Sunday, April 28, 2013

Begley speaks!!!

Harvey Johnson supporter and attorney Sam Begley responded to a Clarion-Ledger article about him yesterday concerning the Jackson mayoral election. The newspaper reported:

"With just over a week left until voters head to the polls, a legal dispute involving a mayoral candidate’s family business has suddenly surfaced as the most-talked-about issue in Jackson politics.

Each of four lawsuits was brought for the same reason — Mississippi Products, run until recently by mayoral hopeful Jonathan Lee, didn’t pay its bills when it was caught in the middle of a complicated contractual dispute. And in each case, a default judgment was issued against the company, demanding payment for as much as $75,000 worth of goods.

But because of the nature of the business relationships involved, it’s not clear to what extent, if any, Mississippi Products was to blame for the disputes. Nevertheless, the documents — which were distributed in unmarked envelopes to every major media outlet in the area and Lee’s opponents — have cast a late cloud over one of the frontrunners in the Democratic primary.



It’s not clear who sent the letters, but a trail of emails containing links to the same information leads back to a top campaign supporter of Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. His campaign has denied circulating the information.....

The letters left no discernable trail, but an email obtained by The Clarion-Ledger containing the same information was sent by Sam Begley, an attorney who has donated to Johnson’s campaign in the past.

Begley was part of a team of financial advisers picked by the Johnson administration in December to handle a bond issue. The Begley Law Firm is supposed to be paid $100,000 under the contract.

When asked about the emails, Begley at first was evasive, asking to see exact copies of the emails, with recipients, before replying. The Clarion-Ledger would not agree to the request in order to protect a source’s anonymity. Later, he said he was not involved in any of the original research that uncovered the lawsuits, and denied distributing the emails on Johnson’s behalf.

Johnson’s campaign also denied any involvement.

“The Johnson campaign is focused on spreading Mayor Johnson’s message and his vision for the next four years,” campaign spokeswoman Melissa Faith Payne said. “We are not involved in circulating any information about any other candidate. The information that’s out there is a matter of public record. We encourage all voters to do their own research on each person running for mayor in order to make an informed decision about the person they want to lead Jackson
.”


Mr. Begley responded to the article on Facebook yesterday and gave JJ permission to post his response:

"In a story appearing in the Clarion Ledger today, a portion of the copy was devoted to whether I "leaked" public records via an email to a recipient, who the paper deemed to be its confidential source. The email in question consisted entirely of web links to default judgments recently entered against Mississippi Products, Inc. totaling $150,000. I now wish I had included in my email a web link to a lawsuit recently filed in Hinds County by another vendor of the company seeking to recover $20,000, which Jackson Jambalaya identified. The company's owner is also late in paying ad valorem taxes on the property in which the business is located, evidence of which I also web linked and which was reported on WJTV, but omitted by the Clarion Ledger. Jonathan Lee is running for Mayor of Jackson, touting himself in a TV ad as a "successful businessman" and, up until this week, most of us believed that Jonathan was the president and owner of MPI. In the Jackson Free Press he confessed that he is neither of these. I invite my FB friends to go to the JFP and Jackson Jambalaya web pages to get a more complete story.

In my opinion, Jonathan's misrepresentations about his business background, combined with the unfortunate state of affairs of MPI, disqualify him from being mayor. It is laughable that the Clarion Ledger would even devote one line of copy about me sharing truthful, public information, in the form of an email to a person I was obviously acquainted with, that is materially relevant to the suitability of a person seeking to become Mayor of our city. They ought to thank me for doing their job. I wonder if the prominent financial backers of Jonathan, many of whom rolled with Frank Melton in 2005, took time to check him out beforehand or, instead, thought they could pull the wool over our eyes one more time, with $200,000 in media buys. Oh, and as a disclaimer, Harvey and Kathy Johnson have been friends of mine for 20 years, and I am voting for Harvey for in the Democratic Primary for Jackson mayor. SAM
"

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

'many of whom rolled with..'
time to get out of the hood.

Anonymous said...

YAWN.

Anonymous said...

Mayor Johnson is easily the worst Mayor Jackson has had in my lifetime, and I'm no spring chicken. The fact that the Jackson Police Association endorsed Jonathan Lee for Mayor speaks volumes about Mayor Johnson. Chief Coleman goes out of her way to make JPD officers miserable; hence the reason officer morale is abysmal.


With the polls showing Mayor Johnson's numbers in a nosedive and Mr. Lee's rising and with Mr. Lee's being the one who will be in he runoff with Mayor Johnson, no wonder Mayor Johnson asks his lawyer, Mr. Begley, who makes a ton of money off the City(as pointed out in the Clarion-Ledger's fair and objective article he denigrates), to do a hit job on Mr. Lee over some litigation he's in.


The City is the one that's always getting sued for its wrongdoing in numerous different matters. Check out the multitude of ongoing lawsuits against the City if you don't believe me. What hypocrisy it is to fault somebody else for getting sued.

Anonymous said...

YAWN.

Avery Wiseman said...

I'm just about finished wasting my time on the election. Jackson will get the mayor it deserves.

Those of us in the surrounding communities should be grateful that we'll know next Tuesday whether we should believe in and help restore Jackson (Lee; and maybe, just maybe Quinn), or whether it's finally time to stop pumping the cesspool, let it fester until it looks like a Superfund site, and then have the state take over the city a la Detroit (Johnson; Lumumba).

