Hilly Boy's Deception (as in the Lovely Tennessee Rep. Matthew Hill)

If Fred Phillips does run against Hill, Rusty Crowe appears to be one person who will not put up with negative attacks on Phillips. The Hill clan might have already hacked Crowe off with radio attacks on Phillips. If only the Hill family knew how to be nice.
View Entire Post as Seperate Page

Interesting how Rep. Matthew Hill’s name is missing from this bit of I-26 news, and he’s on the transportation committee, I believe. I wonder if Crowe and Davis think Phillips or someone else is going to run against Hill in the primary. Recently I was informed that there are quite a few hard core Republicans in Washington County who do not like Hill and would like to see him go. Good to know it’s not just me.
View Entire Post as Seperate Page

Well, it was just a rumor anyway. Looks like Fred Phillips has resigned from his post, probably against his will. Even with this development I think he could beat Hilly boy, but at his age I don't think it's worth it. Who knows though. Looks like Hill dodged a bullet there, for a while. At least it was fun to see the Hill clan shaking in their boots for a few weeks.
View Entire Post as Seperate Page

Rumor has it, this guy might challenge Hilly boy. It appears from his knowledge and experience that he would be a better leader asleep than Matthew Hill at anytime.

With this rumor, Hilly boy has decided to launch his campaign for re-election. Over the last few weeks, Matthew's radio puppet, Timothy, has been harping on the Tennessee Highway Patrol about how evil they all are. He even started mentioning Fred Phillips by name. I doubt that their horrible radio station will offer an equal amount of air time for Phillips to "campaign" against Hill. If I were a fire fighter or law enforcement official in Tennessee, I would be fighting mad about how Hilly boy is trashing them out of fear of being defeated. This will mark the second time that Hill has disrespected a man old enough to be his grandfather by running the man's name through the mud. All the while, Hilly boy claims to be a fine upstanding Christian.
---
Commissioner Fred Phillips is no stranger to the Department of Safety. In 1991, he served as the director of the department's Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, which is responsible for coordinating training for law enforcement officers statewide. He then served as Deputy Commissioner of the department and commander of the Tennessee Highway Patrol from January 1993 until he was elected Sheriff of Washington County in September of 1994. As Sheriff, he oversaw a number of initiatives, including the launch of 29 community watch programs, and the creation of a reserve officer training program in which citizens provide vital public safety support to deputies.

He had just begun his third term as Sheriff when Governor Phil Bredesen asked him to come back to the Department of Safety, this time as commissioner. He brought with him nearly 40 years of law enforcement experience, beginning as a patrolman for the Johnson City Police Department, and spending most of the 80's as their police chief. Along the way, he served three years as a special agent for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The Jonesborough native serves on the boards of the National Sheriffs Association, which elected him "Sheriff of the Year" by a unanimous vote in 1999. Commissioner Phillips holds an associates degree in criminal justice from Walters State Community College in Morristown. He and his wife Verla have two children and four grandchildren.
View Entire Post as Seperate Page

Luckily, our local legislators did finally decide to respond to issue of drag racing. However, this first bill does not address the issue of performance parts that have no place on the highway. Parts just like those sold at the gothic cathedral-like Ride Revolutions, the Gregory owned company that sells nitrous kits. Yep, the same family that funded most of Hilly boy's campaign in 2004.

Rusty Crowe addressed the use of nitrous oxide for cars on highways, but Hilly boy did not say a word. If he does not vocally condemn the sale and use of these murderous parts for highway use, he clearly cannot stand on his own two feet as a person. In addition, it appears that this aspect of the legislation that Crowe is working on is not fully supported by Kathy Beard. According to her "the sale of nitrous oxide should be outlawed." I agree.
View Entire Post as Seperate Page

The U.S. Justice Department's announced that King Pharmaceuticals Inc. has agreed to pay $124 million to resolve claims that it underpaid rebates to state Medicaid programs and overcharged various federal and state entities for its drug products. The federal investigation and settlement was the result of a whistleblower complaint.

