Late last week, I told you that The Free Beacon, an admittedly conservative website, posted a story suggesting that Bob Brooks, the Democratic nominee for the Pa. 07 Congressional seat held by Ryan Mackenzie, lied on his application for a $15,000 COVID relief grant. This was funded by the federal funds and administered by Northampton County as part of its attempt to help small businesses during the pandemic.
Some of you downplayed the matter. "Where's the actual application?" asked one reader. "Produce the application or it's not true. Civil judgments did not preclude applicants from receiving COVID funds. There's no evidence of wrongdoing here."
Yesterday, NorCo GOP party chair Glenn Geissinger conducted a news conference outside the courthouse and brought the receipts. Due to a prior commitment, I was unable to attend. But Kevin Danyi, a prominent Bethlehem attorney, brought all the documents.
Geissinger is asking both Northampton County DA Steve Baratta and US Attorney David Metcalf (Eastern District Pa.) to open investigations.
From Geissinger's letter, I have learned the following:
1) Brooks actually sought and obtained two COVID relief grants for $15,000 in November 2020 and September 2021. He received $30,000 from a fund administered by Northampton County.
2) Instructions included with both applications warned that false statements could result in criminal prosecution under federal law. Pennsylvania law also makes it a crime to make false statements to authorities.
3) In the September 2021 application, Brooks was specifically asked, " Did you or anyone with an ownership interest in the business have any judgments against you?" Brooks answered "No."
4) At the time of this application, Brooks was a judgment debtor. In Wiley v. Brooks (2018-2005), a $130,386.36 judgment was entered against Brooks on November 19, 2020. That judgment was open of record, i.e. unpaid, at the time of his application.
5) On both applications, Brooks was specifically asked, "Are you or anyone with an ownership interest in default on any loans or leases?" Brooks answered, "No."
6) In fact, two prior judgments were still open of record. One of these, Midland Funding v. Brooks (2012-8088) was originally entered for $4,005.26 and is open to this day. The other, FIA Card Services v. Brooks (2012-7769) was entered for $7,872.59 and was open until 2024.
Facially, it appears that Brooks lied on both applications and deprived some worthy small business of funds it may have needed to survive. I say facially because the Midland Funding judgment may have been satisfied but is just open of record. But there is no question that Brooks lied when he denied the existence of the Wiley judgment.
In addition to seeking a criminal investigation for possible false statements. Geissinger wants federal and state authorities to look into the matters surrounding a possible fraudulent conveyance to avoid paying off the Wiley judgment. That matter, however, has since settled.
Brooks might go to jail over this.
ReplyDeleteHighly unlikely even if he is charged. There is no doubt in my mind that he lied on his application with respect to Wiley. He has wiggle room on the other judgments.
DeleteThis evidence of poor behavior by Brooks will likely not hurt his election chances. Why not? Because not enough voters to make a difference will actually be made aware of his carelessness. Unless the wider local news media weighs in it stays out of general public conversation. I won’t be voting for Brooks based on the information found here.
DeleteThis is interesting because I will be voting for Brooks because of a story I read on here. Something about enforcing racism at a bar. That's pretty awesome.
DeleteThe Wiley dispute is a family issue that has been settled and the other dispute in question will probably be tossed because even you agree there is "wiggle room". Typical political nonsense that is brought about by a candidate who is trailing in the polls. kinda grasping at straws
ReplyDeleteNothing but lies are printed on this blog
ReplyDeletedo not believe it - bernie is mouthpiece for MAGA
ReplyDeleteThis has nothing to do with MAGA. It has to do with character, integrity, and truthfulness. I don’t like Trump either but electing anyone just because of the letter after their name makes you part of the problem.
DeleteStop it. Bernie is a textbook case of TDS. He dislikes Brooks because Brooks posted something complimentary about Trump, and despite being given numerous second/third/fourth chances in his disastrous personal life, he won't extend the same courtesy here. Brooks would vote in an acceptable manner for Bernie and fellow TDS travelers, 100% of the time. It's a blog-power thing. Ask waddling Suzy Wild.
DeleteYou won’t write about the fact that wife beating Jermaine Greene still has a job, but you’ll publish a false allegation against a good and honorable man like Bob Brooks. Bob Brooks always keeps his word.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't matter. Uninformed Ds will just press the D button. It's in their DNA. Don't do any research, don't ask questions, just press the D button. (Rs also have this affliction.)
ReplyDeleteRyan’s team must be looking at the Same polling numbers everyone else is. He is down big. Imagine a candidate bringing up criminal accusations against his opponent when he’s been on his knees for the biggest crook president we’ve ever seen
ReplyDeleteThis is a fake blog Trump is 100% right about you people Bernie.
ReplyDeleteTwo things: 1) you still haven't shown us a false application. If one doesn't exist, nothing happened. 2) Baratta will absolutely not file charges or open and investigation of a Democrat during that Democrat's campaign. You're not new around here. But you certainly are naive. This is a nothing burger, an I suspect you know it.
ReplyDeleteI have both of the false applications. I chose not to publish them only bc they are lengthy. I will load to my Google Drive and link to them tomorrow. I do not think Baratta would prosecute but that's not bc of politics. I do think the feds will look into this.
DeleteWe now know about two distinct instances of fraud Brooks has engaged in. The irony is Shapiro forced this guy on us, and Brooks frauds known and to be discovered may sink his Presidential campaign.
ReplyDeleteIt seems the DCCC has stopped doing background checks on its candidates
ReplyDeleteThe Brooks Bots have found this blog. Bots can only spiel rubbish and supporting Brooks is as such.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chairman Geissinger! Unbelievable the people on this blog who still believe Brooks is a good and honorable man.
ReplyDeleteThe Art of the Deal, ladies and gentlemen.
ReplyDelete