It was nearly two years ago when Emily Seiferth-Sanders announced she bought Metrocenter for $10 million. JJ and WLBT did some digging and voila, we discovered she had been convicted of fraud several times in schemes that sounded eerily similar to the Metrocenter project. However, this being Jackson, no good deed goes unpunished. Facebook "celebrities" defended Sanders, due diligence be damned. WLBT viewers gave the tv station hell on Facebook and that is putting it mildly. See how well their comments have aged. Yours truly's comments are in italics.
Psst, a vast majority of business people have committed crimes. It’s interesting that WLBT 3 On Your Side would post this, but not post any other business owner’s past transgressions.This is TRASHY of y’all to post. That woman did her time and paid her dues.Y’all are just upset that even after all her mistakes, she’s still coming back and doing something good for herself. Y’all are miserable folks.So who cares it’s plenty of people in city offices been stealing for years and never stopped!!!!! So is she defrauding someone now? Or is her past just go’n to haunt her forever? Has anybody bought up allegations against her now(In the Present)? So had a white person got it and been convicted not a soul would have dug them up. Y’all really need to be ashamed of trying to put her out for bad (Wanna bet, baby? This website does it all the time.)People can changeWhat does the past have to do with now. Explain why you are bringing this up. I don't understand (Because con artists rarely do, dummy).It's hard to be black in America. Even when you do good it's bad.
Are you serious right now..... So was Bernard Ebbers but that didn't prevent the request for early release.. Sit down somewhere and be glad anybody and somebody is making the attempt to bring something to the capital city.... This article is/was a tacky move.. I said what I said... Tyler Perry here goes your next movie (Um, Bernie went to jail and pretty much had everything seized.)
This is the main reason I don’t watch the news! Instead of promoting positivity about the mall reopening and encouraging possible job opportunities, they find something negative! I bet if she was a white male (like the so called President) they would gladly talk nothing but positivity. (Really? Go look up Kountry Tyme)
Relevant how?? Can people not make and learn from mistakes??More than likely, it was a rookie business error AND she PAID HER DEBT Gtfoh (Really? The first or second time?)
Oh, He without sin! At least this woman is trying to do something positive for the area. I'm almost certain the bank and or her investors are aware of her background she Got A Deed! I pray that she and her investors will be successful and bring some life back to the mall. It's too beautiful to just sit and go to waste! She has a positive vision for the mall, so let's pray and support her vision. Way to go Ms. Sanders! I will be shopping there! (Ever heard of a hustle?) So what? Who cares? What does this have to do with revitalizing the largest mall in Mississippi? That’s why people don’t want to invest here in this state. People always want to dig up what happened in folks past. Everybody’s past got something in it. Let’s move on cause this ain’t news. The people do not care!This is why nobody can be great in Mississippi(Yes, because people are convicted of fraud multiple times all the time. )
I can’t believe WLBT would stoop this low to discount someone who has done their time and paid their dues for the crime they did 8 years ago. But yes I can. Please help Jackson, MS be great! This kind of negativity pains me. I can only imagine how it hurts the citizens of Jackson who’s been praying for this type of change to take place! (Out of their own mouths....)
Old news! Revealed? Why? Public information, not a revelation! He without sin, cast the first stone! I’ll wait! That’s what I thought...crickets!
This is really sad that you had to dig up her past and being messy at the same time. So what she human and she did her time. We all make mistakes in our lifetime but it doesn't mean we have to pay for them our entire lives. I'm glad she came along to invest back in the Jackson community at least she is trying to do something positive with the mall. Instead of bringing this woman past up bring us some updates on what's going on with all these murder cases and kidnappings, and missing children from here in the surrounding areas. Is this all you have time to do is dig up old information on this woman? Shame on you!! (Really? Then you would gripe that all the media reports is crime.)
It shouldn't matter did she do any Fraudulent against her new investment? Stop trying to tear down this woman Character. She has served her time and paid her restitution to the crooks who probably should have went to jail with her. Stop digging up people past because your confused about how God has prepared a table for her in the Presence of her ENEMIES. (No one is trying to tear her down. She was convicted of fraud multiple times and this deal was almost a carbon copy of earlier scams, just on a larger scale. )
y’all are awful, terrible souls. I see this as a way to deter anyone from doing business with her in the future and thus keeping MetroCenter in its current state. If someone wanted to do a background check on her before doing business that one thing. What y’all have just done is despicable! Disclaimer: I don’t know the new owner from Adam but I do know right and decency. That news is 7 years old...wow. Somebody is trying to do good for Jackson and here you go snatching the rug out from under them. What a shame! This is wrong WLBT .... the past is the past! That has nothing to do with the present! That is not going to change anything either.... a lot of people have done things that they weren’t proud of but that doesn’t make them any less of a person... let this woman do what she wants with her money!y’all really stooped too low on this Ok. So what? She reformed herself and is a productive member of society. What's wrong with that? When people get out of jail, what do you want them to do--continue crime? If anything, she should be spotlighted on how America is still a land of opportunity even for the formerly incarcerated. (She has?)
One thing we all can say is when someone is trying to do something positive for this City Jackson Mississippi the Devilwill show his head, but I will tell you this who ever is trying to hurt her by bring up her pass God knows who or whom you are, this is why it is so hard for African Americans too try and have a business in this City because of the negativity that goes on, and what is sad how the news was glad too Air the negative comments made on Thursday, but I pray that Gods judgement hit y’all so then you will know how it feels when someone is trying too mock you, y’all are Sad, and I will say this again I hope all goes well, because I have gotten tired of taking my money out of Jackson and I feel this is why someone dug this up to keep people taking money out of Jackson so we want shop there anymore, but Sorry God has her you better hope he had you, now run and tell that ( Yup, we point out the odds are highly likely something isn't right here because of past criminal behavior and yet we are of the devil. Got it.)
I was immediately wondering if we were being warned of possible criminal activity. I'm with most ppl on this; what's the purpose in telling her past now that it's a done deal. Why is this news?? Hell shes not in prison and still buying up the block. Y’all don’t care when other folks do it. (Because we've seen these pie in the sky deals before. Harborwalk, anyone? )
I guess there’s a law that says if you’ve been convicted of a crime you can’t own anything! This is bad press and basically pointless because that’s the past. I bet Wlbt and whoever wrote this article didn’t expect to see and read so much unity for the new owner of Metrocenter mall. I bet they didn’t expect for people of all colors to come together and back her for what she is trying to do for the elevation of this community and the opportunities that she is trying to provide. Wlbt be so eager and happy to report on those companies that move to other counties around Jackson but they are ready to break the vail on the black business owner trying to provide chances and opportunities here in Jackson. I know what it is they don’t won’t all the money that’s been going into Northpark, Dogwood and the Outlet mall to come back to Jackson. Because we all know who are they biggest consumers are. So they are ready to slander her name and her efforts to make people to stand against her. Black people and black business owners with past aren’t supposed to have a 2nd chance in society on any level. But cases of people swindling money and embezzling money gets swept under the rug everyday. I guess if it ain’t white it ain’t right. Wlbt y’all gone learn today. The community laid the smack down on y’all ass(Slander? Where is the slander? )
If she fails to bring in a revenue, i hold wlbt responsible. Why would you discredit someone who is trying to create jobs AND provide a daycare for employees? So Martha Stewart picked up right where she left off & many others will too!!! This is tachy! Somebody tag a station with class (Martha didn't defraud anyone. She was convicted of lying to FBI, not hard to do.) The hate is real...I stand with my people as do other races...$132,000...AND!!!! You cant destroy everyone with media drama..she is power player with a business mind who strategically purchased this property WITHOUT the permission of the THE GOOD OLE BOYS COMMITTEE...that's why yall are mad!! ( Which committee is that? The Black Power Structure or the White Power Structure?)
Debi Lane 10 million dollar deals don’t go through without being thoroughly handled you best believe it’s 100% legit ma’am no fraud she the right out new owner plain and simple be happy for her (Um, how do you know it was a $10 million deal? Because she said so? )
Almost every comment on the WLBT Facebook page was similar to those posted above. Very few defended the station and those that did were blasted. Feel free to read the rest of them.
These clowns, and yes, that is what they are, dumbass clowns, were screaming WHAT DOES HER PAST HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING????, here is a damn good example of why it matters. Let's go back to the story of Kountry Tyme. JJ reminded everyone of this fiasco four years ago:
A broke man living in a Days Inn in Missouri walks up to Madison County officials and promises to build a $300 million amusement park for the handicapped if the county will purchase a piece of land for several million dollars. He shows no proof of financing or any other financial information but they all jump up and say sure. Hell, why shouldn't he have tried to work this scheme if they were that dumb?
Oh yes, Then-State Auditor Phil Bryant said he was watching the deal but would not investigate even though the PEER Committee asked him to do so. Leadership, baby.
Of course, if they were not that dumb, then the other answer to this puzzle is that some crooked politicians were trying to rip off the taxpayers with a scheme that blew up thanks to one Mayor and a newspaper.
The Jefferson County District Attorney obtained a bench warrant for her arrest after filing a show cause motion with the Jefferson County Circuit Court last week. Prosecutors accused Sanders of not paying most of the restitution in her 2012 conviction. A hearing will be held tomorrow.
35 comments:
"Wlbt y’all gone learn today. The community laid the smack down on y’all ass"
Has anyone heard anything from "the community" on these latest developments?
"Then-State Auditor Phil Bryant said he was watching the [Tyme] deal but would not investigate even though the PEER Committee asked him to do so."
Like the Metrocenter lady, Phil Bryant is the gift that kept on giving.
Kingfish,
I wanted to believe.
