The Dearborn Times-Herald rattled a few cages around town this week with revelations that City Councilman Robert Abraham may be in danger of losing four local properties to tax foreclosure.In Tuesday’s article (read the full story here), Times-Herald editor J. Patrick Pepper disclosed that Councilman Abraham owes more than $80,000 in back taxes on four condominiums he helped develop on Garrison Street and an office building on Michigan Avenue. The latter property would reportedly not enter foreclosure until next year for Mr. Abraham, who also serves as Treasurer on Henry Ford Community College's Board of Directors.
While the tax issue is certainly a burden for Councilman Abraham, other factors loom, as well. As Mr. Pepper point out in his article, the 2006 City Charter states, “No person who is in default to the city may accept or hold an elective or appointive position unless the default is resolved.” That essentially leaves Mr. Abraham’s immediate political future in the hands of his colleagues on City Council.
Of course, the Times-Herald doesn’t appear ready to walk away from the story anytime soon. “I have been following this story closely and will continue to work this as hard as I can to put the picture together,” Mr. Pepper wrote us.
We’ll be reading, because it’s sure to be an interesting picture. It’s one that's already raising eyebrows and questions throughout Dearborn.
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This is some very interesting information, shocking to say the least! Does LX or anyone else know what our city leaders and legal department may or may not be doing to address this situation?
ReplyDeleteMs. Dearbornette said it best...
ReplyDeleteShe was persistent. She posted the message below twice after she was busted/censored.
"Per the Wayne County RoD, Abraham and his wife unloaded the property on Nash in October of 2003, so he no longer owns it.
Per WC RoD, WC Treas, and City of Dearborn, Abraham and his wife do own 22928 Lodge Lane; WC Treas does not report it is delinquent in taxes, but the property is NOT registered as a rental with the City.
Per WC RoD, WC Treas, and City of Dearborn, Abraham and his wife and Matthews and his wife own 555 N. Waverly; this property is not reported as having delinquent property taxes either per the WC Treas, but it is NOT reported as a rental on the City website either.
Again, Mr. Mayor, Ms. Walling, and City Counsel, I am calling you out: do your duty!"
congratulations dearbornNewsOnline.com,
ReplyDeletelike bewick's times-herald newspapers, thank you for having the guts to give us the news. no other other common-tater, no other newspaper are worth their salt for doing the right thing. those others are a bunch of suck ups to dearborn politics.
The city web-site now says Waverly address is a rental, but Lodge Lane is not. I called the Building Dept. and they told me that both properties are rentals. Come on city hall get your public site updated. We can't be snitches if you are providing us with bad info.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the Times Herald in five years or maybe more. I give them credit on a good job with this. Now let's see what council does.
ReplyDeleteAs I posted on an article below.
ReplyDeleteCity hall will sit on this as long as possible!
The ethics committee member who is Abrahams godmother (if true) should recuse herself.
If it comes down to the council members voting thay will prolong it until he has had enough time to pay up, than say it's taken care of and do nothing.
They will mention the economy and hard times and that will be that.
Let's remind them that these are income producing properties, not his primary homestead. Thay are not only in default, but according to the Register of Deeds web-site there are liens from contractors on them as well.
Our elected officials should and must be examples of higher standards for us.
Maybe because we border Detroit some of its not so high standards are rubbing off on our city.
We're still a far cry from Detroit. And I'm not sure that it's so bad to let the guy pay back his money. Everyone's hurting these days, and if he makes it right then there's really no harm. I just think we should hold off crucifying the man.
ReplyDeleteGeno, why have a Charter at all? What's the point? It was used as a battering ram against Mr. Dobkowski by Mr. Abraham and his sister, and their stooge Ms. Walling, and now people like you and Mr. Abraham want it ignored. Let's run Mr. Fakhoury for council; using your logic, I am sure he will eventually pay the hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes he owes, so what's the harm? Some people count and some don't; that's the message here, plain and simple. The Charter sets forth uniform standards and expectations for everyone; either it applies to everyone or it should be junked. Sounds alot like things going on in Detroit and elsewhere to me...
