A Blast From the Past

My former employer Don Cyphers is in the news. As those of you who’ve known me for a while, no, Cyphers strung me along for about 11 weeks back in 2002 and then cut out on almost $2,000. Despite the state ordering him to fork over the money he owes, he’s ignored it. For more details read The Montana Fraud Association and David Crisp’s piece in the Billings Outpost.

Anyway, Don Cyphers is back in the news. According to the Billings Gazette:

The news conference ended in a confrontation between Tussing and the Montana News Association, a conservative online news organization that has criticized Tussing, even describing him as “wicked.”

“I’m only answering questions from legitimate media,” Tussing said when asked a question by an MNA reporter.

A few moments later, Donald Cyphers of the MNA stepped in front of Tussing with a video camera as Tussing was trying to walk away. Tussing said, “Get out of my face, Cyphers, or you’re going down,” and put a hand on Cyphers’ chest and pushed him back.

Later Wednesday, Cyphers filed a complaint with the Police Department, alleging misdemeanor assault. Police Capt. Joe Bryce said the incident is under investigation and will be turned over to the City Attorney’s Office if there is enough evidence to file charges. A misdemeanor assault conviction carries a maximum $500 fine and a six-month jail sentence.

First of all, kudos to Chief Tussing for not letting this fraud go ahead and impersonate a newsman. Second, to me, it sounds like Cyphers was invading the Chief’s personal space. Anyway, I wrote the following letter to the Billings Gazette:

The recent flap over Ron Tussin is typical of Don Cypher’s behavior:

threatening lawsuits, criminal complaints, and all that in an attempt to
get his way.

As a former reporter for the Montana News Association, I’ve never seen a

penny of what Cyphers owes me despite a court order demanding that he
pay. When I threatened to go public, he e-mailed me through an alias and

demanded that I return my press pass or face charges from the County
sheriff. I sent the badge back in a Priority Mail/Certified envelope

along with a demand and Cyphers refused to sign for it.

He’s threatened numerous libel and slander lawsuits against newspapers
and inviduals daring to tell the truth about his misdeeds. The character

of the accuser must be taken into consideration and this man with his
record of criminal and civil wrongdoing cannot be trusted.

The biggest thing I hold against Ron Tussing is that as Chief of Police,

he let Don Cyphers continue to walk the streets of Billings.

I don’t hold out much hope of ever seeing the money Cyphers owes me which thanks now to the adjudication of the State of Montana, is now $3432.19. I am glad that by speaking out I’ve been able to stop Cyphers from defrauding some others. I got an e-mail a year or so back from friends of a Christian musician in Wyoming who said Cyphers had promised to make him big time. He checked out my page and that was that.

I would hope Cyphers would repent for his soul’s sake and for the fact that his actions bring a reproach on the name of the Lord.

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