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MN GOP PRESS RELEASE: “FRANKEN DECEPTION CONTINUES: FAILS TO DISCLOSE POTENTIALLY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF CORPORATE INCOME IN CALIFORNIA”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | April 24, 2008
“Al Franken’s failure to file corporate income tax returns in California may be hiding an even more onerous problem for the comedian CEO. Based on public records that show Franken has had dozens of public appearances in the state, engaging in activities that would have resulted in economic activity for his corporation, Franken may have hidden hundreds of thousands of dollars of corporate income from the State of California.
“Al Franken has failed to disclose what could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars of corporate income, subject to California taxes. His repeated efforts to shift the focus on his evasion of his tax obligations in the state by suggesting he had tried to dissolve his corporation in 2003 demands further inquiry. While only the State of California can determine what Franken’s tax liability may be, it is clear that without filing his corporate income taxes, Franken and his company have effectively evaded income disclosure.
“While Franken’s campaign has suggested that a questionable letter from an obscure tax accountant in 2003 should have terminated his company, they fail to explain the existence of two documents from 2004 and 2006 that undermine the credibility of their claim that Franken ceased doing business in the state. These questions – along with his failure to disclose corporate income to the State of California – demand immediate answers from Al Franken.†– Ron Carey, Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman
Franken Claims:
“However, the campaign released a statement from Franken’s accountant, Allen Chanzis, who said his office sent a letter to the state of California in 2003 asking it to remove AFI from its tax records as AFI ‘will no longer be doing business in California.’†(Kevin Duchschere, “Franken Corporation Owes California $5,800,†Star Tribune, April 18, 2008)
The Truth:
“However, state records show that Chanzis filed corporate disclosure forms for AFI with the California Secretary of State’s office in 2004 and 2006. [Franken staffer Andy] Barr said he didn’t know enough about the matter to explain the possibly conflicting documents.†(Kevin Duchschere, “Franken Corporation Owes California $5,800,†Star Tribune, April 18, 2008)
View The 2004 & 2006 Documents Filed With The State of California For Alan Franken Inc.:
http://www.mngop.com/pdfs/StatementInformationAlanFrankenInc6282004.pdf
http://www.mngop.com/pdfs/StatementInformationAlanFrankenInc5182006.pdf
Definitions From The State Of California:
“You are responsible for the corporation franchise tax if your corporation or limited liability company treated as a corporation is doing business in California. Doing business in California is defined as actively engaging in any transaction in California for the purpose of financial gain or profit.
Foreign corporations that are general partners of partnerships or members of limited liability companies (treated as partnerships for tax purposes) doing business in California are also responsible for the corporation franchise tax.†(California Franchise Tax Board Website, http://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/misc/1083.pdf, Accessed April 24, 2008)
“You are responsible for the corporation income tax if your corporation or limited liability company treated as a corporation receives income from sources within California but is not doing business in California. Foreign corporations that are limited partners of partnerships doing business in California are also subject to the income tax.†(California Franchise Tax Board Website, http://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/misc/1083.pdf, Accessed April 24, 2008)
Franken Claims:
“But Carey acknowledged that he’s not able to entirely explain the significance of the California status of AFI, a small Minnesota corporation that Franken started in New York in 1991 to manage his writing and acting enterprises. That’s because the matter isn’t significant, said Franken spokeswoman Jess McIntosh. Franken hasn’t done business in California in years, and his business registration there ultimately expired for that reason, she said.†(Kevin Duchschere, “State GOP Chief Calls For Franken To Release California Business Records,†StarTribune.com, April 16, 2008)
The Truth: Franken Repeatedly Did Business In California After 2003:
January 2003
Jan. 6 Speech In San Francisco. “Jan. 6 Monday … Check Franken out tonight as part of the City Arts and Lectures series ‘On Art and Politics’; he’ll no doubt have some choice words to share about the big fat idiot-laden current administration. 8 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness, S.F. $18. (415) 392-4400. (Eddy)” (Peace Garden Project website, http://www.peacegardenproject.com/news/sfbg_com030101.htm, accessed April 22, 2008)
June 2003
Book Promotion In LA. “LOS ANGELES — BookExpo America, the annual gathering of booksellers and publishers, isn’t known as a raucous event. But at a luncheon last week featuring political commentators with upcoming books, there was uncharacteristic rancor. For the left: Molly Ivins (‘Bushwhacked: Living With George W. Bush’) and Al Franken (‘Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right’).” (“Authors, Ready? At The Bell, Come Out Swinging,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, June 8, 2003)
October 2003
Menlo Park And San Francisco Stop To Promote Book. “Franken Discusses ‘Lies’ in Bay Area – October 23, 24, 2003 THURSDAY Al Franken Discussing ‘Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them.’ 8 p.m. $20-$36. Zellerbach Hall, Bancroft Way and Telegraph Ave., UC Berkeley, Berkeley. (510) 642-9988. FRIDAY Al Franken (“LITERARY GUIDE,” The San Francisco Chronicle, October 19, 2003) Discussing ‘Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them.’ Noon. $30. Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St., S.F. (415) 772-5000; 7:30 p.m. Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. (650) 324-4321.”
