STOP THE OKLAHOMA MAFIA NOW!
The State of Oklahoma is a criminal enterprise that extorts money from taxpayers and terrorizes its own citizens. The Insurance Mafia owns and controls the Oklahoma Legislature and together they have decided that anyone caught driving without insurance will have their vehicle impounded. The fine for this crime against humanity and the cost of towing and impoundment will exceed the weekly take home pay of anyone who makes less than $20.00 an hour. Does that include you?
Put yourself in the shoes of a senior citizen on a fixed income or a college student who is already upside down with student loans. Will the working poor be jailed for failure to pay these fines and will a well-connected wrecker service seize the family car and sell your only source of transportation for towing and storage charges? —- Of course they will!
The legal system will also make a fortune and thousands of poor people will go to jail, lose their jobs and end up filing for bankruptcy. YES, my wife and I both have been hit by an uninsured motorist and we have also been screwed by the Insurance Mafia after being hit by an insured motorist!
Have you ever asked yourself why we are forced to carry insurance on every vehicle we own instead of simply buying a liability policy for the driver? It’s simple. The Insurance Mafia wrote the law and their puppets in the State Legislature passed it!
It would be nice if everyone could afford car insurance but no one should ever be forced to choose between feeding their family and doing business with an organized crime syndicate that has a long history of cheating their customers and bribing public officials.
Oklahoma is the most corrupt state in America and it is high time we put an end to these criminal activities. A good place to start is to repeal ALL mandatory insurance laws and put at least one corporate terrorist out of business. I urge everyone to stop doing business with Allstate Insurance Company and vote against anyone who sponsors legislation that forces you to buy anything you can not afford.
Exposing the Insurance Mafia is only the beginning. In the next few weeks you will learn how the State of Oklahoma and the Turnpike Authority squander hundreds of millions of dollars on outside professional service contracts that are not subject to competitive bidding and how those funds end up in the hands of public officials. You will also learn how the Oklahoma Tax Commission extorts money from small business owners while handing out millions of dollars in unearned tax credits to the politically connected fat cats who
have mastered the art of NOT PAYING TAXES.
Please use the contact information below to report government corruption.
MafiaBusters.com L.L.C.
P.O. Box 702165
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74170-2165
Email: MafiaBusters@gmail.com
Our Building on I-44 in Tulsa
Our Ad Campaign will consist of strategically placed billboards, yard signs, bumper stickers and press conferences.
Power to you.
Oklahoma is a State that is run by the rich,for the rich. Tulsa is a better example of this than OKC. I’ll start to have faith when the police start patroling Brookside on weekends without worrying about arresting the wrong trust-fund baby.
The very best of luck to you. My compliments on standing up to a political machine that has existed for many years. WATCH YOUR BACK. These folks are capable of anything and they own the cops.
Comment by Dave L. — September 7, 2007 @ 3:53 am
Saw your sign on I-44. The State of Oklahoma is the most corrupt state in America and it is time we do something about it! I’ll pay for 1,000 MafiaBusters.com signs. I’m with you on this one. Thanks for speaking out. Are you the same guy who did the ONGsucks.com billboard?
Comment by Kevin from OKC — September 12, 2007 @ 9:42 am
Man, you’ve got guts! The Oklahoma Mafia is REAL and citizens need to wake-up and fight back. Our taxes are too high, college tuition is outrageous, the turnpikes are highway robbery and our bridges and highways are falling apart. Oklahoma exports billions of dollars in gas and oil and we are at the bottom of the rung when it comes to wages, quality of life and infrastructure. What’s wrong with this picture? Oklahoma is the most corrupt state in America!
Comment by Beth and Jesse from Norman — September 12, 2007 @ 10:13 am
Everyone needs to click on the Prowling Owl link. This information is incredible and should outrage every citizen. We need to run all these criminals out of our state, including the bankers who orchestrated these tax frauds. Keep up the good work!
