1/16/10 – Allegations have surfaced that the Banning Redevelopment Agency ( City Council ) has been anything but responsible when it comes to distributing funds under the agency’s “Façade Grant “ program.

In 2007, Diana DiMaggio, at the time a resident of Sun Lakes Country Club, received a façade grant in the amount of $ 200,000 from the City of Banning . This grant was supposed to be used for the remodel of her building “Coplin House”, located on the corner of Ramsey St. and San Gorgonio Ave..

The Banning Informer has been able to obtain a declaration from a former next door neighbor of DiMaggio (view  declaration). Therein her Sun Lakes neighbor, Linda Mahoney-Goldstein, declares that DiMaggio apparently had no intention of using anywhere near the entire $ 200,000 on “Coplin House”. Allegedly, DiMaggio bragged that the City Council was “really stupid” for giving her that much money, and to get it, all she had to do was ask.

WHO VOTED FOR THIS FAÇADE GRANT ?

Based on a motion by Barbara Hanna, on May 29, 2007, the $ 200,000 grant was unanimously approved by all five City Council members:  Bob Botts, Barbara Hanna, John Machisic, Brenda Salas and Debbie Franklin (view).

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YET ANOTHER BARBARA HANNA CONNECTION

In 2008,  DiMaggio showed her appreciation for this grant  by donating  to Barbara Hanna’s campaign ( view page 6) . As previously reported, Councilwoman Barbara Hanna has been engaging in a notorious pattern of receiving  campaign donations from individuals who had previously financially benefited from her vote ( view previous article ).

OBLIGATION TO INVESTIGATE

This episode is just one more indication that the Banning City Council is engaged in a reckless disregard for safeguarding our tax dollars. It suggests that these dollars continue to be funneled to their cronies without oversight or accountability. Whenever allegations of misappropriation of funds become public, the oath of office sworn by each City Council member requires them to conduct an inquiry into this matter. We shall see how many – if any – of our City Council members will live up to their oath and uphold the law by initiating an investigation .