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DID SECRETARY OF STATE RITCHIE’S OFFICE LIE TO LEGISLATORS WHO REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT ALLEGATIONS? I SAY YES!
By Michael B. Brodkorb | November 21, 2007
On October 31, 2007, Representative Laura Brod and Representative Tom Emmer sent a letter to Secretary of State Ritchie's office requesting information regarding allegations that Ritchie may have used his official office to fund his political machine.
Brod and Emmer asked Ritchie eleven questions, including "[w]ho entered the data into the Mark Ritchie campaign database?". On November 9, 2007, a representative of Ritchie's official office responded to Brod and Emmer's letter.
Below is Ritchie's offices' answer to question #5:
Ritchie's official office claimed the answer to the question of "[w]ho entered the data into the Mark Ritchie campaign database?" was "not known to the Office of the Secretary of State."
But after denying that he knew how Giga and Tomczak's e-mail address were given to his campaign, Ritchie has now admitted that he "personally provided" his campaign with the list. Since Ritchie's provided this list to his campaign, Ritchie in fact knew who "entered the data into the Mark Ritchie campaign database."
I believe Secretary of State Ritchie's office lied to legislators who requested information about allegations that Ritchie may have used his official office to fund his political machine.
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
Topics: Uncategorized | 40 Comments »
November 21st, 2007 at 12:51 am
Hey Mike. Having read the letter item four is a bit interesting. If I’m reading it right Ritchie if he acted properly would’ve made a proper data request and got billed for it. Considering the circumstances shouldn’t Mark Ritchie now get a bill for the data he took?
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
November 21st, 2007 at 12:52 am
I think you’re right Walter.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:17 am
Mark Ritchie hit rock bottom & started digging. He might finish his term in office, though I doubt it, but he’s essentially a dead man walking politically.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:33 am
The only thing missing from todays Strib article is the announcement of Richie’s resignation. He should be gone – today.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:12 am
This is remarkably similar to the way Entenza’s scandal developed before his political career ended in shame and embarrassment.
Like Entenza, Ritchie has still only answered part of the question. The part of the question he answered proves he stoled from the taxpayer to prop up his own political career, but that isn’t the end of the story. There are still a number of lists his official office had possession of that his campaign appears to have fundraised of off.
And what about the state employees he solicited after they attended meetings in his taxpayer funded office?
What about the “Safe at Home” list?
Why would he admit he lied about this and leave these other parts of the scandal hanging out there?
There is atill a lot to uncover here. Keep it up MDE.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:28 am
Who does Mark Ritchie think he is, Dean Johnson?
November 21st, 2007 at 7:38 am
Note another angle to this story. Ritchie knew all along he acted improperly. He pulls the mea culpa just before Thanksgiving, when the news cycle is at a low ebb. How slimy.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:53 am
If Ritchie resigns, does anyone know how the spot is filled? Does the Governor appoint, is there a special election?
November 21st, 2007 at 7:58 am
I love how this communist clown is trying to look noble in his lying. “I only did it to help cover the costs of the newsletter”.
These guys all feel as though 1) they are owed the office they hold and 2) are being bothered by “the little people” to explain their actions (after all, because they hold the office all their actions are righteous).
Resign Richie. Do the right thing for a change.
November 21st, 2007 at 8:08 am
This is huuuge.
Ritchie turned his back on Minnesotans.
I don’t see how he can succesfully carry out the duties of his office going forward.
November 21st, 2007 at 8:28 am
Ritchie won’t resign. He will pretend he is sorry but won’t do the right thing, which is resign. There is no doubt that he cannot carry out the duties of the office but that has never stopped this kind of clown. He will hunker down and hope this blows over by the time he is up for election in 2010. I believe people have long memories and hope they remember this incident.
November 21st, 2007 at 8:38 am
Congrats Mike, this was a huge scoop! Thanks also for continuing to push this story. The Democrat party of theft, neglect and dishonesty needs to be held accountable, no matter how hard they refuse.
