A Series Of Unfortunate Events

Joseph Lee was just a casualty of war. His job was an appointed position by the mayor. People who really wanted to get Mayor Herenton. Got Joseph Lee instead. It started with the Edmund Ford's $16,000 overdue bill. He was part of a special list that extended to him and others, special priviledges not afforded the average customer. That's a problem that he encountered when he took the job. He didn't start the infamous VIP list. As a city councilman of a major city, to have that kind of influence wasn't out of order. Mr. Ford just misused his authority. What should have been a benefit for his constituents, instead he used for his own enrichment.

Before the public got over that bad taste. He added another sour flavor to the mix. Him and attorneys Odell Horton Jr. and Robert Spence worked out a deal that ultimately led to his demise. They constructed an agreement that netted outside legal counsel over $61,000. Since Mr. Lee was facing criminal charges connected to his job. It was determined he needed specialized representation. Which Mr. Horton, the lead counsel for MLGW couldn't provide. I don't disagree with that assumption. Neither did the mayor and anyone who is honest and fair. The way they did it may have been underhanded though. Fixing it so approval wouldn't be required by either the MLGW board or the city council. They didn't break any laws though. The biggest violation here was a breach of the public trust.

I think this put the final nail in the coffin. Joseph Lee tried to intimidate MLGW board member "Nick Clark". If you ask me, that's a move he made on his own. The mayor didn't advise him to do that. Mr. Clark was told if he didn't back away from the investigation concerning the huge payout. A shady part of his past would be revealed. Obviously they didn't have what they thought they had. The threat didn't scare him off. Instead of succumbing to the pressure. He took the information straight to the authorities.That's where the mayor's protection ends.

This thing has taken on the shape of the loose thread theory. You see a loose thread and you take a chance on pulling it. It may just be a little piece that's not attached to the rest of the garment. Then again it may be the length of the entire piece. When it starts to unravel you don't know where it ends. Have you ever pulled a loose thread on the cuff and the entire sleeve came off? The events that lead to Mr. Lee's eventual firing. Were just a series of unfortunate events.