Well I hate to say I told you so,but I did may when the TN Waltz broke I told you that there were more indictments to come,and that Michael Hooks Sr. Would be indicted.Today U.S. Attorney for the Western District Terry Harris announced that a two count indictment had been returned against Hooks Sr.Hooks who is presently chairman of the Shelby county commission charged with extortion of money,or taking bribes to influence official duties on the commission.
The indictment alleges Hooks received $24,000 in bribes.There is already talk of asking him to step down from the commission,which in my opinion would be the right thing for him to do.He will not be able to be effective with this cloud hovering over him.
Several years ago Hooks confessed to having a serious drug problem,which he states that he has beaten. A task that I'm sure was not easy. As he cried and asked for forgiveness from the community,many of us knowing that the demon of drugs has hit all our families,supported his staying on the commission as he fought his demons.
And even now we can forgive him, but its time for him to give up public office.We can forgive him but we can't forget that if he has committed the crimes that he is being charged with,that he has misused the trust of those who had high hopes for him.
The sad thing is that he may not be the only person in his family to be indicted.my sources tell me that his wife,city councilwoman Janet Hooks along with his son School board commissioner Michael Hooks Jr. Could also faced indictments.Its sad because these poli-trick-ans come to us and beg for our support,telling us that they only have the will of the people at heart.Than we find that they have used those very people as stepping stones to rise to a level of greed that cares nothing about the agenda of the people.
Commissioner Hooks,its all over.Your political road has come to a end.Your tears this time will mean nothing,your pleas will fall on deaf ears.You asked this community to give you another chance,we did.Now look at what you've done to us. Have some dignity confess your sins,then RESIGN.
POST YOUR COMMENTS: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE INDICTMENT OF HOOKS SR.? DO YOU THINK HE SHOULD RESIGN FROM THE COMMISSION?
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
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19 comments:
His RESIGNATION should be announced ASAP. As a public official the TRUST IS NOT and WILL NOT BE THERE if he evoke his right to fight the charges alleged against.
If he is innocent and know it; he should fight the charges.
If he is guilty of the charges and know it; he should save the people who voted for him and those that DID NOT vote him in THE EXPENSE OF A TRIAL.
I know I am one person who is anxiously waiting to read "How I Sold My Soul To The Devil."
I think Commissioner Hooks should resign immediately. There should be no debate.
Is there any question now why our State and Local finances are in shambles?
I am one of those that didn't hold it against him when he admitted his struggle with substance abuse.
If he gets convicted, he'll be back bigger than ever. The same probably holds true for his son and wife. Bribery did wonders for Rickey Peete's career. Why would it end Commissioner Hooks career?
I think its a different time now then when ricky was convicted.I feel that citizens are now ready to hold poli-trick-ans accountable
This latest indictment is sad. How far does the corruption extend? Corruption is not unique to Memphis and Shelby County but this scandal is down right sad and just shows how gullible elected leaders are.
To answer your questions, Hooks indictment was not surprising - as a matter of fact, he didn't look surprised while standing outside the courthouse w/ his lawyer. He should resign as a way of showing some atonement for his actions.
Many I talk to are becoming upset because they think this operation targeted too many black officials. Maybe it was the black officials who were so easily punked. I'm still not understanding the defense of those who haven't plead guilty. I'm innocent b/c someone set me up?
Michael Hooks will not resign. See a lot of people do not understand that this is not the same Hooks from the late 80s early 90s. Michael is in so much debt that it’s a shame. Hooks will ride this until the others vote him out, because he needs the money. Black people don't look at this sting as a way the Feds where trying to target only black leaders. Look at this is our prayers have been answered we have the oppunty now to do away with a lot of no good black leaders, that only lie and steal, now we can put some in office know that will do some good.(black Or white).Also Hooks JR. was under investigation for stolen Rolexes and two years ago a long with Ron Redwing nephew was under investigation for selling drugs out of Hicks Jr. black Lexus Gs 300 2002 modle.But you know what happen somebody give some information about another drug dealer that got arrested and the police department never said any thing else to Hooks Jr. or Redwing nephew.
Also I want be surprise if Deidre Malone is dragged out in this because she and Hooks Sr. are good friends and they do a lot of under hand things together. Ms Malone at the Commissioners meeting when the election was going on for Assessor the commissioners were holding a meeting with Rita Clark, it was Malone place to blind side Rita with the paper work about a deal Rita did under the table. But it was called off because Hooks knew the Rita was on to him about his deal. Also Ford Jr. involved with the assessor’s race he endorsed Rita Clark so Jr told a lie.
are any of us forgetting what this guy's last name is? have we forgotten who he is related to? the same way that john ford will not do any time and will only receive a slap on the wrist, if that,due to his family name, the same will happen to his wife and hooks jr when they are indicted too. the citizens of memphis will see to that. they will of course play on the sympathy of black folk and try to use the "historical" family name and legacy to get of the hook (no pun intented). too bad bowers and dixon dont have that same luxury.
Once again Ray I would have to say you are wrong. This is a ploy from your white power brokers to do a way with the Fords and the Hooks. If you look at all of the money that the city is spending for the Downtown and South Memphis and some of North Memphis. To bring the whites back to the city, do you think those white people want any body of color to lead them nope. The white power brokers had this game plan for many of years. Get get the Fords and the Hooks a long with other give them a little money so they will do what we say and so we can to over blacks land, but when we get close to getting every thing we want hang them out to dry. A few years from now people in the Fords and in the Hooks district will say Ford who Hooks who. People want know them from a homeless person on the street. Also Ray remember Benjamin Hooks is in his last days. A lot of people do not know who Benjamin Hooks is.
