Sinclair Skinner

Former DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and Liberty Engineering and Design PLLC Principal Sinclair Skinner Vindicated in DPR Special Counsel Report

March 14, 2011 – Today, Liberty Engineering and Design PLLC Principal Sinclair Skinner released the following statement in response to the release of the Report by Special Counsel Robert P. Trout on the investigation into District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation contracts.

Today is a day of great vindication.

I am vindicated for a number of reasons, but most of all I am vindicated because a group of political figures who tried to use me, my small business and a baseless investigation to attack those close to me –now have to reap the consequences of the lies, manipulation and corruption they used to attain power.

They tried to do so by speaking lies and misinformation to truth.

They would speak of a man with the failed dry cleaners.

But fail to speak of the man who expanded a single dry cleaner to a chain of four in 4 years.

They would also fail to mention that dry cleaners would secure contracts with several hotel chains including the Marriot, Embassy Suites and the Savoy, or secure contracts with the University of Maryland, Catholic University and Howard University, Walter Reed and several other government agencies while Anthony Williams was Mayor.

And most of all they failed to mention the numerous jobs I provided for D.C. residents, or the fact that I spent more time washing the clothes of struggling mothers and fathers for free than paid clients.

They would speak of a man who started an engineering firm with no experience

But fail to mention the more than 15 years of experience I’ve amassed perfecting my craft.

They would fail to mention the numerous prestigious engineering companies I have worked for like, Honeywell, Pillsbury, The McDonnell Douglas Corporation, The Architect of the Capitol and the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.

They would fail to mention my experience performing testing and development for the space shuttle’s main engine controllers, designing incubators for babies, or designing roadways in Macon County, Alabama.

They would fail to mention that I was the first African American student named to the National Board of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

They would speak of a man who had influence and connections in local politics

But fail to mention that the influence was spawned by my years of advocacy for justice.

They would fail to mention I was elected ANC Commissioner 3 times.

They would fail to mention that I bought a crack house on Georgia Avenue and turned it into a business that served the community.

They would fail to mention I organized neighbors to fight crime and take back the streets.

They would fail to mention I fought against gentrification and the destruction of Black owned businesses.

And they would fail to mention that the influence was not garnered by fraternity ties, where I went to school or family connections.

But, it was conceived by a lifetime of hard work and dedication to a community, and from the love and respect we had for one another’s commitment to public service.

But today, the one thing that makes me the happiest, is knowing that me, my friend and the former Mayor of DC–who spent a lifetime providing more efficient city services, better schools and safer streets for DC residents –have been vindicated.

Thank you,

Sinclair Skinner

Activist, Engineer, Businessman and Washingtonian