Recently, director Tyler Perry won a bid to buy a substantial portion of the shuttered and abandoned Fort McPherson property near downtown Atlanta.
Perry wanted to build 16 movie studios and a film production facility on the 488-acre property. But there was a hitch in his plans: Georgia Governor Nathan Deal had already put in a $10 million bid to buy the property to relocate the police academy, according to 11 Alive News.
But as Perry knows, doors open when you have friends in high places. And a squeaky door opens quickly when you apply a little grease in the form of a campaign contribution.
According to 11 Alive, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed called Gov. Nathan Deal on Perry’s behalf. Reed asked Gov. Deal to withdraw his bid so Perry could purchase the property. Gov. Deal obliged and the deal was completed — much to the dismay of local residents who vocally opposed Perry’s plans for Fort McPherson.
Deal’s spokesman Brian Robinson told 11 Alive the governor withdrew his bid because he saw the economic and jobs potential in Perry’s plans for Fort McPherson. Robinson didn’t mention Perry’s suspicious-looking political donations made to Gov. Deal.
Here’s what we know about Perry’s donations to Gov. Deal:
On May 1, Perry personally made a $6,300 contribution to Deal designated for the May 20 Republican gubernatorial primary — the maximum donation permissible under state law — according to campaign finance disclosures.
On the same day, Tyler Perry Studios made two donations to Deal’s re-election campaign — one for $6,300 designated for the primary and another for $100 designated for the general election this fall. Source
Loyal reader Mike is concerned about Perry’s political contributions to a Republican governor:
Hello Auntie Sandra!
I’ve been lurking for years, and have reached out to you a few times in that time period. Glad to see you running strong when so many others who copied your style seem to have fallen off. We won’t name names of course LOL.
In any case, thought I’d bring your attention to a story in the AJC this morning. Tyler Perry gave Republican Governor Nathan Deal $12,000 in his reelection effort. Its interesting in a few ways: First of all, how many of Perry’s almost exclusively Black following would be Ok with their idol cutting such a big check for a REPUBLICAN–let alone Nathan Deal?
Further, the AJC suggests the money is tied closely to that deal at Fort McPherson. I swear Kasim Reed ain’t chit. Him and Deal have forced all the poor Blacks out of the city (and into Clayton County and Decatur) while he gets paid. A hot mess indeed.
Oh well. Take care Auntie Sandra. Hope this tip is relevant!
-Mike
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