RandyTravis' Blog

Annamalai Annamalai, also known as Dr. Commander Selvam, turned himself in to the Gwinnett County jail this afternoon. Above is his mug shot.

Dr. Commander faces one felony count of theft by taking and one felony count of practicing medicine without a license. I'm told his bond will be around $110,000.

Count one involves the unauthorized use of a follower's credit card to the tune of $1751.

Count two deals with another out-of-state follower who contacted Dr. Commander for help on a stomach issue. As we reportec earlier, she says the swamiji told her to stop taking her prescribed medicine and start rubbing a jelly/sand combination on her body instead. She says he rang up nearly $14,000 in unauthorized charges on her credit card.

Police simultaneously executed search warrants yesterday at the Hindu Temple of Georgia and Dr. Commander's Sugarloaf County Club mansion. They left with computers and other records. After they analyze these items authorities say more charges are possible.

What do you think will happen to the Hindu Temple of Georgia now?

Pit bulls are probably the most misunderstood breed of dogs today. Dog fighters love to abuse them, but in the right hands they can be loving, people-friendly pets. Abused pit bulls pose the biggest challenge.

When Barking Hound Village Foundation took over management of Fulton County Animal Services earlier this year, a new director was brought on board. Jere Alexander says pit bulls are her favorite breed. She even has an on-line website, www.pitarchive.org which was taken down shortly after she became aware of our investigation. She calls it a research site, with information about the history of dog fighting and the pit bull breed itself. She says it was taken down for maintenance, not because of our investigation. Although Ms. Alexander says she has done "field work" in the area of dog fighting, she condemns the practice.

Critics claim Ms. Alexander put dogs at risk when she took control of the shelter, a claim she denies. The current and former employees tell the I-Team she routinely looked the other way when her favorite breed went on the attack. They insist she refused to euthanize obviously aggressive pit bulls. Those pits, in turn, attacked other dogs in the pens. Insiders claim dog attacks and deaths inside the shelter have risen dramatically since Barking Hound Village Foundation took over. The management there tells us they don't keep such statistics.

Our investigation digs up what really happened when a vicious dog ticket mysteriously disappeared a few months ago. That dog was a pit bull. We explore why Ms. Alexander had her own pit bulls chained on her property multiple times, in violation of DeKalb County's anti-chaining ordinance. We also reveal just how easy it was for an undercover I-Team producer to be approved to adopt an aggressive pit bull from the Fulton County Animal Shelter, even though he made a point of telling everyone at the shelter he hadn't even bothered to take the dog out of the cage.

The investigations airs Thursday and Friday at 6 and 10 pm. I'm sure we'll be airing follow-up stories as well.

Please share your thoughts.

For the last four years I've been honored to serve as the master of ceremonies for the Governor's Public Safety Awards. These awards salute the men and women of our state's public safety and emergency services who performed extraordinary deeds. Often what they did saved lives.

Here's a list of this year's honorees and what they did. Some of these read like a Hollywood movie script.

Congratulations to all. 

Daniel Shane Burke, Duane Owens, and Trevin A. Moore - Sylvania Fire Department

In the early morning hours of January 24, 2008, a newspaper carrier observed fire coming from an apartment and called 911. Units from the Sylvania Fire Department responded and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the residence. Firefighters Moore, Burke and Owens entered the structure and found a woman unconscious, lying face down. They removed her from the building and Burke immediately began CPR on the victim after no pulse was found. After a few minutes, she regained consciousness. Firefighters searched other apartment units and began fighting the blaze. The victim was turned over to responding ambulance personnel and airlifted to Augusta due to smoke inhalation and burns to her body. Her life was saved by the quick response of these firefighters.

 Drew Hood, Scott Phillips, Josh Shoemaker - Catoosa County Fire -Rescue

On September 3, 2007, Catoosa County Rescue Engines were dispatched to a multi-unit apartment structure fire in Ringgold. While en route, the 911 Center reported a woman trapped upstairs in her apartment. Under extreme heat and heavy smoke conditions, Firefighters Drew Hood and Josh Shoemaker entered the apartment building without the protection of a hose line, made their way upstairs, and found the victim lying beside the bed. She was extricated out of the building and delivered to a waiting medic unit. Firefighter Scott Phillips pulled a hose line to the front of the apartment and charged it. He placed a ladder to the 2nd floor window and was attempting to enter the window to search for the victim. Firefighters Hood and Shoemaker then used the hose line to extinguish a heavily involved kitchen fire. These three dedicated firefighters are credited with saving this person’s life.

