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Power off at Opp biofuel plant
City attorney says ‘no activity’ at site
Published Thursday, September 11, 2008
Activity at Perihelion’s Opp biodiesel facility has not only slowed to a crawl; it stopped when power was turned off at the site for non-payment, and Opp city officials are beginning to weigh their options after local merchants put liens on the property.
Wesley Laird, attorney for the city of Opp, said that the city has taken a “wait and see” approach to the delicate situation with Perihelion Global.
“The agreement has been turned over to (Laird, Baker and Blackstock LLC)
for handling,” Laird said. “We would love to see them fulfill their agreement and capitalize on the $20 million investment and 100 plus jobs. However, there appears to be no activity on the site.”
Minimal activity has been observed at Perihelion’s Opp plant, located just off the U.S. Highway 331 south bypass.
“We have turned the utilities off due to lack of payment,” he said. “We have received reports of two liens placed on the property by local merchants due to unpaid bills. One of the liens was around $18,000.
“Obviously all of this causes us a lot of concern,” he added. “We were approached by Perihelion in July of this year about selling them a small parcel of land for the site to operate on a much smaller scale. I requested some information at that time in writing regarding the number of employees, projected operating capacity and such. I have, to date, not received a reply.”
Laird’s request was made at about the same time as Perihelion’s announcement of a “corporate restructure” that reportedly occurred in June.
Perihelion’s Web site states that on July 18, 2008, Perihelion Global Inc. provided an update on the corporate restructure that was effective June 17. The company announced that due to the current market conditions and challenges caused by natural disasters affecting parts of the U.S., several shareholders of record (shareholders who hold physical certificates) had expressed that they would have difficulty exchanging their share certificates by a previously announced July 18, 2008, mandatory surrender deadline.
In an agreement between Perihelion Global and the city of Opp, signed Feb. 13, 2007, the city leased 53.7 acres to the company for quarterly payments of $2,685.
According to WSFA Channel 12, company attorney Julian McPhillips said Perihelion is in final negotiations with the IRS on how much money it will have to pay in federal excise taxes on motor fuel. It is apparently a complicated process because the business of producing biofuels is still relatively new. McPhillips says once both sides complete their negotiations the IRS is expected to issue the company its tax certification.
“This is a multi-layered process of approvals, the excise tax approvals and regulations. A lot of people have to sign off on it,” McPhillips said during an interview with WSFA on Fri., Sept. 5. “If we do not receive a reply, then we will begin weighing our options.”
Things seemed to be looking up for Perihelion’s Opp plant after an announcement on June 2 that their biodiesel product had met the latest specifications required for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration and was now certified as fuel-grade biodiesel.
Lamar Lindsey, Opp plant manager, said at the time the refinery was operating at a capacity to produce approximately 3 million gallons of biodiesel per year and plans to eventually produce more than 60 million gallons of fuel per year.
He said the company was using animal fat for its process in June and planned to incorprate peanut oil into its next phase of production.
Activity has since slowed to a stop and reports from Perihelion indicate problems with obtaining approval from the IRS to continue production of its biodiesel product.
John Beebe, CEO of Perihelion Global, told WSFA News during an interview in early September that he plans to be in business within 60 to 90 days. He also stated that jobs will pay between $10 and $20 per hour, but due to a “slowing economy and the constant regulatory changes in the industry” he will not be able to provide the number of jobs stated in his initial agreement with the city.
Comments
Posted by bioscamopp (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The PHGI operation in Opp is little more than a scam gone bad!! Bio Fuel, Bio Fool!!! I have read that some think Beebe carefully chose the people of Opp because he considered them to be easy marks — and that even once they discovered the scam wouldn’t have the stones to do anything about it!! And it that it looks like he chose well?
Many think Beebe will probably accomplish nothing here other then use it to sell shares in his asset-free, accomplish nothing company, PHGI. Sure seems like another penny scam this time taking a small town to the cleaners!! And there seems to be some reluctance on the part of the town leadership to do anything about it.
BTW, does everyone in Opp (and AL) not know by now that the local Sam's Store was the source of the product used to start the process?? It cost more to buy the Oil than Bio Diesel can be sold for!! What a scam.
Note, maybe doing an FOIA ala AL Law on PHGI documentation and agreements, and following any money trails would be useful for Channel 12.
To see similar scams check on the histories of similar companies like: SLJB, USXP, PCBM, EAG, PLNI, DIGG, CMKI, CSHD, LBWR, and many others. Penny Stocks are notorious scam operations, especially Pump and Dump of Shares which they highly dilute to keep selling! Oh yeah, most claim they have been Naked Shorted by Hedge Funds and Market Makers, and that's why they are a disaster, but NOT ONE Penny Stock has proven it!! Pure bunk! Just rants!
See this educational and accurate Blog for more on Beebe and PHGI. Be advised that there are many questions about who in Opp is involved in this tragedy-to-come and why (or for what)!
http://theworm06.blogspot.com/search?q=P...
