PREFACE

College Football is considered a “second religion” amongst fans during the fall months in the Southeastern Conference.  Oftentimes, the work-week ends at noon on Thursday allowing fans the ability to travel to an out of town venue, or begin preparations for the oddity known as “tailgating” celebrated in all its’ glory before each and every game.  From the time the work whistle blows signaling the release from the incarceration of our daily lives to the final horn signaling the end of a hard fought contest, a steady crescendo of anxiety and emotion builds to a frenzy exemplified in what is commonly known as the passion of the SEC.  Often copied but never duplicated, conferences have grown envious of what all of us consider a way of life.   

Tigerdroppings.com is an invaluable venue allowing ‘all things known” to be quickly disseminated to the curious located throughout the world.  It makes it’s way to the traveling businessman, as well as the vacationing or transplanted lurker; to those working offshore, or to the thousands serving our country in the military stationed abroad.  Nearly every athletic organization and sport is represented.  It is often sought in determining the best solution to a particular problem, garnering the catch phrase WWTDD ”What Would TigerDroppings Do?”  Most importantly, it is a format where people can share and offer opinions regarding the News, Sports, and other information pertinent to our lives. 

The unfortunate circumstances currently swirling around Auburn’s Athletic Department have been quietly rumbling for months, with the events of these last two weeks leading to an explosion of information most minds are incapable of comprehending.  It is for this reason I, with the assistance of the many members of TD’s SEC Rant, gathered the information, discussions, and opinions being shared, consolidated the high points, and compiled everything into a reader friendly format – sort of a “CamGate for Dummies.”   That said, I am not the original source of the information provided, nor can I, or will I, verify any information contained herein. With that understanding, the following is a compilation of threads, discussions, and opinions taken from TigerDroppings.com’s SEC Rant regarding Cam Newton, Auburn University, and Auburn’s Board of Trustees.   

blueTunaTiger

BEAUREGARD TOWN

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

John Bond - Former MSU QB now living in Madison, Miss.  Director of business development for Eutaw Construction. His company specializes in heavy construction, although they branched off in the last few years and built some game-day condos near the Mississippi State stadium. Supposedly had 1^st contact with Kenny Rodgers and his alleged representation of Cam Newton

Greg Bryne - MSU AD which John Bond asserts he immediately told once he learned about the Newton PFP Scheme.  Was responsible for providing PFP information to the SEC. Resigned his post Spring, 2010 taking a similar position at Arizona.  Was replaced with the National Search find of Scott Stricklin – Named Mississippi State’s associate athletics director for external affairs in May, 2010. Scott, who has spent the previous five seasons at Kentucky as associate AD for media relations overseeing men’s basketball, is a Jackson native and graduated from KSU in 1992

Mike Slive – Replaced Roy Kramer as Commissioner of the SEC on July 1, 2002. He previously was the first commissioner of Conference USA from 1995 to 2002, and the first commissioner of the Great Midwest Conference upon its founding in 1991.  Practiced law in New Hampshire; Served as judge of the Hanover District Court from 1972 to 1977, and was a partner in a Chicago law firm. He was assistant director of athletics at Dartmouth College, assistant executive director of the Pacific-10 Conference, and director of athletics at Cornell University from 1981 to 1983. In 1990, he became senior partner and founder of the Mike Slive-Mike Glazier Sports Group, a legal practice specializing in representing colleges and universities in athletics-related matters.

Cecil Newton, Cam Newton– Pastor of Holy Zion Center of Deliverance in the Atlanta suburb of Newnan, Georgia, and father of Cam Newton, The Auburn player this epic story surrounds.  Rumored to own RM Trucking, a small local carrier based in Jacksonville, Ga.  Cam Newton is Auburn’s embattled starting QB that played previously at the Univ. of Florida before transferring to a Junior College. 

Bill Bell – Former MSU Player, president of Bel-Mac Roofing Co. in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. Was the man Kenny Rogers left a voice message with stating Cecil Newman wanted to speak with him.  Also rumored to have taped conversations between Himself and Newton where Newton Shops Son’s Commitment. 

Kenny Rodgers – The so-called “handler” requested by Cecil Newman to make introductions at MSU. Operates Elite Football Preparation, a company that places prospective athletes in football camps throughout Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Illinois.  Also has direct links to Ian Greengross, a certified Agent by the NFLPA, acting often as a “Runner” for Greengross.   

