TEXAS SIZE SCAM: City of Austin used Covid-19 Relief Funds to Pay Their Allies and Their Businesses Millions for Dubious Services

[NOTE: This post was written by former Austin City Council candidate for District One Clinton Rarey [@ClintonRarey] and first appeared on the Team Rarey Substack on March 16, 2023.

We are reprinting this article with Mr. Rarey's permission. It further underscores the City of Austin's outrageous audacity, hubris and illegal behavior when it comes to financial hand-outs. -Editor|

We are reprinting Clint's brilliant research here on Austin Texas Times with his full encouragement and permission.

Add this research to the growing mountain of evidence that proves the City of Austin is way overdue for an INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL AUDIT of the entire city - from Austin Finance and procurement to Austin Water and Energy.

The City of Austin used Covid-19 Relief Funds to Pay Their Allies and Their Businesses

Austin City officials handed out millions of dollars in generous Covid-19 relief checks to their personal friends for highly questionable and difficult-to-quantify services.

For nearly 10 months Mayor Adler pushed stay-at-home orders shutting down businesses, which ultimately crippled the small business industry in Austin.

Over 50+ bricks-and-mortar stores in Austin closed their doors permanently due to these draconian lockdowns.

Instead of supporting legacy Austin businesses that took an enormous financial hit from strict city-imposed shutdowns - and using these "Covid-19 relief funds" to assist families who lost their businesses and jobs - the city decided to take a different route.

Austin elected officials decided to hand out Covid-19 Relief funds to people who they closely associate with or agree with politically.

MEET THE GRIFTERS

People like Joyce M. James who received $109,000 in Covid-19 Relief Funds to lecture and shame the Austin Police Department while accusing them all of racism.

Joyce James also has a contract with the city to teach Anti-Racism at the Austin Police Academy, for the low, low price of only $10,000 a day

Total contract amount: $2.9 million

Austin’s Equity Action Team member Courtney Santana received $800,000 in Covid Relief Funds for her company: Survive 2 Thrive Foundation

City of Austin Food Policy Board member Joi Lynne Chevalier received $214,000 in Covid Relief Funds for her catering company:

• 'The Cook Nook'

Joi Lynne Chevalier also received a free $486,000 check from the Covid Relief Fund cookie jar for  a different catering company she co-owns called:

• 'Chisos Star LLC'