Matty Moroun, Owner Of The U.S. Southern Boarder Ambassador Bridge Is Extracted From Humanity

Ambassador Bridge

This is deep.

This just about pulls the rug from under all the "Elected Ones" in Detroit and the 2020 Primary Election is August 4th.

This should unravel fast.

The Ambassador Bridge is how everything goes in and out of North America.

Keep that in mind, the busiest international, southern border crossing in North America and port no one wants to talk about.

 I can see Canada from upstairs....not really, but I do see John James and the Detroit Port Authority.

This is John James.

John James

https://teabagsandcoffeegrinds.blogspot.com/search?q=John+James

https://www.facebook.com/katie.hirzel?sk=wall

Kate Hirzel
'My apartment decided to do something very cool this past summer. Every weekend we invited interns, friends, classmates, etc. to our apartment. This past weekend was the last time all of my roommates were together, so we invited everyone who had ever come over the past couple months. What a wonderful summer spent with amazing people from all over the world. Ironically, I think I met more people from other countries than from the US while in our nations capital. Very fortunate and incredibly lucky. Sad to only have one month left-happy that this will become my home in less than a year 😌'

https://www.vistamaria.org/programs/

https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0371373D:US

https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/18951095

http://www.portdetroit.com/lorron-james/

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

https://detroitriverfront.org/

UAW-GM Center for Human Resources | Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority

http://www.portdetroit.com/

I also see the Emergency Manager Law, the fake ass Detroit Bankruptcy, and the Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager Human Asset Forfeiture op.

#maytheheavensfall

Manuel 'Matty' Moroun, owner of Ambassador Bridge, dead at 93

Matty Moroun

Detroit billionaire businessman Manuel "Matty" Moroun died Sunday of congestive heart failure, two sources confirmed to The Detroit News. He was 93.

A letter announcing the trucking magnate's death was sent to employees Monday morning from his only son, Matthew Moroun, who in recent years managed the diversified holdings and worked to improve the company's public image.

The elder Moroun was the owner of the international trucking and logistics company, Central Transport International, and the Ambassador Bridge. Another of his companies also owned Michigan Central Depot, a hulking relic looming over Corktown that came to symbolize Detroit's hard times, before selling the station to Ford Motor Co. in 2018.

Moroun exemplified a mostly bygone era in the low, slow arc of Detroit's reinvention — a secretive mogul who used the levers of politics and contributions to influence policy making that could benefit his private business interests more than the public good. And that gave voice to critics on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border.

A resident of Grosse Pointe Shores, Moroun was a longtime political donor defined in recent years by his frequent clashes over property ownership and use in the Detroit area. Moroun and his son, Matthew, spent millions on a multi-year and unsuccessful legal battle to stop the state of Michigan and Canada from building the Gordie Howe Bridge further downriver.

"The bridge is a living thing," Moroun told The News in 2008, referring to the one he's controlled for decades. "It's become part of me and I think I've done a good job. It's my legacy. They want to steal it from me, but that's not going to happen, I promise."


Moroun was born in June 1927, the grandson of Hanna Moroun, a Maronite Catholic who fled Lebanon before World War I. Matty Moroun was the eldest of four children born to Tufick and Jamal Moroun.

He attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, the only Arab in his school and perhaps the first to attend there. He majored in chemistry and biology at the University of Notre Dame. After college, he worked in his father's garage.

Tufick Moroun eventually added to his Detroit garage and gas station with the acquisition of Central Cartage, a trucking company owned by brothers who owed Tufick Moroun $8,300 for tires and gasoline.

By the mid-1950s, Matty Moroun largely was running the trucking company. And, a couple decades later, Moroun acquired a 25% stake in the Ambassador Bridge in order to expand his trucking company more extensively into Canada. He eventually acquired the entire structure for $30 million.

According to Forbes, Moroun and his family are worth $1.7 billion and are among the 1,600 wealthiest people in the world. Moroun ranked as high as No. 342 as recently as 2015.

The Detroit Regional Chamber expressed its condolences over Moroun's passing, calling him a "self-made success story."

"Born of immigrant parents in Detroit, he rose from a young man working at a neighborhood gas station to graduating from the University of Notre Dame and creating a billion dollar company," said chamber CEO Sandy Baruah. "With his passing, we celebrate his life and the family he built in Detroit.”

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Tales Of The New Crown: Sandy Baruah & Nolan Finley Advocate Profits Over People

No matter how much they hee and haw, the era of profits over people is over, but, do not tell that to Sandy & Nolan!

They want the people to go back to work during the COVID 19 pandemic.

They promulgated the stealin' of the children, land & votes.

