The Donna Brown Saga- Opening

The follow-up to looking in to all of the hullabaloo about Donna Brown will be simple and blunt and rather than provide the usual details, it will refer you to unanswered damning particulars that are already easy to find in the public domain. Liberty Dispatch has dedicated itself to better government in Liberty County, in Texas, and in the entire country without regard to political party or friendship. Donna Brown has been our most difficult test as the follow up to the original article has had to change writers’ due to friendship and the disappointment that comes with high expectations. This two article series will simply end with the following generalities in the form of suggestions and the conclusion that District Clerk Donna Brown needs to withdraw from the race and try and get her name off of the ballots before they are printed.

If Donna Brown wanted to open Purse and Perfume, a shop for women, she could have rented space near the courthouse not in the courthouse. She shouldn’t have used courthouse space and she shouldn't have run for District Clerk. If she wanted to run Drop the Kid Off Daycare, she could have rented a space near the courthouse, not use the peoples courthouse. She shouldn’t have used the courthouse and shouldn't have run for District Clerk. If Donna Brown wanted to ignore the district courts and the laws governing the District Clerk’s office she should have done anything but run for District Clerk.

Friends do not ask their friends to defend the defenseless.

FITZGERALD AND BEAUSOLIEL CONTINUE SHAMELESS POLITICS

LIBERTY COUNTY SWAMP CREATURES
Left to right: Donna "For Sale" Brown, Mark "Cashing in" Beausoleil & "FEMA Phil" Fitzgerald

FITZGERALD AND BEAUSOLIEL CONTINUE SHAMELESS POLITICS

When politicians have been rejected by voters after their behavior and actions have been revealed, most of us expect them to shy away not only from running for elective office, but from politics in general. Since the self-serving ways of Phil Fitzgerald and Mark Beausoliel were made public they have received nothing but rejection in very lopsided election defeats.

One need only browse prior news samples of the Fitzgerald and Beausoliel bad mouthing and vilifying the Republican Party to understand why their running is so disturbing to many. The people of Liberty County witnessed firsthand the shamelessness of two men who now remain un-repented despite the very public exposure of their self-enrichment schemes they exercised when placed in a position of public trust. 

In fact, these two remind the public of the hundreds of thousands of dollars they accrued in their public positions in more ways than one. Beausoliel not only using part of his million plus he “earned” while Assistant County Attorney to purchase a garbage pick up company to “serve” this same area (oh the irony!) and then to continue to remind the public of one of the worst most scandalous periods of time in Liberty County politics, opening a law practice tangent to Phil Fitzgerald’s son. The proximity and location of their business sign forever reminding the public of shady deals and illegal contracts – Fitzgerald - Beausoliel attorneys of law. Most in this county will work for years and not get the benefit Phil and Beausoliel sacked away “on the side” as they used the courthouse and jobs we hired them to do as the base for filling their bank accounts.

But they are shameless. Do they think voters will be ignorant enough as time passes that we would hire them again? Fitzgerald’s political signs indicate a resounding “yes” is their answer to what they think of us voters:

Here is just a sample of PHIL’s slogans he tailors on his signs for different communities: 

“HARDIN STRONG” , “DAISETTA STRONG” , “LIBERTY STRONG”

It was incredible PHIL spent months and months with federal prosecutors and eventually just wore them out rather than being proclaimed innocent. But even more incredible is Phil using the slogan made famous recently by Houston strong will and community spirit as they endured and continue to recover from hurricane Harvey – “HOUSTON STRONG”. Phil goes further on his signs by words of encouragement to each community to work together to overcome difficulties. Interesting since Phil has been one of the difficulties we have all had to endure and overcome. Phil did not just screw FEMA – FEMA is funded by taxes from these communities. He reminds us of the storm and the illegal way he profited from it with his campaign signs!

Like Phil, it is evident Beausoliel is no less embolden by not being forced to give back money that never should have been in his hands. Beausoliel’s signs brag he will be “fair and impartial” if elected judge. As a lowly assistant, Beausoliel could not resist the temptation that opportunity presented and never has shown any embarrassment or regret for counting out hundred dollar bills out of a brown paper bag to his accomplice in the courthouse offices.  By putting “fair and impartial” on his political signs Beausoliel may think he will scrounge up some votes from people who have lost their case in the court he wishes he could wear a black robe in, but to many more people it should remind us how right we were to send him packing the last time he tried to sneak in the courthouse hoping people had forgotten his past. Shameless…

THE TRUTH ABOUT DISTRICT CLERK DONNA BROWN’S TIME IN OFFICE

Politics can be a dangerous place for the truth. Before Liberty Dispatch ask it’s readers to swallow the sudden fall from grace of District Clerk Donna Brown, we will require a response to some of the questions we have asked. It may be a fall or it could be an undeserved untrue push. We will know soon enough and we will report what we find out either way.

Donna Brown is the first District Clerk of Liberty County from the GOP’s side of the ballot in decades and the probability of having accumulated political enemies is likely. Or more timely enemies that come with the usual hardball politics that occur during election time could be the source of all of the negativity surrounding Donna in January of 2018.

