August 2, 2022 may well be the date that the name of Cleveland County will live in infamy for its wide ranged and now well documented diagnosis of terminal corruption in County Government, State Government and even National Government. It was also the day that Robert A delivered the news to the Cleveland County Commissioners that Federal CRIMINAL Investigators were now in Cleveland County investigating criminal financial shenanigans at and around the Kings Mountain (Catawba) Casino. Robert A delivered that fateful news to the “frowning” Commissioners at the August 2, 2022 Commissioners Meeting during Citizens Participation, knowing that they already knew the news. But also making it impossible for the Commissioners to now say that they didn’t know anything about the news of the Federal Investigation of political kickbacks.
However, this is going to be an ongoing story that did NOT begin yesterday. Robert A has attached an article he published September 25, 2018 as a starting point of this series that may very likely result in some Cleveland County Commissioners, or at least former commissioners and staff, off to Federal Prison in handcuffs. Please read this four-year-old article all the way to the end. You will see names mentioned in that 2018 article that are probably already known to the Federal Criminal Investigators now in Cleveland County. And, if they don’t know, Robert A will send them a copy of this article as soon as he gets a good email address for them. Starting at the TOP!!!
Stay tuned folks. This example of corruption surrounding the Kings Mountain Casino may very well be terminal for some. Robert A says corruption and stealing from the people has no place in government and all offenders should be punished. Sparing none. Except maybe for the few that have been living in fear for their jobs for so long that they will turn “State’s Evidence” right from the start.
Also note that this article will likely turn into many, many parts as more and more information comes out to the public.
Citizens For Good Government Article Published September 25, 2018
Commissioner Candidate Eddie Holbrook hires Out of State Attorney to “threaten” me with a Lawsuit and advise Commissioner Eddie Holbrook not to answer any questions!!!
Report by Robert A. Williams
For those who read my articles, you know that I tell it like it is and that I tell it ALL. I do not intend to stop telling it like it is. I do not intend to keep any secretes either.
The fact is Commissioner Candidate Eddie Holbrook has hired an out of state attorney to file a lawsuit against me and who has advised Holbrook not to have any “discourse” with me. I assume that means Holbrook has been advised to not talk to me or answer any question in the 2018 Online Political Forum/Debate that I am in the process of preparing. This could also mean that Commissioner Eddie Holbrook has been advised of his rights to keep his mouth shut so as not to incriminate himself. A fancy way of “Taking the Fifth.”
Also, there are demands in Holbrook’s Attorney’s message. But hey, all that is provided below for all to see exactly what was said and who said it. Who knows, someone reading this article may be on a jury someday.
Of course, those that read my articles know that I do not make up stuff to write about. And why should I? Especially when there is so much information contained in public documents, personal observations of Commissioner meetings, my notes, presentations, political forums, newspaper articles, eye witness accounts, pictures and other such things.
So, in preparation of my articles I do my research and write and print what I believe is the truth. I might add, on occasion: logical conclusions, personal opinions and such but I clearly identify that as such. I never knowingly provide incorrect information or make up falsity and I criticize those that do.
But I am human and humans make mistakes, sometimes. Although in Commissioner Holbrook’s situation at hand I do not believe that I have made any mistakes, other than maybe a few possible typos or misspellings. Commissioner Holbrook has apparently not given his attorney any specific instances of anything that is false or true for that matter. Nor has Commissioner Holbrook ever, with every invitation in advance copies of my articles that I write that contains any reference to him, made any comment to the falsity of anything. So, what is there to apologize for? Or about?
I would suggest that Commissioner Eddie Holbrook, with 12 years in office and now a Commissioner candidate running for re-election who barely made it through the 2018 Democrat Primary by 265 votes, himself, provide true and verifiable answers to questions related t his service. Such as those that will be asked of all Commissioner candidates that are running for the three Commissioner seats up for re-election.
It is basic to the American system of government that elections be held periodically and every citizen, including myself, has constitutional rights to ask question to candidates and expect truthful answers. Why Commissioner Holbrook would desire to forfeit his opportunity to participate in an Online Forum/debate is beyond me. Especially since Commissioner Holbrook, through his attorney has declared certain things are false when they can co easily be proved to be true.
