Channel 4′s Sherwood: Kwame Brown Up to Eyeballs in Debt
Channel 4's Tom Sherwood wins the afternoon with this scoop: Kwame Brown’s credit score must look like shit.
Brown is being sued by multiple credit card companies for unpaid debts, late fines and lawyer fees, according to Sherwood.
The documents show Brown owes the American Express company more than $8,000 in late payments and fees. Brown owes Visa more than $25,000 in late payments, penalties and fees for his Signature card. A second visa card has an overdue balance of $22,000.
Brown, who is running against Vincent Orange for D.C. Council chairman, told Sherwood that he takes “full responsibility” for the debts but that it shouldn’t affect his ability to lead the council. He says he and his wife have cut back their spending.
“We’re now living within our means on a very limited budget,” Brown told Sherwood.
Brown, who drives an Cadillac Escalade with his name plastered on it for the campaign, wasn’t shy about throwing money around at the Palisades 4th of July Parade. Part of his “float” included a semi-like truck seen here.
5:43 pm
Negroes love to live above their means. For first thing a Negro must buy is a new car, preferably a Cadillac. Most don't have a pot to piss in. Many whites will ride around in a old car, but they have stocks, bonds, and money in their banking accounts. This jigaboo want to be D.C. Council Chairman. LOL LOL
5:53 pm
Jesse Helms, I thought you were dead and buried in a cemetery somewhere in Raleigh? If not kill yourself you racist piece of shit.
5:56 pm
This guy want to be D.C. Council Chair and he can't manage his own finances? Kwame is a weak candidate lacking experince to Chair the Committee on Economic Development and to be D.C. Council Chair. We alread have a corrupt mayor. We don't need a corrupt D.C. Council Chair.
5:57 pm
LOL@KappaNupe: maybe Jesse Helms is a Zombee.
6:07 pm
Anyone know who Kwame backed for council chair in '06 and who he's backing for mayor this year? Hint: Patterson and Fenty are incorrect answers.
6:21 pm
Brown deep in the red could mean Orange in the pink.
6:25 pm
That is it for Kwame, stick a fork in him, he is done.
6:25 pm
I can't imagine putting anyone who is so reckless at managing their own budget in charge of the Council, and by extension the entire DC budget.
6:50 pm
What's sad is that the options for council chair should be stronger. Does anyone really dig Vincent Orange???
7:06 pm
I think that Vincent Orange is outstanding, at least he has a Masters Degree or a PHD in accounting. Just maybe he can manage money, that should count for something.
7:35 pm
Second hint re #5: Last name begins with G.
8:07 pm
SuperS, Vincent Orange is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
8:17 pm
Write-in Kathy Patterson!
8:43 pm
Brahmin aka whatever: Can't answer #5? Last name begins with G.
9:50 pm
I like Sally's suggestion.
10:21 pm
Vincent Orange is actually better qualified than Kwame to run the Council. During his time after his Ward 5 service he worked for Pepco and has accomplished a lot. I was surprised to read about it. I thought he did not have a chance, now I am sure that he is the right guy.
10:46 pm
This guy is not ready for showtime. He may be a good role player, but he will never be a starter. And on top of it, he throws his wife under the bus as if she was part of the lawsuits. If I were her, I would not put up with his antics and stuttering behavior.
10:58 pm
All that talk about Kwame growing into his position. Maybe, but not obviously. Not yet, anyway. I don't think DC should risk a council chair who's both financially compromised and who is learning on the job. In a deliberative legislative body, DC needs careful and conservative consideration.
OTOH, in the executive, we need someone who can get things done in a timely fashion without breaking either the bank or the machine.
I recognize there may be some apparent tension there, but that is healthy. And DC needs both roles, and that balance.
12:36 am
There are other councilmembers that should have challenged Kwame and Orange. I wish they would have stepped up. But it's too late.
Then again, when I told my wife that Kwame had run up $50,000 in credit card debt she shrugged her shoulders and said he's like a lot of other people. Maybe he can spin this!
12:49 am
Jason, perhaps he can.
But it would need be some variant of "Vote for me. Sure, I was born of privilege and all but inherited this position, but at heart I'm as incompetent as you are. Let's have a beer". In other words, the George Walker Bush gambit.
Then again, it's not the debt that worries me so much as how far he seems to be in arrears on it.
