Posts Tagged ‘Barbara McKinzie’
Criminal Girls with 20 Pearls – McKinzie Former Boss/Crony Todd Stroger back in news
October 25th, 2010
For those outside of Chicago, the Stroger name is probably an
Todd Stroger
unfamiliar name. For those inside the Windy City…his/their (John and son Todd are often one degree of separation from major corruption.
Coincidence?
From the Chicago Sun-Times in 2003 (Reprint of story HERE.)
Until September, Stroger had one of his top 8th Ward precinct captains, Bill Granberry, as Forest Preserves maintenance director for $90,000 a year. The Sun-Times reported that the district kept a fleet of five special outhouses that came out just once a year for Stroger’s annual picnic — at a time when other commissioners were clamoring for cleaner outhouses. Granberry resigned. Stroger said he never knew about the outhouse arrangement.
To replace Granberry, Stroger chose a member of his ward organization, LeRoy Taylor, controversial with some co-workers because he was promoted to regional superintendent when longer-serving workers were laid off. Taylor, a retired deputy commissioner for the Chicago Water Department, has donated $2,145 to Stroger, the 8th Ward organization and Stroger’s son’s campaigns since 2001. Taylor also was given a coveted Forest Preserve home in Beverly.
Bylina said he and Stroger talked about Taylor replacing Granberry. Bylina insisted the appointment be on an “acting” basis until Taylor demonstrates he can handle the position.
“I think he’s got the experience, the exposure, the knowledge of the preserves,” Bylina said. Whether he gets the permanent job remains to be seen, he said.
“Oh, he’ll get the permanent position,” one mid-level Forest Preserve official said. “Stroger won’t let that go to anyone but an 8th-Warder.”
In 2001, another top 8th-Warder, Mezell Williams, resigned as the Forest Preserves’ $99,000-a-year chief financial officer on the eve of a hearing where he was to explain how the district amassed a nearly $20 million deficit. The district raided land acquisition and maintenance funds for day-to-day operations. Stroger said the district had little choice because tax caps limited its ability to raise taxes or float bonds.
In a step many board members praised, Stroger replaced Williams with Barbara McKinzie, an accountant with a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University.
(Another story had it this way…)
The troubled Cook County, Ill., Forest Preserve District on Thursday announced the appointment of a new chief financial officer and approved beginning the competitive process for selecting a firm to privately manage the county’s golf courses.
Cook County Board President John Stroger appointed Barbara McKinzie, a certified public accountant, after a nearly year long search. McKinzie had worked in accounting firms in Chicago for about 17 years, and lived in Louisiana for nearly two years. She has assumed the $106,460-a-year job vacated last year by Mezell Williams, who resigned.
McKinzie has “extensive experience in internal auditing, cash management, …
(Story Summary HERE.)
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Readers…this is called, “connecting the dots.”
Carla Oglesby
Well, it seems now another Stroger “associate/employee” is in serious trouble. Recently ANOTHER Stroger aide, Carla Oglesby…Stroger’s deputy chief of staff was ARRESTED and charged with stealing more than $300,000 from taxpayers in a scheme to award sham contracts, including some to firms she owned but for which she did no work.
Carla Oglesby, 41, Stroger’s deputy chief of staff, was ordered held on $250,000 bail Tuesday after she was charged with three felonies: theft of government property and money laundering, both of over $100,000, and official misconduct. She faces up to 30 years in prison in connection with the allegations, some of which were first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times in March.
Full story HERE.
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Subsequent to the original allegations against McKinzie, Cook County
Liz Gorman
Commissioner Liz Gorman alerted the aforementioned Stroger that an investigation and audit should be conducted, relative to McKinzie’s previous employment.
A former sorority staffer on Tuesday said she was fired after alerting the Illinois attorney general’s office to alleged financial abuses at the group’s Chicago headquarters. “In light of these allegations, I am very concerned of the possible misuse of funds during her tenure as chief financial officer at the Forest Preserve District,” Ms. Gorman stated yesterday in a letter to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.
