SH – Military failed to appraise property sold to former Mayor Warr
GULFPORT — The Armed Forces Retirement Home might have recouped more money from two beachfront parcels if the land had been appraised before it was sold in January 2004 to Gulfport businessman Brent Warr and his father, Gene Warr.
A report by the Inspector General’s Office of the United States Department of Defense also concluded the “appearance of a conflict of interest” resulted because the Warrs and AFRH used the same real estate agent, Sherry Owen of Gulfport, for the transaction. However, the report said, the Warrs used the same agent to save on commission fees and AFRH approved the dual agency agreement required for such transactions.
Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Tommy T. Thomas agreed to follow the inspector general’s recommendations by obtaining appraisals in the future and by more fully documenting real estate negotiations. The real estate transactions complied with the law, the report concluded.
Sun Herald
3/2/10
Magnolia Tribune