Comment by Becky from Guthrie — September 12, 2007 @ 10:21 am
Saw your sign and had to come to your website. The only thing ODOT is interested in is wasting tax dollars on attorney fees. The head guy at ODOT is best friends with the law firm that gets all the condemnation contracts. It’s a smelly deal that must be stopped. Keep up the good work!
Comment by Sapulpa Sam — September 12, 2007 @ 10:47 am
People all over the USA have been moved for highway widening, it’s not just you, and yes you do get compensation. Maybe you shouldn’t have bought a building next to a highway in the first place, huh? Maybe you should move to South America where the highway system is awful.
The reason there is a legal process to do this is for fools like you that don’t think it’s a good idea to widen a highway. Is it expensive? YES. Could it be easier? YES. But if you haven’t noticed that stretch of highway next to your “office” is very dangerous and needs improvement. Sorry for your problems.
Licky
P.S. You are insane
Comment by Licky — September 18, 2007 @ 2:07 pm
Hey Licky:
I don’t have a problem with the widening of I-44 but I do have a problem with being lied to and sued. Are you a lawyer? If so, that probably explains your negative comment and your total lack of knowledge and compassion.
Kindest regards,
Tom Quinn
918-298-2677
Comment by Tom Quinn — September 24, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
ODOT doesn’t care how many businesses they ruin or how much money they waste. All they care about is how much CASH their buddies end up with. Our highway system is a disaster!!!
Comment by Seth from OKC — September 25, 2007 @ 10:51 am
I work for the O.D.O.T. and you are dead right. Grantham is a bad guy! He loves to file lawsuits and gloat about the people he has made miserable. You should see the legal bills we receive and the awards the juries come back with. All of this could be avoided if the State would work with property owners and tenants and treat people with dignity and respect. Good luck!
Comment by The Bean Counter — September 25, 2007 @ 11:05 am
Grantham is an incompetent blow hard. I’ve put up with his condescending attitude and fowl mouth for years. You’re right, he should be fired!
Comment by Legally Blonde — September 30, 2007 @ 7:02 pm
Saw your sign on I-44 and we definitely need to meet. I worked for the DOT for 35 years and can tell you some real horror stories. You would not believe the number of politicians and State employees that buy up property and sell it to the taxpayers at obscene prices. They form obscure LLC’s and nobody investigates the names of the true owners. These deals go through without a hitch while legitimate property owners are badgered into submission. I’ll give you a call so we can discuss this in person.
Comment by JC — September 30, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
Saw your sign and had an idea for a great billboard. WELCOME TO OKLAHOMA! Celebrating 100 Years of Political Corruption.
Comment by David from Ardmore — October 2, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
It’s hard to imagine a more backward and corrupt state than Oklahoma. I have worked for the State for 21 years and there are lots of good people here at the ODOT, but Grantham is not one of them. Watch your back because he is a very mean and vindictive person.
Comment by BlackTop — October 3, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
Saw your sign and couldn’t wait to get back to my computer. I see you’re having trouble with Robert Grantham. We crossed paths over our condemnation case and it ended up costing the taxpayers another $350,000.00 plus attorney fees. We tried our best to settle but he wouldn’t listen. I can’t believe the Governor hasn’t figured out what he’s doing. It’s all about the lawyers getting their piece of the pie. Keep up the good work and put us down for 50 signs.
Comment by Lisa and Larry from Tulsa — October 3, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
The Oklahoma Mafia has its tentacles in every contract that is awarded and the legislature goes along with it because each member gets his or her cut. The payoffs are distributed in cash, campaign contributions and future business and or employment opportunities. The bagman launders the money through ad agencies and other outside professional service contractors (lawyers, consultants, engineers, etc.) and they redistribute it to the candidates and or their families.
Have you ever noticed that a politician that goes into office broke always comes out rich? It’s not just the politicians, it’s also the strategically placed bureacrats that are robbing us. They have more to do with contract administration and can manipulate the numbers so the contractor gets paid for extras he doesn’t deserve. The professional service contracts are the worst because there is no competitive bidding. These contracts are usually for advertising, legal work, engineering and consultants. Any time a CONSULTANT is involved, you can be assured there is also a kick back!!
