Sometimes I receive rude emails, tweets and facebook messages from people claiming to be Lyme Activist. Today I received the following email message from Finette Russak which demanded that I provide her with my real name. I posted tweets and facebook messages to find out more information about this person. I quickly received messages from other Lyme patiences that who also have received rude messages from Finette Russak. I’ve decided to publish the emails to let everyone decide.
From: Joe the Tick
Date: November 13, 2010 7:00:19 PM GMT+01:00
To: finrussak
Subject: Re: [Joe the Tick] Identity and background
Hello Finette,
Please stop emailing me. I feel threatened by your emails. What you are doing is called CYBERBULLING.
Thank you,
Joe the Tick
From: finrussak
Date: November 13, 2010 6:18:27 PM GMT+01:00
To: joethetick
Subject: Re: [Joe the Tick] Identity and background
actually
they have already been made public–I stand by anything I say!! and I place my name to them as well–unlike YOU
However if you place any of the personal email addresses visible or legible, I will request your site taken down by your host. In case you didnt get that: you do NOT have anyone’s permission to post personal email addresses.
That ought to suffice legal dept!!
From: Joe the Tick
Date: November 13, 2010 11:10:20 AM GMT+01:00
To: finrussak@
Cc: mich2604; natcaplyme;
Subject: Re: [Joe the Tick] Identity and background
Hello Finette,
If I want my name known to the pubic I would publish it on my blog.
I refuse to be intimidated by threats. My name remains concealed. Feel free to warn people against me.
FYI, these emails will be made public.
http://twitter.com/joethetick2/status/3389063570661376
Thanks,
Joe the Tick
On Nov 13, 2010, at 10:11 AM, finrussak@ wrote:
(whomever you are)
I didnt say I “represent” anyone let alone NatCap. I said I work with them aka COLLEAGUES, and many other support groups and orgs. Please dont place words into my mouth.We are ALL trying to regain credibility and accountability in what has become a dismal state of affairs and marketeering. A rash of undereducated and unknowledgeables trying to be the latest guides and mouthpieces for others oblivious to the harm theyre doing both directly and indirectly.
your attitude is precisely what is wrong with this community and perhaps why you have attracted those who attempt to cause you harm.
you have every right to remain cloaked and then unfortunately others will rightfully warn many to avoid you and your blog and the information it contains.
If at any time you change your mind and will accept the accountability of the obligation and responsibility you volunteered for when you started an online “source” for others, feel free to email me or anyone on the Boards of the reputable organizations.
Until then you are too dangerous as an “unknown” and too unknowledgeable or untrustworthy to either support or recommend.
Shame too, when some of your information might have been valuable.
you take care of yourself and fwiw while you SAY youre a Lyme patient there is no way to prove that let alone how successful you have been. and so that too is discounted.
—–Original Message—–
From: Joe the Tick
To: Finette Russak
Cc: mich2604; natcaplyme;
Sent: Fri, Nov 12, 2010 10:44 pm
Subject: Re: [Joe the Tick] Identity and background
Hello Finette,
I find your email sort of entertaining.
Yes, I refuse to reveal my true identity to you. There are many reason for it. The main reason is that people have attempted to cause me harm. The second reason is that you say you represent the NatCapLyme but don’t use their domain with official communications.
My experiences with Lyme has been a intense struggle with doctors internationally.
I have not asked you to refer people to my blog. I can also stop referring people to the NatCapLyme.
Thanks,
Joe the Tick
On Nov 13, 2010, at 1:39 AM, finrussak@ wrote:
(Joe Tick)
I find it odd that you have my personal name and email, while you remain cloaked; you are welcomed to contact Monte Skall of NatCap and/or Linda Lobes of MichLyme to confirm my identity , my Lyme experience and position in the community, and the fact they are my colleagues.
Why would I write from any domain name–that would add a layer of opacity. The fact that my identity is extremely well known, Ive never hidden any of my information, should be more and not less confirmatory.
As I said in my prior email, we are all trying to get away from the use of aliases and get back to a measure of accountability i.e. knowing to whom we are speaking and referring people to for information.
If you need further verification of my identity and my “position” in the Lyme community you may also go
to the facebook page of Pamela Weintraub.
Are you refusing to confirm who you really are, what your measure of experience is within Lyme and
your other abilities as far as being a source for other Lyme patients? Without this information, and with you using a
false name persona as well as a gmail account,I cannot put “much trust” in your persona or website.
thank you for more information,
Finette
—–Original Message—–
From: Joe the Tick
To: Finette Russak
Sent: Fri, Nov 12, 2010 9:41 am
Subject: Re: [Joe the Tick] Identity and background
Hello Finette,
Thank you for your email. I am a Lyme patient that has been extremely
successful with getting back his life from the medical system.