CalTech Event To Promote Book. “The Bush administration’s most unwelcome court jester, satirist and Fox News foil, Al Franken, led what was both a political rally and a right-wing roast at Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium Wednesday night. He had a crowd of 1,200 inside, 300 outside, howling and hissing as he skewered the policies of President George Bush and eviscerated what he called the right-wing media machine, symbolized by the Fox News Channel.” (Gary Scott, “Franken Roasts The Right Wing During Caltech Talk,” Pasadena Star-News, October 23, 2003)
San Francisco Event To Promote Book. “FRI 10/24 Merely penning his anti-conservative book Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right would likely have made satirist Al Franken a liberal hero. But thinking up a title so incendiary that it caused Fox News to sue (unsuccessfully) over his use of ‘fair and balanced’ made the man a lefty legend. With chapter titles such as ‘Bill O’Reilly: Lying Splotchy Bully,’ ‘Ann Coulter: Nutcase,’ and ‘You Know Who I Don’t Like? Ann Coulter,’ Franken takes the right-wing media to task with humor. Hear him speak at noon at the Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason (at California), S.F. Admission is $15-30; call 597-6700 or visit www.commonwealthclub.org.” (“Our Girl Reporter,” SF Weekly, October 22, 2003)
Beverly Hills Event To Promote Book. “Al Franken has more than his share of enemies, but not many of them showed up to hear him speak this week in Beverly Hills. At $18 a pop, a large crowd of boisterous supporters — by all appearances older Democrats who read the paper and are maybe a bit peeved at George W. Bush — attended Franken’s discussion of his much-commented-upon book ‘Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right’ on Tuesday night at Temple Emanuel. The writer-comedian-commentator didn’t disappoint. The audience howled at his skillfully delivered quips, roundly applauded his pointed skewering of the right and even rudely shouted down one man who tried to engage Franken in debate. Fellow Democratic activist and movie director Rob Reiner lobbed questions at Franken at the Writers Bloc-sponsored event.” (Adam Bregman, “Franken Is Proud To Skewer Those In Right State Of Mind,” Los Angeles Times, October 24, 2003)
Appeared On Jay Leno. “11:35 p.m. ‘The Tonight Show,’ Al Franken struggles to stop laughing long enough to offer insightful commentary on the latest Rush Limbaugh rehab reports. NBC.” (“That TV Guy,” Marin Independent Journal, October 25, 2003)
“Sellout” Crowd At Berkeley Event. “Asking whether the mainstream media has a liberal or conservative bias is like asking whether the problem with al-Qaida is that they use too much oil in their hommes, political satirist Al Franken told a sellout crowd at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Auditorium Thursday.” (Rebecca Rosen Lum, “Al Franken Calls It As He Sees It,” Contra Costa Times, Octber 25, 2003)
Spoke At Urban Land Institute Dinner In San Francisco. “The Urban Land Institute, developers ‘a tad more enlightened than sprawl-loving land-grabbers of lore,’ according to a TIC spy, met in San Francisco over the weekend and covered all the bases. Top-billed speaker was Newt Gingrich, who did his thing at lunch on Friday [Oct. 31]; the emcee of the same day’s ‘Awards of Excellence’ dinner was Al Franken.” (Leah Garchik, “Daily Datebook,” San Francisco Chronicle, November 3, 2003)
January 2004
Berkeley Forum With Other Liberals. “Loathing President Bush is an art form in Berkeley, a disgust so pointed that 3,500 people recently gave a standing ovation to a trio of best-selling Bush-bashing authors — comedian Al Franken, economist Paul Krugman and ex-Nixon strategist Kevin Phillips — before they uttered a word onstage.” (Joe Garofoli, “Liberals Turn To Entertainment To Batter The ‘House of Bush,’” San Francisco Chronicle, January 25, 2004)
Appeared With Ben Stein At Contra Costa Council. “Al Franken, author of the best-seller ‘Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right,’ and Ben Stein, former Nixon speech writer and star of Comedy Central’s ‘Win Ben Stein’s Money,’ delivered Thursday night to a conference of the Contra Costa Council.” (“Trove Of Notes Found In Library,” Contra Costa Times, February 1, 2004)
February 2004
Appearance At Arlington Theatre In Santa Barbara. “Al Franken The political humorist will put his own spin on politics and current events when he makes a 2 p.m. appearance Feb. 28 at Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St., Santa Barbara. Tickets are $35 and available through Ticketmaster, 583-8700 or http://www.ticketmaster.com.” (“Getting There,” Ventura County Star, February 26, 2004)
March 2004
Franken Event In Santa Rosa. “[Al Franken] seemed to be testing out his material as well as his endurance last Thursday during an appearance at Santa Rosa’s Luther Burbank Center. After strolling onto the stage without introduction or fanfare, Franken proceeded to spend nearly two hours casually chatting away in front of the highly receptive audience. And while he proved to be intelligent, compassionate and hilarious, I’m remaining cautiously optimistic. Talk radio is a tough gig.” (“Overheard; Franken Brings Laughs, Lessons to Santa Rosa,” Pacific Sun, March 23, 2004)
September 2004
