Trouble for mosque developers

[Jeffersons Ghost]

Brother load of trouble for mosque siblings

By TOM TOPOUSIS

Run-ins with the law and tax troubles are a family affair for two brothers developing the mosque near Ground Zero.

Sammy El Gamal, a partner in the firm that purchased the former Burlington Coat Factory at 45 Park Place and one of four directors of a nonprofit created to build the mosque, owes the state $22,400 in taxes. State records show three warrants issued to him, including a $19,895 bill in 2007. Asked about the taxes, he said, "I don't think that it concerns you. Have a nice day."

El Gamal is among the directors listed on an application to the state Attorney General's Office to create a charitable organization that would build and run the Islamic cultural center.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/brother_load_of_trouble_for_mosque_05dDGK3FrZVAnBWBrZDpNK#ixzz0yB9qm9bP

[hobbit709]

1. So what does that have to do 45 Park Place?

I can think of several public officials who owe or owed taxes and still got their jobs.

[dkf]

2. Plans for funding include a municipal bond which needs evidence the project can create

The cash flows to pay the bonds. I imagine a good business track record is necessary to showing the projections are good. Previous missteps would lessen confidence in the business plan.

[KharmaTrain]

3. When You've Got A Good Slime Going...Why Stop?

It's not the taxes that matter here, it's the name. Our corporate media, spearheaded by the rushpublicans have demonized any person with an Arabic name...be it the President of the United States or anyone else. In our "media culture", if you are an A-rab, you are guilty of something. Watch the "media" pick up on this thing and try to tie it into "terrorism" and continue kicking this right wing wedge around.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. It seems odd to continue to push this here.

Not a mosque. Not at ground zero. Constitution is clear regarding freedom of religion.

This is a rightwing wedge issue. It is inappropriate to use DU to push this.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. The effort to build there has a host of problems outside of the RW nonsense

That should surprise no one. Few large projects in NYC or any large city are pristine. There will always be dependencies and side issues that need to be worked.

The real concern for me is if one of those legitimate issues stops it, the RW will count coup.