Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Breaking: Allen indicted (UPDATED)

Update (10:38 AM, 3/11/16): Cases is assigned to Judge Winston Kidd. Judges Jeff Weill and Tomie Green recused themselves. 

Update (6:40 PM): Copy of indictment is posted below.   The indictment charges him with ten counts of embezzlement and mishandling of Downtown Jackson Partner's funds.  The indictment also charges him with spending DJP money on Mayor Tony Yarber's inaugural gala. 

Original post (10:40 AM) Multiple sources have confirmed to JJ that Ben Allen was indicted on ten counts.  It is not yet known what the specific charges are but sources say they are related to this Jerry Mitchell story that appeared in the Clarion-Ledger in 2014.  More information will be posted when available.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Allen feeds at one of the many troughs of unwatched money that exist here in Mississippi. In addition to DJP, these would include the campaign accounts of most statewide and legislative elected officials, the funds received by recipients of noncompetitive contracts (see McCrory and Epps), and the Jackson Public School district (a huge gravy train for the connected). On a more local level, it includes the funds collected these neighborhood associations that are mandatory in some neighborhoods, and also the funds collected by water associations in rural areas. These are largely unwatched sources of grey area money which is used to benefit officials, lobbyists, Jackson law firms, consultants, cronies, and the relatives of those people. The very impotent Open Records laws here in MS help protect the feeders at the gravy trains.

Anonymous said...

Are the Frazier's out of jail yet??

Anonymous said...

A 1988 Silverado? Really?

Anonymous said...

11:46, do you think a person who will steal a pickup will not steal other things? It is car theft.

Anonymous said...

Can someone provide an overview of what is going on here for those of us who have not been following this and are not familiar with Allen.

Anonymous said...

Just re-read the 2014 article and must say some of these, while sounding bad, appear to me to be legit. The City of Jackson cannot entertain potential businesses and I believe DJP can and should. The Incubator was a great idea and would have promoted more downtown businesses. We used to have one on Highway 80, but I am not sure who promoted it. I have seen the videos that are shown to those interested in relocating to Jackson and I have probably sat on one of the expensive bar stools. Know I have attended meetings and partaken of Cokes and bottled water that were probably purchased at Sam's when it was in Jackson. Many of these functions should have been provided by the Chamber, but they went metro and forgot about Jackson until after DJP was authorized. The Chamber even took away Leadership Jackson and made it Greater Jackson although the outlying counties have their own leadership programs. If we didn't have DJP, the City would be in worse shape. Good grief. Plus, I love the flowers downtown and the ambassadors.

Anonymous said...

@12:07, is it theft if you save $1,600. for DJP and assume liability? Sounds more like mercy. Who actually was in charge of this investigation is what I would like to know? Is this more Pickering? You know, the guy who lives at the state park?

Anonymous said...

Really sad, if true. Ben Allen is one of the city's best promoters and business developers. Downtown Jackson Partners is one of the best things going for downtown.

I can't think of a single proactive thing to market and the city that didn't come from DJP.

Anonymous said...

I have noticed he is acting very strange as of late and always was outgoing and friendly to all of his neighbors until a month or so ago. Seems depressed or worried. Now I know why.

Burke said...

I'm reminded of the many times I have wished that Jerry Mitchell would put more of his energy into current issues such as this. He's a great investigative reporter.

Blondes have more fun said...

@11:43 I haven't spotted the Fraziers at Barnettes so I assume they are still incarcerated...heaven forbid they stopped coloring

Anonymous said...

The key to all this is these are tax dollars that are paid to DJP. People have to pay these money and it not a free decision. Many nonprofits earn their money through contracts grants or get donations which are voluntary. When a nonprofit get a direct tax it must do business according to the rules of a public agency. Who has been auditing this organization all there years. In addition to Ben, the board of directors failed and is at fault.With just a fair system of internal controls this can not happen. Wonder what type of Officers and Directors coverage there is.

Anonymous said...

1:37, is that the same as the car thieves in Jackson? They are saving people the cost of tags and insurance. Should they be commended for saving people money or arrested?
He is just a thieving thug that lets other defend his theft. Doesn't say much for your morals either.

