Category Archives: Drummond

Oompa Loompa! “Sloppy Joe” Throws Tantrum while Outlining Alleged Criminal Misconduct

Drummond, North Birmingham Bribery Case, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

“If you are not greedy, you will go far. You will live in happiness, too.”

Oompa Loompa song, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

“Sloppy Joe” Perkins, the founder of Matrix, the obscure political consulting firm that is in the center of an ugly two-state divorce between Perkins and his once-protégé “Jittery Jeff” Pitts, threw a tantrum last week dispatching a rambling, disconnected statement to yellowhammernews.com falsely accusing us, the CDLU, of conspiring with DonaldWatkins.com and one Lisa Swoboda, a cavalier dog rescuer, of defaming him.

Maybe “Sloppy Joe” didn’t like the photo of the two mud wrestlers from our last post. The bottom line is we, the CDLU, are reporting the news (and mudslinging) covered by DonaldWatkins.com, the Energy and Policy Institute, The Guardian, the Orlando Sentinel, and the Florida Times-Union.

“Sloppy Joe” appears to have lost control of his two-state divorce and is now foolishly threatening to file a SLAPP suit (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) against us, a public advocacy group. Even the knuckleheads at Balch & Bingham were smarter than Perkins and studied the issue before strongly deciding against it.

Matrix clients like Alabama Power and Balch & Bingham and related allies like Drummond Company are probably in disbelief that Perkins appears to have become unhinged.

Will Perkins’ lawyers “Andy2K” Campbell and Cason M. Kirby be able to calm their client down?

In his rambling statement, “Sloppy Joe” talks about another conspiracy not involving the dog rescuer. He alleges:

Since as early as 2010, Jeff Pitts has [allegedly] operated off-the-books rogue operations using Matrix resources that [allegedly] embezzled money from the company and presented clear and provable harm to Matrix clients. While CEO of Matrix, Pitts, along with other employees who were part of his conspiracy, [allegedly] set up corporate entities to which they [allegedly] channeled funds from Matrix clients in Florida. During this time, Pitts and his co-conspirators [allegedly] set up as many as eighteen 501(c)4 organizations through which they [allegedly] laundered in excess of $50 million. All of this was done without my knowledge or the knowledge of any of the leadership of Matrix.

We were able to recover the data from the server and archived comprehensive computer backups of computers used by Pitts and others with files dating back at least 10 years. We recovered nearly one million files. We immediately turned this data over to our lawyers who helped us conduct an internal investigation of the material.

Eighteen entities laundering over $50 million!

We, the CDLU, will make sure the Office of Tax-Exempt Entities at the IRS and the U.S. Department of Justice learn about this and encourage them to reach out to Perkins’ lawyers (Andy2K and Cason M. Kirby) to obtain copies of these “nearly one million files.”

Now let us pause and reflect for a moment.

Sloppy Joe says it took him a decade to learn that “Jittery Jeff” was allegedly embezzling from Matrix, a decade to learn that up to 18 entities were allegedly set up to launder money, and a decade to learn that allegedly $50 million was laundered.

Were there no audits or internal controls set up in over a decade?

If so, this sloppiness is as bad as or worse than not having encrypted files in place when hand-written notes and secret, million-dollar contracts with Alabama Power were delivered to DonaldWatkins.com.

Even blaming a cavalier dog rescuer for his misfortunes, Sloppy Joe appears to have lost control and appears to be suffering strongly from little-man syndrome.

Sadly, the diminutive political consultant appears to have gone from one of the “biggest political power players” in Alabama to a joke of himself, an Oompa Loompa.

Matrix Meltdown: “Sloppy Joe” and “Jittery Jeff” Mud Wrestle in Florida

Drummond, Newsome Conspiracy Case, North Birmingham Bribery Case, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

“Sloppy Joe” Perkins, the infamous founder of the obscure political consulting firm Matrix, and his once-protégé “Jittery Jeff” Pitts have made headlines again.

The Guardian published an investigative report on the ugly he-said, he-said fighting between the two men of mythical fame.

After a document dump landed in journalists’ laps, the two mud wrestlers smeared each other. The Guardian writes:

Perkins declined to say whether he is the source of the documents leaked to journalists but verified that the records are legitimate. He confirmed that Matrix was able to locate the records on Pitts’ former laptop. Perkins blames Pitts and other “rogue” employees for the surveillance.

He denied directing anyone to spy on [journalist Nate] Monroe.

“I had no knowledge that it ever took place until I saw the material on Jeff Pitts’ computer,” he said.

In a statement responding to questions from the Times-Union about the records, Pitts’ attorney John Collins accused Perkins of “leaking partial and misleading confidential client documents”.

“For years, Joe Perkins directed and paid for the surveillance of individuals – in many cases, without client knowledge or approval – and he often leveraged this information for whatever suited his needs regardless of ethical boundaries,” Collins said. “This is one of the many reasons Jeff left Matrix.”

I Spy with my Little Eye…

The mud wrestling was over an affirming revelation: a journalist in Florida was under surveillance and photos of the man and his girlfriend, who were spied on, were taken.

The acts affirm the alleged unsavory if not criminal conduct tied to Matrix’s biggest client: Alabama Power and the utility’s sister-wife Balch & Bingham.

The Florida surveillance reminds us of Balch attorney Irving Jones, Jr. who infiltrated meetings and monitored the social media of GASP, a small but loud environmental group and public charity, during the North Birmingham Bribery Scandal. Drummond Company was apparently petrified of GASP’s successful efforts.

