Who Is SLJoe? (UPDATED)

UPDATE: Some research found that the person claiming to be SL Joe (IP Address: 64.180.13.213) and the Posted Response from Vandelay Industries came from... the SAME IP address. Not related? 64.180.13.213. Nailed. Related.

I've had about 4-5 people IMing me about SLJoe. Sarah Nerd posted some interesting allegations related to SLJoe. For someone claiming media status, SLJoe has been less than forthcoming - so I did some digging which brought to light some interesting facts.

Based on this Press Release (PDF), SL Joe is owned by Vandelay Industries SA DE CV - we'll get back to that - and has said there is an upcoming episode:

Under aged High School Sex & Second Life. We conducted an extensive undercover investigation involving Second Life location's that appeared to be operating under aged high schools. What appeared to be normal schools of education appeared to be nothing more than a great location for pedophilic teachers to prey on under aged students? How does a history class where for every wrong answer, the student loses a piece of clothing or classroom's that include sex desks as spanking counselor rooms...

Now... that goes right back to Sarah Nerd's post, not to mention a few other IMs I have received related to this particular 'upcoming story'. I'd interviewed Sarah Nerd about Age Verification since she ran a Role Play High School (you know, the cheerleader thing. And stuff.) which is now a Role Play Community College. Other people have IM'd me, saying that he has been nosing around and asking me if I knew if he was legitimate. I wrinkled my nose. Stories happen in [w:SecondLife], very little digging is necessary in forums. And with a good reputation, people actually IM you on stuff to check out.

I contacted SLJoe a few weeks ago, and said that, "if you look through a magnifying glass, don't be surprised if people look back". He believed it was a threat, apparently, and said he was handing it to 'their lawyers'. They. The Royal and Editorial 'We'. We (me) thought about what they (he) wrote, and decided to mute with extreme editorial prejudice. And I thought it was done - but then, I commented here based on what I heard. They (He) responded.

But then I got comment on my blog which tried to draw me into this mess with his own reporting, or lack of said subject thereof. But here is the really funny thing - I hadn't even mentioned him on KnowProSE.com (frankly, because it was below mention). Thus, he got my attention.

Who is SLJoe? A search reveals Vandelay Industries SA DE CV is involved in... gambling, an attempt at pornography and... Bank of Linden?!

I hadn't heard much about the Bank of Linden, so I asked around and was a bit surprised that 2 people had heard of it - but had not had dealings with it. 3 people had not heard of it. Of course, that is a sampling of about 5 people- hardly a big dig. But porn, gambling... and now reporting in SecondLife? This is a media company?

I don't know what to say. What I do know is that I still have to find credibility when it comes to SLJoe. The people I've heard from are pretty upstanding members of the SecondLife community, people who have good reputations in my eyes. Sure, they may have their fingers in some role play (no pun intended), but SecondLife is supposed to be a mature [w:virtual world] where the kids have to go to the Teen Grid.

How far would someone go for a story, though? I don't know anyone who would make up a story, though I do know a few who are lacking in scruples. But then, the people who report on SecondLife that don't bother getting their facts straight. I would hope that people would not set up stories, but then... I would also hope that newbies would stop flying around with their genitalia hanging out.

So what about SLJoe? I guess I'll measure him by his writing, his record of journalism, and what I hear from people I trust. Feel free to prove me wrong, SLJoe.

Obla di, Obla da, SecondLife goes on, bra...