+brian.srock Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 ***Updated 09/16/2013*** So here are the details. No speculations being made. Just what has been reported so far. There may be more info out there so let me know and I can update the puzzle. Vince Covino Owner Christopher Conk Director of the Boise Aquarium Ammon Covino President of the Idaho Aquarium Deidra Davison Christopher Conk Ex-wife 2007 Fundraising for Idaho Aquarium http://idahoaquarium.net/pressrelease.php ??/??/2009 Vince Covino under investigation http://www.zamansky.com/cases/broker-vince-covino/ 12/20/2011 Christopher Conk pled guilty http://www.ktvb.com/news/crime/Local-coral-dealer-faces-federal-charges-135939313.html 01/15/2012 Christopher Conk explaining why he got busted http://www.idahoreefs.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5258 09/16/2012 Christopher Conk DUI Arrest http://www.mugshotsworld.com/CHRISTOPHER-KAY-CONK 01/19/2013 Vince Covino under investigation http://www.seclawyersblog.com/2012/07/former-prospera-financial-services-employee-vince-covino-under-investigation-by-sonn-erez.html 03/15/2012 Christopher Conk and his ex wife Deidra Davison sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty http://www.ktvb.com/news/crime/Middleton-man-sentenced-for-coral-smuggling-142810635.html 07/16/2013 Work starts on the Portland Aquarium http://portlandaquarium.net/all/article-in-the-oregonian/ 02/21/2013 Christopher Conk and Ammon Covino Arrested for Wildlife Violations http://www.justice.gov/usao/id/news/2013/feb/conk02212013.html 02/27/2013 Ammon Covino and Peter Covino Arrested http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/Ammon-Peter-Covino-Idaho-Aquarium-arrested-193428271.html 07/26/2013 Peter Covino pleads guilty http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/07/26/2672294/eagle-man-found-guilty-in-florida.html 08/03/2013 Austin Code Enforement Building Permits http://www.keyetv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/more-troubles-austin-aquarium-10517.shtml 08/20/2013 Humane Society investigating deaths http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/08/20/2716254/humane-society-investigating-portland.html 08/21/2013 Vince Covino response to death logs http://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/aquarium-owner-defends-his-out-of-state-track-record 08/22/2013 PETA wants Portland Aquarium Investigated http://www.koin.com/2013/08/22/peta-wants-portland-aquarium-investigated/ 08/22/2013 Death Log http://media.oregonlive.com/milwaukie_news/other/death-log.pdf 08/23/2013 Austin Aquarium Gets the Fisheye http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/news/2013-08-23/austin-aquarium-gets-the-fisheye/ 08/26/2013 UT Halts Partnership http://www.kutnews.org/post/ut-halts-partnership-controversial-austin-aquarium 08/27/2013 PETA calls for Investigation into AA http://austin.culturemap.com/news/life/08-27-13-peta-investigation-austin-aquarium-ammon-vince-covino/ 08/28/2013 Portland Aquarium owner asked to remove animals in Texas http://www.ktvb.com/news/regional/Portland-Aquarium-owner-asked-to-remove-animals-in-Texas-221503991.html 08/30/2013 Vince Covino addresses issues at the aquarium http://portlandaquarium.net/public-statement/ 09/09/2013 Idaho Aquarium management stealing from nonprofit http://www.ktvb.com/news/Idaho-Aquarium-Director-defends-against-accusations-of-mismanagement-223067831.html 09/10/2013 Federal Agency seizes puffins from Idaho Aquarium http://austin.ynn.com/content/news/295218/federal-agency-seizes-puffins-from-idaho-aquarium 09/11/2013 Idaho Aquarium under potential investigation http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/sep/11/humane-society-investigates-aquarium/ 09/12/2013 First look inside AA http://www.kvue.com/news/Inside-the-Austin-Aquarium-223394221.html 09/13/2013 Austin Aquarium issued 'Stop Work Order' http://www.kxan.com/...stop-work-order 09/13/2013 Trouble mounts for Idaho Aquarium http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/09/13/2759615/troubles-mount-upfor-idaho-aquarium.html 09/16/2013 Austin Aquarium back on track with temporary permit http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/real-estate/2013/09/austin-aquarium-back-on-track-with.html 09/19/2013 Ammon Covino and Chris Conk Upcoming Trial Date 09/24/2013 Peter Covino Upcoming Sentencing Date VINCE COVINO.His various creditors have lost approximately $3 million based on his speculation and financial irregularities. During one hearing in Idaho, the report found that Vince's failed transactions and unpaid loans demonstrate untrustworthiness and financial irresponsibility which has resulted in a source of injury and loss to others.In a detailed report, which can be found athttp://brokercheck.finra.org/Search/Search.aspx: it shows that Vince borrowed $697,000 from a client and did not pay it back.There are 2 cases with dozens of customers alleging that he put them into unsuitable investments and violated federal and state laws, made misrepresentations, breached his fiduciary duty and breached contracts with them. They settled for over 1 million dollars.The report identifies ten (10) actions involving loans made to Vince which became delinquent and were settled and compromised at significantly less than the original loan amounts. Disclosure No. 1 indicates Vince had an original loan of $1,785,000 with IndyMac and negotiated a short sale of the real estate resulting in only $816,069.72 being applied against the debt. Disclosure No.2 shows Vince owed IndyMac $253,342.11 on a second mortgage and with a short sale only $25,000 was paid against the debt. Disclosure NO.3 indicates Vince owed IndyMac $500,000 for property at Tamarack in Valley County and after