Mayor Ray Nagin took $50,000 payoff, granite, consulting gig, businessman says
Ok...so I must once again point out that AZ was the first source to call out Cornerstone Marble and Granite and the transfer of product to Stone Age in May of 2007.
American Zombie: We're getting rocked...are we getting rolled?
I know I'm tooting my own horn but I've come to the realization that I have to. I even called it out as Nagin indictment point #2 way back in March of 2010 and before that in May of 2009:
American Zombie: The Nagin Kickback Diary
American Zombie: Careful What You Wish For
You should read that whole post...there is so much to hit Nagin on, although I'm not surprised the axe will be Fradella. One thing to watch for is "campaign conduit financing" if this thing goes to trial. In particular take note of the Phoenix Rising educational package the city purchased for 1.85 million but then never received. We didn't receive it because it was donated to Chicago Public Schools right before Ray had a very successful fund raiser in Chicago ala Ciber's Ed Burns:
American Zombie: A Big Bushel of Road Apples
Back to the matter at hand...the 50k payoff is unreal. I can't believe Nagin was that stupid. By June 23, 2008 we (those of us covering the story) were already swarming over Bennett, Fradella, Ellis....for him to accept that wire transfer was fucking insane. He should have pulled a Bennett and accepted it through casino chips. A fucking wire transfer? What an idiot.
I'm being told by a reader of AZ that the 50k was funneled through a now convicted con-artist, Michael McGrath, Jr.
Fireline Restoration Inc.'s parent signs deal with bank
Former Mortgage CEO McGrath Gets 14 Years in Prison
Obviously Nagin is Public Official A. Yes...I think there is a B, and a C...and possibly a D and E. Who might they be?
The two names that I think are most likely:
Bob Ellis
Kip Holden
I don't know how Ellis gets past this unless he's already copped one helluva deal with Mr. Fed. I mean it would have to have been one amazing deal if he's not going to see any repercussions for his role. He was the air traffic controller for Fradella and Bennett. I believe he was paid much more by Fradella and Bennett than Nagin himself. I can't imagine he skates. The well runs deep with Ellis.
Kip...well...I'm not even sure if Kip could be B or C because it's not Letten's DOJ area but rest assured Holden has a crime camera scandal of his own to worry about. It would make PR sense to bring them down at the same time but I don't necessarily see that happening.
I just hope it goes to trial...what a show. I'm going to have a ball color commentating this one.
Please don't plea, Ray....keep that same old "It ain't my fault" attitude you've always had.
Oh...I forgot...possible Public Official B or C could be Marlin Gusman.
Ok...so I must once again point out that AZ was the first source to call out Cornerstone Marble and Granite and the transfer of product to Stone Age in May of 2007.
American Zombie: We're getting rocked...are we getting rolled?
I know I'm tooting my own horn but I've come to the realization that I have to. I even called it out as Nagin indictment point #2 way back in March of 2010 and before that in May of 2009:
American Zombie: The Nagin Kickback Diary
American Zombie: Careful What You Wish For
2. HSOA/Benetech - This speculation comes almost entirely from me and this blog. Having said that, there are many possible scenarios which could involve kickbacks and racketeering when it comes to these two companies.
Most notably, Stone Age, the company which Nagin started with his sons after the storm. The question is where was Stone Age getting their product from and at what rate. It's worth noting that an HSOA subsidiary was a Texas based company called Cornerstone Marble and Granite, which supplied many smaller shops, just like Stone Age, with their product.
You should read that whole post...there is so much to hit Nagin on, although I'm not surprised the axe will be Fradella. One thing to watch for is "campaign conduit financing" if this thing goes to trial. In particular take note of the Phoenix Rising educational package the city purchased for 1.85 million but then never received. We didn't receive it because it was donated to Chicago Public Schools right before Ray had a very successful fund raiser in Chicago ala Ciber's Ed Burns:
American Zombie: A Big Bushel of Road Apples
Back to the matter at hand...the 50k payoff is unreal. I can't believe Nagin was that stupid. By June 23, 2008 we (those of us covering the story) were already swarming over Bennett, Fradella, Ellis....for him to accept that wire transfer was fucking insane. He should have pulled a Bennett and accepted it through casino chips. A fucking wire transfer? What an idiot.
I'm being told by a reader of AZ that the 50k was funneled through a now convicted con-artist, Michael McGrath, Jr.
Fireline Restoration Inc.'s parent signs deal with bank
Former Mortgage CEO McGrath Gets 14 Years in Prison
Obviously Nagin is Public Official A. Yes...I think there is a B, and a C...and possibly a D and E. Who might they be?
The two names that I think are most likely:
Bob Ellis
Kip Holden
I don't know how Ellis gets past this unless he's already copped one helluva deal with Mr. Fed. I mean it would have to have been one amazing deal if he's not going to see any repercussions for his role. He was the air traffic controller for Fradella and Bennett. I believe he was paid much more by Fradella and Bennett than Nagin himself. I can't imagine he skates. The well runs deep with Ellis.
Kip...well...I'm not even sure if Kip could be B or C because it's not Letten's DOJ area but rest assured Holden has a crime camera scandal of his own to worry about. It would make PR sense to bring them down at the same time but I don't necessarily see that happening.
I just hope it goes to trial...what a show. I'm going to have a ball color commentating this one.
Please don't plea, Ray....keep that same old "It ain't my fault" attitude you've always had.
Oh...I forgot...possible Public Official B or C could be Marlin Gusman.
3 comments:
Congratulations AZ for bringing this forward years ago. Talk about the slow wheels of justice. It would be telling to look into who else Nagin did "consulting" work for after he left office. Am certain you would find all had contracts or dealings with the Nagin Administration. There's a lot more than $50K and $10K per month payments out there. That's a pretty cheap bribe for a Mayor of Mr. Nagin's stature.
That said, I'm more than curious to know what Meffert has told the Feds and where that part of the investigation is going.
Keep up the great muckraking!!
Congratulations AZ for bringing this forward years ago. Talk about the slow wheels of justice. It would be telling to look into who else Nagin did "consulting" work for after he left office. Am certain you would find all had contracts or dealings with the Nagin Administration. There's a lot more than $50K and $10K per month payments out there. That's a pretty cheap bribe for a Mayor of Mr. Nagin's stature.
That said, I'm more than curious to know what Meffert has told the Feds and where that part of the investigation is going.
Keep up the great muckraking!!
Take your credit man. MSM ain't gonna give it to you.
Remember, zombies don't die. They just persevere.
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