3,000 Protesters Seeking Justice Shut Down Mall Of America For Hours

Thousands gathered at the Mall of America to protest police brutality against Afro-Americans and Latinos.

By H. Nelson Goodson

December 20, 2014

Bloomington, Minnesota - More than 3,000 people gathered at the Mall of America (MOA) to disrupt one of the busiest shopping days before Christmas. Part of the Mall of America was shut down for hours after protesters chanted for justice against police brutality and mocked dead bodies of Afro-Americans killed by police.

At least 20 protesters were arrested, according to Black Lives Matter in Minneapolis (BLMM), one of the organizers. BLMM in a press release stated that it was one of their most successful peaceful protests. Some of the organizers say, that they were disappointed that riot police and MOA security locked down some of the doors and exists at the mall. BLMM alleged that most of those arrested were targeted by police as they were leaving peacefully from the mall.

The MOA received $250M in taxpayer funds last year and they wouldn't allow a peaceful protest at the mall.

Two Blue Sombrero Restaurant Bandits Charged

Armed robbery and Instagram posting of loot led to arrest of several teens.

By H. Nelson Goodson

December 3, 2014

Mount Pleasant, WI - On Monday, both Jorge M. Martínez, 17, and José A. Mendoza, 18, were charged each with two felony counts, armed robbery, including party to a crime and 2nd-degree reckless endangering safety, including party to a crime and using a dangerous weapon for the November 22 robbery of José's Blue Sombrero Restaurant at 6430 Washington Ave. A $100,000  cash bail each was set for Martínez and Mendoza.

According to the criminal complaint, both suspects went to the restaurant around 11:49 p.m. and entered the manager's office and stole money from a sage and then fired several shotgun rounds inside. No one was reported injured.

Mendoza then posted a photo on his Instagram account of the loot and an expensive watch. Police then received a tip and arrested both teens for the armed robbery. A backpack with Mendoza's name written on it and other items were left in a roadway near the crime scene. Mendoza's parents recognized the backpack and other items, including a white mask used in the robbery belonging to their son, according to the criminal complaint.

Several shot guns were later recovered from under Martínez's bed, according to police. Martínez told police Mendoza had paid him $100 to hide the weapons.

Blaze Destroys Original Famous Dave's BBQ Restaurant In Hayward

The Original Famous Dave's BBQ Restaurant in Wisconsin was destroyed by fire, according to founder, Dave Anderson.

By H. Nelson Goodson

November 3, 2014

Town of Hayward, Wisconsin - On Monday, around 4:30 a.m. firefighters from the Town of Hayward and Town of Round Lake responded to a two alarm fire at the Original Famous Dave's BBQ restaurant, 9971 N. Grands Pines Ln. in Hayward. The restaurant located next to Round Lake was a total loss, but no one was reported injured. No one was inside the restaurant when the fired started. The Wisconsin State Fire Marshal is investigating the blaze on Monday.

Founder Dave Anderson wrote on his Facebook page, that 20 years of memories went ablaze and that it was just a temporary setback. This year, Famous Dave's was celebrating its 20 Anniversary of becoming a national franchise.

Anderson announced that he plans to open as soon as possible and might use one of his family's pole barns to setup for another restaurant. 

He says, that it was his dream for 25 years before he opened the original restaurant and "spent thousands of hours smoking ribs and tossed thousands of gallons of bad sauce down the drain" until he came up with the original award winning sauce recipes for the restaurant.

Four Milwaukee County Men Busted For Trading Cash For WIC Vouchers

Caston Love, Mohansingh Boparai, Awarjeet Boparai and Amandeep Singh

State undercover agents busted four men from three area businesses willing to trade cash for WIC vouchers.

By H. Nelson Goodson

October 18, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office charged four local men with WIC voucher fraud. The suspects are charged with multiple counts to trade cash for Woman, Infants and Children (WIC) program vouchers. The suspects paid less than half their value and then collected the full amount from the state.

The suspects, Awarjeet Boparai and Mohansingh Boparai, 42, who operate the Center Street Food Mart, 4630 W. Center Street. Both Boparai's are each facing three felony counts of fraud for providing cash for WIC vouchers. Mohansingh is being held without bail and will make a court hearing appearance on October 29 for a preliminary hearing.

Amandeep Singh, 26, from Big Jim's Liquor Store, 2161 W. Hopkins Street was charged with six felony counts of fraud for providing cash for WIC vouchers. He is out on bond with a $250 signature bond and is expected to appear at a preliminary hearing on October 29. 

Caston Love, 53, from Deep Pantry ll, 2450 W. Burleigh St. Love is facing six felony counts of fraud for providing cash for WIC vouchers. He remains in custody on a warrant. Love has an initial court appearance on October 18.