 Dorminey McCrae - Tifton Police Department

On April 7, 2008, Officer Dorminey McCrae responded to an armed robbery call at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store. The suspect was armed with a handgun, holding a teenage store clerk hostage and trying to exit the building. The suspect went back into the store office with the hostage. Officer McCrae entered the store and positioned himself on top of a counter where he could see over the top of a wall and into the office. The 16-year-old hostage remained calm while making eye contact with the officer but not alerting the suspect. She moved her lips, saying, "Shoot him." As she moved away from the suspect, Officer McCrae fired one shot striking the suspect in the forehead. There is no doubt that Officer McCrae’s ability to remain calm and patient until an opportunity for a clear shot helped end this incident with no physical harm to an innocent person.

Stacy Prater - Life Force III

While driving home from work on July 18, 2007, Stacy Prater noticed flames coming from the bottom of the car in front of him. Paramedic Prater tried to notify the driver by blowing his horn while he called 911. When the vehicle stopped, the undercarriage was engulfed in flames. The female driver got out and pulled two children out. She ran away from the car screaming that another child was still inside. Prater could see the child strapped inside and entered the heavily involved car to get the child out. His first attempts were unsuccessful so he used his medical shears to cut the straps on the seat, rescuing the child. Prater’s quick and brave actions prevented what could have been a tragic ending for these four people

 Frank G. Rhodes - Georgia Department of Corrections

On July 26, 2007, Surveillance Officer Frank Rhodes, along with Probation Officers Benn Dunn and Wes Yawn, were traveling on Aviation Drive in Thomaston when they noticed smoke coming from a nearby trailer. Officer Yawn called 911 while Rhodes and Dunn approached the trailer while heavy smoke and flames were coming from the front. Rhodes observed a man inside trying to break a window with his fist. Rhodes broke the glass with his flashlight. While the occupant was trying to crawl out, a propane tank inside the trailer exploded, sending shrapnel flying and knocking Officer Dunn off his feet. Officer Rhodes ran back to the window and pulled the man out and away from the fire. Thanks to Officer Rhodes, the occupant only suffered minor injuries and was saved from the fire.

Sammie Joe Cephus - Montezuma Fire and Emergency Services

On September 29, 2007, at 10:00 p.m., Captain Sammie Cephus, while off duty, came upon an automobile accident in Montezuma. The vehicle had struck a tree and had started to burn. Two of the four passengers were trapped inside the vehicle. Captain Cephus entered the rear seat, and with no available equipment and no protective clothing, moved the front seat to the rear, allowing police officers to remove a passenger from the vehicle. Captain Cephus reentered the front seat and removed the driver from the burning vehicle and pulled him to safety. He then helped fellow firefighters extinguish the burning vehicle. Both passengers were taken to the Burn Center in Augusta. Due to Captain Cephus’ efforts, both survived.

Scott Short - Georgia State Patrol

Sgt. First Class Scott Short was on his way home on January 23, 2008, when he came upon a head-on collision between a passenger vehicle and a log truck on GA Hwy 98 that had occurred just minutes earlier. He learned that the driver of the log truck was trapped in the cab of the vehicle off the roadway and that the vehicle was on fire. Grabbing a fire extinguisher, SFC Short, along with a civilian, ran to the truck. Two fires were spreading - one under the cab and another at the fuel tank that had ignited the logs. Short climbed under the cab and extinguished the fire. He and the civilian were able to partially open the cab door and pull the driver to safety while the fire from the fuel tanks and logs continued to grow. Because of Short’s brave actions, the truck driver escaped the crash with only minor injuries.

 R.S. Caviness - DeKalb County Police Department

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on May 11, 2008, Sgt. Rick Caviness responded to a vehicle accident on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Upon arrival, he found a truck down an embankment, with two occupants in the truck and the cab on fire. A passenger was unable to escape because of his injuries. Sgt. Caviness extricated the passenger and moved him to safety. He returned to the truck, where the fire was growing, and found the driver was semi-conscious and unable to help himself. At great risk to his personal safety, Caviness freed the driver as the vehicle became fully involved in fire. After moving the driver to safety, Sgt. Caviness administered first aid to both injured victims until Fire Rescue arrived. Due to his quick response and willingness to face danger, Sgt. Caviness saved the lives of the two occupants of the vehicle.

Michael Dahnke - Columbus Police Department

On March 27, 2008, the Columbus 911 Center received numerous calls and immediately dispatched officers to a shooting incident at the Doctor’s Hospital. A gunman had shot and killed two persons on the 5th floor and was leaving the hospital. The suspect shot and killed a man sitting in a truck next to his car, then got into his vehicle and began driving away. He fired several shots at Deputy Marshal Alicia Davenport who had just pulled into the parking lot. While doing so, he was confronted by Officer Johnathan Goodrich and Officer Greg Anderson, and they too came under fire. Detective Michael Dahnke stepped out from behind cover and ordered the gunman to stop. The suspect turned to confront him and Dahnke shot him in the right shoulder, ending the shooting spree. Dahnke acted above and beyond the call of duty and at the risk of his own personal safety when he stepped out of cover to confront the shooter.

