March 10, 2009 ~ 9:30 a.m.
U.S Court House ~ 300 South Fourth St. Mpls
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Where will greed get you?
Jon Helgason and Thomas Balko Victims Site
Helgason ~ Balko
Where will greed get you?
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- Victim T
- We are victims of the Helgasons and Balkos. We are determined to legally fight both of them for as long as it takes.
68 comments:
I like the idea that all the friends Watkins, the relatives are all showing how Tom and Jon aren't at all sorry for what they did. They are only sorry they got caught. I wonder how that will play out at their sentencing on MARCH 10, 2009! I wonder if the courtroom will be FILLED with victims speaking at open mic about how they had been ridiculed for the amounts they paid in damage deposits. How they had been cajoled by the Balkos family members and friends that there were no real victims except Tom and Jon. I wonder how easy it is to prove who actually does post here. I wonder if the prosecuting attorney is having a field day on these blogs determining who posts what.. just to make sure that Tom and Jon get the stiffest sentence. I wonder!!!
Keep wondering, "Anonymous."
The first part of your post is pure opinion. 99% of these blogs are opinion.
Even if someone could prove who posts here, so what? Would you go on a rant about being a victim of an opinion?
I can't believe that people are giving family members crap for being supportive of family. Get off their backs already! What's Watkins done? Supported a friend and stated his, Opinion. I hope Watkins does show up at the sentencing because, I'd like to meet him.
Does that mean you will be there?
I dont think anonymous is complaining so much about family and friends support as they are complaining about how they don't care about the victims.
Big difference.
Yes, I will be there.
I doubt anyone will need to see my name tag to know who I am.
Watkins you must be so proud.
Since you have been telling all the victims this entire time that they were basically crazy and Tom and Jon did nothing wrong. That all the victims were just lying or somehow making this all up.
I don't blame you for standing by your friend, but did you really need to attack the victims?
I will be working and unable to attend. Firsthand accounts and photos can be emailed to me for use on the Johnny Northside Dot com blog. Email me at hoffx106@umn.edu.
I again reiterate my position of "let the punishment fit the crime," which is outlined in detail on my blog; i.e. "house arrest" in North Minneapolis, working to improve the neighborhood.
And, in a moderate tone, one does expect that family will stick up for you, no matter what.
"Since you have been telling all the victims this entire time that they were basically crazy and Tom and Jon did nothing wrong. That all the victims were just lying or somehow making this all up."
(reply) That is your opinion but, those were not my words. You must have gone to the "John Hoff School of Mis-Quotes". By the way, what is the difference between lying and making something up?
"I don't blame you for standing by your friend, but did you really need to attack the victims?"
(reply) When they said things that were not accurate, exaggerated and hypocritical, yes. However, you call it attacking and I call it defending.
"Watkins you must be so proud."
(reply) Of having Tom as my friend? Yes, I am.
The day wouldn't be complete without a visit from Grandstand Johnny Northside. What is this, the 4th or 5th time you have said the SAME thing on the blogs?
Did you come to this blog to spread the good news that you doubled your money in 3 months on the house you bought in N Minneapolis? Of course you didn't. And you didn't go on and on about how you are on a "first name basis" with all the inspectors or how you are buddies with the Director of Housing in Hawthorne, Council member Don Samuels and 'ol RT Rybak. Interesting how quiet you are on how your "livable house" somehow got added to a list of houses to be bought by the City to be demolished.
It is obvious that you didn't spend any of your city-backed profits on your wardrobe, transportation or even a hair cut.
But hey, you are the #1 Dumpster Diver in my opinion!
As this saga is coming to an end I decided to read back through the threads.
It is amazing how the family and friends of Tom and Jon expect the victims to forvgive them while they are calling the victim vile names, liars and telling them to STFU. Where is their forgivness? They are talking out both sides of their mouths.
As someone said, the victims did not bring this criminal charge against them. So why do their supporters seem to hate the victims so much? Are they just looking for someone to blame for their own situation.
What ever sympathy I felt for them going to prison has disappeared.
Get your facts straight, Not everyone on here, that are supporting T&J said they hate the victims. I for one, never said I hate or blame the victims, I just said anyone that signed over their credit, were stupid.
No one signed over their credit. They were just taken in a mortgage fraud scheme that affected their credit.
