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Topic: Could a grand jury be in Flint's future?

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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Grand jury: Sanger's political divisions 'deep and deeply personal'
www.thebusinessjournal.com/.../18610-grand-jury-sanger-s-political-divisions-deep-a...
Jul 21, 2015 - ... of interest on the City Council and “incivility” among council members, ... in the media following the meeting suggested that council members, ...




Best of Central Valley Business
Grand jury: Sanger’s political divisions ‘deep and deeply personal’
Published on 07/21/2015 - 3:02 pm
Written by George Lurie

After conducting a lengthy investigation, the 2014-15 Fresno County grand jury issued a 12-page report today detailing “political turmoil” that has rocked Sanger’s local government and, according to the grand jury, “threatens” the city’s economic recovery.

The grand jury investigation was prompted by citizen complaints of alleged Ralph M. Brown Act violations, reports of conflicts of interest on the City Council and “incivility” among council members, alleged campaign law violations and widespread accusations from community members that the new council majority that was elected in November 2014 did not have Sanger’s best interests at heart.

This is not the first time a grand jury has looked into alleged improprieties in the county’s fourth-most populous city. The 2008-09 and 2010-11 county grand juries also investigated accusations of political misconduct and conflicts of interest involving Sanger’s leaders.

The most recent grand jury report focuses, in part, on a special City Council meeting held on December 12, 2014 during which members discussed, in public, whether or not to fire then City Manager Brian Haddix. Speculation in the media following the meeting suggested that council members, prior to the meeting, had violated the Brown Act by allegedly having private conversations regarding Haddix’s future with the city.

More than 200 city residents turned out for the Dec. 12 meeting, which was scheduled with just 24 hours notice. So many people showed up to voice their support for Haddix that the meeting had to be moved from council chambers to the fire station.

The council ultimately voted 4-0 to retain Haddix but the city manager quit a few months later, citing his inability to work with the majority of the new council.

Haddix is now city manager in Chowchilla.

Following his departure, Dayle Keller was named Sanger’s interim city manager. Keller is a veteran city administrator who has served as interim city manager in several Southern California cities.

In early June, Mayor Joshua Mitchell, who was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, also quit, saying that he could no longer work with the new council. Mitchell also complained he and his family members had been harassed and forced to flee the city.

In recent years, Mitchell had also been the target of several formal investigations into alleged conflicts of interest regarding his role as mayor and private business deals.

In the course of its investigation, the 2014-15 Grand Jury heard accusations against elected officials, “some from years past and already investigated, and some new allegations of wrongdoing,” the report stated. “The Grand Jury was not presented sufficient evidence to support the many allegations, some of which have been or are being investigated by law enforcement and other agencies.”

“However,” the report added, “suspicion and mutual dislike among elected officials and their supporters fuel an atmosphere leading citizens to mistrust government as an institution, creating an atmosphere unwelcoming to the economic drivers Sanger needs to continue its recovery.”

Stating “political divisions are deep and deeply personal” in Sanger, the grand jury report also touched on ongoing issues related to alleged inappropriate expenditures of Measure S sales tax revenues, stalled downtown redevelopment efforts and continuing difficulties on the part of council members in adjusting to a “by district” rather than “at large” system of representation.

But grand jurors concluded that they did not receive “conclusive evidence to support allegations about improprieties” which, they stated in their report, “have taken on a life of their own and added to mistrust and hostility between and among City Council members and City Hall leadership.”

“To secure the city’s future,” the report said, “citizens must put aside what divides the community and develop the kind of broad-based collaboration that will ensure all Sanger residents share more than just a ZIP code.”

After issuing 15 formal findings, including “the resignation of the city manager is a serious indication of the disconnection between the elected City Council majority and city government leaders,” the grand jury report included a series of 17 recommendations encouraging greater civility among elected and appointed officials and broader citizen participation in Sanger’s local government.

“The City Council, mayor and city manager should make citizen involvement in Sanger governance a top priority, exploring innovative ways to engage all residents and help cultivate a sense of civic responsibility to face challenges together,” the report stated.

“A City Council recall election should be avoided because such elections are costly, deepen divisions rather than repair them, may discourage citizen participation in government and take time. A more professional, civil tone set by council members, perhaps reinforced through positive media coverage, would help citizens understand there are more productive ways to resolve differences for the common good.”
Post Sun Oct 09, 2016 11:23 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

In the course of its investigation, the 2014-15 Grand Jury heard accusations against elected officials, “some from years past and already investigated, and some new allegations of wrongdoing,” the report stated. “The Grand Jury was not presented sufficient evidence to support the many allegations, some of which have been or are being investigated by law enforcement and other agencies.”

