Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures, Part 1 of 3

A NEW FACE

A few months ago, Priority One Credit Union's President, Charles R. Wiggington, Sr., obtained authorization from Board Chair, Diedra Harris-Brooks, allowing him to again, hire consultants to try and resolve the effects of his horrendous decisions which have left the credit union in a perpetual cycle of losses.

Last month, the President unveiled some of the solutions developed by the consultants which will begin to dispel the impediments which have robbed the credit union of it's former competitive edge and hopefully, will begin salvaging Priority One's horrendous public reputation. Amongst the newly introduced changes is a revamped webpage and a smart phone "app". These changes and additions are the result of weeks of analysis of the credit union's marketplace, procedures, and marketing. This includes mailing surveys to members, some of which included mailings sent to current and former employees. 

Though the new website went online in October, it has already undergone several changes. The refurbished website contains all of the same information found in the previous webpage and it appears that most of the changes are purely superficial including the addition of icons and changes to it's color scheme. Thus far we see absolutely no improvement that could result in increased business. 

Because of the many changes to the webpage since it went online last month, it appears it's launching was premature without it having been properly reviewed. So why the urgency to publish the newly refurbished webpage? 

The site's launching was fueled by the fact that Priority One no longer offers the number of convenient locations it had in t he years before Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. was appointed President. The credit union is now forced to emphasize other services that  suggest it still possesses the ability to service all members. Conspicuously, the new webpage veers away from all inferences of the "personal touch" in service to the advantages and convenience of online and telephone banking. New references on the website include:

• Mobile Banking
• Financial Calculators
• MILLIE (phone banking)
• Online new membership application

The graphic shown below links users to an online loan application, however, when using it, we were taken to a page containing a CU Student HELP Smart Option Student Loan application. Evidently, someone at the credit union erred when creating the link. 

 

A BRIEF HISTORY

The credit union provides an explanation of what differentiates a credit union from a bank. Evidently, the President and his executive staff don't know the definition of the word "history." 

The consultants also advised introduction of a smart phone "app" to add convenience and help simplify a member's personal home banking experience. Though automation can enhance convenience neither a new website or smart phone app can serve as substitutes for competent, ethical and effective leadership, quality member service or convenient branch locations. 

Since 2007, the annual amounts spent on consultants has increased by more than four times and yet, the credit union continues in it's downward cycle. What is evidently clear to everyone but President Wiggington and the chronically obtuse Board Chair, Diedra Harris-Brooks, is that immense amounts spent on consultants is not resolving the problems created by the President. Furthermore, more than $200,000 in salary were spent during the years of 2009 through 2011 on the services of former COO, Beatrice Walker, who not only failed at every attempt to create successful streams of income but who indulged in widespread spending on numerous failed and superficial project none of which alleviated the credit union's cycle of losses.

In the weeks before terminating Ms. Walker, the President and Board interviewed Cindy Garvin who they alleged would serve as the new Director of Lending, however, their plan was to have Ms. Garvin replace Ms. Walker. Unfortunately, since her arrival in August 2011, Ms. Garvin has been the recipient of the President's many projects that he is either too lazy or too unqualified to perform. Her efforts to reverse the effects of the problems created by the President have consistently failed in part because she has not been provided the tools needed to succeed and because the problems she is expected to resolve fall far outside of her scope of expertise. 

Exacerbating the challenges she is forced to contend with is the fact that she has been provided the assistance of AVP, Joseph Garcia, an officer who has a well-documented failure at every position that he has been appointed to. Currently, Ms. Walker oversees the Real Estate, Consumer Loan, Real Estate Loan, Teller, Credit Resolutions, and the Call Center in addition operations for the South Pasadena, Los Angeles, Burbank, Van Nuys, Airport and Santa Clarita branches. Last month, Mr. Garcia confided that she is stressed and overworked. 

We don't foresee a change in the credit union's decline. We also don't expect the new website, smart phone app, Ms. Garvin or Mr. Garcia overcoming the debacles authored by President Wiggington and the Board of Directors. What we do see is a credit union that indulges itself in wasteful spending at a time when spending should be monitored closely. Apparently, Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. is a gambling man with money that doesn't belong to him.  

