TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATOR CRYSTAL WILLIAMS FACES QUESTIONS OVER CONFLICTS OF INTEREST!!!
During one of the most contentious elections in recent memory the voters of Jackson County were promised "reform" yet only a short time after inauguration the same-old political intrigue and divisiveness have reemerged.
We're still in the midst of The Jackson County Funding Flap regarding the suspension of $191k for Guadalupe Center Inc. over an alleged conflict of interest. An opinion from County Counselor W. Steven Nixon indicated Garza Ruiz’s role as a member of the county legislature jeopardizes funding of Guadalupe Center as long as her husband Genaro Ruiz is employed by the same agency.
Like it or not there are political interests regarding this story, voting blocs to be considered and alliances that are being strained. But the aftermath of this ongoing issue could be even more important. Trusted TKC TIPSTERS have told us that Jackson County is awash with similar conflicts that would soon arise if the Guadalupe Funding mess reached critical mass.
To wit . . .
NEWBIE JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATOR CRYSTAL WILLIAMS FACES QUESTIONS ABOUT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST REGARDING HER HEALTHCARE LOBBYING EFFORTS AND JACKSON COUNTY FUNDING!!!
This isn't such a complicated deal but let me attempt to explain it as clearly as possible as it was expertly told to me by the most KICK-ASS TKC TIPSTERS.
Check it:
While she was campaigning Crystal noted that she was vice president of the management team for Swope Health Services and Swope Community Enterprises, a large community non-profit.
That's a nice way of saying that was a Healthcare Lobbyist.
Currently, the newbie Jackson County Legislator notes her employment this way: Crystal currently works as a consultant through Policy Matters, a sole proprietorship in which she works to pursue public policies to improve the lives of families throughout Jackson County and the region.
Again, that's just another way of informing the public that she's a lobbyist.
In fact, Crystal Williams has filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission for her work a lobbyist.
And it is those filings that have piqued the interest of AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS who are intrigued by all these allegations of "conflicts" in Jackson County government.
Click the image for a larger view and look at the MEC lobbyist filing for Crystal Williams and notice some important timing that I've highlighted:
Notice that when election time came around last year Williams didn't have to look very long for a new lobbying gig. In fact, ON THE VERY SAME DAY Williams deleted her association with Swope Community Enterprises and began her lobbying efforts on behalf of Missouri Primary Care Association in a bit of planning that seems almost omniscient given the current funding flap regarding conflicts of interest.
HOWEVER, the quick job switch up doesn't put Williams completely in the clear according to TKC TIPSTERS.
Why?
Well, The Missouri Primary Care Association (MPCA) is a non-profit membership organization supporting increased access to comprehensive primary health care.
And one of the members of their organization is (you guessed it) is Swope Community Enterprises which includes Swope Parkway Health Center.
THE PROBLEM: SWOPE PARKWAY HEALTH CENTER GETS MONEY FROM JACKSON COUNTY.
Currently, Swope Health Services is listed as one of the Community Mental Health Agencies For Jackson County.
Check Jackson County's Adopted budget last year and notice that Swope Parkway Health Center is listed as receiving $108,034.
Therefore . . .
QUESTIONS OVER JACKSON COUNTY FUNDING FOR SWOPE PARKWAY HEALTH CENTER HAVE ARISEN BECAUSE OF CRYSTAL WILLIAMS' WORK AS A LOBBYIST FOR THE MPCA - OF WHICH SWOPE PARKWAY HEALTH CENTER IS A MEMBER!!!
If Jackson County is concerned about conflicts of interest, this connection is even more obvious than the Garza-Ruiz/Guadalupe concern.
BECAUSE IT LOOKS A LOT LIKE CRYSTAL WILLIAMS IS LOBBYING FOR A GROUP THAT INCLUDES AN ORGANIZATION WHICH RECEIVES FUNDING FROM JACKSON COUNTY!!!
And all of this makes me wonder why Williams was so quiet during the Guadalupe Center Inc. funding ruckus when she seemed so close with Theresa right after the election.
At this moment, there are even more conflicts that could be highlighted but questions about Crystal stand out the most given that she promised "reform" and now seems to be caught up in business as usual in Jackson County.
Developing . . .
werd
ReplyDeleteThose dates on the state ethics show it all. She had pass thru funding from Swope Healthcare. She voted on the budget so it's a clear conflict.
ReplyDeleteMoney Laundering seems to be a common trait for the Girl Power set.
ReplyDeleteIt is time for an MO Attorney General's Office investigation of both legislators.
Any citizen of Jackson County may file a complaint with the AG. If I was elegible I would do it at this point.
What is the old saying? "if you can't play with the big dogs, you better stay on the porch."
ReplyDeleteThe Laundry Ladies?
ReplyDeleteAt least Theresa was smart enough not to vote Crystal.
ReplyDeletePure greed.
ReplyDeleteWow Tony. It looks like you actually did some reporting on this one. But did you call Crystal to see what she said or allow her to explain herself?
ReplyDeleteThe facts won't change Good job Tony
ReplyDeleteWhy did anyone expect a Jeff City lobbyist with more than two decades of experience in the Capitol - of various sorts - to become a "reformer" in the public interest?
ReplyDeleteHenry was just "easy pickins."
We traded one band of bandits for another.
Nutters money didn't hurt. He gave us Funk and Williams and now it's Herman. Sorry Deb Nutters track record is bad.
ReplyDeleteDeb is up to her lower lip in the Port Authority scandal.
