Baltimore 1 Shira (sp?) , James , Kenya , Tonja (sp?)
Shira: Hello, how you doin?
James: Hello
Kenya: Hi
James: Hey how are you today?
Shira: Fine
James: Uh, we have an appointment to see uh i think, Shira.
Shira: That’s me, How ya doin?
James: oh hello
Shira: Nice to meet you
James: Nice to meet you
Kenya: Oh it’s hot in here
Shira: you can take your top off
Kenya: yeah…
Shira: Please, you can take your top off... [Unintelligible] that’s so different, its so nice
Kenya: Oh I'm Kenya
Shira: How you doin? did you bring your information in?
James: Hi uh, well i wanted to talk to you about some things first. do you have a bathroom by the way?
Shira: yeah, its right through there
James: Okay. just one moment please. Oh, here is your phone that I had in my pocket
Kenya: thank you
Shira: you thought it was going to be cold in here, but its hot?????? Baltimore 2 Kenya: Well this morning it was overcast and cloudy but it defiantly got hotter, which i like
Shira: you like hot weather
Kenya: yea i do, you don't? why
Shira: i hate hot weather
Kenya: oh i love tropical places
Shira: well i am completely… [Unintelligible] Kenya: i love the sun
Shira: i have never liked... [Unintelligible] or the sun, cause i have allergies really bad
Kenya: oh so you know pollen and all the allergies and everything that comes with that, yeah i understand, that’s kind of how my mom is
Shira: yea
James: so umm can we sit and talk with you for a little while
Shira: yes you can talk to me... joe come on in
Shira: i really love that top, its...
Kenya: thank you
James: you have one of these iphones, you seen these iphones
Shira: No I can't operate my own phone too good
James: Oh well, they got all these cool applications on them you can download and tell you the weather, the wind
Kenya: yeah he's like here listen to this song and I'm like how much did that cost you?
James: Well this one is only a hundred bucks they have got a pretty good deal on them
Shira: Only...okay
James: well i am doing pretty well for myself but i am coming to talk to you about my girlfriend, my girl Kenya here, we have kind of a unique life situation. We read through some of the paperwork Baltimore 3 you were talking about and the qualifications and everything but we just wanted to talk about our unique situation and see if we still qualify and you could still help us
Shira: Hold on one second let me go [Unintelligible]...Go ahead
James: So I don't know if you wanna...
Shira: Go ahead
Kenya: Okay, uh he is moving into town. I am not from here. And um..He wants me... He is going to be going to Johns Hopskins for graduate school. Graduate school, right?
Shira: congratulations
James: Yep, Law.
Kenya: and he wants me to come, but he doesn't want me around... Like he doesn't want everyone to know that he I am with him here
Shira: um hmm
Kenya: which brings us to why we need a house, I can't afford to be on my own kind of thing. So I was kind of wondering what you guys have in the way of loans and housing
Shira: First time home buying?
Kenya: yes, For me yea
Shira: Okay, Let me tell you the class is April the 8 th ... August the 8 th
Kenya: Oh, August the 8 th
Shira: there is a class, that you have to go to which entails tells you about the program how it operates and what specific and they are really good people, really great people you can't...excellent. Not because I work here, but because of their mannerism, professionalism and everything that goes with it
James: but are they from ACORN as well?
Shira: Yes Baltimore 4 James: Oh they do?
Shira: ACORN hires them, ACORN housing.
James: okay
Shira: yes so we are like ACORN and they got ACORN housing
James: Okay
Shira: so yes and anyone who goes to the class... And they will have inspectors their and tell you about first time home buying what you need to do. And they wont put you into a house that you can’t afford
Kenya: that I cant afford? Okay. They will put me in a house that I can afford?
Shira: exactly Yes and they will actually look for the housing
Kenya: Okay..hang on
Shira: and you may go to the class but you may not be buyer ready
Kenya: right
Shira: so they will let you know
Kenya: I mean I can get money
Shira: Yes, but still you want, you don't want, say like they can get you into a 20...you can maybe get money now and then if you cant afford the house you'll be like oh, ay know, if the house you maybe can afford is like 200 thousand now, but then if you don't have the job to keep it up you still lose the house but then they will still work with you...
Kenya: I mean I can, I mean I work. And I hope I will be able to work here, I mean I think I will be able to work here
James: Well its not so much, well she is in a situation wehre she has a unique line of work. I am running for campaign I am running for student government.
Kenya: what about when you are done with school? Baltimore 5 James: Well..
Shira: then you all r gonna live together
James: Eh...Well here is our situation I wanna run for campaign I wanna go to school, go to law school I wanna run for congress one day but she is in a unique business. Unfortunately we have been to a lot of other...
Shira: We are not like that
James: HM?
Shira: we are not prejudiced
James: You're not prejudiced?
Shira: toward any kind of work that anybody does
James: Oh thank god because you dont understand that we have been to so many like you
Shira: We are not like that, we dont sit down here. We are not here to judge what somebody do
James: you’re not..?
Shira: No
James: Well every place we have been has denied us
Shira: well we are not like that....we are a non profit organization. What do you do?
Kenya: Well I can just well we I
Shira: its okay
Kenya: well I have clients...male clients
Shira: It's a job isn't it
Kenya: its a job...I am making money
Shira: You know what? It’s a job, it’s a job
James: Yea but the problem is that it Baltimore 6 Kenya: I could get in trouble, I have gotten in trouble with it before, but it makes money, it pays, ya know
Shira: do you have a 1099
Kenya: whats a 1099?
Shira: taxes. Do you fill out your taxes?
Kenya: No.
James: well she gets paid mostly in cash.
Kenya: yea cash
James: She makes a lot of money though so we could afford some
Shira: Okay let me get somebody here from taxes so they can talk to you about how you need, because you really need that. Okay first of all before we fittin to go on
James: but we are still going to be able talk to you
Kenya: will you still be here?
Shira: yea yes but she is gonna be in here yes,
James: uh huh
Shira: okay but they can sit down and help you... [distant] excuse me, Tonja.
