| 2009 Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP Bashur, Reginald G. (00024923) Austin, TX $100,000 - $149,999.99 Canales, Ana Lucy (00060361) Edinburg, TX Less Than $10,000.00 Carter, Darryl B. (00035757) Houston, TX $150,000 - $199,999.99 Chapa, Paul (00057226) Corpus Christi, TX Less Than $10,000.00 Force, F. Duane (00056967) Austin, TX Less Than $10,000.00 Gibson, Machree Garrett (00028312) Austin, TX $50,000 - $99,999.99 Gonzalez, Cristina (00055770) San Antonio, TX Less Than $10,000.00 Hart, Dennis (00065198) Austin, TX Less Than $10,000.00 Hodge, Glenna (00053862) Austin, TX $100,000 - $149,999.99 Ingram, Maya (00050832) Dale, TX Less Than $10,000.00 Lewis, Glenn (00020160) Fort Worth, TX Less Than $10,000.00 Martinez, Mario A. (00013891) Austin, TX $25,000 - $49.999.99 McBride, Richard H. (00055584) Austin, TX $10,000 - $24,999.99 Meeks, Stephen T. (00054960) Fort Worth, TX Less Than $10,000.00 Modglin, Jason (00062769) Austin, TX $10,000 - $24,999.99 Oden, Kenneth Ray (00053861) Austin, TX Less Than $10,000.00 Sampson, DeMetris A. (00022529) Dallas, TX Less Than $10,000.00 Short, Jim (00013921) Fulshear, TX $50,000 - $99,999.99 Wittenburg, Michelle (00056112) Austin, TX $50,000 - $99,999.99 Yarnell, William H. (00051215) Austin, TX $50,000 - $99,999.99 Young, Christopher B. (00055769) Austin, TX $50,000 - $99,999.99 |
| P E Y T O N W O L C O T T |
| Conservative Commentary - The $150-200 Million/Year World of Linebarger Goggan: Public servants or profiteers from others' misfortune? And do they really collect more? |
How we take back our children's education: one person, one question, one school at a time. |
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| Copyright 1999-2009 Peyton Wolcott |
HOME
| Aledo ISD 2005 |
| Aledo ISD 2008 |
| TAS/MUS 2007 |
| THE ETHICS OF PRIVATIZATION Q: Should public governmental entities such as school districts be allowed to hand over their back-tax collections business to private firms like Linebarger or Perdue? A: Thanks to lobbyists on the lists of Texas Ethics Commis- sion registers left and below it's not only legal but also the private firms can now charge taxpayers rates that could, according to Merriam-Webster, be considered usurious or exhor- bitant. Kansas City, Missouri, for example, has authorized Line- barger to keep 25% of all back taxes they collect. Here's more from reporter Amy Smith in the Austin Chronicle: "Critics of privatization refer to firms like [former Travis County Attorney Ken] Oden's as "bounty hunters" – named because state law allows private attorneys to impose a 15% to 20% "bounty" on delinquent taxpayers. County attorneys don't have that luxury, but they can collect court costs and attorneys' fees on successful lawsuits; that system, says Oden, encourages the county to file more lawsuits. |
| Midlothian ISD 2008 |
Golf: Community support
or a marketing vehicle?
or a marketing vehicle?
Golf tournaments Linebarger attorneys
and executives have participated in and
sponsored:
and executives have participated in and
sponsored:
Juan M. Pena
Arrest,
Indictment,
Trial,
Sentencing &
Jail
(San Antonio City
Council corruption)
30 Months in
Prison
$1 Million Fine
Formerly a name
partner with the
Edinburg law office of
Heard, Linebarger,
Goggan, Blair, Pena &
Sampson, Juan
received the stiffest
sentence in the San
Antonio City Council
corruption scandal:
30 months in prison
followed by three years
of supervised release.
In addition, he was
ordered to pay a
$1 million fine.
On Sept. 15, 2004,
Pena pleaded guilty to
one count of conspiracy
to commit bribery and
one count of bank
fraud. In addition to
participating in the
bribery conspiracy,
Pena also guaranteed
a $25,000 bank loan
from Lone Star
National Bank to
co-defendant Jack
Pytel, knowing that the
credit application
submitted in support of
the loan was materially
false and that a portion
of the proceeds were to
be used to complete
bribery payments to two
city councilmen.
