EFTA01088636.pdf

Meeting with Stacey Plaskett and Percy Clouden re: Newsweek article. EDA Office September 7, 2011 Also present: Marjorie Rawls Roberts, Jim Tagliaferri, TAG Virgin Islands, Inc. Meeting with STX beneficiaries on Friday. Percy: contacted by reporter from Daily Beast. Purpose of this meeting is to let them know what EDA is doing and to let beneficiaries know they are supported. FOIA came in to Margarita Benjamin she directed them to Stacey Plaskett. Stacey has fielded requests in prior circumstances. Very careful in giving them exactly what was requested and to redact. Requests became more specific as he learned more about program. Obvious he had someone assisting him. Former employees and individuals had contacted EDC to advise that they had been contacted. James river Valance Shoreline Financial Trust Kenzie Financial Glacial Energy ICMC Windward Capital Looking for individuals more so than the companies. Looking at fines levied on individuals also issues after being beneficiaries. Specifically asked for info about MRR and Hodge & Francois. Made requests with Lt. Gov. Office. Called IRB to find out about bona fide residency. Is there a morality clause in VI that would prevent getting benefits. 2 responses from EDA to Barrett. Tried to protect beneficiaries. SP will provide copies. Sent letter to reporter and to editor. EFTA01088636 Close communication with government house and partners in Washington. Concerned about effect on program as a whole. Government house has a PR firm quietly working on this. NYTimes article on Barrett in February and TV show about it. He follows the money given to politicians. Farkas and Epstein kicked off this. Campaign finance director for Cuomo. Most of requests associated with IGY, AYH and FTC. Wanted beneficiary list for each year back to 1999. One ofJorie's clients gave prepared comments through stateside counsel to confirm two facts. Spoke with David Nissman in early July. Spoke with former Kapok partners. Stacey will only answer written questions. She has been burned before. He has sent written correspondence that indicates they are still working on it as of Monday. Must be signed off by editor and then be signed off by both internal and external legal counsel. Percy thinks letter to editor will put a positive spin on article. One article online and one in print. Went to see Dean Plaskett, former Chairman, at his prison facility to see if he would talk. Spoke with Bill Cotter and Gary Payne from Kapok. Jorie's position is if it is clear There is going to be an article she will talk on background. Importance of voting Suspension of benefits. Mosier ran for Senate in Connecticut in 2010. Made point that entity gets benefits. Government has released statement to reporter. EFTA01088637