Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth.

When I chose to take this path, I understood it would bring questions, anger, sadness, even panic. Those responses are natural and expected. This situation has torn my family apart, something I never imagined possible—and that loss means the most to me. As questions arise, I’ll address them here if they’re not just one-offs. Questions may be edited for clarity, spelling, and grammar.

A: There are several ways I could respond to this, but it’s important to be clear: this is not about retribution or revenge. This is about exposing a hard truth, backed by substantial evidence and testimony from dozens of individuals—none of whom, so far, have even needed to be subpoenaed. Those named have had plenty of opportunity to speak up. Those who aren't directly involved are under leaders who don’t seem to value them, which is part of the reason we’re here.

If you’re looking to place blame, it starts with Invited. Since July 3, 2023, I’ve been unable to work. Jobs I landed were quickly lost due to the misinformation surrounding my case, which I initially kept quiet. But rather than admit fault, Invited has repeatedly layered coverup upon coverup, spreading outrageously false narratives about me—rumors so extreme it’s hard to fathom. These stories have been traced back to Invited and its employees. Invited created this situation. I took every legal step to shield those who might be affected, until their lawyers dismissed my request for a face-to-face meeting, essentially deciding, "Jason messed up too, so we’ll bury him and let it end there." - in MUCH stronger language; I was told "BURY THAT MOTHERFUCKER" was the expression used.

Edit: I reached out to Invited corporate and former colleagues, both current and past employees, sometimes almost to the point of pleading, trying every possible approach to get someone to listen. Over the last 15 months, not a single person connected to this situation has been willing to hear me out—despite my repeated efforts, time and again. 

Answer: Back in November 2023, I launched a website to encourage dialogue and bring the parties to the table. I released the content gradually over eight or nine days, hoping they’d follow the story and engage. When I saw minimal response and realized they weren’t taking it seriously, I uploaded the remaining content.  

The issue Maurice—and presumably his wife—had was with a specific screenshot of a text message I included, which displayed his first and last name unedited. That simple truth on the website not only upset them but also led to threats of violence, bold statements about the value of my life compared to his, and ultimately prompted the recording to begin. It’s unfortunate that presenting the facts escalated to that level, but that’s the reality of what happened.

There have been several questions, some in person and a few via email. Most, however, come from outside sources, as I am not in direct contact with anyone at this time other than my legal team and one executive in the media. The people asking in person are my current "friends," which now consist of bartenders where I drink and eat—essentially the only people I trust these days. And my family. That said, I ran all these questions by my lawyer and condensed them into a single question and answer to address the more pointed inquiries I’ve been receiving:

Q: How can you put people's names in plain text like that? They have lives and families. You're an "asshole."

A: All of the names mentioned have been contacted by the media as they begin to research the claims. While I know who has not responded, I have limited knowledge of who has replied and no insight into what may or may not have been said. This approach ensures protection for everyone involved, including myself, should this eventually end up in court—a scenario I am fully prepared for.  

These individuals were contacted by me much earlier, before any legal proceedings. I voluntarily dropped the legal case after their lawyers failed to take me seriously. Despite my outreach, I received no replies—only a couple of veiled threats. It has now been 15 months since this began. To my knowledge, no one has stepped up to clarify the situation or to tell the company, "Jason's right; you should listen to him." No one has taken action to help me get the truth out. I don’t fully understand why, but that will be uncovered in time.  

The core issue here is that people cannot keep their mouths shut—“loose lips sink ships” is very real. I’ve also been asked about the risks I’m taking by pursuing this. My answer is simple: I have an extremely high risk tolerance, and my lawyers work for me. My instructions to them were straightforward: let me go hard in the way I need to because this is my industry, not theirs. Their job is to keep me out of jail and ensure that nothing I say is libelous, based on the proof and testimony we have.  

While my lawyers are not entirely happy with this approach, they understand their role: protect me and ensure that my family cannot be dragged into this legally or financially. This is my fight, and I am "all in" to see it through and finally free myself from this nonsense.

Q: If you have all this information and proof, why haven’t they called you?  