Jason Elliott - Brunswick Police Department

On March 2, 2008, Sgt. Jason Elliott responded to the Sidney Lanier Bridge in reference to a male standing over the rail of the bridge. The decking of the bridge is approximately 250 feet above the river. It appeared the man was distraught and was possibly going to jump. Sgt. Elliott assured him he was there to help, calming the man while stepping cautiously toward him. The man slightly turned his body and began looking down at the water below. Sgt. Elliott moved into position, grabbed and pulled him over the guardrail and onto the bridge decking. He was able to subdue and control the person until an emergency squad could arrive to transport him to a hospital. Thanks to his heroic and selfless actions, Sgt. Elliot saved a life.

James M. Huth - Gwinnett County Police Department

On January 3, 2008, the Gwinnett County Police Department’s North Precinct Community Response Team went to a residence in Sugar Hill to serve felony warrants. Sgt. McKeithan and Cpl. Hoch went inside the residence and up the stairs to the suspect’s bedroom. When they were at the top of a flight of stairs, the suspect opened fire on them with a high-powered rifle, severely wounding both officers. Officer Huth heard the shots from outside and went into the house. He exchanged gunfire with the subject, striking the gunman in the arm and forcing him to withdraw to his bedroom. Officer Huth then carried one of the wounded officers out of the house. Outside, he provided cover while the wounded officers were moved to a safer position where they could receive medical attention. Officer Huth risked his own life to rescue his fellow officers.

 CONTRIBUTION TO PROFESSION

Don T. Cargile - Athens Regional Medical Center EMS

Don Cargile has been EMS Director at Athens Regional Medical Center since 1983, making him one of Georgia’s longest serving EMS Directors. His many accomplishments include working with the medical staff at the University of Georgia Health Services to coordinate medical coverage for over 92,000 spectators attending the home football games at UGA. He served as the First Responder Coordinator for medical responders and ambulances covering the soccer venue for the 1996 Olympic Games. Cargile worked with Senior Paramedics and Social Workers in the development of a follow-up program for frequent users of the EMS system and assisted in the development of a very successful injury prevention program. He has received numerous awards and accolades across the state. His 36-year career is exemplary and his professionalism is unquestioned. No finer example exists of an individual who has made stellar contributions to public safety and public health than Don Cargile.

M.L. "Bud" Owens - Floyd Hospital EMS

A lifelong resident of Calhoun, Bud Owens has had a long career in Emergency Medical Services. He has received numerous awards for volunteer service, including Gordon County Volunteer of the Year and Adventist Health System’s International Community Service Award. He led Gordon County Hospital EMS to be named regional, state, and national service of the year in 2001. Owens has been named regional EMS Director of the Year seven times and Georgia Director of the Year in 2004. He has served in leadership positions with the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, United Way, and the Exchange Club. He has served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for eight years and was chairman in 2005. He is now the Director of Floyd Hospital EMS and is still very active in Gordon County. Bud Owens’ belief in making a positive impact in our world is evidenced by his commitment to service.

Dr. Robbie R. Friedmann - Public Safety partnerships, Georgia State University

Dr. Robbie Friedmann has devoted his life to educating law enforcement professionals and the corporate sector to improve public safety services and develop counter-terrorism protocols to ensure a safer Georgia. Growing up in Israel and serving as a young Israeli military officer, Dr. Friedmann experienced first-hand the challenges facing a free society. Through his personal experiences and years of study, Dr. Friedmann earned international recognition as an expert on counter-terrorism and Middle Eastern affairs. In 1992, he created the Georgia-International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE.) Many of the security measures learned from our international counterparts were successfully implemented by Georgia law enforcement during international security events such as the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the Group of Eight Summit at Saint Simon’s Island. Because of the vision of Dr. Friedmann, hundreds of law enforcement officers are better prepared to continue the fight against terrorism.

R. L. "Chuck" Kelley - Stone Mountain Park Department of Public Safety

Chuck Kelley is the Chief of Police and Fire for Stone Mountain Park Department of Public Safety. He is a certified Police Officer, Firefighter, and EMT, and has served as an EMT instructor. Chief Kelley is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He has served on committees for the 1996 Olympics, GACP Certification Standards, and ALEA Regional Safety Seminars. Through the Georgia-International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE), Chief Kelley has hosted delegates from London and Israel at the Park. He has been credited with saving 20 lives during his career. He started the Mountain Rope Rescue Team and the Automatic Defibrillator Program at the Park and was personally involved in saving many lives. Chief Kelley oversees the department but also actively responds to calls and stays involved in the daily operations of the Park. With 35 years public safety experience, Chief Kelley is considered a tremendous asset to his department and community.