Priority One Credit Union is being sued again. In June, the lawsuit-laden credit union became the recipient of a fourth lawsuit filed by yet another former employee. This time the plaintiff is a former Financial Services Representative ("FSR") who was once assigned to the now defunct Burbank branch. 

The former employee accuses the credit union of wrongful termination and alleges that AVP, Sylvia Perez, who had been her supervisor, subjected the "White" former employee to various abuses of federal law. The AVP allegedly also carried out a scurrilous campaign against the former employee which included racial discrimination, slander and the creation of a hostile working environment. Prior to her termination, the employee allegedly informed Director of Human Resources, Rodger Smock, of the abuses but in what is apparently a well-documented record of behavior, the aged director refused to respond to the employee's concerns.  

This is the fourth lawsuit filed against the credit union. Two were previously filed by former employees and another by a member whose confidential account and personal information were intentionally published on the Internet by an employee of the credit union. 

Last January, President Wiggington launched another of his periodic campaigns intended to save face and stated that at no time while he's been president has any former employee ever filed a lawsuit against the credit union. He of course, lied. 

The latest lawsuit also lays waste to Director, O. Glen Saffold's statements to employees of the United States Postal Services insisting that at no time in recent years has any former employee filed a lawsuit against the credit union. Evidently, he lied. 

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE

We recently came across of the letter issued to members by President Wiggington in 2007, following his intentional refusal to abide to the credit union's security procedures and which resulted in the mailing of ballots in envelopes on whose exterior were printed member account and social security numbers. In view of the fact that Priority One is the subject of four lawsuits, that business remains in decline and the recent prosecution of a former employee once assigned to the Los Angeles branch who absconded with more than $60,000 in early 2009, we thought it appropriate to publish the letter.  

Sunday, June 03, 2007

CREDIT UNION DON'TS

Priority One Credit Union recently sent election ballots to members. Printed on the outside of the envelope were some numbers... Each member's account number and SSN. Text from President, Charles R. Wiggington, Sr.’s letter of apology:

Important Security Message to Members

During the last week, we mailed our election ballots to members. Unfortunately, an error occurred* during the distribution of this ballot, and personal information was inadvertently included above your address on the envelope. This information was not printed in a format that would be immediately recognizable, and we have no indication your personal information has been accessed or misused in any way.

We apologize for this distribution error, and deeply regret any inconvenience or concern it may cause you. Your privacy and security are our top priority, and we have taken precautionary measures to help ensure your protection.

New protocols are in place to thoroughly validate your identity before any account transaction can be made. New member authentication procedures will further ensure you are the only person who can open new accounts, apply for a loan or do business with our credit union.

We will provide, at no cost to you, a one-year membership in a credit monitoring service. Equifax will monitor your credit daily and immediately alert you if there is any unusual activity. You will soon receive a separate letter about Equifax explaining exactly how you can enroll and how the program works. If you have any questions, please call us at 626/441-1999 or 323/682-1999.

Additional operational and security enhancements will ensure this situation cannot happen again. We are committed to protecting your personal information, and will closely monitor your account for the next year. We are also happy to change your member number, upon your request.

We will take whatever steps are necessary to protect you and your confidential information, and your accounts remain safe and sound with your credit union. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 626/441-1999 or 323/682-1999 or visit your local branch if you have any questions or concerns about this issue.

In addition to the steps we are taking to protect you and your accounts, here are other security precautions you can take:

Carefully review your accounts when you receive your statement for at least the next 12 – 24 months. You can also review your accounts online at www.priorityonecu.org. This is a good financial management practice, and an important part of keeping your financial information accurate and secure.

Place a Security Alert on your credit bureau file. Security alerts provide added protection because they recommend creditors contact you before opening new accounts. To place a Security Alert or to obtain a copy of your credit report, please contact: 

Experian 1-888-397-3742  www.experian.com

Equifax 1-800-525--6285  www.equifax.com
Transunion 1-800-680-7289  www.transunion.com 

Contact the following resources for additional information and guidance relating to privacy and identity theft:

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): 1-877-IDTHEFT www.consumer.govidtheft    

Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline: 1-800-269-0271   

Call us right away if you have any questions or concerns, or suspect any unusual activity, at 626/441-1999 or 323/682-1999.

