Becker, who did most of the talking for the group, dismissed the issue of falsified expense reports as much ado over a minor error.
"It's not a good thing to put people's names on an expense report when they weren't at the meeting, especially as a nonprofit group," he said. "Basically, it's part of her character that's missing. She can't do expenses. Talking to her husband, she can't even do her checkbook. Is that wrong? Probably. But it's not like she was taking the money for any personal gain."
When the issue of an alleged relationship with John Nau was raised, Rowe brusquely sidestepped the question. "That's ridiculous. Ridiculous. I absolutely won't speak to it. I don't know where you get this."
Yet none of the watching men seemed particularly shocked or even surprised by the question. When Ogle cautiously inquired who might be saying such things, Becker cracked, "You should be at our board meetings." Guthrie chimed in, "He'd love to." A round of nervous "boys will be boys" laughter briefly fluttered over the table.
By this time, the new order at Tent 34 had postponed the charity's radiothon, which had been scheduled for late June, until January. The gala fundraiser with singer Manilow, which had been slated for November, had been canceled. And Laura Rowe's supporters were on the offensive.
"There's a very solid faction in Variety that's together," explained Becker. "Very solid, very rich in financial means, and rich in the ability to make things happen."
The pro-Rowe faction on the board has the majority of the money and the majority of the votes, Becker added. He himself is next in line to be chief barker, should Markhoff be ousted at a future board meeting, and Becker vowed that the first thing he'd do after taking office is fire the staff, which is now down to Charlotte Hayes. The second would be to reinstall Rowe in her rightful place as Variety Club fundraiser. In fact, the promoter predicted that by the time this story was printed, a counterrevolution at Tent 34 would have returned Rowe and the old order back to power.
"We haven't had the come-to-Jesus meeting, of saying, 'Guys, why are we here?' " Becker intoned, his eyes fixed on Rowe. "Are we here to attack the way Laura has managed the operation for seven years? I think not."
Becker and his allies may have the money on the Variety Club board, but the international organization that licenses the tent will have the final say on whether they can continue to operate as a Variety Club.
Told of the possibility Laura Rowe may return for another showstopper, Variety International vice president Fred Friedman paused for a moment. Then he said simply, "I don't think that will happen."
And it hasn't. Yet.