Kenya: [whisper] Oh my God... tax fraud?
James: [whisper] tax fraud
Shira: She is back here, this is, she okay
Shira: & Tonja: [Unintelligible greeting]
Tonja: hi, how are you?
Kenya: I’m Kenya
Tonja: Tonja, nice to meet you
James: I'm James Baltimore 7 Tonja: Nice to meet you, James
Shira: She is in a line of work where she doesn't do taxes but she is in here line of business, but she has a job and so how can she start
Tonja: okay so let me ask you a question, so you have a job and does your job, do you have any dependents… no?
Kenya: People that depend...I don't have any kids
Tonja: and nobody that you claim on your taxes
Shira: she hasn't done taxes yet
Kenya: my job is cash
Tonja: okay you say you have a job that is cash… are they reporting it
Kenya: No
Tonja: they are not reporting it?
Kenya: I mean I get the cash and I keep it
Tonja: okay. you have a job or you have your own business
Kenya: I ummmm..
Tonja: there is a difference. They pay you with a check
Kenya: no with cash.
Tonja: they pay you with cash. And they are reporting this to the government?
Kenya: No who?
James: the clients
Kenya: my clients
Tonja: No the person that is paying you
James: the clients
Tonja: the job that’s paying you Baltimore 8 Kenya: well people pay me different people every day
Tonja: well there is a difference between having a job and having your own business
okay so tell me
Kenya: well I guess before it was a job. There was this guy that people would give me money and I would give money to him. But now I am just kind of well I met him (James) and now I am trying to get away from that guy
James: I am trying to help her out maybe give her a place to go where she can perform her work, maybe a house where she can go where she doesn't have to get targeted by this other guy, you know you know what I am saying?
Tonja: okay if the business is not...does the business have an ID number?
James: no
Tonja: okay so there is no taxes or nothing being put to government so the government really knows nothing about this business
Kenya: no they dont know anything about me... hopefully
Tonja: okay so you are just starting this business
Kenya: well no I have been
Tonja: you have been doing this for a little bit
Kenya: yea
Tonja: okay how old are you
Kenya: um 19
Tonja: so why you wanna file taxes
Kenya: I don't...
Shira: cause she needs to get a house she needs to get a house Baltimore 9 Kenya: yea i just wanna get a house
James: we just want to give her a house and she tax returns to get a
Tonja: oh so you want to get a house so you need your tax return so like if we say you 19 and you like have this cash money you dont really have to report that because
James: well we wanna get a place to go
Tonja: right so you wanna get a house so you do need a tax return so what you do is. For '08 how much did you make do you know..guesstimate.
James: is that by herself or is that gross with the money she gave to that guy...this guy who has been harassing her
Tonja: that guy..don't worry about that guy because if he doesn't do a quarterly report
James: &Kenya: uh huh
Tonja: he is not reporting that money
James: well its all off the books
Kenya: right
Tonja: so he is not reporting that money so don't use that money just the money you made
Kenya: [to self] 12 months
James: how much do you think you make in month. Right now she is on my boat, she is living on a boat do her work... so I am trying to think
Tonja: okay
Kenya: um..how many weeks are in a month?
Tonja: four weeks in a month
James: three to four
Tonja: so the whole year you were by yourself
Kenya: mm hm Baltimore 10 Tonja: each month about how much you think you made
Kenya: four weeks in am month... 8
Tonja: about 800 dollars a month
Kenya: 8 grand a month
Tonja: 8 grand a month okay so that is gonna put you and about 8000, 9600 for the year. Nine thousand six hundred for the year so you would, that'll be good. But you gonna have to pay self employment taxes, and you had expenses that you had to meet the commodities so you should have a business loss so you really shouldn't have to have no self employment taxes to pay. So you can have a business loss. Okay
Kenya: so what?
Shira: shes the tax lady
James: shes the expert
Shira: shes the tax lady
[Unintelligible voices together, laughter]
Tonja: okay so you file a tax return, you gonna file a tax return as a business. You have a name?
Kenya: for my business?
Tonja: don't worry about it if you don't
Kenya: I'm a… I provide a service
Tonja: mm kay. You don't have to. So we will put down that you made the 9600 for the year. Then we put your expenses, which would include advertising, office expense
Kenya: there is not I mean, unless my clothes are like advertising
Shira: she is the tax person so listen to her
Tonja: do you have business cards or did you put out flyers or did you do an Internet website or something like that… nothing like that? Baltimore 11 James: its all referrals
Tonja: what about do you have any office expenses do you have to buy paper, ink, pencils pens all that kind of stuff
James: condoms
Tonja: okay
James: we have to buy condoms
Tonja: what kind of a business is this
Kenya: I provide a service to male clients
Tonja: okay so what about do you got to put out for clothes... see it depends on what the business is, what you can write off. That’s why I need to know
Kenya: okay so I can write off my..
Tonja: it depends you can write off your clothing in certain businesses.
Shira: I am gonna go talk to her and when you are finished then talk to me
James: okay I wanna continue talking to you
Shira: okay yea because she's a bus-she actually does accounting and everything so she will give you her card. So when you finish talking to her then I will talk to you about the housing program.
James: alright
Tonja: in the business that you do you have to have a certain clothing...so we can write that off. You have to have a certain grooming so that can be written off.
Tonja: um do you provide do you give like little gifts. Do you provide incentives or something for your clients, you could write off stuff like that
Kenya: well I mean since I moved onto his boat I mean it is always a plus to have a yacht, a sail boat
Tonja: mhmm Baltimore 12 Kenya: ...that they go to... so docking fees for the boat but I know its his boat
Tonja: but it’s not in her name
James: no it’s not in her name
Tonja: it has to be in your name
Kenya: yeah I mean no
Tonja: transportation?
Kenya: no they provide the transportation
James: they pick her up
Tonja: so you don't have to go from one place
Kenya: they
James: they pick her up
Tonja: okay um well between clothes and grooming
Kenya: my cellphone
Tonja: your cellphone and you don't do advertising you don't have an office expense,and you don't have to pay for rent for anything do you? And you don't have to buy for or to rent any equipment do you?
