The LACC Collegian newspaper struck another blow for the free press rights of college students yesterday by extorting $9000 from Wells Fargo.
Here's what happened: LACC Collegian Editor, Frank Elaridi, had filed an application with Wells Fargo to obtain funding to support the college paper. His request was denied. At relatively the same time, Wells Fargo had announced that it would give $1000 each, to 9 LACC students who had been receipients of the Osher Foundation scholarships from Wells Fargo. WF accidentally sent the $9000 check for the scholarships to the Collegian. When the error was discovered, college officials froze the money to correct the error and get the money to its intended recipients. Unufortunately, Elaridi, being the unethical individual that he is, did not accept the error and upon hearing of the college's actions, placed what WF personnel referred as an extremely threatening phone call, demanding the money. He also contacted state senator, Leland Yee's chief of staff Adam Kiegwen, who apprently followed up with a threatening phone call of his own. In response, WF agreed to give another $9000 to the Collegian.
Now some might think, all's well that ends well. Not so. Because, while the Collegian may have received a nice donation for this year, that maneuver cost LACC students $30,000 in scholarships as WF pulled out as one of the anchor sponsors of LACC's 80th anniversary gala next fall. one can also assume that this experience has so damaged LACC's relationship with WF that we have likely lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in the future.
Way to go Frank!
