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It's not just a coincidence that Michael Weinstein strongly resembles Jack Nicholson's villainous character "The Joker" from the movie "Batman." Everything Weinstein has done under the guise of AHF is putrid with the foul stench of a self-serving megalomaniac. I knew this guy was up to something nefarious many years ago when AHF bought out Dr. Todd Fralich's huge and thriving state-of-the-art HIV-specialized medical practice in Fort Lauderdale, which Weinstein quickly destroyed by carelessly transforming it from the ideal model of patient care that had been created by Dr. Fralich's excellent team of physician's and medical staff into a ghetto-styled-drug-clinic operated by a confederacy of dunces. Immediately recognizing Weinstein's vile profiteering motives and his general medical ineptitude, the original physicians and medical staff rapidly fled, followed synchronously by their immense HIV patient population, all of whom realized in short order that the AHF dictatorship was an alarming indication that it was crucial to escape from the looming peril in an urgent mass-exodus that resembled the cloud of dust left behind when The Roadrunner zoomed away from Wile E. Coyote. In the present day, Weinstein feels so financially threatened by the possibility that PrEP might actually curtail the epidemic-fueled organizational growth rate that he has enjoyed as the very-well-compensated leader of AHF, that he incessantly wastes the organization's money on relentless full-page fear-mongering advertisements that intentionally malign a scientifically valid protection mechanism, pushing instead in favor of one that has already proven itself for decades to be reliable only as a failed prevention strategy (condoms). It is in his best personal interests to push for more prevention failure so that his wealth will grow further on the backs of those stricken by the HIV epidemic. This is exactly how a parasite thrives.
With both the government and state not wanting any involvement, this lawsuit has a lot to be desired. Activists also have their own agendas in criticizing an organization without seeing the big picture or how organizations are able to bring more people into care. If this organization disappears, who will care for patients after all? I don't think any of the critics have an idea how. Just because you read of this going on doesn't mean it's the truth, so please stop gathering your own opinions on how things should be ran. If you don't want organizations to care for the millions infected, then you sympathize with the fact that one day AIDS may become a large epidemic again and there's nothing you can do or say to change that.
Mark, thanks for a fantastic and thorough article. For years I have been appalled by this man and his minions. It's about time he gets hauled onto the carpet. You are such a great asset Mark! We are truly blessed to have you. Dan B
There are plenty of good specialty pharmacies out there that would care for these clients even better than AHF does. People should not fear that if AHF goes under that these clients will be endangered. Defrauding the government is a serious offense, and big companies like AHF should not be allowed to get away with a slap on the wrist. They should be shut down!
Many in our community are understandably cynical and jaded by the tremendous amount of infighting and nasty organizational politics in our advocacy and social service agencies. Poz people view leadership as self-interested careerists who pay themselves six-figure salaries but fall flat in service delivery, research advances, or prevention. Neg people view leadership as promoting a barebacking agenda and turning a blind eye to drug-fueled circuit "fundraising" parties. What's the average joe like me to think? No wonder we tune out and steer clear of these groups. It's easier to turn off our brains and enjoy our bubble enclave existence in Hell's Kitchen, Fire Island, and West Hollywood.
anonymously
Mark, I am a little disappointed with your liberal views of these little issues with AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and the unkind comments in your reader’s writings of complaints. I am an independent in my ideas of fair and free trade policy within our civil society; on the other hand, you seem open to fair and balance conversation about AHF and nonprofit businesses, pertaining to lobbing or kick-back policies of applied laws, and this conversation has clearly linked lobbing verses education with kickbacks, which ever may be the case within American’s free enterprise systems. I also think this conversation is helping to define fair and free trade issues for me. I am in a position to defend AIDS Healthcare Foundation in their overall works or charity works to our global community, as a client that is very happy that competition in HIV care is available to many in the USA and aboard. Here in my city, if AHF had not opened a HIV clinic, then the State of Florida and State Universities may be the only choices in HIV care for many, with an attitude directed at the client of, we do not matter and no choices of services, like most state diver license services, in attitude and delivery. Competition in an open society is necessary to keep quality and innovation in action for the people, so I thank God for the people working in AHF’s company. I will support and volunteer in common goals of our mission statement, for I am part of AHF too. AHF is a collective of people who work in a charity or non- profit where monies are directed into HIV-related care and educational circles of funding, with disclosure and it is not perfect, like State and State University HIV care systems. Most of us knew AHF had this policy or marketing plan in place, and AHF disclosed it. If a private nonprofit that keeps the monies flowing in a circle of their mission statement; example, “for God’s sakes," a client that receives 700 dollars a month on Social Security Disability and manages good HIV care for her or himself to earn a 20 dollar gas card to work with AHF is alleged to be a crime. No, it is in the circle of the non-profit’s mission statement and for “God ‘sake,” a 17,000 USA dollar a year employee in HIV Healthcare systems or stake holder in AIDS Healthcare Foundation in his or her chosen charity works, who receive a bonus check is alleged to be a crime. I think not, the monies are staying in the circle of funding and are not a Kick Back, but a performance bonus, in my opinion. HIV industrial workers and all educators within civil society, desire a living wage, plus incentives, bonus checks or cash, as is set forth as a standard policy for CEOs and Executive Directors or upper management, which is part of the fair and free trade of the Americas, even within Non-Profit’s funds of programs and investments and should be awarded for their innovation, in my opinion. Let's get real; the issue is mute. However, Mark, I do think we should all kiss and make up: to rethink our united actions as advocates to focus on a Cure. I am swinging to the thinking and endorsing of more PrEP in the prevention HIV tool box, as being a new tool in a direction for a Cure and/or an AIDS-free generation. AHF is a collective of people in action of many systems around the world to service in helping to relieve AIDS suffering and is a good group of Americans in action. Yes, AHF moves funds or monies in different circles for direct care and education to hundreds of thousands of HIV people and non-HIV people too, yes; human capital is in play in all these circles, so let’s forgive, help improve on our systems of care here in the USA and beyond, Unite to Focus on a Cure for HIV, which includes economic justices of fair and free trade for many; I believe.
May 30, 2015