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, . I. - tf page. narne of newapane’. Cy end state | SUN SENTINEL Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Dee §=6p Page eanon g¢ _gn April 24, 1986 Dispute with slain gunmen recalled PSO TTTTa ied Press $10,000 from Burnett, who is being investigated MIAMI — A dispute about vending machines by U.S. postal autborities because of complaints 10 months before the bioodiest shoot-out in FBI that be soid defective vending machines through bistory escalated to abduction and death the mail. a threats, says a Nebraska man whose business Burnett, 59, said that shortly after Matix and deal with slain bank robbery suspects Bill Matix pystt bought the machines, they shipped them and Michael Platt turned sour. back to Nebraska in damaged condition. “They were bloodcurding characters,” Earie “They demanded to be given their money N. “Tad” Burnett TI told the Miami News in a pack” Burnett said. "I didn't refund them any story published Wednesday. “They told me they were going to dismember me.” Z money, but sent them a letter telling them that ; . when the machines were fixed up and resold The accusations prompted Matiz to file a , : that they would get some back.” slander lawsujt against Burnett, who filed a Burnett said that the two Miami men changed counterclaim. their minds about going into the vending busi- bess. But in his suit Matiz claimed the machines were returned because they didn’t work. eS “Wornett's sult claims he was leaving home for work one morning last June when he was “ac- costed" by Matix, 32, and Platt, 35. “-—~—: They “indicated to [Burnett] that they were armed with a hand gun and knives and that they )would kil} [him) unless he refunded the entire | jamount of the sale price to them immediately,” | | the counterclaim saya. “During the conversation The business dea) began in early 1985, when Matix and Platt bought 10 vending machines for William Matix and Michael Platt each kept his band in his pocket and each made certain ges- * tures that indicated that he had a weapon inside his pocket.” . “Matix a red to be the ect gentleman most of the time,” be said. Rinety percent of the threats came from Platt, but it was obvions they-were-working together.” * Fe.