We appreciate your continued support of Priority One Credit Union, and want you to know that “you are our first priority.”

Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. CEO/President

Source:  http://e2e-security.blogspot.com/2007/06/credit-union-donts.html

The 2007 breach may not have been intentional but it was entirely avoidable. What's more, though it was President Wiggington who caused the breach, he found a scapegoat in the IT Supervisor who was suspended by the Board's chronically dull Directors none of who asked the President for evidence proving it was the IT Supervisor who violated security protocols. 

THE APPLICATION

The new webpage contains a copy of the credit union's revised new membership application ("Master Account Signature Card"). The application was allegedly revised but it continues to contain outdated references. Why hasn't the credit union's AVP of Compliance or one of it's attorneys reviewed the card to ensure it is updated? It is after all, a legal document. 

The reference to Express Teller Audio Response System is incorrect. The program no longer exists. Express Teller Audio Response System was replaced with MILLIE in 2010 by former COO, Beatrice Walker.

The allegedly carefully revised membership application references ATM card even though ATM cards were eliminated in 2009 by President Wiggington. 

The credit union has a new blog. Correction, in October, the credit union disclosed it has a new blog, however, when visiting the page which contain a link their blog, a messages asks visitors to "check back soon." A week ago the reference to the new blog was removed. 

EARLY DIRECT DEPOSIT

Priority One offers to post member payrolls before their scheduled payday. Unfortunately, the service is only offered to employees of the United States Postal Service. Of course as shown below, there is no reference to this on their newly revamped webpage. 

Another problem we discovered is if you select the Early Direct Deposit link you are taken to a page containing a description of the credit union's membership eligibility requirements. Clearly, quality control measures to ensure that links were correctly synchronized was never performed.   

SELECT EMPLOYER GROUPS

In 2007, President Wiggington ordered all AVP's and Branch Managers to desist efforts to develop new business amongst employees of the United States Postal Service and instead, focus upon Select Employer Group ("SEG") development. At the time, he stated he wanted to change the credit union's membership demographics which had been dominated for many decades by employees of the postal service. He wanted to instead induct business owners and their employees and add more white collar versus blue collar workers to the membership. 

The President ignored the fact that historically, SEG's were never profitable to the credit union. And though postal employees had shown their allegiance to the credit union for many decades, he intentionally chose to discard that relationship opting instead for something that was more superficially pleasing to his deluded views. Understandably, his plan failed. Not only did the credit union fail to increase the number of participating SEG's. 

In September 2010, the President immediate cessation to all SEG development because the credit union could no longer afford trying to develop new business in a sector that has never been lucrative to the credit union. The actual reason why SEG developed was halted is because it is unprofitable and the money spent to draw SEG interest in what the credit union offers has not only failed to reap profit but SEG's are a loss of revenue. 

In 2009, Executive Vice President, Rodger Smock, was informed that the SEG list which he personally oversees, is inaccurate and in dire need of being updated. He was informed that many former SEG's are no longer in business while others have sold to new owners who do not have agreements with the credit union. His response was that the inaccurate SEG list would remain intact and unchanged because a large number of SEG's on record enhances Priority One's public image. Clearly, the man is unethical and as addicted to creating superficial impressions as is his mentor, Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. 

As shown below, the credit union is hoping to “sell” employers on the idea that membership to the credit union can be included in an employer’s benefit package “for FREE.” Yes, the materials, i.e., membership packages and applications are provided to employers at no cost but joining the credit union requires that an approved member make a minimum deposit of $5.00 into a savings account and pay, a one-time membership fee in the amount of $5.00. Obviously and contradictory to what the credit union states on their webpage, actual membership is NOT free. And because the credit union no longer possesses convenient branch locations, we disagree that membership to Priority One is the “best idea” a company might have.

 

CONVENIENCE

After conferring with highly paid consultants, Priority One has had to accept they are a much smaller credit union with evident limitations which serve to compromise service as was provided in the years before President Wiggington created the debacles that led to the credit union’s reduced size and limitations. The credit union can no longer tout itself as a “Financial Fitness Center” or boast it possess the capability of helping members and employees “win with money.”