Former San Antonio
City Councilman John
Sanders was
sentenced to 15
months imprisonment
followed by two years of
supervised release. On
Aug. 26, 2004, he
pleaded guilty to one
count of bribery.
Sanders accepted
$2,500 cash in
exchange for changing
his vote supporting the
Municipal Services
Bureau Inc. bid to a
vote supporting the bid
of the law firm Heard,
Linebarger, Goggan,
Blair, Pena & Sampson.
Former San Antonio
City Councilman Kike
Martin was sentenced
to 13 months
imprisonment followed
by two years of
supervisory release.
On Aug. 24, he pleaded
guilty to one count of
conspiracy to commit
bribery. Martin accepted
cash payments in
return for his vote
supporting the Heard,
Linebarger, Goggan,
Blair, Pena & Sampson
bid on the fines and
fees contract. He also
helped arrange a
meeting with
Councilman Sanders
knowing that the
purpose of that
meeting was to offer
Sanders a bribe.
Jack Pytel, a San
Antonio lawyer, was
sentenced to nine
months in prison
followed by two years of
supervisory release.
On Sept. 9, 2004, he
pleaded guilty to one
count of conspiracy to
commit bribery as well
as a substantive
bribery charge. Pytel
admitted to paying
Martin $5,000 to vote for
the Heard, Linebarger,
Goggan, Blair, Pena &
Sampson bid and to
secure Sanders' vote
for the bid.
(SOURCE--San Antonio
Express-News)
Arrest,
Indictment,
Trial,
Sentencing &
Jail
(San Antonio City
Council corruption)
30 Months in
Prison
$1 Million Fine
Formerly a name
partner with the
Edinburg law office of
Heard, Linebarger,
Goggan, Blair, Pena &
Sampson, Juan
received the stiffest
sentence in the San
Antonio City Council
corruption scandal:
30 months in prison
followed by three years
of supervised release.
In addition, he was
ordered to pay a
$1 million fine.
On Sept. 15, 2004,
Pena pleaded guilty to
one count of conspiracy
to commit bribery and
one count of bank
fraud. In addition to
participating in the
bribery conspiracy,
Pena also guaranteed
a $25,000 bank loan
from Lone Star
National Bank to
co-defendant Jack
Pytel, knowing that the
credit application
submitted in support of
the loan was materially
false and that a portion
of the proceeds were to
be used to complete
bribery payments to two
city councilmen.
Former San Antonio
City Councilman John
Sanders was
sentenced to 15
months imprisonment
followed by two years of
supervised release. On
Aug. 26, 2004, he
pleaded guilty to one
count of bribery.
Sanders accepted
$2,500 cash in
exchange for changing
his vote supporting the
Municipal Services
Bureau Inc. bid to a
vote supporting the bid
of the law firm Heard,
Linebarger, Goggan,
Blair, Pena & Sampson.
Former San Antonio
City Councilman Kike
Martin was sentenced
to 13 months
imprisonment followed
by two years of
supervisory release.
On Aug. 24, he pleaded
guilty to one count of
conspiracy to commit
bribery. Martin accepted
cash payments in
return for his vote
supporting the Heard,
Linebarger, Goggan,
Blair, Pena & Sampson
bid on the fines and
fees contract. He also
helped arrange a
meeting with
Councilman Sanders
knowing that the
purpose of that
meeting was to offer
Sanders a bribe.
Jack Pytel, a San
Antonio lawyer, was
sentenced to nine
months in prison
followed by two years of
supervisory release.
On Sept. 9, 2004, he
pleaded guilty to one
count of conspiracy to
commit bribery as well
as a substantive
bribery charge. Pytel
admitted to paying
Martin $5,000 to vote for
the Heard, Linebarger,
Goggan, Blair, Pena &
Sampson bid and to
secure Sanders' vote
for the bid.
(SOURCE--San Antonio
Express-News)
A Brief History of
Heard, Linebarger,
Goggan, Blair,
Pena & Sampson
1976: Dale Linebarger
graduates from law
school, starts collecting
bad debts.
1998: Heard Goggan
Blair & Williams merges
with its largest rival,
Calame, Linebarger,
Graham & Peña.
2000: San Antonio
founding partner Oliver
Heard dies.
2002: Name partner
Juan M. Pena indicted
and arrested for bribing
a San Antonio politician.
