Note: The Clarion-Ledger still has not covered this lawsuit.
A former Downtown Jackson Partners secretary will go to trial in Madison County court on August 22 in a lawsuit filed by the organization. DJP sued Linda Brune in 2014 for allegedly embezzling over $43,000.
Linda Brune is a "whistleblower" who gave star reporter Jerry Mitchell the scoop in his investigative story on the spending of Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen. Mr. Allen was convicted of one count of embezzlement in February in Hinds County but Judge Winston Kidd did not sentence him to serve any time in prison. The jury acquitted Mr. Allen of nine more counts of embezzlement.
Synopsis of Case.
Downtown Jackson Partners sued Linda Brune on December 10, 2014 in Madison County Court for allegedly embezzling $40,439. The lawsuit also states she was "terminated on July 25, 2014 for sharing confidential corporate information with a reporter from the Clarion-Ledger." Ms. Brune is a resident of Madison County.
The complaint states that Ms. Brune worked as DJP's administrative assistant for several years prior to her termination. She was allowed to "fill out" checks but did not have signature authority. DJP alleges that she "embezzled 38 check instruments representing a total sum of $40,439" by making checks payable to herself and "forging Mr. Allen's signature on each of the checks." She would then allegedly alter the payee's name on the bank statements by "whiting out" (no racism intended) her name and replacing it with the name of a vendor. She would then allegedly copy the altered statement so evidence of the whiteout would not appear. The complaint charges her with several counts of fraud, conversion, breach of fiduciary duty, and unjust enrichment. DJP asked for damages and attorney's fees. Attorney Sam Begley represents DJP.
Ms. Brune replied with the standard denials one usually sees in an answer and accused DJP of forum shopping. She then threw a few charges of her own at DJP:
"Defendant was given no reason for termination after 17 years of employment with him at the City Council and at Downtown Jackson Partners. Moreover, nothing should be confidential at DJP as they are funded by tax dollars and open to examination of all documents. Mr. Allen's misuse i.e. giving money to those in his favor, laundering money for various organizations, giving checks to his son's friends for non-existent events to be held to promote Jackson totaling $10,000 plus dollars.
She argues that any funds withdrawn from DJP accounts were delivered directly to Mr. Allen. She claims she was "loyal to a fault" and doesn't have the money to "reimburse his slush fund." Nothing else was filed in the case after Ms. Brune submitted her answer. The case is assigned to Judge Will Longwitz. Ms. Brune represents herself. DJP also subpoenaed records from two Vicksburg casinos and State Bank & Trust.
DJP has since sought to depose Ms. Brune. However, Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith attempted to prevent her deposition in a letter sent to DJP last May. Mr. Smith stated she could not testify since she is a victim in the case although the indictments state DJP is the victim of the misuse of funds. The letter stated:
The State of Mississippi represents Ms. Linda Brune as a victim In the criminal case of State of Mississippi versus Benjamin Wade Allen. She will not be available for depositions or any other matter related to the civil dispute in the above-referenced until she has retained counsel to respond to numerous requests by DJP. Further, she has advised that she will request the Court to hold any civil matter in abeyance until the disposition of the criminal matter. Further, she has received correspondence requesting that she waive her right to a trial by jury. She vehemently opposes to waiving her rightto a trial by jury, or any other rights.
If you have anything further regarding this matter, please direct your correspondence to our office. Her new counsel with be in touch with you in the very near future. Thank you. Earlier post.
Ironically, the District Attorney did not call Ms. Brune to testify at Mr. Allen's trial nor did she appear on the witness list.
Ms. Brune filed a motion to dismiss earlier this year that was denied. Judge O'Neal ordered her to provide a deposition at a show cause hearing Post and video of hearing. Ms. Brune also filed a motion for leave to file an answer to the response. She has been representing herself until recently. Attorney Rogen K. Chhabra represents her. The file is posted below.
52 comments:
Rogen is a solid guy and will give her solid (albeit likely pro bono) representation.
Sadly, he's tasked with making chicken salad out of chicken poop.
You failed to mention that the bogus conviction on the one count is being appealed, as you can't steal money from a company when the company you are accused of stealing from calls bullshit. And the DA and "judge" (I use that term with disgust) ignored the evidence proving this money had been reimbursed fully to DJP.
This entire sad episode is a perfect example, IMHO, of the incredible ineptitude of the crooked and demented Robert Shuler Smith.
Does Ben still get paid by this bunch or did his conviction remove him from his employment?