Of the numerous Dirty Deeds we documented in January that may or may not be tied to Matrix stooges, law enforcement clearly indicated that the wife of Burt Newsome was targeted by thugs who were specifically looking for her car when they broke her car window and stole her purse. The incident occurred at the height of the Newsome Conspiracy Case. The thugs were apparently attempting to obtain her cellphone which was not in her purse.

The Guardian sheds light on the surveillance:

The surveillance happened after the journalist wrote critically about how Florida Power & Light (FPL) tried to sway city council members to sign off on its business plans. Text messages show an FPL executive was kept abreast of Florida Times-Union columnist Nate Monroe’s movements while he was on vacation in the Florida panhandle in November 2019, an investigation by the Florida Times-Union, the Orlando Sentinel and Floodlight has found.

In an interview with a group of Florida-based reporters in early June, Eric Silagy, the power company’s CEO, denied that the company had asked the consultants to spy on any journalists.

“I have never authorized or approved or been a party to following you or any other reporter,” Silagy said to Monroe and others.

FPL’s relationship with Matrix has come under scrutiny after reporting by the Orlando Sentinel revealed Matrix operatives orchestrated a campaign to promote spoiler candidates that diverted votes from Democrats so Republicans could retain control of the Florida senate. FPL denies knowledge of or involvement in that scheme.

The mud is getting foul-smelling.

Bombshell Report: Was Judge Kallon Used, Abused, and Exploited by the Three Stooges?

Drummond, North Birmingham Bribery Case, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

Did Federal Judge Abdul K. Kallon agree to a secret deal to keep Alabama Power “unmentionable” during the North Birmingham Bribery Trial because of his past financial agreements and possible embarrassing personal behavior?

After dropping a bomb by exposing the multi-million-dollar secret contracts between Alabama Power and “Sloppy Joe” Perkins, the investigative news site DonaldWatkins.com has landed another punch:

Abdul Kallon was an attorney with the prestigious Birmingham-based law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP (Bradley Arant) from 1994 until President Barack Obama nominated him to the federal bench on July 31, 2009. Kallon and his law firm provided legal services to a Birmingham-based non-profit healthcare organization headed by Birmingham businessman Jonathan W. Dunning that became the focus of a federal criminal investigation in 2013.

Jonathan Dunning

Judge Kallon and Jonathan Dunning were also very close personal friends. Kallon was a bachelor when he and Dunning met and developed a professional and personal relationship. Dunning was married with children, but he also had a longtime relationship (and two children) with a woman outside of his marriage.

Kallon and Dunning engaged in social activities, some of which could have been extremely embarrassing and compromising for a sitting federal judge if they had been disclosed publicly or discovered by local political operatives who trafficked in exploiting the “dirty secrets” of public officials.

Was DonaldWatkins.com referring to the obscure political consulting firm Matrix or not?

Matrix has a legendary if not mythical reputation of being the hired guns that allegedly dig up dirt, orchestrate AstroTurf campaigns, and tar and feather perceived opponents on behalf of Alabama Power.

Besides the personal dirt, did Kallon have financial agreements that could raise eyebrows?

Yes, according to DonaldWatkins.com.

In 2013, Judge Kallon became entangled in a federal criminal investigation of Jonathan Dunning and his companies. Dunning was the former CEO of Birmingham Health Care (BHC) and Central Alabama Comprehensive Health (CACH), both of which are non-profit organizations. Dunning also owned and operated several “for-profit” companies, including Synergy Real Estate Holdings (SREH), Synergy Medical Solutions, Legacy Consulting Group, Drake Hogan Pharmacy, and Dunning Partners. 

In 2014, a federal grand jury in Birmingham indicted Dunning on 112 counts of conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Federal prosecutors claimed that Dunning diverted $14 million in federal grant money from BHC and CACH over a period of seven years and used this money to support his private businesses and personal lifestyle.

Dunning’s Synergy Medical Solutions provided a wide range of professional services and products to BHC and CACH (e.g., patient billing, healthcare management services, medical supplies, etc.), all with the knowledge and approval of the board of directors of BHC and CACH, Kallon, and Bradley Arant.

In 2006, BHC purchased the Medical Plaza building in Birmingham for $2.6 million and used it for BHC’s headquarters. In 2007, Dunning formed SREH, which purchased the building from BHC on February 28, 2008 for $2.8 million. Upon the closing of the purchase, BHC leased-back space in the building as a tenant.

In support of their fraud charges, prosecutors claimed that Dunning secured an internal appraisal that was prepared for SREH at this time that valued the building at $6 million.

On February 25, 2008, Kallon and Bradley Arant presented SREH’s initial proposal to purchase the building for $2.5 million in a meeting of BHC’s board of directors. BHC rejected the $2.5 million offer and counter-offered to sell the building for $3.2 million, which was the value reflected in BHC’s internal appraisal of the property.

On February 28, 2008, board members voted unanimously to accept Dunning’s final offer of $2.8 million. Prior to the vote, BHC board treasurer Terry Burney noted that Dunning’s offer was “90% of the appraised [$3.2 million] value for the building and represented a fair and reasonable offer.”

Throughout it all, Kallon and Bradley Arant advised BHC that Dunning’s purchase of the building and lease-back arrangement were legal.

Aerial view of Medical Plaza

On August 1, 2008, Kallon invested $56,000 in SREH for a 2% equity interest in Dunning’s office building. The purchase price reflected the $2.8 million valuation for the building.

After Kallon became an equity partner in SREH, he and Bradley Arant continued to represent BHC in its dealings with Dunning’s private companies….Kallon did list the money he received from SREH on his annual judicial disclosure forms. 