I’m not putting much trust in your email since it’s from a AOL email
address rather than the official NatCapLyme domain name.
Thanks,
Joe the Tick
On Nov 12, 2010, at 7:24 PM, WordPress wrote:
>
> Hello
>
> Its with great interest that Ive been reading your website–it has
> an impressive array of topics and information.
> Curious is that you have extremely valid and verifiable information
> alongside very unreliable, even questionable, information. This
> would make it difficult if not impossible for those less experienced
> or even less educated to figure out which are the sources that are
> valid.
>
> May I ask your identity and your educational and Lyme background so
> that I can better understand this confusion? Also, it would be
> helpful to know when discussing with other Lyme advocates and
> leaders in the Lyme community as we are constantly updating our
> database of websites and authors of blogs that are indeed
> trustworthy vs those that we might want to steer away from.
> We are all trying to get away from the use of aliases and get back
> to a measure of accountability i.e. knowing to whom we are speaking
> and referring people to for information.
>
> Thank you sincerely for your efforts that you clearly put into this,
> and for taking the time to reply.
>
> Finette Russak, M.S., PhD(abd)
> Lyme Disease advocate and patient educator
> working/consulting with NatCapLyme, Michigan Lyme,LDUC and many
> other orgs.
>
> —
> IP address: http://ws.arin.net/whois/?queryinput=76.1.247.***
> Form referrer: http://www.joethetick.com/information/lyme-disease-
> books
> Orig. referrer: http://www.joethetick.com/
> User agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US)
> AppleWebKit/534.7 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/7.0.517.44 Safari/534.7
Joe- you have posted my email address above- I need this removed- I have sent you two emails requesting that you remove it. Having my email address public is going to impact the current insurance battle I am going thru. PLEASE remove ASAP.
I am sure since you are a lyme activist this will be done today.
Thank you
I don’t see any email addresses published on this post.
Finette Russak has been harassing me on Facebook. I reported her abuse. I’m now searching for other Lyme patients that have been cyberbullied by her. It’s time we fight back with legal action against her.
I was bullied by Fin on a Lyme forum in 2009. It was the reason she was kicked off.
@Joe She is asking about your education because anyone with less education than her is basically worthless in her opinion. She made fun of my Community College education on a Lyme forum where most people are too sick to even finish school.
Who knows if she is even a Doctor, because I don’t know any Doctor who would use such terrible ettiquette, (bad grammar, uppercase letters, name calling, etc.) for written communications.
She has a Biology background, (not a medical MD).
Please report all incidents to the FBI, Do not respond to her, (even her comments on a forum, etc)
Finette is on a rampage going after people who have Facebook accounts without thier real names because it is stripping her of her power to stalk and harrass people. She lives and thrives to bully sick lymies. She has been publickly complaining LOUDLY that she is upset people are changing their real names to Lyme nicknames on their FB pages. Well, people are doing so she can no longer bully them. She will no longer be able to stalk people’s family members, copy thier personal pictures, dig up their personal information and twist it, skewer it and post it on her quack website, and play her evil games. Soon there won’t be a Lymie left for her to attack; we will all have pseudonyms and she will be completely stripped of her power to abuse any more lyme patients. And she is kicking and screaming about it because…..GAME OVER and she don’t like it!!!!
For all to see… The person who is signing her name as
> Finette Russak, M.S., PhD (abd)
> Lyme Disease advocate and patient educator
> working/consulting with NatCapLyme, Michigan Lyme,LDUC and many other orgs.
Did not complete her Doctorate program as of September 2009:
From Page 2 – Finette: [...] “When I again returned to grad school (for PhD work at Rutgers University), soon after I became pregnant with my third child and Walter was concerned for me. When I contracted Lyme Disease in my 8th month it was phone calls from him that kept me steady and insisting that the doctors leave no stone unturned while they misdiagnosed one after the other illness.
Ultimately, I managed to accumulate enough classes to be abd (all but dissertation) but with my health still in a severe decline, I was unable to complete the Doctorate; [...]”
Quote from
Limulus, Department of Biological Sciences, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY
Volume 2009, Issue Fall-03, September, 2009.
Mary and all,
I, too have been cyberbullied by Finette Russak. I reported her to Youtube, to Lymefriends, and to Facebook and blocked her from communicating with me.
She is frightening. The biggest cyberbully I’ve ever heard of. Bullying is NOT okay. Ever.
Pointing out when people are taking advantage of lyme patients is not bullying.
ummm anyone else see the ABD after the PhD?? that makes her HONEST in my book. Does anyone have anything that she says otherwise? or calls herself “Dr”??
Now, that would be “evidence” I’d like to see!!