a short sale of the real estate only paid $203,604.26 of the debt. Disclosure No.4 shows that, on that same Valley County property, Vince owed Also, numerous collection accounts. Credit cards and mortgages. In the end, Vince was banned by the state of Idaho and federal agencies to sell insurance and securities because he was so reckless with handling money for others.Vince also has personal judgments against him for $300,000. AMMON COVINOIs a CONVICTED FELON and a thief and has a current WARRANT for his arrest in Idaho.I found proof at https://www.idcourts.us/repository.Ammon has been convicted for committing forgery, grand theft and burglary.Case CR-FE-0000-0018879: 2 counts of burglary and 2 counts of grand theftCase CR-FE-0000-0018877: ForgeryLastly, he has a WARRANT for his arrest in case CR-MD-2012-0017518MELODY COVINO (Ammon and Vince Covino’s sister)Melody was indicted in October 2010 for multiple counts of Bank Fraud, Wire Fraud, and False Statement to a Financial Institution. According to the indictment, in March through August 2009, Melody Redondo, a licensed real estate agent, failed to disclose multiple offers to a mortgage company on a short-sale residential property, failed to disclose a duo-contract with simultaneous closings on the same real estate transaction, and forged a quitclaim deed and personally notarized the forged deed. The indictment also alleges that she fraudulently overstated monthly income and falsely represented rental income on multiple loan applications. [idaho U.S. Attorney's Office, November 2, 2010]Melody was sentenced July 11, 2011, “to 15 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for making a false statement to a financial institution,” and ordered “to pay $333,403.26 in restitution and perform 80 hours of community service. She pleaded guilty to the charge on February 15, 2011.” [idaho U.S. Attorney's Office, July 11, 2011] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifuentes31 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 EH, I'm just going to see the pretty fish........ The aquarium is being built whether or not the accusations are true so i'm in it for the AC, the tour, and some beautiful fish.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 We aren't speculating we are basing it on their past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 So here are the details. No speculations being made. Just what has been reported so far. There may be more info out there so let me know and I can update the puzzle. Vince Covino Owner Christopher Conk Director of the Boise Aquarium Ammon Covino President of the Idaho Aquarium Deidra Davison Christopher Conk Ex-wife 2007 Fundraising for Idaho Aquarium http://idahoaquarium.net/pressrelease.php ??/??/2009 Vince Covino under investigation http://www.zamansky.com/cases/broker-vince-covino/ 12/20/2011 Christopher Conk pled guilty http://www.ktvb.com/news/crime/Local-coral-dealer-faces-federal-charges-135939313.html 01/15/2012 Christopher Conk explaining why he got busted http://www.idahoreefs.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5258 01/19/2013 Vince Covino under investigation http://www.seclawyersblog.com/2012/07/former-prospera-financial-services-employee-vince-covino-under-investigation-by-sonn-erez.html 03/15/2012 Christopher Conk and his ex wife Deidra Davison sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty http://www.ktvb.com/news/crime/Middleton-man-sentenced-for-coral-smuggling-142810635.html 07/16/2013 Work starts on the Portland Aquarium http://portlandaquarium.net/all/article-in-the-oregonian/ 09/16/2013 Christopher Conk DUI Arrest http://www.mugshotsworld.com/CHRISTOPHER-KAY-CONK 02/21/2013 Christopher Conk and Ammon Covino Arrested for Wildlife Violations http://www.justice.gov/usao/id/news/2013/feb/conk02212013.html 02/27/2013 Ammon Covino and Peter Covino Arrested http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/Ammon-Peter-Covino-Idaho-Aquarium-arrested-193428271.html 07/26/2013 Peter Covino pleads guilty http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/07/26/2672294/eagle-man-found-guilty-in-florida.html 08/20/2013 Humane Society investigating deaths http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/08/20/2716254/humane-society-investigating-portland.html 08/21/2013 Vince Covino response to death logs http://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/aquarium-owner-defends-his-out-of-state-track-record 09/19/2013 Ammon Covino and Chris Conk Upcoming Trial Date 09/24/2013 Peter Covino Upcoming Sentencing Date What a timeline!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckyuv Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Who are we to judge someone's morals and mistakes on here? If you don't want to go to the aquarium then don't go but why bash someone before you even see what they are trying to do. People change. I'm sure they learned their lesson and they learned it the hard way but like sifuentes said, the aquarium will open regardless. No point in burning bridges before you see the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 So here are the details. No speculations being made. Just what has been reported so far. There may be more info out there so let me know and I can update the puzzle. Vince Covino Owner Christopher Conk Director of the Boise Aquarium Ammon Covino President of the Idaho Aquarium Deidra Davison Christopher Conk Ex-wife 2007 Fundraising for Idaho Aquarium http://idahoaquarium.net/pressrelease.php ??/??/2009 Vince Covino under investigation http://www.zamansky.com/cases/broker-vince-covino/ 12/20/2011 Christopher Conk pled guilty http://www.ktvb.com/news/crime/Local-coral-dealer-faces-federal-charges-135939313.html 01/15/2012 Christopher Conk explaining why he got busted http://www.idahoreefs.