They were mean to my Sweetie.

https://beverlytran.blogspot.com/search?q=Sandy+Baruah

https://beverlytran.blogspot.com/search?q=nolan+finley

#maytheheavemsfall

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Tales Of The New Crown: Federal Reserve Announces Free Money To Kick Off TARP 2.0 - Where Is Sandy Baruah?

Will the announcement of the Federal Reserve dropping interest rates to zero be enough to halt the pending, global collapse of markets to make up for getting busted for the TARP scheme they actually thought they were going to get away with stealin' the children, land & vote?

Will the major corporations run to get free money, just like they did with TARP, in order to bail themselves out for the pending collapse of the muni bond markets, leveraged with their fake assets of real estate then stole, mortgaged, quit claimed, laundered through land banks thrice, then bundled, flipped, hedged through more fake ass LLCs, run through the children's trusts to their overseas tax aversive havens?

Will a zero interest rate rally main street support to defend their propaganda, predictive modeling crap, which allowed TARP schemes to flourish, like the Detroit Land Bank Authority and gerrymandering from the Detroit Bankruptcy?

Let us watch and see what SIGTARP does next.

I bet Sandy Baruah does the talk show circuit.

#perkinscoiesucks

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

FBI Sandoval Raids Continue In Illinois

It seems the Illinois FBI will be busy, busy, busy for quite some time.

Federal Agents Raid Village Halls In McCook, Lyons 

LYONS, Ill. (CBS) — Federal agents raided the village halls in southwest suburban McCook and neighboring Lyons on Thursday, the FBI confirmed.

The FBI also raided Getty Insurance on Ogden Avenue in Lyons, which according to the Village of Lyons website is owned by the family of Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty. The mayor serves as president of the agency.

It was unclear Thursday afternoon whether Getty was personally a target of the investigation.

The FBI Chicago office confirmed agents were “conducting an authorized law enforcement action” at the McCook and Lyons village halls, but declined further comment.

The FBI also confirmed they were at the Summit Village Hall for investigative activity Thursday afternoon. The agency characterized their visit to Summit differently from those to Lyons, McCook, and the insurance agency.

As night fell Thursday, there was still no clarity on what the FBI was looking for or if the raids were connected, CBS 2’s Chris Tye reported.

Jeff Tobolski is the mayor of McCook and is also a Cook County commissioner, but it’s unclear if the investigation is tied directly to him. CBS 2 has confirmed that Mayor Tobolski called in sick and bought everybody lunch on Thursday.

The raids in McCook and Lyons come two days after federal agents raided Illinois State Sen. Martin Sandoval’s office at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield and his home in the Gage Park neighborhood on Tuesday.

McCook and Lyons are part of Sandoval’s district, but it is unclear of the two investigations are related.

However, the Sandoval, Getty, and Tobolski are political allies who have contributed to each other’s campaigns for elected office.

Campaign finance records show, since 2010, Sandoval has donated at least $2,000 to Tobolski’s campaign fund, Friends of Jeffrey Tobolski.

Since 2009, Tobolski has made at least eight donations totaling $17,250 combined to Sandoval’s campaign fund, Friends of Martin A. Sandoval; and the campaign fund for Sandoval’s daughter, Angie, who ran for the county board in 2018.

Since 2010, Tobolski had made at least 10 donations to Getty’s campaign fund, Citizens for Christopher Getty, totaling $10,750.

Getty donated $250 to Sandoval’s campaign in 2011, and has made at least 12 donations to Tobolski’s campaign fund since 2010, totaling $4,050.

The politicians’ donating to each other’s campaigns is completely legal, but they demonstrate the political support between them.

The FBI told CBS 2 that no more raids were expected Thursday night.

CBS 2 also reached out to all the key players mentioned in this report. None returned our calls.

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Illinois Senator Sandoval Gets Raided By FBI & IRS

FUN FACT! THE CHICAGO FEDERAL RESERVE IS IN DETROIT

Federal agents raid Springfield, Cicero offices of Illinois Sen. Martin Sandoval, source says

Federal agents on Tuesday raided the Springfield and Cicero offices of longtime Democratic state Sen. Martin Sandoval as well as his family’s Southwest Side home as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

Investigators are looking into allegations Sandoval used his official position to steer business to at least one company in exchange for kickbacks, a source with knowledge of the case told the Chicago Tribune.

No criminal charges had been filed. Sandoval, who has been in office for 17 years and chairs the influential Senate Transportation Committee, could not be reached on Tuesday, and calls to his office were not returned.

