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| Tony Martinez |
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| City Manager Cabler with Banner CEO McCarthy |
David McCarthy, the head honcho of Community Showcase Banners of Warsaw, New York, may have used the U.S. Conference of Mayors Meeting in Orlando, Florida to find easy marks among the nation's mayors. What mayor would not be flattered to be told that their city had been awarded a Community Showcase, one of only fifteen such awards to be given nationally. Successful scams frequently appeal to pride, ego and financial wherewithal.
Somehow, the City of Brownsville letterhead with a supportive letter from City Manager Charlie Cabler, became a sales tool for Community Showcase Banners and was used by McCarthy and a buxom female companion identified at Itza Pena to approach Brownsville business owners to test their willingness to support Brownsville by purchasing one of the banner packages. At the lower end of support was the "Bronze Package" selling for approximately $600, while those who wanted to demonstrate how seriously they wanted to promote the city could go for the "Gold Package" at nearly $4,000.
One local businessman whose wife is employed by the city, was approached by McCarthy and Pena. McCarthy represented himself as a close friend of Mayor Martinez, saying "he and Tony went way back." He told the businessman that "Tony needed him." When the businessman looked over the selection of packages, he said he might be able to spring for the $600 offering since cash flow was a problem. He was told that package was only for churches and non-profits and was pushed toward the $4,000 selection. Perplexed, the business owner said the only way he could go the four grand would be with a post-dated check. McCarthy at first rejected that offer, but seeing it was the only way he could make the sale, he accepted a post-dated check for the amount.
When the business owner called his wife to tell her about the purchase of promotional materials with a post-dated check, she paid City Manager Charlie Cabler a visit to ask what was going on. While in Cabler's office, she noticed some Community Showcase Banners paperwork and spotted the name of Ms. Pena whom she recognized as having close ties to City Attorney Mark Sossi.
"Does Sossi have anything to do with this?" the city employee asked Cabler. "I don't know. Call him." was Cabler's response.
"My name was NOT EVER to be used on this! NOT EVER!" Sossi could be heard to say on the other end.
The last thing local businessmen need in these difficult, economic times, is to throw $4,000 or even $600 down a dubious, con game rat hole.
That's why Brownsville is called the "WOW" city. Scams all over the place from groups that sell chicken plates to the top. WOW!
ReplyDeleteThe whole organization is a scam....fast talkers....they will rob you blind...and run! be careful of these shady people....they will tell you they can give you the world...just to get you to sign up! They got me to sign up and give them a check..now they dont return my calls...and they ran off with my $$$$$$$$$$!
DeleteA banner? It would take the entire sky to promote Brownsville, and then no one elsewhere would believe any of it. So, $6,000 for playing the Big Time game may not be too steep a price to pay, although what comes clear is the idea that Browntown is a needy Mofo. Anything to make us relevant, crows the little mayor. We hear ya, coo the pliant peeps. I'm laughing.
ReplyDeleteWow, unbelievable at the CON games that never stop, and the worst part of it is, it's our own city officials just looking at every little crack to rip off the taxpayers monies.
ReplyDeleteAgain, Unbelievalbe!!!!!!!!!
Send this guy McCarthy over to visit with Pat "15 Percent" Lehmann. Sounds like they crawled out of the same hole. When people want something badly...they are often to eager and what they get is a bad deal. Brownsville and her citizens want a lot, but don't want to pay for it. This is why we see so many scratch-off cards lying in the drive-ways of stations that sell lotto tickets. People who can least afford to gamble often are the ones who get the shaft.
ReplyDeleteIf the City of Brownsville, its local business community, and citizens as a whole knew HOW BAD OF A SCAM THIS IS AND HOW BAD THEY WERE BEING RIPPED OFF, and HOW BAD THE MAYOR AND HIS OFFICE HAS LET DOWN THOSE PEOPLE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SERVE, IT MAKE THIS STORY THE TOP STORY OF YOUR LOCAL NEWS. Unfortunately for me, a concerned individual with a conscience and a wealth of knowledge on this company and its scams can not find a way to get in contact with Juan Montoya, Jim Barton, and or any community representatives that may want to learn MORE and to hold those accountable for what they are doing to the local businesses!! Its true, the mayor, city manager have turned their cheek and are just waiting for it to "blow over" but let it be understood... the community banner scam is still going on, in fact its continuing on in Brownsville and has started in other nearby cities as well. Will somebody step up,and help me help the community!!
ReplyDeletervpark645@hotmail.com
DeleteJim
TY Jim. I will be in contact.
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