Posted on 06/15/2009 7:14:44 PM PDT by FromLori
A Senate Republican is asking for information on any role first lady Michelle Obama's office may have played in her husband's decision to fire the watchdog for the federal AmeriCorps program over his investigation of Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa requested that Alan Solomont, chairman of the government-run Corporation for National and Community Service, which runs the AmeriCorps program, provide "any and all records, e-mail, memoranda, documents, communications or other information" related to contacts with officials in the first lady's office.
Michelle Obama's former chief of staff, Jackie Norris, is expected to join the national service corporation as a senior adviser on June 22. Norris was a senior adviser in Obama's campaign for Iowa's precinct caucuses, and she was state director for his general election campaign in Iowa.
The president on Thursday told Congress he had lost confidence in Gerald Walpin, the national service agency's inspector general. White House counsel Gregory Craig, in a letter to Grassley, cited criticism of Walpin's investigation of Johnson, a former all-star point guard for the Phoenix Suns and a supporter of Obama's presidential campaign.
Walpin said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press that he reported facts and conclusions "in an honest and full way" while at the corporation. "I know that I and my office acted with the highest integrity as an independent inspector general should act," he said.
In September 2008, Walpin's office found misuse of federal grants by Johnson and the St. HOPE Academy, a nonprofit education program he founded. Johnson and St. HOPE ultimately agreed to repay half of $847,000 in grants they had received from AmeriCorps between 2004 and 2007.
Walpin was appointed by President George W. Bush and sworn into office in January 2007.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
Inspector ‘s general cannot be fired with out 30 days notice to congress and cause.
Obama sponsored this law as a senator and broke it as president.
He broke the law and must be impeached.
Inspector ‘s general cannot be fired with out 30 days notice to congress and cause.
Obama sponsored this law as a senator and broke it as president.
He broke the law and must be impeached.
Inspector ‘s general cannot be fired with out 30 days notice to congress and cause.
Obama sponsored this law as a senator and broke it as president.
He broke the law and must be impeached
Earth calling Holder.....
The real story: Walpin discovered millions of dollars of federal money missing at City University of New York. CUNY received the millions for students in the Americorp program, many of whom were already receiving full scholarships. Isn’t that called double dipping?
The Research Foundation at CUNY set up a Teaching Fellows Program in 2000. It had no AmeriCorps connection at the time. The program covers tuition for the fellows, and it has always attracted huge numbers of applicants. The program had 19,200 applicants last year for 3,000 spots. CUNY does not advertise an AmeriCorps affiliation as an inducement for applicants. A survey by Mr. Walpin’s office found that most fellows were not even aware there was an AmeriCorps connection.
Yet, for the past six years, AmeriCorps has granted each fellow up to $9,450 on top of their scholarships. As Mr. Walpin describes it, the AmeriCorps cash has the appearance of a gratuity - “because it adds no service to the community which is not already provided by the Fellows Program.”
The Fellows Program earns praise, but the AmeriCorps funding is far from essential for it. The grants, therefore - “upwards of $80 million of taxpayer money,” Mr. Walpin told The Washington Times on Saturday - would be far better used for other purposes.
“The [Fellows Program at] City University of New York is the largest AmeriCorps program,” Mr. Walpin told us. “The corporation board clearly did not like the idea that we were holding that their largest program was invalid.”
The board chairman is Alan Solomont, a longtime top Democratic donor who bundled more than $800,000 combined for the Obama presidential campaign and Inauguration. He had been a Democratic appointee on the AmeriCorps board since 2000 before Mr. Obama elevated him to chairman.
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/16/obamas-walpin-gate-problem/
The Other Scandal Walpin Was Investigating [Greg Pollowitz]
The Village Voice has a good summary of what Gerald Walpin found wrong with the AmeriCorps program run by the City University of New York. An excerpt:
Walpin’s audit [pdf] found that the program could not prove it was doing criminal background checks, had taken more money than it was due, didn’t follow certain Americorps rules, failed to regularly file required forms, and did some sloppy record-keeping.
In all, Walpin questioned awards to the program of $16.1 million and $773,000, mostly on administrative grounds. He also says the government should stop the program and recover $75 million spent over the past six years.
CUNY pledged to make changes, according to the audit, but didn’t go all the way. It also refused to return any money, and defended its policy of accepting background checks supplied by the city Department of Education. The Corporation for National and Community Service — the official name of the agency Walpin oversees — refused to ask for any of the money back from CUNY.
