Project Destiny

Dead.
Just read the comments of this article:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070125/NEWS/70125011/1001/RSS01

Archie Brooks; A criminal? Remember the 1993 flood and the operation of civil communication towers located at the top of the Ruan building?
This fucker has been a crook for many years and should have been put down years ago.
Can you say South Side Mafia?

Of course, many of these links seem to disappear over time, so here is the article and comments in their entirety:

Trials for three key players in the ongoing CIETC salary scandal might not happen for a year or more, the lawyer for one of the defendants said this morning.

Former accountant Karen Tesdell, former Iowa Workforce Development deputy director Jane Barto and former Des Moines City Councilman Archie Brooks were in federal court in Des Moines this morning to be arraigned on fraud and conspiracy charges. All three pleaded not guilty.

They were formally charged and then released on their promises to show up for future court dates. Former CIETC chief executive Ramona Cunningham, who now lives in Louisiana, will be in court for formal charges on Feb. 1.

Trial dates for Tesdell, Jane Barto and Brooks were set for April 2. But Tom Whitney, Brooks’ attorney, said the date is unlikely because those charged have yet to see any of the evidence against them.

Today’s arraignment was brief. None of the defendants spoke publicly either before or after the charges were read. All were required to surrender their passports.

Barto’s attorney, Leon Spies, asked the media to “respect her privacy” and “appreciate the anxiety she is experiencing.”

Government authorities unsealed a 26-page indictment earlier this month that charged four with counts that include conspiracy, fraud, embezzlement and obstruction. Each faces at least 10 years in prison for their roles in what proscuters contend was a plan to divert nearly $2 million in job training money into salaries and bonuses over about 2 1/2 years.

A fifth executive, former chief operating officer John Bargman, is cooperating with authorities under a plea deal that will net him less than four years behind bars.




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satisfying Posted by: Susan
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:14 pm
I must admit to some satisfaction over seeing Archie Brooks in court over his crimes. It's long over do from his illegal behavior during the floods of 1993. I've long resented the charges against him being dropped back then. It will be even more satisfying when he's wearing an orange jail jumpsuit.

The other thing I resent is that he will probably continue to use his stroke as his defense. "I didn't know what I was signing, my brain wasn't tracking information" and other such excuses. All baloney for a man who continued to work full time and serve on the DM City Council. I hope he doesn't get away with it. It's an insult to people who actually have life changing strokes.

How refreshing it would be to have Mr. Brooks simply admit he is guilty and take his slap on the wrist punishment. It would certainly be less stressful for someone who is at risk for another stroke.


must have been a real circus... Posted by: frmr PROMISE JOBS emplye
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:43 pm
And in ring number three is the Greed Brigade! See how their trainers ask the audience to respect their anxiety at being made to perform! But oh... one is missing! Where is the Queen? Of course Ramona wouldn't want to share the spotlight. Remember audience, same time and place next week.... the Queen of the Greed Brigrade will grace us with her presence... unless she and Albritton are out buying a boat, OR she is at Praire Meadows gambling with the last of the taxpayer's money, OR she is at the doctor's office trying to decide which plastic surgery procedure to do next, OR she is at some resort for "work-related" training... or she's on her second date with Archie, OR.... well I could go on.... Don't forget next week's entertainment... let's see what Ramona's trainer emplores the audience to do for her!


Reader Comment Posted by: Ferd
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:29 pm
Don't kid yourself. These folks long ago rationalized their behaviour. In their minds they are innocent. On the one hand, our society sends the message that greed is a virtue. On the other, we're peeved when it isn't the right people getting the goods. Only when we all back off our insatiable hunger for mammon will real virtue be restored. It may take a good depression to break the gravy train.


GIVE IT UP!! Posted by: Iowanwhocounts
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:49 pm
You all have lied and cheated your way through much more than you are being indicted for-step up to the plate and come clean for a change. Own up to the wrong doing and move on with your lives-behind bars. I know it must be hard to do the right thing since you have gotten away with doing the wrong thing for so long but make a difference for the rest of us instead of yourselves for a change-YOU GOT CAUGHT-PAY THE PRICE!!

You may think you are above approach, but you should have thought of that before you made the decision to to take instead of give to those of us who look to you for help.

Stop playing the pathetic victim-you are way past that role.


Reader Comment Posted by: JMom
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:34 am
Absolute BS - I hope they hurry and get the trials set and get them locked up - we've paid long enough and taxpayers don't deserve to pay any more - PUBLIC SERVANT! - Barto must be on good pain meds


reimbursement Posted by: Bob in WDM
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:12 am
$360,000 for a CEO of CIETC seems to pale in comparison to the $5 to $10 million the CEO of Principal in making. Although both seem totally out of line.


Reader Comment Posted by: Bloghead
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:02 am
UNBELIEVEABLE!!! How on earth can Ms. Barto request that people "respect her privacy???" What part of PUBLIC SERVANT don't you understand, lady?

Further, what part of "you owe the general public appearances and answers for your transgressions against us taxpayers" don't you understand?

You are a fool if you think you should be able to hide.


NOT GUILTY ?? YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME !! Posted by: DR.COOLBEANS
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:52 am
They are going to string this out for a long long time. The taxpayers are paying for this crap !! I still would like to know where the money went. These people have been milking the system for years.


Reader Comment Posted by: Bloghead
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:22 am
It doesn't appear that Archie benefitted monetarily so I am looking forward to the investigation revealing what he did get out of it...besides the one or two dates with Ramona. I can't even imagine that any woman (especially an overdone, unattractive one) would be worth going down this way after 30+ years of public service.


Charged for being DEMOCRAT. Posted by: whocares
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:18 am
But the idiots of Iowa seem to be screaming for more of the same.