Kenya: no, it’s like a free ride
Tonja: okay what about um, you have no employees...i need to look at the schedule to see last ...excuse me
[Telephone call in background]
James: [unintelligible whisper] we have to bring it up a notch and start talking about doing illegal things with the taxes
Kenya: [whisper] well just think of [unintelligible]
James: [whisper] yeah Baltimore 13 Kenya: [whisper] lets get her to give us a list of advice and get her to follow through with it. We'll ask her to write down a list of things we can write off and
James: okay and then I can... what do you have in mind
Kenya: you take it over from here because I am definitely like drawing a blank right now
James: okay
Shira: and when she finishes I am going to talk to you about the housing but she is a tax consultant and she is good
Kenya: I was gonna ask you about like
James: We just have a
Kenya: I dunno where is ---- but I was, like maybe she could give me a list so I could like follow up
Shira: oh she will help you she is good. Actually she has her own business...
James: our problem is that we just want to make sure that — Kenya has a unique line of work. We have been discriminated against — no one has provided us, because it is against the law
Shira: she is not like that
James: No law enforcement is very prejudicial toward us
Shira: Well she is gonna make this like a legal business
James: yea but how can she do that though
Shira: Because she um she is good, I'm gonna tell you — uh Tanja she wants to know how you gonna make it legal. She's really good she's not gonna get in trouble her own self, she is not going to trouble her own self, that’s why
James: wait say that again
Shira: she is good and she is not gonna get in trouble. She is very legit. We do not discriminate. So you have one of the best persons
Kenya: so she is not going to get in trouble or I am not going to get in trouble Baltimore 14 Shira: no you are not gonna get in trouble
Kenya: Kenya: so neither of us okay
James: I mean we have walked into banks before and they have called the cops
Kenya: just because of the way I look
James: because how the maryland laws are working, they discriminate against people who do this type of work so we don't wanna be.
Shira: tell them Tanja
Tonja: so you want to, why you wanna make this legal
James: because we want a place for her to go. Because right now she has got to stay on a boat.
Tonja: okay
James: and we have been discriminated against by every housing provider that you could possibly imagine
Kenya: and when he is in school and when he runs for congress I want to be reality close to him
Tonja: so the type of business okay... the type of business or service you provide let me make sure that there is a code for it okay
James: a code for prostitution?
Tonja: well, yeah I have to have a name and a code number
James: well I don know that there will be a code for it
Tonja: but I'm gonna look in there let me get my list
Shira: she is good that is what I am saying
James: the other thing that we have to deal with is this guy she was working for he is very abusive. And this guy has been giving us a lot of problems
Kenya: ever since I left Baltimore 15 James: and now she is trying to start her own thing. And we are trying to get her a house and she can work with other girls and she can make, right now this guy is being very harassing so that is why we have got to do this as fast as possible
Kenya: which is, I know you guys offer housing and loans and stuff but would they be in safe neighborhoods? Or would they?
Shira: first of all you be lookin for your own house. Once they say you are buyer ready you will be looking for your own house the good thing is you'll be looking at your own house where you are gonna be living
Kenya: okay
Shira: and the thing I tell everybody is do not ever ever whatever you line of business you in... be proud of it.
Kenya: okay
Shira: You nineteen years old be proud of it. Okay don't feel like because you still have a job you are not robbin nobody, not hurtin nobody not stealin from nobody, okay?
Kenya: okay
Shira: don't feel like that ever
James: see you are one of the most supportive people because we have been to so many banks and real estate agencies and they just constantly tell us about
Kenya: well its just that we walk in and its get out
Shira: but you know you see
Kenya: and the thing is you know its not like I am trying to rob anybody
Shira: no you doin
Kenya: I just want somewhere to live
Shira: exactly, exactly Baltimore 16 Tonja: they want you
Shira: okay
Tonja: okay lets see what we got here: combination business food service and drinking places, um...[mutter]...we might have to name it something else
Kenya: uh
Tonja: in order for you to file a return for business
Kenya: whats a return
Tonja: a tax return. In order for you to file a return for the business, you have to
Kenya: so I am returning taxes to the government
Tonja: no you have to pay taxes on the money you make
James: is their any way around that though
Tonja: yeah don't file them and you continue doing cash
James: okay okay
Kenya: but that’s what I have been doing but what about your house
Tonja: that’s your problem you don't have cash money to buy a house, because if you had cash money to buy a house then you wouldn't have a problem you wouldn't necessarily have to file a tax return on that
Kenya: but if I had
Tonja: you know what I'm saying
Kenya: but ill be needing a loan
Tonja: by you not having they cash money to buy a house outright they want a tax return to do some borrowing and stuff like that
Kenya: I mean I can make payments in cash back to whoever lets me into the house Baltimore 17 Tonja: I understand what you are saying but okay what I am saying is that you cant get a house without a tax return unless you gonna pay cash full out
James: mmhmm
Tonja: or check or however you gonna pay for it up front
Kenya: are there people who give cash loans?
Tonja: there are some people who give cash loans yes
Kenya: but do you guys?
Tonja: no we don't but there are some places like I know loans for cash or cash for loans or something like that
James: well we don't wanna, we have gotten in trouble she has gotten in trouble before with loan sharks and shady deals
Kenya: I don't want anyone and I also
James: and before we get too much into detail there is another variable
Tonja: how bout if you wanna do that okay they got other amusement and recreational services
James: we could probably be classified under recreational services right
Kenya: amusement..
Tonja: that would be including golf courses, skiing facilities arenas fitness centers and bowling centers, skating rings and miniature golf courses...hmmm
James: hmm
Tonja: amusement parks and arcades, the gammon industry...performance arts...lets see independent artists, you could be that
James: you're an artist of sorts, the way you move your body
Kenya: I am very independent well, I am now that Sonny is gone
James: yeahhh Baltimore 18 Tonja: you know what...um dancing
James: its not dancing trust me
Tonja: but dancing is considered an art, I mean you know
James: sex is kind of like dancing right
Tonja: yeah some---- so I am thinking if you were working in what’s the name of that place downtown
James: a strip club?