Franken Appears On Jay Leno On Sept. 30. (“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” NBC, September 30, 2004)
Radio Show Stops In San Diego. “Actress Meg Ryan joined liberal talk-radio host Al Franken here during his live AM 1360 broadcast at UCSD last Thursday [Sept. 30]. She read parts in two radio skits on his show. Franken also corralled radio producer Cliff Albert to fill a role as a ‘radio announcer’ in one of the skits. ‘I guess . . . I can now add `acted with Meg Ryan’ to my resume,’ says Albert. ‘But I’m not going to hold my breath for any movie producers to call’ . . . At a political debate hosted by AARP here the other day, the moderator chimed in with his own complaint: ‘I don’t understand why the military is wasting all that money looking for Osama bin Laden. If they just wait until he turns 50, AARP will find him.’” (Diane Bell, “‘77 Porsche Too Easy On The Eye?” San Diego Union-Tribune, October 5, 2004)
October 2004
Radio Show And Rally On Oct. 1. “The liberal Air America radio network, launched in April, finally added a Bay Area outlet last Tuesday — KQKE “The Quake” 960 AM. Network cornerstone Al Franken celebrated the occasion by broadcasting his daily radio show live Friday from San Francisco’s Punch Line comedy club; guests such as state Treasurer Phil Angelides joined him to talk smack about President Bush’s debate performance on the previous night. Franken later Friday rallied the troops at the Democrats’ Every Vote Counts 2004 campaign office on Market Street before headlining a California Democratic Party fundraiser at San Francisco’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel; about 200 people attended, raising more than $20,000.” (Josh Richman, “It’s Busy Week On The Campaign Trail,” Alameda Times-Star, October 4, 2004)
March 2005
Speech At Santa Monica Radio Show Conference. “Talk radio heavyweights Al Franken, Sean Hannity and Joe Scarborough will be among the featured speakers as radio executives, programmers and personalities convene today for an industry seminar. The 10th annual ‘R&R Talk Radio Seminar,’ hosted by the industry trade publication Radio & Records, will be held at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel through Saturday. The annual event is designed to help news/talk radio executives maximize their potential with audiences and advertisers.” (Talk Radio City News Service, March 10, 2005)
May 2005
“West Coast Magical Mystery Tour” Stops In Sacramento. “Progressive radio host and funnyman Al Franken brought his West Coast Magical Mystery Tour to Sacramento on Wednesday [May 11] with a live, three-hour broadcast from the stage of the gilded Crest Theatre.” (Dixie Reed, “Al Franken Airs It Out, To Fans’ Delight, At Crest,” Sacramento Bee, May 12, 2005)
San Francisco Radio Show Stop. “P.S. On the theory that multiple divorces are more threatening to the institution of marriage than same-sex liaisons, Al Franken, who broadcast his Air America program from City Hall last Thursday, suggested to Mayor Newsom that the city of San Francisco employ a marital three-strike law.” (Leah Garchik, “DAILY DATEBOOK,” The San Francisco Chronicle, May 28, 2005)
November 2005
Pasadena Book Tour Stop. “THURSDAY [Nov. 3] AL FRANKEN Caltech, Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena. 8 p.m. Comedian Al Franken will talk about his new book ‘The Truth [with jokes].’ Free. For more information, call [626] 395-4652.” (“Family,” Pasadena Star News, October 30, 2005)
Radio Show Hosted From Cal Poly. “Phil Angelides, a Democrat gubernatorial candidate, spoke on a special edition of the Al Franken radio show broadcast from Cal Poly on Wednesday [Nov. 2].” (Larissa Van Beurden-Doust, “Treasurer Says Just Vote ‘No,’” San Luis Obispo Tribune, November 3, 2005)
Berkeley Stop To Promote The Truth. “Comedian and Air America talk radio host Al Franken will appear at the Berkeley Community Theater at 7:30 p.m. [Nov. 5] as part of the promotion for his new book ‘Truth (with Jokes).’ Tickets are $5 with the purchase of ‘Truth’ in advance at all Cody’s Book Store locations. Tickets are $12 without purchase at City Box Office at 415-392-4400 or at cityboxoffice.com.” (“Comedian Al Franken To Talk About ‘Truth,’” Contra Costa Times, November 4, 2005)
In San Diego To Promote The Truth. “Sometimes it’s best to hit interview subjects fast, before they have time to think. So: Al Franken was in town last week (along with his Air America radio program) to promote his latest book, ‘The Truth (With Jokes),’ which debuts today at No. 1 on the New York Times’ hardcover nonfiction list. Settling into an armchair in his downtown San Diego hotel room, he immediately had to respond to this: In 1980, on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ you declared the 1980s to be “the Al Franken Decade.’” (Arthur Salm, “In This Column, The Truth And Nothing But The Truth (With A Few jokes),” San Diego Union-Tribune, November 13, 2005)
March 2006
V. Coulter Debate. “Forget the black ties. Flak jackets were in order last week at the Universal Amphitheatre as liberal pundit Al Franken and conservative commentator Ann Coulter took the stage. At home in front of a mostly liberal audience attending the University of Judaism’s lecture series, Franken let rip several barbs against Coulter and her characterization of the progress being made in Iraq. Coulter said Franken was singing the constant refrain of Democrats, whom she characterized as cowards and ‘the Neville Chamberlains of their day.’” (Kate Berry, “Marvelous Night for Superheroes of L.A. Business,” Los Angeles Business Journal, April 3, 2006)
