From Adam on 07/29/2008:

I just wanted to say that most of the retailers that I know who offered this rebate program are not thieves. As a business owner, I was approached by a CBA rep. to offer rebates to my clients. (I produce television commercials). It all seemed legit to me, but I didn't feel that it was a good fit for my clientele. So, I didn't sign up. Unfortunately, several of my peers did. These are good people that thought they were offering a real rebate to their customers. While I agree that some unscrupulous retailers may have used this to screw clients, I haven't met any of them. The officers of CBA did a really good job of hooking retailers and their clients. I know you're going to flame me for sticking up for the business owners, but I think it's a shame that your anger with the real crooks is spilling onto the other victims in this case. Remember, the retailers paid CBA too. Read the charging documents (linked on your site) and you'll see that the courts identify the retailers as victims as well... not co-conspirators.

I understand and appreciate Adam's point.  However, I still personally have to assign the retailers some degree of responsibility.  In my own humble opinion, the responsibility for this fiasco falls as follows:

• CBA Owners (Stupple et. al.) - 50%;
• Retailers - 30%; and,
• Consumers - 20%.