These victims are not stupid.
Does it really matter anymore, how, what or why it happend? They are going to prison, so go do your happy dance, and move on with your life, if you have one.
"It is amazing how the family and friends of Tom and Jon expect the victims to forgive them"
Oh my, you really don't get it, do you? People that have talked about forgiveness, was for the victims own well being, not T&J's
It will do yourself some good, otherwise the hatred will eat YOU alive, not them. Get it now?
How do you know they are going to prison and not just going to get house arrest or something similar?
Do they know what their sentence is already?
"No one signed over their credit. They were just taken in a mortgage fraud scheme that affected their credit.
These victims are not stupid."
What? Taken? Anyone who got a check for $2,500 at closing knew God damn well & good what they were doing. Especially when they did it several times.
Sorry, hard to see that as a victim. Participant, maybe.
Do you also think there were no victims in the Petters case or the Madoff case?
It was fraud pure and simple. When you say the victims knew what they were doing does that mean that you admit T&J also knew at the time? These victims were not real estate experts, how were they suppose to know they were being swindled?
Maybe you should come to the sentencing and explain your victimless postion to the judge. I bet that would go a long way.
It is very apparent that T&J did not know what they were doing either, you people wanted the money you were going to make off the deals, ADMIT IT, you were ALL GREEDY, every last one of ya.
Since many of these victims went back for more, it makes me wonder if they always felt like victims?
Or was it when someone TOLD them they were victims?
Of course they want to believe that all the victims were participants.
It is there way of keeping the guilt and reality at bay.
Ya right!
Sociopaths do not feel guilt.
To Jim Watkins, posting several comments back: you know, Jim, I'm the only one advocating any kind of non-prison punishment for your friends. You'd think you'd let up on your constant bile.
Tick...tick...tick your day is almost DUE. Keep watching the clock.
EZE 7:3
The end is now upon you and I will unleash my anger against you. I
will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your
detestable practices.
I will not look on you with pity or spare you; I will surely repay you for your conduct and the detestable practices among you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
The Preacher
You'd think that, wouldn't you John?
I wonder if you would still feel the same way if they were sentenced to live in N Minneapolis next door to you?
Oh... That's not possible though, is it?
The famed Johnny Northside doesn't live there, does he?
In response to the anonymous poster from 2-6-09 who wrote:
[QUOTE who="anonymous"]Do you also think there were no victims in the Petters case or the Madoff case?[/QUOTE]
Are you an expert on those cases? All I know about those is what I have heard on the news and am not arrogant enough to assume I am an expert on three different cases. So my answer is, neither are you.
[QUOTE who="anonymous"]It was fraud pure and simple. When you say the victims knew what they were doing does that mean that you admit T&J also knew at the time? These victims were not real estate experts, how were they suppose to know they were being swindled?[/QUOTE]
How can I possibly admit to anything that Tom or Jon possibly knew or didn't know? I don't speak for them and I don't think you can either.
Further, how do you know that none of the victims were not real estate experts? Are you an expert? What if a victim was a loan officer? Would that not make them an expert? Or a Realtor? Would that not make them an expert?
I find it bothersome that you can come on a blog and post anonymously while claiming to know who is and who isn't a real estate expert and somehow attempt to bring 2 separate cases into the mix to support a claim that you frankly cannot support yourself.
I have researched "straw buyers" and unless I am missing something, I haven't found anything that says the practice is illegal. In this case, the straw buyers were compensated at closing. Being the real estate expert you all but claim to be, can you explain at what point the victims were swindled?
Unfortunate for all parties involved? Yes. And I do understand that people feel they were wronged but, swindled with something that is not illegal (practice of buying using a straw buyer)?
Again, I would concur that the entire situation is unfortunate for everyone involved and everyone suffered a loss of some kind.
What would ultimately make you happy? Or victims happy? Or even Tom & Jon happy? More importantly, why would your answer make you happy?
This post is not filled with malice or hate nor does it point a dirty finger at anyone. The points made are genuine and the questions posed are sincere in hopes of honest answers.
let me get this straight, you just finished telling everyone they are not an expert yet because you read something about straw buyers you have legal knowlege.....you are another idiot!!!!
go back to law school , jackass
you have no knowledge of the crimes committed , if you did , you would not have to ask the question
prison sounds safe?