Yeah Ray, the allegations are too serious and the cases are too strong. The same people that have made them who they are, are the same ones that asked the FEDS to investigate tthem. They have reached their shelf life. they are no longer of service to the REAL powers that be. John will be stupid to take this thing to trial. 90% of Federal cases always end up with plea deals. There is an 8% that go to trial and get slammed. When them people spend that tax money to investigate and build that case, best believe that when you're indicted the FEDS have their case won. I f I was indicted, I would never risk a trial with them folks because then your sentencing is at the mercy of the court. I just don't get it. Why would anyone defend the acts of these people. They have lied, stolen and cheated from this community. John Ford only cares about himself(not even his family). Mike Hooks is a broken man. He owes the IRS and he has a son that is headed to Yale. He has to make ends meet the best way that he can. Anyway, they were all doing business as usual. Chris Newton didn't lie when he said that yesterday. It's how government works. Look at Bush and Cheney and all of the contracts they have awarded their friends in Iraq. Look at this oil situation. If you don't think that their people aren't getting money off any of these situations, you need to be shot! Ford and Hooks just outlived their usefullness and Johns arrogance and high-sideing brought to much attention to their sponsors' operation. This is not the first nor the last time that we will see the likes of such despiccable behavior from our elected officials. Trust me. But, the FEDS are definitely in town. This situation combined with the property room fiasco has opened their eyes to all of the corruption in this City. The are definitely earning their keep.
Anon at 4:14 pm:
Where in South Memphis are white folks moving in? I just do not see that happening. As for Uptown (Greenlaw) North Memphis, it has been primarily abandoned for years. How much of the taken land was tax deliquent, vs. taken from tax paying black folks in order to move in white folks?
You think color is the first consideration when white people cast their votes? Feh. You have no clue.
Third to Mallory Fool. Whites for years now have called that area the casino strip. Whites people know are buying homes on Frank St. Norwood, and Fernwood Etc. And the ones that buying these home are not your poor white trash. Like I said in the next couple of year’s people in that area will say Ford who Hooks what. This area as the old Mallory Heights Subdivision.
Let me rephrase that last one. It’s not only white people that’s moving back to the Mallory Heights Subdivision it’s a lot of your well off blacks. Also a lot of people that retired from the work force are moving back to that area. In that area you have a lot of houses that only need paint and yard work. In the Mallory Heights Subdivision you have a lot of large houses for little of no money. You are what 5 min out side of down town 45 from the casino. So you might not see it, but a lot of people do. What do you think GE plan is for all of that land thats at his usage? What do you think King Willie is going to do with his land off of Third and Crump? Why do you think the Beltz came back to the old Community buying up houses once again?
Anon 12:53 (and 12:11), there is no need to call me a fool for asking an honest question. I simply did not realize there was an influx of white people moving into Mallory Heights and/or the surrounding area. I was aware that Harold Buehler developed some tax credit and Section 8 subsidized rental housing in Mallory Heights, but was unaware of any influx of white residents into that area.
Nor am I aware of any other location at Third and Mallory where whites are being brought back into the city, as you suggest.
Maybe I misunderstood you, which is hardly suprising given your stellar written skillz. I figured you meant whites are being brought back in to live in these South Memphis areas you mentioned. I gathered this because you went on to suggest that these whites would not tolerate a black person as an elected official (assuming residency as a requirement to vote in these areas). Given all that, I infered that you were opining about (white) voters objecting to black candidates in these South Memphis districts where you suggest they reside.
I am familiar with Mallory Heights. I am also pretty damn familiar with the area at Third and Mallory. Fernwood. Netherwood. Dempster. I know the area. I betcha $100 you could not round up 10 white people LIVING there.
I think we all know who is really a fool now, fool. You might want to lose the racial chip while you are at it too. It is unbecoming.
have any of you discussed this tn waltz with people in the area? have you tuned in to any talk radio programs from the area, both black and white? despite what seems like overwhelming evidence against most of those indicted, many black folk are screaming about a set-up. screaming about how they should not got to jail, screaming that they should still work at the same jobs. the defendants know this. did you not see all of the supporters that showed up a the courthouse when john ford was first indicted? it only takes 1 person for a hung jury and with the jury pool being made up of citizens from memphis and shelby county, there will be at least one. have we not seen the support given to the hooks family before when they got in trouble? this ain't got nothing to do with "white folk" trying to set up the hooks and ford family. their own greed put them in this situation but the "black vs white" conspiracy people will see to there being no time served and possible re-election to office afterwards. you better wake up and smell the coffee, memphis is one of the most polarized race related cities in the u.s.
I agree Ray. My thinking is that John Ford may go to trial because he expects a hung jury at worst. I don't think he would plead guilty without a guarantee of no prison time and I don't think the feds would agree to no prison time. This is due to the fact that they technically have him under house arrest - I say technically b/c I spend more time at home than he does.
This day is long over due for the Fords and Hooks. I really don't see them walking away with a slap on the hands with this one. Michael will make a deal probably by the end of next week. Roscoe and Bowers will make deals right before its time to go to court. John Fords will take it to court (with the super family); John will get his ass handed to him at trail. This really is the beginning of the end for a lot of them.
Ray, I agree with you its time for others to see that. It’s not about white folks out to get them. Fords and the Hooks own greed get them in trouble. It’s really sick, when other blacks do not see that the Fords and the Hooks don't mean them any good. Look at what the Fords put out to be your leader in District 29, Ophelia Ford. Hell she looks like she is cracked out full of booze. Ophelia Ford doesn't know if she is coming or going. I say to the people in that district, let this be a wake up call for you, this is how the Fords think of you. They pick a crack head to be your leader. They think you are all crack heads. The highlight of her life is being a 10 grade queen. Is that a crack moment or what?
"Prom queen? She look more like the prom fiend!"
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