Pancho Campo and Interpol

On the 20th February 2018 I received the following email from Pancho Campo:

'I hope this email finds you well.

I am writing to tell you some great news. As you might know, for more than 15 years I have been fighting to prove my innocence that was besmirched by the Interpol notice filed against me in 2005. Today I am pleased to announce that the Commission for the Control of Interpol Files has issued a report stating that the Red Notice requested by the United Arab Emirates against me was unjustified, reasoning it had been processed irregularly with its accusation against me stemming from a private commercial matter and, therefore, should never have been issued. Additionally this report exonerates me of many accusations while finding the U.A.E. had violated numerous Interpol articles as well as International Law and Human Rights in the pursuance of its case. For this reason, on 5 January 2018 Interpol has expunged my name from its database and has canceled the Red Notice it had issued in 2005.

The effects upon my businesses incurred during this saga, especially those in the wine industry, have been devastating including shutting The Wine Academy, being hampered in expanding events such as Climate Change & Wine and Winefuture, while incurring financial losses and numerous related expenses. However, the damage to my reputation has aggrieved me most, specially because this issue was extrapolated later on regarding the Parker issue.

If you want to know my entire story or particular details of this case we can make the report available to you. In the meantime, you can find details on https://www.panchocampo. com/en/red-notice/

My advisers and I are considering all legal actions to restore my name and reputation, and actions have been requested already from the European Court of Human Rights.

Back in the day you published some very serious and defamatory accusations against me and my family*. Interpol has now demonstrated that I was never accused nor sentenced of embezzlement or absconding, neither of fraud. I want to believe that you were misled by wrong information and sources that could have confused even some of the entities involved in this ordeal. 

I want to clear my name as much as possible and move on in the most amicable and civil way, Jim. You have a reputation of being a just and balanced writer, this is why I am being as candid and transparent as possible. It is never too late to do the right thing.' 

•••

Pancho Campo's claims

I replied that I was prepared to make amendments/edit to the various posts on Jim's Loire where relevant. However, before I did so I needed to see the report from the Commission for the Control of Interpol Files that Campo cited in his message above.

Campo explained that he has been advised by the head of Interpol Spain as well as his lawyers that this report should not be published and that only by meeting with Campo is it possible to read this report, which apparently is in English. No copies can be made.

I have asked Campo what the official publication status of this report is. To date he has not said what the report's official status is rather repeating the advice he has been given that it is secret.

Given the conditions set to view this report, I have decided to publish Pancho Campo's claims without verifying them. 


* My posts related to Campo's businesses and only included his family if they were relevant to his business interests.

••• 

Pancho Campo's lawyers DERECHO AL OLVIDO

Recently I received  the following document (see below) from Campo's lawyers. It asks me to remove three posts from Jim's Loire. Although I am certainly prepared to amend/edit any inaccuracies, I am not prepared to delete these posts.

Post 1: Pancho Campo resigns his MW

This is a matter of historical record and a Google search shows that news of Pancho Campo's resignation remains widely available on the internet. I can see no reason to delete this post.

Post 2: Pancho Campo MW: Spain finds its powerful voice - English translation

This is a translation of an article that was published by El Mundo. The original article can still be found on El Mundo. I have, however, reviewed the comments on this post and deleted nine of them leaving links to Jay Miller's response. I can see no reason to delete this post. 

Post 3: Pancho Campo MW: Wine Business International - 8 page article This is a link to an article on Wine Business International. As above I have deleted comments. I can see no reason to delete this post. 

http://jimsloire.blogspot.com.es/2012/05/pancho-campo-resigns-his- mw.html

http://jimsloire.blogspot.com.es/2011/12/pancho-campo-mw-spain-finds- its_13.html
http://jimsloire.blogspot.com.es/2011/12/pancho-campo-mw-wine- business.html 

'DERECHO AL OLVIDO

DATOS DEL RESPONSABLE DEL TRATAMIENTO
http://jimsloire.blogspot.com.es budmac@btinternet.com

DATOS DEL AFECTADO O REPRESENTANTE LEGAL
D. Iván González Moreno, mayor de edad, con domicilio profesional a efectos de notificaciones en la Calle Jazmines, Edificio Los Arcos, Local 8, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella, Málaga, C.P.29.660, en nombre y representación de Francisco Armando Campo Carrasco, cuyo N.I.F. es 47.867.414-K, y con el mismo domicilio designado con anterioridad a efectos de notificaciones. Acompañamos copia de los documentos identificativos de ambos y de la autorización para la representación. 

