Questions were raised about that program over whether the city had awarded grants and loans to property owners with city ties. Among them was Barnes, who at the time was a councilman. Outside the United Islamic Center, Barnes said he knew neither what the FBI was investigating nor where the probe was headed. He said he had done nothing wrong. Politics is politics.
Business is business.
I'm sure this is political. City residents and leaders have reacted with shock, sadness, and glee to the new round of subpoenaes. Critics of Barnes, such as Councilman Thomas C. Rooney Jr., welcomed the investigation. It shows that the federal government is concerned about what is going on here. I'm glad they are here.