Tonja: they usually go under performing artists or yea they usually go under performing arts which will be what you are a performing artist
Kenya: but would I have to work at one of those buildings
Tonja: no no no no, you can do it on your own
James: so we could potentially qualify as performing arts or the other one was?
Tonja: right you could go under performing arts as the principle business and there is a code for that so that if you wanna file a tax cause you need to do a schedule C which is a profit or loss form for business
James: the other thing is could we
Kenya: do you have notes...
Tonja: these are somebody else's I don't want to give you their stuff
Kenya: yea...well go ahead
Tonja: basically
James: well I want to ask you a question there is another variable here that Kenya should we should talk to you about which may complicate our taxes is that we have a couple of girls overseas who are coming over and they are very young you know, what I mean. We don't wanna put them on the books Baltimore 19 Kenya: they are kind of dependent
James: they are from El Salvador
Tonja: okay
James: there is like 13 of them and they are probably going to move into the house that we get
Kenya: just for like a year while they get on their feet
James: just to get them on their feet so they can do this type of thing
Tonja: so do you want to ...so why you all even wanna do taxes oh cause of the house
James: because we want a house and everyone else has been discriminatory but the point is that there is gonna be 13 El Salvadorian girls coming into the house and we don't want them to cause any trouble
Tonja: as far as
James: as far as anything as far as the feds coming in
Tonja: as far as feds coming in mum that’s as far as tax part to cover yourself on that part you can issue them a sheet of 1099s
James: but they are not even legal citizens
Kenya: well I mean couldn't they like if I am a performing artists cant they be like
Tonja: if they don’t have Social Security numbers then you don’t have to worry about them because they cant file taxes anyway.
James: we don’t have to worry about them
Tonja: you don’t have to worry about them if they gonna an ID, if they gonna get an Social Security number for anything even for working
James: but these girls are like 15
Tonja: oh then you don’t have to worry about it cause they not old enough
James: okay we don’t have to worry ab out that Baltimore 20 Tonja: right
Kenya: I mean they would only be with me a year maybe two, depending on if I like some of them
James: just enough time to make some money, get their feet off the ground and they will prolly go back to El Salvador
Kenya: and by the time they are older they are not my problem
Tonja: ok, ok
James: but we are going to be putting a roof over these peoples a roof over their head in addition to Kenya
Tonja: well then you know what you can always claim them as dependents I mean you cant do all of them
Kenya: well then can we just claim some of them and still have the other ones there
Tonja: sure okay if you gonna do this, if you gonna start this business the name of the proprietor would be you the principle business would be performing arts the address would be what, for right now the boat?
James: the boats on the chesterfield
Tonja: alright then the amount of money that you make....right now you dont have any employees but when the girls come they are not really gonna be employees because you arent gonna issue them W2s at the end of the year
Kenya: I don’t even know what that is
Tonja: they under sixteen so you don't worry about that, but on the other part of the form you can use them as a dependents because they live in your house they are under 16 and they are living in your house. Well you live in a boat but because you are taking care of them so you can use them as a dependent
James: What if they are going to be making money because they are performing tricks too Baltimore 21 Tonja: but if they making money and they are underage then you shouldn't be letting anybody know anyway
Kenya: well that’s true cause
Tonja: you shouldn't be letting anyone know anyway
James: well that’s what happen we told the bankers and they kicked us out
Tonja: right because its illegal. So I am not hearing this, I am not hearing this. You talk too much don't give up no information you are not asked
James: Kenya if I don't give the information and you guys discriminate against us for all this stuff, promise me that you wont discriminate against us
Tonja: we can only discriminate against something, if we don't have the information then how are we going to discriminate? You see what I am saying, if I don't know
James: and I have already given you the information
Tonja: well yea you given me, if they don't know what you brinin in or whatever nobody is tellin it then they wont know to come look for you
Kenya: that’s kind of true because when I was working when I was young I couldn't tell anybody
James: right, and she has been working since she was about 13
Tonja: so if they under sixteen, then they not legal to work here anyway
Kenya: so its like they don't even exists
Tonja: right like they don't exist
James: and they can be in the housing that we get
Tonja: right
James: we apply for it and they can be in the housing and we can use the house for them.
Tonja: you can use the house you can put them on your taxes as dependents to help lower your rate Baltimore 22 Kenya: how many of them am I allowed to
Tonja: three
Kenya: three
James: 3 as dependents?
Tonja: 3 that you are gonna get credit for
James: So if we got 13 of them in the house we are going to have to just not exist 10 of them?
Tonja: I did not put 13 because that is gonna put a flag. Okay how she got 13 people, how she got 13 ppl living with her you know that’s gonna kinda look kinda funny. You file a tax return and you put 13. u could put 13 dependents if she was a little older if she was like in her 40s or 50s I could do that like realtives or something like that
Kenya: dont scare me like that
Tonja: with only being 19 I cannot put 13 bc that is going to put a flag
James: who is it gonna flag, who will it flag, who are we gonna get in trouble with
Tonja: the federal govt.
James: really?
T onja: if I put 13 ppl on there they are gonna say ―hold up, if she only 19 how is she gonna have 13 people livin off this 19 year old girl
Kenya: well what if I was a ya know kind hearted
Tonja: there are not that many kind-hearted 19 year olds okay trust me
James: so who we gotta be afraid like of from federal government
Tonja: because you are not gonna use all of them you are gonna use three of them they are gonna be under 16 so you is eligible to get child tax credit and additional child tax credit
Kenya: I am turning 20 soon so I will be a little older
Tonja: okay well I still wouldn't say more than three Baltimore 23 Kenya: okay
Tonja: and you are gonna have to say they relatives.
