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Ethics Watch Requests McInnis Investigation

by: Colorado Pols

Thu May 07, 2009 at 15:39:47 PM MDT

Government watchdog group Colorado Ethics Watch formally asked the Secretary of State's office for an investigation of gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis today, regarding the now-infamous voice mail message left by McInnis for an as-yet unidentified Republican where he makes reference to "my, ah...a 527."

Says Ethics Watch Director Chantell Taylor, "This voice message reveals Mr. McInnis' brazen attempts to skirt campaign finance laws by planning to illegally coordinate with a 527 and engaging in campaign activity without disclosing money he has raised or spent." Release follows.

Colorado Pols :: Ethics Watch Requests McInnis Investigation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 7, 2009
CONTACT: Chantell Taylor - 303-626-2100 / ctaylor@coloradoforethics.org
Allison McGee Johnson - 303-507-8355 / ajohnson@coloradoforethics.org
COLORADO ETHICS WATCH REQUESTS FORMAL INQUIRY INTO McINNIS' CAMPAIGN ACTIVITY
DENVER - Colorado Ethics Watch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit legal watchdog group, today called on Secretary of State Bernie Buescher to launch an immediate inquiry into whether former U.S. Congressman Scott McInnis is in violation of state campaign finance law by announcing his candidacy for governor and subsequently soliciting, receiving or expending campaign funds before registering a candidate committee. Ethics Watch also asked the secretary of state to investigate whether Mr. McInnis violated laws prohibiting coordination between a candidate and a 527 political organization.
Last week, an internet news source posted a recording of a voice message left by Mr. McInnis that could run afoul of campaign finance laws. Specifically, Mr. McInnis announced his candidacy and then solicited support for his campaign by touting the "extensive polling" he had done and the people working on his "finances" and "day-to-day operations." According to state law, a candidate must register with the secretary of state's office before engaging in such campaign activities. Worst still, Mr. McInnis indicated that he is working with Sean Tonner of Phaseline Strategies to handle "our... ah 527," a flagrant violation of state and federal laws prohibiting coordination between a candidate and a 527 political organization.
According to the secretary of state's rules, if the secretary discovers a possible violation of state campaign finance laws he shall provide notice to the person allegedly in violation and the person, within seven days of the notice, must correct the violation or explain in writing why no violation was committed. If the person does not adequately respond, the secretary can file a campaign finance complaint.
"This voice message reveals Mr. McInnis' brazen attempts to skirt campaign finance laws by planning to illegally coordinate with a 527 and engaging in campaign activity without disclosing money he has raised or spent," said Ethics Watch Director Chantell Taylor. "Ethics Watch is calling on Secretary Buescher to exercise his authority and demand an explanation from Mr. McInnis for these apparent violations of campaign finance laws."
The letter to the Colorado Secretary of State and the recording of McInnis' voice mail are both available on the Colorado Ethics Watch website at www.coloradoforethics.org.
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Ethics Watch Requests McInnis Investigation | 17 comments

that 527?

no that's not for his campaign, that's the 527 to help expand Pinon Canon.
See - that's a smart candidate!

"NOBODY is as pathetic as that Barron X."
by: Barron X @ Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 20:12:43 PM MDT

PRAER.org

by: wade norris @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 16:43:19 PM CDT

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"Colorado Ethics Watch, a nonpartisan . . . "

Does that constitute a non-sequiter or an oxymoron or both? I can't think of more than 1 or 2 Democrats they've called on for investigation. Certainly, Cary Kennedy's violations of state law (fundraising from lobbyists during the session) should constitute grounds for calling for an investigation by a "nonpartisan" group, should they not?

by: Karate Kid @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 17:45:53 PM CDT

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Have to agree with Karate Kid

Chantell Taylor has lost pretty much all credibility by making some really lame "charges" that were readily dismissed.

Colorado Ethics Watch is "nonpartisan" like the Independence Institute is, or Peter Boyles...

And I'm a Democrat!

by: Half Glass Full @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 18:15:37 PM CDT

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Ditto!

