in 3x the normal # of prospective jurors just to find enough who have not either been abused or known friends or family that have been abused. Finding jurors for a murder trial is easier. I was called for jury duty last year and the number of us there was huge - some had to stand to start out. That's when I became concerned - and then learned that yes, it was a sexual abuse case. It was exhaustive going thru the process and time after time jurors were excused. Ultimately that included me too.

Sadly it would include me too.

 

[jimmytammy]

Hoping we dont get down to this, but does anyone have any suggestions for sites to navigate too should the time arise?

I feel very good that the DIS will continue on, but JIC something does come up that forces their hand to shut down, as mentioned by a few, myself included, we should work on a backup plan now, rather than take the chance of losing our group to eternity.

I'm sure a few of us would be able to recognize others along the way, especially with tag names the same, but I would be very sad to lose our groupies to the WWW on a technicality.