“We’re glad the U.S. Justice Department has reached an agreement with King Pharmaceuticals that will allow the taxpayers to recoup at least some of the funds owed to them," said Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke. "At a time when TennCare and other state Medicaid programs are increasingly strained, it’s important for the nation’s drug companies to live up to their financial and moral commitments.”

“Over the past few years, John Gregory and King Pharmaceuticals have funneled millions of dollars into the accounts of the Tennessee Republican Party and various political action committees and individual campaigns,” Tuke said. “Republican politicians in this state need to do some deep soul-searching if they intend to continue accepting money from the Gregory family and King Pharmaceuticals."

He added, “We’re putting the Republicans on notice today: If you take another dime of this dirty money, the voters are going to hear about it.”

“This is taxpayer money that was taken away from health care for the poor, the sick and the disabled. Unfortunately, state Medicaid programs, including TennCare, only are getting back a fraction of what's really owed to them.”

Tuke said political contributions from Gregory, who founded King Pharmaceuticals, "now clearly are tainted because of the drug maker’s questionable business practices that occurred under his management. In modern politics, this is as close as it gets to blood money. Any member of the Tennessee General Assembly who has taken money with ties to John Gregory or King Pharmaceuticals ought to be ashamed. They ought to return it immediately, or resign."

He chided Republicans who in news reports today defended Gregory as “a good Christian man.” He said, “Taking money from ordinary citizens and funneling it into personal wealth and political contributions is inherently un-Christian. Anyone who received such contributions ought to send them back."
---
Apparently, King will "pay Tennessee's Medicaid program $5.3 million in reimbursements and penalties for drug over charges over nine years, according to the tentative settlement released today. Of the total from the Bristol, Tenn., company, the state would receive $1.9 million and the federal government the rest, said Sharon Curtis-Flair of the state Attorney General's Office. Half of the total is a penalty, and the remainder is restitution, she said."
---
Here's some earlier trouble that Gregory got into:
In 2003, a complaint to the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance charged that Gregory had used contributions to a PAC to skirt laws limiting how much individuals can give to a candidate. Gregory was the only contributor to a PAC created by Sen. Ron Ramsey when it donated $15,000 to a Republican Senate candidate. The registry deadlocked along party lines on whether the contribution was improper.
View Entire Post as Seperate Page

It appears that Daddy Hill is using assets of a non-profit organization for purely political activities. He is utilizing his aecc.org email account for partisan political activity --- it is a big IRS no-no to use the assets of a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt for such political activities:

State Executive Committee
http://www.tngop.org/leadership/sec.asp
Senate District 2
Counties Represented: Johnson, Sullivan
Mr. Kenneth Hill
139 Polo Drive
Blountville, Tennessee 37617
Phone: (423) 279-0874
Work Phone: (423) 878-6279
Fax: (423) 878-6520
E-mail: kchill@aecc.org

Admittedly, this is smaller than their earlier political misuse of the assets of a non-profit organization.

This is not surprising, since Hilly boy has done the same thing himself.
---

In late October, Rep. Steve Godsey was complaining about the lack of progress of TDOT highway projects in Northeast Tennessee. I am pretty confident he was not a big fan of Hilly boy's attempt to cut the Tennessee gasoline tax, along with the revenues available for new state highway construction and maintenance projects.
---

In early November, Hilly boy had an open house at exactly the same time as the Northeast Tennessee Republican Club and the Washington County Young Republicans held a barbeque and bluegrass meet and greet. Apparently, Matthew Hill was not invited, or he wanted to try to upstage them.

