Monday, October 22, 2012

An Executive's Exit And A Daughter's Honesty Could Spell Turbulence For A Wall Street Darling

Earl Howell (left), with other members
of the Campus Crest team

The president and chief operating officer at Campus Crest Communities stepped down last week--a sign of possible instability, or perhaps progress, at the developer of student housing.

But news of a different variety definitely was alarming. It came from the daughter of CEO Ted Rollins. Young people have a way of being honest in a way that is foreign to corporate executives, and Sarah Rollins' heart-felt words about her father's ugly past should cause deep concerns for investors who have poured more than $400 million into the company.

Earl Howell hit the exits on October 20, less than two years into his tenure as a full-time executive at Campus Crest, and Robert Dann will take his spot. Howell had been the No. 3 guy on the company's depth chart, behind only CEO Ted Rollins and Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Investment Officer Mike Hartnett. Reuters reported on Howell's departure as follows:

Mr. Earl C. Howell is no longer President of Campus Crest Communities Inc., effective October 20, 2012. He is no longer Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective October 20, 2012. Prior to initial public offering, Mr. Howell had been providing consulting services to the company since October 2009.

A Wall Street analyst recently told Legal Schnauzer that Campus Crest performed poorly in the months immediately following its IPO, and a veteran executive came on board in a full-time capacity to right the ship. The analyst did not identify the executive, and it's not clear if Howell's departure will be seen as a step back or a step forward for the company. Both he and Dann became full-time executives at Campus Crest after the IPO.

We do know that Howell is an ex military man with extensive experience in the financial-services industry, while Dann brings more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality business. It probably is too soon to tell if the transition from Howell to Dann will be a plus for Campus Crest. (A contributor at Seeking Alpha sees positive trends.) But Sarah Rollins' words about her CEO father could not have been pleasing to the ears of Campus Crest's financial backers.

Emma, Ted, and Sarah Rollins
Ms. Rollins has an insider's knowledge about the abusive relationship between her father and his stepson (her half brother), which includes Ted Rollins' 1995 conviction in North Carolina for an assault on the stepson and a 1993 social-services investigation after a citizen complaint about possible child sexual abuse.

Now a freshman at the University of the South at Sewanee, Ms. Rollins unexpectedly called me late last winter, and we reported on that conversation in a recent series of three posts. (See here, here, and here.)

We take home three key points from what Ms. Rollins said:

* She confirmed that an investigation regarding possible child sexual abuse did target her father (from Part I);

* She confirmed that her father and half brother had "somewhat of an unusual relationship," something that she found to be "no good" (from Part I);

* She was concerned that her brother would be negatively affected by reporting on the subject. (from all three parts).

Perhaps most important is what Ms. Rollins did not say--and we will examine that closely in a moment. But first, let's look at some of her key comments. This is from Part II of our conversation:

I do respect that you are trying to help or have some sort of affirmative action. But I just know that my mom lately has been so torn up about that story about my dad and my brother. I just think this is not really a positive outcome for it to be so in the open. . . . My brother would be very, very upset. . . . 
I think he's upset because, well probably, because he knows that you know everything, because my mom talks to you a lot. He does worry . . .

This is from Part III:

"I do appreciate all your efforts about my mother and father's divorce case. But this is something that would emotionally wreck our family unit . . . I would appreciate if if you would not jump into that right now. . . . I can't tell you what to write and what not to write, but I would really appreciate it so very much if you would just keep that story to yourself because it's one my mother so seldom shares . . . 
"I've been talking to her and she's so very distraught over the whole Zac situation because she knows it would cause a huge hole between her and her son."

If you read Ms. Rollins words closely--and listen to the full conversation via videos at the end of our previous posts--she never expresses any doubt that her brother was the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of her father. She is too young to have been a first-hand witness to the events in the mid 1990s. But she has lived with a dysfunctional family environment for all of her 18 years, and her words clearly show that she believes something was seriously wrong with the relationship between her father and her brother.

The transition from Earl Howell to Robert Dann could be good or bad news regarding business operations at Campus Crest Communities. But Sarah Rollins' words go to a hole in the company's soul. And that definitely is troubling news for the company's future.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

In general I have a strong dislike for teams. Causes people's vision to be clouded too many times. Having said that, I'm fiercely on team Sarah!

legalschnauzer said...

I think Team Sarah is the honorable team here. My understanding is that both she and her sister, Emma, have received angry communications from their father in the aftermath of certain posts on this blog that have reported truthfully and accurately on his actions.

An update: I understand that he finally has agreed to repair the vehicle I wrote about the other day, but only after grilling his youngest daughter about my post on the subject--as if she had anything to do with it.

Anonymous said...

Well she should lie to Teddy Bear.. Seems like he is lying to everyone.. So I'd lie to him.. I'd cuss you worse than a yard dog to him.. to keep getting what I needed.. HE IS A LOW LIFE PIECE OF SHIT and he needs to be in the cell with Sandusky!!

I am on Team Sarah, Emma and Mrs. Rollins and Schnauzer.
(I normally do not curse on others blogs but that is the only way to describe him without really saying what I think and getting banned from your site!!!"

legalschnauzer said...

