
A Felon-free Refresher (or as the postman said, “look at the question behind the question as the real reason”)
February 19, 2011Jimmy 44 Foster (or Grand Delusions and the Case for Expulsion Presented on a Silver Platter)
Supposedly, all rough ashlars must have within them the potential to be made into a perfect ashlar.
Factually, not all do.
Per the Florida Digest of Masonic Law Penal Code:
James Anderson “Jimmy” Foster in withholding felony convictions and lack of restoration of full civil rights upon petitioning for membership to Hillsborough Lodge No. 25 in Tampa, Florida violated:
http://glflamason.org/documents/Chapter%2031.pdf
31.03 A Lodge may not receive a petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry from any person who has been convicted of a felony and who has not been restored to full civil rights.
AND
http://www.glflamason.org/documents/Chapter%2044.pdf
44.07 Obtaining a Degree or Degrees of Freemasonry by fraud, untrue statements of representations or by knowingly concealing and withholding information relevant and material to eligibility for such Degrees is a proper subject for Masonic discipline.
Upon the September, 2009 discovery of his criminal history, Foster initially denied the convictions yet later claimed disclosure of his felonies despite previous secretaries and Past Masters decrying otherwise.
His assertion is subjective given the disappearance of his petition, which seemingly vanished during or within a year of the time in which he was Worshipful Master and his tenant, William P. Jones, was secretary.
Indulge briefly; suppose Foster did disclose his felonious background without restoration of civil rights and somehow, miraculously survived investigation and ballot:
http://glflamason.org/documents/Chapter%2031.pdf
Per 31.04: Lodge may receive petition for Degrees of a man convicted of felony provided Lodge has evidence of restoration of petitioner’s civil rights.
Petitioner disclosed conviction of aggravated assault but Lodge received petition, balloted favorably thereon and conferred Entered Apprentice Degree. Progress of candidate should be suspended since crime of aggravated assault is a felony under state law and action of Lodge was contrary to Regulation 31.03. Upon proof that candidate has been restored civil rights progress of candidate may be resumed.
Foster’s convictions for aggravated battery and aggravated assault, counts 12 and 18 on the violent crimes list and both of which Foster was convicted on February 3, 1983, preclude restoration of civil rights.
http://www.restorerights.org/restore_rights/
Eligibility
- No violent offenses (see Level I list; please click on the above link to view Levels I and II, Rule 9- Rules of Executive Clemency)
- Not declared a habitual violent felony offender, a 3-time violent felony offender, violent career criminal, prison releasee reoffender, sexual predator
Enter the following information provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the link for proof that Foster lacks restoration of civil rights:
https://fpcweb.fpc.state.fl.us/default.aspx
Name: James Anderson Foster
Date of Birth: 12/17/1960
Florida Department of Corrections Identification Number: 0144204
His extensive, violent background (including 3 felony convictions, a 25 year prison sentence, and a 15 year probation term):
At least 28 Master Masons in good standing were then notified of Foster’s criminal history last September; only 3 are known to have presented the information to the Worshipful Master.
The remaining 25? One who forthrightly admitted to filing false Masonic charges at Foster’s behest deemed the report a ”vendetta” in which he would not partake. Another has since advised others to avoid this site.
Herein lies the Grand Master’s opportunity to recover this unfathomable felonious fumble and set precedence. Felon-free Masonry humbly suggests alternative punishments respectful of Masonic law and befitting Foster’s fraudulent entry into the fraternity:
A) Expulsion. Or as many say, “the obvious choice.”
B) An indefinite suspension to be lifted only with restoration of full civil rights and offering no re-entry without re-petitioning and re-balloting.
C) Maintain the five year definite suspension and begin the petitioning process anew. As Foster appears cocksure of the Craft’s acceptance, submittal to a paid background check, attachment of his Florida Department of Corrections rap sheet to the petition, and re-balloting by an informed Craft pending a positive investigation outcome should pose no threat.
Leave a Reply