Dan Mullen – Head Football Coach MSU.  Was offensive Coordinator at Univ. of Florida prior to be coming MSU’s Head Coach.  Both Mullen and his wife Megan built Relationship with Cam Newton during his freshman year at the Univ. of Florida.  Mullen is credited with the development of several notable quarterbacks including Alex Smith (Utah), Josh Harris (Bowling Green), Chris Leak (Florida) and Heisman Trophy-winner Tim Tebow (Florida).  Mullen, along with LSU Offensive Coordinator Gary Crowton and University of Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly, are part of the so-called "New Hampshire mafia" as they all have strong connections to New Hampshire.

Jody Wright – Asst. coach at MSU in 2009, now on staff at UA in the same capacity - was the one who recruited Cam Newton for Mississippi State. It's believed that Wright is speculated to be the (legal) middle-man between the Newton's and MSU.  Was interviewed by the NCAA on November 15^th.  Upon completion of that Interview, NCAA headed immediately to Auburn. 

Gene Chizik – Named Head Coach of AU on Dec. 13, 2008. Prior to Auburn, Was head coach at Iowa State, compiling a 5-19 record in two seasons.  Chizik was also at AU during the 2002-2004 seasons acting as DC under Tuberville. 

Jay Jacobs – Named AU’s AD on Dec. 22, 2004, after working in almost every area of the Dept. for the previous 20 years.   Played Football for AU as a Walk-on offensive tackle in 1982 and 1983. After College, Held various positions in AD while working under then Coach and AD Pat Dye. Was Sr. Assoc. AD in charge of Tigers Unlimited from 2001-04, the lead Fundraising arm of the AU AD.  Also spearheaded a $90 million capital campaign for Athletics, the largest AU history.

Pat Dye - Head coach and AD at AU from 1981 until 1992. Dye was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.  Served as defensive coach at UA from 1965 to 1973 under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.  Ranked 3^rd in AU football wins with a record of 99-39-4.  Reign on the Plains ended abruptly after the 1992 season, the result of a NCAA probe relating to illegal loans, payments, and gifts made by boosters and assistant coaches to then player Eric Ramsey.  At the time, the most severe penalty handed down by an NCAA Committee.

Eric Ramsey - The defensive back AU in the early 1990s who used a tape recorder to secretly record conversations between his football coaches and Booster "Corky" Frost regarding an illicit player payment scheme. Ramsey's allegations also included racist practices at Auburn, including disapproval of inter-racial dating in the community and segregation of black and white players in the resident athletic dorm. After his tapes were revealed, Auburn received strict penalties and probation for the sixth time in the schools history

Terry Bowden – a.k.a. “Tater Tot”, and son of the legendary Bobby Bowden.  Became AU head coach in 1992. During his first year at Auburn, Bowden led the Tigers to a perfect 11–0 season, becoming the first coach to go undefeated in his debut season at a Division I school. In 1994, Auburn finished 9–1–1, establishing the longest winning streak in school history at 20 games. While still suffering from the sanctions rendered for Dye & Co’s transgressions, in 1998 Bowden's fate at AU changed as he faced criticism for recruiting woes and off-the-field player discipline issues.  Compound these problems with a string of injuries at center and in the backfield and you have to a disastrous start of the 1998 season. After starting with a 1–5 record, Bowden resigned as head coach the night before Auburn played against Louisiana Tech, replaced with Bill Oliver.  

Bill Oliver – He is best known as a DC at both UA under Gene Stallings and at AU under Terry Bowden, the latter where he also served as interim head coach in 1998.  Was at the center of Bowden controversy, allegedly working with longtime booster and then BoT member Bobby Lowder conspiring to have Bowden fired. 

Wayne Hall – Longtime asst. and DC under both Dye and Bowden.  Was the supposed “Bookkeeper and Bag Man” for payments to touted recruits under Dye, which continued under Bowden. Started Coach’s Construction of Auburn, has been recognized as a premier business leader in the AU community.  (see link)

Gene Jelks – UA defensive Back and prize recruit which received $2,100 as a "signing bonus" when he committed to Alabama in 1985 and received money from coaches and boosters during his playing career, which ended with the 1989 season.  He, along with Antonio Langham and his role in NapkinGate, led to the departure of Gene Stallings and Staff, along with most of the Athletic Dept.