In a letter [pdf] to CUNY president Matthew Goldstein, Walpin in essence says that the money CUNY gets from Americorps is redundant. Basically, CUNY doesn’t need it:
“The program doesn’t work because it adds no service to the community which is not already provided by the Fellows program,” Walpin writes. “Therefore, taxpayers are not getting their money’s worth. The [government] could accomplish its goals more effectively if the funds for these grants were used . . . in communities where the need exists.”
http://media.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MjNiOTk2MTI3YmZlYjJjNjQ4ODYyYTcyMzI5NDg3YjU=
(no links)
With Kerry out, key - aide shifts to Obama
Boston Globe, The (MA) - Friday, January 26, 2007
Author: Brian C. Mooney ; GLOBE STAFF
One of John F. Kerry’s chief fund-raisers, Alan D. Solomont , said yesterday he has signed on to help the presidential campaign of Illinois Democrat Barack Obama despite his longstanding ties to another Democratic hopeful, Hillary Clinton of New York.
Solomont , who led a group that raised $35 million in New England alone for Kerry’s unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2004, called Senator Clinton “an enormous talent who would be a terrific president,” but said Obama , her Senate colleague, is “the sort of person America wants right now in the White House.”
(snip)
One of the most prolific fund-raisers in the region, Solomont , by his own account, has “a long history with the Clintons,” dating to 1992 when Bill Clinton won his first term as president. “I put my heart and soul into several Clinton campaigns,” he said.
In 2000, President Clinton named Solomont to serve on the board of directors overseeing AmeriCorps and two other national service initiatives.
But Solomont said he has been deeply impressed by Obama , whom he first met in 2004, when the then-state senator from Chicago was seeking the US Senate seat.
(snip)
In 1997 and 1998, he was national finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee. This marks his sixth presidential campaign.
Solomont also has ties to other Democrats already in the race. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is a friend of many years, and Solomont was an enthusiastic supporter of Thomas J. Vilsack in both of his successful campaigns for governor of Iowa.
//
Obama birthday party raises $5M in Boston - Campaign coffers crucial
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA) - Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Author: John J. Monahan
BOSTON - Sen. Barack H. Obama got a cake and raised $5 million at a glittery birthday fundraiser here last night attended by hundreds of top donors and supporters.
If that sounds like a lot of dough, it is only the beginning of what Obama campaign fundraiser Alan D. Solomont expects will be record fundraising and spending by the Democrats.
Raising money, he said, is a major part of the contest.
“It matters tremendously. Political campaigns are very expensive,” Mr. Solomont said in an interview outside the event at 60 State St. where couples paid up to $28,500 and individuals $15,000 to attend the dinner and “photoline reception” in the dining room overlooking Boston Harbor.
“It cost close to $250 million during the nominating process and that was to compete in 54 contests. We are going to run in all 50 states at the same time. We could wind up spending twice that amount,” Mr. Solomont predicted.
Others donated $4,600 as sponsors, $2,300 as friends and $1,000 as guests to attend the event, which some said raised more money than ever at a single political event in Boston.
The money raised will go to the Obama Victory Fund, which allows donors to give simultaneously to his campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
(snip)
//
Obama signs $5.7 billion service bill Law expands ways for students, seniors to earn money as volunteers
Charleston Daily Mail (WV) - Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Author: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
EXCERPT
Alan Solomont , who chairs AmeriCorps ‘ board, said former President John F. Kennedy’s call to service inspired more people to help others than just those who joined the Peace Corps. He said this national service legislation could produce the same effect.
“It is not unlike the moment in 1960 when President Kennedy asked Americans, you know, to serve, but it is certainly going to engage millions more today,” Solomont said in a conference call arranged by the White House.
The bill also ties volunteer work to money for college.
//
Volunteer Work Is an Option for Stymied Job-Seekers
Los Angeles Times (LATWP News Service) (CA) - Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Author: Eileen Ambrose
The job market for the newly laid-off and soon-to-be college graduates is the worst in years. So if you’re one of those seeking but not finding work, what can you do?
Consider volunteering.
It’s good for the soul, and, thanks to legislation recently passed by Congress and expected to be signed by President Barack Obama, it could be good for your finances.
The legislation would more than triple the size of AmeriCorps — sort of the internal Peace Corps for the United States — and create two other programs geared for the oldest and youngest of volunteers. The programs can help you pay off student loans or assist with college tuition for yourself or, in certain cases, for your child or grandchild.
