Michael Steele, RNC Accused of Concealing $7 Million in Debt (1 Viewer)

The Republican Party's national organizing body failed to report more than $7 million in debt to federal election officials this year, making it appear to be in better shape than it was as mid-term elections approach in November, a Washington newspaper said Wednesday.

In a memo to GOP budget officers, Republican National Committee Treasurer Randy Pullen accused RNC Chairman Michael Steele and his chief of staff of trying to hide the damaging information from him by ordering other staff members not to communicate with Pullen, the Washington Times reported.

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Party treasurer faults Steele


By Ralph Z. Hallow
10:26 p.m., Tuesday, July 20, 2010


The [/SIZE]Republican National Committee failed to report more than $7 million in debt to the Federal Election Commission in recent months - a move that made its bottom line appear healthier than it is heading into the midterm elections and that also raises the prospect of a hefty fine.
In a memo to RNC budget committee members, RNC Treasurer Randy Pullen on Tuesday accused Chairman Michael S. Steele and his chief of staff, Michael Leavitt, of trying to conceal the information from him by ordering staff not to communicate with the treasurer - a charge RNC officials deny.
Mr. Pullen told the members that he had discovered $3.3 million in debt from April and $3.8 million from May, which he said had led him to file erroneous reports with the FEC. He amended the FEC filings Tuesday.
Campaign-finance analysts said that simply misreporting fundraising numbers to the FEC can lead to millions of dollars in fines and that criminal charges can be levied if the actions are suspected to be intentional.
"This is significant because the civil penalties could mean big fines that take a significant bite out of the RNC's finances close to the November congressional elections, when state parties need the RNC's financial help for their 'victory' programs," said former FEC Commissioner Hans A. von Spakovsky.

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Ziggae_6 said:

RNC fails to report $7M in debt to FEC - Washington Times


Do we really want to turn the federal budget over to the Republicans? They can't even keep their own numbers straight?

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Hatuey said:

I don't think it has anything to do with trusting them with finances. I'm surprised they'd make such a risky move so close to election time. What were they hoping to gain?

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Ziggae_6 said:

The article stated that the intent was to make them look solvent than they actually are.

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Hatuey said:

Yes but that couldn't possibly be true. They would have been found eventually. So why risk it? Now Democrats can simply say 'well if they lied about their own finances, why wouldn't they lie about the economy'? It's perfect. Oh. Brb. Gotta go text Obama about this.

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Hicup said:

I suppose here would be a great time to remind our good liberal friends, that, conservative, and republican are not mutually inclusive. Just thought I'd mention that.

Carry on with your RNC evil story thread. Sorry to bother..

Tim-

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Ziggae_6 said:

RNC fails to report $7M in debt to FEC - Washington Times


Do we really want to turn the federal budget over to the Republicans? They can't even keep their own numbers straight?

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texmaster said:

Hey you living in a glass house. Might want to change the title of this thread.

Are you so engrossed in your partisanship you can't even follow the breaking news rules?

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Dav said:

ITT: hey everyone, let's draw conclusions about the GOP as a whole based on the actions of a few people in an organization whose chairman most conservatives dislike and want removed!

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danarhea said:

OK, now which of these explanations for Steele's behavior would you believe?

1) He is really a Democratic mole, who planted himself inside the GOP, waited for years, and then, when in a position to do irreparable harm to the Republican party, initiated mayhem.

2) He is an incompetent boob.

I'll go with number 2 on this. I mean he is number 2 :mrgreen:. I don't know about anybody else, I have the feeling that he won't be the head of the RNC for much longer. Many in the GOP have wanted his head on a platter for some time now. Maybe they are finally going to get their wish, and he will be replaced with, um....

How about a real Republican?

Article is here.

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MrVicchio said:

Is there a "real Republican" you have in mind? I mean, complaining is fine and all, but do you have a solution other then generalities?

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Ziggae_6 said:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/20/rnc-fails-to-report-to-fec-7-million-in-debt/?page=1


Do we really want to turn the federal budget over to the Republicans? They can't even keep their own numbers straight?

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apdst said:

I don't trust any politician to keep the budget straight, but at least the Republicans won't kill as many jobs.

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apdst said:

I don't trust any politician to keep the budget straight, but at least the Republicans won't kill as many jobs.

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danarhea said:

OK, now which of these explanations for Steele's behavior would you believe?

1) He is really a Democratic mole, who planted himself inside the GOP, waited for years, and then, when in a position to do irreparable harm to the Republican party, initiated mayhem.

2) He is an incompetent boob.

I'll go with number 2 on this. I mean he is number 2 :mrgreen:. I don't know about anybody else, I have the feeling that he won't be the head of the RNC for much longer. Many in the GOP have wanted his head on a platter for some time now. Maybe they are finally going to get their wish, and he will be replaced with, um....

How about a real Republican?

Article is here.

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apdst said:

I don't trust any politician to keep the budget straight, but at least the Republicans won't kill as many jobs.

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ludahai said:

More and more I am thinking that mixed government is not such a bad thing, and the combination of Republican Congress and Democratic President seemed to work better than one party controlling both or having a Democratic Congress and a Republican President. Say what you want about Clinton, but the six years of Clinton as president properly restrained by the Republican Congress was actually a pretty good time for the United States

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obvious Child said:

Uh...you're only figuring this out now? Then again....Americans elected an All Democrat government after the colossal failure that was the all Republican Government. Grid lock in Washington is our friend. Keeps one side's crazies from getting their legislation passed.

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