Dem Congressman Rented Office Space From Convicted Drug Trafficker, Records Show

August 19, 2022 12:06 PM ET

Democratic Illinois Rep. Danny Davis rented office space from a butcher previously convicted for his involvement in a multimillion dollar Chicago cocaine trafficking ring, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.

Davis' campaign paid Mario's Butcher Chop in Chicago more than $20,000 between 2014 and 2020, primarily for office rent and also groceries and catering, FEC records show. Mario's Butcher Shop is owned by Mariano "Mario" Lettieri and his wife, and took center stage in a 1990 drug bust involving Lettieri, the Chicago Tribune reported in 1990.

Lettieri was sentenced to roughly 16 years in prison in 1990 for being the primary supplier for a drug ring run by a former police officer, the Chicago Tribune reported. The butcher reportedly supplied his contact with up to six kilograms of cocaine each month for six months, charging $33,000 per kilogram.

A spokesman for Davis did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation's request for comment. The congressman's chief of staff told The Washington Free Beacon, which first reported on the payments, that Davis supports giving people "second chances."

"We've often questioned why Congressman Davis says one thing and yet his actions seem to go in a different direction," Jeff Fiedler, a spokesman for the Chicago Republican Party, told the DCNF. "Second chances are admirable intent, but in this case we're wondering why he would make such a questionable decision when there are thousands of other options for office space on the West side."

Davis notably unveiled "a coalition of drug prevention groups" in 2021 to fight opioid overdose deaths in Illinois, the Chicago Crusader reported. The congressman in 2006 demanded $4 million in emergency funds go toward addressing drug addiction in Cook County, WBEZ Chicago reported.

"We got to do something to break the cycle of opioid deaths," said Davis in 2021, according to the Chicago Crusader. "Last year, we had one block where five or six people overdosed within a week's time. Drug use, opioid addiction is out of hand and more must be done."

Davis, whose 7th Congressional District represents most of western Chicago, beat out his Democratic challenger Kina Collins in the June primary. Davis does not currently have a Republican challenger in his district, which voted by a rate of more than 80% in 2020 to re-elect him.

The DCNF has reached out to Mario's Butcher Shop for comment.

https://dailycaller.com/2022/08/19/dem-congressman-rented-office-space-from-convicted-cocaine-trafficker-in-chicago/

The Moment of Truth Summit by Mike Lindell in Springfield MO 8-20-2022 - DAY ONE

This historic two day event will take a further deep dive into the corruption of the 2020 election. Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, will provide an update on each state plus "the machines" are put to the test. Move premier of "Selection Code" scheduled during the event.

https://rumble.com/v1g40ub-live-the-moment-of-truth-summit-by-mike-lindell-in-springfield-mo-8-20-2022.html

>>17419271

Kek

Thousands gather to fete South Africa's new Zulu king

Updated: Aug 20, 2022, 07:54 PM(IST)

Thousands of people gathered at the Zulu royal palace in South Africa on Saturday for the coronation of a new king in the country's richest and most influential traditional monarchy.

Misuzulu Zulu, 47, is set to succeed his father, Goodwill Zwelithini, who died in March last year after 50 years in charge but a bitter succession dispute threatens to overshadow the ceremony.

Although the title of king does not bestow any executive power, the monarchs wield great moral influence over more than 11 million Zulus, who make up nearly a fifth of South Africa's population.

Men and women in colourful traditional outfits assembled outside the marble palace on the hills of Nongoma, a small town in the southeastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, the Zulu heartland.

Tens of thousands more were expected to arrive throughout the day to honour the new sovereign.

"Today, the king will be acknowledged by the whole Zulu Nation," Misuzulu's sister, Princess Ntandoyesizwe Zulu, 46, told AFP.

Yet, an acrimonious family dispute over the throne raged.

On Saturday, a court in Pietermaritzburg was to hear an urgent application by a branch of the royal family to block all ceremonies.

Coronation rites

In Nongoma, lines of Zulu warriors known as amaButhos holding spears and shields of animal skin, marched into the palace grounds.

Women — some bare-chested, others in pleated skirts and beaded belts or draped with fabrics bearing the effigy of the sovereign — sang and danced.

On Friday night, Misuzulu entered the palace's "cattle kraal" where he took part in a secret rite designed to present the new monarch to his ancestors.

Only select members of the royal family and amaButhos were allowed in the enclosure which is protected from curious eyes by a thick fence of tree trunks.

"It's a holy place, we can't reveal to the world what is happening there," said Muntomuhle Mcambi, 34, an amaButho.

Earlier this week, the soon-to-be king also killed a lion at a nearby reserve — in one of the last steps before the coronation.

Family spat

His path to the crown has not been smooth. King Zwelithini left six wives and at least 28 children when he died last year.

Misuzulu is the first son of Zwelithini's third wife, who he designated as regent in his will.

But the queen died suddenly a month later, leaving a will naming Misuzulu as the next king — a development that did not go down well with other branches of the family.

Queen Sibongile Dlamini, the late king's first wife, has backed her son Prince Simakade Zulu as the rightful heir.

Some of the late king's brothers have put forward a third prince as their candidate for the throne.

Queen Sibongile's legal bid to challenge the succession was revived Friday as she was granted the right to appeal a previous unfavourable ruling.

On Saturday, two of her daughters filed an urgent application to stop all rituals pending the appeal.

"Those who are Zulu and know the traditions, know who is the king," said Themba Fakazi, an adviser to the previous ruler who supports Misuzulu.

The next Zulu monarch will inherit a fortune and tap into a rich seam of income.

Zwelithini received some 71 million rand ($4.2 million) a year from the government and owned several palaces and other properties.

A royal trust manages almost three million hectares (7.4 million acres) of land — an area about the size of Belgium.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who in March recognised Misuzulu as the rightful king, is to formally certify the crowning at a ceremony in the coming months.

https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-gather-to-fete-south-africas-new-zulu-king-508700