Homeless veteran alleges Aurora Housing and police failed him

Ricky Lott, who identified himself as a 62-year-old veteran, told the Aurora City Council during the public comment listening session that he is homeless and accused Aurora Housing staff and others of failing to help after an incident he described involving a taser and an assault.

Lott said he received a "bad Chandra discharge in 1983," later worked as a mortgage broker and security guard, and described an episode he said involved a person he identified as "mister Obeleros Bennett" and the "Bridal Police Department," an apparent reference made during his remarks. He said he was assaulted with a taser on the morning of Sept. 11 and defended himself with a baton after the taser deployment. "I'm sitting homeless now," Lott said. "I've lost my licenses. I've lost my life."

Lott said he had a restraining order against the individual for 17 months and that he learned of a Channel 7 news article and prosecutorial decisions that influenced court attendance. He also said he wrote to Mayor Kaufman months earlier and received no response.

During his remarks Lott named Aurora Housing leaders, saying that after he was released from jail on a $2,500 bond staff told him he could have been moved to another apartment. He named Mike Blackstock, Cindy Gonzalez and Tori Dixon and said a meeting participant told him "we could've moved you to another apartment." He also said he possesses video he believes documents corruption at a Libertyville building managed by Aurora Housing.

Nadine, a resident who spoke after Lott, criticized how the listening session was run and offered support to Lott, saying he did not "have to walk this path alone." After public comment, staff member Katie confirmed she could provide contact information for speakers, and the mayor directed staff to do so.

No formal council action was recorded during the listening session on the matters raised by Lott; his remarks were made during the advisory public comment portion of the meeting.