At Hill's open house, his legislative assistant, Joan Achuff, came to help. Given that Gov. Bredesen has asked the executive branch agencies to reduce unnecessary state travel, I am wondering if Rep. Matthew Hill actually flew in his legislative assistant, Joan Achuff, from Nashville while he attended the Republican barbeque --- Rep. Hill's official web site lists Achuff with a Nashville telephone number, so the assumption is that Achuff is based in Nashville.
View Entire Post as Seperate Page

Well, it appears that the Gregory owned King Pharmaceuticals fortune would not be possible if it were not for the RU-486 "morning after" abortion pill. Below you will find a detailed explanation and timeline demonstrating how the Gregory family made their fortune by refusing to listen to every major anti-abortion group in the country. It just looks shady and Hill is right in the middle of it by taking all their money.
---

RU486 - HOECHST MARION ROUSSEL
ALTACE BOYCOTT- GREGORY TIME LINE...(click & scroll down)

note: Prior to late 1998, many national anti-abortion groups across the United States were organizing for boycotts of products made by U.S. subsidary operations of Hoechst AG --- the following timeline entries pertaining to certain noteable I.G. Farben business practices during the Nazi Germany era (circa 1929-1945) are excerpts found at anti-abortion web sites protesting RU-486

The upshot here is that during the summer of 1995 the Gregorys --- and more specifically, King Pharmaceticals, Inc. CEO John M. and Presdent Jeffersen Gregory --- broke the 1994 National Right To Life Committee boycott of Altace by starting negotiations to purchase U.S. distribution rights of Altace from Hoechst Marion Roussel
------------------------------------------------------------------------




1932 - I.G. Farben

- I.G. Farben was the name of the company that was responsible for many of the things that the holocaust has become known for. In 1932 I.G. gave Adolf Hitler its full support during the election which resulted in Hitler being presented with the Chancellorship of Germany. Without the support of I.G. Farben, Hitler could not have won his political fight. More often than any other corporation I.G. sat in the center of a web of international cartel agreements and participated in the plundering of other nations including Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Holland, Belgium, France and the rest of Central Europe.
RU 486...RU Crazy?! http://www.factsoflife.org
1941
- I.G. Farben had a big part in developing chemical/gas warfare. Toxic gases were produced at Hoechst AG, AFGA, and Leverkusen plants. I.G. [Farben] produced fully 95% of the poison gas for Germany. It was called Zyklon B, a commercial form of hydrocyanic acid, which actively forms a gas upon contact with air. It was manufactured by a firm called Degesch which was largely owned by I.G. Farben, and had been brought to Auschwitz in the summer of 1941 as a vermin killer and disinfectant.
RU 486...RU Crazy?! http://www.factsoflife.org
1945

- I.G. Farben ran the Buna Rubber Works at Auschwitz as a result of opening a corporate concentration camp known as Monowitz on May 21, 1945. I.G. Farben used slave labor extensively in their factories throughout the Nazi Empire.
RU 486...RU Crazy?! http://www.factsoflife.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
post World War II - Hoechst AG
- The Hoechst AG company is a company that came about as a result of the split of another German company after the dust had settled and the monsters of the Holocaust became more evident. The trials that resulted from the war crimes of WWII resulted in the forced break-up of a German chemical company called I.G. Farben. I.G. Farben was broken up into several smaller companies in the same way being proposed today for Microsoft. The only difference is that I.G. Farben was broken up because they were complicit in many ways as criminals of notoriety during war crimes investigations.

RU 486...RU Crazy?! http://www.factsoflife.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1980 -
- In 1980 a group of French scientists synthesized a molecule that chemically resembles the hormone progesterone. This molecule has a unique ability to bond to the progesterone receptor cells and block their normal activity. The result of the molecule's activity then is to block the body's use of the hormone progesterone which is vital to maintaining a pregnancy.
RU 486...RU Crazy?! http://www.factsoflife.org

1987 - John Gregory
- John Gregory contemplates suicide by firearm; attributes his marital and business problems to alcohol;beomes a born-again Christian. [1]

