Wheaton is a great town and with the restoration of the theater, will be even greater. Don’t let the fact that the flim-flam man is residing there and trying to hold a sideshow every 15 minutes influence your decision. Stop by the theater and speak to Ray Shepardson, and have a bite to eat in one of the fine restaurants, and then make your conclusion.
God, are you an idiot. The theatre closed in April of 2006 to begin working on getting the restoration under way. It’s been NINE MONTHS! How many theatres have you seen get restored and reopened in that time? They have a highly credible theater consultant working on the project. And they are being questioned by YOU? Someone who has “a passion for saving old theatres” Which theatre have you saved, you con man? Name it! Zoe, Lawford, etc, etc – a trail of failures. And unfortunately for the people of Youngstown, their Paramount will be added to that list before too long. Maybe if the folks at the Grand didn’t have your pathetic excuse of a lawsuit to deal with they could do even more than what’s been done so far, which from the gracious view of “behind the scenes” I was given, is a LOT. You have once again violated your stated intention to stick to posting positive comments and have again dragged this fine site down with your drivel. Oh yeah, you also spelled your attorney’s name incorrectly, you idiot! It’s HAAS.
Lawsuit against Wheaton Grand Theater gets thrown out
By James Fuller
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Friday, December 22, 2006
Now playing at the Wheaton Grand Theater: “Death of a Lawsuit.â€
DuPage Circuit Judge Hollis Webster this week dismissed the remaining parts of a lawsuit against the theater. The ruling potentially ends more than a year of legal battles and innuendo surrounding the theater’s renovation.
Grand Venues Inc., once managed and booked acts for the theater, but was fired. Grand Venues then sought at least $100,000 in damages for breach of contract and work the company claimed it was never compensated for.
Tim Newitt, the theater board’s attorney, said Grand Venues lost its case because there wasn’t enough proof it had a good reason for withholding contractual payments to the theater.
Grand Venues claimed it didn’t make the payments because it was forced to work in an unsafe environment.
“Their claims had no merit,†Newitt said. “Now the suit is gone, gone, gone. We have won.â€
Grand Venues attorney Christopher Haas said he’ll consult with his clients about their desire to file an appeal. They have 30 days to do so. Grand Venues partner Paul Warshauer was on vacation in Oregon and said he was unaware of Webster’s decision.
The theater board has a counterclaim pending for the $11,000 of withheld payments. Newitt expects that claim will die because he said he believes Grand Venues may not be able to pay it.
“My impression is nothing more is going to happen,†Newitt said. “This was sapping a lot of time away from what the theater board ought to be doing. Now their way is clear. They don’t have to worry about it.â€
Ray Shepardson, who is in charge of the theater’s ongoing restoration, called the lawsuit’s dismissal the correction of a mistake. His work continues on the renovation project.
Shepardson said his latest “heartburn†is the excavation of the basement for more dressing room space.
“It’s getting very expensive to get just a little space, which I absolutely have to have,†Shepardson said.
He expects to have updated project costs shortly after the first of the year.
And yet, talking out of both sides of your mouth, you CONTINUE to mention your legal case in each one of your posts. No one is asking about your misguided lawsuit. I want to know, did you keep money that was given to you as a donation meant for a not-for-profit organization? Yes or no? Obviously the answer is yes or you would have stated otherwise. I believe you’ve committed fraud, my friend. And no, I don’t want to give you my email address, or meet you in person, I’m not that crazy.
And you’re the ass who started this latest non-restoration talk with this remark:
“Good luck with the next "phase.” Hopefully those with property inside will be able to get it out before too long.
posted by Paul Warshauer on Mar 30, 2006 at 4:05pm"
If you notice, when YOU don’t post here, then theater restoration talk resumes. Mind your own business and concentrate on staying out of jail.
Speaking of fundraisers Paul – did you ever give the donations you collected from that birthday party last year to the theater board, or at least back to the donors? Funny how news about you is travelling through all kinds of circles in the Chicago area. Sounds kinda fraud-y to me. Maybe an investigation is in order.
Wow! That was a great article! It showed Uncle Paul for the maniuplative greedy man he is. And let’s not forget his partner Mike Novelli. Paul gets all the headlines with his screwups, but Novelli has disgraced himself by joining forces with him. What a duo. You both should be ashamed of yourselves. Your string of failures is truly staggering. Let me ask some GVI some direct questions. And remember Paul, this can be used against you in a court of law.
1. When you claimed the building was unsafe, did you discontinue your programming events? Or did you let people in the theatre in what you called “unsafe” conditions? If you didn’t cancel any shows, its one of two things. You put people in danger to make more money, or you lied about the unsafe conditions. Which is it?
2. What happened with any donation money that was given to you while you were at the theatre? Did you turn it over to the 501c3 or have you pocketed it? Where did the money that went into the donation box go to?
3. And of course, the burning question that remains unanswered, what theatres have you ever participated in the successful restoration of? We know the names of your failures (Lawford, Wheaton, Uptown, Portage, etc.) Where are the successes?
I know there was/is a donation box in the lobby of the Wheaton theatre. I’ve put money in there myself. Did that money go to the 501c3 while GVI was there, or did Paul and his partner keep it? If they didn’t turn that money over to the 501c3, isn’t that fraud or something?
Well, I am sorry if my postings do offend some readers, but unsuspecting folks should know what they’re getting into. If what happened to the other theatres on his resume happen to YOUR theatre, you’ll be joining the growing number of people bemoaning their fate. I love and cherish old theatres, and hope that this man’s true colors get revealed before someone else gets taken. Believe me, what has been posted is the tip of the iceberg. But eventually everything will come out. Its only a matter of time when you act as if you have license to do anything you want regardless of the consequences. One can only hope.
And yes, LTS – the Dupage people are fighting a huge uphill fight, and are giving their blood, sweat & tears. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for our friends there in Lombard.
I’ve been in at least 5 of the theatres Shepardson has been associated with. The Fox in St. Louis, The Chicago Theatre, The Fox in Detroit, The Gem in Detroit, and the Genesee in Waukegan. They are some of the most beautiful theaters I’ve had the pleasure to experience.
