Rep. Meeks Can’t Account for Hurricane Katrina Money; Puts Spotlight on Paterson/Flake AEG Deal

NLPC ^ | February 7, 2010 | Peter Flaherty

[jazusamo]

No one knows anything. As NLPC exposed last Sunday, a charity with which Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) is deeply involved, can’t account for funds raised for Hurricane Katrina victims. According to a front-page New York Post story today, Meeks claims the money was used “to help displaced evacuees,” but neither he nor anyone else involved with group can or will say how.

The contoversy over Meeks’ group, called New Direction Local Development Corporation, is fuel for the firestorm of surrounding the awarding by New York Governor David Paterson of a lucrative gambling franchise to Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG) in which former Rep. Floyd Flake is an “investor.” Days later, Paterson met with Flake to discuss his support for Paterson’s re-election campaign. According to the Post:

Floyd Flake is extremely valuable to AEG because of his political clout in both Queens and New York state," said Ken Boehm, chairman of National Legal and Policy Center, a government watchdog group. "Now he appears to be dangling his support for the governor until AEG's bid is fully approved.

Flake’s protégés include Meeks and state Senator Malcolm Smith, another principal in New Directions. Smith’s former partner, a contractor name Darryl Green, is also involved in the AEG bid. Greene is a convicted felon who embezzled $500,000 from New York City. His wife was a founding director of New Direction.

The Post actually has three articles today on this corrupt political network. There is no good news for any of the participants. Flake, who is also a Protestant minister, makes over a $1 million per year between himself and his wife from his church and “charitable” work. Darryl Green, who was disbarred during the nineties, is affiliated with companies that owe New York state almost $1 million in back taxes. Greene and his wife also personally owe New York state $10,681 in back taxes, according to the Post.

Rep. Gregory Meeks’ Charity Looks More Like Slush Fund

Are Corrupt NY Politicians Cashing in on Aqueduct Gambling?

[RJS1950]

You can bet that the same crap is going on with money for Haiti; from your wallet to the pool of corrupt US and corrupt Haitian criminal assholes.

[Texas Eagle]

Did he check his freezer?

[jazusamo]

No doubt about it. Sadly these disasters draw a large number of blood suckers that have no qualms about stealing from the down and out.

[kcvl]

The person in charge of the books of this ‘charity’...

Claude N. Stuart, suspended three years from the New York state bar

In May 2002, respondent, who was an Assisstant District Attorney in Queens County, New York, failed to produce to the defense a police report concerning a witness believed to have exculpatory information in a homicide case before Surpreme Court Justice Jaime A. Rios.

Faced with a direct inquiry from the court before trial regarding the witness’s whereabouts, respondent falsely stated that he did not know, despite having previously located and met with the witness at her place of employment the previous week.

[kcvl]

Claude Stuart, who was in charge of the books of this ‘charity’ was suspended from the bar in New York for three years and in New Jersey for 3 months.

CLAUDE N. STUART

Suspended for three months effective October 26, 2005 (192 N.J. 441) as a result ofrespondent’s discipline in the State of New York (a three-year suspension) for giving false information to a judge during a homicide trial, while prosecuting a case on behalf of the Queens County District Attorney’s Office. Specifically, respondent knowingly failed to disclose material information to the court - his knowledge of the whereabouts of a witness whose testimony could have been critical to the outcome of the case. Therespondent’s lie to the court necessitated the retrial of the criminal action involving a major felony. Richard J. Engelhardt appeared before the DRB for the OAE and respondent appeared pro se.

[Ooh-Ah]

Here's a working link to the article by one of the best non-profits:

National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC)

[jazusamo]

Thanks...I didn’t check it to see that it worked and I know better, every once in a while their link doesn’t work to the story.

[GeronL]

nope no tag needed

[snuffy smiff]

Any relation to Carrie Meek?(one of the 5 dumbest females to ever hold elected office!)

[a02001]

“Flake, who is also a Protestant minister, makes over a $1 million per year between himself and his wife from his church and “charitable” work.”
Can we say “Wolf in sheep’s clothing” or would that be “Racist”?

[jazusamo]

I’m sure they’re not related other than by corruption. :)

[AuH2ORepublican]

If true, then the Rev. Floyd Flake is an even bigger disappointment than he already was.

[fieldmarshaldj]

That’s too bad.