Alabama Tea Party Activist Suspects Corruption in $50 Million Contract

Posted on | July 3, 2010 | 50 Comments

Martha Roby is the GOP establishment’s pick for the nomination in Alabama’s 2nd District congressional race against “Blue Dog” Democrat Rep. Bobby Bright. She fell short of a majority in the June 1 primary and got pushed into July 13 runoff by Tea Party-backed candidate Rick Barber. And it looks like Roby’s friends in Montgomery city government are trying to run out the clock on what could be a serious scandal: Did Roby, as a city council member, vote on a $50 million contract that awarded business to her husband’s law firm?

Tea Party activist Richard England thinks so:

Montgomery City Council Resolution 28-2009 was a $50 million dollar bond awarded to a Montgomery law firm. The bill passed unanimously, meaning that City Councilwoman and Congressional candidate Martha Roby voted for it.
On June 11th, I filed a freedom of information act request at Montgomery City Hall to find out the dealings between City Council and Balch & Bingham, the Montgomery law firm where Riley Roby is a partner. Riley Roby is Martha Roby’s husband.
Normally, they fill FOIA requests with 48 hours. It’s been three weeks, and they refuse to tell me which law firm was awarded the $50 million contract through City Council Resolution28-2009; this, despite the fact that they responded to my original request of every bond issue and recipient law firm going back to the 1990s.
Montgomery Records Manager Tom Register has confirmed that the vote was unanimous and that the bond was for $50 million, but he says he can’t tell me which firm the contract was awarded to.
I believe that Balch & Bingham was awarded the contract. I believe that City Hall is trying to protect Martha Roby because her vote to award her husband’s firm the contract is tantamount to corruption. . . .
Please contact City of Montgomery Records Manager Tom Register at 334 241 2098. Contact Richard England at 334 531 6306 or 334 356 3106.

Yeah, it would also be good to get the Roby campaign to respond to this accusation.

UPDATE: Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs links and produces documents showing that Roby did not recuse herself on this vote.

Category: Alabama, Corruption, Republicans

Comments

50 Responses to “Alabama Tea Party Activist Suspects Corruption in $50 Million Contract”

goddessoftheclassroom
July 3rd, 2010 @ 4:04 pm

Perhaps she recused herself? Would that result in a unanimous vote as opposed to unanimous with one abstention? I can’t believe she’d be so stupid as to cast a vote when her vote was unnecessary to achieving the result.

If she cast the vote thinking it didn’t matter to the outcome, she should just say so. The delay in answering makes this a bigger deal than it is.
goddessoftheclassroom
July 3rd, 2010 @ 12:04 pm

Perhaps she recused herself? Would that result in a unanimous vote as opposed to unanimous with one abstention? I can’t believe she’d be so stupid as to cast a vote when her vote was unnecessary to achieving the result.

If she cast the vote thinking it didn’t matter to the outcome, she should just say so. The delay in answering makes this a bigger deal than it is.
Rob
July 3rd, 2010 @ 4:16 pm

I agree.
Victor
July 3rd, 2010 @ 4:16 pm

The story(stories) at the website mention that the vote for this was unanimous. Therefore, Roby voted yes.

That answers that.
Rob
July 3rd, 2010 @ 12:16 pm

I agree.
Victor
July 3rd, 2010 @ 12:16 pm

The story(stories) at the website mention that the vote for this was unanimous. Therefore, Roby voted yes.

That answers that.
Robert Stacy McCain
July 3rd, 2010 @ 4:22 pm

I can’t believe she’d be so stupid as to cast a vote when her vote was unnecessary to achieving the result.

Stupid or not, such a vote is specifically forbidden under Alabama law.

The delay in answering makes this a bigger deal than it is.

Yeah, the difference between 48 hrs. and three weeks is pretty enormous.
Robert Stacy McCain
July 3rd, 2010 @ 12:22 pm

I can’t believe she’d be so stupid as to cast a vote when her vote was unnecessary to achieving the result.

Stupid or not, such a vote is specifically forbidden under Alabama law.

The delay in answering makes this a bigger deal than it is.

Yeah, the difference between 48 hrs. and three weeks is pretty enormous.
jefferson101
July 3rd, 2010 @ 5:02 pm

What, exactly, is the purpose of all this?

We all are adults here, I think. As such, we know that corruption only exists in the Political Party of which one is not an adherent!