Kenya: well I mean they are little latinas
James: they dont even speak english they just come to this country to do their business
Tonja: and they dont have SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERs
James: no
Kenya: no they are not
Tonja: okay we are not gonna use any of them then
James: okay
Tonja: okay cause they dont have SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERs or IT numbers when they come here
James: no but they bring in money though
Tonja: but when they come here they are gonna come with a passport and ID# right
James: no they don't have anything they are shipped over
Tonja: then we can’t us e them at all because we have to have some sort of ID number for them too.
James: okay
Tonja: so don't even worry about them
Kenya: so
Tonja: don't even worry about them
Kenya: okay
Tonja: the only way u can use them is if they an infant because infants don't have SS#s anyway
James: they are close to infants, 13 14 some of them
Tonja: so you wanna use this cause you wanna get a house Baltimore 24 James: that’s right
Tonja: so we'll use this so no advertisement no cards record expense. What about legal or professional expenses, you don't have to get licenses or nothing like that no okay
what about supplies..yes
James: condoms...how many condoms did you buy last month
Tonja: and travel you dont travel
James: they travel to her
Tonja: so you dont go nowhere right, so yeah we could probably write off 7 at least 7
Kenya: oh wow
Tonja: okay
Kenya: okay
Tonja: I need you to fill out some logistics information that can go in your 08 return, let me go get the form, like your name your address and stuff
Kenya: since we are like doing this for us can we talk to her about housing and stuff
James: some of the general housing stuff
Kenya: so like I can figure out where and how and
Tonja: so if you still wanna do the for just let me know
Kenya: yea
Tonja: okay no problem
James: and I just wanna thank you so much because people have just been so discriminatory toward us
Tonja: it’s sweatin hot, I'm hot in here
James: thank you so much
Tonja: [laugh] she wanna talk to you first then she gonna talk to me again Baltimore 25 Shira: 1 okay, do you feel better now
Kenya: let me just
James: yes
Kenya: I mean chairs and offices freak me out clocks on the wall
Tonja: that clock don't work
Kenya: I'm just saying offices you guys really put me at ease, she did, so close to my heart
Shira: she's a good person
James: she is
Shira: like I said she will get you anything you need
Kenya: and she asked like she wasn't just like oh well..she was like well she analyzed the situation and ask the tough questions that are so critical
Shira: that’s why I got you that person that’s why I got you that person so that t you can get your help
James: she knows her stuff because she said that we what we can do is that we would be able to classify it as not prostitution but as ahh recreation or what was it?
Kenya: no no as performing artist
James: performing arts
Shira: yes see
James: and then we could get the right tax codes
Shira: yes
James: so that is wonderful we had some more questions
Shira: the classes go to the class
Kenya: what yea
Shira: its from 11-4 on august the 8 th 11-4 Baltimore 26 Kenya: 11-4 on august 8 th what day is that?
Shira: its like a saturday
Kenya: Saturday?
Shira: sat morning 11-4
Kenya: that’s like a workable time
Shira: they will do like a one on one and see what the papers looks like
Kenya: my credit
Shira: yea
Kenya: well I don't have...
Shira: well that’s fine because we will work with you. You will have Ellen and she is a person who very nice, everybody here is, we don’t look at people as Oh my Gosh no. you are here as a client she will treat you like a client
Kenya: that will be very nice for me to be treated like a client
Shira: we don't treat you like first of all let me tell you something my job is not to judge people. i have kids. I mean I don't like when people judge-
James: how old are your kids
Shira: 39 and 31
James: congratulations
Shira: I don't like nobody to judge me so therefore I don't judge nobody else. I don't let no body compare me to somebody
James: well here is the problem not only does Kenya have her business, do her thing but she works with girls who are like 14 15 Baltimore 27 Kenya: well there are like 13 girls from El Salvador that I have kind of gotten wind on the street that they are coming and I have let the right ppl know that I am interested in taking care of them and getting them used to the area and getting them used to society
Shira: that you keep to yourself
Kenya: okay
Shira: let people know. I am gonna tell you about business some things, because you are young, some things, you know nothing.
Kenya: that’s kind of she was like ―I am not hearing this‖
Shira: yea, Some things when you get older you like you realize that you don't need to you know what I mean, you don't know
James: I am only 22
Shira: that’s I’m you don't kn ow, you don't know
James: okay
Shira: is such and such I don't know
James: that doesn't affect our ability to get a house even though we are going to have these 13 El Salvadorian girls in the house
Shira: no they could be houseguests
James: even though they will be doing jobs
Kenya: yea they could be like company
Shira: whatever whatever I don't want to know. Houseguests
James: okay houseguests, so that is what we are going to tell the people at the conference then
Shira: no you are going to tell the people that this is going to be a residential place
James: okay
Shira: this is gonna be your house where you preside where you live at Baltimore 28 Kenya: so we don't talk about this at the conference
Shira: no no no no this is gonna be your house to live in
James: do you promise not to tell anyone?
Shira: I am not- I don't care I really don't care this is a house, when you
James: you don't understand no one else has helped us you're the one who has allowed us to do this no one else has helped us because they have heard this and they don't wanna do it
Shira: you know you reside in the house and you gonna live in the house and this is gonna be a permanent residence
Kenya: So this is my house and these are just guests that come and like
Shira: you don't even worry about the guest; this is the house that you live in
Kenya: okay because I will be living there longer than them
Shira: they could be exchange students I mean they could be anything
Kenya: okay
James: okay
Shira: they come to your house they are exchange students
James: exchange students maybe we can classify them as that
Shira: exactly
James: okay
Shira: so don't worry you are fine
Kenya: thank you
James: so what are we gonna do about this pimp who has been bothering us
Kenya: well th at’s what I was gonna are the doors open, where is this conference, August 8 th
Shira: its at the library downtown you know the main library, its at 400 Cathedral St.
Kenya: okay Baltimore 29 Shira: in the mean time I would get a place, I would move in with somebody who does not know your last name
Kenya: I am on his boat right now
Shira: okay do he know where the boats at
James: where the boat is?
