This is from Politico:
https://www.politico.com/magazine/st...ort-ads-219034
In September 2016, I received an email from a Scottsdale, Arizona law firm representing Lacey. The missive explained that he was seeking to create a database of former New Times/Village Voice Media employees for “communication purposes.” I thought it was a bit peculiar, but figured it couldn’t hurt to send along my mailing address. A few days later, I got home to find a FedEx envelope in my mailbox. Inside was a check for $5,000 from Lacey. “Mr. Lacey has asked us to convey that this gift is a small token of his appreciation,” the accompanying note said. Dozens of former employees across the country received similar expressions of gratitude from Lacey. I happily deposited the check in my bank account, justifying it as deserved compensation for years of hard work at modest pay. That was the last I heard from Lacey.