RebeccaLee and I were on Lymefriends together when this Finette pointed out that 2 AA degrees dont equal a real 4 year degree. Boy did the claws come out. That still bug you Rebecca? Dames!
wait a minute–that link Rebecca gave? thats a cheap shot dont you think?? it looks like a Memorial for a dead guy and on a College site where youd think they’d know who is writing stuff. Wow, that kinda makes me think its bully vs bully…score 0-0.
I could write a book about Finette and her cohort, Janet Dilbeck who have made a career of stalking, attacking, harrassing, intimidating, investigating people. Finette has damaged and even destroyed people’s lives, affected their families, jobs, businesses, reputations, etc. She has attacked our lyme doctors, patient advocates, and many sick patients. She is not only annoying, but downright dangerous. She says she is “helping” to expose evil, but the irony is that she is the evil one. She has been kicked off of more pages, sites, groups and organizations and she still does not get the message that people despise her. Something has to be done to stop this bully!
One of many confrontations I have had with Finette- http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=150635718297601&id=316121599578
It is best to just ignore her.
lol, uggghhh…. really??? I never said two AA’s equal a 4 year degree… too bad all of Fin’s threads were deleted for bullying or I would link back to it. Nope doesn’t bother me at all, because I claimed I could “apply for a job that required a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree,” (as evident by the jobs I have already held requiring a minimum of a Bachelor’s). And nothing more… my resume is plainly visible on the internet.
People with Lyme have difficulty understanding what people mean by what they say, and they have difficulty reading at all. It is the reason screen name “Fin,” is easily perturbed by simple sentences and waits for everyone to go to sleep then fills 5 pages of a thread with personal insults, (i.e. cyber bullying). Including insults on my personal profile page.
She openend yet another FB account, even though she has been deleted multiple times now for cyber-bullying, just to comment on Joe’s thread and call me a “little b*tch”. Sorry to inform all, but most of my family is dead, so sorry for not caring that the article where “Fin” admits she’s not a doctor happens to be a memorial newsletter, because no… I don’t care. The article isn’t about her death. And furthermore, I am all for Lyme awareness, but squeezing how sick from lyme disease “Fin” is in a respected professor’s memorial article is not in good taste.
I am concerned for “Fin’s” health, because being on-line most of the day is bad for a Lymies well-being. Light from the computer screen, difficulty communicating, it just gets worse and worse. When I don’t feel good, I get off the computer.
Signing your name as Doctor, when you are not is fraudulent.
Instances with ‘Fin’s” comments have been reported to the FBI, and so will any future contact. Report Cyber-Bullying. Be specific, cite dates, like you were making a police report. Mention multiple Facebook bannings. Only report if you have had direct contact from “Fin,” and not just witnessed forum explosions. If screenname “Fin” has contacted you in a threatening manner, report it to the FBI.
The Lymegate Group on Facebook has been closed down:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LymeGate/312495714269
Complaints about http://lymegate.ning.com/ can be sent to abuse@ning.com
Rebecca claims
“She openend yet another FB account, even though she has been deleted multiple times now for cyber-bullying, just to comment on Joe’s thread and call me a “little b*tch”.”
Id like to see that for myself. Can you provide the url and the post? I cant seem to find it anywhere on facebook—Id rather not be accused of slander by repeating an obviously made up accusation.
I also cant find one referenced proof to this either and as a law student, it sounds also defamatory
“signing your name as Doctor, when you are not is fraudulent.”
Have any of you seen this person to ever have signed her name as “Dr”?? That would be something my law professors would like to discuss!
Im now wondering if I can ask the FBI cybercrimes unit how they handle false accusations and if there are fines for that? What if those accusations are really slanderous attempts at bullying others while accusing the target of the same?
Cyberlaw is one of my interests so this has been informative!
Rebecca and everyone else following this blog post.:
A. Nonny Moose is mich2604.
mich2604 is actually Finette Russak.
FYI, Finette Russak, I have digital proof of this. Please stop harassing Lyme Patients.
I have had several run ins with these 2. When I brought to light the facts, they just deleted my posts. I was always nice about it and never attack, then it seems every post I make Janet or Finnette has something smart to add. Example:
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=150635718297601&id=316121599578#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=173367729354110&id=100000756491161
you fill my day with fun!!
I have a feeling these ladys have no family or husbands at home and get a high off stalking people on the internet. Keep on ladies
not sure why link didn’t work. Or it is going to Ashleys page. Sorry Ashley. Trying to get the right link
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=173367729354110&id=100000756491161
Have to copy and paste the link. For some reason it is not letting you click on the entire URL.
Josh, The link isn’t working for me. Tried to copy-paste it but I still keep getting the following error message: This content is currently unavailable.
Here I will just post the conversation. Nothing huge just showing how they pick and push to try and get you to react. The topic was killing dolphins, notice how the person goes out of the way to attack and insult.
