1) Dash's developers were able to mine a portion of the coins unhindered as the linux wallet they posted on BCT wasn't working
You sure it wasn't working? Because I remember compiling it and mining just fine.
For a period of time the public miner wasn't working, so the developer was the only one able to mine naturally. Look at the main thread. Also I'd have to take your statements with a grain of salt, until you provide any evidence to back them up.