Twenty minutes after posting it, The New Britain Herald removed its' one and only story on the Democrat Donovan campaign investigation and has maintained a news blackout of it ever since.
THE BRISTOL PRESS 06/03/12: What did he know and when did he know it? -That’s question number one in American politics for as long as any of us can remember, whenever scandal touches one of our leaders. And that’s what Connecticut voters need to know about House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden — now candidate Donovan in the fiercely contested 5th District race for the U.S. House of Representatives.
On Wednesday, 05/30/12 Chris Donovan’s finance director, Robert Braddock, Jr. was arrested by the FBI and charged with concealing the source of $20,000 in campaign contributions. It later turned out that the FBI action was the result of a sting investigation — and kudos to House GOP members for refusing five $1,000 suspect checks.
The accusations, according to The New York Times, involve so-called conduit campaign contributions, which are donations made by one person in the name of another person. The FBI suggested that those behind the contributions had an interest in stopping legislation that would have raised taxes and fees on “roll-your-own” smoke shop owners. Donovan denied any role or knowledge in the illegal actions.
As for the bill, it didn’t make it to votes in either the House or the Senate and died when the legislative session ended May 9, 2012. Whatever the guilt or innocence of individual players in this mess, we’d like to focus yet again on campaign finance reform and, in particular, donors who hide their identities.
We believe the public has a right to know who is attempting to influence legislative decisions; if their actions are honest, as, for example, the package store owners’ attempt during the same session to influence legislation surrounding their industry, they have a right to openly lobby.
But, if the attempt at influence is done in secret, such as through conduit campaign contributions, we have reason to ask why. We’ve recently seen how powerful public disclosure can be.
For example, when it became clear that the American Legislative Exchange Council was using money donated by major corporations to help spread laws around the country, such as ID rules for voters and the so-called “Stand Your Ground” laws that are at the center of the Florida case in which teenager Trayvon Martin was killed, companies like Walmart and Kraft cancelled their membership, reluctant for their customers and shareholders to see them support the group’s message.
It brings us back to a simple truth: honest men and women operate in the light; corruption hides behind secrecy. #30# - 4th Estate.
It is very apparent that Donovan's support by the unions have dump the whistle blower for the FBI.
ReplyDeleteImpeachment is the only solution
WOW, even the unions are circling the wagons. Time for Donovan to resign from office, if not, then impeach the scumbag.
ReplyDeleteTwenty minutes after posting it, The New Britain Herald removed its' one and only story on the Democrat Donovan campaign investigation and has maintained a news blackout of it ever since.
ReplyDeleteTHE BRISTOL PRESS 06/03/12: What did he know and when did he know it? -That’s question number one in American politics for as long as any of us can remember, whenever scandal touches one of our leaders. And that’s what Connecticut voters need to know about House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden — now candidate Donovan in the fiercely contested 5th District race for the U.S. House of Representatives.
ReplyDeleteOn Wednesday, 05/30/12 Chris Donovan’s finance director, Robert Braddock, Jr. was arrested by the FBI and charged with concealing the source of $20,000 in campaign contributions. It later turned out that the FBI action was the result of a sting investigation — and kudos to House GOP members for refusing five $1,000 suspect checks.
The accusations, according to The New York Times, involve so-called conduit campaign contributions, which are donations made by one person in the name of another person. The FBI suggested that those behind the contributions had an interest in stopping legislation that would have raised taxes and fees on “roll-your-own” smoke shop owners. Donovan denied any role or knowledge in the illegal actions.
As for the bill, it didn’t make it to votes in either the House or the Senate and died when the legislative session ended May 9, 2012. Whatever the guilt or innocence of individual players in this mess, we’d like to focus yet again on campaign finance reform and, in particular, donors who hide their identities.
We believe the public has a right to know who is attempting to influence legislative decisions; if their actions are honest, as, for example, the package store owners’ attempt during the same session to influence legislation surrounding their industry, they have a right to openly lobby.
But, if the attempt at influence is done in secret, such as through conduit campaign contributions, we have reason to ask why. We’ve recently seen how powerful public disclosure can be.
For example, when it became clear that the American Legislative Exchange Council was using money donated by major corporations to help spread laws around the country, such as ID rules for voters and the so-called “Stand Your Ground” laws that are at the center of the Florida case in which teenager Trayvon Martin was killed, companies like Walmart and Kraft cancelled their membership, reluctant for their customers and shareholders to see them support the group’s message.
It brings us back to a simple truth: honest men and women operate in the light; corruption hides behind secrecy. #30# - 4th Estate.