Boycott Against Palermo's Pizza Continues, VDLF Confirmed

Voces de la Frontera confirmed a boycott against Palermo Pizza is ongoing, despite fired undocumented employees deciding in July to end efforts to unionize.

By H. Nelson Goodson

October 14, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - On Tuesday, Voces de la Frontera (VDLF), a non-profit immigrant and workers rights organization confirmed that a boycott against Palermo Villa, Inc. pizza products continues today. The boycott of Palermo pizza products is ongoing with the sponsorship of the AFL-CIO, according to Primitivo Torres, spokesman for VDLF. A news release concerning the boycott will be made available soon, Torres told Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA).

In July, nearly 80 former employees from Palermo Villa with the aid of VDLF decided to vacate their efforts to unionize at Palermo Pizza. The former employees were terminated at Palermo Pizza after an ICE audit determined they were unauthorized to work and after they couldn't provide any legal status documentation to work. The employees and VDLF say, they were fired because they began efforts to unionize before an ICE audit, which Palermo's administration retaliated and used an ICE audit to get rid of those employees attempting to form a union in 2012. 

Eight workers who walked out in support of 100 employees and got fired in 2012 got $106,000 in back pay in settlement. Palermo Villa erred in firing those employees and violated federal labor laws,  according to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Wisconsin.  Four of the eight fired workers decided to return to work. The remaining Palermo former workers filed a petition with the NLRB to unionize. The NLRB notified Palermo Villa last week that the former employees in July had vacated their petition to unionize.

The former employees since then have moved on with their lives and gotten other jobs, according to Torres. VDLF efforts to unionize at Palermo Pizza led to an increase in wages, but Palermo employment practices continues with same issues dealing with safety factors and treatment of employees when injured at work and other work related policies. Without a union at Palermo Pizza, employees are subject to quick termination without recourse, mandatory overtime with few days off, limited sick days and lack of represention to bargain for better wages or insurance benefits.

In May 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued several citations for safety violations and for withholding information about certain safety incidents against Palermo Villa, Inc. totalling $38,500 in fines. 

So far in the past year, Palermo Inc. has paid at least $63,000 for health and safety violations that included a 22-year-old man with a three finger amputation in May 7, 2013. The recent three OSHA citations for violations totaled $13,500, which each violation totaled $4,500, according to VDLF.

Palermo's has so far refused requests from elected officials to provide evidence that they fulfilled promises to create family supporting jobs with some of the $48 million in taxpayer money they have received in recent years, including loans they received via Governor Scott Walker's (R) Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the executive director of VDLF could not be reached for comment, because she was unavailable due to the untimely lost of her grandmother at the age of 102 in a tragic accident in Mexico late last week and is in Mexico with family members. Two other family members are in critical condition. 

José Ruano And Recipients Honored At UMOS Hispanic Awards Banquet 2014

● José Ruano awarded Hispanic Man of the Year

● Dora Zúñiga awarded Hispanic Woman of the Year

● Caroline Maria Dannecker awarded Hispanic Youth of the Year

● Pedro and Joan Martínez awarded Hispanic Family of the Year

By H. Nelson Goodson

October 12, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - On Saturday, the United Migrant Opportunity Services, Inc. (UMOS) held their 34th annual Hispanic Awards Banquet at the Italian Community Conference Center. UMOS Chair of the Board of Directors, Juan José Lopez recognized UMOS President and CEO Lupe Martínez for his 45 years of service to the non-profit organization, a multi-services provider to the surrounding and statewide Latino community and residents.

The following information and biographies about this year recipients was provided by UMOS banquet program brochure.

José Ruano was honored as Hispanic Man of the Year for his years as a Miller Brewing Company, now MillerCoors representative and his ability to provide funding and support to almost every Hispanic non-profit organization locally and nationally, including El Centro Hispano, United Community Center, UMOS, La Casa de Esperanza, Esperanza Unida, Voces de la Frontera, National Council of La Raza (NCLR), National Hispanic Corporate Council,  Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation (Mexican Fiesta), Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin and LULAC. Ruano who recently retired from MillerCoors is a former employee of UMOS. He was hired by former UMOS Executive Director Salvador Sánchez in 1971.

On Friday, Ruano was awarded the Roberto Hernández Center 2014 Hispanic Heritage Award at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Dora Zúñiga was honored as Hispanic Woman of the Year. Zúñiga is the Chief Executive Officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County. She is a former staff member of UMOS and worked as an Area Coordinator. Zúñiga previously worked as the Executive Director of the Centro Hispano of Dane County from 1991-1997 and later was appointed as Director of Leadership Giving for United Way of Dane County. While in Dane County, Zúñiga became an advocate for change to help provide opportunities for the Hispanic community in Dane County and state. Her advocacy to advance the rights and interests of the Latino community earned her a well deserved recognition by the Madison Magazine, which named her one of Madison's 125 All Time Top Influential Madisonians.

