He doth protest too much, methinks…

20 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

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Attorney General, campaign finance, Eric Greitens., governor, impeachment, indictment, Josh Hawley, Kimberly gardner, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight

[….]
35. Witness 1 testified that Greitens then said, “You’re not going to mention my name. Don’t even mention my name to anybody at all, because if you do, I’m going to take these pictures, and I’m going to put them everywhere I can. They are going to be everywhere, and then everyone will know what a little whore you are.”39
[….]

[….]the Missouri Ethics Commission fined Governor Eric Greitens (r) and his campaign $1,000.00 for a campaign reporting violation. According to the Missouri Ethics Commission at some point [pdf] in early 2015 the Greitens campaign received a donor list which it did not initially report and which was used by someone in the campaign to contact potential donors.[….]

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

From Eric Greitens (r):

Eric Greitens
[….]
Two months ago, a prosecutor brought a case against me.
She claimed she had evidence of a crime—but she’s produced none.
She said her investigator would find the truth. Instead, her investigator lied under oath and created false evidence.
She is wasting thousands and thousands of taxpayer dollars to do all of this.
Her original case is falling apart—so today, she’s brought a new one. By now, everyone knows what this is: this prosecutor will use any charge she can to smear me.
Thank goodness for the Constitution and our court system. In the United States of America, you’re innocent until proven guilty. In the United States of America, you get your day in court.
And when I have my day in court, I will clear my name. People will know the truth.
The latest charge is about my work at the Mission Continues. When I came home from Iraq after service as a Navy SEAL, I started the Mission Continues to help veterans. In the seven years I ran that organization, we helped thousands of veterans, won national awards for excellence, and became one of the finest veteran’s charities in the country.
Those were some of the best years of my life, and I am grateful every day for the chance to help the men and women I served with. I stand by that work.
I will have my day in court. I will clear my name. This prosecutor can come after me with everything she’s got, but as all faithful people know: in time comes the truth. And the time for truth is coming.

Keep talking.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: that’s a fine mess he’s gotten into (April 29, 2017)

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Seriously, just go away already… (April 20, 2018)

Seriously, just go away already…

20 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance, Missouri House, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate, Missouri Governor

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

missouri, campaign finance, Missouri Ethics Commission, governor, impeachment, Eric Greitens, Kimberly gardner, indictment, Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight, Circuit Attorney for St. Louis

Kimberly Gardner [2016 file photo]

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

Josh Hawley [2016 file photo].

Just breaking:

ABC 17 News @ABC17News
#BREAKING Governor charged again. Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner charged Governor Eric Greitens with Felony Tampering with Computer Data: Modifying or Destroying, Disclosing or Accessing for an incident that took place #abc17news-@DeborahABC17

April 20, 2018
Today, Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner charged Missouri Governor Eric Greitens with Felony Tampering with Computer Data: Modifying or Destroying, Disclosing or Accessing for an incident that took place on or about April 22, 2015 in the City of St. Louis.
Prosecutors found probable cause to believe that Governor Greitens violated Missouri State Statute 569.095 that was in place at the time of the incident. The law has a three-year statute of limitations
Given the Invasion of Privacy charges currently pending for the Governor, we will not be holding a press conference or providing any additional information other than what is in the probable cause statement.
If anyone has any information related to this matter, I encourage them to contact the Circuit Attorney’ Office immediately.

5:37 PM – 20 Apr 2018

Next…

From the Attorney General:

AG Hawley Releases Statement on New Charges Filed by St. Louis Circuit Attorney
Apr 20, 2018, 17:45 PM
Jefferson City, Mo. (April 20, 2018) – Attorney General Josh Hawley released the following statement regarding the newly filed charges against Governor Eric Greitens by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner:
“St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner reviewed the evidence turned over to her by my office and determined that there is probable cause to file criminal charges against the Governor. The Office stands ready to assist the Circuit Attorney’s Office where appropriate and if needed. These are serious charges—and an important reminder that no one is above the law in Missouri. Like all criminal defendants, Governor Greitens is presumed innocent under the law until proven guilty.”

