Corrupt Dealing and The Irish Bend Project

[Bill Call]

Corruption takes many forms.

One of the most nefarious forms is using insider information provided by public officials to secure REALLY BIG profits. A good example is the behavior of David Bowen, chairman of the Cleveland City Planning Commission, during the planning for the Irish Bend Project.

The Plain Dealer provided a detailed time line in a recent article.

The highlights:

Mr. Bowen voted to approve the Irish Bend project in September 2017.

Six months later his clients, Tony and Bobby George purchased a piece of land need for that project for $248,200. David Bowens design firm submitted a proposal to renovate the existing building on the site.
The Irish bend project cannot go ahead as scheduled and budgeted unless that land is included. Knowing this, David Bowen's clients, Tony and Bobby George, are insisting that the land is now worth $5 million.

How much is that land worth? $248,200.

How much will the City pay?

Is it just a coincidence that keeping the building on that site would add $5 million to the project cost and that the George's think they are entitled to $5 million for their newly bought land?

How this plays out will tell us a great deal about how Cleveland City government really works.

[Bridget Conant]

Perfect example of why Cleveland declined and never achieved glory.

That scenario (buying up land on insider info just prior to a project is announced) has played out many, many times before in Cuyahoga County. Only most of the time, you won’t hear about it in the news.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Perfect example of why Cleveland declined and never achieved glory.

That scenario (buying up land on insider info just prior to a project is announced) has played out many, many times before in Cuyahoga County. Only most of the time, you won’t hear about it in the news.

Psssssssst pssssssst you two forgetting another city ripe with that?

A city where politicians, city administrators, lawyers, flow between contractors and contracts, deals, side jobs, spaces, building permits and you name it.

Help me get elected, I will give you a high paying seat on a non-profit board...

Be it ever so humble...


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