Priority One must now promote Home Banking, Mobile Banking, Phone Banking, e-Statements, Bill Pay, and Shared Branching. The change in focus in which emphasizes what the credit union offers should never be construed that they are offering actual convenience or superior service. As of November 5, 2012, loan development remains in decline while complaints asserting poor member service continue to amass. The change in focus may be President Wiggington’s attempt to deter attention away from the credit union’s gross limitations and bring attention to the non-human services they offer.

 

As shown below and contradictory to the reference currently found in the credit union’s New Membership Application (“Master Account Signature Card”) MILLIE is the name of Priority One’s phone banking system sand not Express Teller Audio Response System.

FACEBOOK

If utilized properly, Facebook can serve as a venue through which to keep clients informed and through which to promote one's name and brand. Not so at Priority One Credit Union where it's Facebook page is utilized to post mundane, uninformed messaging. 

The credit union's Facebook page was created by order of former COO, Beatrice Walker. Though Ms. Walker's limited imagination was dwarfed by her inability to comprehend the potential purposes of social media. Despite having come online two-years ago, the page has garnered less than 200 "likes" to date, many entered by employees of the credit union. 

The lack of interest shown the credit union's webpage mirrors the same disinterest members have in the credit union's products and services. We've located the following comments posted on the Facebook page. One, written by AVP, Gema Pleitez, states, "Loving the new website." There is a "Like" entered by Daniel Ballesteros, the credit union's Marketing Specialist and a third, from a person who has been a member since 1995, complains about the credit union's introduction of added charges.  

QUALITY CONTROL

The credit union's new webpage is riddled with issues which suggests no one at the organization though it prudent to review the accuracy of the information being published or testing the links to ensure they worked. 

The link shown below, states you can earn up to $100 if you open an account, however, when the linked is selected, users are transferred to either the "Forms and Disclosures" page, “A brief history of Priority One Credit Union” page, "Benefits of Membership to Priority One:" page,  or  "Your co-workers can enjoy POCU membership too!": So what happened to the page where the $100 offer is described?  

 

THE FOUNDERS 

In October 2006, Board Directors, O. Glen Saffold, Thomas Gathers, and Janice Irving disclosed that they selected Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. to serve as Priority One's new President beginning on January 1, 2007 because "Priority One needs a Black President." 

Priority One's Directors have used credit union monies to ensure Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. remains employed despite his well-documented record of business failures, his abhorrent personal behaviors and the fact he was found guilty of sexual harassment during a 2008 investigation. What's more, with the exception of Joe Marchica, all of the Board's Directors are Black as are all Supervisor's on the Supervisory Committee. In 2009, the President hired his then friend, Beatrice Walker, to serve as the credit union's first COO  but on July 8, 2011, she was terminated, in part, due to her failed performance. However, unlike the President, Ms. Walker is White. 

Shown below, is a photograph of Priority One's founders. They founded the credit union in 1926 (not 1929 as insisted upon by President Wiggington).  Apparently, their decision to create an organization that would provide financial services to people who might not be able to obtain services from traditional banks did not take skin color into account. 

https://www.priorityonecu.org/membership/apply/

Note: Since our publication of the photograph of Priority One's founders, the picture has been removed from the credit union's webpage.

BEATRICE WALKER.... AGAIN

Unable to find employment since being terminated from Priority One on July 8, 2011, former COO, Beatrice Walker, is now working as contracted consultant has found temporary work with her former employer, Honda Federal Credit Union . She is currently working within the Administration Department located at 19701 Hamilton Avenue in Torrance, California. 

We've learned that she has informed her  temporary employer that she is being "stalked" and "harassed" and so they've agreed to screen all incoming calls requesting to speak to Ms. Walker. Interesting that she has chosen to don the role of victim after her reign of terror at Priority One. Of course, Priority One is not the only credit union which she's been terminated from. As we've reported previously, employers displeased with her performance include AIRCO Federal Credit Union and Universal City Studios Credit Union. 

WHIPPING BOY/GIRL

In the most recent lawsuit filed against Priority One, a former Financial Services ("FSR") accuses the credit union of wrongful termination, harassment, and of refusing to stop a scurrilous and discriminatory campaign carried out by notorious AVP, Sylvia Perez. 

