New Haven Independent

Posted by: WEBbloger 1 | July 26, 2007 7:00 PM

"Your childhood is by any measure horrific," she told Rawls-Ivy. "That you have survived it and accomplished so much is extraordinary." She called her a "compassionate" and "caring" woman who has "contributed to our society and made it a better place." Judge Janet C. Hall

The abuse excuse really works... horray for the justice system. Lets see, we have Ben Hunter who stole over 100K in federal funds, he claims he was the fall guy...6 months home rehab.

Rawls Ivy.. stole 50K HUD money... 30 days for the horrific abuse she suffered 35 years ago... The poor people just can't catch a break.

Consider this:

Paris Hilton...double DUI.. 30 days suspended after 19 days for bad behavior...

Brittany Spears DUI, assult, risk of injury to minors... TBD

Linsey Lohan Double DUI, cocaine, reckless driving.. TBD

And the justice system gets better....

Posted by: fromnewhaven | July 26, 2007 7:59 PM

There are people with traumatic backgrounds who refuse to bend principles no matter how much injustice is thrown at them. They deserve recognition.

Mercy is one thing, but touting Rawls-Ivy for the simple fact of surviving and carving out some kind of life, then compromising her life further herself by her own actions, rather than pointing out this failing to her did her no favor, us no favor and was not a justice to her or us.

Ajudicating that she is indispensable to her children, though dubious, was more acceptable.

This fawning praise for her building a life despite her background, the idea that crimes are more understandable committed by her because of her background belied the hatred behind those who coined the evil little term 'maudlin' to begin with. Maudlin praise from the inventor of maudlin praise.

It was an insult to all those who have survived severe trauma who refuse to compromise on principles and refuse to use it as an excuse for crimes.

The backhanded compliment was no compliment to survivors of trauma.

Judge Hall is an arrogant fool or politician or both.

Posted by: Robin Gwathney | July 27, 2007 12:03 AM

Your comments are based on what you read, which limits what you know to be the truth. I can't speak to Paris Hilton or any other celebrity - they don't live in the regualr world. I do know that Babz' professional profile speaks to a lifelong duty and commitment to the less fortunate. Your skepticism is duly noted and even understood - you don't know about Babz' work in the community and probably don't care.

The press did not provide her resume and obviously you didn't do any other investigation to learn about her years of volunteer service w/ various organizations including the New Haven YWCA Rape Crisis Services or her various board commitments.

The Judge's determination was based on the information she heard and received from written testimonials. I think the more significant question is why so many people feel okay with leaving the maintenance of society to others and not being as active as they are crticial. Citizens cannot take a passive role in the maintenance and betterment of society.
You're either playing the in the game maintenance of society) or you're a spectator. If you're a spectator you get what you put in, which is usually nothing.

The majority of our citizenry expect and probably hope that someone else will take up the fight they're too scared or lazy to do. Yes, I said lazy, because if youc are about the laws of the land, if you care about the freedoms currently possessed, you participate in the game - even if it means you break the rules sometimes. You don't sit on the sidelines and make crtitical judgements about what you would have done. Like the Nike ad says - just do it! The more the merrier and the more accountable the system will become.

Don't just write about you're discontent and despair, provide some postive participatory action.

Posted by: Willie Williams Jr | July 27, 2007 6:18 AM

The Reason Why City Welfare, Child Developement, Q-House and Dept of Social Services Was Abolished In New Haven. The Free Ride and Gravy Train Is Going To Run Out Real Soon. So Housing Authority....You Gave Her A Job With No Background Checks or Credit Checks....Give Me A Job Paying $50,000.00-$90,000.00 per. Yr.

Posted by: Walt | July 27, 2007 8:42 AM

What a farce!!

She steals $49,000 from the poor and gets only 30 days in the jug and a measly pay -back of $300 per month, which means, even if she fulfills her committment, it will take almost 15 years, and that could be done only if no interest is charged.

According to State law, she could be charged @10% per year, meaning interest would total $4,900 yearly and her payback is only $3,600!!!

Hopefully the State will sue for triple damages, as permitted and she will be forced to pay the full 10% interest allowed.

No wonder the pictures of Rawls-Ivy leaving court , show her with a big grin. She ripped us off again.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 27, 2007 9:10 AM

I want to smack the smile off her face!!!
What do you say about this??? She robbed almost 50,000 from THE POOR!!!! And because she has kids she is getting 30 days!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!

She is the worst kind of thief!! A preditor of the poor!! Please she is a great person that makes a difference. No what I see is a person that uses the poor and needy to financially gain!! Someone in another artical called her a "poverty pimp" BINGO!!