Ms. McKinzie was the district’s Chief Financial Officer from 2001-2004 and also has served in financial management positions at the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. and the Chicago Housing Authority.
When she was County Board President, Bobbie Steele, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, signed a $12,000 consultant contract with Ms. McKinzie to help draft a budget and provide other financial advice. That budget never materialized.
Story HERE.
The latest is that Oglesby also has the unmitigated gall to file for unemployment after being fired/arrested for laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars to her OWN company.
Story HERE.
Let’s bring it all together now. Oglesby, besides paying her own dummy companies (not registered with the state) also is accused of not doing any work for the $24,995 contracts she awarded “herself.” Sound familiar?
Stroger accepted her resignation today as deputy chief of staff. She had been the spokeswoman for Stroger’s failed Democratic primary re-election campaign. Stroger put her on the county payroll after his loss.
Prosecutors say an investigation into more than a dozen no-bid contracts awarded by Oglesby found that little or no legitimate work was performed by any of the companies, including two controlled by her. (Click HERE for details of the charges.)
The loss to the county from the contracts exceeds $300,000, prosecutors said during the bond hearing for Oglesby, 41, who is charged with theft of government property, money laundering and official misconduct. (Get details of the allegations against Oglesby here)
One of Oglesby’s companies, CGC Communications, was awarded a $24,975 contract to inform county residents of federal grant money available to those affected by heavy flooding in 2008.
The contract was paid up-front, and CGC later tried to justify the contract by claiming credit for outreach efforts spearheaded by a member of Stroger’s press office.
In a second contract highlighted by prosecutors, a county official expressed concern to Oglesby and “Public Official C” — identified as a Stroger media representative — about a contract he was asked to authorize.
The county official agreed to sign after Public Official C pressured him, and the money was traced to Arrei, a company controlled by Oglesby, prosecutors said.
In all, Oglesby awarded or approved payments for more than a dozen no-bid contracts. In at least two instances, contractors returned checks to the county because they hadn’t performed any work, prosecutors said.
Story HERE.
Stroger, McKinzie, fraud, arrests and/or investigations over contracts to cronies for work never done.
Coincidence?
Fraud usually never is…
The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.
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Criminal Girls w/ 20 Pearls – Interview with Attorney Ruth Major!
July 10th, 2010
Ruth Major
MOTION UPDATE 7.12.10 -
Per the attached ruling, Alpha Kappa Alpha must produce a person TOMORROW 7.13.10 at 9:00am with custody of the check registers or be held in contempt!
Click HERE
UPDATE: WATCH THE PUBLIC MEETING WEBCAST HERE.
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Attorney Ruth Major is at the center of two cases confronting Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. The first is the wrongful termination of former employee Kenitra Shackelford and the other is serving as counsel for former Supreme Basileus Julia Brogdon Purnell in her fight to get AKA to open up its books and records for review.
This week marks the biennial Boule and before the doors close to the public, The Mo’Kelly Report is going to set it off one last time for you the listeners to get the real deal. Despite how many times I’ve reviewed the documents and interviewed participants, I learn something new each time and blown away. Today is no different. I’ll let Ruth Major speak for herself. But it is in a word…incredible.
Click HERE for interview.
RELATED:
Mo’Kelly Interviews Carol Ray (one of the 8 Plaintiffs)
Mo’Kelly Interviews Kenitra Shackelford
Mo’Kelly Interviews Ed Gray, Counsel for ‘Weeping Ivy 8′
Subscribe to The Mo’Kelly Report HERE
Criminal Girls with 20 Pearls – The IRS Invades AKA Headquarters!
April 2nd, 2010
Mo’Kelly (like everyone else) thought maybe it was an April Fools joke. But it has come from a number of reliable sources that the Internal Revenue Service has been camped out at the Chicago headquarters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for the better part of a week.
