In brief: Max Scott engaged Karen Al-Ghabban to edit a book on Oman. She delivered the required work on time, but to her surprise Max Scott did not pay her the agreed fee. After months of delays, she shared her experience publicly on social media. She was then paid. 

As told by Karen Al-Ghabban:

Karen Al-Ghabban agreed to edit a memoir about an Omani princess for Max Scott at short notice. She worked closely with both the author and Max Scott, and delivered the manuscript on time with detailed notes in August 2024.

Subsequently, on a monthly basis, Scott delayed paying her with the excuse that he was awaiting payment from another project he had in Saudi Arabia. As she became more impatient with the delay, Max Scott promised more editing work for her, citing her "perfect skillset."

In January 2025, Karen Al-Ghabban's patience ran out, and she threatened legal proceedings. He responded by saying that her work was of poor quality. After sharing her experience on Facebook and posting links to this petition, Max Scott suddenly and unexpectedly paid her in full.

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Please refer to previous updates on the petition, see below, for details of other reports of publishing misconduct by Max Scott or visit the Defend Middle East Authors’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569955141326