The Shadow
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way–in short, the period was so far like the present period that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.” — Charles Dickens’ opening paragraph from the Tale of Two Cities.
In recent weeks, the Shadow’s coverage of the 410 Project in Covington has sparked a growing curiosity among the public. In fact, interest has surged to such an extent that the story has now caught the attention of residents over in White Sulphur Springs, WV, with individuals there raising concerns based on distressingly similar experiences.
So dear Shadowers, let’s explore this Tale of Two Cities.
In 2018-2020, investment money flowed into White Sulphur Springs, partly due to Federal assistance from the previous floods that almost wiped the city off the map. It also attracted the attention of affluent residents from the Greenbrier Sporting Club, who also invested to help breathe new life into Main Street. Before you knew it, downtown White Sulphur began to transform, bustling with plans to unfurl a vibrant retail hub featuring eateries, bars, music venues, and even a microbrewery.
On one large downtown block, the Big Draft Brewery, Road Hogs BBQ, Hammer Cycles, and a couple of other shops were added. A private investor bought the building and financed the renovation and construction. Local businessman David Bostic was hired as the property manager. Bostic was also a partner in the Big Draft Brewery and Road Hogs BBQ businesses. The project created jobs, cash flow, and tourism attractions. It promised to help pull White Sulphur out of the muck.
In between the grandiose tales of glory and the promise of a massive Main Street resurrection, stories of questionable construction practices, multiple reports of financial discrepancies, dual accounting books, and whispers of misappropriated business funds being redirected toward gambling and illicit activities started to weave through the community.
It seemed that the town as a whole, including officials, investors, friends, and the citizens of White Sulphur were so enamored by the positives and opportunities of the project, that nobody wanted to turn over the rocks of ethics and impropriety, afraid of what they really might find.So everyone continued to dance, oblivious from the merry tune. Until it all exploded.
“It had been unraveling for a long time, and it seemed to be only a matter of time before it all came to a head,” said one local witness when asked about what happened in White Sulphur.
According to statements from a half dozen witnesses, around 2:30 pm on April 12, 2023, Mr. Bostic reportedly walked inside his Big Draft Brewery business and “fired the whole staff, cussed out the guests, then walked down the street with his shirt off yelling at invisible beings and going berserk.” Witnesses further state the White Sulphur Police were called due to alleged violent threats and altercations between Bostic and staff. The Chief of Police arrived at the scene, and according to multiple sources, Mr. Bostic was not arrested, but instead was taken to a friend’s home nearby to “sleep it off.”
Following the incident, sources state Mr. Bostic was immediately barred from entering the premises of both Road Hogs and the Big Draft Brewery. The restriction was apparently enforced through a verbal agreement pending legal action, and the local law enforcement kept a vigilant watch. Sources report the individuals who felt threatened by Mr. Bostic’s text and verbal attacks chose not to testify against him.
The impact of this explosive day ripped the town apart. At first, the other partners and renters located at the property were in shock and tried desperately to sustain their businesses. But the damage and improprieties had been done, and they were crushed under the debt bag they were left holding.
The brewery eventually went out of business shortly afterwards and had to sell off all its equipment. Road Hogs also closed its doors and the remaining partner had to sell everything to keep from going bankrupt. The bicycle shop next door also couldn’t withstand the blast, and recently escaped to Lewisburg to reestablish itself under more fostering and healthy circumstances.
Does any of this sound like a familiar path with imminent warning signs posted ahead? Stay tuned.
Back to the 410 Project here in Covington and where things currently stand. The first and foremost question at hand; is the original contract technically valid? The crux of this issue boils down to one simple question; do the words “Formerly Known As” when used in an official, legal document mean “a simple name change,” or, does it mean “a complete entity change?” Secondly, is a contract valid if it is signed and executed by a completely different company than the Grantees listed in the first paragraph?
A citizen also noted a discrepancy in the correct tax address for the 410 Main St property. One address is in Abingdon, VA, but had been changed to a newer address as PO Box 404 Covington, VA. To answer this question, a FOIA request was filed with the City’s Commissioner of Revenue, requesting the date the address was changed, and who authorized it.
The FOIA documents revealed it was changed on June 6, 2023, by David Bostic, aka Managing Member of Mountain Hospitality LLC, confirming the change in response to an email from Terri McClung, Small Business Coordinator, and Crystal Hoke, Deputy Commissioner of Revenue. Extensive official records searches have yet to reveal any relationship between this company and Bostic. The Shadow team reached out to Mr. Bostic for confirmation on Feb 19, but have not received a reply.
If Bostic is not and does not have the authority as Managing Member of Mountain Hospitality LLC to change the tax address on an official government document, this potentially could be considered as not only illegally misrepresenting oneself to a public official, but potentially illegally redirecting mail that is not his to redirect. It is a federal crime under US Code 1341 to use the mail system to carry out mail fraud, identity theft, and deception schemes.
The Shadow continues to be incredibly disheartened about having to constantly report on such negative topics. However, the chorus of public outcry continues to get louder, asking for answers and ethical actions on the part of our elected leaders. It seems the closer we get to the truth, the more obfuscation and gaslighting we get from folks who tell the Shadow to stop looking and trying to create something that’s not there.
The Shadow is unconcerned by the criticism.Similar to a 1902 statement addressing rampant corporate corruption, President Roosevelt said he was not trying to destroy corporations but rather wanted to make them act in the public interest. He stated, that if the law has not been violated, then no harm will come from it.
Does this not warrant a public accountability outcry to the officials we elected into office to represent us? Is the truth and fact that hard to swallow? Doesn’t this potentially demonstrate a failure to uphold the responsibilities entrusted to them by the public and the state, showing a lack of commitment to the basic tenets of their offices? Aren’t local and state laws and regulations established for a purpose, designed to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the public, and not for fostering shortcuts and side deals to a select few?
I’m out of time and out of coffee, but never out of hope that eventually we will one day get to the bottom of this rabbit hole. For now, time to go look at the spring flowers bursting into bloom around us. Happy Spring!