Ask Nancy Pelosi, or Harry Reid, or Barney Frank. For that matter, have a Seance and consult the shade of John Murtha. If it’s going on in “your” Party, it isn’t corruption. It’s just efficient Government, or an accidental oversight.

A person gets the impression around here sometimes that some folks want to eliminate most all corruption in Government, regardless of the Party affiliation of the corrupt.

Shocking!

/sarcasm

(For the sarcasm-impaired, I feel compelled to note that little thing. Nice find!)
jefferson101
July 3rd, 2010 @ 1:02 pm

What, exactly, is the purpose of all this?

We all are adults here, I think. As such, we know that corruption only exists in the Political Party of which one is not an adherent!

Ask Nancy Pelosi, or Harry Reid, or Barney Frank. For that matter, have a Seance and consult the shade of John Murtha. If it’s going on in “your” Party, it isn’t corruption. It’s just efficient Government, or an accidental oversight.

A person gets the impression around here sometimes that some folks want to eliminate most all corruption in Government, regardless of the Party affiliation of the corrupt.

Shocking!

/sarcasm

(For the sarcasm-impaired, I feel compelled to note that little thing. Nice find!)
Victor
July 3rd, 2010 @ 6:14 pm

Jefferson 101,

Sarcasm noted. Carry on. LOL.

Viva la Independence!
Victor
July 3rd, 2010 @ 10:14 pm

Jefferson 101,

Sarcasm noted. Carry on. LOL.

Viva la Independence!
RickS
July 3rd, 2010 @ 11:57 pm

I have my doubts about this. I suspect the information from AL Tea Party Express (no relation to the actual Tea Party Express) is just plain wrong. They’re not a really that credible here in Alabama and don’t have much to do with the actual Tea Party organization in Montgomery. Another possibility is that Roby recused herself from the vote and thus it was in fact unanimous without Roby actually voting. Roby has been scrupulous about avoiding conflicts of interests in the past and this just doesn’t pass the smell test. I mean, why in the world would she risk her political career to help out her husband’s employer the year prior to her congressional election? I agree with Stacy, though. She needs to address this ASAP.
RickS
July 3rd, 2010 @ 7:57 pm

I have my doubts about this. I suspect the information from AL Tea Party Express (no relation to the actual Tea Party Express) is just plain wrong. They’re not a really that credible here in Alabama and don’t have much to do with the actual Tea Party organization in Montgomery. Another possibility is that Roby recused herself from the vote and thus it was in fact unanimous without Roby actually voting. Roby has been scrupulous about avoiding conflicts of interests in the past and this just doesn’t pass the smell test. I mean, why in the world would she risk her political career to help out her husband’s employer the year prior to her congressional election? I agree with Stacy, though. She needs to address this ASAP.
Jenny
July 4th, 2010 @ 12:05 am

You, who posted this, are just pulling the proverbial pin on a fictitious grenade. Prove it. You cannot. Alabama Tea Party Express is a joke at best. None has looked at the actual votes of Martha Roby. If you had you would see how ridiculous you sound. Martha Roby has taken every precaution to make sure every single one of her votes has been unquestionable. She has been in close contact with Hugh Evans, with the Ethics Commission, on ANYTHING even CLOSE to questionable, and has voted in absainence, or negatively. LOOK IT UP PEOPLE. All votes are on record.
You, who chose to throw up bombs, are not credible at best.
Facts are stubborn things……
Jenny
July 3rd, 2010 @ 8:05 pm

You, who posted this, are just pulling the proverbial pin on a fictitious grenade. Prove it. You cannot. Alabama Tea Party Express is a joke at best. None has looked at the actual votes of Martha Roby. If you had you would see how ridiculous you sound. Martha Roby has taken every precaution to make sure every single one of her votes has been unquestionable. She has been in close contact with Hugh Evans, with the Ethics Commission, on ANYTHING even CLOSE to questionable, and has voted in absainence, or negatively. LOOK IT UP PEOPLE. All votes are on record.
You, who chose to throw up bombs, are not credible at best.
Facts are stubborn things……
Miss Buckley
July 4th, 2010 @ 1:32 am

Here’s a screenshot from the vote on Atlas Shrugs.

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/july-13th-get-out-the-vote-for-rick-barber-against-corrupt-roby.html

She DID vote on the $50 million bond issue, Jenny dear.

And yes, facts ARE stubborn things.
Miss Buckley
July 3rd, 2010 @ 9:32 pm

Here’s a screenshot from the vote on Atlas Shrugs.