It’s time to start articles of impeachment against this untrustworthy, liar and thief occupying the SoS office. He cannot be allowed to oversee the next election. It’s too important!
November 21st, 2007 at 8:51 am
Interesting, FYI, A vacancy in the office of SOS is filled by the governor (MN Constitution, Article 5, Section 3).
November 21st, 2007 at 9:00 am
This is a very interesting development. What we don’t know yet is what, if anything, he’s said to the Legislative Auditor. It’s never a good idea to lie to legislators or the public, but Jim Nobles won’t respond well to lies and certainly won’t let Ritchie off the hook.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:03 am
One fact is that when the Legislative Auditor is about to issue a report, the subject of the report gets a heads-up a few days, or even a couple of weeks, ahead of release so as to be able to respond to any potential inaccuracies or whatnot (and ostensibly to prepare a public response). My guess is that the SOS knows what is in the Auditor’s report and is trying to get out ahead of the story.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:04 am
Chestnut, take a look in the mirror your party is a disgrace and the Bush administration after 7 years is still not being held accountable. This is small potatoes compared to setting our country back 50 years.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:06 am
As others have mentioned, the story doesn’t end here.
Did Ritchie provide this list to other DFL candidates or organizations? Did moveon.org get the list? Melissa Hortman? The DFL House Caucus? Lori Swanson?
Has Ritchie purloined other lists from the SOS database? From the business office? From the elections office?
Another scandal from the DFL. Matt Entenza, Dean Johnson, Lori Swanson, Mike Hatch…
November 21st, 2007 at 9:15 am
Doctor Dre. Your obsession with Melissa Hortman is starting to scare me. Ritchie if the focus of this scandal, nobody else.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:25 am
T-Rex, maybe you should take a close look at your party who always attempts to undermine the war and the troops.
You are the party of traitors and I’m ashamed that you call yourself Americans.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:35 am
Poor T-Rex, sometimes it is just hard to hide how corrupt the democRats really are.
So back to page one of the liberal handbook, BLAME BUSH!
November 21st, 2007 at 9:36 am
I wonder if the kids over at MN Pooplius will now write anything about this story?
They have been trying to keep this from their readers as we know that site is nothing more than DFL talking points.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:42 am
Kahuna, it’s not any handbook (although it certainly could be) to raise up Bush as the posterchild for the GOP, he is the guy you nominated for President and have faithfully supported, right?
So as the top dog, he is the most shining example of how corrupt and incompetent the Republican party has become.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:52 am
[...] « DID SECRETARY OF STATE RITCHIE’S OFFICE LIE TO LEGISLATORS WHO REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT ALLEGATIONS? I SAY YES! | Home [...]
November 21st, 2007 at 10:14 am
You know one thought I had here. The Legislative Auditor had to do an investigation because Ritchie lied from the start. It seems fair that not only should Ritchie resign, but the legislative auditor gives Ritchie the bill for the expenses for the investigation!
And T-Rex President Bush has done nothing which he needs to be held accountable for. And the Congress since the Democrats got controlled because disgruntled Republicans about immigration and spending issues forgot to show is one sign of accounatable conduct of the Congress.
Instead of crying about Bush for a minute focus on the question. If you think President Bush has to be held accountable you certainly will join me in saying that Mark Ritchie to be held accountable for his illegal conduct, lying about how he will conduct the office, and causing an investigation because he didn’t tell the truth should resign.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
November 21st, 2007 at 11:19 am
This is typical of the double standard and hypocritical attitude of the Dumb Friggin Liberal party in this State.
I like the observation that the DFL thinks it is owed these offices and that Joe Ordinary doesn’t understand how these things operate and should not be holding any one in government accountable.
Lincoln said, in essence, if I am wrong, ten angels swearing I was right won’t change anything. The DFL continually obfuscates the issues with half truths and outright, outrageous accusations that smoke screen the truth. Mr Ritchie says he did it, the Auditor will say he did it, but the party will say the ends justify the means, therefore, he did not do it (for all intents and purposes). Additionally, Mr Bush will be brought up and thrown around with unfounded allegations in order to smokescreen the truth.