We have heard the rumors. The accusations of “selling a line of products for women in a space that used the courthouse like a store in the mall”. Or using the first floor of the courthouse like it was “bus stop for children”.  Or in order to fulfill a campaign promise and “impress voters”- “adopting procedures and practices of recording important documents that expose her personally and the county to legal problems”. 

Soon we will independently report our findings whether pro or con as for Donna Brown. If the rumors are just rumors, we will try and find the source of the rumors and exact political payback for attacking an innocent public servant. If the rumors pan out and are true, we may encourage Donna Brown “to resign or terminate her campaign” as one of the rumors suggest she is considering.

Stay tuned. 

Liberty County District Clerk- The Donna Brown Saga...

Check back, coming soon...

REPUBLICAN PARTY SHOULD MAKE RARE WARNING TO VOTERS

Left to Right - Jay Knight, Craig McNair and "FEMA Phil" Fitzgerald

Here we go again Liberty County voters. It is not likely, but it is possible that we re-elect someone who in his past record of public service so publicly violated ethical behavior.

Since news story after news story from the Cleveland Advocate to the Houston Chronicle to all of the Houston television channels covered then Liberty County Judge Phil Fitzgerald’s million dollar plus arrangement with his brother-in-law to fill their pockets and profit off of the county’s response to a hurricane and FEMA money, this will be Fitzgerald’s third time to try to win elective office.

As amazing as it is that Fitzgerald thinks of himself as a viable candidate, if voters are new to the county or too busy to keep up with the news, he will be right there on the ballot for anyone to cast their vote for. The Republican Party has to allow him to run. In his first attempt to run after embarrassing scandalous news reports were broadcast all across southeast Texas attaching Liberty County to FEMA fraud when people were struggling just to get a roof over their heads and food for the day, Fitzgerald continued to run with President Obama as a Democrat as he asked voters to leave him in the cat bird’s seat as County Judge. Multiple scandals, including but not limited to stories about a mail theft and effort to fraudulently discredit a district judge and cash payoffs in the courthouse for unethical legal referrals left questions about Mark Beausoliel and Phil Fitzerald- questions that heretofore have left them unelectable, but not for a lack of trying.

The 2018 Republican primary ballot will include three men who have served one term as County Judge. Jay Knight, the incumbent, Craig McNair, the County Judge that was edged out when Judge Knight was elected, and Phil Fitzgerald. The unapologetic defiant County Judge before both of these men that spent some of his ill gotten gain wearing out the federal courts and successfully staying out of jail.

The Republican Party was never Fitzgerald’s home before because like a captain on a sinking ship he was so proud and considered it an honor to continue to run as a Democrat way beyond the time candidates that were really more like Republicans or those who did not care about party affiliation had switched. But after being stomped in a primary by an unknown carpetbagger, Fitzgerald ran in the party he had ridiculed time and again... as he ran and lost badly in a congressional race.

FEMA contracts for clean up can be quite lucrative and securing a bid is cause for celebration I suppose. Forced to allow Fitzgerald to spend more of his cash, Republicans have no choice but to print Fitzgerald’s name on the ballot. All three of the candidates can be very charming and have all had the public’s trust at one point. But Republicans need to make the rare move of informing the public that Fitzgerald’s charm needs to be kept in the private sector and no where near where Beausoliel’s stack of $100 bills or the county’s mail room or big contracts let by the county.

The voters, not the party, should choose the next county judge. But they deserve to know local Republicans who have worked hard to get competitive candidates to help make this county strong, did not seek him out and do not want him to be seen as representative of their efforts. The message should be, “Stop running for office Phil!” We have two candidates and either of them will make us proud. Be thankful for your freedom and avoid temptation.

By - Staff Contributor

He's back......

Hi Liberty County.  I've been away working on national races and investigations for the past few years. But, I've missed Liberty County and if I could give you a big hug I would...

The upcoming races in Liberty County have peaked my interest and I will be unofficially looking into these races.

For now... one of the races that has attracted my attention is the Chap Cain and Mark Beausoleil District Judge race. It's interesting how the garbage dumpster has popped opened for this race and Mark Beausoleil has crawled out to run for office. If you ever want to know where Mark is, just follow the slime trail from the dumpster to the Liberty County corruption swamp, you will find him there with others. The others of whom I've referred to will be looked into and talked about in the coming days and weeks.

When I first came to Liberty County there was one token Republican (Bobby Rader). To all those who tried to put me down and/or silence me, you only made me stronger.

Love you guys and gals... and The Reaper will expose the Liberty County swamp creatures.  Hang on, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Ray Akins
Republican Activist, Investigator and Contributor - www.libertydispatch.com

When One Falls Another Rises

The elections have passed. Liberty Dispatch is certainly glad Mr. Trump won the election. Liberty County moved along. The local Republican Party, under new leadership, became more active and the ending term of the outgoing Chairman Ken Coleman, filled with sharp criticism, settled down. Hence, the less troubles to report on for us here at Liberty Dispatch. We appreciated the break. 