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5258 01/19/2013 Vince Covino under investigation http://www.seclawyersblog.com/2012/07/former-prospera-financial-services-employee-vince-covino-under-investigation-by-sonn-erez.html 03/15/2012 Christopher Conk and his ex wife Deidra Davison sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty http://www.ktvb.com/news/crime/Middleton-man-sentenced-for-coral-smuggling-142810635.html 07/16/2013 Work starts on the Portland Aquarium http://portlandaquarium.net/all/article-in-the-oregonian/ 09/16/2013 Christopher Conk DUI Arrest http://www.mugshotsworld.com/CHRISTOPHER-KAY-CONK 02/21/2013 Christopher Conk and Ammon Covino Arrested for Wildlife Violations http://www.justice.gov/usao/id/news/2013/feb/conk02212013.html 02/27/2013 Ammon Covino and Peter Covino Arrested http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/Ammon-Peter-Covino-Idaho-Aquarium-arrested-193428271.html 07/26/2013 Peter Covino pleads guilty http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/07/26/2672294/eagle-man-found-guilty-in-florida.html 08/20/2013 Humane Society investigating deaths http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/08/20/2716254/humane-society-investigating-portland.html 08/21/2013 Vince Covino response to death logs http://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/aquarium-owner-defends-his-out-of-state-track-record 09/19/2013 Ammon Covino and Chris Conk Upcoming Trial Date 09/24/2013 Peter Covino Upcoming Sentencing Date What a timeline!! yeah, thanks brian for putting it together, since i don't have time to read all those articles . it does look pretty gross, no doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Who are we to judge someone's morals and mistakes on here? If you don't want to go to the aquarium then don't go but why bash someone before you even see what they are trying to do. People change. I'm sure they learned their lesson and they learned it the hard way but like sifuentes said, the aquarium will open regardless. No point in burning bridges before you see the other side. Time and time again they get in trouble for illegsl activities. They will change about as much as a politician won't lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Who are we to judge someone's morals and mistakes on here? If you don't want to go to the aquarium then don't go but why bash someone before you even see what they are trying to do. People change. I'm sure they learned their lesson and they learned it the hard way but like sifuentes said, the aquarium will open regardless. No point in burning bridges before you see the other side. that's one heck of a learning curve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Thanks. I mean I know they all can't be bad since they do allow you free admission if your a foster child but I had to post the details after other people's allegations over cheap talk. I am now actually very interested in the Vince Covino investigation regardless of the aquarium coming from a banking background. It feels like another Sanford but I'll let the courts be the judge of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckyuv Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Sorry to jump in your conversation about how they are bad people seems pointless to me I just think they deserve a second shot before you see what they do in Austin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I have a longer list of arrests than they do including dwi, and by the game warden for wildlife violations and I think I have changed a lot. Maby I should let you judge me as we'll so I know for sure. first, i think that the DUI arrest has no relevance to the aquarium. second, i think that the discussion is more based on whether it is okay to support an aquarium that has shown in the past. we have no way of knowing if they have changed or not. so, i think many of us are simply in a wait and see attitude. as for you, i don't know you, anything about your cases, or what you do. so, i am not going to judge you personally. i'm not really judging them personally, actually. but, with these guys it would not be an issue if they weren't trying to open a new place, or possibly maintaining the same practices at their current places. i don't think it is unreasonable to consider their record in regards to whether an aquarium will be run properly. and, it is not as though these instances happened in the distant past where we can see that changes were made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifuentes31 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I have a longer list of arrests than they do including dwi, and by the game warden for wildlife violations and I think I have changed a lot. Maby I should let you judge me as we'll so I know for sure. No one needs to be judged here just everyone expressing there own opinions and such. Maybe a lil too much for my likeing but opinions none the less. The forum is here so that we can express our thoughts and feelings about things and to be a part of a community that interacts with each other about such things. We are, to an effect, the foodies of the hobby and we should be concerned about the goings on with the Covino Aquariums. Again that is why we have such a great forum to discuss this. Thank you for being honest about your past and Kudos for you for making such a change. Like i said in my previous post i'm going regardless because i love the hobby alot and want to see new fish and variations of aquascapes........Oh and the AC....