In Newport, EB-5 scandal lingers with dashed hopes and a 'whopping great hole'

NEWPORT — Brenda’s Homestyle Cookin’ sits a half block from where Vermont’s top federal prosecutor stood last week and announced that criminal charges had been filed against local developers Ariel Quiros and Bill Stenger.

Jessica Kennison purchased the restaurant in 2014 as the two developers, applauded by national, state and local political leaders, talked of grand economic plans for this northern Vermont city on Lake Memphremagog close to the Canadian border.

“I think there were a lot of false promises,” Kennison said this week, standing over the restaurant’s grill, flipping an omelette.

“It’s not just me as a business owner,” she added, “but a lot of people in town had their hopes up for something big coming in.”

Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2019/05/31/newport-scandal-lingers-dashed-hopes-whopping-great-hole/