The FSR, once assigned to the no longer existent Burbank branch, had been employed by the credit union for a number of years and was also "White." According to co-workers, she was highly competent and liked by members though her work unlike that of other staff at the branch, was continually being scrutinized by Mrs. Perez.  In fact, Mrs. Perez is referenced throughout the lawsuit and according to the employee, Mrs. Perez is now considered a liability to the corrupt and incompetent Board of Directors. Here is a list of the individual complaints cited in the lawsuit:

Complaint #5 states, "Failure to Prevent Discrimination and Harassment in Violation of Govt. Code § 12940 (j) and (k) [FEHA].” Prior to her termination, the FSR informed Human Resources that she believed she was being singled out and thus discriminated against, by AVP, Sylvia Perez. As we've reported for years, Human Resources Director and Executive Vice President, Rodger Smock, refused to respond to the employee's concerns. In fact, he was wholly and typically, unresponsive. And so the abuses perpetrated by Mrs. Perez were allowed to continue, unimpeded. This is also the same complaint cited in three previously filed lawsuits by former employees. 

The Opening Declaration

 

As documented below, the alleged abuses perpetrated by Mrs. Perez and allowed by the credit union caused the former FSR, "stress and anxiety". Coincidentally, AVP, Sylvia Perez, is currently out on medical leave due to stress. 

Unfortunately, for the credit union, the FSR's complaints were both verbal and written and common knowledge at the Burbank branch where staff often witnessed the abuses perpetrated by Mrs. Perez. 

The lawsuit also echoes some of the same complaints contained in the lawsuits filed by the last Burbank and Valencia Branch Managers and a former Business Development Representative. The complaints also serve to dispel the President's insistence that the similarities in each lawsuit is purely coincidental. 

Another problem for the credit union is that this lawsuit all of the lawsuits portray Human Resources, actually it's Director, Rodger Smock, as apathetic and refusing to either investigate or respond to employee concerns. As we've reported over the years, Mr. Smock was often instrumental in allowing the President and his executive staff, to orchestrate the terminations of employees using fabricated evidence.designed to slander, harass and ultimately, terminate unwanted staff members. 

Though Mrs. Perez has established a well-documented history of abuses committed against subordinate staff members, Mr. Smock has continually refused to investigate any of the complaints lodged against her because she was known, until recently, to be a close friend of President Wiggington. In fact, in 2009, President Wiggington exclaimed publicly, “I wish all my employees were like Sylvia [Perez].”

Employees of the Burbank branch were all familiar with Mrs. Perez's emotionally erratic behaviors and all witnessed her habitual and frequent criticisms of the FSR ("Plaintiff"). The FSR's desk was located in the lobby of the Burbank branch, between the teller windows and alongside the desk of another FSR. Mrs. Perez never considered the conspicuous location of the FSR's desk and publicly found it appropriate to chastise the FSR in the presence of her co-workers and visitors to the branch. 

Having grown weary of Mrs. Perez's abusive treatment, the FSR finally left the branch on a medical leave of absence. Mrs. Perez who is an insatiable critic, complained that the departure of the FSR would leave her short-staffed and disrupt operations. During her abusive treatment of the FSR, Mrs. Perez never considered that the employee possessed extensive banking knowledge and was intimately familiar with branch operations. As the old adage says, "You don't know what you have until it's gone."    

We're uncertain of the extent of written records documenting the alleged abuses perpetrated by AVP, Sylvia Perez but we do know the names of former co-workers who have agreed to provide testimonies of Mrs. Perez's behaviors and actions. The former FSR also possesses copies of emails sent to Human Resources Director, Rodger Smock. 

In 2010, then COO, Beatrice Walker, capsulized what she dubbed, the "executive sector's philosophy" regarding employee complaints alleging abuses perpetrated by managers and executives. In Ms. Walker's words, "never put anything in writing" as it will reduce any complaint to hearsay. Evidently, the former COO never heard of witness statements or circumstantial evidence. 