No editorial commentary to be made. When the IRS shows up, there’s not too much Mo’Kelly (or Barbara McKinzie for that matter) can say. McKinzie may not open the books to the members of her own sorority, but she damn sure will be opening them up to the federal government.
It seems one Barbara A. McKinzie was celebrating a bit too prematurely. Not only that, this is assuming that the Illinois Attorney General doesn’t also ratchet up an investigation of McKinzie’s other activities. Mo’Kelly will share more when Mo’Kelly knows more.
RELATED: AKA Files 2008 990
IRS Confirms Receipt of Mo’Kelly’s Special AKA Package
AKA and the IRS – The Next Step
[Stay tuned...the new mrmokelly.com website is coming to you in 2010. Set your browsers now.]
Former Supreme Basileus Julia Purnell Files Writ to Open AKA's Books!
March 18th, 2010
Julia Brogdon Purnell
Now it is on and crackin’. In the writ, Purnell indicates knowledge of investigations by the IRS, Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Illinois Attorney General. And my favorite birdie over that the Department of Justice says…well, I can’t tell you what he/she says…that’s confidential. Significant and confidential. Take that any way you like.
Anyhow, former Supreme Basileus Purnell is now fully invested in the effort to save her sorority by filing the following Writ of Mandamus for Examination of Books and Records. It speaks for itself and speaks volumes. When a 92-year-old woman files a writ such as this on her own…let that set the example for anyone else who alleges to care about the future of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Like Mo’Kelly’s been saying…it ain’t over (Pardon my English).
Click HERE
Purnell’s original letter to Barbara McKinzie and sorority HERE
[Stay tuned...the new mrmokelly.com website is coming to you in 2010. Set your browsers now.]
Subscribe to The Mo’Kelly Report HERE
Criminal Girls with 20 Pearls – Barbara McKinzie DENIED in Appeal Against Daley!
March 16th, 2010
"Motion Denied!"
Although Barbara McKinzie has a habit of sending out mass emails if/when it can be spun as good news for her or her agenda, she has another habit of saying absolutely nothing when the news is embarrassing.
You probably didn’t get the email as to Barbara and Cooter’s appeal being DENIED in the case against Joy Daley. A slight correction for those who may have visited this post prior to today. Originally Mo’Kelly reported that BAM’s motion to appeal was denied. In fact, her appeal was heard…and she LOST AGAIN. Just wanted to make that clarification. She’s had two bites at the apple and choked on both occasions.
Original Case HERE.
Appeal Denial HERE.
Shoutout to the Friends of the Weeping Ivy for this information. This isn’t over. Well, pillaging of AKA isn’t over either and the legal fees continue to pile up..
[Stay tuned...the new mrmokelly.com website is coming to you in 2010. Set your browsers now.]
Subscribe to The Mo’Kelly Report HERE
Criminal Girls with 20 Pearls – Appeal Has Been Filed
February 19th, 2010
Of course, Mo’Kelly has the documentation! And this time the plaintiffs are fighting FIRE with FIRE. The appeal was filed by Victor Frazer, former Congressman and HU Law grad (’71).
Ah suki suki!
Click HERE.
Related: Mo’Kelly Interviews Plaintiff Carol Ray
From the Friends of the Weeping Ivy:
MAILING ALERT: CHANGE IN ADDRESS
Several supporters have alerted us that their donations that were mailed to the Post Office Box in Washington, DC were returned to sender with a message that the PO Box is closed. We do not know who generated that report because the rental fee for the PO Box is paid in full for a year. An investigation into this matter will be requested via the U. S. Postmaster General’s Office. Given this current situation, we ask that you send ALL correspondence and donations to the address below until the problem is corrected and you are notified accordingly. We do need your continued financial support to offset our legal bill as we proceed with the appeal and continue the struggle to open the books and records for inspection.