Shira: the location.
James: He does know the location that’s where stems the danger
Kenya: yea and its. The thing is if I come somewhere in public
James: he came just last week and he beat up one of her client
Kenya: I mean coming here, he escorted me, I mean being some places is fine, being with other men is fine, I mean I feel safe, and I know my roots and umm but being somewhere in public, will there be security?
Shira: at the library there probably gonna be a whole bunch be like 200 people there
Kenya: 200 people
Shira: mmhmmm
Kenya: and are there like going to be police officers there
Shira: No!
Kenya: okay
Shira: and first of all they don't know you from Adam
Kenya: right
Shira: you not stick out like Adam, you are just there to purchase a home for yourself, you there to learn
Kenya: right I want a home just like the rest of them Baltimore 30 Shira: Exactly y ou just gonna come on, that’s all that is required in class is that you, you are not there for no body to sit down and to judge you
James: now listen to what this lady has to say bc she has got some good stuff about the pimp what do we do about this guy because that is why we come in here asking for help with housing because right now he is harassing us wherever we go. What do we do what do you recommend
Shira: what part of town does he live in
Kenya: he lives where ever her wants to live
James: no he's actually from out in whats the name of the place
Kenya: he has a mobilized group
Shira: anonymously, anonymously ever tip off that this person is a
Kenya: right that’s why I feel
Shira: No you don't use your phone- don’t use your phone don't you ne ver ever, my mama was a, my mama was in [garbled] ……rule number one: never ever use anything that yours. It can be traced back
James: what do you — like what?
Shira: if you wanna report something like you know he's disa- never use a cell phone
James: what else? What else do you recommend?
Shira: When she sees him basically try to get him with a crowd
Kenya: in a crowd
Shira: in a crowd...like you gonna be in this class
Kenya: I feel so left out when I am in a crowd. I like people are like walking away from me cause they are
Shira: you know, it’s you its cause your 19 and you think people know your profession but its not. Where ever you are be proud. Don't feel self-conscious Baltimore 31 Kenya: okay
James: what about those ppl that hit us with the argument all the time like my political friends somehow it has gotten out
Shira: well then you don't bring it up
James: listen and then they hear about these el salvadorian girls coming over
Shira: you don't tell them or you stop
Kenya: we have to stop talking about them
Shira: you stop talking about. I wanna tell you, you gonna be running for business you don't want anybody knowin anything about you you know he did such and such down the road so you cut that out – anything, that you don't want anyone to know or run a scam on - you cut it out. You dont need you know like everybody has something in their closet they dont want to talk about
Kenya: which we had an argument and that is why he wants me off the boat but he still wants me around close
Shira: you don't want nobody to sit down any time that there is a business you don't sit down there and discuss nothing loosely. Loose lips sink ships.
James: if I didn't discuss this with you and it came up during the approval process and then they say sorry sorry we can't do it
Shira: No no no no, you don't bring that up. She is purchasing a house. Do not. She is buying a house to live in
James: okay
Shira: okay
James: we understand
Kenya: okay no phones, no El Salvadorian girls, …crowds
Shira: no nothing Baltimore 32 James: well they still exist but you just don't talk about it
Kenya: I know
Shira: That is between you and whatever. What ever you do you do not you do not discuss it… what ever you do somebody sit down and say well you know yep well how about the ravens? Okay? Oh you know what I saw such and such it was really pretty
Kenya: [unintelligible]
Shira: yea anything but do not discuss that
Kenya: okay okay
Shira: don't discuss anything that will make you the object of anything.i mean I do that sometimes like you know yea well ―whats your husband do‖ I said I went shoppin last week and I tell people my business is not my thing to discuss
James: you know my thing I know you do good in your life but I want to make sure ACORN abides by that policy too
Shira: First of all ACORN, again your buyin the house, you purchasing the house this is your house you gonna live in this house
Kenya: and i-i'll pay. I'll have money
Shira: you'll have a mortgage. Okay? this is gonna be your house this is all you need to concern yourself with okay this is all you need to concern yourself with. You are 19 years old you still got a lot to learn you never you never talk I don't care who you go in front of, you never talk about business in front of people
James: this business
Shira: this business, or any other business. Whatever happen in my house stays in my house
Kenya: okay Baltimore 33 Shira: I don't care whatever happen my gas and electric is off I am gonna come to work, you not gonna know my gas and electric was off cause and I am not going to tell you. I am not gonna come well guess what my gas and electric was off, I am not gonna tell you. This is my house I am not going to discuss what happened on my street on my block where I live at…
Kenya: what if some of my girls get in trouble though and it comes back to me and somehow gets back to them
James: to you and it damages you guys
Shira: first of all its not gonna damage us, because we not gonna know
James: okay
Shira: and with your girls you tell them be careful. Train them to keep their mouth shut
James: these girls are like 14 how can we trust them
Kenya: 14, 15 I'll be, you know I speak Spanish so I'll be teaching them you know
Shira: be careful
Kenya: its kind of good that they don't speak English right now I guess so they don't
James: so they don't tell people but there are Spanish people in the neighborhood
Kenya: yeah I guess that’s true
Shira: just be very, very careful just whatever you do always keep your eyes in the back of your head
Kenya: okay
James: cause you know what happened in NY State with you know what was his name, the governor up there remember
that got out and he got in trouble and I don't wanna get in trouble
Shira: always keep your eyes in the back of your head always
James: yea Baltimore 34 Shira: okay um basically just keep you eyes in the back of your head and make sure you have somebody that knows whats going on and who you can trust like help and he knows the laws so if something happens they are here for they you know — i don't know, I had no idea,
Kenya: yea
Shira: you know you guys don't know you guys get out there something happens I don't know who you are I cant come to your rescue you guys don't know I cant come to your rescue I can't be, I cant take that fall for you, let them know that, you know, I cant do it
Kenya: I mean I wanna ya know help them but at the same time I don't- can't get in trouble and I cant have my house taken away and I cant I don't want his life ruined.
