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Original Content at https://www.opednews.com/articles/Did-McCain-Involvement-in-by-Judy-Swindler-081012-87.html (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). |
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October 13, 2008
Did McCain Involvement in Ft. Ord Real Estate Deal Cost Taxpayers Several Hundred Million Dollars?
By Judy Swindler
In 2001, two years after his purchase, Mr. Diamond sold the former U.S. military post known as Ft. Ord, located near the beach in Monterey Bay, California, for more than 18 million dollars. Property evaluations now show the long term value of this former public property to be worth at least several hundred million dollars. Senator John McCain played an active role in this entire transaction.
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Even though independent appraisers provided current fair market estimates in the millions, the U.S. Army declared the public property known as Fort Ord to hold a long term 40 year value of only $21,000,000 and offered this public property for sale at less than $300,000 before lowering the price to $250,000 for their prospective buyer, Donald R. Diamond. In 2001, two years after his purchase, Mr. Diamond sold the former U.S. military post, located near the beach in Monterey Bay, California, for more than 18 million dollars. Property evaluations of Ft. Ord now show the long term value of this former public property to be worth at least several hundred million dollars. Senator John McCain played an active role in this entire transaction.
"Besides being a leading developer in McCain's home state, he is a pro-Israel lobbyist in Washington, D.C., and is among the elite "innovators" group whose members have individually raised $500,000 or more for McCain's presidential bid, according to the candidate's campaign Web site. Diamond also served as national finance co-chairman for McCain's presidential exploratory committee, and in court documents he describes himself as a longtime friend of the Republican senator."
Julia Reynolds, in her October 12th article, further explains the evaluation details and John McCain's involvement in these events which were recently brought to light through a request for appraisal documents under the Freedom of Information Act.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10703310?source=most_emailed
Ms. Reynolds also reports that both Donald Diamond and Senator McCain's Senate office "decline" to comment.
I was raised an Armybrat, which gave me an appreciation for our military, diversity and travel. In my young adulthood I was a Republican, this in the days Republicans were still actually conservative. When the move began in earnest to push religion into our schools and Constitution, I left the Republican Party or, more to the point, my party left me. I later became a Democrat and have worked on various campaigns and efforts since.
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