6:29 am
New slogan: Vote for Kwame - He'll do for DC what he's done to his credit rating!
7:38 am
There's quite a difference between running up huge credit card balances, yet making minimum payments (which may just show poor judgment or result from short term financial problems)and defaulting on multiple huge credit debts, thereby getting sued by the credit card companies (which, in my view, makes one unfit for chairing the city council's oversight of DC budget). Sorry, Kwame, this is too much.
9:20 am
All in all, Kwame is human, just like you and me. Unfortunately, he made bad choices with his "PERSONAL" finances and now has to correct them. Key word here is "personal". He is not dipping into the DC funds nor has he slipped anyone into a promotion to further his on career. Don't let this blind your judgement.
Each and everyone that wrote on this blog can not write in and say they have not done the same. You just never had it published or broadcasted for everyone in U.S. to see. Hopefully, he has learned from his mistake and can now recognize that you can't squeeze a dollar out of a nickel.
Take a look at this man's track record for looking out for DC and its residents and see the big picture. He can do a helluva' lot more for DC than Mayor Adrian Fenty!
9:33 am
Please Lee E. - "Each and everyone that wrote on this blog can not write in and say they have not done the same." I've NEVER been sued for not paying a credit card bill or for that matter, any other bill - I pay my bills and care about my family's well being.
Most people don't let it get to the point of having to be sued. It is PERSONAL fiscal responsibility. Do you not understand?
This guy wants to be chair of the council yet he can't manage his own finances. He is taking responsibility only after the credit card companies sued him.
9:50 am
TruthHurts has a good point. This may show a lot of poor financial decisions that may make him a poor choice as the person who helps us approve and manage the city's budget.
But, has he shown a disregard for the city's finances now in his current role.
This is clearly a problem for him. But i wonder how this is going to play out.
TruthHurts also has a good point, it seems like it is dirty laundry week for those who are not backing Mayor Fenty.
10:00 am
Lee, I certainly don't run up credit like that nor do I get sued. Standards are very different in DC and its perhaps common to be heavily indebted, just like its common to be a criminal and a killer in DC, but certainly not all of us here live lives like that. This debt together his lack of attention to Ward 4 on the Econ council, together with his waffling 'present' vote on the Nickles confirmation (guiding the devil to us), will cause me to look a bit closer at Orange.
At least the chairman race maybe just got more interesting ;)
10:08 am
Anthony Williams was in debt when he was running for Mayor as well. This isn't a story. Slow news week?
10:08 am
Gwen De La, I am truly happy that YOU have never owed or have any credit card company sue you for back monies kudos to YOU! But not everyone in DC can say the same. Personal is just that PERSONAL. At least he one of the few politicans taking the responibility to say "yes, I made these inexcusable choices but I am working to correct them". My wife and I are now on a strict budget.
I too have never been sued but I am not passing judgement on anyone who has. You or I don't personally know his financial situation. I am sure campaigning is not cheap.
If you are so quick to falter because of one mistake how can you actually go an vote for any political canadiate? No one is perfect and reading your comment neither are you!
10:15 am
"OTOH, in the executive, we need someone who can get things done in a timely fashion without breaking either the bank or the machine."
We will come Sept.
10:16 am
Manor, glad that you have not lost your job and can judge too. Hope your finances never take a hit! I applaud everyone who can handle their personal finances. But what is your real name so I can pull up your credit score on equifax, transunion. ;-))
Question: If it comes out that Orange has a drug problem and has stolen money from DC would you still look closer?
hmmmm....
10:16 am
Thank you S.E.
10:39 am
Lee E.: I've never been sued for defaulting on credit repayments. Not once. Sounds like Kwame (who I don't dislike personally)is being sued by more than one creditor.
10:47 am
I understand that people are troubled by this, considering he will have major influence on the city's budget. But one thing I have to say about Kwame is that his professional and private live are totally separate. And by that I mean that his record as the head of economic development for the city been fantastic. Knowing him and his staff gives me confidence that he could be an effective leader of the council. Quite frankly since he is great at his job many people were confused by this personal financial mistep. Also let it be noted that a major part of the money he owed was because of an issue with a contractor who didn't do the work he was supposed to and Kwame didn't want to pay (rightfully so), so it had to be settled in court.