Anon at 11:45--

Mr. Rollins not only seems to lie, he appears to lie under oath--as does his cousin, Randall Rollins--all in an effort to reduce child support.

Team Sarah has been on food stamps because of the perjury that went on in Sherry Rollins' divorce case.

TLR said...

I wonder if Earl Howell bailed out because he was sickened from learning the truth about Ted Rollins' background.

Anonymous said...

There is NO "I" in Team, and Sarah has stepped up as the bravest any can witness.

Sarah's courage is ours' to embrace and this is an understatement!

... Devvy Kidd is a bit of a true "Catholic," however, the messages and realities are shared with all religions, and the not 'religious,' and any all the "faith" human people:

"... The Killing Fields Of America
Saturday, October 20, 2012 22:21

.. Life has become very cheap in this country. In 2010, more than 14,000 murders. 2011 was down slightly to around 12,000. Thousands and thousands of human beings killed in this country every year because killing is no longer a sin, it’s just another crime statistic. The only consequences are if you get caught. Empty souls bringing such grief and misery on a massive scale.

... Many involve drugs, legal and illegal. Anyone following statistics knows the people of this country are literally drowning in prescription drugs to make them “feel good” like Prozac, Ritalin and other psychotropic cocktails with side effects that are so horrific, why would anyone put those dangerous pills in their body instead of facing life? Drowning in booze because they’re all so happy. People have become so weak of character, so spiritually empty, so dependent upon mother government to lead them through the day, they are incapable of handling crisis’s life throws at them, so they kill. Without strong role models, a mother and father and a relationship with God, the debris of lost souls out there continues to grow....

legalschnauzer said...

TLR:

I suspect Mr. Howell will be given a nice going-away package that will include a provision that he keeps his mouth shut about "operations" at Campus Crest Communities.

jeffrey spruill said...

What is the syndrome called when the hostage identifies with the kidnapper?

That sounds like what Zac has- mixed in with the money his stepdaddy has given him.

legalschnauzer said...

I think it's called the Stockholm Syndrome. And it probably does apply here.

Anonymous said...

LS what about when the victim of the pedophile identifies the predator, that is, the pedophile is the savior, the victim thinks, feels and identifies the pedophile as a savior or great love and anything but, predator?

It happened when priests stole underage girls from their families by sentencing into prison of course for being unholy somehow, to be then raped until impregnated, by the 'priest(s).'

The victim .. to be able to shut down on the shock?

A savior or great love rather than a disgusting predatory pedophile,

what is this 'branding' of the human experience?

I heard it once, but can't recall.

tx

Anonymous said...

I can promise you, Ted is hooked up ALL the way with these crooked fathers rights groups that have infiltrated our communities from the bottom to the top of our government and every where in between starting in the 70's up to present day!

These wolves in sheeps clothing are masters of their goals. They are the reason our family courts are so disgustingly corrupt! Hell, our kids are even being indoctrinated with this bogus BS through false information written into their school text books! They have infiltrated our Dept of child support services, police, judges, law schools and our white house!

In the last 4 years multi billions have been poured into our state and local government agencies and non profits to ensure its success. What is their goal? To make sure fathers get full custody of their children! Especially the abusive pedofile fathers considering those are the only ones they can get to work with them. Good dads want nothing to do with it. These sick freaks actually train dads how to molest and alienate children from their mothers. Ultimate victory is they gain custody after their well connected case worker helps and guides their case rigging via the judge and any other agency or group involved.

Your first clue something is up should be looking at DHHS statistics on child abuse and neglect. These figures have been dropping since 08. Interestingly enough, the 08 report came out in 10 after the 09 report. Now doesn't that make so much sense in a bad economy? This is the same agency funneling billions if not close to trillions into this fatherhood initiative!

The result is children are being torn away from loving mothers and put in the custody of scum not worthy of the title father. Once the mother reports the abuse it is covered up and then she is tagged with PAS (parental alienation syndrome). The deviants freak who is responsible for PAS is now dead, poor guy. Dr Richard Gardner. He was an out right advocate for molesting children and using this tactic to take custody from mothers. Gardner in 03 or 04 killed himself by slitting his own throat and viciously stabbing himself numerous times in the abdomen.
These are communist tactics being used to destroy us as a nation!

Anonymous said...

anon 4:36PM, thank you for writing what you have.

I have been reading where women are also finding there are men who have been 'manufactured' to get with the woman, birth a child, then the man turns out to be a full blown child predatory pedophile.

The women are seeking protection for their children in the courts, and as you say, the courts are for the human traffic and trade.

Interesting in this day and time, the state B.A.R.s have a big deal in the human traffic and trade tracking and tracing.

Communism. Yes it is this.

Cleverly onto Americans via the system of courts, how to use this brand of false protection.

The State Child Protective Services in Oregon, long time ago used Pamela and Will Gaston for the most vile cover up crime. Will's daughter was filmed in a porn video by the State Dept of Child Protective Services of Oregon. Will was set-up, and prevailed many years later, proving the State was the pedophile. Pam was somehow found dead, and this was after actively being on the KBOO radio announcing the win against the State.

