I was introduced to Mr. Dukes via a federal agent with the recommendation of Ted Nugent. The federal agent is a former marine and also a supporter of Sgt. Ryan. He wanted to set Sgt. Eddie Ryan up with a hunt of a lifetime once he was well enough. Sgt. Ryan was shot twice in the head in Iraq while serving as a scout sniper. The VA wasn't coming through with therapies or money to rebuild his home and folks like me got involved to help. Tony and the federal agent had been talking about Eddie and got me involved earlier this year. I was taken by Mr. Dukes enthusiasm and thought he must be a good guy coming recommended from a fed as well as a pop star deeply involved in helping out the troops. Tony kept running into 'problems' with Eddies promised 20k value trophy buck hunt in Texas.

He came up with a fundraising idea of giving away donated Toby Keith concert tickets in lieu of a minimum donation and this money was to go for Sgt. Ryan's hunt. I sent out a flyer to all members of my police lodge and other fraternal organizations I belong to as well as family and friends.

We raised $1905 dollars that night and gave away extra tickets to local active duty Marines from Stewart Airforce Base. Time went on and Tony was not grasping the depth and complexity of Eddie's injuries and special needs while planning his hunt. He continually kept focusing on the tv aspect of it and how much positive attention it would get vets in need. So he said and I believed him. He suggested myself and Eddie's father also a former Marine come down to Texas at our own expense and go on a complimentary hog hunt to get to know each other and discuss face to face Eddie's special needs as well as to get to know each other.

I paid for my ticket, the federal agent paid for Mr. Ryan's. We met Tony and I gave him an envelope full of cash (1905 dollars) as he requested and we went on our hunt. Well we soon learned that this man was no more of a cameraman than anyone else with a home video recorder is and he was very foul mouthed and crude as well as rude to Mr. Ryan. I smelled a rat by the second day but didn't want to do or say anything to interfere with the operation until I had chance to talk to Mr. Ryan about it alone.

We did at the airport and on the plane home as well as when we got home. Upon returning home I got super nice emails from Tony saying how great I was. I replied that I will not be able to reply since I will be busy but I will be in touch. What I did was I started doing a background check on Mr. Dukes with emphasis on all those organizations and people he badmouthed. I also called the rancher were we just spent a few days and was told the truth of the cost of the hunt which was $500 as well as how welcome we were to come back anytime and especially with Eddie.

Before I could wrap up my investigation, one of his other 'victims' was so elated that someone else has been ripped off by Tony he started making phone calls and in short order Tony found out. He then threatened myself, an active duty federal agent as well our families via email and phone calls. He was told to return the monies raised from the fundraiser and said he would do so to the federal agent.

The money has never been returned. I felt so strongly about what he was doing, in my opinion making a living off the back of the wounded and off the kindness and generosity of good people without really caring about them. I bought the domain name redwhiteandblueoutdoors so he could never use it for his personal gain. I used the site to link people up with reputable organizations I personally know of as well as to update folks on Eddies condition etc.

I put a disclaimer on the bottom saying we have nothing to do with Mr. Dukes due to multiple integrity issues, myself, the Ryan family was well as members of police lodge. That disclaimer has proven to be very valuable because it has brought forward other victims that I have names, numbers and emails from. All are vets and half are active law enforcement. Tony threatened my Lodge with a lawsuit for slander and they asked me to remove them from the disclaimer to avoid any legal problems which I can understand. He has also continued to email me when told to stop under assumed names but with the same IP address. He told my FOP he was a health care provider and as such he must tell them that I am mentally ill.

So now I have him on tape for slander as well. His mental health care experience is being volunteer in prison according to him! He is shameless and bullies and intimidates anyone that stands up to him or says they will expose him. Oh and before I forget to mention according to Ted Nugents personal secretary Tony Dukes has no business with the Nugent organization no matter what Tony says.

Just one of many lies told by Mr. Dukes. I know he purchased an HDTV profession grade camera right after our visit and I have a good idea that is where the money for Sgt Eddie Ryan's dream hunt went. I have an email from an active duty Texas state trooper stating he has witnessed Tony Dukes returning donated items from sponsors for his own store credit, items meant to be given to the troops but kept and returned for his own gain.

He has also been selling shirts at gunshows and at airports with Sgt. Ryan's and Ted Nugent's name on them without either's permission causing the Ryan family to register a trademark for their own son's name. He also gave me a stack of signed Toby Keith and Ted Nugent photos and told me to sell them and split the money with him and print off as many as I want once I run low. I am smart enough to know that even if he owns the rights to the photo he doesn't own the signatures. I still have that stack of photos along with two shirts he sells with Eddie's name on them.

This guy needs to be stopped. Even if the money isn't returned to the donors as the Ryan family wishes Tony needs to be exposed so he doesn't tarnish the good outfits doing good work for the troops. I also still have the list of all the people that donated that night to help cover Eddies hunt as well as the flyer itself. Thank you for your time and stay safe I hope you can put in in touch with someone that is willing to do something about this.

To this day I continue to be harassed by his cohorts but I will not be silenced until complete restitution is made. All this being said Tony does take some troops on hunts but a camera is always there, its not just about the troops as it should be. Shame on you Tony the ends don't justify the means.

Billy
Salisbury Mills, New York
U.S.A.