The Complex Perplexities of George and Shellie Zimmerman
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 8:39PM Today was a very busy day, that’s for sure. I’m collecting my thoughts for an article related to the days events. I took a number of pictures at the task force forum I attended earlier, but the judge’s written order explaining why he revoked George’s bond must take precedence. It was quite direct. There’s also the issue of Shellie Zimmerman’s arrest on a nasty little perjury charge. Do I think they were planned together? No, absolutely not. Coincidence? That is more likely the case. The judge’s order was pending and so was the arrest warrant. One is through the court and the other is through the state. That’s two separate branches of the government and they don’t send love letters back and forth. Everything must diligently and properly go through the legal system. Period.
For now, it’s clear to see the judge and attorney’s office mean business. While some may look lightly on these offenses, the people in charge — the REAL ones — are not playing games. This is some serious stuff.
While I had set my sights on another topic, this is very important to address, so expect it to be my next post. Was the judge too critical in his ruling? Was Shellie’s arrest a bargaining chip for the state? That’s what I’ll be focusing on.
I will say this about the day. I had an opportunity to shake Tracy Martin’s hand and offer my condolences. He was very gracious. From everything I’ve witnessed so far, Trayvon’s parents are regular people, just like you and me. No different. Sybrina Fulton said she is not against guns. Her father is a retired Miami cop. She wants the law changed. Tracy Martin said he will be spending Father’s Day, this Sunday, at the cemetery — with Trayvon. Remember to keep those things in your mind as you consider this case.
Dave Knechel | in Angela Corey, Benjamin Crump, Bernie De la Rionda, Dave Knechel, David B. Knechel, David Knechel, George Zimmerman, Judge Kenneth R. Lester, Jr., Marinade Dave, Marinade Dave Knechel, Mark O'Mara, Seminole County Courthouse, Seminole County Jail, Slimm v. Zimm, Stand Your Ground, State Attorney Angela Corey, State Attorney's Office, Sybrina Fulton, Tracy Martin, Trayvon Martin, Zimm v. Slimm, marinadedave | Share Article | 2 References 
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Reader Comments (148)
Snoopy. VERY good find. Of interest, we were lead to believe that Shellie was about to graduate but according to your link, she left school 2 years ago. Also, it looks like had the shooting not occurred, those credit card bills likely would have remained unpaid. Those fools who put in to his "defense" fund got taken for a ride.
Those fools who put in to his "defense" fund got taken for a ride.
If the donations fall off or cease since Shellie's arrest for perjury, then we will know if the people who donated to the fund consider themselves fools.
Shellie and George are not the first young couple starting out to find themselves in debt. Not all couple have wealthy parents to help them. I don't think they can be faulted for that.
Since S and Z had to go into hiding, they had to have some source of income and I thought part of the fund was for their living expenses. The most realistic thing to do would be to pay off your creditors to avoid interest charges accumulating on the arrears.
If Shellie left school, it may have been due to finances. She then pursued her nursing course online.
I doubt if Z went out and deliberately shot a young man and then claimed self-defense to solicit funds to pay his bills. Little farfetched don't you think?
Snoopy I think Porky is saying they were sued for those bills and did not pay until the money came in. They had not paid until that date. As far as money to live on I believe MOM had on his site they used like 50,000 to live off for the first couple months. That seems pretty expensive considering this could take a while to go to trial. MOM is also giving monthly money now for living "cost."
As far as shooting someone to make money I have do not believe that. I just wonder why the need for a gun, the class to use it and license if he did not have money to pay his bills. Here is my issue with the bills. He used a credit card. He then agreed to pay the bill after not paying. Then he did the exact opposite. They sued and won a judgement against him and did not pay until this money came in. It all has to do with his character. jmo
The links have been really good. Thanks. ;)
Laura~ ~if that windfall of money had not come along, the Zimmerman's may have been on the verge of declaring bankruptcy. I don't know what their personal financial situation or if they attended school has anything to do with Z having a depraved mind and out to kill someone. I realize their financial position was relevant when the bond hearing and indigency came up.
