Gold - I couldn't agree more, and I too have learned the same valuable lesson. I will never ignore the lies I hear from the CEO again. If I had bailed when things didn't add up initially I would have saved a tremendous amount of money and could have put that money to better use in subsequent start-up investments. Oh well - you can't take it with you, and life is afterall all about "learning" all the way to the grave. Some lessons cost more than others.. and those that cost the most, I believe, help you the most in the long-run.