I also wanted to believe that Service Merchandise, Campos, BeBop, and Toys R’ Us would return!
The only good thing that can be said about Phil Bryant is the legislation he passed for electric co-ops to run broadband onternet.
Metrocenter would make a good prison for Hinds County.
6:13 I agree, but I'm not sure it's big enough.......
Accountability is racism.
4:40, while we are wishing, let’s bring back Automotive Audio also. I’m dating myself, but their Christmas commercials on WZZQ are still the sound of Christmas to me.
Metrocenter would make a great indoor marijuana grower facility.
If you wanna get a taste of how divided we are, spend some time reading the comments on wlbt's facebook page.
Sounds good 8:25 !
I vote for a new Krystal downtown in the old location.
The return of Hooper's sound in Mart 51.
Naturally, a refreshed Zoli's would be nice!
Gotta have Poet's back.
Let's not forget Town Creek Saloon and Mr. Gatti's pizza.
And in closing Swinson's Ice Cream would be a nice summer addition.
My absolute final wish is for a brand new Shakee's pizza in the Fondren (next to the Recovery Room) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Metrocenter was awesome. Until it wasn't.
Just like Jackson.
The grammar is atrocious.
It was really sad to read the comments that believed that this "Santa Claus" was going to transform Metrocenter into some sort of Mall of America. Magic Johnson didn't open a Starbucks in West Jackson, Coach Prime will be in Colorado, Farish Street (another moneypit) still sits in ruins.
Communities with out of control crime, crumbling infrastructure, poorly performing schools, and inept leadership aren't a draw for investment.
She is too big to fail.
@9:30 division is good. Deep down, we all know it.
Reading the comments makes me wonder if all Facebook posters are as grammatically illiterate as they present themselves?
12:13 nailed it.
Metrocenter would make a great parking lot for Richard’s garbage trucks.
If we are creating a reopen wish list, I’ll go all in and add Keen Freeze and Varsity in Cleveland, and throw in the Pig Stand in Belzoni.
So sad!
No Go Cart Track.
No Ferris Wheel.
No Funnel Cake Koisk.
No ice skating rink.
No Multiplex.
Pot holes leaving the Krystal still there, taking out tires and ball joints.
No new Piggly Wiggly grocery store.
So many good things died with this failure.
Sigh.
All of this pales in comparison to the biggest fraud of all which is the Lumumba stewardship of Jackson.
The roller coaster road encircling Metro Center Mall is all I needed to experience (25+/-) years ago to know that the place was a dump from the ground up.
Jackson and the Metro Center is like the ancient Roman Empire.
A sucker is born every minute. No wonder clowns keep getting elected in Jackson. Looks at the comments of the people that vote. Downright scary.
December 11, 2022 at 7:41 PM
For today's win.
My two cents:
"It's someone else's fault."
I want Swenson's. Specifically the cheese soup back.
But prefer it not be placed anywhere near the Metro.
She has $10 million? Grifters will grift.
BeBop, Automotive Audio, Hoopers Sound, Zoli’s, WZZQ, and before Jackson, MS was completely destroyed by leftist Democrats…those were the good ole days!
Anyone remember where Woods Auto Stereo was located?
If memory serves didn't they call the owner "Mamma Woods?"
@10:40
5590 Robinson Rd. just north of McDowell Rd.
What does Dekeither have to say? I recall him being councilman and celebrating this as a revitalizing shot in the arm for W Jackson. What a buffoon!! If it looks too good, prob is DeKeith. Basic common sense would’ve prevailed here
@9:49am:
Buyer didn't necessarily use cash for the purchase. May have swapped future lease income from the property to get the warranty deed from a (desperate?) seller. Still, somebody had to put up the agent's (Overby's) fee and other closing costs in real money. Plus property taxes that come due have to be paid in real money. Maybe KF knows transaction financing details.
A persuasive but fraudulent person might then go use this 'unpaid for' warranty deed and its appraised value as leverage to do successive questionable deals, even Bank financed deals, elsewhere, such as Evans' brothers real estate scams in 2003 in MS.
Amen 12:45, Just once I want DeKeither and all the other people who blasted any naysayer as a racist to be forced to apologize and own that they were wrong.
The folks who openly blast any opposition should have to face some level of public humiliation so they just might learn to be a bit more careful in their choice of savior.
But that wont happen, and with no consequences we'll simply rinse and repeat with the next crook. And the masses will blindly champion the next buffoon and be genuinely stunned when it happens again.
December 11, 2022 at 8:47 PM is on to something.
Folks, if all of us took a quarter of our savings and pooled it together, we might have a viable offer for the MetroCenter and enough money for equipment to turn it into a grow house. Think about it. The site has several things going for it. It has plenty of room, high ceilings, all utilities are present, access to major highways and interstates for shipping, and more advantages. The city and county have already approved medical marijuana.
The more I think about it, it could really work.
Kingfish, you need to organize this. We could make millions.
Nothing medical about marijuana.
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