Charge No: 001Description:ASSAULT-SEC DEGREE
…
Plea: OTHER PLEA
Disposition: STET Disposition Date:09/04/2009

Charge No: 002Description:DISORDERLY CONDUCT
…
Plea: OTHER PLEA
Disposition: STET Disposition Date:09/04/2009

My understanding is that a disposition of STET means Stet a suspension of the prosecution with opportunity to reopen the case. A majority of these result in no additional actions. Nonetheless, a significant number are reopened because a defendant is arrested on other charges or does not live up to an agreed upon condition under which the Judge allowed the STET disposition.

I asked a simple question along the lines of, “What can I do for you?” The response received is to take down this posting. I initially responded to his request with a one word question, “Why?” The short answer to Adam’s response: He will pay Agilis $300 and Joe Alvini is no longer a part of the company. I let him know that I will give him a call back.

After doing a little research (more on this later), I called him back and let him know that I could not accept the $300 “bribe”; that the public has a right to know factual information in order to make an educated decision as to who or what company an entity elects to hire for SEO services. There are quite a few scam companies that give the legitimate SEO companies a poor name. Mr. Dodson then gave the phone to their “accountant”, a female who sounded quite young by the pitch of her voice. This female than tried to tell how it is “gracious” of them to offer me this money and I should accept the deal. I listened to her a little longer and quickly became frustrated. I made it clear that I will not accept the $300 “bribe”, and then hung up the phone.

I wanted to share the research I conducted before calling back Graphic SEO. I thought perhaps the company performed a few misguided steps in its infancy and this posting is no longer warranted. Unfortunately, I discovered the opposite.
First of all, there is extremely scary information about the person I spoke with as reported by the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Results:

Case Information
Court System: DISTRICT COURT FOR HOWARD COUNTY – CRIMINAL SYSTEM
Case Number: 6T00066079Tracking No:096091113952
Case Type: CRIMINAL
Document Type: STATEMENT OF CHARGES
Issued Date: 07/02/2009
Case Status: ACTIVE

Defendant Information
Defendant Name: DODSON, ADAM BRADLEY
Race: WHITE, CAUCASIAN, ASIATIC INDIAN, ARAB
Sex: M Height: 510 Weight:140 DOB: 04/03/1984
Address: 7 MONMOUTH RD
City: CATONSVILLE State:MD Zip Code:21228 – 0000

Charge and Disposition Information
(Each Charge is listed separately. The disposition is listed below the Charge)
Charge No: 001Description: ASSAULT-SEC DEGREE
Charge No: 002Description: DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Now, how can I tell if this is the same Adam Dodson, well the address matches that listed on the Graphic SEO site under the contact information section…

7 Monmouth Rd.
Catonsville, MD 21228

While this case is pending, and there is no final ruling on the case, it is still extremely disconcerting information to discover. Please remember the court of law has issued no ruling on charges listed above. Still, even posting the data makes me wonder if I this might anger Adam and put my personal safety in jeopardy. Luckily, I am well respected, protected, and my place has strong security measures, thus I am not overly concerned.

Another search proves that Joseph Alvini is still the resident agent of the company. The only difference I noticed is that the Whois information now lists him only as the technical contact for the website and Adam Dodson is named as the administrative contact. Then I went back to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and looked up the company again. As far as I could see no information changed, except perhaps now the company is marked as no longer in Good standing. My query on MD’s site returned the following data:
Taxpayer Services Division

Entity Name: GRAPHIC SEO LLC
Dept ID #: W12549663

Principal Office (Current):
7 MONMOUTH RD.
CATONSVILLE, MD 21228

Resident Agent (Current):
JOSEPH ALVINI
16 N. GORMAN AVE.
BALTIMORE, MD 21223

Status: ACTIVE
Good Standing: No
Business Code: Other

What exactly qualifies as a company in good standing? My understanding, which is not necessarily correct, is a company that pays their taxes. Further review on the significance of “Good Standing: No” is warranted.

