Circuit of the Americas Development Updates - Page 115

GoldenBoot · #**2281** Posted **May 9, 2019, 4:22 PM**

How many legislators does Eppy have in his back pocket? And, how much is it costing him to keep them there?

What an F'in Slime!

What are the odds of getting this passed? I hope this leaks to the news outlets. He'd get grilled over this!!!

GoldenBoot · #**2282** Posted **May 9, 2019, 4:24 PM**

When is someone going to get it together and submit legislation to force Eppy to completely open his books? After receiving more than $200MM in our money, I want to see what he's doing with it.

turn1 · #**2283** Posted **May 9, 2019, 6:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

When is someone going to get it together and submit legislation to force Eppy to completely open his books? After receiving more than $200MM in our money, I want to see what he's doing with it.

I'd love to see it, but Bobby's cronies on the hill would never let us look under the hood, and even if they did, Abbott wouldn't sign it. He's Bobby's bitch.

Novacek · #**2284** Posted **May 9, 2019, 6:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by turn1

I'd love to see it, but Bobby's cronies on the hill would never let us look under the hood, and even if they did, Abbott wouldn't sign it. He's Bobby's bitch.

It was Abbott's office that denied Epstein the latest $25M. Maybe they were just keeping up appearances (or Abbott totally had no control) but it didn't seem like Abbot jumps when Epstein says.

turn1 · #**2285** Posted **May 9, 2019, 7:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novacek

It was Abbott's office that denied Epstein the latest $25M. Maybe they were just keeping up appearances (or Abbott totally had no control) but it didn't seem like Abbot jumps when Epstein says.

I do believe that was at least partially for appearances, just like when Abbott moved the METF into the Governor's office "to get it under control" (but really to reduce transparency). Remember, Abbott and his wife Cecelia are on a big Anti-Human Trafficking push, and I think he may have had no other choice but to deny the money once the application omission was brought to his attention..

From what I've heard, this bill has Abbott's blessing, but I'd love to be proven wrong. If it passes and he signs it, I guess we'll have our answer.

The Governor's office knows all about COTA, the way they exaggerate shit, how slimy they are, etc. It's all very obvious to anyone who's paying attention, but they've done zero about it. They've looked the other way & let a lot of shit slide out there.

urbancore · #**2286** Posted **May 9, 2019, 8:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by novacek

but it didn't seem like abbot rolls when epstein says.

ftfy

AusTxDevelopment · #**2287** Posted **May 10, 2019, 5:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

How many legislators does Eppy have in his back pocket? And, how much is it costing him to keep them there?

What an F'in Slime!

What are the odds of getting this passed? I hope this leaks to the news outlets. He'd get grilled over this!!!

How much is it costing him? $100K, apparently, according to the Statesman. The bill has already passed the House.

Texas may give F1′s US Grand Prix its missing $25 million
https://www.statesman.com/news/20190...ing-25-million

Edited to add: State Rep Frullo (Lubbock) says he 'wasn't asked by anyone at COTA to make the change.' Of course not. They pay lobbyists to do that.

They're all crooks.

KevinFromTexas · #**2288** Posted **May 10, 2019, 5:50 PM**

You mean there's corruption in sports? I'm totally shocked. Shocked, I tell ya.

drummer · #**2289** Posted **May 11, 2019, 12:45 AM**

Since I haven't lived in the U.S. for a long while, I'm surprised by all of this.... I didn't realize corruption was still there. I thought that all elected officials, from the lowest elected officials all the way up to the president and on both sides of the aisle, were completely selfless. Surely sports is free of corruption as well. Look to FIFA as a model on anti-corruption. And the NFL. And NCAA. All of them have spotless records. The music industry is free of corruption also. And oil and gas. I'm so glad that you guys don't have to deal with corruption in the U.S.

ahealy · #**2290** Posted **May 11, 2019, 2:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummer

Since I haven't lived in the U.S. for a long while, I'm surprised by all of this.... I didn't realize corruption was still there. I thought that all elected officials, from the lowest elected officials all the way up to the president and on both sides of the aisle, were completely selfless. Surely sports is free of corruption as well. Look to FIFA as a model on anti-corruption. And the NFL. And NCAA. All of them have spotless records. The music industry is free of corruption also. And oil and gas. I'm so glad that you guys don't have to deal with corruption in the U.S.

There's no escaping it!

drummer · #**2291** Posted **May 11, 2019, 6:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahealy

There's no escaping it!

Man, don't I know it. I've been all over the world and have lived in three countries. The U.S. is really no different - it just puts a better face on most of the time.

turn1 · #**2292** Posted **May 14, 2019, 5:06 PM**

NY Times via AP's Jim Vertuno: Within days after being denied the 2018 payout of the $25M subsidy for F1, COTA's Bobby Epstein donated almost $100K to Texas Governor, Lt. Governor, and Lawmakers, & is now seeking legislation to force retroactive payment of same $25M subsidy...

https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/201...-finances.html

https://apnews.com/d0e1cf252bd342d7a68c9d2d5ffd1f54

Quote:

Circuit of the Americas President Bobby Epstein, who also founded the investment firm Prophet Capital, has pumped about $100,000 in campaign donations to state officials and lawmakers in the six months since the 2018 race, including donations to Gov. Greg Abbott, whose office controls the fund, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate.

Other donations went to several lawmakers who sit on committees that first considered the bill or live in districts near the racetrack. Epstein did not immediately return messages seeking comment Thursday.

...

State law requires applicants to submit an anti-human trafficking plan 30 days before an event as part of an effort to combat spikes in prostitution. U.S. Grand Prix organizers didn't file their plan until 11 days before the 2018 race and were disqualified for reimbursement. Within weeks, Epstein donated $50,000 to Abbott and $25,000 to Patrick, and donated nearly $13,000 to members of the committees considering the bill.

