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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Whistleblowers-where would we be without them! When I worked for Mayor Don Williamson whistleblowers gave the best information on where to look. The problem as there were so many communications and so few staff made it a daunting task to review them all.
One such incident was the purging of the HUD related documents up to 1999 by a staff member of the Major Grants office. The other staff was not aware of the reasons this staff member was so determined to implement this action, but at least one attributed this decision to "personal reasons". HUD did not require documents be kept after seven years. She implemented the destruction of these documents by hiring a shredding company although she had been told by other staff that Ben Bush had previously established a policy that none of these documents were to be destroyed. Mayor Williamson was furious when he learned of the destruction of documents.
The problem erupted when HUD demanded of Williamson the resolution of 17 years of unresolved HUD findings. These findings were earlier than the Stanley administration. Boxes containing work products for these findings should have a notation on the box indicating that file was to be retained. Staff was unable to locate documents.. While contracts were archived in the Clerks office, other departments may have already divested themselves of older documents.
There were allegations of some internal sabotage. Mayor Williamson had previously held a scathing meeting with the department in which he demanded information and threatened both firings and arrests. Staff was shook up and some feared Williamson. Payback?.
Sometimes the administration got bad information. C. Freeman was accused of paying demolition costs for houses remaining standing. When asked about this she indicated she had 14 binders filled with certifications required for the program. While there was a huge back log of homes awaiting demolition, there was no evidence of any wrongdoing in that program. She was extremely knowledgeable and detailed. she indicated the city had a good working relationship with Dan Kildee and the County demolition program.
Manage
I was always in awe of Karen Morris in Major Grants because she could answer my questions by quoting the HUD rules verbatim from memory and she would be correct. Glenda Dunlap, newer to the office, was becoming equally proficient. While the other staff said James Crawley and Joe Giacalone ,recipients of failed 108 HUD loans,"hated" Dunlap, it was Alex Thomas , the Major grants Director, who set up the loans and Dunlap was only to perform the paperwork task. Other staff when asked to help follow up on corrective actions requested by HUD, fond out that OK Industries had removed their job posting from the job bank at Career Alliance. When questioned regarding this issue, staff said OK Industries co-owner Dan Robbins refused to answer ans shouted he was going to sue the City. (Was the equipment paid for with HUD funds returned to the City)
Manage
Williamson directed me to request the return of the economic development documents from Growth Alliance as he believed the had not performed adequately. for the compensation they received. They returned less than one full box when several departments told me they has removed many boxes of files..
Long before the council and the media reported the deficiencies of the company City Works in relationship to their tasks of rental property inspections, and blight reduction tasks, Major Grants monitor Amy Bostwick refused to sign off on pay requests for weed cutting unless she received a directive signed b then Director Joyce Thomas. Individuals ffrom other biders had sent the City information about financial and other issues with City Works. W Stanley Jordan, had just purchased the company from Anthony Soave, a suspected mob figure.
Manage
Many were upset that the building department ceased doing the city inspections. The department generated a lot of revenue when inspections were required. While the earned revenue was supposed to go to the building department, minus 10%, it was alleged the money went mostly to the general fund. In 1997.the complaints required 10 clerks, some who were temporary workers.to keep up with the demand. Outsourcing did not generate the desired revenue. City Works increased all of the fees and failed to perform. Even now contractors tell those who employ them they don't pull permits because having inspections would prolong the job..
Before Williamson there was concern, justified or not, that the M. L. King watermain and streets contracts were given to a mob figure. The Company Republic also went by the name Demcon and possibly Delta Construction . The company, formed in 1992 showed a registered agent named Ramon Vega. Then around 2000 the registered agent became Paul Tocco. There were two Freedom of Information requests in 2001 for both Republic and Demcon came with hefty fees assigned ($500 and 250). Information was also requested regarding Ramon Vega and /or Donilo Vega.. After Ameritech equipment was damaged during the job on ML King, Ameritech called the DPW requesting information and they stated they had found out the Company was nor registered with the State of Michigan. Allegedly unpaid subs called the DPW as they were replaced by different subs. Hans Kuhlman, DPW director, was originally said to have rejected claims from homeowners bout damage but eventually the issues were resolved. The City Engineer left the City and went to the county. Other issues included asphalt placed on lawns, curbs that weren't replaced, and manhole covers that were covered with asphalt. The company was automatically dissolved in2003. |
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Sun Aug 19, 2018 2:10 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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This is a former partner of OK Industries
Flint businessman found guilty of running brothel out of massage parlor
By Matt Fahr For The Macomb Daily May 21, 2015 Comments
The purported owner of a massage spa in northern Macomb County was found guilty Thursday on charges of keeping a house of prostitution.
A Macomb County Circuit Court jury deliberated for about two hours before returning a guilty verdict for Daniel Robin, who reportedly is the owner of Washington Wellness Spa in Washington Township.
