By: Libi Uremovic | Original Article at patch.com
The City of Beaumont has spent $13 Million under the guise of ‘Potrero’. Most of the $13 Million was paid to Urban Logic Consultants and Natures Image.
Although the Potrero scam has been used for the past decade, Union Bank transferred $500,000 to Urban Logic with the memo ‘Potrero’. These funds were transferred out of the Mello Roos Bond Fund Accounts in four separate transactions between September, 2014 and February, 2015.
On August 19, 2015 a Public Records Request was submitted to the City of Beaumont for: “All documents/designs/invoices for Potrero Interchange – $13 Million spent.”
On November 4, 2015, 2 1/2 months later, the City of Beaumont notified Judy Bingham that they had filled her records request for all documentation regarding Potrero. 1,600 pages of documents referencing Potrero can be found on the City’s website under Weblink Public Documents/Public Works/Potrero Interchange: http://publicdocs.beaumontcares.com/weblink8/browse.aspx?dbid=0
Most of the 1,600 pages of documents are generated by either the City of Beaumont or Caltrans. There is not one document from Urban Logic nor are there any Invoices or Receipts showing where the $13 Million was spent.
There is $400 Million missing from the City of Beaumont. We know that last year Union Bank transferred $500,000 out of the Mello Roos Bond Fund Accounts to Urban Logic in four (4) separate transactions.
For the past three years the General Ledger has recorded payment of expenses for Potrero to a company called ‘Natures’ Image’ , but there is not one document from Natures’ Image.
I want the General Ledger from July 1, 2007 to Present listing every transaction for Potrero.
I want the four (4) Requisitions of payment sent from the City of Beaumont to Union Bank authorizing the transfer of Funds out of the Mello Roos Bond Fund Accounts to Urban Logic Consultants under the guise of ‘Potrero’ that occurred from September, 2014 through February, 2015.
I want every Invoice submitted to the City of Beaumont from Urban Logic Consultants, Natures, Image, and every other pseudo company money paid under the guise of ‘Potrero’ from July 1, 2007 to Present.
I want the authorization of payment made by the City of Beaumont under the guise of ‘Potrero’ from July 1, 2007 to Present.
I want every letter, note, and/or email communication to any Acting Official of the City of Beaumont to/from anyone regarding the topic of ‘Potrero’ from July 1, 2007 to Present.
I want to know which member of Council gave the Acting City Manager authorization to pursue the further pillaging of Taxpayer money under the guise of ‘Potrero’.