The bill doesn't name the Circuit of the Americas or the U.S. Grand Prix, but it specifically carves out a second chance to apply for events that miss the 30-day deadline for the anti-human trafficking plan if it gets filed seven days prior, and is used during the event. Both of those details apply to the Austin race.

Austin1971 · #**2293** Posted **May 28, 2019, 12:38 AM**

Renzo Downey AAS

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190...-at-25-million

An effort to allow Circuit of the Americas officials to seek reimbursement from a state economic development fund for the 2018 U.S. Grand Prix fell short in the waning days of the legislative session.

masonh2479 · #**2294** Posted **May 28, 2019, 1:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin1971

Renzo Downey AAS

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190...-at-25-million

An effort to allow Circuit of the Americas officials to seek reimbursement from a state economic development fund for the 2018 U.S. Grand Prix fell short in the waning days of the legislative session.

Well from what I have been reading this is good news and will maybe shine some light on the current corruption at hand. I was wondering about if the F1 race is now in doubt because I was planning on flying down to see it this year. I sure hope it isn’t. This Epstein guy, from what I have read seems like nothing but trouble. I hope he gets booted out and replaced by someone sensible.

Forgive me if this was a bad post (wrong info, bashing the wrong guy, etc...) because I really am not familiar with what is going on here but would like to add my perspective from what I have interpreted. I really hope COTA survives, I am all for F1, Moto GP, and random track days.

turn1 · #**2295** Posted **May 30, 2019, 4:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by masonh2479

Well from what I have been reading this is good news and will maybe shine some light on the current corruption at hand. I was wondering about if the F1 race is now in doubt because I was planning on flying down to see it this year. I sure hope it isn’t. This Epstein guy, from what I have read seems like nothing but trouble. I hope he gets booted out and replaced by someone sensible.

Forgive me if this was a bad post (wrong info, bashing the wrong guy, etc...) because I really am not familiar with what is going on here but would like to add my perspective from what I have interpreted. I really hope COTA survives, I am all for F1, Moto GP, and random track days.

I doubt the race is in jeopardy over 1 missed subsidy check, no matter what Epstein says or has said. If it IS teetering on the brink over this, then they're in much worse shape than we thought.It would also likely mean business isn't nearly as good as they claim - which is the case anyway imho.

But I'd bet Bobby is already working on some other scheme to get the money...

Nice to see Jane Nelson didn't just give in though.

urbancore · #**2296** Posted **May 30, 2019, 5:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by turn1

Nice to see Jane Nelson didn't just give in though.

I haven't kept up with this, except for the headlines. Who is Nelson, and what did she do (didn't do)? Thanks.

mostly_afk · #**2297** Posted **May 30, 2019, 6:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

That's sad. There were 5,800 at the opener, But most of those folks probably came from S.A. to watch their team.

I've only followed the Bold off and on this season given my disdain for their owner, but their result this week was good. For those who don't follow domestic soccer, the Bold played SAFC in the US Open Cup at home. They won the match 4-2. They get to advance to the next round and play the Houston Dynamo. The US Open Cup is where lower division clubs can compete with the top division. Unfortunately, the Bold only drew an official attendance of 2,555 for the match with SAFC. I'm guessing the SAFC fans didn't travel in large enough numbers to boast attendance.

turn1 · #**2298** Posted **Jun 3, 2019, 4:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbancore

I haven't kept up with this, except for the headlines. Who is Nelson, and what did she do (didn't do)? Thanks.

Jane Nelson introduced the initial legislation that the COTA legislation piggybacked onto after their original legislation died. From what I've heard Nelson was so put off by the COTA piggyback that she let her legislation die rather than push it through with the COTA wording intact.

turn1 · #**2299** Posted **Jun 3, 2019, 5:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by masonh2479

Well from what I have been reading this is good news and will maybe shine some light on the current corruption at hand. I was wondering about if the F1 race is now in doubt because I was planning on flying down to see it this year. I sure hope it isn’t. This Epstein guy, from what I have read seems like nothing but trouble. I hope he gets booted out and replaced by someone sensible.

Forgive me if this was a bad post (wrong info, bashing the wrong guy, etc...) because I really am not familiar with what is going on here but would like to add my perspective from what I have interpreted. I really hope COTA survives, I am all for F1, Moto GP, and random track days.

BTW there's an error at the end of the article. The author wrote "For the 2018 U.S. Grand Prix, which attracted more than 101,000 people including an estimated 63,000 from out of state from Oct. 19-21, the track asked for $25,872,004 from the state, according to its application for reimbursement."

The 101,000 people referenced there is a pre-race attendance estimate by COTA. It is not the amount of people that actually attended the race.

COTA had to submit that pre-race estimate as part of the MERP application process. That estimate is used to set the amount of the subsidy COTA receives for the race. It's supposed to be followed up with an Attendance Certification after the race, in which COTA gives their estimate of how many people actually attended the race. Since COTA failed to follow the requirements of the statute and never got paid for that race, COTA's Attendance Certification has not yet been made public, so we don;t know how many people they estimate were in attendance for the 2018 USGP.

turn1 · #**2300** Posted **Jul 17, 2019, 4:58 PM**

Epstein's still at it, doing everything he can to block any competition from the new MLS team and their much better-located venue.

With almost $400K in anti-MLS donations to Fair Play Austin, Bobby Epstein has nearly doubled his investment in derailing the Austin FC MLS team & Stadium. The only other donor gave $25.

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190...w-report-shows

Quote:

In the past nine months, Epstein has given $384,612 to the effort. Besides a $25 donation from the PAC’s treasurer, Epstein is the sole donor.