We also encourage you to purchase an “AKAcountability & Transparency” button to wear at all conferences and sorority functions to demonstrate your support for this effort. Send your request and payment to the address below. As always, your support is tremendously appreciated. Together we will right the wrong!
FOTWI
c/o The Legendary Blue Horizon
1314-16 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121-4303
[Stay tuned...the new mrmokelly.com website is coming to you in 2010. Set your browsers now.]
Subscribe to The Mo’Kelly Report HERE
Mo'Kelly Interviews Carol Ray of Weeping Ivy 8
February 11th, 2010
Carol Ray
UPDATE 2.19.10 – Plaintiffs File APPEAL! Click HERE.
__________________________
Click HERE for interview with Carol Ray, one of the 8 plaintiffs in the case against Barbara McKinzie and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
_______________
Although the case was dismissed before discovery and trial, the Weeping Ivy 8 are resigned to continue the fight, weighing all options. What might that be and what may await Barbara McKinzie and her supporters come Boule this summer?
All that and more as Mo’Kelly has a special and exclusive interview with one member of the 8 original plaintiffs…another exclusive by The Mo’Kelly Report.
__________
Message from the Friends of the Weeping Ivy:
MAILING ALERT: CHANGE IN ADDRESS
Several supporters have alerted us that their donations that were mailed to the Post Office Box in Washington, DC were returned to sender with a message that the PO Box is closed. We do not know who generated that report because the rental fee for the PO Box is paid in full for a year. An investigation into this matter will be requested via the U. S. Postmaster General’s Office. Given this current situation, we ask that you send ALL correspondence and donations to the address below until the problem is corrected and you are notified accordingly. We do need your continued financial support to offset our legal bill as we proceed with the appeal and continue the struggle to open the books and records for inspection.
We also encourage you to purchase an “AKAcountability & Transparency” button to wear at all conferences and sorority functions to demonstrate your support for this effort. Send your request and payment to the address below. As always, your support is tremendously appreciated. Together we will right the wrong!
FOTWI
c/o The Legendary Blue Horizon
1314-16 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121-4303
[Stay tuned...the new mrmokelly.com website is coming to you in 2010. Set your browsers now.]
Subscribe to The Mo’Kelly Report HERE
Mo'Kelly Interviews Carol Ray of Weeping Ivy 8
February 11th, 2010
Carol Ray
UPDATE 2.19.10 – Plaintiffs File APPEAL! Click HERE.
__________________________
Click HERE for interview with Carol Ray, one of the 8 plaintiffs in the case against Barbara McKinzie and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
_______________
Although the case was dismissed before discovery and trial, the Weeping Ivy 8 are resigned to continue the fight, weighing all options. What might that be and what may await Barbara McKinzie and her supporters come Boule this summer?
All that and more as Mo’Kelly has a special and exclusive interview with one member of the 8 original plaintiffs…another exclusive by The Mo’Kelly Report.
__________
Message from the Friends of the Weeping Ivy:
MAILING ALERT: CHANGE IN ADDRESS
Several supporters have alerted us that their donations that were mailed to the Post Office Box in Washington, DC were returned to sender with a message that the PO Box is closed. We do not know who generated that report because the rental fee for the PO Box is paid in full for a year. An investigation into this matter will be requested via the U. S. Postmaster General’s Office. Given this current situation, we ask that you send ALL correspondence and donations to the address below until the problem is corrected and you are notified accordingly. We do need your continued financial support to offset our legal bill as we proceed with the appeal and continue the struggle to open the books and records for inspection.
We also encourage you to purchase an “AKAcountability & Transparency” button to wear at all conferences and sorority functions to demonstrate your support for this effort. Send your request and payment to the address below. As always, your support is tremendously appreciated. Together we will right the wrong!
FOTWI
c/o The Legendary Blue Horizon
1314-16 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121-4303
[Stay tuned...the new mrmokelly.com website is coming to you in 2010. Set your browsers now.]
Subscribe to The Mo’Kelly Report HERE
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