Let’s see:
1985 Winner of a Special Citation for Distinguished Service to the Arts as a Cultural Catalyst from the Cleveland Arts Prize. Was that Paul Warshauer? Nope, it was Ray Shepardson.
The Detroit Fox (Shepardson oversaw the $12.5 million renovation in 1988) which was recently the “No. 1 theater in North America” according to Pollstar. You know who he brought in shortly after the Grand Reopening in 1988? Just Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli and Sammy Davis, Jr. that’s all. The closest you could ever get to talent like that Uncle Paul is purchasing their cds.
The Detroit Free Press, calling Shepardson: “The dynamic and expert artisan who restored the Gem as well as the rococo Fox Theatre.”
The Orpheum Theater in Sioux City which Shepardson renovated in collaboration with FEH Associates which won the 2001 Iowa Best Preservation Award for Public Use Facility
Anyone with a computer can look up Shepardson’s impressive career. Warshauer’s “accomplishments” can be summed up pretty succinctly as I’ve done in a previous post, but I’m sure there’s some disasters that I’ve missed.
That’s called the BIG-TIME, Uncle Paul. Is that jealously that makes you act like such an ass? Accept the fact that the Wheaton theatre has moved on to bigger and better, and continue to do your little murder mysteries. I loved one line from the review you got in Naperville, wasn’t it something like: The play needs less Warshauer, more plot. That’s an understatement.
When the Wheaton theatre is restored, it will most probably be a successful venue like the others Shepardson has worked on. There is no need to debate with you on anything, nor the need for you to add your useless opinions, since you have no proven track record of anything remotely approaching this man’s work. Prove me wrong. You’ve been asked repeatedly for a list of your accomplishments, where are they?
What are YOUR qualifications for fundraising? How much money have you ever raised for a project? Let us all hear it. PLEASE give us an example!!! How does someone like you, who claims indigence in court in Chicago, and has a bankruptcy in Oregon have the cojones to question others on fundraising?
The only money you should be worried about raising is your own bail money.
Since you are questioning other people’s credentials, why don’t you take the opportunity to furnish yours? For the record, have you ever had an active part in a theatre restoration? Ever? Please tell us all where and when? Think carefully before answering, because some of us will definitely verify your statements. Please fill in the blanks with your successes. I think its important to know what a person who claims he can provide such a great service for the Wheaton theatre has done successfully in the past. I’ll help you out by listing some of the projects of yours I’ve read about, and you can just fill in the rest. Ready?
Lawford Theatre in Havana – Closed after less than two months. Allegations of not paying employees.
Zoe Theatre in Pittsfield – Your company did an Arts Assessment which concluded that your company should become the theatre developer. It must have been hard for you to reach that conclusion!
Wheaton Theatre in Wheaton – Contract to program theatre terminated and theatre locks changed to keep you out.
Portage Theatre in Chicago – Evicted by the theatre owner.
Uptown Theatre in Chicago – Took a $4000 deposit from the Annoyance Theatre group for a building you did not own, wound up in court and lost a judgment in March 2004 – of which you’ve only paid $864 of $4000.
I forget, where did that other $5000 judgment against you stem from? I’m sorry, but its hard to keep track of all your “successes”
Ok, now its your turn. What theaters have you successfully restored (sorry, I couldn’t find any), or have worked at and left on good terms?
Unless I read differently, all I see is a long string of failures.
Hey Uncle Paul! I’m curious. Did you charge those people who organized the Gomez fundraiser? You know, the one that was put on to help a local Wheaton man injured in Iraq? Or was your participation strictly free of charge?
So how did that “Arts Assessment” go Paul? Let’s see…you took money from the town of Pittsfield, and asked residents probing questions like what their favorite films were and then after much thought-provoking analysis came up with the conclusion that YOUR COMPANY should become the developer for the theatre. Wow! Didn’t see THAT coming! You actually charged them money to tell them that your company should be the theatre developer. Good work!
Wow, your story should be “made into a movie?” What an ego! And what’s with the list of your likes? Are you trying to avoid the costs of a dating service? Wise up, people are on to your game by now. I pity the people of Havana who fell for your b.s. I’m sure they deserved better.
If anyone on this site was lucky enough to go to the event at the Wheaton Theatre when they displayed their new historic marker, you would have got to see what I did. Mr. Shepardson had an entire lobby filled, as well as the area under the marquee with photos and pictures of his numerous successful projects. For someone with such a checkered past as Warshauer to have the nerve to insult a man like Shepardson is beyond ridiculous. Shepardson has a resume full of successful accomplishments, Warshauer has a track record of judgments won against him and failure. Kicked out of theatres, hounded by creditors, owing thousands of dollars in judgments, failure to pay employees, accusations of impropriety. Where does it end? Probably in prison one of these days. It couldn’t come too soon. You’re a horrible little man, Uncle Pauly.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
BY BRENDA BOWEN
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
HAVANA – Re-opening the closed Lawford Theater is in question, with the building’s managers and former employees at odds over workers getting paid.
Mike Novelli and Paul Warshauer, co-owners of Wheaton-based Grande Venues Inc., leased the Havana theater in June and opened in late July, showing recently released movies.
Novelli and Warshauer hired local employees to sell tickets and concessions at the theater. The men closed a week ago when a projector bulb blew out during a show. Warshauer said the projector housing needed replaced, so the men decided to close for renovations and planned to re-open by Thanksgiving.
But theater employees say they have been released permanently from their jobs and still haven’t received their last paychecks.
“They can’t even pay their employees,” said Mike Kolves, the Lawford’s former assistant manager. “They were paying themselves, and they can’t pay us?”
Another former employee, who asked not to be named, said she had to bring her own calculator and vacuum cleaner to the job to add ticket sales and clean up after shows.
“None of that was ever appreciated,” she said. “There was nothing in there to work with … I even took my own Scotch tape there.”
The worker said she and another former co-worker are looking into ways to get the last paycheck owed to them.
“It’s not much money, it’s just the principle of the thing,” said the other former employee, who also asked not to be named. “They more or less wanted us to donate our time.”
Novelli said Friday he and Warshauer are investigating theft by employees at the Lawford.
“There is an investigation going on into some wrongdoing,” he said. “We know one of them stole from us.”