All that said why would any entity choose to conduct business with a company that raises such a large number of red flags? The industry operates in an extremely saturated marketplace with low barriers to entry, there are many clearly reputable companies to hire. Although the take away from this post is still of course: buyer beware when conducting business with Graphic SEO or any such companies where red flags pop up. I never utilized, nor ever will use the services of Graphic SEO, and thus cannot speak as to whether the company deliveries as promised to its clients. I suggest that my readers strongly take into account, my rationale behind this decision.

I wish everyone the best of luck in finding a reputable SEO company. It is a battlefield out there, but a little research can go a long way and steer you in the direction of a business with accolades rather than the opposite.

After posting this information, I received the following email and multiple calls from the alleged CEO of Graphic SEO.

“Dear Mr. Yorzinski,
I am sorry that you are so troubled by my having a business that you
feel competes with you, that you have to resort to discrediting my business on the internet and make claims that are false. I would prefer that you cease and desist from this behavior so that I do not have to take further steps to protect my name and my business name. Upon advice of counsel, I’m writing this letter to you so we can avoid court proceedings. Please, seek advice from a professional to understand the financial liability you may incur by continuing this practice of of discrediting me and my business. I would prefer our relationship remain professional and cordial.

P.S. Upon receiving this letter, please, scan this letter with your signature so I can have receipt that you have, in fact recieved this email. I will be sending this to you through multiple emails, only one reply is necessary.

__________________________________________________________________________(printed name)

__________________________________________________________________________(signature)

Sincerely,
Adam Dodson
CEO of Graphic SEO LLC”

It is safe to assume the original article on this site received attention. Graphic SEO now displays a telephone number on the contact page of their website. Also, as of 5/27/08 Maryland approved the company’s registration as an LLC after one of the company’s authorized persons paid a $196 in fees, $70 of which went towards an expedite fee. There are also two people listed on the articles of organization as adult individuals authorized by the persons forming the LLC:
Adam Dodson
Joseph Alvini

http://www.agilismarketing.com/graphic-seo.pdf

As of the date of the above filing, obtained from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, legally Graphic SEO is not a one man shop.

One odd portion of the email sent to me is that nowhere in the blog’s original post is Adam Dodson’s name mentioned, yet it is referenced that it discredits his name. The email also stated that false statements and claims are made on the blog. This seems entirely untrue based upon the postings published date. Rather the appearance left in my mind is that the alleged current owner of the business, an individual who had no known prior association with this entity, went ahead and filed an expedited articles of organization after somebody stumbled upon this post.

Furthermore, the email reference counsel. I cannot help but wonder any alleged counsel who would suggest sending a cease and desist type of letter via email around 8:00 at night.

I am also left with curiosity as to who Adam Dodson is and his experience in the SEO industry. The original posting is intended to caution buyers before making a purchase and suggests conducting research on a company before spending money. As all smart business owners know, this helps ensure they are dealing with trustworthy individuals and entities. The email received from Adam Dodson only further cements the importance of conducting such research. This holds true regardless of any future steps Graphic SEO or other search engine optimization firms elect to take regarding their businesses.

My hope is still the same: that company owners do not plunk down money to any individual or group that exhibits suspicious practices. Especially considering that there are numerous reputable companies that offer internet marketing services and a solid track record to back up those services.

Additional information worth noting:

The website’s current and previous WHOIS information is as follows:

Registrant:
joseph alvini
16 n gorman ave
baltimore, Maryland 21223
United States

Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: GRAPHICSEO.COM
Created on: 08-Apr-08
Expires on: 09-Apr-10
Last Updated on: 08-Apr-08

Administrative Contact:
alvini, joseph jalvini@aol.com
16 n gorman ave
baltimore, Maryland 21223
United States
(443) 957-1404 Fax —

Technical Contact:
alvini, joseph jalvini@aol.com
16 n gorman ave
baltimore, Maryland 21223
United States
(443) 957-1404 Fax –