ReplyDeleteIn these tough economic times, I'm sure Mr. Abraham isn't the only one having a hard time keeping up with his taxes. I never said to forgive and forget, I simply said that if he's able to pay back the money, let him do it.
ReplyDeleteAnd this is a far cry from Detroit. Stop being so hysterical.
Interesting that you call my comments hysterical, while you're the one claiming he deserves special treatment. Again Geno, what about Mr. Dobkowski? Why wasn't he allowed the chance to work out his tax issue? Until you address this basic issue, I don't believe I am the hysteric.
ReplyDeleteGeno,
ReplyDeleteThat the trouble with society today, no one is made accountable anymore. Councilman Abraham is a CPA whats wrong with this picture here. would he advise his clients to prolong thier taxes, these are not current taxes these are now in default. being late on your taxes can happen to anyone, but for goodness sakes these are in forfeiture already. Taxes are his line of business he should know better at that level.
To be a city leader makes his delinquency that much more severe. As Dearbornette said there should be no double standard. Also, as stated why have a charter provision if we are are not going to adhere to it.
My question to you is, Are we going to pick and choose who gets a pass on this and who desn't?
Dearbornette 1 and Dearbornette 2,
ReplyDeleteYou both sound hysterical. Especially when you compare us to Detroit when we have a single council man who is behind on his taxes. Again, let's take a deep breath and hear his side of the story. The City Charter does not say he MUST be thrown out, by the way. It refers the matter to the City Council and like Dobkowski's case, they will decide.
This is not the end of the world, I assure you.
You must create a name or 'handle' to post in these forums.
ReplyDeleteThis is disappointing only because we've been down this road before with this politician. There's really no excuse, either, because the answer for me is always, "Shut up and pay your taxes." I pay mine. You pay yours. Why do some people feel exempt from doing their civic duty? I can't answer for this man, but I'd guess greed is the culprit in most cases.
ReplyDeleteI'd say it's time for him to pay up or get out.
I am sure the Council will give Abraham a pass. After all, he is "one of them" and because he is so annointed, he must be given a chance to work out his "issues". Dobkowski was a low class little slob that didn't want to agree with the ruling majority, and God was punishing him for his low status by burning down his house. Let the Council show who must play by the rules, and who doesn't need to by virtue of their special status.
ReplyDeleteUltimately, the decision is ours this year Tractor. We can show our approval or disapproval this August. If they all decide to give him a pass, we can vote in a new council. Looks like we'll have about 20 candidates to choose from.
ReplyDeleteMichigan Ave. Man - I agree with you but you have to remember some of the people in Dearborn have a very very short memory.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, Donna. NOTHING would surprise me. Kwame got a 2nd term! George W got a 2nd term!!! ANYTHING is possible on election day.
ReplyDeleteYou get the government you deserve, so if this same council is sitting there next year it says as much about Dearborn as it does about them. Personally, I think Detroit's city council is a pretty accurate reflection of their city.
ReplyDeleteEven Washington Mayor Marion Barry got elected to council after the FBI investigation video tape was snow on television over and over. So Rigby is correct that if the same council is sitting there next year it says as much about Dearborn as it does about us, the people.
ReplyDeleteLet's just hope we have somewhat bigger brains than our braindead council and vote the bums out, each and every one of them. It's time to clean house so we can again start getting our house back in order.
What amazes me is that these greedy politicians think those of us on the outside looking in are so stupid we don't know what's really going on.
ReplyDeleteHow refreshing that the collapsing mortgage/housing market has actually bit someone in the arse who was operating out of pure greed.
too bad for the rest of us though..
Truth Will Out,
ReplyDeleteI agree. It really is good to see that with the sleaze ball Councilman and that two other Dearborn residents were bit in the arse today.
