Cocktails & Popcorn: Bert Johnson Made A Video To Expand His Investigation

Cool story, Bruh.

I sit with baited breath, waiting to hear their stories.

Political pals helped spare Johnson stiff prison term

Janee Ayers

Detroit — Several elected officials and political heavyweights, including former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, helped disgraced state Sen. Bert Johnson dodge a stiff prison term by writing supportive letters to the court.

More than two dozen letters were made public Monday and revealed that politicians, including Detroit City Council members Scott Benson and Janee Ayers, used city letterhead while writing letters supporting Johnson's plea for leniency.

The letters were made public four days after Johnson was sentenced to 90 days in a county jail for stealing more than $23,000 from taxpayers by adding a ghost employee to his senate payroll. U.S. District Judge Matthew Leitman cited the letters, saying that without the personal appeals, he would have sentenced Johnson to as much as 12 months in federal prison.

Johnson received support from numerous Democratic Party heavyweights and a broad cross-section of the community: local and state politicians, a lobbyist and relatives who backed a corrupt politician with a rap sheet, a chronic list of bad debts and the worst attendance record in the state Legislature.

“In my conversations with Bert he realizes he made a mistake, but I hope you will exercise the greatest level of leniency in your sentencing of Mr. Johnson," Benson wrote. "Even though a sever (sic) lapse of judgment has occurred, Bert is not a threat to society and his community can best be served by him remaining free."

Ayers called Johnson one of her best friends.

“Bert has been a mentor and a strong pillar within the community that he represents and throughout the state," Ayers wrote.

In an interview Monday, Ayers said she didn’t think there was anything wrong with using city letterhead since the letter was coming from two vantage points; in her official capacity as a council person as well as on a personal level.

“It was an official letter coming from me as a council person. I didn’t think of it as infringing on any rules,” Ayers said. “I wrote the letter as a council  member and I printed it out on my letter head as a council person. If it is a negligence in using that, I apologize. I didn’t think about it from that perspective.”

Bing, meanwhile, wrote that Johnson was a hard-working legislator who fought for constituents.

“I am aware that Bert has pleaded guilty; but would hope that his political background, his public service, as well as his overall commitment to his community be considered and, therefore, allow for leniency regarding his sentencing," Bing wrote.

Johnson's public service outweighed his crimes and rap sheet, which includes a teenage conviction for armed robbery, Johnson's defense lawyer John Shea said last week.

“Please do not allow this recent indiscretion tarnish the good that Mr. Johnson has done as a state representative and senator," Highland Park Mayor Hubert Yopp wroteon city letterhead.

State Rep. Jewell Jones, a first-term Democratic lawmaker from Inkster, called Johnson a "gladiator."

36th District Court Judge William McConico 

“It is times like now when we need powerful, respected leaders in our nation, I believe it would be a disservice to the public to lose a gladiator like Bertram Johnson," Jones wrote. "Godspeed!”

William McConico, a 36th District Court Judge in Detroit, cited his friendship with Johnson while urging leniency.

“I ask you to take into account that Bert is much more of an asset within the community than away from it,” McConico wrote.

Johnson fought for the poor and children, wrote former state Rep. Phil Cavanaugh, who works for the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office.

“I believe that Bertram Johnson is truly remorseful for any wrongdoing,” Cavanaugh wrote.

A new documentary raises questions about Johnson’s remorse.

Speaking directly to the camera at some point after his indictment but prior to his conviction, Johnson says he went to the Capitol “every day trying to make a difference, trying to make a change” and help constituents.

“And somebody wants to take it away from you? Somebody wants to say you’re not the guy anymore? Frustrated is not the word. It’s (expletive).”

