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| Luther Strange and Jessica Medeiros Garrison |
Strange and Garrison have engaged in a long-running extramarital affair that calls into question any moral authority he might claim as Alabama's chief law-enforcement officer. But a roundabout real-estate transaction in Crestline, a fashionable section of Alabama's priciest suburb, turns the spotlight off sex and onto another great motivator--money.
The house, at 119 Main Street in Mountain Brook, is in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Birmingham metro area. The house is not huge--property records show it has 2,213 square feet, but it has plenty of what real-estate agents call "curb appeal." That, plus its setting in the prestigious Mountain Brook School System, lift its appraised value to $439,900.
That kind of payment will get you a veritable mansion in some parts of Alabama. But in Crestline, it gets you a "cute cottage"--and that's what Jessica Medeiros Garrison has.
How did this house come to be a factor on the Alabama political scene? Follow me on a brief journey of courtroom and real-estate intrigue:
After Jessica M. Garrison divorced Tuscaloosa city councilman Lee Garrison in 2009, she managed Luther Strange's successful 2010 campaign for attorney general. She then planned to move with her son, Michael Lee Garrison (date of birth, 3/27/07), to Montgomery in order to take a job as chief counsel and deputy attorney general in Strange's office.
Lee Garrison objected to the move, citing the Alabama Relocation Act, which places limits on moves of more than 60 miles. (See Motion for Partial Summary Judgment at the end of this post.) A custody battle ensued, and it was not settled until Jessica Garrison gave up her post with the attorney general's office and found employment in Birmingham with the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) and the Balch Bingham law firm. (See Amended Motion for Emergency Hearing and Order on Custody at the end of this post.)
Jessica Garrison's purchase of the house in Crestline proved to be crucial in the custody case. From court documents:
The parties were divorced . . . on October 21, 2009 . . . [and] the parties have joint legal and physical custody of their minor child. . . . The Plaintiff (hereinafter "Mother") initially petitioned this court on December 9, 2010, for full custody of the minor child due to a material change in circumstances, and included in her petition notification of an anticipated relocation. The Defendant (hereinafter "Father") responded, objecting to the proposed relocation, and counter-petitioned for a modification of custody. The Mother was able to secure alternate employment that did not require her to move more than sixty (60) miles from the residence of the Father, and she amended her Petition for Modification of Custody accordingly. The Mother's new address is 119 Main Street, Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Father's address remains 1609 Alaca Place, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Was Jessica Garrison cutting it close, under the law? Yes, she was. From the document:
The straight line measure between the two residences is 50.9 miles. . . . The shortest distance between these two locations as practically measured by a vehicle odometer is confirmed to be less than sixty miles. . . .
Records suggest that Jessica Garrison needed to not only find a house in the Birmingham area, but it had to be in the right part of the metro area. Many locations would have been well outside the 60-mile distance from her ex husband's residence in Tuscaloosa.
The ability to find and purchase a house in the heart of Crestline proved to be fortuitous to Jessica Garrison--and probably to her mentor and close personal friend, Luther Strange.
Why do we refer to the purchase as "curious." Well, when you examine certain documents closely, you notice a peculiar sales price, some dates that don't add up, and other unusual circumstances.
And speaking of money, it appears there were financial winners and financial losers in this transaction--with political power brokers perhaps pushing matters in a direction that was favorable to them.
We will take a closer look at all of this in upcoming posts.
(To be continued)
43 comments:
Did I read a comment that this home in Crestline was a Regions Bank foreclosure? Bradly Arant is the firm who represents Regions. Is there some real estate hanky panky going on here too?
It strikes me how important it was to Luther Strange to take care of Jessica. When her custody arrangement would not allow her to work at Luther's . . . .ahem . . .SIDE in Montgomery, he obviously pulled strings to get a job created for her with Poarch Creek money conduit RSLC (the RAGA is a recently-created subsidiary of RSLC - they even share a website). Make no mistake - this position - which allows her to WORK FROM HOIME - was CREATED FOR HER - it did NOT EXIST BEFORE. To top THAT off, Luther got her a position at APCO law firm Balch & Bingham which is a conflict so clear Stevie Wondedr could see it due to Strange's supposed role protecting ratepayers at the PSC.
To the tune of "Someone's In The Kitchen with Dinah":
"Someone's in the bedroom with Luther/Someone's in the bedroom I Know/Someone's in the bedroom with Luther/Cause I just heard him yell 'BINGO!'"
You can tell it's an extramarital affair by looking at the pic. As they say a picture is worth 1,000 words and Big Bad Luther has his arm around Jessica.
I hear farts don't stink in Crestline.
It definitely was a foreclosure, @7:24. Not sure if Regions was the bank, but will check on that and will be reporting more soon. My research indicates real-estate hanky panky definitely could be going on. Bradley Arant has a history with a lot of banks in the area, so the firm could still be involved even if Regions was not.
Good one, James Greek. Luther/Jessica look happy in that picture, so it has to be an affair. You know they can't be a married couple! Hah!
I'm betting that picture was taken in Jessica's backyard. A lot of houses in Crestline have those kinds of privacy fences, mainly because the houses are close together, not big lots.
I hear dogs clean up their own poop in Crestline.
Didn't Bill Pryor start RAGA? Didn't Jessica work for him at one point?
You are right on both counts, @9:47.
Why didn't Jessica buy a house in Bessemer? That's not far from Balch Bingham, and it's well within 60 miles of T-town.
When a bird poops in Crestline, it dissolves before reaching the ground. Therefore, you never get bird poop on your head in Crestline. That's what I hear.
