I know that a republican being caught in a lie is a “dog bites man” story nowadays. With Terry Strine flat out lying to the Washington Times and not being called on it (other than here) I guess people are so used to Republicans lying that it is not newsworthy anymore.
But, let’s face it, there are small lies and big lies. If you read Celia’s most recent droppings, you know the small lie. The small lie is the “I’m lying but we all know it, so – (wink wink), let’s have a little fun” lie. That column is a Celia Cohen staple. Next to her “Delaware political genealogy” stories and her hagiographies of Carper and Castle, it is her favorite type of story.
In fact, as election season picks up steam I am sure her “I’m lying but we all know it so – (wink wink), let’s have a little fun” stories will take up more and more of her time. I think the “I’m lying but we all know it so – (wink wink), let’s have a little fun” make her feel like an insider.
Anyway… her current column tries to be that light hearted (wink wink) type column, but in today’s installment not only does Alan Levin allow himself to be the first banana in Cohen’s little vaudeville routine (lying about a little thing like running for Governor) but he indicates that he might be a big liar when it comes to bigger questions.
Celia introduces her new boyfriend in this column by
screwing up and letting her knowledge of a very big lie slip in. It appears Levin told Walgreen’s – and more importantly Walgreen’s investors – that he would stay on with Walgreen’s for three years.
So? (I can hear Dave Burris saying even now.)
Well here is the problem. Walgreen’s, until the Happy Harry’s acquisition, had depended on organic growth through the opening of new, wholly owned outlets. It was one of the things investors liked about the company. They did not (until Alan Levin lied and said he would stay on for three years) get mixed up in messy, expensive, unpredictable acquisitions. [Read “Good to Great” for the full disclosure on how important the “organic growth” is to Walgreen’s investors.]
Long story short: Worried Walgreen’s investors were glad to see Al was staying on board. It was a point that the company stressed in its press release announcing the deal.
Reflecting the unique circumstances surrounding the deal–and the high regard Walgreen’s has for its new retail prize–Happy Harry s will be run as a subsidiary of Walgreen’s, with Levin remaining as chairman of the new division, said Walgreen’s spokesman Michael Polzin.
Added Bernauer, “Being part of the community is another common value we share, and we look forward to Alan continuing to direct that involvement in the region.“
Alan Levin flat out lied to Walgreen’s investors about his intentions. He may have also lied to the commerce department and the SEC that had to okay the acquisition. A quick look at the Walgreen’s filings on the matter will determine that.
Regardless, I’m not lawyer, but I think lying to investors is dealt with more severely than lying to the Government. I’ll defer to my lawyer/readers on that question.
As for Celia, I don’t think she meant to shine a spotlight on this big ass Levin lie. It is not her style. Sending Delaware politicians to jail is not what she is all about. She prefers sending them love letters.