The Rich Dad Company Mona Gambetta,Plata Publishing, or PCI Publishing Owe Me Payment Performed editorial work and company refuses to issue a replacement check and send it to me securely Scottsdale Arizona

In mid-November 2011, I inadvertently threw out a check from a client I had worked with for more than a year on two or three books (or more). I am a copyeditor. The client was The Rich Dad Company, Robert Kiyosaki’s company. My contact there was Mona Gambetta. She worked through both Rich Dad Poor Dad and three other companies, Mona Roman Advertising, Plata Publishing, and PCI Publishing. I have created a complaint for the Rich Dad Company and Plata Publishing only, because the other entities do not have websites.

I notified the client of my mistake, and she said she would send me a replacement check. I didn’t receive a check within a reasonable period of time and notified the client. She said she would send another one, and we reconfirmed my mailing address. I did not receive the second check either.

I then wrote the client and suggested that she check with the bank to confirm that the checks were never cashed and then send me a check via a courier service, FedEx or UPS. She never responded to my suggestion, and began ignoring my e-mail messages and my phone messages. On the very few occasions on which she responded to one of my requests for payment, she would simply reiterate what she wrote the last time I heard from her. And the last time I heard from her was in September 2012, when she wrote, “I am traveling and have been for several weeks. Out of the country and juggling time zones as well as schedules. We sent three checks to you -- original and two replacements. ALL had our return address in the window and none have been returned to us. I have no idea why they, apparently, have not connected with you.”

She did not respond to my suggestion that she first confirm with her bank that the checks were not cashed, and then send me a new check in a secure fashion via FedEx or UPS. And now she won't answer my e-mails or phone calls at all.

The amount owed is $1,545.13. Again, I have asked the client to verify that the checks written were not cashed, but she has not done so.

In my estimation, we had had a good working relationship that was based on trust. I was stunned at the turn of events and still am.

I deserve payment for the work I did on the book in question, and am totally mystified about the reason for Mona Gambetta initially paying me and then refusing to send me a replacement check in a secure fashion. She had numerous opportunities to say to me that the bank disagreed with me. I am not perfect, so perhaps I made a mistake. But she did not say that. She reiterated only that they sent two replacements.

I have written her again within the last week requesting payment.