Real estate developer Shawn Bullard bought prime real estate near Temple University for a fraction of its worth, prompting scrutiny about whether he got a sweetheart deal because of his relationship with council president Darrell Clarke, who represents the district and had to introduce legislation for the transaction.
The Inspector General's report concluded there was nothing nefarious, just the faulty land disposition system, a lack of transparency and oversight, and good old incompetence on the part of the Redevelopment Authority staff. It says Bullard took advantage of the process for his own personal gain.
"This was between Mr. Bullard and the Redevelopment Authority," said Clarke, who maintained he was not involved in price negotiations. But he has taken steps to reform the land disposition process, with new regulations to increase and ease access to public information about the sales.