Tierney & the Philadelphia Tea Party?

The Philadelphia Tea Party

Once again non-Native Americans play dress-up to pursue greedy interests.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and Big Philadelphia Business join forces to monopolize yet another gaming commission. Via massive funding by the MGM Grand Las Vegas & others, the Pequots continue their crusade in attempt to bully their way into Philadelphia.

Along for the ride is Brian P. Tierney through his rather complicated web of companies offering public relations propaganda and financial consulting services for the Pequots via The “Tierney Agency” under the guise of the “Interpublic Group” (IPG) which now records show holds “Tierney Communications”.

Prominently Brian Tierney is currently known for his position as CEO of “Philadelphia Media Holdings” a media outlet believed by many to hold a monopoly over print publications and other media outlets in the Philadelphia area which subsequently quash any story regarding current bidding news for casino licenses. Why would they choose to do such a thing?

Although it is public knowledge that Tierney has a large 7.14%+ interest in “Trump Street”, another of the small number of entities bidding for the same gaming license in Philly. Aside from simply investing, if awarded licensure, Tierney will also be given a direct management position overseeing the casino. Okay then, fair enough?

Another amongst Brian Tierney’s stable of companies is “TIERNEY PUBLIC RELATIONS” held under “Tierney Communications” which is of course a subsidiary of the International Monster – The Interpublic Group (IPG). Where does it begin and where does it end?

What Philadelphia doesn’t know is that through his web of companies Tierney offers a gamut of services to rival competitor the “Foxwoods Development Company” for the very same gaming license. Although the tribe claims to be wholly owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, they have massive backing by non-tribal entities from Las Vegas such as the MGM. Are Tierney and the Pequots maneuvering for Tierney to have a direct hand in the Pequot’s proposed new casino as well? What is the connection?

Tierney Communications through its Public Relations arm & internet domain “The Tierney Agency” (tierneyagency.com) has been historically offering financial and public relations services to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Records show that the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, now attempting to push into Philadelphia, has been closely associated with Tierney for years. Maureen Garrity VP of Tierney Communications, one tier under her boss Brian Tierney, is the spokesperson for the Pequot’s new Foxwoods Development Company. Tierney and the agency also have a lengthy history of financial consulting for Pequot Capital! Consulting for a competitor? This probably won’t look good to the Gaming Commission. Therefore, even more amazing is the fact that “The Foxwoods Casino” that once appeared on Tierney’s website under “Client List” as of a few days ago, has been removed while the other clients in the list remain unchanged

Many are of the belief that that Tierney recently sold “The Tierney Agency” in a panic effort to evade this blatant and obvious conflict of interest with the Pequots that would once again raise the interest of the Office the Attorney General, but current records reveal the Agency is still staffed by Garrity and Tierney himself. The proof is found through subtle yet discoverable details.

As of November 10, 2006 referencing the “Tierney Agency” (tierneyagency.com) website and clicking on “Contact Philadelphia Office” it reveals the address of 200 South Broad Street with a telephone number of (215) 790-4100.

When calling this number the receptionist answers, “Tierney Communications” instead of the Tierney Agency. Additionally this very same telephone number is listed in the yellow pages as being “Tierney & Partners” of the same address and telephone number.

An even more bizarre oddity is that “Tierney Communications” has yet another separate listing in the yellow pages at the exact same address, with a different but similar telephone number of (215) 732-4100. When dialed, this number reaches the exact same receptionist who answered once again, “Tierney Communications”.

The caveat of this Tierney two-step is that the telephone number (215) 790-4100 is listed on the Tierney Website as the primary contact number, yet is also listed in yellow pages as “Tierney & Partners”, once again, when dialed, the same receptionist answers “Tierney Communications”. Three entities in the same nest with the very same receptionist! Shell Companies? A layer of added protection in attempt to separate the fact the Tierney still represents the Pequot’s Foxwoods?

Unfortunately he forgot to cover several obtuse bases until as recently as a few days ago.

From October of 2001 up until November 9, 2006 the domain “tierneyagency.com” was registered to:
TIERNEY & PARTNERS200 South Broad StreetPHILADELPHIA, PA 19102
IP: 199.221.98.165

The new registrant as of November 10, 2006 was changed to IRP which still owns Tierney Communications. Even if Tierney did “sell” The Tierney Agency, according to records it is now registered IRP which still owns Tierney Communications. In a seemingly panic move to hide his connection with the Pequots, the domain magically and strategically was changed November 10, 2006 to:

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.136 Madison Ave14th FloorNew York, NY 10016IP: 199.221.98.165

If a curious reader of this post decides to do a reverse IP search on 199.221.98.165 they would find several of Tierney related company websites.

For further affirmation, telephone calls placed to the Tierney Agency (PR firm for the Pequot’s new Foxwoods bid) have revealed that Tierney is still at the helm whether he claims to have ‘sold’ the company or not.

Enter the Governor:
Gadding insult to injury, Governor Ed Rendell’s outspoken lauding for Brian Tierney and Ed Mahlman (former State Lottery Director) now of Tierney’s “Philadelphia Media Holdings” has not gone unnoticed as have Rendell’s and Tierney’s shared speaking engagements for the “Entrepreneurs’ Forum of Greater Philadelphia”.

The math is quite simple really:
If Trump Street is awarded the license – Tierney wins.
If the Pequot’s Foxwoods is awarded the license – Tierney wins.

Does Tierney actually believe the people of the City of Philadelphia were going to fall for this Corporation Two-step?

With Tierney having placed chips on each number and color, it won’t matter where the ball drops. Given Tierney’s close knit group of fellow developer mogul friends, one wonders who will eventually be given the rights to build the casino regardless of what company is awarded. Perhaps close pal, Bruce Toll?

Applying Rendell’s relationship with Tierney certainly doesn’t make the deal less conspicuous.

Let the Pequots & Tierney play the “company name transfer shuffle” all they want. The people aren’t stupid. Even if the gaming commission is fooled, the people of Philadelphia are not!