BullyingCanada has Created a Hotline to Combat Potentially Fraudulent Fundraiser

For Immediate Release

BullyingCanada has Created a Hotline to Combat Potentially Fraudulent Fundraiser

“Gary Guitar” misrepresents his relationship with BullyingCanada to raise money

Fredericton, N.B., 6 May 2019—After declining to be involved in Gary “Sir Johan” Karlsen, III’s latest stunt last June, he finally agrees to remove BullyingCanada logos and branding from his site. Gary, who uses the aliases “Sir Johan” and “Gary Guitar,” contacted BullyingCanada in June 2018 promising donations of $1,000,000 a year. We declined to be involved with Mr. Karlsen based on concerns over reputation and past practices.

Since the refusal was issued, Mr. Karlsen has been using the BullyingCanada name, branding, and logo to try to confer legitimacy to his endeavors and to try to garner support. It has been reported that he has stated that we were an official partner and has requested donations or discounts in consideration thereof.

After contacting several organizations listed on his website, BobsGuitar.org, the replies we received indicated that other charities never authorized their logos or trademarks to be associated with the events or never heard of BobsGuitar.org or “Sir Johan” altogether.

“It’s ironic that we aid victimized youth every day and now we are the victims—or at least it feels that way. Attempts to mislead the public, like that which is occurring here, hurts everyone,” says Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of BullyingCanada Rob Benn-Frenette, O.N.B. “It adds layers of difficulty in being able to fulfill our core mission.”

Only after our counsel has issued a cease and desist letter—and made it clear to Mr. Karlsen after he tried to get us to revoke the letter that we were adamant in this refusal to participate—has he finally removed our logo and name from his list of partner organizations.

At this time, we ask that anyone across Canada who has donated funds to this purported fundraiser contact us immediately on a hotline established for this specific purpose: (800) 899-7085.

Our decision not to partner with Mr. Karlsen was informed by both his including our logo on his promotional materials before reaching out to us and his representation that he ran the nonexistent Jimi Hendrix Family Foundation—something that was repeatedly disavowed by the Hendrix family. Such as this one from Leon Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix’s brother).

BullyingCanada Inc is Canada’s premier—and first youth-created—anti-bullying charity. Founded by Rob Benn-Frenette, O.N.B. and Katie Thompson (Neu) in 2006, BullyingCanada has served hundreds of thousands of youth across the country by, amongst other initiatives, providing individual support, extensive resources, case management, scholarships, and presentations to schools and organizations.

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Press Contacts:
James “PJ” Ryan, Director of Public Relations
(877) 352-4497 | James.Ryan@BullyingCanada.ca

Rob Benn-Frenette, O.N.B., Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director
(877) 352-4497 | Public.Relations@BullyingCanada.ca