Friday, December 7, 2012

Controversial Allegations Continue To Be Aired On North Talk Facebook Page About Eric Yusef Mahmoud, Founder Of SEED Academy/Harvest Prep, And Lisa Clemons' Defunct Daycare Center...

Stock photo, blog post by John Hoff

I am trying to get all the way to the bottom of the rabbit hole which is this story, but for now what I know for sure and can write is that Lisa Clemons, a former Minneapolis city employee and sister of controversial activist Al Flowers, continues to air allegations that, in summary, say Eric Yusef Mahmoud (SEED Academy/Harvest Prep) ripped off her daycare center and caused its demise.

Part One of this story is linked here. 

Here's more...

Normally, in the bloody, tangled, messy web of interlocking alliances which is politics in North Minneapolis, Johnny Northside and Lisa Clemons wouldn't be on the same side of most issues. But I think it's fair to say Lisa Clemons has reached out to me on Facebook because she's not getting a fair shake from media entities closer to her end of the political spectrum, like Don Allen and his execrable, so-called International Business News Network.

(If Don has a "business news network," then me and my two piece of crap vehicles are a "metropolitan transportation system")

Don Allen has already staked out his "pro Eric Yusef Mahmoud" position in a handful of badly written articles which, in summary, say attacks on convicted mortgage fraudster Mahmoud are racially motivated. Click here for the worst example, in which Don Allen casually tosses around KKK imagery.

There does, however, seem to be some potential leeway in Don Allen's position, as hinted at in the article linked here. Keep in mind Don Allen is a "shakedown blogger" and money can make him dramatically reverse his position, as we saw with the Minneapolis schools fiasco involving a $15,000 payment to Don Allen. (This blog has never managed to confirm whether Don Allen got the payment)

So keeping in mind Don Allen's "pay me and I will switch positions" tendency (JUDAS!!! cough, cough) readers should take note of the following sentence written by Don Allen about Eric Yusef Mahmoud:

Yes, it bugs me a little that someone who’s making six-figures hasn’t picked up the phone and asked me to do any work. 

To which this blogger says: $15,000 will usually suffice to buy Don Allen's loyalty, Eric. You will probably want to keep that in mind. As for Johnny Northside, I'm a heck of a lot cheaper but, ironically, much harder to buy. Click here.

But let's get back to Lisa Clemons. What I'm trying to document for posterity, here (keeping in mind Facebook conversations aren't the favorite food of Googlebots) is what Lisa Clemons is saying about the sinking of her daycare center and, as a secondary issue, her dissatisfaction with the grassroots media in her end of the North Minneapolis playing field.

Here's some interesting back and forth that took place on Northtalk.

Trying to start a "pro Eric Mahmoud" thread, a forum named Thomas Berry wrote as follows:

All the negative press the founder is getting in this room, let's not forget about the good he's doing for the community! Can his critics say they are doing the same?

To which Lisa Clemons responded as follows:

Thomas Berry are you seriously still towing water for Eric Mahmoud! Accountabilty is when you won up to what you have done and publicly announce an apology for those actions that have caused harm to so many. You, like others, keep trying to push Mahmoud into a positive light in an area that has not been disputed. However, Mahmoud lied when he was confronted with the million dollar theft in Georgia, via an email to Steve Brandt. In the email he said the charges against him had been dropped in Georgia. Steve Brandt spoke with the prosecutor and found out that was a lie. Eric Mahmoud had PLED GUILTY to his crime and was placed on probabtion. He had no choice but to plead guilty .... or face jail time. 

NOW, accountabilty still has to be addressed for the loss of a BLACK business that taught CHILDREN in the North Minneapolis community. A CHILDCARE business that taught, SUCESSFULLY, young minority children. A business that gave jobs to people in the community. Jobs that were lost because Eric Yusef Mahmoud was a greedy thief! This is a man that oversee a great many impressionable black children. He did not MAKE A MISTAKE in his youth. He made a consciuos decision, as a grown ass man, held in high regard by some in the community, to commit a HIGH PROFILE crime in Georgia and to some of you a "low profile crime" in good old North Minneapolis. If he was truly sorry for his crimes why did it hide it? Clearly, by many on the school board, he did not disclose his crimes before they entered into a new contract with him. Many in his professional circle did not know of his crimes and clearly many on this thread had no knowledge. Please stop stunting Thomas.