A: I have several working theories, including one that involves a possible desire to see a crushing blow dealt to the company by certain entities. Beyond that, I can’t say much at this time. Honestly, though, my straightforward answer is: *I have no clue what they’re doing.* It seems they’ve managed to silence everyone, even those I once trusted who now won’t respond. I truly don’t understand their strategy or motive for ignoring what they’ve already confirmed.

A: The Silence Speaks Volumes: Why We’re Here Today

For nearly a year, I’ve reached out repeatedly to the parties involved, extending olive branches, offering solutions, and seeking constructive dialogue to resolve the issues surrounding my termination. These efforts were met with silence. Despite being told I was a valuable asset, their actions—or lack thereof—told a different story.

This isn't a case of moving to "level 10" hastily or impulsively. This escalation stems from months of trying to be heard and respected, only to be ignored. I didn’t rush to expose the injustices or shine a light on the deeper issues at play. Instead, I sought to avoid this outcome through professional and constructive communication. The response? Silence.

Why This Matters

This situation highlights a systemic issue: when Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are executed poorly, they can create environments that:

- Silence dissenting voices,

- Prioritize image over genuine engagement, and

- Disregard the humanity of those who challenge the status quo.

In my case, this mismanagement cost me my career, my reputation, and my ability to do what I do best—lead, innovate, and deliver results.

What I Offered

I proposed solutions:

- Dropping any and all legal grievances to focus on rebuilding bridges.

- Presenting a forward-looking plan to leverage my expertise and connections to generate revenue in untapped markets.

- A willingness to collaborate on mutually beneficial terms, even after experiencing professional and personal harm.

None of these proposals were even acknowledged. One was explicitly marked as confidential and addressed to David Pillsbury. Yet, the contents of that confidential letter somehow surfaced in their lawyer's response to my attorney. While confidentiality may not be guaranteed in legal matters, the courtesy of a direct reply from Pillsbury himself would have been expected. Instead, it was their internal counsel who effectively responded with a "thanks but no thanks" followed by a direct threat. So much for confidentiality.

Why We’re Here

The question has been raised: “Why escalate to this level?” The answer is simple: I wasn’t heard. Not once. No response, no engagement—just silence. If my proposals were unworkable, all it would have taken was a simple reply saying so. Instead, I was ignored completely, as if my contributions and efforts were meaningless.

Ignoring someone isn’t just dismissive—it’s dehumanizing. It shows a lack of respect, accountability, and willingness to engage with the very people these DEI initiatives are supposed to support.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about my story. It’s about a broader failure in leadership and organizational culture. DEI done wrong can foster exclusion, create tokenism, and perpetuate systems of inequality—ironically under the guise of inclusivity. My experience is just one example of how these failures manifest and the lasting damage they cause.

Why I Won’t Stay Silent

For those wondering why I’ve chosen to speak out publicly: it’s not out of anger or vengeance but necessity. Silence was imposed upon me by those who refused to engage, and silence is what allows these systemic issues to persist. 

If we truly value equity, diversity, and inclusion, we must start by listening—to all voices, not just the ones that align with our narratives.

A: My endgame is accountability, transparency, and real change. This is not about retribution or personal gain—it's about exposing the systemic flaws and abuses within DEI initiatives as they’ve been misapplied in my case and countless others. The goal is to shift the narrative from performative actions to genuine, effective diversity, equity, and inclusion practices that work for everyone, including those who have been unfairly marginalized by these very programs.

My personal experience has shown me the devastating impact of DEI initiatives executed poorly and dishonestly. I’ve lost my career, relationships, and opportunities—not because I failed to deliver results, but because of politics, personal biases, and unchecked power. By bringing this story to light, my aim is to:

1. Expose the Truth: Share my story, supported by evidence, to show how DEI can be weaponized against individuals in ways that are counterproductive to its goals.

2. Promote Change: Encourage organizations to implement DEI initiatives responsibly, with accountability and integrity at their core, rather than as mere checkboxes or tools of favoritism.

3. Create Awareness: Challenge the silence and complicity of those who have witnessed these abuses but have chosen not to act. Silence enables the continuation of these issues, and it's time for people to speak up.

4. Rebuild Trust in Systems: Push for a workplace culture where DEI initiatives are no longer divisive but instead foster true inclusivity and collaboration.

