"Bad Government 8" - Brian Essi's print Observer article

[Dan Alaimo]

It seems to me that Brian Essi's recent article in the print Observer, "Bad Government 8: Summers, County Leaders Limit Healthcare Options--Cover Up Deepens," hasn't gotten the attention it deserves.
http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2016/0 ... nscover-up
He alleges "Potentially Criminal Antitrust Violations" involving county officials Budish and Miller (up for re-election this year) along with our City government in "bid-rigging." If this holds water, it is one of the most potent statements yet about how Metro was kept out of the deal making loop, and probably worthy of investigation.
Am I wrong?

[Bridget Conant]

I agree. However, you are talking about Cuyahoga County, one of the most corrupt governments in the U.S. When Russo and Dimora got caught, you really think anything changed other than that they became more careful?

Patronage and back room deals are so entrenched over such a long period of time, that I'm not sure this county knows how to operate any other way.

Fitzgerald claimed he was going to change things, but we see how that turned out. He was no different than the rest - he put in his own cronies and did as he pleased, flaunting the law because he thought he was above it. He still thinks that, as evidenced by his phony "newspaper business" and his continued involvement in political dirty tricks.

Why wouldn't we assume county officials were just as involved in this as our own local pols? Cleveland Clinic has too much power and exerts way too much influence over politics and politicians. You don't think they'd do what the Clinic wants?

[Matthew Lee]

However, you are talking about Cuyahoga County, one of the most corrupt governments in the U.S.

Bridget, did you have any facts to back this up or is this hyperbole? Having lived in many places (including Cook County (IL) and Baltimore County (MD)), i really don't think Cuyahoga County is more (or less) corrupt than other parts of the country. However, if you have more facts to prove this, I will definitely stand corrected.

[Bridget Conant]

Jimmy Dimora at center of one of biggest local corruption cases in U.S. history

https://ocvjc.org/news/jimmy-dimora-cen ... us-history


I think lots of people think it was pretty big, especially since it was so widespread - commissioners, council members, school board members, judges, contractors. The IRS and the FBI investigated. I'd say it was a pretty big deal.

You can choose to think whatever you'd like about it.

[Michael Deneen]

Bridget, did you have any facts to back this up or is this hyperbole? Having lived in many places (including Cook County (IL) and Baltimore County (MD)), i really don't think Cuyahoga County is more (or less) corrupt than other parts of the country. However, if you have more facts to prove this, I will definitely stand corrected.

The Dimora situation is certainly good evidence. We shouldn't think that all the bad players went out with Dimora...the corruption has been embedded in the culture.
Our pal Fitzy is not he drove around without a drivers license for reasons still not clear to anyone. Perhaps we'll find out in a future edition of "Lakewood Neighborhood News".

The Brelo acquittal and failure to indict Tamir Rice's killer is another example of failed county government. Prosecutors and judges look the other way at police misconduct.

If I spent a couple hours googling, I'm sure I could find much more. But it's hardly a stretch to point out that Cuyahoga is one of the most corrupt counties in America.
If you accept these conditions as "normal" or "typical", then I can understand why you could be comfortable with the hospital deal.

[Matthew Lee]

Hi Mike,

This has nothing to do with the hospital. I think saying that Cuyahoga County is one of the most corrupt counties in the US, as a fact, needs something more than a few examples. It's ok to say that "I think this is one of the most corrupt" but to state it as fact, IMHO, is not acceptable. Are we more, or less, corrupt than St. Louis County (where Ferguson is)? Cook County (Chicago)? Are there any facts to back it? SImply saying you think it is one of the most corrupt does not make it so. But, maybe this is just my opinion

[Brian Essi]

Mr. Lee,

Let's favor Dan with staying focused on his thread.

I take it that you approve of what our government leaders did in steering the deal to the big money campaign contributors from CCF and away from the county hospital under their jurisdiction?

Or do you have any evidence that counters the evidence in the article?

[Michael Deneen]

This has nothing to do with the hospital.

This thread is about the hospital.

[Brian Essi]

It seems to me that Brian Essi's recent article in the print Observer, "Bad Government 8: Summers, County Leaders Limit Healthcare Options--Cover Up Deepens," hasn't gotten the attention it deserves.
http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2016/0 ... nscover-up
He alleges "Potentially Criminal Antitrust Violations" involving county officials Budish and Miller (up for re-election this year) along with our City government in "bid-rigging." If this holds water, it is one of the most potent statements yet about how Metro was kept out of the deal making loop, and probably worthy of investigation.
Am I wrong?

No. You are right. I have been investigating and reporting on the Metro situation since April, 2015. Unfortunately, I have been investigating and reporting on many other issues related to corrupt government and Insider Dealings.

I continue to withhold reporting on matters that I believe happened with Metro because the additional matters need further development.

Once again here is the letter Dr.Boutros wrote to Summers on October 3, 2014 withdrawing from the process.

A. Boutros to M. Summers, LHA 10032014.pdf

(300.86 KiB) Downloaded 107 times

Note that Boutros wrote the letter to Summers and called it Summers' committee.

I have verified with multiple sources at Metro that they "felt used" and that is why Boutros pulled out the first time.