Por medio del presente escrito ejerce el derecho de supresión o derecho al olvido, de conformidad con lo previsto en el artículo 17 del Reglamento (UE) 2016/679 del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 27 de abril de 2016, relativo a la protección de las personas físicas en lo que respecta al tratamiento de datos personales y a la libre circulación de estos datos.

SOLICITA

1. Queseprocedaaacordarlasupresióndelosdatospersonalessobrelos cuales se ejercita el derecho, y que constan en los siguientes enlaces: 

http://jimsloire.blogspot.com.es/2012/05/pancho-campo-resigns-his- mw.html
http://jimsloire.blogspot.com.es/2011/12/pancho-campo-mw-spain-finds- its_13.html
http://jimsloire.blogspot.com.es/2011/12/pancho-campo-mw-wine- business.html

Estas informaciones, que se refieren a mi representado por su nombre y apellidos, y que son de fecha 2012, pudieron estar amparadas en la libertad de información en su día, transcurridos los años carecen de total justificación que sigan siendo indexadas por Google y que por parte del periódico se mantengan.

Con el Reglamento General de Protección de Datos, en su artículo 17, viene a regular lo recogido en la primera sentencia del TSJU donde se mencionaba por primera vez al derecho al olvido, TSJU de 13 de mayo de 2014.

El derecho a recibir libremente información veraz por cualquier medio de difusión prevalece frente a los derechos constitucionales, atendiendo a la jurisprudencia del Tribunal Constitucional que reconoce esta posición preferente a la libertad de expresión y cuando los hechos comunicados se consideren de relevancia pública y la información facilitada sea veraz.

Por lo que debería ponderarse escrupulosamente la relevancia pública de la identidad de las personas afectadas por el hecho noticiable para, en el caso de que no aporte información adicional, evitar la identificación mediante la

supresión del nombre e incluso si fuera necesario, de las iniciales a cualquier referencia suplementaria de la que pueda deducirse la identificación, en el caso de que el entorno sea limitado.

Los medios de comunicación, por lo tanto, deberán reflexionar sobre la
trascendencia que tiene mantener de manera permanente una absoluta accesibilidad de los datos contenidos en noticias cuya relevancia informativa, probablemente, es inexistente en la actualidad, COMO EN EL CASO QUE NOS OCUPA, teniendo en cuenta la trascendencia sobre la privacidad de las personas que puede derivar de ello.

En este sentido, los medios de comunicación deberían usar medidas informáticas para que, en el caso de que concurra interés legítimo de un particular y la relevancia del hecho haya dejado de existir, se evite desde su WEBMASTER LA INDEXACIÓN DE LA NOTICIA POR LOS MOTORES DE BÚSQUEDA EN INTERNET. De esta forma, aun manteniéndola inalterable en su soporte ya que no se borraría de sus archivos ni de sus históricos, se evitaría su divulgación indiscriminada, permanente, y en su caso lesiva.

Podemos acreditar, que la información que se facilitan en los enlaces es inexacta y desactualizada:

Como bien saben, en enero de 2018, Interpol ha eliminado a Francisco (Pancho) Campo Carrasco de su base de datos y ha cancelado la notificación Roja emitida en 2005 a solicitud de EAU por una denuncia presentada en Dubái por una ex socia del Sr. Campo en el año 1999.

El origen de la disputa con su ex socia fue un asunto privado de naturaleza comercial, que nunca debería haber sido tratado como un caso criminal ni debería haber provocado la emisión de la Notificación Roja.

La anulación ahora notificada por Interpol es consecuencia de una solicitud presentada por los abogados del Sr. Campo en 2013 para demostrar diversas irregularidades cometidas en el proceso iniciado en su contra, así como el incumplimiento de las regulaciones de Interpol y de las leyes internacionales por parte de Emiratos Árabes Unidos. 

Como ahora se ha demostrado, esta Notificación Roja se emitió para su enjuiciamiento bajo el cargo de "conversión fraudulenta" de manera irregular.
El pasado 5 de enero de 2018 la Oficina de Asuntos Legales de la Secretaría General de Interpol emitió una carta confirmando que el caso de Pancho había sido estudiado por la Comisión para el Control de los Ficheros de Interpol (CCF) en su sesión 102 celebrada del 24 al 27 de octubre. El CCF decidió eliminar el nombre de Francisco Campo Carrasco de su base de datos y cancelar la Notificación Roja. Dicha carta fue acompañada por un informe detallado emitido por la Comisión para el Control de Ficheros de Interpol. 

