CityGuru founder, Drew Morrison has finally surfaced from reclusion, ending weeks of speculation from shareholders left in the dark. In a surprise move, he granted a televised interview to KOMO 4 News, Seattle, finally revealing what shareholders suspected all along: CityGuru, Inc. is floating belly up.
The interview provided little information regarding what happens next with investor funds. In the wake of KOMO 4 News previous story revealing complaints of charity fraud and mis-management against the CityGuru founder, Drew Morrison side-stepped pointed questions with nebulous even nonsensical answers. Following two hours of interviewing, reporter Jon Humbert would note the session ended leaving more questions than answers.
For us who have reviewed the video repeatedly–we, too, are left with more questions. Basically, what is Drew Morrsion really saying in the Komo 4 News interview?
In the spirit of the upcoming Election Year, we decided to use the same method as does the Political Media following debates between presidential candidates. Following the debates, commentators eagerly dissect, interpret and explain what each of the candidates are “really” saying based upon their backgrounds and track records. This practice is necessary as politicians have fine tuned their ability to “double-speak”–often requiring translators to not only explain what they are saying–but what they are not saying.
What a perfect time to introduce our own “translator” of what Drew Morrison was saying–and not saying–in the Komo 4 News interview!
We needed someone who is unabiased in all-matters-Drew-Morrison. He/she could not know or be acquainted with Drew Morrison, nor have ever given him money. Above all, our translator would have to be navigate through the slipperiest of sales rhetoric. Enter Roche DeLarke.
O.K. so Roche claims to be a political media analyst and neurolinguist. Nice. But what really caught our attention was his own self proclamation: “I am a member of the 10% of the general population with a built-in Bull Shit Detector in my brain”. He was perfect for this job!
Boasting of having a brain with a “Built-in BullShit Detector” Neurolinguist and Political Media Analyst, Roche DeLarkey offers his take on Drew Morrison’s Interview on a KOMO 4 NEWS Investigative Story
We briefed Roche with Drew Morrison’s background history and track record, (sans editorial comment, of course). We then directed him online to the KOMO 4 NEWS interview video–and asked him to simply tell us what he thought Drew Morrison was saying.
On the KOMO 4 News website summary text accompanies the video clip. Using that text below, we have bolded the font for Drew Morrison quotes and comments included there. In between Morrison quotes and comments, we have embedded Roche’s “translation” of what he thinks Drew Morrison was saying in interview.
Judge for yourself; determine your own translation. Better yet–please send us YOUR translation of Drew Morrison’s answers in the KOMO 4 News story! How well can you see through “double-speak”?
The KOMO 4 NEWS story begins…
Morrison is a contradiction, as a charming man with unshakeable problems.
“I’m not a quitter and I am obscenely stubborn,” he said.
ANALYST: “Drew Morrison seems to be be saying he plans to continue on “with business as usual”. Mix in the stubbornness factor and my guess is that he doesn’t plan on changing how he does business, either. It’s a kind of “fly in your face” type statement probably because he is annoyed that you are trying to hold him accountable for something.
His choice of words to describe his obstinacy is revealing. It expresses anger but is also a warning that he may be willing to defy logic and common sense, carrying a lost cause to the point of lunacy–kind of like: cutting off your nose to spite your face” (***)
(Story continues…)
In September, the KOMO Investigators revealed Morrison’s issues with his event company CityGuru.com and his failed payment to the Pink Gene breast cancer foundation.
Morrison gave them zero dollars despite promising the “proceeds of all sales” to go to charity according to postings for the event—a showing of the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight in May.
“I don’t remember one where it said all proceeds. And if it did, as I said, that’s a mistake then,” Morrison said during an interview.
ANALYST: “A short memory is particularly useful if you just got caught with your hand in the cookie jar. First, you don’t have to address it if you can’t remember it. Second, you can always hope ignorance will spare the consequences of your actions.
More importantly, here, is Drew Morrison seems to be dismissing the Pink Gene Foundation–and their claim. It’s almost as if he is casually suggesting it is they who got it all wrong; they misunderstood. So…it’s no big deal, right? Let’s drop it. Next..!
