Slog

News & Arts

Line Out

Music & the City
at Night

« The Return of the State | Would You Like A Portable Confessio… »

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Politics Rossi Participated in Illegal BIAW Campaign

Posted by Erica C. Barnett on Tue, Sep 30, 2008 at 10:40 AM

The Washington State Democrats and attorney Knoll Lowney released information today showing that Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi participated directly in the Building Industry Association of Washington's illegal fundraising efforts on behalf of Rossi's campaign. In Washington State, it's illegal for a group to raise funds for a candidate if it fails to register as a political committee. Earlier this month, state Attorney General Rob McKenna sued the BIAW, alleging that it had concealed "its solicitation and receipt of $584,527.53 in campaign contributions.”

The records released today show that Rossi himself made fundraising calls seeking money from at least one chapter of the BIAW for the BIAW's pro-Rossi campaign war chest, which, to date, has spent more than $2 million on its anti-Gregoire campaign.

The BIAW's contributions to Rossi's campaign came from refunds to BIAW members' worker compensation funds. Two weeks ago, the state Public Disclosure Commission unanimously ruled that a BIAW subsidiary had illegally concealed its role in bundling workers' compensation refunds and donating them to the BIAW's political committee, which is working to elect Rossi over Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire.

The documents are available here and here.

Comments (11) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

Is there some sort of punishment for this?

Posted by inkweary on September 30, 2008 at 10:58 AM

So what happens now? It's great having a paper trail leading to Rossi's doorstep, but does Sam Reed have any leverage against him? Does McKenna?

Posted by Garth on September 30, 2008 at 11:05 AM

Rules are for losers. Oh, wait...

Posted by Tiktok on September 30, 2008 at 11:07 AM

Next we'll be hearing from some BIAW flack complaining that Governor Gregoire is soooo desperate, she personally sent the State Attorney General, the PDC, the WA Democratic Party, and a bunch of money-grubbing lawyers to pick on poor, innocent Dino Rossi. It'll be the political equivalent of when you catch your kid with porn and booze in his room, and he turns around and tries to blame you for not respecting his privacy.

Posted by COMTE on September 30, 2008 at 12:11 PM

Some interesting insight as to why this doesn't matter. This issue's already been resolved folks... http://www.theolympian.com/112/story/598389.html

Posted by Karen on September 30, 2008 at 12:29 PM

Oops!

Posted by Greg on September 30, 2008 at 12:45 PM

Karen, that's true, but it doesn't change the fact that Rossi has perjured himself and personally participated in illegal money bundling. He's a candidate for public office and he violated the law. That matters. The money may still be on the table (unfortunately), but at least this has the potential to knock some of the shine off of Rossi's carefully-crafted image.

Posted by Meredith on September 30, 2008 at 1:14 PM

This would make a good commercial.

Posted by Vince on September 30, 2008 at 1:35 PM

Pales in comparison to the extortion and racketeering scandal with tribal casinos plaguing acting Governor Christine Gregoire.

Posted by raindrop on September 30, 2008 at 1:50 PM

Is it really violating the law when there are no penalties? Why shouldn't Rossi pull this kind of shit when he knows perfectly well he'll get away with it? "Oh, you naughty boy". This just makes the whole concept of campaign finance reform look stupid and pointless.

Posted by Fnarf on September 30, 2008 at 1:51 PM

You mean like the farce that McCain is doing, Fnarf. Yeah, you're right. Darn.

Posted by Will in Seattle on September 30, 2008 at 8:06 PM