En este informe se demuestra la total inocencia de Pancho Campo de todos los cargos y acusaciones emitidas contra él, especialmente de la apropiación indebida y la conversión fraudulenta. También confirma la falta de procedimiento por parte de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, la inexactitud de los datos, la falta de naturaleza criminal del caso y que Pancho fue sentenciado "In Absentia".'

 

 

 

Some reflections on DO Madrid and Campo's €40,000

Pancho Campo, Jay Miller and some of the staff of the Wine Academy of Spain

Robert Parker concluded his rather sad and disappointing statement (see earlier post), which was posted on his website last night thus: "Until we are 100% certain of all the facts, I think this subject, which appears to be a reckless and malicious disregard for the truth and clearly aimed at damaging Miller, Campo, and TWA, needs to be closed."

Far from 'closing this subject' Parker has fanned the flames. Jim's Loire has had over 6000 visits over the past two days with over 3,600 today alone. (Jim's Loire has a sitemeter in the right hand column with information open to all.) I have also received many supportive comments.

'This blogger' is a wine journalist who has written for many magazines including Decanter since 1989 and, from time to time, newspapers including the Financial Times, the Guardian and the Independent. I have been a member of the Circle of Wine Writers for over 20 years and edited its journal, Circle Update, since 1991. I have been a blogger since August 2008 and am proud to be a member of the Internet communications community.

I have no interest whatsoever in attacking Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate or Robert Parker. Ever since this story broke Campo has sought for very obvious reasons to portray legitimate reporting on his activities as an attack on Jay Miller, Robert Parker and The Wine Advocate. Although questions can reasonably asked of Miller and Parker as to how the practices as shown in the 3rd June 2011 emails from Campo and Adela Richer could have been allowed, I have no wish to tarnish their reputations nor The Wine Advocate, based after all on the principles of Ralph Nader.

I find it extraordinary that Campo, who was convicted and sentenced** for fleecing his business partner in Dubai, has now been put in a position to fleece the Spanish wine industry and trash the reputations of Jay Miller, Robert Parker and The Wine Advocate. Was this really what Parker intended when Campo was given responsibility to manage Miller's agenda and visits in Spain? I very much doubt it. If Parker is looking for someone to sue for damaging his reputation, he needs look no further than the author of the '€40,000' email sent from Tuscany on 3rd June 2011.

Very insightful comment by a José Maria from Rioja on Oliver Styles's blog captures perfectly the concerns raised by allowing Campo to be Miller’s well-paid gatekeeper, while emphasising that this controversy is not another example of 'Parker bashing' .

'Hi,

Pay attention to what is going on in Spain now. This is not “Another Parker-bashing article”. Nothing against Parker. Nothing against him or Jay Miller being paid for speaking, teaching… The wine industry in Spain is happy to have TWA, Parker, Miller and any other wine critic in our country, taste our wines, have fun and write about all of it back home to their readers. They are all welcome!!!

What I don’t understand, as well as many others in Spain is why Parker hired Pancho Campo to set up Miller´s agenda. We are astonished!!! Does Parker know what is going on here in Spain? I seriously doubt he would approve how Pancho Campo is using Jay Miller´s visits to Spain in his own benefit.

It is not the Master classes that Pancho´s business organized in Jumilla, Navarra, La Mancha, and next week in Madrid with the Cooperatives using Jay Miller, and making lots of money. It is that if you DONT pay Pancho´s business Miller doesn’t show up, like in Madrid DO. It is about all the visits organized to wineries which did not deserve a ‘in person’ visit by the famous critic but as they sponsor and pay Pancho´s business they get privileged access to Miller.*

There are dozens of examples but in our region we all know about Campo Viejo, or the Araex Grupo wineries, all big Pancho´s sponsors.

It is not against Parker or TWA, it is about how a character like Pancho Campo are using this deal to his own profit. I hope Mr Parker is aware what has been going on in Spain during the last year as soon as possible. TWA, Parker, Jay Miller, James Suckling, Bettane, Jancis Robinson all are welcome to Spain (and Rioja!) but please organize the agenda in your own, or ICEX, or any other organism but not through Pancho Campo´s business.

Again, nothing against Parker!

