Sources: “Tiger Brotherhood” Discussed Alleged Housing Scam
The rumored involvement of several Clemson University administrators in an alleged housing scam was brought to the attention of a Skull and Bones-style secret society on campus last December, multiple sources have told FITS.
It was after this December gathering of the “Tiger Brotherhood,” these sources say, that records are said to have started disappearing from a local Register of Deeds website.
This cloak and dagger allegation is the latest volley in what appears to be a full-fledged Civil War at Clemson between the University’s top administration and a growing nucleus of disgruntled faculty and staff “watchdogs.”
At issue is the allegation that Clemson officials may have profited from decisions made in an official capacity – or at least attempted to do so – and then covered their actions.
Clemson says these allegations are categorically untrue.
Through their attorney, the Clemson administrators – including Provost Dori Helms – have flatly denied any association with Clemson Academic Ventures, LLC, the “Highpointe of Clemson” condominium development or Tom Winkopp, the developer of the property that will house 400 University “Bridge Program” students beginning this fall.
Clemson general counsel Clay Steadman also told FITS that signed affidavits would be provided today solidifying these sweeping – and we might add, forceful – denials.
Another attorney claiming to be associated with the case took an even sterner approach with our founding editor.
“Keep it up and you will be a defendant in a lawsuit,” he said.
Our original sources are standing by their story, details of which you can read about by clicking here.
For more on Clemson’s response, click here.
The alleged involvement of the “Tiger Brotherhood” in the story is a new wrinkle, however, because its members include University President Jim Barker and several members of the University’s Board of Trustees.
Described in a recent news article as “a professional, albeit very covert, networking, service and social fraternity of people connected to Clemson,” the “Brotherhood” participates in numerous service projects and has long been informally responsibly for defending the integrity of the University.
And while multiple sources have told us the “Brotherhood” discussed these allegations in December, other sources have contradicted that account or refused to discuss the organization’s dealings.
Developing …
WEB EXTRA:
Comments
By franksboy on March 24th, 2009 at 11:06 am
And, who in their right mind would believe sworn affadavits given by the four “not so reputable” subjects in this case taken by the “not even as reputable” General Counsel?
If they are at all talented, it has shown in their ability to carry on business as they have, ridding themselves of anyone who challenges their antics and intimidating the others who t hey think might challenge or complain.
By Watching Sewell Screw Up on March 24th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Make sure you ask members of the “Brotherhood” about their stances on women. The handpicked token females in the group always have sweet bruises and marks on their arms!
By Todd on March 24th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I was in Tiger Brotherhood back in the day. If this report even has any elements of truth, then Tiger Brotherhood has tremendously escalated in power and authority since I was there. We couldn’t get any non-students (old people) to even come to the meetings.
By CL on March 24th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I have no love for Clemson, but it is kind of hard for the accused to prove a negative. The burden should be on the accusers to offer some actual evidence of their direct involvement.
Have you visited the register of deeds office? Any ownership deeds for these properties will be there. All you have to do is work backwards from the current owner far enough back and then come forward. The chain will be broken if a deed is missing. This should put the issue of whether the CU employees owned condo units.
By Red Bank Bar on March 24th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Don’t confuse folks with the facts. He can’t handle the truth.
Any records will be at the Register of Deeds office. It’s impossible for anyone to “remove” such records. If folks had anything, it would be in the public records. folks hasn’t produced squat (which seems to be the story of his life) so it must not be true. Figures…
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on March 24th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Tater Brotherhood is as sinister as the mafia. Their permanent state of orange Kool-Aid induced drunkeness makes me sick.
By Clemson denials of housing scam on March 24th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Here is a link showing the denials from the parties mentioned:
just a couple of stories down
http://www.margaretsoltan.com/
By GTA on March 24th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Isn’t Verna Howell an honorary member of Tiger Brotherhood??
By Sources? on March 24th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Why are the “sources” never revealed???????????
By marvin Carmichael on March 25th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I have limited knowledge of County Government web site information, but it would be easy to confirm the status of property ownership by taking the time to check actual courthouse records. It would only be respectful to report the findings so that we can put this issue to rest.
By Clemson '09 on March 25th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
This may be one of the dumbest articles I’ve ever read and the fact it’s written by a coot makes it all the funnier. I would love to know the nature of these sources (they probably aren’t even in Clemson) or what documents have supposedly been “dissapearing”. I don’t know much about the situation but if I was about to be in the Bridge program I’d be ecstatic knowing that I’d be living in Highpointe as opposed to Heritage. Wish they could have put me there freshman year. And if one Clemson adminstrator owns a condo there who cares? As long as a Bridge kid isn’t living it that one condo what does it matter? People must really be bored if they are taking an interest in this crap.
By Worst Article Ever Written on March 26th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
This must be a joke. I have been laughing ever since reading this article. It is so ridiculously absurd it is actually funny. The author of this article must literally have the IQ of a mouse. Tiger Brotherhood had absolutely nothing to do this alleged scam, and furthermore there is no scam. The members of this “skull and bones” style secret society discussed it at a december meeting. So what? I am sure that everyone who hears or reads about the scam discusses it and talks about it, does that mean they are involved in it too? Can they not talk about whatever they want to talk about? And who are these “sources” that are spoken of so much? Just because President Barker is a Member of the organization doesnt mean the organization should be blamed for something they nor President Barker had absolutely nothing to do with. And the whole alleged “scam” is completely false. At least we all know one news source that has made a complete joke out of itself now. No wonder nobody had ever heard of FITSNews before this dumb article came out.
By Scott on March 26th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
For anyone interested in the truth consider the following facts:
1) Sources are disgruntled Clemson employees whose motives are questionable. There has been no attempt by any of the sources or this site to validate the claims.
2) Chain of title to real estate exists in public records. Closing documents are signed at lawyers offices then filed with the county for everyone to see. This alleged conspiracy to hide the public records would involve attorneys, banks, title agents, and public officials across all of these supposed transactions. Quite an impossibility to erase all of these transactions from public record.
3) Per Greenville Online, other news sources, and public record, Clemson Academic Ventures owns the educational support facility that is being built for the benefit of the Bridge Program students and staff. It has nothing to do with the residences so any claim to that effect further proves that these accusations are simply false rumors started by ignorant sources with the intent of stirring up controversy.
4) As for claims that the requiring Bridge Students to live at Highpointe is somehow illegal consider the fact that they have been required to live at their current residences for the last three years of the program and have simply outgrown the housing there hence the need to move to Highpointe. Similarly, Clemson freshman are required to live on campus. The intent is to provide a structured environment with live-in RA’s and staff to ensure Bridge Students are able to successfully transfer to Clemson as sophomores. It is a proven transfer system and the Bridge program is a win-win for the students and the institutions involved.