Corrupt Dealing and The Irish Bend Project
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2021 9:52 am
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.
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.