Have a good weekend. Chema

(http://wine-life.co.uk/news-review/how-much-is-a-wine-critic-worth)

Furthermore the detailed points raised on the El Mundo forum (http://foros.elmundo.es/foros/viewtopic.php?t=69631) by Andres Arevalo 10 days ago remain unanswered.


*: I assume that as part of their investigations Parker's swarm of lawyers will have been instructed to look into any convergence between Campo's business interests and the regions and the wineries that Miller visits using the following as a guiding principle:


'We would never permit a winery to pay us for the privilege of tasting their wine or visiting the winery. Moreover, Campo also understands his organization cannot charge wineries for Miller's visits. Both of them have full knowledge that is an appalling conflict of interest that would not be tolerated under any circumstance.'

Robert Parker: 30.11.2011

**: Trial in Dubai June 2003

I gather that Campo has claimed that 'he had no legal representation at the trial'. Technically this is probably correct as the future MW had scarpered before the trial. It is believed that Campo paid to be smuggled out of the country probably on a boat and then headed to Spain. He left behind his Chilean passport, which he had surrendered to the court in June 2002 when he was charged. Campo was sentenced to a year's imprisonment to be followed by deportation. Despite being removed in 2010 from the Interpol wanted list, the sentence is understood to still stand. For those who point out Dubai's human rights record, should be aware that Campo's parents-in-law continue to live in Dubai.

**

The last minute decision on Tuesday (29th November) that Jay Miller would be able to taste wines of DO Vinos de Madrid yesterday (1st December) shows that Spanish regions, who refuse to bow to Campo's outrageous financial demands, can have their wines rated without charge by Miller if the media spotlight is bright enough. The Spanish press has a big role to play here.

It isn't, however, just the local press but the international wine press who can hold Campo to account. By attending WineFuture Rioja in 2009, when Campo was wanted on Interpol, participants immeasurably strengthened his Spanish power base. Those, who in 2009 cashed Campo's cheques, have a very clear responsibility to ensure that he does not now screw the Spanish wine industry, especially at this time of crisis.

Echoes of Pancho Campo MW

Logroño, the capital of Rioja, inevitably brings echoes of the 2009 WineFuture seminar held here in early November 2009 organised by Pancho Campo. It reminds me that although I directed a number of questions to Pancho and his lawyers back in the latter part of July when Campo's name was removed from the Interpol wanted list. I have been seeking clarification of this annoucement - an example from the Indian Wine Academy site here:

'The message received late last night, ‘it gives me great pleasure to inform you that Interpol has accepted our request to take Pancho from their Red Notice list. We have managed to prove that Pancho´s case was not handled well, the accusations were wrong and he should have never been listed in Interpol’s website. He is now a free and innocent man,’ does not need any further explanation.' 23rd July 2010.

Questions sent to Pancho Campo and the Spanish Wine Academy:

21st July 2010

'Does this mean that your conviction and sentence in Dubai from June 2003 has been quashed or set aside? I'd be very grateful if you could clarify this for me please? '

22nd July 2010, resent 29th July 2010

A) Why did Interpol remove Pancho Campo MW's name from the Interpol wanted list? What evidence was provided that persuaded the authorities that his name should be removed.

B) What is current status of Campo's conviction in Dubai on 1st June 2003 for breach of trust/fraud and sentence to a year in prison. Has this conviction been quashed or set aside or does it still stand?

C) Are there any further legal cases involving Pancho Campo MW in the United Arab Emirates?

29th July 2010: to Paulina Campo-Bacque: Executive Director of Spanish Wine Academy
Unfortunately I have not had a response to the questions (see below) I sent
you on 22nd July asking for them to be forwarded to the Butler lawyer (James Butler is Campo's father-in-law and it was his lawyer I was told on 22.7.10 would handle all questions relating to this case).

I have subsequently been in contact with Interpol in France who cast doubt on Pancho Campo's claim that Interpol had accepted his request for the Red Notice to be removed from their site.

Their explanation (below) of how the Red Notices work appears to be at variance with Pancho Campo's claim that Interpol accepted his request to be removed from the Interpol site.

'As there is no Red Notice published on the INTERPOL website for this person, this means that either the Notice is restricted to law enforcement access only, or the country which requested the issue of a Red Notice has cancelled this request.

A Red Notice is issued by the INTERPOL General Secretariat in Lyon, France at the request of a member country on the basis of a valid national arrest warrant.'