Bert Johnson Letters of Support in Sentencing To Judge Leitman, MIED -- by Beverly Tran on Scribd

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Conyers Hails Mayor Bing’s Order to Remove “Pet Coke” from Detroit River

(DETROIT) – Yesterday evening, Detroit Mayor David Bing ordered that the petroleum coke piles stored alongside the Detroit River be removed by Tuesday, August 27. After this announcement, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

"I am heartened that Mayor Bing has ordered the removal of petroleum coke, better known as ‘pet coke,’ from the Detroit riverfront.  This order is critical to protecting the quality of Detroit’s air and water from this public nuisance.  However, until a final resolution is achieved, I will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the elimination of these polluting piles,” said Conyers.

“Over the past few months, it is become clear that an order by Mayor Bing might be necessary to properly address this problem, due to the lack of engagement or concern on behalf of the polluting parties in this case.  My engagement with this issue began in early Spring, shortly after these piles appeared.  On March 12, 2013, Congressman Peters and I wrote a letter to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) asking for their review of the problem.  We were unsatisfied with their response, and so we wrote them again on May 21, 2013 asking for assurances regarding the adequacy of protections for Detroit’s residents, air, and water.  While MDEQ responded with more specific reasons to believe there was not a problem, subsequent facts made clear that wasn’t the case - the most glaring example being the massive ‘pet coke’ dust cloud which was filmed forming over Detroit.  Throughout this months-long process, the parties involved in storing and shipping this potentially dangerous material acted without consideration or concern for the community.

“Mayor Bing’s order to withdraw the pet coke, seems necessary in light of the disrespect and disregard Detroiters have been shown by those who control the ‘pet coke’ piles.  I am also glad to see that he ordered the piles to be properly stored and covered with a tarp, which is what I and several local officials have been supporting from the beginning.  I would like to thank Mayor Bing for taking this step to protect our home.  I would also like to thank those who have worked with me on this issue, Representative Peters, other members of the Michigan delegation, local officials, state representatives, and state, national, and Canadian advocates for clean air and water who have been critical to addressing this issue. Because of their work, all of us who make Detroit our home can breathe a little easier.”

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

State Rep. John Olumba breaks silence about Dave Bing recall movement.

LISTEN IN: 

RADIO NEWS ALERT: State Rep. John Olumba breaks silence about Dave Bing recall movement.

Date: This Monday, December 10th, 2012 | 6:00am-10:00am

Station: 1200 WCHB, The Mildred Gaddis Show:  Special host, political commentator & radio personality: Jonathan Kinloch

PURPOSE: 
State Rep. Olumba finally speaks to the public about the Dave Bing recall to clarify:

• Why the Recall was initiated.
• The importance of this action happening NOW vs. waiting until August.
• The unveiling of the current and future damages executed-to be executed under the Bing administration.
• Petition involvement (313) 744-3381 or (313) 305 - 7792.
• And more.

To listen online this Monday, December 10th. 2012, 6:00am - 10:00am: Click Here 

See us on Facebook: John Olumba for Hope | MI State Representative
Website: www.recallbing.com

Please Share ... Share ... Share ... Share ... Share ... Share ... Share ... Share ... Share ... Share ... Share ... Share ...
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Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Detroit Consent Agreement: 10 Things To Know

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and the state Treasury Department on Tuesday circulated a draft of a proposed consent agreement between the state and the city of Detroit that proponents say would help solve the city's fiscal woes. The governor says accepting a consent agreement is the only way Detroit can avoid an emergency manager.

The consent agreement is allowed under Public Act 4, Michigan's emergency manager law, which allows the governor to review cash-strapped municipalities and school districts and decide whether state intervention is needed.

A Snyder-appoiinted financial review team examined Detroit's books to come up with a consent agreement that affords broad powers to Mayor Dave Bing and state Treasurer Andy Dillon -- and weakens City Council and the city's public employee unions. The consent agreement would also grant city officials, and a new Financial Advisory Board, many of the same powers as an emergency manager.

Detroit's financial review team met Tuesday to discuss the draft, but has not yet decided whether to recommend it.

Here are 10 highlights of the plan. Read the whole thing here.

10. Financial Advisory Board will hold all the power.

Instead of one emergency manager, the consent agreement would bring in nine.