Why would his conviction - ignoring the fact that it was bogus and very prone to be overturned when it gets in front of a real judge - stop him from 'getting paid'. He did nothing that his board did not approve; and as said above that is not embezzlement. It appears that his board is happy with the way he ran the operation, including his handling of the finances. I assume therefore, that he is still getting paid.
I am very sad to say, Mr. Allen is still there !!!!!
He needs to go---he runs DJP as if it belonged to him. Great guy but does not have the experience to revitalize the Central Business District (CBD). Again, go to Chattanooga or Little Rock and hire their Revitalization Director. Those guys know what they are doing and have proved it---hell, pay them what they want to come to this hell hole.
P.S. I would believe Linda before I would believe anything that comes out of Ben's mouth---I've known him for years many years.
Charged with 'Unjust Enrichment'. That's rich.
@2:38
Lather, rinse, repeat
Lather, rinse, repeat
Lather, rinse, repeat
Lather, rinse, repeat
Broken record!
And he you 2:38. He hired you when no one else would.!!!!
2:42, People who are convicted of a crime and who let embezzlement happen right under his nose, are not doing a good job, crook or not. Can he be bonded to handle money or does following normal business procedures matter with DJP? And yes drawing a check is what he does.
1:51 he is still the President of DJP, which attained a 96% approval for a TEN YEAR reauthorization during the time he was going through the motions and publicity of the trumped up charges.
Irrespective of the obsessed nut at 2:38, the District is very happy with the leadership and staff at DJP.
!!!!! get a life (while you still can....tick tock tick tock)
Run, Ben, run, from 2:38! Watch your old acquaintances who reference you as a "Great guy".
2:38, what a fool and hypocrite you are. Jealous, perhaps? He has traveled to and met with and studied Chattanooga and Little Rock. Are you interested in paying them out of your pocket to come here, big talker? And how long have you known Linda? if it had also been for years and years, you'd know by now that you should not trust her.
3:24 (who is also the freak at 2:38). He trusted the thief (you). He should have fired her troll ass when the board asked him to instead of showing her mercy.
3:37. Amen. "Trust her" HA. Got fired from her real estate job for stealing money from the boss.
Allen brought Brune to DJP.
Old question but why is the trial in Madison County since the harmful action happened in Hinds?
Sad but very interesting.
It is in Madison County because it is a civil suit and that is where she lived when she stole the money. Civil case = trial where you live.
so DJP wants a civil judgement. SO WHAT. even if they get one they will never collect a dime. 98% of people in mississippi are judgement proof. hows that you ask? they don't have any assets. they are broke. you can't get money out of someone who has nothing.
Isn't this old "news?"
No but you can get them for felony purgery for lying under oth, which sends one to prison. My best guess.
Can't charge a felony in civil suit and it's set in Madison County as a civil suit. Go to the back of the class, 8:55. My best guess.
to 8:55pm....... if you think DJP is going to "get them for felony purgery" in a civil suit, you must have gone to law school at mississippi state in starkville . that doesn't happen. you are a bigger idiot than DJP who think they are going to get a payday out of this suit. also civil courts don't send people to prison either. another hysterical fool ,attorney wanna-be.
Any clue what judge they drew in the trial?
8:55 here. There are many dots that will be connected before this saga ends. Most have not been revealed but are public record and out there. Wait and see.
How would you know 8:18?
1:51, 3:27, 3:37, 3:24, 3:37 all posted by Ben and Matt.
As for 3:58, that so-called realtor had NO money when she worked for him so your post is a mis-statement. She left because he couldn't meet payroll. He agreed to be a character witness for Ben Allen at his trial in exchange for a seat on their pitiful board. He agreed to make that statement in court that she had taken something from him to shore up Ben's case. Wrong. That gargoyle is a bag of hot air and a joke in his community.
The venom in these posts is disturbing. These people attack her with a vengence and I don't see where she was convicted of Anything.
I believe DJP's attorney is the only person who will gain anything in this case. Ben Allen, in his self aggrandization, is pist and intends show the lady that he is on the pedestal and no one can expose him without a payback.
Yawn....yadayadayadayada
Nobody but Ben uses the outdated cliche' "yadayadayada."
Can't charge a felony in civil suit and it's set in Madison County as a civil suit. Go to the back of the class, 8:55. My best guess.
That's not precisely true.
I tried a slip/fall case in Federal court in 1998. Plaintiff was caught dead to rights lying under oath. Wingate referred it to the U.S. Attorney's office, and she was prosecuted.