The thread on which this conversation took place was red hot and distracting in a lot of ways, as two forum participants admitted to having been prostitutes back in the day and one bragged about her "specialty tricks." I only wish I was writing that in the parody font. Thank goodness those two aren't in my political camp.

One forum participant (who was NOT Lisa Clemons or either of the self-confessed prostitutes) hinted there was more information out there about Eric Mahmoud.

I think some one forgot an important fact. This crime was not done in his youth. He was not poor trying to find food, shelter and he certainly knew better when he committed his felony. The conviction isn't even 3 years old. The religious organization that he recently wronged was just this year but no one want's to come public with that one just yet

Lisa Clemons has apparently been in touch with Ron Edwards (who teams up with Don Allen in a "Donny and Ronny" radio show, sometimes) about the story of the daycare center going under. Clemons wrote as follows:

I got a call in to Ron Edwards. He has some of the original documents. Someone on here asked about the $5,000.00 a month payment to Eric Mahmoud for rent on our daycare space. The address was 2508 Golden Valley Rd. North (Corner of GVR/Sheridan). It was torn down by the tornado after the foreclosure was complete so Wells Fargo won in the end. The rent on the space, as we found out after the fact from Wells Fargo, was a little over $2,300.00 a month. Eric Mahmoud charged us $5,000.00 a month. Therefore he was already getting a huge profit and still kept 
the portion for the rent. GREED, GREED, GREED.

It's fair to say looking through the paper trail turns up a lot of interesting stuff. In fact, the stuff is so tangled and complicated that I've asked two different experts to look at the info and help me pick it apart. For now, what I will share is this 990 form.

990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/411/411677034/411677034_201006_990.pdf    

Anybody who can help me figure out what's happening here and whether there is basis to the allegations aired by Lisa Clemons is welcome to comment or contact me. In the meantime, I will say this:

Shame on Don Allen. 

There is no freewheeling exchange of important and relevant info on Don Allen's craptastic blog. Instead, it seems like every time Don Allen publishes something he has some kind of angle, some kind of half-baked hope for a potential payout, as documented above. If that one sentence isn't a blatant "shot across the bow" at Eric Yusef Mahmoud, then I must be hallucinating. I was too close to Don Allen for a while. I know how this con man operates.

Don is letting down the community by doing such a piss poor job at blogging. The allegations aired by Clemons deserve a fair hearing. If there are documents telling a story, that story should be told. It's just bizarre that Lisa Clemons should have to reach out to this blogger (far, far outside her political circle) just to get attention to issues that should be getting a fair hearing on IBNN or the "Ronny and Donny Show."

There's two reasons for this. First of all, it seems like Don Allen is no longer on good terms with Al Flowers, the brother of Clemons. And, secondly, Eric Yusef is the guy with the six figure salary, so Don Allen is going to kiss this guy's ass because this guy's ass smells like money.

This blog, in contrast, is happy to air the story about the daycare center, and let the chips fall where they may. If Eric Yusef Mahmoud wants to air his side of the issue, let him email me or comment here.

Let's get this whole thing out in the open about the daycare center and wherever else this rabbit hole leads. 

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

What does SEED's tax information have to do with Ms Clemons' Daycare allegations? I doubt Eric Mahmoud will give you the time of day since he's probably never heard of you, and, please ask Ms Clemons why she did not sue him in the first place? Screw airing it on Facebook, I'd air it in the courtroom! If there is any truth to her allegations then she would definitely have cause to sue. I am not saying Ms Clemons is not telling the truth, but I just think there may be more to this story that Ms Clemons is not mentioning. I think I'll dig a little myself...

Anonymous said...

Hey John,

As I am sure these violations have been corrected since her daycare is still open, it seems that Ms Alisa Clemons has had some issues of her own. Since we are airing "dirty laundry" let it all hang out. Maybe she should spend more time making sure her daycare is up to par!!!

http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&dDocName=LLO_9888&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased

Anonymous said...

