OpenCDA

December 7, 2012

Mack’s Back

Filed under: Probable Cause — Tags: — Bill @ 7:06 am

Trenton Mayor Tony Mack

OpenCdA’s posts on July 19 and September 10 of this year discussed the FBI’s investigation and then the subsequent arrest of Trenton, NJ, Mayor Anthony Mack on charges of public corruption.

The initial investigation revealed that Mack allegedly took approximately $119,000 in bribes to ensure that a lucrative parking garage would be built.  It turns out that the garage developer was working as a cooperating witness for the FBI.

In an online post headlined FBI agents working Trenton Mayor Tony Mack corruption case turn their attention to carpeting contracts dated December 6, 2012, NJ.com reports that the FBI has expanded its corruption investigation to include the unauthorized expenditure of public money by Mack for carpeting for some closed library branches that had been turned into “learning centers.”  In layman’s terms, it sounds as if Mack was spreading public money around to buy political support.  One of the carpet vendors felt he got shortchanged and decided to work with the FBI.

But this could never happen here in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

December 6, 2012

Taxes, Truth and an Expensive Future

Filed under: The City's Pulse — mary @ 4:55 pm

Mary Souza’s Newsletter

Mic Armon lost his recent election and had to give up his seat on the NIC Board of Trustees.  At last week’s board meeting, he was thanked profusely by others for his years of service to the school.  Mic then went on to compliment himself and the board for a detailed list of accomplishments.  I watched the rerun on Channel 19.  (more…)

December 5, 2012

Protection — For How Long?

Filed under: Probable Cause — Bill @ 7:40 am

Tuesday morning’s Washington Times online has an article headlined Ex-presidents may get Secret Service for life.

The article reports that Congress is considering amending or repealing the 1994 law which limited protection to ten years after leaving office.

What do you think?  Should former presidents and their spouses get lifetime Secret Service protection?  If so, why, and if not, why not?

December 4, 2012

Please Explain …?

Filed under: Probable Cause — Bill @ 4:08 pm

According to the Coeur d’Alene Press skewspaper article this morning, about 25 students from Coeur d’Alene High School were standing on a street corner, waving signs, and protesting because, “… their AP Government class was requiring them to participate in eight hours of a government-related activity.”

One of the students was quoted saying, ” This is more fun than going to a school board meeting.”

What does standing on a street corner waving signs teach students about government?

December 3, 2012

Brannon Petition for Rehearing Filed

Filed under: Probable Cause — Tags: , — Bill @ 9:03 am

[

The parties and their attorneys in the 2009 Coeur d’Alene election contest lawsuit were notified by the Idaho Supreme Court that Brannon’s Petition for Rehearing Pursuant to I.A.R. 42 was filed this morning.

With this morning’s filing, the Petition is now a matter of public record and can properly be published in its entirety.  OpenCdA chose not to publish the Petition until after it became a public record with the filing today.

November 30, 2012

Wrong Again, Coeur d’Alene Press

Filed under: Probable Cause — Bill @ 7:53 am

This morning’s Coeur d’Alene Press skewspaper got it wrong.  Again.

In an unattributed article headlined Brannon seeks another hearing, the Press wrongly stated as fact:  “Jim Brannon, who lost the 2009 Seat 2 election to incumbent Mike Kennedy by 3 votes, petitioned for a rehearing Tuesday on grounds that the Supreme Court erred in its decision not to toss out five votes from people living abroad despite not knowing for whom the voters voted.”

Brannon’s Petition for Rehearing Pursuant to I.A.R. 42 clearly states, “The [Supreme] Court’s reasoning in determining this issue is based upon a misperception that the five “UOCAVA” votes are the ones that are relevant to the asserted Idaho Code § 34-2001 (6) error in counting and declaring the election result.  They are not.”  [emphasis mine] (more…)

November 26, 2012

Affinity Predator

Filed under: Probable Cause — Bill @ 7:05 am

Jason D. Brown, like Bernie Madoff, is a predator.   Madoff didn’t kill anyone, at least not directly, to steal their money.  Brown did.  And now the FBI is suggesting that Brown may be using his upbringing as a Mormon to hide among either witting or unwitting Mormons.

The story is reported in today’s Salt Lake Tribune online story headlined FBI:  most wanted fugitive hiding among Mormons?

The important point about the story isn’t that Brown is a Mormon.  It’s that he may be willing and able to exploit that connection to gain sympathy from other Mormons.

When it’s done to defraud, as in Bernie Madoff’s case, it’s called affinity fraud.  In Brown’s case, he is simply a killer, an affinity predator.

 

November 22, 2012

More Than Overdue Books…

Filed under: Probable Cause — Tags: — Bill @ 7:01 am

According to The Detroit News online, on November 20th Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s public corruption squad executed search warrants at the Detroit Public Library.

The Detroit News story by Christine MacDonald and Joel Kurth was headlined Feds probe alleged kickbacks, contracts at Detroit Public Library.  They report the federal investigation involves alleged kickbacks, mismanagement, nepotism, and cost overruns by contractors.  The Library Commission President, Jonathan Kinloch, was quoted saying, “It’s alleged folks had put in place contracts based on personal relationships for personal gain. You can’t have approval and oversight of contractors from the same individuals.”

In the Detroit Free Press online reporting of this raid, Mr. Kinloch said, “There may be an individual who awarded contracts for personal gain. And if that is the case, it is a total violation of the public trust.”

But this could never happen here in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

November 21, 2012

Judges, Prosecutors, and Other Vermin

Filed under: Probable Cause — Bill @ 12:45 pm

It looks like a Michigan Supreme Court Justice may be looking for work.

According to the story from today’s The Detroit News online, “The U.S. government is seeking forfeiture of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway’s posh second home in suburban Orlando, Fla., claiming she and her husband hid the asset to defraud a bank and escape $600,000 in mortgage debt.”

The US Attorney filed a civil forfeiture complaint, however it alleges criminal conduct was involved.

November 19, 2012

Open Session, Thanksgiving Week

Filed under: General,Open Session — mary @ 7:16 pm

Thanksgiving is coming this week and here’s a photo of some of our kids hamming it up for the camera back in 2003.  All four plus our son-in-law will be home for this Thanksgiving. I’m incredibly thankful for our wonderful family, and I thank God every single day.  I’m also thankful for our country, our state and our city, because, no matter how glum it seems at times,  we can definitely make a difference it our own futures.  What’s on your list this year?

« Newer PostsOlder Posts »

Powered by WordPress
Copyright © 2024 by OpenCDA LLC, All Rights Reserved