Next…

Previously:

Oh, my. (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 2 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 3 (January 11, 2018)

אַ שאַנדע פֿאַר די גוים and *IOKIYAR (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 4 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 5 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 6 (January 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r): not exactly a ringing endorsement (January 12, 2018)

Gov. Eric Greitens (r): piping (January 16, 2018)

Oh, my – part 7 (January 16, 2018)

Waiting… (January 19, 2018)

Oh, my – part 8 (January 29, 2018)

The unanswered question (February 8, 2017)

RSMo § 565.252 (February 22, 2018)

Well, you were the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 22, 2018)

Well, he was the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 23, 2018)

A few words of advice (February 26, 2018)

Eric Greitens (r) and the House – pass the popcorn (March 6, 2018)

Oh, my – part 9 (March 6, 2018)

“That’s not how you spell bare.” (March 7, 2018)

It’s their world, the rest of us only get to live in it (April 8, 2018)

The popcorn is ready (April 10, 2018)

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Call it what it is (April 11, 2018)

Go away, asshole. (April 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r-21): impeach Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Getting ironical about Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Standing ovation (April 14, 2018)

Quid pro quo (April 16, 2018)

It’s a fine mess he’s gotten himself into… (April 17, 2018)

Really, just go away… (April 17, 2018)

HR 6783: Impeachment (April 18, 2018)

Unhinged (April 19, 2019)

Really unhinged (April 19, 2019)

It’s a fine mess he’s gotten himself into…

17 Tuesday Apr 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance, Claire McCaskill, Missouri Governor, US Senate

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Attorney General, campaign finance, Eric Greitens, felony, governor, investigation, Josh Hawley, missouri, Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

Late this morning:

STL Public Radio @stlpublicradio
BREAKING: AG Hawley says he has uncovered a potential felony violation by Gov. Greitens and turned evidence over to @stlcao. The violation is related to his nonprofit, The Mission Continues.
10:53 AM – 17 Apr 2018

Whereupon Missouri government and politics Twitter blew up.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) [2017 file photo].

A press release from Senator Claire McCaskill’s (D) U.S. Senate campaign:

April 17, 2018 Press Releases
McCaskill for Missouri Statement on Hawley Press Conference Regarding Statute of Limitations for Greitens’ Use of The Mission Continues Donor List

MISSOURI — McCaskill for Missouri Communications Director Meira Bernstein released the following statement on Attorney General Josh Hawley’s press conference today, during which he claimed that the statute of limitations is approaching on Governor Greitens’ use of The Mission Continues donor list:

“We’re glad that Hawley has come out of hiding to acknowledge the existing evidence of criminal behavior of the Governor. However, the sad truth is that this shows gross incompetence on the part of the Attorney General. The evidence in this case has been publicly available since October 2016 — what excuse could Josh Hawley possibly have for failing to pursue an investigation and allowing this evidence to languish for over a year? The only reason the statute of limitations is now a problem in this case is because Hawley was trying to protect his friend and large donor for as long as possible.”

Background:

October 10, 2016: Press reports that Greitens used a donor list from his charity, The Mission Continues, to solicit donations for his campaign.

April 28, 2017: Greitens is fined by the Missouri Ethics Commission and admits wrongdoing for his use of the charity donor list.

February 27, 2018: Press reports that St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner may be looking into the Governor’s use of the charity donor list.

March 1, 2018: Press reports confirm that St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner is looking into the Governor’s use of the charity donor list.

March 1, 2018: Hawley announces he is investigating Greitens’ use of the charity donor list after press reports confirm the prosecuting attorney’s investigation, despite declining to investigate for nearly a year.

###

Uh, what took Josh Hawley (r) so long?

Previously:

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Call it what it is (April 11, 2018)

Go away, asshole. (April 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r-21): impeach Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Getting ironical about Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Standing ovation (April 14, 2018)

Quid pro quo (April 16, 2017)

Previously:

Eric Greitens (r) – April 2018 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report

16 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance, Missouri Governor

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Tags

campaign finance, Eric Greitens., governor, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

We expected it wouldn’t be a particularly great campaign fundraising quarter, especially after January 11th.

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

The April 2018 Quarterly Campaign Finance Reports are due today at the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Eric Greitens’ (r) report:

C151053: Greitens For Missouri
Committee Type: Candidate
Po Box 144
Jefferson City Mo 65102
Party Affiliation: Republican
Established Date: 02/24/2015
[….]
Information Reported On: 2018 – April Quarterly Report
Beginning Money on Hand $2,774,583.78
Monetary Receipts + $31,777.55
Monetary Expenditures – $261,590.97
Contributions Made – $1,000.00
Other Disbursements – $31,348.21
Subtotal ($262,161.63)
Ending Money On Hand $2,512,422.15

[emphasis added]

Not a particularly stellar quarter.

