Transcript of the Testimony of Charles Sorenson

Date: November 20, 2013 Volume: I Case: In Re: Joplin Critical Investigation

Printed On: December 1, 2013

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Charles Sorenson

In Re:

Joplin Critical Investigation

Page 1

IN RE:

JOPLIN CRITICAL INVESTIGATION

TELEPHONE STATEMENT OF

CHARLES SORENSON

Taken on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, from 1:26 p.m. to

1:55

p.m., at the law offices of Juddson H. McPherson, LLC, 626 S. Byers, in the City of Joplin, County of Jasper, State of Missouri, before SHARON K. ROGERS, C.C.R.650, a Certified Court Reporter and a Notary Public within and for the County of Jasper, and State of Missouri.

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In Re: Charles Sorenson

Joplin Critical Investigation

Page 2

APPEARANCES

MR. THOMAS E. LORAINE Loraine & Associates, LLC 4075 Osage Beach Pkwy., Suite 300 Osage Beach, MO 65065

tellaw@loraineandassociates.com

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Charles Sorenson

In Re:

Joplin Critical Investigation

Page 3

S T I P U L A T I O N

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED AND AGREED that this Sworn Statement may be taken by steno-mask type recording by SHARON K. ROGERS, a Certified Court Reporter, and afterwards reduced into typewriting. It is further stipulated that the signature of the witness is hereby waived, and that said Sworn Statement of said witness shall be of the same force and effect as though said witness had read and signed Sworn Statement.

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Charles Sorenson

In Re:

Joplin Critical Investigation

Page 4

I N D E X

Page/Line

DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. LORAINE

5-2

E X H I B I T S

(sic) - typed as spoken (ph.) - phonetic

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Charles Sorenson

In Re:

Joplin Critical Investigation

Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 A. Q. A. Q. Q. A. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. CHARLES SORENSON DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. LORAINE: Q. A. Q. Were you an Elk member? Yes. I believe you're the present Exalted Ruler, is that correct? No, I'm not presently. You were the one that was there when the property was sold to the City? Yes. It was bought by Wallace-Bajjali? Yes. What, if anything, do you have to tell me about the sale of that property that is significant to what I'm investigating, if you know? I really don't know anything significant as far as the sale of the property goes. Well, I was told that it was a good price, it was fair. Is that true? Yes, I think it was a fair price. And who worked with the Elks Club on getting this matter transacted? It was brought to us by Gary Box. All right. And Gary Box is a member of your

Holliday Reporting Service, Inc. 417-358-4078

Charles Sorenson

In Re:

Joplin Critical Investigation

Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 A. Q. A. A. Q. A. Q. Q. A. Q. A. lodge? Yes, he is. And who else worked on it, anybody? There was a couple of Wallace-Bajjali people that came in later with Gary, but I'm sorry, off the top of my head I don't recall their names. All right. Was there any involvement by Mr.

Woolston in this matter? No. Was there any involvement with any other Council member in this matter? No. So basically it was just a transaction between Wallace-Bajjali, Mr. Gary Box, and yourself? Well, I mean the proposal was brought to our Board of Directors and then before we could sell property it's a requirement that it's voted on by our membership so our membership was informed of the proposal and it was voted to accept. Okay. Are you on the Sports Authority for

the City? No, I'm not.

Holliday Reporting Service, Inc. 417-358-4078

Charles Sorenson

In Re:

Joplin Critical Investigation

Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 A. Q. Q. A. A. Q. Q. A. A. Q. A. Q. Q. A. Q. And never have been? No. Do you know anything about the management style or -No, I do not. Okay. Let me just get pretty straight. Did

the City Manager have any involvement with the sale of the Elks Club property? I'm not aware of any. All right. What happened after

Wallace-Bajjali bought the property? I mean it closed and I think it's in cue for the project they described to us. Did the property ever get to the 353 club or association, that landholder authority? That I do not know. All right. Do you know what title company

may have closed that? It closed at the title company on 32nd Street. Did you have any role in the selection of the title company? In other words did you pick

the title company or did Wallace-Bajjali? I don't recall, sir, to be honest. All right. I don't think we have anything

Holliday Reporting Service, Inc. 417-358-4078

Charles Sorenson

In Re:

Joplin Critical Investigation

Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (SWORN STATEMENT CONCLUDED) A. Q. further from you. your contributions. call. No problem. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much for I appreciate the phone

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Charles Sorenson

In Re:

Joplin Critical Investigation

Page 9

REPORTER'S CERTIFICATE

STATE OF MISSOURI ss. COUNTY OF JASPER I, SHARON K. ROGERS, Certified Court Reporter in the State of Missouri, do certify that pursuant to the foregoing Stipulation the witness came before me on the 20th day of November, 2013, was duly sworn by me, and was examined. That examination was then taken by me by

steno-mask recording and afterwards transcribed; said Sworn Statement is subscribed by the witness as hereinbefore set out on the day in that behalf aforesaid and is herewith returned. I further certify that I am not counsel, attorney, or relative of either party, or clerk, or stenographer of either party or of the attorney of either party, or otherwise interested in the event of this suit.

_________________________ SHARON K. ROGERS, CCR-650

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