Zac Parrish
We established in a recent post that Zac Parrish can become angry when faced with the subject of his mother's divorce from Campus Crest Communities CEO Ted Rollins.
Parrish has reason to be angry about Ted Rollins, his former stepfather. After all, public records show that Rollins severely beat Parrish in 1995 and was convicted for assault in Franklin County, North Carolina. Parrish also has reason to be angry that his mother, Sherry Carroll Rollins, was horribly cheated in her divorce from Ted Rollins, largely because the case was unlawfully moved from South Carolina (where it was litigated for three years) to Alabama.
But Parrish does not seem upset about the injustice that has been heaped on his mother and his half sisters--Birmingham residents Sarah and Emma Rollins. Instead, he launched into a tirade against me for doing what journalists do--reporting on a story of public record, on a divorce case that was intentionally botched via the use of public facilities and resources.
After cursing and hanging up on me in the first segment of our conversation, Parrish did not become any more pleasant in the second segment. He claims that events related to the misuse of taxpayer-funded courts is "none of (my) business." He hints that his original offer to meet me in person was done only for purposes of a physical threat.
This becomes even more peculiar when you consider that Zac Parrish initiated communication with me, not the other way around. I first heard from him in an e-mail dated September 16, 2011. You might say he came across as a smart ass on that occasion. Here is an unedited version of what he wrote:
Your reporting of events seem to be missing any verification of facts and only consist of opinions of people with no professional expertise on the topics you choose to report.
Exactly what is it that you contribute to society?
Your occupation is listed as editor. What is it you are the "editor" of? Do you actually give back in any way to society or simply blog what you interpret to be the truth? Maybe someone needs a more productive hobby? What exactly is your list of accomplishments in life, other than being a burden to others?
A degree in journalism? Wow! I'm shocked you haven't had legal action against you, yet.
In an e-mail dated Sept. 20, 2011, Parrish cited his experience as a building professional and used it to blame the victims for a balcony collapse at a Campus Crest Communities site near the University of North Texas. You will notice that Parrish performs all sorts of verbal gymnastics in an effort to protect Ted Rollins. I wonder why. Here are Parrish's words, again with no editing from me (and no paragraphs from Parrish):
In regards to your "coverage" of campus crest communities' and the balcony incident, a fair reporter would have noted the balcony only had a overall depth of 6". The pictures that are available online show that these are simply for aesthetics. The story, available on CBS' local site, proves that this incident was caused by a group of young college kids acting inappropriately at 3am. The size of the landing area of the balcony is less than the size of the so called victims' shoes. This aesthetic architecture/design has been utilized for centuries. At what point are people held liable for their own actions? I guess there is always someone to blame? If that is the case, where does liability of the local governing agencies (inspections dept) ever kick in. That is never mentioned in your "coverage"! Selective reporting with a political agenda? Seems like it to me, and others. Fair and balanced reporting can never be contested. You should really let the last sentence sink in. Fair and balanced! By the way, yes I have studied, sitting at the Shelby county courthouse in columbiana and sitting through trials and the witness stand for days while taking away time from my work and children. I, and my attorney, are more intimate with the details of that divorce than you can ever wish to be. Your "hours" of study can not compare to my lifetime. I am a licensed professional in the building industry, so I know what I am talking about in regards to the balcony incident. You should attempt to be fair and accurate and present all facts to a story when reporting so that the masses will listen and not so obviously recognize your personal beliefs to be one sided. I am 32 years old with 4 children and challenge you to any debate or social contribution efforts that you have ever given back to society. You appear to me, and the masses, as an opportunist individual that is looking for another handout. The problem with our country today, folks that don't want to contribute to our society, but point out the preconceived notions of others. My above statements are not influenced/approved/endorsed by Camus crest or Ted Rollins, or any of my, zac parrish, companies. You should look up the definition of "journalist".
In a postscript, Parrish took on a slightly threatening tone:
P.S.- I am not as forgiving, legally, as my mother or stepfather. So tread lightly in your blogs, comments, opinions.
Parrish continued with that tone in an e-mail dated September 28, 2011. It came after I had run a photo of Ted Rollins and other Campus Crest executives playing foosball. The photo appeared in a publication touting Campus Crest facilities, so I'm not sure why Parrish took offense. But he did, and here is an unedited version of an e-mail he sent to me:
Foosball, really! What a fool the schnauzer is! Maybe one day we can all be on unemployment and bankrupt. I don't pick on those in that are in need and fall on hard times beyond their control, only those that put themselves there. I hope you enjoy the checks that you are cashing that I work hard to fund. FYI...I was informed that your wife wants to come and find me for voicing my opinion. Tread lightly, threats come with very serious legal consequences. Especially when those threatened have the endless legal resources to defend themselves and their family, e.g. 4 small children and wife. My family and I certainly wouldn't tolerate any further verbal or physical threats. Sometimes things are just as they appear and you can't always trust the ones that you think you can. It is scary how effective your time could be if applied in the proper direction with the support of true evidence and fact. Who knows, you may be able to profit and/or support your family without government assistance if you did so.
Parrish consistently presents himself in a mocking, condescending, arrogant, threatening tone. Notice his reference to having "endless legal resources." Where could that come from, other than the Rollins family? This seems to confirm that the Rollins clan is a prime financial backer of Zac Parrish's building company--even though Mr. Parrish likes to portray himself as a "rugged individualist."
Why would the Rollinses support a former stepson, someone who essentially has no claim to the family mantle? Is this part of a deal that was struck to ensure that Zac Parrish would stay quiet about what Ted Rollins did to him as a child?
Is this a case of a young man who was bullied as a child by his stepfather . . . and now he has become a bully himself?
Keep in mind that Zac Parrish initiated this communication; it wasn't prompted on my end. But when I did request an interview--assuming he would say yes, since he had sought me out to express his opinions via e-mail--Parrish exploded with rage. I've written extensively about the Rollins v. Rollins divorce and called it the worst courtroom cheat job I've ever encountered on the civil side. Court cases are famous for producing lots of paper, and my reporting has tended to focus on the documents that show clear misconduct in the handling of the Rollins case.
The interview request with Zac Parrish, however, gets to the human side of the equation and provides an example of the emotion that probably accompanies many divorce cases.
The public record shows that Zac Parrish was a central figure in the Rollins family drama; that's why I called him. The experience of being Ted Rollins' stepson clearly left scars--and a reservoir of rage.
Child abuse has become a front-page topic in recent months, thanks to the Jerry Sandusky scandal at Penn State. Zac Parrish's story never made headlines, but he clearly was the victim of child abuse--at the hands of Ted Rollins.
I can understand Zac Parrish's desire to keep that chapter in his life under wraps. But the Sandusky case has shined a spotlight on an issue that too often has remained in the shadows. And it has taught us that these issues, when they come to light via the court process, are very much the public's business.