The FSR suffered so much angst that she finally turned to her Supervisor, Nidia Reyes, and complained about the abuses she was subjected to at the hands of Mrs. Perez. Unfortunately and at no fault of Mrs. Reyes, she could not bring an end to Mrs. Perez's scathing personal campaign because both the President and Mr. Smock chose to protect the abusive AVP.

RACISM?

The subject of racism arose in the months preceding the appointment of Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. In late 2006 the Board allegedly interviewed numerous applicants vying for the position of CEO. Though the credit union interviewed several highly qualified candidates, Board Chair, Diedra Harris-Brooks, announced that the Board decided that Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. was the most qualified of all the people interviewed. According to Mrs. Harris-Brooks, his past banking experienced was a key factor for selecting him as President despite the fact that in 2006 he had not been employed he had not been employed by the traditional banking industry for almost 16 years. 

However, Mrs. Harris-Brooks feeble reasoning was overshadowed by the statements of three Directors- O. Glen Saffold, Thomas Gathers, and Janice Irving, all who disclosed they selected Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. because what Priority One needed is a "Black president." Odd that skin color was the prime factor in their consideration and not competency or a history of achievement. It is seems that ignoring aptitude may be the reason why Priority One has been forced to close branches, lay-off employees and why it's net asset size has fallen since Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. was appointed President. 

Not alluded to in the lawsuit is the fact that in recent years, the credit union's Human Resources Department has shown preferential treatment to Hispanics. In 2011, the credit union's attorneys, Richardson Harmon Ober, began creating a defense that accused the former Burbank Branch Manager, Linda Nisely, of being a racist who hated Latins. Their intended ploy imploded when the law firm obtained statements from another Plaintiff, a former Business Development Representative, who is also Hispanic and who disclosed that Latins violating credit union policies were often exempted from disciplinary actions described in policy. 

The FSR's lawsuits is the second filed by a White female. In June 2009, the credit union hired Beatrice Walker, a White female. On July 8, 2011, she was terminated for failing to carryout her assigned duties and insubordination yet President Wiggington who was found guilty of sexually harassing a former employee, who took ownership over a member's automobile without paying any money against the member's outstanding automobile loan balance, who has caused more than $20 million in losses of net assets, and who has provoked the filing of lawsuits by four former employees, remains employed. Is the decision by the Board to retain his employment influenced by the fact he is a Black male? 

Mrs. Perez was not only a polarizing presence at the credit union but since being appointed AVP on January 1, 2007, had incessantly complained and slandered employees and provided Director of Human Resources, Rodger Smock, often exaggerated and fraudulent information about employees she wanted terminated. In fact, Mr. Smock not only became her number one enabler, he helped carryout her plots and was pivotal in sealing the fate of a large number of employees. 

Sylvia Perez's decision to publicly disparage and humiliate the FSR seems to have pushed the credit union into a precarious position. Fortunately, for the President and the Human Resources Department, the Board of Directors easily dredges money out of the credit union's coffers needed to forge defenses that utilize fraudulent allegations and evidence to try and defeat Plaintiffs and avoid what would assuredly be an embarrassing court trial. 

The statement contained under #23, shown below, may indicate that the FSR exhausted the statue of limits which allowed her to file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing though it is likely, the department advised her to seek legal counsel. .

As shown below, FSR’s attorney asserts that it is unlawful in the state of California for an employer to discriminate against an employee because of a disability which includes, pregnancy.

According to #37, below, AVP, Sylvia Perez, allegedly "began a smear campaign against the Plaintiff and attempted to find and/or fabricate a reason to terminate Plaintiff's employment." Historically, if Mrs. Perez launched a "smear campaign", it certainly wasn't the first nor was it the first in which she fabricated reasons used to justify termination of an employee. We saw her do this in 2007, when she fabricated excuses which she and Director of Human Resources, Rodger Smock, used to terminate the Van Nuys Branch Manager and later, the Business Development Representative assigned to the Burbank branch. The Plaintiff's attorney should also have no problem subpoenaing former co-workers of the FSR who can all readily attest to the slanderous statements made by Mrs. Perez about the FSR.   

 

The fact is, the campaign executed by Mrs. Perez could never have succeeded without the knowledge or assistance of either President Wiggington or Director of Human Resources, Rodger Smock. The complaint alleges the FSR's rights under FEHA were violated, but shouldn't Mr. Smock, as Director over Human Resources, have known that federal law was being violated? 