          So there I was… driving home from church with my wife this weekend when she suddenly pointed and literally screamed, “there’s one over there!”

          Usually I have no idea what she’s talking about in situations like this. Most situations, actually. But not this time.

          Like an eagle eyeing a doomed rabbit, my wife had spotted a gasoline tanker truck pulling into a gas station. Using driving skills I honed during years as a news reporter/photographer, I expertly wheeled our car across two lanes of traffic and screeched to a stop in front of Pump #1 right behind a Mercedes SUV. Remember that SUV. As you’ll soon read, the driver qualifies as a moron.

          This was not a big gas station. Eight pumps. A tiny parking lot. By the time I turned off my engine and turned around, at least 20 other cars had pulled in, blocking the tanker from doing much of anything.

          The poor convenience store owner ran outside, begging drivers to back up, give the tanker room, “I promise I give you gas,” he said, maintaining as friendly a smile as possible.

          Meantime, the Mercedes SUV driver sat in his car, engine running, stereo thumping, waiting for the tanker to unload his fuel.

          On each pump the store owner had taped a big sign, “Maximum amount: $25. Pay by charge or cash inside. We want to make sure everyone gets some gas.” That meant about 6 gallons of gasoline for each car. Sounded fair to me.

          After 20 minutes, the tanker truck was empty and had managed to maneuver his way through what had now become a crowd of about 50 cars. The Mercedes SUV driver turned off his engine, got out of his car and walked inside. My wife followed so she could pay our $25 when he was finished.

          The other seven drivers quickly emerged, pumped their gas and drove off.

          But it took another 10 minutes before Mr. Mercedes walked back outside. After he finally pumped and left, my wife walked outside a minute later. Here’s what she said happened inside:

          Mr. Mercedes to clerk: I want $60 worth of gas.

          Confused clerk: No, only $25.

          Mr. Mercedes: What? No, I want $60.

          More confused clerk: But sign says $25.

          Mr. Mercedes: What? I need $60 to get work.

          Amazed clerk: 25 dollars.

          After a few more minutes of that, the driver finally paid his $25.

          “I watched him pay,” my wife said, “and then he turned and went in a different direction than the door. I couldn’t figure out where he was going and then I realized it. He decided to go the bathroom.”

           While the rest of the world waited for gas, this guy decided this would be a good time to go wash up first.

          I hope everyone gets enough gas to get to work this week. But I really hope I see one Mercedes SUV stuck on the side of the road and a driver thumbing his way to the bathroom.

Plenty of companies have come apart at the seams during this rocky economy, especially those that fix their survival on the lending markets. Just look at the government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Times are tough.

So is the economy to blame for what's happening to Alpharetta-based SeedAmerica? The non-profit laid off virtually its entire workforce this summer.

The company's original mission was to convince big name firms to donate their shuttered buildings in exchange for a tidy tax break. In all, SeedAmerica collected $50 million in real estate, with the promise it would find new tenants for those buildings. The seed part of SeedAmerica involves nurturing new job growth in those communities socked with rising unemployment.

Some of those communities now claim SeedAmerica let them down. Some former employees agree. They also accuse SeedAmerica's executives of taking advantage of workers' faith, tricking them into staying on the job without pay even longer by quoting scripture while the company's funds shriveled up.

SeedAmerica CEO Joseph Johnson insists everyone will eventually get paid and the company will rise again. He says new loans could come within the next 60 to 90 days.

That's a promise former employees have heard for months now.

Since our investigation earlier this month into the Hindu Temple of Georgia, we've received hundreds of emails and blog entries. The reaction is virtually the same: condemnation of the Temple leader and what we caught him doing.

Members of the Hindu community here and across the country say Dr. Commander Selvam Siddhar's actions left them stunned and saddened. They say a Hindu swami should never allow alcohol or meat on temple grounds. They shook their heads at his high-stepping lifestyle, driving expensive cars and living in a million dollar country club mansion. And they could not believe how much he tried to profit off the vulnerabilities of followers who sought his help.

Wednesday at 6 and 10 we examine a series of 911 calls the swami and some of his staff made to Gwinnett County police. Dr. Commander, whose real name is Annamalai Annamalai, claimed someone was calling him threatening to blow up his Norcross temple. He ultimately fingered someone who had been publically complaining about Dr. Commander's questionable business activities.

Was there ever really a bomb threat? Or was this a waste of police time and resources simply to scare away criticism?

The real estate market is tanking. Houses sit for months unsold. What's a homeowner to do? Hire a home staging company!

