Member-only story
How I Defeated a Corrupt Multi-Billion-Euro Company
I recently (February 2020 through August 2020) stood up to a multi-billion dollar conglomerate company in a foreign country in a brutal legal battle…and WON.
A number of people who I shared this story with, said, with their mouth dropping open, “That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard.”
No, I’m not glad this happened. And I wouldn’t wish the experience on anyone. But it did, and it is what it is.
As far as the details and nuances of the situation, I could write a whole book on it. In a nutshell, I had rights and I stood up for those rights.
I Faced Corruption While I Was in the Hospital Getting Treatments
Part of what made this situation so difficult is that it happened in a foreign country — not where I’m originally from. Another part of what made it so difficult is that it happened while I was facing the most challenging health situation of my life.
When the situation first developed, a friend of mine from Massachusetts — who happened to be living in The Netherlands, like me — told me on the phone, “Learn what you can about Dutch law. Knowledge is power.”
This was really good advice that came at a crucial time, as I listened to what he said and learned a lot about Dutch law here in The Netherlands. This advice saved me. Sometimes the simplest suggestion is the most powerful. I’m grateful to my friend.
This conglomerate threatened me, in writing, and did some really messed up things to hurt me. Not only bad leadership. I’m talking about corruption here.
My Lawyers Helped Me Fight Back
In March and April of 2020, I was beyond overwhelmed, anxious beyond belief. This corrupt institution almost defeated me. Then I went deep, deep, deep inside myself and found my inner strength. Like a Phoenix, I rose from the ashes. I involved four lawyers, including one main lawyer, and hit back.
For a while, this corrupt institution wouldn’t stop harassing me, and they discriminated against me because I’m American (I have an Irish…