I believe you are right that straw buying in itself is not illegal.
What is illegal and fraudulent is falsifying documents to the banks by stating that the strawbuyers will occupy the home, incomes, etc.
What is illegal is false appraisals, leaving the straw buyers with worthless properties.
What is illegal is breach of contract. They never bought back the properies when the term came due.
It was a ponzi scheme as well just using real estate instead of stocks. Just another house of cards. Just like being sold stocks/investments that the fund manager knows are worthless.
I do not know if any of the straw buyer victims have/had a real estate license. From what I understand they relied upon Tom and Jon to be the experts in the transaction process, etc.
Their employees at Complete Real Estate bought many properties. They probably knew what they were doing is wrong.
Well call me an idiot, oh wait, you just did but, I do believe that I was just attacked by victims.
I thought it was only the other way around?
Now the properties are worthless.
Ok here is a question: They accepted a plea of one count of mail fraud, right?
What were they charged with for them to come to accept that plea?
In other words, mail fraud is a broad term so, what specifically did they admit to that was illegal?
"What is illegal and fraudulent is falsifying documents to the banks by stating that the strawbuyers will occupy the home, incomes, etc."
And you know this as fact, how?
Seriously, how on earth would you KNOW this to be fact?
"What is illegal and fraudulent is falsifying documents to the banks by stating that the strawbuyers will occupy the home, incomes, etc.
What is illegal is false appraisals"
I sure hope there is a way to track IP addresses because, a statement like that says the poster knowingly did something wrong.
It is apart of the Plea Agreement which is a public document.
" Anonymous said...
It is apart of the Plea Agreement which is a public document."
Ok, so then what does it say?
Why don’t you do some work and call the United State District Court! The next thing you'll what to know is the Criminal No:
Plea Agreement and Sentencing Stipulations.
It's around 10-11 page's...sorry I must have missed the NOT Guilty area.
Ok then summarize... WHAT DOES IT SAY?
What you fail to see is that the folks at Complete Mortgage ,et al, were very good teachers. All of the employees learned how to defraud people. It is STILL going on. Oh yes it is.
Whatever happened to Gayle Claus? How come she was not prosecuted? Her name was on the FBI search warrant..
""What is illegal and fraudulent is falsifying documents to the banks by stating that the strawbuyers will occupy the home, incomes, etc.
What is illegal is false appraisals"
I sure hope there is a way to track IP addresses because, a statement like that says the poster knowingly did something wrong."
Where have you been? This is all public knowledge.
Jon Helgason fraudulently signed the Patriot Act on which my signature was forged.(either Jon or my ex-husband fprged my signature) When I reported this to a Hennepin County. Court findings say, "Petitioner makes claims of suspected mortgage/ bank fraud which are unsubstantiated." I was told I had two choices either agree to sign the $1.8 million dollar loan or quit claim deed the property to my ex-husband. What recourse do I have? All assets were awarded to my ex-husband. Our five children have been separated...can someone please email me at caroline-rice@hotmail.co.uk. reported these crooks in 2004...my ex-husband is their broker. He referred Gail Claus to Jon...
"Where have you been? This is all public knowledge."
I have been right here and so far, no one has answered the question.
For anyone who might ask, "what question is that?"
Please scroll back and read the posts over the past few days.
Here is your answer
Charges:
The defendants agree to plead guilty to Count 1 of the Information, which charges the defendants with mail fraud, namely, a mortgage scheme, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341.
Base Offense Level:
The parties agree that the base offense level for these offenses is 7.
Role in the Offense:
The parties agree that the offense level should be increased by 2 levels, because the defendant played a managerial role in the conspiracy. The government contends that the offense level should be increase by 2 levels, because the defendant (Helgason), a licensed real estate agent, abused apposition of private and public trust.
Facts:
From in or about 2005 through
2007,in the State of Minnesota, the defendants conspire to execute a scheme to defraud and to obtain money by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, which operated as set for the below.
From 2005 through 2007, pursuant to the scheme, Helgason and Balko, through the TJ Group, purchased approximately 162 properties throughout the metropolitan area. Helgason and Balko would resell the property within a short period of time to an “investor”. Oftentimes, the TJ Group would resell the property at a price approximately $20,000 to $60,000 higher than the price at which the TJ Group had purchased the property, after owning the property for a short period of time. The purchase price was set by Helgason and Balko and was not the product of arms-length negotiation.
