Former Roanoke City Councilman Alfred Dowe files for bankruptcy
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Former Roanoke City Councilman Alfred Dowe files...
Court records show Dowe filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcyUpdate 6:40 p.m.
Dowe declined to comment for this story. Although his attorneys released the following statement:
“Through his bankruptcy, Mr. Dowe seeks to properly resolve particular and personal financial difficulties. On several previous occasions, Mr. Dowe has reimbursed the City for expenses raised by the City’s audit process.
Mr. Dowe has cooperated with all parties in this matter and looks forward to the opportunity to continue such cooperation.”
John Lichtenstein
John Fishwick
Counsel to Alfred Dowe
Update 3:35 p.m.
There’s not a whole lot of paperwork on file at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s clerk’s office in downtown Roanoke about Dowe’s Chapter Seven.
He’s required to file a list of all the stuff he owns, and whom he owes money to, within the next 15 days.
Dowe checked boxes on his “voluntary petition” that he owed between 1-49 people or businesses money.
He estimated his assets at between $100,001 to $500,000.
He estimated his total liabilities, or those he owes money to, at the same range.
Paperwork on file also shows he had a meeting with a credit counselor by internet and phone Monday afternoon.
The meeting is required by federal law and is designed to be a last ditch effort to avoid filing bankruptcy.
I’m putting together a series of stories on this with a live report on WSLS 10 On Your Side at 5 PM and another at 6 PM.
Original post:
More money problems for Alfred Dowe.
Court records show the former Roanoke City Councilman has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. That’s the more serious kind of bankruptcy.
In February of 2008, Dowe resigned from Council after allegations surfaced that he double billed the City and Commonwealth for travel expenses.
Buena Vista Commonwealth’s Attorney Christopher Russell took over the investigation of Dowe from Roanoke City Commonwealth’s Attorney Don Caldwell back in July of 2008. A judge appointed Russell as special prosecutor.
More information as we get it.
Reader Reactions
What a joke this guy is. He is (or was, I don’t know his current status) a personal financial advisor for Northwestern Mutual in Roanoke. Some financial advisor! If I were a person who had hired him, I’d be worrying about identity theft since he would have access to personal information such as social security numbers. And, what an actor—preaching the word of the Lord, accepting awards for being such an outstanding businessman, citizen, and mentor to our youth. He could often be seen picking up the tab for meals and cocktails at many of Roanoke’s finer restaurants and bars. Shame on him for being not only a thief but a coward for taking the easy way and declaring bankruptcy. I echo the sentiments of another viewer—who else could steal from their employer, admit guilt, pay it back, and simply resign (and continue to show his face at city events, whether invited or not)? Only in American government! He admitted guilt and misuse of city and/or state funds when he paid back monies uncovered in the city audit and resigned, so when is the special prosecutor going to file criminal charges against him? He deserves no special treatment. We all make mistakes and bad choices in life, but we also have to step up to the plate and face the consequences. I firmly believe he knew good and well what he was doing—he just didn’t think he’d get caught. How does a bow tie look with an orange prison suit?
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