I might add: I feel confident Drew Morrison has no intentions of paying these people.”
(Story continues…)
Morrison bristled at the suggestion partygoers were duped and said expenses had to be paid before charities.
He had promised at least $1,500 by the end of July but as of late November, he still had not given Pink Gene anything.
“I mean, you know things definitely did change from then,” Morrison said.
ANALYST: “His logic is hard to follow, but it seems Drew Morrison is suggesting that the passage of time has also changed the nature of his obligation to these people. Somehow, that obligation went away after so much time and is no longer important. Also, the fact that things changed–and perhaps not in his favor–that somehow makes it no longer his problem. .
Later in the interview he gives a hint of his rather sophomoric attitude towards his responsibilities and obligations when he mutters “it’s not my fault”–before correcting himself. Perhaps Drew Morrison believes it’s really not his fault for what happens to others who trust and depend on him simply because things didn’t work out for him the way he wanted. My adolescent daughter often sees her world the same way.”
(Story Continues…)
He said CityGuru wasn’t able to stay afloat and shut down. A number of investors bought shares in the now-defunct company. Morrison couldn’t explain what happens next and if they’ll be paid back.
ANALYST: “I think we can all interpret this for ourselves—the CityGuru Shareholders are S.O.L.”
(Story Continues…)
The state Department of Financial Institutions, which looks into securities fraud, recently launched an investigation into CityGuru.
Morrison had no knowledge of the investigation but did address the problems with his previous company Path Investments.
ANALYST: “Notice the quickness in which Drew Morrison diverts the subject from the current investigation to that of a previous business failure. Diversion always works well when you feel a very pointed and direct question is coming.
Also notice his cool demeanor when asked about the investigation. Most people would be visually shaken if informed they were under investigation by a government agency; particularly if they have no concept of how or why such an investigation could even be remotely possible! His reaction along with how quickly he reverted to the diversion tactic set the alarm off for me. Was it stubbornness to prevent anyone to see the discomfort it causes him? It really doesn’t matter whether or not he knew about the investigation, does it?”
(Story continues…)
“It was just one of those, it was a company that kind of went somewhere that just didn’t,” Morrison said.
ANALYST: “Well, that’s about as nebulous of an answer as you can expect! It seems as if Drew Morrison probably regards this company as one of little significance that he could shrug it off as: “Here today; gone tomorrow!” That is O.K., I suppose–until you consider the hundreds of thousands of dollars of other people’s money that were here today; gone tomorrow.
What’s noteworthy here is Drew Morrison’s casual dismissal of the company and its investors as insignificant could have been a ploy to ward off more pointed questions he sensed would follow. It was like a subliminal suggestion that the company was so insignificant it wasn’t worth talking about any longer.”
(Story Continues…)
The Arizona-based foreclosure business went belly up too.
Investor Gary Woolever won a lawsuit earlier this year alleging Morrison spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on himself instead of the business.
Records from the lawsuit expose wild charges by Morrison, who admitted he was the only one with access to Path’s business accounts.
“Can we track what pennies are whose, and what it went to? No we can’t,” Morrison said.
ANALYST: “Once again: notice Drew Morrison’s choice of wording. Referring to his investors’ funds as “pennies” softens the fact that they were hundreds of thousands of investor dollars. Also by referring to the funds as “pennies”, it helps to make the funds seem more trivial—and in a convoluted way: not worth the time and expense of accounting and bookkeeping.
Again, he seems on guard that another pointed question is to follow if he doesn’t defuse the topic immediately.
Notice he also chooses the word “we” over “I” when he says he can’t account for his investors’ funds. Is he subtly hinting others were to blame? Sounds like another subliminal voice of “it’s not my fault” may be whispering here. “Others” would be a great way to deflect the attention being directed at him.”
(Story continues…)
At heart of the suit were promissory notes Morrison signed but never paid, calling the deal more personal than paperwork.
ANALYST: “Huh? I’m going out on a limb on this one. Defaulting on a promissory note is pretty black and white, it seems to me. Either you paid it back or you didn’t; and it is about the “paperwork”.
