By: Mike Madigan
Michael Gerard Tyson was convicted of engaging in a sexual act with another by force and the threat of serious violence in 1992. Tyson was convicted of forcibly raping an eighteen year old girl. Tyson was 25 and physically intimidating and mentally unhinged due to drug and alcohol addiction at the time of this vicious act.
Now the Statler City Hotel, Lace-Up Promotions and the City of Buffalo are being used to promote this individual. The reputation of all are being used in a manner that causes new injuries to the victim of Tyson’s misogynistic and vicious rape and other similar victims like her in the region.
It would seem that those who have decided to embrace this individual would do a back ground check to ensure the safety of anyone exposed to this Category 2 sex offender.
Those who are promoting this rapist chose a different route. Instead of protecting those exposed to this rapist they chose to protect themselves by writing a contract absolving themselves of all responsibility. Below are a couple of excerpts from the contract that is required to be signed by anyone who chooses to sign-up and pay to meet this convicted rapist:
Lace Up Promotions: “You herby assume all risks of attending the Meet & Greet, including injury, death, damage to or loss of personal property, or otherwise, and however caused, and you release and waive any and all claims, liabilities and actions of any kind, against Lace Up Promotions, Mike Tyson, and their affiliates and related companies, and the owners, directors, officers, members, employees, agents and representatives of each of them, arising out of or in connection with the Meet & Greet.”
“You warrant that you will not use any photographic, sound or film recording equipment other than for individual pictures of you and the talent that you meet at the meet and greet. Any films, DVDs, CDRs, tapes, CDs, MDs, DATs or other photographic, sound or film recordings that are used for purposes other than an individual picture of you and the talent that you meet at the meet and greet may be destroyed.”
According to the contract these promoters are allowing children as young as fifteen, of either sex, to meet “privately” with this category 2 sex offender.
http://laceuppromotions.com/events/mike-tyson-experience/
Tyson has never expressed any remorse for his 1992 rape of the 18-year-old college student Desiree Washington and in fact in 2003 he said, in regards to his conviction and claims of innocence:
“”I just hate her guts. She put me in that state, where I don’t know,” Tyson said. “I really wish I did now. But now I really do want to rape her.” Tyson admits that he was in the grips of alcohol and drug addiction at the time of the vicious attack.” http://sports.ndtv.com/boxing/news/14459-i-just-hate-her-guts-tyson
Tyson is coming to Buffalo this Saturday and will be employed for one day at the Statler City Hotel. The Tier 2 sex offender regulations appear to require him to register here in Buffalo since he will be working for one day here. If Tyson has not pre-registered, as apparently required, Buffalo and NY State law enforcement officers must ensure equal enforcement of the law and if registration is indeed required and he has not complied then they must arrest Tyson for breaking the sex offender pre-registration law. http://www.cityofhenderson.com/police/offenders/27015.php
Those who are concerned with this promotion and use of our city’s name and landmarks in this manner can call the Statler at (716) 853-3300 and Lace-Up Promotions at 844-452-2387. Those who wish to confirm if Tyson is in compliance with Level 2 sex offender registration requirements can call the Buffalo Police Sex offense Unit at 716-851-4494.
Not sure I see how the City of Buffalo is promoting this person. The hotel and the promotions company appear to be private businesses who can employ whoever they please, can they not?
This person was convicted over 20 years ago and has served his sentence. If anyone thinks that this whole registration procedure, for one day or a life-time, save any crimes from happening I have a bridge to sell them. All it is being used for is to shame a person in perpetuity, plus waste precious resources. As a tax payer, I object!
Don’t like the guy? Don’t go see him. But let him and others earn a living.
Tyson is a convicted felon (rapist), it does’t matter how long ago, in fact he has been arrested 7 times since his rape conviction on assault and drug charges. The Statler has received millions from the City of Buffalo for renovations and for what is supposed to be for the betterment of the community and they have a responsibility to public interest and this is not it. Furthermore, Laced up promotions is owned and run by Amer Abdallah of Lockport, another convicted felon. Abdallah was sentenced to 3-9 years in 2005 for running an identity theft and credit card fraud ring. So if you feel comfortable going and bringing your kids to see a rapist and handing over your credit card info to a identity thief, I guess that’s your right but don’t expect the rest of the people to buy into that “they’ve learned their lesson”, they’re just two criminals who figured out a way to take your money legally.