 

Tommy Tuberville – AU Head Coach from 1999 to 2008. During his tenure Tubs guided AU to the top of the SEC, Winning both the SEC Championship and the Western Division title in 2004. Made 8 straight bowl appearances and 5 New Year's Day bowls.  Was a perfect 13–0 in 2004; In 2005, finished 9–3 with victories over UGA and UA.  Had a winning record against UA (7–3) including 6 straight, more than any other Auburn coach.  Also broke even with Georgia and LSU (5–5).

Tony Franklin – Much maligned OC hired by Tubs to install the spread offense.  Never really had the proper personnel at skilled positions, and was later fired for lack of performance.  Was most noted for his quote in the AJC sometime after his termination – “People would be shocked at the stuff that goes on at Auburn - it would make headlines for the National Enquirer”

Trooper Taylor – Current assistant head coach, wide receivers coach, and Recruiting Coordinator at AU. Instrumental in Auburn signing a consensus top-five recruiting class in 2010. Named by Rivals.com to its list of the top 25 recruiters for the 3^rd time, having previously earned the recognition in 2005 and 2007.  Served in a similar capacity at OK. State, landing prize 5* players Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter.  Has held similar positions at both UT and Tulane.  Although never formally sanctioned, rumors and innuendo have always followed Taylor with respect to PFP controversies and inappropriate gifts to prospective players, especially while at Tulane. 

Rich McGlynn – Current AU AD Compliance Officer. Prior to AU, was employed by the NCAA from 2001 to 2006, most recently serving as Associate Director of Membership Services. Prior to that, was an Assistant Director of Membership Services and a Student-Athletes Reinstatement Representative within the Enforcement Services arm of the NCAA. Was Commissioner of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference from 2000-01 and was a legal specialist for the New Jersey General Assembly Majority Office (2000-01). Served as a legal specialist to the Office of Counsel to the Governor to the State of New Jersey (1999-00).

W&L – According to those in the know, in real life is a fairly influential religious figure in Al. working with athletes at the high school and collegiate level.  In cyber space, he’s a long-Time member of Bama OnLine, who evidently is very well placed within the Bama athletic machine. Rarely does he post, but when he does most take it to the bank. Doesn’t always post the actual facts as “Gospel”, but rather his opinion based on unrevealed concrete facts.  Evidently was way ahead of the Jones/Ingram fishing saga, the Saban hiring, and most recently the Dareus suspension. Also the seed for the Egg’s nearly 1200 post thread regarding W&L’s “e-cred.” 

Paul Davis – Editor for the Opelika-Auburn News and the Tuskegee News Press.  Often critical of Lowder and his mingling, broke the piece on October 21^st regarding the ties between Geddie, Auburn, and the Vote buying indictments.  Also authored the interview with Bowden in 2001 on his ranch regarding Lowder, Dye, and the BoT

Robert Geddie – Lobbyist for Wise–Geddie.  According to the Department of Justice, (Geddie) was nailed for allegedly working with the state’s major gambling interests to influence and/or buying votes favoring proposed gambling houses.  The indictment was based primarily on intercepts (wire taps) of cell phone and land-line conversations with those now rumored in the alleged pay-for-play scheme

 

Bobby Lowder – AU BoT member since 1988, and Chairman of AU Finance Committee.  Also the largest booster with AU Athletics.  Current Trustee position expires Late 2011.  Was chairman and CEO of Colonial BancGroup, a $26Billion Nat’l. Bank headquartered in Montgomery Al. until it’s failure in Mid-Late August, 2009.  Lowder is often thought of as the Wizard behind the Curtain, manipulating the Ala. political machine as well as the AU BoT and AD as he feels.  Up until Colonial’s failure and takeover and liquidation by the Feds, Lowder was labeled as the most powerful man in Alabama.  Also the most disliked individual within AU, outside of his inner circle. 

Milton McGregor – Large AU Athletics Booster, and Owner of VictoryLand, an area located in Shorter, Alabama that consists of a greyhound racing track, casino, and a 5-star hotel. It was dubbed as a “racino.”  Ala. Governor, Atty General, and approx 100 Ala State Troopers tried to seize bingo machines on Jan. 29^th, but were blocked by a temporary restraining order blocking State access.  Since August 12, 2010, VictoryLand has closed its casino, restaurant and hotel operations.  McGregor was arrested on October 4^th, along with several of his legislative cronies as part of a Vote buying scam.  This was the same casino operator that led to the lawsuits against former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford. 