Judge Kallon shared in the $25,000 per month rental payments Dunning collected from BHC, as evidenced by IRS Form 1099s and K-1s that SREH issued to him from 2008 to 2011.

On October 18, 2012, in response to a media inquiry regarding Dunning’s purchase of BHC’s office building, Kallon affirmed that Dunning’s acquisition of the property was perfectly legal. By this time, Kallon was a sitting federal judge and Dunning’s business partner in the building.

Even though Abdul Kallon and Bradley Arant represented BHC’s legal interests in the purchase transaction and other business relationships involving Dunning, neither Kallon, nor Bradley Arant, were charged as co-conspirators in Dunning’s case.

After Judge Kallon and Bradley Arant became aware of the “secret” grand jury probe of the BHC-Synergy business deals in 2013, Kallon sold his interest in the office building back to Dunning at a “significant loss.”

Following a trial in May and June 2016, Dunning was found guilty on 98 of these 112 counts. In October 2016, Judge Rothstein sentenced Dunning to 18 years in prison and ordered him to pay restitution of $13.5 million.

With this financial investment and alleged personal misbehavior, did any, all, or none of the Three Stooges (Alabama Power, Balch & Bingham, and Drummond Company) squeeze Kallon by his testicles to agree to the “unmentionable” accord?

Were any, all, or none of the Three Stooges assisted in the squeeze by disgraced ex-U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town who met with Mark A. Crosswhite, CEO and Chairman of Alabama Power, for cocktails at the Moon Shine Lounge?

Was Kallon used, abused, and exploited because of his past?

Since October we have been told that there is an alleged federal investigation of obstruction of justice involving Crosswhite and his goons.

Many observers are in disbelief that fear and intimidation can be exercised in the halls of power, against a sitting federal judge.

Is Kallon cooperating with federal investigators? And more importantly, did he wear a wire?

Ex- U.S. Attorney Jay Town and the “Most Powerful Man in Alabama” Mark Crosswhite

Are the Three Stooges Next? “Shadow Investigation” and Targeting Opponents Rocks Capitol Hill and the NFL

Drummond, North Birmingham Bribery Case, RICO, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

The Washington Post broke the news this morning:

Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder and members of his legal team conducted a “shadow investigation” and compiled a “dossier” targeting former team employees, their attorneys and journalists in an attempt to discredit his accusers and shift blame following allegations of widespread misconduct in the team’s workplace, according to the findings of the investigation conducted by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Moreover, Snyder hired private investigators and lawyers to unearth inappropriate emails and evidence aimed at convincing the NFL and Beth Wilkinson, who was conducting a league-sponsored investigation into sexual harassment in the organization, that Snyder’s longtime team president Bruce Allen was primarily responsible for any workplace issues.

Known for using the obscure political consulting firm Matrix for decades, are Balch & Bingham and Alabama Power (along with their third-wheel pal Drummond Company) next?

Will Alabama Power CEO and former Balch partner Mark A. Crosswhite and the alleged unsavory and criminal misconduct against perceived opponents be exposed?

Were attorneys, activists, and journalists targeted by any or none of The Three Stooges (Alabama Power, Balch, and Drummond)?

The alleged federal investigation of Crosswhite and the alleged obstruction of justice in the North Birmingham Bribery Scandal could bring down the house of marked cards once and for all.

Most importantly, the Matrix Meltdown between “Sloppy Joe ” Perkins and his once-protégé Jeff Pitts could now possibly open more criminal investigations, including Civil Rights probes, and a slew of federal civil RICO lawsuits against Southern Company, their subsidiaries, and agents like Balch.

Our high-level sources claim more stunning revelations and possible criminal indictments will be coming out of Florida in the forthcoming weeks.

Federal investigators have been waiting to make moves after the run-off elections yesterday. The secretive and unconstitutional Star Chamber involving ex-Drummond executive David Roberson’s $75 million civil lawsuit against Balch and Drummond Company may soon take center stage as federal investigators believe criminal misconduct is being concealed under the auspices of “trade secrets” and “privileged information.”

Before the case was sealed in its entirety, Alabama Power and Crosswhite objected to discovery and intent for deposition requests by Roberson, demonstrating sheer panic to the rebirth of the North Birmingham Bribery Trial.

Roberson’s civil lawsuit is sealed tightly with no public information or details available since February of 2021.

But just like Snyder, the alleged targeting of opponents, alleged unethical shenanigans, and alleged criminal misconduct related to the Three Stooges will come to light, bright and bold, for all to see.

Will Government-Made Millionaire Katie Britt “Shield and Protect” Alleged Corruption by the Three Stooges?

Drummond, North Birmingham Bribery Case, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

Tuesday night the anointed candidate for U.S. Senate of the Alabama establishment failed miserably and could not garner 50 percent of the vote to win the nomination outright. She now faces a stiff runoff election.

The Three Stooges (Balch & Bingham, Alabama Power, and Drummond Company) are backing the anointed one: Katie Britt for U.S. Senate in Alabama.

Stan Blanton Maxed-Out

Stan Blanton, Managing Partner at Balch; Mark A. Crosswhite. CEO and Chairman of Alabama Power; and Richard Mullen, President of Drummond Company, each gave the maximum allowed federal contribution to Britt.

Katie Britt is a government-made millionaire, having made over $600,000 as a congressional staffer according to LegiStorm.com. Because she served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, Britt was catapulted over to the Business Council of Birmingham when Billy Canary was ousted. She earned over $369,000 for part of the year in 2019, according to ProPublica.org. Based on previous filings, records indicate that in 2020 she may have earned near or in excess of $600,000.

