Diversions January 20, 2011

Can I Switch Seats? I’m Allergic to Juror #4…

A cat has been summoned for jury duty in Boston, and even after trying to get his summons disqualified, the court denied the request.  
Reported by

It could have happened to any of the 93.6 million pet cats in the United States1.  But Sal Esposito of Boston is the lucky cat that has been summoned for jury duty.  His owners, Guy and Anna Esposito, decided to include Sal on their U.S. Census form under a section designated for pets.   

“Sal is a member of the family so I listed him on the last Census form under pets but there has clearly been a mix-up,” Anna told local TV station WHDH.   

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Anna filed to have her pet disqualified from the service requirement by checking off on the form “unable to speak and understand English” as the official reason Sal cannot serve. She even included a letter from her vet explaining that Sal is a “domestic short-haired neutered feline,” WHDH reported.

Somehow, the disqualification request was denied. Sal’s service date at Suffolk Superior Court is set for March 23. Anna told WHDH that if the issue isn’t cleared up by then, she will simply have to bring the cat to court.

1 – The Humane Society of the United States

Deals & People January 19, 2011

Delaware Investments Expands Retail Distribution Team

Delaware Investments added one regional manager and an external wholesaler to its third-party retail distribution team. 
Reported by

Brett Wright, an 18-year industry veteran, joins the company as the western division sales manager. In this role, Wright manages a dozen wholesalers who deliver Delaware Investments mutual funds and separately managed accounts primarily to the broker/dealer channel. Most recently at ING Investment Management, Wright led the Key Account efforts in the independent broker/dealer group. In addition to ING, he has worked at AXA Equitable, Merrill Lynch, and Lord Abbett.

Alan S. Markfeld is joining the third-party wholesaling team in the West Virginia/Virginia territory.  His 21-year career spans the financial services arena from banking and insurance to asset management.

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Both started with the firm on January 18, 2011.

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