Yes, It Sure Smells Like a Cover Up!

On July 23, 2012 I posted a commentary piece on the Star Tribune for Minnesota Republicans for Financial Accountability and Justice LLC. This group of Republican activists had formed earlier in the month over the lack of transparency and accountability the Minnesota Republican Party was displaying over their debt scandal. The group included some noted GOP leaders who asked me to take the lead for the group which offer to pay for a forensic audit of the party books. They felt since I had been a voice for reform and change in the party since 2007 and had been often personally attacked by what has proven to be corrupt leadership within the party I could best handle the situation. Many expressed fear that if they did not remain anonymous they too would reap the ire of the party bosses. It appears that the disastrous legacy of former party leaders like Ron Carey, Tony Sutton & Michael Brodkorb have left may fearful of retribution.

Great effort was made by the LLC and our attorneys to establish a organization that met all legal requirements to solicit and conduct the audit. We prepared a Advisory Opinion Request for the State's Campaign Finance & Disclosure Board to make sure that no one could claim our efforts were any type of contribution to the Minnesota GOP. We considered the response to be near over whelming in numbers, donations and pledges of support. We met our financial goals within two weeks of the publishing of the article. Three different legal/accounting firms offered their services for the audit. We ruled one out because of their political affiliation.

Unfortunately the leadership of the Republican Party of Minnesota and Republican legislator's ignored our request and so did most of the major news outlets in Minnesota. What we feared all along, that the MN GOP was engaged in a cover up to hide the extent of their financial misappropriations and mismanagement appears to be correct. We now believe that because of the dyer financial situation of the party, likely future Federal Election Commission fines and the lack of financial donations by MN GOP donors it will likely take many election cycles to again be a viable political party. We also believe that the party will refuse to hold those who had feduciary responsibility accountable for their actions. 

We have dissolved the LLC and will continue to keep our membership confidential to protect them from retaliation by the party. It is now up to the voters of Minnesota to pass their judgement in November as to whether the MN GOP deserves to continue to control the Minnesota House and Senate. With the MN GOP's track record of financial mismanagement, violations of election laws, sex scandals and lack of transparency one would think that it will be a very bad November for the Republican Party of Minnesota.