FBI swoops down on offices, homes of Dallas County Commissioner John W

FBI swoops down on offices, homes of Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price and associates

FBI agents armed with federal search warrants swarmed the homes and offices of Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, his top assistant and a political consultant Monday.

Agents were seen coming and going and searching vehicles at the county administration offices in the old Texas Schoolbook Depository, at Price’s home in Oak Cliff and several other locations.

Price’s attorney, Billy Ravkind, released copies of search warrants issued for the commissioner’s person and two vehicles — but not copies of other warrants for his home and office.

The warrants said agents sought all electronic data from 2001 to the present related to alleged violations of federal charges ranging from bribery and tax evasion to money laundering and structuring of transactions to evade reporting requirements.

Speaking at his attorney’s office, Price said he did not know what the investigation is about.

“I have no idea what's going on,” the longtime county commissioner said. “This is not the first time. In 27 years I've been in this office ... It’s not the first time I've had to come up against this kind of adversity.”

“We'll proceed. We'll continue to go forward. County business as usual.”

Ravkind was less delicate: “It's all a bunch of bull[expletive). Total absolute bull—.”

Asked what the FBI was seeking under the warrants, Ravkind replied: “Everything. You name it. Go pick up the United States Code and you'll have it.”

Price said he did not know when he’d regain access to his cars, home or cell phone.

“I’ll look forward to a day in court,” he said.

Federal authorities did not comment.

One of the FBI’s first stops Monday morning was at County Clerk John Warren's office to get Price's personal financial statements.

Agents also searched the home of Price’s top assistant, Dapheny Fain, and the home and office of political consultant Kathy Nealy. Neither could be reached for comment.

At Fain’s home in DeSoto, a woman in a suit emerged, retrieved a box of rubber gloves from the back of a Suburban, and went back inside. Later, a locksmith carrying tools was escorted inside to help open a lock. In the garage, agents searched a Bentley that is registered to Price.

Asked why the Bentley was parked in Fain’s garage, Price said, “I don't know. She has a garage.”

At Nealy’s office near Uptown, a blue Chevy Impala showed up. Two people in suits went in with cardboard box labeled “Storage Box.” At a downtown residential complex where Nealy is believed to live, agents hauled out about 10 boxes of material.

Outside the county administration building, agents searched a white Avalanche and a silver BMW in a parking lot. Both vehicles are registered to Kathy Nealy.

Ravkind and Shirley Baccus-Lobel said they are representing Price.

Both were on the defense team when former City Council member Al Lipscomb faced federal bribery charges. Baccus-Lobel worked on Lipscomb's appeal — an appeal that resulted in his conviction's being overturned.

“Until we have more information, we don't have much to impart,” Baccus-Lobel said.

The scene unfolded as a new mayor and city council were being sworn in for new terms. Price was arguably the most influential southern Dallas supporter of the new Dallas mayor, Mike Rawlings, and Nealy was Rawlings' chief political consultant for southern Dallas.

Although, there’s no indication the investigation has anything to do with the new mayor, Allyn Media chief executive Mari Woodlief confirmed that two federal agents visited Rawlings' campaign headquarters Monday, where they spoke with her for less than five minutes.

“The campaign was contacted by the FBI today, but we are not at liberty to discuss any of the details,” Woodlief said. “Should they need anything from us in the future, we will very willingly cooperate with them in any way.”

At least one elected official appeared to enjoy the proceedings. County Commissioner Maurine Dickey, a vocal critic of Price, lauded the FBI raid.

“I didn't know if they would ever come,” she said. “If there is wrongdoing, then I hope they get to the bottom of it. But I had no idea that they were coming.”

Asked what the agents may be looking for, she replied:

“What I think is that there probably are a lot of things over the years.”

County Judge Clay Jenkins issued a statement and declined to answer questions.

“The FBI is executing a search pursuant to a federal warrant,” Jenkins said. “I cannot discuss or comment on this investigation, as it is a federal matter. Commissioners Court will be held as scheduled at 9 a.m. tomorrow, and I have asked the FBI to make every effort to conclude their search of this building by that time.”

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/local-politics/20110627-fbi-swoops-down-on-offices-homes-of-dallas-county-commissioner-john-wiley-price-and-associates.ece