The Ethics Board in a 4-0 vote found City County Council President Monroe Gray violated ethics rules by not revealing his relationship with Trotter Construction, but his punishment may cause an uproar: He only has to refile his statement of economic interest to reveal the relationship.
Gray asked the board to determine whether he should have disclosed his business relationship with a major city contractor on an annual ethics forms submitted to the board. The form asked if he had received compensation from a business entity that does business with the city or county. Gray, whose company was a subcontractor to Trotter Construction on several public school jobs, answered no.
He said he requested the investigation to clear his name after an Indianapolis Star story raised questions that Republicans wanted answered. They had called for a special council investigative committee that Gray opposed.
Of course, there are things that our Marion Co. prosecutor could be doing, but he's apparently too busy getting the doors open on his new restaurant/bar in Circle Centre Mall. Welcome to the most corrupt city in America, folks. If you like living in a city where there's plenty of graft to ensure that our public officials and a few insiders become very wealthy at the public's expense, Indianapolis has all other cities in America beaten hands down.
19 comments:
Unlike Beurt Servaas getting most of his mansion and grounds declared a non-profit corporation and thus off the property tax rolls? As I recall, only a small guest house was listed as a residence and taxed appropriately...
Nuvo had a big expose on it years ago...
By the way, Republicans in Monroe Gray's district seemingly aren't upset at his leadership - nobody filed to run against him. Unless, the GOP County Chair appoints a last-minute candidate, Monroe Gray has no opponent for Election Day.
The most corrupt aldermen in Chicago run without opposition election after election until the feds finally have enough of them and throw them in prison. Your point, Wilson, is?
The City f Indianapolis has a room named in honor of Beurt Servaas.
Gray will be lucky to have a pea shake house named after him. Given his track record, he probably would feel honored.
Big difference Wilson.
Don't forget the water deal Servaas and Peterson brokered on behalf of the city. We learned after the fact that both Servaas and Peterson benefitted personally from the transaction--conflicts of interest which weren't disclosed at the time.
I recall smelling a rat about that water company deal - can you imagine arch-capitalist Servaas advocating 'nationalizing' a famously-private corporation? That yould be like Mitch Daniels advocating state-ownership of Eli Lilly. I have not heard how Peterson profited personally on that deal though...
What's particularly amusing is that the new operating corporation is descended from the French Suez Canal Company. The cheese-eating surrender monkeys have control of our water faucets!
It took a couple of years for the local Republicans to realize they were no longer in total control at City Hall so the 'politics of personal destruction' kicked into full gear. Interestingly, Gray's popular votes and politics aren't called into question - just allegations, hints, whispers and innuendos about his personal life. There are even sniggers about his skin color. I also doubt if the overwhelmingly white GOP voter base is happy with having Black elected leaders in the Council too...
The GOP is fielding a remarkably feeble slate of at-large candidates this cycle -- they're unknowns and neophytes. The only possible way for Republicans to retake the Council is grabbing the 4 at-large seats. The Mayor personally looks very, very safe for re-election so the "Democratic' brand has to be besmirched and muddied to depress Democratic voters and encourage GOP turnout.
What are "sniggers?" Snickers? A candy bar? If snigger is a word, I'm a nappy headed hoe.
BTW, Hos up, G's down....Snoopy Doggy Dog-Pimp
Definition
snigger
verb [I] (US ALSO snicker)
to laugh at someone or something childishly and often unkindly:
They spent half the time sniggering at the clothes people were wearing.
What are you two sniggering at/about?
snigger
noun [C]
We were having a snigger at the bride who was rather large and dressed in a tight pale pink dress.
(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
I'm glad we have the corruption, maybe we are on our way to be a big city finally. Now we need Tully to become more Royko
Sadly, Tully is more like Dick Wolfsie -- although Bob Parker might think otherwise...
It is nice to see Indy continue their way of corruption and lawlessness. Makes the future of an "regional tax" look DOA. Keep up the good work hacks!!
Wilson, you don't like Wolfsie, either? Just who DO you like?
And, for the record, "snigger" is probably a real unfortuante choice of words here, regardless what it means.
Councilman Gray has his district to answer to. We'll see what they do this fall.
But President Gray must answer to all of us, and this much is flat-out true:
1. He denied he was an investor in 300 East, then allowed that his wife is. Deceptive, at best.
2. Formed this company with no money. Failed to pay multiple employees and vendors, until a court judgment turned into a garnishment of his city wages.
3. Failed to list Trotter on his Conflict of Interest form. Who doesn't know that Trotter does city business? Is he really that stupid?
4. Presides over council meetings in a manner that can be best-described as a mumbling nincompoop. Real classy.
Surely the Democratic caucus, which will likely grow this fall, can come up with something better for president.
And don't dare say King Ro. The only difference would be a deeper, better voice.
They should put Joanne Sanders in as president. Gray is an embarrassment.
JS would be wonderful. Frankly, at this point, almost ANYone else would be great.
"Councilman Gray has his district to answer to. We'll see what they do this fall."
Nobody filed to oppose Monroe Gray. The GOP County Chair has the option to appoint a candidate to run against Monroe in District #8. At this point, Gray has no opponent and thus wins re-election by default.
I really do enjoy Dick Wolfsie - very entertaining and amusing but hardly an analytic and penetrating political reporter. We expect more from the Star's premier political columnist ...
Hey folks, Here is your chance to see all of your favorite crooks in one room.
Indianapolis Colts To Visit City County Council
Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Colts’ owners, coaches, and players will visit the City County Council at the meeting on April 16, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., following an invitation by President Monroe Gray. During their visit, the Colts will greet the Councillors and display the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy.
President Gray said, “The Colts’ victory was one that displayed class, team spirit, and persistence. Although, they had been written off many times, this team never gave up and proved that working hard will lead to victory. This team has been the pride of Indianapolis for many years because of their class and generosity of spirit. We are now able to also take pride because our team, the Indianapolis Colts, have proved that nice guys do finish first.”
So why does the GOP hate the Colts?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6270446064124248&sourceid=searchfeed
Take three minutes and watch it. Indianapolis is becoming a direct parallel - including the integration part at the end.
"Would you buy a used car from this council?"
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