1988 - Roussel Uclaf, RU-486
- After extensive testing, the French government accepted Mifepristone for public use. The drug is now commonly known as RU-486, the name assigned by the inventor company, Roussel Uclaf, a division of the chemical company Hoechst AG. The "RU" is for Roussel Uclaf, and 486 was the chosen introduction date, April, 1986
RU 486...RU Crazy?! http://www.factsoflife.org

1992

-
1993

- Jefferson (Jeff) J. Gregory (brother of company founder John M. Gregory) is selected as President of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
June 14

- TIME magazine features RU 486 cover art with caption:

The Pill That Changes Everything
A new, simpler way to use RU 486 makes abortion a truly personal and private choice.
Now comes the battle.
http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101930614,00.html

1994
- John Gregory establishes the 501(c)(3) tax exempt King Benevolent Fund (KBF).
July 7
- The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) announces an anti-RU486 boycott directed toward all 65 generic prescription drugs manufactured by Copley Pharmaceuticals, four over-the-counter Copley Pharmaceuticals products, and seven prescription drugs made by Hoechst-Roussel Pharmaceuticals, including the branded prescription cardiovascular drug Altace.

THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT. Friday, July 8, 1994.
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1994/vp940708/07080818.htm


- The Focus on the Family organization mirrors the anti-RU 486 inspired NRLC boycott and identifies the National Right to Life Committee, Life Issues Institute, Family Research Council, Concerned Women of America, Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and Christian Coalition as "partners" in the boycott of Hoechst-Roussel Pharmaceuticals products:

The boycott's targets are all subsidiaries of Hoechst AG, a German company that has more than $7 billion in annual U.S. sales.

RU 486 is expected to enter America by way of The Population Council (TPC) - which asked for and received the RU 486 patent from Hoechst.

[...]

TPC expects to receive Food and Drug Administration approval to offer RU 486 in the U.S. in late 1995.

But Focus on the Family believes a boycott could disrupt that timetable.

"Our constituents have participated in a number of boycotts, and in nearly every one, we've seen companies come to the table looking for ways to get out from under the hot lights of a pro-family boycott," said Tom Minnery, vice president of public policy for Focus on the Family. "We're asking our constituents to do it one more time."

Minnery believes that the boycott could persuade Hoechst to withdraw TPC's [The Population Council] rights to distribute RU 486 in the U.S.


"NOW'S THE TIME TO DEFEND OUR BORDERS". Focus on the Family.
http://www.ewtn.org/library/PROLIFE/RUBOYCOT.TXT

- The anti-choice Americans United for Life and the Eagle Forum organizations join the NRLC boycott of Hoechst-Roussel Pharmaceuticals products that include the HMR branded prescription drug Altace.
November 14

- 3) Pharmacists For Life Joins International Boycott

Having exhausted all reasonable and long-delayed avenues of solution, Pharmacists For Life International (PFLI) joined the numerous other pro-life groups in the international boycott against the parent company of the maker of the French abortion pill, RU-486. On Sept. 17th, the board of PFLI announced that it was joining the boycott against the American subsidiary of Hoechst, AG Hoechst-Roussel, Hoechst-Celanese, its generic subsidiary Coply Pharmaceuticals and the agricultural Hoechst subsidiary.

While other groups are focusing on the consumer side of the Hoechst boycott, PFLI will concentrate on a targeted, segmented approach to pressure Hoechst to rescind the RU486 license it issued to the U.S. pro-abortion organization the Population Council. PFLI will also seek to convince Hoechst to halt the testing of the "Human Pesticide" in the U.S., currently happening at at least 12 known sites, six of which are Planned Parenthood facilities. PFLI will concentrate on seeking support in the profession through institutional practices, wholesale/distributors, and community pharmacies (including independents and chains with latitude), It also is asking groups to *focus* on key Hoechst drugs which have the most economic impact rather than taking an across-the-board shotgun approach.