Home staging is all the rage in metro Atlanta. The company brings in someone to live in your empty house. That "home manager" brings along their furniture and pays your utility bills. The idea is your house shows better and sells quicker if someone is actually living there.

The home staging company makes its money by charging the home manager a discounted rent on your house. You don't pay a dime.

So everyone wins, right?

Well, not everyone. Starting Monday at 6 and 10, we show you what happened when one home manager made a mess. Not only did she refuse to keep the house clean, this woman brought along her risque side job: running an escort service! Then when the homeowner dropped by to show the house, the escort refused to let her inside.

And as you'll see, once a Homestager from Hell is in your house, it isn't easy to get them out.

So apparently Georgians aren't quite as clueless as some might like to think.

A local company thought it had figured out a way to make some easy money: get car dealers to sign up for a Cash Rewards program that could be used to generate bigger car sales. The dealership could offer big rebates on new cars, rebates that the Cash Rewards company would pay out. All the dealership had to do was pay Cash Rewards 15.5% of the rebate. So if the rebate was $1000, the dealership was only on the hook for $155. Cash Rewards would have to pay the rest.

Cash Rewards figured they would pocket big money by making it extremely difficult for the consumer to quality for the rebate. First, the customer had to apply shortly after buying their car. Then, the customer had to wait 39 months, that's right, three and a half years, before sending in the remaining paperwork. Cash Rewards figured only about 20 percent of the people would bother to do all that, allowing the company to pay out the full amount and still make a nice profit.

Turns out, Georgians are more diligent than the company ever imagined. Cash Rewards says as many as 60 percent did everything right. However, instead of paying the full amount, the company reduced everyone's rebate. One Suwanee woman thought she was getting $5000. She wound up with $919. Plus, the company delivered the check months later than promised.

Do you have a rebate horror story? Should companies like this be audited to ensure they really don't have enough rebate money set aside for all the customers who qualify?

We seek to get the other side in every investigation we do. Sometimes, the other side just doesn't want to talk. Fair enough. That's certainly up to them. But we still do our best to hear what they have to say.

I spent nearly a month trying to talk to the leader of the Hindu Temple of Georgia, Dr. Commander Selvam. When I called the Temple and left a message with his high priest, instead of getting a return call we discovered "No Trespassing Hindus Only Allowed" signs quickly posted around the complex.

I left a message on Mr. Selvam's cell phone. He called back and hung up when I answered. Then I left a phone message with one of his children at the Sugarloaf Country Club mansion he owns. He didn't return that call either.

It was only in the minutes leading up to the airing of our investigation this week that we finally heard from the Swami: in the form of an email and fax sent to the I-Team. I had hoped he'd explain why he rents out his temple grounds for alcohol and meat related festivities, a clear violation of Hindu beliefs. I wanted to know why he claims to have other temples that actually exist only in the magazine he self-publishes. I thought perhaps he'd provide proof he really is a doctor or a commander since there seems to be growing doubt about that.

He did not answer my questions. Instead he challenged the credibility of some of the people we interviewed in our original story. The following is the letter he sent today exactly the way it was written. Afterward, you can read the explanations from the people themselves.

We wanted to make sure you got their side, too.

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Om Namashivaya

July 22, 2008

Dr. Commander Selvam

Hindu Temple of Georgia

5900 Brookhollow Parkway

Norcross GA 30071

Re : Fox 5 Broadcast

Mr. Michael Carlin, Producer

Fox 5 News

Dear Mr. Carlin

I viewed with great interest and dismay your broadcast of July 21, 2008 at 06.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m.. It is clear that you used as your sole resource for the broadcast three individuals who again, have declared themselves enemies of the Hindu Temple. Of course, this fact is apparent from the nature of their statements in your broadcast and your attempt to capitalize on the animus that they hold for me and the Hindu Temple. It appears that you solicited and employed their scandalous and defamatory remarks concerning myself and the Hindu Temple without doing a scintilla of fact checking. It seems to me that if you have the constitutional right to exploit the freedom of the press then you also have the constitutional duty to fact check the information which you publish and disseminate on the public airways for truth and veracity. You have utterly failed in this constitutional challenge and I find it personally disgraceful.