Comment by Les from Lawton — October 4, 2007 @ 6:28 am
I worked for a consulting firm that did business with the City of Tulsa. We charged $90,000.00 to study airport noise and it took less than 3 minutes to conduct the study and print out the results. Not bad money when you consider that the same study was sold to 20 other cities.
Comment by Not Tellin' — October 5, 2007 @ 6:52 am
There are a lot of good people at the ODOT but Bob Grantham is not one of them. There is no telling how much money he has cost the taxpayers. Good luck and thanks for standing up to the BIG BULLY!
Comment by I-Man from OKC — October 5, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
ODOT lied to my 82 year old mother and took her house for about 50% of its value. To add insult to injury, it took another 6 months to get her relocation benefits. They told her it would take 3 weeks. This is no way to treat an old lady.
Give ‘em HELL!
Comment by Elsa — October 7, 2007 @ 8:04 am
If the DOT would negotiate in good faith, they could avoid 99% of the lawsuits and construction delays. Of course if the State did that then the lawyers wouldn’t get their piece of the action.
Comment by Bill and Mary from Tulsa — October 7, 2007 @ 8:10 am
Saw your sign and would like to get involved. Please send 20 bumper stickers and 2 t-shirts - 1 xxl and 1 medium. Everyone should click on the Prowling Owl link. It’s a real eye opener. It’s kind of sad to see Barry Switzer’s name associated with such a corrupt tax scam.
Comment by Nina from Yukon — October 7, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
Let me get this straight. Oklahoma spends $535 million a year promoting economic development (trying to attract business to our state) and then ODOT comes along and does everything in its power to destroy existing businesses. Doesn’t make sense to me! I-44 needs to be widened but the State must be more considerate of the people they are displacing.
Comment by Frank from Norman — October 11, 2007 @ 7:15 am
I-44 definitely needs to be widened but ODOT should make the move as painless as possible for tenants and property owners. You should be reimbursed for all your expenses and compensated for your time and lost revenue. No business should face bankruptcy because the State drags its feet or some government employee gets his jollies by harrassing the public. I admire you for standing up for what’s right.
Comment by Delta from Claremore — October 11, 2007 @ 11:51 am
Everyone should click on the Prowling Owl link. Lots of good stuff about how the Oklahoma Mafia operates. Good luck with your battle against ODOT. Hopefully you get paid before they break you.
Comment by Sammy from Tahlequah — October 11, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
The tax credit scandal is unbelievable! Who is the Prowling Owl?
Comment by Wes — October 12, 2007 @ 9:03 am
It seems as though Mr. Grantham may be getting a kickback from his attorney friends. Have you checked his bank account???
Comment by Blind Justice — October 12, 2007 @ 9:06 am
Every contract that is let by the State includes money for the attorneys. That’s how the system is set up and that’s why everything costs so much. Nobody cares if you go broke just as long as the lawyers get their share of the bounty.
Comment by Tim from Shawnee — October 12, 2007 @ 9:10 am
I work for the DOT and have long thought that Grantham was on the take. He is just a little too eager when it comes to filing lawsuits and his attitude is definitely hostile toward property owners and tenants. Sorry you are not being treated fairly but please know that most of us here at the ODOT are good honest people.
Comment by Duke from Owasso — October 14, 2007 @ 7:15 am
Highway improvements are important but so is your property and your business. The DOT should go out of their way to see that you are compensated fairly.
Comment by JT — October 14, 2007 @ 7:19 am
Saw your sign and couldn’t wait to get to my computer. Looks like you are being shafted by the DOT. I’m sure they lied to you just like they did us. We were promised relocation expenses that never came. We ended up closing our business in Tulsa and moved to Branson. We will never do business in Oklahoma again. Too corrupt!!!!