With an alleged obstruction of justice probe against Alabama Power and growing multi-state probes of the Matrix Meltdown, will Katie Britt “shield and protect’ the Three Stooges like former U.S. Senator Luther Strange?

The rebirth of the North Birmingham Bribery Scandal put the Three Stooges in a panic in late 2020. Ex-Drummond executive David Roberson’s $75 million civil lawsuit caused the Three Stooges to move the trial to a secret Star Chamber, hidden from public scrutiny or discussion.

Now the feds are looking at alleged misconduct involving the usual cast of undesirable suspects.

Pilcher and Butrus

Two key witnesses from the North Birmingham Criminal Trial in 2018 were two ethics and government affairs attorneys from Balch & Bingham, Greg Butrus and Chad Pilcher. Pilcher dropped a bomb when he testified that he had warned ex-Balch partner Joel I. Gilbert that they may have broken the law.

According to David Roberson in an article in The Washington Post, at least 21 Balch & Bingham attorneys were involved in the North Birmingham matter. And according to media reports, Pilcher, Gilbert and Balch partner Greg Butrus were exchanging emails in 2014 about the ethics of the matter.

And guess what now?

Britt has received political contributions from both Butrus and Pilcher.

Ethical. So damn ethical.

Don’t you say Katie? Our dear millionairess?

After Suicide, National Media and Feds Zero in on Alleged Obstruction and “Criminal Concealment;” RICOs Coming?

Drummond, Newsome Conspiracy Case, North Birmingham Bribery Case, RICO, Secret Star Chamber, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

The federal statute of limitations for obstruction of justice is five years. The timing of the alleged federal investigation makes sense. The statute would expire the summer of 2023.

Suicide. Resignations. Internal turmoil. Corporate strife.

Since November, Birmingham is seeing what appears to be the collapse of the house of marked cards allegedly propped up by the deep resources of Alabama Power. The Three Stooges (Balch & Bingham, Drummond, and Alabama Power) have seen their dominance stumble.

High-level sources told us in late October that allegedly Mark A. Crosswhite, the Chairman and CEO of Alabama Power and a former partner at embattled law firm Balch & Bingham, was an alleged target of an obstruction investigation.

Photos from December show a disheveled Crosswhite who appears to be despondent.

Federal Judge Abdul K. Kallon resigned along allegedly with two Assistant U.S. Attorneys earlier this month, while Balch partner Bo Lineberry committed suicide last week.

What enormous pressure and worry caused Lineberry to end his life? Was he facing unbearable consequences? Was there an offer on the table that was too brutal for Lineberry to accept?

Seasoned law enforcement authorities tell us the Lineberry suicide spoke volumes about the depth and seriousness of the alleged federal probe.

Now national media are focused on the alleged unsavory and criminal misconduct and alleged abuse of power surrounding the North Birmingham Bribery Scandal and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama once run by disgraced ex-U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town who resigned in 2020.

Concurrently, federal investigators are allegedly looking at obstruction of justice and accusations of “criminal concealment.”

In what looked like sheer panic with the rebirth of the North Birmingham Bribery Scandal, the illustrious Mark White, Mark Crosswhite’s go-to criminal attorney, fumbled the ball and showed how concealment appears to be part and parcel of the work product and a standard operating procedure of the Three Stooges and their hired guns.

As we reported about the “Tale of Two Marks” in January of 2021:

[Alabama Power’s] team of attorneys at White, Arnold, & Dowd, led by white-collar criminal attorney Mark White, filed an avalanche of court pleadings in December [2020] at the courthouse in office, over the counter as if were 1950 not 2020. (We wonder if Mark White still uses a rotary phone, stencil duplicator, and Royal typewriter.)

The delay and “hiding the goods” tactic failed. The paper court pleadings were [immediately] scanned and uploaded by the clerk to Alacourt where we, the CDLU, were able to download them.

Concealment has been a consistent element.

  • Concealment was discover in January with Alabama Power’s multi-million-dollar secret contracts (no invoicing required) with obscure political consulting firm Matrix and its founder “Sloppy Joe” Perkins were exposed.
  • Attorneys for “Sloppy Joe” attempted to call the secret contracts “trade secrets” and sent worthless demand letters to an environmental group and blog that published the concealed million-dollar agreements.
  • Allegations of non-disclosure and concealed indemnity agreements tied to Alabama Power and Balch have swirled since 2017.
  • Absolute concealment was achieved when ex-Drummond executive David Roberson’s $75 million civil lawsuit was sealed in its entirety in the Winter of 2021 in an attempt to hide alleged criminal misconduct. The secretive Star Chamber does not allow anyone to follow or read proceedings in the case.
  • The conservative Alabama Supreme Court reinstated Balch as a defendant in Roberson’s civil case this past February. Bloomberg reported that Balch must face fraud claims due to “misrepresention and concealment.”
  • Balch terminated an alleged pedophile months before he was arrested for soliciting a child online. Ex-Balch attorney Chase T. Espy had worked at the embattled firm for eight years. He then went on to work briefly for Alabama Governor Kay Ivey when he was arrested and immediately fired last August. What caused Balch to fire Espy? What did Balch conceal from the public and the governor regarding Espy?
Mark White

The biggest concealment appears to be Alabama Power’s alleged secret deal during the North Birmingham Bribery Trial in which the company was “unmentionable” during the trial and criminal defense attorneys allegedly had to clear any mention of Alabama Power with Mark White.

The federal statute of limitations for obstruction of justice is five years. The timing of the alleged federal investigation makes sense. The trial happened in July of 2018. The statute would expire the summer of 2023.

