David Avilla (Advocate for Orphans International): In Bankruptcy

David and Kerry Avilla, proprietors of Advocate for Orphans International have declared bankruptcy.

David Avilla has described himself as having the heart of a father, the hands of a servant, and the head of a businessman. Two out of three is not bad.

This is a list of their creditors. Look at the ones in red. They owe Federal and State taxes, and have MANY accounts in collection.

This is probably yet another reason to avoid this hosting program.

LeAnn Dakake + New Horizons = Holiday Misery

My family had gone through all of the steps laid out by LeAnn Dakake and New Horizons to host a Russian orphan for the Holidays.

But, at the last minute, bad news! In an email, LeAnn Dakake wrote and said a Russian official visited New Horizons' office in Saint Petersburg and there was a conflict.

But, the story kept changing, finally they said the Governor of Russia, Medevedev had decided it was dangerous for the children.

I do know children came from other hosting programs. So, I cannot really believe what Mrs. Dakake is saying. Why some and NOT ALL?

Our holidays are ruined. And, New Horizons has fine print about refunds. We don't get any. Even the airline money, that we already charged to our credit card, is gone. Maybe it is not really fraud but it just does not taste right.

It would be no problem about the money if some good came from it. But, it seems it all goes to the Dakake family and airlines.

On Google, it is clear that Dakake has an interest in the travel business so you just do have to wonder.

Also, it seems that the Russian government doesn't like her method of making up picture pages of the children on that New Horizons website so maybe that is at the bottom of it.

I do not like this. If the money does not come back with a clear explanation of WHAT WENT WRONG, I will go down to the Russian's Embassy and file a complaint with Governor Medvedev.

He needs to look at this. Maybe he needs to throw LeAnn Dakake and New Horizons out and let someone responsible try to do it right.

Happy 2011.

Families Through International Adoption (FTIA)

Families Through International Adoption (FTIA) is, as they say "inextricably linked" to the horrific adoption of Masha Allen (Maria Nikolaevna Yashenkova) by convicted pedophile and pornographer, Matthew Mancuso.

FTIA is operated by attorney, Keith Wallace (pictured). Wallace's "key guy" in Russia is New Jersey resident, Sergey Dymtchenko. Both testified before Congress about Masha's ordeal and did not have much to say.

Amazingly, FTIA is still licensed to do adoptions in Russia. Hopefully that will change soon!

David Avilla and Advocate for Orphans International: AVOID THEM!

California has required registration of adoption facilitators since 2006.

David Avilla did not bother to register Advocate for Orphans International (AFOI) until mid-October, 2009. This means that it had operated ILLEGALLY for part of 2006, all of 2007, all of 2008, and the first nine months of 2009!

Avilla sought registration at this late date because he and his organization had come under scrutiny from the Gilroy Police and Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office. All of AFOI's fall, 2009, "hosting programs" were abruptly canceled, and rescheduled for later in 2009 or early 2010.

Avilla has also, once again in violation of California law, displayed photographs of "available" children on his website.

Avilla has also been known to "look the other way" when it comes to the MANDATORY background check for host families. He has done this because his arrangements often fall through, and he does not have time to process another family properly. This exposes the visiting children to unacceptable risk.

He has been known to work with "The Stork" (operated by George Kokhno) and "Across the World Adoptions" (operated by Stacy Brown and Lesley Siegel).

Several families have already had an adoption collapse because of his unethical practices.

Avilla obtains his "tax exemption" from Congressional District Programs (a misleadingly named for profit corporation) and the Heritage Foundation. If you MUST do business with Avilla, check with your accountant or attorney before assuming that fees paid to him will be deductible!