In Colorado Springs, Daniel Chacon reported grant money that the El Pomar Foundation "poured into keeping the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs was spent improperly by a developer three years ago.” Former Colorado Springs city employee TERRI VELASQUEZ last month "alleged that El Pomar grant funds were mishandled, although it appears the money was eventually repaid.” City records show that LandCo Equity Partners, the "development firm initially chosen to build the USOC headquarters” spent about $94,000 in grant money on banners and legal fees. These expenditures “violated the terms of the $2 million grant, which El Pomar awarded to the city in April 2008” (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 8/13).
THE NEWEST HAWK IN THE NEST: In L.A., Richard Clough reports prospective Hawks Owner ALEX MERUELO has “vaulted into the ranks of L.A.’s elite dealmakers.” This comes after a “series of high profile deals culminating with last week’s blockbuster $300 million acquisition” of the NBA team. Local leaders claim that Meruelo is "far from well known, but this year alone he has engineered the acquisitions of a hotel-casino, TV station and major food distributor.” Meruelo said that he had “been looking to buy a team for years before it all came together.” But he added, "We’ve done enough acquisitions and so I’m going to take a pause” (L.A. BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/15 issue).
NAMES: Human Options Inc. presented the '11 Dove Award to PETER and VIRGINIA UEBERROTH for their long time support of the organization through their family foundation (OCBJ.com, 8/14)....The NHL Panthers and team President & COO MICHAEL YORMARK have passed the $50,000 mark in their $150,000 goal for the '11 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk in Broward County, Fla. Yorkmark and the team still need to raise nearly $100,000 to reach their goal. Fans can support by donating online (Sunrise Sports & Entertainment)....LSU plans to unveils its 900-pound statue of former NBAer SHAQUILLE O’NEAL in front of the school's basketball practice facility on Sept. 8. The unveiling is two days before LSU’s first home football game of the season (NOLA.com, 8/15)....Bobcats GM RICH CHO has bought a five-bedroom, 5,800-square-foot house in the Providence Plantation neighborhood for $900,000 (CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/12 issue).....Actor CHARLIE SHEEN took batting practice at Chase Field before the Mets-D'Backs game Sunday. D'Backs Player & Media Relations Manager CASEY WILCOX said that Sheen is "trying to get back into shape for a potential sequel to the 'Major League' movies" (AP, 8/15).
