Tying Together Some Loose Ends: The D.A. Race, the Power Broker, the Machine, the GPD and Project Homestead

Three months ago, I had a fascinating conversation with someone who is high in local political/legal circles.  I was advised that the newly appointed District Attorney, Doug Henderson, was already having conversations with local attorney Joe Williams about the Simkins PAC endorsement; and that there was concern that the Project Homestead matter, which had been handed off by former D.A. Stuart Albright to Henderson, would not be prosecuted. 

Since then, I have posted on this matter several times.  In response to these posts, I have received information from named and anonymous commenters; and also e-mails from others I will not name.   This information, combined with what was already known, paints a troubling picture.  I have received input from both Democrats and Republicans.

Mr. Henderson received considerable support from local attorneys in his campaign.  His more significant contributors are listed on a Board of Elections report.  I compared the list of Henderson's attorney contributors to those lawyers that advertise in the yellow pages as practicing criminal law-- i.e. defense work in the courts.  It turns out that at least 17 of Henderson's contributors were attorneys who advertise that they perform criminal defense work.

Among these attorneys was Joe Williams, who gave $1,000 to Henderson's campaign.  I have also been advised that Mr. Williams took out a full page ad in the Carolina Peacemaker endorsing Mr. Henderson, and that a picture of the two showed Williams' arm wrapped around Henderson.   I searched for a copy of this particular issue in the central library, but was unable to locate it.  Williams advertises in the phone book that he practices criminal law, among other areas.

When defense attorneys contribute to the campaign of a candidate for district attorney, what motivations exist?  Is it a desire to purchase access, or leniency, or a fair shake, and thereby enhance what they can provide their clients?  Or is it driven by high-minded civic concern?

The fact that Henderson drew so much support from the defense bar arouses concern.  Does this presage a general state of leniency in which criminal defendants will not be prosecuted appropriately?  This would have significant implications for law enforcement in this area if true.

But equally interesting is Williams' role within the Simkins PAC.  I am told by several parties that he sits on the "board" that interviews candidates and selects those that the PAC will endorse.  Others that do this with him include Skip Alston and Earl Jones, according to my sources.  Of course, the PAC endorsement is crucial in many local elections, and according to Doug Clark of the News and Record, made the difference in the D.A. race.  Ms. Julia Hejazi, Mr. Henderson's opponent, confirmed with me in comments on this blog that Mr. Williams had, indeed, played a role in the Henderson endorsement.

(A copy of the PAC's slate of endorsees is found here.  Note that it is faxed from the offices of one of the PAC's principals.  If that office is a corporation, this may represent an illegal campaign contribution because of the use of the facilities and machinery of a corporate entity.)

In any case, what motivations would this PAC have in endorsing Henderson?  They state that he "has a history of fairness and justice with the community."  What does this mean from the standpoint of aggressive law enforcement?  These questions have not been answered fully.

Adding to all of these circumstances is the heretofore unexplained appointment of Henderson by the Governor.  Recall that former Judge Albright (Sr.) resigned his position.  Shortly thereafter, his son, the former D.A., was appointed to the judgeship by the Governor.

But when the younger Albright was appointed to this judicial position, a vacancy was left in the D.A.'s office.  It has been represented that Henderson was reluctant to assume the position.  If that is the case, how did his name reach the attention of the Governor's office?

Was it the local Democratic party that submitted his name?  The Simkins PAC? The defense bar? Albright? This matter is not entirely clear to me.  But this is critically important because Henderson inherited the Project Homestead prosecution, and decided not to proceed.  I had posted back in February calling for Henderson to turn the investigation over to the state Attorney General's office, but he did not.  (He did, however, refer the GPD matter to that office.)

Back to Mr. Williams.  In order to tie things together, and gain understanding with regards to Greensboro's recently troubled history, we need to examine certain facts.  First, he was Lt. Hinson's attorney in the Greensboro Police Department matter.  Second, he was recently featured on the front page of the News and Record as a victim of the recent taping/surveillance episode.  Third, as mentioned above, he is a principal in the PAC, and played a role in Henderson's endorsement. 