One of your primary sources, Chandra Loganathan, approached the Hindu Temple in June of 2007 for an astrology reading. He became so enamored with the Temple that he became a volunteer for the Temple and a consultant and Vice President of Marketing for the Siddhi Times, the official Temple National Magazine without compensation. This should have been apparent to you as you used certain portions of the Siddhi Times on your July 21, 2008 broadcasts. Had you attempted to do any level of professional fact checking, starting with the Siddhi Times, which you had possession of, you would have determined that Mr. Loganathan was the Vice President of Marketing from late June 2007 through January 2008. There are attachments to this email that substantiate not only his contributions to the Siddhi Times, again the official magazine of the Temple, his business being advertised in the Siddhi Times, but also appearance of numerous members of his family in the Siddhi Times showing their clear support for the Temple. His unsubstantiated defamatory statement concerning the Hindu Temple wherein he stated that within a week of his becoming associated with the Temple he noticed something "fishy" does not explain how he continued to remain and support the Temple, write articles for the Siddhi Times, cause pictures of each member of his family to be published in the Siddhi Times in support of the Temple and advertise his business, Kumon, a match teaching service, in the Siddhi Times for the following seven months. If he found things "fishy", what compelled him to become involved so deeply in this alleged "fishy" organization ? Thus, one of your principal witness against the Temple is completely devoid of any credibility for the statements that he made, which you broadcast and failed to verify. You obviously made no attempt to learn the length and depth of Mr. Loganathan's relationship with the Temple. You would think that with his long tenure with the Temple that he would be able to marshal more than four instances of credit card claims when the Temple has processed approximately 1200 transactions over the last 18 months, all of which were ultimately resolved. This is a small percentage in consideration of the number of transactions. Moreover, his statement that somehow the Temple was allowed to keep someone's credit card for three days to make subsequent swipes is totally unbelievable who leaves their credit card anywhere so that subsequent transactions can take place ? Totally incredible.

I have attached for your perusal just a sampling of certain emails which has the Temple as its subject matter which were received from Mr. Loganathan and his wife Ananthi. Clearly, Mr. Loganathan and his wife did not find anything "fishy" about the Temple for some seven months while he was Vice President of Marketing for the Siddhi Times, participated in numerous worship services and caused the business, his images and the images of his family to be published in the Siddhi Times repeatedly. Your chief witness has no credibility and frankly you should be ashamed of yourself for employing his scandalous and defamatory misrepresentations in the manner that you did without first checking his facts and his credibility.

Another prominent bit of defamation was the piece where Valmiki and Sundaram Raghunathan are recounting a "nightmarish" experience in renting the auditorium of the Temple from Dr. Commander. They discuss the fee that was charged, the number of days they were present and again, the "nightmarish" experience that ensued. As an attachment to this email there is a soundtrack from the last 5 days of the visit and use of the Auditorium. On the soundtrack you will hear sundaram Raghunathan extolling the hospitality and virtues of the Temple and most specifically the courtesies of Dr. Commander. This is directly in conflict with the scandalous and defamatory comments which were made by the Raghunathans and published by you concerning their rental of the Temple auditorium. Obviously, no effort was made the fact check anything in the broadcast concerning the rental of the auditorium for the five day period.

In good faith, I challenge you to cause my refutation of Monday, July 21, 2008, and this email to be read on the air during your broadcast. You only choose to publish a very small portion of my correspondence. I hope you can appreciate that, as yet, I have chosen not to subject myself to the indignities of the editing process of certain news organizations. You will obtain one-half hour of video tape from me and after editing will publish 20 seconds which will make me appear to fit the image which you are trying to craft for me. Those who become targets of news shows such as yours are powerless to defend themselves on a level playing field.

Once again, based upon the foregoing and the enclosed I have clearly established my claims which I earlier forwarded to you in my Monday, July 21, 2008. As I have earlier advised you, at the end of the day the Indian and Hindu Community are greatly disappointed in your broadcast and clearly see that your efforts are not informative but destructive. Of course, we deny all derogatory information in your broadcast.

Finally, I understand that you intend to finish your defamatory broadcast of myself and the Hindu Temple on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 6.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. I am sure that these broadcasts were completed some time ago and that you employed the same level of fact checking in the second installment as you did in the fists. I would like to caution you that the fallout from these broadcasts will not merely be the emails that I have sent you entreating you to suspend your efforts to defame me and the Hindu Temple. I trust you will govern yourself accordingly.

Regards

Commander Selvam

Hindu Temple of Georgia

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(Valmiki Raghunatan's response)

This unauthorized recording was on the last day of the 5-day program. One more hour of program was remaining when Annamalai, through his then secretary, Chitra Ramki approached us and demanded that he be given stage time of at least 15 minutes to address the gathering. She wanted us to thank him, and introduce her - so she could introduce him and invite him to talk. We mentioned that the 300+ people had gathered to listen to Prof. Prema Pandurang and NOT him. To that, Chitra Ramki told us that Annamalai would switch off the lights and turn us out immediately. As organizers, we decided to give in to the demand lest there be an unpleasant situation in front of the visiting religious scholar and the 300-strong audience.

I reiterate the absolute unpleasant experience we had during those 5 days in 2006.

