Fort Greely mentioned in land swindle arrest
Fort Greely hits local, national, and international news for many reasons. It's been in headlines for paratroopers training for Iraqi roadside bombs, the nine National Missile Defense interceptors in silos, and most recently, sudden personnel layoffs. Gas pipeline contracts, Alaska railroad extension tracks, and peace camps put Greely's name in papers as far away as Britain.
However, just last week, Delta's own Fort has been hitting the AP wires for wildfires and land swindles. Wildfires around Fort Greely are not uncommon Greely is in a chronically windy area and Army, Air force troops often start fires with bombs and rockets. But land fraud that's really a new one!
Last Thursday, 8 June, AP wires carried news about a Stockton (Calif.) man who was arrested and accused of swindling thousands of dollars from innocent investors. "Lui" Tuitama allegedly promised investment partners they'd double or triple their cash if they bought land near Fort Greely, Alaska where an oil pipeline was being built.
Newspapers and TV stations in Stockton and the Central Valley reported Fiaaluae "Louie" or "Lui" Tuitama, was booked into San Joaquin County's Jail on a $100,000 warrant.
Swindled investors are reported to have invested sums from $12,000 to $60,000. This was to be used to buy land near Fort Greely. Lui Tuitama is reported to have said he had insider information that the federal government planned to lease the land for a pipeline.
In addition to the preposterous nature of a land swindle scheme, the story has another side. Tuitama, 50, who played football the University of Pacific, is father of Willie Tuitama. Willie is the starting quarterback for University of Arizona.
Last fall "Tuitama" was in collegiate sports news. Willie Tuitama took over Arizona's Wildcats football team as a freshman quarterback. UA's head coach Mike Stoops decided to "free Willie" in the second offensive drive against University of Oregon. After nearly leading the Wildcats to a come-from-behind victory against the UO, Tuitama went 2-2 in the final four games of the season.
Fort Greely land swindle and football in Arizona Now that covers some real ground. It's definitely not a story one would expect about Fort Greely, Alaska!
However, just last week, Delta's own Fort has been hitting the AP wires for wildfires and land swindles. Wildfires around Fort Greely are not uncommon Greely is in a chronically windy area and Army, Air force troops often start fires with bombs and rockets. But land fraud that's really a new one!
Last Thursday, 8 June, AP wires carried news about a Stockton (Calif.) man who was arrested and accused of swindling thousands of dollars from innocent investors. "Lui" Tuitama allegedly promised investment partners they'd double or triple their cash if they bought land near Fort Greely, Alaska where an oil pipeline was being built.
Newspapers and TV stations in Stockton and the Central Valley reported Fiaaluae "Louie" or "Lui" Tuitama, was booked into San Joaquin County's Jail on a $100,000 warrant.
Swindled investors are reported to have invested sums from $12,000 to $60,000. This was to be used to buy land near Fort Greely. Lui Tuitama is reported to have said he had insider information that the federal government planned to lease the land for a pipeline.
In addition to the preposterous nature of a land swindle scheme, the story has another side. Tuitama, 50, who played football the University of Pacific, is father of Willie Tuitama. Willie is the starting quarterback for University of Arizona.
Last fall "Tuitama" was in collegiate sports news. Willie Tuitama took over Arizona's Wildcats football team as a freshman quarterback. UA's head coach Mike Stoops decided to "free Willie" in the second offensive drive against University of Oregon. After nearly leading the Wildcats to a come-from-behind victory against the UO, Tuitama went 2-2 in the final four games of the season.
Fort Greely land swindle and football in Arizona Now that covers some real ground. It's definitely not a story one would expect about Fort Greely, Alaska!
posted by Chris at 6/12/2006 02:26:00 PM
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