There are all these excuses....guess what if you talked to half the men and women behind bars I bet they have even more horrible stories than her's. 50,000 dollars she robbed HELLO!!!

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | July 27, 2007 10:24 AM

Robin Gwathney
I Am Not A Spectator And I Am On The Front Lines
Everyday, But When I Look At This Case She Should Have Got The Maximum Sentence.How Many Other People Who Are Siting In A Jail Cell Have Kids That They Have Left Behind. What About The People
And Kids That Was Wait For That Money To Help Them
And Now Will Not See A Dime Of That Money.You Talk
About Her Record And What She Has Done In The Comunity, But This Is Not About Her Record And What She Has Done In The Comunity, This Is About
The Money She Stole From The Comunity That She Was Swore To Help.What You Do Not Understand Is That This Always Happens When These Politicians
Get Caught Stealing They Talk About There Records
Look At The Ex Mayor Of Newark New Jersey Sharp James Who Now Is Facing Indictment He Now Is Talking About His Record!!! And As Far as The Childhood Sexual Abuse That Is Horrific And I Would Not Take That Away From Anybody Due To The
Fact That I Know People Who Have Been Abuse By Family Members But This Is Still No Excuse Because
She Had A Sound Mind When She Admitted To Embezzling The Money That Mark To Help The Poor.Bottom Line You Do Not Understand What Has Happen Due To The Fact That This Is your Sister And It Is Only Human To Protect Your Family Members, I Think All Of Us Would Due The Same Thing, But You Need To See The Other Side And That Is The Majority Of Citizenry Are Get Tired
Of These Politicians Who Get Caught In This Type
Of Act And Than Use Any Excuse, There Record On What They Did For The Comunity, Letters From Other
Politicians And Clegy. So This Is Why You Have People Writing About There Discontent About This
Political Crooked System And The Politicians That
Run This Crooked System.

Posted by: concerned in ct | July 27, 2007 10:44 AM

Let me see if I have this correct. She steals (or loans to herself) $49,000 in public funds. The govt spends thousands of dollars to prosecute. She then gets a measly 30 days, for which we the people must pay her room, board and maintenance ($10,000). Then she is monitored for several more years at taxpayers cost. All the time, she has 14 years to pay the money back, with no interest. And on top of that, she doesn't pay a fine. And, she has several foster and adopted kids, for which the state is paying her to care for.

Where can I get in line for this kind of deal?

Posted by: In the Hood | July 27, 2007 11:48 AM

We need to stop throwing stones...Her skeletons are all out..How many of us can claim that..that's punishment in itself.

Let's forgive..and let live.
g-

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 27, 2007 12:35 PM

In the Hood
are you joken??? If that was you in the same place do you think they would have locked you up for several years!!!!!

I can forgive someone if they "know not what they do" but she knew what she was doing!!

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | July 27, 2007 1:33 PM

In The Hood
You State Let's Forgive And Let Live? I Hope You Rember The Year 1988 When Neil Bush King Bush Brother Pull Off One Of The Biggest Embezlement Call The Savings And Loan Scadel In which He Give
Him Self a Loan When He Was Director Of Silverado
Savings And Loan. Because Of This Embezlment This
Is Costing The Tax Payers About 1.4 Trllion Dollars Which The Tax Payers Are Still Paying Today and Our Children Will Also Be Paying.I Bet You That The Families That She Stole The Money From Will Not Forgive And Let Live!!!

Posted by: dana b | July 27, 2007 2:20 PM

The only thing that pleases me about this article is the outpouring of scorn and disillusionment that the readers have provided. I hope Judge Janet Hall reads this and sees that she has been moved by emotion and has failed to interpret properly the rules on sentencing. In fact, Judge Hall's job record should be reviewed; she should not be allowed to act with impunity.

Ms. Rawls-Ivy's contributions to her adopted children are necessary for their well-being, but surely they can live well for a few months to a year while dad and the other relatives step in to help. Her children, and all of us, need to see that when you steal, especially from the public and the poor you are responsible for helping, you have to suffer the consequences. Seeing their mom punished for stealing from all of us would probably contribute to the children's moral upbringing, something that perhaps Rawls-Ivy has neglected while attending to their fears and injuries. In any case, serving out the sentence is really the only just thing.

Otherwise, why don't we commute all the sentences of any non-violent criminals who have overcome adversity and who have children or elders at home who need them? That's the true implication of this ruling. Mercy has blinded justice.

