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Chotin Tragedy
May 5, 1994 6:16 PM
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Dear Editor, I read your Editorial of April 8th, "The Death
of Ricky Chotin". The kindness and gentleness you expressed
were not unwarranted. However, being removed from the "scene
of the crime" by over one thousand miles, had a definite
"softening" effect on the actual story that should be told. I
would like to relate to you the feelings of those people in the
St. Louis area that knew Ricky. This included his close friends,
clients, business associates, and a multitude of other people.
When Kawin/Chotin was exposed for selling diamonds without
disclosure, I came to know Ricky very well. Ricky would call me
several times each day to discuss how I would handle specific
problems that were arising out of the mess. Ricky confided in me
the events leading up to this financial disaster. Even though
Ricky was President of Kawin/Chotin, he did what the Chairman of
the Board dictated. I truly believe that Ricky did not know that
what he was doing was against the law. He was never told by his
suppliers that disclosure was required. But, when he found out,
he did everything possible to right the many wrongs. He refunded
money to as many people as his bank account would allow. He
replaced "enhanced diamonds" with diamonds of color and clarity
that his customers were told they had originally purchased. He
did everything possible to correct the many wrongs until his
resources dried up. Why? He told me that he did it "because it
was the right thing to do." Did his suppliers come to his aid and
try to help? No. Did other jewelers in the area take advantage of
the situation? Yes. Did some of his customers also take
advantage? Yes. Did the Attorney General of Missouri and the
District Attorney of St. Louis do the job that we the people
elected them to office to do? NO!!! They stood by passively and
watched as circumstances built up and wreaked havoc upon Ricky.
Was Ricky guilty of the charges levied against him? Yes, and he
admitted it. The bottom line is, Kawin/Chotin was guilty of at
least five different kinds of fraud (mail, insurance,
misrepresentation, and the list goes on). This didn't happen
overnight. It took years and years to accumulate to this point.
It evidently became too much for Ricky to handle. Ricky was an
island, with waves lapping at his beaches from all sides. He was
never taught the difference between right and wrong, and he was
looking for "moral support" to help him through this bad
situation. Few people offered him this support and he finally
succumbed to the pressures. I, too, will miss this most
effervescent character. Even knowing what his business practices
were, you couldn't help but like Ricky after you met him. My only
wish is that he would have received the support he was so
desperately crying out for, and, that he would have had the
stamina to go on with his life. You are correct when you say
that this story is of epic proportions. We will never know all
that had transpired before his untimely death. We should,
however, remember Ricky and learn from his mistakes. Reginald F.
Thompson: GG, NGJA, GIA-AA Consulting Gemologist
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Tags:
GIA
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