Isn't Magic also involved in the payday loan or rent-to-own scam industry? There's some genuine sleaziness behind his smiles and incomprehensible grasp of the English language.
A week before the February city election, Mayor Rahm Emanuel stood alongside Earvin "Magic" Johnson and his billionaire business partner to announce their $10 million donation for a summer jobs program in the city's toughest neighborhoods.
The event with the NBA Hall of Famer was orchestrated by the mayor's office and aimed to smooth a rough spot in his first term resume — the notion that he had not done enough to reduce crime and increase opportunity in predominantly AfricanAmerican neighborhoods.
But that's not all Johnson and his partner did to help Emanuel. Four days after the news conference, the week old company Johnson formed with partner Mark Walter to fund the jobs program donated $100,000 to Emanuel's campaign. Last week, with Emanuel still locked in a tough runoff battle for a second term, the company gave Emanuel $150,000.
And at the same time, the Emanuel administration has been good for Johnson. Last year, the Emanuel appointed Chicago Board of Education awarded one of Johnson's companies — SodexoMAGIC — an $80 million contract to provide custodial and facilities management for Chicago Public Schools facilities.
Four years ago, Emanuel came into office promising to end the "insiders game" that benefits only the wellconnected. But the "Magic" Johnson relationship is just the latest example of a hallmark of Emanuel's governing style — his deep reliance on political cash from business interests who can count on City Hall or the mayor himself to help them.
5. "RE: i might be at max cynicism or the 1% has beaten me into submission" In response to Reply # 4
>but uhh > >what exactly is the issue here > >the contract should have gone to a local?
one of Magic's companies received an $80 million contract to provide janitorial services in city schools.
one of Magic's charities donated $10 million for a summer jobs program on the South and West Sides where most black voters live - which is convenient for the mayor b/c he's running for re-election and needs to shore up votes from blacks. that charity also gave the mayor's campaign fund $250K.
>and then maaaaybe that person would be on board with helping >the summer job program?
it looks a bit shady - a bit like quid pro quo. a little like the donations for the camps and to the campaign fund may have come in exchange for the contract w/the school board.