Some of the contributions:

13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $3,530.55

We don’t know when those came in.

Some of the itemized contributions (after January 11th):

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED – SUPPLEMENTAL
4/16/2018 Greitens For Missouri

William Busch 2000 Swift St. North Kansas City MO 64116 North Kansas CIty Dental — Dentist 1/30/2018 $2,000.00

John Ferguson 3988E Villa Way Springfield MO 65809 Retired — Retired 2/21/2018 $250.00

John Qualy 13 Brentmoor Park Clayton MO 63105 Retired — Retired 3/2/2018 $2,600.00

Beth Berra 3 Clayton Estates Dr St. Louis MO 63131 Community Wholesale Tire Dis Inc. — Owner 3/22/2018 $2,600.00

Phil Berra 3 Clayton Estates Dr St. Louis MO 63131 Community Wholesale Tire Dis Inc. — Owner 3/22/2018 $2,600.00

Michael Birkel 652 Trade Center Blvd Chesterfield MO 63005 MVB Contracting — Owner 3/22/2018 $2,600.00

Christopher Yelich 461 Locust St Laguna Beach CA 92651 Brooks Street — Owner 3/23/2018 $250.00

Michelle Carr 2429 S Edgewater Dr Springfield MO 65804 The Closet Co LLC — Owner 3/24/2018 $1,000.00

Carl Bolm 2340 Verna Ave Maryland Heights MO 63043 Investa Management LLC — Owner 3/27/2018 $2,600.00

Gabriella Bolm 2340 Verna Ave Maryland Heights MO 63043 Cedar Lake Cellars — VP 3/27/2018 $2,600.00

Bickel Gil 3 Glocca Mora Lane St. Louis MO 63124 Wells Fargo Advisors LLC — Financial Advisor 3/28/201 $1,300.00

Travis Liebig 5 Berkshire Drive St. Louis MO 63117 St. Louis Bank — CEO 3/30/2018 $2,000.00

Danielle Wilcox 10806 W 148th St Overland Park KS 66221 Revolve Managment Co LLC — Owner 3/30/2018 $2,000.00

Anna Cacioppo 9419 NE 91st Kansas City MO 64157 Industrial Salvage & Wrecking — Accountant 3/31/2018 $1,000.00

Charles Cacioppo 9604 NE 90th St Kansas City MO 64157 Industrial Salvage & Wrecking — VP 3/31/2018 $1,000.00

Not very many, but they are the writing a check equivalent of a standing ovation.

There are some interesting expenditures:

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION
ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES OVER $100 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM
4/16/2018 Greitens For Missouri

Jimmy Soni 301 Hicks St #3 Brooklyn NY 11201 2/16/2018 Communications Consultant $2,000.00

Jimmy Soni 301 Hicks St #3 Brooklyn NY 11201 2/23/2018 Communications Consultant $2,000.00

The Tarrance Group 201 North Union St Suite 410 Alexandria VA 22314 2/23/2018 Research $35,207.00

[That must have been a rough week.]

BK Strategies LLC 320 23rd St S#1003 Arlington VA 22202 3/16/2018 Research $20,083.00

Research, eh? Polling, eh?

Previously:

Oh, my. (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 2 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 3 (January 11, 2018)

אַ שאַנדע פֿאַר די גוים and *IOKIYAR (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 4 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 5 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 6 (January 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r): not exactly a ringing endorsement (January 12, 2018)

Gov. Eric Greitens (r): piping (January 16, 2018)

Oh, my – part 7 (January 16, 2018)

Waiting… (January 19, 2018)

Oh, my – part 8 (January 29, 2018)

The unanswered question (February 8, 2017)

RSMo § 565.252 (February 22, 2018)

Well, you were the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 22, 2018)

Well, he was the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 23, 2018)

A few words of advice (February 26, 2018)

Eric Greitens (r) and the House – pass the popcorn (March 6, 2018)

Oh, my – part 9 (March 6, 2018)

“That’s not how you spell bare.” (March 7, 2018)

It’s their world, the rest of us only get to live in it (April 8, 2018)

The popcorn is ready (April 10, 2018)

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Call it what it is (April 11, 2018)

Go away, asshole. (April 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r-21): impeach Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Getting ironical about Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Standing ovation (April 14, 2018)

Quid pro quo (April 16, 2017)

Quid pro quo

16 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, social media

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

campaign finance, Eric Greitens, governor, investigation, missouri, Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight, social media

This morning, via Twitter:

Gregg Keller @RGreggKeller
Whoa: #MOLeg State Rep from estimable @missouriscout today: “Lots of people, including me, have been threatened that if we go against the Governor, we will never get financial support from any of the major donors in MO.”
6:48 AM – 16 Apr 2018

One of the best arguments ever for campaign finance and ethics reform in Missouri.