The investigation is “internal,” not being handled by police, Novelli said.
Warshauer said he and Novelli have contacted police about their suspicions. “We’ve locked (the former employees) out, that should tell you something,” he said.
In November 2003, he was at odds with Bartonville officials over his plans to rehab a Peoria State Hospital into a “boutique hotel.” Warshauer asked the village to invest in a $190,000 feasibility study into the concept with no commitment on his end to move forward on the proposed $6 million project.
Village trustees said they were leery of using taxpayer funds for the project under the terms proposed.
That same month, the Chicago Revenue Department issued a cease and desist order on the Portage Park Theater, owned by Warshauer on the city’s Northwest side.
When the men came to Havana, they asked city officials for a $15,000 loan to renovate the Lawford but were turned down because Mayor Dale Roberts said they didn’t have collateral.
Roberts said Friday that Novelli and Warshauer owe the city money for the theater’s water service but declined to say how much.
“They have a water bill that is unpaid,” he said. “We shut the water off. We were going to shut it off anyway, but they called and asked us to before the cutoff date.”
Novelli said re-opening the Lawford by Thanksgiving is still a goal for him, but it may not happen.
“We’ve got a lot of issues,” he said. “It’s not a solid thing.”
Saturday, September 10, 2005
BY BRENDA BOWEN
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
HAVANA – Re-opening the closed Lawford Theater is in question, with the building’s managers and former employees at odds over workers getting paid.
Mike Novelli and Paul Warshauer, co-owners of Wheaton-based Grande Venues Inc., leased the Havana theater in June and opened in late July, showing recently released movies.
Novelli and Warshauer hired local employees to sell tickets and concessions at the theater. The men closed a week ago when a projector bulb blew out during a show. Warshauer said the projector housing needed replaced, so the men decided to close for renovations and planned to re-open by Thanksgiving.
But theater employees say they have been released permanently from their jobs and still haven’t received their last paychecks.
“They can’t even pay their employees,” said Mike Kolves, the Lawford’s former assistant manager. “They were paying themselves, and they can’t pay us?”
Another former employee, who asked not to be named, said she had to bring her own calculator and vacuum cleaner to the job to add ticket sales and clean up after shows.
“None of that was ever appreciated,” she said. “There was nothing in there to work with … I even took my own Scotch tape there.”
The worker said she and another former co-worker are looking into ways to get the last paycheck owed to them.
“It’s not much money, it’s just the principle of the thing,” said the other former employee, who also asked not to be named. “They more or less wanted us to donate our time.”
Novelli said Friday he and Warshauer are investigating theft by employees at the Lawford.
“There is an investigation going on into some wrongdoing,” he said. “We know one of them stole from us.”
The investigation is “internal,” not being handled by police, Novelli said.
Warshauer said he and Novelli have contacted police about their suspicions. “We’ve locked (the former employees) out, that should tell you something,” he said.
In November 2003, he was at odds with Bartonville officials over his plans to rehab a Peoria State Hospital into a “boutique hotel.” Warshauer asked the village to invest in a $190,000 feasibility study into the concept with no commitment on his end to move forward on the proposed $6 million project.
Village trustees said they were leery of using taxpayer funds for the project under the terms proposed.
That same month, the Chicago Revenue Department issued a cease and desist order on the Portage Park Theater, owned by Warshauer on the city’s Northwest side.
When the men came to Havana, they asked city officials for a $15,000 loan to renovate the Lawford but were turned down because Mayor Dale Roberts said they didn’t have collateral.
Roberts said Friday that Novelli and Warshauer owe the city money for the theater’s water service but declined to say how much.
“They have a water bill that is unpaid,” he said. “We shut the water off. We were going to shut it off anyway, but they called and asked us to before the cutoff date.”
Novelli said re-opening the Lawford by Thanksgiving is still a goal for him, but it may not happen.
“We’ve got a lot of issues,” he said. “It’s not a solid thing.”
Saturday, September 10, 2005
BY BRENDA BOWEN
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
HAVANA – Re-opening the closed Lawford Theater is in question, with the building’s managers and former employees at odds over workers getting paid.
Mike Novelli and Paul Warshauer, co-owners of Wheaton-based Grande Venues Inc., leased the Havana theater in June and opened in late July, showing recently released movies.
Novelli and Warshauer hired local employees to sell tickets and concessions at the theater. The men closed a week ago when a projector bulb blew out during a show. Warshauer said the projector housing needed replaced, so the men decided to close for renovations and planned to re-open by Thanksgiving.
But theater employees say they have been released permanently from their jobs and still haven’t received their last paychecks.
“They can’t even pay their employees,” said Mike Kolves, the Lawford’s former assistant manager. “They were paying themselves, and they can’t pay us?”
Another former employee, who asked not to be named, said she had to bring her own calculator and vacuum cleaner to the job to add ticket sales and clean up after shows.
“None of that was ever appreciated,” she said. “There was nothing in there to work with … I even took my own Scotch tape there.”
The worker said she and another former co-worker are looking into ways to get the last paycheck owed to them.
“It’s not much money, it’s just the principle of the thing,” said the other former employee, who also asked not to be named. “They more or less wanted us to donate our time.”
Novelli said Friday he and Warshauer are investigating theft by employees at the Lawford.
“There is an investigation going on into some wrongdoing,” he said. “We know one of them stole from us.”
The investigation is “internal,” not being handled by police, Novelli said.
Warshauer said he and Novelli have contacted police about their suspicions. “We’ve locked (the former employees) out, that should tell you something,” he said.
In November 2003, he was at odds with Bartonville officials over his plans to rehab a Peoria State Hospital into a “boutique hotel.” Warshauer asked the village to invest in a $190,000 feasibility study into the concept with no commitment on his end to move forward on the proposed $6 million project.
Village trustees said they were leery of using taxpayer funds for the project under the terms proposed.
That same month, the Chicago Revenue Department issued a cease and desist order on the Portage Park Theater, owned by Warshauer on the city’s Northwest side.
When the men came to Havana, they asked city officials for a $15,000 loan to renovate the Lawford but were turned down because Mayor Dale Roberts said they didn’t have collateral.
Roberts said Friday that Novelli and Warshauer owe the city money for the theater’s water service but declined to say how much.