- Tickets For Series Cost $225. 10 2006 PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES The University of Judaism confabs kick off with John Edwards and Newt Gingrich, strange bedfellows topped only by Al Franken and Ann Coulter on March 27. At 7:30. Tickets (for entire series only), $225. Gibson Amphitheater at Universal City Walk, Universal City, 530-440-1246.” (“The top ten,” Los Angeles Magazine, January 1, 2006)
Santa Barbara, CA Speech. “An Evening with Al Franken The Legal Aid Foundation ot [sic] Santa Barbara presents humorous political commentator Al Franken. Whether you agree or disagree with his point ot [sic] view, Franken never fails to deliver insight into modern politics, be it trudi [sic] or lies, with jokes. Fri., Mar. 31, 6:30pm; Fess Parker DoubleTree Resort; 963-6754 x103.” (Felicia M Tomasko, “SPRING ARTS PREVIEW,” Santa Barbara Independent, March 23, 2006 – March 30, 2006
Fess Parker DoubleTree Resort: 633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (information from Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort Hotel website, http://www.fpdtr.com/index1.html, accessed April 21, 2008)
Fresno, CA Appearance. “First there was Al Franken the comedian. That was followed by Al Franken the writer, film actor, author, situation comedy star, radio host and possibly politician. Considering the welcome Franken received Thursday morning for his live broadcast of his Air America talk show heard on KFPT, AM 790, he may need to add Al Franken, rock star, to his résumé. His appearance here started with a caravan of more than 200 cars that zigzagged through Fresno, leaving from River Park, where Franken had breakfast with selected guests. The convoy, many of the cars adorned with Franken slogans and KFPT T-shirts, arrived at Pardini’s on Shaw Avenue at 8:35 a.m.” (Rock Bentley, “Fans Liberally Praise Al Franken,” Fresno Bee, March 31, 2006)
Hosts Show From Sacramento. “Democratic gubernatorial contender Phil Angelides turned to Harvard classmate Al Franken – author, liberal satirist and foil to conservatives – to burnish his progressive political credentials. But as he sat down Wednesday for ‘The Al Franken Show’ – which broadcast live from Sacramento’s Crest Theatre for the Air America radio network – Angelides pitched one extra detail. ‘This is where I reveal to the world where I saw Al Franken naked,’ Angelides announced. The 1,000 theater guests and a national radio audience for the event – sponsored by ‘Sacramento’s Left Channel,’ KCTC radio 1320 AM – may or may not have been clamoring for the punch line.” (Peter Hecht, “Democrats’ Delight,” Sacramento, March 30, 2006) Bee
July 2006
Hosts Air America Show At San Diego State. “DemocracyFest, a three-day conference for Democratic activists, begins tomorrow at San Diego State University and will include a keynote address Saturday night by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. Humorist Al Franken will broadcast on Air America Radio from Montezuma Hall on Friday morning. … There will be more workshops on Saturday, with Dean’s speech slated as part of a broader program featuring Franken, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, and others. More workshops are slated for Sunday.” (“Democrats To Visit S.D. For Festival, Conference,” San Diego Union-Tribune, July 12, 2006)
Introduces Howard Dean At San Diego State Next Day. ” Introduced by comedian and radio host Al Franken, [Howard] Dean touched on various high points of the Democratic Party’s national agenda, including a higher minimum wage, environmental protection and voting initiatives.” (Phillip J. LaVelle, “Dean Raps Bush On Defense,” San Diego Union-Tribune, July 16, 2006)
August 2006
Al Franken’s “Stand Up For Change” Tour. “Al Franken’s Stand Up 4 Change Tour. 8 p.m. Aug. 25. Warfield, 982 Market St., San Francisco, (415) 775-7722. http://www.thefillmore.com/ warfield.asp.” (“POP, COUNTRY & JAZZ,” The Mercury News, August 21, 2006)
Al Franken Event In Santa Rosa. “Saturday [Aug. 26] Jazz Philosophy shares theirs at Rafters Grìlle & Brewery. Bring the kids to another Film Night In The Park for Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets at Creek Park in San Anselmo. The living Man-in-Black Rusty Evans and Ring of Fire pay tribute to the deceased one on the current charts at Peri’s. Swing to the comedic left with über-liberal author/comedian/Air America radio host Al Franken at the Wells Fargo Center For The Arts.” (Kimberlye Gold, “After Dark,” Pacific Sun, August 25 – August 31, 2006)
Wells Fargo Center Located In Santa Rosa. “The Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.” (Wells Fargo Center For The Arts website, http://wellsfargocenterarts.org/docs/contact.html, accessed April 21, 2008)
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This post also appears on Blogs for Norm!, an online community and blog covering the 2008 U.S. Senate campaign in Minnesota. The primary goal of Blogs for Norm! is to organize bloggers who support U.S. Senator Norm Coleman.