Speaking of bond hearings, I think that Z is entitled to get bonded out but the amount will be set substantially higher The bond hearing is June 29th IIRC.
We are due to get the phone calls that Z made and rec'd while he was incarcerated on Monday. I am wondering if there will be a delay until the following motion is heard. Read on....
Regarding Mr. Zimmerman’s Phone Conversations While in Jail
on 15 June 2012.
On Monday, we will be filing a motion to seek a clarification from the Court about the order regarding Mr. Zimmerman’s phone conversations while in jail. Our motion will contend that the majority of the phone calls are personal and irrelevant to the charges against Mr. Zimmerman or issues surrounding the next bond hearing. Moreover, the public release of these phone calls could jeopardize the privacy of friends and family of Mr. Zimmerman who are unrelated to the case. We will not be objecting to the release of phone calls that include conversations relevant to the the bond hearing or the charges Mr. Zimmerman faces.
Source
Snoopy~ Many people base character on how you are when no one is looking. Not paying bills has our Country in a lot of trouble. Why would Z quit his job if they needed the money? IIRC he quit within days of the shooting. Before this case went National, before he had a bounty on his head. I know it is very judgmental of me but I have little respect for people who do not pay their bills. Especially credit card bills. They have already been given what they wanted yet they did not pay for it. IMO that is no different than stealing.
IMO George has proven to be the kind of person who says one thing and does the exact opposite. He does not think things through. To each their own but do not buy things you cannot pay for. Jobs are hard to come by, you have to be a planner. I saved my entire life. Took the kids on vacations, bought a house, many cars, paid for both of my girls to go to college and paid all of my bills. I retired 7 months ago. I can go back to work if I want or stay home if that is what I decide to do. Anything is possible IF you live within your own means. Sorry this non bill paying thing has me going on a rampage. LOL
If he gets bail I agree it will come at a price. As it should, he deceived the court. He allowed his wife to get in some serious trouble. At her young age a felony would not be good. Jobs are hard to come by, even worse I imagine for a felon.
One more thing. George an Adderall. Some doctors prescribe it for weight loss. IMO that is more than likely why George took it. Suffering from ADHD I can tell you my mind does not focus long on planning a deception like he did in jail. He did not bounce around in the phone calls. He remained focused on the money. Even with my script I am scattered, can you tell? LOL If he had just ADD on the 911 call he would have been bouncing around in that conversation. It is very difficult to be attentive with ADD, and from what we have heard he had not been on the medicine long. jmo
Laura~~why are people saying that Zimmerman went to the doctor to get a clearance to go back to work if he quit his job? I cannot figure out facts from rumors again. You know me... I need the fact m'am.
Well, I see you do not have any respect for people who do not pay their credit card bills. There are many people who have run up their cards to the max. Let's say that they made purchases on their credit card with good intentions of paying it back but some unforeseen emergencies came along that required them to dish out money. You know when the frig breaks, the stove and washing machine follow suit and then the pet dog gets heart worm and you have to dish out big bucks to save Fido... Do you resent these people too? Life is like a game of Monopoly and some people never get enough ahead to purchase Boardwalk or Park Place. (okay okay, don't say it. Z didn't get to go by GO and had to go to Jail.)
Life is a gamble and unpredictable... I cannot condemn the poor because I do not know the reason they ended up in that position. There are those who just do not know how to manage their money and end up spending more than they earn. Consider yourself one of the lucky ones, Laura, as it sounds like you have done everything right.
Here is some other info.... I forget the name of the other Rx med that Z was taking but here is the one for Adderall. IIRC the other med was for a sleep disorder... There is very good info at the site I am posting a link for as well...
Why is this medication prescribed?
.
The combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine is used as part of a treatment program to control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; more difficulty focusing, controlling actions, and remaining still or quiet than other people who are the same age) in adults and children. Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine tablets are also used to treat narcolepsy (a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden attacks of sleep). The combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine is in a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain.
Medline Plus
We may only get to hear only five or six phone calls on Monday. Why do I think the state is calling the owner of the gun shop as a witness? They want to ask him if George purchased the gun to shoot an attacking pittbull, of course.
Here is a short video with a bit of info...