Larry Langford – Former Birmingham Al. mayor in jail for taking $235,000 in cash and gifts from associates profiting from Jefferson County bond deals.  Was also sued by several individuals claiming he received ill-gotten winnings from rigged bingo machines at VictoryLand, in exchange for receiving political favor and to promote approval of business dealings for affiliates of the Macon County Greyhound Park, mainly McGregor.

Jimmy Rane – Another Long Time AU Booster, Rane is the CEO and founder of Great Southern Wood Preserving, which makes YellaWood, a rot resistant pressure treated lumber used in a multitude of construction and landscaping applications. He is also the founder of the Jimmy Rane Foundation, which promotes higher ed through scholarships for lesser-advantaged students with low incomes or unsuccessful surroundings.  Rane’s involvement in AU Boosters goes all the way back to the Bowden era.  In fact, Bowden referred to him, in his 2001 interview with Paul Davis “…as a wannabe, a jock sniffer, a loose cannon. He wants to be involved in everything.  He is high maintenance.”  

Paul Spina and John C. McWhorter – Spina of Spina Enterprises, Pelham, Al (Real Estate & Investments) and McWhorter of McWhorter & Co., Anniston, Al (General Contractor) are the two BoT members along with Rane that Bowden accused of making direct payments to players during both Dye’s and Bowden’s tenure.  Spina still sits on the BoT, while McWhorter’s at-large term expired in 2008. 

ORGANIZATIONS – TERMS – ACRONYMS

Colonial BancGroup -  $26Billion financial institution controlled by Lowder headquartered in Montgomery, Al.  August of 2009, failed and was seized by the FDIC, and simultaneously sold to BB&T for $1Million.  Currently under federal investigation for fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, and money laundering (to name a few) in conjunction with the financial instability of both Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.  As late as 2007, board members included in addition to Lowder, John Miller, - AU BoT and lead partner of Miller, Hamilton, Snyder, and Odom – Mobile; Jimmy Rane (BoT), Pat Dye, and Milton McGregor.  Paul Spina (BoT) was Chairman of Colonial Bank Group, Montgomery, a subsidiary of the Colonial parent holding company.   

Victoryland / Quincy’s 777, an area located in Shorter, Alabama that consists of a greyhound racing track, casino, and a 5-star hotel. It was dubbed as a “racino.”  Operations closed in late summer 2010, just before McGregor was indicted.

 
Bama OnLine (BOL)– Rivals.com site discussing all things Bama.  ITAT conspiracy theorists feel several posters on this site are the machine behind the atrocity known as CamGate. 

Tiger Sports Digest (TSD)– LSU’s Scout.com pay site. November 16^th reports indictments handed down today involving Auburn Boosters caught on tape discussing PFP scheme. 

Red Elephant Club  (REC)- UA Athletics contribution vehicle and booster club.  Not confirmed, but also rumored to have overthrown the Freemasons, the Illuminati, The US Federal Reserve System, The 7 Jewish Bankers controlling the world’s economy, as well as keeping the commitment of a 6:30am Friday tee time at Augusta National with Pope Benedict XVI

SACS- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - The Commission on Colleges that is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting for higher education institutions in the southern states. 

ITAT – Inside the Auburn Tigers.  Scout.com’s website with discussions all things Auburn.

PFP – Play-For-Play

BoT – Auburn University’s Board of Trustees

SECr – TigerDroppings.com’s SEC Rant

SIAP – Seen In Another Post

WWTDD – What Would TigerDroppings.com Do?

 



 

BACKGROUND HISTORY INVOLVING DYE, LOWDER, THE BoT, AND THE COACHES.

Terry Bowden--(Source: Darkside of College Football Interview with Paul Davis at Bowden’s ranch in 2001)

 

1) Way back in 1992-93, rumors and allegations surrounding AU's football program are swirling around Pat Dye, asst. coach Wayne Hall (the "Bookkeeper"), and Bobby Lowder; specifically, claims of both lump sum and monthly payments to highly touted recruits being made by the coaching staff and BoT members.  Supposedly, 50-60 boosters would each contribute $5,000 to facilitate the payments. Hall collected the money from the boosters, as well as making the payments to the players. Hall and Dye also paid an Atlanta atty. $30,000 to forward to Gene Jelks as “juice” to keep him squealing about PFP programs at Bama. (This by the way if true, is absolutely hilarious!!) 