In what has become a familiar scene in Illinois, FBI and IRS agents spent hours behind closed doors in Sandoval’s offices in the state capitol, where an agent stationed in a nearby hallway turned back a Tribune reporter seeking comment.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m., at least eight men left the Senate Democratic offices carrying cardboard boxes, two brown bags labeled “evidence” and what appeared to be a desktop computer wrapped in plastic. News cameras rolled as the agents left the building, loaded the material into two SUVs and drove off.

At about the same time nearly 200 miles away, agents executed search warrants at Sandoval’s district office in the 5800 block of West 35th Street in Cicero, as well as his longtime family home in Gage Park, sources told the Tribune.

A man who answered the door at Sandoval’s brick, three-story building Tuesday said the legislator was not home. Later, two officials with duty belts and handcuffs came out of the home to get wheeled hand trucks, taking them inside. One identified himself as from the IRS criminal division.

An FBI spokesman confirmed that agents were at the capitol conducting “authorized law enforcement activity,” but declined to comment further.

The raids marked the latest in a slew of ongoing public corruption probes that have sent shock waves from City Hall to Springfield over the past 10 months.

In November 2018, the FBI took over the City Hall offices of longtime Ald. Edward Burke, who at the time was the powerful chairman of the Finance Committee, and papered over windows with brown butcher paper before leaving down a back staircase with computers and files. Burke has since been indicted on sweeping racketeering charges alleging he used his clout to steer business to his private law firm. He has pleaded not guilty.

In June, a similar scene played out when agents executed search warrants at the Far South Side ward office of influential Ald. Carrie Austin, 34th, the second longest-serving active member of the City Council. Austin has not been charged.

Sandoval is also the second state senator to come under the cloud of a federal investigation.

Last month, his colleague Sen. Thomas E. Cullerton of Villa Park was indicted on embezzlement charges alleging he pocketed almost $275,000 in salary and benefits from the Teamsters union despite doing little or no work. Cullerton has pleaded not guilty.

Editorial: Assassinating civility: The knucklehead factor in Illinois politics »

Born in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the city’s South Side, Sandoval, 55, first won election to the Senate in 2002 with the support of former Mayor Richard M. Daley and the now-defunct Hispanic Democratic Organization, a patronage army that crumbled amid a federal investigation into hiring practices at City Hall.

Controversy has often dogged Sandoval’s political career. In 2011, Sandoval was among a handful of lawmakers whose legislative scholarship records were reviewed by federal authorities after state education officials sent them over. The centuryold scholarship program, long riddled with abuse, eventually was abolished.

Last month, Sandoval faced national criticism after photos showing a man pointing a fake gun used as a novelty beverage dispenser at someone wearing a mask depicting President Donald Trump were taken at a political fundraiser hosted by the senator and posted on social media.

Sandoval apologized, said he wasn’t aware of the incident when it occurred and blamed it on a vendor hired to provide music and entertainment.

Sandoval currently makes $80,038 as a legislator, including a stipend of $10,574 for his committee chairmanship, state records show.

He serves a Southwest Side district that shares half of its territory with powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat who has worked with Sandoval over the years on a variety of legislative issues but also been at odds with the senator at times.

In the March 2018 Democratic primary, Sandoval supported the candidacy of his daughter, Angie Sandoval, for the county board seat vacated by Jesus “Chuy” Garcia when he ran for Congress. Madigan’s 13th Ward organization, however, went with the victorious Alma Anaya, who was supported by Garcia.

As Senate transportation chairman, Sandoval was positioned to play a key role in implementing the massive $45 billion construction program pushed through the General Assembly and signed into law by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker earlier this year.

But his position on the committee has also drawn criticism. In 2015and 2016, Sandoval interceded on behalf of a campaign donor that stood to make millions off red light cameras at an intersection straddling Oak Brook and Oakbrook Terrace, the Tribune has reported.

The Illinois Department of Transportation originally said the intersection was too safe to need cameras, but Sandoval asked IDOT to change its mind. At one point, Sandoval told IDOT he wanted to help the agency but “wasn’t getting the type of cooperation on his issues that he would like to see,” according to emails uncovered by the newspaper.

IDOT then approved Oakbrook Terrace’s application.

Meanwhile, Safespeed, the company that had lobbied for the cameras, and its owners collectively donated tens of thousands of dollars to Sandoval’s campaign coffers, including one contribution for $10,000 in September 2016 that at the time was the largest single donation the firm had given anyone.

Oak Brook later passed an ordinance complaining the cameras were part of a process that sought to "corrupt local law enforcement” and enrich political leaders, but the village eventually dropped a lawsuit seeking to ban the cameras from the corner.

Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Tony Ragucci told the Tribune on Tuesday that the village has not received any requests for information from federal authorities related to the camera controversy.

