Tuesday, September 6, 2011
WWL-AM: We stand behind Garland
Posted by Kevin Allman on Tue, Sep 6, 2011 at 2:23 PM
"I would like nothing more than to respond to each and every allegation, because I have answers for each and every allegation,” Robinette said at the top of his popular "Think Tank" morning show on "The Big 870." “But I’ve been asked to refrain from discussing these matters."
Robinette never said who asked him to "refrain from discussing these matters," but did add, "I can look my wife and my daughter in the eye … and tell you the public, that I have done absolutely nothing wrong."
He then went on to host his program with no further mention of the controversy.
Heebe and his landfill contract are part of a 21-month-old ongoing federal investigation in Jefferson Parish. In September 2010, federal officials raided River Birch offices in Gretna, seizing computers and other documents and sparking a lawsuit by Heebe and Ward, who claimed the feds lifted property unrelated to the investigation. (In late 2010, U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan agreed, ordering the feds to return some properties.) Meanwhile, In late May, former Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries head Henry Mouton pleaded guilty in federal court to accepting more than $460,000 in bribes from an unnamed co-conspirator in a case involving another landfill. A statement by the U.S. Department of Justice said Mouton "accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and illegal payoffs from Co-conspirator A who used Mouton, and specifically his influence, to keep the Old Gentilly Landfill in New Orleans closed and to prevent the permitting of the Two Rivers Recycling Landfill in Catahoula Parish." Mouton is scheduled to be sentenced early next year.
Meanwhile, WWL-AM is standing by Robinette. In a statement this afternoon, the station said:
In December 2010, Garland Robinette informed WWL about a loan he and his wife Nancy received in 2007 relating to a piece of property they owned, which Garland confirms is due and will be satisfied in October of this year. We do not intend to comment on it publicly any further and do not expect this matter to affect Garland's status with WWL. We expect him to continue his unique and vital role addressing on WWL the important issues facing New Orleans and the Gulf South.
"My opinions are not and have not ever been for sale," Robinette told his audience this morning. "I would never dishonor your trust, nor my family’s."
Comments (11)
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Garland claims that he wants to tell us what is going on, claims he has a perfectly honorable explanation, but then he does not deliver. And he is hoping this will all blow over and we'll trust him and allow him his private life. But Garland is a very public figure. And he broadcasts on the publicly-owned airwaves which requires a higher degree of disclosure than the average Joe. Garland needs to tell the full story and put this thing to rest--if in fact he has a reasonable explanation. If not, he should not be surprised when people stop listening to WWL, or when this question of his integrity keeps popping up on a regular basis.
And here's the thing: Garland has years experience in public relations and news media. He knows better than anyone that if he doesn't put this rumor to bed quickly it will grow and consume him and possibly the radio station where he is employed. He knows that the odds are slim to none that the public and media is just going to accept his "trust me" speech today. The only reason he would not disclose all now and get it over with would be that the rumor is true--or worse.
Peace,
Tim
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Did WWL-AM ever wonder why Robinette waited until 2010 to inform them of a loan he and his wife received in 2007? Could it be that Robinette was starting to feel the heat from the River Birch Landfill investigation? Let WWL-AM stand behind Robinette and I'll stand so far behind my radio that I'll never be able to reach the dial to tune to WWI again.
If I was also a part of the scheme that got him the money in the first place, I would say the same thing WWL-AM said. He used that show to slander those other two dumps, and he got compensated for it. Regardless if he told them or not, they should have done a thing that called "A Disclaimer" when he done those shows. They didn't do it, so they're as guilty as Robinette. But, watch how this plays out, when the crooks are "privileged!!"
Anybody notice the obvious evasiveness in this statement?
"I can look my wife and my daughter in the eye … and tell you the public, that I have done absolutely nothing wrong."
Hey Garland, looking your wife and daughter in the eye? So what? When are you going to look the PUBLIC in the eye and tell us you've "done absolutely nothing wrong?"
Nobody believes there was nothing to it Mr. Robinette. Have you considered a career as a ghost writer?
WWL is now in the business of paid infommercials -not journalism. I suspect Garland was not the only one at WWL getting his palm greased. That is why he still has his job.
Heebe and Ward have made millions without any investigations. This spans decades. Follow loans and permits obtained by lLLC's they controlled. Everyone became afraid of Ward. Garland just happened to get a loan from these guys? What was done in return? Why didn't he get a loan from a bank. Smells like a landfill.