I already see it in the DFL responses on this article. History repeats itself.
November 21st, 2007 at 11:23 am
T-Rex it must just kill you to know Persident Bush was elected not once, but twice. Maening the American people turned your liberal candidates away.
So just how do you feel about this T-Rex? One of yours has been caught lying and I wonder what you have to say about it other than Bush is bad.
November 21st, 2007 at 11:36 am
It does kill me Kahuna, but then again I look at your grammer and it does not surprise me. The first election Bush did not win the popular vote and had to cheat, lie and steal to claim FL. The second the GOP had to commit massive voter fraud and intimidation in OH to get him elected. Bush has always been handed everything in his life anyway, so it’s not very surprising Daddy and his connections made things turn out “right”.
Ritchie sending a crappy fundraising letter to some Republicans versus undermining two national elections, seems to not quite match up to me.
“President Bush has done nothing which he needs to be held accountable for.”
-Your quote is exactly the problem Walter, Republicans believe Bush does not have to be accountable for anything. King George can do whatever he pleases and anyone who questions him is a traitor and un-American.
November 21st, 2007 at 11:55 am
Turd-Rex: Bush won Florida, in spite of you liberal hack’s attempts to steal it. After multiple recounts, including ones done in 2001-2004, have proven Bush won. Show one recount that went Gore’s way. But I can appreciate your BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome) and your desire to re-write history.
As far as Ohio voter fraud: I’ve been lectured by liberal boobs like you that there a-ain’t no voter fraud a-goin’ on and we don’t need to use picture licenses to verify a voter’s identity. Now you claim there’s fraud. Sounds good. Picture ID required.
Oh, but you wouldn’t want that. That would cut down on all the fraud you and your retard hacks get away with each election cycle.
November 21st, 2007 at 12:21 pm
T-Rex,
You’re a gem! “I look at your grammer…” Try “grammar” Einstein. Public school education?
November 21st, 2007 at 12:45 pm
T-Rex, what on earth does the Bush administration have to do with this issue? Further, what on earth does the Bush administration have to be held accountable for?
He’s stewarded over the strongest economy in our nation’s history, prevented further terrorist attacks, and fostered dramatic democratic reforms in the Middle East.
You can fabricate all the bullshit and fantasies you want. But Bush has been a remarkable President. Perfect, no. Remarkable, yes.
Still, Ritchie is a dishonest thief and liar. He is incompetent to oversee our State’s elections. And he should be removed from office immediately.
November 21st, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Nevermind T-Rex, I read your later posts. You’re too ignorant and retarded to have a conversation with. The delusions of grandeur your ilk have swallowed is unfathomable.
You’re too stupid to vote. Please disengage… go back to your video games.
November 21st, 2007 at 2:30 pm
T-Rex:
You might want to reread your history. If anybody was cheating, lieing, etc to win Florida it was the Gore and the Democrats. A brief recap of all the things:
* On election night the media called Florida before some polling places were closed (Florida is in two time zones). The media ignored a warning before she became a famous person Katherine Harris. If Harris had been listened to a few thousand more minimum Bush votes would’ve been cast and we wouldn’t have had the mess we had. Early calls did something which I was afraid off that the people at 7 central time will think the election had been won by Gore and not go out to vote. Republican get out the vote effort died in California and other western states playing a role in Gore winning his narrow popular vote majority.
* It was representatives from the Democrat Party that went out and got votes kicked out for our service people. T-Rex if you care about the troops remember it was Gore who did that! The votes that the Bush team got restored was what kept Bush ahead after the Florida State Supreme Court went crazy for the second time.
* Gore desperately wanted Miami Dade county recounted. Miami Dade County called off it’s recount (keep in mind their board was controlled by Democrats not Republicans) because they couldn’t meet the deadline that the Florida State Supreme Court created. If there had been no deadline imposed Miami Dade county might have continued their recount (note an author on the subject who followed the Florida recount predicted at the time the decision was made Bush was about to gain votes in the recount based on the methodolgy of Miami Dade County’s recount).