Now Alabama Power and their sister-wife Balch & Bingham appear to have even bigger issues coming.

If obstruction of justice indictments are handed down and/or alleged criminal information is disclosed related to the alleged federal probe and the Matrix Meltdown, expect a federal civil RICO lawsuit or two against Balch, Alabama Power, and others.

The first civil RICO lawsuit will be based on the Newsome Conspiracy Case, a travesty of justice in which an innocent man, Burt Newsome, was allegedly targeted, falsely arrested, and defamed by Balch in an attempt to steal his law practice providing legal services to banks.

Newsome was arrested by a cop who was the son of a now-retired Alabama Power executive. Ex-U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town allegedly blocked four investigations related to the Newsome Conspiracy Case.

Another, separate civil RICO lawsuit could be filed on behalf of “fall guy”and ex-Drummond executive David Roberson.

Either way, the Three Stooges and their defenders are exposed in the open no matter how many concealed deals, secret smear campaigns, or Star Chambers they create.

Breaking News: Balch Attorney Commits Suicide; Federal Investigation Rocks Balch and Southern Company; Crosswhite Out?

Drummond, North Birmingham Bribery Case, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

Federal Judge Abdul K. Kallon resigned a week ago. Last Thursday, two Assistant U.S. Attorneys allegedly resigned, now yesterday sources told us and we confirmed this morning that Balch & Bingham partner William Dice Lineberry, known to many as “Bo,” committed suicide and died early yesterday.

Lineberry was the Balch lawyer who helped set up the money laundering entity Alliance for Jobs and the Economy (AJE) in the North Birmingham Bribery Scandal.

Former Balch partner Joel I. Gilbert and ex-Drummond executive David Roberson were convicted in the scandal and are currently in federal prison.

Hours after his death by suicide, Balch updated Bo Lineberry’s profile with an “in memoriam” and simply mentioned Lineberry had “passed away.”

We, the CDLU, set aside our differences, and extend our deepest sympathies to the Lineberry family and Bo Lineberry’s colleagues at Balch & Bingham during this very difficult and sad time.

In June of 2019, investigators in Washington, D.C. told us that Balch was not the problem but that Alabama Power was, due to the bottomless resources at their command. Now, this last fall, sources told us Mark A. Crosswhite, the Chairman and CEO of Alabama Power and former Balch partner, was the alleged target of this obstruction of justice probe.

Tom Fanning, the Chairman and CEO of Alabama Power’s parent company Southern Company, appears to have let their most profitable subsidiary do what they want with impunity.

Will Fanning Lead by Example?

Will Fanning lead by example and force Crosswhite to resign or retire?

The Three Stooges (Balch, Drummond, and Alabama Power) appear to have manipulated federal prosecutors during the North Birmingham Bribery Trial.

And CDLU’s three letters with documentation to the Office of Professional Responsibility at the U.S. Department of Justice in late 2019 and early 2020 apparently spurred a much-needed federal investigation.

The rebirth of the North Birmingham Bribery Scandal appears to be sweeping and strong, with three federal resignations and, sadly, a suicide.

Who and how many of the Three Stooges’ lackeys and alleged co-conspirators will be held accountable?

The JeffCo Medical Examiner confirmed moments ago that they have Lineberry’s body and a detailed report will be issued in four to six weeks.

For years we have used the word “carcasses” figuratively to describe all the individuals who have been fired, arrested, or soiled by their relationship with Balch and/or their sister-wife Alabama Power.

And now someone has killed himself. A father. A husband. A respected lawyer.

Heartbreaking. Tragically heartbreaking.

Dragnet Bombshell: Two Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allegedly Resign 24 Hours After Kallon Resignation

Drummond, North Birmingham Bribery Case, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

Over the weekend, the same high-level sources who accurately told us about Federal Judge Abdul K. Kallon’s abrupt resignation last Wednesday, alleged that two Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Birmingham had resigned a mere 24 hours later.

Yesterday, we, the CDLU, reached out to the Public Affairs Specialist for the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.  We finally spoke at about 2:00 p.m. CDT yesterday afternoon.

We told her that we had heard that two AUSAs had resigned last Thursday.

She stated, “Oh yes…,” and then caught herself, saying after a pause, “I’ll have to check on this. Do you have names?” We told her that we did not, but we were calling to verify the news and obtain the names since it is highly unusual for two AUSAs to resign simultaneously.  

She asked what blog we were, and we told her BanBalch.com the site that published the photos of disgraced ex-U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town having cocktails with Mark A. Crosswhite, the Chairman and CEO of Alabama Power and former partner at embattled law firm Balch & Bingham. She acknowledged that she knew the site.

We emphasized that we wanted to hear it from the horse’s mouth since last week our reliable sources also had told us of Judge Kallon’s resignation and we spoke to his clerk who confirmed the fact with a sigh.

She never replied even though we texted her cell phone Monday evening asking her to confirm or deny. This morning, we let her know we were on a drop-dead deadline. We left her a voicemail a little before 12:30 p.m CDT today.

The silence was beyond deafening, and confirmed to us that the reports of twin resignations had merit.

Now, moments ago she replied via text, “We have no comment.”

Maybe we know something we shouldn’t know.

Federal Dragnet? All Eyes on Crosswhite, Alabama Power, and Newly Revealed Alleged Criminal Acts

Drummond, Newsome Conspiracy Case, North Birmingham Bribery Case, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

Was Kallon offered a deal?

Just three years shy from senior status, Federal Judge Abdul K. Kallon abruptly announced his resignation to a lifetime appointment. He would have had full benefits and privileges.