A perjury case can easily emanate from a civil case. Or even a deposition.
I see Kingfish chose not to post my comments regarding Capitol Street and Mr. Allen.
I ask everyone to ride down Capitol Street and tell me Allen has done a good job.
11:40 YOU DUMBASS. Phase 2 has started. You just want to hate on Ben and we know why. He thinks it is funny, I have been told, and will get funnier in the next few months when none of this back and forth nonsense will be remembered or matter any more than it does now, which is NONE.
1:05, It appears that you are the one who is getting upset about all this talk.
Again, ride up Capitol Street from the Train Station east to the Old Capitol---look on both sides of the street (north and south side)and tell me where there is one block that is not dilapidated. This is the Capitol City and the main street and revitalization should have started on Capitol Street. An idiot should have known that but Ben Allen was more concerned with the Farish Street project, Capitol Green and many more projects that never worked out. I don't give a damn if Allen is guilty or not---he still does not know what he is doing.
Ben, I beg you to turn in your resignation before you do any more damage to the city. You are not capable of revitalizing this great city. Don't let the door hit you in the ass !!!!!!!!!!!! If people just knew what you really are---WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!
5:24 She has not been found guilty of stealing anything. Another effort to muddy the water from the minion camp. Did you csll Ben Allen a felon before he was convicted? I didn't think so.
YAWN...yadayadayadayada
Yadayada,
You need to change your name---makes you sound crazy.
I can promise Allen one thing, I am going to keep commenting on JJ until you are gone. You must know something on the Board for them to continue the relationship.
I've never worked for anyone but I believe if I did and fucked up as much as you have, I would have my resume on the streets.
Hey stupid at 3:18. Apparently you don't know much about Ben's financial status. After selling his businesses, Ben is financially independent. He is 66 years old and can walk out today and retire comfortably. He probably doesn't have a resume, and if he does, he won't be "putting it on the street", as you allude to. Can't be said for some people that are obsessed with him. Read it and weep.
He is a good friend of mine and if you think your sick obsession is "bothering him", you are sadly mistaken. He actually feels sorry for you.
@ 2:38 - if ONLY every manager ran his company "like it was his"!!!! I'd give my eye-teeth to find employees so dedicated to the success of my company.
He is a good friend of mine and if you think your sick obsession is "bothering him", you are sadly mistaken. He actually feels sorry for you.
So you are actively discussing anonymous JJ comments with him? That is obsessed.
3:33, I'm not the felon here---STUPID.
3:39, You must not own property in the CBD---If you do, the value has
dropped by 76%. Lease rates in most facilities are 50% off.
Hundreds of thousand square feet vacant---don't feel sorry for
me, I sold my building before 2008 and got $200.00 dollars per
square foot.
It all went to hell on Allen's watch---you can't deny that !!
YAWN....yadayadayada
Ben is a friend of mine and an honorable person. Anybody who thinks otherwise doesn't have shit for sense.
Signed...Ben
"Sadly, he's tasked with making chicken salad out of chicken poop."
Puleeze spare me the trendy phrase of the month. He's not 'tasked with' shit. His 'Assignment is'...
All the good the DJP will be lost within 12 months of Lumbumbler taking office. Jackson is dead
When did David Watkins quit working for DJP?
YAWN. yadayadayada
Keep howling at the moon, goner. Howl. Howl. Howl. Tick tock. Call Classy Johnny Reeves or RSS. They will help haha.
to 11;39am ,,,,i dont know about you slip and fall matter , but the us attorneys office is not interested in whether or not someone fibs in this chicken manure civil lawsuit.
9:25 Given the fact this is a personal vendetta that Allen and his cronies cooked up, I don't think anyone is interested in the civil suit. His goal is to get that woman who told on him for raiding the DJP coffers.
As for David Watkins, he probably never worked for DJP...just drew a paycheck.
11:39
No one else is interested either. Most people know this is a personal vendetta. Ben is hell bent on getting that woman who told on him for raiding the DJP coffers. His yadayada comments indicate he has gone over the edge with his obsession.
6:09
I don't think David Watkins was working for DJP...just probably drawing a paycheck.
5:28, sadly Ben turned chicken salad into chicken shit !!!!!
May 4, 2017 at 10:27 AM
3:37 here and I'm not Ben nor Matt, and I'm betting the others you accuse are not either.
But because of your seemingly insider information, I will name you "Linda".
3:08 Wrong. I am not Linda. I am related to the gargoyle (unfortunately) and know what happened.
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