The Charlotte Observer published another scathing article about the Catawba KM Casino today, November 14, 2022. If you don’t subscribe to the Charlotte Observer, Robert A suggests you go to your nearest Cleveland County Public Library this very minute. The article is entitled Former Cleveland County leaders had more ties to firms linked to Catawba Two Kings Casino. Eddie Holbrook, David Dear, Doug Brown and Stuart LeGrand are mentioned by name. Shelby Architect Roger Holland, who seems to get ALL of Cleveland County and CCS architect work, is also shown in one of the articles pictures. Holland is also a Partner with David Dear in uptown Shelby’s Newgrass Brewery. And perhaps other things. Maybe including MJ Holdings. The Marijuana growing farms.
The Charlotte Observer portrayed David Dear, Eddie Holbrook, and others as FIGURES IN A COMPLEX WEB. Robert A would probably call them FIGURES IN A WEBB OF CORRUPTION AND DECEPTION. Robert A would also predict that former Commissioner Eddie Holbrook should perhaps thank Robert A profusely for helping defeat him in the 2018 Election for County Commissioner. Otherwise, Mr. Holbrook might end up spending the rest of his life in prison. That’s not to say that Eddie Holbrook won’t end up spending time in the pokey anyway. Along with some friends. Maybe, even his wife. Folks, Read that Charlotte Observer Article. Discontinue your subscription with the Shelby Star as they are no longer in Shelby.
Also, the Charlotte Observer has not mentioned anything about County Attorney Tim Moore. Tim Moore is also the NC Speaker of the House and was also representing the Catawba Indians early in their seeking to locate a Catawba Indian Casino in Cleveland County near Kings Mountain. When the Charlotte Observer called Robert A about the KM Casino, they also asked about Tim Moore. Robert A told the Observer Reporter that Tim Moore was one of the original lawyers representing the Catawba Indians regarding the Casino. Tim was also (and remains) the Cleveland County Attorney, Robert A had no direct evidence that Tim Moore had broken any criminal laws or ethical rules to his knowledge, however, Tim Moore had been the one to “open the door” for the Catawba Casino into Cleveland County.
The Charlotte Observer also asked many questions about Robert A’s articles about the Catawba Casino, SC Attorney Butch Bowers, Eddie Holbrook, and others. Robert A added much information about the American Legion World Series, Baseball, Inc., and their doings as it is almost impossible to discuss Eddie Holbrook and the Catawba Casino without mentioning Holbrook’s ALWS, Baseball, Inc. and how he has drawn in around $10 Million$ in tax dollars from the Cleveland County Commissioners with NO accountability and absolutely NO oversight. Something that is still happening to this very day under Commissioner Chairman Kevin “Mad Dog” Gordon and County Manager Brian Epley and the other Commissioners. (Editor’s Note: Commissioner Deb Hardin voted NO to (only) this past years budget for the ALWS. Stating that the ALWS gets so much from CC and all the others get so little.)
Robert A has watched the progress of the Catawba Casino in Cleveland County, with the Commissioners’ full endorsement without the Commissioners asking for any input from the public about the Casino project. Although the Commissioners received lots of comments from the public after the Commissioners’ endorsement, 99% were negative comments. As for the Commissioners, they always seemed to fall all over themselves every time the Catawba leaders came around. It was like Catawba Chief Bill Harris was “Santa Claus” and the commissioners had their long X-Mas wish list of the ”presents” they wanted, all filled out and ready. At least that was the impression that Robert A got. Which, in hind sight, was a correct assumption.
With this latest article from the Charlotte Observer that describes all the graft and corruption that seems to be swirling around the Catawba Casino. Especially all the contracts the Catawba Indians have signed that basically pays out so much of the Casino revenue to others, instead of the Indian Tribe, so much so that Robert A predicts the Catawba Casino is history in its present form. The “broke” Catawbas signed their Casino’s life away so many times that there will be nothing left for the Indians. And, since benefitting the Indians was the sole purpose of the Casino to start with, the Catawba Casino is done. Over and done with.
EXCEPT under one condition. The one condition that might make any sense. The Catawbas sell out to the Cherokees. Sell-out in such a way that all the Catawba contracts with others are null and void. Then, the Cherokees, who have plenty of money would end up with the Catawba Casino property lock, stock and barrel. Paying part to the Catawbas and pocketing all the rest. No “contracts” with the gringos. No Revenue Sharing with Cleveland County or the State of NC. Or the Kings Mountain Equipment Supply Company. Or ANYBODY! The Cherokees. always looking out for investments, would invest in themselves. Or a combination of themselves and the Catawbas. What a Hoot that would be.
Perhaps the Cherokees would pay the Catawbas little to nothing for their 17-acre property and then sit on it for years. Waiting for all the widenings of I-85 to be completed. And the I-74 By-Pass. Let all the options on the land around the Casino expire and depreciate. Then step in and buy the properties cheap. All the while laughing at Eddie Holbrook, David Dear, Roger Holland and the other so-called investment partners as they go broke paying for their over-priced land purchase “options” until they finally expire. And then build a Casino. And motels. And restaurants. And, whatever they want.
And, during all of this, the Commissioners under Chairman Kevin “Mad Dog” Gordon will be putting out sales tax increase Referendums, raising property tax valuations and property tax rates every year. On top of, requiring Permits and charging taxpayers exorbitant rates for sleeping in their own beds in their own homes. Or Paying for mandatory Fire Inspections. Fees for speaking out at Commissioners meetings. And other such nonsense/