It establishes a nine-member "Financial Advisory Board" made up of appointees from the governor, Treasurer, mayor and City Council. This board will have all control over the city's finances and not a dime can be spent without its approval.

The board has absolute power over the city's budget and the implementation of the "recovery plan" partially laid out in the agreement. The document lists "potential initial actions" the city could take to reduce its deficit, including cutting staff, outsourcing departments and selling city assets.

The mayor and City Council are not allowed to develop their own budgets or budget proposals without the consent of the Financial Advisory Board.

Treasurer Andy Dillon, one of the Review Board's appointed members, will also have the power to unilaterally veto some of its decisions.

9. Financial Advisory Board salaries alone will cost Detroiters $200,000

The consent agreement declares compensation for Financial Advisory Board members will be $25,000 each, excluding the Treasurer.

The salary and expenses incurred by board members will be reimbursed by the state Treasury Department, but then billed to the City of Detroit. The city will also pay for any staff or other expenses needed for the board to operate.

The board member salaries come to about the same price as the average single emergency manager: $200,000 total. (Pontiac Emergency Manager Lou Schimmel makes $105,000; Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager Roy Roberts makes $280,000.) Though appointed by the governor, emergency managers are paid by the municipal bodies they run, not the state, and it appears the Financial Advisory Board would operate in the same way.

8. Bing gets emergency manager powers.

Some have said a consent agreement with the state would make Detroit Mayor Dave Bing a de factoemergency manager, but the agreement pretty much makes him emergency manager de jure.

Section 2.5 is titled "Grant of Emergency Manager Authority" and "grants the Mayor the powers prescribed for emergency managers in Section 19 [of Public Act 4]."

One exception: Bing will not have the power to break collective bargaining or other contracts. Neither does the Financial Advisory Board.

7. City Council loses almost all its power.

City Council gets to appoint one member to the all-powerful Financial Advisory Board, but that's about the extent of the legislative body's role under the agreement. Council does have the right, along with the mayor, to appoint three more members of the Financial Advisory Board, but they must be chosen from a list pre-approved by Gov. Snyder.

Council can continue to meet and pass laws, but it cannot do anything to violate the consent agreement (see below) and will have no power over budgeting.

6. Detroit's budget process could look more like the state of Michigan's.

It seems Snyder is pleased with his own success balancing the state budget and wants to bring some of his measures directly to the city. The consent agreement recommends the Financial Advisory Board consider modifying the city's corporate tax. It also mandates the city prepare a second-year planning budget.

Snyder overhauled Michigan's business tax last year. Bing has said he would like to raise Detroit's corporate tax to 1.9 percent from 1 percent.

5. Cash influx still possible from revenue sharing and state loans.

It does not lay out any specifics about requesting loans or additional revenue from the state of Michigan, but the agreement does allow for the consideration of "the City's ability to obtain additional financing pursuant to the Emergency Municipal Loan Act."

It also claims the state will maintain its existing revenue-sharing agreements with the city -- though that means little for the $220 million the mayor and City Council have said Michigan owes Detroit under past agreements.

4. The agreement could eliminate bargaining between the city and its unions entirely.

While the consent agreement does not invoke the section of Public Act 4 that allows an emergency manager to abrogate collective bargaining agreements, it does contain a clause eliminating the city's "duty to bargain":

5.3 Duty to Bargain. Consistent with Section 14a(10) of Public Act 4, it is the Treasurer's determination that the duty of the City to bargain pursuant to Section 15 of Public Act 336 of 1947, the Public Employment Relations Act, shall cease beginning 30 days after the effective date of this Agreement.

The Public Employment Relations Act established collective bargaining for public employees in Michigan and Section 15 appears to be the portion that says both sides -- employee and employer -- must bargain in good faith, through union and government representatives. The consent agreement appears to exempt the city from having to negotiate with unions under state law.

