377 Union Street, Paul Manafort's Carroll Gardens Investment in September 2017.
Part on the Indictement against Paul Manafort
On this day, I am glued to the news just like all of you, I can imagine.
Back in early 2017, I ran a little post entitled "Washington Lobbyist And Trump Advisor Paul Manafort Owns Brownstone In Carroll Gardens."
It focused on the veteran Republican strategist and Donald Trump's former presidential campaign manager's investment property at 377 Union Street. What began as a blog story of a neglected brownstone that irked neighbors led to a look at ownership and public records related to finances.
What Pardon Me For Asking uncovered in February 2017 was that Manafort had taken out mortgages way beyond the value of the property, which raised some interesting questions.
The press got a hold of the story, dug deeper, and now 377 Union Street and its shady financing is included in today's indictment of Manafort.
Don't they say that all news is local? I still would love to know who directed Paul Manafort to Carroll Gardens? What was it about our neighborhood that made him want to invest in Carroll Gardens. How many other New York City properties have been used to launder money?
We live in interesting times, don't we?
A huge 'Thank You' to all of you who have been reaching out all morning to acknowledge Pardon Me For Asking's tiny part in this story.
Katia
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on breaking this important story. Dont know if there is a Pulitzer Prize for local blogs, but you certainly deserve it!
I hope you get the credit that you are due!
I've told at least a dozen co-workers this morning about this little neighborhood blog where I read about the comings and goings on in Carroll Gardens. Other than the on-going Gowanus Canal issues, usually you report on hyper local issues (a new store, a lost cat...) which can only be interesting to those of us who live in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteAnd then I tell them you broke the Manaforte story.
Great work and congratulations.
Yes Katia WHO led Paul Manafort here? Such an interesting question!
ReplyDeleteAnd WHO led Kushner here?
(to the Gowanus)?
Another very interesting question!
I have my secret suspicions do you?
Hint: I have learned to think beyond partisanship.
Congratulations on your breaking story Katia and THANK YOU for all you do for this community. What a prize you are!
I remember your post, and forwarded the link at the time to Brownstoner, and to several other interested news people and blogs.
ReplyDeleteSo, its all your fault! Congratulations!
Not all my fault, but a tiny bit, I guess. Thanks for helping to spread the original story.
DeleteWere you interviewed by the FBI or provide any assistance to the prosecutors?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
Thanks.
DeleteIn response to your question, no, I was never contacted by the FBI nor the prosecutors.
And the New Yorker too?
ReplyDeleteSomeone had been busy waking up the neighbors with trucks and weekend work on the house. A motion detector alarm that goes off at 2am
Screeching for hours.
Some hustle to finish the renovations but who owns it now?
Currently, it still belongs to him, but probably not for much longer as he has to forfeit it.
DeleteFrom what I read there was speculation of recent work/activity on the building to try to make it look less like money laundering ----attempt to make seem that construction loan was for actual construction.
ReplyDeleteIf goes into some sort of forfeiture ----going to be many more years before someone really owns it.
Check out my October 5 photos on Instagram for views of the very nice new windows recently installed on our neighbor Paulie's extension to the rear of his house.
DeleteExcellent work, Katia. A second career as a financial crimes investigator, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteMary
See something say something takes on a new meaning
ReplyDeleteI remember reading your story a long time ago when it was linked on another blog. It remained in the back of my mind through all of the twists and turns in this saga. I recall people giving you grief for digging up info on a "private citizen" back then.
ReplyDeleteI say, Excellent job!
Thank you so much.
DeleteKatia I love this. You are such an amazing asset to Carroll Gardens. I really think we need to give you a community prize and party somehow....THANK YOU for all you do!
ReplyDeleteKata, congratulations you are a top story in the Daily Beast Blog today it’s nice that your getting the credit you deserve....J & E
ReplyDeleteThank you for being a valued Neighbor and Citizen. It is very true when they say if you see something that doesn't look right say something and that is what your Blog has done. Keep the good work going for America!! You are paying it Forward.
ReplyDeleteKatia, great reporting!
ReplyDelete(Witholding name due to fear of being rounded-up when the purges begin.)
Haha, let me just say here now, that if i am found floating in the Gowanus Canal, i did not jump in voluntarily.
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