The Amazon / Statsaholic (previously Alexaholic) fight just got a lot uglier: details of Alexaholic owner Ron Hornbaker’s past conviction surfaced, and are being played out in a lowly game.
TechCrunch reports rumors of Hornbaker attempting to blackmail Amazon earlier, while Hornbaker claims that “Amazon is using his conviction as leverage in the case, threatening to disclose it publicly if he doesn’t settle immediately by paying $25,000 and transferring all Statsaholic assets to Amazon.”
I’m not going to provide details of the old conviction, what’s done is done, it has nothing to do with the current case, and it’s really unfortunate that it surfaced now.
But something is seriously wrong here: the assertion that Amazon “outed” Hornbaker as part of a smear-campaign is ridiculous. Just think for a minute… wouldn’t any half-brained PR person know digging up dirt on the “little guy” would backfire, negatively reflect on Amazon? Amazon can railroad Hornbaker all they want, but they would be using money, lawyers, the court system … the entire war machinery much rather than doubtful methods that so obviously can hurt them.
And Amazon blackmailing “the little guy” to pay $25K? C’mon, this is just pathetic.
(Disclaimer: I have no factual information on the case, the above is just my opinion – although I’m obviously not alone…)
Tags: amazon, alexa, alexaholic, statsaholic, aol, extortion, conviction, criminal record, smear campaign, PR, lawsuit
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