More evidence given to George Zimmerman defense team
Witness list in pdf
test
OMG I just tried to post SIX times and it all went to waste. This is beyond frustrating.
If the donations fall off or cease since Shellie's arrest for perjury, then we will know if the people who donated to the fund consider themselves fools.'
Just because donations do not drop off does not mean that these people were taken for ride. When I read Zimmemrans website I saw nothing about collecting money for credit card bill which occurred *before* the alleged crime.
"Shellie and George are not the first young couple starting out to find themselves in debt. Not all couple have wealthy parents to help them. I don't think they can be faulted for that."
Red Herring Snoopy. A. If your employment is not stable, why charge stuff on your credit cards to the point where you are being sued multiple times. You do realize that this is about personal responsibility right?
"Since S and Z had to go into hiding, they had to have some source of income and I thought part of the fund was for their living expenses. The most realistic thing to do would be to pay off your creditors to avoid interest charges accumulating on the arrears."
George left his job the very day after the shooting, while he was still being supported by the Sanford Police and certainly -before- the publicity blow up. How did he expect to feed his family?
And are you kidding me? Your definition of "realistic" makes no sense. How about the ETHICAL thing to do which is to first inform your attorney that you plan to spend this windfall to pay OLD credit card bills. Lets say I get in trouble and people donate money for my -legal- defense. Are you saying that it is then ok to pay off my old furniture bills and the motorcycle that I bought 3 years prior because it would be more "realistic"? Please.
"If Shellie left school, it may have been due to finances. She then pursued her nursing course online."
If they were as low income as stated, she would surely be eligible for financial aid. But alas, another hole in your theory. Seminole State is said to be one of the very lowest cost Nursing programs in the State. So if she could not afford Seminole state, how could she afford MORE expensive on line program?
"I doubt if Z went out and deliberately shot a young man and then claimed self-defense to solicit funds to pay his bills. Little farfetched don't you think?
Who suggested that he did? But once he DID shoot a kid and the public started pouring money into a fund for him, it is not far fetched to say that he was less than honest with what he did with those donations and he did not fully disclose his plans to his donors as well as the court. Dont you think?
If the Sentinel's post is accurate. It may mean that Shellie has additional problems with the truth
O'MARA: And how do you -- what do you do with your time?
S. ZIMMERMAN: I am a nursing student.
O'MARA: OK. Is that a full-time endeavor presently?
S. ZIMMERMAN: Yes, it is.
O'MARA: OK. How long have you been doing that?
S. ZIMMERMAN: Well, I am four weeks away from my graduation.
O'MARA: OK. So you're not earning any income presently?
S. ZIMMERMAN: Correct.
S. ZIMMERMAN: I've been married for five years in November.
DE LA RIONDA: And did you all live at the residence in the town homes where this murder occurred? Did you live together with him at the townhomes where this occurred?
S. ZIMMERMAN: Yes, I did.
DE LA RIONDA: And was that the entire five years?
S. ZIMMERMAN: No. That was for about three years of that. Two to three years.
DE LA RIONDA: And the reason I ask that because you stated that you all did not own that home?
S. ZIMMERMAN: That's correct.
DE LA RIONDA: Who owned the home?
S. ZIMMERMAN: Our landlord.
DE LA RIONDA: OK. So you all rent it?
S. ZIMMERMAN: Yes.
DE LA RIONDA: OK. And were you working any of those five years or going to nursing school the entire time?
S. ZIMMERMAN: I was working for the first year.
DE LA RIONDA: And your husband, the defendant, Mr. Zimmerman, was also working during that entire time?
S. ZIMMERMAN: Not the entire time.
DE LA RIONDA: OK. How did you all support yourselves when both of you were not working?
S. ZIMMERMAN: When we were not working, we collected unemployment benefits.
DE LA RIONDA: OK. Are you still collecting unemployment benefits?
S. ZIMMERMAN: No Sir.
DE LA RIONDA: And is your husband Mr. Zimmerman collecting unemployment benefits?