2) The same year, Eric Ramsey uses a concealed tape recorder and documents booster "Corky" Frost's conversations with Dye and other coaches describing AU's PFP program and how it worked. 

3) Before the shit-storm gets totally out of control with NCAA Investigations, Bobby Lowder 'ram-rods" Terry Bowden into Dye's position as coach, with the understanding Bowden keeps Hall (Paymaster and Bookkeeper) on staff, against the wishes of assoc. AD Mike Lude, because Lude knew Hall was the money man. 

4) On August 18, 1993, Auburn was hit with some of the most severe penalties in the history of the NCAA (at that time). These included a two-year bowl ban, a one-year television ban (for the 1993 season), and the loss of 13 scholarships spread out over a four-year period. Dye was also banned from any appearance at an Auburn function until August 1995. The probation period, while enforced at the beginning of the 1993 season, did not actually start until the 1991 probations of the basketball and tennis teams ended. The probation therefore extended until Thanksgiving 1995. 

5) Although Bowden admits to allowing Hall to honor payment agreements reached with existing players, Bowden begins the "termination" of the PFP program involving any new recruits, pissing Lowder off for not playing along, even though sanctions were severely limiting the talent pool in Football. Lowder begins to panic, has his daughter hired as Bowden's admin. asst. to keep tabs, and implements a "coup" of the Athletic Administration. He has Muse replaced with David Housel, someone to act more as a puppet controlled by Lowder. Also orchestrates BoT Members Jimmy Rane, Paul Spina, and John C. McWhorter as the BoT Football Advisory Committee, which orchestrates the demise of Bowden.

6) According to Bowden, Danny Rane (a walk on and YellaWood's son) is secretly sending AU practice tapes to Miss. St. to further the failure of Bowden and staff (also absolutely hilarious if true.)  Bill Oliver (Bowden's def. coord.) brings a concealed tape recorder to a coaches meeting and prods Bowden into lying about supposed "votes of confidence" assured for Bowden and Staff by Lowder. Mid-season Tommy Tubs is promised AU's head coaching job, while still coaching at Ole Miss. 

7) Bowden gets wind of all this, and resigns mid-season before the BoT and Lowder can orchestrate his formal termination.  By doing so, Bowden secures a severance package of the Ranch where this interview took place, a lump sum payment of cash, and deferred installment disbursements, in all valued at over $1.8Million. Also included in the package is a confidentiality agreement sealing ANY discussion of Lowder, BoT, the Athletic Dept. or recruiting. 

 

 

TOMMY TUBERVILLE- “TUBS”  (source: AJC, Mobile Register, and ESPN Archived Articles via Google) 

1) From 1999 to 2003, Tubs wins between 7-9 games per season, placing 1st in the West twice. On more than one occasion, Lowder and Tuberville butt heads during this period, pissing Lowder off. 

2) That Lowder, then President William Walker, then AD Housel, and BoT members Franklin and McWhorter fly to Louisville to meet Bobby Petrino about replacing Tubs, starting the fiasco later known as JetGate. 

3) Tubs gets pissed, threatens to go to the SACS (which is in the midst of it's own review of BoT problems caused by Lowder), and the whole thing blows up in Lowder's face. In an effort to keep Tubs at bay, his contract is renegotiated to include a disclosure provision that Tubs is to be notified before any contact with a potential coach or search is made. 

4) Tubs goes 13-0 yet AU gets snubbed for 2004 BCS. 

5) 2007 Saban is hired at the University of Alabama 

6) Lowder and Co. are scared about the Saban hire and want Tubs out, allegedly because Tubs won't "actively" participate in PFP schemes which Lowder and Co. feel is necessary to compete with Bama's new hire.  Also, the Tubs hire of Franklin as OC was a compete failure.  Supposedly “YellaWood” (Still BoT Member) contacts Huston Nutt (Sexton Client) about possible interest. Nutt tells Sexton, who tells Tubs (also a Sexton client), who threatens litigation for breach of Search Notification clause. 