10:47 am
Truth Hurts: You say you "have never been sued for defaulting on credit repayments". That is great and I am truly excited for you but can speak for everyone? Are you associated/or friends with anyone who has? And if so, are they lessor in charactor than you originally thought or would remember that "Everyone Makes Mistakes?"
10:48 am
Thanks Allie at least someone is doing their homework in DC! Much love to Allie!
10:57 am
Lee E.: I simply was responding to your assertion that everyone on this thread has badly mishandled finances and/or been sued. That's not true. Do I have friends who've been sued or defaulted on debts? Yes. Do I think they're bad people? Not so much. Would I trust their judgment/ability to exercise fiscal restraint/control over DC's budget? No.
11:11 am
Allie...you seem to know more than Tom Sherwood. I thought the story said that American Express, Visa and the Department of Commerce Federal Credit Union sued Kwame - I did not see anything that said anything about a contractor who didn't do the work he was supposed to and that Kwame didn't want to pay, so it had to be settled in court...I did not see that last night.
Fill us in on this story! What do you know???
12:25 pm
Lee, my credit score is fantastic cuz I don't have credit cards, have owned my own house for years, have worked almost daily for 20 years, and stuff like that. In short: common sense. $50K in debt in court means you're dumb, addicted, or something of that sort. Kwame makes more than $100K from his council job I believe, he's hardly unemployed. Maybe he should go work for Wall Street.
12:42 pm
Truth Hurts has a lot of good points. I totally underestimated Kwame's problem to my wife. Wife now thinks Kwame is toast.
12:48 pm
Unfortunately in the record downturn of our economy the majority of Americans are in debt and elected officials are not exempt from this harsh reality. It is noble of the Council-member to own up to his mistakes and try to pay those for which he owes. Instead of bashing him and his family for running up his credit cards, we should be happy that he isn't taking kickbacks like so many of our officials do when they are in powerful positions! Let’s grow up and judge him on his record of service and not on his personal life!
12:53 pm
After giving this some serious thought, I cannot see myself voting for Kwame Brown. However, I can't see myself for Vincent Orange the corporate former PEPCO whore. Vincent Orange attended a 4A ANC meeting last December. He supported the large rate increase PEPCO wanted to add on to District consumers. Sandra Mattavous-Frye, Esq., the Deputy People's Counsel For Litigation was at this ANC meeting. The Office of People's Counsel represents District residents. To hell with both Kwame Brown and Vincent Orange.
D.C. voters, residents, and taxpayers are all doomed!
12:55 pm
Correction to previous post:
After giving this some serious thought, I cannot see myself voting for Kwame Brown. However, I can't see myself voting Vincent Orange the corporate former PEPCO whore. Vincent Orange attended a 4A ANC meeting last December. Vincent Orange supported the large rate increase PEPCO wanted to add on to District consumers bills. Sandra Mattavous-Frye, Esq., the Deputy People's Counsel For Litigation was at this ANC meeting. The Office of People's Counsel represents District residents. To hell with both Kwame Brown and Vincent Orange. They both are opportunists.
D.C. voters, residents, and taxpayers are all doomed!
2:11 pm
As much as I hate to admit it- Truth Hurts has a lot of good points. I've never been of Kwame's though and am truly saddened that we have not real talent willing to step into the Chairman race.
As much as I hate to admit this also, but I really think Evans would have made a better Chairman than either Kwame or Orange. His experience is vast and though he can be a duplicious snake, he is a much more fiscally competent individual/politician. But why give up a $250k non-working gig with the largest lobbyist firm in the City.
2:38 pm
thank you Oliver 1286!
As for Manor, I applaud you on owning your home; stock options; maid, nanny and mansion in the hills.. ;-)). Not everyone can say the same. Please note, that it is not up to you or I to judge someone based on the little information that is provided by the media. Mr. Brown has done and will continue to work hard for the city. Too bad you are blinded by an incident that he is trying to correct. Move on already.
2:39 pm
WARD4NDC Please move!
2:51 pm
Lee E. fuck you! How dare you to tell me to move and I am a native Washingtonian. Suppose someone told you to move your black ass back to Africa because you are not happy with Congress or President Obama?
2:52 pm
Jack Evans, 56, is a native of Pennsylvania. He received an economics degree with honors (cum laude) from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1975, and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Law in 1978. He began practicing law at the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Division of Enforcement and currently serves as Of Counsel at Patton Boggs law firm.
Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans is qualified to Chair the Council of the District of Columbia, but he would not have the interest of D.C. voters and taxpayers. Jack's in bed with big business. He too is a corporate whore.
2:54 pm
This is what happens when you put coons in charge to govern.
2:57 pm
Are District residents paying attention to the fall of our Council. Here's Kwame with huge credit card debts. Many businesses won't hire you with debt like this. Should Kwame advance to the next level?
The chairman has an outstanding moving violation ticket from Maryland where he failed to go to court. Do you realize hundreds, maybe thousands of Black men have been arrested for warrants issued for similar violations and not appearing in court? Favoritism was shown here.
Add to his list of unethical behavior the violation of a city ordinance to obtain a building permit for a fence surrounding his home. Remember he also forgot to pay the contractor until an article was to appear in the media.
The alleged violation of the Hatch Act where the chairman knowingly used his letterhead to solicit funds for the DC Democratic Party from businesses that have contracts with the District government.
Now the investigation of what the chair did behind the scenes to sway the lottery contract to one of his friends.
There are also rumors flying around that the Ward 5 councilman has been delinquent on his child support payments in Maryland and that his bank account has been seized!
Please let us not forget the Ward 1 councilman. He has been quiet as a mouse with an investigation still underway about his alleged involvement in a bribery scheme against the taxi cab industry.
The Ward 8 councilman was censure for allegedly giving his girlfriend a small contract without results.
Marion Barry later called for an investigation into possible wrongdoings of another councilman, David Catania. Barry believes there was some possible wrongdoings involved with Catania steering a hospital contract that cost taxpayers millions.
We need to make another attempt at term limits before the council gives itself another raise. It is also time for serious change.
3:04 pm
WARD4NDC - how do you know I am black? To use such harsh language on a website is so unbecoming of a Washingtonian. But since you went there, here's one for you- you crackerass, kissing cousin, jibberish talking fuckwad. Did that make you feel better or worse?
3:05 pm
At-Large D.C. Councilmember Kwame Brown is not too bright. How in the hell can this guy charge up $50,000 on credit cards and expect to be a Chairman on the D.C. City Council? I have watched Kwame on the Channel 13 and Chairing the Economic Committee is over his head. If Linda W. Cropp had still been the Chairperson, she wouldn't have given Kwame Brown such a powerful committee to chair knowing he's not qualified. Gray gave this Chairmanship to this idiot because they both live east of the river in Ward 7.
3:07 pm
Lee E, I am black. Are you mad because I called your black ass out on the carpet? You a so far up in Kwame's asshole, you can smile his shit.
3:08 pm
Correction:
Lee E, I am black. Are you mad because I called your black ass out on the carpet? You a so far up in Kwame's asshole, you can smell his shit.
Most politicians aren't worth shit and most are corrupt. How much is Kwame paying you?
3:10 pm
Lee E, by the way, I do have crackers as you refer to whites in my family and I have an Irish ancestry thanks to slavery and interracial marriage in my family.
3:12 pm
Jesse Helms are you upset because so many coons know more than you or have advanced far beyond you? They are in the White House, DC Council...etc. Damn I bet you don't even leave the house. What a dumbass redneck! :-))
3:14 pm
Lee E., I attended Bruce Monroe, Sacred Heart, Deal Junior High, and I graduated from Mackin Senior High in 1973. I went on to finish Howard University in 1977 and Georgetown University in 1983. I was born in the old Freedmans Hospital. I think this makes me a Washingtonian.
3:15 pm
WARD4NDC -- I guess it made you feel worse...lol. As far as smelling his shit..it smells like roses..., and it will be more so when he wins the DC Council seat. Hah!
Correct: then you are a stank ass fuckwad.
3:18 pm
WARD4NDC-- you ARE really feeling worse....wow. I didn't ask for your credentials..you went there so I followed suit. Who the hell cares where you went to school you are still a first class idiot!
3:19 pm
Lee E fuck you and your fat black ignorant mammy. She should have aborted your stupid ass at birth.
3:21 pm
Lee E aka Kwame Brown, did I make your stupid ass mad? It's obvious, you are Kwame or an ass kisser. Be your own man and stop worshiping corrupt and lying politicians.
