Thanks for the research into this one, Jim.
I, too, am perplexed at the idea of taking shortcuts like that on a frame. (Ya,ya...I know I run a Hundegger, but structure and quality is Not something we would skimp on)

I personally don't think it's appropriate to post the name of the builder here.
I think that a call from Brett to the Better Business Bureau is probably the way to deal with it. It is likely that this builder is a novice to timber frames and I can only hope that he will learn from this mistake. If, however, he's not a novice, shame on him!
Do it right, Buddy! Word of mouth travels a long way these days!