But, as with most of the political history and corruption in Liberty County, as soon as one beast is slain another rises. 

Once the past Chairman was gone, a new hope fell over us here for the Republican Party. Perhaps differences would be put aside and work could begin to build a strong, united party. As the party kicked into gear it looked very much that way. Most of the fallen that remained, three at most is all that was left, seemed to lick their wounds. They didn't show up for any of the party meetings which lead to, for the first time in recent memory, committees being formed, resolutions being passed, events being planned. Positions that were empty started to be filled. The State convention produced a group of delegates that worked together and did Liberty County well. Those who remained from previous leadership did what was expected and fell down on their obligations to attend convention as delegates, which in the end lead to a more solid group of delegates working for purpose. 

All parties must come to an end. The cracks started to appear as the Elector, Art Sisneros, elected to represent this area with a vote in the Electoral College, decided he would not support the party nominee. That unleashed untold amounts of anger. Sighting his religious views didn't do much for covering his betrayal to his oath to represent us and vote for Donald Trump. The current Chairman did do a good job of not jumping the gun and calling for heads to roll and clearly stated he felt Mr. Sisneros should do his duty and vote for Mr. Trump. There were plenty of us doing that. In the end, Mr. Sisneros resigned from the last Liberty Dispatch has seen. There seems to be confusing information, but we will still get our representation and our Elector for Trump as we should. Liberty Dispatch agrees Mr. Sisneros was way off. He was to represent us, he should have been removed.

But, the biggest problem Mr. Sisneros caused was his actions feed the deflated old rulers just enough food to retake to the public platform of calling for heads to roll and misplaced anger and blame. This has made the perfect environment for the most socially awkward member left from the old guard in the party, Paul Newton, a soapbox. Mr. Newton has taken to the social media wasteland to proclaim that now somehow all of this is a failure of leadership on the part of the new Chairman and Vice Chairman and a group of Libertarians which he proposes is Jeff Leblanc, Mr. Sisneros and Keith Strahan just to name a few. 

Liberty Dispatch, as first, was actually in agreement with Mr. Newton, and this is how this investigation started. But, as we set out on this report and spoke to party members, we noticed there was much more at play in all of this. Being Liberty County as it was, this wasn't shocking. 


Mr. Newton is a precinct chairman in the local party. We have found he rarely has attended most meetings since new leadership took over the party. The party now, since new leadership has taken over, has moved to having monthly meetings, not just quarterly meetings as the past leadership had. it seems Mr. Newton has only made tow of those meetings. This was out first clue something wasn't right. If Mr. Newton hardly invests in the party, how can he claim there is some group influencing leadership? Additionally, surely Mr. Newton is not naive enough to think that local leaders could change anything Mr. Sisneros did on his own. Mr. Sisneros, according to news reports, was getting calls from all over the Nation. If that didn't force him to honor his role, we doubt Mr. Daniel or Mr. Bush could have. At this point, as some have pointed out, Mr. Newton seems like a rabid dog chasing a bone. Clearly, Mr. Sisneros was elected at convention not by them alone. He was elected at convention by over 400 delegates from all around this area. And these are solid republican delegates. So, placing this blame on local party leaders is asinine.

At this point, Liberty Dispatch has to wonder just what Mr. Newton's angle is? He shares his contempt for the party leaders while he serves as a precinct chair in the very group he tears down. His actions have gone far beyond some personal issues he has with his political adversaries to an outright liability himself to the local party. He's harming all outreach the party is trying to accomplish. No one wants to be involved with the train wreck he is trying to paint of  a party. Liberty Dispatch's biggest issue here is why does Mr. Newton still serve in the party? His own actions, in our opinion, have now become more harmful to the party's future than anything Mr. Sisneros might have been. His actions are almost schizophrenic. Liberty Dispatch did see where some have actually questioned whether Mr. Newton is even a Republican. If he is, why cause the party harm? According to his voting, record he did vote in the democratic primary in 2008, which was the rise of Obama, so perhaps those rumors aren't unfounded? Perhaps Mr. Newton has other agendas in mind. Perhaps if he tears the party down to shreds he can place the blame on the current administration so he can suggest he can be the savior and same the day come next election cycle? No matter his reasons, the harm he is causing the party is criminal and he should be ashamed of himself.

 Liberty Dispatch suggests to Mr. Newton he resign his position immediately, just as Mr. Sisneros did. If he believes the party is as bad as he has been stating, why stay and destroy its good works? If he doesn't want to resign, Liberty Dispatch suggests he either join party efforts or local leadership take a rightful role, in this local situation unlike with Mr. Sisneros, and consider censure of Mr. Newton and his removal from office. As far as the future, voters in his district should be desperately seeking a man of character and a spirit of optimism bold to replace him next election cycle. As with before leadership change, and still after, Mr. Newton claims so many others are causing problems, perhaps someone needs to get him a mirror.

 Our message, get over your personal feelings, Mr. Newton and do the job you were seated to do. And, that job was to help build a party, not destroy it.