From Hank Lee’s newsletter:
That having been said, there is a very large crisis of confidence right now, right here. A few folks suggested that perhaps it is time for me to step down from my position at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. While the idea is painful, I believe it is the correct course of action. So, as of today, I will remove myself from the everyday activities at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. I will be out of the daily loop. I will hand those responsibilities over to my employees, who will do a very good job for you.
Since the plea bargain negotiated by Lee (real name: Harry Levy) might carry time in prison, this is move that might have been necessary at some point. We’ve reprinted his entire statement AFTER THE JUMP.
FULL STATEMENT BY HANK LEE IN 4/6/12 EMAIL
Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. I try to be a little funny every week. This week, I don’t feel funny. I feel sad. I feel embarrassed. I feel, and there is no better way to put this, stupid.
This has been quite the week. While it has been a terrible week for me, I know that it has also been a miserable week for my family, for my friends, for my employees and for you, my customers. In the special message I sent out last week, I apologized from the bottom of my heart to all. It was a totally sincere apology. I cannot say more than that.
What completely surprised me was the number of supportive and positive emails I received from so many of you. In the hundreds, and that’s no kidding. Not that I deserved it, but it was a ray of sunshine on an otherwise bleak week.
I wish I had a time machine. And I wish I could turn it back. I truly wish that this had not happened. And, that is the truth. While I continue to get supportive emails from customers and friends, people on the forums are ripping me to shreds. I completely understand. My actions were so very wrong. I have no excuse. I have no rationale. But, I fully plan to atone for my actions and to accept whatever punishment is set forth. In that I am sincere.
That having been said, there is a very large crisis of confidence right now, right here. A few folks suggested that perhaps it is time for me to step down from my position at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. While the idea is painful, I believe it is the correct course of action. So, as of today, I will remove myself from the everyday activities at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. I will be out of the daily loop. I will hand those responsibilities over to my employees, who will do a very good job for you. In addition, my family is coming on board to help. Aron will be answering the phones, processing orders and getting them out the door to you. He is a great person. Bonnie will be paying the bills, handling all charges and keeping the boat afloat. She’s a fine wife. I will continue to help on the magic side: writing the ads, doing the weekly email Newsletter, etc. It will be a new, and far better Hank Lee’s Magic Factory.
I sincerely hope that this will help to re-build the confidence you have had in Hank Lee’s for all these years. Removing myself and turning the operation over to people who are impeccably honest and above reproach is the right thing to do. I hope you agree.