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MARSHALL INDEPENDENT: “GOP CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF SECRETARY OF STATE”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | November 21, 2007
"Top Republicans in the House are calling for an investigation after Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie admitted Tuesday that he personally gave citizen information gathered by his state office to his campaign workers.
House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, and Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, said Wednesday that Ritchie violated public trust by transferring non-partisan personal information to his political campaign.
Both also said the action calls into question Ritchie's ability to be a nonpartial director of the state's 2008 elections, which is overseen by the Secretary of State office." Source: Marshall Independent, November 21, 2007
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"'It's unethical,' Seifert told the Independent, adding 'this guy got caught in a lie. The culture of corruption looks pretty bad.
'Now that Ritchie basically admitted lying, I don't know how we can't have an investigation,' Seifert added.
Minnesota Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles told the Star Tribune his office has gathered a significant amount of information on the case and was assessing it.
Ritchie told the Star Tribune that he believes computer firewalls need to exist between taxpayer-funded programs and his campaign, and said he looks forward to suggestions from Nobles.
Both Brod and Seifert were upset about the implications Ritchie's actions could have on future elections.
'It calls into question the integrity of the office,' Seifert said. 'If he's willing to do that, what else would he be willing to do?'
'When you have an office like the secretary of state, they are in charge of making sure there are nonpartisan and fair elections,' Brod said. 'These actions are of concern to me and should be of concern to everybody.'
The Independent put in a call to the Secretary of State's office on Wednesday morning, seeking further comment from Ritchie but had not received a response so far." Source: Marshall Independent, November 21, 2007
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3 Responses to “MARSHALL INDEPENDENT: “GOP CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF SECRETARY OF STATE””
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November 21st, 2007 at 11:55 AM
Can anyone say, “Smoking Gun”?
November 21st, 2007 at 12:40 PM
“Ritchie told the Star Tribune that he believes computer firewalls need to exist between taxpayer-funded programs and his campaign, and said he looks forward to suggestions from Nobles.”
What the hell does that mean? It would seem to imply that Ritchie’s campaign computers are part of the same network as those within the SoS office.
Since the two were never supposed to be linked physically or otherwise, why the hell would one need a firewall.
Here’s an suggestion: Forget the firewall. Fire Ritchie!
November 21st, 2007 at 2:41 PM
there’s another firewall Ritchie. It’s a person not abusing the data that he or she has access to. I’ve said in previous emails I can be fired for misusing my access! Ritchie certainly misused his access and should resign or be fired by the state!
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN