City of Eagle Pass Paid Over $941,292 to Just 1 Management LLC Prior to Signing Contract
The 57 South Music Festival, intended to be a highlight event for Eagle Pass, has been mired in controversy due to the hiring of Just 1 Management LLC. Questions have arisen about the transparency and decision-making processes of the city officials involved. The City of Eagle Pass has recently released some documents related to the festival, but many crucial details remain undisclosed, sparking further scrutiny and public outcry.
Controversial Hiring of Just 1 Management LLC
Just 1 Management LLC was selected to manage and promote the 57 South Music Festival despite having no prior experience with events of this magnitude. The City of Eagle Pass has refused to release the scoring sheets used by three city employees to determine the selection of Just 1 Management LLC. This lack of transparency has raised significant concerns among residents and stakeholders. How was a company with no relevant experience chosen to manage such a significant event? What criteria were used in the selection process?
Recent Document Releases and Withheld Information
In response to a Texas Public Information Act request, the City of Eagle Pass released the contract between the city and Just 1 Management LLC, executed in March 2024, along with an addendum added in April 2024. However, the city has consistently refused to release the contracts between Just 1 Management LLC and the artists who performed at the festival. Additionally, documents showing the financial transactions related to the festival were provided in an unorganized and difficult-to-follow format, including check requests, checks paid, and invoices.
RELATED: Questionable Practices in the 57 South Music Festival Selection Process
Financial Discrepancies and Concerns
One of the most troubling revelations from the released documents is the payment of hundreds of thousands of dollars to Just 1 Management LLC before any official contract was signed by a city official. The documents reveal a series of check requests and payments that were processed months before the contract’s official execution date. How can such large payments be justified without a formal contract in place? Who approved these payments?
The released documents show four check requests made to Just 1 Management LLC prior to the signing of the contract in March 2024:
- On August 16, 2023, a check request for $18,200 was made for “Noches Mexicanas Talent Fee and Marketing Services Monthly Management Fee.”
- On August 17, 2023, another check request for $385,000 was made for “Talent Fee Deposits, Management Fee.”
- On July 14, 2023, a check request for $250,305 was made for “Talent Fee Deposits, Management Fees and Sizzle Reel & Logo.”
- On November 27, 2023, a check request for $287,787.50 was made for “2nd Payment – Talent Fee Deposits, Management Fee.”
The total amount paid to Just 1 Management LLC before the contract was officially signed in March 2024 sums up to whooping $941,292.60.
However, it is important to note that due to the unorganized and incomplete records provided by the city, it is difficult to determine if there were additional payments made prior to the contract being signed, meaning the actual total could be higher.
Could there be even more undisclosed payments? What else might be hidden in the disorganized records?
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
The ongoing controversy has led to increased calls for transparency and accountability from the city administration. Residents and local officials are demanding a full disclosure of all related documents and an explanation of the decision-making process that led to the hiring of Just 1 Management LLC.
The 57 South Music Festival, which was intended to be a major cultural event for Eagle Pass, has instead highlighted serious issues regarding transparency and financial management within the city administration. As the public demands more information and accountability, the full extent of the decisions and actions taken remains to be seen. The City of Eagle Pass faces mounting pressure to clarify its processes and ensure that such controversies do not recur in future events.
Why has the city been so reluctant to share these details? What are they trying to hide?
RELATED: City Council Selects Forensic Auditor for Review of 57 South Music Festival
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