Some of us recall the celebratory tone when Williams appeared with Hinson after the police officer's reinstatement and former Chief Wray resigned.

And in a recent Carolina Peacemaker article, Mr. Williams made some statements about the taping/surveillance matter.  He said, "I'm going to get personally involved in it, and I'm going to deal with the parties (in court) who took advantage of me and came into my office and secretly recorded me...Whoever did it, I'm going up the chain, and I'm going to deal with each and every one of them, and they'll have to explain to a jury why they did it to me."

The picture that emerges is one of a power broker, who in concert with folks like Alston and Jones, has the power to depose police chiefs and install district attorneys.    The fact remains, however, that the PAC functions as a political machine, and calls the shots on many matters in local government.  It would have had an acute interest in Project Homestead because a number of principals and members in the PAC were involved with the organization, or supported it against the protests of city staff.

The possibility of a linkage between Project Homestead and the GPD matter, however, is of compelling interest.  Ben Holder had posted a couple of months ago that the decision to go after former Chief Wray may have been motivated by unhappiness over his actions on the Project Homestead matter. 

Holder, like myself, has harbored some skepticism regarding the GPD matter.  He certainly has not proved that Project Homestead is the reason that Wray was sacked; but he has had access to accurate inside information that many of us do not have.

Only a couple of things are certain.   Superficial appearances likely only explain a portion of the truth on these matters.  The machine holds many of the cards.  And so it goes.

Comments

[ben holder]

u r right on the money. it gets much worse as the story continues. what w r in for is a police review board..prompted by the gtrc...which will be operated by nelson johnson and the pulpit forum. I very much appreciate your work..

[Brenda Bowers]

Joe, if I, a newcomer, could put these facts together with really very little research and come to basically the same conclusions you have then where in Hell are the people in this town? The blogging community is the one I am most familiar with of course because of my involvement and voracious reading. These people are highly intelligent and informed individuals who could be leaders in the community, and would have an instant following with other bloggers at the very least. Where are they? Why aren’t they running for office? And, more important, why aren’t they voting? I have been so disgusted since the election that I have actually tried to ignore Greensboro, but it is such a beautiful city and such a lovely area that it hurts to see it have a rotten core with thieves controlling the voters who do get out and elect incompetents who can be controlled. Why weren’t there rallies held for Mrs. Hejazi, or some kind of campaigning. I looked for it and even made some phone calls to volunteer my services to some of the people I favored, but no one called me back. Just what gives with the white community?

[ben holder]

keep in mind..henderson had the power to do a lot w the homestead info..saying it was too messy and not relaesing any info was very pleasing to many power folks.

[Joe Guarino]

Brenda, it also would have been in the interests of the African American community if she would have been able to take a more aggressive approach to the prosecutorial role. This community likely has a disproportionate share of crime victims.

And Ben, I appreciate your comments. If what you are suggesting will happen-- a police review board run by Johnson and the Pulpit Forum-- that will be bad for African Americans. They would benefit most from a robust, unhindered police presence. And I tend to agree-- Henderson could have done a lot more with Project Homestead than he did.

[Julia Wolf Hejazi]

So much to say, just back from a little beach time to recover to read such an interesting entry on your blog, Joe.

Most interesting to me is "if she would have been able to take a more aggressive approach to the prosecutorial role." Undoubtedly, yes. After nine years as a prosecutor, there is some reason the PAC and the defense bar machine did not want me there. I have a proven track record of being a voice for all victims, of all races, religion, nationality, etc.

And if you look at the timeline of appointments of the "new" DA, Henderson was appointed within a minute of the press release from the Governor of Albright's appointment to judge. Can you imagine a change in leadership in which Albright calls a staff meeting at 4:15 p.m. and says "I just got appointed to Judge, and Doug Henderson is now the DA. Thanks for all your hard work and today is my last day!!" Henderson says he was reluctant, how did his name get to the Governor within a nano second???