Clive, #StatlerCity was bought at an auction for $200k then given tax dollars? #1 that is illegal #2 if we do business in such a manner, it should be to better the community.
Not by promoting a rapist and padding pockets of other convicted felons.
Are you a #PaidBlogger or just someone that has their head buried in the sand?
toridukes, re. #2 – I know for a fact that businesses are given tax break by municipalities all the time. These businesses and its owners, like all other businesses and their owners must operate within the law or face prosecution. As long as these people are not breaking any laws your moral outrage is, well, your moral outrage. Enjoy it.
re. #1 – if you have proof that any part of the sale of the property and business was illegal I strongly suggest you contact the proper authorities.
Read the Constitution!
It is wonderful to see that Western New York has been emerging from the ashes and that there is an unparalleled revitalization of the area.
Buffalo is seeing growth in ways of commercial development and people supposedly moving back.
To assist these so called Start-ups of new business also receive generous support from developers and other groups that receive money from the taxpayers. As a result, there is also an expectation that these funds and projects will serve public interest and the betterment of the community.
This is why I find it more disturbing that Marc Croce who has received $5.3 million from New York State and the City of Buffalo (Taxpayer monies) for the restoration of the Statler Towers is allowing a convicted rapist who has been arrested a reported 38 times to host a event at his facility.
I would rather see Tyson peddle his merchandise elsewhere, not on the taxpayer’s backs and donate 100% to victim’s assistance programs for battered women and rape victims.
Cash Only Though!
Wondering if you feel that any criminal should be donating 100% of their earnings to victim’s assistance programs for the rest of their lives. Like the convicted thief to victims of theft, the drunk driver to MADD, the convicted wife beater to the battered women’s shelter etc etc.
Or should this only apply to Mr. Tyson? Or only to those convicted of rape? Or only to those convicted of a sex crime? Or only to those convicted of a felony? Or only to those who are famous? Or only those you somehow despise more than others? Seriously, I am quite interested.
65 million Americans have a criminal record. 1 in 4 adults in this country. That would be a whole lotta donating….
Here is a taste of what we’re getting and the public should know! http://nypost.com/2014/09/11/mike-tyson-curses-out-reporter-on-live-tv/
Mr. Tyson’s language was out of line. No doubt. But so was the talk show host who sprung this question on him. It is considered poor form to blindside someone like this (that was obvious from the response), on a live show no less, when the guest is there to promote a book or movie or show.
Did he have every right to do so? Absolutely. Did Mr. Tyson have every right to respond the way he did? Absolutely.
Seems to me what you have here is two bullies. If I had to choose I would prefer the one who says it straight to your face over the sneaky one who uses the mantle of live TV and the element of surprise to pull a stunt like that.
But that is my personal opinion, you are entitled to yours.
I met Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson or Malik Abdul Aziz on January 5, 1999 when I was then living in Arizona as he came to my then workplace. I shook hands with him & he started talking. After seeing his gold filling by Freudian slip I asked him if that was the tooth he bit Evander Holyfield with! He then put his hand on my shoulder, made a profanity with listen MF, don’t ask me that. I then asked him who his next fight would be & he said Francois Botha. I then asked if he was from France after which he said ‘no South Africa, but that’s a good guess.’
In 2007, I wrote letter to then Maricopa County Judge Sherry K. Stephens asking that Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson get probation and not jail time after he plead to a Maricopa County drug charge, saying that Michael Gerard Tyson deserved another chance, that Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson is a good father to his kids & that Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson takes care of pigeons. I wrote the letter because I believe Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson deserved another chance & also because I I felt I owed him something for my conduct years earlier of asking him about bite fight. I hope Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson is thankful for me writing to Maricopa County Judge Sherry K. Stephens (she presided over Jodi Ann Arias murder trial in 2013) asking that he get probation in 2007 & hope he has no animosity for my dumb Freudian slip.