“This is the biggest expansion since AmeriCorps was created” in 1993, says Alan Solomont , chairman of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps and other national volunteer programs.
AmeriCorps now has 75,000 volunteer positions. The legislation would raise that number to 88,000 next year and gradually increase it to 250,000 by 2017.
(snip)
//
Service seeds U.S. communities
Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - Tuesday, March 17, 2009
CALL IT a fortunate development for unfortunate times: Amid the worse economic downturn since the Great Depression, more Americans are signing up to help people at home and abroad.
AmeriCorps , established by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and expanded by President George W. Bush after the 2001 terrorism attacks, is reporting a threefold increase in the number of online applications over last year. And the Peace Corps, created almost 50 years ago by President John F. Kennedy to encourage Americans to aid developing countries, reports a 16 percent increase in applications over last year.
“There’s a convergence of a great need for citizen service and a great appetite by Americans for service,” Alan Solomont , head of the federal agency that oversees AmeriCorps and affiliated groups, recently told USA Today.
Last month’s economic stimulus package includes $200 million to broaden the work of AmeriCorps . In addition, President Barack Obama has proposed a $241 million increase in spending for AmeriCorps next year. His long-term goal is to add 175,000 positions to the existing 75,000.
(snip)
//
Fund-raiser seeks role in public service Fund-raiser seeks role in public service - Solomont is asking - Patrick to clear path
Boston Globe, The (MA) - Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Author: Frank Phillips ; Globe Staff
Alan D. Solomont , a wealthy businessman, philanthropist, and premier Democratic fund-raiser, is looking to Governor-elect Deval Patrick to clear his path to public service, either in a Cabinet position in the new administration or as chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
A senior adviser in the Patrick camp said Solomont has made it clear to the governor-elect’s advisers he is interested in being secretary of economic development, an agency that promotes business development and job creation and is considered a critical position in any administration.
But Solomont also has privately expressed interest to education officials in becoming the new chancellor at UMass-Lowell. He would face a long screening process and approval by the UMass board of trustees.
Solomont , in an interview, said he is not campaigning for a position, but said he would welcome an offer to join the Patrick administration. He said he has not specifically asked Patrick for the economic development job, but conceded that he would like to “do something in government or higher education.”
(snip)
//
THERE’S A PLACE FOR ANGELS OF HEALTH
Boston Globe - Friday, December 8, 2000
Author: STEVEN SYRE AND CHARLES STEIN
When Alan Solomont sold his Newton-based health care company for $100 million a few years ago, he was flooded with business plans. That’s what happens when people figure you have money and don’t know what to do with it.
Solomont didn’t act on the plans right away. He raised money for the Democratic party - he was finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee - and he looked at some other medical businesses.
But a year ago, he decided to take the plunge. He gathered some friends, most of them fellow health-care executives, and formed a group to make investments in emerging medical companies.
AngelHealthcare just celebrated its first anniversary. The group, which now has 33 members, has looked at 100 business plans. It has invested nearly $3 million in six start-ups. It is too soon to know whether any of them will be winners, but Solomont has seen enough to convince himself of one thing: There is a role for a group like his, even in a world awash with investment dollars.
(snip)
////////////////////////////////////////////////
////////////////////////////////////////////////
http://www.hcangels.com/team.html
Alan D. Solomont, Founder / Managing Member
Alan D. Solomont, a nationally recognized entrepreneur and investor in the health care industry, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Solomont Bailis Ventures. In October 1999, he became co-founder, along with Chester Black, the late Susan Bailis and Dick Thielen, of Angel Healthcare Investors, LLC. Alan previously founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of the A D S Group, a leading provider of eldercare services in New England, which was sold and eventually became part of Genesis Health Ventures. Alan is politically active in the Democratic Party and has advised a number of U.S. officials on issues relating to Israel. He has served in a number of volunteer capacities including National Finance Committee Chair of the Democratic Party.
wow where should we keep this info...Chicago?
Solomont has always portrayed his fundraising activities as being entirely separate from his political interests. “People often ask me: ‘What do you get out of this?” he said to the Globe of his campaign work. “I say: ‘I get a better America’.”