Commissioner Holbrook and any honest political candidate should welcome the opportunity to present their case to the voters in an almost unlimited format instead of 90 second bytes as the CCC Forum provided last night. Although I have personally come to question Commissioner Holbrook’s so-called achievements and especially his MO and motives, how can I ever be persuaded to change my mind regarding Commissioner Eddie Holbrook in the vacuum of silence? I suspect that goes for many other voters as well.
So, I offer Commissioner Eddie Holbrook, his attorney and everybody else that I have ever mentioned in any article, the opportunity to point out and show where any statement I have written about them is not correct to provide a provable correction. Such a correction that is shown to be correct will be printed in a prominent place on my website such as suits the person showing the inaccuracy. How much better an accommodation can be provided than that?
The following is an email “String” showing my communications to Commissioner Eddie Holbrook and others as well as their responses.:
From: “Butch Bowers”
To: Robert A. Williams
Cc: “Eddie Holbrook”; “Rep Tim Moore”; “Clifton Philbeck”Subject: RE: Commissioner Candidate Questions for Incumbents Eddie Holbrook, Ronnie Whetstine, Doug Bridges and challenging candidates
Date: Tuesday, September 25, 2018 9:42 AM
Mr. Williams – I represent Eddie Holbrook. I have been retained by Mr. Holbrook to investigate and take legal action against you for your unwarranted, false and defamatory attacks on Mr. Holbrook. Specifically, on or about September 4, 2018, you published a document entitled “Commissioner Eddie Holbrook Caught with Both Hands in the Cookie Jar!!!” In this document, you made multiple false and erroneous allegations of illegal conduct by Mr. Holbrook. Your statements regarding Mr. Holbrook have no basis in fact and are utterly and willfully false, misleading and slanderous. Moreover, your false and deplorable comments constitute defamation per se.
You apparently have political and/or philosophical differences with Mr. Holbrook and the way he carries out his duties as a County Commissioner. Of course, that is your right and is completely fine. However, it is not acceptable for you to cross the line and publish false allegations of illegal conduct that you know or should know are not true. Your loathsome and despicable attempt to slander and defame Mr. Holbrook with these false and ridiculous allegations is not only contemptible, but your conduct has also caused and will continue to cause irreparable harm to Mr. Holbrook and his reputation.
Mr. Holbrook will not stand idly by to let you make false and defamatory statements that ruin the sterling reputation he has built over his entire lifetime. As a result, I hereby demand that you:
1. Immediately cease and desist from all defamatory and falsely disparaging remarks about Mr. Holbrook; and
2. Immediately issue a written apology for your false and baseless attack against Mr. Holbrook.
This is a very serious matter that requires your immediate attention. This letter puts you on notice that if you fail to comply with our demands by October 15, 2018, we will be forced to pursue all potential courses of legal action, including the filing of a lawsuit against you personally for your improper conduct. Accordingly, Mr. Holbrook will not engage in any further discourse with you unless and until you comply with our demand. If you are represented by an attorney, please direct me to your counsel. Sincerely,
Butch Bowers
Bowers Laws Office LLC
1419 Pendleton St.
Columbia, SC 29201
www.butchbowers.com
From: Robert A. Williams
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2018 1:41 AM
To: Butch Bowers
Cc: Eddie Holbrook: Rep Tim Moore; Clifton Philbeck
Subject: Fw: Commissioner Candidate Questions for Incumbents Eddie Holbrook, Ronnie Whetstine, Doug Bridges and challenging candidates
Mr. Bowers,
Mr. Eddie Holbrook responded to a request for information regarding his voting record and actions as a Cleveland County (NC) Commissioner by providing your email address. Please clarify your role in this matter.
