2D Global Patrick Abbott, 2D Global Spartan Medical uses unethical, aggressive and fabricated tactics to attack competition Spring TX
Spartan Medical ATTACKS an established small Veteran Owned Business: NO VALIDATION
http://www.spartanmedspine.com/
Spartan Medical recently sent 2D Global / Progress Medical @ www.2DGlobal.com, a cease and desist order followed by additional aggressive language stating that lead counsel from Spartan Medical were reporting 2D Global and its associated companies to the FBI for: 1- using thier logo and likeness, 2- using the Spartan Medical namesake in fraudulent activity, 3- using the Spartan Medical logo and likeness in the sale and distribution of fraudulent medical materials, and other lesser accusations.
None of the accusations are valid.
We called Spartan Medical and spoke to the customer service manager (Kevin) and lead counsel, Donny Knepper. During this call, as Chairman of my company, I was treated with aggression, accusation and rundeness. We asked a few simple questions about the aggressive communication and threats. We were attempting to understand the origin and validity of the accusation. Neither questions were answered on the call. AT NO TIME has 2D Global ever conducted buisness with Spartan Medical or any of thier associates.
As Chairman of the company and group of companies, I personally inquired as to the assalt on 2D Global. Mr. Knepper stated there was a "supposed" call into the Spartan Medical complaint department; however, when pressed for details:
- Lead counsel had no record or recording
- No vetting of the call was conducted
- No return call was conducted to validate the call number
- No details of the "alleged" incident collected
- No evidence or proof such as photos, invoice, etc was requested, or presented
- Essentially the situation and "alleged" incident never occured
Spartan Medical did:
- Send 2D Global and its Chairman aggressive, abusive and harassing correspondence
- Fail to be cooperative when called to ask about the situation
- Fail to retract correspondence and apologize
- File a report with the FBI based on thier fabricated information
- Threaten 2D Global and its Chairman
In addition, and coincidentally, on nearly the same day, several reports appeared on reporting sites such as this, claiming to confirm a similar incident and situation, all proven to be fabricated and false. We are assuming that Spartan Medical sought an opportunity to exploit specific market space factors.
We can only assume that Spartan Medical and their executive staff found 2D Global to be a threat in the market space, and initiated this extreme attack on this Veteran owned business.
Please visit us @ www.2DGlobal.com and you will not find any information related to the Spartan Medical complaint or attacks. The company site does promote information that could be considered a completitive threat to Spartan Medical in the market place.
We would like to call for an investigation of thier current VSOB status and related government status.
Mr. Knepper aggressively threatened me directly, when stating I would pursue complaint options.
With absolutely ZERO validation, confirmation or a simple phone call or company review; Mr. Knepper sent:
"... I have forwarded XXXXX allegations on to the FBI’s Field Office in Houston, TX for further investigation. Commencing immediately you, and any entity that you own, represent, or otherwise affiliated with, including any employess or agents thereof are to
CEASE AND DESIST ANY AND ALL USE OF
SPARTAN MEDICAL’S LOGOS, NAME, BRANDING
This demand is without limitation and applies to the use of Spartan Medical’s logos, name, and branding in any form or format.
If the unlawful and impermissible use of Spartan Medical’s branding continues, Spartan Medical will seek a temporary restraining order, permanent injunction, and monetary damages; and will also pursue criminal charges to the extent permitted by State and Federal law...."
There is no evidence that 2D Global has ever engaged in this activity or the additional activities stated during the abusive communications. Conversely, it does appear that Spartan Medical may be in violation of the same accusations stated and 2D Global investigators are pursuing a review. Documents and a recording of the calls can be provided upon request. 2D Global is evaluating legal recourse.
All statments made in this post are the opionion of Chairman Patrick J. Abbott and have been concluded from the interactions stated above.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
2D Global
Texas,United States
Contacting Partners and Associates
#9Author of original report
Wed, June 03, 2020
Talk about being the BULLY in the playground.
We were just informaed through a number of direct sources that the Spartan Medical legal team, and executive team, in an effort to silence the truth about this situation, has reached out to our partners and associates, creating several negative issues for our company.
We are following up with this and intend to bring immediate action towards Spartan Medical.
We did absolutely NOTHING wrong in this scenario, and apparently they have something to hide.
An apology for thier threats and actions would have been significantly more simply.