Since Drew Morrison style of business seems to hold little regard for financial records and accounting, perhaps he feels the same about the contracts he signs. They are just “paperwork”. As such, these things can usually be resolved easily enough between parties.
I sense that perhaps Drew Morrison is the one who took it personally that these investors would hold him accountable for the “paperwork” even to the point of suing him over default. If so, this may have angered him and is resulting in the “obscene stubborness” he speaks of–a rather crude tactic to punish them. If so, then it is very likely Drew Morrison feels he has done nothing wrong (“not my fault”) and it is, indeed, very “personal” to him.
(Story continues…)
Records show that there were multiple contempt orders for Morrison’s refusal to hand over records.
He didn’t even show up for a number of hearings.
“I didn’t get my day in court. And I believe I lost on some technicalities you know, because I’m not an attorney,” he said. “There’s truth and there’s process. Maybe you’re a very black and white person, fine,” Morrison said.
ANALYST: “Drew Morrison didn’t get his “day in court” because he never bothered to show up to Court hearings, abide by Court rulings and failed to follow the legal due process. What I sense, though, is Drew Morrison may actually be subliminally “hinting” at a “technicality” that the due process of law was not followed in his case–and therefore perhaps a means to beat the system at its own game.
Ironically, he seems to be showing contempt for that same due process when he says: “There’s truth and there’s process.” After all, it was our legal process that slapped him, and he hints that only he knows the “truth”.”
(Story Continues…)
Morrison lost another lawsuit by default in Arizona in June. He didn’t show in court again when a different Path investor accused him of pocketing a $55,000 loan.
All told, Morrison owes more than $1.4 million in court judgments and fees.
The state Department of Financial Institutions couldn’t reveal much about its current investigation, but Morrison was clear: Despite the court’s ruling he doesn’t believe he owes Woolever a cent.
ANALYST: “Again, he is expressing contempt for the Court by expressing defiance towards it orders to pay the Plaintiffs. While he has singled out one investor, Drew Morrison probably believes he does not owe anyone–including other investors–“a cent”–to hell with what the Court says.
This might double as defiance toward even the government who is investigating his business activities as a show of “obscene stubbornness” to resist one and all at all costs”.
(***) Editorial Comment: You can only imagine our surprise at the translation of Drew’s self-proclaimed “obscene stubbornness”—it is eerily reminiscent of our recent post about Drew Morrison’s propensity for self-inflicted wounds!
[showhide type=”hottip2″ more_text=”- As a CityGuru Shareholder what do you do now?” less_text=”- As a CityGuru Shareholder what do you do now?”]2. Contact a Contracts, Business or Criminal Attorney. Most attorneys will grant one free hour of consultation to determine what is best for your circumstance
3. If you invested IRA, self-directed IRA, SEP or retirement funds with Drew Morrison you should also consult with a Certified Public Accountant.
4. Act now. Time is of the essence in matters where several investors and creditors may already be in line ahead of you. [/showhide]
Whoa….is that what he was really saying? Thanks for the transcribe: I thought it was typical “Drew Talk”! .
Thank you for this post! I was beginning to doubt myself because I felt so stupid every time I talked with Drew Morrison because he uses all the right buzz words and talks so fast his words are slurred. And—YES–you have noticed, too–Drew Morrison never answers a question directly–it’s either with a comment that has no relevancy to the question or simply doesn’t make sense! I see now it has nothing to do with my I.Q.–it’s just his style. My advice to anyone listening to one of his sales pitches is—no matter how brilliant he sounds–if you don’t understand what he is saying; ask for a second opinion—LIKE YOUR ATTORNEY OR ACCOUNTANT!!
Drew Morrison has made a lot of people feel stupid–particularly those who may have trusted and believed in his investment schemes. Take this as a lesson-learned and take away the words of celebrity investor, Warren Buffet who stated he never invests in anything he does not understand.
You are taking Drew Morrison’s comments way too seriously. I’ve known him for a long time and he’s flippant with everybody. That’s just his demeanor. Chill.
