“Happy” Al Levin a liar? Clearly, yes.
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.
Big deal. The guy is cavalier about lying to Walgreen’s investors. I’m sure he will not be so blasé about lying to Delaware voters.
You finally did it. You made me laugh so hard I spit my Wheaties out all over my keyboard.
It’s been at least 18 months since we got into this game, and not once have you made me eject food from my mouth.
Congratulations. You owe me a bowl of Wheaties.
…and a keyboard apparently.
So? (I can hear Dave Burris saying even now.)
*SPurrtlgurrrploffts!* (I can hear Dave Burris ejaculating even now).
Notice Dave does not address the unassailable truth of the post, that Levin lied his ass off to Walgreen’s investors.
BTW –
I strongly recommend “Good to Great.” It is a business book that transcends the genre by getting into actual facts about what differentiates the merely good company from the great company.
One of those points of differentiation is the fact that M&A activity plays virtually no role in building great companies.
And Hillary Clinton said she was interested in serving the voters of New York…
And Jack Markell ran for a term of office he had no intention of completing…
And Al Gore buys his “carbon offsets” from a company he owns…
If you want to play the hypocrite game, you better be wearing a cup, Jason.
I’ve scheduled Al Levin for the “WDEL Delaware News at Noon” at @ 12:15 p.m., today (Thursday, June 14th).
Also—You may want to check my latest blog on transparency and desk-drawers in Delaware state government, and respond either to me or “Number One Fan”. (Allan Loudell blog at http://www.wdel.com)
Allan Loudell
News Anchor–Reporter–Interviewer
1150 A.M. — WDEL Radio & http://www.wdel.com
Delmarva Broadcasting Company
2727 Shipley Road
Wilmington, Delaware DE 19810
(302) 478-2700 — Extension & Voice-Mail: 161
aloudell@wdel.com
an0nym00se –
I justy call them as I see ’em.
Notice, everyone, how Moose ignores the unassailable truth of the post, that Levin lied his ass off to Walgreen’s investors.
Allan –
While Levin’s agreement with Walgreen’s probably gives him a legal “out” – I’d be interested in how he justifies his lie to the Walgreen’s investors.
Plus, selling out his daddy’s good name to this mega-corp has destroyed the customer relations and the quality of service we all came to expect from their pharmacy, now totally trashed.
And Jack Markell ran for a term of office he had no intention of completing…
*
Markell was coy enough but perfectly honest about his potentially running for governor. I sat in the audience at Brandywine HS when he was asked about it.
Dave, in case you’re looking at your messy keyboard and thinking about running it through the dishwasher, you might want to check out this story to see if it’s safe:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11029793
I don’t need to debunk your theories, even if I know the truth. Normal people know by now not to believe you.
“Normal” being the operative description of the DE GOP for the past ten years. Its like your boss’s screaming being described as “positive” feedback.
While Walgreens had employed “organic growth” in the past, the rapid growth that the purchase of 74 outlets created wasn’t entirely unknown to them. IN late June of 2006, they purchased Medmark, a full-service, national specialty pharmacy company providing biopharmaceuticals, supplies and services to meet the unique or chronic needs of those patients requiring specialized pharmacy care. They also operate nearly 6000 stores, generated $47.6 billion in revenue in 2005, and open a new store every 17 hours on average. (Thanks, wikipedia)
So the Happy Harry’s acquisition, which you would have us believe was a giant Alan Levin conspiracy to defraud stockholders and the federal government (and that is what you accused him of), was just Walgreens taking care of about 14% of the annual growth, and wasn’t even the company’s largest acquisition that month.
Please, Moose!
Can you kindly take the common sense and accuracy elsewhere!
We have been failing as a country ever since we let corps in the door to capture the rights of ordinary citizens. Money is their bottom line and more and more they are beholden to stockholding majority voices. Loyalty is to the almighty dollar and we all lose out because of it.
GOP = Who gives a fuck about the general welfare.
Your damage controll operations needs some fine tuning.
So the Happy Harry’s acquisition, which you would have us believe was a giant Alan Levin conspiracy to defraud stockholders
That is a straw man. Let’s keep to the facts. Levin said he was going to stay on for three years. He lied.
Burris is used to this kind of flip floppery – I find it jarring.
Yes it’s a lie, but it’s the same little white lie that every CEO tells when they sell out. Nobody believes it. Everybody knows in a year or two they are going to resign to spend more time with their possessions.
“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.”
This is a quote, Jason. From you. That’s a fact, and it’s the one I’m concerned with.
From Celia’s article:
Do you think moving to Chicago was in the package he agreed to?
Do you think moving to Chicago would allow Levin to calm investors’ worries about their new acquisition?
Get. Over. Yourself.
Regardless, I’m not lawyer,
I was saying that I don’t know the legal ramifications (if any) of the lie. Thank you for pointing that out again.
Dave,
I’m not saying that his contract didn’t give him any leagal “outs” – I’m pointing out that he said one thing back when the company was aquired – and is saying something different now.
It is absolutly undisputable that he said “I’m staying” and is now saying “adios.”
Is it not clear that the company is the active participant in this situation, and not Alan Levin?
The company clearly said if he wants to stay he needs to go to Chicago. He said no, thanks.
What is unclear about this?
Happy Harry s will be run as a subsidiary of Walgreen’s, with Levin remaining as chairman of the new division,
He is bailing two years and 7 months prior to when he said he was going to bail. Who knows why? But should someone that flakey (dishonest) be Governor? I guess you are saying, “yes”
How does he perform the duties of Chairman from Chicago?
Can’t you see that the company is driving this decision?
Of course you can’t, because that would mean you are wrong.
Trust me, bro. You’re wrong.
He lied. It is that simple. Anyway, it is moot. He is going to have his ass handed to him by Markell.
I just wanted the record to be complete.
No, he didn’t.
“Levin will continue to do radio ads and special projects for Walgreen’s, and will remain as a consultant with them. He has a three-year consulting agreement with the company.“(lk)
I want to hear you say the following words: “I am a stupid ass and I was wrong.”
June 14, 2007 at 2:15 pm
And people say that blogs don’t have any impact.
Still haven’t answered why this:
“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.”
doesn’t equal this:
“So the Happy Harry’s acquisition, which you would have us believe was a giant Alan Levin conspiracy to defraud stockholders and the federal government…”
No duh. Because I don’t presume to know if his lie about his tenure as chairman of the new division amounts to a conspiracy to defraud stockholders. I said that the lie could be interpreted as having adverse effects on stockholders. Particulary given Walgreen’s track record. But I’ll leave it to the courts to determine if that lie did have an adverse effect.
(I did not say conspiracy by the way, as a conspiracy by definition involves two people.)
The fact that Levin has recently updated his remarks has impressed Dave, but not me. He bailed on his chairmanship. That is a fact.
Anyway – you are missing the big picture. Intentionally no doubt.
Does this mean that when John Kerry said he was running for President in 2008 and now he isn’t, he’s a liar too?
Link please.
No, Ryan…it just means he’s a “flip-flopper” again. Much like Mitt Romney.
SAY IT!!!!
no way bro. it took me a second to figure out why I am still right, but i did it. One word.
Chairmanship!!
I doubt that Walgreens ever put a move to Chicago in as a deal-breaker. A bit too convenient to be believed.
SAY IT!!! SAY IT!!!