I find it troubling that three members of the same family are all drawing salaries from these schools (or is it one school - that's not clear to me). It says in the 990 that Mr. Mahmoud works 30 hours a week, and for that, he earns $163,000 a year? Wow. I want to get in on that gig. This would all be well and good if it was a private business, but if I am understanding this correctly, they receive funding from the City of Minneapolis (to whom I pay an unbelievable amount in property taxes) and from the Minneapolis Public Schools. If this is correct, the school board needs to be pressured to investigate this man's criminal history.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Mahmoud put in another 40 hours a week at Best Academy Inc. He was paid a little over $118,000 plus $7,800 other compensation for that 40 hopurs a week. For the same year. Maybe I'm wrong. The form I just looked at was 990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/261/261221063/261221063_201006_990.pdf

Johnny Northside! said...

Wow. That's another 990 form entirely. What an interesting little paper trail...

Anonymous said...

This is all old news. It was already in the STrib. Think of the children. This is a non profit after all.

Anonymous said...

There are 3 schools that are operating, SEED, Harvest Prep and BEST Academy. Each school has its own staff, board, finances and budget, so each school has its own 990. Do your research people!!

Anonymous said...

You be funny Johnny. Call Eric Mahmoud, schedule a meeting. I'm sure you'll find out how everyone was splitting the money. That's how Negros role.

Lisa Clemons said...

I had someone call me to read your blog and the comments. Why do you post from people name "Anonymous"? I can not believe so many people gave their children the same name. As to the "Anonymous" person who stated, "As I am sure these violations have been corrected since her daycare is still open, it seems that Ms Alisa Clemons has had some issues of her own. Since we are airing "dirty laundry" let it all hang out. Maybe she should spend more time making sure her daycare is up to par!!!"

MY RESPONSE: Our Northside daycare was shut down in 2010 because Eric Mahmoud pocketing the rent money and failed to share it with Wells Fargo. I hardly believe the business is open since the tornado levelled the building.

Another anonymous said, "I am not saying Ms Clemons is not telling the truth, but I just think there may be more to this story that Ms Clemons is not mentioning. I think I'll dig a little myself." MY RESPONSE: Please dig and I am willing to meet with you and Eric Mahmoud to confirm all that I have alleged. When you find out that I have not told one lie will you be willing to apologize?

Why are people so angry about the truth? Maybe you have to lose something to understand.

Lisa Clemons

Anonymous said...

Dear Lisa,

At this blog, people who know too little question the validity of everything; those who know too much say "stop judging, RIP, smh"; and the rest of the trolls race each other to the bottom of the red herring bin.

That being said, Good luck with your case!

Anonymous said...

I worked for New Vision Childcare Center until they were forced to close. Because the landlord was not paying rent. I can attest that Eric Mahmoud and his daughter came on the first of every month to pick up rent. We worked in slum conditions, the ceiling in the pre school room fell in at least 3 times while I worked there. The hallway bathroom the pipes in the bathroom burst because there was no heat it was not connected to the inner daycare. Center point energy tagged the furnace and said the water heater was leaking a small amount of carbon monoxide, I remember it taking a year to replace the furnace even after he was told about the carbon monoxide, mine you lets not kill the kids. Could not use the playground across the street because he refused to fix equipment for the kids to play. I would have to walk the kids in the baking sun to Williard park so they could swim, swing and play not knowing how hard it was to make the daycare work for them under these horrific conditions. I'm sorry Lisa you asked me not to say anything but I can't take it anymore. They paid his taxes $7,000 helping him so he would not loose his building only to receive a notice saying he owed for two years previous. One of your people said there is more going on here and I agree with them they did more to keep the daycare open and her staff employed, I think Eric Mamoud failed them in the end. He never looked back and I know this is what angers Lisa. You have to know Lisa, she walked around so sad knowing that some of us would end up homeless, and loose our income for Eric Mahmoud he did not care, as for Lisa she did care. I'm appalled at some of you this woman came out of her own pocket to help us with our most serious bills even when it was bad for her and her children. I have known this family for a long time. Lisa's heart has always been for the community I commend you Lisa.

Anonymous said...

I was speaking of Alisa Clemons'daycare that is now in Brooklyn Park, last year she had 21 citations from the state of Minnesota about how her daycare is run. As far as me posting Anonymous, I'll post how ever I want thank you very much...happy holidays!!!

ShutUpAndDance said...

Right now it is just your truth Lisa, you've proven nothing...

Anonymous said...