S. Zimmerman: No Sir.
Porky3100~~you should be thanking me for making comments in here that allow you to pick everything I write apart so as to release all your pent up frustrations. I am sure by now that you have a secret fan club who comment at the other blog (RC) with you and are delighted when they come in here and read your responses to me.
Maybe you should consider skipping over any comments I make because to you, they don't make any sense so why waste your time? I certainly would not to be the cause of elevating your blood pressure with all the nonsense I write. I will save you the time in responding to this particular comment by telling you that I am being sarcastic but you will put it down to paranoia.
So while you continue to dig up all the negative things you can find about Zimmerman and his spouse, I will forge on with posting my 'common sense.'
Have a great father's day.
this is a test.
Snoopy~ My problem with them not paying their bills is GZ did not pay it, went into collection he then agreed to pay and did not. Instead he let them sue him. He agreed once by signing for the card, again with collection agency and still did not honor his word. That is what my problem is. I realize things come up. He did not skip 1 payment he skipped many for it to go to collection.
I do not expect everyone to agree with me. That is okay, but imo paying your bills or not paying them has a lot to do with your character. I do not know if GZ has narcolepsy. I would assume not since he still has his driver's license. Normally that would be revoked because he could be a danger on the road.
I will see if I can find where I read he quit his job right after the shooting. I do not believe it is a rumor, but I am not positive.
Laurali
Here you go
http://marinadedave.com/journal/2012/6/12/the-complex-perplexities-of-george-and-shellie-zimmerman.html?currentPage=2&SSLoginOk=true
"Porky3100~~you should be thanking me for making comments in here that allow you to pick everything I write apart so as to release all your pent up frustrations."
I write when I see you posting misstatements and ill thought analysis. I am sorry if that offends you but I cannot nor will I allow such statements to go unchecked.
"I am sure by now that you have a secret fan club who comment at the other blog (RC) with you and are delighted when they come in here and read your responses to me."
I know of NONEONE on RC who actively reads this blog. Cherokee used to by she told me about a month ago that she will never come back here. I know no one else over there who has even *heard* of you nor have you been mentioned, needless to say.
"Maybe you should consider skipping over any comments I make because to you, they don't make any sense so why waste your time? I certainly would not to be the cause of elevating your blood pressure with all the nonsense I write. I will save you the time in responding to this particular comment by telling you that I am being sarcastic but you will put it down to paranoia.
Paranoia? Please see the above paragraph.
"So while you continue to dig up all the negative things you can find about Zimmerman and his spouse, I will forge on with posting my 'common sense.'
Ughhh these are front page stories you know. I won't insult you about your common sense. I tend to be on the analytical side though.
Porky~ Thank you for the link. I will check it out.
Laurali,
You are most welcome.
Snoopy are they releasing all the evidence that has been discussed recently or just the phone calls? Did I read the house the Zimmerman's lived in up until the shooting is owned by her family?
Rodney King Dies at 47!
Dave~~my first guess would be that King had a heart attack.
Rodney King
Drinking, Smoking Weed Before Drowning
Silent Stop-And-Frisk March Carries Loud Message Down Fifth
Polls: Public's opinions on Zimmerman shifting
Charts showing changing opinions about the Trayvon Martin shootings
Hey Snoopy
I think Porky3100 completely misinterpreted your response to Laura's post. Thats the odd thing about posting, texting, etc....people have a tendancy to not really understand them because we can't hear the voice saying them. There's a lot to be said (pun intended) for the sound of voice when its speaking one's mind.
I took it as you just pointing out another view to Laura's opinions. I agree with everything she said about how sneaky GZ and SZ are, the fact that they spent a lot money in just a few weeks - the majority of that money was supposed to be spent on his legal defense - NOT his personal bills that he racked up years before. Laura's also right about when you look at their history of non-payment of bills coupled with the fact that they thought they could fool everyone - especially the D.A, the court and the police WHILE they're under investigation was very arrogant and stupid. The one thing that kind of shocked me a little at first was when Laura basically made a comment that generalized all people who don't pay their bills so I'm glad you pointed out that not all do it for the same reasons.