Shira: You gonna have to start coverin your ass, start coverin your ass and you are gonna have to sit down and think okay if something happens the assistant rule I can't get involved. The police are gonna put pressure on you and I can’t cover you, if they say… ya know?
James: is it against the law in Maryland, prostitution?
Shira: yeah, anything that the government is not getting money from is always against the law
James: but if I wanna know specifically I think of course it is, cause they have always called the law — the cops on us before
Shira: right and anything that is not government approved is always against the law that is rule number one and remember that
James: yeah
Shira: that’s rule number one and you be squeaky clean always, always be squeaky clean
Kenya: mmhmm. Like physically or
Shira: whenever stuff come up always be squeaky clean like don't be opinionated
Kenya: like smart squeaky clean
Shira: exactly be smart squeaky clean Baltimore 35 Kenya: smart squeaky clean remember that one
James: smart squeaky clean
Shira: right cause you don't want to spend the rest of your life in jail if something comes up
James: you know what they could get us for with these 13 Guatemalan girls they the feds could come right in
Kenya: that’s what she was saying
James: and they could get us they could put us in prison for 50 years
Shira: exactly that’s why you wanna think about this
James: this racketeering stuff
Kenya: I am not going to racketeering I am going to be acclimating them to our community
Shira: right but think about yourself you are 19 years old you are a pretty girl
Kenya: thank you
Shira: you do not want to go to jail for something that
James: so the solution is don't talk about it
Shira: you are 19 years old you are of age but you don't want, you want to keep them clean. Let them go to school. Make sure they go to school.
Kenya: okay
James: but they can still work
Shira: they can still work, but they need to go to school, um basically... you want them to go to school you want them to get an education
Kenya: do you think that street smarts are better than book smarts
Shira: yes but both let them you don't want them, they came over here to get an education you can say you didn't know it because they are going to school
Kenya: okay I could say when they are at school and time after if they I could say I don't know they are doing recreational activities.
James: well they usually have recess right
Kenya: well that’s kind of high school that I am talking about but high schoolers can get out of school kind of early and maybe they can work then like in between
James: they could work on the weekends they could work week nights
Kenya: yea
James: that’s when they get the most business is at night
Shira: make sure they go to school
James: what's that?
Shira: make sure they go to school cover your ass
James: we'll make sure they go to school but after they get out of school they gotta work
Kenya: yea but after they get ou t to school I mean that’s kind of down the road so they can be out of my hands so they will probably be
Shira: so when are they gonna be here
Kenya: um next couple of months maybe like the next two or three months
Shira: think about it. Take a week thi nk about it, really really for both of y’all
Kenya: There is some of them already here but they are not with me yet, but the rest of the load will be here in the next 2-3 months
Shira: think about it though
James: think about? Baltimore 37 Shira: taking young ladies in, think about it, because she is of age
James: yea
Shira: you are 22 years old
James: yea
Shira: you wanna be in politics
James: yea
Shira: you can always save another one and just keep your business you yourself
James: we wanna help these girls out though we wanna give them a better life
Shira: you wanna help them out but think about it. If I was your mother or I was your father because you know that you want to be in politics and she wants other things besides what she is doing later in life
James: mmhmm
Shira: so therefore think about it. You don't want her record to show up with your face and a number on it
Kenya: well part of the house he is not really going to be associated with the house
James: I am not going to be involved with the house that is why I am trying to get her independent
Shira: then get an older person in there
Kenya: an older person
Shira: to be like a-
Kenya: to be like a chaperone? For the girls?
Shira: a chaperone exactly... to cover your ass
Kenya: I mean sonny the guy I used to work for he was older. I can't
Shira: no I mean get a woman, get a woman, a woman an older person
Kenya: do you know anybody Baltimore 38 Shira: no. who cooks, cleans and does stuff
Kenya: I can cook and clean and I love
James: yea but you are so busy working
Kenya: I know
Shira: somebody that cooks and cleans and makes sure they get their homework done, you have to have a chaperone. Cover your ass. You are in Baltimore cover your ass. And that is plain and simple
James: is there something different about Baltimore
Shira: no, but for the line that she is in, cover her ass.
James: okay
Shira: get someone who is matronly who doesn't give a shit about nothing who sees nothing knows nothing hears nothing.
James: are there people like that
Shira: yes
James: I work at Johns Hopkins how am I supposed to find people like that?
Shira: Call me maybe later and life and I'll see, okay?
James: alright well when is this conference?
Kenya: August the 8 th
Shira: I mean we do ask that you join ACORN
Kenya: okay
James: okay
Shira: okay it is $120 a year or set — do you have a bank account
Kenya: no
Shira: we can do the cash thing if you want to, I don't care Baltimore 39 Kenya: didn't bring any cash
Shira: okay
James: we can come back tom — uh come back monday and give you cash if you want
Kenya: that be fine come back monday
James: alright
Shira: I am gonna talk to my daughter she has a business license too. And she can tell me some things too.
James: she has a what?
Kenya: your daughter has a business license?
Shira: yes and she can tell me some things too she is a very nice girl she is 31 years old she is very nice
Kenya: and what does she do
Shira: she actually she works for the government so she can give you some rules. And she is a very sweet girl, my daughter is calm. My daughter is one of the most accepting persons I have ever known
Kenya: you are very passionate, you are very direct too which I appreciate
Shira: she is the kind of person who can sit dow and say I remember a long time ago when she was a little girl she say this is---------[unintelligible]. She is just I don't pass judgement on nobody I am not here to pass judgement I am not God, but you are very pretty and you are a very nice girl - so keep it simple keep it plain, make sure everything goes cool. You want somebody in the house to say hey they are all going to school so in the end as long as the school calls
Kenya: and you know I can hop — like I am living paying the house and I'll have money on my own but hopefully I can maybe make a little bit more profit also
Shira: and put money in the bank like a pay check Baltimore 40 Kenya: but I don't want a bank
Shira: you do want a bank account you got a house you want a bank account but you wanna put
James: we wanna use a lot of the money that we are getting
Shira: you don't wanna use all of it
James: no I am saying we want to use a lot of the cash for my campaign
Shira: but what I am saying is put like maybe 200 in the bank every week
Kenya: Every week 400 yeah..
