Morgan's rivals question $100,000 contribution

Journal Now (via The Carolina Journal) ^ | July 17. 2004 | David Rice

[TaxRelief]

A federal report showing that a political committee controlled by allies of House Republican Co-Speaker Richard Morgan got $100,000 from a small tobacco company in Virginia has Morgan's rivals raising questions about the donation.

The N.C. Republican Main Street Committee, a so-called "527" independent committee controlled by Morgan's closest allies, reported to the Internal Revenue Service this week that it has raised $160,200. The committee has run campaign ads on behalf of Morgan's legislative supporters.

But more than half the committee's money - $100,000 - came in a single donation on April 29 from S&M Brands Inc. of Keysville, Va.

[TaxRelief]

Rep. Harold Brubaker, R-Randolph, a former speaker of the House, and Rep. Danny McComas, R-New Hanover, are the directors of the Main Street committee.

Brubaker said that it would be wrong to conclude that S&M Brands donated to the committee as gratitude for inaction on legislation.

This differs from bribery and corruption, how?

[Rebelbase]

"This differs from bribery and corruption, how?"

He should have just put his house on the market, for $1 million more than it was worth, accepted a full price offer with an earnest money deposit of $100,000 then have the deal fall through and keep the dough.

That's what Edwards did.

[TaxRelief]

Here's a thought: This transaction crossed state lines and they all admit the money was given to them, in gratitude, for not passing certain legislation...

Is this possibly a RICO violation? Any lawyers out there who'd like to comment?

NC *Ping*

Let Constitution Day or Taxrelief know if you want on or off the NCPing list, or if you think you've been accidentally dropped, or ....

[ravingnutter]

Here is a link to the story you mentioned:

Sweetheart Real Estate Deal with Saudi Lobbyist

[JohnnyZ]

I think people should give money to support candidates they agree with. I might wait until I saw how a politician voted on a pro-life bill, or a tax cut, and then send them money if they were able to get the results I wanted, because that would be a pol I'd want to keep.

It's almost impossible to tell what is a bribe and what isn't -- I say just have full disclosure of funding and if the voters don't like candidates supporting certain policies and the interest groups who are funding those candidates, or if they conclude that pols are selling legislation for campaign cash, they can vote against them.

And I'd believe pretty much anything about Morgan, but most right-thinking people oppose him anyway.

[talleyman]

A Republican using the same loopholes the Demorats use? How outrageous!

[NCSteve]

Brubaker said that it would be wrong to conclude that S&M Brands donated to the committee as gratitude for inaction on legislation.

And so, Bru, what other conclusion should we reach? I've never trusted McComas and Brubaker always worried me some. Oh well, I guess this will cure me permanently of being the eternal optimist. I thought we had really accomplished something in '94.

[NCSteve]

If you read the whole article, you will find that this whole thing is a bunch of RINOs peeing on each other and the rest of us are getting very wet. Pope, Blust, and Shaw are RINO scum. No one involved on either side of this is worth the powder needed to blow them all straight to Hell.

[TaxRelief]

This type of thing would be covered under RICO if it involved a federal public official, but RICO doesn't seem to cover state lawmakers.

a bunch of RINOs peeing on each other and the rest of us are getting very wet.

LOL