Port stops talks with Washington Tire
EPHRATA - Port of Ephrata commissioners unanimously agreed to
stop talks with Washington Tire Corporation about the company
buying about 98 acres of port land.
The company failed to meet a Sept. 1 deadline to provide more
documentation about its company representative, Abraham
Hengyucius.
EPHRATA - Port of Ephrata commissioners unanimously agreed to stop talks with Washington Tire Corporation about the company buying about 98 acres of port land.
The company failed to meet a Sept. 1 deadline to provide more documentation about its company representative, Abraham Hengyucius.
The port sought more information after learning he uses two names.
He was signing legal documents relating to the sale as Abraham Hengyucius, but his legal name was Hengyu Zhang.
The port was also seeking documents about the legitimate incorporation of Washington Tire.
This week, the port still hadn't heard from the company, even after trying to reach Washington Tire by phone, e-mail and mail.
The port and Washington Tire had been working together since 2008 to bring a tire manufacturing plant to Ephrata.
"The port is disappointed that the project did not come to fruition, but believes this vote produces a result that is in the best interest of our community," stated Mike Wren, the port's manager, on Tuesday.
ASPI Group, a major landowner near the Grant County International Airport, was allegedly approached by Abraham Zhang in 2009, with a company called American Tire, according to court documents.
Zhang allegedly asked if the ASPI Group was interested in including within its regional center an immigrant investor program being proposed in Ephrata called "American Tire."
ASPI Group turned to the court because competitive damage was allegedly caused after prospective immigrant investors questioned why ASPI wasn't offering guaranteed investment returns like Washington Tire was, according to court documents.
ASPI investigated Washington Tire and learned about a trade name investment lawsuit against Abraham Zhang, according to court documents.
It was also found Zhang used an alias, Abraham Hengyucius.
ASPI Group decided to not associate itself with Washington Tire.