In addition to these goals, I would love for someone reading this to reflect on the value this brings to the table, despite the sensitivity of the topic. DEI, when done right, is an incredible tool for fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration. Ideally, I would love for this effort to lead to my next opportunity—a position where I can apply my experiences and insights as a leader overseeing the proper rollout of these programs, ensuring they meet their intended goals without crossing ethical or professional boundaries.

I know the reality: it’s unlikely my phone will ever ring for such a position because I am viewed as a liability. But I shouldn’t be. The lessons I’ve learned, the changes I’m advocating for, and the results I’ve delivered throughout my career all point to the value I bring to any team. My story isn’t about destruction—it’s about rebuilding systems that work better for everyone. If someone sees that value and takes a chance on me, I’m ready to deliver. If not, I’ll keep fighting for these changes until the system finally catches up to the ideals it claims to represent.

A: I’ve been asked this a lot, so let me clarify. Maurice Darbyshire and I had a conversation that spanned over three hours from December 11 to December 12, 2023 (edited). I initially called him while driving on the NJ Turnpike, hoping to simply "bury the hatchet" and have a candid, man-to-man discussion. For about 30–40 minutes, we had a civil conversation. But when I began asking tough questions—ones he admitted he didn’t have answers to—the tone changed, and things escalated.  

As I crossed the Verrazano Bridge into New York, I started recording. I didn’t begin earlier because New Jersey is not a single-consent recording state, but New York is. I was fully aware of the law and waited until I entered a state where recording with single-party consent was legal. When the threats began, I hit record on my iPad. Maurice had every opportunity to hang up, as did I. In fact, during the call, he explicitly consents to being recorded and even bates me to do it.  

I knew New York’s recording laws because just a month prior, I had set up recording devices (outside of the ClubCorp network) to catch someone involved in this entire situation doing something nefarious. That’s a separate story, but if the individual suspected I had evidence of their actions, they had a motive to retaliate against me. Ironically, this was something I tried to escalate to my company—and they refused to listen.  

There are also other recordings that have surfaced. These were private discussions uploaded to an old Dropbox account that others had access to, including some Invited employees. While I cannot definitively prove it, I have reason to believe that a certain number of these recordings may have been distributed in some way. These recordings were originally notes for my forthcoming book. I monitored the files and could see when they were downloaded, verified the contents, and obtained consent from those involved in case the recordings were leaked. That is why I can use the other recordings.  

If I have not asked for your consent, you have not been recorded and will not be.  

The call with Maurice was supposed to last 10 minutes. Instead, it became a critical moment in documenting the threats and hostile environment I’ve been subjected to. It was legal, necessary, and reflective of the broader issues I’ve been working to expose.

The very first thing I said to Maurice on the first call was "Maurice this is Jason. If you hang up, I understand, and I will not call back.:" He didn't hang up, obviously.

The owners of Sparrows Point Country Club installed IP cameras with both video and audio recording capabilities throughout the grounds and facilities, raising significant privacy concerns. Their pervasive use of audio surveillance prompted me to familiarize myself with audio recording laws and the implications of such practices.

Why was I going to New York? To fight a felony gun charge orchestrated by Joseph Vivona, Maurice Darbyshire, and Invited—a charge brought against me on a day I wasn’t even at work and posed no threat to anyone. On the recording, Maurice tells me, “Yeah, we tried to help you with that,” though what he means by "help" remains unclear. Here’s what I do know: Vivona coerced other employees into filing police reports while he personally removed the firearm from my locked office and placed it in his vehicle on my day off. This introduced an element of “threat” into the investigation, an element known to my leadership team, to which they have essentially consented since November 2023. On top of that, drugs were allegedly planted in my desk to escalate the narrative. Vivona has since been promoted.

I was headed to New York for my final court date, preparing to close this chapter before shifting focus to my civil suit. That’s the reason I called Maurice—I wanted to take his temperature, to see if reconciliation was still possible. I even suggested flying me to Dallas to meet with the C-Suite and resolve this without further fallout. What I got instead was a clear reading of Maurice’s hostility, and here we are now, a point I had hoped to avoid.