The US Supreme Court ruled unamiously (that included all the insane liberals on the bench) that the Florida State Supreme Court had acted improperly.
* If you read your constitution the constitution gives the state legislature the authority to determine how a state’s electoral votes are cast. They gave a vote to give them to Bush.
As for Ohio if there was fraud it was by the Democrats trying to win it. Bush won it fair and square by something like 80,000. Some people have given me grief on previous posts about Ritchie about my concern for fraud. T-Rex where’s your proof except your imagination there was 80,000 plus fraudlent votes in Ohio!
As For Ritchie you didn’t say he should resign. If you get mad at Bush for stealing an election can’t Ritchie. You don’t want elections stolen or improper votes cast do you?
Walter hanson
Minneapolis, MN
*
November 21st, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Don’t worry everyone, I’ve got a solution, one that I think everyone can agree on.
So the general thinking is that Ritchie was in on these unethical and possible illegal actions and therefore should resign, right?
Well, if this renders Ritchie incapable of conducting his office, would it not be appropriate that the President resign, due to the new revelations from former WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMEN Scott McClellan says that Rove, Libby, the VP, the chief of staff, and the President himself were involved in directing Mr. McClellan to, in effect, lie or deny any of their roles in the leaking of classified information.
Aren’t Ritchie’s and the President’s situations somewhat similar? If those among here believe Ritchie’s actions merit resignation, surely they would have to conclude that Bush’s actions would also merit resignation.
So its settled then; both shall resign. Im glad we are all willing to purge ALL politicians for wrongdoing. Of course this assumes those calling for Ritchie’s resignation are doing so objectively. : )
November 21st, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Too bad Jeff you just do not get it.
Let’s see, we have Ritchie who admits to his lies is somehow comparable to the left accusing President Bush of lying…. Yep seems you drank too much kool aid.
Plus it has already been determined who let out Plames name and it was not a white house official.
How about the fact it also seems her husband was caught in a lie but the media wants to ignore that part of it.
Jeff your side is so good about trying to turn a table and point a finger in any direction but a democRat.
With the new media and blogs that can expose the tactics of the left, you all do not know what to do with the corruption you used to be able to hide.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Jeff keep one thing in mind. In 2002 when the vote was taking place a Senator was worried about making sure their vote was proper. They independently researched that vote and came to the same conclussions as President Bush. That person was Hillary clinton. so Jeff there was no by Bush.
So Jeff do you think Ritchie should resign and lets leave Bush out of this.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
November 21st, 2007 at 8:01 pm
“Aren’t Ritchie’s and the President’s situations somewhat similar?”
No. They aren’t. Not even close. Ritchie is a thief and a liar. Bush is not.
November 21st, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Jeff where are you?
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
November 23rd, 2007 at 1:55 am
[...] It’d be wrong to forget Ritchie’s answer to Rep. Brod & Rep. Emmer’s questions: 5. You have asked, “Who entered the information into the Mark Ritchie campaign database. The answer to this question is not known to the Office of the Secretary of State. [...]
November 29th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Well, it looks like the comments are getting way out of hand. This situation is very different from the malfeasance of the Bush administration. That’s not to say that what Ritchie did was OK or should be tolerated, but again, we have a case of conservatives getting whipped in to a fervor over something that, in the grand scheme of things, is inconsequential. Blow jobs and misuse of gov’t property, clearly worse than illegitimate war, disregard for human suffering, etc.
Sites like this will never be taken seriously unless the commenters can refrain from the partisan hackery (that’s what RedState is for). What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Does that not apply to Democrats?
Save the judgment until the facts have been revealed. I understand that most of you think that, because of your political affiliations, you have intimate knowledge of the other side, but try to relax before you blow a gasket. Very little has been revealed about this “issue”, so getting this close to a coronary over it seems unnecessary.
December 7th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
[...] As I have written before, I believe Secretary of State Ritchie's office lied to legislators who requested information about allegations that Ritchie may have used his official office to fund his political machine. [...]