EBJ’s Relatives Live in a Pretty Nice House Up There in Plano
Well, Bethany, I have some questions, too. This is 4401 Southgate Drive in Plano, Texas, where, apparently, two relatives of Eddie Bernice Johnson named Preston and Gregory Moore live. The area is called Preston Meadows North and it is just off Legacy and Coit. The home was listed on Trulia as having 3822 square feet, built in 1993 with five bedrooms. Value about $385,000.
And now that Stephen Broden’s campaign says EBJ actually wrote the Congressional Black Scholarship Fund asking them to issue the scholarship checks directly to her grandkids – NOT the universities they were to attend, here’s where two of the checks were sent.
Maybe not such a big deal as Preston and Gregory needed school supplies, right? Or airline tickets to get to school — where did they go, anyhow?
Here are my questions: This is a really nice house. If owned by the parents of the two kids who both got scholarships, looks like mom and dad could have well afforded college or at least a Home Equity line of credit to finance college.
One more question: what kind of homes did the kids who did not get scholarships grow up in?
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29 comments
Hard to say which is more sleazy, the scholarship affair or this post.
Things are about to get uuuuuuuuugly…
Candy,
Here’s my issue with saying they’re in a nice house: That doesn’t matter. Now, the fact that the house is in Plano, yes, that matters because that’s clearly not EBJ’s district.
But the fact in and of itself that her scholarship-receiving kin live in a nice house is immaterial. Have any idea how much scholarship cheddar the kids at HPISD pull down?
I covered a graduation there a few years ago. That class alone snagged more than $2 million. And those kids live in nice houses, too.
That being said, clearly this house isn’t in EBJ’s district, which means that two kids who were in her district missed out on scholarships. It’s where the house is, and not how much it costs, that is the most problematic.
I vote scholarship affair more sleazy.
And that house certainly isn’t in EBJ’s district — but I’m pretty sure that one of the rules of the scholarship fund was that it was to be used for students who live in the member’s district, right? This house is at least 2 districts away… Of course, 2 checks were also sent to the same residential address in Austin, also not close to being in her district.
Look at those letters closely. The signatures aren’t remotely the same. The left margin for the text of both is different. But it looks like both were faxed from the same Dallas fax number on the same day.
The more you look at this, the less it adds up. No wonder she just wants to pay it off and make it all go away.
But this is just about the media trying to make up a scandal, isn’t it, EBJ?
If you go to the Congressional Black Caucus website and look at the application, you must submit a “financial need analysis” along with your application. Says it right there, plain as day. I guess since EBJ picked the winners, it never really mattered anyway. Odd that one needs to submit a photo of themselves too. Beauty contest or color contest? Hmmm.
I’m not exactly sure of the numbers but here is a little math trick that was used by EBJ unknowingly also. She had $10,000 total to give in one year so if she had 10 students to give them to that would be $1,000 per student. It seems that her grandchildren and grandnephews each got 2 scholarships while the others only got one. That would mean that the $10,000 was divided by 14 or $714 each but her kin got two so they got $1,428 each and the other 6 got $714. That is sleazy.
What’s REALLY upsetting is that no matter what happens, the people who live in her district are screwed – if she wins or crazy pastor Broden wins.
It has nothing to do with punishing EBJ by voting against her. Having pastor Broden “representing” me in Congress would be punishing ME and thousands of sane, middle-of-the-road, non-religious fanatic residents.
Great choices we have.
I agree with Sammy. Is there a way to get another candidate on the ballot?
This is egregious. She needs to resign or be impeached/fired/whatevered immediately. This is corruption, pure and simple. And Sammy’s right, that district is screwed either way and that’s just wrong.
Down with eddie bernice johnson!
Gosh I love a mob, especially on a rainy, rainy day!
No kids in EBJ’s district were denied anything they were legally owed, by anyone. EBJ corrupted a private charitable program of the Congressional Black Caucus. That’s all.
Here’s a thought, my sanctimonious little gaggle, why not pony up yourselves what EBJ hasn’t? For many of you, that’s nose blowing tissue. But honking and twittering about EBJ herself is so much more fun, isn’t it?
Gee wiz, Hester, so you think that instead of pointing out how our elected Congresswoman diverted scholarship money to her own family members in violation of ethical rules, we should just keep our mouths shut?