Shortly thereafter, Henderson decides there is not enough evidence to prosecute Homestead. The job of the DA is to ensure JUSTICE. How is justice ensured when he gives out so little information that if all are innocent, their names are not cleared, and if someone has committed a crime, we are not moving forward in prosecution. Where is the justice in this??

Next thing we know, Henderson gets the PAC endorsement which shouldn't truly turn an election, but when the voters of Guilford County turnout with the lowest percentage (I think I read) in history, then that endorsement counted a lot. And what is with the comment on the PAC endorsement related to Henderson? What was that backed with other than the fact that he has represented many people CHARGED with crimes?? Does this show his committment to fairness and justice?? Or just that he is defense attorney and some of his clients were African American?? I'm not sure what it means, there is no information to back it up.

Most frightening, I watched people walk in to the polls with the PAC endorsement in their hand. An endorsement should be a suggestion, not a way to blindly lead a person to vote. Did they hold one forum for the community to meet their candidate?? Did they back up their comments with fact??

Come on voters, both republican and democrat, get educated on who you vote for, don't vote cause someone told you to. People died to give you the right to vote, so exercise your right to vote and take the time to get to know the facts!!

[Julia Wolf Hejazi]

By the way, if you really want some insight into your DA, look at his criminal defense website, which for some reason he has still not taken down after 5 months in the job....

www.henedersonandhenderson.com.

Pay particular attention to what he says you should do if charged with a crime.... BEWARE...NEVER EVER talk to the police without your lawyer. He is now the person who is your connection to local law enforcement?!?!?

[Guilford Native]

The is an extremely interesting story, although no mention of Alma Adams was mentioned(who is now the Chair of the Simkins PAC). How can an elected offical be the one controlling the black community on a PAC.
Also, on Henderson's website was an address to send donations, which happens to be his criminal (law?) office. Does his office get that money, or was it used for only his campaign?

Fact: Earl Jones, Skip Alston, and Alma Adams are in majority African American Districts. (Do those 3, plus Joe Williams, make up a majority vote on the Simkins PAC)
Issue: Who will be the next leaders to step up to take over the PAC, or form a new one?

I feel sure that getting your name on the Simkins slate was not free. What do their financial reports say? Since they are a PAC, they have to submit statements. (or is it like the Project Homestead, where audits were not needed?)

I wish the Democratic Party could oust these bums and get true representation of the African American Community.

Since they take money from both parties, they have no affiliation, don't truly represent the black community.....but instead sit back and the 4 main leaders watch their checkbooks grow.

[Roch101]

"Just what gives with the white community?" -- Brenda

Oh, for Pete's sake.

[Bubba]

"Oh, for Pete's sake."

By your comment, may we take it that you don't think Brenda's comment was appropriate, Roch?

[Joe Guarino]

Ms. Hejazi, thanks for your comments; and I agree 1000%. I believe what we have here is the beginnings of a circumstantial case for a cover-up of the Project Homestead matter, and some relatedness of the GPD matter to Project Homestead. That is significant.

We need to remember that Earl Jones, in the local newspaper he publishes, cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Homestead investigation-- and, I seem to recall, may have expressed disagreement with the News and Record's reporting on this matter. That he serves with Joe Williams on the Simkins PAC board that interviews and evaluates candidates is of additional significance.

Native, I am not sure of Alma Adams'role or of the legality of her involvement with the PAC, but I suspect it is legal. But you raise good points about the cash flows through the PAC. From where does the money come, and where does it go?

What has concerned me is when principals in the PAC have used the PAC's influence to feather their own nests, and there appear to be numerous instances of that-- even at the hands of local taxpayers. It is inappropriate for an elected official or a principal in a political machine to extract revenue or income from units of government over which the machine has influence.

[jw]

"I have been so disgusted since the election that I have actually tried to ignore Greensboro, but it is such a beautiful city and such a lovely area that it hurts to see it have a rotten core with thieves controlling the voters who do get out and elect incompetents who can be controlled."

Certainly politics can frustrating at times, and there are lots of questions that need answering. But I have to say, with nearly 20 years of experience in local politics, it is NOT a "rotten core with thieves..." There are many wonderful, thoughtful, civic-minded people who are doing important things for our community and have for a very long time.