Multiple legal observers have told us that this resignation makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

And people are asking:

  • Was Kallon offered full criminal immunity for his cooperation in an alleged federal probe?
  • Was Kallon required to resign after he wrapped up current pending or ongoing cases as a condition of an alleged full criminal immunity deal?

What Kallon has said to media is that his spouse has taken a job in another state and the usual “shown-the-door” excuse: he wished to spend more time with his family.

But as a federal judge, Kallon could have easily adjusted his calendar and made time to travel back and forth. Kallon could have taken Fridays off; or a week here and there; and worked with his wife to make the sacrifice for three years until he reached senior status.

The Kallon resignation has indeed rocked Birmingham and the legal community. Our website has had unprecedented traffic these last several days not only from Alabama but across the country. We received an alert this morning from Google Search Console that average daily clicks increased over 1000% percent.

Is the alleged federal dragnet wider and deeper than most people have believed?

Mark A. Crosswhite, the Chairman and CEO of Alabama Power and former Balch & Bingham partner, is allegedly a principal target of the alleged obstruction of justice probe.

The secret deal during the North Birmingham Bribery Trial that kept Alabama Power “unmentionable” during the trial seems to be cornerstone of the allegations of obstruction of justice.

But what may have accelerated the probe are two factors:

In Florida, the alleged “ghost candidates” scandal has shaken the vicious and bitter business divorce between Matrix founder “Sloppy Joe” Perkins and his once-protégé Jeff Pitts. While Florida state investigators have been probing since 2021, are the Feds now piggybacking on a more broader federal investigation of alleged criminal acts?

Now let’s disclose some details of alleged criminal misconduct.

Were Alabama Power, Balch or Matrix’s hired guns involved or not involved in these alleged acts?

Brain amputee Josh Moon

In the summer of 2020, an orchastrated campaign against us, the CDLU, completely and utterly backfired.

The buffoons targeted the wrong family at the wrong address, hired a rabble-rouser who was later issued multiple arrest warrants by three different law enforcement agencies, and even had a once-respected journalist amputate his brain to defend the indefensible.

As we reported before, at the height of the orchastrated campaign someone attempted stupidly to impersonate our Executive Director, K.B. Forbes, and his then-eight-year old daughter in two attempts to illegally obtain banking information from Bryant Bank, a regional bank in Alabama.

The criminal suspect(s) had private, confidential information including full bank account numbers. Federal investigators were briefed and intrigued.

At the time, in the fall of 2020, we learned from investigators of another incident that occurred at the same time reminding us of President Richard M. Nixon’s “White House Plumbers.”

Conveniently Disconnected

The law offices of Burt Newsome saw a single corporate binder checkbook stolen from their offices. The weekly cleaning crew disconnected the security camera and alleged they needed to plug in a vacuum cleaner, an apparent lie. Four plug outlets were available on the eight plug outlet, according to investigators.

And what checkbook was stolen? Only one of several client trust accounts Newsome Law has at various financial institutions.

And what bank was targeted from all the multiple checkbook binders? Bryant Bank. Were the “plumbers” really this sloppy, this stupid?

And what appears to have had Alabama Power and Balch & Bingham panties in a wad?

The $2 million grant the CDLU received in 2019 (which we can declare on the record has nothing to do with Balch & Bingham, Alabama Power, Matrix or their competitors) caused them to defecate rainbows. ?

The grant is related to our two decades of healthcare and consumer protection advocacy, and helped us pay off debt, including multiple years of back-pay, long-ago legal fees, and unpaid rent as we honored promises made to our employees, consultants, landlords, and lawyers during the Great Recession.

But the smear artists, hired whores, and yellow journalists do not care. They have no honor. They have no integrity. They have no moral compass.

And now a dragnet appears to be sweeping them up.

Kallon appears to be another carcass. Will more carcasses be wheeled out soon?

Breaking News: Judge Abdul K. Kallon Abruptly Resigns; Crosswhite Scandal Explodes

Drummond, North Birmingham Bribery Case, RICO, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

Judge Abdul K. Kallon who presided over the North Birmingham Bribery Trial is abruptly resigning. His clerk confirmed the news to the CDLU this afternoon with a sigh.

Kallon joins disgraced ex-U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, who fled in the middle of the night in 2020 after photos were published of him chugging cocktails with Alabama Power CEO and ex-Balch partner Mark A. Crosswhite allegedly at the height of the North Birmingham Bribery Trial.

Judge Abdul K. Kallon

The unexpected announcement comes as federal investigators allegedly probe obstruction of justice.

Sources claim the obstruction may include the alleged secret “unmentionable” deal between Alabama Power and federal prosecutors.

During the criminal trial of Balch & Bingham partner Joel I. Gilbert and Drummond executive David Roberson in July of 2018, criminal defense attorneys were allegedly instructed not to mention Alabama Power or their ties to the money laundering entity Alliance for Jobs and the Economy (AJE) without first clearing it with Alabama Power’s criminal attorney.

The secret deal was an absolute travesty of the due process of law and demonstrated a blatant lack of integrity or impartiality.

Did Kallon approve this alleged crooked deal? Was he in cahoots with any of the shenanigans?

Now investigators need to continue to dig deep into Crosswhite, Drummond’s confused General Counsel Blake Andrews, Drummond’s ex-CEO Mike Tracy who also “abruptly quit retired” after cuddling Balch & Bingham, and of course the million-dollar blank-check contracts with the obscure political consulting firm Matrix and its head honcho, “Sloppy Joe” Perkins.