Is this the type of company that clients really want to work with?
Marketing
Texas,United States
No Apology just STALKING
#9Author of original report
Thu, May 21, 2020
It is difficult to consider any other alternative agenda outside of those stated in our comments. While the days roll bye, it is apparent that Spartan Medcial is fixated on STALKING. An apology would have taken far less time and energy.
What a story.
Patrick J. Abbott
Texas,United States
Picture speaks volumes
#9Author of original report
Tue, May 19, 2020
We can offer evidence, so where is the same from Spartan Medical?
I have attached photos to this post.
An update several days following the attack by Spartan Medical.
What we see:
What we do not see:
Notice the date at the bottom of the screen. No need for a long and comparative post, as the pictures speak volumes to our counterclaim.
Patrick J. Abbott
Texas,United States
A Direct Comparison, Line by Line
#9Author of original report
Mon, May 18, 2020
Directly from Spartan Medical Lead counsel Donny Knepper CYA response:
Spartan Medical: The caller identified himself as Jason Grain, who was later confirmed to be a former employee of Patrick "PJ" Abbott, the owner of 2D Global. Mr. Grain reported that PJ Abbott and 2D Global were selling fraudulent Personal Protective Equipment and using Spartan Medical's logos on the packaging.
2D Global: In nearly thirty years, we have no record of an employee named Jason Grain and ask how Spartan Medical counsel “confirmed.”
2D Global: 2D Global does not sell or ship any form of PPE, and has NEVER sold or shipped any form of PPE, how did Spartan Medical counsel “confirm.” A quick view of the 2D Global company website would hav immediately confirmed this, as it states NO PPE.
2D Global: 2D Global and GMES owns the TM for its logo, and has brand industry presence. There is no evidence of 2D Global utilizing the Spartan Medical logo. How did Spartan Medical counsel “confirm.” There is no presence of the Spartan Medical logo within the 40,000 plus pages of the company site.
Spartan Medical: I drafted and emailed to Mr. Abbott a cease and desist letter, describing the report that Spartan Medical had received and demanding that he stop using Spartan Medical's logo.
2D Global: Why was any legal action taken, and what was the confirmation of the act that Spartan Medical was demanding that 2D Global cease, as “confirmed”. What evidence in the form of invoices, pictures of packaging, or caller validation such as location, type of package, etc? What evidence was “confirmed” by Spartan Medical that it was 2D Global “fraudulently” using the Spartan Medical Logo?
Spartan Medical: Spartan Medical also forwarded Mr. Grain's report to the FBI's field office in Houston, TX. We did this because Mr. Grain had reported to us that Mr. Abbott and 2D Global were knowingly selling fraudulent PPE. Spartan Medical was seeking to protect our fellow American and healthcare workers
2D Global: How did Spartan Medical confirm the information? Was there a phone call placed to 2D Global? Was there a follow up call placed to the number of the complaint? Did anyone check the 2D Global site for comparison or any form of connection to the complaint? Was the packaging shipping address traced back to 2D Global? What was the address of the delivery of PPE? Was there any form of validation before Spartan Medical conveniently reported its competition to the FBI on a false and fabricated report? How is this heroic, or protecting Americans or Health care workers? Was there anything in this actually confirmed or investigated by Spartan medical before the legal actions, harassment, and reporting?
Spartan Medical: I had one phone call with Mr. Abbott. A Spartan Medical customer service representative was also on the call. Mr. Abbott behaved very badly on the phone. He was either unwilling or unable to have a rationale discussion. After one minute, Spartan Medical ended the call
2D Global: The call was actually over ten minutes, and was initiated with questioning of the CSR Kevin, who was in the process of explaining the situation, when Mr. Knepper entered the call, shut it down and hung up. There is not much time to be unreasonable in the less than one minute he states. Is it unreasonable to ask a company of which you have never heard or conducted business with, why they are harassing, sending legal correspondence, and sending reports to the FBI for fraudulent activity? Have they retracted the report or corrected? As you can see the answer is NO. Who seems to be unreasonable? We have a complete recording of the entire phone call, and its actual duration.