Topics: Uncategorized | 72 Comments »
72 Responses to “MN GOP PRESS RELEASE: “FRANKEN DECEPTION CONTINUES: FAILS TO DISCLOSE POTENTIALLY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF CORPORATE INCOME IN CALIFORNIA””
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April 24th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Ouch!!!
Michael, you been doin’ some homework!!!
April 24th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Andy Barr couldn’t find his ass with both hands.
He’s a quintessential Democrat.
I wonder if Mike Cereci will reconsider his surrender to the lazy, dishonest, asshole Al Franken.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Holy crap Michael, I just read the rest of the post… well, skimmed it…
Franken is fried.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Chestnut – you think Michael’s smilin’, right around now?
He should be.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
When I saw this release in my inbox, I couldn’t believe it. I’ve read it six times and I still in shock.
Franken has some explaining to do.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
So, in your world, people are paid by people other then their publishers to go on book tours?
You have done a great job of recreating his book tour.
You have done a poor job of proving that Al Franken Inc. of California was paid for any of the book tour stops.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Michael, the ol’ “hit meter” on M.D.E. is about to go bezerk.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Frank: I posted the party’s press release. The complaints/compliments need to go to them.
You are clearly close to Franken campaign, so I’ll ask: who was paid for the book tour?
April 24th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I don’t think he’ going to be able to hide behind Monifa on this one!
Frank — not reporting income when clearly income was being generated — is not about a book tour.
It’s about not reporting income. Filing to file tax returns. Not reporting income. And, possibily having a tax liability as result of business activity in California is not as easily dismissed as you might like it to be.
Monifa must be smiling right about now!!!
April 24th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
“They didn’t pay me”
“I wasn’t there”
“I didn’t know”
How long does Angry Al think he can insult the intelligence of the voters of Minnesota? How long will the Democrat party and it’s minions continue to run interference for this notorious liar and cheat?
April 24th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Mike:
Forgive me for making this more simple, but if Franken is selling books in California (which to the best of my knowledge he was) and if Franken was receiving royalties for his appearance in movies (such as Tradiing Places) isn’t that a continuous presence in California which means the corporation couldn’t dissolve itself?
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
April 24th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
It is never the crime that gets these guys, it is always the cover up.
I think you should call Al or Andy (MDE) and ask them if they really thought you’d just stop digging and walk away satisfied with the current state of this story.
How could they be so stupid as to not know you’d ask the next set of questions, and the next set of questions, and the next and the next. . . ?
He should give Entenza a call and ask him whether lying each and every time a negative story comes out is a good idea. Stories beget stories when there are questions left unanswered and parts of the story revealed after the fact.
Al Frankentenza should get that.
Always the cover up!
April 24th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
[...] MN GOP PRESS RELEASE: “FRANKEN DECEPTION CONTINUES: FAILS TO …(Joe Garofoli, “Liberals Turn To Entertainment To Batter The ‘House of Bush,’†San Francisco Chronicle, January 25, 2004). Appeared With Ben Stein At Contra Costa Council. “Al Franken, author of the best-seller ‘Lies and the Lying Liars …Minnesota Democrats Exposed – http://www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com [...]
April 24th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
NotSoSwiftly, you’re not doin’ your side any help.
Keep up the bad work!!!
April 24th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Michael- I love how you are too lazy to be a real journalist, so you sit at home waiting for Ron Carey to do your thinking for you. If you spent even a few minutes coming up with documentation to back up your assertions, you could be more than the filth monger with a highly questionable reputation that you have become.
Make the post count- While you are throwing out wild criminal accusations, aren’t you forgetting a racketeering charge or murder or something? You don’t seem to want facts to get in the way of your speculation, so, might as well make him a serial killer as well.
Walter- Do you honestly think that John Grisham is incorporated in North Dakota just so he can sell books there? Why would Al Franken need to be incorporated there after his Hollywood days were over?
April 24th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Michael B. Brodkorb
Apr 24th, 2008 at 9:37 am
MN Publius is in full damage control mode.
================
TwoPuttTommy
Apr 24th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Michael, damage control? From what?
It seems that all your digging has done, is tie Coleman closer to Boy Blunder; and as this poll demonstrates, that’s the LAST place ol’ Smokescreen wants to be.
==================
Once again, MDE has ridden you and your worthless ilk like a hobby horse; hasn’t he, dolt?
Man up, dolt.
April 24th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Ouch! Looks like Frank A just realized the MDE has ripped the pelt off his moonbat hero…say bye bye to your boy, Frank.
Buh bye Al! Bye!
April 24th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Say mike, who do you think the DFL will wheel out to replace Angry Al?
Ceresi kind of ruined his cred when he let a bufoon like Al Franken smack him down, don’t you think?
April 24th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
We could run Mark Olson as a democrat and still beat Norm.
April 24th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I want to read more about this but darn it, it seems blogs like MN Pooplius have nothing about it, I wonder why that is?
April 24th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Frank, just what color is the sky in your world?
You hero Franken is toast! Why can he even be found for comments today?
My bet is no way!
April 24th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Yeah right. Aren’t you the same moron that has been telling us that Al Franken was going to trounce Norm?
Pfffft.
