Simpler and Lavelle: Cheaters
To be a modern Republican you have to be willing to cheat. Simpler and Lavelle fit the bill.
Delaware Democrats are accusing two prominent Republicans of skirting state campaign finance rules just weeks before voters head to the polls.
The Delaware Democratic Party on Monday filed an official complaint with the state election office that questions whether state Treasurer Ken Simpler and Senate Majority Whip Greg Lavelle, R-Sharpley, are illegally coordinating with PACs that are supporting their respective campaigns.
“Leaders have a responsibility to follow both the letter and spirit of the law,” wrote Democratic Party Chair Erik Raser-Schramm. “The facts clearly show these two candidates have fallen short of that responsibility and it is incumbent on both the Department of Elections and the candidates themselves to take restorative measures that rebuild trust with the voting public.”
If you don’t have the NJ subscription: Simpler is illegally receiving direct social media content support from a PAC, while Lavelle is illegally involved in the PAC that is not allowed to coordinate with his campaign.
This is at least the second time that Lavelle has used this tactic. I mean, can’tcha at least get a PO Box? The Monsignor doesn’t even care about plausible deniability.
And, no Rich Forsten mouthing Rethuglican doublespeak is not plausible deniability either. More like proof of a criminal conspiracy.
If you take a look at Shupe’s, his has some over-donations, too. Funny, all these guys running on “fiscal responsibility” can’t seem to keep their money straight.
Shupe’s report also was submitted several days late.
This added to Ramone’s criminal activity, it seems that “brazen lawlessness” is the DEGOP’s actual strategy now.
…Also I love how the NJ sides with Simpler and Lavelle by softening the original “breaking state campaign finance rules” to “skirting state campaign finance rules”
Skirting… Just a simple skirting, no biggy. Noting to see here. Just boys being boys.
As I read ERS’s quote, he isn’t “accusing two prominent Republicans of skirting” anything. Simpler and Lavelle, howvever, are accused of BREAKING state campaign finance rules.
Jesus. Transparent side taking by the NJ. There’s your non-biased, objective journalism for you.
Then there’s the accusatory quote from Lavelle at the end about “timing.” As if timing had nothing to do with his ads. NJ couldn’t figure that out
Time?!?! The finance reports just came out, GREG! What other time would it be??
Well, if the campaign laws wouldn’t wear those short skirts, then the Republicans would leave them alone.
I agree it does sound salacious. Esp when you say skirted while looking at that creepy leering pic Simpler uses as his official picture.
The state’s process for monitoring and enforcing campaign financing is in pathetic shape. I don’t now what’s going on behind the scenes but there are way too many red flags in every round of finance reports. Even when the violations are called out, there appears to be zero action.
Who is supposed to enforce the campaign financing laws?
Per Del. Code, the State Election Commissioner is actually given significant power to investigate and penalize candidates and their campaigns. I don’t have the exact wording off the top of my head but if reasonable evidence is presented to the Commissioner, then she has subpoena power to investigate the accounts of the candidate and the campaign. Also, she has the power to enforce the penalties on the candidates and treasurers who don’t comply. If a campaign violation is significant enough, it’s the discretion of the commissioner to forward the information to the AG’s office for possible criminal action.
If I was running for office, fixing this system would be one of the top things on my to-do list because the integrity of election process is tainted if the Commissioner doesn’t have the wherewithal to carry out her duties. Her lack of enforcement concerning campaign finance irregularities was news years ago and I don’t see anything being done about it.
The Election Commissioner already demonstrated that she worships at the altar of the Delaware Way Church when she contorted herself into determining that Park City Kathy met Delaware residency requirements even though she lived, and voted in, Park City. She simply had not lived in Delaware consecutively for enough time to meet the eligibility standards for running for Lt. Gov.
I don’t think that any impartial official would have made the ruling that Manlove did.
Here’s the thing about Lavelle. No Rethug in Delaware is able to summon up righteous indignation on cue like Lavelle. Remember when he drove around during the Occupy Delaware protests and called a reporter to say that the protesters should be arrested? On a Saturday afternoon?
Same guy provides cover for pedophile priests and, of course, engages in campaign skulduggery. He’s a phony, through and through.
I nearly forgot to mention… I just kicked in another couple Benjamins to Laura Sturgeon campaign.
Lavelle is complete trash. Let’s run him out. Get in there, folks.
No one cared bc Hansen won by so much – but Lavelle was the treasurer of the pac that was sending out the mailers. COME ON. You mean to tell me nothing was coordinated from the a sitting Minorty leader who was constantly door knocking and the writing the PAC’s checks?!
Who wants to FOIA the hell out of the Board of Elections with me?!?! Oh, yeah!