[...] Lauda also still has significant power/authority [...]
That should tell you something/everything.
Now start acting accordingly (or at least: in your own best interest).
And please, PLEASE STOP:
Man, I must have costed [Quickseller] and [his] alts a lot of money by tagging farmed accounts, abusers et. al. Don't get me started on the *escrows* of this forum. Otherwise [he] wouldn't be pursing this until [his] grave. 
Sure seems like it...