Posted by: Edward_H | July 27, 2007 5:35 PM

Babz" Rawls-Ivy

"I don't want for them to see me in jail."

Why did she not think about this before she decide to embezzle?

Posted by: Cap Coleman | July 27, 2007 7:14 PM

What is going on with these federal judges? What the heck does Rawls-Ivy's childhood have to do with her calculated decision to embezzle public funds? For Christ's sake, every New Haven official has a cry baby story to tell, knowing that these judges will go soft. We don't even know half the time if their sob stories are true, there is so much incentive now to make shit up. Between Janet Hall and Janet Arterton (the one who walked public embezzler Ben Hunter) New Haven politicians have been having a field day getting away with their corruption time after time. Arterton was the one who called for stiffer sentences for financial and other white collar criminals to match punishment given to street criminals - only to walk Ben Hunter after he robbed $50,000 from the federal treasury. And now 30 days for Ivy for her embezzlements. What a joke. Between the two "Janets", the politicians must be plotting their next crimes, with no fear. Don't even bother trying to call Senator Dodd or Rosa DeLauro to demand better appointments - they are all cut from the same cloth and from the same crowd.

Posted by: tartanjug | July 28, 2007 6:46 AM

The smiles on their faces (Babz and her entourage, the way Larry Ivy stuck out his tongue at the media (the world) in the NH Register is them showing everyone---see I got away with less time than I deserved. Babz did her community wrong. She is a thief who stole money from the very people she grew up with; she lied to her constituency so she could run for Alderperson and continued to lie and lie.

Stealing like she did to buy a house and pay off loans has nothing to do with her childhood. Questions still to be asked: Why did her co-worker and campaign manager committ suicide that fall right after the investigations started and before the Aldermanic elections?? There is much more to this sad story.
Most of the people of Ward 28 do not have sympathy for your actions and certainly not for excuses. You may loose your house. Good! You should have thought of your own children and the consequences of your actions before methodically writing all those checks to cash. And talk about getting away easy---you only have to pay $300 a month towards the $49,000 you stole. Anyone can figure our how long it will take to repay that to the Housing Authority.

Posted by: ElmCityer | July 28, 2007 9:09 AM

I'm dismayed at how vicious comments are. I choose to show Christain-like mercy. Rawls Ivy is going to pay her debt -- in time & money. Extremely personal and painful aspects of her life have become cocktail and Internet chatter. She's bankrupt and heading for divorce. I think she's paid a price for what she did.

Let's now focus on what each of us can do to make the community better -- volunteering for city commissions and helping the poor. Let's get beyond our outrage and get up and do something for our community.

Posted by: Adelaide Taylor | July 28, 2007 2:16 PM

1. PATHETIC,
2. SHAMELESS,
3. PITIFUL,
4. COWARDLY,
5. DISGRACEFUL
6. etc.

This has got to be the most discussing charade and mockery of Public Service and the consequences of not living up to its Integrity.
I have 100 times more respect for girls in our community who got caught shoplifting, ($250 Coach Bags at Macy's), a couple of time, went to jail, (Niantic, CT), with their head up, than this gang!

A sad day for those of us who value and praise Public Service!

AT.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 29, 2007 1:32 PM

AT
thank you!!

ElmCityer AT made the point we are all chattering about.....50,000 dollars and 30 days....where young girls that steal 250.00 worth of merchindise go to Niantic for months.....does that sound like justice???

I want to know who the &^%& this judge is and where were the laws of justice??? Where were the laws to protect us in the future from low lives like this. Now are more people going to do it because if they do get caught they know that the punishment is a slap on the hand?? What does this teach children about crime and punishment?? I am mad at the system that allowed this, the judge that did this and the women with the freaken smile on her face that is flicking her thumb at all of us in New Haven!!

Posted by: AT | July 29, 2007 9:25 PM

Robin Gwathney,

Your comments above in defense of your sister show a horrifying premeditated calculated predisposition on your part to exploit the system. They also show a gravely flawed character, a total lack of respect for public service and complete lack of integrity. Here, let me quote you verbatim:

"...if you care about the freedoms currently possessed, you participate in the game - even if it means you break the rules sometimes. You don't sit on the sidelines and make crtitical judgements about what you would have done. Like the Nike ad says - just do it! The more the merrier and the more accountable the system will become..."

When you or your sister take an oath of office, with a public agency, (or for that matter the aldermanic oath that you sister took at some point), IT DOES NOT MEAN, NEVER MEANT, AND WILL NEVER EVER MEAN THAT SOMETIMES YOU CAN BREAK THE RULES.

