The former board president of Success Village Ty Bird received an early morning wake up call on Wednesday by a phalanx of FBI agents wielding a search warrant of his apartment carrying away what appear to be boxes of materials, a metal safe and potential other evidence such as electronics to help bolster an investigation into millions of dollars unaccounted for from the co-op’s financial account that left the state’s largest privately owned housing complex on the verge of insolvency until rescued by a court-appointed manager.
Images culled from residents on the scene, including Morgan Schick, show federal officials discussing the search warrant with Bird, but no apparent arrest yet in the case.
Morgan Schick images follow:
Federal agents confiscate evidence from Ty Bird’s apartment.
One thing is certain, the feds are moving closer to unpacking the nightmare that impacted roughly 2,000 residents split between Bridgeport and Stratford that endured no heat and hot water, with millions in common fees to pay property taxes and utilities inexplicably diverted.
It got so bad, citing an imminent health emergency, that municipal officials in Bridgeport and Stratford petitioned a state court judge to appoint a receiver to restore sanity at the co-op, provide essential utility services and build a financial reserve to keep the place from insolvency and 1,000 unit owners losing their homes.
Nearly two years ago, Superior Court Judge Dale Radcliffe jettisoned the Success Village board of directors and appointed Stratford attorney Barry Knott to commence the monumental task of rescuing the co-op from insolvency. An audit revealed that roughly $2 million in cash was withdrawn from the co-op’s bank accounts and that approximately $9 million could not be verified for business purposes
Step by step Knott sutured together the pieces to bring stability in the short term while looking to the future. That included securing a low-interest $6 million loan from the state to pay back taxes to Bridgeport and Stratford while building a level of stability to replace an antiquated boiler system that dates back to the World War II era when the co-op was constructed.
Last July, in a commentary published by OIB, Bird declared “No cash ever left Success Village for my personal benefit.”
Federal forensic investigations of financial crimes can take a long time to uncover due to the sheer amount of paperwork involved to follow the money.
A federal grand jury has been empaneled by investigators to share information for possible indictments.
Board of Education member Willie Medina and his wife Keyla, a member of the City Council, reside at Success Village. Willie Medina wrote this Wednesday morning on his Facebook page:
Wheels of justice moving !!
The SVA community is waking up to what appears to be accountability finally being handed down to one of those responsible for causing hardship to more than 900 families who call Success Village home.For too long, residents have endured uncertainty, stress, and challenges that impacted everyday life and the stability of an entire community. Families deserve transparency, responsibility, and leadership that puts people before politics and personal interests.This moment is a reminder that communities who continue to speak up, organize, and demand answers can no longer be ignored. The voices of residents matter, and accountability matters.As this situation unfolds, the focus must remain on restoring trust, protecting residents, and ensuring that the families of Success Village Apartments receive the respect, stability, and leadership they deserve.
Let’s keep praying and hoping !!