Spartan Medical: he demanded that Spartan Medical publish a retraction to its cease and desist letter and to provide "an apology and statement to the FBI" concerning the report. Mr. Abbott threatened to "go public with [Spartan Medical's] reckless and irresponsible conduct"
2D Global: There was a request to apologize to our staff and to retract the false and fabricated FBI report. Spartan Medical refused on both requests. Spartan Medical should be held accountable for filing a false report. I did not threaten Spartan Medical but did represent that 2D global would act in the best interest of the industry and report this malicious behavior. Multiple threats were made regarding the “..strength..” and “…deep resources…” that Mr. Knepper had at his disposal and is confirmed in his own writing he posted see below.
Spartan Medical: Per Mr. Knepper’s own post on this page: “ … There is nothing to retract…. The information that I received is that Spartan Medical's logo/brand/likeness is being used to sell counterfeit PPE in Houston, TX…. You should consult with legal counsel prior to making any public statements, including posting anything online, concerning Spartan Medical or any of its agents. Such conduct would be defamatory and libelous…”
2D Global: The denial is clear, the abrasive posture is present and the threat if we exercise our right to file complain is VERY CLEAR. No where do we find an admission of guilt, nor an apology for the unwarranted damage and issues cause by Spartan Medical’s false reporting.
Spartan Medical: Spartan Medical handled the information in a responsible fashion. “…it was a contingent threat (i.e. if you are using Spartan Medical's logos and if you do not cease and desist, then legal action will be taken).
2D Global: How can this process executed by Spartan Medical be seen as responsible? It could easily be viewed as reckless, malicious, and an aggressive attack on a competitor. No confirmation of the “call” or any information on the “caller” raises more questions about the Spartan Medical agenda than not.
Spartan Medical: We hope and expect that any reasonable person who reads Mr. Abbott's report and this response thereto will quickly acertain that Spartan Medical is the rationale party.
2D Global: We at 2D Global absolutely ask that you read all of the information posted, including that which has been deeply researched since this incident. We also ask that you consider the abrasive posture presented by Spartan Medical, most evident; the lack of any acceptance of irresponsibility and apology for their actions.
I am a Veteran and this is not the way to treat Veterans.
Brand Protection
Texas,United States
2D Global Company Site- OBVIOUS?
#9Author of original report
Sun, May 17, 2020
As mentioned by the CSR, Kevin, only AFTER the abuive actions of Spartan Medical, which have been defended in this thread by Spartan Medical legal counsel as somehow heroic, patriotic and responsible... the opening graphic of the 2D Global company site clearly states "NO PPE" and no where in 40,000 pages is there any remote reference to the offering or sale of PPE. Hard to ship PPE, which is fraudulent, under a company log, that 2D Global has never had interaction with...if you do not offer PPE? @ www.2DGlobal.com
We ask again, where is the validation, pictures, invoice, or ANY form of legitimate proof? If our team had been called, the first question would have been to send us some form of evidence, pictures or validation of claim. That is the difference between pretenders and contenders. The size of the company is irrelevent. Bullies come in all sizes and shapes. This adction by Spartan Medical was anything but American and in complete abuse of their position in health care.
If Spartan Medical continues to harass, we will post the full interaction as well as the phone recordeing..the full phone recording.
Perhaps Spartan Medical (Inc, Spine, Med- whatever they are called) should spend time and resources (the resources they so forcefully informed us of) following up on the "supposed" call, of which they have no proof, and pursuing the real criminal in this situation instead of harassing competition, as it really does begin to raise ligitimate questions?
Check it out yourself @ www.2DGlobal.com, right off the internet. OBVIOUS? NO PPE.
"..When you are in a hole...looking up...stop digging...." Spartan Medical was wrong. Spartan Medical could have made things right. Instead, you as a reader are direct witness to the EXACT attitude we faced when simply asking why we were receiving the harassment.
Patrick J. Abbott: Chairman 2D Global LLC
Texas,United States
Sucker punch from a lightweight
#9Author of original report
Sun, May 17, 2020
I am amused at the response from Spartan Medical's Lead counsel. This response is no surprised given the chest pounding attitude we have experienced.
The stories are nearly identical, with the exception of significant legal counsel CYA.
The call, which we recorded was 11 minutes in length. Mr. Knepper joined the call while on with Kevin the CSR, learned of who I was, immediately asked the CSR Kevin to hang up and he ended the call. We did not pursue. We have the recording.
The information related to the call was not shared during our inquiry, but only after our pursuit with local authorities.