Does Jessica actually work at all these days--for Balch Bingham, RAGA, Luther, anyone? Sounds like she's Luther's kept woman?
You're silly, @10:11. Jessica couldn't buy a house in Bessemer because dark people live there.
I can't barely wait for the continuation of this blog. They both used to have pictures of them together (too many and too chummy for innocent employee/boss photos)on their facebook and twitter accounts. They have each removed the photos. Busted! Great work LS!
What's up with Lee Garrison giving up his seat on Tuscaloosa City Council to run for School Board? I hear he caught Jessica and Luther red-handed--in the act, you might say.
Jess and Luther were caught "in flagrante delicto"? I do declare!
For the record, @10:28, the "in flagrante delicto" information was not from me; that's from a commenter. I'm not familiar with those sorts of details.
I know how Jessica got the house in Crestline. Luther was praying for her, just like he's praying for Rickey Stokes.
I hear squirrels wear white gloves and serve lemonade in Crestline.
If Jessica bought a foreclosure, who was foreclosed on? That might be an interesting piece to the puzzle.
He is also praying for New York. Read the comments to the article. He is not getting any love!
http://blog.al.com/wire/2013/08/attorney_general_luther_strang_3.html
Agreed, @10:38, and I'm working on finding the answer.
Thanks for sharing that URL, Molli. Hope readers will check it out. Made me go, "Good God in heaven!"
I want somebody to pray for me to buy a house in Mountain Brook.
I hear termites ask permission before gnawing on your house in Crestline.
Did Jessica debrief Luther before he filed the documents on prayer? Did she find evidence that would stand up in court?
Man, the comedians are out in force today. I guess Jessica and Luther inspire creativity. LOL!
I hear possums leave a tip after turning over your garbage in Crestline.
Someone should try driving from 119 Main St. in Crestline to 1609 Alaca Place in Tuscaloosa and see if it's really 60 miles or less. I bet it's more than that.
There is no garbage in Crestline, @11:09. We call it PODE (Previously owned disposable entities). One neighbor says to another, "Has the PODE man already come today?"
As far a a past commenter goes who says people should consider the little boy in all this mess and how he will be affected by these comments. I have this to say, his mother and Luther should have thought about that boys feelings before having an affair. Public figures make themselves open for scrutiny by making themselves public figures! We as voters and an affected populous have a right to know who our politicians and public figures truly are as they try to tell us how we should live our lives. These two fools have caused all this trouble for their children and countless others due to their poor decisions and lack of self control. Suppose with the media black out in Alabama they felt they were safe from public scrutiny? We would be a negligent public if we didn't scrutinize. This poor child has to grow up thinking his mom is a whore. That is unless Luther makes an honest woman of her! Luther should publicly declare his undying devotion to Jessica and put a ring on it. As stupid as AL voters have become, I bet it's the only way to win reelection! Come on Luther! Save that boy from further humiliation. Let's all pray for these two poor souls. God have mercy on them. And Jessica, never hire a nanny or a maid.
I don't need prayers from Alabama State Officials who don't exhibit appropriate behavior or who refuse to hold their peers accountable for inappropriate behaviors. I really don't care what they believe. Good behavior makes you a better person, not what you believe.
Well stated, Rob, as always.
AL code says that any offspring born to a couple during a matrimonial union are the responsibility of that couple ie; father of that union (paraphrasing). Could the public awareness factor of this affair between Luther and JMG have prompted a gentlemans agreement between Lee Garison and Big Luther? Lee to Luther..... Hey man, you take that hooker off my hands and I'll raise him as my own and I'll keep your secret mum. ????? Looked to have been a win win.
I hear Mormons ride in horse-drawn carriages when they go door to door in Crestline.
I think your scenario is very possible, @11:55. The divorce file is sealed for a reason, and it almost certainly has to be because of Luther Strange--and perhaps Lee Garrison has chosen to play along for political or financial considerations.
I hear sparrows sing Wagnerian arias in Crestline.
There was this lady who lived in political bought shoe, located in area of well to do. A political string pull; apparently, and that's no bull. AG, lady, RAGA public want to see; how well connected together all three; follow the money here and there; you'll witness AG's oath a integrity nightmare.
"What we have here is a failure to communicate". From movie, "Cool Hand Luke".
$198.78 per square foot. Now that's a fancy curb appeal alright.
What a mess our 'government employees' and 'government servants' and 'government leaders' have made the business of government.
Mirror reflections of the deep dark hole in our nature, even the sun looks like it's ill.
Second Sun coming? 8/11/13?
Maybe.
Perhaps Jessica and her addiction to strangers who plant seeds and make grow human beings in a womb that isn't 'faithful' to the whole true idea of morality, can find the prayer beads.
Why do all the good people have to also pay the price for the rotten apples in our barrel world earth.
Search information about NASA and the closing of so many 'embassies' around the 'globe'.
Strangely the Government that counts to be 'saved' isn't moving into the place where only the membership of no boundary behavior is protected by exclusivity.
LS you have done what the journalist does best, outed the rubbish and burned the trash!
A Dozen Blue Ribbons for Murphy
Sparrows don't sing, @1:38.
So the position was created for Jessica so she could potentially work from home; so the neighborhood happens to be an affluent one; so the property for sale was on the market possibly due to foreclosure; so she and Luther are in cahoots (yes, you can all stop snickering now). This is nothing new with people who fall under the spotlight (and even us regulars). People make mistakes and Luther still seems to have some supporters left. Let’s see how they handle the situation now that things have become public.
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