BREAKING - Republican Gulfport Mayor Brent Warr indicted by the Feds for grant fraud - updated

Y'all Politics ^ | Jan 28, 2009 | Alan Lang

[Islander7]

AG Jim Hood nowhere to be found (again)

This morning, the US Attorney’s office in the Southern District of Mississippi handed down a 16 count indictment accusing Republican Gulfport Mayor Brent Warr and his wife Laura Warr of illegally obtaining grant monies for personal use. If convicted on all counts, they each face a total of 210 years in federal prison and up to $4 million in fines. This has been a cooperative investigation between the FBI, HUD, Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General, the US Attorneys Office and State Auditor Stacey Pickering’s office.

Brent Warr has been a young upstart in state politics distinguishing himself from a crowded political field to win the position in 2005. Of course, just weeks after he took over, Hurricane Katrina hit. Warr was regularly on national news and he also testified before Congress about the needs of the region. His political star was clearly on the rise. He was giving regularly to Republicans like Trent Lott. Having attained some name ID, Warr’s name was even bandied about in political circles as on the short list for Lott’s replacement (though it was clearly at near the bottom of the list).

Arraignment was held in front of Magistrate Judge John Roper in Gulfport this morning.

Here is a copy of the indictment. Interestingly, this indictment was handed down and sealed on November 6, 2008 and unsealed this morning.

At issue seems to be whether or not Warr used this beach house as a primary residence to comply with grant monies received for restoration.

[Islander7]

As the facts unfold in this case, there are a couple of glaring items that stand out. One, Warr is a strong Republican. This would seem to again disavow the “Rove Justice Department run amok” that many on the left have been hysterically screamed when their Democrat friends and heroes get busted for bribery and fraud. In fact, the US Attorneys Offices in the South have been pretty equal opportunity by investigating and indicting Democrats (like Paul Minor, Frank Melton, Don Seigleman, Dickie Scruggs, Steve Patterson, et. al.) and Republicans (like Nick Walters and now Brent Warr).

[Islander7]

[Obadiah]

I expect wall-to-wall coverage of this in the corrupt MSM. Any bets that Diane Sawyer or Charlie Gibson neglects to mention Party affiliation...a thousand times?

[Islander7]

“....I expect wall-to-wall coverage of this in the corrupt MSM. Any bets that Diane Sawyer or Charlie Gibson neglects to mention Party affiliation...a thousand times?...”

You may be right.

I hope you jumped to the link and read the full article. Alan Lange is an attorney who pulls a lot of inside info from various sources.

I’m not so sure Warr is clean on this issue. His family was in a transition mode when Katrina hit; moving for one home the one that was destroyed; kinda in between.

He is also close with Gov Barbour. Never underestimate the effects of politics, but never assume innocence either.

[JoanneSD]

Noticed that in the very first sentence, the mayor was identified as a Republican... how different from articles on democrats.. have to read the whole article and then turn to page 33 to find out the party

[Louis Foxwell]

The assumption of guilt is running heavily against Webb. He was repairing a home he lived in with grant money specifically allotted for that purpose. Sounds like a witch hunt to me.

[Islander7]

Noticed that in the very first sentence, the mayor was identified as a Republican... “

The article is written by a conservative Republican.

[SuziQ]

So is there any real evidence that Wahr has done the things of which he’s accused? I thought he was doing pretty well getting things back on track in G’port.

[SuziQ]

This seems to be a pretty technical violation in the indictment and it will center on whether or not Warr was a resident of the property for which he obtained a grant.

What if the property was uninhabitable? If he still owned it, and was remodeling to move back into it, but wasn't actually living in it, why would that be a violation? Sure, I guess he could have lived in his driveway in a FEMA trailer, but folks with any alternatives had ditched those things as fast as they could!

Sounds kinda specious to me, if that's all they have.

[Islander7]

“....What if the property was uninhabitable? If he still owned it, and was remodeling to move back into it, but wasn’t actually living in it, why would that be a violation?...”

Because he’s a Republican, silly rabbit.

[08bil98z24]

Exactly. I’ll be the first to admit both parties have a bunch of corrupt people, but the MSM only covers Republicans. And when they HAVE to cover Dims, they rarely if ever name their party affiliation

To expect anything else of the MSM is non-sense. They (MSM) will continue to anything in their power to make Republicans look bad and Democrats look good.

[Paige]

Let’s work together and buy all voting share stocks in the Media companies. Therefore, when Conservatives own 51% then all Left wingers and their Socialist Media Executives can be terminated.

Then they can join the unemployed. Later, they can move to China, Cuba, or some other Socialist country to promote their candidates.

[08bil98z24]

Let’s work together and buy all voting share stocks in the Media companies. Therefore, when Conservatives own 51% then all Left wingers and their Socialist Media Executives can be terminated.

Something needs to be done about the MSM. Without at least neutral reporting, Republicans are not going to stand a chance ever in another election IMO. The MSM successfully influenced an election.

The internet is not all-powerful, many still get their news from the MSM on cable and TV. Boycotting does nothing for our side ... They don't rely on our support anyway ...

I've been shouting the media needs to be defeated/discredited my entire time on FR; instead of actually doing something about the problem, many would rather engage in Republican/Conservative infighting ...

Your idea is a great alternative to the "do nothing" approach many have regarding the MSM. Is it practical?

[SuziQ]

Because he’s a Republican, silly rabbit.

[Islander7]

Madame Tussauds to unveil wax figure of first lady

I think you'll like this.

;-)

[Doohickey]

Great. And they still haven’t done anything about the day the squirrel went berserk in the First Self-Righteous Church, in that stupid little town of Pascagoula.

[Islander7]

LOL! I had forgotten about that.

[Paige]

Yes, it is pratical but this would take a Conservative group effort.

[Cedar]

“Without at least neutral reporting, Republicans are not going to stand a chance ever in another election IMO. The MSM successfully influenced an election.”

You are correct. The past election proved it beyond a doubt. But seems most people here don’t realize it yet, or would rather think “positive”...as if that would help.

I’ve posted several times about the need for wealthy conservatives to buy/start newspapers in the major cities. I’m not one of the wealthy, but I’m sure there are many in the GOP who could afford the investment.

However, since the election, I now think the only way Republicans can win again is by reclaiming more of the TV networks. Just having conservative newspapers is not going to do it. The TV media influences so many people now, unfortunately. The masses are indeed swayed. Maybe the stock ownership idea could work...maybe?

The tide has turned in this country. Not only do we have the TV networks to battle, but also Hollywood movies and music industry....all combine together to spew their message of no morals and twisted thinking.

Unless conservatives get together and come up with solutions (start several major TV networks??), the masses will follow the MSM pied piper.