2004: Congress author-
orizes IRS to farm out
collections to private
firms.
2004: Pena's time in
court begins.
2005: Linebarger is one
of three US firms to win
IRS collections contract.
2006: Dale Linebarger
retires, becomes firm's
senior adviser.
2006: Texas Supreme
Court orders Pena to
resign from state bar.
2007: After 3 years of
hearings Pena pleads
guilty; sentenced to 30
months in prison, fined
$1 million; prosecutors
say he's worth $14.8
million.
2008: Chicago
announces it's
firing Linebar-
ger for bankroll-
ing city official
Robert Forgue's trip.
2009: Chicago announ-
ces it's realized it forgot
to fire Linebarger.
Heard, Linebarger,
Goggan, Blair,
Pena & Sampson
1976: Dale Linebarger
graduates from law
school, starts collecting
bad debts.
1998: Heard Goggan
Blair & Williams merges
with its largest rival,
Calame, Linebarger,
Graham & Peña.
2000: San Antonio
founding partner Oliver
Heard dies.
2002: Name partner
Juan M. Pena indicted
and arrested for bribing
a San Antonio politician.
2004: Congress author-
orizes IRS to farm out
collections to private
firms.
2004: Pena's time in
court begins.
2005: Linebarger is one
of three US firms to win
IRS collections contract.
2006: Dale Linebarger
retires, becomes firm's
senior adviser.
2006: Texas Supreme
Court orders Pena to
resign from state bar.
2007: After 3 years of
hearings Pena pleads
guilty; sentenced to 30
months in prison, fined
$1 million; prosecutors
say he's worth $14.8
million.
2008: Chicago
announces it's
firing Linebar-
ger for bankroll-
ing city official
Robert Forgue's trip.
2009: Chicago announ-
ces it's realized it forgot
to fire Linebarger.
| SAN ANTONIO - PENA, PYTEL NEW ORLEANS IRS ++++++ up spike in lobbyist numbers in 2003 |
| The Linebarger Goggan law firm specializing in delinquent property tax collection for school districts and other governmental entities many years ago only employed a scant four lobbyists registered with the Texas Ethics Commission in 1998 and only one four years later. However, following the 2002 arrest of name partner Juan M. Pena for bribing a San Antonio politician the firm quickly hired several dozen paid professional lobbyists including such national notables as NCLB architect Sandy Kress. The ranks of Linebarger lobbyists continued an up spike after the Internal Revenue Service gave the firm a collections contract then hit a snag following the firm's negative publicity in San Antonio and New Orleans, with the number of Linebarger lobbyists in Texas swelling to as many as 49 in 2005, dropping off to their current 21. |
| The law firm that makes its money collecting & prosecuting overdue property taxes for school districts and other governmental bodies. |
Parties, dinners & receptions for
school board members & families
school board members & families
| NECESSARY LARGESSE? Q: Should school board members & administrators be allowed to attend lavish dinners, parties & golf games with Linebarger representatives & lobbyists? A: While some of it is legal, we rely on self- reporting by the largessees. |
| TASB Summer Leadership Institute 2007 |
| Linebarger's San Antonio Christmas buffet, "The largest party of the year" |
| Heaped-high shrimp platters are a far cry from Styrofoam plates & plastic cutlery (below) at the Taco Cabana where then- Harlandale ISD school architect Louis Cruz met then-HISD trustee Gracie Acuna so he could give her "$3,000 cash," part of $200K he funneled to 7 school board members from firms winning ISD bids. |
School board members past
and present on school boards
employing Linebarger's
services attending Linebarger's
2008 Christmas party, "the
largest of of the year," included
left to right from top: Tom Lopez
and Eliseo Cadena (San
Antonio ISD); Gracie Acuna
(Harlandale ISD); Katy Reed
(Northside ISD); Jay Alaniz and
wife (Harlandale ISD)
(PHOTOS--Walker Report)
and present on school boards
employing Linebarger's
services attending Linebarger's
2008 Christmas party, "the
largest of of the year," included
left to right from top: Tom Lopez
and Eliseo Cadena (San
Antonio ISD); Gracie Acuna
(Harlandale ISD); Katy Reed
(Northside ISD); Jay Alaniz and
wife (Harlandale ISD)
(PHOTOS--Walker Report)
| Abundant refreshments are a hallmark of Linebarger's SLI meals for trustees |
++++++++++++++++++++++
| More about Harlandale ISD: "Cruz's testimony, entered into the court record as part of his plea agreement on bribery charges, describes an illicit culture where trustees' constant demands for money led to payoffs in parking lots, restaurants and schools." (SOURCE--San Antonio Express-News) |
What is the dollar value for
Linebarger of making friends
with school board members?