Friend,
Perhaps Drew Morrison should reserve his comedian act to when he is hanging out with the friends like you.
“Flippant” answers under sworn testimony can result in perjury. “Flippant” answers during interviews signal “flipping of the bird” to investigators. Being “flippant” while holding a fiduciary responsibility for hundreds of thousands of dollars in other people’s money can be disastrous.
Wait! Let us guess: It’s easy for you to feel “chilled” over the entire issue—because Drew Morrison does not have any of your money. Right?
To Friend: (Or should I say co-conspirator)
Taking Drew too serious? If you had your life saving taken would you just “chill?” When someone takes money promised to those with life threatening cancer, should we just “chill?” (What do those with cancer need money for when Drew has a lifestyle to support. Stealing from a charity, wow, and you say chill?) When you mother or grandmother’s small savings is taken without any explanation and spent by Drew on his lifestyle, should we just “chill?” Some friend you are and what a crass, uncaring person you are. My guess this is Drew, but there are a few out there that don’t care and believe Drew regardless of the facts. You mistake flippant with deceptive. So, why don’t you pay back the many investors who have lost their investments in this con game? When you cannot pay your bills be sure and tell the creditor to just “chill.” With any luck Drew will end up in a nice cell where his demeanor will get him new friends. The nice thing about what has come out, it will follow Drew for a lot of years and will help to put the brake to some of his games.
On his LinkedIN profile, Drew Morrisonadmits to experiencing failure before, but he also says he has had a “lot of successes”, too. He made the same claim on Angel List, too. What are his other companies, and how successful are they? Thanks.
On numerous occasions, Drew Morrison has represented himself as a successful businessman–even an “Entrepreneur Extraordinaire”. He has yet to identify those companies. Looking over his resumes sporadically posted over social media, it seems that for over a ten year period his use of the term “success” was, well, used with literary license. The few companies he claims to have worked for–and became their star performer–are no longer in business. How convenient it is that one cannot verify his stardom with these companies. For the companies he “founded”–all are defunct–and leaving their investors wondering what happened to their money–and to Drew Morrison? The only “success” that is left on the record that cannot be doubted is: his ability to persuade people to give him money in return for a promise of slice of the Pie in the Sky. It is incredible how well he did for himself in this respect!
Please keep in mind: as with all things Drew Morrison, it is entirely possible that we are simply not aware of one of his “successful” companies/business ventures. If one could present positive and verifiable evidence of such a “Success” The CITYGURU Investor will publicly apologize here AND present a feature post about how Drew Morrison made this such a resounding success for himself AND his investors!
I had to chance to review his deposition transcript and did some checking about business income reporting. I cannot find one company where he was successful, period. He claims to have handled about 900 million in real estate business, but has no records or proof of anything other than his “good word.” If he is a success, where is the proof?
Maybe the question should be “What is success?” If you mean taking people’s money under false pretenses and using other peoples money placed with him for investment to support his lifestyle, he is a roaring success. If you mean telling people you are raising money for charity, taking the money intended for a charity and those suffering terrible diseases, and spending the money on himself, Drew is a success. If you consider not paying your creditors, taxes or other obligations a success, a success he is. If you consider fooling people into thinking he is business savvy and will make you money, when in fact he is virtually clueless as to how to keep a business running let alone pay investors, he is a success. If you consider going into hiding to avoid facing his victims or accounting for how he spent investor money, Drew is a success. If you believe success is deflecting questions, Drew is an expert and very successful. Drew’s claimed success is built on misrepresentations and fabrications. Pure self promotion, a house built on quick sand. His success is finding people who trust him and getting them to open their pocket books, and sometimes their heart. The saddest thing about Drew, he has successfully avoided any guilt, shame or remorse. (You would think taking money intended for breast cancer survivors or victims of domestic violence would cause even the hardest heart to feel remorse. Not true for Drew.) Instead, Drew blames others, always others, for his failures and wrongful acts.
Do you know if Drew Morrison plans to be going back into business anytime soon?