I would be grateful if the Butler lawyer would comment on this.

It would appear likely that the request to remove Pancho Campo's name came from the United Arab Emirates. Was this as a result of a deal concluded with Jackie Wartanian? And, if so, what were the terms of this deal?

I would be very grateful if you would pass these further questions onto the Butler lawyer.

*

To date I have had absolutely no response to these questions, which is surprising as Pancho Campo promised earlier this year that I would be the first to know when he was cleared and he would give me the full story. Furthermore if Campo is correct and Interpol did remove his name at his request and admitted the mistake one would imagine that he would be keen to provide further information to bolster his claim.

My final email to Campo-Bacque did, however, appear to trigger an intriguing and unexpected response: the pressure group Detained in Dubai sent a near hysterical email (30th July) to one of the wine magazines I contribute on the entirely erroneous belief that I had been asked to write a follow up story on Interpol's response. The email warned that 'our legal team in the United Kingdom are presently exploring whether to pursue legal action for damages against Jim Budd for his unprofessional conduct (harassment and defamation). We thought it appropriate to inform you of possible impending litigious action.'

I have no idea whether 'Detained in Dubai' acted entirely independently here or whether the email was sent at the request of someone associated with the Spanish Wine Academy. In September 2009 American wine and food journalist was threatened with legal action by one of Campo's lawyers for looking into the Interpol red notice.

To date I have heard nothing from 'Detained in Dubai' and certainly not as much as a bat's squeak from them about 'imminent legal action'.

*

I have to say that the continuing silence from Doctor Campo and his legal team suggests to me that Interpol's explanation is correct and that rather than Interpol 'accepting' Campo's request some sort of deal was concluded in Dubai, possibly involving Jackie Wartanian, Campo's previous business partner, which led to Campo's name being removed from Interpol's wanted list.

Pancho Campo MW: Interpol casts doubt on Campo's claims

In a message to his supporters sent on 21st July 2010, Pancho Campo asserted:

'I have been informed today that Interpol accepted my request to take my name out of their list. They have found that a mistake was made and an injustice was committed against me.

'Finally my name is out of their website and I am no longer a "wanted" person.'

A similar message was sent to The Indian Wine Academy:

'It gives me great pleasure to inform you that Interpol has accepted our request to take Pancho from their Red Notice list. We have managed to prove that Pancho´s case was not handled well, the accusations were wrong and he should have never been listed in Interpol’s website. He is now a free and innocent man,’ (http://www.indianwineacademy.com/item_3_396.aspx)

However, a response from Interpol's press office to my enquiry indicates that this is not how the system of Red Notices work:
  
'Dear  Mr Budd,

Thank you for your email.

In response to your enquiry, it is not appropriate for INTERPOL to comment on individual cases.

As there is no Red Notice published on the INTERPOL website for this person, this means that either the Notice is restricted to law enforcement access only, or the country which requested the issue of a Red Notice has cancelled this request.

A Red Notice is issued by the INTERPOL General Secretariat in Lyon, France at the request of a member country on the basis of a valid national arrest warrant. We would therefore advise you to contact the authorities of the country which issued the original warrant as they will be able to update you on its status.'

It would appear then that Pancho Campo's name could only have been removed at the request of the authority – Dubai/United Arab Emirates – that issued the request for a Red Notice in the first place. This suggests that Campo's claim that Interpol have admitted that a mistake was made in issuing the Red Notice may well be unlikely as they would have been responding to 'a request of a member country on the basis of a valid national arrest warrant'.  

Unfortunately it remains unclear what was the actual process of removing Pancho Campo's name from Interpol's website. Did this process perhaps involve an agreement with Jackie Wartanian, his former business partner who had filed the original complaint back in 2002?  

See other recent posts on Pancho Campo here and here.

Pancho Campo MW: questions for his lawyer

Following the news (21st July 2010) that Pancho Campo's name had been removed from list of fugitives on the Interpol website I sought clarification from Campo about the current status of his conviction in Dubai in June 2003. 

I received the following reply (22nd July 2010): 

'Pancho, his wife and children left yesterday evening for their summer holidays overseas.

Also, The Wine Academy closes for the summer vacation until September the 1st.

I shall forward your email to the lawyer of the Butler family who will be handling all matters related to the case.

Regards,

Paulina Campo-Bacque
Executive Director'

I sent (22nd July) some questions to be forwarded to the lawyer:

I would be very grateful if you would pass on the following three questions to the Butler family lawyer who is handling these matters.