“They have a water bill that is unpaid,” he said. “We shut the water off. We were going to shut it off anyway, but they called and asked us to before the cutoff date.”
Novelli said re-opening the Lawford by Thanksgiving is still a goal for him, but it may not happen.
“We’ve got a lot of issues,” he said. “It’s not a solid thing.”
Saturday, September 10, 2005
BY BRENDA BOWEN
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
HAVANA – Re-opening the closed Lawford Theater is in question, with the building’s managers and former employees at odds over workers getting paid.
Mike Novelli and Paul Warshauer, co-owners of Wheaton-based Grande Venues Inc., leased the Havana theater in June and opened in late July, showing recently released movies.
Novelli and Warshauer hired local employees to sell tickets and concessions at the theater. The men closed a week ago when a projector bulb blew out during a show. Warshauer said the projector housing needed replaced, so the men decided to close for renovations and planned to re-open by Thanksgiving.
But theater employees say they have been released permanently from their jobs and still haven’t received their last paychecks.
“They can’t even pay their employees,” said Mike Kolves, the Lawford’s former assistant manager. “They were paying themselves, and they can’t pay us?”
Another former employee, who asked not to be named, said she had to bring her own calculator and vacuum cleaner to the job to add ticket sales and clean up after shows.
“None of that was ever appreciated,” she said. “There was nothing in there to work with … I even took my own Scotch tape there.”
The worker said she and another former co-worker are looking into ways to get the last paycheck owed to them.
“It’s not much money, it’s just the principle of the thing,” said the other former employee, who also asked not to be named. “They more or less wanted us to donate our time.”
Novelli said Friday he and Warshauer are investigating theft by employees at the Lawford.
“There is an investigation going on into some wrongdoing,” he said. “We know one of them stole from us.”
The investigation is “internal,” not being handled by police, Novelli said.
Warshauer said he and Novelli have contacted police about their suspicions. “We’ve locked (the former employees) out, that should tell you something,” he said.
In November 2003, he was at odds with Bartonville officials over his plans to rehab a Peoria State Hospital into a “boutique hotel.” Warshauer asked the village to invest in a $190,000 feasibility study into the concept with no commitment on his end to move forward on the proposed $6 million project.
Village trustees said they were leery of using taxpayer funds for the project under the terms proposed.
That same month, the Chicago Revenue Department issued a cease and desist order on the Portage Park Theater, owned by Warshauer on the city’s Northwest side.
When the men came to Havana, they asked city officials for a $15,000 loan to renovate the Lawford but were turned down because Mayor Dale Roberts said they didn’t have collateral.
Roberts said Friday that Novelli and Warshauer owe the city money for the theater’s water service but declined to say how much.
“They have a water bill that is unpaid,” he said. “We shut the water off. We were going to shut it off anyway, but they called and asked us to before the cutoff date.”
Novelli said re-opening the Lawford by Thanksgiving is still a goal for him, but it may not happen.
“We’ve got a lot of issues,” he said. “It’s not a solid thing.”
Saturday, September 10, 2005
BY BRENDA BOWEN
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
HAVANA – Re-opening the closed Lawford Theater is in question, with the building’s managers and former employees at odds over workers getting paid.
Mike Novelli and Paul Warshauer, co-owners of Wheaton-based Grande Venues Inc., leased the Havana theater in June and opened in late July, showing recently released movies.
Novelli and Warshauer hired local employees to sell tickets and concessions at the theater. The men closed a week ago when a projector bulb blew out during a show. Warshauer said the projector housing needed replaced, so the men decided to close for renovations and planned to re-open by Thanksgiving.
But theater employees say they have been released permanently from their jobs and still haven’t received their last paychecks.
“They can’t even pay their employees,” said Mike Kolves, the Lawford’s former assistant manager. “They were paying themselves, and they can’t pay us?”
Another former employee, who asked not to be named, said she had to bring her own calculator and vacuum cleaner to the job to add ticket sales and clean up after shows.
“None of that was ever appreciated,” she said. “There was nothing in there to work with … I even took my own Scotch tape there.”
The worker said she and another former co-worker are looking into ways to get the last paycheck owed to them.
“It’s not much money, it’s just the principle of the thing,” said the other former employee, who also asked not to be named. “They more or less wanted us to donate our time.”
Novelli said Friday he and Warshauer are investigating theft by employees at the Lawford.
“There is an investigation going on into some wrongdoing,” he said. “We know one of them stole from us.”
The investigation is “internal,” not being handled by police, Novelli said.
Warshauer said he and Novelli have contacted police about their suspicions. “We’ve locked (the former employees) out, that should tell you something,” he said.
In November 2003, he was at odds with Bartonville officials over his plans to rehab a Peoria State Hospital into a “boutique hotel.” Warshauer asked the village to invest in a $190,000 feasibility study into the concept with no commitment on his end to move forward on the proposed $6 million project.
Village trustees said they were leery of using taxpayer funds for the project under the terms proposed.
That same month, the Chicago Revenue Department issued a cease and desist order on the Portage Park Theater, owned by Warshauer on the city’s Northwest side.
When the men came to Havana, they asked city officials for a $15,000 loan to renovate the Lawford but were turned down because Mayor Dale Roberts said they didn’t have collateral.
Roberts said Friday that Novelli and Warshauer owe the city money for the theater’s water service but declined to say how much.
“They have a water bill that is unpaid,” he said. “We shut the water off. We were going to shut it off anyway, but they called and asked us to before the cutoff date.”
Novelli said re-opening the Lawford by Thanksgiving is still a goal for him, but it may not happen.
“We’ve got a lot of issues,” he said. “It’s not a solid thing.”
saps,
Wheaton is a great town and with the restoration of the theater, will be even greater. Don’t let the fact that the flim-flam man is residing there and trying to hold a sideshow every 15 minutes influence your decision. Stop by the theater and speak to Ray Shepardson, and have a bite to eat in one of the fine restaurants, and then make your conclusion.