Will's daughter now past 22, does not know her father nor Pam's sacrifice to prove how the State of Oregon was and is a pedophile tap root disease. Neil Goldschmidt to this day has not been charged with his crime of being a pedophile. The Mayor Sam Adams and the courts do not do other than ignorance is 'bliss.'

Anonymous said...

He LOVES to pose with these two girls; he thinks it makes him look like a real person, a dad. He takes these girls to every event where he is handing out money to organizations. He uses them to further his business interests. He is this very weekend taking both of them to a business event where they will be used in his business. They have both been instructed to bring cocktail type dresses for the event in Connecticut. I am very close to this family; believe me even the Mother does not know what they are being introduced to or used for. He doesn't even give the Mother of these girls the information about the events they are attending. He forces her to put them both out to get on his private jet and fly wherever he says to go. I have watched this happen for years; especially since they were young teenagers. Sometimes he doesn't bother with picking them up but maybe twice or three times per year and that is usually when he has some business people to impress with his ability to reproduce.

Anonymous said...

It has been said that electing Mitt Romney would be very similar to having Ted Rollins as America's President.

legalschnauzer said...

Boy, that's a scary thought. I actually see some similarities between Romney and Rollins--the lying, the bullying, the disdain for regular people, the (probable) tax evasion.

I would bet the ranch that Ted Rollins has made the equivalent of Romney's famous "47 Percent" comment many times in his life.

Let's not forget that Ted's stepmother, Michele Rollins, hosted a fundraiser a few weeks back that featured Ann Romney.

Ted, like Romney, probably believes he has earned every bit of his money--that privilege has not helped him in any way. What did Ann Richards say about George W. Bush? "George was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple."

Applies to Romney and Rollins.

Speaking of disdain for regular people, I've heard that in my communications with Zac Parrish, Mr. Rollins' stepson. Zac is convinced that he has "earned" his way, while others are "freeloaders."

Anonymous said...

I personally have heard Ted Rollins refer to his wife and her son as "you people". When I heard it I realized he was seperating himself from the woman he had married and her child. He seemed to want to elevate himself above the two people who were his only family at the time as his Father was not even speaking to him I was told. I knew the Rollins when they lived in North Carolina and I often cringed at the way he spoke to his stepson and his wife. I feel that I need to share an incident with you involving this family. Ted Rollins brought a red jeep wrangler with a roll bar home for Sherry to test drive and take back to the car dealer where he borrowed it. She was driving it back on a country road, driving slowly she said , and the wheel flew off and went 150 feet in the air, the axle bore into the asphalt and Mrs. Rollins got the vehicle stopped with some help from above. God. When the dealer came to pick up the jeep at the scene he noted that all of the other three wheels lugnuts had been loosened the same way and were ready to come off. The dealer stated that his salesman drove the jeep each day. Mrs. Rollins was taken to the hospital at Duke where she was observed by her doctor at the time as she was pregnant with her first daughter, Sarah. The car dealership is still in the same place; a private owner is still running it. The Fed Ex man who watched the accident take place stated that she stopped the vehicle by gearing down to lower gears gradually which kept the vehicle from flipping over .
There are several people in N.C. who knew Mrs. Rollins, who told her, in no uncertain terms, that Ted Rollins ,who left for Washington D.C. the morning of the accident, loosened those lugnuts in the wee hours of the morning as he left at 4:30 a.m. while she and her son were sleeping. WE think he tried to kill her and her unborn child. It is freeing to finally get this off my chest after all these years.I have been following your blog regarding this family. I just thought this might help you and your readers understand the psyche of this man you are writing about, Ted Rollins.

legalschnauzer said...

Anon at 9:17--

Thank you for sharing this horrifying story. This sounds like nothing short of attempted murder--perhaps attempted double murder, considering current laws regarding fetal rights.

Anonymous said...

North Carolina's statute of limitations are very basic and simple. Attempted murder is a felony. If the crime is a felony of any type there is no limit.
-Team Sarah

Anonymous said...

Anon @ 9:17, the roll bar is puzzling. That you specifically remember a roll bar is interesting. Could mean he was going for an abortion and not murder. Could mean when he made arrangements to take the car he had yet to come up with the plan. Could be he asked for a Jeep because he was comfortable with their wheels and it just happened he was given a Jeep with a roll bar.

legalschnauzer said...

I wonder if authorities investigated this as anything other than a traffic accident. Seems like it screams out for a criminal investigation.

As @11:56 mentions, I know North Carolina has no statute of limitations on child sexual abuse, and Ted Rollins still could be investigated and prosecuted for that.

I feel certain that an SOL would not bar an investigation/prosecution for attempted murder.

Anonymous said...

Do you have an option for "most recent comments" in this format? Some comments such as the Jeep story many will miss because it is somewhat buried. I try to remember the number of comments so I'll know when there is a new one but sure would be nice to see the most recent comments without taxing my memory.

legalschnauzer said...

That's a good question. Let me do some checking. Legal Schnauzer is on the Blogger platform, and I'm not sure if it has an option for "most recent comments."