WHO IS J. GAUTHIER? AN UPDATE
May 11, 2008 9:46 pm
Back in the end of March, I asked about J. Gauthier. Gauthier’s name on a registered mail receipt from a letter sent to Al Franken in New York regarding Franken’s failure to provide workers’ compensation insurance for his employees.
Several sources of Minnesota Democrats Exposed have indicated to me that the last name signature on the a Boys and Girls Club contract that contained Al Franken’s signature and the signature on the certified letter sent to Al Franken’s apartment regarding the workers’ compensation scandal had some striking similarities.
I have put both signatures side-by-side for your review. The one on the left is the Boys and Girls Club contract that has Franken’s signature and the one on the left is the signature underneath the printed name of J.Gauthier.
Please click on the picture for a larger version.
Team Franken continues to remain silent on the status of the more than dozen letters sent to his apartment by the state of New York, including the whereabouts of the certified letter that was received by J. Gauthier.
The graphic on the top of this post is an overlay of the two documents. The signatures look very similar. Please leave your thoughts about the signatures in the comment section of this post.
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 5 Comments »
IT’S TRUE: I HAVEN’T SEEN ANY EVIDENCE THAT NATIONAL OR LOCAL DEMOCRATS ARE TAKING STEVE SARVI’S CAMPAIGN SERIOUSLY
May 11, 2008 9:20 am
“Critics say Sarvi isn’t perceived as a threat in the race, with party officials targeting campaigns considered more competitive.
‘I haven’t seen any evidence that national Democrats are taking the race seriously — or on the local side,’ said Republican activist and blogger Michael Brodkorb.
Fundraising has been admittedly difficult so far, Sarvi said. Melendez predicted Sarvi will close the fundraising gap as a full-time candidate.” Source: Red Wing Republican Eagle, May 9, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 8 Comments »
FRANKEN WON’T DISCLOSE EMPLOYMEMT STATUS OF ACCOUNTANT THAT HE CLAIMED DIDN’T “UNDERSTAND THE LAW”
May 10, 2008 11:02 pm
I find it interesting that Al Franken won’t disclose the employment status of the accountant that he claimed didn’t “understand the law“.
“Franken recently revealed that his accountant made an error causing Franken to overpay his income taxes in Minnesota and New York. However, taxes had no been paid in 17 other states where Franken gave speeches.
He has since paid the back taxes, with penalties and interest.
‘I’m sorry, but this isn’t a scandal,’ he said.
While declining to comment on the employment status of that accountant, Franken did say he now has new accountants.” Source: West Central Tribune, May 9, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
It’s a simple question.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 11 Comments »
NARN “THE FINAL WORD” TODAY: IT’S A RERUN
May 10, 2008 10:45 am
I’m on the radio today from 3-5 p.m. with King Banaian from SCSU Scholars, but the show airing today was broadcast on April 26, 2008.
Before you listen to King and me, make sure you listen to the first four hours of the Northern Alliance Radio Network. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. you can hear Power Line’s John Hinderaker and Chad and Brian from Fraters Libertas. Mitch Berg and Captain Ed are on the air from 1-3 p.m.
“The Final Word” will be live next Saturday.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 4 Comments »
J. GAUTHIER: THE MYSTERY OF WHO SIGNED FOR FRANKEN’S MAIL
May 9, 2008 6:28 pm
When the story broke that on Minnesota Democrats Exposed that Al Franken hadn’t paid his workers compensation premiums for three years, Team Franken denied it. It wasn’t until the State of New York made it clear that not only hadn’t Franken paid his premiums, but that someone had apparently blown off more than a dozen letters – including a signed, certified letter telling Franken to get workers’ compensation insurance and also letter informing Franken of a $25,000 fine.
Team Franken’s argument was that the Frankens had moved out of their New York apartment to Minnesota in 2005 and that must have been why Franken hadn’t gotten any of his mail from the State of New York and that he just had never seen the letters. Franken has repeated this story on a number of occasions, as have members of his campaign staff.
A fair amount of traffic is going around that there may be some more explanation about where Franken’s mail ended up and in particular, some fairly interesting theories about the mysterious certified letter that Al Franken and his campaign insist he never received.
