Posted on 10/04/2001 5:42:56 PM PDT by truthkeeper
Did anyone watch O'Reilly's opening segment? He's exposing an awful story concerning the shabby treatment of surviving family members of Cantor Fitzgerald, the firm that lost 700 of the 1,000 employees in the attack on the towers.
His guests were one of the widows, Linda Fiori, and a writer named MacDonald of Forbes Magazine. The firm CEO, Howard Luttman (not sure about the pronunciation/spelling, maybe someone can correct), has been all over the airwaves crying and carrying on the past couple of weeks about how he is desperately trying to help the stricken families. (I personally saw him on Larry King a couple of weeks ago sobbing away.) The man has been begging for business and donations, saying he's pledging 25% of future business for the families. He presented them as a close-knit, devoted, and caring group; "we're like a family here."
Mrs. Fiore, however, revealed that she has never been contacted by Luttman, even after she called his house and spoke to his wife (or possibly the maid; in any event she was told "I'll have him call you back."). She hasn't received a dime of money from Cantor Fitzgerald, and not one person from the firm came to her husband's funeral, even after she sent the obituary to them. Furthermore, O'Reilly revealed that all paychecks had been stopped four days after the attack. It doesn't look like any money is forthcoming, not even the bonuses these people already earned. Mrs. Fiore was desperate, and said she's been entirely dependent upon her family and neighbors who have been giving her money. She stated, "I don't want a handout from Cantor Fitzgerald...I just want a pamphlet or information stating what they will be doing about the money." (My paraphrasing.)
O'Reilly was plainly disgusted. He asked the writer what kind of man this Luttman was, and her response was not very flattering. She said he took control of the company while the previous owner, Bernie Cantor, was dying. She added that, as a result, he was banned from his funeral. O'Reilly: "Okay, I'm getting the picture about this guy."
I can't tell you how bad this story made this Cantor Fitzgerald CEO look. You'd have to see it for yourself...it's quite an eye-opener. (Watch the rerun.)
he lost his brother and his business...how is he supposed to make payroll when the employees are all dead??
LETS AT LEAST GIVE THE GUY A FAIR HEARING
Yes, being adequately insured can be expensive, but leaving your family in a severe financial bind is far more costly.
Marsh & McLennan is a blue-chip Fortune 100 company that is a class act all the way. No one from the company has been blubbering all over TV. In fact, I would wager that many people reading these words were unaware of the company's name. But real help has already been forthcoming to the families of the 300+ employees who are missing.
I have been very suspicious of the high profile Cantor, Fitzgerald has adopted in the wake of this horrible event. The O'Reilly exposé seems to indicate that my suspicions were well founded. No company's longterm interests are served by advertising an association with the event beyond what is required by decency and an interest in serving the legitimate needs of the historical record. Cantor, Fitzgerald has been a bit too eager to put its name out there. That policy is a mistake and shows poor judgment on the part of the Chief Executive.
I would bet he is having no problem in spending money even though he has no staff. This is stealing. That money was earned by his employees and if not paid to them - this is fraud.
Or, for heaven's sake...with all due respect you are COMPLETELY missing the point. (As are many others.)
Why not read posts #86, 87, and 95 so that you'll "get it?"
If any of this is true -- and this fellows demeanor, even when on his act, was smarmy at best -- then this Luttock fellow would have best served America by being in the Tower at the time of the disaster.
As for irresponsible Brokers; I have seen many in my day, people who couldn't make a mortgage payment if their bonus checks were a day or two late. I don't have a lot of sympathy for them, but their kids and spouses don't deserve to be dumped on.
One guy I knew who died was 29 with a wife and 2 young kids. I worked with his father for about seven years and the kid interned for me when he was senior in High School. Real nice family, but I bet he isn't as financially set as someone who owns their own firm. I don't think these people deserve "Payouts" but at the same time I wish you would not dance on their graves, it's hard to correct mistakes from the other side.
Thank you for the thoughtfulness shown these families in their loss.
Nobody's asking him to go to any funerals. But SEND someone ELSE.
And as far as payroll or contacting people, hire a firm to contact all the employees. The information certainly exists offsite, who they were -- this is a big, cross country firm with backup records. It's been three weeks... MAKE A CALL. Dip into your personal funds and send out at least ONE PAYCHECK while you figure your next step.
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