3. Consent agreement renders itself bullet- (and lawsuit-)proof.

City Council, city employees and city unions are not allowed to challenge the consent agreement -- or even Public Act 4 -- at all, lest they risk placing the city under an emergency manager, entering it into Chapter 9 bankruptcy, or losing its state revenue sharing:

Any (a) action by the City or the City Council (or any department, agency or other entity organized within, or officer, agent, representative or employee acting on behalf of, the City and the City Council) or its unions to contest, through legal proceedings or otherwise, the constitutionality, validity or enforceability of Public Act 4, this Agreement or the powers and/or jurisdiction of the Financial Advisory Board [...] may, among other things, (x) be considered sufficient cause by the Financial Advisory Board to recommend (i) the immediate appointment of an emergency manager pursuant to Section 15 of Public Act 4 or any other applicable law, any provisions of Sections 15(2) and 15(3) of Public Act 4 to the contrary notwithstanding, and (ii) the commencement of proceedings under chapter 9 of title 11 of the United States Code pursuant to Section 23 of Public Act 4 or any other applicable law and/or (y) result in the suspension of (i) discretionary state revenue sharing initiatives and agreements between the State and the City pursuant to Public Act 140 and/or (ii) other financial initiatives and agreements between the State and the City, in each case to the extent permitted by law.

2. Even "acts of God" can't temper the agreement's strength.

A compliance clause insists the consent agreement must be carried out no matter what:

8.1 The obligations of the City as expressed and agreed to herein are not subject to release or discharge due to any contingencies, including, but not limited to, clerical errors, computer failures, late mailings or the failure to comply with reporting due dates or other scheduled due dates due to adverse weather, acts of God, acts of third parties or compliance with court orders.

Neither hell nor high water (nor any pesky court orders) could buy Detroit time to complete its obligations under the agreement.

1. Authority of the consent agreement could be indefinite.

The agreement would remain in effect until the city has met its financial solvency benchmarks for three full years. The Financial Advisory Board can extend the term of the agreement "in its sole discretion (subject only to the approval of the Governor), notwithstanding the existence of Financial Stability."

And it will remain in effect regardless of what happens to Public Act 4 -- which faces a repeal effort.

WATCH: State Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Highland Park) condemns the consent agreement on the Michigan Senate floor.



Detroit Consent Agreement Proposal, March 12, 2012

Detroit Children and Families Lose Once Again

Detroit Children and Families Lose Once Again

11092011

As Steve Neavling reported on September 9, “The City of Detroit chose not to apply for a $7.5-million grant that would have helped serve 1,500 low-income children through the education program Head Start, council members were told Thursday. Officials at the Department of Human Services, which is under an FBI investigation for misspending, said the city lacked sufficient licensed locations to handle an additional 1,500 children.

“We have had problems finding licensed facilities,” Head Start manager Virginia Burns-Saleem told the council. “We didn’t go after the grant because Detroit Public Schools said it was not going to provide space.”

It is unconscionable that Detroit officials would not do everything in their power to find facilities, either in Detroit, or working with partners in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb to serve their children.  Head Start provides a tremendous pre-school experience that has been shown to provide supports for children from impoverished families – supports that increase kindergarten readiness and lead to educational success.

Head Start is a federally funded program designed for children in low-income families to help prepare them for school. Children are eligible for Head Start if their families’ incomes are below the poverty line, or if they are eligible for public assistance.  Children in foster care, regardless of income, are also eligible. In addition to educational services, Head Start provides health and social services, and encourages parental involvement in all aspects of the program.  One rigorous national evaluation, the Head Start Impact Study, found gains for Head Start children in pre-reading, pre-writing, vocabulary and literacy skills.  Children assigned to participate in Head Start also had fewer behavior problems, better overall physical health, less hyperactivity, and more access to dental care than did children with comparable backgrounds who did not participate.  More positive effects were found for children who entered the program as three-year-olds than for those entering as four-year-olds.  Another study found that four-year-olds participating in Head Start did better in receptive language and phonemic awareness than four-year-olds of similar backgrounds who were wait-listed for the Head Start program.  Other studies find that children who attended Head Start are more likely to stay in school and have lower rates of grade retention in early elementary school.  Head Start participants are also more likely to be fully immunized and to have better access to health care.