It would be nice to have a functioning capital city we can all believe in, but it's really not going to affect my life that much if we don't. Good luck Jacksonians -- your IQ test is a week from tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

I wish that one day Harvey would wake up and decide he is going to actually be a leader. That being said, I guess I will just go back to smoking crack......

But Thanks for Reading! said...

In case you missed it the Fondren control freak went all control freaky yesterday.

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:35
@samrhall Sam, saw in your column today you said "rival campaigns" have sent "several mailings" out against Lee. Could you detail those...

Sam Hall = Apr 28, 2013 21:37
@DonnerKay I’ve received four packets from two campaigns. Since they contacted me on background, I agreed to keep them to myself.


Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:38
@samrhall But talk about them generally? Why just report on one over there?

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:39
@samrhall Which other campaign?

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:40
@samrhall And you got one that y'all know was from the mayor's campaign beyond the email Begley sent? No tips from Quinn and Lee campaigns..

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:42
@samrhall ...about each other? We've had Lee camp give info on Quinn camp more than once, and a Quinn sock puppet on site that we identified

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:43
@samrhall ...going after Johnson who used Quinn camp email and who they say is now fired. I'm surprised to see y'all fixated just on what

Sam Hall = Apr 28, 2013 21:43
@DonnerKay We’ve received tips about other campaigns from campaigns. Same as you likely have.


Sam Hall = Apr 28, 2013 21:43
@DonnerKay But if a campaign is going to leak something, then own it. Don’t lie about it. That’s what was reported on.


Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:44
@samrhall ...has been supposedly provided against Lee camp by others when most if all major camps doing it. Why not report while story and

Sam Hall = Apr 28, 2013 21:44
@DonnerKay We’ve reported on all of the campaigns. And we’ll continue to do so. But thanks for your interest. And thanks for reading.


Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:45
@samrhall ... let readers decide? Also, has anyone provided false info yet? That's the vital point, of course.

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:46
@samrhall You've reported that all the camps are providing info on others? From what I've seen, looks like an impt hole in your coverage.

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:48
@samrhall Point: if you're going to write abt camps attacking Lee, you need to say which and report that his camp shops info abt others too.

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:48
@samrhall If y'all know that, of course.

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:50
@samrhall I'll have to re-read the story. I thought y'all reported that a Johnsin supporter emailed links to public docs. Did y'all verify..

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:52
@samrhall ...that campaign did it? And if y'all are worried abt "leaks" if true info, are you going to name other camp you said did it?

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:52
@samrhall If not, why not?

Donner Harpy = Apr 28, 2013 21:54
@samrhall Then are you going to report that, too, and name them? If not, why not? Serious question. Y'all the ones who went down this road.

Anonymous said...

Thank you 9:06 and 11:08. You both summed the entire election up well. Interesting Begley did not mention the $100,000 contract he was spoon fed by his "friend of over 20 years", HJ.

Around town, law firms of standing laugh at his legal "prowess". Where are you Donna? Crickets.

Anonymous said...

Being a recentl former officer the police department is in bad shape. The Conmand Staff is full of buddies who are clueless. For the new officers the only chance of progression is after 6 years when you are elgible to test for sergeant if a test is given. Once you make detective there is no pay increase. From year 1 to year 6 you will make the same 14.92 a hour ( barring you test for sergeant if it is available). The majority of city workers are supporting Lee . I intimately know of the struggles of the PD since Johnson hired Coleman as Chief.

Kingfish said...

And she sent a letter to the Harvey campaign whining about my ad and calling me a misogynist. She keeps lying and says I called her a slut. Nope. I think her personal virtues are fine and she is a chaste woman. Seriously. I called her a "journalistic slut" after she was Mac's dupe or willing accomplice (you decide) on the Irby case. You know, where everyone was accusing the JPD of trying to sand bag or fix the case and he refused to talk to the media but called her up because he said she was the only one who would give her a "fair" hearing. She still mad over that one. Maybe I should not have called her a journalistic slut. I should have probably just used the words "misinformed", "sell-out", "acting as a hack so to keep access", or just plain "dupe". They would have all been just as accurate without riling her feathers so much.

Of course, we are talking about someone who falsely accused the Robert Smith campaign of stealing JFP copies on election day with no proof or evidence to back it up.

Anonymous said...

And she sent a letter to the Harvey campaign whining about my ad and calling me a misogynist.

Yup, a delusional mad control freak.

Anonymous said...

Hey Sam....Donna....!

How bout that endorsement? Still ain't seen ONE Harvey sign in a YARD. Can't wait til next Tuesday. Arrogant ass goes DOWN.

Anonymous said...

Just read the thread. The bitch is crazy.

Anonymous said...

I don't believe she can spell misogynist....perhaps one of the interns guided her crayon.

Anonymous said...

Do a ORR on the $100,000 Begley contract, KF, and PDF it for the world. Please.

KaptKangaroo said...

Sam B. is a pretty good cat from what I can surmise. He at least plays politics above board (regardless of the amount of dirt versus it's composition) and for that matter, earns his keep. Where is the beef?

Anonymous said...

there is some serious hating going on here and the sad part is the haters don't have a way to earn a living other than the government handout that comes monthly and the poverty pimps make sure that the people continue to depend on government.
Why don't you get an education and maybe someone will hire your sorry ass

Anonymous said...

Is it really true Donna Ladd does not even own land in Jackson or Hinds County? According to the land rolls she does not.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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