You’re not going to believe this one: Todd Gloria had the gall to ask me a question today challenging my votes on some city real estate purchases. Here’s my response:

Dear Todd,

Your question is a transparent attempt to deflect attention from the fact you were personally involved in orchestrating the 101 Ash Street purchase.

I was one of the first people at city hall to smell this rat. One of the first people to call for a stop to any more spending on your white elephant. One of the first people to go back and review the lease/purchase contract you promoted. You knew all the details.

Here are a few questions for you, Todd.

You claimed you inspected the site. You had private meetings with the principals before the public Council meetings took place.

1. Why did YOU appoint Ron Villa as the Assistant Chief Operating Oicer prior to the purchase, who has already resigned for his role in the fiasco?
2. Why did YOU call the deal a “great deal for taxpayers,” when YOU KNEW the city was paying a $60 million premium to conceal the identities of the real owners of this building?
3. Why did YOU accept the ridiculous indemnity language protecting the seller – but not the taxpayers – right on the first page of the contract?
4. Why did YOU want to conceal Doug Manchester’s and Sandy Shapery’s financial interest in the deal?

The “straw” seller, Cisterra, could not even get an appraisal sufficient to secure financing based on building value, so you provided a guarantee of taxpayer money to secure the financing instead of just letting the building fall out of escrow and buying it at its true value directly from the real owners!

Why, Todd?

WATCH: Todd Knew!

Voters deserve real answers to these questions.

Truth is, you carried this ball from start to finish. Are you now saying you didn’t understand the indemnity language on the first page? Or did you not read it? The Mayor has finally stood up to admit that he was asleep at the wheel.

Now it’s time for you to tell the truth.
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Sincerely,
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