Public service is not a game, like your simple, (oh so simple), Nike analogy. It is a noble undertaking that you, (by your statements above), and you sister, (by her embezzlement and subsequent deceitful actions to cover things up), have belittled and vilified.

Most politicians I know are law abiding good doers who do so most of the time at a compensation level that is less than what they will commend in the private sector. You want to know why? Because ...

THEY SERVE!

Your comments insult the law abiding politicians who do not steal from the poors in our community. Try reading among others "In Praise of Public Life: The Honor and Purpose of Political Service" by Joe Lieberman. Share it with your sister.

Honor! A concept exotic to you, sister & company!

It is appalling that one day after the sentencing of a Federal felon, her sister / adviser has the nerve to post a comment stating: "...- even if it means you break the rules sometimes ... Just do it ... "

The nerve!

AT

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | July 29, 2007 10:59 PM

At
IAgree With Most Of your Post, But Where We Part
At Is When You Talk About Joe Lieberman.This Man Is A Judas Hypocrite And Puppet For King Bush. I Read This Book When If First Came Out And He Lives
A Political Life That Is Differ From What He Wrote In This Book. Other Than That I Agree With You 100%.On Everything You Have Write.

Posted by: AT | July 30, 2007 12:38 PM

THREEFIFTHS,

Good point and well taken. The book was very well written. The man has changed since.

I was trying to think of some thing that will give these crooks some basics in civic public life and that one came to mind first.

AT

Posted by: concerned in ct | July 30, 2007 4:05 PM

Paul,

No one's pounding her while she is down. The lady essentially got a 30 year interest free loan, with a taxpayer paid vacation to boot, and she didn't even have to pay for her high priced lawyer. She hasn't lost anything that she she didn't steal. In addition, she has continually talked about her supposed accomplishments and community service, yet she lived on the taxpayer tit for years. I have seen her past posts on this website, and she was never been contrite or forgiving to other folks. She hasn't taken responsibility for what she has done, nor ever admitted that she is a thief. I would say she is getting what she deserves, but we all know that isn't true.

Posted by: Lovebabz | July 30, 2007 8:51 PM

Kittens, I do appreciate all the attention. And I certainly understand why and I have no problems with it what so ever--this site is good for venting and ranting. I am neither down nor out--a bit worn around the edges--but I trust I will survive. I am, as I have always been better than most on their worst days. So here are some lyrics that I think speak to how I am feeling at the moment. So kittens, thanks for spending all your time thinking about me and my life. Life can be boring for some, so I am glad to provide you all with a bit of juicy gossip and entertainment. Today I am wearing peach! And yes I am smiling as I pretty much always do. Cheers Kittens! Life is short, eat dessert!

MICHAEL BUBLE LYRICS

"Feeling Good"

Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Fish in the sea
You know how I feel
River running free
You know how I feel
Blossom on a tree
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That's what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me

Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me

And I'm feeling good.

Love,
Babz

Posted by: Dean Moriarty | July 31, 2007 12:49 AM

Elmcityer said:

"I'm dismayed at how vicious comments are. I choose to show Christain-like mercy."

I would be curious to know if you are a property tax payer in this city. Do you pay $4000.00 to $6000.00 a year a year on your home taxes? I have no idea. However, if you do pay those kind of taxes and you still have feelings like you stated, then I have no compunction in nominating you for Sainthood. How noble of you. But...the majority of people who are paying these exorbitant taxes are exhausted with paying these costs for issues they don't believe benefit their community (just read the posts in these forums to see the truth in that fact).

Elmcityer also states:

"Let's now focus on what each of us can do to make the community better -- volunteering for city commissions and helping the poor"

Again, a noble (misguided, but noble) statement. But instead, here's a novel idea: how about helping the working and retired people who have beeen carrying this city financially, through their property taxes, for the past many decades. Of course I do not expect that will happen. There's actually a reverse classism perspective to property owners. It seems they're expected to take care of other community issues just by virtue of the fact that they have sacrificed and saved to buy a property/home here. To be honest, I'm damned tired of mowing my lawn and then having to go out fifteen minutes later and pick up the trash that I witness thrown there by the Housing Authority residents across the street.

I know this is hopeless, but can't someone wake this Administration up?

PS: Joe Carbone, we need you in New Haven. And you don't even need to get a ID Card!

Posted by: concerned in ct | July 31, 2007 10:14 AM

Babz,

I bet you are feeling good. If you want to feel better, why don't you pay some interest on that "loan" you took out? I'm not thinking about you, I'm thinking about my taxpayer dollars being used by you with no return, I'm thinking about those Housing Authority kids who didn't receive services because of your thievery. Hope your feeling real good.

