 |
 |
Contribute to the PPG Legal Defense Forum: We Need Your
Support! |
|
 |
If you
appreciate our indexed annuity analysis, reviews, and research,
please help. Our right to Free Speech is under attack, which
means our ability to continue writing with our trademark
frankness and honesty is in serious jeopardy.
Premium
Producers Group, Mitchell Maynard, and Dorice Maynard have been
named in a libel lawsuit brought by ShurWest Product Connection
dba The Annexus Group. Their
suit claims, among other things, that our
February 2006 review
of their Balance Plus Annuity is false, libelous and has
caused them financial harm; and that our posting the names of
Annexus Group member firms on our Project TAD 'Controlled IMO
List' for potential conflict of interest has also caused them
financial harm.
Of course, we
firmly believe our review was entirely accurate and that our decision to
list Annexus members on the TAD list was appropriate. We at
Premium Producers Group pride ourselves on providing quality,
accurate MCP Premium software programs and analysis that is used
industry-wide. Our dedication is evidenced by our sister projects, the
Association of
Insurance & Financial Specialists for agent education and
PERSONALYZE
for consumer protection.
Let The
Annexus Group know that this lawsuit is unacceptable! As a
small independent firm, we operate at a very low profit margin
to keep our products affordable. Thankfully, we have learned
that our business insurance will help us defend against The Annexus Group's
baseless allegations. Hallelujah! We believe it
is imperative to put on as vigorous a legal defense as is
possible, so that our voice will not be silenced. Therefore, we
are still seeking any individuals or companies who feel
they have a vested interest in protecting our ability to provide
commentary and reviews of indexed annuity products, to take
action and show their support.
Details and Timeline of this Lawsuit
February 2006 - We post our review of Annexus/American
Investors "Balance Plus Annuity" on our Blog
June 2006 -
Project TAD (Transparency and Disclosure) launches and we post our
"Controlled IMO" list
June 2006 - We discuss why The Annexus Group members are
listed in Project TAD on our Blog
August 2006 - Attorney for The Annexus Group sends us a
"Cease and Desist Letter"
August 2006 - We note several misperceptions on their part, and reply in
an attempt to clarify
October 2006 - The Annexus Group invites to show us how a
proper BPA evaluation should be done
October 2006 - We decline, suggesting instead that they
publish their own analysis or study
February 2007 - ShurWest dba/ The Annexus Group files
libel Complaint in Arizona Superior Court
March 2007 - We file a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint
April 2007 - Attorney for The Annexus Group files
Response to our Motion
September 2007 - Our Motion to Dismiss is Denied; lawsuit will now
proceed in Arizona Superior Court
October 2007 - Our Answer
to the Complaint is filed
December 2007 - Initial disclosures of evidence (documents
and witness lists) between parties; theirs was lacking much of the
detail expected in such cases.
February 2008 - Hearing on our Motion to Strike certain
elements from the Complaint; Court rules in our favor. A settlement offer may be forthcoming.
March 2008 - We served ShurWest with formal discovery
requests: Non-Uniform Interrogatories, Requests for Document
Production, and Requests for Admission. They have 40 days to
respond.
May 2008 - ShurWest's responses are received along with some
additional documents. However, they decline to disclose many items,
claiming "privileged", "confidential" and "proprietary".
Members of the Press: If you would like to schedule an interview,
please
Contact Us.
How You Can Help... |
|
We want to remain the
independent voice of the insurance industry by continuing to provide our
commentary, analysis and product reviews. Your support means a great
deal to us. Please consider helping
in one or more of these areas:
|
Your support is
greatly appreciated. We will keep everyone
apprised by email of our progress with our legal defense against
The Annexus Group.
Sincerely,
Mitchell and Dorice Maynard
Premium Producers Group, LLC
[About] [Contact] [Education Courses] [Software Packages] [TAD Project]
|
