Jack Zito / Covers thread

[zkr4]

Jack, I believe your gonna have to give these guys a lil more credit. It was clearly wrong for you to be fraudulent about the name, your "gambling records", and the fact that you were gonna take people's money handicapping a sport that you admittedly knew little about. I think your approach to the situation is faulty and should be rethought. Your not gonna fool the guys on this forum, just ain't happening. I do at least give u credit for coming forward and not just making up another name and giving it another go though. Small step in the right direction, IMO. One last thing, since you've been outed as an Ole Miss student I feel obligated to give you a Go Dawgs. GL

[Beyond the Bets]

I have spent the last day or so thinking about this, and I asked myself the following question:

"If Jack Zito submitted the same resume, had the same e-mail correspondence, etc., to ninety-nine other companies similar to Covers, how many would have hired him?"

The answer I came up with: Zero.

It was so blatantly obvious.

[David Payne]

Baseball handicapping articles were included in the writing samples supplied by Mr. Zito to Covers.

[ChiefZilla]

(04-17-2012 11:49 PM)JSpauny Wrote:  Just because Covers gave you this opportunity (which I fault them for completely), doesn't mean you have the freedom to do with it what you choose. As much as you want to think you were honest, you were only honest after the fact.

@Zito ^^^This.^^^

Pretty much took the words out of my mouth in regards to what I think you did wrong. But again, this whole situation just seems ridiculous on both ends.

Would you really have stopped doing it if you weren't essentially forced out?

[mount187]

Let me start this post out by saying, I don't visit Covers.com, I don't have any association with them, I really don't care about the backlash of this, etc.

In reality though, this kind of stuff happens all the time in less public settings. People exaggerate their resumes at much larger companies, with way more money at stake, in "the real world" all the time. Let's not beat up on Covers just for making a mistake; from all that I've read, they've owned up to their mistake, and have rectified it as best they can. That doesn't get people their wagers back, but I buy crappy products all the time that I just have to deal with; it's just part of commerce in my eyes. If I buy a used car that turns out to be a lemon, I'm on the hook for the repairs, not the dealership. It's good that this has come to light, and hopefully this will lead to more thorough background checks in the future, but in my eyes, these things happen. See O'Leary, George via Georgia Tech.

[JackZito]

As I agree with some of what you are saying here are just a few key points.

The ONLY untruthful thing on the resume was me using a pen name.

My account was shut down because I told BTB I was coming clean about Covers. I am the email to prove this.

I know plenty about baseball and like Mr. Payne said I sent plenty of articles over proving it. I just don't personally bet baseball due to numerous factors.

[JackZito]

Quote:Would you really have stopped doing it if you weren't essentially forced out?

Again it is important to note that I fired myself by informing BTB what was going on. Covers will tell you different to "Cover" their you know what

[ChiefZilla]

Look, dude ... I'm not here to lecture you. I'm not your mom. I really don't care.

But if you can't see that you did anything wrong here, I don't know what to say.

[JackZito]

(04-18-2012 11:00 AM)ChiefZilla Wrote:  Look, dude ... I'm not here to lecture you. I'm not your mom. I really don't care.

But if you can't see that you did anything wrong here, I don't know what to say.

Then don't say anything....

[spanishredeye]

(04-18-2012 11:11 AM)JackZito Wrote:  

(04-18-2012 11:00 AM)ChiefZilla Wrote:  Look, dude ... I'm not here to lecture you. I'm not your mom. I really don't care.

But if you can't see that you did anything wrong here, I don't know what to say.

Then don't say anything....

I really don't think you're in any position to start telling people what to say around here.

I'd rather chief talk about his morning bowel movements then read your posts at this point.

[DOP]

I murdered someone.. but I came clean about it to the police once the guilt got to me.. therefore I did nothing wrong... I'm also expecting the State to drop all charges because I was hired as a hitman... I only killed him because I was getting paid.

[ScottKimberly]

(04-18-2012 11:11 AM)JackZito Wrote:  

(04-18-2012 11:00 AM)ChiefZilla Wrote:  Look, dude ... I'm not here to lecture you. I'm not your mom. I really don't care.