Central to the Franken workers’ compensation scandal is what happened to the more than a dozen letters sent to Franken’s personal residence in New York and who actually signed for the certified letter that was received at his apartment. It would seem that if these letters are found, or at the least, determining who has these letters, this story may reemerge in this campaign.
The identity of J. Gauthier – the mysterious figure who printed his name on a certified mail piece and then signed it with an odd handwritten script, has been a key unanswered question in this saga. Franken’s folks have consistently remained silent on this angle, leading one to contemplate all sorts of possibilities.
The chatter is suggesting that particular interest might involve some telltale signs on the certified letter itself. Some other documents might provide more answers or provoke more questions about where the letters ended up, who had them, who saw them, and who has them now.
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 10 Comments »
RYBAK PULLS A FRANKEN: DOESN’T “REMEMBER” GETTING MAIL ABOUT SUSPENDED LICENSE; MN DAILY PICTURE SHOWS HIM DRIVING
May 9, 2008 12:31 pm
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak claims he doesn’t “remember” getting mail informing him that his license was suspended for failing to pay a speeding ticket.
There seems to be a conspiracy by the U.S. Postal Service against DFL politicians, as Al Franken claimed he never received notices from the state of New York regarding his failure to provide workers’ compensation insurance for his corporation’s employees.
Rybak was asked by the reporter if he has driven since his was suspended. His answer was:
“I don’t know, let me think about that for a second…I’ve had someone driving with me…I don’t believe so.” Source: FOX 9, May 8, 2008
But a photo in a story published by the Minnesota Daily on April 10, 2008, shows Rybak driving.
The MN Daily story doesn’t specify when the picture above of Rybak driving was taken. I have contacted the MN Daily for comment. But according to public records, his license has been suspended since late February 12, 2008.
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 36 Comments »
MUST WATCH: FOX 9’S STORY ON RYBAK’S SUSPENDED DRIVER’S LICENSE
May 9, 2008 11:44 am
Click here to watch FOX 9’s story last evening about Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak suspended driver’s license. Rybak was asked by the reporter if he has driven since his was suspended. His answer was:
“I don’t know, let me think about that for a second…I’ve had someone driving with me…I don’t believe so.” Source: FOX 9, May 8, 2008
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 15 Comments »
MUST WATCH: WCCO’S STORY ON RYBAK’S SUSPENDED DRIVER’S LICENSE
May 9, 2008 11:32 am
Click here to watch WCCO’s story last evening about Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak suspended driver’s license.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 3 Comments »
BASED ON FRANKEN’S ACCUSATIONS, WILL A COMPLAINT BE FILED BY AGAINST FRANKEN’S NEW YORK ACCOUNTANT?
May 9, 2008 9:52 am
Al Franken has made it very clear that his accountant is to blame for his tax troubles in 17 states:
“‘What happened is our accountant made a mistake, and all of these are repercussions of that same mistake,’ said Franken. ‘His mistake was not understanding the law, the obligation to pay these state taxes.’” Source: Associated Press, April 30, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
Because Franken has blamed his accountant for “not understanding the law”, at what point does someone file a complaint with the New York State Public Accountancy?
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 8 Comments »
RYBAK’S SPEEDING TICKET WAS ON SECOND DAY OF DFL CONVENTION IN ROCHESTER
May 8, 2008 7:59 pm
After hearing about WCCO’s breaking news story that Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak had a suspended driver’s license, I made a few calls.
WCCO’s online story lists the year of Rybak’s ticket and the county where Rybak was cited - Olmsted County.
According to my sources, Rybak received a speeding ticket on June 10, 2006 in Olmsted County. June 10, 2006 was the second day of the DFL convention in Rochester.
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 21 Comments »
BREAKING NEWS FROM WCCO: “MPLS. MAYOR DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENDED”
May 8, 2008 7:29 pm
“MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ― Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak’s driver’s license was suspended after he failed to pay his full fine for a speeding ticket he received in Olmsted County in 2006, according to public court records.” Source: WCCO, May 8, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
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“The record shows his license was suspended in February 2008. The mayor said he just learned of the suspension late Thursday afternoon.
Tonight on WCCO 4 News at 10 hear what Rybak said when WCCO-TV reporter Caroline Lowe confronted him at his car at Minneapolis City Hall Thursday evening, and what he told her about his driving plans.” Source: Source: WCCO, May 8, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 10 Comments »
FOX NEWS INTERVIEW ABOUT BLOGGING AND AL FRANKEN’S TAX TROUBLES
May 8, 2008 4:31 pm
I did a iChat interview this afternoon with FOX News about Minnesota Democrats Exposed and my posts about Al Franken’s tax troubles. The story will be airing later early next week on FOX News.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 10 Comments »
MURPHY DOSEN’T KNOW IF HE’LL APOLOGIZE FOR CHALLENGING PAWLENTY SPOKESMAN TO A FIGHT
May 8, 2008 11:29 am
“Wednesday’s developments came a day after Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung and Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, the other conference committee co-chair, clashed verbally over what Murphy said were conflicting late-night signals by the governor’s office over what Pawlenty wanted.
Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester, complained Wednesday that Murphy had challenged McClung during a TV interview Tuesday to ‘meet him on the Capitol steps.’
Senjem, who said that he didn’t think the incident merited an ethics complaint, asked for Murphy to issue a public apology. Murphy, who seemed surprised by the request, said Wednesday night that he and McClung had resolved their differences.
Asked if he will apologize, Murphy said: ‘I don’t know if it rises to that level. I don’t think it does. I’ll sleep on it.’” Source: Star Tribune, May 7, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 28 Comments »
KARE 11: “SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER DEMANDS APOLOGY FOR FIGHT CHALLENGE”
May 8, 2008 4:22 am
“The top Republican in the Minnesota Senate is seeking an apology from Red Wing Democrat Steve Murphy for a challenge Murphy issued to Governor Pawlenty’s communications director.
Senate Minority Leader David Senjem of Rochester put the request in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller Wednesday evening, calling Murphy’s behavior ‘beneath the respected standards of the Minnesota Senate.’
During an interview with KARE 11 Tuesday, Murphy took great exception to a statement the governor’s spokesman Brian McClung issued to the media, which implied Murphy wasn’t being truthful with reporters.
‘Mister McClung, if you want to meet me out on the Capitol steps and we’ll talk about your comments,’ Murphy told KARE, ‘I’m more than willing to be there.’” Source: KARE 11, May 7, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 4 Comments »
BREAKING NEWS: SENATOR SENJEM SENDS LETTER TO SENATOR POGEMILLER REGARDING SENATOR MURPHY’S CONDUCT
May 7, 2008 7:06 pm
In the last hour, Senator Dave Senjem sent a letter Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller regarding Senator Murphy challenging Governor Pawlenty’s spokesman Brian McClung to a fight.
From the letter:
“Unfortunately, Senator Steve Murphy yesterday, in on-camera comments to a reporter, challenged a member of the Governor’s staff to ‘meet him on the Capitol steps’. This behavior is beneath the respected standards of the Minnesota Senate. It prompts this letter and deserves your immediate attention.
Senate Rule 56 states that: ‘members should adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct . . . [and] improper conduct includes conduct that, among other things, violates accepted norms of Senate behavior that betrays the public trust or that tends to bring the Senate into dishonor or disrepute.’ In that light, I feel it is proper that as Minority Leader, I call on you to take action.
While I do not believe that Senator Murphy’s actions have yet risen to a level that merits an ethics complaint, I believe you have a duty as Majority Leader to address this matter. My recommendation is that Senator Murphy publicly apologize to the staff person in question, the Senate and the people of Minnesota.
All of us as elected representatives have a duty to do all that we can do to bring honor to the offices we hold and the people we represent. The sooner you take action on this matter the sooner Minnesotans will know that ‘over the line’ rhetoric is not acceptable in the Minnesota Senate.” Source: Senator Senjem letter to Senator Pogemiller, May 7, 2008
Click here to read Senator Senjem’s letter to Senator Pogemiller regarding Senator Murphy’s conduct.
Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 20 Comments »
“NON-PARTISAN” SECRETARY OF STATE MARK RITCHIE USES DECLARATION OF INDEPEDENCE TO RAISE MONEY FOR HIS CAMPAIGN
May 7, 2008 2:56 pm
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie’s campaign committee recently sent out an e-mail announcing that an original printing on the Declaration of Independence was coming to Minnesota. The e-mail contained a link to Ritchie’s campaign website, which provides an opportunity for people to contribute to his campaign committee.
Just so we are clear, “non-partisan” Secretary of State Mark Ritchie used an appearance of an original printing of the Declaration of Independence to fundraise for his campaign.
This guy has no shame.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 29 Comments »
FORMER U.S. SENATOR DEAN BARKLEY MAY RUN FOR U.S. SENATE
May 7, 2008 12:21 pm
“(WCCO) A former U.S. Senator’s current occupation may be driving him back toward the Senate race, but Dean Barkley may argue he never left the political arena.
Right now, Barkley is a common worker in a common job. The former U.S. Senator is now a Transit Team bus driver, assisting the elderly, disabled and the blind.
‘I enjoy it,’ he said. ‘You meet a lot of nice people, doing a public service. And I really enjoy driving.’” Source WCCO, May 7, 2008
Click here for the complete story.
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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.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 6 Comments »
SENATOR MURPHY CHALLENGES PAWLENTY SPOKESMAN TO A FIGHT
May 7, 2008 5:19 am
Last night, KARE-11’s John Croman ran a story in their 5:00 p.m. newscast about comments Senator Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) made regarding the 2008 transportation policy bill. Tuesday morning, Sen. Murphy had a press conference where he alleged that the Governor’s staff told him to jettison one of the three new public safety provisions in his bill — primary seat belts, additional teen driving restrictions, and required booster seat use for children up to age eight. Only one of these provisions was in the version of the bill passed by the House and they have been the subject of discussions in the conference committee. Murphy wants to do all three.
Governor Pawlenty’s spokesman Brian McClung was asked about Murphy’s comments and told reporters the following:
“Sen. Murphy’s comments are untrue. This is just the latest example of erratic behavior by Sen. Murphy. Our office did not tell him the bill would be vetoed unless one of the three provisions was removed. We have explained to legislators that the Governor has taken public positions on two of the three provisions, primary seat belts and additional teen driving restrictions. It is possible that Sen. Murphy misinterpreted or intentionally misrepresented the information we shared with him and others.”
When KARE-11’s John Croman interviewed Murphy and told him about McClung’s comments, Murphy said: “This is just for Mr. McClung. Mr. McClung, if you want to meet me out on the Capitol steps and we’ll talk about your comments, I’m more than willing to be there.”
This comment by Sen. Murphy was included in Croman’s story that ran Tuesday night during the 5:00 p.m. news. Frankly, it’s pretty shocking that the DFL Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee is clearly implying that he wants to meet the Governor’s spokesman on the Capitol steps for a fight. He has the maturity of an eighth-grader.
And as far as McClung’s comment about Murphy’s “erractic behavior” goes, it looks like Murphy just proved his point for him.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 49 Comments »
TOWNHALL: “AL FRANKEN’S ACCOUNTANT”
May 6, 2008 9:57 pm
“So as Franken continues to blame Chanzis for everything short of global warming, one is left to wonder if the accountant is nearing the point at which he will talk to clear his name and affirm his competence. So far there has been silence as Chanzis has yet to talk because, in his words, ‘I’ve been told to say, ‘No comment.’
Doesn’t sound like someone on board with the silence plan does it? Also who is telling him not to talk? Franken?
At what point does Chanzis speak to either reaffirm he has provided 18 years of incompetent service to Al Franken, and any other celebrity clients he and his firm specialize in servicing, or to contradict Franken’s transparent efforts to pass the buck and have the account play the patsy?” Source: Townhall, May 6, 2008
Click here for the complete post.
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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.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 46 Comments »
HERALD JOURNAL BLOG: “FRANKEN’S ACCOUNTANT DIDN’T JUST FALL OFF TURNIP TRUCK”
May 6, 2008 5:18 pm
“Minnesota’s DFL Senate candidate Al Franken is blaming his tax problems on his accountant. Franken has been claiming his accountant, Allen Chanzis, doesn’t know the law very well, and advised him not to pay those other states’ taxes where Franken earned income. However, Chanzis is a partner in the firm Wlodinguer, Erk & Chanzis, a firm that specializes in entertainment industry accounting.” Source: Herald Journal Blog, May 6, 2008
Click here for the complete post.
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“It takes a willing suspension of disbelief for us to take Franken’s excuses at face value any longer, she said. DFLers better hurry up and decide what to do about Franken.” Source: Herald Journal Blog, May 6, 2008
Click here for the complete post.
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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.
by Michael B. Brodkorb | 17 Comments »