Previously:

אַ שאַנדע פֿאַר די גוים and *IOKIYAR (January 11, 2018)

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Call it what it is (April 11, 2018)

Go away, asshole. (April 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r-21): impeach Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Getting ironical about Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Standing ovation (April 14, 2018)

Campaign Finance: every little bit helps

14 Saturday Apr 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commision, organized lbor, right to get paid less, Right to work, working people

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission, from working people, in support of the initiative to repeal “right to get paid less”:

171127 04/14/2018 We Are Missouri Missouri AFL-CIO General Fund 227 Jefferson St Jefferson City MO 65101 4/12/2018 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

Collective action. Every little bit helps.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: now that’s collective action (March 11, 2018)

Campaign Finance: now that’s collective action – part 2 (March 15, 2018)

Campaign Finance: now that’s collective action – part 3 (March 16, 2018)

Campaign Finance: they’re really serious (April 6, 2018)

Campaign Finance: deposits

12 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, right to get paid less, Right to work

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission in support of “right to get paid less”:

171367 04/12/2018 Freedom To Work Rudolph Farber 100 North Wood St Neosho MO 64850 Community Bank & Trust Banker 4/11/2018 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

Because working people shouldn’t be paid enough to have money in the bank?

Previously:

Campaign Finance: Freedom to Work? (December 21, 2017)

Campaign Finance: they left “…for lower pay” off their committee name (February 1, 2018)

Campaign Finance: connections (February 20, 2018)

Campaign Finance: monopsony (March 29, 2018)

Campaign Finance: connections (April 10, 2018)

Campaign Finance: connections

10 Tuesday Apr 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, right to get paid less, Right to work

Erics Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission in support of the “right to get paid less” ballot initiative:

C171367 04/10/2018 Freedom To Work McDonald Logistics Inc PO Box 2026 Springfield MO 65801 4/9/2018 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

From the Missouri Secretary of State site:

Name(s) MCDONALD LOGISTICS, INC.
Address 2415 W. Battlefield Rd.
Springfield, MO 65807
Type Gen. Business – For Profit
Charter No. 00440559
Domesticity Domestic

Note the address.

And the annual registration report:

Note the addresses.

In 2016:

C151053 10/07/2016 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI McDonald Logistics, INC PO Box 2026 Springfield MO 65801 10/6/2016 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

A connection.

In 2015:

C141342 CITIZENS FOR KRISTI FULNECKY 8 Day Before General Municipal Election-4/7/2015 Jefferson and Lynn Tynes 420 S Mumsford Ave Springfield MO 65809 Retired 03/24/2015 $50.00

[emphasis added]

In 2014:

C111150 FRIENDS OF TOM SCHWEICH October Quarterly Report Jeff Tynes 420 S Mumford Ave Springfield MO 65809 Springfield Grocer Companies/ President 09/26/2014 $1,000.00

In 2013:

C091243 FRIENDS TO ELECT BILL LANT July Quarterly Report Jefferson Tynes 4759 E. Royal Drive Springfield MO 65809 Springfield Grocer 06/09/2013 $250.00

C111150 FRIENDS OF TOM SCHWEICH October Quarterly Report Jeff Tynes 420 S Mumford Ave Springfield MO 65809 Springfield Grocer Companies 09/25/2013 $1,000.00

Different address, so they may not be the same person.

In 2012:

C091145 FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER 30 Day After General Election-11/6/2012 Jefferson Tynes 2415 W. Battlefield Springfield MO 65807 Springfield Grocers/Executive 10/31/2012 $1,000.00

Again, note the address.

Well, somebody was/is interested in a gubernatorial candidate and one of his pet issues.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: Freedom to Work? (December 21, 2017)

Campaign Finance: they left “…for lower pay” off their committee name (February 1, 2018)

Campaign Finance: connections (February 20, 2018)

Campaign Finance: monopsony (March 29, 2018)