What is the MN GOP Hiding?

Yesterday, Sunday July 29, Pat Shortridge, MN GOP Chair was on a radio program on AM 1130 to discuss the state of the MN GOP. Prior to the Shortridge segment the station teased that they would be discussing the July 23, 2012 commentary in the Minneapolis Star Tribune about the group Minnesota Republicans for Financial Accountability and Justice, LLC, offering to conduct a free forensic audit of the MN GOP Party financial books: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/163241416.html

Once Shortridge was on the air nothing was mentioned about the audit article. Two sources contacted me to say they called into the program and asked to speak on the radio. When the call screener asked their question for Shortridge they said they wanted to discuss the audit article in the Star Tribune. Both callers were placed on hold and within minutes they were both disconnected.

Most likely Shortridge told the station he would not address the audit commentary which then begs the question, what else is the MN GOP hiding from the voters of Minnesota?

Please read my Minneapolis Star Tribune Commentary for today

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/163241416.html

Let’s take a look at the truth. In 2008, the RPM under Chairman Ron Carey said that an audit of the books only showed that a small clerical error was to blame for some Federal Election Commission (FEC) reporting errors. Under questioning the party lawyer admitted the errors were 7 digits big. The FEC fined the RPM $170,000 in 2011 for their financial mismanagement from 2006 to 2008. On May 7, 2012, the RPM released a report that review of 11 items in their books showed no illegality, but a month later the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board fined the RPM $33,000 and turned over documentation of alleged criminal activity to the Ramsey County Attorney. Their report stated evidence that FEC reports were falsified by former party boss Tony Sutton. Is there anyone out there how would like to guess how much the RPM will be fined by the FEC for those actions?

All through this process the RPM has said there is nothing to indicate wrong doing and time after time they have been proven to have not told the truth to the people of Minnesota. I left the RPM in 2009 after Tony Sutton was elected chairman warning that the Carey, Sutton & Michael Brodkorb team would destroy a once great and respected party and they did Only after December 2, 2011, when Sutton resigned did I return to the RPM. I have been called the “conscience of the RPM” because of my efforts to reform and re-establish trust, truthfulness, honesty and transparency of the Party. That is one title I will gladly wear.

Sorry I was Off Line

Finally back from an extended vacation. Fishing was so - so but had a good time up north away from computers and cell phones. I did manage to catch a couple of Twins games last week. Now I'll finally have time to prepare another Commentary piece for the local papers for later this month.