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The Bemidji Pioneer is running this AP article on the burgeoning Ritchie scandal. Here’s the money quotes from the article:
On Nov. 9, Ritchie’s legal advisor, Bert Black, told Nobles in a letter that the mailing list was public information and widely distributed, including at the State Fair. Black said that was his understanding of how the directory was obtained by the Ritchie campaign.
“Mr. Ritchie’s belated acknowledgment of personal involvement renders the information I received from his office on November 9 unreliable,” the letter said. “Therefore, I have informed Mr. Ritchie that I intend to conduct an investigation into the allegation concerning the Secretary of State’s office by interviewing Mr. Ritchie and his staff under oath.”
Here’s the link to the Rochester Bulletin’s article. Here’s the part that should raise red flags for people:
Ritchie said he had personally provided a copy of the directory to his campaign and requested that those on the list get a copy of his campaign’s civic engagement newsletter. It has been distributed to about 12,000 individuals and groups whom he described as active in civic life in the state.
He said his campaign maintains a donor and potential contributor list that is separate from the newsletter list.
Based on his record of politicizing the nonpartisan office of Secretary of State, coupled with his conflicting answers, why should we believe that Ritchie “maintains a donor and potential contributor list that is separate from the newsletter list”?
UPDATE:Here’s the link to WKBT’s article. Here’s the important section of their article:
Today, state legislative auditor Jim Nobles says he’ll seek testimony under oath.
Nobles says he’s taking the rare step after a report last week in which Ritchie acknowledged he was personally involved in giving the list to his campaign, which used it to solicit contributions.
Initially, Ritchie said he did not know how his campaign obtained the list. Nobles says if Ritchie was not forthcoming, that’s a serious matter in and of itself.
Here’s the link to the WC Tribune’s article on Ritchie’s dilemma. Here’s what they’re saying:
“If (Ritchie) was not forthcoming, that is a serious matter in and of itself,” Nobles said. “If we cannot confirm the veracity of the statements from him and others in his office we’ll have to take other measures to determine what went on.”
That last sentence can’t bring peace of mind to Ritchie and his staff.
Cross-posted at Let Freedom Ring. |