Thanks Frank, but I think I’ll wait until Mike weighs in…you know, someone who knows his ass from a hole in the ground when it come to politics?
April 24th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Say, Swiftee? At 10:15, that was correct.
Not now. Somebody on the GOP has done their homework – and I don’t care who ya are, they’ve done their job, they done it well, and they deserve a hat-tip. I tip mine.
But, I am wondering – let this loose on a Thursday afternoon?
April 24th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
puddles a flip flopper?
I guess he really does want to be in MN politics.
So puddles, is it still Angry Al who will be sworn in then in November? Is this just to try and get out of the posting bet?
April 24th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
That wasn’t correct two weeks ago 2pud, you’re just too dim witted to have realized it, dolt.
Do us a favor and keep that tin-foil hat on your head lest the teaspoon of brains you have left drop out onto the floor.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
little stones, I told ya many times I won’t bet with you ’cause I don’t trust you.
That hasn’t changed a bit.
But, it’s a long way to November. Team Franken’s taken some shots, and this one is big. No doubt about it.
Let’s see how they respond.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
NotSoSwiflty, if you think that what the GOP let loose with today was apparent 2 weeks ago, your eye color is beyond brown.
Two weeks ago, it looked like a minor paperwork snafu – (cheney), Dumbya had a much worse paperwork problem, and he still managed to beat McCain and go on to steal the election, fair ‘n square.
That’s one problem with bootlickers like you, NotSoSwiftly – you love to re-write history.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Great God Almighty…how deep is your stupidity 2pud?
Al’s damage repair crew is out canvassing to find some poor schlump stupid enough to take this new rap for him, he’s….er, say 2pud, maybe you should give Andy Barr a call.
Something tells me that he’d *really* like to talk to you, dolt.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
The reason MSM hasn’t (won’t?) pick this up is because it is an allegation missing facts. The republicants can show that Franken did appearances at all these places. Can they prove that he was paid, and by that, I mean paid illegally?
Absolutely not. Otherwise they would have come forward with it. And the MSM is finding this out right now too. Speculation is always much sexier than the truth. Luckilly, Mikey isn’t bound by any sort of ethical code. All he tries to do, day in and day out, is keep Ron Carey (and whatever candidates he is covertly working for) happy.
So, Congrats! Norm is loving you today. I hope you get a big bonus for TOTALLY OWNING a Thursday in April.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
puddles, your chance to become that important political figure you so badly want to be, call Mr. Barr, he could really use you about now.
Granted, you will be licking boots, but that is nothing new to you now is it.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
little stones, you think Mr. Barr would hire the ol’ TwoPutter?
What’s his phone number; I’l give him a call!
Can I drop your name, little stones?
April 24th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
“The reason MSM hasn’t (won’t?) pick this up is because it is an allegation missing facts.”
Pfft.
It’s only been a couple of hours since this broke, most newspaper reporters are Democrats..you know, not too bright?
Give it another hour and a half.
“But, it’s a long way to November.”
2pud? Andy Barr on line 2.
Haha, dolt!
April 24th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
You could, but the kids at MN Pooplius do not care much for me.
Seems they got their undies in a bunch when I made the statement “Osama, er I mean Obama”
With all the trouble Franken is in and it now looking like Hitlery will take the nomination, they REALLY do not want me around.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Until you know how Al Franken reported his income from these things, do not leap to any conclusions. There is absolutely no reason to believe that the income received was not properly reported to the proper taxing authorities. There is absolutely no reason why money for book sales, book tours, and speaking engagements had to have been paid to Al Franken Inc. It may have been paid directly to Al or it may have been paid to a completely separate entity.
If you are able to show that income from these events was not reported (ala Richard Hatch of Survivor fame), then you will have a big story and Al may be in trouble. So far, that has not been demonstrated.
Also, there is a big difference between income tax and franchise tax. They are very different things and arise under very different circumstances.
There is no story here. Lots of missing pieces need to be connected before there is any traction to this story.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
This parade of Democrat stupidity is astounding; surrounded by dolts like these, no wonder Al thought he was not such a moron.
Pay attention, all of you lefty dolts.
If Al paid taxes, it proves he lied about “not doing business in CA.” since ‘03.
He’s toast.
If Al didn’t pay taxes, it proves he’s been guilty of tax evasion while he’s been out here bashing corporate America for “not paying their fare share”.
He’s toast.
The only question left is, “Which side of this toasted moonbat do you want buttered?”
April 24th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
LiR, even though you’re correct, you also know that’s not how the rightwing operates.
Even though it is all allegations and suppositions, let’s face it – we’re dealing with a media that is looking for a scandal and is more than willing to ask questions where there’s smoke.
An’ the guy benefittin’ the most from this smoke, is the ol’ Smokescreen himself, Norm “Smokescreen” Coleman, R=Lapdog.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Try this on for size:
Jesse “The Body” Ventura vs Norm “Too Skinny Body to pass the draft physical” Coleman could be interesting.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Hey 2pud.
Speaking of hopeless, lefty dolts, will “Grace Kelly” be doing one of her informed, though provoking commentaries about this on MNBlue?
God, I can’t wait to read *that*!
