Freeway Tolling Authority Board Member Steps Down!

BREAKING NEWS!

After 4 years of conflict of interests,
and profiting off the system,
Johanna Zmud finally resigns.

Just weeks ago, I wrote a blog article (click here) about how two CTRMA board members had refused to step down a year after they were asked to resign.

About a year ago, Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn called for the resignation of Chairman Robert Tesch and Johanna Zmud because of conflict of interest.

According to an Austin Business Journal article today, Johanna Zmud, has agreed to step down. Of course, her resignation came with the usual politico excuses. But we know the real story. Thanks to many of you, and your letters to her demanding she step down. She finally listened!

WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO!
Public records show that Chairman Robert Tesch’s property valuation (less any improvements) of an 18-acre tract, which lies about 2,000 feet east of future US 183-A right of way, has already increased by 612% percent since the time of his appointment to the CTRMA board, another piece of land has increased 989%!

ASK Robert Tesch to Resign - CLICK HERE.

Email about Tesch printed with permission

Sal,

What do you hear on the scum bag Robert Tesch (CTRMA toll authority)? I see his name and my blood runs cold. The way he ripped off old people at his property in Plano, not to mention his 48 employees he ran out on and let us all work for 8 days, running his business, racking in the rental fees of $2500 a month & UP, and didn't pay us.

Many of his employees at the assisted living facility in Plano, worked for barely above minimum wage--and then the multi-millionaire, crook, schister, left all of us holding the bag and no pay checks.

Gov. Perry has appointed Tesch as his director of the highway mobility team, which will include Tesch's property when the highway is built, thus making him all the richer...and he won't even pay his employees. Many of us have filed with the Labor Board, but as I talk with them they tell me they have a "process" that takes some time. They tell me they are trying to freeze his assets. I keep telling the State of Texas Labor Board--THIS MAN IS A MILLIONAIRE IN AUSTIN--GO FIND HIM--WE NEED OUR MONEY.

As I read the article on him, he and his wife Sandra, are listed as creditors and paid as he files bankruptcy..What a crock...and the Oakmont Services, that is racking in all that money, has one employee --the poor schmuck--and pays him $36k. The guy is his "yes" man, Randy was a schmuck as well.

I just want my money..he owes me a little over $2000 which is a drop in the bucket to a millionaire, but means alot to me..Is there NO justice in this great State? Come on Aggie Perry--I was at A&M when you were yell leader...show some compassion and oust out Tesche..

JJ

RMA board member resigns while Johanna Zmud refuses to resign over same conflicts.

***UPDATED FRIDAY 16TH, 5PM***
North East Texas RMA board member Jay Stokes resigned on Wednesday, because of state statutes that prevent officials from cities that might benefit from RMA projects from serving on RMA boards.

So why has Johanna Zmud refused to resign from the CTRMA after 6 months since she's was caught with her hand in the cookie jar? The Comptroller asked that Zmud resign since her company (NuStats) has a contract with TxDOT, and Zmud benefits from that contract. The press release from March 9, 2005 clearly states,

"Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn today called for the resignation of Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority board chairman Robert Tesch and board member Johanna Zmud."

It continues, "Zmud is part owner of a business that contracts with the Texas Department of Transportation, which makes her position on CTRMA's board an apparent violation of the Texas Transportation Code."

JUST WEEKS AGO, knowing that last March, Comptroller exposed this Zmud conflict, Travis County Commissioners Sam Biscoe, Karen Sonleitner and Gerald Daugherty REAPPOINTED Johanna Zmud!!!!! Biscoe, Sonlietner & Daugherty also voted to toll roads we've already paid for at a tune of well over hundreds of millions of dollars. This is an outrage!

CTRMA Robert Tesch bankruptcy Hearing

No camera's were allowed in the building for the CTRMA's Tesch meeting of creditors bankruptcy hearing. So, I took a few pics of what I could outside. The Gov. Rick Perry appointed Robert Tesch recognized me, and smirked, came right over and shook my hand and said "Who's paying you to do this?". I responded "Nobody".





I guess this guy just can't understand that people don't want our freeways tolled. And, we certainly don't want some unelected con artist setting the rates for roads we already paid for! At the end of the hearing I actually heard Bob Tesch say his bankruptcy was "the result of a miscommunication". That's rich. Pics by Sal, story by Roger. Thanks Roger!

The Judge was Valerie Winger was a fill in for her boss. It was called the first creditor hearing in bankruptcy court. Joe Martinez was the lawyer. The Cedar Park development deal was intended as part of a long range real estate development plan that did not pan out as planned. The debt changed hands between banks. Tesch is trying hard to sell the properties or refinance. Don or Dan Quick & Co. is the real estate broker. Tesch considers himself a manager for the debtor. The outfit has one employee named Randy Vaninger.

The one building on the apparently much larger property is 93% occupied with about a three year average lease. Tesch and Associates Inc. is a creditor. (sounds like he may have screwed things up on the whole property by building and leasing just one building in the middle). "Skyline" sent a rep there so they must be a major creditor. There are no final offers yet. They have opened creditor accounts.

There are both capital infusion and sale options being considered. Its chapter 11. The creditor purchased the note but is apparently being intolerant of Tesch's situation. Apparently the speculative debt went through these stages of changing hands: Jefferson Heritage Bank, Union Planter, Mercantile, Regional Bank

Tesch claimed that he thought there would be a $100 payoff to debtors to be resolved shortly, now that the real estate market out there looks so good. Yeah, sure. -- Roger

UPDATE: CTRMA's Robert Tesch bankruptcy records show himself and more as creditor.

Cedar Park Associates, wholly owned by Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Chairman Robert Tesch and his wife, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week. Robert Tesch bankruptcy records show himself, his wife Sandra L. Tesch and another Tesch Company - Oakmont Retirement Services as creditors. Bankruptcy attorney is Joseph Martinec (512.476.0750).

Cedar Park Associates owns 1490 East Whitestone Blvd, Austin TX and shows annual revenues of $324k with 1 employee at 36k a year.


Robert Tesch's business has failed to pay:

• $3 million to Regions Bank
• $50k to Manuel Zuniga
• $92k to Skyline Ventures, Inc
• $6k to Stoker Management dba Jani-King
• $3k to Pendernales Electric
• $2k to K.I.S.S., Inc
• ? to Oakmont Retirement Services (NOTE: THIS IS ANOTHER TESCH BUSINESS!)
  
• ? to RGD Builders

Meeting of Creditors is August 30, 2005 at 11:30am. Location: Austin Room 118, Homer Thornberry Bldg. 903 San Jacinto, Austin, TX 78701. For more information contact the Bankruptcy Clerk's Office at 512.916.5238. Case number 05-14359-frm.

FBI shows Bankruptcy fraud is a growing national problem.

* COMPTROLLERS REPORT ON TESCH *: "...public records show that the property valuation (less any improvements) of an 18-acre tract Tesch owns, which lies about 2,000 feet east of future US 183-A right of way, has already increased by 612% since the time of his appointment to the CTRMA board."