7) AU and Boosters shell out $Millions to Tubs as settlement.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)-(source: Timeline - AJC Archives, Al.com, via Google)

1) April 1999. Budget cuts orchestrated by Lowder as head of BoT Finance Committee eliminate the PhD. program in Economics, pissing off a large portion of the faculty, including then Pres. William Muse. By Feb, 2001 (led behind the scenes by Lowder) Muse has enough, resigns under pressure, and takes a similar position with East Carolina. 

2) March, 2001, Muse along with several faculty and Dept Chairs, initiate a formal complaint to the SACS that BoT has severely infringed upon the authority of the University President, specifically the "Micromanagement" by Lowder in both Academics and the Athletic Dept. They specifically site the termination/resignation of Terry Bowden as record. 

3) SACS records 9 votes of no confidence and was in the process of initiating and investigation when AU sues the SACS for lack of due process. 

4) In August, 2002 a Federal Judge appoints an independent examiner to look into allegations, as well as the financial ties between the various BoT members. Richard Bradley issues a report on December 13th, but the Judge, at the insistence of SACS, deems the report inadequate. So Bradley does another investigation, the results of which are curiously sealed by a separate court order, an order which still remains intact today. 

5) SACS places AU on a one-year probation, the most severe sanction possible without pulling the accreditation entirely. Although hampered by a Federal Judge's restrictions, they were still able to substantiate Micromanagement issues. Specifically, the business relationships between Lowder's Bank, Atty Jack Miller (BoT member as well as lead counsel for Colonial Bank) Jimmy Rane (BoT Member whose Lumber Company's primary commercial banking relationship is with Colonial Bank, Also owning Colonial Bank Stock valued at the time over $2.4Million), would allow Lowder and his "minority" vote could influence the "majority" of the Board. They also noted Lowder & Co.'s involvement in both the Dye-PFP and Bowden termination as Micromanagement. 

 

 

Chizik - (source: ESPN: editorial via Google with added supposition)

) Rane makes contact with Houston Nutt in 2008 mid-season, violating the search notification clause in TTubs' Contract renegotiation after JetGate. 

2) Nutt tells Sexton (his Agent), which in turn tells Tubs who is also a Sexton client. Tubs resigns, gets a huge settlement, leaving AU coachless. 

3) Lowder and AU continue search, which ultimately leads to the hiring of Chizik, a former Sexton client which with a 5-19 record would knowingly jump at any opportunity to enhance his resume. Chizik also was familiar with Lowder, Dye, and Co., as he previously acted as DC under Tubs, making him a perfect "puppet" for Lowder and crew to manipulate. Chizik's new Recruiting Coordinator is Trooper Taylor.

 

 

THE CORRUPT, WITH TIES TO GAMBLING, POLITICIANS, AND LOBBYISTS

Before the actual events and behind the scene motivations of CamGate can be fully understood, one needs to comprehend the inner workings of Alabama’s political system and the players pulling the strings.  The course of events leading up to the wire taps, investigations, and ultimate indictments are starting to surface.  Here are a few I find interesting…..

1st is an Article in the Tuskegee News dated October 21^st.  In short, the writer suggests a lobbying/consulting group has been used by the Auburn Athletic Foundation to launder cash ultimately ending up in the hands of players/player families. Robert Geddie was a partner in the firm Fine-Geddie until his indictment and arrest in October. According to the Department of Justice, (Geddie) was nailed for allegedly working with the state’s major gambling interests to influence and/or buying votes favoring proposed gambling houses. The indictment was based primarily on intercepts (wire taps) of cell phone and land-line conversations with those now rumored to have facilitated the PFP scheme. This is an amazing read.  

http://www.thetuskegeenews.com/articles/2010/10/21/opinion/doc4cbf59b3eea05796017322.txt