Head Start programs also have benefits for the parents of the children attending.  In comparison to a group of families with similar backgrounds, parents of children attending such programs are more likely to report good health and safety practices than are parents of children not attending. First-year findings from the Head Start Impact Study also found that parents of children attending Head Start were more likely to read to their children frequently, less likely to use physical punishment, and more likely to engage in educational activities with their children.

The latest numbers for Detroit show that, as of 2009, 52 percent of Detroit children under 5 years of age – a total of 35,065 – met the poverty criteria.  One can add another 4,840 5-year olds (58 percent of their total).  Coming at it from the family side, 48 percent of Detroit families with children 5 and under are in poverty – 21,436in total.

The work of Geoffrey Canada and the Harlem Childrens’ Zone has documented the language deficiency that accompanies children from poor families and poor neighborhoods.  We cannot expect the Detroit Public School system to make up for these deficiencies when teachers must face classrooms numbering 25 – 35 children.  We fail our children when adults don’t do everything they can to make sure they have the necessary tools for success.

Detroit’s decision is setting a large numbers of its children up for failure.  When will we stop mouthing the words “our children are our future” and start acting the words.  When will we Walk the Walk instead of always Talking the Talk?

Bullshit.  Detroit did not go after the grant because of the documents below.  Please.


DHS administrators are administrative buffoons who still are in positions of power.


I wish City Council did not turn off the cameras when I addressed the body on the legal issues, below.

Detroit Lead Czar Whistleblower Lawsuit

U.S. DHHS OIG City of Detroit Department of Human Services Audit 2009

Bing fires No. 2 person at health department

Mayor Dave Bing's investigation into potential misspending at the city's health department yielded another firing this week, his office confirmed Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Bing fired Audrey Smith, a general manager and No. 2 person at the Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, which also is under a federal investigation because of accusations of widespread misuse of tax dollars.

Smith, who couldn't be reached for comment, had been suspended for a week last month on claims that she falsified time cards to rack up overtime for subordinates.

Bing also fired the department's director, Dr. Yvonne Anthony, on claims that her daughter was receiving paychecks from the city for alleged work, even though she lived out of state.

Anthony also couldn't be reached for comment.

The investigation is part of an ongoing probe into the misuse of federal grants at the health department and Department of Human Services, which lost its director, Shenetta Coleman, and three other employees to firings last month.

The investigations come after the Free Press revealed misspending and mismanagement of federal grants intended for poor Detroiters as part of an ongoing series of reports about the troubled agencies.

Bing's office also is investigating Human Services manager Deirdra Burford and a city contractor after the newspaper uncovered improper use of gift cards to buy high-end appliances, such as washers and dryers.

A day after the Free Press interviewed Burford for the report earlier this month, she took a monthlong sick leave, according to the mayor's office.

Burford and the contractor, Wayne Wilson, remain employed while the mayor's office investigates. Neither have been charged with a crime.

Whistleblower Reveals Hamtramck Emergency Financial Manager Tom Jankowski

Aide's whistle-blower lawsuit alleges Mayor Dave Bing aimed to eliminate Detroit city council, school board

If you think this whistleblower case with Mayor Bing is provocative, allow me to be the first whistleblower for the City of Hamtramck. 

Tom Jankowski, City Councilperson and former Mayor, under the tutelage of Jim Allen, City Attorney, has no qualms about flexing his certificate of Emergency Financial Manager with his ominous statements in city council meetings of taking over the city and schools.


In City Council meeting last evening, I must say I was quite tickled to hear TJ, as he is so affectionately called, tout his mastery of Michigan PA 4 of 2011.   


Let's have some fun and see how well he has mastered this tool, as he calls it.  Stay tuned.