“investors” were told by Helgason and Balko that the ‘investor” was simply “lending” his or her credit to the TJ Group in exchange for which the “investor” would receive a payment a the closing, typically $2,500 and the promise of an additional payment after two years when they were to re-purchase the property.
Through the scheme, the defendants perpetrated a fraud on the lenders who were led to believe that the “investors” were the actual owners of the properties, when, in fact, the “investors” ownership was in name only. During the two-year period which the “investor” owned the property, the TJ Group was responsible for all payments and maintenance on the property. Helgason and Balko, through the TJ Group, was to make payments to the “investor” equivalent to the mortgage payment on the property, such that the “investor” was to have no financial obligations for the property. Helgason and Balko also made arrangements for the seller of the property, the TJ Group, to provide some of the funds to pay the buyers portion of the property purchase price. On those transactions, the loan documentation utilized fraudulently indicated that such funds were provided by the buyer.
With regard to many of the fraudulent transactions, Helgason and Balko also worked with other individuals to provide lenders with false loan applications that would over state income to qualify people for the loans.
During the course of the scheme, Helgason and Balko used most of the funds obtained by the TJ Group to make payments to “investors” for the purpose of making mortgage payments, thereby keeping the scheme afloat, and purchasing new properties for new fraudulent transactions. Ultimately, the scheme collapsed: the TJ Group did not re-purchase the properties or continue making payments to the “investors” for making payments toward the mortgages. “Investors” were left owning properties purchased with mortgages that exceed the market value of the property.
Where did that come from? The majority of that appears to be parts of the FBI affidavit that was filed in order to obtain a search warrant. Those would not be facts rather, speculation in order to confirm suspicion.
The Associated Press released an article on 7/23/07 which quoted Mpls City Council President, Barb Johnson:
"What they do is they buy the property at a normal price from a willing seller and they flip it within their own limited liability company and they do it at an inflated price," Johnson said.
The company often held onto properties for several months, according to property records."
Notice the last sentence? Property records show they held the properties for several months before selling any of them.
Which is it? I have seen nothing but conflicting "facts" and the majority of them are made by city council members themselves.
"I have seen nothing but conflicting "facts" and the majority of them are made by city council members themselves."
GO FIGURE!
It is directly from the plea agreement that they signed. You can get the entire document from the US District Attorney's office.
"Where did that come from? The majority of that appears to be parts of the FBI affidavit that was filed in order to obtain a search warrant. Those would not be facts rather, speculation in order to confirm suspicion."
They signed the document that included the listed facts. So it is not speculation.
"They signed the document that included the listed facts. So it is not speculation."
Are you one of the "victims" from the TJ Waconia debacle?
Reason I ask is because, you appear to go out of your way to provide information and facts (perhaps some opinions).
Surely if you are a victim, you know that as an investor or straw buyer, you knew that what you were doing was an investment and any investment carries risk.
Otherwise, I would be surprised if you didn't do all your due dilligence before you did any business with them.
If it was a legitimate investment, then yes. But what part of the word fraud do you not understand?
"The government contends that the offense level should be increase by 2 levels, because the defendant (Helgason), a licensed real estate agent, abused a position of private and public trust."
"what part of the word fraud do you not understand?"
Now that is really ironic because, I was going to ask you the EXACT SAME THING!
You sort of remind me of the clueless neighborhood dog that starts to bark non-stop when they hear a different dog down the street barking. No one really knows why the dog feels the need to bark at nothing and the dog itself doesn't know what they are barking about either. They just want to be included in the dog pack I guess but, in our world the dog is just a mutt that is tied up in the yard with nothing better to do with its life.
Are you ill?
BREAKING NEWS!!!
Pompous, Anonymous posters who post false, hateful and damaging comments about others on blogs will soon see their identity force field go away!
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/02/texas-judge-orders-site-to-identify-anonymous-trolls-flamers.ars
How does the song go?
"GOD BLESS TEXAS!"
I would be careful for what you wish for. The Helgason Balko Team have posted some pretty hateful things themselves. Not to mention having no remorse for what they have done.