3:25 pm
Lee E and WARD4NDC, you both are jigaboos and if slavery still in place, I would beat both of you like runaway slaves. Kwame is another coon like Marion Barry who caught caught smoking crack in the Vista hotel.
The coon in the White House will not get reelected. Hispanics will replace all the coons in Congress and the Negroes will suffer at the wrath of Hispanics for their reverse racism. hehe
3:27 pm
WARD4NDC- you are seriously feeling worse. Just move out of DC you will feel much happier. Smells like team spirit that Kwame Brown!
3:30 pm
Kwame Brown is another illiterate corrupt Chimpanzee like Lee E.
Lee E sucks on Kwame's cock too hard. I guess, he's the bottom in the relationship.
3:57 pm
Here's the video reported by NBC4 Tom Sherwood. Kudos to Mr. Sherwood for reporting this information about D.C. At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown.
Lee E, you should tell D.C. natives and non natives to move out of the city because they don't support your candidate. I thought, we lived in a democracy?
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/politics/D_C__Councilman_Kwame_Brown_Deep_In_Personal_Debt_Washington_DC.html
3:58 pm
Lee E, you shouldn't tell D.C. natives and non natives to move out of the city because they don't support your candidate. I thought, we lived in a democracy?
4:13 pm
D.C. At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown is coming up now on News Talk 8 at 4 p.m.
Turn now to News Talk 8 to hear what Kwame has to say about his financial difficulties.
4:18 pm
Dr. Van Helsing, have you even read the comments by WARD4NDC? If that so called Washingtonian was so unhappy with choice of candiates who are running -- then yes-- you should move. Why be unhappy?
WARD4NDC post:
Correction to previous post:
After giving this some serious thought, I cannot see myself voting for Kwame Brown. However, I can't see myself voting Vincent Orange the corporate former PEPCO whore. Vincent Orange attended a 4A ANC meeting last December. Vincent Orange supported the large rate increase PEPCO wanted to add on to District consumers bills. Sandra Mattavous-Frye, Esq., the Deputy People's Counsel For Litigation was at this ANC meeting. The Office of People's Counsel represents District residents. To hell with both Kwame Brown and Vincent Orange. They both are opportunists.
D.C. voters, residents, and taxpayers are all doomed!
This is why I said please move.
4:57 pm
CP: Why don't you "moderate" some of this crap?
5:07 pm
ABM: I knew we agreed on many things, just nothing Gray (me) and nothing Fenty (you). And re Evans, I'm with you -- holding my nose all the while.
5:14 pm
Lee E.
Everyone else is not running for public office, Kwame is and he should be more responsible. We were getting ready to place this man over a billion dollar budget.
5:41 pm
ok guys please the name calling has gotten out of hand we can agree to disagree. Jesse helm please go back under the sheet. enough said
6:42 pm
I was sad to hear this about Kwame, he has truly been a pillar of our community and done a great job as a Councilman at Large. In spite of his mistake regarding his personal debt, I don't see why he shouldn't get my vote. I commend him for taking responsibility and not allowing it to interfere with his job. I'm thankful he hasn't been one of the corrupt officials who take bribes and pass off contracts to their buddies. The man has integrity. And yes, we are handing off a major financial responsibility if we elect him as council chair, but based on his PROFESSIONAL record, he's able, and refreshingly honest. I could never give a vote to VO anyway. No one even knows what the man DID at Pepco! What were his accomplishments? So far Kwame has been open and transparent about his mistakes and long list of accomplishments ACROSS THE CITY. According to the record, Kwame has accomplished more economic development projects in Ward 5 than VO did. That doesn't even include what he's done for other parts of the city.
7:17 pm
I don't see myself voting fot Kwame Brown or Vincent Orange. It saddens me, qualifications and integrity no longer matters when running for public office. Is there anyone out there worth voting for in the District of Columbia?
9:25 pm
LEE E has the AIDS virus caused you to go insane? I think it has. Please go take your medication and pink out the pink castet you will be buried in. Your days are numbered on earth. You can come join me in hell seated at the right hand of Satan.
1:08 pm
I don't believe credit is an indicator of character but....
How do you have a steady job for 6 years and owe this kind of money without it being paid!!!!!!!!!
I have seen people slip when they lose their job. But this????????