“However,” the report added, “suspicion and mutual dislike among elected officials and their supporters fuel an atmosphere leading citizens to mistrust government as an institution, creating an atmosphere unwelcoming to the economic drivers Sanger needs to continue its recovery.”

"Stating “political divisions are deep and deeply personal” in Sanger, the grand jury report also touched on ongoing issues related to alleged inappropriate expenditures of Measure S sales tax revenues, stalled downtown redevelopment efforts and continuing difficulties on the part of council members in adjusting to a “by district” rather than “at large” system of representation.

But grand jurors concluded that they did not receive “conclusive evidence to support allegations about improprieties” which, they stated in their report, “have taken on a life of their own and added to mistrust and hostility between and among City Council members and City Hall leadership.”

“To secure the city’s future,” the report said, “citizens must put aside what divides the community and develop the kind of broad-based collaboration that will ensure all Sanger residents share more than just a ZIP code.” '
Post Sun Oct 09, 2016 11:31 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Sound familiar, it should. Flint is dealing with allegations from previous administration as well as the current allegations. Allegations have swirled around about Stanley for many years and he has never been convicted or even arrested. Yes, several of his administration were sentenced for crimes, but the evidence obviously never led directly to former Mayor Stanley. No matter what one's belief system is, there is no evidence for which to castigate Stanley.

The incivility and allegations made from the council members have led to bitter and "deeply personal" divisions within our community and these divisions extend into the county. Like Sanger, the mistrust of government is creating a mistrust of the municipal government that has residents calling for the voters to elect an entirely new council in the next election next year.

In addition, what business entity wants to locate or even remain in a community they believe is corrupt and unable to even maintain a civil discourse abut issues.
Post Sun Oct 09, 2016 11:50 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

If council truly believes there are conflicts of interest, they should obtain concrete and substantial evidence and not use innuendo and past suspicions. They need to realize that their actions as well as those of the former DPW Director will also be under scrutiny. What kind of gifts and favors have council received?

Flint needs to watch every penny if they are to survive. Also with residents leaving over the water crisis and Flint already estimated to be substantially under the 100,000 population benchmark for both federal funding and state revenue sharing, funding could be greatly reduced in the future.
Post Sun Oct 09, 2016 11:58 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

These allegations almost demand the return of the Ombudsman's office. However, as past Ombudsman Terry Bankert has revealed through his internet questioning, the residents are seemingly opposed to the council selecting this office. He poses the question as to how the city can go about selecting a new Ombudsman.

This office had powers which, with a qualified individual investigating, could prove or dispel these rumors before the FBI enters with search warrants. And the FBI was in both the county and the city in recent years.

I remember when FBI agent Kowalski used to sit in a prominent location in City Council meetings. Everyone wondered just what he was observing.
Post Sun Oct 09, 2016 12:09 pm 
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BillPayer
F L I N T O I D

quote:
untanglingwebs schreef:
These allegations almost demand the return of the Ombudsman's office. However, as past Ombudsman Terry Bankert has revealed through his internet questioning, the residents are seemingly opposed to the council selecting this office. He poses the question as to how the city can go about selecting a new Ombudsman.

This office had powers which, with a qualified individual investigating, could prove or dispel these rumors before the FBI enters with search warrants. And the FBI was in both the county and the city in recent years.

I remember when FBI agent Kowalski used to sit in a prominent location in City Council meetings. Everyone wondered just what he was observing.


How does the bid match work? We've all heard Republic matched rizzo price. Does that mean they are going to provide all the services (better and more inclusive rizzo) in their original bid for the same price as rizzo? Or would they only provide the subset of services rizzo bid, at the same price?

I'm not sure how everyone isn't happy from that. The mayor gets her savings, the council gets their way, and we keep the service nobody was unhappy about.
Post Sun Oct 09, 2016 5:16 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

I am not sure as bid match references point towards companies that are matched to government entities that have specific bids. The Flint Purchasing Policies and Procedures may describe this process. The City website states Flint follows all state and federal procurement policies.

Contract Connect - State Laws Affecting ... - State of Michigan
www.michigan.gov/micontractconnect/0,4541,7-225-48677-20051--,00.html
Michigan
State Laws Affecting Procurements. THE MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET ACT, Public Act 431 of 1984 (MCL 18.1101 - 18.1594) State Purchasing Authority - The department is responsible for contracting for supplies, materials, services, insurance, utilities, third-party financing, printing, and other items needed by state agencies.


