The Republican Party of Kentucky filed a complaint with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance against the Bluegrass Freedom Fund and the Beshear-Mongiardo gubernatorial campaign for allegedly violating Kentucky’s campaign finance laws.
From the RPK’s press release:
“As various news organizations have brought to light the facts surrounding the Bluegrass Freedom Fund and its million dollar contribution from casino boss William Yung, it has become increasingly apparent that this fund was merely a front-organization used to skirt the law to help Steve Beshear get elected,” said Robertson. “If KREF finds the Bluegrass Freedom Fund and the Beshear/Mongiardo Campaign knowingly violated campaign laws, I hope it will immediately refer this matter to the proper prosecutorial authorities.”
Peep the complaint and the 42 pages of supporting exhibits here:
You knew it would happen sooner or later. Bill Yung wasn’t going to get away with giving Steve Beshear $1million without a fight.
On a related note, the BFF is no more. The group’s chief fundraiser has left Kentucky and Achim Bergmann is now consulting with Bruce Lunsford.
UPDATE @ 5:12: KDP Chairwoman Jennifer Moore responds:
“This is a desperate and baseless attack by the Republican Party. The complaint makes accusations that have been proven false time and time again. Doesn’t Steve Robertson have anything better to do with his time these days?
“What a sad example of Republicans playing divisive political games rather than working with Democrats to better the lives of Kentuckians.”
Wait a minute. Where’s the proof nothing shady went down? We haven’t seen it. Seriously– the only thing that’s come out is pretty damning and that’s that Steve Beshear met with Bill Yung just days before he wrote a million dollar check to the BFF. Hrm. Yeah. Nothing to see here, move along.
And on that note, what the flip is up with Jennifer having lunch at Serafini with a boat load of casino lobbyists just before putting out this press release? The only thing Jennifer is doing is causing people like us to get suspicious.
We especially love this ironic quote:
She said the meeting had nothing to do with pending legislation before the General Assembly and no legislators attended the lunch.
UPDATE @ 7:10:
In a strange turn of events, capitol sign-in sheets for the governor’s office have disappeared for the day casino magnate Bill Yung visited with Steve Beshear– though Beshear’s office denies having met with him. Imagine that.
Also on a sign-in sheet for Jan. 9: Bill Yung, at 10:25 a.m., apparently for the governor’s officer. But representatives of Beshear’s office have denied meeting with the Northern Kentucky hotelier and casino owner.
Check Hebert’s story on WHAS11 tonight about the whole ordeal. Just gets nastier and nastier.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Robert // Mar 3, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Thank you to the good folks over at RPK for not letting this issue slide under the radar.
Why would a candidate engage in this illegal activity when all he had to do was keep breathing in order to beat Fletcher/Red Nosed Reindeer. I’m just saying.
Does KREF have competent people to adequately investigate the RPK’s complaint?
2 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Mar 3, 2008 at 1:27 pm
“Good folks” don’t prop up a criminal regime like Fletcher’s.
And “illegal activity” is merely alleged here, by the opposing party, no less. Sure, no politics here.
3 Beshear’s Future is Suddenly Cloudy… « What’s Required– Ben Ray Online // Mar 3, 2008 at 1:49 pm
[...] short lifetime. The state Republican Party has filed a fundrasing complaint (Page One all over it here) that alleges that the Bluegrass Freedom Fund was nothing but a front organization for Beshear- [...]
4 YEAH! // Mar 3, 2008 at 3:24 pm
ABOUT FREAKIN’ TIME!!!!!
Just heard on the news this a.m. about a female mayor being recalled and booted out of office for displaying somewhat risque photos of hereself on a MySpace page. If she was recalled for this, what should be done with the Beshear bunch for the illegal and unethical behavior going on over the past months?
5 Mule-in-burg county // Mar 3, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Seriously dude….are you a Republican now? You do more apologetics for them than KYpolitics does.
6 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Mar 3, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Ummm… wow, after reading the updates, I am starting to think something fishy is going on here.
Mule, these aren’t apologetics… when corruption happens, no matter the party it emanates from, it needs to be pounced on.
7 Deb // Mar 4, 2008 at 6:37 am
The politicians in Frankfort have things worked out just the way they want them. They mess around and play political games on the clock and the public can’t find out what is going on until after elections, if at all.
In South Carolina, however, Governor Mark Sanford just tore down a big wall standing between his constituents and the truth.
South Carolina has fired up its government spending website so citizens can keep an eye on their employees.
Kentucky could do something similar by passing HB 105 or Governor Steve Beshear could issue an executive order, like Sanford did, and provide his promised openness, honesty, and responsibility all in one place.
Unless, of course, he was just making all that stuff up to get votes when he needed them.
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