The chief critic of the deal — Oak Brook council member Michael Manzo — said he still believes the cameras should be taken down. When asked if he’s spoken with the FBI, he declined comment.

More recently, Sandoval was named in a federal lawsuit alleging the senator used his influence as Transportation Committee chairman to get his son a job in 2016 as a community relations representative at Pace Suburban Bus Service.

The plaintiff, Lawrence Gress of Dowers Grove, alleged he was subjected to a “sham interview” and passed over for the job in favor of Sandoval’s son, Martin Sandoval II, who is some 40 years younger and vastly less experienced.

Pace has denied the allegations, which include a civil racketeering conspiracy. An attorney for Sandoval could not be reached immediately.

With Tuesday’s raids, Sandoval became the latest political associate of Madigan to face federal scrutiny.

In mid-May, the FBI raided the homes of former lobbyist Mike McClain of Quincy, a longtime Madigan confidant, and ex-23rd Ward Ald. Michael Zalewski.

The information the FBI was seeking included records of communications among Madigan, McClain and Zalewski related to attempts to get ComEd lobbying work for Zalewski, the Tribune has reported.

Sandoval’s daughter, Angie, works for ComEd as a senior account representative.

Also in mid-May, the FBI raided the Chicago home of Ald. Marty Quinn’s brother, Kevin Quinn, a political and government operative Madigan parted ways with last year amid sexual harassment allegations. One source told the Tribune the federal government showed an interest in computers in Kevin Quinn’s home.

Last month, the Tribune disclosed that a Cook County grand jury has subpoenaed election records regarding the reelection bid of Madigan’s handpicked Ald. Marty Quinn, who serves in the Southwest Side ward where Madigan has reigned as committeeman for decades.

Sandoval’s political connection to Madigan was solidified in 2011, when his Senate district was redrawn following the census to overlap with Madigan’s House district.

Under the mapmaking, which Madigan oversaw with Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago — a distant cousin to Thomas Cullerton — the speaker was placed in a growing Latino district on the Southwest Side.

At the time, Sandoval embraced the move.

“The Irish and the Latinos have had a long history of shared immigrant values, hard work ethic and religious faith,” Sandoval told the Tribune in 2011. “We’re both White Sox fans, and now we’ll share a majority Hispanic district. I look forward to having the Madigans over for a traditional home-style Mexican barbecue."

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Cocktails & Popcorn: Microsoft & How Detroit Wins Elections

Microsoft Super Duper Detroit Election
Victory Transposable Model

On this exciting episode of Cocktails & Popcorn, we are revisiting the DOJ & DHS Conjugal Collaborative Report on Russian interference in the 2018 Elections.

DOJ & DHS: Acting Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security Submit Joint Report on Impact of Foreign Interference on Election and Political/Campaign Infrastructure in 2018 Elections

They said there was no Russian interference in the election and political campaign infrastructure.

Announcing the Metro Detroit Data Alliance with Data Driven Detroit

Noah Urban is a Senior Analyst at Data Driven Detroit (D3), a low-profit social enterprise that works to help partners use data to drive informed decision-making in Metro Detroit. At D3, Noah manages execution on D3’s suite of projects and initiatives, including a number of projects with Microsoft. He joins us today to discuss one of those projects — a data collaborative tentatively called the Metro Detroit Data Alliance, or MDDA.

But the report said nothing about public corruption stealin' the vote using the Detroit Land Bank Authority Public Private Partnership with the City of Detroit and Microsoft property tax databases, so I said it for them.

I wish someone would explain to me how the Detroit Athletic Club can get property tax waivers when it is cranking almost $100,000,000 in combined assets and revenue a year when its mission is statement says:

To create life-enriching experiences that build meaningful relations, foster personal and professional growth, and celebrate culture in the heart of Detroit.

I think it should be claimed as an asset of the City of Detroit, through formal measures, of course, you know, like asset forfeiture.

This about how Detroit improved its election interference strategy for the 2018 Election because they jacked up the 2016 Election Interference Strategy.

See, the "Legal Geniuses" (trademark pending) just knew the had the 2016 Election all wrapped up in their back pockets, having perfected their plan to imprison the Celestial Goddess in the Woodshed.

NOTHING Stops Detroit….

Jun 2, 2016   |   Shelley Stern Grach

WP_20160525_16_52_35_Rich (002)

A year ago, when we started our Civic Tech engagement in Detroit, I wrote (and continue to express my excitement) about all the great business and economic activity in my hometown. Last week, I had the honor to participate as a panelist and in workshops at Detroit Startup Week and the momentum is skyrocketing.

