I don’t know if all the dots connect in this developing story of the Jerry Falwell Jr. scandal (or scandals?)
But it would be helpful, at least, to know what all the dots *are*.
But it would be helpful, at least, to know what all the dots *are*.
Let’s do a timeline. Here’s what has been reported:
March 2012: Jerry and Becki Falwell meet Giancarlo Granda at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The Falwells are staying there. Granda is the pool boy. They develop “a friendly relationship.”
Jerry Falwell encourages Granda to go into business, and allegedly offers to finance him.
Granda introduces Falwell to his friends, Jesus Fernandez Jr. and Jesus Fernandez Sr. There are discussions of plan of buying property together.
Granda introduces Falwell to his friends, Jesus Fernandez Jr. and Jesus Fernandez Sr. There are discussions of plan of buying property together.
August 2012: Falwell’s business partner Chris Doyle forms a limited liability company to buy real estate. Called “Comeback Inn LLC.“
Falwell goes and looks at Miami properties with Chris Doyle, talks to Fernandez Jr. and Sr., Granda, and some real estate agents.
Falwell goes and looks at Miami properties with Chris Doyle, talks to Fernandez Jr. and Sr., Granda, and some real estate agents.
While at Liberty, Trump allegedly meets and has his photo taken with Granda.
Tump’s lawyer-fixer, Michael Cohen, is also there.
Tump’s lawyer-fixer, Michael Cohen, is also there.
Feb. 2013: Falwell’s son Trey establishes an limited liability company to buy a Miami hostel. Jerry Falwell loans $1.8 million to the LLC.
March 2013: The Falwell LLC purchases the Miami hostel for $4.65 million. It has 120 beds, which go for $20 per night. https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/08/25/jerry-falwell-miami-hostel-liberty-university-trey-falwell-215528">https://www.politico.com/magazine/...
Jan. 2014: Cohen asks Liberty U.’s tech administrator, John Gauger, to rig online poll for Trump. Gauger agrees. https://www.wsj.com/articles/poll-rigging-for-trump-and-creating-womenforcohen-one-it-firms-work-order-11547722801">https://www.wsj.com/articles/...
2015: Gauger tries to rig two more online polls. Gets paid about $12,000 in cash and a boxing glove—says he was promised $50,000.
Summer (?) 2015: Fernandez Jr. and Sr. sue Falwell, the Miami hostel, and Granda. Say they were promised 25% percent of venture, but then cut out.
Fall 2015: According to Cohen, Falwell asks Cohen to recover racy photographs from someone in Florida. Cohen flies to Florida, met with attorney of person with the photographs. Threatened them. Recovered photographs.
Jan. 2016: Trump speaks at Liberty. Cites “Two Corinthians,” instead of “Second Corinthians.”
Falwell endorses Trump. A turning point in religious right support.
Falwell endorses Trump. A turning point in religious right support.
Aug. 2017: The Fernandezes re-file suit, and it comes to attention of BuzzFeed reporter Aram Roston. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/aramroston/jerry-falwell-jr-michael-cohen-pool-attendant-lawsuit#.gdmoe8m1P">https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/a...
Are all these things connected? The pool boy, the property deals, the lawsuit, the alleged racy photos, the shady deals with Michael Cohen?
Maybe. There are enough dots you can start to see a shape, even if you can’t for-sure say what that shape is. /end
Maybe. There are enough dots you can start to see a shape, even if you can’t for-sure say what that shape is. /end