I'm not even sure she really meant it to come out that way. She was just venting her frustration about why this is one of her pet peeve's. And I can see why because in my book that is like stealing when its done by people who know they can't afford to make the payments. There are a lot of people who want what they want and they don't care that they can't make the payments. They always think some windfall will happen along or they can transfer the bill to a new credit card later on. They live on the philosophy of "entitlement" or "I worked hard this week so I deserve a treat even though I know I can't pay for it".
As far as GZ quiting his job. I didn't hear that until now - here. I thought Dave, in a past blogpost pointed to a linked article which said GZ went to his doctor to get cleared to go back to work the following day after the shooting. A very odd thing to do when its only one day old. (he was told to see doctor by the EMedics who treated him but as a followup check of his injuries)
Its as if GZ thought it was just business as usual less than 24hrs after killing another human being. Even if it was an accident, or SYG (which I believe 100% it wasn't) that's not normal behavior. Normally, a person would have some kind of remorse and need to take time off to think, reflect and heal. George's cavalier attitude about it indicates someone who is disconnected from what he just did and/or disconnected from the value of other human beings right to life.
Laurali, My attitude toward money/bills is similar to yours. I've never missed a payment of any kind, my husband and I have saved aggressively, always contributing the max to our retirement accounts, contributing monthly to our sons' college accounts since they were born, etc. I do think that things were easier for our generation, though. I went to college/grad school on scholarships/fellowships, it was always easy for me to get jobs, for example, and my husband and I have benefited greatly from run-ups in real estate. We are certainly not wealthy, but we are secure, and I think it is very hard for young people today to achieve the same level of security. But I do agree that the Zimmermans appear to have been irresponsible about bills, and it says something about their character.
I also think the sub-$10k money transfers says something about Shellie's character. As far as I know, only criminals worry about their transactions being reported to the government.
Mystical.
Nah I did not misinterpret Snoopy's post and I knew that she was playing devil's advocate or presenting another view. I just disagreed. You do have an excellent point though, that sometimes ( particularly me) our writing does not convey the same spirit as if we are in a conversation.
Re the poll about public support for Zimmerman. It is important to realize this poll was taken before the perjury stuff came to light. I would imagine and entirely different landscape had that poll been taken afterwards.
@Laurali:you are being extremely judgmental and sanctimonious about people paying their bills. Blanket statements that not paying bills is a reflection on character ignore REAL LIFE scenarios. Here's just one reason why not paying bills might not have anything to do w/ character. You become injured on the job, permanently, and are out on long-term disability. The insurer for the long-term policy insists that you apply for Social Security as disabled. BTW, the backlog for getting disability is 2-3 years with a lawyer. Therefore it is entirely possible (through no fault of your own) for you to have a serious drop in your income and lack the means to pay your bills.
This is when the phone calls start. They call all day. They call your relatives. They call your spouse at work. They lie. But you have no money to give them you say. Tough, they reply. Yada yada yada, it's your debt. to pay.The reality is that people in this situation or in similar situations have to make a decision on which bill to pay. Sometimes it's the mortgage, sometimes it's the phone bill, electricity, gas, etc. But you have to choose because you don't have enough money to pay all your bills.
Your ability to pay or not pay in this scenario is in no way a reflection on your character. Not everyone buys a home they can't afford and runs up tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt.
Mystical~ ~thanks for the vote of confidence but not to worry, I am used to others putting a negative spin on my comments. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth and until we have walked in the others shoes, I cannot see people being so judgemental. I often listen to Clark Howard and many Americans find themselves in dire straights through no fault of their own. When I followed the Anthony case, I couldn't get over how many 'perfect' mothers and grandmothers came out of the woodwork to say what they would have done or not done if they were in the same boat. To that, I say BS. I was among the few who did not want to tear Casey's fingernails out to torture her and I also did not make fun of Cindy and George. I was more interested in trying to figure out what drove a young mother to kill her child.
Maybe I should toughen up and come in here and badmouth Zimmerman and his wife and rub their noses in the dirt but it is not part of my makeup. I will just continue to weigh the facts as they are released to us and leave the speculation to others. At my old age, I don't think I can change at this late date and I rather like being just the way I am.
