WheelchairIt's time to once more highlight the discraceful silence of Hollywood stars over the long-term care closings at the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Particularly appalling is the extent to which A-list board and foundation members now are distancing themselves from the MPTF and its scandal. I've obtained the following email exchange between Kevin Spacey's publicist and Guy Adams, the Independent UK newspaper journalist whose article about the closings generated the following correspondence.
It's quite an eye opener:
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From: Nicola Howson
To Guy Adams, Independent UK
Subject: MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION FUND

Dear Guy

I am writing in regard to your story today about the Motion Picture and Television Fund and the decision to close its nursing facility in California.

I represent Kevin Spacey who has asked me to point out that he is not a member of the Board of that organisation as you suggest in the piece, and as such has had no involvement in this decision. We would be grateful if you could ensure that the piece is corrected online ASAP and that you issue a correction in the main paper tomorrow.

Many thanks and I would be grateful if you could contact me to confirm receipt of this email.

Best
Nicola
[Nicola Howson, Freud Communications]
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From: Guy Adams
To: Nicola Howson
Subject Re: MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION FUND

Hi Nicola,

Kevin Spacey's named on the website of the MPTF as a member of the MPTF Foundation Board of Directors

http://www.mptvfund.org/cm/About%20us/Board%20of%20Directors/MPTF%20Foundation%20Board%20of%20Directors/Home.html

Are you quite sure he's not mistaken?

Because that would mean that the MPTF has made a bizarre and rather serious error. And as unfortunate as their running of the hospital has been, they are not an organisation prone to that kind of cock-up.

In fact, if they are advertising that Kevin is connected to their organisation and he isn't, then I think that would probably be worthy of a story in iteslf.

Could you investigate?

Thanks
Guy

Guy Adams
Los Angeles Correspondent
The Independent
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From: Nicola Howson
To: Guy Adams
Subject RE: MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION FUND

Hi Guy

There is a Corporate Board of Directors and a Fund Board of Directors, neither of which Kevin is involved in and which clearly are the operational and decision making bodies for the MPTF, including the decision I would expect around the residential home. I too have seen the website – all I can think is that the Foundation is an honorary and purely presentational body as he hasn’t heard anything from them, nor been involved in any decisions they have taken, certainly for the 6 years he has been in London. He has done some fundraising in the past but thats the full extent of his involvement. Your story suggests that the folks you name have been involved in the decision, which is misleading, although I appreciate the website is unhelpful.

Best
Nicola
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From: Guy Adams
To: Nicola Howson
Subject: RE: MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION FUND

Nicola

I think you're trying - as David Mills might say - to turn a rather tight corner here.

Yesterday's piece didn't say KS had a role in the decision to close the home. It did say that he was one of the MPTF's "starry board members." And those board members - all thirty of them - together with anyone else who allows their name to be attached to the MPTF, must now accept responsibility for the organisation's actions.

Being a board member for a charitable organisation does, of course, allow you to bask in the reflected glory of its successes. By the same token, it also requires you to take heat when that organisation faces criticism.

I think if KS wants to avoid being caught up in this affair, he really ought to resign from the Foundation Board.

Apopros of his comment that he's had no active role in the MPTF for six years, that's as may be. However a critic might say that it is exactly this sort of apathy that has led to the MPTF's current financial problems - and caused more than a hundred elderly people to be kicked out of their retirement homes.

For the sake of clarity, and to afford the right to reply, I will happily to print your emails outlining KS's position. However I don't think the original piece warrants correction.

Best
Guy
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From: Nicola Howson
To: Guy Adams
Subject: RE: MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION FUND
Guy

I don’t want you to print my emails, thank you very much.  They were not written for publication.  I will let you know if we decide to write a letter for publication.

Best, Nicola
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From: Guy Adams
To: Nicola Howson
Subject: RE: MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION FUND

Hmm. Funny that.