The drugs with the most potential for having an economic impact on Hoechst include: DiaBeta (glyburide); Altace(ramipril); Lasix(furosmide) and Topicort(desoximetsome). Glyburide is made by Hoechst under the trade name DiaBeta as well as being made by its Copley subsidiary. For a free wallet card or more information write: PLFI, P.O. Box 1281 Powell, OH 43065-1281.

[...]

Life Communications - Volume 4, No. 19 November, 1994
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ProLife.News/1994/pln-0419.txt
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995

- Altace was bringing in under $90 million in revenues for Hoechst; Hoechst had stopped promoting Altace.
http://www.forbesimg.com/forbes/2002/1028/136_print.html
- Hoechst mergers with Marion Merrill Dow forming Hoechst Marion Roussel (HMR)
http://www.forbesimg.com/forbes/2002/1028/136_print.html

- King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. President Jefferson (Jeff) J. Gregory is made a member of the company's Board of Directors.
http://www.kingpharm.com/news_details_invest.asp?id_news=128

- King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. President Jefferson (Jeff) Gregory begins neogotations to purchase Altace from Hoechst Marion Roussel (HMR)
http://www.forbesimg.com/forbes/2002/1028/136_print.html

- ...Thirdly, another reason is that although pro-life is very efficient at fund raising and very effective at publishing, it is oblivious to the needs of the scientific and technological world that is rapidly spinning past them. This was best demonstrated by a conversation I had with pro-life fundraiser, John T. Finn. Mr. Finn, who runs Finn Communications (Redondo Beach, CA), a pro-life communications and marketing firm, told me that the pro-life industry (including education, literature sales, etc.) is a $100 to $200 million dollar industry.

Scientific Disinformation, Abuse, and Neglect Within Pro-Life. Lawrence F. Roberge. 1995.
http://www.cathmed.org/publications/linacrequarterly/1995_01.html

1997
April 21
- Concerned Women For America http://www.cwfa.org/main.asp announces that the anti-RU486 boycott against the U.S. subsidiaries of Hoechst AG & Roussel Uclaf will be more narrorly focused onto the HMR prescription drugs Allegra, Cardizem, Seldane, Claforan, Lasix, DiaBeta, and Nicoderm - Altace is auspiously no longer included by Concerned Women For Americaas as a boycotted Hoechst Marion Roussel product:

Washington, D.C. --The nation's largest pro-family women's organization is standing in support of a boycott against the U.S. subsidiaries of Hoechst AG & Roussel Uclaf, developer and manufacturer of the abortion pill RU-486. The focus of the latest boycott is the new drug Allegra, an antihistamine made by the subsidiary Hoechst Marion Roussel. Concerned Women for America (CWA) participated in the National Right to Life Committee's press briefing at the National Press Club at 1:30 p.m. today.

[...]

When Filling Prescriptions: Upon request, physicians and pharmacists can provide the readily available alternative or generic brand of: Allegra, Cardizem, Seldane, Claforan, Lasix, DiaBeta, and Nicoderm. Another non-sedating antihistamine, such as Claritin, may work as well or better than Allegra. (Where health and safety are concerned, the advice of medical professionals should be followed.)
[...]

Boycott of New Drug 'Allegra' Aimed at Protecting Women & Children From Dangers of RU-486
http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=1317&department=CWA&categoryid=life
1998
- The branded antihypertensive prescription drug Altace generates $92 million dollars for Aventis [sic]

http://www.forbesimg.com/forbes/2002/1028/136_print.html

- In 1998 Hoechst announced it would merge with Rhone-Poulenc to create Aventis, and King Pharmaceuticals acquired U.S. distribution and marketing rights to Altace [from Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc.] for $363 million, or approximately four times revenue.
http://www.forbesimg.com/forbes/2002/1028/136_print.html
May 12

- King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. President Jefferson (Jeff) Gregory contributes $1,000.00 to the Holcomb for Congress-98 election campaign that is seeking to elect former Tennessee State Senator King Pharmaceuticals lobbyist James (Jim) L. Holcomb to represent the Tennessee Ist House District within the U.S. Congress.
September 24

- The failed Holcomb for Congress-98 primary election campaign refunds $797.00 to King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. President Jefferson (Jeff) Gregory.