Detroit Startup Week is a 5 day event, which offered over 150 speakers, 10 program tracks, loads of workshops, tours and chats about various topics related to entrepreneurship in Detroit—all for FREE. Because of the wide breadth of activity, the speakers and attendees ranged from Mayor Mike Duggan, Dan Gilbert, and Jamie Dimon to local coffee startups and hackers. Each was as important as the other—because all attendees shared a common vision—a stronger Detroit, based on economic development through small and medium business growth. There were over 2000 attendees and a tremendous amount of sidebar networking. The Goal: To help Grow the Detroit Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. There is no doubt that Detroit is on the mend after becoming the nation’s largest city ever to go bankrupt just two years ago. Mayor Mike Duggan discussed how the city is starting to turn around, betting big on small businesses, education and affordable housing. His measurement of whether the city is on the right track or not is whether the population is growing or declining. Let’s continue to watch closely as I think people are indeed moving back into the city.

Microsoft was delighted to help sponsor Startup Week…and don’t you just LOVE these T-shirts! As you look at the logos, you’ll see big names, small names…everyone pitching in as equals to bring education about how to start a business to as many people as possible.

The diversity of Startup Week was amazing. Ranging from an IoT Avenue to Chase Basecamp to sessions on Lawns, Drones, Kitchens/Café’s, and my personal favorite: Motown, Marketing, Music and More: In the contemporary entertainment industry, it is necessary to conduct yourself with the mindset of an entrepreneurial, self employed businessman. Delivered through the lens of the newly founded Detroit Institute of Music Education, now in its second year, this presentation will dive into the concepts of mentorship, networking, versatility, open-mindedness, and “simple done well.” That’s the key to Detroit—everyone wants to help everyone else be successful, because it’s all good for Detroit.

Microsoft was part of a panel and workshop discussion suite that included January Advisors, Data Driven Detroit, Loveland, and the City of Detroit’s Director of Innovation and Emerging Technology. We discussed best practices from Houston to Chicago to Detroit and how to open up the city’s public data and information for the consumption and benefit of all. Examples like D3’s Motor City Mapping were discussed and Garlin Gilchrist II announced that Detroit will be working with Smart Chicago and Microsoft to bring the Civic User Testing (CUT) Group program to Detroit, in partnership with Data Driven Detroit. We are extremely excited to help with this innovative program.

Congratulations to the volunteers who helped make Detroit Startup Week such a success. We’re looking forward to next year—a bigger crowd, more growth and more success for the new Motor city. NOTHING stops Detroit!

Tags: Chase Basecamp, Chicago, City of Detroit, Civic Tech, Civic User Testing Group, Dan Gilbert, Data Driven Detroit, Detroit, Detroit Institute of Music Education, Detroit Startup Week, Garlin Gilchrist II, Jamie Dimon, January Advisors, Loveland, Mayor Mike Duggan, Microsoft, Microsoft Chicago, Shelley Stern, Shelley Stern Grach, Sonja Marziano, startup, Startups

Shelley Stern Grach

They say that great work stems from a combination of passion and commitment, something that Shelley certainly possesses when it comes to her life and career. She currently serves on the boards of the Women’s Business Development Center, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Thrive Chicago, Year Up and LISC Chicago. At Microsoft Chicago, she’s the Director of Civic Engagement, working at the intersection of computing and community, promoting STEM programs and using Microsoft technology to spur growth in the community. So no matter if it's work, play, or giving back, Shelley always makes sure her drive and professionalism help her complete her life's goals.

The "Legal Geniuses" (trademark pending) over there at Perkins Coie Sucks, thought they could transpose their super duper campaign victory for Hillary Clinton, having perfected it, and all, but, what had happened was..... the Celestial Goddess of the Woodshed dug her way out because she had access to the internet and thwarted the Smarty Pants, who live in their own reality of an ivory tower, because they were mean to her Sweetie, again.

Hoisted By Her Own Petard: How Hillary Clinton Really Lost Michigan

So, the "Legal Geniuses" (trademark pending) came out and announced that they were just Dandy when it came for using all the Detroit Land Bank Authority property tax data to win the 2018 Election because they now owned Garlin Gilchrist, "GG" (the tech guru).

Big Shoulders: Matt Wolf, Managing Director, Dandelion

Feb 16, 2017   |   Adam J. Hecktman

Dandelion works with cities to help communities achieve access to opportunities and to activate underutilized assets in neighborhoods. Early on, this was the team that helped Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan get elected in a storied campaign (the campaign brought him to a 2013 primary victory as a write-in candidate). It consists of a tactical team of designers, developers, content creators, project managers and others who wrap their talent around civic projects. They establish trust with limited-budget clients such as non-profits, private foundations, and governments, and leverage that trust to “deploy new ideas” in cities. And they have deployed more than 100 of those projects in the last 5 years. Now they are bringing that experience and those skills to Chicago. Watch Matt Wolf from Dandelion talk in my latest Big Shoulders about place-based projects for economic development and those around creative re-use.