Comment by Les and Vivian from Branson — October 14, 2007 @ 7:24 am
They took our house and gave us a fair price but it took forever to get our money. We couldn’t wait to get out of Tulsa because of the high taxes, crime and lousy streets. Now, it’s your turn. Good luck!
Comment by Chet and Lilly — October 15, 2007 @ 5:37 am
We were told that all right-of-way acquistion would take place on the south side of the highway. Now they are taking property on both sides. Doesn’t make sense!!! We bought our house 14 months ago and now it’s gone. I wish ODOT could make up their mind. Sorry for your problems.
Comment by Rex — October 15, 2007 @ 5:53 am
Saw your sign on I-44 and couldn’t agree with you more. Oklahoma is run by the Mafia!
Comment by Milt — October 16, 2007 @ 6:43 pm
Mr. Quinn is doing a great service exposing long neglected wrongs. Wrongs that exist because we have all been lead to believe a little corruption is inevitable in any government. And, of course we have those like “Licky” above who for some reason can’t separate the issues of a government serving the public while failing to act in the best interest of the public.
Oklahoma has always been a barter/cronyism form of government. Political give and take has to exist, but the question is when has it gone too far? When are the wrongs things being bartered? Anyone that takes a looks at how Oklahoma legislative process works, and can’t see the potential for rampant abuse, is shall we say, being as kind as possible, blindly stupid! My guess is we don’t have a lot of blindly stupid people. Rather a whole lot of people who don’t care to see how the government really functions.
Here is the real world. Basically, one or a few will work on each bill. Those bills go to the floor and they go thru - a you vote for my bill and I vote for your bill - trade off. Most are sound bills by what are thought to be honorable legislators. Those so called honorable legislators are willing to trade a vote on something they never read let alone understand. Those so called honorable have bought into the turn back. It is the acceptance of turning ones back, and seeing no evil, that allows these so called honorable to convince themselves they are doing no wrong. They took care of their own constituents needs. Everyone knows some hanky panky will always exist. That is all that counts.
This is all documented with references on ProwlingOwl.com
Those who still refuse to accept such can happen, then they are obvious refusing to stay informed. Look at sequence of our legislative process. First the comment by Sen Ted Fisher, D-Sapulpa, while Chairman of the Senate Economic Development Committee who authored the “Capital Formation Incentive Act,” when ask how this legislation was written to allow this fraud. Fisher said “some unknown person ‘tweaked’ the law, and he failed to notice.” Then in 2006 Sen Ted Fisher and the legislator were supposedly correcting that “ghostly tweak”, when the bill got to the house only two people worked on the bill before it was rushed to the floor in the harried closing moments of the legislative session. Who were those two people? State Rep. Kevin Calvey, R, Chairman of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, and the one Mr. Calvey who relied on for advice, Paul Doughty, Altus Ventures. Mr. Doughty had just delivered, Mr. Calvey who was running for US Congress a $21,900 campaign donations. Mr. Paul Doughty as head of Altus Ventures was the one promoting that he could get investors $2 for everyone they invested in his Quartz Mountain Aerospace venture. Actually, 3 for one, the investors received $2 for every $1 invested immediately, in tax credits, which they could use or sell. Plus they kept their investment. The investors were suppose to get 30% in tax credits, but got 200%.
How? The honorable Mr. Calvey turned his back allowing a large contributor to dictate the changes legislation. The honorable Mr. Calvey then using the influence of his position got the bill through in the harried closing moments.
In the end it is the turning the back mentality that is so pervasive and allows the corrupt to operate and write the laws at will.
That is reality folks.
Comment by Nite oWL — October 17, 2007 @ 10:49 am
Our property on Highway 75 is being condemned and we are receiving the same treatment as you. You would think the State would want to keep businesses here rather than run them out of town. I will never set foot back in Oklahoma once the lawsuits are over and we get paid for our property. Good luck!