BTW, I do not get any standing orders from satan before I comment but I do have the man upstairs on speed dial.
Anyhoo... I hope everyone has a good day and we get those six telephone calls released to us.
Here ya go.........
Jailhouse calls released
It is one thing to be injured on the job it is another to NOT pay your bills. He agreed when it went to collection and then did not follow through. He thought he could beat it in court and ended up having to pay 1000. more. I GET an emergency can come up but this card was used, not paid on for months. It takes months to go to collection and still no payment. He then tried to stiff the collection agency after agreeing t pay. Fine if you do not want to pay your bills, but I do. All we have is our Good name and credit. You want to be known as a slacker fine, I don't.
The comment was made about Zimmerman and people like him who sign contracts and then do not follow through with paying their bills. Amazes me some can be so non caring about credit ratings. Our country went from a AAA to AA- guess if you do not mind about that you won't mind when we pay the extra interest we will be charged.
I will bbl I have checks to write out.
Can someone give me the link to where it says George lost his job due to an injury? I thought he was to aggressive at one and made fun of someone about how they talked at another. Do not remember him being injured and unable to pay for that reason.
And since I am so judgmental I will add if his ass is so broke he can't pay his bills instead of driving around the neighborhood killing a teen he should be working a part time job in the evening to pay them. Obviously he could not do it working full time.
Also I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I have worked hard my entire life (since the age of 13) to have what I have. I never collected unemployment or from any of the entitlements that are out there. I am glad they are there and that I never had to use them. This is about Z. He shot a kid, he lied to a Judge, he skips out on bills and he had PLANNED on asking for the tax payers to pay for his Lawyer. His attorney just needed to file the paperwork. How fair is that to the tax payers? He is not a stand up guy, imo. All these reasons is how I determined my opinion.
Until you started pontificating about our country's debt rating, you were putting forth a reasoned argument about paying your debts. FIrst, let me point out IN NO WAY IS a persons debt comparable to that of the US government. The government can print money and do many other things to lessen the severity of debt that everyday people cannot.
That being said, you are right about how this reflects on GZ. I would argue that deception or the need to deceive is the biggest character flaw that GZ has. He is a serial exaggerator. He might have come across more believable if he didn't embellish the encounter w/ Martin and talked about repeatedly slamming his head into concrete. He further enlisted his father and brother to tell an even more embellished version of this lie. I'm not saying GZ didn't have injuries. I'm saying that those injuries were minor and no reasonable person could call them life-threatening.
Again, I think the debt is inconsequential as his character is clearly flawed and reneging on your debt is trivial compared to thinking you can lie your way out of shooting an unarmed teen.
I DIDN'T SAY GZ was injured. I just offered a scenario as to how someone might not be able to pay their debt. Again, the issue of his debt and any agreement he had w/ the collection agency is trivial given all the other information already available on GZ. Based on some of this info, it appears that he earned more money in the past (I think as a mortgage broker) and that when the housing market dried up his income dropped significantly. Again, I'm not condoning how he handled his debt, but using it as example of his character when you have more pertinent examples like scheming to deceive the courts and maintaining a second passport than failure to honor an agreement w/ a debt collector, a business not known for being honest or acting w/in the law.
I have to agree just cause there were financial problems does not make GZ and SZ bad.
Stuff happens and then ... what?
It's like trying to base a persons car insurance off their credit score which in my opinion is entirely wrong.
They say because your credit may have issues that your lax and therefore more likely to be late etc. etc. and ; therefore, speed and hence more likely to get into an accident blah blah blah.
So your trying to use the same in drawing conclusions about GZ.
The bottom line is that he was involved in an incident in which he shot and killed someone and was not arrested or charged even though an investigating officer had recommmended such.
If that simple arrest was made none of these conversations would be taking place, the fact that it did not happen is what started the dialogue and circus surrounding this case.
It really was not GZ's fault that he was not arrested or charged in the case until the shit hit the proverbial fan and it happened whatever amount of days later.
Right or wrong no one wants to go to jail and any one of you would do all you could to avoid doing so as well!
The State bears the burden of proof, not the defendent.
I have no sympathy for GZ.
He got himself into this on his own.