Back in business taking people’s money with vague and over the top promises of a good return on an investment, without a doubt. Running a business with books, records, a business plan, paying taxes, getting permits and selling or marketing something? It would be a first for Drew to go the second route.
If you invested with Drew the pitch will be he “will pay you back soon, he just needs to:______”; Don’t worry, I will make it right.; “I have a deal that is just about to close and you will get paid then.”; and the best: “I am close to getting this business of _________ going and when it takes off, and it will, you will get paid. I just need $__________ to finish the project and get us paid. I will give you an interest in the company and you will double, triple your money.”
Not without your money. Speculations are that Drew Morrison is currently flying below the radar–at least until the investigations by the State Department of Financial Institutions has concluded and he can safely go back to fundraising. However, no one really knows what Drew Morrison will do next. He will most certainly need a new pitch; new image and new money.
Don’t you think Drew Morrison deserves equal time on this site? I’m sure he has another side of the story to tell. I hear what you’re saying but I would be curious to know what he has to say about what all is being said about him.
Yes, we have REPEATEDLY invited Drew Morrison to speak out in his own behalf on this site. Nothing. We have extended the same invitation to former CityGuru Officers. Advisors, Justin Smith and Jeff Coon refused. Smith states he does not offer his time freely, and Coon angrily accused us slandering Morrison–until we offered him court records. Jim Billmaier and T. Olin Nichols refuse comment or response–probably because of the liability that being former CEO and CFO exposed them to. Chau Saenz, who shared signatory authority with Drew Morrison over CityGuru funds, has also refused comment. Advisor Jeremy Wadstack dodged all questions as being “too personal”–and then cut off correspondence when asked what is “too personal about CityGuru business that CityGuru Shareholders should not know?”. Michael Elliott threatened to turn his attorney loose on us if we printed his name or affiliation with CityGuru–even though Public Record has Drew Morrison naming Elliott as Director of CityGuru! Oh, yes, we would WELCOME hearing Drew Morrison and his cronies’ side of the story! Under current investigations, it seems they all have made themselves quite scarce; Drew Morrison has gone back underground.
Equal time? If he knows how to use a computer he can blog in. I am sure he needs more time to explain why and how he took charity money. He promised all of the proceeds were to go to charity. Then he says no, not all, just the money left over after expenses and then oops, I didn’t pay them anything. (He had the money in his hands, he knew the money he raised for a couple of different charities belonged to the charities, yet he kept the money. Your comment reminds me of the movie “The Jerk.” Martin: “I forgot that bank robbery was illegal.” or something along those lines.) I am sure he needs equal time to tell everyone why their “investment” was spent for his lifestyle. Facts are annoying things which Drew ignores and offers, instead, vague comments and he quickly changes topics. His side of the story? How about an accounting where and how the investor money was spent? Heck, even a list of investors and what they invested would be a great beginning. How about corporate records? He has none. There is no story when facts take their place. SH, why don’t you explain why Drew took money from breast cancer survivors? If you have watched any of the KOMO reports the facts tell the story.
By all means Drew, tell your side of the story. It is a long story involving contempt of court, failure to pay taxes, wild promises to investors, etc. Why won’t Drew tell his side of the story? It may have something to do with going to jail.
Get a clue SH, get a big clue. You are making Drew seem like the victim. Not unlike blaming the rape victim for the rape.
No one seems to say it openly but—is Drew Morrison on the lam?
We’re not sure if Drew Morrison is “on the lam” but we do know that he is not available for comment to CityGuru Shareholders and investors. Speculation is that due to ongoing investigations, he had to abandon CityGuru to avoid further attention. Living incognito makes it more difficult for Shareholders to file process papers on him and he certainly can’t start fundraising or borrowing anytime soon. He will need another “venture” in which to sell people before attempting any fundraising–and the press is too fresh to attempt that anytime soon. Should enough time pass that he feels it’s safe to start hawking his wares again, he will–no doubt–have to fly below the radar, evading open advertising and Social Media, so as to stay ahead of the collectors who will be shadowing him for years to come. Is Drew Morrison “on the lam”, or simply hiding in a hole? Perhaps saying he is “on the dodge” is more appropriate!