But if you can't see that you did anything wrong here, I don't know what to say.

Then don't say anything....

When I said "best of luck," you're right, I really meant be an asshole to people on here who are justifiably upset.

Spot on.

[JackZito]

(04-18-2012 11:26 AM)DOP Wrote:  I murdered someone.. but I came clean about it to the police once the guilt got to me.. therefore I did nothing wrong... I'm also expecting the State to drop all charges because I was hired as a hitman... I only killed him because I was getting paid.

Yeah dude because killing someone and this situation are comparable.

Let's keep this thread as immforative and intelligent as possible. If you have nothing to contribute nor have any questions please reframe from posting. Thanks

[JSpauny]

(04-18-2012 11:00 AM)ChiefZilla Wrote:  Look, dude ... I'm not here to lecture you. I'm not your mom. I really don't care.

But if you can't see that you did anything wrong here, I don't know what to say.

I'm with Chief.

Come on man.

Let's say you were working at a company. You and some co-workers stole some money here or there for a week or two, nothing big but a chunk of money. Then you suddenly got a change of heart and came forward and told your boss that you stole some money and you knew about other people who did as well. Do you honestly expect him to forgive you for stealing the money because you confessed and were willing to give up other people? And do you really think it would erase the wrong you committed by stealing in the first place? A right doesn't just cancel out the previous wrong, it might make the wrong seem better, but it doesn't cancel it out.

It's good of you to come forward (didn't realize you did that initially), but you don't exactly have clean hands in this.

[JSpauny]

This wouldn't be a big deal if you came off like you did something wrong. It's why McGwire and Bonds are so disliked in baseball and why Bill Clinton got into trouble. Instead of just admitting their wrongs and moving on (people are usually all for forgiveness when someone comes forward and admits guilt), they continued to deny their wrongdoing and acted like they did nothing wrong.

[JackZito]

(04-18-2012 11:35 AM)JSpauny Wrote:  

(04-18-2012 11:00 AM)ChiefZilla Wrote:  Look, dude ... I'm not here to lecture you. I'm not your mom. I really don't care.

But if you can't see that you did anything wrong here, I don't know what to say.

I'm with Chief.

Come on man.

Let's say you were working at a company. You and some co-workers stole some money here or there for a week or two, nothing big but a chunk of money. Then you suddenly got a change of heart and came forward and told your boss that you stole some money and you knew about other people who did as well. Do you honestly expect him to forgive you for stealing the money because you confessed and were willing to give up other people? And do you really think it would erase the wrong you committed by stealing in the first place? A right doesn't just cancel out the previous wrong, it might make the wrong seem better, but it doesn't cancel it out.

It's good of you to come forward (didn't realize you did that initially), but you don't exactly have clean hands in this.

My bosses advised me to sell baseball picks, if that's what you are talking about. The only wrong I did was using Jack Zito instead of my real name. As mentioned, I felt uncomfortable doing the things Covers was making me do. That's why I told BTB what was going on he told some people, Covers caught wind and removed my account.

So based off what happened I revised your examples....

Killing someone - according to what happened this would be like me using a fake name and being hired as a police officer instantly. On the first few days of work the cops have me being a "bad cop" - keeping drugs, money, etc. I feel uncomfortable but think hey this is my job and I'm going to do what my bosses say. Then finally they me to kill a criminal. Thats when I had enough. I came clean about everything to certain people. These people then told people and my polic department found out. Quickly after this the police department fires me.

The stealing example - this would be as if I was hired by a job. On the first few days my bosses were stealing office supplies and slacking at work. They told me it was ok and expected. So I followed suited because it was my new paying jobb and my bosses were expecting me to do it - and they also pressured me. Finally after a week I was done with it. I told a few people what was going on, they told someone else in te company and I was later removed, while the other bosses - who stoles thousands over time and spent 4 hours a day smakcing off kept their jobs.