He also gets a better place at the table. One of the reasons the nursing home industry is hugely profitable is because its leaders, Solomont included, have fought off attempts at regulation and reform. When Solomont was raising money for Governor Dukakis, he was also helping craft the Dukakis policy on long-term care for the elderly. Solomont not only brought in huge amounts of money for Clinton’s 1996 re-election run—including more than $1 million from nursing home owners—but contributed $160,000 of his own cash to the Democratic Party. In the midst of the campaign, Time magazine reported, he visited Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala “with a team of lobbyists to press for less stringent enforcement of nursing-home regulations. Solomont . . . kept on lobbying throughout the campaign to win major concessions for his industry over the objections of consumer advocates. He got much of what he wanted.” Apparently a better America means a much richer Solomont.
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2007/04/sb-alan-solomont-28482828882
I wonder what embarrasing pictures of Grassley the Administration is going to come up with?
http://www.tbf.org/tbfgen1.asp?id=1713
Alan D. Solomont
Chairman and CEO, Solomont Bailis Ventures
Email: charris@sb-ventures.com
Alan Solomont is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and political activist. For many years, he was a leading provider of eldercare in New England. As founder and CEO of the A•D•S Group, he helped to build a broad and innovative network of post-acute, eldercare services. In 1996, the A•D•S Group was sold to the Multicare Companies, which is now a part of Genesis Health Ventures. Today, Mr. Solomont is Chairman and CEO of Solomont Bailis Ventures, whose mission is to launch new and innovative health and eldercare ventures. He also serves as a Director of the Boston Private Bank & Trust Company and as a Managing Member of Angel Healthcare Investors, LLC.
Active for many years in the Democratic Party, Mr. Solomont was chosen by President Clinton and Vice President Gore to serve as National Finance Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in 1997. Under his leadership, the DNC raised over $40 million. Mr. Solomont has held many other volunteer positions in the Democratic Party including delegate to the 1996 and 2000 Democratic National Conventions, National Chairman of the Democratic Business Council, Treasurer of the Massachusetts Democratic Party and Chairman of the DNC’s Leadership 2000 Board. Mr. Solomont is currently involved with Senator John Kerry’s presidential campaign.
In 2000, Mr. Solomont was named by President Clinton to serve on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Corporation oversees three national service initiatives: AmeriCorps, the National Senior Service Corps and Learn & Serve America.
Deeply committed to peace in the Middle East and a democratic Israel, Mr. Solomont has advised a number of US government officials on matters relating to Israel and the peace process. He was a guest of President Clinton in Jordan and Israel for the signing of the peace treaty between these countries in 1994, and he accompanied House Democratic leader Richard Gephardt to Israel in 1998 on the occasion of Israel’s 50th Anniversary. In January, 2001, Mr. Solomont was honored by the Israel Policy Forum for his commitment to peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
In addition to his business and political pursuits, Mr. Solomont is a volunteer and supporter of many community institutions and charitable organizations. He is Chairman of the Board of Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, the Vice Chairman of Boston Medical Center and chairs Boston Medical Center’s Development Committee. Mr. Solomont is also a member of the Boards of the Jewish Fund for Justice, the New Israel Fund, Israel Policy Forum, Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly, the Heller School at Brandeis University and the WGBH Educational Foundation. He is a Trustee of his alma mater, Tufts University, where he chairs the Board of Overseers of the University College of Citizenship and Public Service.
Mr. Solomont received a B.A. from Tufts University in 1970 in Political Science and Urban Studies. He pursued independent studies abroad as a Thomas J. Watson Fellow and later earned a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Lowell. He is married to Susan Lewis, who is a Senior Advisor at The Philanthropic Initiative where she advises individuals, foundations and corporations on strategic philanthropy. They live in Weston, Massachusetts with their two daughters, ...
Maggie's one of the best researcher on FR.
I wonder what embarrasing pictures of Grassley the Administration is going to come up with?”
That’s funny!
I don’t know him personally; but that would be highly unlikely.
Great Work to all of you...!
My 2 cents: People in the know who are going public with their concerns, demands, investigations and questions know they have something to hold onto on regarding this case.. Just like acorn, abc, cbs etc...too many red flags for the guys in power to ignore. They “know” they’re in trouble..no doubt. President Bush knows, as indicated by his speech, and so does Glenn Beck. Please correct me if I’m wrong in my observations...
If this is a sign of keeping the machine in check, more power to them, and I hope they come out blazing.
Thank you for filling in the blanks...a LOT of blanks I might add.
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