Linebarger doesn't collect fees;
instead, they keep a percent-
age of what they're able to
collect: 20%, 2001 to present,
15% - 2000 and before, 25% in
some places. In 2000 when
the firm collected delinquent
taxes from taxpayers owing
$27.7 million in tax, penalty and
interest, Linebarger's contract
only allowed them to keep 15%
of their collections; clients then
included Alamo Heights ISD,
East Central ISD, Harlandale
ISD, North East ISD, Northside
ISD, Somerset ISD, South San
Antonio ISD, Southside ISD and
29 other municipalities and
special taxing districts in Bexar
County.
Linebarger of making friends
with school board members?
Linebarger doesn't collect fees;
instead, they keep a percent-
age of what they're able to
collect: 20%, 2001 to present,
15% - 2000 and before, 25% in
some places. In 2000 when
the firm collected delinquent
taxes from taxpayers owing
$27.7 million in tax, penalty and
interest, Linebarger's contract
only allowed them to keep 15%
of their collections; clients then
included Alamo Heights ISD,
East Central ISD, Harlandale
ISD, North East ISD, Northside
ISD, Somerset ISD, South San
Antonio ISD, Southside ISD and
29 other municipalities and
special taxing districts in Bexar
County.
Your (back) taxes at work;
Linebarger executive lifestyles
Linebarger executive lifestyles
BOTTOM
LINE:
DO PRIVATE
FIRMS LIKE
LINEBARGER
REALLY
COLLECT
MORE
TAXES?
No, according
to this 215-page
case study from
Travis County in
Austin, Texas:
LINE:
DO PRIVATE
FIRMS LIKE
LINEBARGER
REALLY
COLLECT
MORE
TAXES?
No, according
to this 215-page
case study from
Travis County in
Austin, Texas:
Delinquent taxpayers as a
group would have been
charged an additional $5.1
million over the last five years if
delinquent collections had been
privatized...
In addition, the 15% charged by
Travis County, when collected,
goes back into the County
Treasury to benefit taxpayers
instead of to the law firm....
When looking at the big picture
(i.e. all revenues and all
expenditures associated with
delinquent tax collections) our
analysis shows that Travis County
would lose a significant amount of
net revenue if Travis County
outsourced the collection of
property taxes delinquent after
June 30 of each corresponding tax
year.
Whether using the
average collection rates of
the Perdue firm or
Linebarger firm, Travis
County would lose of $5.3
million (the loss ranges
from $5.3 million to
$7.1 million in the analysis) in
FY2004 estimated net revenues
(i.e. revenues less expenditures).
The estimated losses would be
greater in future years if the tax
levy increases.
group would have been
charged an additional $5.1
million over the last five years if
delinquent collections had been
privatized...
In addition, the 15% charged by
Travis County, when collected,
goes back into the County
Treasury to benefit taxpayers
instead of to the law firm....
When looking at the big picture
(i.e. all revenues and all
expenditures associated with
delinquent tax collections) our
analysis shows that Travis County
would lose a significant amount of
net revenue if Travis County
outsourced the collection of
property taxes delinquent after
June 30 of each corresponding tax
year.
Whether using the
average collection rates of
the Perdue firm or
Linebarger firm, Travis
County would lose of $5.3
million (the loss ranges
from $5.3 million to
$7.1 million in the analysis) in
FY2004 estimated net revenues
(i.e. revenues less expenditures).
The estimated losses would be
greater in future years if the tax
levy increases.
3 big questions about Linebarger:
Speaking of North East ISD,
Linebarger was a Gold (table)
Sponsor of their 2008 Education
Foundation Gala; the event
raised "close to $100,000.".
Linebarger was a Gold (table)
Sponsor of their 2008 Education
Foundation Gala; the event
raised "close to $100,000.".
| San Antonio's Crowne Plaza Hotel on the RiverWalk, site of NEISD gala. |
Back home in Houston Jim Blair & wife Nelda have a house; it's
big, too. They call it "Blair House." According to the Montgomery
County Central Appraisal District, it's valued at $2.8 million.
big, too. They call it "Blair House." According to the Montgomery
County Central Appraisal District, it's valued at $2.8 million.