This is the fourth lawsuit filed be a former employee and the like the others, alleges the violation of state and federal laws, of credit union policy, and accuses Priority One's executive sector of slandering employee reputations. 

Is it coincidence that since the credit union was founded in 1926, at no time during it's more than 80 year history, has the credit union ever been sued by so many former employees or accused of violating employee rights guaranteed under state and federal law? The phenomena of lawsuits filed by former employees began after Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. was appointed President of the credit union. 

The President has also recently disclosed that settlements paid to settle the lawsuit filed by the former Burbank Branch Manager and a former Business Development Representative were paid from credit union funds and not it's insurance, however, the credit union may now have to begin filing claims with it's carrier should they enter into settlements for this and other lawsuits which may arise in the future. Additionally, the President has stated it is imperative the credit union squash all future lawsuits before they can proceed to court. If what the President says is true, he is again refusing to contend with the fact there is a lot of documented evidence supporting allegations leveled in every lawsuit filed by former employees. And even if the credit union could by chance succeed in crushing any of the lawsuits filed against it, Priority One will still have to contend with the fact it is spending exorbitant amounts one legal fees including paying legal fees for it's former COO, Beatrice Walker, who is named in the lawsuit filed by the last Valencia Branch Manager. 

By the way, the credit union continues to litigate the lawsuit filed by a former member whose confidential automobile information was published on the Internet by an employee of the credit union and because of the highly confidential nature of the information, probably published by an officer of the credit union. The credit union is also contending with a lawsuit filed by the member's former insurance carrier, Farmer's Mutual Automobile Insurance. Inc. One thing is certain, the credit union's legal problems are not going to be resolved at anytime soon and its spending on all things legal has skyrocketed since Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. was appointed President. 

VIOLATING CONFIDENTIALITY

During the process of revamping Priority One's webpage, President Wiggington and his staff have again violated confidentiality. 

The following documents describe the scope of Priority One’s right to share confidential member information. We’ve recently discovered that the credit union provided Foresee, a consulting firm, the personal email addresses of some former and current employees, allegedly for the purpose of gathering information pertaining to the quality of member service provided by the credit union. The alleged purpose of providing the firm with address is so that current and former employees could be asked about their opinions concerning the credit union's services and products. However, one has to wonder why inquiries were also sent to former employees who were terminated by the credit union and others who sued an all who are no longer members? 

We believe the chronically unclever President Wiggington was hoping employees that signed severance or settlement agreements would elicit negative and critical reactions about the credit union. The agreements signed by former employees prohibit them from disparaging the credit union. Of course, one would have to define what disparaging actually includes. Does commenting negatively about the credit union's poor member service constitute a violation of an agreement? President Wiggington is well aware that a violation of the agreements entered into could force former employees to repay the amount of severance or settlement paid to them by Priority One.  

But is the credit union's disclosure of addresses for former employees who are no longer members, actually legal? Why would the credit union want to solicit responses from individuals who closed their Priority One accounts. At the time an account is closed, members are asked to provide a reason for the closure. Doesn't also mailing out a letter to former employees who are no longer members and some, who were terminated, seem more than a little redundant? Is the credit union adhering to it's assurance "To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use" when it is releasing personal information without the consent of the former employee? 

^{In it's statement, the} credit union also refers to "security measure" but what does the term really entail? The credit union does not provide anything that describes the alleged "security measures." The credit union  also alludes to "computer safeguards" but what exactly is it referring to? We happen to know that all employees have access to member records maintained in XP. These include co-worker records. We also know the credit union forwards hardcopies of all documents to storage though no mention is made to this fact or how the credit union protects documents leaving any of it's remaining branches. 
 ^.

The credit union also states that they share information with Non-affiliates which includes insurance agents, mortgage brokers, and joint marketing partners "which include insurance agents and mortgage brokers." So how does the consulting firm qualify as a non-affiliate? 

The following is an excerpt from the consulting firm to a former employee is not a member and whose was terminated but who later sued and was paid a settlement by the credit union:  

The former employee and recipient of the email from Foresee has informed us that she was surprised and displeased that Priority One chose to release her mailing and email address to the consulting firm. 

