| Johnson's search and rescue role may change | |
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Tiffany De Masters tdemasters@thespectrum.com The Spectrum | |
ST. GEORGE - County officials say litigation against a St. George entrepreneur and Washington County Search and Rescue team member will not affect his ability to participate in missions. However, he might have to take a different role. Local businessman Jeremy Johnson has, for years, volunteered his services as a helicopter pilot to assist the team perform various missions, from searching for lost hikers to surveying flood damage. However, a U.S. District Court judge granted a preliminary injunction Thursday intended to continue a freeze on the assets belonging to Johnson and 61 corporations following a Federal Trade Commission complaint alleging illegal business practices. Among those assets are his various aircraft. A federal judge initially froze Johnson's assets by approving a motion for a temporary restraining order on Jan. 13 filed by the FTC. Johnson's attorney, Michael Shaw, said Thursday's hearing was to give Johnson the opportunity to tell his side of the story. The FTC alleges consumers lost $275 million while Johnson and the other defendants profited through iWorks and related Internet companies "by luring consumers into 'trial' memberships for bogus government-grant and money-making schemes, and then repeatedly charging them monthly fees for these and other memberships that they never signed up for." Also, according to court documents, Johnson admits to having a "gambling addiction." "He's an enthusiast of the game of poker, he enjoys it," Shaw said. According to one court document, Johnson gambled at casinos in Nevada and played online poker, losing $2.8 million since 2006. Johnson's admission to a "gambling addiction" was a factor into why his assets are still frozen, FTC attorney Collot Guerard said. Guerard said the judge said Thursday that it was important to preserve assets. "The judge was concerned that Johnson might dissipate his assets - that could be through any avenue," she said. Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher said he hasn't spoken to Johnson in weeks. "I don't know everything that's going on with this court case," he said. "I figure he's got enough going on without me calling and asking questions." Pulsipher has worked with Johnson on the search and rescue team for five years. He said the last time he saw Johnson volunteer his time was during the December flood when he flew supplies to people who were stranded and flew government officials over the region to assess damage. Dean Cox, county administrator, said the county wants to make good choices and good decisions in everything it does. "We certainly appreciate everything Jeremy has done - Search and Rescue will continue to keep functioning," Cox said. "He certainly is not the only one who has access to a helicopter." Cox said he doesn't want to diminish Johnson's contributions, that Johnson made things a lot easier on missions. "(But) the mission will still go on," he said. After someone is accepted onto the Search and Rescue Team, Cox said, they maintain their status based on participation and continued training. Johnson was primarily the pilot for a helicopter he provided to the team. "The sheriff applies the same standard on the county volunteers as he does to his deputies," Cox said. Pulsipher said Search and Rescue Team volunteers cannot be convicted of a felony, that certain driving records are reviewed, alcohol offenses and a DUI within a certain time frame could preclude someone from involvement. "If someone were convicted of a crime it could impact it, but what Jeremy is looking at is completely civil," Cox said. | |
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TheSpectrum.com Originally published February 12, 2011 | |
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