Blair House also has a big back yard with a big fountain.
There's nothing quite like a good bathrobe when you travel, is
there? Here's name partner Jim Blair & wife Nelda wearing theirs
in Cabo San Lucis (sic); to see this and other photos of the Blair's
lifestyle, visit their website, www.TheBlairHouse.Net.
there? Here's name partner Jim Blair & wife Nelda wearing theirs
in Cabo San Lucis (sic); to see this and other photos of the Blair's
lifestyle, visit their website, www.TheBlairHouse.Net.
Memorable
Linebarger firm
quote:
"I would love to see a
reliable national
directory of cell phone
numbers that we could
legally access for
collection purposes."
-- Richard Haass,
San Antonio office
Linebarger firm
quote:
"I would love to see a
reliable national
directory of cell phone
numbers that we could
legally access for
collection purposes."
-- Richard Haass,
San Antonio office
Speaking of school
sponsorships, while LInebarger
has been a generous supporter
of client Cypress-Fairbanks
ISD's education foundation golf
tournament, they have declined
thus far to throw their money
behind "Salute to Heroes"
honoring " the brave men and
women who have served to
preserve our freedom and
liberty.:
http://www.thecfef.org/salute-to-h
eroes.cfm
sponsorships, while LInebarger
has been a generous supporter
of client Cypress-Fairbanks
ISD's education foundation golf
tournament, they have declined
thus far to throw their money
behind "Salute to Heroes"
honoring " the brave men and
women who have served to
preserve our freedom and
liberty.:
http://www.thecfef.org/salute-to-h
eroes.cfm
How did Jim & Nelda Blair get to Cabo? Likely not aboard
Linebarger's corporate jet as it's been deregistered by the FAA to
someone in India. Perhaps Jim & Nelda went on their big boat.
Linebarger's corporate jet as it's been deregistered by the FAA to
someone in India. Perhaps Jim & Nelda went on their big boat.
| Grand Prairie C of C 2009 |
Linebarger also forms
Nelda filed a big set of disclosure forms when she was appointed
University of Houston regent; they're PDF'd here.; turns out both
Nelda and Jim serve on the Conroe ISD education foundation
board.
Remember that Conroe ISD education board? How convenient that
Linebarger Goggan collects delinquent taxes -- including
foreclosing on some -- for many area entities including Conroe ISD,
Montgomery County, Montgomery County Hospital District ; City of
Patton Village; City of Oakridge; Fire Districts 1-12, 14; Mnty. Cnty
MUD #9; Mnty.Cnty UD #4; MUD #42; South Mnty Cnty MUD; City of
Shenandoah; City of Splendora; Chateau Woods MUD; Mnty. Cnty.
UD #3; Porter MUD; Montgomery ISD; Lone Star College System;
City of Conroe, City of Woodbranch; Mnty.Cnty DD#6 & DD #1;
Mnty.Cnty MUD #8; East Mnty.Cnty MUD#3; and New Caney MUD.
University of Houston regent; they're PDF'd here.; turns out both
Nelda and Jim serve on the Conroe ISD education foundation
board.
Remember that Conroe ISD education board? How convenient that
Linebarger Goggan collects delinquent taxes -- including
foreclosing on some -- for many area entities including Conroe ISD,
Montgomery County, Montgomery County Hospital District ; City of
Patton Village; City of Oakridge; Fire Districts 1-12, 14; Mnty. Cnty
MUD #9; Mnty.Cnty UD #4; MUD #42; South Mnty Cnty MUD; City of
Shenandoah; City of Splendora; Chateau Woods MUD; Mnty. Cnty.
UD #3; Porter MUD; Montgomery ISD; Lone Star College System;
City of Conroe, City of Woodbranch; Mnty.Cnty DD#6 & DD #1;
Mnty.Cnty MUD #8; East Mnty.Cnty MUD#3; and New Caney MUD.
Developing . . . |
| H o w w e t a k e b a c k o u r c h i l d r e n s ' e d u c a t i o n : o n e p e r s o n , o n e q u e s t i o n , o n e s c h o o l a t a t i m e . Copyright 1999-2010 Peyton Wolcott |