“Here’s a thought, my sanctimonious little gaggle, why not pony up yourselves what EBJ hasn’t?”
So instead of her playing by the rules, you think we should pay for those scholarships instead…? wow. Just shut up and pay. That’s brilliant.
I have a nose blowing tissue to contribute. Also some yogurt covered raisins and a coupon for 40% off at the Gap.
So if EBJ wins, THEN resigns, how is her replacement selected? Does the governor choose, or a new election?
Not that EBJ would do the right thing or anything like that, just askin’.
Hester is giving out “A”s?
No need for you to pay, UC, I’ll cover one of the kids for you, in your name. You just go ahead and talk.
Oh, look: you have a blog, too. Maybe I’ll throw in a $500 laptop so the kid can find out what your concern for her is worth, gossiping about her unmet need to publicize your blog. You stay classy, uptown conservative.
Hester P. you seem awfully defensive
Of a woman whose actions are reprehensive.
Perfect, I’m not claiming
But honest I am saying
So I feel righteous to say she’s offensive!
But your offer of a laptop is inviting
To a low income student, offer exciting.
It’s more than EBJ’s offer
From her personal coffer
Prefering foundations to do the check writing.
I didn’t push my blog at all, Hester, but that was a nice strawman. I’ll give you a 2.5 for effort.
Dgirl: I don’t see your “down with Joe Barton/impeach Joe Barton!” comment to Wick’s story posted at 3:15.
Wow, if you ever wonder why government has too much power and control over our lives and pols consider citizens to be nothing more than open wallets who work for them, Hester and his/her ilk are the reason why, just sad.
Wow, whatever EBJ’s transgressions, this is a seriously misguided post.
You cannot possibly know what the need of the family inside that house is.
I am trying to figure out what the EBJ drama has to do with Dalls homes. It does seem that D has taken great pride in the EBJ story as this is now about the 8th blog on the subject matter. Now I am starting to think this is one big promotion for the good Pastor that D seems to be so in love with.
I dare you to compare the coverage of Tom Delay’s misgivings to the current trend on EBJ.
Yes she was bad. How many ways can you say it? How many freaking times can you say it?
What does it have to do with houes in Dallas?
Why don’t you guys get this beside yourself about the Wylie brothers?
@JEJ
This is just the TMZ tarted up as concern for the poor children, down where D doesn’t sell many copies. The cool kids always find sport in gossiping about the help and their misfortunes, until you wound their self-congratulatory pride. They could care less why the kids might be dependent on some miserable, rigged political “scholarship” system in the first place. Isn’t that just what poor kids are supposed to have, and grateful to get it? Bless their little hearts.
From the quality of the poetry, Borborygmus = Rawlins. There’s no way there could be two equally dedicated to the same immutable caliber of product.
@ Hester – I personally take that as a compliment, but he’s a much better writer.
But whatever.
Upon reflection, Hester is correct. The second verse needed work – so here is the revised version:
But your gift of a laptop is inviting
To a low income student, very exciting.
It’s more than Eddie’s offer
From her personal coffer
Prefering foundations to do the check writing.
@Jack: Darling, I am watching those Wylie homes like a hawk. The minute, no the second they go on the market, you will know!
There is a difference between “earning” a scholarship and being “granted” a scholarship. The fact that the kiddos lived in a McMansion outside of EBJ’s district IS material. Obviously, they didn’t qualify because they lived outside the district. Obviously, they didn’t qualify because they were the Grandkids of EBJ. Obviously, they didn’t qualify because they were not “in need”, as the scholarships were meant to be issued. Obviously, since the Grandkids got their checks issued directly to them instead of their school of choice, they could have very easily spent that money on a number of personal luxury items not associated with college without any oversight. We will never know… As for the scholarships “earned” by Highland Park kids, obviously they are not “granted” based on a need, they are earned scholarships based on performance. Nothing wrong with that. Keep ‘em honest Candy!
Scott: You took the words right out of my mouth! I so concur! If you can afford a $300,000 home you are not in need. If you are in need, downsize like a lot of people had to do when the recession hit. Don’t rely on other people to pay for your kids so that you can keep your fancy house!
Candy, you are as sweet as your name.