On the bottom left of the options for this site is a section called "Flint Emergency Purchasing. I found it odd that in registering to become a vendor there was a question asking "are you offering any free or in-kind services ?". Since the original bid was under an Emergency Manager, this answer could have skewed the bid process.
Post Mon Oct 10, 2016 6:41 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

In another thread I discussed FBI documents File #194B-DE-72700 from 1994 as they related to the Makokha, Flint Director of Governmental Policy, trial and the waste hauling contracts.

There was a confusing segment about an alleged $30,000 bribe payment made on behalf of Mike Swartz, then owner of Nathan J's, a strip bar on Dort Highway. Confusing because Swartz did not deliver the " brown bag" and the money did not transfer to Makokha in this narration.

The Cooperating Witness (CW) alleges to be a go-between for vendors and Makokha.
Page 9
"CW stated that he/she was in Wilson's (Sheriff Joe Wilson) office 1n 1993 when Mike Swartz, owner of Nathan J's , called about being denied a topless dancing permit by the City of Flint."

The CW alleged Wilson, Mitru, and Waters were also in the office.
"CW advised that Mitru hung up the phone nd told him/her that Swartz needed some help with the city. According to Mtru, Swartz said he would pay $20,000 "to get this thing done"
Post Mon Oct 10, 2016 10:41 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

The CW then said that Waters warned him to "not to do it" So CW stated he would try to sell Swartz a diamond like his as Miru said Swartz had expressed interest in one like the CW's.

During the media blitz of the Makokha federal trial,CW was alleged to be Harold Hampton. Previous stories focused on Hampton giving security systems free to certain politicians. There was also a scandal involving the sale of the security company building to the City of Flint for a North end Mini-station.
I spoke to two minority contractors who allegedly were told their roof replacement bids were too low and too increase them. They complained the contract went to a contractor who bid higher than them.

Hampton also had a pawn shop in the Lansing area and allegedly gave golf clubs and other gifts to Makokha. spoke to Hampton's ex-wife and she stated Harold's federal deal stuck her with a large IRS bill.
Post Mon Oct 10, 2016 11:08 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

According to the CW, there was a meeting with Swartz. MItru, and Dan Hogan in Flint. While Swartz did not buy the diamond, he was allegedly still upset about not getting his permit and would now pay $30,000 to "get it done".

CW demanded the money from Swartz in 2 hours in a brown paper bag and delivered to his/her pond in Fenton. CW stated he/she was afraid of being set up by Swartz and he/she figured the FBI or another law enforcement agency couldn't establish surveillance in that short time.

This is where it confuses. Mitru went to his home with the CW and got $30,000 from a home safe in the basement. CW said there was a lot of cash in the safe and Mitru allegedly told him it was Wilson's. There is no discussion of the money going to any city official to make this happen.

The CW met with Makokha 2 days later at he White Horse and CW was said to have told Makokha that Swartz would pay $5,000 for the permit.


Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sun Nov 27, 2016 5:03 am; edited 1 time in total
Post Mon Oct 10, 2016 11:23 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

CW stated he told Makokha to go to Vegas and launder the money. While he/she believed Makokha was interested in the money, Makokha expressed a fear the CW was wearing a wir to set him up. According to Makokha, Swartz was going to get his license anyway because of a prior agreement with the federal government.

CW said he/she agreed to pick up a package from Swart's attorney to be delivered to Makokha. There were legal documents as well as a letter from United States Attorney Robert W. Havilnd.

Swartz eventually got his permit and Makokha never asked for the money. At Makokha's new house on Circle drive, Makokha stated Wilson knew CW took $30,000 from Swartz and not $5,000. CW did not believe Wilson knew Mitru got the money from Wilson.

How could he not know Mitru ran Wilson's golf outing and sold his Birthday Book ads? Did they suspect CW was working with the feds? No comment on the $30,000 CW must have kept.
NO HONOR AMONG THIEVES.
Post Mon Oct 10, 2016 11:40 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

The Basics of Evidence for Fraud and Corruption Investigators
guide.iacrc.org/the-basics-of-evidence-for-fraud-and-corruption-
This paper briefly discusses the basic principles of evidence with which fraud and corruption investigators should be familiar, followed by their application to the


International Anti-Corruption Resource Center...
iacrc.org

International Anti-Corruption Resource Center. Main Content. IACRC is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) headquartered in Washington, DC. Our mission is to:

a series of papers designed to explain what is needed in corruption cases in order to prosecute. Even discusses procurement.

guide.iarc.org/
Post Tue Oct 11, 2016 9:03 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

With the corruption charges in Macomb county involving the trash contract and more it is hopefully going to extend into corruption in Genesee County.
Post Fri Oct 14, 2016 6:21 am 
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