California investment company Blythe Holdings, Inc. wanted to buy 100 city lots on which to build housing in Chicago’s 16th Ward, and used the services of local real estate consultant Tracy Williams, who has been accused of fraud, on the recommendation of Ald. Shirley Coleman (D-16th). Today, Blythe has no lots to show for more than $500,000 it allegedly paid to Williams’ company, Flawless Financial, and the investment group plans to file suit.
The alderman downplayed her relationship with Williams, but according to a story in today’s Chicago Sun-Times, Williams allegedly paid an interior decorator to work on the alderman’s home, donated a pricey Christmas tree to the alerdman’s ward and arranged for a piano to be given to the church where the alderman is a reverend.