Category Archives: Mississippi Controversy

Ex-Balch Partner Headed to Federal Prison while Balch Milks Mississippi for Millions

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves can smell the repugnant stench. On Wednesday, October 27th, ex-Balch partner Joel I. Gilbert will be headed to federal prison for 1,826 days. The five-year sentence is a devastating indictment against embattled and alleged racist law firm Balch & Bingham. Irrefutable: The North Birmingham Bribery Scandal was born at the offices … Continue reading Ex-Balch Partner Headed to Federal Prison while Balch Milks Mississippi for Millions

Will Balch’s Three-Headed Partner and Others Jump Ship?

Get this: Balch & Bingham partner Christian B. Waddell serves as counsel to three different Mississippi state-sanctioned entities and agencies and has been involved as underwriting counsel for almost $1 billion in bonds and notes. Waddell has procured millions in contracts and has been, regardless of the cronyism, a money-making success. Now everything appears to … Continue reading Will Balch’s Three-Headed Partner and Others Jump Ship?

Million-Dollar Stench: Balch & Bingham’s Inefficiency Rattles Mississippi

Advocates are now calling for independent probes and forensic audits of Balch & Bingham, the goverment-made millionaires of Mississippi, whose alleged waste and inefficiency is rattling the Magnolia State. At the end of August less than 11 percent of federal funds for rental assistance had been disbursed by the Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) which earlier … Continue reading Million-Dollar Stench: Balch & Bingham’s Inefficiency Rattles Mississippi

Goverment-Made Millionaires: Balch & Bingham Survives on Contractual Cronyism

Goverment-made millionaires should not abuse their advisory roles to fatten-up their own wallets with no-bid, behind closed-doors, million-dollar contracts. The must-read Washington Post exposé about the Pimps of Mississippi, Balch and Bingham, is a devastating indictment of contractual cronyism and alleged government waste. The Post writes: Mississippi agencies have awarded Balch nearly 70 contracts worth … Continue reading Goverment-Made Millionaires: Balch & Bingham Survives on Contractual Cronyism

Balch & Bingham Made Millions While Mississippi Renters Received Nothing

The Pimps of Mississippi have made national headlines today in The Washington Post. Embattled and alleged racist law law firm Balch & Bingham has reaped millions while renters, many of whom are People of Color, received nothing. Is a federal or congressional probe next? The Washington Post reports: Across America, state distribution of federal cash … Continue reading Balch & Bingham Made Millions While Mississippi Renters Received Nothing

Three Years Later, Balch Partner’s Criminal Conviction Stings Three Stooges

Three years ago today, Balch-made millionaire and esteemed partner Joel I. Gilbert was convicted on all six-federal charges, including bribery and money laundering. Will Gilbert be reporting to prison soon, now that he has lost his appeal? If Gilbert had reported to prison during his appeal, due to COVID-19, he probably would have been released … Continue reading Three Years Later, Balch Partner’s Criminal Conviction Stings Three Stooges

Pimps of Mississippi: Balch, the Evictor and Collector, Now Processing Housing Assistance

Undoubtedly an absolute conflict of interest. On their website, Balch & Bingham boasts, “Commercial landlords look to Balch for representation in evicting tenants and collecting unpaid rent.” Balch also relishes their collection efforts, writing, “Balch is knowledgeable and experienced in locating assets and using garnishments, sheriff/marshal sales, and other collection tactics to turn a judgment … Continue reading Pimps of Mississippi: Balch, the Evictor and Collector, Now Processing Housing Assistance

Balch and the Mississippi Rental Assistance Flop

What in heaven’s name is Balch, a well-connected but alleged racist law firm, processing housing assistance for homebuyers? Mississippi and its two largest counties received $200 million in federal Covid-19 relief funds to cover back rent, with the aim of preventing evictions, according to NBC News. “But the vast majority of that money has not been spent, … Continue reading Balch and the Mississippi Rental Assistance Flop

Tossed Aside! Mississippi Governor Doesn’t Back Balch Partner

Lucien Smith, a long time Balch & Bingham partner, was replaced as Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party last week. Mississippi Today reports: Lucien Smith on Monday announced he’s stepping down as Mississippi Republican Party chairman, with Gov. Tate Reeves backing Coast businessman Frank Bordeaux to replace him. Numerous Republican sources in July told Mississippi Today … Continue reading Tossed Aside! Mississippi Governor Doesn’t Back Balch Partner

Under FBI Scrutiny, Balch Acknowledges “Billing Error” in Mississippi

Michael Rejebian summarized it best in an article in the Clarion-Ledger posted yesterday, July 24th: “A billing error? We asked about this three years ago,” Rejebian said Friday. “So it begs the question: How many other ‘billing errors’ haven’t they found?” Balch & Bingham is in the middle of an FBI investigation. As the Clarion-Ledger … Continue reading Under FBI Scrutiny, Balch Acknowledges “Billing Error” in Mississippi