Comment by The ChairMan from Glenpool — October 22, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
I spent two hours reading the Prowling Owl and have never been so pissed off in my life. Where do these people get off thinking they can steal OUR money and get away with it. I’m ashamed of Barry Switzer and Governor Henry for being involved in these tax scams. Why is the Attorney General ignoring this? Is he in on the take too? Thanks to the Prowling Owl. Keep up the good work!
Comment by Snoop Dawg — October 22, 2007 @ 1:02 pm
Your sign made me laugh! I’ve lived in Oklahoma my entire life and have always wondered how a State with so many natural resources could be so backward and poor. Now I know. Oklahoma was founded by criminals and their decendants are still here and stealing more than ever. Thanks for putting up the sign and the website and tell the Prowling Owl to keep up the good work.
Comment by Tim from Tulsa — October 24, 2007 @ 7:56 am
You would think that the State would do everything in their power to retain businesses that are already here.
Comment by Jeff — October 24, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
The Prowling Owl is the best investigative reporter in Oklahoma. This tax scam is a serious matter and every elected official that supported this legislation should be removed from office immediately. Where’s the mainstream media???
Comment by Les from Moore Oklahoma — October 24, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
The DOT cares nothing about you or your employees. Their primary objective is to generate revenue for the lawyers and consultants.
Comment by Chris from Chandler — October 24, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
Bill Grantham has been wasting the taxpayers money for years. He’s a self-centered jerk and should be run out of Oklahoma! Tell him Chuckhole said hi!
Comment by Chuck Hole — October 24, 2007 @ 6:15 pm
Your Oklahoma Mafia sign on I-44 says it all. The only think I disagree with is which state is more corrupt. I think Louisiana is probably number one and Oklahoma number two. The Prowling Owl is great! Everyone should be outraged about these tax scams. Let’s throw the bums out!
Comment by Ty from OKC — October 26, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
Great website! I love your sign on I-44. This Grantham guy sounds like a real “A” hole but I seriously doubt that he is the ring leader for the Oklahoma Mafia. I’m thinking the Energy Mafia and the bankers pretty much control everything that goes on in the State. I’m on your side and sincerely hope you get paid for your trouble. I read the Prowling Owl and highly recommend everyone do the same. The Owl proves Oklahoma really is the MOST CORRUPT STATE IN AMERICA!
Comment by Trish from Guthrie — October 26, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
We are experiencing the same problems with ODOT. The consultants they hired to handle our relocation promised to help but nothing ever happened. We ended up having to borrow money to pay all of our moving expenses and still have not received a single penny from the State. It’s like they want to force us to hire an attorney to collect what we are entitled to. It’s enough to make anyone want to move out of Oklahoma. Know any good lawyers????
Comment by Ben and Jo from Tulsa — October 28, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
I-44 needs to be widened so homeowners and businesses must be displaced. The taxpayers, the traveling public, are the beneficiaries so they must foot the bill for relocating all these people. No one who sacrifices his or her business or property should be treated unfairly and any state employee who does so, should be fired immediately.
Comment by Jerry from Bristow — October 28, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
The Prowling Owl is a must read. It proves the Oklahoma Mafia is alive and well even though Gene Stipe has been ruled incompetent and no longer holds public office.
Comment by Mick from Big Mac — October 28, 2007 @ 7:09 pm
I saw your sign on the Spy Shop and couldn’t wait to pull up your website. We also own property on I-44 and have been waiting 6 months for our relocation benefits. Our businesses are shut down and our income has stopped. YES, the Oklahoma Mafia is alive and well. Thanks for exposing these bastards for what they are, LIARS, CHEATS and THIEVES! The Prowling Owl is definitely a MUST READ!
Comment by Smitty — October 29, 2007 @ 11:39 am
I can’t believe Barry Switzer is involved in this tax fraud scheme. Where did the Prowling Owl get this information? You’ll have to forgive me. I graduated from OU and can’t read or write very well.
Comment by Bubba — October 30, 2007 @ 7:30 am
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation could avoid 99% of the problems associated with litigation if they would simply communicate and negotiate fairly with those affected by right-of-way acquisition. The appearance of cronyism is obvious and I strongly suspect there’s payola involved. Happens all the time!