God, are you an idiot. The theatre closed in April of 2006 to begin working on getting the restoration under way. It’s been NINE MONTHS! How many theatres have you seen get restored and reopened in that time? They have a highly credible theater consultant working on the project. And they are being questioned by YOU? Someone who has “a passion for saving old theatres” Which theatre have you saved, you con man? Name it! Zoe, Lawford, etc, etc – a trail of failures. And unfortunately for the people of Youngstown, their Paramount will be added to that list before too long. Maybe if the folks at the Grand didn’t have your pathetic excuse of a lawsuit to deal with they could do even more than what’s been done so far, which from the gracious view of “behind the scenes” I was given, is a LOT. You have once again violated your stated intention to stick to posting positive comments and have again dragged this fine site down with your drivel. Oh yeah, you also spelled your attorney’s name incorrectly, you idiot! It’s HAAS.
Lawsuit against Wheaton Grand Theater gets thrown out
By James Fuller
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Friday, December 22, 2006
Now playing at the Wheaton Grand Theater: “Death of a Lawsuit.â€
DuPage Circuit Judge Hollis Webster this week dismissed the remaining parts of a lawsuit against the theater. The ruling potentially ends more than a year of legal battles and innuendo surrounding the theater’s renovation.
Grand Venues Inc., once managed and booked acts for the theater, but was fired. Grand Venues then sought at least $100,000 in damages for breach of contract and work the company claimed it was never compensated for.
Tim Newitt, the theater board’s attorney, said Grand Venues lost its case because there wasn’t enough proof it had a good reason for withholding contractual payments to the theater.
Grand Venues claimed it didn’t make the payments because it was forced to work in an unsafe environment.
“Their claims had no merit,†Newitt said. “Now the suit is gone, gone, gone. We have won.â€
Grand Venues attorney Christopher Haas said he’ll consult with his clients about their desire to file an appeal. They have 30 days to do so. Grand Venues partner Paul Warshauer was on vacation in Oregon and said he was unaware of Webster’s decision.
The theater board has a counterclaim pending for the $11,000 of withheld payments. Newitt expects that claim will die because he said he believes Grand Venues may not be able to pay it.
“My impression is nothing more is going to happen,†Newitt said. “This was sapping a lot of time away from what the theater board ought to be doing. Now their way is clear. They don’t have to worry about it.â€
Ray Shepardson, who is in charge of the theater’s ongoing restoration, called the lawsuit’s dismissal the correction of a mistake. His work continues on the renovation project.
Shepardson said his latest “heartburn†is the excavation of the basement for more dressing room space.
“It’s getting very expensive to get just a little space, which I absolutely have to have,†Shepardson said.
He expects to have updated project costs shortly after the first of the year.
And yet, talking out of both sides of your mouth, you CONTINUE to mention your legal case in each one of your posts. No one is asking about your misguided lawsuit. I want to know, did you keep money that was given to you as a donation meant for a not-for-profit organization? Yes or no? Obviously the answer is yes or you would have stated otherwise. I believe you’ve committed fraud, my friend. And no, I don’t want to give you my email address, or meet you in person, I’m not that crazy.
And you’re the ass who started this latest non-restoration talk with this remark:
“Good luck with the next "phase.” Hopefully those with property inside will be able to get it out before too long.
posted by Paul Warshauer on Mar 30, 2006 at 4:05pm"
If you notice, when YOU don’t post here, then theater restoration talk resumes. Mind your own business and concentrate on staying out of jail.
Paul, you conveniently skipped over my question. Did you give those donations to anyone or did you keep them?
Speaking of fundraisers Paul – did you ever give the donations you collected from that birthday party last year to the theater board, or at least back to the donors? Funny how news about you is travelling through all kinds of circles in the Chicago area. Sounds kinda fraud-y to me. Maybe an investigation is in order.
Wow! That was a great article! It showed Uncle Paul for the maniuplative greedy man he is. And let’s not forget his partner Mike Novelli. Paul gets all the headlines with his screwups, but Novelli has disgraced himself by joining forces with him. What a duo. You both should be ashamed of yourselves. Your string of failures is truly staggering. Let me ask some GVI some direct questions. And remember Paul, this can be used against you in a court of law.
1. When you claimed the building was unsafe, did you discontinue your programming events? Or did you let people in the theatre in what you called “unsafe” conditions? If you didn’t cancel any shows, its one of two things. You put people in danger to make more money, or you lied about the unsafe conditions. Which is it?
2. What happened with any donation money that was given to you while you were at the theatre? Did you turn it over to the 501c3 or have you pocketed it? Where did the money that went into the donation box go to?
3. And of course, the burning question that remains unanswered, what theatres have you ever participated in the successful restoration of? We know the names of your failures (Lawford, Wheaton, Uptown, Portage, etc.) Where are the successes?
I know there was/is a donation box in the lobby of the Wheaton theatre. I’ve put money in there myself. Did that money go to the 501c3 while GVI was there, or did Paul and his partner keep it? If they didn’t turn that money over to the 501c3, isn’t that fraud or something?
Well, I am sorry if my postings do offend some readers, but unsuspecting folks should know what they’re getting into. If what happened to the other theatres on his resume happen to YOUR theatre, you’ll be joining the growing number of people bemoaning their fate. I love and cherish old theatres, and hope that this man’s true colors get revealed before someone else gets taken. Believe me, what has been posted is the tip of the iceberg. But eventually everything will come out. Its only a matter of time when you act as if you have license to do anything you want regardless of the consequences. One can only hope.
And yes, LTS – the Dupage people are fighting a huge uphill fight, and are giving their blood, sweat & tears. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for our friends there in Lombard.
“So let’s try and focus on the THEATRE and not on petty personal attacks” – Paul Warshauer 9/27/05.
Pot calling kettle black – Take 1
I’ve been in at least 5 of the theatres Shepardson has been associated with. The Fox in St. Louis, The Chicago Theatre, The Fox in Detroit, The Gem in Detroit, and the Genesee in Waukegan. They are some of the most beautiful theaters I’ve had the pleasure to experience.
Let’s see:
1985 Winner of a Special Citation for Distinguished Service to the Arts as a Cultural Catalyst from the Cleveland Arts Prize. Was that Paul Warshauer? Nope, it was Ray Shepardson.