[The Cosmic Kid]

(04-18-2012 09:43 AM)mount187 Wrote:  Let me start this post out by saying, I don't visit Covers.com, I don't have any association with them, I really don't care about the backlash of this, etc.

In reality though, this kind of stuff happens all the time in less public settings. People exaggerate their resumes at much larger companies, with way more money at stake, in "the real world" all the time. Let's not beat up on Covers just for making a mistake; from all that I've read, they've owned up to their mistake, and have rectified it as best they can. That doesn't get people their wagers back, but I buy crappy products all the time that I just have to deal with; it's just part of commerce in my eyes. If I buy a used car that turns out to be a lemon, I'm on the hook for the repairs, not the dealership. It's good that this has come to light, and hopefully this will lead to more thorough background checks in the future, but in my eyes, these things happen. See O'Leary, George via Georgia Tech.

This is a mistake Covers shouldn't have made. It's obvious that Zito isn't someone people should be paying $450/month for picks (especially for baseball), yet he was hired (quickly) by one of the biggest names in the sports betting industry. It's inexcusable.

How are we supposed to trust Covers if they pull stuff like this? How many of their other handicappers have similar backgrounds, but have been smarter or more careful?

Apparently, Covers is just as shady as the rest of the tout sites and the list of trustworthy sports betting sites has became even shorter.

[JackZito]

I guess in short - I did wrong because my bosses informed to do wrong

[Skating Tripods]

(04-18-2012 09:43 AM)mount187 Wrote:  Let me start this post out by saying, I don't visit Covers.com, I don't have any association with them, I really don't care about the backlash of this, etc.

In reality though, this kind of stuff happens all the time in less public settings. People exaggerate their resumes at much larger companies, with way more money at stake, in "the real world" all the time. Let's not beat up on Covers just for making a mistake; from all that I've read, they've owned up to their mistake, and have rectified it as best they can. That doesn't get people their wagers back, but I buy crappy products all the time that I just have to deal with; it's just part of commerce in my eyes. If I buy a used car that turns out to be a lemon, I'm on the hook for the repairs, not the dealership. It's good that this has come to light, and hopefully this will lead to more thorough background checks in the future, but in my eyes, these things happen. See O'Leary, George via Georgia Tech.

While Zito is clearly a douche bag, as evidenced by the stance that he's taken and the way he's talking down to people, Covers is still far and away the more guilty party here.

You can't use the example of a used car. You have the ability to research that car before buying it. If you can't find anything about its history, repairs, whatever, and you aren't getting any kind of warranty, then, that's on you. Personally, I would never buy an undocumented car or buy from a used lot that doesn't at least offer a Carfax report for the simple fact that, if it's a piece of shit, it's on me. There are at least safeguards in place. You can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. There are no checks and balances or avenues available to you when you're buying picks and engaging in something illegal. Because, let's be honest, nobody who can bet in Las Vegas or Reno is buying picks from some clown on the internet.

However, as a customer buying Zito's picks, you are forced to trust that Covers did their background work. There is no documentation of Zito's record anywhere. You're buying on blind faith that Covers, the supposed leading website in the industry, has done their due diligence and at least monitored the guy's picks.

I don't blame Zito for exaggerating his resume. If Covers is going to be lazy and not do the simplest of background checks or anything past on-the-surface research, they deserve to look bad in this. If I say that I have all kinds of work experience that I don't have, and a company hires me because they didn't check with my "past employers", who's fault is that? It may be dishonest of me, but it's bad business of them. In this case, it was bad business that affected their credibility.

Both parties are certainly at fault, and nobody's rooting for Zito in this because he's coming off as a condescending asshole resorting to childish retorts and doing nothing to help his image, but I've gotta place more of the blame on Covers here.

[Beyond the Bets]

(04-18-2012 11:50 AM)JackZito Wrote:  As mentioned, I felt uncomfortable doing the things Covers was making me do. That's why I told BTB what was going on he told some people, Covers caught wind and removed my account.

Let the record show that you only revealed your involvement with Covers after I approached you and told you what I knew.