Adding fuel to the fire are the ties between former Colonial Bank Chairman Bobby Lowder (Bank of $26Billion failed August, 2009), Milton McGregor (Dog Track, Bingo, and Casino Owner), and Pat Dye (former AU Football Coach). These were the three largest shareholders of the now defunct Colonial BancGroup, a mortgage brokerage, commercial banking, and mortgage warehousing firm based in Montgomery, Al. McGregor was indicted about the same time as Geddie.  Wire-taps were the backbone behind the indictments, but it has been speculated by most the FBI overheard conversations between McGergor, Rane, Dye, and coaches talking about the PFP schemes that are speculated at Auburn. What most are saying is that the FBI just stumbled into the PFP planning while gathering the voter fraud and political corruption evidence.  Notice how the 1st person the FBI supposedly questioned regarding Cam and his Father was John Bond. Next, they’re going to Kenny Rodgers (this Tuesday). Speculation is the Feds are gathering the bits and pieces from the MSU camp (which can be proven or substantiated with the wire tap tapes they have between all of these AU Boosters) before interviewing those on the AU side, possibly to “box-in” those suspects either in perjured testimony or extortion charges relating to this PFP scheme.  Once they are able to turn the smaller players, the FBI will turn any plea agreements reached against the real targets, in very much the same fashion as the Edwin Edwards and William Jefferson cases. 

Think about it for a minute. The FBI could care less about college football unless it involves organized gambling or extortion. They were, and still remain after evidence of voter influence, mis-appropriation of bank funds, extortion, embezzlement, the ultimate goal being to gain as many assets as possible to offset the FDIC losses incurred from the Colonial failure, while punishing those behind any illicit schemes. 

Remember TMZ’s report and why the FBI was involved in the 1st place. They implied the FBI was more interested in efforts to shop multiple players around, not just a single player (extortion).  This was again confirmed Friday, November 12^th when John Bond stated the reason for the FBI’s questioning was that "They don't want people selling kids to colleges." This ties into the AgentGate BS all of the governing bodies came unglued about earlier this summer. One editorial out of Mobile included this little gem the other day - With Milton McGregor involved in this as an Auburn booster watch out. The FBI has listened to every phone conversation from his office in the past year. He is the dirtiest multi-millionaire in Alabama.

Fast forward to this past Thursday, November 11^th. The NCAA meets with Auburn officials supposedly to discuss the previous two weeks news reports. Upon conclusion of that meeting, the “We’ve done absolutely nothing wrong, Cam is Innocent, this is a Witch Hunt” being spewed by both the University and the Athletic Department; suddenly changed to “No Comment.”  Auburn quickly lawyered up with an experienced NCAA Compliance Firm.  They also hired a longtime NCAA investigator which acted as a consultant when Albert Means and Alabama went down in 2001-2002. What is interesting here is the relationship between McGregor, Geddie (Lobbyist), and an election for State Supreme Court Judge. Here’s what was posted on BOL about the relationships between everyone.  

Finebaum participated two years ago in a Paul Finebaum Roast to benefit an organization called "The Children's First Trust Fund" I am not sure if I have the name correct. A lot of sports celebrities and very powerful people were at this roast. This organizations top donor was Quincy's 777, which is McGregors Casino. This organization was incorporated by the Chief Justice of our Supreme Court in Alabama, Justice Sue Bell Cobb. The money from the tobacco lawsuits go into this trust fund and it is about 50-60 million a year. If I were an FBI agent that amount of money would make me look. Sue Bell Cobb ran a campaign for Chief Justice that cost about 13 million dollars which was the most expensive state run campaign for a supreme court seat in the history of the US compared to one other in Texas. However Alabama only has 4 million people so why is controlling our supreme court so important? Now go back and look at why Milton McGregor was indicted. (He is accused of buying legislative votes on the gambling bill) People in this state are so stupid that they think Bob Riley, our governor, has a political agenda against Milton and that his indictment was just about bingo gambling. People in this state are so stupid that they have no idea what is really going on here. Link to the roast is below with a list of their donors. Notice Quincy 777 (Milton McGregor) is at the top of the list. Now lets look at the Law Firm Auburn hired, Lightfoot, Franklin & White in Birmingham. Look back to link that tells who all the powerful donors are and scroll down to the bronze donors and see if you see what law-firm you see listed there. Oh my...it's Lightfoot, Franklin, & White.  Now let's take a look back to our organization, "Alabama Children First" and ask ourselves what that once great humanitarian Adolph Hitler said.  "if you do it in the name of children you can get away with murder” 

Another BOL poster suggested, after reading the post noted above that “Someone needs to be looking into the allegations of the AU Boosters using this Children’s Fund Foundation to fly players, players parents, boosters, around to and from games, events, and other University functions.” 