(Sundarum Raghunatan's response)

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I will post Chandra Loganathan's response later on this blog.

You've probably heard a lot about the "Prosperity Gospel," where some Christian preachers make no effort to hide their rich lifestyles, insisting it's God's wish for everyone to be prosperous. There's actually an investigation in Congress right now looking at whether those church leaders, including two metro Atlanta ministers, are dodging IRS rules.

The I-Team discovered a different version: a local Hindu leader who sure acts rich and famous.

Beginning Monday at 6 and 10, we investigate the Hindu Temple of Georgia and its controversial leader, Dr. Commander Selvam. He calls himself a traveling monk, a guru, a swami, a siddhar. His critics call him a fraud.

We found he certainly breaks the mold of what most Americans might imagine when they think of a Hindu religious leader.

Instead of being uninterested in the trappings of worldly possessions, this swami lives in a million-dollar mansion, drives expensive cars and encourages the faithful to pay thousands of dollars to his Temple. What do his followers get in return? His prayerful help in warding off a variety of problems, everything from marriage and immigration issues, to "bad dreams," "black magic" and "evil power."

Our story investigates allegations of credit card fraud, deceptive advertising and claims this swami has founded lots of other Hindu temples across the country. The truth is hilarious to see.

But it's what Dr. Commander told two undercover I-Team members that has some Hindus outraged about what's really going on inside the Hindu Temple of Georgia.

I took the bus to work the other day, a major accomplishment since I don't live anywhere near a bus line.

It happened on a recent Friday, not because gas is $4 a gallon, but because I wanted my daughter to meet me later in Atlanta for a Braves game without having to worry about two cars. OK, maybe the $4 a gallon part had a little to do with it, too.

I live in Gwinnett County, a place that when I first moved there 18 years ago refused to even consider accepting MARTA as an alternative to driving. I think the vote was 70-30 against the idea that year. Next week, Gwinnett voters get another chance in a non-binding vote to decide whether they want to spend an extra penny in sales tax to fund a MARTA rail line from Doraville to Gwinnett Place Mall, with stops on Jimmy Carter and Indian Trail.

Here's my safe prediction: the vote won't be 70-30 this time. I've actually taken the GRTA bus a few times from the Discover Mills lot, meeting my photographer at a MARTA station and then on to our story. I always counted about a hundred cars in the Discover Mills lot. This last time? At least 500 I would guess. It took me a while to even find a spot to park my car.

Obviously, the $4 monster has affected some commuters and the way they're choosing to get into town. I think the frustrating traffic has also pushed some people over the mass transit edge.

For me, I had to meet my photographer for a surveillance we were doing near Jimmy Carter Blvd. But my bus only stopped at Indian Trail before heading into the city. So I got off and walked the remaining 1.7 miles that morning to meet the undercover van already in place.

I had a long time to think about $4 a gallon, public transportation, my car and my feet.

What makes a good father? In all the crime stories I've covered involving young people, I'd say many of them would have avoided trouble if they simply had a father around who cared about them.

 Raising teenagers is hard enough with two full-time parents in the house. I can't imagine what it would be like to be on my own with mine, especially for those crucial decisions like which hair-straightener to buy.

But seriously, what if you knew for sure you wouldn't be around to answer the real important questions? Would you do what Randy Pausch has done?

For those who haven't heard, Mr. Pausch is a Carnegie Mellon professor who is dying from pancreatic cancer. He gave his last lecture at the university in September, 2007. That talk has led to a best selling book, "The Last Lecture." It's a quick, easy read about a man who has his priorities straight. It's his way of leaving a time capsule for his three young children so they'll understand what their father was like, long after he's gone.

Here's a link to the video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Sunday will be Mr. Pausch's last Father's Day. But thanks to his foresight, his children will always know they had a dad who cared deeply about what will happen to them for the rest of their lives.

     Part one of our investigation profiled Evelyn Nelson, a longtime Toccoa pet store owner who happens to have a criminal record. Twice in three years a judge convicted her on animal abuse-related charges. Yet the state of Georgia still gave her a new pet dealer license.

     State regulators told us they were unaware of the extent of abuse. After our story aired last night, Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin called Toccoa city marshal Ken Cox and said if he moved to arrest Ms. Nelson his department would support his decision.

     Trouble is, Mr. Cox isn't sure what to charge her with. He's been closely monitoring her pet store since he ordered it temporarily shut down last year for unsanitary conditions. He says that intense inspection has led to improved conditions, even though he's still upset the state didn't take away her license after her second criminal conviction.

     Our story also pointed out that Ms. Nelson didn't answer truthfully on her relicense applicaton when it asked whether she had been "found in violation of any law, rule, regulation or quarantine related to animals."