As we wrote in January:

For years, incredible rumors and colorful innuendo circulated around Matrix, now in the middle of an ugly, two-state divorce between founder Joe Perkins and his once-protege Jeff Pitts.

The allegations include using actors, smearing political opponents, setting up AstroTurf campaigns, hiring brain-dead journalists, and engaging in fear-tactics that could appear to be criminal acts.

Although Alabama Power, Balch & Bingham and their henchmen have successfully sealed cases and documents, and helped create an unnecessary and unprecedented secret Star Chamber surrounding ex-Drummond executive David Roberson’s $75 million civil lawsuit where court proceedings, documents, and motions are unknown, the fact is their alleged unsavory and criminal misconduct can no longer be hidden away from federal investigators.

Called the “most powerful man in Alabama” by his admirers, Alabama Power’s Crosswhite was overjoyed in 2020 when he received a make-believe award for doing what electric utilities are obligated to do: keep the lights on during an election.

Targeted

Earlier this year, Stan Blanton, the managing partner at alleged racist law firm Balch & Bingham (where the scheme to target poor African-American children was born) was overjoyed when he received a make-believe award for diversity and inclusion.

But now, reality is knocking on their doors. There will be no make-believe awards from a federal grand jury.

Appointed in 2010, Kallon was three years away from senior status which meant he could have retired with full benefits.

Observers say the abrupt resignation does not make any sense.

Kallon’s resignation used the stock-and-trade “spend more time with family” excuse like Town. And like Town, Kallon will step down not immediately, but in the near future.

Balch Bonanza: Spring Fever and Two Criminal Trials

Drummond, North Birmingham Bribery Case, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

Welcome back from a wonderful Spring Break!

This spring two criminal trials are set to begin. One local case is against the alleged pedophile and ex-Balch attorney Chase T. Espy and the other is a federal case against Paul Daigle, the ex-CEO of Balch’s former client Black Hall Aerospace.

While Stan Blanton, Balch & Bingham’s managing partner, was busy patting himself on the back with a make-believe award for “diversity and inclusion,” the alleged racist law firm among others appears to be under federal investigation.

Spring fever has arrived, and the Three Stooges (Balch, Alabama Power, and Drummond) are under intense scrutiny.

Independent sources confirmed that the feds are apparently investigating Larry, Moe, and Curly. And now investigators and national media are looking deep into the connections between Alabama Power, Balch, Sloppy Joe and the Matrix Meltdown.

The Matrix Meltdown has caused a state investigation in Florida over alleged “ghost candidates” and now sources claim, the feds are involved looking at a multi-state probe.

And disgraced ex-U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town may have caused this cascade.

Since Town looked the other way on corruption, the fact is there is an alleged “don’t ask, just cut the check” bribery ring among the most powerful entities in Alabama.

And for those who doubt the possible existence of a bribery ring, just look at the money-laundering and corrupt entity Alliance for Jobs and the Economy (AJE) used to funnel over $360,000 to ex-State Representative Oliver Robinson in the North Birmingham Bribery Scandal.

Many of those that donated had no idea what it really was for and who was getting paid. They appear to have “just cut the check.”

An alleged bribery ring, secret star chambers, alleged indemnity deals, secret multi-million contracts, non-disclosure agreements appear to be the tools of a horrific criminal enterprise that has not only corrupted the legislative and executive branches of government in Alabama, but the judicial branch as well.

The feds need to clean this mess up and put the perpetrators behind bars.

Half-Decade Old, BanBalch.com Fights for Inherent Goodness

Drummond, Elderly Exploitation Scandal, Mississippi Controversy, Newsome Conspiracy Case, North Birmingham Bribery Case, RICO, Secret Star Chamber, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

We simply cannot believe that BanBalch.com is five-years old as of last Friday.

A half-decade later, our website is a success because of you, our dear readers, and the incompetent and foolish leadership at Balch & Bingham and Alabama Power which arrogantly dismissed the need for an examination of conscience, apologies, and internal reform.

Although this site started with the Newsome Conspriracy Case, (and was quite plain and boring), Balch’s self-inflicted wounds mushroomed our reporting and advocacy.

Hit head-on: September 11, 2020

Five years later, Burt Newsome is more successful as an attorney, and highly respected for fighting for his livelihood while protecting his family from the alleged criminal and egregious misconduct of his unknown enemies. Even though he suffered a broken leg and grave injuries in a highly unusual head-on collision, “Iron-man” Newsome came back stronger than ever.

People have had enough of the bullying and lopsided favoritism by powerful interests in Alabama.

While the Newsome Conspiracy Case and Roberson Civil Case are sealed and hidden in secretive Star Chambers, eventually federal RICO suits could be filed that will open the pandora’s box.

More importantly is the alleged ongoing federal probe of Alabama Power, Balch & Bingham, the Matrix Meltdown, and others, allegedly over the obstruction of justice.

Sources tell us that the probe could branch into the alleged cover-up of former Balch attorney and accused pedophile Chase T. Espy, the alleged Elderly Abuse Scandal, and/or the Mississippi Rental Assistance Debacle.

And disgraced ex-U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town’s alleged misconduct in the North Birmingham Bribery Trial and Newsome Conspiracy Case may have spurred the probe.

We, the CDLU, will continue to write, advocate, and reach out to law enforcement, congressional investigators, federal regulators, and investigative journalists.

Inherent goodness shall prevail.

Tide is Turning in Alabama; “Unacceptable” Misconduct Draws Federal Scrutiny

Drummond, North Birmingham Bribery Case, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

The Three Stooges (Alabama Power, Balch & Bingham, and Drummond Company) should be prepared to be slapped around by federal authorities and environmental groups.