Comment by Legal Eagle — November 4, 2007 @ 8:49 pm
Kickbacks and bribes are a way of life in Oklahoma. Pay the right person and your problems will go away. Call me!
Comment by The Bag Man — November 4, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
I heard your speech at the State Capital on Thursday. You did a GREAT job and should be commended for your composure and diplomacy. It’s obvious your company has suffered great financial loss and you have endured many personal hardships as a result of the DOT. I sincerely hope Mr. Ridley keeps his word and you are compensated fairly. Best of luck with all your endeavors.
Comment by Rep One — November 4, 2007 @ 9:04 pm
We need more people like you. Your presentation before the Civil Justice Committee was superb. Good luck with your ODOT negotiations, keep up the good work and please don’t leave Oklahoma.
Comment by OK57 — November 5, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
Seems to me that if our illustrious governer can’t get his crap together and fix this injustice, then maybe we need to elect somebody that will. I’m a small business owner and have felt the crunch of these schemes that line the pockets of Brad Henry all the way down the line. GO GET EM! I got your back!
Comment by that1guy — November 6, 2007 @ 2:03 am
It’s obvious that someone is on the take! Why would the State waste tax dollars on lawsuits when that money could be better spent on roads and bridges? Could it be that the consultants and lawyers are sharing their booty with a few politicians and bureacrats? The Prowling Owl has definitely done his homework.
Comment by Snoopy One — November 6, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
Saw your sign on I-44 in Tulsa and laughed all the way to the Turnpike gate where I had to cough up another $16.00 to pay the Turnpike Mafia. When are the people of Oklahoma going to realize that Turnpikes are HIGHWAY ROBBERY and the number one deterent to economic development? It’s no wonder the rest of the country, and apparently many of its own people, believe that Oklahoma is the most Corrupt State in America! I’ve been a truck driver for 32 years and would never consider owning a business in Oklahoma.
Comment by Spanky — November 6, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
What happened to the Spy Shop and the E-Commerce School? Where did they move? Are they still in business? Does anybody care? Apparently, the ODOT doesn’t care how many business go broke or how many move out of State because of their condemnation practices. I’m tired of paying for tax breaks for out of state companies while local businesses are treated like s—it? Count me in for 500 MafiaBuster bumper stickers. Where do I send the money???
Comment by SBA Man — November 6, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
The Spy Shop moved to Skiatook and the E-Commerce School is at the West end of the Jenks bridge. The bumper stickers are $1.00 each and you can send a check to the E-Commerce Education Foundation, P.O. Box 702165 - Tulsa, OK 74170-2165. Our phone number is 918-298-2677. Thanks for your support and the order. Sorry we don’t have our on-line store up and running.
Comment by Tom Quinn — November 6, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
Robert Grantham has cost the taxpayers millions. Check out these lawsuits.
Comment by hoodia — November 8, 2007 @ 12:15 am
Grantham sucks big time! I researched every lawsuit he has filed against property owners and tenants and it looks like he has cost taxpayers over $100 million dollars in legal fees, appraisal fees and commissioner fees, not to mention the court costs and all the valuable time wasted. You’re right, this guy definitely needs to be fired.
Comment by JLNO — November 12, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
How many pot holes and bridges could be fixed with the money this guy Grantham squanders on lawsuits?
Comment by The Hack — November 13, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
Taxpayers are sheep being lead to the slaughter.
Comment by Tami — November 13, 2007 @ 7:02 pm
Saw your sign on I-44 in Tulsa and couldn’t wait to read your website. You are dead right! ODOT would rather waste money on lawsuits than fix our roads and bridges. This guy Grantham is a prime example of what’s wrong with our country.
Comment by Helen from Miami — November 14, 2007 @ 8:08 am
Don’t blame you for being mad. The State should do everything in their power to help you - not harrass you.