Thanks,
Robert A. Williams
From: Robert A. Williams
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2018 1:34 AM
To: Eddie Holbrook; Ronnie Whetstine; Doug Bridges; Deb Hardin; Tim Moore; Rep Tim Moore; Clifton Philbeck;
Cc: Robert A. Williams; Susan Allen; Johnny Hutchins; Brian Epley; Kerri Melton; Mike Philbeck; Andy Dedmon;
Subject: Fw: Commissioner Candidate Questions for Incumbents Eddie Holbrook, Ronnie Whetstine, Doug Bridges
This is the response I received from Eddie Holbrook. An email address for Butch Bowers.
Butch Bowers is a lawyer from Columbia SC. What Bowers interest in an online forum for Cleveland County Commissioners is unknown to me, but we surely want to find out. Of course, Eddie Holbrook is not trying to cover-up his voting record or official and unofficial actions from the public view through intimidation!!!???
I plan to publicly send the questions to lawyer Butch Bowers for a response as Eddie Holbrook has apparently suggested.
Also, from the confidentiality statement below Eddie Holbrook seems to be using his personal email account for county business.
Regards,
Robert A. Williams
From: Eddie Holbrook
From: Robert A. Williams
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2018 3:56 PM
To: Eddie Holbrook; Doug Bridges; Ronnie Whetstine; Deb Hardin;
Cc: Susan Allen; Johnny Hutchins; Brian Epley; Kerri Melton; Willie Subject: Commissioner Candidate Questions for Incumbents Eddie Holbrook, Ronnie Whetstine, Doug Bridges
Please respond to the questions contained in the attached article. Questions and responses. or lack thereof, will be a part of our online political Forum/Debate. Note that our forum/debate will allow candidates to ask questions or make statements regarding incumbent candidates voting record, positions on issues and other pertinent debate questions. Public questions will be moderated appropriately.
Any comments or questions? If so, please respond to this email.
Thanks,
Robert A. Williams
Below is a Previous Email “string” Regarding questions for Commissioner Candidate Eddie Holbrook:
Date: Tuesday, September 25, 2018 1:34 AM
This is the response I got from Eddie Holbrook. An email address for South Carolina Attorney Butch Bowers.
Butch Bowers is a lawyer from Columbia SC. What Bowers interest in an online forum for Cleveland County Commissioners is unknown to me, but we surely want to find out. Of course Eddie Holbrook is not trying to cover-up his voting record or official and unofficial actions from the public view through intimidation!!!(??)
I plan to publicly send the questions to lawyer Butch Bowers for a response as Eddie Holbrook has apparently suggested.
Also, from the confidentiality statement below Eddie Holbrook seems to be using his personal email account for county business.
Regards,
Robert A. Williams
From: Eddie Holbrook
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2018 5:48 PM
To: raw@shelby.net
Subject: Re: Commissioner Candidate Questions for Incumbents Eddie Holbrook, Ronnie Whetstine, Doug Bridges and challenging candidatesbutch@butchbowers.com
Sent from my iPhone
From: Robert A. Williams
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2018 3:56 PM
To: Eddie Holbrook; Doug Bridges; Ronnie Whetstine; Deb Hardin
Cc: Susan Allen; Johnny Hutchins; Brian Epley; Kerri Melton;
Subject: Commissioner Candidate Questions for Incumbents Eddie Holbrook, Ronnie Whetstine, Doug Bridges and challenging candidates
Please respond to the questions contained in the attached article. Questions and responses. or lack thereof, will be a part of our online political Forum/Debate. Note that our forum/debate will allow candidates to ask questions or make statements regarding incumbent candidates voting record, positions on issues and other pertinent debate questions. Public questions will be moderated appropriately.
Any comments or questions? If so, please respond to this email.
Thanks,
Robert A. Williams
Questions for Commissioner Chairman Eddie Holbrook:
EDITOR’s NOTE: August 3, 2022
Please Note that Commissioner Chairman Eddie Holbrook did NOT respond to ANY of my candidate’s questions. Therefore, I have omitted that list of questions from this file. Also Note that Commissioner Chairman Eddie Holbrook LOST his bid for re-election to the Cleveland County board of Commissioners in 2018 after spending $68,000 in his re-election campaign.
This should be an indication of what will happen to candidates and elected officials who refuse to truthfully answer questions from the people in all future election campaigns-especially the Commissioner’s race in 2024!