A: I changed my number primarily for protection. I was receiving extortion attempts, threats, and unwelcome attention. Additionally, I wanted to shield those who might reach out to me—many of whom are witnesses to parts of this situation. Too often, I’ve seen people message me, realize they’re in deeper than they’re comfortable with, and then abruptly cease communications. For me, this raises serious questions about why they went silent—perhaps they’re more involved than they want to admit. Changing my number was as much for their safety as it was for mine because, frankly, the company they are trusting to protect them isn’t doing so. That said, my new number is out there and available for those that seek it out.

A: I believe Invited assumes I’m after money, but that has never been the primary goal. Sure, financial compensation might naturally be part of making this right, but it’s not the driving force. This is about accountability, transparency, and fixing a system that has gone unchecked for too long.

That said, it wouldn’t surprise me if financial concerns are part of their hesitation. Maurice’s comment on the recorded call—“I will spend so much f*cking money to make sure you don’t get one red f*cking cent”—suggests that ego and corporate posturing might play a significant role. Perhaps this sentiment reflects a broader attitude within Invited. They may believe that admitting fault, even in the face of overwhelming evidence, would cost them too much—whether financially, reputationally, or both.

Additionally, I think there’s a fraternal ego at play. The leadership may feel that backing down or addressing this head-on would make them look weak or risk exposing more internal issues. Instead, they’ve chosen to circle the wagons and hope this blows over.

Finally, I feel deeply for the employees at Invited who may fear losing their job security if they speak up. That culture of fear and silence is part of why this has escalated. Invited seems more focused on preserving the status quo than doing what’s right, and that’s a tragedy for everyone involved.

Q: Jason, you had a gun in your desk and were accused of doing drugs at work and blackmailing a member. You were accused of doing a lot wrong. Just move on.

A: It's true that I faced a number of accusations, many of which were simply not true. These allegations surfaced opportunistically, well after the supposed events, by someone trying to exploit the situation with Mamee.

Regarding the firearm, I want to be clear: I had it for serious reasons, including concerns about my personal safety and security at the time. I was transparent with my leadership team about this in October 2022, and they acknowledged the situation. The firearm was always secured, trigger-locked, and registered appropriately.

I provided the company with information to support my side of the story for over a year, but unfortunately, they chose a different path. I accepted the consequences of my termination, but that doesn't mean I won't address the falsehoods that have been spread. The full truth will eventually come out, and I believe it will paint a very different picture. Until then, I urge people to be cautious about believing everything they hear.

I will say it again for the critics: "Had Invited just listened to their General Manager, Jason Voit, we would not be here today."

A: No, that rumor isn't entirely accurate. It needs some clarification.  First of all, let's get the timeline straight: I was fired from Invited in 2023 for the reasons stated on this very website.

Here's the real story: right after I was fired, a member approached me about the possibility of buying The Hamlet. He wanted me to help him analyze the club's financials – general stuff, nothing that would break any rules. We looked into the club's profitability (it was profitable) and whether it met industry standards (it exceeded them). Ultimately, we didn't move forward with the plan.

And to set the record straight, I did offer to buy The Hamlet from Invited.  It was my way of suggesting they make things right after firing me.  They weren't interested. Who knows, maybe I'll get another chance soon.  Hamlet members, listen up: that club has enormous potential.  Interested in buying it with me?  Contact me.  I'll show you how it should be run.  Invited might be needing a cash infusion soon anyway... could be a steal... and I know all of the mechanics that need to be fixed, coming right off the top of the sale price! (Call me.)

Speaking of Invited, Apollo has been an absolute disaster for the company. They acquired ClubCorp in 2017 and later renamed it Invited, but they don't know the first thing about running a hospitality business, let alone a collection of golf courses, in my opinion. They just slash and burn, trying to squeeze every last penny out of the place after they realize it doesn't meet their performance proforma.  Laying off hundreds of people before Christmas?  Brutal.  I bet those folks wish someone like me would buy Invited.  I would.  There's serious potential there, but all the profits are going straight to the top.  Every GM who complains about "corporate" is speaking the truth.  They're just not good enough to navigate the disaster Apollo created and not everyone has the skills to hold off rightfully angry members while improving member experience. (That's why John Cegielski knew I was the right one for the job when he called me.).  Ask my members – I never blamed the company.  But.........