Features
Mystery Metallica Money
A promoter in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who went out of business last fall is gearing up to produce a
Harold MacKay pulled the plug on Power Promotional Events in October. At the time, he claimed low ticket sales at two summer concerts left the company flat broke – but the public later discovered he received a secret $400,000 cash advance from the city to keep the shows afloat.
“There is nothing left,” he told the city’s Chronicle Herald at the time. “There are no assets.”
That meant the city was left in the lurch for the bucks it loaned Power Promotional. So were several suppliers who never received payment for services they provided during the concerts.
But fast forward to spring and MacKay announced he’s bringing Metallica to the city’s Garrison Grounds July 14 through a new company, MacKay Entertainment. The company is reportedly registered under his wife’s name.
So what gives? The paper quashed rumors that Molson Coors was providing funds for the concert.
And the city doesn’t appear to be behind the show. Halifax auditor Larry Munroe launched an investigation into the cash-for-concerts scandal earlier this year and is wrapping up a report on the matter, according to the Chronicle Herald. A city spokeswoman said that following the release of the report “decisions will be taken on what action may be required.”
One course of action could be the forced resignation of Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly. Some officials have called for Kelly’s resignation although he claims he never gave his consent to the advances, which were authorized by the city’s former chief administrative officer.