...but most people have probably heard my broken record on the issue. The B-side features "Chicken Little Taylor sings the blues."

by: Jambalaya @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 19:06:56 PM CDT

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Hold it, Pols

Why are you still talking about Congressman McInnis and his illegal coordination with a 527? Didn't you get the memo that we're supposed to all be talking about Pinon Canyon now instead of his slimeball law breaking?

Get your head straight.

by: MesaModerate @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 18:23:51 PM CDT

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I'm shocked....

shocked that Scott McInnis would be ignoring the law and would be coordinating with Tonner and Hesse's 527s.

CEW is a partisan Mickey Mouse organization, but at least they're willing to tell McInnis that the emperor wears no clothes.

by: venividivici303 @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 19:30:46 PM CDT

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Ethics Watch

seems to be forever grasping at straws.

I support what they're trying to do, but bringing weak cases only hurts their credibility.

How many times can you cry "Wolf" before nobody listens?

When I use lots of words, they always form an analysis (and, while producing high volume, also produce high information-density).
--Steve Harvey, 2009

by: Ralphie @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 20:06:35 PM CDT

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CEW is like David Sirota

They may have a very valid point, but it's an uphill battle when they bring it up because even on the left we think they generally are on wild fishing expeditions.

Amazon tax? Bad Idea!

by: DavidThi808 @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 22:52:07 PM CDT

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still too safe eh david?

"NOBODY is as pathetic as that Barron X."
by: Barron X @ Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 20:12:43 PM MDT

PRAER.org

by: wade norris @ Fri May 08, 2009 at 00:02:37 AM CDT

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Can you be more specific?

I'm sorry, but at times you make claims that lack evidence.

I for one like having people that know their way around election law rattling the pots and pans now and then. Keeps folks honest.

"It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!" - Nietzsche

by: twas brillig @ Fri May 08, 2009 at 01:14:32 AM CDT

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totally agree

Its at the point where, as soon as people see it's from completely partisan CEW, they just dismiss it. They are getting to be like a lefty version of the rightie groups that keep screaming about acorn and Obama not being born here.

The supposed absolute walling off of 527s from candidates is a joke. Keeping up appearances of complying with the rules is a game. McInnis was just sloppy and stupid about it.

Even so, CEW isn't going to get very far with this as a legal matter and, as far as the electorate is concerned, it's just boring inside baseball stuff. Progressives can all tell each other how outraged we are and that's about it.

by: BlueCat @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 23:07:30 PM CDT

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ACORN

I agree the Obama citizenship stuff is out there, but ACORN? Heck, they are getting prosecuted in many states. In others, their officials have pled guilty. What they have done in recent election cycles should bar them from ever getting government funding again, in my opinion.

by: Karate Kid @ Fri May 08, 2009 at 08:56:52 AM CDT

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Karate Kid agrees with me about something?

Where have I gone wrong? Seriously, am happy to hear you aren't one of the birther loons.

by: BlueCat @ Fri May 08, 2009 at 10:40:31 AM CDT

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What is the 527 that he supposedly coordinated with?

It is telling that they only requested an investigation rather than filing a complaint. If CEW doesn't have enough to file a complaint and can only request an investigation against a Republican ... that should REALLY tell you something

by: jmatt12 @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 20:32:00 PM CDT

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One incident is one thing, it will be interesting to see if there is a pattern

The wife and an old claim he misused campaign funds, the polling (like R36s Ritter internals), and this voice mail that telegraphed 'I have it all set up to coordinate with a 527'.

by: Libertad @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 22:36:05 PM CDT

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Mr Secretary, revenge is a dish best served cold

In the last election, McInnis was allegedly behind some of the 527's that targeted Western Slope Democratic county commissioners and state rep candidates -- including Bernie Buescher....

McInnis lived by the sword, er 527's, and it looks like he's going to "die" by them, as well.

by: WestSloper @ Thu May 07, 2009 at 23:34:55 PM CDT

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Ironic, but

After all was said and done, Bernie ended up in a pretty good place. I'm not sure I would have wanted to be on the JBC this year.

When I use lots of words, they always form an analysis (and, while producing high volume, also produce high information-density).
--Steve Harvey, 2009

by: Ralphie @ Fri May 08, 2009 at 08:25:01 AM CDT

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Ethics Watch Requests McInnis Investigation | 17 comments