WHEN A PERSON SHOWS 

YOU WHO THEY ARE- BELIEVE IT!

-MAYA ANGELOU -

January 1, 2013, will mark the sixth anniversary of Charles R. Wiggington, Sr.'s appointment to President. Can anyone name a single contribution he's made over the past six years that have contributed to the betterment of Priority One Credit Union? 

Since his appointment, President Wiggington has immersed the credit union  in scandals in caused it hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal spending. What's more, his business decisions have proven an abysmal failure while his hiring of executive personnel and consultants have done absolutely nothing to improve business and have further depleted the credit union's financial resources. Still, the Board of Directors and it's Chair, Diedra Harris-Brooks, have deemed it prudent to retain his employment and when necessary, have exacted all efforts to hide evidence proving he violated state and federal laws. 

In response to the credit union's looming and seemingly unresolvable problems, the President spent even more credit union monies to hire consultants who have decided that what the credit union needs most to resolve it's internal and external problems is a brand new website. Evidently the more than past five years have taught Charles R. Wiggington, Sr., nothing about prioritization or about the importance and need to understand the credit union's ethnically diverse marketplaces. 

Since April 2012, the amount of employees who have been terminated, who have resigned and who have left the credit union on medical leaves has skyrocketed and is unprecedented in the long history of the credit union. This past June, notorious and abusive AVP, Sylvia Perez fled the credit union on medical leave after being issued two written warnings for failing to meet her assigned monthly quotas. Why is it that in the years before quotas were issued, did Mrs. Perez boast about her alleged superior business development skills yet those excellent abilities disappeared suddenly with the advent of monthly sales quotas. Coincidence? Hardly. She not only spent years lying about her alleged non-evidenced accomplishments but she often berated her staff for failing to achieve her allegedly high standards. As 2012 proved, Mrs. Perez exaggerated her abilities and created a fictitious representation of her achievements. The fact is, Sylvia Perez knew nothing about developing new business as proven by her failure to achieve her monthly sales quotas during the months of February, March, April and May 2012. Yet in 2009 and without a single piece of evidence, the President declared that he wished all employees were like Sylvia Perez. We're 100% certain he'll never make that statement again. 

We previously reported that late last year, President Wiggington promoted Assistant Loan Manager, Joseph Garcia, to the post of AVP of Sales and Business Development despite the fact Mr. Garcia had not proven record of accomplishment in sales or business development. What's more, he amassed a well-documented record of failures which resulted in his demotion of every position he was promoted to in 2010. Recently, Mr. Garcia left on his second leave of absence since mid-2011. According to Mr. Garcia, he is again suffering from work-induced stress. 

Prior to his recent departure, Mr. Garcia confided to some staff members in South Pasadena that he is seeking new employment, complaining that CLO, Cindy Garvin, had demanded that he personally bring in new business or she would seek his termination. Initially, Mr. Garcia responded by visiting the communities in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys but his efforts failed to garner any new business. But this hardly should come as a surprise. Here is a summary of Mr. Garcia's promotions and demotions:

• January 2010: Promoted to the post of Call Center Supervisor. On January 2011, Mr. Garcia was stripped of his title of Call Center Supervisor
• February 2011: Promoted to Manager of Real Estate and Consumer Loan Development On July 2011, Mr. Garcia was stripped of his authority over Real Estate Development
• August 2011: Demoted to the post of Assistant Loan Manager

Mr. Garcia also revealed that Ms. Garvin ordered that he remain in the field until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Prior to be forced to work in the field, Mr. Garcia was often observed seeking new employment using his company-issued computer. 

The credit union's current focus is emphasizing the convenience of "virtual" services but none of these are going to resolve Priority One's internal issues plaguing it's operation. The problems at the credit union will continue as long as Charles R. Wiggington, Sr. remains President and CEO and while Diedra Harris-Brooks remain Chairperson of the Board of Directors. In the meantime, continue to expect the filing of more lawsuits and increased spending on attorneys hired to create stories designed to exonerate Priority One's abhorrent President of wrongdoing. 

To be continued......