He said and did what he did to save his own hide.
Like how many people would speed down a road and then see a cop and ask him to write them ticket for speeding.
No one!
So does tha make them a bad person? No
This is the last I will say about his finances. Up until he shot Trayvon Martin he did not pay his credit card bills. So in all honesty he still did not pay them, the donors did. I did not bring up the country's debt other than to mention the credit rating.
Everyone has an opinion about character. I have worked for the Government for years doing budgets, so finances are important to me. To each their own but to make me out to be a bad person because I feel if you go shopping and charge it, you should pay for it. How great would that be if everyone did the same as GZ? Charge it and not pay for it.
I also did not say you said he was injured but that is the theory you ran by me. I just pointed out that I had not heard he had been hurt, had he been hurt I could understand better. Snoopy said Clark Howard and dire straight, thru no fault of their own. I just want proof. They rented from her family, and if GZ and SZ were in dire straights why not work 1 or 2 jobs each? Many people do it daily. Through court documents and associates he worked with previously it came to light he lost his job because of how he treats people. That is his own fault. Not like thousands of unemployed or people who been have struck by tragedy. Guess my opinions don't count just what everyone else thinks here. I get it.
Mystical and Molly thanks for getting it and understanding where I come from.
It really was not GZ's fault that he was not arrested or charged in the case until the shit hit the proverbial fan and it happened whatever amount of days later"
If he lied to the police about his record and what transpired that evening, it certainly IS his fault.
There has been a lot of back and forth about their personal finances. It is true that we should not judge people -solely- on their fiances, however it would be inimical to fail consider that there are varying reasons that people default on debt.
True, there are very hard working people of good character who through no fault of their own simply lose the ability to make ends meet beyond basic food and a roof over their head.
There are also people who see lines of credit a "free money" or free access to goods and services.
A few things lead me to believe that the Zimmerman's belonged to latter.
*They both have families locally and appeared to have the option of living with them
* both were employable arguably very employable. Shellie as a cosmetologist and George who held a number of varying positions form sales to mortgage origination
*Both chose to attend school they presumably had access to financial aid
* If the report is accurate that for years Shellie chose not to attend school OR work in cosmetology where you can literally walk into a number of places to get a job here in Orlando, one must wonder.
* George spent quite a bit of time doing this neighborhood watch and organizing it. Why not work part time if they were so destitute?
In the end I agree with you Govt mule that you can't characterize people just because of their financial position-but like an artist, the Zimmerman's appear to have painted the precise picture that the rest of us are seeing.
Dave~ ~ helllllllllllo wherever you are. I have reviewed the bank statement that was released to us and have listened to two of the six phone calls between Zimmerman and Shellie. I am waiting for the rest of the calls to be posted at WESH.
I don't know what the hoot was going thru Z and S's heads to try and pull a stunt like laundering money from one account to another. It certainly showed their immaturity and down right stupidity. So far, Shellie speaks to George as if he were her son not her husband. I think George may be lacking a few brain cells but they both come across like the blind leading the blind.
I noticed that some big donations were coming in , around $10,000 per hit,. some people really wanted to pad Z's defense fund. I would love to know if the donations have slowed down any since Shellie was charged with perjury. The person in charge of the Fund account should be giving us an update soon or at least I think that is what O'Mara promised.
Jeffrey Neiman, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice, said cash transactions in excess of $10,000 usually trigger a reporting requirement by the bank to multiple government agencies — including the IRS.
"If Mrs. Zimmerman intentionally structured the financial transactions in a manner to keep the offense under $10,000, not only may she have committed perjury in the state case, but she also may have run afoul of several federal statutes and could face serious federal criminal charges," Neiman wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
http://www.chron.com/news/article/George-Zimmerman-s-wife-charged-with-perjury-3628453.php
Looking at how the money had been transferred I would say SZ may have some serious issues. All of them under 10,000. Even if GZ told her to do it, she did it. I guess nothing wrong with a little tax evading. Read rules at pay pal and once account is verified there is no real limit on how you can transfer from pay pal to your account. Real stand up couple. jmo
Scroll down the page a bit... the six audio calls are now posted ...