     Commissioner Irvin is suggesting she be arrested for perjury, but the city marshal says it's more of a case of making a false statement, something the state should pursue. State workers will be meeting with the marshal later this week to decide what to do.

     Meanwhile, the second part of our investigation profiles two other licensed breeders who got multiple chances from the state to straighten up. L&D Kennels in Nicholson was cited at least 35 times by state inspectors over the last couple of years, yet it still got a new license every year.

     In February of this year, Jackson County authorities charged the owners with multiple counts of animal abuse after a former employee tipped them off about outrageous conditions inside the kennel. The state revoked L&D's license. Why didn't the state do something earlier?

     Why did the state give Miniature Dachshunds of Georgia a probationary license, even though customers have successfully sued the breeder more than a dozen times? At issue, selling sick puppies... or not providing the proper AKC papers. The state even caught Miniature Dachshunds of Georgia selling puppies after the owners let their license lapse. Instead of shutting them down, the state allowed the breeder to stay in business.

     When we showed up unannounced, the co-owner wouldn't let us down to see where the dogs are actually housed. He said he hadn't started cleaning up, even though we showed up around lunchtime.

     So how do you make sure you're not buying a puppy... from a puppy mill? Here are some suggestions I've gathered from various sources and my own observations.

      * Be suspicious of everyone. That means asking a lot of questions, even if the breeder seems to be a nice elderly woman living out in the country. Two of the three breeders we investigated in our series fall into that category.

     * Avoid flea markets and people who want to meet you in a parking lot somewhere to show you the puppies. Demand to see where the puppies have been raised, including where the parents are housed. If they have an excuse for why you can't visit, that's your reason to look somewhere else.

     * Puppies should be at least eight weeks before they're taken from their mother. Avoid breeders who want to sell you one earlier.

     * Ask to see vet records. Then call the vet to confirm.

     * Don't be fooled by "registered" puppies. Some of the kennel club registrations really don't mean anything. One of the breeders in our investigation was routinely sued for not providing the promised AKC registration.

     * Don't always shop by price. Puppy mills often offer great deals because they don't put a lot of money into vet care and housing.

     * Remember, demand keeps puppy mills in business. If you look for a puppy at your local animal shelter rather than a breeder, you'll save a life and avoid feeding the problem. A lot of shelters have purebreds, too. So do rescue groups. Go on-line to find the one closest to you.

     * And as our series discovered, just because a breeder is licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture doesn't mean they're problem-free.

     Sad, but true.

            Back in my print media days our city editor had a motto: kids and dogs sell papers. In other words, put a picture of a child or dog (or, if possible, both) on the front page of the paper and chances are your street sales would increase. Readers have always been drawn to stories about children and pets. Sometimes more of the second than the first.

            Over the years I’ve investigated stories of child abuse… and stories of animal abuse. The animal stories always get the most reaction. Not sure why, except that maybe more people feel they have a better chance to do something about animal abuse. The system, they think, is set up to help them weed out the troublemakers. All they have to do is complain to a government agency and the animal abusers are shut down.

            If that really is their thinking, our latest investigation will make them think again. Coming up Monday at 6 and 10, we examine the way the Georgia Department of Agriculture treats licensed animal breeders who repeatedly break the rules. We found one licensed breeder who had been twice convicted of animal abuse-related charges. Twice in three years. Yet, the state still gave her a new license to sell dogs and cats to the public. We found another repeat offender who got a new license… only to abuse their animals even more. And what did the state do to a breeder who’d been successfully sued so many times the judge even complained about them? Yep, that one got a license, too.

            So what’s going on? We ask the tough questions. Feel free to add your own and we’ll pass them along, too.

State agriculture commissioner Tommy Irvin doesn't usually surf the net, but the 79-year-old politician has a problem with Snopes.com.

Snopes is the website you go to when you want to know whether something is an urban legend... or a true story.

This month Snopes posted a story "Cheating at Gas Pumps." It details how a Cartersville, GA gas station set its pumps to show more gas had been delivered than a person actually got.  click here

Mr. Irvin says they checked that station... plus the 686 others they've received complaints about between January and April of this year. He says not one was found out of compliance.

Last year he says they investigated 1415 complaints about quality and possible gas shorting. He says 5% of those complaints were valid.

Overall, they inspected 119,012 pumps in 2007 across the state, most during regular inspection rounds. He says 5,590 pumps were actually out of tolerance, but at least half of those were dispensing MORE gas than they claimed.

The state will send an inspector out for every complaint, but if you suspect a problem make sure you give them the correct address, gas station brand and pump number. Here's the number that can be found on every pump in Georgia: 1-800-282-5852.

As the price of gas rises, complaints like these are sure to rise even faster.