Click here to return to the Ministrywarning web site regarding convicted criminal and fugitive Ken Parks of Duluth, GA. Parks runs a fraudulent "ministry" and "charity," that he calls ETC Ministries, last known to be operated from his residence in Duluth, as well as unlicensed businesses AtlantaMAXPhoto, Fotos by Ken and Ansisoft. Since 2000, Parks has been consumed with stalking, harassing, and threatening numerous people, including those in his own family, via web sites, chatrooms, e-mail and regular mail. Parks falsely claims he has won all of his pro se (without an attorney) lawsuits against his victims, when in fact the documentation shows he has actually lost his lawsuits.
Below is a sample of how aggressively defensive Parks becomes on chatrooms whenever he is asked about financial matters regarding his fraudulent ETC Ministries (etcministries). Parks' ETC Ministries is not registered with the IRS nor with the state of Georgia.
The below copied e-mails are also further indication that Parks is deliberately operating his ETC Ministries as secretively as possible, claiming that his Italian "friend" Bernardino "Dino" de Vincenzi was posting his fraudulent "ministry" and "charity" ETC Ministries website for him. Journalist Michael Barrick, who has written for Ministry Watch and other media, contacted Ken Parks in the spring of 2005 to ask him about his "ministry." Below are the content of the e-mails, in which Parks shows himself to be defensive, paranoid, and rude when merely asked about his "ministry."
Michael Barrick wrote:
For Mr. Ken Parks:
Sir,
In the normal course of our research of Christian ministries,
we have learned of ETCMinistries. Our Director of Research, Rod Pitzer,
has previously emailed you requesting information. As he noted, we are
independent donor advocates, existing to
equip and empower donors of Christian ministries so that overall giving to
Kingdom-building efforts will increase. Because you have not responded to
those initial emails, I did want to provide you with another opportunity to
contact us so that we can involve you in the process of informing the donating
Christian community with insight into your ministry. I did leave a message
on your phone just a few moments ago. Our research of your ministry is ongoing,
and we invite you to participate with us in shedding light on your ministry and
its purpose. We look forward to a prompt response.
Sincerely,
Michael Barrick
Michael Barrick
Managing Director, Education & Communications
Wall Watchers
2514 Plantation Center Drive
Matthews, NC 28105
From: "Kenneth Parks" <etcministries2005@yahoo.com>
To: "Michael Barrick"
Cc: <rpitzer
Sent: Friday, April 08, 2005 5:32 AM
Subject: Re: Trying to reach you for research
For Mr. Michael Barrick:
Sir,
In the normal course of your research are you able to
magically acquire my name and telephone number from an Italian based web site
that does not have either in its content?
The Italian based web
site was created with the permission of using an Italian friend's address,
telephone number and other private information so as to remain anonymous.
Again, I will answer to your "ongoing" research/questions
only after you reveal as to whom, what, where and how you acquired my name and
telephone number. Please reply.
In His Majesty's Service,
Ken Parks
cc: Rodney Pitzer, Director of Research
Michael Barrick wrote:
Mr. Parks,
There are any number of ways we acquire research.
Though I appreciate your question, I am puzzled that a person doing ministry
would respond in the manner that you have.
From talking with Mr. Pitzer, it would seem that, for now, we
do not need to do any further research into your ministry since you told him you
are not soliciting funds. Therefore, no additional information is needed from
you. Therefore, we'll cease correspondence as you've requested and simply
monitor the activities of the ministry, as we do with thousands in our offline
database.
Respectfully,
Michael
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kenneth Parks" <etcministries2005@yahoo.com>
To: "Michael Barrick"
Cc: <rpitzer
Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2005 3:09 AM
Subject: Re: Trying to reach you for research
Mr. Barrick,
Your "any number of ways we acquire research" seems to be on
the border of deception and secrecy. Are you attempting to protect yourself
from possible legal action?
I believe I have a full right to the manner of which you
obtained my name and telephone number (unlisted and unpublished)!!!!!!!!
The so-called "cease correspondence as you've requested"
seems to be a fabrication on your behalf to alter what I have written. I NEVER
requested any such thing!!!!
Again, I am requesting that you disclose how you and/or your
organization (Wall Watchers) obtained my name and telephone number, the name(s),
e-mail address, telephone number and mailing address of any individual(s),
corporation(s), or other sources that provided you my name and telephone number,
by what means this information was obtained, and the date it
was obtained.
In His Majesty's Service,
Ken Parks
Cc: Rodney Pitzer, Director of Research, Wall Watchers
Michael Barrick wrote:
Mr. Parks,
I will not provide you with the information you requested. However, the very
adversarial tone of your responses does raise questions. Most ministries
wish to let their light shine before men, as Jesus commanded. One could
become suspicious by the tone of your emails and your reluctance to provide
information. I am in no way concerned about legal action, as the First
Amendment allows me to research and report upon on any matter that is of
concern to the Christian donor in particular, and the general public at
large. Once a person decides to publicize their ministry on the Internet --
whether from Italy or anywhere else -- it is in the public domain and a
legitimate subject for research and reporting. I can assure you that the
First Amendment offers full protection to anyone wishing to research or
write about ETCMinistries. Additionally, I will operate within my rights to
withhold the manner in which I obtain information, especially when one's
tone indicates a threatening response. So, again, I need no additional
information from you. You said you would not answer any questions until I
met your demands, and since that is not a condition that I consider
reasonable, I take that to mean what you say -- you will not speak with us
any more.
So, I shall conduct my research independent of your cooperation. Should I
get to the point of writing an article, I will call you and allow you an
opportunity to respond to any documents referenced or quotes made about
ETCMinistries.
Respectfully,
Michael Barrick
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