There is an ebb and flow to it and we are going through a particularly tough time in our community. If we work and pull together, we will get through it. We always do.

Let's focus our energy on getting answers to the tough questions, but not indulge in name calling and negativity. "...it is such a beautiful city..." It didn't get that way on it's own. It is that way thanks to the work for a lot of really good people.

[Brenda Bowers]

I quite agree with you that Greensboro got to be what it is today by a lot of really good people. I think however that at this point Greensboro and Guilford County are ruled, yes ruled, by an unsavory few who are concerned only with lining their own pockets. Joe has identified this group and the organization they run. And when you look at any endeavor that has gone bad you see these same names cropping up. Who is running the Simkins PAC? Who was involved with Project Homestead? Who are the founders and controlling BOD of the Civil Rights Museum? Who was up to his ears and still is with Saint James Apartments? And who do the pols have to pay obeisance to in order to get endorsements so that they can get elected? Commissioner Perkins answered this question after he was finally elected. I am not blinded by color, creed or sex and am willing to call a spade a spade I don’t care who is wearing the jacket. There are several thieves running Greensboro at this time who just happen to be Black. There are good people who have been elected and may God bless them because I am sure they sometimes feel like walking out and saying to Hell with the whole electorate, but for some reason they are staying and being consistently out voted. There are also quite a few like Henderson who sold his integrity to the Simkins PAC in order to get the Black vote. Oh, and for those of you who still don’t understand what and who the Simkins PAC is, it’s a Black Political Action Group. Yes All Black; run by rather notorious Black men and named after a Black man whom from what I have read would be appalled at the great harm this group of people are doing their city and county by blindly following these few power and money hungry Black men. So, I asked the logical question: Where are the White people of this city and county? For which I got a snide remark from Roch101 who apparently either can not answer my questions, can not follow a money trail or even connect the dots, or the dear man is blind. I who lied to my parents and as a 18 year old was putting my life on the line in the Old South to get the Black man the vote, and have consistently thru out my life worked for civil rights and would do it all again because I had a dream then and still have it. But, I am not color blind. Thieves come in all shades! The White people of this town need to get organized into a group to act as a counterbalance to the Simkins PAC or we will continue to see the kinds of shenanigans listed about and see our taxes going up consistently up which eventually end up in one of the named culprits hands.; or those of their friends. Perhaps next year when the city taxes go up the projected 19% because of profligate spending some of you will get the message.

[jw]

"The White people of this town need to get organized into a group to act as a counterbalance to the Simkins PAC..."

That group does indeed exist. It's called residents of Irving Park.

[Joe Guarino]

In fact, public corruption transcends factors like socioeconomic status and race. It is an equal opportunity reality. But we should be unhappy about it, expose it, and demand accountability regardless of the person(s) among whom it may reside.

[Roch101]

Well said, Joe.

[Julia Wolf Hejazi]

"The white people of the town need to get organized"????

Our vote is not about race, not white versus black. Brenda, are you assuming that all African Americans agree with the PAC, I did not experience that in my campaign. This isn't about race, it is about making sure we vote and that our vote is an educated vote. What we must do is to continue to encourage sharing of information, through the internet, news media, conversation, personal contact, etc. and counteracting those who pretend to speak for one group with the truth.

This conversation has already begun the process of expressing the concern that the Simkins PAC is not about what is best for African Americans, but seems to suggest that it is about what is best for those who run it. So we must continue to talk, win or lose an election, we cannot stop the dialogue.

[Joe Guarino]

Ms. Hejazi, I agree. The values held by the many fine, decent, law-abiding folks in the local African-American community are leagues ahead of those represented by the PAC. The current state of the PAC does not represent them.

But on another level, I question whether political activism is truly the basis for the aspirations of any ethnic or racial group. The attributes and behaviors that lead to individual success have little to do with politics. The PAC feeds on a lie-- that voting a certain way is going to advance certain legitimate interests. In fact, the opposite may be true. Individual success does not ultimately depend on manipulations of the political system. Other factors play a bigger role.