I was told that Metro and their advisors believed that LHA was a captive board--their proposals mentioned reforming the board of LHA and that threatened the fake members of LHA- they didn't want to give their status and the benefits they received by being captive members

Boutros likely knew that Summers called the shots for the city owned asset and that's likely why he addressed the letter to Summers.

Note the following email of a Metro executive commenting that that they (Summers) would rather have a medical office rather than a hospital.

Metro Email re-Jan 15 2015 .pdf

(27.59 KiB) Downloaded 112 times

I am told that victims of violations of Antitrust laws may not realize what has happened to them is a crime.

In fact, lower level participants in the crime may not realize their activities are criminal.

[Dan Alaimo]

I am told that victims of violations of Antitrust laws may not realize what has happened to them is a crime.
In fact, lower level participants in the crime may not realize their activities are criminal.

But are the appropriate law enforcement agencies aware?

--

To bring one quote to the fore (sender and context in the email attached):

"Check with Akram but I think we should be open about the fact that we tried and they (the selection committee )
turned us down. They would rather have a outpatient office with ccf over a hospital with metro."

They didn't want a hospital, and in its place, they didn't care about the much ballyhooed health center but an "outpatient office".

[Brian Essi]

I am told that victims of violations of Antitrust laws may not realize what has happened to them is a crime.
In fact, lower level participants in the crime may not realize their activities are criminal.

But are the appropriate law enforcement agencies aware?

--

To bring one quote to the fore (sender and context in the email attached):

"Check with Akram but I think we should be open about the fact that we tried and they (the selection committee )
turned us down. They would rather have a outpatient office with ccf over a hospital with metro."

They didn't want a hospital, and in its place, they didn't care about the much ballyhooed health center but an "outpatient office".

Dan,

Relevant to your post and my article is Host Committee Insiders For Progress member and conflicted Law Director Kevin Butler, wearing his "Custodian of the Records" hat when he provided responses to public records request that establish that:

1. The City NEVER ask ANYONE other than CCF to bid on ANYTHING or propose ANYTHING--even though they knew (and Summers testified under oath) that Metro was interested in an FHC in Lakewood without being solicited to do so.

2. NO public records have been produced in response to the following requests requests related to compliance with Antitrust laws and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act:

PRR 161 (HART-SCOTT-RODINO) “All records, notes, and communications – electronic or otherwise – in which any party to the Master Agreement discusses whether any of the parties are required to file a Hart-Scott-Rodino pre-merger filing notice.”

PRR 162 (HART-SCOTT-RODINO “All records, notes, and communications – electronic or otherwise – in which any party to the Master Agreement discusses whether any of the parties are not required to file a Hart-Scott-Rodino pre-merger filing notice.”

PRR 186 (HART-SCOTT-RODINO) “All correspondence and communications – electronic or otherwise – between any CCF official and any Lakewood City employee or official regarding any filing under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.”

PRR 187 (HART-SCOTT-RODINO) “All correspondence and communications – electronic or otherwise – between any LHA official and any Lakewood City employee or official regarding any filing under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.”

PRR 210 (ANTITRUST) “All records, emails, notes, and communications – electronic or otherwise – of any statement presented at any LHA meeting regarding compliance with state or federal antitrust laws during the years 2013, 2014 and 2015.”

PRR 211 (ANTITRUST) “All records, emails, notes, and communications – electronic or otherwise – of any notes made at any LHA meeting regarding compliance with the state or federal antitrust laws during the years 2013, 2014 and 2015.”

PRR 212 (ANTITRUST) “All correspondence and communications – electronic or otherwise – regarding compliance with state or federal antitrust laws during the years 2013, 2014 and 2015.”

In other words, Butler has produced no records in response to these requests.

I cannot speak to what law enforcement may or may not be aware of in the context of these laws that have criminal penalties and other consequences.

[Dan Alaimo]

[quote="Brian Essi"}I cannot speak to what law enforcement may or may not be aware of in the context of these laws that have criminal penalties and other consequences.[/quote]

Who would have standing to make them aware? And who should be made aware?

[Bridget Conant]

Here is a study from the University of Illinois, ranking the most corrupt cities/areas of the U.S. Of course, Cleveland and northern Ohio was right up in that top 10. So it's not just my opinion, it appears to be a fact.

https://cbschicago.files.wordpress.com/ ... hepack.pdf

[Michael Deneen]

Here is a study from the University of Illinois, ranking the most corrupt cities/areas of the U.S. Of course, Cleveland and northern Ohio was right up in that top 10. So it's not just my opinion, it appears to be a fact.

https://cbschicago.files.wordpress.com/ ... hepack.pdf

We're only ranked #7....so there's room to move up!
If Tom Bullock can make his way into County Government, we'll be able to move up in the rankings.

[m buckley]

Here is a study from the University of Illinois, ranking the most corrupt cities/areas of the U.S. Of course, Cleveland and northern Ohio was right up in that top 10. So it's not just my opinion, it appears to be a fact.

https://cbschicago.files.wordpress.com/ ... hepack.pdf

We're only ranked #7....so there's room to move up!
If Tom Bullock can make his way into County Government, we'll be able to move up in the rankings.

Alfred E. Neuman working his magic on a County level...
That would be Mad magazine worthy.