Posted by: concerned in ct | July 31, 2007 1:50 PM

"So kittens, thanks for spending all your time thinking about me and my life. Life can be boring for some, so I am glad to provide you all with a bit of juicy gossip and entertainment... Life is short, eat dessert!" -- Babz

Paul,
Didn't some women in France tell the starving people to eat dessert? What is so charitable about what she wrote? When did you start hugging the political criminals?

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 31, 2007 4:03 PM

charitably???? I am a nice person in general.... but when people that rape the poor get away with a slap on the hand and the judge give them a charitable sentence...I am suppose to be nice!!!

Babz, was that suppose to be a put down???? hmmm, I am with "concerned in ct" we don't give a flying woot about you .... we care about the people that you ROBBED FROM!!! So get over your self! We are mad at the judge and the justice system that let you go! And you can keep smiling, but I see the fangs that you used to suck the blood from the poor!!!

Posted by: Fed up in Fair Haven | July 31, 2007 5:02 PM

I was not going to stoop to comment on this low-life situation or the meagre sentencing of our esteemed judicial system, but I fear I must. When you are caught in a lie, you confess, you make amends where you can and you strive for greater accountability for the future, you do not quote Michael Buble lyrics which have no bearing on your situation and make you appear anything but contrite. "Kittens?" If the enraged public are seen as 'kittens' in your eyes, then you Ms. Rawls-Ivy are one heck of a tired, diseased, worn-out, ferrel cat. Good luck with whatever your future holds, hopefully outside of New Haven.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | July 31, 2007 5:30 PM

Today You May be Wearing Peach, But In About Three Month You Will Be Wearing Prison Issue Or What They Tell You To Wear!! Also Think About When You Do Get Out You Will Be A Felon And Also Due To The Crime Of Money Embezzlment Insurance
Companies Will Not Bond You. So If You Look At This Picture You Will Have To Live For The Rest Of Your Life With This Hanging Over Your Head.Also
At Least When We Eat Our Dessert We Can Hold Our Heads Up High. Last At Least Kittens Are Loved And Wanted And Thieves Are Not. This Why I Will Be A Kitten Everyday!!!

Posted by: concerned in ct | July 31, 2007 6:32 PM

Cedar and Fed Up,

Great, couldn't have said it better.

Posted by: pinkbicycle | July 31, 2007 6:34 PM

You people are spending a lot of time talking about this woman. She stole almost $50,000 so what. Your Gov't steals more than that every second of everyday. You gutless CATS hiding behind your make-believe names--talking big talk so as long as nobody knows its you. I rather like the lyrics she posted. You don't get to decide her life. Worry about your own miserable lives. This is old news. Move on, there are other people you all can rake over to make yourselves feel so much more superior. Obviously she could care less about what you think and more about how she is doing. So get over your tired moral outrage. God if I read one more ridiculous rant about this I will scream. Will you care about this tomorrow or in the next hour. I know ranting about this makes you feel good, some of you may even get off on it. But really, now you are just looking pathetic. Oh yeah, I am a gutless Cat too--because I certainly don't want my "real" identity known--it allows me to act a fool and walk amongst good, decent, caring christian/muslim/jewish and other God-respecting
people unawares. Otherwise I would be too ashamed.

Posted by: goaway | August 1, 2007 9:00 PM

I have never wished a judge could do a redo in all my life, until now. .

concernedinct got it right -- 30 year interest free loan was her punishment. Those terms are better than the student loan she used the stolen funds to pay off.

Posted by: dexter | August 3, 2007 4:30 PM

I know there are probably more important issues to discuss, but I couldn't help but add my two cents here.

Like most of the commenters I am outraged by the sentence but even more appalled by the criminal's attitude (as expressed here by Lovebabz=Babz Rawls Ivy) and her family's colusion (as expressed by sister Robyn Gawaltny).

The only way I can find any satisfaction is to remember how similar Ms. Rawls-Ivy's point of view is to that of many alcoholics and drug addicts. Before these folks get clean and sober, they think they are getting over on people -- telling lies, getting away with stuff, being believed, beating the systme, whatever. But in fact, people around them quickly wise up to the offender's nonsense and lose respect for them. What Ms. Rawls-Ivy has lost, she's too obtuse, too caught up in her own "getting over" to recognize. When she looks in others' eyes she'll get a blank, a lack of respect, a confirmation of her own loss of stature. The pity is that she will remain too messed up to even recognize that blankness.