December 22

- Monarch Pharmaceuticals acquired

Effective December 22, 1998, Monarch Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc., will acquire ownership of the products listed below. After December 21, 1998, Hoechst Marion Roussel will no longer accept and/or ship orders for the listed products. All orders as of December 22, 1998, should then be placed through and will be invoiced by Monarch Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
All orders placed with Hoechst Marion Roussel by December 15, 1998 that have not beenshipped for the special year end trade terms, will be fulfilled by Monarch Pharmaceuticals, Inc., assuming the order meets the terms of the promotion. All returns will be handled by Monarch Pharmaceuticals. Please make all necessary adjustments in your system to reflect this ownership change.
sanofi-aventis Group. http://www.custservices.com/news.asp?up=8

1999

January
August

- King Pharmaceuticals, Inc lobbyist and former Tennessee State Senator Jim Holcomb organizes a King legislative airlift to Nashville aboard a King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. corporate aircraft, transporting several republican Northeast Tennessee members of the Tennessee General Assembly (State Senator Ron Ramsey; State Rep. Jason Mumpower. State Rep. David Davis, and; State Rep. Steve Godsey) to lobby the TennCare Director Brian Lapps for the approval of Altace on the TennCare Preferred Drug List.
September

- Altace is placed on the TennCare Preferred Drug List (PDL).

- (September 26) TennCare Director Brian Lapps resigns.
2000
- "...Consistent with our strategy to acquire established branded pharmaceutical products, we have acquired 34 branded pharmaceutical products since December 1994. Most recently, we acquired three branded pharmaceutical products from Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc. ("HMR"). The acquired products were

(1) the U.S. rights to the Altace(R) product line, an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitor with patent protection until 2008;
(2) HMR's worldwide rightsto the Silvadene(R) product line, a burn cream; and

(3)HMR's worldwide rights to the AVC(TM) product line, a vaginal anti-infective cream."

[...]

"...The acquisition of Altace(R) will also provide strong cash flow, as we have entered into a five-year agreement with Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc. to supply us with Altace(R) at a contract price which, at current selling prices, results in approximately 90% gross margins."
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.1999 10-K, pp. 2-3.
2001

- King's earnings peaked in 2001, when the company reported net operating income of $366 million. Forbes magazine ranked Gregory as the 317th richest person in America, estimating his worth at
$810 million.

The Virginia-Pilot. General Assembly Top donor to Kilgore facing probe.
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=73821&ran=232808
October 16

- JOHN M. GREGORY, CHAIRMAN OF KING PHARMACEUTICALS, ANNOUNCES THAT JEFFERSON J. GREGORY, PRESIDENT OF KING, WILL BECOME ALSO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF KING, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2002

10/16/2001
BRISTOL, Tenn.-King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:KG) announced today that Jefferson J. Gregory, President of King, will become also Chief Executive Officer of King, effective January 1, 2002. John M. Gregory, presently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will continue in the position of Chairman of King.

Jefferson J. Gregory has served as President of King since the Company's founding in 1993 and as a member of the Company's Board of Directors since 1995. He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law with a Juris Doctor in 1985, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy in 1979, and Montgomery College with an Associate of Arts degree in 1976. Jefferson Gregory has greater than thirteen years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

John M. Gregory, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of King, stated, "It is a great pleasure for me to announce the appointment of Jeff Gregory, my brother and long-term business partner in the building of King, as Chief Executive Officer. Jeff has demonstrated his skills as a great business leader through his exceptional performance and dedication while serving in the role of President since King's inception. Specifically, Jeff has led successfully every acquisition by the Company of branded pharmaceutical products, including King's largest product Altace� (ramipril), as well as our most recent acquisition this year of Corzide� (nadolol, bendroflumethiazide) and three other branded products from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company."