Two workers at the spa -- Oksun Hughes and Kyung Moore -- were arrested on prostitution charges February 14, 2014 after deputies from the Macomb County Sheriff's Office and other federal agencies executed a search warrant on the business located in the Washington Plaza at 27 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue
Robin, 64 of Flint, surrendered to the Sheriff's Office two days later.
Members of the sheriff's office undercover Special Enforcement Team (SET) initiated an investigation into the establishment after authorities received complaints that employees at the spa were illegally soliciting sex acts in exchange for cash.
Eleven witnesses took the stand in the Mount Clemens courtroom over two days of testimony. Only one was called by defense attorney Norbert Leonard.
Detective Sergeant Gary Wiegand said over two months starting in December 2013 and January 2014 authorities observed activity that 'was exactly the same' as at other businesses fronting as brothels.
SET team supervisor Lt. David Daniels testified about documents such as building blueprints, bank statements and massage business applications seized at the spa as well as Robin's residence in Flint. Simultaneous search warrants had been executed at both locations.
When questioned at his home, Robin denied knowing about the illicit activities, but then acknowledged he knew of the Washington spa, Daniels testified. Daniels said the defendant went further in admitting he may have known about what was really going on inside and said 'whatever happens between a man and a woman behind closed doors is their business.'
Throughout the trial, Leonard characterized Robin simply as a building subcontractor who facilitated opening the Washington spa and another in Wyandotte. Leonard said Robin worked with his common-law wife, Sun Ok Morales, to help Hughes open the Washington spa.
He said Hughes was responsible for what happened inside the business since she was the lone shareholder in Washington Wellness Spa LLC, signed the lease and wrote all the checks for rent and utilities.
Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor William Harding called Gallo Companies owner Tony Gallo and Gallo accountant Denise Trombley to the stand to testify that Robin acted as the main contact and agent for the spa.
'He was the person we always went to,' said Trombley, who worked with Robin from his initial interest in the Washington Plaza space in July 2013 through the February arrests at the spa. 'He was the major contact from start to finish.'
Harding also tied Robin to the Wyandotte Wellness Spa, where no arrests have been made, by showing his name was still on the lease at the Downriver business over a year after they had opened. Leonard claimed he had only done work at the site, but also facilitated that deal between Morales and another woman.
'He was far more involved in that business (the Washington spa) than simply in the role of a contractor,' Harding told the jury during closing arguments. 'He knew what was going on in those parlors.'
Leonard countered in his closing statement by saying, 'He (Robin) is not in the business of opening massage parlors that conduct illegal activity.'
It was not a statement that appeared to work on the jury who quickly returned with a guilty verdict.
Robin had no reaction as the verdict was read convicting him of the felony that carries up to a five-year sentence. He remains free on bond and will be sentenced on June 30 at 8:30 a.m. |
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Sun Aug 19, 2018 4:27 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Robin did pay consistently on his court ordered restitution for the OK Industries case until he filed bankruptcy. His common law wife Sun Morales had something to do with the financials of OK Industries.
17-041968-FH JUDGE FULLERTON FILE 09/11/17 ADJ DT 09/08/17 CLOSE 11/22/17
GENESEE COUNTY SCAO:SEC B LINE 03
D 001 MORALES,SUN,OK DOB: 05/30/58 SEX: M RACE: U
927 KNAPP ST CTN:961690030701 TCN:
FLINT, MI 48503 SID: PIN:MI STATE POLICE
ATY: CLOTHIER,JAY N., PROSECUTOR: SCHUETTE,BILL,
P-59487 810-767-0024 RETAINED P-32532
LOWER DISTRICT: 6700 CTY# 25 CASE# 16TC0627FY PRELIM: WAIVE 09/08/11
INCARCERATION DATE: DISTRICT ARRAIGNMENT:
09/08/17 MCCABE 00099 MISCELLANEOUS HEARING
HEARING HELD IN DISTRICT COURT
PLEAD GUILTY
HEARING HELD IN DISTRICT
COURT. PLEA AGREEMENT:
DEFT ORIGIONALLY CHARGED
WITH 8 COUNTS OF GAMBLING
OPERATIONS; 8 COUNTS OF
COMPUTER TO COMMIT A CRIME &
8 COUNTS GAMBLING HOUSE.
THE DEFT TO PLEA GUILTY TO
1 COUNT OF GAMBLING
OPERAIONT & 1 COUNT OF
GAMBLING HOUSE & IN TURN
THE PEOPLE WILL DISMISS THE
REMAINING CHARGES & THE DEFT
IS TO PROVIDE TRUTHFUL
TESTIMONY & COOPERATION WITH
INVESTIGATION & THE DEFT
WILL FORFEIT ALL SEIZED
PROPERTY & FUNDS FOR A PLEA
OF GUILTY IN DISTRICT COURT.