Dandelion: Redesigning the Bitcoin Network for Anonymity

Watch Adam’s chat with Mike live on Advisor.tv.

Tags: Adam Hecktman, Adam J. Hecktman, Advisor.TV, Big Shoulders, Chicago, Civic Tech, Dandelion, Detroit, Detroit Mayor, Matt Wolf, Microsoft, Microsoft Chicago, Mike Duggan, politics

Adam J. Hecktman

You may recognize Adam. He’s a regular on TV, you can hear him on the radio, he’s penned numerous articles and is the co-founder of the Chicago City Data Users Group. But some of Adam’s most important work is done behind the scenes in his role as Microsoft’s Director of Technology and Civic Engagement for Chicago. Tech giants, universities and government leaders turn to Adam for guidance on all matters technology, and he happily obliges, helping Chicago overcome challenges and capitalizing on new, exciting opportunities.

To ensure the 2018 Election Victory for the State of Michigan Democrats, everyone in Detroit and Chicago political leadership came together in an orgy of political partisan unity, because, if they did not take over, there were going to be alot of individuals who would have to "repurpose" their campaign "revenues" for legal defenses because SIGTARP is busy, busy, busy!

Stay tuned.

I believe Rashida Tlaib is about to become really, really famous-er.

City of Detroit Council For... by on Scribd

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Cocktails & Popcorn: FACT v. CREW - Matt Whitaker, Ethics, Whitewater & Detroit

There seems to be a bit of disdain in the decision for Sessions to resign and Matt Whitaker to take the helm. to steer the DOJ.

Liam Tran with 

World Powerlifing Champion 

Ernie Lilliebridge, Sr.

Why Trump could face legal challenges over Whitaker

People are complaining that his position is "unconstitutional" because he is not confirmed by Senate but failed to look at the

Cocktails & Popcorn: Sessions Resigns, Matt Whitaker Is Acting & I Am Ready

But, for a moment, I almost forgot  that this is another one of those transposable models I just so adore.

Then I had a revelation because I remembered about the Acting U.S. Assistant Attorneys of the Districts that were left vacant for quite some time, where many key positions within the DOJ are still, to this very moment, vacant.

There was even an issue under the Federal Vacancies Act, that came out of Whitewater to address any issues with the appointment and firing of a Special Counsel

There are, however, a few key limitations on the scope of the Vacancies Act. Notably, the Vacancies Act governs the ability of a person to perform only those functions and duties of an office that are nondelegable. Unless a statute or regulation expressly specifies that a duty must be performed by the absent officer, that duty may be delegated to another government employee.* In other words, delegable job responsibilities are outside the purview of the Vacancies Act. In addition, if another statute expressly authorizes acting service, that other statute may render the Vacancies Act nonexclusive, or possibly even inapplicable. (That is secret code for "Special Counsel". They made sure they did not that do that Fiske-Starr switcho-chango to happen again.)

But, in this instance, I thought of Sandy Baruah.

New Small-Business Chief Has Critics Already

My most sincerest apologies for the digression with the Sandy, but I was experiencing another Post Traumatic Fraud Syndrome episode.

This is also taken directly from the Federal Vacancies Act.

 As a default rule, the first assistant to a position automatically becomes the acting officer.

First assistant can also mean Chief of Staff.

Then I knew I was on the right tract to deconstructing this transposable model down to its origins, right here in Detroit.

So, let me get this straight, you have a guy, who is a power lifter (had to throw that one in), run for office, then file a bunch of complaints about people in office to Ethics, dealing with personal inurement of office, in a situation of leaking of an ongoing investigation of a former Attorney General, all swirling around the Federal Vacancies Act?

Lemisch's Leaks - Matt Schneider Is Back & So Are Detroit Public Corruption Investigations

I stood aghast for the thought that this could have actually been planned.

"This is so hot for #MeToo."

I wonder who would plan such a cocktails & popcorn worthy moment, for the model sounds so eerily recognizable.

It would have had to be someone who knows of Said Act and Whitewater, succinctly well.

But hey, what do I know?

I know Perkins Coie Sucks because CREW just filed a letter of recusal to DOJ.

Qui Pro Domina Justitia Sequitur.

Qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur.

CREW Whitaker Recusal Lette... by on Scribd

#perkinscoiesucks

Federal Vacancies Act of 1998 by Beverly Tran on Scribd

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Cocktails & Popcorn: OVERSIGHT Hearing On SIGTARP & Its Multifaceted Issues With The Administration Of The Hardest Hit Fund

My apologies for missing this precious gem!