Detroit Fraud in Child Welfare

Fired Detroit official defends $200K furniture buy

Shenetta Coleman

Detroit — A fired director at the center of the latest City Hall corruption probe admits her staff used federal funds for the poor to buy $200,000 in office furniture — and makes no apologies for it.

"It is legal to purchase furniture. I fail to understand the hype about the furniture," said Shenetta Coleman, who was removed last week from her $124,999 job as director of the city's Department of Human Services.

Coleman spoke about the accusations for the first time Thursday, since she was fired and four staffers were suspended without pay and Mayor Dave Bing announced an internal and police probe. Even as she defended herself, new allegations about her office emerged.

Police are investigating the disappearance of two flat screen televisions and other electronic equipment that her department bought with federal funds.

Bing's office also is concerned that Coleman's brother was hired by an agency funded with grants through her department.

Coleman welcomed the investigation but said she's not responsible for any misspending that is uncovered.

The furniture money came from a $1.1 million federally funded contract to Clark & Associates, a nonprofit that acts as a fiduciary, to provide a food pantry and clothing boutique for low-income residents. Coleman said she didn't know anything about missing televisions.

"Just because I am the director doesn't make me responsible for everything in the department," said Coleman, whose department provides anti-poverty programs, Head Start efforts and home weatherization services.

"I, Shenetta Lynn Coleman, do not order furniture. I do not order equipment. That was not my job. I have a staff person who was responsible for that."

"If I don't know about it, then there's nothing I can do about it. I cannot be in 29,000 places at once."

When asked if she was ultimately responsible as director, she said her job isn't to "hold someone's hand."

Despite her protests, Coleman is responsible for her staff, countered Dan Lijana, a spokesman for Bing, who added ignorance is "no excuse for poor judgment."

"All directors are charged with managing and held responsible for every aspect of their department including operations, personnel and performance," Lijana said.

Bing fired Coleman as director of the department, but because she had been a manager prior to her appointment, civil service rules allowed her to return to that post. After that, Bing suspended her for 30 days without pay. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, she could retain that job, Lijana said. Coleman said she is recovering from surgery and hasn't paid attention to media accounts of the controversy. But she said she's shocked by the outcry over last year's purchase of cherry wood desks, book shelves and conference table. She said her office needed an upgrade.

"My desk alone was being held up by a metal pipe," Coleman said.

Coleman said the furniture was permitted under the grant and represented a small percentage of what she said was $18 million in federal funds that went to services for the poor in Detroit. She also indicated state officials signed off on the purchase.

Greg Murray, vice president of the union, Senior Accountants, Analysts and Appraisers, that represents about 20 department staffers, bristled when told that Coleman defended the furniture expense.

He said some of the replaced furniture was only 2 years old: "$200,000 for furniture in a city department that was reluctant to open a warming center is heartless."

This winter, Coleman was at the center of a controversy because the city's warming center didn't open until the end of February. A longstanding policy mandated its operation, but Coleman said it couldn't open because of budget constraints and called a center a "nice extra to have." The city eventually released $150,000 in emergency federal funds to open the center two months into the season.

Bing's office also is concerned that Coleman never disclosed that a contractor working for her department had hired her brother, Lijana said. It's wasn't clear late Thursday if city executives are required to make such disclosures. The brother, Hyshon Coleman, is still employed and was hired more than five years ago by the Detroit Urban League to do home weatherization work for the Human Services Department, his sister and city officials confirmed. His salary wasn't available.

He was listed as a staffer on the internal department phone list and has a city phone number.

Shenetta Coleman said she was a deputy director at the time and had no involvement in the hire. But she did say a city employee under her — the weatherization director — brought him aboard.

Words of advice:  When there is an investigation, and we shall assume this is a federal investigation from the report findings I am including below, one should keep their mouths shut.  In this case, Shanetta Coleman's arrogance is only exceed by her ignorance in allowing for this interview.

Time to get legal counsel, my dear.

U.S. DHHS OIG City of Detroit Department of Human Services Audit 2009