ReplyDeleteShe is a lobbyist this is what they do Take Money.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else think it strange that the county counselor as the designated legal defender of legislators is now the person raising the concern for conflicts.
ReplyDeleteThat job belongs to the Ethics Commission. Why are none of these issues being reviewed by them? Do they not have the power?
Tony, do a Sunshine request for the official disclosures of these battling officials.
ReplyDeleteDoes Nutter want a refund? Don't over look control of the Combat funds.
“FBI officials have said organized crime is still active in New York's construction industry. Labor union corruption, loansharking and gambling among the other schemes run by the mob.”
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Huge-NY-Mafia-Bust-FBI-Rounding-Up-100-Mobsters-114266444.html
JJ Rizzo is an employee of Kansas City Title Loans at 4206 Truman Road, owned by Henry Rizzo.
Michael Bushy-nell is on posting today with his badges comments.....so stupidly predictable.
ReplyDeleteRoyster and Moreno good morning
ReplyDeleteCrystal has some explaining to do.Nutter picks bad candidates mostly women.The pervert
ReplyDeleteLet the witch hunt begin. I am glad someone mentioned Royster and Moreno. I previously questioned what they were doing but it is now clear to me why they were speaking out.
ReplyDeleteFirst Royster, then Moreno, Garza-Ruiz, Genaro Ruiz, Crispin Rea, Mike Talboy, Guadalupe Center and now Crystal Williams?
It is obvious that the political cancers to the Jackson County democratic party that are Felon Henry Rizzo, Mike Sanders, John Rizzo, Felon James Tindall, Dan Tarwater and Calvin Williford are on a political witch hunt.
(Oops! I misplaced my comment to the wrong post. It should go here. What can I say, I'm just an average voter!)
ReplyDeleteAre there any clean politicians in the entire country? I chuckled when I first heard the Winston Churchill quote, "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." This needs to be revised to be "...a five-minute test of the honesty of the average office holder."
First Sanders and Rizzo attack Garza-Ruiz and now Crystal?
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious now that Mike sanders is trying to stick it to Nutter.
Ask yourself this. What has Sanders gotten himself into or what does Henry Rizzo have on Sanders that would make him turn his back on Nutter?
ReplyDeleteThat answer might suprise you all.
What does it mean, that Nutter "...picks bad candidates, mostly women..."? Men have had more than their fair share at changing things, and they've totally fucked it up - worldwide!
ReplyDeletepinche putas all.
ReplyDeleteThe Rizzos and Sanders attack GCI and the Latino community leaders. Now they are attacking Swope Health? This will be a show to watch.
ReplyDeleteand the star is reporting that Port Authority and Bill not a target. That is bullshit.
ReplyDeleteWhen will people learn that that those who want to serve in government positions have a choice: Make a lot of money, or serve in government office.
ReplyDeleteWhen you try to do both, you are going to run into a conflict of interest.
My guess is that if you look at Theresa's other paying gig as a lobbyist for the American Cancer Society, I am sure she has people on her board who could pressure her for taxpayer money: "You better think twice before cutting the county subsidy to X if you want the board to approve the budget with your raise in it next year Theresa."
No one forces these people to run for office, so I do not think we "owe" them the ability to earn outside incomes from organizations that benefit from their ability to appropriate our tax dollars.
I second that
ReplyDeleteTheresa and Crystal's most corrupt connection is with Kim Carlos, whose client's include Transystems that contracts with the county.
ReplyDeleteFirst Royster, then Moreno, Garza-Ruiz, Genaro Ruiz, Crispin Rea, Mike Talboy, Guadalupe Center and now Crystal Williams?
ReplyDeleteYep its time to shine a light on all these corrupt politicos stealing our tax dollars and funneling them to their "non-profit" jobs. 100k a year salaries and stealing tax payers funds. These people make me sick. Yet they are the first to campaign on ethics then hide behind watered down ethics bill (Yes you Theresa) to funnel our tax payer money to their corrupt cronies or should I hombres? If this was Tindall or Ajamu doing this TKC would have blown the lid a long time ago.
That stinking bitch (Chrystal), just plain looks slimey. Closely akin to the bladder that used to be County Executive, Shields. Ah, "Shields", a great name for a maxi-pad AND a fat sow..
ReplyDeleteBlah, blah, blah. Publish something that has some substance.
ReplyDeleteHey look we made the news again!
ReplyDeletehttp://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2011/01/william_cammisano_jr_sentencing.php#more
Don't forget one of those bettors is Dominic Cervello, the son of Joseph Cervello, donor to JJ Rizzo and the most eastern resident & voter of the 40th house district ....in Lee's Summit.
But JJ, didn't you say his son was named the same as his father?
Another lie by Rizzo.
Sounds like deflection to me. Tony trying to hide Ruiz corruption by bad mouthing Crystal look out Crystal they are about to through you under the bus...
ReplyDeleteSound to me like the lobbyist who is getting paid by the County twice. I voted for her i made a mistake.
ReplyDeleteJust more of the Rizzo/Tindall crowd farting and then yelling FIRE!
ReplyDeleteAll this mud slinging is going to do is make us work even harder to send the Bishop back to jail where he belongs.
funny how a fat boy talks about the lady politicos when the boys are the one mr tony dares not comment on. ya want to dig in the jackson county double dipping? I suggest you dig a little further and many years prior to these ladies being elected, then you will find something news worthy. Just sayin
ReplyDelete