To answer comments made by Tori, etc. on Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson. Mike Gerard Tyson has said that he is innocent of the rape accusation & that the 1992 jury wrongly convicted him. Boxer Michael G. Tyson said years ago in an interview with Greta Conway Van Susteren that he thinks a reason jury convicted him was among other reasons that the jury thought he was arrogant which went against him. But Boxer Michael G. Tyson has said that he is innocent of rape & that he won’t say he is sorry for what he didn’t do. Mike G. Tyson has said that keep the 1999 assault & battery convictions he has for hitting 2 people in a quarrel in 1998 after traffic dispute but that he is innocent of the rape. 4 of the jurors who convicted Mike G. Tyson in 1992 have since said that they would acquit.
With link ToriDukes gave on Mike G. Tyson cursing @ TV host Nathan in 2014, no Mike G. Tyson should not have done that, though Nathan was wrong to have raised that & Nathan in the interview tries to change topic after he saw Mr. Tyson got irritated by what he asked. I think what Boxer Mike Gerard Tyson should have said was that he thought the ? Nathan asked was rude & negative (he did say negative), that he was innocent of rape & the jury was wrong convicting him. Saying the F word & insulting Nathan (though Nathan was perhaps rude) was wrong. I don’t understand why people say the F word as that is a sex word.
Added thoughts-read my other 2 posts, what Michael Gerard Tyson should say everytime people ask him about this is that he’s innocent of the rape case, the jury wrongly convicted him & that he’s tired of talking about it. His defense was that he did the acts she agreed to while not doing what they said no to. As 4 of the 1992 jurors who convicted him have since said they would acquit, perhaps he was innocent. Sometimes innocents are accused-we know that in domestic violence cases, cops arrest men for assault & battery on their wives & girlfriends & it turned out that it was the wife or girlfriend who committed domestic violence on their men. Of course most violence cases are men committing assault & battery on their wives & girlfriends. There are violent women.
Most rape/sex abuse cases are usually she says, he says cases where the prosecution argues the woman was forced to have sex & or that the man used criminal threats to get the woman to have sex with him while defense will say that the woman did the sex acts agreed to while they didn’t do what both said no to.
Again, if you read my posts, Mike Gerard Tyson should have told Nathan that he’s innocent of rape, that the jury was wrong to convict him & that he’s tired of talking about it-those are the 3 things Boxer Mike G. Tyson should say every time he gets asked about the rape case. Perhaps Mike G. Tyson was innocent. Boxer Mike Gerard Tyson is a good dad to his kids and Mike Gerard Tyson does a nice job taking care of pigeons. I don’t know Mr. Nathan’s intent when he asked Mike that as only Nathan knows. Possible Nathan was not thinking when he asked Mike that and Nathan was trying to change subject after he saw Mike got irritated. But Mike Gerard Tyson should not have said the F word and he should not have insulted Nathan. Mike’s a famous man. I don’t understand why people say the F word because it’s sexual and the F word is so gay.
Also with my last post, yes there are more violent men than women & most domestic violence cases are men hitting their wives and girlfriends. Only saying that sometimes in domestic violence cases, cops arrest men for assault & battery on their wives & girlfriends & it turned out that it was the wife or girlfriend who committed domestic violence on their men. Of course most violence cases are men committing assault & battery on their wives & girlfriends. Innocents sometimes are accused. Perhaps Mike G. Tyson was innocent of rape as again, 4 of the jurors who convicted him in 1992 have since said that they would acquit. Mike G. Tyson has said that he did hit 2 people in traffic dispute in 1998 for which he plead guilty to in 1999 & has said keep the assault & battery conviction but that he is innocent of the 1991 rape case.
The Indiana prosecutor wrote a book about the case with intent to make money & IMO prosecutors job is to serve public & should not profit from cases they prosecute. Regardless of whether 1 believes Mr. Mike Gerard Tyson was innocent or guilty in 1992, the prosecutor who got a jury to convict him should not profit from the case as the prosecutor can talk about the case w/o making money. The prosecutor who got jury to convict Mike G. Tyson in 1992 defeated idea of public service when he wrote a book about the case, because prosecutors should not get rich.
Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson is a good father to his kids & that Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson takes care of pigeons. Toridukes-will again say that no, Mike Gerard Tyson should not have insulted Nathan. Possibly Mr. Nathan was not thinking properly when he asked Mike that & Nathan by changing subject did seem to want to avoid confrontation. Only Nathan knows his motive. Mike Gerard Tyson should again have said that he’s innocent, the 1992 jury wrongly convicted him & that he’s tired of talking about it-he should say that everytime he gets asked about rape case.