"Jeff's promotion will allow me to dedicate myself to focusing more of my time on working with the Company's executive team in the continuing development of our proven growth strategies, while Jeff effectively leads the executive management of the Company and the successful implementation of our strategies," explained John Gregory.

Joseph R. Gregory, Vice Chairman of King, commented, "Along with John, I also congratulate Jeff on his well-deserved promotion. This logical progression well-positions King as we continue to work together for the ongoing success of the Company."

Jefferson J. Gregory, President of King, said, "I am very excited and honored to assume the position of Chief Executive Officer. Moreover, I look forward to continuing to work with King's experienced management team and employees as we successfully build on the Company's extraordinary success."
http://www.kingpharm.com/news_details_invest.asp?id_news=128


2002
January 1

- King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. President Jefferson (Jeff) Gregory is now the new King Chief Executive Officer.

[...]
June

- John Gregory, 50, retired a wealthy man at King's shareholder meeting in June; Gregory's 5% stake in King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is worth an estimated $220 million.
http://www.forbesimg.com/forbes/2002/1028/136_print.html

- The John Gregory owned SJ Strategic Investments, LLC filed charter with Tennessee Secretary of State
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2003

- Long-time Sullivan County resident Matthew Hill announces his sate representative candidacy with the 2004 Tennessee 7th House District elections in Washington County.

- Matthew Hill leaves his WPWT 870 host position of the two-hour morning talk radio show "Good Morning Tri-Cities" while remaining the "Group Area Manager" of the non-legally recognized "Appalachian Radio Group" entity (ARG being a moniker used by Matthew Hill and his father, Dr. Kenneth C. Hill to describe their combined business operations of both the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt Appalachian Educational Communications Corporation (AECC; includes the Cameo Theatre [sic] located in Bristol, Virginia) and the for-profit Informations Communications Corporation (WPWT 870 AM) originating within the Leitner Pharmaceutical Building located at 340 Edgement Avenue, Bristol, Tennessee.

- AECC President Dr. Kenneth C. Hill --- father of Tennessee 7th House District Republican candidate Matthew Hill --- announces his creation of the State of Franklin PAC during a "Good Morning Tri-Cities" broadcast; AECC Chief Financial Officer A.G. "Bud" Branscomb, AECC President Dr. Kenneth C. Hill, and Matthew Hill all work out of the Leitner Pharmaceutical Building.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004
- Tenn. Conservative PAC rents office from SJ Strategic Investments, LLC within the Leitner [Pharmaceuticals] Building located at 340 Edgemont Avenue, Bristol, Tennessee.

- Washington County business license records indicate that on the date of March 25 that the Republican state house candidate Matthew Hill evolved into a businessman following the start up of his "Hill of Beans Coffee Shop".

- 7th District House republican and anti-choice candidate Matthew Hill receives significant campaign contributions from individual Gregory family members, Gregory in-laws, and employees of SJ Strategic Investments, LLC.

- Money from Gregory family members,Gregory in-laws, and employees of SJ Strategic Investments, LLC. streams into both the State of Franklin PAC and the Tenn. Conservative PAC treasuries.

- 7th District House republican and anti-choice candidate Matthew Hill receives significant political action committee campaign contributions from both the State of Franklin PAC and the Tenn. Conservative PAC
February

- In a February 2 press release, John Gregory announces that former King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. lobbyist Jim Holcomb is hired as "Director of Governmental Relations" at SJ Strategic Investments, LLC. Holcomb had organized the August 1999 King legislative airlift of several republican Northeast Tennessee members of the Tennessee General Assembly to a Nashville meeting with then TennCare Director Brian Lapps.
- On or about February 2, Poitical Action Committee Treasurer Jim Holcomb files original application with the Tennessee Secretary of State for the registration of the Tenn. Conservative PAC.
May 14
Federal Election Commission Individual Contribution Search Results [:Gregory;TN] reveals that James M. Gregory --- son of John M. Gregory --- is employed by State of Franklin PAC President and 501(c)(3) tax exempt Appalachian Education Communications Corporation President Dr. Kenneth C. Hill at WHCB 91.5 FM.

