\u201cConvicted developer seeks new trial in University of Austin land fraud case<\/a>\u201c.<\/p>\nA local developer is appealing his conviction for defrauding an Austin billionaire out of $1 million dollars. That was supposed to be spent on a new campus.<\/p>\n
The various frauds that make up the story (whether or not included in the article) are:<\/p>\n
The University of Austin: Austin has a reputation as a liberal bubble in a sea of Red. Actually, most if not all of the urban areas of Texas are now blue. Regardless, The University of Austin (UATX) is a conservative institution. Once again, instead of being cool themselves, these folks need to steal our \u201ccool\u201d label by taking our name. Kind of like Texas legislators take over 50% of our school tax dollars to cover their schools. Where we have no say in how they\u2019re run. But, as the legislators spend 140 days every two years here (when they\u2019re in session) they feel a need to tell us how to live. To top it off, while UATX\u2019s current campus is indeed in Austin, the fraud case is over land to be developed in Bastrop. A fine place. But down the road from Austin. So much bait and switch.<\/p>\n
The Original Trial: The fraudster, John Robison, was convicted of taking $1 million \u201cfrom conservative billionaire Joe Lonsdale and then [using] it for his own personal expenses rather than [buying] land in Bastrop County. \u2026 He eventually used all of Lonsdale\u2019s money and purchased no land.\u201d Will all the junk and vaporware folks have purchased from POTUS and his family, we know the other side is gullible. Apparently billionaires are as gullible as those less well off. I do sleep better at night with the belief that much of the funds that could be spent on electing conservatives have gone into a financial black hole.<\/p>\n
Robison\u2019s Attorneys: Not only are they \u201crepeating arguments the jury heard during the three-day trial last month.\u201d They also missed the filing deadline by a day. With that level of legal acumen, the attorneys involved look like they\u2019re a lock for empty positions at the DOJ. Bully for them in this job environment.<\/p>\n
Ok, this is small potatoes compared to all the stuff going on at the national level. But it was interesting to see national issues echoed at the local level. The graft is soooo deep.<\/p>\n
Have a great weekend, y\u2019all.<\/p>\n
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