Citizens For Better Government Update
Greg Kline has a very informational podcast updating us on the activities of everyone's favorite rogue political group, the "Citizens for Better Government" Slate. I am going to provide some back story, and reproduce some of his podcast and links for easy navigation.
(But make sure you listen! The podcast is much more comprehensive than can be written here!)
The Annapolis Republican Central Committee, of which I was formerly treasurer, was pitched in October by Doug Burkhardt to commit to a table at a fundraiser being held by a Political Action Committee (PAC) that had recently been formed. The officers of the PAC were Burkhardt: treasurer, and Lawrence Scott: chairman. Three republican state delegates: Nic Kipke, Steve Schuh, and James King, were on board with informal roles, as elected officials could not have formal roles in a PAC. At this October meeting, Mr. Burkhardt attested to having 25 donors at $5,000 each. As Greg reports in his podcast, this claim was repeated publicly on several occasions.
In November, Delegates King and Schuh took the show to the Wednesday Republican Breakfast club, defending their decisions and their stake in the organization. However, many audience members had experienced first hand negative experiences with Scott and Burkhardt, and vehemently expressed their opposition. That sentiment was widespread, and in response the group was changed from a PAC to a 'slate', allowing the delegates to (reportedly) have more control of how the money is dispersed.
This brings us to today (actually last week), when the campaign finance report for the group was released. Uh-oh. Lies, all lies! Despite claims from the group of $125,00--even $200,000-- in donations, the total amount was only $67,322. That amount includes $5000 apiece from Delegates King and Schuh, but nothing from Delegate Kipke. What's worse is the disbursements. The slate disbursed only 1 check, for $15,000, to Lawrence Scott's consulting business, covering "event location expenses and printing materials".
Greg's podcast is provides very poignant analysis. The worst fears of republican activists were realized: that large sums of money are being controlled by, and funneled through, Lawrence Scott. The slate's main fundraiser, which took place two days before finance reports were due, featured President Reagan's son Michael as the guest speaker. Yet, no entry was made for Mr. Reagan's fee, which is probably in the $15,000-$20,000 range. Greg predicts that next year's report will show a check for this fee, with a posting date just after this year's reporting, so the slate wouldn't have to disclose their true cash on hand, which Greg estimates to be in the low $30,000 range--a far cry from the bill of goods that was sold to many people over the past months. With such financial shortfalls, why would Delegate Kipke be exempted from ponying up his $5K? Perhaps in exchange for his role of spokesman, and the duty of misleading the public as to the group's status.
I'm certainly glad I didn't give them any money.
7 comments:
Brian,
Good stuff and thanks for the plug. But people should listen because there is a lot more to the story.
It is simply a scandal and the truth must be told.
Thank you again.
When was the filing deadline? Was it before the actual event or afterwards. I know the reports go public a few weeks after the deadline so could it be that all of the money just wasn't entered yet?
If the check is in their possession, it had to be entered before session started or they would have to return the check.
I really don't see how Nic Kipke misled anyone.
Statwatcher,
I know that is the case with regular elected officials campaign committees by is that the case with slates?
Bud, Greg explains about Del. Kipke in the podcast.
Anon (#1), I believe the filing deadline was 1/16.
The Reagan dinner held by the group was 1/7, which was right before the start of session. An interesting thing to watch is if the group uses the fact that legislators cannot accept money during session to make it appear like they have raised $200k like they promised and simply can't deposit it b/c they haven't sent out 'invoices' from the dinner.
The thing that Greg, I, and others are concerned about are (1) the falsehoods being spread by the group and (2) a buildup of a slush fund for Lawrence Scott.
Bud,
I am a friend of Nic's but go back and listen to what he said and look at the report.
It is a lot more than just lying about what they raised, and no there are not a bunch of uncashed checks.
There is no transparancy about where the money is going. Nic specifically stated that that would not happen and the Lawrence Scott would not control the money.
Instead, every dime went to Lawrence Scott. They will say he paid expenses but we don't really know and it is very likely some went in his pocket as consulting fees.
Nic said on my show that he along with all the organizers chipped in money. He lied. It gives me no pleasure to say it. I had him on the show to put everyone at ease and answer the tough questions. In retrospect, I gave him the rope to hang himself.
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