NO SENTENCE AGREEMENT, 7411
OR HYTA TO APPLY &
RESTITUTION TO BE DETERMINED.
COURT SET SENTENCE DATE.
2 00099 SET NEXT DATE FOR: 11/06/17 2:00 PM
SENTENCING
3 FULLERTON *SPECIAL PLEA*
FELONY PLEA TAKEN IN DISTRICT COURT
BINDOVER RECEIVED ON 9/11/17.
A/A: MI STATE POLICE
4 RETURN TO CIRCUIT COURT
5 09/22/17 TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS FILED
PLEA, BEFORE JUDGE MCCABE
ON FRIDAY, 9/8/17.
6 10/04/17 STIPULATION & JUDGMENT OF
FORFEITURE FILED
7 REMOVE CALENDAR DATES
8 10/31/17 CERTIFICATION AND RETURN OF ORDER
FOR DNA SAMPLE FILED
9 11/03/17 SET NEXT DATE FOR: 11/06/17 2:00 PM
SENTENCING |
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Sun Aug 19, 2018 4:32 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Sometimes the tip comes from a rival business. On 12-13-2003 just such a fax came to Peggy Cook regarding the company Jordan Service Cor[oration / dba City Works, The fax contained financial information including liens against the business by the IRS and he State of Michigan. More information was promised.
This tip included allegations of collusion with the "financial manager or persons directly under him " that allowed City Works to get the weed cutting contract.This fax also called the required performance bond as fraudulent indicating the company lack the prerequisite financial situation.
Staff allegedly denounced the collusion, although the author of the fax did not produce names or documents as proof citing the failure of the City to honor a Freedom of Information .request.
The fax alluded to broken laws that awarded the contract and inflated billings. It was indicated that the company was padding the bills to the City and was negligent in a second contract involving rental inspections.
Within one month, a series of news stories began in the Journal regarding the rental contract with more following within the next week. (1-14-2004, A3, Christopher Machniack, Rental Inspections restart, but contractor under fire).
Because rentals were to be inspected every two years and the inspection fee was thought by the Landlords Association to be excessive, the Association filed a lawsuit stating the initial inspection fee was a tax..The Journal quoted Landlord Association board member Henry Tannenbaum who stated the City lacked authority to inspect single family homes.
City Works got the two year contract September 2003 worth $1.475 million, They were to keep 85% and give the City 15% although the two local bidders offered to keep 65% and 50% but were said to lack the requisite experience. Some were upset that the company of former inspector Kris Miller lost the bid;
The City Works weed and trash abatement of 2003 got numerous complaint about using vacant lots and abandoned homes as temporary trash stations before a final removal.
A week later the tax liens hit the paper.
(Rental Inspection firm owes U.S.,state taxes, FJ A10, Christopher Machniack) Emergency Manager Edward Kurtz indicated the $317,352 in tax liens raised a "red flag'.. Kurtz was said to be "feeling the heat" because he was not aware of the company's financial situation when he approved he two year contract in September 2003..
Manage
Dun & Bradstreet in December 2003 reported the firm was a high risk and was slow in paying their bills..
Majority owner W. Stanley Jordan stated the firm was on payment of the back taxes. Jordan blamed the financial problems on an account who embezzled funds and the City of Highland Park, also under an emergency manager.,
Manage
Kurtz gave the company good reviews but Council President Johnny Coleman upon learning of the issue said " It just goes to prove the council should have the authority to do its job, ot a financial manager.
By July 21, 2004, the City was firing City Works, (A4,7-21-2004, Neglected work prompts city to fire contractor, Christopher Machniack) The firm was fired for not doing the work and billing for work not done in the blight contract and the rental inspection contract, Council hired Grounds Grooming to finish the blight contract. Council was considering a criminal investigation. Mayor Williamson said payment for work not done would be demanded to be returned. City Works had .only inspected 12% of the 1800 homes to be inspected.
d A copy of the June 4, 2003 bid spread sheet proposal extending the due date of City Wide Weed cutting and Trash Abatement Bid #30000165 because of the addition of an addendum indicates the bid process was compromised. A hand written notation on the notice sent by purchasing read: " Received 6/5/03 (the notification date for sending out the addendum) 3:20 p.m.- yet City Works bid with addendum had already been mailed & received before addendum was even supposed to be written" (part of a FOIA)
03EFM0470 by Ed Kurtz gave the bi to City Works, 3245 Hubbard Avenue, Detroit Michigan for $150,000. and stated they were the low bidder. However looking at the bid opening 6/6/03 #3-165, They were the high bidder by $57,000. AAk $90,000, Grounds Grooming$114,000 and City Works $147,000. |
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Tue Aug 21, 2018 11:44 am |
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