Gilmer Animal Clinic and Craig Ball DVM
One very outspoken and very hot headed individual, Craig Ball DVM of Gilmer Animal Clinic in Texas, got caught up in the heat of the moment and believed that he had an out in the contract he had entered into with Vet Finance Group (VFG) for services to be performed on behalf of Craig Ball DVM and Gilmer Animal Clinic. Dr Craig Ball was delinquent to the point of nearly losing his practice. He retained Vet Fiance Group to help him save his practice. Vet Finance Group did just that. They arranged for an approval on his practice. Vet Finance Group also negotiated a reduced payoff in accrued interest of over $20,000 with his lender Banco Popular. The process was moving forward towards completion when an unforeseen problem arose. The bank had a total lien on all assets including the practice real estate. Simply put the bank would not release partial collateral, they wanted the real estate loan paid of as well in order to release their first lien positions.
Vet Finance Group agreed to help Dr Ball process this request as well. The problem was that his real estate equity was marginal to get the loan done. Vet Finance Group was able to get a 60 day deferred payment with no accumulated interest on behalf of Dr Ball. So during this process, which was fairly lengthy, VIN comes out with an article that was careless, pointless and slanderous. Not only was the article filled with misinformation against Vet Finance Group and its management, but without a single regard of the consequences to the veterinary clinics that VIN proudly says they protect, everything backfires. Dr Craig Ball of Gilmer Animal Clinic goes off on the management of Vet Finance Group without any regard or thought in his comments and threats. Below is an email between Craig Ball and Vet Finance Group:
Email Correspondence including threats on family by Craig Ball DVM
Dr Ball,
I am responding to two separate issues within this email. First and most important, is addressing the threats aimed at me and my family. (see copies provided)
------ SMS Text ------
From: +19037902575
Received: May 9, 2011 7:22 PM
Subject: I see from your lack of a response...
I see from your lack of a response that you wish to be difficult about this. It's a shame you continue to hide behind your phone instead of speaking to me.
------ SMS Text ------
To: 9037902575
Sent: May 10, 2011 10:51 AM
Subject: Sorry amigo not ashamed and not...
Sorry amigo not ashamed and not hiding behind phone wrong guy. I have 2 messages into your phone went right to voice mail
------ SMS Text ------
From: +19037902575
Received: Jun 7, 2011 7:14 PM
Subject: I am still waiting for you to...
I am still waiting for you to return my money. I suggest you do so promptly or you are going to have a big problem.
------ SMS Text ------
From: +19037902575
Received: Jun 7, 2011 9:03 PM
Subject: I know who you are and what you...
I know who you are and what you are. If you do not return my money it is going to get very ugly for you. Do you understand?
------ SMS Text ------
From: +19037902575
Received: Jun 7, 2011 10:37 PM
Subject: I would venture to guess that #44...
I would venture to guess that #44 would be disappointed if he lost his coach
Threatening me and my family I take very, very serious. It is obvious that you have lost all common sense and are neglecting to address that you were months in arrears and defaulted on your loan(s) with your current bank. Our firm resolved your delinquency and unfortunately the real estate portion was taking longer than expected but I communicated with your bank, not you as you continued to avoid his calls. We obtained based on our referral a bank approval and due to your contract with your bank you were not allowed to close the practice loan without closing the real estate loan. We do not have any problem bringing closure to this consulting arrangement and here is what we are willing to do:
Return Advance payment for practice loan that our bank approved <$5,143.59>
Retain $1,000 commitment fee for practice loan (Reduced from original amount of $2,500) $ 1,000.00
Charge $4,500 (balance of $5,500 signed contract for services on practice loan dated 1/31/11 attached) $ 4,500.00
Return $2,000 for appraisal that was not completed
(You disputed this with CC company and it has been deducted from our account, we will be collecting from appraiser) <$2,000.00> Paid by cc
We are owed $356.41. We are willing to waive this amount. Last week when our bank called you regarding the status of the loan approval, you had no problem throwing me under the bus, but neglected to tell them that you are in complete default and that we helped you defer payments while your loans were being processed with our referring banks. That seems a bit one sided and not sure that logic is the correct way to go about it. With your response of acceptance, we will consider this matter resolved. If you have any further questions or need to discuss this I am willing to talk. If you continue to threaten me and or my family, we will respond accordingly to make sure we are safe and protected from your actions.
The bottom line, is that Dr Ball reacted to the VIN article and voiced his displeasure, (Which was actually a cover up for his defaulted loan). No facts, just basically over reacted. He neglected to tell the true history. Now the truth is told. Dr Ball has formal complaints against him, a possible restraining order and more legal troubles with the bank that holds the note on his practice. Paul Pion DVM and Veterinary Information Network handled things wrong and now he can answer to the veterinary community he claims to protect. A lot of misinformation and lack there of by VIN and their reporters has really created a very unnecessary situation, but the truth will now be told. Jennifer Fiala, Paul Pion and David DeKook need to in the future have the facts and truth in order before hurting the very people they believe they are trying to protect. This writer believes it was for personal gain for behalf of Paul Pion. A careless article, a careless group of self serving individuals are at the helm of VIN. VIN caused Vet Finance Group to be extorted by an angry and hostile individual. Vet Finance Group sent $6,000 to Craig Ball DVM. He threatened to cause harm and the company responded by sending him money. He was not owed any money. In fact he got back more than he ever wrote to the bank or Vet Finance Group as a commitment fee. VIN has created many of these circumstances with their careless reporting . It will be interesting to see how Paul Pion and VIM compensate and respond to facts such as these created by their slanderous article.