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/july-13th-get-out-the-vote-for-rick-barber-against-corrupt-roby.html

She DID vote on the $50 million bond issue, Jenny dear.

And yes, facts ARE stubborn things.
BamaRebel
July 4th, 2010 @ 1:40 am

I looked it up. She voted “Yes” on this. No abstaining, no recusing. Yes.
BamaRebel
July 3rd, 2010 @ 9:40 pm

I looked it up. She voted “Yes” on this. No abstaining, no recusing. Yes.
BamaRebel
July 4th, 2010 @ 1:43 am

http://www.montgomeryal.gov Click “Minutes” then scroll to page 35. Even Jenny can see for herself and understand this.
BamaRebel
July 3rd, 2010 @ 9:43 pm

http://www.montgomeryal.gov Click “Minutes” then scroll to page 35. Even Jenny can see for herself and understand this.
Rightwing Links (July 3, 2010)
July 3rd, 2010 @ 10:46 pm

[…] Alabama Tea Party Activist Suspects Corruption in $50 Million Contract […]
Sarah
July 3rd, 2010 @ 11:56 pm

I’m with Jenny and RickS above me – this doesn’t strike me as legit at all. She has proven to abstain from voting when a possible conflict of interest was at hand.

The Alabama Tea Party Express is a total joke – they don’t even hold actual events or have actual members. They were created to endorse candidates which… last I checked… the actual tea parties don’t do.

You can call her establishment all day long and it doesn’t change a thing; at least she has a record and isn’t some fly by night snakeoil selling, seedy bar owning freakshow.
Sarah
July 4th, 2010 @ 3:56 am

I’m with Jenny and RickS above me – this doesn’t strike me as legit at all. She has proven to abstain from voting when a possible conflict of interest was at hand.

The Alabama Tea Party Express is a total joke – they don’t even hold actual events or have actual members. They were created to endorse candidates which… last I checked… the actual tea parties don’t do.

You can call her establishment all day long and it doesn’t change a thing; at least she has a record and isn’t some fly by night snakeoil selling, seedy bar owning freakshow.
Miss Buckley
July 4th, 2010 @ 4:31 am

Seedy bar owner? I’d rather have a “bar owner” than a thief.

And that is EXACTLY what Roby looks like now…a thief!

If it wasn’t true, why has she waited THREE WEEKS to respond to the allegations?
Miss Buckley
July 4th, 2010 @ 12:31 am

Seedy bar owner? I’d rather have a “bar owner” than a thief.

And that is EXACTLY what Roby looks like now…a thief!

If it wasn’t true, why has she waited THREE WEEKS to respond to the allegations?
Bill B.
July 4th, 2010 @ 4:56 am

@Sarah – what is not legit? You said it yourself: Roby “has a record.” This documented record (see meeting minutes) substantiates the claim about the $50 million deal. Further, it appears the FOIA request is being ignored by the city. What is being hidden? Since you cannot address this issue, you have resorted to attacks on the Alabama Tea Party Express and Rick Barber’s livelihood.
Bill B.
July 4th, 2010 @ 12:56 am

@Sarah – what is not legit? You said it yourself: Roby “has a record.” This documented record (see meeting minutes) substantiates the claim about the $50 million deal. Further, it appears the FOIA request is being ignored by the city. What is being hidden? Since you cannot address this issue, you have resorted to attacks on the Alabama Tea Party Express and Rick Barber’s livelihood.
moe
July 4th, 2010 @ 5:03 am

Yeah, if this has been at the clerk’s office for three weeks, there is ZERO chance Martha doesn’t know about this. And if she has not responded in that time and hasn’t encouraged the city to do so either, it looks AWFUL for her.

Shame on you, Martha Roby, for trying to run out the clock on this. The voters DESERVE to know your shananigans.
moe
July 4th, 2010 @ 1:03 am

Yeah, if this has been at the clerk’s office for three weeks, there is ZERO chance Martha doesn’t know about this. And if she has not responded in that time and hasn’t encouraged the city to do so either, it looks AWFUL for her.

Shame on you, Martha Roby, for trying to run out the clock on this. The voters DESERVE to know your shananigans.
moe
July 4th, 2010 @ 5:05 am

Oh, and I heard today that her UNCLE is the one counting the votes in her race, and that “turnout” was remarkably high in this race this year.