Anonymous said...

Hard to believe this Board would not require oversight of the monies received and spent. But let's wait until all facts are know and proven.

Anonymous said...

I am a Downtown Jackson property owner and probably never would have invested in my property if it were not for DJP. They work tirelessly on improving our community. The property owners formed a business improvement district and vote for a self-assessment to fund the non-profit organization. There is no cost to the outside community. DJP funds The Block by Block Ambassadors that patrol Downtown, along with security, trash pick-up, and beautification. There are no city or state funds involved. Anyone who has ever had any dealings with Ben Allen, know that he is squeaky clean. This is some sort of sick game being played by the District Attorney.

Anonymous said...

@ March 9, 2016 at 11:36 AM

With all due respect, Allen has made plenty of money running a private business - probably a lot more than you! But, running a non-profit is different and that may have led to some of these indiscretions. Until I see 1000's upon 1000's of dollars coming into play, I'll stick to innocent until proven guilty on this one.

Anonymous said...

The crackpot racist element of the Jackson City Council and their friends in the peanut gallery (Enoch Sanders et al.) have always had a weird obsession with, and hatred for, Downtown Jackson Partners and Ben Allen. They cannot tolerate the notion that business owners (meaning, white people) have formed an organization to improve conditions and provide security which is not answerable to black politicians.

Sad to see Shuler-Smith aligning with that crew of miscreants. Any port in a storm, I guess.

Anonymous said...

Gee, I would have thought the damn Prophet would have seen this coming, wouldn't you?

Anonymous said...

Ben Allen is a nice guy. He coached my son's soccer team. Susie is a nice woman. They have plenty of money. I am certain this is just someone who has it out for Ben.

Anonymous said...

Glad this thug is off the streets.

Anonymous said...

This is sad to see. I met Ben in church choir when I moved to Jackson more than 20 years ago. Nice guy.

But this is bad, and I bet there is testimony of cooperating witnesses, and not just documents.

It's bittersweet to see the seminar posters here defending him & DJB.

I bet he pleads to something to avoid jail.

Anonymous said...

And I think it would be false pretenses, not car theft per se.

Anonymous said...

Not very neighborly of you 1:47. You didn't reach out when you noticed something wrong. Now you assume the worst. Shame.

Anonymous said...

The truck will stick with him, and my bet is he pleads to one count on the truck with no jail time and restitution. The other charges can be argued all day long and odds are a Hinds jury wouldn't understand them. Changing title on a vehicle is simple. If it was given to him by DJP, then the repairs were wrong. Either way, no way out of the truck. Hate to see it because it will fuel the continued hatred of some. Bad for Jackson. Ben's done a good job, just made a mistake.

Anonymous said...

7:13 --

I hope you're right. And no, a Jackson jury wouldn't understand the complex (to them) elements of various white-collar crimes.

Sadly, the only thing they'll need to understand is that the defendant is a rich white man.

Anonymous said...

4:15, these are taxes because they are collected under the authority of a State law and must be treated as public funds like it or not. If all these property owners did not want public oversight should have not used this State law to create DJP. Could have set up a private non-profit 501-c-3 type corp. and provided voluntary funding each year. But rather the founders used a taxing method so now the money is public and must be treated that way.

Kingfish said...

The other charges can be argued all day long and odds are a Hinds jury wouldn't understand them.

Who said there has to be a jury?

Anonymous said...

Ben, by his own mouth had stated, he not a detail person but someone has to be when spending tax dollars. I bet no big money missing but not the type of public accountability normally required. Just a little white collar free spending of some else money that is common in business.

Anonymous said...

Is this the same ADA or do all the ADA's sign "W"?

Anonymous said...

Is W like making your mark by using an X?

Anonymous said...

With plenty of time on hand to follow this story, I'm wondering why people are trying to put Ben Allen up on a pedestal. This is so transparent and everyone knows there Is evidence of wrong doing and he is going down like Monica Lewinsky!



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

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.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

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.

Note: Security provided by INS
.