[Brenda Bowers]

Mrs. Hejazi, I assure you I know very well that this is not about race. Believe me I have been a civil rights worker for 44 years and as such I know racial problems and racism when I see it. I also know that in order to stop wrong doing, and even perhaps criminals, you must first identify them. I have bluntly done that and in this case the people concerned in all of the above mentioned affairs have been the same people and all are Black and their base seems to be an all Black PAC. Once more if they were all purple I would say so, if they were all female I would say so, if they were all American Indians I would say so. When pointing out wrong doing you must accurately identify the culprit! You in your profession surely know this. And you having been in Greensboro longer than I have surely you know that any time a more affluent Black in this town is accused of anything they immediately yell “racism” and the game is up because everyone backs off. (I say “more affluent” because poor Blacks are arrest it seems in droves!) This consistently backing off is what has brought this whole situation of politicians having to buy votes thru the endorsement of the Simkins PAC so far that they are blatant in their solicitations of funds and probably laughing at taking the “white” politicians in; look at the amounts of the donations and see the inequity between what is “donated” by Black pols and white pols. And this is not racial from my point of view but you can dam well bet it is from theirs! Or do you think all the donations made TO the Pac by those in office or running for office were innocent. PACs are supposed to be about GIVING donations to people running for office not the other way around.
Do not put words in my mouth or attribute thoughts to me Mrs. Hejazi. I have gotten enough of that from stupid individuals and would have thought you were intelligent enough to read what I am saying. And for God’s sake do not back off when they yell “racism” and let this outrageous situation continue. These people control, or sway, a large enough following of predominantly Black people to get the voters out. You said yourself you saw people walking into the polling places with the Simkins PAC endorsements in their hands. Greensboro is too lovely to be left to the these people. I have gotten e-mails from numerous people who have read my blog and let me know they had moved out of Greensboro because of the rotten politics. Not everyone is blind and not everyone is a fool but only a few are willing to identify and fight wrong doing.

[Julia Wolf Hejazi]

Brenda:

In no way did I intend to put words in your mouth, but when the response is that white people need to organize, in order to fight a PAC that is Black, it sounds to me like we are asking for a fight based on race. I know there are African Americans tired of the influence of the Simkins PAC as well, and wanted to clarify that ALL of us can join together by VOTING in large numbers to counteract any influence they have. I believe I understand better what you are saying based on your most recent post. I believe I understand better, but the power of words without knowledge of a person or their life experience sometimes causes misunderstanding. SO it goes with a blog...

In the related Post on this site, Follow the Money, David Hoggard comments on the good people in the Simkins PAC. I too have met some wonderful people who are on the PAC, but even to this day don't know who was present when votes were cast, or if all were given the opportunity to vote. In fact, who in the community who accepted the endorsement as valid even knows who serves on the PAC? Was anyone from High Point present? Is that not an important part of this community? I was running in a county wide election and a small group in Greensboro may have determined the result.

[Joe Guarino]

I agree, Ms. Hejazi, we have to be careful not to create the impression that this is based on race, because it is not. This is about the misuse of power; and about power inordinately placed in the wrong hands.

[Julia Wolf Hejazi]

Thanks Dr. Guarino, and thank you for starting a healthy dialogue on a difficult issue. Conversation and change are good, let's do both!

[Wendell Sawyer]

If you believe what you read in The News & Record and The Rhino Times, you would think that the election process for District Attorney is over and done with...Henderson defeats Hejazi...end of story. However, I believe that the reports of my demise may have been greatly exaggerated.

I have read the above posts and I find them to be most interesting...especially in reference to Project Homestead. From what I have read about the controversy, I believe that it would be prudent for the district attorney's office to take a second look.

[Joe Guarino]

I agree, Mr. Sawyer. This is a subject that cries out for discussion during the upcoming campaign.

Your comments suggest to me that you may be ready to step up. I hope so, because this is a very important election. Best wishes to you and your family. And I will be continuing to discuss these matters on this blog.