Pr. George's Audit Cites Lax Land-Deal Protocol.
Post, 30 Aug 2008 (Thompson & Flaherty).
Prince George's County officials have transferred millions of dollars worth of surplus land to developers without proper records or oversight, often failing to require competitive bids, good-faith deposits or accurate land appraisals, according to a report by the county auditor.Related Post stories:
The county's Redevelopment Authority also has lost or failed to deposit some checks from developers, County Auditor David Van Dyke said in his report. . . .
. . . Last month, The Post detailed how county officials gave land deals to friends, business partners and campaign contributors of County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), often passing up experienced developers. Johnson intervened in at least two of the transactions and several recipients acquired the land at cut-rate prices or got no-bid contracts, county and other records show.
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Thomas M. Thompson, who as director of Housing and Community Development oversaw the Redevelopment Authority, said he was aware of the audit but was fired June 27 by Johnson before he could meet with the auditors. "They wouldn't let me look at it or respond to it," Thompson said of the report.
* * * [Full story]
- Sweetheart Deals, 6 Jul 2008 (Thompson & Flaherty).
- County Requires Donations but Fails to Collect, 6 Jul 2008 (Thompson & Flaherty).
- Land Contracts, Sales Go To Johnson Associates, Map
- Grants Go to Allies Of Grantors, Johnson, April 15, 2007
- Prince George's Taxpayers Pick Up Officials' Personal Tabs, Nov. 20, 2006
- Prince George's County Executive Aids Friends, Aug. 6, 2006
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