Cpl. Alex Brian Ramirez: felony charges of embezzlement and bribery by a public official, misconduct in office, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct justice, larceny in a building and a misdemeanor charge of nonperformance of duty?
Hassan Hojaije: charges of obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct justice and bribery?
I hope they get the maximum sentencing allowed.
Who knows, the feds aren't done with Building & Safety yet and it just may be that we'll see Bobby's tit get caught in a ringer there too.
But wait, LX--there is more. I just read that yet another Dearborn cop--Gino Soave--has been charged with tax evasion and fraud by Attorney General Mike Cox for allegedly shaving $170,000 off the value of his boat, the Bada Bing V, to save $12,000 on the sales tax.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know cops made that kind of money.
If ya wanna complain bout this, then complain where it might make a difference, in the city council meeting this Monday, March 16 at 7pm, city hall.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise continue to only complain here about it and then expect no chance of any action being taken.
Whether you belive it or not, it is fact that there is power in numbers. If enough people show up at that meeting and demand action, you'll force council into a corner where they'll have to do something. Remember, this goes out on our local TV cable channel for voters to see.
Think about it but ya don't have long. Monday is almost here. See you there.
Involved Voter is 100% correct. I think the City Hall looks at this site and chuckles because they know that many of us bitch and moan on here and then move on to the next issue. The time has come to do more than just post our opinions, it's time for us to stand up and let these people know we're fed up. I can take an hour out of my Monday night to show that I care about this city and where it's heading. I'll be there Monday night. Will I be sitting by myself or will some of you people come out?
ReplyDeleteLX? Donna Hay? Michael Albano? Dearbornette? Geno? Pay to Play? Candymanpat? Kerry ? All of you who speak so eloquently and have strong opinions here it would be nice to see and hear you on Monday.
End of speech.
I'll be there and hope that our leaders at least have the foresight, no matter now uncomfortable it may be, to bring up these issues. If they do not, then there is always the open forum where audience members can speak of the issue.
ReplyDeleteBut I want to make it clear that I am not going there to railroad anyone. My main purpose there will be to somehow attempt to discern what is fact and what is fiction.
Going to city council meetings definitely makes a difference. Just bring your pajamas. Let us know how long the council members will stretch out their normal business before allowing members of the public to speak. Last time I went to a meeting, the public speakers were cut off as though they were pariahs and Nancy Hubbard carried on about wishing happy birthdays to all the Scorpios...
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly there is a 3 minute limit. Then there is always the old stand-by about this is not something that should be brought before the council and then something about turning it over to another department maybe legal, etc.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the infamous 'closed session' move where they table the whole discussion and hash it out in a special, private session. I think they pulled that BS when Sareini was jamming the Gaza Strip thing down our throats.
ReplyDeleteThose pay for play players have their act down.
ReplyDeleteBest not to warn them and show up unannounced.
By now you idiots have probably known that the person you have discussed with here is not the same as on the council! Wrong Robert Abraham stupids!!!!!!! Get some fatcs before you talk!!! Now what have you to say??
ReplyDeleteLM, what are we supposed to say? The only information we have is what is posted here and it all seems to be leading to the Councilman. Now if you would like to give us some facts we will be glad to read them. They say there are two sides to every story.
ReplyDeleteLM,
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if you're drunk, stupid or both. Abraham has ADMITTED he's behind in his taxes. Yes, the SAME Abraham who sits on city council and is HFCC's treasurer! This is not a case of mistaken identity so move on to your next rationalization.
Why won't the Press and Guide or Deep touch this topic?
ReplyDeleteLM,
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely another Robert Abraham out there, and he was involved with your brother in several real estate transactions. Exactly how are they related? Edsel is correct, your brother did admit that he is behind in his taxes, so I guess the cat is out of the bag. Reminds me of a Carol King song, but I will spare everyone. Guess you have already started celebrating for St. Pat's day--please don't drink and drive, though.