A) Why did Interpol remove Pancho Campo MW's name from the Interpol wanted list? What evidence was provided that persuaded the authorities that his name should be removed?

B) What is current status of Campo's conviction in Dubai on 1st June 2003 for breach of trust/fraud and sentence to a year in prison. Has this conviction been quashed or set aside or does it still stand?

C) Are there any further legal cases involving Pancho Campo MW in the United Arab Emirates?

Alternatively could you let me have a name and contact details, including an email address, for the Butler family lawyer please?


To date I have received no response.

*

Detained in Dubai

The Pancho Campo case features on this site, which claims that the issuing of a red notice for Pancho Campo was as a result of a 'UAE Interpol Blunder'. 

I have asked Interpol to comment.

Pancho Campo MW: removed from Interpol's wanted list

Last September I broke the news, along with Adam Lechmere, on decanter.com that Pancho Campo MW was wanted by Interpol. I subsequently made several posts about this story on Jim's Loire. I have been informed and have verified this evening that Pancho Campo's name has been removed from Interpol's wanted list.

At this time it is not clear whether Campo's conviction in Dubai in June 2003 and one year prison sentence and subsequent deportation has been quashed or set aside. I am seeking clarification on this and will update this post once this has been clarified.

22nd July 2010
I understand from Paulina Campo-Bacque, the executive director of The Wine Academy of Spain that the lawyer of the Butler family (Campo's in-laws) who will be handling all matters related to the case. I have asked Campo-Bacque to forward some questions to this family lawyer and am awaiting a response.

28th July 2010
I'm still awaiting a response.

Pancho Campo MW: A question of legal silence

Jim’s Loire has been asking Pancho Campo a series of questions since early October with as yet no response, although Pancho did offer an explanation for his silence in an email to me on 23rd November.

Pancho Campo MW to Jim Budd: 23.11.09
‘Please don’t feel I am ignoring you. My lawyers in Washington, Dubai and Spain have strongly advised me not no disclose any information. They are getting close to seeing some light and don’t want to jeopardize their efforts. Also, the authorities involved have asked for silence and discretion until further notice.

Trust me, you will be first one I will contact as soon as I am given permission to speak.

I am innocent and I will prove my innocence. As a member of the wine community who has tried to contribute to the industry, I would appreciate some support and the benefit of the doubt. If Decanter is willing to, when this ordeal gets to an end I will be happy to give you the story.’

•••

Pancho's discretion above is somewhat in contrast to an interview given in Jerez on 3rd October but this may well have been given before his lawyers and the authorities involved counselled silence.

From an interview in Jerez – 3rd October 2009

http://www.lavozdigital.es/cadiz/20091003/jerez/esta-cometiendo-injusticia-tremenda-20091003.html

From the second question:

-Pero pesa sobre usted una orden internacional de arresto.
-No, es de localización. Y fíjese lo difícil que le ha sido a usted localizarme. Me ha llamado por teléfono, hemos quedado y aquí estoy.

But there is an international arrest warrant issued against you.

No, it's to find me. And see how difficult it was for you to find me. You called me up by phone, we fixed a date and here I am.

-¿Por qué le buscan?
-Por algo que sucedió en Emiratos Árabes, cuando yo vivía en Dubai. Allí se rigen por la legislación musulmana y cualquier delito,ya sea por no pagar la hipoteca o por un talón sin fondos, se juzga por la vía penal. Aquí, sin embargo, no sería más que una cuestión civil.

Why are they looking for you?

Over something that happened in the UAE, when I lived in Dubai. They live by Muslim legislation there and any offense (the word can also be translated as "crime"), be it for not paying your mortgage or for a bounced cheque, is tried via the penal code.

-¿Qué es lo que pasó para que le reclamen?
-Una ex socia de la empresa que tenía en Dubai puso un dinero en la sociedad, pero ésta quebró y ella reclama ahora el dinero.

What happened for them to be looking for you?

A former partner in a business I had in Dubai put money into the business, but it went bankrupt and she now claims the money.

-¿Ese dinero no le corresponde?
-No, porque era una aportación de capital. En esos casos perdemos todos. Yo, personalmente, perdí bastante más, pero ése es el riesgo que se asume.

Doesn't the money belong to her?

No, because it was a capital injection. In cases like those we all lose everything. Personally, I lost a lot more, but that's the risk you take.

