Comments about ‘Lehi businessman in fraud case lived double life, accusers say’

Wow Wade Sleater, Zane Gray, Lehi is such a trusting community that it's no wonder these leaches show up here.

The Wasatch front is loaded with folks trying to put up an appearance of success and family without the foundation to make that possible. I know it sounds plebian, but the best way to do this is to get a good education and work really hard. Instead, many try shortcuts that only lead to pain for everyone around them. A poli-sci, communications or international relations degree and a stint in sales is not a career path loaded with potential. But I've literally seen hundreds try to take this path. Stick with engineering, accounting, medicine, finance, marketing, etc. Work hard for a reputable company for 8-10 years and opportunities will arise. Take advantage of those opportunities, work even harder, and your ship just may come in.

But skip the short-cuts, they are usually painful.

Although many try, there is no short-cut to lasting happiness. I saw Zane's magic show before and heard him speak to youth - very disappointing that he would turn to a different path to find gratification.

May God bless him with mercy and a path through repentance.

Zane is from Lehi and was a good person. Good people make mistakes too, and this series of bad mistakes got out of hand. I hope those involved are able to get money back and I hope that Zane's family copes with this. And Zane, get back on track.

Don't jump to conclusions before you know the story.

Hard work and a good education guarantee nothing. I have literally seen many people with unbelievable credentials fail in their careers despite education, hard work and integrity. I've also seen uneducated people suceed beyond imagination. At the end of the day you have to be honest and hardworking and smart. I agree that short-cuts are never the way but that was not Zanes problem. He was very successful for years, then he got greedy. This is a classic case of American Greed. If he'd allowed himself to be satisfied he would've lived very well for his entire life.

I agree that many people succumb to the temptation of shortcuts, which can be painful for all concerned. I also agree that a good work ethic, i.e. "hard work," is necessary to advance professionally and otherwise. But I disagree that "the best way" is to "get a good education." There are those who have the natural ability and knack to not only be self employed, but to create jobs in the process. And they don't necessarily need formal education. For them, the Free Enterprise System in America is a boon to their passion and drive.

Gray and like-minded people need to be punished for their crimes. But let's not jump to the conclusion that "the best way" is formal education. It may be the best way to become an employee, but not necessarily the best to become an employer. By forming this conclusion, you are implying that, if not for formal education, most if not all businessmen and women are crooks.

You are just dead wrong my friend. While I agree that it is possible to make a bundle without an education, the odds are low that you can do it honorably. Adding value in today's world generally takes an advanced education. What I see far too often are "hustlers" trying to get rich based on hype, smoke and mirrors and exaggeration. There are way too many multi-levels based on this premise, with a huge percentage of them right in Happy Valley.

Education and experience greatly increase the odds of success. Most (all?) of the reputable, good business people I know who are under the age of 50 have an education (a couple over this age made their money when the world was very different). The world has changed dramatically in recent years, however, making it very difficult for the uneducated to make it. Sure it may happen, but don't bet on it. And if you make your money through exaggeration, smoke-and-mirrors and hustling others - shame on you. Your money means nothing in the end.

Hard work and education may not be a guarantee, but they greatly increase the odds. The housing bubble convinced many that they could flip houses or speculate in other areas of the economy without ever adding any value and still "get rich". Most of the folks I know who were living in this fantasy land are now hurting units.

p.s. Being and employee isn't all bad. It means you are valuable to someone else. Don't put it down. The Entrepreneur, Consultant and all other similar names is often associated with the unemployed, especially when they don't have any hard skills. I see a lot of these folks needing handouts regularly.

I was at Zane's bail hearing and it was a joke. The allegations of an alternative lifestyle by one of the victims, including the elaborate scheme for Zane to flee with his "girlfriend on the side", were presented without one shred of tangible evidence. The hearing was the first time Zane's public defender had even heard many of the allegations, so of course she was not prepared to respond.

Regardless of how you feel about Zane and what he's done, isn't he entitled to due process?

Very disappointing to watch our judicial system in action. If the judge wants to rule based on the FACTS of the case, that's one thing, but to rule based on accusations not backed by material evidence is another.

My heartfelt sympathies to his wife and kids. They're on the verge of losing everything and chances are great that she knew nothing of his deceit. She was probably focused on raising her kids and trusted him as the breadwinner. Who'd think an EFY speaker would be involved in fraud? I feel really bad for her. I hope she's emotionally strong through this and can rebuild her life.

Another oxymoron, business ethics.

No oxymoron at all. I have worked for a wonderfully ethical Fortune 500 company for the past 7 years. They keep their word even when it costs them lots of $$$. They go out of their way NOT to make outrageous claims for their products.