Mr. Mike Gerard Tyson will say what he wants and do what he will do, but Mike doesn’t help his cause when he says the F word & insults others, because it’s arrogant & haughty. Mike Gerard Tyson is a famous man & shouldn’t be surprised when asked about this. Michael G. Tyson said years ago in an interview with Greta Conway Van Susteren that he thinks a reason jury convicted him was among other reasons that the jury thought he was arrogant. Whether a person is innocent or guilty, if a witness comes off as haughty or arrogant, that can work against you. Perhaps Mike Gerard Tyson’s innocent & Nathan shouldn’t have asked him that. Insulting & saying the F word doesn’t help 1’s cause.
It is really funny to hear how so many people can judge someone on their past. Some people act if that they have never done anything they regret or have asked to be forgiven for. Tyson either did or didn’t do what he was convicted of that was then,this is now. How do you hold a grudge over a mistake, lack of judgement, drug imparement, alcohol imparement and so forth. A person pays their debt to society and yet some people feel it is their right to make a person relive their indsecretion(s) for the rest of their lives. GOD forbid those who keep this grudge thinking make a mistake or make a decision that is not favorable in societies eyes or even family and never be forgiven. Most have done things and may have never been caught but if that is so if you were caught how would you feel if someone made you live it down for the rest of your life… just something to think about while you sit high on your perch looking down on the unforgivable.
Really? Way too much. Would you invite OJ to come visit? It is more than twisted to promote this man. No I did not read his book. I am sure it is full of BS. http://artvoice.com/issues/v13n46/letters_to_artvoice/tyson
Though old news, my comments. I met Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson or Malik Abdul Aziz on January 5, 1999 when I was then living in Arizona as he came to my then workplace. I shook hands with him & he started talking. After seeing his gold filling by Freudian slip I asked him if that was the tooth he bit Evander Holyfield with! He then put his hand on my shoulder, made a profanity with listen MF, don’t ask me that. I then asked him who his next fight would be & he said Francois Botha. I then asked if he was from France after which he said ‘no South Africa, but that’s a good guess.’
In 2007, I wrote letter to then Maricopa County Judge Sherry K. Stephens asking that Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson get probation and not jail time after he plead to a Maricopa County drug charge, saying that Michael Gerard Tyson deserved another chance, that Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson is a good father to his kids & that Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson takes care of pigeons. I wrote the letter because I believe Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson deserved another chance & also because I I felt I owed him something for my conduct years earlier of asking him about bite fight. I hope Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson is thankful for me writing to Maricopa County Judge Sherry K. Stephens (she presided over Jodi Ann Arias murder trial in 2013) asking that he get probation in 2007 & hope he has no animosity for my dumb Freudian slip.
To answer comments made by Tori, etc. on Boxer Michael Gerard Tyson. Mike Gerard Tyson has said that he is innocent of the rape accusation & that the 1992 jury wrongly convicted him. Boxer Michael G. Tyson said years ago in an interview with Greta Conway Van Susteren that he thinks a reason jury convicted him was among other reasons that the jury thought he was arrogant which went against him. But Boxer Michael G. Tyson has said that he is innocent of rape & that he won’t say he is sorry for what he didn’t do. Mike G. Tyson has said that keep the 1999 assault & battery convictions he has for hitting 2 people in a quarrel in 1998 after traffic dispute but that he is innocent of the rape. 4 of the jurors who convicted Mike G. Tyson in 1992 have since said that they would acquit.
With link ToriDukes gave on Mike G. Tyson cursing @ TV host Nathan in 2014, no Mike G. Tyson should not have done that, though Nathan was wrong to have raised that & Nathan in the interview tries to change topic after he saw Mr. Tyson got irritated by what he asked. I think what Boxer Mike Gerard Tyson should have said was that he thought the ? Nathan asked was rude & negative (he did say negative), that he was innocent of rape & the jury was wrong convicting him. Saying the F word & insulting Nathan (though Nathan was perhaps rude) was wrong. I don’t understand why people say the F word as that is a sex word.