Two major events occurred recently that show unequivocally that the tide is turning against some of the most powerful and wealthiest entities in Alabama.

WBHM reports:

The Alabama Supreme Court has sided with environmentalists who say the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) is not abiding by a court order to protect land around Lake Purdy and parts of the Cahaba River, which are the largest source of drinking water in the Birmingham area.

The Supreme Court overturned an earlier court ruling that sided with the board and sent the case back to the circuit court.

The decision was unanimous. The conservative court sided with environmentalists, a surprising, if not stunning, defeat.

Miller Steam Plant

The win for environmental activists may cause more scrutiny of Alabama Power and their allegedly toxic ash pond at the Miller Steam Plant.

In addition, Ketona Lakes may become a liability for Drummond as environmental groups research the alleged polluted lakes hidden away since 1985.

And who dare says there won’t be probes of these two sites or more criminal investigations?

Michael S. Regan, the head of the U.S. Environmenal Protection Agency, also made headlines last week calling conditions in Alabama “unacceptable.”

AL.com reports:

On the eve of the Selma Jubilee, commemorating the “Bloody Sunday” march that helped catalyze support for the Voting Rights Act 57 years ago, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency toured Alabama’s Black Belt to witness a different kind of struggle: the battle for clean water and basic sanitation.

“It’s very sobering to see that in 2022, in the United States of America, there are people who are subjected to situations that I don’t think any of us would want to be subjected to,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said after touring local homes dealing with wastewater system failures in Alabama’s Black Belt.

“Straight piping into lagoons, failing septic systems, waste and raw sewage backing up into yards into homes, seeing children have to walk around delicately so that they don’t sink or get bogged down into their own front yards. This is not the America that we all know it should be.”

“This is unacceptable,” Regan said. “Safe drinking water, safe sewer systems, you know, this is a basic right. These individuals deserve what every American deserves, which is clean water and a safe environment.”

Regan needs to now focus on the environmental racism and alleged corruption in North Birmingham. North Birmingham’s environmental conditions are neither clean, safe or acceptable.

And even the Three Stooges know it.

Update: Motion Denied; Criminal Trial Date Set for Ex-CEO of Balch & Bingham Client

Drummond, Newsome Conspiracy Case, North Birmingham Bribery Case, Russian Sanctions Website Scrub, Southern Company, Special Counsel Mueller, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

The indictment shook Balch stooges and defenders who had foolishly dismissed our work with law enforcement.

In 2019, in Balch & Bingham’s 69-page brief before the Alabama Supreme Court in the Newsome Conspiracy Case, the embattled law firm complained that they were not mentioned in the Report by Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III, writing:

BanBalch.com also stated that BanBalch.com/CDLU.org had been in contact with the Office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller about Balch. The now-public Mueller Report, however, does not mention Balch.

Robert S. Mueller III

Did the foolish leadership at Balch truly believe that we were not in contact with the Office of the Special Counsel because Balch failed at getting an honorable mention in the redacted report? Were these clowns really this stupid?

In November of 2020, after three and a half years, our work bore fruit and the ex-CEO of Black Hall Aerospace, Paul Daigle, was indicted for exactly what we wrote to the Honorable Robert S. Mueller III about: possible financial fraud and alleged unqualified personnel.

The indictment shook Balch stooges and defenders who had foolishly dismissed our work with law enforcement.

The shoe dropped loudly, and now a criminal trial date has been set for April 4, 2022, nearly 5 years after we originally briefed Mr. Mueller.

Judge Abdul K. Kallon, who presided over the North Birmingham Bribery Trial, is presiding over Daigle’s criminal case. In December, Judge Kallon denied Daigle’s Motion to Dismiss the Indictment.

Will Kallon be presiding over additional criminal cases related to Balch & Bingham, Alabama Power, and/or Drummond Coal? The Three Stooges need to be closely investigated and held accountable.

Even if it takes three and a half or five years, inherent goodness shall prevail.

Prosecutorial Abuse of Power? Disgraced ex-U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town’s Alleged Misconduct Becomes a Tinderbox

Drummond, North Birmingham Bribery Case, Southern Company, Spotlight on Balch & Bingham

[This post originally was published on July 1, 2021. Now eight months later, Town’s tinderbox appears to be engulfed in flames. An alleged federal probe appears to have caused abundant turmoil at Alabama Power, Balch & Bingham, and Drummond Company; and may finally bring down the house of marked cards.] 

Our sources in Washington, D.C. tell us that famed Baltimore legal powerhouse Venable appears to be engaged in looking into the alleged framing and set up of “fall guy” and ex-Drummond executive David Roberson, whose criminal lawyers rejected a no-brainer full-immunity deal with federal prosecutors.

As readers may recall, Balch & Bingham hired Venable in 2017 allegedly in an attempt to prevent the criminal indictments or prosecution in the North Birmingham Bribery Case. The effort failed.

So what is causing this stir and behind-the-scenes anxiety in Baltimore and Birmingham?

Disgraced ex-U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town we are told.

His alleged misconduct is stunning.

Now, we are wondering who is behind the latest efforts. Did one of the Three Stooges engage Venable? Was it Alabama Power, Balch & Bingham, Drummond Company or someone else?

Who are they trying to protect? Are more indictments coming? Is there a deep investigation happening as we write?

Tongues are on fire as the United States Congress investigates prosecutorial abuse of power. And sources tell us that as Venable snoops, Balch boosters and defenders are stressed out with excessive anxiety just as Town’s tinderbox appears to be ready to burn up.

What could this all mean, we ask? What could this all mean?