Caroline Maria Dannecker was honored as Hispanic Youth of the Year. Dannecker has provided about 500 hours of community service and graduated with honors from the Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School. She is also a Trustee Scholarship Recipient and a Pinnacle Scholarship Recipient. 

The Pedro and Joan Martínez family were recognized and honored as the Hispanic Family of the Year. The Martínez family have a history of community service and advocating for the rights of the Hispanic community. Pedro was the Director of the Office of the Hispanic Ministry for more than 25 years. He represented the Milwaukee Archdiocese at the national, regional and local events. His wife, Joan worked as a Spanish language teacher for the Milwaukee Public School District for 19 years. She advocated for early childhood teachers to obtain their bilingual/ESL certifications. 

Their daughter, Rebeca López, is an attorney and received her J.D. degree at Marquette University and worked for former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D). Their two sons, Natanael Martínez is a graduate from UW-Madison with a degree in business and Chicano Studies. He works for Milwaukee's Southside Silver City organization. Samuel Martínez also graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in civil engineering.
Both Pedro and Joan were celebrating their 34th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday. 

Nearly $700K In Loans Authorized By Former Esperanza Unida Executive Director In 1994 And No Accountability Recorded

Real estate mortgage loans totalling at least $690K were taken out by former Esperanza Unida, Inc. executive director Richard Oulahan in 1994.

By H. Nelson Goodson

October 6, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - On Monday, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) obtained copies of several real estate mortgages totalling $600,000 ($600K) in loans from Marshall & Ilsley Bank (M&I, now BMO Harris Bank) to the late and former Esperanza Unida, Inc. executive director Richard Oulahan dated June 14, 1994 and August 25, 1994. According to Manuel "Manny" Pérez,  the current executive director of Esperanza Unida there is no record of how those loans were spent. Pérez says, that he was surprised to, why Oulahan authorized to get $600K in loans and might not have been for work related training. "I would like to know how the funds were used," Oulahan in 1994 signed those loans and the Esperanza Unida Board of Directors in that time had oversight of Oulahan and he "had to have signed with the authorization of the Board," Pérez said.

In 1994,  the Esperanza Unida Board members were, Mrs. Isabella Reyes, Mr. Erasmo Espinoza, Ms. Anna Maria Espinoza, Mr. Aurelio Valdez, Mr. Les Perez, Mr. Ismael Ruiz and Mr. Bonifacio Santiago, according to Robert Miranda,  the former Esperanza Unida executive director.

Adam E. Mata in August told HNNUSA, "We tried to stop the bleeding and manage the property. We never got a chance to request federal funds. If we received any they were already in place. I can say for certain we never attempted to get any monies thru a mortgage or refinancing of the building on 611." Mata's associate director in 2005 was Cuauhtemoc "Temo" Rodríguez. 

Rodríguez when contacted stated, "If you have a date on when that transaction took place, then you will be able to zero-in on who made that transaction. I do not recall any such transaction. I'm sure you are aware that Board of Directors approve large transactions and are legally responsible."

Pérez in August stated, "I've indicated to Mr. Adam Mata that the $690K in loans or leans against the 611 building were missing and that I do not know where that money went nor that the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the State Department of Commerce had approved for these loans to be made." The matter of the missing funds have been turned over to the EDA and State Department of Commerce for review, according to Pérez.

The EDA has requested all records from the banking institutions that made the loans and are tracking the financial paper trail of who requested the loans and where the money ended up.

Pérez also confirmed that the building at 611 W. National Ave. has at least five leans totalling almost $700K and it can't be sold until the EDA approves it and the leans are paid. 

In June, the Esperanza Board of Directors from the non-profit organization had accepted an offer from Callan Shultz, of North Pointe Holdings ll LLC and President of Keystone Development from Oshkosh to sell. The Oshkosh developer offered $1.3M and will invest a $7M project to convert the 611 building into a 55-unit apartment complex and will keep some businesses on the first floor. The Board couldn't refuse the offer, since it has been on debt and facing a $1.3M deficit. 

Last year, Esperanza Unida ended with $495,000 in gross revenue and for 2014, Pérez projected about $900,000 in gross revenue. But in terms of net income, Esperanza owes $50,000 to CD, it owes $388,000 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and $70,000 to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) employment insurance. 