Most amusing is the closing statment related to rational behavior. Equally amusing is the pompous attitude that Spartan Medical can make any accusation they please of any company they see fit, in the harassment of any individual, and feel as if it is thier God given right.
No matter the "SPIN", by Spartan Medical's Mr. Knepper, 2D Global was attacked, threatened and harassed over an absolutely unconfirmed, false and fabricated situation.
Professional and rational behavior would have been to:
Bottom line, we were accused, reported, threatened and harassed over a situation we had absolutely no knowledge of and had no participation with.... Even KEVIN admitted during the follow up inquiry call that only AFTER the letter and threats has been made toward 2D Global, he looked at the 2D Global company site and saw NOTHING close to the related claim of TM and logo violation, nor the market space product claimed in the call.
We responded with one follow up email, and a second email following our call to a local law enforcement office.
We asked for an apology to 2D Global and our staff, and a retraction of the FBI report. That does not seem to be unreasonable.
This is a prime example of "shoot first and ask later" from a company that considers themselves above the law and above all others. There is no respect for the military, or veterans as clearly documented in these threads alone. I am a Veteran. They were wrong, period.
If Mr. Knepper continues the harassment, we will absolutely take defensive action. There has been no slander, lible or mis-representation. 2D Global did absolutely nothing wrong. If Spartan Medical and legal counsel had taken a few minutes to engage in a few simple steps for investigation, they would have realized this was a hoax. They chose this direction and should be held accountible for their actions.
Let me ask you, the reader, and your company a simple question:
How would you respond to a false accusation, legal correspondence, FBI report, and corporate threats?
We simply made a call to understand what had occured. Very rational.
To answer Mr. Knepper's challange, I am not quite sure which part of Spartan Medical's actions, with absolutely no due diligence and from a phone call from an umconfirmed source, related to an unconfirmed incident:
ra·tion·al /ˈraSH(É™)n(É™)l/ adjective
Do any of these apply? Perhaps we are missing something? Afterall we are all inferior to Spartan Medical.
Donald
Rockville,Maryland,
United States
What actually happened
#9UPDATE Employee
Sun, May 17, 2020
On the morning of May 14, 2020, Spartan Medical received a phone call via its Customer Service line. The caller identified himself as Jason Grain, who was later confirmed to be a former employee of Patrick "PJ" Abbott, the owner of 2D Global. Mr. Grain reported that PJ Abbott and 2D Global were selling fraudulent Personal Protective Equipment and using Spartan Medical's logos on the packaging.
As General Counsel of Spartan Medical, I drafted and emailed to Mr. Abbott a cease and desist letter, describing the report that Spartan Medical had received and demanding that he stop using Spartan Medical's logo. This was a reasonable action on the part of Spartan Medical given the random circumstances under which Mr. Grain contacted our company.
Spartan Medical also forwarded Mr. Grain's report to the FBI's field office in Houston, TX. We did this because Mr. Grain had reported to us that Mr. Abbott and 2D Global were knowingly selling fraudulent PPE. Spartan Medical was seeking to protect our fellow American and healthcare workers in the event that Mr. Grain's report was accurate. Again, this was the responsible thing to do.
Following the delivery of my cease and desist letter, I had one phone call with Mr. Abbott. A Spartan Medical customer service representative was also on the call. Mr. Abbott behaved very badly on the phone. He was either unwilling or unable to have a rationale discussion. After one minute, Spartan Medical ended the call because it was clear that Mr. Abbott was not able to compose himself.
Mr. Abbott then emailed me three times in the course of less than twenty-five minutes. In his third email, he demanded that Spartan Medical publish a retraction to its cease and desist letter and to provide "an apology and statement to the FBI" concerning the report. Mr. Abbott threatened to "go public with [Spartan Medical's] reckless and irresponsible conduct" if Spartan Medical did not comply with his demands within sixty minutes.
What follows in bold font is the response that I emailed to Mr. Abbott. This was my final communication to him:
Mr. Abott:
There is nothing to retract. Spartan Medical has not publicly defamed you or any of your companies. Nor are we asserting that you are guilty of anything that [Jason] Grain has alleged. All I am saying is that we received a report, and delivered a cease and desist letter to you so as to protect ourselves in the event that Mr. Grain's allegations are true. If Mr. Grain has made false accusations against you, then you should take it up with him. Mr. Grain called us from 832-***-****. I have not endorsed Mr. Grain's accusations nor have I suggested to any law enforcement entity that Mr. Grain is telling the truth. The information that I received is that Spartan Medical's logo/brand/likeness is being used to sell counterfeit PPE in Houston, TX. I took the steps that I needed to in order to protect the company in the event that the information is accurate.