April 24th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Swiftee-
To get this straight. If I were to get a job in California, the state would require me to incorporate?
Seems to be a lot of McDonalds employees may be skipping over this step, and going straight to the grease trap each day.
But, I am sure your knowledge of California law is far superior to the laws of common sense.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
thought provoking..
April 24th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Frank, I don’t know how much longer I can take this. If you get a job in CA., you’re an employee. Your taxes will be withheld for you (which is really helpful for Democrat dolts). If you conduct business in California you can incorporate, or you can pay a higher rate of individual income tax…your choice.
Al Franken incorporated to shelter his income from taxes. He failed to provide the proper documentation required by the state to allow him to enjoy that benefit.
Now we have solid documentation that proves either A) He lied about his failure to manage his tax shelter lawfully, or b) He failed to pay his individual income taxes.
Either way, he’s done….get it? Or do I neeeeeeed to type slower?
April 24th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
“Now we have solid documentation that proves either…”
Close, but NO CIGAR!!!
This is what you meant:
“Now we have suppositional information that possibly indicates either…”
Proof?
The only proof ’round here is that 3.2 kiddie beer you been drinkin’, boy.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
TwoPuttTommy
Apr 24th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Michael, damage control? From what?
==========
It’s 5:18. What’s your excuse now, dolt?
April 24th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Pay attention, boy. Ya missed it the first time, too bad.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Swiftee-
So, an author to follow in Franken’s footsteps would need to incorporate in EVERY state, just to protect their income?
Seems to me that is a bit of a stretch, even for a confirmed idiot such as yourself.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
TwoPuttTommy Says:
April 24th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Say, Swiftee? At 10:15, that was correct.
Not now. Somebody on the GOP has done their homework
================
Say, dolt? Andy Barr holding on line 2.
..pfft!
April 24th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Better hurry, dolt. Dolt #2 is trying to muscle in on your gig!
Hahaa!
April 24th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Any one know if Al pays his Minnesota taxes?
April 24th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Okay Alan and eight putt we need to go over this very slowly.
Alan:
Franken set up a corporation to manage his appearances and his legal income from California. He set it up to avoid the higher income tax rate for individuals. He has an accountant filing paperwork in two years after the year the corporation said they weren’t doing business in California. And it turns out that the corporation’s CEO was in California on several occassions performing corporation business. It is Franken’s responsibility to show that he doesn’t own taxes. Maybe he can go to jail for three years like Wesley Snipes got sentenced to today.
Eightputt:
Bush didn’t steal the 2000 presidential election. It was Al Gore who was trying to steal the election by creating votes that weren’t there and trying to stop the votes of members of the military from being counted even though they wanted every vote counted. Furthermore Dan Rather never went after Bush for that 1992 so quit talking about it!
As for the person who said the Democrats can run somebody else and win they had better do something about getting another candidate because Franken is going to be an anchor on the entire Democrat ticket pulling it down at the rate he’s going.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
April 24th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
What is most noticable about this, is that Norm Coleman will never have this problem, as he’s spent his whole life as a government employee.
It’s amazing; the guy who has spent his whole career cashin’ a government check, is representing the party that hates career government employees.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
” Bush didn’t steal the 2000 presidential election.”
That line just drives ya nuts, “right”, Walter?
Lemme repeat that, just for you!!!
“Dumbya had a much worse paperwork problem, and he still managed to beat McCain and go on to steal the election, fair ‘n square.“
April 24th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
“And it turns out that the corporation’s CEO was in California on several occassions performing corporation business.”
“We don’t know that”. Why?
Because, Walter, that’s an allegation.
At this point, it’s only an allegation. Lord knows it might even be true; it’s not as if republiCons have ever lied, or anything….
April 24th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Two Putt,
Any promotions he was doing for his book — was corporation business.
Any speech he gave where he was paid to give the speech — was corporation business.
Any activity in which he was either paid — or his activity resulted in economic activity on behalf of his corporation — is covered by California law.
Unless he is going to claim it was paid to him directly. Which has its own set of questions that will be raised.
And, if he claims he reported the corporate income to his New York or Minnesota corporation, then it underscores that he misled people when his campaign said he had not been conducting business in California.
The test of income being taxable under California law is not whether he was being given a check directly or was paid income…
…the test of income is whether he was doing anything that was generating economic activity that resulted in financial gain for Alan Franken, Inc.
We do know that Franken attempted to say (even up until this week in Roll Call) that they attempted to dissolve their business.
We do know that Franken’s name was listed as CFO and CEO on two seperate documents, one in 2004 and 2006, maintaining his foreign corporation status.
So — which Al Franken claim are we to believe.
He did dissolve the business before he reformed it?
He didn’t do business in California — until he was doing business in California in 2004 and 2006.
He did report income from California in New York — until he didn’t do business in California – until he did do business in California.
The knot is getting tighter. And, the answers getting more unbelievable from the Franken Camp by the moment.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Frank Alan is fucking dumb, he makes Tommy sound reasonable.