The U. S. House Oversight Committee held hearings on the Hardest Hit Fund - TARP, to respond to the findings of SIGTARP, the enforcement mechanism of the U.S. Treasury which audits the program.

Sandy Baruah Sucks & Deserves A Subpoena For What He Did To Detroit

Basically, you have a bunch of "The Elected Ones" whose staff failed to properly debrief their members on the background of the Hardest Hit Fund.

All they had to do was google my name, but they probably did, realizing it was best to limit the breadth of their questioning to ethics in the administration of the program.

I like that, just let them speak.

What we have here is an issue within the U.S. Treasury because every time a Member asks about stealin', in an ethical sense, only, because there are no criminal referrals from the Treasury, that we know of, to date, due to the unverified ongoing investigation that may not even exist, here was the mimeographed response of Kipp Kranbuhl.

Chairman Gary Palmer smacked down Kipp (a name truly synonymous with poverty and hardship) down by having SIGTARP Christy Goldsmith Romero break it down to the fact that SIGTARP can not speak upon the multiple, ongoing criminal investigations that the office refuses to verify.

Gary: "Are gym memberships considered allowable to help homeowners stay in their homes?

Kipp: "We follow cost principles for every federal program."

Gary: "Have you made any criminal referrals?"

Kipp: "We follow cost principles for every federal program."

Gary: "What time is it?"

Kipp: "We follow cost principles for every federal program."

Christy was Johnnie on the Spot in her succinct responses to questions of why there was so much stealin', but I seriously wonder how many people in the room actually caught what she said.

For those who do not wish to watch the entire hearing, allow me to provide a quick synopsis.

"They were stealin'."

I bet Kipp wore Depends for this hearing.

I bet he thinks about me, alot

Neil Barofsky And His History Of SIGTARP

The Office of Financial Institutions of the U.S. Department of Treasury is the oversight for the administration of TARP, not the money, just the administration, and stuff.

​The Office of Financial Institutions coordinates the Department's efforts regarding financial institutions legislation and regulation, legislation affecting Federal agencies that regulate or insure financial institutions, and securities markets legislation and regulation. The Office coordinates the Department's efforts on financial education policy and ensuring the resiliency of the financial services sector in the wake of a terrorist attack.

We have ourselves a Special Issue going on with Treasury.

See, SIGTARP, nor any other law enforcement entity, ever verifies the existence, or non-existence, of an investigation, or an ongoing investigation, unless it is verified by an original source, like me.

SIGTARP Is Still Investigating Flint & Detroit Blight Demolition Programs

But, hey, what do I know?

I know I am really happy that I found this hearing video!

Statement of Deputy Assistant Secretary Kipp Kranbuhl Before the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Government Operations

Chairman Meadows, Chairman Palmer, Ranking Member Connolly, Ranking Member Raskin, and Members of the Subcommittees, thank you for the opportunity to testify today about Treasury’s efforts to mitigate the effects of the financial crisis on American homeowners through the Housing Finance Agency Innovation Fund for Hardest Hit Housing Markets, also known as the Hardest Hit Fund or HHF.

In 2008, Congress passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, 12 U.S.C. 5201, et seq., (as amended, EESA).  This legislation provided Treasury with immediate authorities and resources to restore liquidity and stability to the nation’s financial system in the wake of an historic economic crisis.  Using its authorities under EESA, Treasury established the Troubled Asset Relief Program, known as TARP, an initiative that was unprecedented in both its design and scale.  Congress initially authorized up to $700 billion for TARP programs, though Congress later reduced that authority to $475 billion.

In the following years, Treasury disbursed nearly $412 billion of TARP funds under a variety of programs designed to help stabilize banks, automobile manufacturers, and other institutions integral to the nation’s economy.  Treasury reserved additional funds for programs designed to protect home prices and prevent foreclosure.  The first, and largest, of these housing programs was the Making Home Affordable® program, or MHA.  Launched in 2009, MHA was a nationwide effort to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure by lowering mortgage payments to affordable levels.  However, it soon became clear that a one-size-fits-all approach would not be sufficient to address all of the specific needs of homeowners and communities in the states that were hit hardest by the housing crisis.

Treasury established HHF in 2010 as part of TARP in order to help prevent foreclosure and to stabilize housing markets in states hit hardest by the housing crisis.  State housing finance agencies, (together with certain designated entities, HFAs) in eighteen states and the District of Columbia were selected to participate, as these areas experienced unemployment rates at or above the national average, and/or home price declines of greater than 20 percent.[1]

Unlike MHA – a national program based on uniform criteria set by the Federal government – HHF was designed to give the participating HFAs the maximum flexibility to design and administer their own programs, each tailored to local conditions in their respective communities.  As a part of this flexibility, the states have been able to adapt their programs in order to address the changing needs of their communities over time.