Me smells a crook…
moe
July 4th, 2010 @ 1:05 am

Oh, and I heard today that her UNCLE is the one counting the votes in her race, and that “turnout” was remarkably high in this race this year.

Me smells a crook…
July 13TH: GET OUT THE VOTE FOR RICK BARBER AGAINST CORRUPT ROBY « CWN – Conservative Watch News
July 4th, 2010 @ 1:51 am

[…] MCcain has the dirt on the dirty: (hat tip Bill) Martha Roby is the GOP establishment’s pick for the nomination in Alabama’s 2nd […]
Miss Buckley
July 4th, 2010 @ 3:43 pm

Not only is her uncle the probate judge in Montgomery County, but “Fighting” Beau McKinney is her cousin. Remember, he also ran in the primary on his military service. He took almost enough votes from Barber to keep there from being a runoff. Then Beau came out and endorsed Martha and she put him on her Veterans Affairs Committee.

I smell a rat.
Miss Buckley
July 4th, 2010 @ 11:43 am

Not only is her uncle the probate judge in Montgomery County, but “Fighting” Beau McKinney is her cousin. Remember, he also ran in the primary on his military service. He took almost enough votes from Barber to keep there from being a runoff. Then Beau came out and endorsed Martha and she put him on her Veterans Affairs Committee.

I smell a rat.
RedStateBabe
July 6th, 2010 @ 2:34 pm

Um…I know that we have the reputation in Alabama of inbreeding but trying to claim Beau McKinney as Martha’s cousin is a stretch even by Alabama standards. Beau is related to Judge McKinney who is Martha’s uncle by marriage…that’s not blood relation. As far as the accusations of Judge McKinney “counting” the votes, perhaps you would like to give the Election Center a call to discuss your allegation. They are staffed with professionals who are vigilant about the integrity of the election process in Montgomery County and although that department falls under Judge McKinney’s scope of supervision, I highly doubt that he “counts” the votes!
RedStateBabe
July 6th, 2010 @ 10:34 am

Um…I know that we have the reputation in Alabama of inbreeding but trying to claim Beau McKinney as Martha’s cousin is a stretch even by Alabama standards. Beau is related to Judge McKinney who is Martha’s uncle by marriage…that’s not blood relation. As far as the accusations of Judge McKinney “counting” the votes, perhaps you would like to give the Election Center a call to discuss your allegation. They are staffed with professionals who are vigilant about the integrity of the election process in Montgomery County and although that department falls under Judge McKinney’s scope of supervision, I highly doubt that he “counts” the votes!
Danny
July 6th, 2010 @ 2:40 pm

One would think that if you were Roby, you would ask your aunt and uncle why a family member would run against her? McKinney moved to Montgomery just months ago to get into this race and pull votes from Barber. Please watch that debates with the candidates. And why wouldn’t Roby address the issue on the “vote” in question? And Sarah, is a women scorned. I say that because she is saying negitive things about Barber and not sticking to issue at hand (Robys vote) and showing her personal feelings…and as far as Jenny J…well, facts are stubborn things..thats her famous tag line.
Danny
July 6th, 2010 @ 6:40 pm

One would think that if you were Roby, you would ask your aunt and uncle why a family member would run against her? McKinney moved to Montgomery just months ago to get into this race and pull votes from Barber. Please watch that debates with the candidates. And why wouldn’t Roby address the issue on the “vote” in question? And Sarah, is a women scorned. I say that because she is saying negitive things about Barber and not sticking to issue at hand (Robys vote) and showing her personal feelings…and as far as Jenny J…well, facts are stubborn things..thats her famous tag line.
Braden
July 7th, 2010 @ 6:31 pm

The Ethics Commission cleared Roby’s record 100%. This is all a fabricated slam by the henchmen in the Rick Barber campaign. Besides, this has yet to be picked up by any CREDIBLE news sources, just bloggers with an axe to grind. Non-Alabamians, stay out of this primary. You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about.
Braden
July 7th, 2010 @ 2:31 pm

The Ethics Commission cleared Roby’s record 100%. This is all a fabricated slam by the henchmen in the Rick Barber campaign. Besides, this has yet to be picked up by any CREDIBLE news sources, just bloggers with an axe to grind. Non-Alabamians, stay out of this primary. You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about.
Danny
July 9th, 2010 @ 12:18 am