Maybe anonymous is good for some people who have no clue and don't want to hear truth she lost a business and he ripped her off and he ripped off the community. I think she is right for what she is doing he used us and our children to line his pockets. I

Anonymous said...

Shut up and say who you are coward

Lisa Clemons said...

As to the daycare in Brooklyn Park that I use to run, Anonymous please post the 21 citations. Are they severe in nature? Or regular items that centers get cited for. This is so sad.

Tell Shana I said hello. I can not stop laughing. You Mahmoudites are a sad testiment to the black community. I stand by my earlier statement, "If Eric Mahmoud was a white man we would be marching down broadway and blocking traffic in downtown Minneapolis."

I am shocked at all the black people who read Johnny Northsides blog, but call him a troll, right Thomas. Too sad.

Lisa Clemons

lisa Clemons said...

This is my last post: "Did any of you ask Eric Yusef Mahmoud if I have lied at any point?" Please post his response. GOD Bless.

Lisa Clemons

Ms Richardson said...

There is a difference between airing dirty laundry and getting a childcare up to par....If you got citations and had to fix some things is something between DHS and The childcare Center dirty laundry is when you're trying to manipulate the system for the purposes of gaining wages and FRAUDALENTLY filling out UNTRUE paperwork. I have 7 children, 5 of whom was in Ms Clemons care at ALL of her centers from 1999 to my youngest started Kindergarten at which time he was still under NEW VISION CARE....We were all devastated when the NS daycare closed but were willing to drive from White Bear to Brooklyn Park so that our kids got adequate care. Proud to say 4 of the children are on the gifted and talented program thanks to NEW VISION. My other son (I CHOOSE TO KEEP HIM ANONYMOUS) went to MAHMOUD'S school and THE ENTIRE YEAR learned nothing EXCEPT how to pass a state test...What good is passing a STUPID test if you don't know SCIENCE (WHICH THE STATE DOESNT TEST FOR), History, or anything important in life besides Math and Reading....I went to church with the Mahmoud's at TRUEVINE and even though they wont say it HE PAID THEM TOO...ALOT. So know the difference. We are thankful for New Vision and still buy and donate toys as often as possible to them...They have passed their Licensing EVERY YEAR with NOOOOO CONVICTED FELONS on board

Anonymous said...

I chose to be anonymous as to if the Mahmoud's and the Mahmoudites (as ms clemons calls them) are that dirty who is to say they wont come after ppl for airing their dirty laundry.....Ms Clemons MR MAHMOUD will never come and say that the reality of your statements are untrue. He wont face the public. Never has and never will

Anonymous said...

Tear that piece of shit mahmoud a new mutthole Lisa., keep fuckin''round'ric and i may have to roadtest yo' bitch agin'.

Anonymous said...

Hey what about the lawsuit or whatever about 2508 where Lisa's daycare used to be. Just post all that up for people to read. They can see for themselves who has done what. Sunshine disinfects.

Anonymous said...

Here are your citations...
As for Anonymous 9:27am, go get an education, you sound stupid!!!

http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&dDocName=LLO_9888&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 8:44pm, you first???

ShutUpAndDance said...

No Lisa, you are the sad one, quit b******* and take it to court. If he screwed you over so bad take it to the white man in the black robe, John Hoff can not get you your money back LMFAO

Anonymous said...

LOL, "A sad testament to the black community"?? This coming from a woman who sent hate mail to her own peers.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous I can not stop laughing. Who sent you to do your homework? your post is just "priceless"....or was that $400,000.00

When you get through with all of your ranting and raving Eric Mahmoud will still be a common thief and convicted felon. This is just priceless. hahahaha

Now I'm a bitch. This just gets better and better.

Lisa Clemons

Anonymous said...

And when you get done with your ranting and raving you'll still be the cop that sent the letters read all around the world...Get a life Lisa

Anonymous said...

Anonymous @dec 13 11:48 has never heard of The Honorable Alan Page? State supreme court justice? The best Minnesota has ever known wearing a robe that distinguishes him as a man of highly esteemed honor. Another valued Minnesotan soon will become our first Asian-American supreme court justice.. the Honorable Tony Leung. Mark my words, do your homework and all of you ignorant fools get off the race shit.

Anonymous said...

You never asked Lisa Clemons how much money she and Al got from Eric and the MPS...