The problem in Happy Valley and lots of other places around the country is that people love to live in giant, beautiful homes, drive new SUVs, wear nice clothes and put up an appearance of a success. By definition, that often means pretending one is better off than those around them - which in turn leads people to do stupid things. Many start sleazy businesses with slick offices, slick packaging, and sketchy product claims with exaggerated benefits. I don't point fingers at the guy in this article - We all need to be vigilent to not fall into this trap. Utah county is particularly vulnerable to this as there are a limited number of great paying jobs and lots of folks entering the workforce (e.g. a young population). Many become "entrepreneurs" to make it happen and some of them create value. Others are simply living off the ignorance of others who they hustle.

I know Zane well. He has done amazingly good things for a lot of people. He is extremely talented.

Zane is a good guy who made some mistakes. It is sad that those mistakes impact his family so much. But they are great people who will end up stronger through the adversity.

Go ahead and judge him if it makes you feel better about your own mistakes.

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

I, too, consider myself fortunate to call Zane a friend. He is one of the most talented and giving individuals I have ever known. People will say it's easy to be generous with other people's money, but Zane has been a giver of much more than that, freely giving of his time, talent, and compassion as well.

He's made some terrible mistakes and deserves to pay a price for that, but his mistakes do not undo all the good he has done for many, many people.

The irony is that the best thing Zane's victims have going for them is Zane. He is one of the few people that actually has the capacity to earn and pay back the amount of money in question. I pray that he'll get his life in order and do that, and that he'll be given the chance.

For the people who know..(knew) Zane...MAN, what were you thinking?????? What are your kids going to say or do through this trying time??? Where is daddy?? Why is everyone so mad at daddy??? And not to mention too soon but who is going to hug his sad,crying, and confused children that still love him.... Let's not forget his loving,caring, and devoted wife. While all the comments point the finger at Zane, why don't you see anyone standing up for the people who are suffering the most. Let's not forget but Zane is an adult, and has to pay for his actions like the so called man that he is. But this comment is for his wife and kids who are suffering the most. The have to start from scratch on there own. Without the man of the house. You guys are strong... You have many friends still don't be ashamed because of him. Hold your heads high... Don't give up... WE ARE ALL HERE, FREINDS TO LEND YOU A HELPING HAND IN ANY WAY WE CAN. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT HE IS A FRAUD.... LOVE YOU GUYS, YOUR CLOSE FRIENDS.

I don't think this has anything to do with education or no education...when it comes right down to it...this has to do with being honest with one's self. Zane wasn't. Same old story. You can be educated and be dishonest or you can be uneducated and do this, BUT you cannot be HONEST and do this!

zane obviously needs help, take your condemnation elsewhere, zane like anybody else in distress needs help not journalist or ill minded fools condemning him. i wish zane and his family safety and peace in this quick to judge world!

Zane Gray manipulated his family and associates out of money, he admits it and deserves jail time for it. Defend him if you want but that just means you too are selling a scam. The company he made his money with is littered with people that used manipulation and unethical business pratices to make money. Yes there are a lot of good people that work for that company that play by the rules, pay their taxes, take care of their customers and use honesty instead of "smoke and mirrors" but there are a lot of Zane's in there too, that type of business pulls in people that want to get rich quick. Too bad for his family, i believe that people working with him and his wife probably knew that something stunk in Denmark though, maybe not but realistically it seems a far cry to say that they didn't. Someone should tell him to get rid of the "magic mormon underwear" in jail, that was just get him more missery.

I am very close friends with his business partner who also lost money with Zane. I can assure you after speaking with him Friday night, thay he knew nothing of Zanes exploits! Does that make him a bad business man in this situation... yes. But he knew zero about Zanes illegal activities. Zane very much acted alone!

In America we (you, me and Zane) are innocent until proven guilty. The media which all of us are participating in, gives opinions based on their own preconceived notions. Rarely does and individual reflect on factual evidence to perpetuate their thoughts and/or opinions before bringing them to a forum. For those who persecute Mr. Gray, You are a minority in the “educated” realm. People who are educated base their thoughts and opinions on the Constitution of the United States of America and our founding principle of Innocent until PROVEN Guilty”. Wait until the trial is over before you judge. Then be man or woman enough to admit you were wrong or always had your suspicions. Do not get on a public forum and voice negative, baseless, condescending opinions about a legal matter, which many are not qualified to understand, nor have an “educated” opinion” about. After all is said and done, voice an opinion, not before; less it be you who are judged.