The Detroit Fox (Shepardson oversaw the $12.5 million renovation in 1988) which was recently the “No. 1 theater in North America” according to Pollstar. You know who he brought in shortly after the Grand Reopening in 1988? Just Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli and Sammy Davis, Jr. that’s all. The closest you could ever get to talent like that Uncle Paul is purchasing their cds.
The Detroit Free Press, calling Shepardson: “The dynamic and expert artisan who restored the Gem as well as the rococo Fox Theatre.”
The Orpheum Theater in Sioux City which Shepardson renovated in collaboration with FEH Associates which won the 2001 Iowa Best Preservation Award for Public Use Facility
Anyone with a computer can look up Shepardson’s impressive career. Warshauer’s “accomplishments” can be summed up pretty succinctly as I’ve done in a previous post, but I’m sure there’s some disasters that I’ve missed.
That’s called the BIG-TIME, Uncle Paul. Is that jealously that makes you act like such an ass? Accept the fact that the Wheaton theatre has moved on to bigger and better, and continue to do your little murder mysteries. I loved one line from the review you got in Naperville, wasn’t it something like: The play needs less Warshauer, more plot. That’s an understatement.
When the Wheaton theatre is restored, it will most probably be a successful venue like the others Shepardson has worked on. There is no need to debate with you on anything, nor the need for you to add your useless opinions, since you have no proven track record of anything remotely approaching this man’s work. Prove me wrong. You’ve been asked repeatedly for a list of your accomplishments, where are they?
What are YOUR qualifications for fundraising? How much money have you ever raised for a project? Let us all hear it. PLEASE give us an example!!! How does someone like you, who claims indigence in court in Chicago, and has a bankruptcy in Oregon have the cojones to question others on fundraising?
The only money you should be worried about raising is your own bail money.
Which theater have you ever restored Paul? Name it.
Since you are questioning other people’s credentials, why don’t you take the opportunity to furnish yours? For the record, have you ever had an active part in a theatre restoration? Ever? Please tell us all where and when? Think carefully before answering, because some of us will definitely verify your statements. Please fill in the blanks with your successes. I think its important to know what a person who claims he can provide such a great service for the Wheaton theatre has done successfully in the past. I’ll help you out by listing some of the projects of yours I’ve read about, and you can just fill in the rest. Ready?
Lawford Theatre in Havana – Closed after less than two months. Allegations of not paying employees.
Zoe Theatre in Pittsfield – Your company did an Arts Assessment which concluded that your company should become the theatre developer. It must have been hard for you to reach that conclusion!
Wheaton Theatre in Wheaton – Contract to program theatre terminated and theatre locks changed to keep you out.
Portage Theatre in Chicago – Evicted by the theatre owner.
Uptown Theatre in Chicago – Took a $4000 deposit from the Annoyance Theatre group for a building you did not own, wound up in court and lost a judgment in March 2004 – of which you’ve only paid $864 of $4000.
I forget, where did that other $5000 judgment against you stem from? I’m sorry, but its hard to keep track of all your “successes”
Ok, now its your turn. What theaters have you successfully restored (sorry, I couldn’t find any), or have worked at and left on good terms?
Unless I read differently, all I see is a long string of failures.
Hey Uncle Paul! I’m curious. Did you charge those people who organized the Gomez fundraiser? You know, the one that was put on to help a local Wheaton man injured in Iraq? Or was your participation strictly free of charge?
So how did that “Arts Assessment” go Paul? Let’s see…you took money from the town of Pittsfield, and asked residents probing questions like what their favorite films were and then after much thought-provoking analysis came up with the conclusion that YOUR COMPANY should become the developer for the theatre. Wow! Didn’t see THAT coming! You actually charged them money to tell them that your company should be the theatre developer. Good work!
Wow, your story should be “made into a movie?” What an ego! And what’s with the list of your likes? Are you trying to avoid the costs of a dating service? Wise up, people are on to your game by now. I pity the people of Havana who fell for your b.s. I’m sure they deserved better.
If anyone on this site was lucky enough to go to the event at the Wheaton Theatre when they displayed their new historic marker, you would have got to see what I did. Mr. Shepardson had an entire lobby filled, as well as the area under the marquee with photos and pictures of his numerous successful projects. For someone with such a checkered past as Warshauer to have the nerve to insult a man like Shepardson is beyond ridiculous. Shepardson has a resume full of successful accomplishments, Warshauer has a track record of judgments won against him and failure. Kicked out of theatres, hounded by creditors, owing thousands of dollars in judgments, failure to pay employees, accusations of impropriety. Where does it end? Probably in prison one of these days. It couldn’t come too soon. You’re a horrible little man, Uncle Pauly.
Here’s some help for those who don’t know what indigent means.
in·di·gent
adj.
Experiencing want or need; impoverished. See Synonyms at poor.
Archaic. Lacking or deficient.
n.
A needy or destitute person.
Havana theater in flux
Saturday, September 10, 2005
BY BRENDA BOWEN
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
HAVANA – Re-opening the closed Lawford Theater is in question, with the building’s managers and former employees at odds over workers getting paid.
Mike Novelli and Paul Warshauer, co-owners of Wheaton-based Grande Venues Inc., leased the Havana theater in June and opened in late July, showing recently released movies.
Novelli and Warshauer hired local employees to sell tickets and concessions at the theater. The men closed a week ago when a projector bulb blew out during a show. Warshauer said the projector housing needed replaced, so the men decided to close for renovations and planned to re-open by Thanksgiving.
But theater employees say they have been released permanently from their jobs and still haven’t received their last paychecks.
“They can’t even pay their employees,” said Mike Kolves, the Lawford’s former assistant manager. “They were paying themselves, and they can’t pay us?”
Another former employee, who asked not to be named, said she had to bring her own calculator and vacuum cleaner to the job to add ticket sales and clean up after shows.
“None of that was ever appreciated,” she said. “There was nothing in there to work with … I even took my own Scotch tape there.”
The worker said she and another former co-worker are looking into ways to get the last paycheck owed to them.
“It’s not much money, it’s just the principle of the thing,” said the other former employee, who also asked not to be named. “They more or less wanted us to donate our time.”
Novelli said Friday he and Warshauer are investigating theft by employees at the Lawford.
“There is an investigation going on into some wrongdoing,” he said. “We know one of them stole from us.”
