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Sen. Van Pelt has new “multi-level marketing” scheme

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Illinois

* Remember this?…

Dozens of social media posts and promotional videos posted online reveal State Senator Patricia Van Pelt, a Chicago Democrat, is looking to cash in on cannabis and go “riding the wave with the rich” in the final days leading up to a highly anticipated vote that could legalize recreational marijuana for adult use in the state.

* And this?…

Senator Patricia Van Pelt, a Chicago Democrat, has been removed as a co-sponsor of the bill to legalize recreational cannabis after a report revealed she was selling tickets to her get-rich-quick seminars where she offered investment tips on hot cannabis stocks.

* She’s still at it…

Despite her gaudy invitation for paying customers to become “marijuana millionaires,” the fine print on Van Pelt’s new multi-level marketing materials warns of high risk and low rewards.

A disclaimer on her company website lists the starting cost for new members at $500, and warns that fewer than four percent of affiliates will ever earn enough commission money to recoup that cost. A compensation chart on her company’s site says 89 percent of participants make less than $100 per month.

And she’s apparently making up claims…

Toward the end of the winding 18-minute call with her fellow “Wakannapreneurs,” Van Pelt made a stunning claim that has since been disputed.

“I signed up Senators, and the Secretary of State, and the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court,” she said.

Reached by phone on Tuesday, a spokesman for Secretary of State Jesse White, whose office is overseeing an investigation into Van Pelt, vehemently denied any business relationship with Van Pelt, and said her account was “embellished.”

“Secretary White has nothing to do with Senator Van Pelt’s business,” spokesman Dave Druker said.

Dorothy Brown also denied involvement and Van Pelt walked it back.

The odd thing about all this is Sen. Van Pelt is a quiet legislator. She only passed one, small bill this year. You’d never know how gregarious and risk-taking she is in her side hustle. Weird.

Anyway, there’s plenty more to Mark Maxwell’s story, so go read the rest. Bizarre.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 10:15 am

Comments

The pot trailer bill should be dubbed the Van Pelt Amendment; so she and other legislators can make money off the industry.

Comment by Smoke Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 10:19 am
“gregarious and risk-taking”

That’s one way to classify MLM scheme people…

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 10:29 am
Add this to the list of issues to “study” and include in the ethics bill for next year.

Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 10:44 am
Funny, I have heard the “Secretary of State, and the Cook County Clerk” pitch before…. from an uber driver.

Then, it was a multi-level marketing scheme to get people to switch their gas and electricity supplier, and also wellness products. Now, its stock tips, I guess.

Comment by Ok Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 10:45 am
Since she was forces out as as co-sponsor of the cannabis bill, she thinks self dealing is now OK.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 10:58 am
The Senator recently filed SB 2295

Comment by Jack Ryan Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 11:05 am
The people of her district are lucky to be represented by her. She has the hustle down pat, do nothing in office except help unions and corporations and herself. Sounds about right

Comment by p Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 11:08 am
Since the Scorsese’s greatest work was already brought up today…
It was more like Patricia was enterprising, and that she was making a few bucks hustling, while all the other lawmakers were sitting on their backsides, waiting for handouts. The only way she could make extra money, real extra money, was to go out and cut a few corners.

Comment by phenom_Anon Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 11:11 am
What, in the name of God, is going on in the Sen Dem caucus these days? Are they sampling too many of their own brownies? Get a grip, people.

Comment by Linus Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 11:13 am
“What…..is going on in the Sen Dem caucus these days?” What may have been wrong is that this is nothing new - what’s new may be excellent journalists digging to uncover what has always been ‘routine’ felonies.

Comment by Sayitaintso Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 11:24 am
I would say that no one is getting rich on cannabis stocks lately. They have been trending lower lately, perhaps unfairly, due to the vaping problems. For investors with limited knowledge of a fairly new industry and wanting to diversify their risk, I would recommend looking into one of the ETF’s covering the cannabis industry. But I would hesitate jumping in yet. So save your $500 and use the money on Jan 1 to buy some weed.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 11:25 am
When you got the likes of Dorothy Brown distancing themselves from you . . .

Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 11:27 am
I’m optimistic that redistricting will sort this one out in 2022.

Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 12:10 pm
It could happen sooner than 2022.

Comment by James Knell Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 1:37 pm
So the payout on her scheme is just like Lucy Van Pelt pulling away the football.

Comment by Ivesdale Wednesday, Nov 13, 19 @ 6:17 pm