GREGORY, JAMES M
BRISTOL, TN 37620
WHCB 911.5 [sic; actually 91.5] FM RADIO
BRYANT, EDWARD G
VIA ED BRYANT FOR U S SENATE INC
05/14/2002 1000.00 22020481647

Both the WHCB 91.5 FM offices and studios are located within the Gregory-owned Leitner Building at 340 Edgement Avenue in Bristol, Tennessee.
October

- Ramsey criticizes record of opponent

By Hank Hayes
NET News Service
Story published: 10/5/2004

KINGSPORT - Tennessee Senate GOP Caucus Chairman Ron Ramsey criticized the record of his re-election opponent and challenged Democratic criticism of former King Pharmaceuticals Chairman John Gregory's cash contributions to Republicans in a talk toa Kingsport Republican Women's luncheon on Monday.

[...]

Ramsey also took on Democratic leaders for what he called "turning on the fog machine."

Last week, Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Haynes said state Republicans lack credibility when it comes to dealing with the high cost of prescription drugs because their campaigns are being fueled by Gregory and other Gregory family members.

Ramsey said Democrats are more scared of what Gregory's money could do for the GOP.

"They are frightened," Ramsey said of Democrats. "They are afraid they are about to see their 140-year reign of power in state government come to an end this year. They have a real problem across the state. We win on the issues. ... When we start talking about same-sex marriage and a constitutional amendment to say that marriage is about one man and one woman, not only does the governor start getting nervous, the Democrats get nervous. They know they are losers on those issues."

[...]

Ramsey called Gregory one of the finest upstanding Christian men people would ever want to meet.

"He decided to put his money behind his beliefs," Ramsey said of Gregory. "He wanted to elect conservative Republicans who believe like he does - that are pro-life, pro-traditional marriage and pro-family. ... (Democrats) are trying to make this link between John Gregory giving money to Republicans and your health care is going up. What a farce. There is no way to connect these dots. ... We're getting all this dirty money, and they are outspending us 2 to 1."

Ramsey said the "most hypocritical part" of the Democratic attacks is that Gov. Phil Bredesen had a fund-raiser at King Pharmaceuticals last year.

"Senator Ramsey is wrong," said Bob Corney, Bredesen's communications director. "We toured four different facilities that day - major employers in that area. ... The only fund-raising event was at (Washington County businessman) Jim Powell's."

Corney added that Bredesen returned a $5,000 contribution from Gregory's brother, former King Pharmaceuticals executive Jefferson Gregory.

[...]

Democrats hold a slim 18-15 majority in the Senate.

After the luncheon talk, Ramsey said he didn't expect changes in the state's campaign finance laws.

"We have limits on what individuals can give," Ramsey said. "We have limits on what (political action committees) can give. ... It's just the fact that we are countering them dollar for dollar is what has them on the run."

For more about Ramsey go to

www.senatorronramsey.com.
[Senator Ron Ramsey campaign positions] Abortion It is impossible for an unborn child to make a decision about life or death. I personally find abortion on demand unacceptable, and firmly oppose state-funded abortion in any circumstance. Our liberal Tennessee Supreme Court has overturned even the most common sense restrictions on abortion such as waiting periods and informed consent. I am working hard to enact a consitutional ammendment to change this in Tennessee, and I am pleased my efforts have been recognized by Tennessee Right to Life, which has endorsed my re-election effort. In 1997, my first year in the state senate, I co-sponsered and passed the bill to ban partial birth abortion in Tennessee.

www.senatorronramsey.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2005
View Entire Post as Seperate Page