The investigation is “internal,” not being handled by police, Novelli said.
Warshauer said he and Novelli have contacted police about their suspicions. “We’ve locked (the former employees) out, that should tell you something,” he said.
In November 2003, he was at odds with Bartonville officials over his plans to rehab a Peoria State Hospital into a “boutique hotel.” Warshauer asked the village to invest in a $190,000 feasibility study into the concept with no commitment on his end to move forward on the proposed $6 million project.
Village trustees said they were leery of using taxpayer funds for the project under the terms proposed.
That same month, the Chicago Revenue Department issued a cease and desist order on the Portage Park Theater, owned by Warshauer on the city’s Northwest side.
When the men came to Havana, they asked city officials for a $15,000 loan to renovate the Lawford but were turned down because Mayor Dale Roberts said they didn’t have collateral.
Roberts said Friday that Novelli and Warshauer owe the city money for the theater’s water service but declined to say how much.
“They have a water bill that is unpaid,” he said. “We shut the water off. We were going to shut it off anyway, but they called and asked us to before the cutoff date.”
Novelli said re-opening the Lawford by Thanksgiving is still a goal for him, but it may not happen.
“We’ve got a lot of issues,” he said. “It’s not a solid thing.”
Havana theater in flux
Saturday, September 10, 2005
BY BRENDA BOWEN
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
HAVANA – Re-opening the closed Lawford Theater is in question, with the building’s managers and former employees at odds over workers getting paid.
Mike Novelli and Paul Warshauer, co-owners of Wheaton-based Grande Venues Inc., leased the Havana theater in June and opened in late July, showing recently released movies.
Novelli and Warshauer hired local employees to sell tickets and concessions at the theater. The men closed a week ago when a projector bulb blew out during a show. Warshauer said the projector housing needed replaced, so the men decided to close for renovations and planned to re-open by Thanksgiving.
But theater employees say they have been released permanently from their jobs and still haven’t received their last paychecks.
“They can’t even pay their employees,” said Mike Kolves, the Lawford’s former assistant manager. “They were paying themselves, and they can’t pay us?”
Another former employee, who asked not to be named, said she had to bring her own calculator and vacuum cleaner to the job to add ticket sales and clean up after shows.
“None of that was ever appreciated,” she said. “There was nothing in there to work with … I even took my own Scotch tape there.”
The worker said she and another former co-worker are looking into ways to get the last paycheck owed to them.
“It’s not much money, it’s just the principle of the thing,” said the other former employee, who also asked not to be named. “They more or less wanted us to donate our time.”
Novelli said Friday he and Warshauer are investigating theft by employees at the Lawford.
“There is an investigation going on into some wrongdoing,” he said. “We know one of them stole from us.”
The investigation is “internal,” not being handled by police, Novelli said.
Warshauer said he and Novelli have contacted police about their suspicions. “We’ve locked (the former employees) out, that should tell you something,” he said.
In November 2003, he was at odds with Bartonville officials over his plans to rehab a Peoria State Hospital into a “boutique hotel.” Warshauer asked the village to invest in a $190,000 feasibility study into the concept with no commitment on his end to move forward on the proposed $6 million project.
Village trustees said they were leery of using taxpayer funds for the project under the terms proposed.
That same month, the Chicago Revenue Department issued a cease and desist order on the Portage Park Theater, owned by Warshauer on the city’s Northwest side.
When the men came to Havana, they asked city officials for a $15,000 loan to renovate the Lawford but were turned down because Mayor Dale Roberts said they didn’t have collateral.
Roberts said Friday that Novelli and Warshauer owe the city money for the theater’s water service but declined to say how much.
“They have a water bill that is unpaid,” he said. “We shut the water off. We were going to shut it off anyway, but they called and asked us to before the cutoff date.”
Novelli said re-opening the Lawford by Thanksgiving is still a goal for him, but it may not happen.
“We’ve got a lot of issues,” he said. “It’s not a solid thing.”
Havana theater in flux
Saturday, September 10, 2005
BY BRENDA BOWEN
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
HAVANA – Re-opening the closed Lawford Theater is in question, with the building’s managers and former employees at odds over workers getting paid.
Mike Novelli and Paul Warshauer, co-owners of Wheaton-based Grande Venues Inc., leased the Havana theater in June and opened in late July, showing recently released movies.
Novelli and Warshauer hired local employees to sell tickets and concessions at the theater. The men closed a week ago when a projector bulb blew out during a show. Warshauer said the projector housing needed replaced, so the men decided to close for renovations and planned to re-open by Thanksgiving.
But theater employees say they have been released permanently from their jobs and still haven’t received their last paychecks.
“They can’t even pay their employees,” said Mike Kolves, the Lawford’s former assistant manager. “They were paying themselves, and they can’t pay us?”
Another former employee, who asked not to be named, said she had to bring her own calculator and vacuum cleaner to the job to add ticket sales and clean up after shows.
“None of that was ever appreciated,” she said. “There was nothing in there to work with … I even took my own Scotch tape there.”
The worker said she and another former co-worker are looking into ways to get the last paycheck owed to them.
“It’s not much money, it’s just the principle of the thing,” said the other former employee, who also asked not to be named. “They more or less wanted us to donate our time.”
Novelli said Friday he and Warshauer are investigating theft by employees at the Lawford.
“There is an investigation going on into some wrongdoing,” he said. “We know one of them stole from us.”
The investigation is “internal,” not being handled by police, Novelli said.
Warshauer said he and Novelli have contacted police about their suspicions. “We’ve locked (the former employees) out, that should tell you something,” he said.
In November 2003, he was at odds with Bartonville officials over his plans to rehab a Peoria State Hospital into a “boutique hotel.” Warshauer asked the village to invest in a $190,000 feasibility study into the concept with no commitment on his end to move forward on the proposed $6 million project.
Village trustees said they were leery of using taxpayer funds for the project under the terms proposed.
That same month, the Chicago Revenue Department issued a cease and desist order on the Portage Park Theater, owned by Warshauer on the city’s Northwest side.
When the men came to Havana, they asked city officials for a $15,000 loan to renovate the Lawford but were turned down because Mayor Dale Roberts said they didn’t have collateral.
