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Kristy Tallman
Dark Money, Haitian Migrants, and Real Estate Scams: What’s Really Happening in Ohio?
3 days ago
Inflated real estate deals tied to Solar Collective LLC raise concerns over money laundering in Ohio.Photo byStock Image
By Kristy Tallman | September 2024
CLARK COUNTY, OHIO - Something strange is happening in Clark County, Ohio. Millions of dollars are being funneled into real estate deals where properties are bought at wildly inflated prices. Add to that an influx of Haitian migrants and Governor Mike DeWine’s political donations from the real estate sector, and the questions become unavoidable: What’s the real motive behind these transactions, and why is no one talking?
Suspicious Property Transactions by Solar Collective LLC
On July 10, 2023, Solar Collective LLC purchased 24 properties in Clark County, Ohio, each for $1.6 million, despite the properties having much lower appraised values. Some examples include:
526 W Mulberry Street - Springfield Ohio sold for $1.6M appraised at $18kPhoto byClark County Land Records
526 W Mulberry St: Appraised at $18,100, purchased for $1.6 million.
508 W Mulberry St: Appraised at $23,770, purchased for $1.6 million.
1235 Jefferson St: Appraised at $43,660, purchased for $1.6 million.
508 W Mulberry St - Springfield Ohio sold for $1.6M appraised at $23kPhoto byClark County Land Records
This raises the fundamental question: Why would anyone pay $1.6 million for properties worth so little? These inflated prices suggest money laundering or fraud, especially considering no property improvements justify such inflated values. In fact, the scale of these transactions points to a possible broader scheme of hiding illicit financial activity or trafficking through fake real estate deals.
1235 Jefferson St - Springfield Ohio - sold for $1.6M appraised at $43KPhoto byClark County Land Records
The involvement of Premier Property Rentals Ltd, the previous owner of these properties, adds another layer of mystery, as their connection to Solar Collective LLC and these inflated sales remains unclear.
Political Donations and Ties to Real Estate
Governor DeWine's connections to these transactions become more suspicious when examining his political donations from the real estate sector. Between 2019 and 2021, DeWine received substantial donations from real estate interests, raising red flags about potential conflicts of interest. His notable donations from real estate include:
$122,666 in 2020.
$196,231 in 2021.
These donations, coinciding with the inflated purchases by Solar Collective LLC, suggest a deeper relationship between DeWine’s political influence and real estate activities. The alignment of donations with questionable real estate dealings could point to a pay-to-play scheme, where state contracts or favors are granted in return for financial support.
The Role of the Haitian Migrant Influx
In a troubling twist, the Biden-Harris administration relocated a significant number of Haitian migrants to Clark County, Ohio, in the same time frame as these real estate purchases. While the official narrative focused on providing homes for the migrants, the inflated property values suggest a darker motive.
These properties, purchased at exorbitant prices with no clear intention for development or enhancement, could potentially serve as staging areas for human trafficking. Given the lack of transparency and the involvement of shell companies, there is growing speculation that these properties might be fronts for housing or trafficking individuals.
Pete Santilli’s Explosive Allegations
Investigative journalist Pete Santilli has added fuel to these suspicions, raising concerns about Governor DeWine’s connections to Haiti. According to Santilli, DeWine’s long-standing involvement with Haitian charity efforts, including the Becky DeWine School, could be a front for money laundering or trafficking. Santilli claims that the inflated real estate purchases by Solar Collective LLC are evidence of a larger scheme to funnel money while trafficking Haitian migrants into Clark County.
Santilli stated: "We now suspect that his pleas to the federal government for relief money are undoubtedly one more ladle which he can dip into the Haitian stew to enrich his family."
These accusations point to the possibility that DeWine may be leveraging state resources, including migrant protection, to fund or hide illicit activities. DeWine’s deployment of Ohio State Troopers to guard the Haitian migrants under the guise of protecting them from external threats further raises suspicion of a cover-up.
Potential Money Laundering through Shell Companies
The role of Solar Collective LLC, registered as both a California and Delaware entity, complicates the investigation. Shell companies are often used in money laundering schemes to conceal the true source of funds by inflating property prices or using properties as fronts for illegal operations. The fact that 24 properties were purchased at inflated prices, all at once, points to a coordinated effort to funnel money and hide illicit financial activity.
Why the Properties Were Purchased at Inflated Prices
The core question remains: Why would Solar Collective LLC pay $1.6 million for properties that are worth so little? No reasonable financial strategy explains paying such inflated prices for properties in Clark County. The consistent overvaluation across multiple properties points to either fraudulent activity or an attempt to obscure the true purpose of these properties—which, given the allegations, may involve trafficking or laundering activities.
The inflated prices also coincide with DeWine’s political donations from real estate interests, raising concerns about potential political favoritism or pay-to-play practices. Whether these properties are being used to house Haitian migrants or as fronts for more nefarious activities, the inflated values make it clear something is deeply wrong.
A Call for Investigation
Given the scale of the suspicious property transactions, the involvement of shell companies, and Governor DeWine’s connections to both the real estate sector and Haitian charities, there must be a thorough investigation into these dealings.
Who is behind Solar Collective LLC?
Why were properties purchased at such inflated prices?
What role does the influx of Haitian migrants play in these activities?
The people of Ohio deserve answers. It’s time to investigate whether state resources, including real estate transactions, have been used to facilitate illicit activities such as money laundering and human trafficking.
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