This week, actor Brad Pitt launched an ambitious campaign to build 150 homes in the devastated Lower Ninth Ward. Properties close to the Industrial Canal are cloaked in pink as part of the "Make It Right" project.
Unfortunatelty, Pitt's people chose a convicted felon to be the face of the program at the unveiling ceremony on Monday. 52-year old Robert Green gave an emotional speech about his two family members who died in Katrina's flood waters and how he was looking forward to getting a new home.
Green pleaded guilty earlier this year to preparing false tax returns in connection with fraudulent FHA loan applications at Citywide Mortgage in New Orleans. He is set to be sentenced up to 5 years in February.
Pitt's people say the actor had no idea about Green's criminal record.
Do you think this will hurt fundraising efforts for the "Make It Right" campaign? Was Pitt the victim of poor planning?
Comments (6)
There is no reason why this story should hurt Mr. Pitt's campaign to make it right. The whole purpose of this story by channel 26 seems to suggest that the residents of the 9th ward are criminals. If you want to do a story on criminals, do a story on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These criminals are responsible for the loss of the homes as well as lives, icluding Mr. Green's mother and granddaughter
Posted by Louis Washington | December 4, 2007 6:18 PM
Posted on December 4, 2007 18:18
I'd say you're the short-sighted one projecting the criminal conviction of one man onto an entire neighborhood. My opinion is bolstered by the fact you missed Cyndi Nguyen's investigation on the ACOE's waste of taxpayer dollars in today's report on the Industrial Canal lock project, which you can go back and view if you don't believe me.
Posted by Frenchmen | December 4, 2007 11:47 PM
Posted on December 4, 2007 23:47
The story never suggested that the 9th ward residents are criminals. To the contrary, it has shown that the people running the campaign need to more carefully scrutinize its applicants. Mr. Green, already having one conviction under his belt, has attempted to take the spot of a family who is truly deserving of the program. Hopefully, when Mr. Green's sentencing time comes, the Judge will see Mr. Green has shown no remorse for his prior actions. Instead, Mr. Green continues to milk the system.
Posted by st | December 5, 2007 9:38 AM
Posted on December 5, 2007 09:38
How can people blatently hate others with such short-sightedness? The fact of the matter is that the breaking of the levees ruined homes in Lakeview and New Orleans East and Chalmette also. It just so happens that those people are rebuilding and the 9th ward residents are not. Why is it that the poor believe everyone owes them something, but the working class (regardless of race or ethnicity) continue moving toward rebuilding with the great resolve we all want the nation to see?
Posted by DS | December 5, 2007 10:18 PM
Posted on December 5, 2007 22:18
stop worring about mr pitt giving mr green a house the man lost his mom and grand daughter thanks to the corps of engineers they are the ones that needs to be investigated along with other govererment agencies that have stolen money geared for the recovery of new orleans
and its citizens odessyhouse house of ruth salvation army and the lists goes on now that's an warranted investigation that i dont mind spending my tax dollars on
thankyou d.e.
Posted by darnellestem | December 5, 2007 10:38 PM
Posted on December 5, 2007 22:38
I know Mr. Green personally, and have worked with him since soon after the storm. He is a good man, filled with courage, open-heartedness, and resolve.
Posted by Mischa Byruckq | December 9, 2007 4:02 PM
Posted on December 9, 2007 16:02