I expect that Beebe will make threats about suing people who don't believe and state he is a Con Man! His BS will follow soon but is meaninless pap! Like his bio-diesel!! LOLOL
But all just one persons PROTECTED OPINION!! For other's opinions, some strong, please go to these Message Boards and stroll thru the messages. Quite an education about Beebe, his associates and PHGI. Questions about Opp players also! No membership required unless someone desires to Post a message:
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/boa...
http://ragingbull.quote.com/mboard/board...
Find the Bio Diesel Savvy Farmer who produced those few gallons of Bio Diesel for Beebe, and ask him about the scam!! Also ask if he ever got Paid for his Work for Beebe.
Or go to the Local TV Station once "owned by or some such thing" and ask for the many Tapes on this issue.
Why is ANYONE believing that silliness about the IRS delaying this scam?? What a hoot!!
Anybody in Opp think about Filing Fraud Charges yet? And issuing a Subpoena to Beebe and all involved, including local Opp participants??? A regular Keystone Kops episode, at best!! Ouch!
Posted by bioscamopp (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From Investors Hub Message Board:
Posted by: flyonawall Date: Thursday, September 11, 2008 9:44:05 PM
In reply to: None Post # of 27732
Local News is out, that The Beebers stiffed the Local Hardware stores for over 20K and Sunbelt rentals for over 40K not to mention the Tent vendor and slab as well as the fence. He is well Loved by many in Covington County Alabama. Let us not forget the local "Good Ole Boys" That set him up with all the contacts and business accounts, Mr. Robert Boothe "Public Relations and Political Advisor" Oh Yeh! And Good Ole Boy Lamar Lindsey! Guarding the Tent while the Beebers pilfered the locals. John H Beebe you need to come on back to Opp Alabama, I think your public speaking will have us dumb locals buying into your bag of Poop! Several leans according to the paper are now on the property of Perihelion Global in Opp! The stockholders have nothing left! Screwed Blued and Tatto'd Scam King! Beebers!
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/rea...
Posted by bioscamopp (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BTW, maybe the local Newspapers should ask why the City of Opp is in Violation of AL FOIA Laws??? maybe fearful of what those PUBLIC DOCUMENTS will reveal??? Hmmmm!
Any Investigative reporting in the area of AL??
---------------------------------------
Posted by: pontalba Date: Friday, September 12, 2008 10:46:45 AM
In reply to: None Post # of 27732
Original by EMail
CCby certified Mail to
Wesley Laird, City Attorney
City of Opp AL
501 N. Main St.
Opp AL 36467
The Honorable H.D. Edgar, Mayor
City of Opp, AL
Dear Mayor Edgar:
This is a request under the Alabama Access to Public Records Act for certain records relating to the City of Opp and Perihelion Global Holdings and/or its heirs, assigns, and successors.
The specific request is as follows:
Any and all correspondence between the City of Opp or you personally acting in your capacity as Mayor of the City of Opp and John Bebee, Perihelion Global (a public corporation), or any representative thereof.
All records of payments from the City of Opp or any other entity under your control to John Bebee, Perihelion Global (a public corporation) or any representative thereof.
All records of payments from the City of Opp or any other public entity under your control to any relative by blood or marriage to you or any elected or appointed official of Opp, AL from the City of Opp AL in regards to any activity of Perihelion Global (a public company).
I am willing to pay reasonable costs for these records, but I believe that they are cost exempt as a public service by a journalist.
Sincerely
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/rea...
Posted by bioscamopp (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm, why are at least two Comments missing here????
Posted by bioscamopp (anonymous) on September 15, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Will a Reporter get to Opp and ask the Hard Questions about this scam today? And Fact Check the BS Beebe is feeding you?
Also 15 minutes in reveiewing the above links will surely provide enough factual info for Many Headline Stories!!
Get on it!!!! This scam is an easy one to expose!!!
PS Hearing rumors of AL AG Involvement!! (Spinning out of control, BB!!!!! Great news, eh??)
Posted by rolltideroll (anonymous) on September 17, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isnt this the same sort of scam that went under the radar a few years ago with the so called "Pie Factory" in the old Pecan Factory???
Posted by rolltideroll (anonymous) on September 17, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That is the PIE FACTORY that was placed in Andalusia I might add.......
Posted by towncrier (anonymous) on September 17, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Pie Factory were real smart. These folks took all their money and placed it in the account of a mining company, read "shell corporation" in Nevada . The law in Nevada, that is a hold over from the 19th century, holds that the accounts of a mining company is immune from leans and garnishments, etc. Two months ago Perihelion Globa re-incorporated in Nevada. Surprise! Surprise!
Posted by rolltideroll (anonymous) on September 17, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought this sounded very familiar!!!! WOW Can we be that stupid to let the same crap take place again.....
Posted by bioscamopp (anonymous) on September 19, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes
Posted by pingbalata (anonymous) on September 20, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If the " pie in the sky" factory had been legit and the " Rooster coffee" plant in Red Level had been legit we could have had the perfect after dinner dessert and it would have been all local. LOL!
I am beginning to believe that the easiest thing to pull off is to come into Covington County from some other state and present some incredibly attractive plan for a business venture promising jobs and a huge boost to the local economy and get the local elected officials to give you the keys to the public safe. Just have to be sure it is only a scheme tho if you expect any help from our leaders.
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