Local firm under scrutiny for contributions to Reid

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL ^ | Nov. 12, 2009 | JOAN WHITELY

[Nevadan]

A local architecture firm that recently won an $8.3 million federal contract to redesign a U.S. border crossing in California is being investigated by the Federal Election Commission for irregular campaign contributions to Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, who is up for re-election next year.

Henderson resident Randy Spitzmesser prompted the FEC probe of his former employer, Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects.

On behalf of the architecture firm, Las Vegas attorney Stan Hunterton told the Las Vegas Review-Journal by fax last month, "We do not believe that anything was intentionally done wrong" regarding campaign finances.

Spitzmesser also thinks Henderson-based Tate Snyder Kimsey did not adequately disclose its recent history of legal disputes to the agency that awarded the border-crossing job.

His FEC complaint alleges the architecture firm illegally forced him to donate $1,000 to Reid in February and then covertly repaid him after he complained he didn't have the money to spare. The firm hid the transaction, he said, by adding an extra $1,000 to a check that was also his reimbursement for legitimate business expenses. Federal laws prohibit campaign contributions that come from corporations, disguise the true donor's identity or involve coercion.

"We should not force our political will" in the workplace, is how Spitzmesser explained his resistance to supporting Reid. He said he voiced his opposition directly to Windom Kimsey, a firm principal. Spitzmesser said Kimsey responded that individuals who did not support Reid "will not have any work for the upcoming year."

In late June, the firm laid off Spitzmesser, citing a lack of work. Less than a month later, it won a huge assignment from the U.S. General Services Administration to modernize and expand the land port of entry in Otay Mesa, Calif. Federal stimulus dollars will pay for the project.

[Nevadan]

Looks like a pretty obvious payback to a longtime political supporter. Note this paragraph: Spitzmesser said that in early 2009, he saw partner Windom Kimsey going desk to desk soliciting Reid contributions. He said that he objected to Kimsey and that Kimsey had mentioned not having collected "enough" contributions. Spitzmesser said he heard Kimsey and Kimsey's personal assistant say other employees were going to be reimbursed, too.

[Hoodat]

Culture of Corruption.

[sbMKE]

People go to prison for this - unfortunately, Reid will likely skate free.

In Wisconsin, a big “bundler” for the democrat governor got sent to camp for doing this very same thing in a scheme involving his children. Governor Doyle hid out “recovering from a surgery” for a couple months waiting out the heat.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/29249639.html

[Hoodat]

Keep in mind also that Reid accepted $67,000 in Jack Abramoff money which he has refused to return. Tom DeLay accepted only $15,000 which was later returned. Funny how DeLay had to step down, while Reid got promoted to Majority Leader. I wonder what is different about the two?

[behzinlea]

Reid needs to go to prison.

[NRA2BFree]

He’s a crook. Corrupt to the bone! I thought Pelosi was going to clean up that “culture of corruption.” Looks like she missed another RAT!

[End Times Sentinel]

William Jefferson, Bill Richardson, Ed Rendell, John Murtha, and now Harry Reid taking pay-offs for political favors?

I'm sorry, but how does this qualify as breaking news... or news period?

[blueyon]

So why is the firm under investigation, Reid should be under investigation! Who ever is running against him might want to point this out!

[Servant of the Cross]

Fitzmas?

[hoosiermama]

Pay for Play ala Chicago Style

[Nevadan]

It is indeed the same old story. What is current is that Harry Reid is using the Stimulus funds to pay back his political supporters. Nevada is sinking in these horrible economic times. Businesses are going under every day. There is no help for them. But Reid, Obama, and Biden are touting all the jobs saved by the Stimulus. I guess they are right after all. Some jobs have been saved. For political supporters, that is.

[Achilles Heel]

Right—great ammunition..hopefully the candidate against him is fairly clean or the WH will go after him/her big time. REID is a sleazy guy, but somehow manages to stay in office. Of course the unions and Acorn assist him.

[Grampa Dave]

This must be wrong.

We know that no DemocRat in Power would tolerate anything like this.

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

[Liz]

This must be wrong. We know that no DemocRat in Power would tolerate anything like this.

Course it's wrong. Reid is a "good American" who just "snapped" (/sniffle).

[sweetiepiezer]

Throw his butt in jail.

[Just mythoughts]

Course it's wrong. Reid is a "good American" who just "snapped" (/sniffle).

So was this another stimulus saving jobs program?

[Liz]

.....Reid accepted $67,000 from Abramoff that he refused to return. Tom DeLay accepted only $15,000 (later returned). DeLay had to step down, while Reid got promoted to Majority Leader......what's different about the two?.........

Oh, that's easy. Reid has (cough) "connections" in Las Vegas. Those all-night prostitute parties at the casinos for the Boys on the Hill can really payoff.

[Las Vegas Ron]

Yeesh, does anyone have any ethics anymore?

How are you Swettiepiezer? been a while

[Landru]

"A local architecture firm that recently won an $8.3 million federal contract to redesign a U.S. border crossing in California is being investigated by the Federal Election Commission for irregular campaign contributions to Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, who is up for re-election next year."

Yea, well, let's see what the FEC's *findings* are when all this is said & done.

Assuming they find Dingy Harry's fingerprints everywhere?
The fine for this kind of corruption has to be upwards of $5,000.
Poor Harry. LOL