As of December 31, 2017, states had assisted approximately 350,000 homeowners and funded the demolition and greening of nearly 24,000 blighted properties in distressed communities.

However, the flexibility afforded to HFAs by the Hardest Hit Fund has made Treasury’s oversight a critical aspect of the program.  Treasury maintains a strong commitment to ensure that the program achieves its goals and that federal taxpayer funds are used for their intended purpose.

Treasury requires each HFA to set specific goals for its HHF program, and to demonstrate steady progress toward meeting these goals.  Treasury works with each of the HFAs to identify and address barriers that would keep the HFA from achieving its goals.  Subject to Treasury approval, the HFAs may also modify their programs as needed in order to address the changing needs of their communities.  Treasury also maintains an ongoing dialogue with the HFAs through in-person meetings and regularly scheduled calls, and it hosts annual summits where the various participating HFAs can meet and share best practices.

Treasury has also conducted more than 100 on-site compliance reviews across the participating HFAs, as well as additional, targeted reviews to address specific programmatic risks.  These reviews evaluate a number of critical program functions, such as whether homeowners are evaluated in accordance with the HFA’s guidelines, program disbursements and administrative expenditures are appropriate, the information reported to Treasury is accurate, and the HFA’s internal controls are functioning as intended to minimize the risk of non-compliance.

Treasury takes corrective action when instances of non-compliance arise.  This includes, for example, requiring HFAs to re-evaluate homeowners that were improperly denied, to reimburse HHF for improper expenditures, and to strengthen internal controls in order to prevent further non-compliance.

In addition to compliance reviews, Treasury also takes SIGTARP’s role seriously.  We share this Committee’s and SIGTARP’s commitment to preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in all TARP programs, and we carefully consider recommendations in that regard.

Treasury responds to SIGTARP recommendations in writing, and our responses are made available to the public.  We work hard to address the concerns raised by these recommendations, in a manner that allows the programs to function as intended and in the context of TARP’s wind-down.  With respect to HHF in particular, this has included, for example, issuing written guidance to clarify HFA obligations, recovering funds that were improperly spent, and requiring states to strengthen internal controls to prevent non-compliance in the future.

For example, Treasury thoroughly reviewed the $2.2 million of costs questioned in SIGTARP’s August 2017 Audit Report.  This involved analyzing thousands of individual transactions incurred by all 19 HFAs, dating back to the program’s inception in 2010.  Following this review, Treasury determined that $656,141 of the questioned costs did not comply with the Federal government’s cost principles.  The HFAs were required to reimburse HHF.  For the reasons set forth in our April 6, 2018, letter to SIGTARP—a copy of which has been provided to the Committee and is available on our website—Treasury determined that the remaining costs questioned by SIGTARP were allowable under Federal cost principles.

As is the case with all TARP programs, HHF is winding down.  Although Congress authorized additional funding in 2015, the program remains a temporary one.  As of the end of April 2018, Treasury has disbursed $8.8 billion (or 92 percent) of the $9.6 billion obligated under HHF. Although HFAs may continue issuing new approvals through December 31, 2020, most of the states have already begun to close down HHF programs or will do so this year as they exhaust their available funds.  This includes California and Florida, the two largest states in the program.

Treasury’s outstanding commitments under TARP represent just one percent of the $475 billion authorized by Congress.  As TARP winds down, Treasury remains committed to robust oversight and monitoring of all of its TARP programs, including HHF.

As part of this wind down, the Office of Financial Stability, which oversees HHF and other TARP programs, was recently realigned to report to Treasury’s Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions.  This realignment will enable our office to oversee an orderly and successful wind down of HHF that is in line with the wind down of other programs that are also overseen by this office, such as the State Small Business Credit Initiative and the Small Business Lending Fund.

I thank you again for the opportunity to testify today and welcome your questions.

####

[1] The eighteen participating states consist of Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Here is where the Treasury came up with the excuse, "the money has not yet been allocated" whenever SIGTARP asked what happened to the money.

As soon as Treasury responds, by the wings of Mercury, they officially start stealin' because they know by the time they are asked again, there will be a new allocation cycle, with questions only focused on these new allotted funds, not the funds they were stealin' in the previous grant spend down cycle, because that could be one of those double jeopardy administrative moments they can argue their way out of a criminal proceeding.

SIGTARP

SIGTARP Use of Funds Audit by on Scribd

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