Re: March 12, 2014 "Security firm's claims falsified" atten: David J. Butler/Opinion

MY OPINION:

Your article in the March 12, issue of the Tribune written by investigative reporters Thomas Peele and Matt O'Brien "Security firm's claims falsified" demonstrates the selective reporting of the questionable $450,000.00 security contract awarded to BMT Security Service to provide security for 40 acres of Port waterfront property.

The Tribune along with other media outlets however, failed to provide any coverage when the then Oakland Port Commissioners on January 6, 2012 terminated the Exclusive Negotiation Agreement {ENA} between the Port of Oakland and Prologis CCIG Oakland Global LLC for the Port side of the $700,000,000.00 (million)dollar development project for the former Oakland Army Base.  


The reason provided for terminating the ENA was largely do to the inability of the developers (Phil Tagami and associates) failure to provide the private dollars necessary to complete the project without the Port subsidizing the development team.  Additionally, Phil Tagami, falsely represented that he had paid a $50,000.00(thousand) dollar refundable security deposit, thus securing the Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with the Port.  


A response to a Public Records Request from Port staff on October 15, 2012 indicates the following:  "Dan Connelly asked me to respond to your request below for copies of the $50,000.00 check to and from Mr. Tagami...There is no such check in connection with a refundable security deposit arising out of the Exclusive Negotiations that expired on January 6, 2012".

Recently, the Port Commissioners awarded a second Exclusive Negotiation Agreement, that was previously terminated for the Port side of the former Oakland Army Base to Prologis CCIG Oakland Global LLC.  It should be noted, the finances of Prologis CCIG Oakland Global LLC have not improved since January 6, 2012.  There is however a change in the composition of the Port Commissioners , those who are willing to provide Prologis CCIG Oakland Global with a Port subsidy.

Additionally, the Tribune failed to provide coverage of the fraudulent conveyance for the City side of the former Oakland Army Base development project.  Throughout 2012 Prologis CCIG Oakland Global LLC did not posses a business license [as is required]in the City of Oakland warranting the City Council authorizing the Lease Disposition Development Agreement(LDDA) conveying the City side of the former Oakland Army Base to Prologis CCIG Oakland Global LLC in June of 2012 that was signed on Dec.. 4, 2012.  The City Attorney's legal opinion acknowledges that Prologis CCIG Oakland Global LLC did not posses such a business license certificate as is required by the City's own Contract Compliance Office.

The combined projects on the former Oakland Army Base between the Port side and the City side is in access of One Billion dollars($1,000,000,000.00) and no coverage of what appears to be a fraudulent conveyance of Public land requiring subsidies by both the City and the Port.


Gene Hazzard
Oakland resident 
(510)418-0501
www.cleanokland.com