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On June 30, local developer Richard Hope envisioned a big press event.

After all, Hope would soon be announcing that country stars Garth Brooks and Shania Twain would be at the Brownsville Sports Park Sept. 5. He had contracted an advertising agency and talked to a stage and lighting contractor. He had sent out e-mails to people, telling them about the upcoming concert and offering to reserve tickets. Hope even had "artist approved" media packages.

But Hope’s plans all went wrong. He claims Houston concert promoter Hiro Jamal Hariram swindled him out of $46,000 in holding and deposit fees for the concerts that were never to take place.

Hope’s allegations were gleaned from interviews with The Brownsville Herald, an affidavit that Hope filed with the Brownsville Police Department and that he provided to the Herald regarding his experience with Hariram, Hariram’s Empire Media Group, and the booking agreement between Hope and the Empire Media Group.

Police Chief Carlos Garcia said he could not release or discuss any affidavit pending investigations.

Hope’s extensive planning for the Sept. 5 concert came to an abrupt halt on June 30, however, when Brooks’ and Twain’s attorneys called him, telling him to stop using the stars’ names and that they knew nothing of a concert.

Hope said Hariram fooled him into believing he was booking Brooks and Twain for September for $140,000 and the Jonas Brothers, a pop star group, for March 2010. The fee for the Jonas Brothers would have been $205,000. On Wednesday Hope said that Hariram’s ruse had been "very, very well orchestrated."

Hope of R & R Hope Properties, LP told the Herald that he simply allowed his desire to pursue an opportunity and to "make something happen (for Brownsville) cloud my judgment."

Hariram also is charged with stealing $9,562 from the city for a July 4 concert that was supposed to feature the Boyz II Men musical group.

Hariram’s attorney, Michael L. Young, has said that the Boyz II Men concert was cancelled because "there were delays in payment by the city," and that the issues with the city hindered his client’s ability to secure other acts. Young also said that his client didn’t steal anything from the city and Hope and that the disagreements are of a civil and not criminal nature.

In response to Hope’s version of events, Young said Thursday: "Our investigation so far is focused on the contract with the city. We’re still investigating the situation with Mr. Hope. When we have more information regarding that particular contract then we will certainly make it available to the district attorney’s office and to the Herald."

Young also added that Hope is very experienced in the event promotion business and pointed to a June 13 Tejano concert, which Hope promoted with an another intermediary. Hariram does business as an intermediary, Young said.

"The fact that Mr. Hope with all his experience selected Mr. Hariram to act as the intermediary (for the Sept. 5 concert) is a testament to my client’s experience in the industry," Young said.

For his part, Hope said: "I didn’t do the level of investigation (on Hariram) that I should have done."

"When we found out that this was a ruse, we were shocked and disturbed. It represents a significant financial loss for us, not just on the amount paid, but on the efforts leading up to it," Hope said.

Hope felt compelled to come forward following Monday’s press conference where Hariram maintained that he did nothing wrong. "That is just nonsense!" Hope said.

City Parks Director Chris Patterson introduced Hariram to Hope. However, Hope said he doesn’t blame the city in "any way, shape, or form."

Meanwhile, Hope also is presently dealing with the city, regarding the June 13 concert that Hope promoted at the Brownsville Sports Park that headlined Tejano singer Bobby Pulido.

The agreement between the city and Hope dated April 24 called for a $25,000 "donation" that Hope offered to the city for use of the park.

Hope gave the city a $10,000 deposit. He said Wednesday that he owed the city only an additional $10,000 because he injected $5,000 in electrical improvements to the park to accommodate events.

Hope said he would be paying the $10,000 in installments of $1,000 a month, explaining that the June 13 concert did not generate profits.

City Attorney Mark E. Sossi had understood that Hope owed $15,000, not $10,000 and said he had been unaware of the $5,000 in electrical improvements.

City Manager Charlie Cabler signed the agreement and said Thursday that significant electrical improvements were made and that Hope is submitting receipts to justify the $5,000 expenditure. Cabler said that Hope has now made a $1,000 payment toward the debt. "I trust Mr. Hope and know that he will account for the remaining balance," Cabler said.

Cabler said the Hope concert had been at no risk to the city and that the event had been very positive. "It worked out very well for the city," Cabler said.

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/hope-100553-garth-shania.html