Shira: yea but don't put a whole lot in the bank cause then the government
Kenya: cause like if all of a sudden, cause I cant put all my cash, that would be like, I could not part with it.
Shira: put like 400 in the bank when you
James: and that way the government wont know
Shira: exactly cover your ass
James: got it. That’s really helpful I cant thank you enough
Kenya: so monday we join ACCORN
Shira: yeah so let me get Tonja for ay, but cover you know so they can say yea she has a house… but you know, cover your ass
James: thank you so much
Kenya: [whisper] how are we going to deal with this right now
James: [whisper] they are coming closer
Kenya: Time or Live Acme oh look at that its Looney Toons like when we were little
Tonja: This is me that’s Tonja Thompson that’s me
James: Oh do we have the Weather woman's business card does she have a card too
Kenya: well she is out in the front Baltimore 41 James: oh shes out well we'll talk to her later
Tonja: let me explain to you...once you guys get a tax return
Kenya: [whisper] Tonja Thompson. [audible] who is Andrea?
Tonja: that is my partner who is back there
James & Kenya: okay
Tonja: if you after you get your tax return done you are gonna go though them to your housing.
Kenya: she talked about August 8 th which we would go to the library
Tonja: and then they would go through the price and everything okay, from now on when you are talking about your business performing artist dancing, because if you say prostitution cause it is illegal you are going to get shut down.
James: by whom?
Tonja: anybody
James: but not you guys?
Kenya: that’s because they are helping us
Tonja: she is not gonna say prostitution. See you are telling us this because we know what to say
Kenya: the system
James: you know what to say to whom?
Tonja: to people that you need to like the for the housing purposes for the tax purposes
James: okay
Tonja: you see what I am saying
James: so you are taking care of this for me
Tonja: I don't want you to say it to nobody
Kenya: we cant be like they are working a special favor for us we just need to know amongst ourselves that they are doing a favor for Baltimore 42 Tonja: and if anyone asks you, your business is a performing artist, which you are, okay so you not lying
Kenya: that is kind of boosting my ego saying
Tonja: performing artist. So stop saying prostition
James: got it
Tonja: cause as soon as you say that people will shut you down because after you say that people don't what to hear what you are saying that is why the banks shut you down like they did because that is considered illegal
James: okay okay
Tonja: whereas a performing artist is not. So it's just a play on words sometimes
James: you got it we will comply
Tonja: so that’s what you...And oh— normally and I dont know if this is going to be a problem but to do a tax return for scheduled fee is normally 150 dollars but since you are trying to start out I am going to charge you 50 dollars okay, alright. So I need some information. So you wanna do this now or are you gonna wait?
James: can we — we are going to come back on monday because we have cash we are going to bring cash to pay for our membership
Tonja: okay
Kenya: so she said 120 to join ACORN and you said how much?
Tonja: 50 I am just gonna charge you 50 because you are just starting out and its just you you got a small income so their shouldn't be a lot of paperwork to do, ok so I am just going to charge you 50
Kenya: could you write 120 down too so that I remember and just write ACORN next to that?
Tonja: for housing... and this is for taxes. Baltimore 43 Kenya: okay
Tonja: and you are coming when?
Kenya: monday
Tonja: monday is the..
Kenya: July ...what is today? Is today friday
Tonja: today is the 2Tonja: th ...25, 27? Today is the day of my sisters birthday I remember that
James: did you call her?
Tonja: what time you coming here?
Shira: 12
Tonja: you told them 12?
Shira: I was gonna tell them 12 O'clock
Tonja: is 12 good for you
Kenya: uh just yes I'll work for you guys
Tonja: between 12 and 12 30 I will be here between that time
James: alright
Tonja: This is my number if you need me. What’s your name
Kenya: Kenya
Tonja: and you?
James: James
Tonja: okay so that’s in case yall call me I will know who you are. That’s my number here, I mean, that’s m y cellphone number the number here you can reach me at-
Kenya: oh and does your email work?
Tonja: yes email. that’s my email
Kenya: (to James) You have an email address right? Baltimore 44 James: I do
Tonja: yeah that’s my email, my address, that’s my phone numbe r because I do this from home. What you need done I do this from home. Cause you just dont have a regular tax return. ok
Kenya: right
Tonja: then I put the prices here, this is the time for you to come back between 12 and 12 30 on the 29 th , the 27 th ?
Shira: um Monday
Tonja: I got 29, that’s 27th okay
James: All right we will be back
Tonja: alright you got what you gonna say from now on alright
Kenya: we are not gonna talk about the girls and the girls
Tonja: right okay
[laughter]
Kenya: performing artist and the girls don't exist
Tonja: there you go yes
Kenya: and we are going to put them through school and which you know maybe I can mature a little bit you know putting girls through school.
Shira: after you pay for [unintelligible] then you can start paying for things or you can put it with proper name
Kenya: so once I start establish myself I can
Tonja: yeah once you establish yourself and you got money flowin in... and you got a house and you got other things that will be fine because you got paperwork to start to establish with so every year
Kenya: so have the established paper Baltimore 45 Tonja: right we doing it this year for 09 every year we do a tax return it don't have to be a lot of money
Kenya: we can just like
Tonja: we can increase it a little
Kenya: its all cash so I can just decide what I want to
Tonja: right so increase it like 100 dollars each year you know what I am saying so you dont have a whole lot of income
Kenya: so maybe I could buy my next house in cash
Tonja: exactly
Kenya: wow that’s exciting
Tonja: cool?
Kenya: thank you
James: let me give you a hug too
Shira: don't she look just giddy,
Tonja: I told you she is just as cute as she can be
[Laughs]
Tonja: okay take care
Shira: see ya on Monday
Kenya: okay
James: Hannah, I am going to get you in front of that ACORN sign
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