You know who I am. But do you really want ALL the posters outed?
James ,
try not to piss yourself here,
you simple prick
Oh looks as though, Terry is back! Good to see you have not changed, HA.
tick..tick...tick.
It is almost time to hear the click.
Or does a cell door slam shut?
Hopefully someone will be there with a camera or a cellphone cam and get some postable pictures of the two (soon-to-be-felons) a-holes - ah... judgement time for Helgy and Balkie... It would be nice to have images "perp walk" into court... Heck: maybe even the "mainstream media" will cover this sentencing!
The media will definitely be there.
Called and confirmed the sentencing is still set for March 10th at 9:30 a.m. Judge Joan Erickson.
They are expecting a crowd.
Helgy and Balkie. What might be your final dinner? One last cold beer (:<)))) I'm sure you boy from TX can cook you your last meal of love. Watkins you are a true ankle bitter and well see you Tuesday’s as well with a big smile.
I will be working and unable to attend. Seeking images and firsthand accounts for my blog, johnnynorthside.com, and I will be happy to receive that info from ALL SIDES.
Email to hoff_john@yahoo.com. Thanks .
People on this discussion may be interested to know that the March 10 sentencing date has been delayed until April 16. If anyone who believes that he or she has been affected by this case would like to provide a non-anonymous, potentially publishable comment, please contact me at sbrandt@startribune.com
--Steve Brandt, star Tribune
So, does anyone really think that Tom and Jon will get off based on the fact that the market has decreased? A lower sentence? Can their expert witness make a real case for this? How about how this type of fraud affected the ENTIRE real estate market in the Twin Cities, MInnesota? Does that play into this at all? I have been reading some of these comments and to think that someone with the so called expertise that Jim Watkins states would defend .. even his friend when he himself is a so called expert is disgusting. Tom Balko pled GUILTY- he said he did it. He agreed that he defrauded all these people. Mail fraud does not encompass one postage paid letter - it encompasses 100's of people, so just because it was one count doesn't mean he didn't do this. Give me a flipping break!!!
Watkins are you really that big of an dumbass to still consider these people your friends?? You know damn well they would have screwed you if they havent already like they did to their own family. They are both scum. Even if they got the max sentence they still deserve more. They ruined peoples lives destroyed not only their own kids but other kids lives for what they have done. Your defense to cowards shows what a little person you are....
Two weeks and counting... anyone want to speak in defense of these two fine examples might want to do it now... precious little time is left before they begin their long dark walk...
Also: I wonder how are those civil suits against them have been going since entering a plea of "GUILTY"...
(cue music)
"I wonder how that will play out at their sentencing..."
Hey all you Balko-Helgo supporters! Your boys are set to do some serious bids inside!!!
This is lifted from another blog: "The men remain free prior to a "surrender date" 6 weeks from now, but must go to prison on Thursday, May 28. The judge recommended Balko serve his sentence in Duluth, to be near his family, but the recommendation is not binding on the prison authorities. Any report of problems will cause the duo to immediately go into custody."
I'm hearing it's Eight years for Helgo and seven years for Balko + restitution (and more? probation after jail perhaps) is what I hear...
So for each and everyone who "believed" they were so very very innocent... Put that up your pipe and smoke it...
Wonder if either of them stashed some running cash?
How do two bankrupt people come up with $15,000 for expert testimony? which, by the way, hurt them more than helped. the judge clearly and openly rejected his testimony. I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see one of them try to flee...some still seem to think they have done nothing wrong.
Hey Watkins! Savor this nugget:
""You knew very well at the time that what you were doing couldn't be done without you lying about it," U.S. District Judge Joan Ericksen lectured as she sentenced Jonathan Helgason to eight years in federal prison and Thomas Balko to seven years for their roles in the TJ Waconia fraud case." -Steve Brandt, Star Tribune, April 16, 2009
Wow. It would be funny if either of them tried to run now... Maybe they could go boldly go on the lam... Like "The Defiant Ones"... I don't think the feds would miss a couple of "white collar" criminals, would they Jim?
My god... say it with me: "FED-der-RALLLL (pause) (pause) (pause) PRISON!!!" So sweet. So deserved. Rot in jail you two convicted felons!
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