Audio-Phone Calls
I am sorry to keep harping on the just-below-$10k transfers, but I am really wondering why the Zs took such care to keep their PayPal-CU transfers below the threshold for reporting CASH transactions. Laurali's post above with the quote from Jeff Nieman reinforces the fact that only CASH transactions are affected. They were not transferring cash, but rather doing some sort of ACH transactions, I assume. So why were they worried?
As far as I know, the reporting of large cash transaction is to a drug enforcement agency, not to the IRS. I do not see why the Zs would be liable for income tax on the website donations. Isn't anyone allowed to give up to $11k yearly to anyone else without triggering taxes? Or am I mistaken about this?
I listened to a couple of the conversations and it is very clear that they were quite concerned about the $10k thing. Someone please give me a reason, and put me out of my misery!
I just checked, and it is true that anyone can give a gift to anyone else up to $13k (I had the limit wrong) with no taxes due on either end.
So why were the Zs concerned about keeping transfers below $10k?
Because any transaction over 10,000 notifies the IRS. True you can donate up to 13,000. BUT any monies received, even if not "earned," incur taxes due the IRS unless you have a non-profit status approved.
Laurali, I believe that only CASH transactions trigger a notification, and I am pretty sure that the IRS is not the agency notified. I have checked on whether a recipient of a gift owes taxes, and the answer is that he/she does not. GZ could receive $5M in gifts and owe no taxes on this money. The donors might owe gift tax, if more than $13k is given in a single year (and there may be a lifetime limit as well).
So I am still baffled about why the Zs were so concerned about keeping their transfers under $10k. They were not cash transactions, and they would owe no taxes on any of the money donated to the PayPal account.
Dave~~ The six calls I just listened to were really eye openers. I foresee many problems for the Z's lying just around the corner. I am of the mindset now that Judge Lester just may not let Zimmerman bond out and if he does, the bond will be set closer to $500,000 or a minimum of $300K. The sixth phone call was rather disturbing and I hope that my interpretation of the words spoken were wrong.
It seemed apparent that the Z's knew exactly what they were doing by transferring that money out of the fund account. At one time in the conversation, Shellie, in her double talk, asked Z if he was sure he wanted to do it this way and then O'Mara's name came up. It almost seemed that they were saying that O'Mara knew what the Z's were doing with the money and was okay with it. This is where I hope that I am totally wrong. Dave, if you have the opportunity, pay close attention to that particular call. I am a suspicious person by nature so may read something into the conversation that was not there. Let me know what you think, okay? I know that YOU will give me an unbiased opinion.
I am going to listen to that sixth call again....
Will Mr. Zimmerman Have to Pay Taxes on the Money Donated?
Yes. Donated funds are considered income and are taxable.
http://gzlegalcase.com/index.php/press-releases/15-details-regarding-the-george-zimmerman-defense-fund
Hope this helps Molly.
Snoopy,
They keep mentioning the name Ken. Do you think that this Ken has an affiliation to OMara's office? I am trying to make the connection on that one
Since George Zimmerman's Defense Fund is being managed by a third party ( a retired ex employee of the IRS), I am sure that he/she will see that the IRS will receive any taxes owing on the monies (taxable income) via quarterly or monthly instalments or maybe at the end of the fiscal. I am not sure how you do things in y'all country. Being a retired Income Tax Consultant, I only know the rules and regs here. Just an aside, we do not pay a lump sum tax to Rev Canada on lottery winnings...however we do pay tax on the interest income said lottery winnings earn. If we stashed a million bucks lottery winnings in an old sock and hid it under the mattress, we would never have to pay taxes on it...lol Different strokes for different folks eh?
Porky3100~~I am going to have to listen to all those calls again. I may be able to pick up more the second time around. I feel bad for Shellie now. I realize she is a big girl but her husband was more or less ordering her what to do. I fault him more than her as far as perjury goes. I know ...I know... but that is just the way my mind operates.
I can't imagine that they are going to be in any IRS trouble because we do not report 2012 financial activity until 2012. They will still have plenty o time to pony up to uncle same before tax day 2013.