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July 16, 2004: Come July it's just too darn hot to cook. Lucky QT does takeout.
Goodies-to-go include:
1) Jersey Jimbolaya
Fresh faced New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey is rolled in 100%
organic mulch by Democratic fundraiser David D'Amiano, who was
indicted in early July for allegedly gathering and channeling
graft. Both mulch and alleged graft are artisan crops from the
Cornell Dairy Farm in Middlesex County. The farm's owner hoped to
buy a better buy for his government condemned property. After an
implied dip in the D'Amiano indictment, McGreevey stews slowly
in a federally forged frying pan. Surrounded by a peck of sullied
members from his inner circle. As the Jimbolaya simmers it's
stirred with a special hooker wielded by McGreevey's top campaign
contributor, developer Charles Kushner. Kushner was indicted in
mid July. Kushner has contributed a total of $1.5 mil to
McGreevey's pot. McGreevey wanted Kushner to be chairman of the
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. A Godzilla agency. But
the NJ Senate choked on Chuck. No sweat. Kushner fills his time
by allegedly cooking up X rated schemes to silence federal
witnesses who say bad things about his campaign contributions.
One such witness is his brother-in-law. Kushner's sister hit
the ceiling when she saw tapes of her hubby with the hooker
Kushner allegedly hired. Sis went to the feds. The Jimbolaya
is ultimately plated Louisiana style, on a bed of dirty rice.
Sprinkled with code words for graft. A presentation developed by
mulch man David D'Amiano - who allegedly feared someone might
wire a rat and steal his recipes.
Note: Jersey Jimbolaya is similar to Connecticut's signature
dish, the Governor John Rowland Roll-Up.
2) Albany Double Faced Burgermeister
For beef lovers: a mound of ground round from upstate New York.
On July 13th Governor George Pataki and the multi agency, crime
fighting Project IMPACT flip flopped Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings
onto a crunchy Weed & Seed bun. Topped with layer upon layer
of his own contradictory statements about crime. Yes, we have no
gang members! And: HIDTA is an acronym for Highway Interstate
Drug Trafficking Area-- not High Impact Drug Trafficking Area.
Side that Burgermeister with a tangle of deep fried interests
and a loomin' heap of cop related slawsuits. The beverage?
Through the revolving door of police leadership comes the sound
of a blender whirling stats. Suddenly you crave a smoothie. Like
former Public Safety Commissioner and urban planner Jack Nielsen
reportedly said about neighborhood revitalization by bulldozer--
don't bother trying to stop it! Besides, with Jack off in Haiti
we can Blame It On The Bossa Olda.
3) Asselin Family Stir Fry
First, catch your Asselins. Politically prominent and native to
Massachusetts, the Green Beaked Asselins nest throughout the
Springfield, Massachusetts Housing Authority. According to the FBI the Asselins live on a diet of pilfered federal housing
dollars and like magpies, will filch anything that glitters.
Including quarters from public housing washing machines. In mid
July, State Representative Christopher Asselin of Springfield and
his father Raymond Asselin Sr. were arrested along with a flock
of other family members. For feeding on bribery, racketeering,
conspiracy, extortion, mail fraud and witness tampering. Raymond
Asselin Sr. was executive director of the Springfield Housing
Authority (SHA) for 34 years. While Ray ruled the roost the SHA allegedly paid for the Asselin clan's home, yard and auto
repairs, plus helped with Christopher Asselin's 2002 re-election
campaign. The SHA wasn't the only entity feathering the nests:
contractors seeking business with the SHA also contributed.
Mightily. Among the many alleged gratuities was a truckload of
loam for Christopher Asselin. Green Beaked Asselins are known to
eat soil; giving them an aftertaste some find unpleasant but
others relish. Ray Asselin Sr. perched atop the SHA for decades
and it took years of effort by several federal agencies to net
the Asselins. So Asselin Family Stir Fry, like Peking Duck, must
be ordered far in advance.
Note: There seems to be a national trend emerging of entire
families engaging in political corruption, public contract scams
and real estate frauds. Sometimes in combo platters. When the
law comes knocking, family members frequently turn on each other
and cut deals. In the Asselin case, Christopher Asselin's sister-in-law (now in witness protection) wore a wire. When crooked
houses of cards collapse, so do the families. Which would be
Greek tragic if it weren't black funny.
4) Mold On A Raft Of Federal Charges
A rich stew of environmental abatement fraud with culinary roots
in upstate New York. Where environmental clean-up scamsters seem
as plentiful as apples. Who can forget the fraudulent father &
son team of Raul and Alex Salvagno? Their specialty was asbestos.
Though competitors abound on the friable front, none dish it like
these two. Particularly in elementary schools. Now add mold--
or God knows what-- to the grade school menu via the alleged
activities of Ronald "Ron" Schongar of a mold abatement company
called Air Quality/Microb Phase Environmental. Aka "Microb
Phase". Schongar hails from suburban Clifton Park in Saratoga
County. He was arrested on July 15th on charges relating to
Microb Phase contracts with schools in several Connecticut
districts. No one seems sure just what Ron Schongar has been
using to battle mold. The sole company that makes the product
(Microbe Shield) Schongar supposedly employed, say they have no
record of doing business with Microb Phase. Right after Schongar
and Microb Phase de-moldified the Samuel Staples Elementary
School in Easton, Connecticut, students and teachers experienced
breathing problems, rashes and nausea. Parents and teachers tried contacting Schongar to inquire about
his secret ingredient. They called, faxed and sent certified
mail. No reply. Many more questions about many more Schongar jobs
have arisen in many more places. Schongar, who has a larceny
record that goes back to the early 80's and is on probation
from a 2002 conviction, is being investigated in 5 states:
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and South Carolina.
Microb Phase is incorporated in South Carolina but investigations
are focused on his upstate New York office. Ron Schongar says no
biggie. He's just been meeting with the federal investigators
to "clear up some misunderstandings". And maybe share a few
regional recipes?
Bon Appetite!
Carola Von Hoffmannstahl-Solomonoff
"A chicken ain't a chicken less it's lickin' good fried."
Chef Donna Malone of Maryland
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