The Esperanza Board must pay at least the 2012 and 2011 delinquent taxes by November 19 or the City of Milwaukee will move forward to foreclose the 611 W. National Ave. property. The 611 property is assessed at $1,948,000, but owes delinquent taxes for 2013, $66,556.24; for 2012, $64,103.63 and for 2011, $46,111.73, a total of $176,771.60, plus incurring tax delinquent penalties per month. The Treasurer's Office says, Esperanza Unida has a redemption period of November 19, which the Esperanza Board has to pay at least $110,215.36 for delinquent taxes for both 2011 and 2012 to forgo foreclosure. 

Pérez had also confirmed that several "inappropriate loans were made during former Richard Oulahan (1978 to 2005) or right after, which a $600,000 loan from M&I Bank was made before former executive director Miranda (2005 to 2014) took over, also a loan from Wells Fargo of $100,000 was made and we have no idea where it is. So, the total debt for Esperanza Unida is between $1.2 to $1.3 million.

"It's a shame that so many people have one way or other benefited from Esperanza Unida and its job training programs, today none have stepped up or come forward to help and support the non-profit organization," Alfonso Morales, Events Entertainment stated. Morales family wanted to open a restaurant at the 611 building, but Alderman José G. Pérez has placed a hold on their food restaurant license. 
Manuel Pérez says, that Esperanza Unida is looking for volunteers to help clean the 1339 W. National Ave. building. Those willing to help clean can sign up at the security front desk at the 611 W. National Ave. building, according Pérez.
Pérez said, that muralist and artist Reynaldo Hernández finally reimbursed Esperanza Unida $1,000 and provided receipts for expenditures incurred to touch up the Esperanza Unida mural. Hernández was paid $2.5K to restore the outdoor Peace mural.

In December 2012, Esperanza Unida had offered the Hispanic  Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin (HCCW) to take over and oversee the Esperanza Unida properties and programs, but the HCCW never responded with a final decision and Esperanza Unida dropped the offer, according to Miranda.
Today, there are only four tenants left at the 611 building.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS) has published several articles concerning the financial status of Esperanza Unida and Miranda claims that Georgia Pabst, a reporter has intentionally omitted the truth about certain loans. HNNUSA has obtained a statement from Miranda concerning his allegation against Pabst and MJS.

Miranda, released the following statement to HNNUSA, "THE STORY GEORGIA PABST ISN'T TELLING

"Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter, Georgia Pabst continues to report selectively the facts about Esperanza Unida. Her attempt to protect her long time friend, founder and former EU executive director Richard Oulahan is clear. 

"In this article, once again Pabst refuses to bring forward the facts about mortgage loans Oulahan signed, totaling $700,000.00. If you read Pabst latest piece on EU you'll notice she avoided to mention the $700,000.00 in loans Richard signed for before having to leave the agency because of sickness in 2003. 

"In fact, BMO Harris bank, the bank that bought out M&I bank and now owns the mortgage loans, recently verified that up until 2002 Richard Oulahan was the sole signer of these mortgage loans. 

"Manny Perez, current executive director, said that during the interview with Pabst he explained to her that the loans were toxic, improper and unaccounted for. That these loans were made before I got there. Pabst knows this to be true. However, she did not even mention these loans as part of the EU debt in her article above. Why? 

"Because questions asking why were these loans made will arise, that's why. Questions like:


1. With these loans why weren't the HVAC systems replaced and repaired at building 611 and 1329 west National Ave.

2. Why weren't the fire sprinklers replaced and fire alarm system modified at 611 building and EU building 1329 west National Ave. 

3. Why wasn't the roof replaced at 611 and 1329 West National Ave. buildings? 

4. Where did the money go? 

"As EU ED, I presented these points to Pabst on many occasions. She always failed to even mention these loans in past articles about EU. She never reported the fact that I had to work to pay over $12,000.00 a month to get these loans under control. Spending this kind of money on these loans prevented me from doing the infrastructure repair the agency's buildings desperately needed in order to stop the penalties and fines the City of Milwaukee levied on EU because these issues were not being dealt with. 

"The inability to pay for these repairs was the main reason tenants moved out of the building starting in 2012 and prevented me from asking for higher rent for this prime real estate. 

"In addition, when I first arrived in 2006 the City of Milwaukee was foreclosing on Esperanza Unida because of property taxes Oulahan did not pay. I managed to broker a deal with the city with the help of Alderman Jim Witkowiak to pay the city the taxes owed. We were successful in making that happen. It's to bad we have a gangster in the Alderman's office today, otherwise, I believe Manny Perez would have been able to broker an agreement with city officials had the current thug alderman sitting in office would have cooperated with him. 

"In closing, Georgia Pabst can only hide the the truth for so long. A truth that I will now bring forth. My silence in this matter ends today. The truth will come out about her friend Richard Oulahan, and many will be heartbroken to know that EU was not the efficiently run agency it's predecessors want many to believe," Miranda stated.