Friday, April 13, 2012

Roger Wilson Indicted, Pleads Guilty

Former governor Roger Wilson was indicted and pled guilty yesterday to a charge of money laundering.

The amount - $5,000 – was almost unbelievable.  In our current campaign contribution environment, it’s such chump change that it makes Wilson’s willingness to engage in a lawless scheme over such low stakes hard to understand.

There are a few theories on reconstructing the events which led someone like Wilson into this trouble.  It’s all conjecture of course, but most theories revolve around deceased MEM director Doug Morgan.

It’s said that Morgan faced financial troubles, and yet was attempting to maintain his lifestyle – which included making political contributions.  Perhaps he’d made a commitment to help raise a certain amount of money for the Democratic Party or Jay Nixon.  And his own resources drained turned to illegal methods.

Perhaps the plan was half-hatched when Wilson became involved.  And his covering a second $3,000 contribution from his personal funds suggested he was attempting to right the wrong situation.

Cockroach theory (where there’s one you see, there are more you don’t – yet) suggests a low probability that this was an isolated activity.  But one would look to Morgan as the source of other criminal actions, not Wilson.

And

This is obviously bad news for Nixon.  Even if no other shoe drops, it’s a TV commercial for sure.

Reaction

Dave Spence

“In this one week alone Jay Nixon and his administration proved that they will do anything to help fund his re-election campaign.  He has been sued for rigging a multi-million state contract in favor of a campaign contributor, had indictments handed down for money he funneled to his campaign, and continues to have ads running on television by a group who refuses to disclose its donors.  It is time to clean up state government.  Questions Missourians deserve answers to include: Who in Nixon’s organization coordinated the illegal activity?  Are Jay Nixon or any of his official or political staff being questioned in conjunction with the investigation? Will Jay Nixon disclose the donors to the 501©(4) that is running ads on his behalf?”

Peter Kinder

“Reports that former Governor Roger Wilson and a St. Louis lawyer have been indicted for allegedly laundering campaign contributions through the Missouri Democratic Party are disturbing.

“Missouri Employers Mutual was created by the Legislature to help keep jobs in Missouri by providing low-cost workers compensation insurance. The governor controls MEM’s board by virtue of his appointing three of its five members, and he has installed cronies in key positions there.

“This is of the Nixon campaign; this is for the Nixon campaign; a reasonable inference can be made that it was by the Nixon campaign. Missourians deserve to know who was involved. Was Margaret Onken, Governor Nixon’s fundraiser, at the center of this?

“I would hope that Governor Nixon would come forward immediately and explain the role he or any of his agents played in this emerging scandal.”

Scott Rupp

“This is now the third director or executive to be indicted at MEM. The need to pass my legislation to investigate MEM and determine whether it needs to be privatized is more important now than ever before,”

CORRECTION: Lampe Quarter $22K Raised

Earlier this week, I mistakenly read Rep. Sara Lampe’s January quarter as her April quarter.  My apologies.  Her April report was filed yesterday.  She raised $22,573 and now has $25,691.  While that’s much better than her January quarter, it’s still not competitive.  And, as one observer noted, her expenses didn’t record items she’s had on the campaign trail – banner, printed materials.

Akin Gets Bachmann

Congressman Todd Akin won the endorsement from Tea Party Cinderella Michele Bachmann.  We’ll see what this quarter looks like, but the punditry class has discounted any chance of Akin to win the primary despite any big-ticket endorsements.

And

John Brunner pulled down endorsements of his own including some heavies who can write checks (August Busch III, John Alberici, John Bachmann, Peter Herschend) or at least not write them to his opponents.

Lobbyists’ Principals Changes

From the Pelopidas website:

Kevin Houlihan added Vacation Services of America.

Lobbyists’ Registration Exegesis

Houlian appears to be renewing a relationship he had previously.  In November of last year, Houlihan deleted his registration with the McCarthy Group, headed by former state senator Tom McCarthy.  At that time he also deleted Vacation Services of America.  Now he’s added them back.

$5K+ Contributions

Give Missourians A Raise - $7,064 from Metropolitan Congregations United.

Missourians for Responsible Lending - $7,565 from Metropolitan Congregations United.

Missourians for Fair Taxation - $100,000 from Missouri Association of Realtors.

Schoeller for Missouri - $10,000 from Menlo Smith.

Missourians for Equal Credit Opportunity - $140,000 from Missourians for Responsible Government.

Missourians for Equal Credit Opportunity - $100,000 from Missourians for Responsible Government.

Give Missourians A Raise - $15,000 from National Peoples Action.

Doug Libla for Senate - $10,000 from Sterling Bank.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Rep. Clem Smith (35).

Saturday: Former Rep. Brad Robinson (46), and Lori Rasmussen.

Sunday: Reps. Jonas Hughes (33), Ira Anders (70), former Rep. Scott Muschany (46), and developer Amy Gill.

Congratulations

To Rep. Kurt Bahr on the birth of her daughter.   9 pounds 6 ounces for those keeping score…