Braden, asking the questions is not being negitive….And Stubborn Facts are stating on their BLOG..”Barber and his negitive followers”… claiming Barber is negitive and attacking Martha and he is causing the worst negitive political race they have seen. Read their FB page and what they comment on Marthas FB page and then read Ricks…where is the negitive and where is it coming from? And who is trying to start rumors and lies? And and are you part of that group? I think people are asking questions and should be able to, now I do not agree with lies and attacks, but this is where Martha should step up and set the record straight, no one can control people from being negitive but we as individuals can change what we say. I have seen people post negitive on Barbers FB page, and he has removed those post and left comments that he will not allow people to post negitive untrue things about Martha, but that is not this case on Marthas page…they leave up the negitives. You can research that for yourself.
Danny
July 8th, 2010 @ 8:18 pm

Braden, asking the questions is not being negitive….And Stubborn Facts are stating on their BLOG..”Barber and his negitive followers”… claiming Barber is negitive and attacking Martha and he is causing the worst negitive political race they have seen. Read their FB page and what they comment on Marthas FB page and then read Ricks…where is the negitive and where is it coming from? And who is trying to start rumors and lies? And and are you part of that group? I think people are asking questions and should be able to, now I do not agree with lies and attacks, but this is where Martha should step up and set the record straight, no one can control people from being negitive but we as individuals can change what we say. I have seen people post negitive on Barbers FB page, and he has removed those post and left comments that he will not allow people to post negitive untrue things about Martha, but that is not this case on Marthas page…they leave up the negitives. You can research that for yourself.
RedStateBabe
July 9th, 2010 @ 2:11 am

Thought that those who are following this “corruption news” might want to read this update from one of the sites that was spreading this propaganda against Martha Roby. It’s hardly a retraction or apology for the slander but I guess it’s the best you get from this site.

http://www.alabamateapartyexpress.com/index.php/2010/07/08/news-on-50-million-bond/

I personally talked with Martha and she told me the vote on this bond issue took place before she was ever elected to the City Council. My question is why Rick’s supporters find it necessary to slam his opponent?
RedStateBabe
July 8th, 2010 @ 10:11 pm

Thought that those who are following this “corruption news” might want to read this update from one of the sites that was spreading this propaganda against Martha Roby. It’s hardly a retraction or apology for the slander but I guess it’s the best you get from this site.

http://www.alabamateapartyexpress.com/index.php/2010/07/08/news-on-50-million-bond/

I personally talked with Martha and she told me the vote on this bond issue took place before she was ever elected to the City Council. My question is why Rick’s supporters find it necessary to slam his opponent?
Danny
July 9th, 2010 @ 3:00 am

Redstatebabe, I have heard the same thing but I have not seen proof from Martha or her camp trust but verify…please encourage her to show proof!
Danny
July 8th, 2010 @ 11:00 pm

Redstatebabe, I have heard the same thing but I have not seen proof from Martha or her camp trust but verify…please encourage her to show proof!
Danny
July 11th, 2010 @ 2:42 am

Martha is endorsed by a left wing newspaper, the Montgomery Advertiser and she is also endorsed by a the Wetumpka Herald with is owned by the Montgomery Advertiser. The Dothan Eagle too, wow! All left wing papers who previously endorsed Bright, Roby has taken Morris Dees money, proposed a 500% tax increase while on city council. Yes, she has raised more money, has more paid employess working for her campaign and she cant pull off the primary spending 7 to1. Barber has owned his side business for years and its a bar…most every resturant has a bar in it Barber has two paid employess working in his campaign, with less money, and has done more than Roby in actions and calling attention to our problems in government today. I feel if Roby got to Washington she would have more employees/staff, spend more money and get half the job done while on our tax paying dollars. I vote Rick Barber and RedState thinks so too!
Danny
July 10th, 2010 @ 10:42 pm

Martha is endorsed by a left wing newspaper, the Montgomery Advertiser and she is also endorsed by a the Wetumpka Herald with is owned by the Montgomery Advertiser. The Dothan Eagle too, wow! All left wing papers who previously endorsed Bright, Roby has taken Morris Dees money, proposed a 500% tax increase while on city council. Yes, she has raised more money, has more paid employess working for her campaign and she cant pull off the primary spending 7 to1. Barber has owned his side business for years and its a bar…most every resturant has a bar in it Barber has two paid employess working in his campaign, with less money, and has done more than Roby in actions and calling attention to our problems in government today. I feel if Roby got to Washington she would have more employees/staff, spend more money and get half the job done while on our tax paying dollars. I vote Rick Barber and RedState thinks so too!