McGregor, Geddie, and the rest were arrested on October 4th, 2010. Cam signed with Auburn December 31st, 2009. If the wiretaps were the basis for their arrests and Cam was one of the PFP players noted, the dots must be starting to become connected.  The Following link is to the actual indictment filed by the US Attorney. In it are details about the date of the calls, the substance of those conversations relative to the case against the defendants.

http://documents.nytimes.com/corruption-charges-in-alabama#document/p11

 

Again, this thing now seems to go way beyond PFP schemes, and it appears the fed’s goal is to build the ultimate case against Bobby Lowder.  Here is what is being said about Lowder’s tie in to all of this.

This goes way beyond Cam. They say the FBI, while monitoring the Bingo mess in Montgomery and also investigating the misappropriation of TARP funds by Colonial Bank, uncovered many, many things. Such things include guaranteed winning slot machines for AU players at Milt’s (Colonial Board member, AU Booster) Casino, unmarked ATM cards issued to AU players from Colonial Bank (Bobby Lowder-AU Board Member and Booster; Pat Dye-Colonial Board member, AU employee and Booster), forgiven loans to families, friends, donors, etc. If true, big time jail time, loss of SACS accreditation which means expulsion from the SEC, huge financial implications for AU, removal of Dye’s name from the field and so on.  This also explains why the AU President wanted to sit Cam last Saturday, but was overridden by Lowder, Dye, Jacobs, Rane and McGregor

The FBI must have overheard discussions about players on tape while the FBI was building their case against those arrested. It was reported the Department of Justice in July began notifying various politicians, reporters, lobbyists and others that their conversations may have been picked up during wire-taps. The phone taps occurred during a 13 Month period starting mid-2009, just about the same time as the total collapse of Colonial BancGroup was taking place.  Late 2009 – early 2010 would have been when recruiting was at it’s height, and money and deals (if this pay for play scheme was in fact in full operation) had to have been discussed every day.  This was also just before the Legislative Session would have been in discussions/ negotiations regarding Sweet Home Alabama (Res 44), the states gambling and casino bill.  Here is another poster from “Tidesports”, the Bama Scout.com affiliate similar to “Tiger Rag”…

"I previously posted an unsubstantiated rumor I read somewhere that Milton McGregor, the owner of Victoryland dog track, and according to recent articles an Auburn BOT member, was involved in the Newton saga as the conduit for the cash. According to the story, the FBI had wire-taps of McGregor because of this gambling conspiracy, and on those wire taps were conversations that took place between McGregor and Cecil Newton. The timeline fits as the FBI arrested McGregor in October, 2010 and according to MSU, the Cam shopping didn't start until late November, 2009. Is McGregor stupid enough to continue his role in the pay for play deal for Auburn even after he knew the Feds were watching? I don't know. But it's funny that you find this article after I saw the allegation that Milton McGregor was the money man for Auburn. It would be real convenient and easy to launder money and hide it with an operation like Victoryland that handles huge amounts of cash on a daily basis. 

Another thing your article alluded to that was commonly known, but never said out loud was how Bobby Lowder became so powerful in Auburn athletic circles. Ole Bobby controlled the purse strings. If you were an Auburn BOT member and you wanted your business to continue to have funds readily available, you played ball with Bobby and did what he wanted or Colonial Bank would find a reason to make your business dealings difficult i.e. they would slow down or cut off the money. And they ALL did business with Colonial as you can see. I'm sure he sucked them all in with sweet deals and promises then when he got his hooks into them, they either did what Bobby wanted or Bobby would get nasty.,

As a point of reference, here’s a partial list of AU’s BoT when all of this was supposedly going down:   Link: http://www.auburn.edu/administration/trustees/former.html

Bobby Lowder

John CH Miller, Jr

Earlon C. McWhorter

Jimmy Rane

Paul Spina

Recognize any Names/Faces?  Now look at the Colonial BancGroup Board of Directors the last full year of operation, as noted in the April, 2008 Annual Report for the fiscal year end  December 31, 2007.  

Link:http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/CNB/224279463x0x187367/8195FA46-65F5-486D-9656-639EACDC08AF/AR2007.pdf

Bobby Lowder

John HC Miller

Jimmy Rane

Paul Spina

 (Montgomery, Al. Bank Chairman)

Milton McGregor

Pat Dye

Very easy to see why the Tuskegee News was so interested in the relationship between Lowder and the other Auburn Board members.