You should consult with legal counsel prior to making any public statements, including posting anything online, concerning Spartan Medical or any of its agents. Such conduct would be defamatory and libelous.
Mr. Abbott emailed me three more times on May 14, 2020. In one of those emails he provided me with a similar complaint that Mr. Grain and Micheal Paladdi had recently posted about him on an online platform called "SquareSpace."
Given the fact that Mr. Grain is the source of these reports, it is not clear to me why Mr. Abbott is attempting to slander and libel Spartan Medical. We were merely the recepient of Mr. Grain's report. Spartan Medical handled the information in a responsible fashion.
To be clear, neither I nor anyone from Spartan Medical ever threatened Mr. Abbott or 2D Global. To the extent that my cease and desist letter could be intrepreted as a threat, it was a contingent threat (i.e. if you are using Spartan Medical's logos and if you do not cease and desist, then legal action will be taken).
We hope and expect that any reasonable person who reads Mr. Abbott's report and this response thereto will quickly acertain that Spartan Medical is the rationale party.
Communications Officer
Texas,United States
Conduct un-becoming, No BBB, exaggerated presence and legal actions?
#9Author of original report
Sun, May 17, 2020
A deeper view of Spartan Medical revealed a list of clients, posted on the company site. 2D Global participates in servicing the same market space. Spartan Medical boasts of client interaction and servicing; however, our contact and questioning with several key individuals within the client list were not aware of intense company interations with Spartan Medical.
While we at 2D Global service and have access to over 1100 clients, over nearly thirty years, and the same codes, and VSOB benefits, we do not pride ourselves, nor find it purposeful to openly share that highly sensitive information. We believe our clients would agree.
The Spartan Medical claim is that, "Spartan Medical has successfully provided products and services at the following Government Medical Centers:
We would ask that you follow up with key executives at these locations in order to identify the more accurate company presence, or lack thereof.
We also contacted the Maryland BBB and could not find any record of the company located in Silver Spring Maryland.
We have also documented additional and continuing communication from lead counsel Donny Knepper, which presents a direct threat to the Chairman of 2D Global as well as the Company, if any complaints are filed. This would add to the boasting of the company's "supposed" strength and "..depth of resources..."
One would wonder how many of Spartan Medical's contracts are obtained with the use of these "...deep resources..."
While we can not confirm the placement of well timed complaints aganst 2D Global (hired or otherwise), we find it interesting that these complaints from unknown and unconfirmed sources, seem to leverage social media and internet postings in favor of Spartan Medical and as a highly negative impact to 2D Global as a competitor. In fact, the complaints reference fraudulent activities in product areas that are non-relevant within the 2D Global offering. This is easily confirmed with a view of the 2D Global company site. For example, in over 40,000 pages of site information, there is NO reference to the sales & marketing of PPE. This is also something that Spartan Medical's counsel could have and should have validated, unless nefarious agendas are present. In fact, NO ONE at 2D Global was offered a courtesy call. When I personally reached out with our Chairman, we were told to: "....XXXX off." We believe these compalints are strategically staged.
We believe this is a direct attack and attempt to access our emerging technology platform such as our recently launched COVID 19 Rapid Antibody Testing product and protocol seen @ www.2DGlobal.com .
Our legal advisors believe that 2D Global holds a strong postion for legal action; however, that is not our interest. It is to warn and make others aware of corporate activities that are detrimental to the postive progress of the industry.
2D Global prides itself on "stepping up" with people, not "stepping on" them.
Our corporate documentation and registrations are listed on our site, and most have been since 2009.
For reference, our logos are all TM registered, and have been for many years: https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/a9a6d24f-4cda-4f0c-b4e5-0ef290ef24ca/downloads/GMES%20Fed%20Registered%20TM%20%20(1).jpg?ver=1589730069387
Nice try Spartan Medical. We may be small, but we are certainly not weak.
We plan to file complaints and request an immediate shut down of the company, with the initiation of a full audit and investigation.