Comment by Beth from Chandler — November 14, 2007 @ 8:31 am
Have you done any research into the exact dollar figure that lawsuits add to the cost of right-of-way acquisition? I was involved in a condemnation case where the State spent $85,000 on a $4,000 property. The case lasted 5 years and the property owner ended up with $4,900.00. It doesn’t make sense to spend that much money on legal fees when a reasonable settlement could have been reached in a matter of hours. Sic ‘em!
Comment by The Lawman from Lawton — November 14, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
We’ve done our research and it is apparent that the ODOT is wasting millions of dollars on lawsuits that should never have been filed.
Comment by Tom Quinn — November 15, 2007 @ 8:27 am
The State took my property 9 years ago and we are still involved in a lawsuit. My legal fees are killing me. I can only imagine how much the taxpayers are being soaked by all the State hired lawyers. You do realize there are 2 or more lawyers at every hearing and deposition? The legal fees are more than my property is worth. Doesn’t make sense, unless you are on the receiving end of all this graft.
Comment by Coop — November 15, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
The whole condemnation process is a SCAM that could be made SIMPLE and FAIR. The State needs your land. The people need a highway. The taxpayers pay a reasonable price for your land and your tenants are made whole so they can pick up the pieces and get on with their lives.
Unfortunately, that’s not how the process works.
The State refuses to negotiate in good faith because all their buddies have not been included in the process. The attorneys, the appraisers, the commissioners, the courts and all the consultants must get their cut.
If the property owners and tenants can afford a GOOD attorney, several expert witnesses and can wait 2-10 years for their case to come to trial, they might get some of their money back. If they can’t, most will simply go broke or move out of State.
WELCOME TO OKLAHOMA - Celebrating 100 Years of Waste, Corruption and GREED!
Comment by Tom Quinn — November 16, 2007 @ 7:35 am
Can’t imagine what it would be like to relocate my business after being in the same location for 20 years. Then, to have to fight a lawsuit on top of that, would be too much for me and my wife. How much is it worth? I don’t know but I sure wouldn’t let them get off cheap. Good luck! Sandi and Rick.
Comment by Sandi and Rick — November 28, 2007 @ 7:30 am
Grantham needs to resign. He’s been a horses ass all his life and has cost the taxpayers a fortune.
Comment by The Greek — November 28, 2007 @ 7:31 am
You need to check in to the relationship between Grantham and the outside attorneys that handle all the DOT lawsuits. You will find a very cozy relationship that doesn’t pass the smell test.
Comment by Okie Snoop — November 29, 2007 @ 7:01 am
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation doesn’t care about you or your business. They don’t care if you go broke or lose everything you own, just as long as their buddies get a piece of the action.
Comment by Les from Moore — December 6, 2007 @ 7:35 pm
There are some really good people who work at the DOT but Bill Grantham is not one of them. He has tarnished the reputation of our entire department and I wish that Mr. Ridley would do something about it. Thanks for publicizing your experience. Perhaps some positive changes will happen.
Comment by Miss Kitty — December 18, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
I work for the ODOT and can tell you in no uncertain terms that property owners and tenants are getting shafted. Never accept our first, second or even our so-called final offer. Always go to condemnation and stay in your building as long as possible. You are entitled to a lot more than our relocation contractors are telling you and you will never recover all your expenses unless you go to court. There are several good lawyers who can guide you through the process but be careful. They want to make some easy money too.
Comment by JB from OKC — December 18, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
I like your new banner on I-44. Lots of traffic passes that location every day, which should help to get your message out. Good luck fighting the Oklahoma Mafia!
Comment by Betty Boops — December 19, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
You would think the State would want to help existing businesses instead of harrassing them. Don’t they realize that negotiation is always better than litigation?
Comment by Smily — December 21, 2007 @ 9:41 am
I saw your sign on the old spy shop building on I-44 and was most curious as to why your were upset with the State. Now, I know! I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to be forced off your property and also keep your businesses going at the same time. You would think the Governor would want to look in to the way the Oklahoma Department of Transportation handles right of way acquistion.
