You, however, don’t necessarily agree. That’s fine. But it has nothing to do with this post and is therefore irrelevant. It’s about the trial location, not his guilt, so it doesn’t really matter.

Interestingly, I’m not convinced that what you describe regarding two separate agreements really tracks the facts…and that so far is only based on what Washington stated at the ADICA meeting and I don’t think he described it quite that way…and I was at that meeting. But that’s what trials are about. I don’t know if he testified before the grand jury. In any case, even if the two of them together tried to create a separate document (that is not what I heard him say at that meeting) to show an inquisitive member of the public, I don’t see how that is a fraud on ADICA or the city. Not all scummy future intentions are crimes.

Washington said he paid the $24 rent that he understood was due for the first 2 years. They wouldn’t put $700 on the books as a receivable and collect $1…any simple review or audit would pick that up. plus Washington said he had an email from Buie early on offering the first two years for $1 per month and that’s what Washington figured the deal was supposed to be. Actually, if there is a beef, it might be Washington against Buie for not delivering the complete documents that Washington said he was expecting. Again, I do not know all the facts and they are probably not all public yet. I’ll be the DA’s office has yet to hear them all. We don’t know what Buie said to the GBI, so that might be what tipped it into the indictment mode.

I am no defender or apologist and have not condoned how we all got flimflammed with dead-end false promises and, for me, relying on their BS sure did not help me in trying to turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse.

Interestingly, there will be another opportunity for the downtown to reinvent itself coming up real soon, and hopefully those more involved at that point will have learned from the past decade and can create the new paradigm that is so needed to help lift this city and provide opportunity for local people who deserve an opportunity.

I am fond of “innocent until proven guilty” in our court system as well. Of course, I’m not part of the court. My statements are based off of the evidence I’ve seen myself. Obviously, everyone is free to make their own decisions based on their own information.

And the issue with the Dollar Square wasn’t the favorable conditions, while I would have called for his firing over that, it’s not criminal. But conspiring to sign a lease that said one thing, while agreeing to something else under the table is a whole other thing, and that one is illegal.

Is it possible that Buie will be acquitted of some charges? Sure. But on some I’m quite certain of his guilt personally and look forward to his conviction.

And this isn’t about more material for future posts. This is about a man who tried to defraud my home town of taxpayer’s money. Frankly, I’ll be glad when the whole thing is over.

But as to the criminal allegations, I am a fond proponent of the “innocent until proven guilty” school of jurisprudence, rather than the “off with their heads” approach.

I think there is a good chance Mr. Buie and others charged will be found innocent of at least some of the charges or that certain charges get dismissed before trial. Just personal opinion and I wouldn’t bet on my track record on speculative matters.

While I have absolutely no personal respect for those who are culpable, even if they are not indicted here, I do think that some of the charge here is how the facts are colored. For example, just giving a lessee highly favorable front-end concessions in a very tough real estate environment is hardly a crime…whatever the thinking expressed so far. If money and that sort of thing traded hands, different conclusion.

The trials will be very interesting with the DA’s very capable trial lawyers going up against some seasoned and experienced defense counsel and all the political and supervision implications and who said what and what was authorized stuff.

I’m sure you will get plenty of material for more posts.