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Do you hire employees without background checks? We are doing background checks on the aquarium and the list is long Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 If the folks behind the scene with the aquarium are reading this, if you want to generate some good will/PR for yourselves; get that AZA certification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 So here are the details. No speculations being made. Just what has been reported so far. There may be more info out there so let me know and I can update the puzzle. Vince Covino Owner Christopher Conk Director of the Boise Aquarium Ammon Covino President of the Idaho Aquarium Deidra Davison Christopher Conk Ex-wife 2007 Fundraising for Idaho Aquarium http://idahoaquarium.net/pressrelease.php ??/??/2009 Vince Covino under investigation http://www.zamansky.com/cases/broker-vince-covino/ 12/20/2011 Christopher Conk pled guilty http://www.ktvb.com/news/crime/Local-coral-dealer-faces-federal-charges-135939313.html 01/15/2012 Christopher Conk explaining why he got busted http://www.idahoreefs.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5258 01/19/2013 Vince Covino under investigation http://www.seclawyersblog.com/2012/07/former-prospera-financial-services-employee-vince-covino-under-investigation-by-sonn-erez.html 03/15/2012 Christopher Conk and his ex wife Deidra Davison sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty http://www.ktvb.com/news/crime/Middleton-man-sentenced-for-coral-smuggling-142810635.html 07/16/2013 Work starts on the Portland Aquarium http://portlandaquarium.net/all/article-in-the-oregonian/ 09/16/2013 Christopher Conk DUI Arrest http://www.mugshotsworld.com/CHRISTOPHER-KAY-CONK 02/21/2013 Christopher Conk and Ammon Covino Arrested for Wildlife Violations http://www.justice.gov/usao/id/news/2013/feb/conk02212013.html 02/27/2013 Ammon Covino and Peter Covino Arrested http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/Ammon-Peter-Covino-Idaho-Aquarium-arrested-193428271.html 07/26/2013 Peter Covino pleads guilty http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/07/26/2672294/eagle-man-found-guilty-in-florida.html 08/20/2013 Humane Society investigating deaths http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/08/20/2716254/humane-society-investigating-portland.html 08/21/2013 Vince Covino response to death logs http://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/aquarium-owner-defends-his-out-of-state-track-record 09/19/2013 Ammon Covino and Chris Conk Upcoming Trial Date 09/24/2013 Peter Covino Upcoming Sentencing Date And if anyone has had time to check the links, Conk was arrested for....wait for it.... exporting endangered corals. wait for it.......... WITHOUT A PERMIT. The pattern is unbroken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 sorta to robb's point, for myself, it is the practices of the owners that are concerning. i hope that the local people running the place have high standards and will be able to keep things going well and make sure the practices in the other aquariums don't come here. i think the local empoyees/managment will be our best hope, if the lessons of the past haven't been learned by the owners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I think the best bet is to let the place "tank" (lol) and buy it out of bankruptcy to be run by ARC. I'll make sure we get the proper permits.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifuentes31 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 i'm not really judging them personally, actually. but, with these guys it would not be an issue if they weren't trying to open a new place, or possibly maintaining the same practices at their current places. i don't think it is unreasonable to consider their record in regards to whether an aquarium will be run properly. and, it is not as though these instances happened in the distant past where we can see that changes were made. Agreed!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 The vultures are out: http://www.koin.com/2013/08/22/peta-wants-portland-aquarium-investigated/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenver Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 PETA doesn't want anyone to have or eat fish, remember "sea kittens", if they could they would go and try and file criminal charges for everyone that keeps fish in their house, since it's inhumane to keep them confined in a glass box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 PETA doesn't want anyone to have or eat fish, remember "sea kittens", if they could they would go and try and file criminal charges for everyone that keeps fish in their house, since it's inhumane to keep them confined in a glass box. I think they want criminal charges for anyone that wants any pet for that manner. They sure are good at killing them though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 PETA doesn't want anyone to have or eat fish, remember "sea kittens", if they could they would go and try and file criminal charges for everyone that keeps fish in their house, since it's inhumane to keep them confined in a glass box. I think they want criminal charges for anyone that want any pet for that manner. They sure are good at killing them though. But its ok, they put them in freezers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifuentes31 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 So whose getting the season pass? 1. Me 2. ? 3. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 So whose getting the season pass? 1. Me 2. ? 3. ? even if there were no doubts, i wouldn't get a season pass without seeing it first. even then, i'm not sure i would go often enough to justify it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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