Comment by Jeb from Catoosa — December 22, 2007 @ 7:02 pm
Oklahoma is the armpit of america…!!!!!!!!
Comment by Marie — December 27, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
It’s time for a change! Less government, more oversight and lower taxes. Read the Prowling Owl!
Comment by Gilbert from OKC — December 28, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
STOP the Turnpike Mafia NOW!
Comment by Driver — December 28, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
Your sign on I-44 says it all. The Oklahoma Mafia controls everything that goes on in this state and no one gets a fair shake unless they are a member of the Good Ole Boy Network. Give ‘em hell!
Comment by Bilbo — December 31, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
Your problem lies in the Oklahoma Legislature. They wrote the laws governing right-of-way acquistion and the use of outside professional service contractors, (lawyers, appraisers, engineers, etc..) Why? NO COMPETITIVE BIDDING and lots of opportunity for KICK-BACKS and BRIBES!!!!
The property acquisition and relocation contractors make their money based upon the number of cases they handle and how much money they share with elected officials and the bureacrats inside the ODOT. The Highway Department doesn’t care if you go broke. They simply want your property and if you do not accept their offer, regardless of how low or unfair it may be, the State simply sues you and takes your property. If you don’t leave willingly, the court orders you to vacate, the cops physically throw you out and the lawsuits continue until you and your tenants either go broke or cave in to the State’s demands.
The DOT’s lawyers don’t care how long it takes and can easily cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars and keep you tied up in court for years. Remember, your lawyer has no incentive to settle if he or she is working by the hour.
This website is your only hope for justice so please continue to expose the corruption and share your experiences with others so they don’t get caught in the same trap too. I also suggest that you get the media involved. I doubt that there are any investigative reporters left in Oklahoma, except perhaps the Prowling Owl, but it’s worth a try.
Everyone needs to read what the Owl has to say. They might be surprised to find out who’s involved and how much graft and corruption takes place under the guise of promoting so-called economic development.
Thanks for speaking out and good luck with your battle against the Oklahoma Mafia.
Comment by The Professor — January 2, 2008 @ 4:08 pm
Change nothing and nothing changes…
Until Oklahomans place the same level of emphasis on their low quality of life and deplorable standard of living, as they do on O.U. & OSU Football; Oklahomans will remain living in the 5th poorest state in the nation, with the highest number of families who go hungry and with a ranking of being the 10th most corrupt state in America.
Oklahoma’s civil, social, business, religious and political orders have been long charactized by nepotism, cronism and political patronage deeply rooted in greed, graft, immorality and corruption.
From Oklahoma’s State House to its Court Houses, Oklahoma’s definitions of Morality and Social Values and it’s Religious Declarations are actualized through its long standing history of malfeasance and scandals resulting from a modus operandi steep in cesspools of stench that permeates it’s local seats of government, state agencies and yes, even in some federal agencies staffed with some of Oklahoma’s generational Good Old Boys.
There is a “Revolving Door” between Oklahoma’s State Agencies, Oklahoma’s Commissions, Oklahoma’s State Legislators, its Chambers of Commerce and Corporate-Robber-Barons like SAIC-Benham who use politically connected Oligarchies like the Association of General Contractors and the American Council of Engineering Firms to lobby for laws, policies, procedures and projects that will ensure poor, working Oklahomans will forever remain THE MEANS to their financial ends.
Presidential Candidate John Edwards stomp speech is “…our government is severely broken; it has been co-opted by corrupt corporations, whose only mission is to line their pockets with ill gotten gains from struggling taxpayers. The system is rigged and corrupt to the core…”
Is John Edwards talking about Washington, D.C? The State of Oklahoma? Or Both?
From OKSACM to Gene Stipe, Oklahoma continues to write The Book on corruption and state agencies like ODOT remain the primary Authors.
Comment by Dr. A. Wilkins — January 12, 2008 @ 2:19 pm