Dolphin Massacre in Japan
222,853 people have watched this video
This video illustrates how japanese kills dolphin to eat their meat. It’s terrible!..
Josh : This is sad, I watched a movie on all this happening called Hidden Cove. All the Swim with Dolphin places here in America and sea world are what create this industry. Really sad they have to go through this just so we can have our fun.
Ther :
I agree. And for those very reasons, I am not a fan of Seaworld and think it should be closed down. It’s one thing to establish a wildlife habitat for the good of the animal, and another to make them participate in a dog and pony show that only benefits humans.
Janet :But let men keep on trying to knock each other senseless in the boxing ring. Maybe it’s knock some sense into them. Are t…here any statistics about how many hits to the head will lower sperm count? That would be one way to keep the genes from being passed on. That’s ok, for humans are supposed to be able to ‘think’.
Oh, and don’t bother to get all ‘hot and bothered’ unless you have nothing else to do. (grin)
Josh : The men statement was a little weird, but women box as well
It’s a sport and I don’t see how boxing has anything to do with dolphins.
—————————————————————————
Not really why her or finn have anything negative to say about me or to me. All I did was get in a debate with these ladies. I was friendly, they were rude. And now I have heard of them harrasing sick friends. These ladies need hugs
Thanks for posting Josh. Not sure why the facebook link wouldn’t work.
Not sure why we get harassed by Finette Russak. Stay strong. Don’t let this create stress. Stay focused on your treatment.
I am Finette Russak and I am NOT Mich2604 although she IS my friend who lives in another state–easily proven by IPs and so when Joe Tick, who remains ANONYMOUS to avoid legal liability, says that we are the same person he is LYING.
And the same goes for his Moose claims as well.
I have never used or signed into Mich2604′s or “Moose’s” computer, nor she mine so the networks would NOT be digitally proven as the same.
Josh sounds so innocent and is not–he was more than just rude and he is upset for being denied membership into Lymegate. Id say that makes him a tad biased.
MANY now are supporting myself and have stated publicly that I have not and do not “harass” or “bully” and just because Joe Tick hides behind a fake name and in another country doesnt mean he is immune to losing his sites–If I were he Id be a might more careful about telling lies that are within legal limits for SLANDER.
disclaimer: I once dated a guy named Moose–I doubt that counts
If you aren’t A. Nonny Moose, you live in different states and you never logged into A. Nonny Moose’s computer then why are all the messages from Finette Russak and A. Nonny Moose come from the same IP Address?
Hey finn, google your name. See all the nut case stories. You have no real support. Grow up!!!! Don’t ever speak my name again, I honestly could care less about lymegate. I applied to see what all the fuss was about. Don’t flatter yourself. Why don’t you guys focus on getting better and stop being crazy old bats!!
Mich here- Joetick- who is A Nonny moose? Please let me know what proof you have that this person is Myself. I would love to hear this one…. as I have had NO internet access for about a month now. I have been very sick…. please stop harassing me. I have asked you before to stop and you still continue to harass.
For all those that think I am Finette or A Nonny Moose now- I hope you all realize you could be his next target….he will NOT stop. and to those that support this Joe the tick you make me sad that I am a member of the lyme community. To allow this to go on is a disgrace!
Well mich2604 if you aren’t A Nonny Moose or Finette Russak you might as well tell us who you really are?
FYI, I’m still waiting to discuss this with your lawyer.
lol
I claimed Fin called me a b*tch, and Nonny Moose is worried about being slandered. hmmmmm…. Get off the computer it is bad for your health!
PhD = Doctorate (Which was not completed).
As signed above:
“Finette Russak, M.S., PhD(abd)”
Here is the facebook thread, however I blocked Fin’s new account, and she may have deleted them. I can’t see them even if they are still on there, because I blocked her.
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=177173408962893&id=347201915048
———quote————-
A. Nonny Moose says:
December 2, 2010 at 10:37 am
Rebecca claims
“She openend yet another FB account, even though she has been deleted multiple times now for cyber-bullying, just to comment on Joe’s thread and call me a “little b*tch”.”
Id like to see that for myself. Can you provide the url and the post? I cant seem to find it anywhere on facebook—Id rather not be accused of slander by repeating an obviously made up accusation.
——–end quote————-
A. Nonny Moose is “Finette Russak, M.S., PhD(abd)”
I’m still waiting for Mich2604 to let us know her true identity. After all, “Finette Russak, M.S., PhD(abd)” is demanding that we all know each other real names. I’m sure Mich2604 is just another alias for “Finette Russak, M.S., PhD(abd)” After all, A. Nonny Moose is clearly a alias of “Finette Russak, M.S., PhD(abd)”.