Roberts said Friday that Novelli and Warshauer owe the city money for the theater’s water service but declined to say how much.
“They have a water bill that is unpaid,” he said. “We shut the water off. We were going to shut it off anyway, but they called and asked us to before the cutoff date.”
Novelli said re-opening the Lawford by Thanksgiving is still a goal for him, but it may not happen.
“We’ve got a lot of issues,” he said. “It’s not a solid thing.”
Havana theater in flux
Saturday, September 10, 2005
BY BRENDA BOWEN
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
HAVANA – Re-opening the closed Lawford Theater is in question, with the building’s managers and former employees at odds over workers getting paid.
Mike Novelli and Paul Warshauer, co-owners of Wheaton-based Grande Venues Inc., leased the Havana theater in June and opened in late July, showing recently released movies.
Novelli and Warshauer hired local employees to sell tickets and concessions at the theater. The men closed a week ago when a projector bulb blew out during a show. Warshauer said the projector housing needed replaced, so the men decided to close for renovations and planned to re-open by Thanksgiving.
But theater employees say they have been released permanently from their jobs and still haven’t received their last paychecks.
“They can’t even pay their employees,” said Mike Kolves, the Lawford’s former assistant manager. “They were paying themselves, and they can’t pay us?”
Another former employee, who asked not to be named, said she had to bring her own calculator and vacuum cleaner to the job to add ticket sales and clean up after shows.
“None of that was ever appreciated,” she said. “There was nothing in there to work with … I even took my own Scotch tape there.”
The worker said she and another former co-worker are looking into ways to get the last paycheck owed to them.
“It’s not much money, it’s just the principle of the thing,” said the other former employee, who also asked not to be named. “They more or less wanted us to donate our time.”
Novelli said Friday he and Warshauer are investigating theft by employees at the Lawford.
“There is an investigation going on into some wrongdoing,” he said. “We know one of them stole from us.”
The investigation is “internal,” not being handled by police, Novelli said.
Warshauer said he and Novelli have contacted police about their suspicions. “We’ve locked (the former employees) out, that should tell you something,” he said.
In November 2003, he was at odds with Bartonville officials over his plans to rehab a Peoria State Hospital into a “boutique hotel.” Warshauer asked the village to invest in a $190,000 feasibility study into the concept with no commitment on his end to move forward on the proposed $6 million project.
Village trustees said they were leery of using taxpayer funds for the project under the terms proposed.
That same month, the Chicago Revenue Department issued a cease and desist order on the Portage Park Theater, owned by Warshauer on the city’s Northwest side.
When the men came to Havana, they asked city officials for a $15,000 loan to renovate the Lawford but were turned down because Mayor Dale Roberts said they didn’t have collateral.
Roberts said Friday that Novelli and Warshauer owe the city money for the theater’s water service but declined to say how much.
“They have a water bill that is unpaid,” he said. “We shut the water off. We were going to shut it off anyway, but they called and asked us to before the cutoff date.”
Novelli said re-opening the Lawford by Thanksgiving is still a goal for him, but it may not happen.
“We’ve got a lot of issues,” he said. “It’s not a solid thing.”
Mr. Novelli, that’s a great quote. That should be GVI’s new slogan:
“We’ve got a lot of issues. It’s not a solid thing”
You should order some new business cards immediately.
This just keeps getting better and better. Man, controversy follows Warshauer around like a trail of toilet paper stuck on his foot.
You didn’t pay your employees? THAT’S shameful.
What’s the next theater you’re going to pull this crap with Paul?
Havana theater in flux
Saturday, September 10, 2005
BY BRENDA BOWEN
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
HAVANA – Re-opening the closed Lawford Theater is in question, with the building’s managers and former employees at odds over workers getting paid.
Mike Novelli and Paul Warshauer, co-owners of Wheaton-based Grande Venues Inc., leased the Havana theater in June and opened in late July, showing recently released movies.
Novelli and Warshauer hired local employees to sell tickets and concessions at the theater. The men closed a week ago when a projector bulb blew out during a show. Warshauer said the projector housing needed replaced, so the men decided to close for renovations and planned to re-open by Thanksgiving.
But theater employees say they have been released permanently from their jobs and still haven’t received their last paychecks.
“They can’t even pay their employees,” said Mike Kolves, the Lawford’s former assistant manager. “They were paying themselves, and they can’t pay us?”
Another former employee, who asked not to be named, said she had to bring her own calculator and vacuum cleaner to the job to add ticket sales and clean up after shows.
“None of that was ever appreciated,” she said. “There was nothing in there to work with … I even took my own Scotch tape there.”
The worker said she and another former co-worker are looking into ways to get the last paycheck owed to them.
“It’s not much money, it’s just the principle of the thing,” said the other former employee, who also asked not to be named. “They more or less wanted us to donate our time.”
Novelli said Friday he and Warshauer are investigating theft by employees at the Lawford.
“There is an investigation going on into some wrongdoing,” he said. “We know one of them stole from us.”
The investigation is “internal,” not being handled by police, Novelli said.
Warshauer said he and Novelli have contacted police about their suspicions. “We’ve locked (the former employees) out, that should tell you something,” he said.
In November 2003, he was at odds with Bartonville officials over his plans to rehab a Peoria State Hospital into a “boutique hotel.” Warshauer asked the village to invest in a $190,000 feasibility study into the concept with no commitment on his end to move forward on the proposed $6 million project.
Village trustees said they were leery of using taxpayer funds for the project under the terms proposed.
That same month, the Chicago Revenue Department issued a cease and desist order on the Portage Park Theater, owned by Warshauer on the city’s Northwest side.
When the men came to Havana, they asked city officials for a $15,000 loan to renovate the Lawford but were turned down because Mayor Dale Roberts said they didn’t have collateral.
Roberts said Friday that Novelli and Warshauer owe the city money for the theater’s water service but declined to say how much.
“They have a water bill that is unpaid,” he said. “We shut the water off. We were going to shut it off anyway, but they called and asked us to before the cutoff date.”
Novelli said re-opening the Lawford by Thanksgiving is still a goal for him, but it may not happen.
“We’ve got a lot of issues,” he said. “It’s not a solid thing.”