-¿Nunca llegó a celebrarse un juicio por eso?
-Se fijó un juicio, pero yo no me enteré. No pudieron localizarme porque entonces yo ya no vivía en Dubai y me había venido a España. Se ve que la Justicia de Emirato Árabes me reclama ahora por esto y ha recurrido a la Interpol. Eso es todo. Creo que se está cometiendo una tremenda injusticia conmigo, pero, como le dije, estoy tranquilo.

Was there never a court case over that?

A court case was arranged, but I didn't get to hear about it. They weren't able to find me because I didn't live in Dubai anymore and had come to live in Spain. It can be seen that the Justice of the UAE is now looking for me and has gone to Interpol. That's all. I think a tremendous injustice has been committed against me, but as I said to you, I'm calm.

•••

WineFuture Rioja09: couple of extracts

Ryan was 'ere

Here are links to a couple of extracts from this week's WineFuture Rioja09 conference in Logroño. All three consider the future of communicating about wine and the impact of new technology on how we communication, who can communicate and the audience.

First Ryan's Opaz's speech here.

Also video from Catavino of speeches from Gary Vaynerchuk and Jancis Robinson MW.

For the conference's organiser, Pancho Campo MW, the questions return as the applause dies away, the adrenaline drops and the delegates pack their bags and return home. His status as a fugitive from justice is unchanged.

•

All atwitter:
As reported by @catavino Pancho Campo MW cries at the end of #winefuture conference ...Wine Travel Wink Lorch

http://twitter.com/WineTravel/status/5686945058

grapestwc
@WineTravel Did he cry when they put the handcuffs on him?

Daniel Posner, an NY wine retailer

••

Gerry Dawes, who was threatened by Pancho Campo's lawyer in early September 2009 has posted an open letter to Kevin Zraly, technical director of WineFuture Rioja09 here.

Pancho you can run but you can't hide......

Esteban Cabezas, marketing manager for The Wine Academy of Spain (right), and a representative from Jerez

The 2nd European Wine Bloggers Conference has opened in Lisbon late this afternoon. The first tasting on the programme is a presentation of Vinoble and a sweet wine tasting with wines from Spain and Portugal. Despite Pancho Campo MW having a conviction for fraud and an unserved prison sentence in Dubai, the owners of the bi-annual Vinoble, have seen fit to give the contract for organising the 2010 to Pancho Campo and his Wine Academy of Spain.

I'm sure that the presentation and tasting would have been worthwhile and interesting but I, for one, am going to have nothing to do with Vinoble until Pancho provides detailed answers to the questions I have been asking.

Pancho Campo had been expected by the EWBC organisers to do the presentation instead Esteban Cabezas, marketing manager for The Wine Academy of Spain but clearly didn't show. Many must have wondered – "Where's Pancho?"

In the absence of (Doctor) Pancho, Esteban Cabezas, marketing manager for The Wine Academy of Spain, stepped into the breach and did the presentation. I gather from bloggers at the presentation that Esteban did his best but was nervous and easily flustered by questions. Not surprising as this sort of presentation probably isn't normally his role. Not Esteban's fault if his boss hasn't the cojones to fulfill an engagement.

The people from Jerez must also be wondering what the point of hiring Pancho Campo MW was to promote Vinoble 2010 if he sends his assistant, so that Pancho doesn't have to face awkward questions.

Pancho Campo MW: From the Interpol site

PS (31st October): Had a very quick chat with Esteban (The Wine Academy of Spain) at lunchtime.
Jim: "When you see Pancho please tell him I'd like some answers."
Esteban: "He knows."

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Related stories:
Vinoble:

This is the town hall budget: €157k
http://www.diariodejerez.es/article/jerez/408281/vinoble/sale/por/primera/vez/concurso/y/mitad/precio.html

Consejo are also chipping in 50 grand.
http://www.diariodejerez.es/article/jerez/516828/salon/vinoble/tendra/concurso/su/programacion.html

Evolution of the budget over the years: 2004 €2m; 2008 €500k
http://www.diariodejerez.es/article/jerez/414353/la/alcaldesa/no/cree/vinoble/sufra/por/recorte/presupuesto.html

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Some comment on winefuture, Pancho Campo and Vinoble
http://www.verema.com/foros/foro-vino/temas/645717-wine-future-parecia-cantado?page7

Unfortunately this thread is now closed. The Spanish press closing ranks perhaps .........