I’ve never seen such ignorant, desperate spin. Hey Frank, get over your Al Franken man-crush. You are one pathetic moron.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Al Franken is toast. Absolute toast. That he had any credibility is testimony to the stupid, sloppy, lazy nature of the DFL.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Ron Carey may check for Al-ron & Al-iburton.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
as websites el presidente? i don’t get it.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
No one has answered the simple question. With corporations based in New York and/or Minnesota, why would he need a corporation in California?
Does John Grisham have to have a corporation in West Virgina so his books can be sold at the airport there?
Does Colin Powell have to be incorporated in North Dakota to give a speech at UND?
Seems to me, you are all so anxious to have this be true, you have overlooked the basic system in place that governs corporate entities.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:33 am
You got Chestnut’s answer, “Toast.”
April 25th, 2008 at 2:35 am
Dan Rather 1992 might be Walter’s answer.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Big Kahuna is writing about licking boots.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:38 am
Swiftee is writing about dolts.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:42 am
Perhaps on Friday during the daylight hours you might have some luck.
April 25th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Frank
Are you even reading Michael’s post or are you just reading the comments?
April 25th, 2008 at 6:16 am
“why would he need a corporation in California?”
That’s a very good question to ask Al Franken. At this point his tax attorney should probably answer it though.
April 25th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Angry Al is incorporated in New York….the other state he cheated (that we know about so far).
He had to file papers because he does business in California. So, to California he is a “Foreign Corporation”
April 25th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Frank:
Lets make this very simple. If you looked at the definition of a California corportation Al needed it in part because he has to account for his movie and television revenues. Keep in mind he did appear in movies (such as Trading Places)and he makes appearances on television.
As part of his job for Air America he made appearances in California.
Thus the need for the California corporation.
Do we need to be any more clear to make you understand this?
Walter Hanson
April 25th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Eightputt!
Lets make this very clear.
On election night of 2000 George Bush had more votes than Al Gore in the state of Florida despite the networks depressing George Bush’s Florida vote total by an estimated 10,000 votes because of their early call of Florida while part of Florida was still voting countary to stated network rules. And for those people who blame Katherine Harris if the networks had listened to her warning before election day we wouldn’t have had the mess.
On the day that Katherine Harris offically was suppose to certify the election George Bush still had more votes despite the hundreds or thousands of oversea ballots that the Democrats who claimed they wanted every vote thrown out.
On the day where the Florida State Supreme Court set the offical day where Katherine Harris was allowed to certify the election George Bush still had more votes than Al Gore in Florida.
Note if you count Palm Beach county which wasn’t part of this offical count George Bush still had a lead on Al Gore!
At no point did Gore have a lead so you can’t argue that Bush stole the election.
One further note if you want to argue that Bush cheated Al Gore wanted four counties recounted. Three of them turned in offical recounts in this total I just told you about. The only county not accounted for was Miami.
Now if you look at history instead of Democrat talking points Miami called off it’s recount because they thought they didn’t have time to complete their recount based on the deadline given by the Florida State Supreme Court. The fact that Palm Beach County didn’t meet the deadline is proof that Miami was correct in making this call.
Furthermore people aren’t aware of just how the Republican Party was organized for that recount. Each precint had observers. Republican observers were under orders that if they saw a dimple vote on a ballot for Gore to see that ballot had to be thrown out because it had two votes (Republicans apparently had no problems with dimples counting in Miami). Democrats weren’t doing challenges on Bush. The Republicans were actually getting more votes thrown out for Gore than Gore was creating on the undervotes.
Thus Eightputt there is absolutely no credible reason to be able to claim that Bush stole Florida. If you have some evidence that contradicts this known history I will like to hear it. OTHERWISE SHUTUP YOU BEEP OF A BEEP!!!!
Walter Hanson
Mineapolis, MN
April 25th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Frank Alan, you really are the dumbest M.F. on the planet aren’t you?
“No one has answered the simple question. With corporations based in New York and/or Minnesota, why would he need a corporation in California?”
BECAUSE THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA SAYS HE HAS TOO. YOU GODDAM DUMB BASTARD. ANYONE DOING BUSINESS IN ANY STATE MUST SET UP A LEGAL ENTITY IN THAT STATE IN ORDER TO LEGALLY CONDUCT BUSINESS THERE.
For crying out loud. If your this goddam stupid, would you just shut the fuck up?
April 25th, 2008 at 10:31 am
By the way dipshit — Frank Alan — Grisham isn’t the book seller, his publisher is… and more accurately, the bookstore is… and YES, the BOOKSTORE HAS A LICENSE TO DO BUSINESS IN CALIF.
Not that that’s all we’re talking about. AL FRANKEN DID BUSINESS AS A PAID SPEAKER WITHIN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. HE RECIEVED PAYMENT FROM CALIFORNIA BUSINESSES. THEREFORE HE NEEDED TO PAY INCOME TAXES ON INCOME EARNED IN CALIFORNIA.
Go way now little doggy.
April 25th, 2008 at 10:33 am
AND BY THE WAY, AL FRANKEN OBVIOUSLY UNDERSTOOD HIS NEED FOR A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION. THAT’S WHY HE SET IT UP.
Frank Alan, you are one dumb, dumb, dumb. S.O.B.
April 26th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Wow I guess I got eightputt to shutup and Chestnut got Frank to go away!
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN