June 09, 2005
Sewer of Corruption (VII)

Well now we know why the WA State Democratic Party is fighting to nickel and dime the Secretary of State's office -- "Democrats violate law for a second time; agree to pay $187,500 in fees and penalties"

OLYMPIA—Today the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) announced that the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC) failed to disclose debts and donor information in a timely manner, as required under the law (RCW 42.17.080 and 42.17.090). To avoid further investigation by the state attorney-general, the Democrats agreed to pay fees and penalties totaling $187,500.

$100,000 of that money is re-imposed from a suspended fine from two years ago when they failed to properly disclose $5.9 million spent and received a $250,000 fine.

I can just hear Paul Berendt now. I'll bet he'll say something like: "I felt terribly bad about the problems, but there was never any intentional effort to deceive the public" . He might even blame a new computer system. Oh, wait. Sounds awfully familiar, doesn't it.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at June 09, 2005 05:20 PM | Email This
Comments
1. That's why they want 12% interest.

Posted by: Dogbert on June 9, 2005 05:32 PM
2. Stefan--
Seems like every time you turn around, these LEFTIST PINHEADS are showing their serious lack of accounting acumen.
I mean Ballots, Money et al.
They also seem to struggle with filling out forms...PDC, Ballot Reconciliations et al.

The only thing these LEFTIST PINHEADS are good at is scaring the Hell out of people with endless fear-mongering or convincing people they are too stupid, inept and uncapable to take take of themselves...they need the guv'mint.

LEFTIST PINHEADS are also good at making up fairy tales and concocting conspiracy theories (I guess they are pretty much the same thing).

LEFTIST PINHEADS are horrible at getting anything done within a reasonable budget (Transit) or being honest about Project funding and costs (stadiums) or getting anything done that is of any value to mankind as a whole!!!

LEFTIST PINHEADS are excellent at developing Support Groups for every afflication you can imagine and even better at creating self-validation groups to pay consultants of their ilk to tell the public how great they are!!

LEFTIST PINHEADS--they are what they are!

Posted by: Mr. Cynical on June 9, 2005 06:17 PM
3. As long as King County reigns over the state and keeps the Democratic machine running, this sort of corruption will continue.

I'm pretty close to giving up on the WA. It's just too much of a mess and too controlled by a small clic of people to have any hope.

Posted by: BananaLand(aka Iguana) on June 9, 2005 06:42 PM
4. What?
It wasn't me!
I didn't do it!
You can't prove anything!
Even if I did, you can't prove anything!

You have proof?
Well, irregularities happen...
Just shut up and give us your
Doh!

Posted by: Splatter on June 9, 2005 07:15 PM
5. A King County Want Ad..

Wanted: Document Experts
Sandy Berger
Dan Rather
Newsweek
AnyTimes
We need you....
Call 1-800-RON-SIMS

Posted by: Splatter on June 9, 2005 07:31 PM
6. Recommend everyone take a look at Peter Callahan's article in today's Tacoma News Trib. In it he, in a slightly tongue and cheek fashion, bemoans the end of the election's legal follies and wonders whatever will they have now to report on. Seems to me this is an excellent venue for those "Vanguards of the Prolitar..." Oh wait, sorry, I mean the protectors of the First Amendment and the public's right to know to step forward and expose some serious fiscal and ethical irregularity.

Posted by: danno on June 9, 2005 07:50 PM
7. Book 'em, danno.

I can hardly wait for the trolls' take on this latest revelation of 'Rat incompetence. But I won't hold my breath while I wait. Being a cheat and a crook, as long as it's their precious comrades doing it.

Posted by: Danny on June 9, 2005 08:01 PM
8. The $100,000 was inevitable. And more on top of that was also inevitable, it was just a question of how much. The PDC already promised they would fine that $100K if there was another problem, and they announced months ago there was another problem, so it was just a matter of time.

Posted by: pudge on June 9, 2005 08:03 PM
9. Interesting that the PDC cares about the RCWs and people that don't abide by them... but the SOS's office, King Co Elections and Norm Maleng apparently do not...

Posted by: Tucker on June 9, 2005 08:49 PM
10. No surprise coming from a party that believes illegal votes aren't a problem in elections!

Posted by: Joe on June 9, 2005 08:50 PM
11. wait! where is JDB? doesn't he have a witty retort?

Posted by: Manco_Dollars on June 9, 2005 09:23 PM
12. wait! where is JDB? doesn't he have a witty retort? -Posted by Manco_Dollars at June 9, 2005 09:23 PM

On clean up duty over at that OTHER blog...

And, appropriately so!

Posted by: Cheryl on June 9, 2005 10:03 PM
13. I may be stating the obvious, but $187,000 is probably tip money for these clowns. Slimemolds like Soros and Streisand and the sleazeballs at MoveOn.org can probably find that much as loose change in their sofas.

Look, for the 'Rats, this is just the cost of doing business. They get their candidates installed (not necessarily elected) in office, and if costs them a mil or so in fines or bribes or whatever, they'll pay it. It's just the juice for a corrupt system.

Posted by: Interested Observer on June 10, 2005 05:29 AM
14. I must have missed this in the fair and balanced Seattle Times.
I'll bet if this had been the GOP it would have been front page news.
Oh well, no news here, nothing to report on about King County Elections, lets move on.

Posted by: Brad on June 10, 2005 07:34 AM
15. In this article by Ken Vogel (thanks Orbusmax), www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/4934926p-4517182c.html, he quotes from Paul Berendts February letter about the fine. Problems with staff, computer software issues, working really hard to make sure is won't happen again....
Isn't this what Ron Simms said about KCE in the late 90s and now again just recently?
Must be a form letter response.

Posted by: SouthernRoots on June 10, 2005 10:32 AM
16. I like these PDC issues. When liberals want to "be a nation of laws" to force you take a diversity class or have a tent city dropped in your yard, they love the law & enforce it with vigor.

When they get caught in their own flypaper by not complying with the law, (e.g. union dues disclosures and teachers union political activities), then it's an honest mistake or a host of other (decoy) denounciations about a right-wing witch hunt.

You want respect and "an honest dialogue" with conservatives? Lead by example. Kids understand that. Voters do too.

Posted by: Jimmie-howya-doin on June 10, 2005 11:06 AM
17. Funny how the "sewer of corruption" installments always seem to miss stories like the following: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002324501_hastings10m.html.

Read it and weep for our democracy.

(By the way, I'm not here to defend failing to comply w/ the campaign finance disclosure laws. Anyone who defies those laws should be held responsible. But there is a huge difference between missing deadlines/failing to disclose contributions and 1) taking expensive trips paid for by lobbyists, 2) then voting the lobbyists' way, and 3) then appointing your political buddies to the supposed oversight committee.)

Posted by: Bluebeard on June 10, 2005 11:59 AM
18. I say don't pay them their $730,ooo ... 'till they pay this fine!

Posted by: Bad Bob on June 10, 2005 01:00 PM
19. Bad Bob - I say don't pay them their $730,ooo ... 'till they pay this fine!

Which brings up an interesting thought: since this has been in the works for over a year, how about let's charge them 12% interest on the fines dating back to the dates of the offenses. Fair is fair, right?

Posted by: Dogbert on June 10, 2005 01:44 PM
20. Have these people no shame?

Posted by: Michele on June 13, 2005 03:11 PM
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