In Joe Gerth’s story today, he brings up a campaign finance mystery leveled on Kentuckians when Terry McAuliffe published a book two years ago.

Turns out the mystery man may actually be Larry Townsend, someone I have experience working with… or, to be honest, not working with. Because last year he was one slick dude. Never returned telephone calls and only made him self known when he wanted to schmooze with the big dogs.

Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic National Committee chairman, in a book published nearly two years ago, told the story of “Bebe,” the nickname he gave to a Louisville businessman who promised to raise $1 million for then-U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt’s 1988 presidential bid.

Gephardt staffers didn’t believe anyone could raise that kind of money in Kentucky, but they were pleasantly surprised when “Bebe” reported he raised $220,000 at the event.

-SNIP-

But the checks didn’t come in the 11 a.m. FedEx delivery as expected.

-SNIP-

So, when I ran into McAuliffe at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, I asked him if “Bebe” was actually former John Y. Brown Jr. fundraiser Larry Townsend, as rumored in political circles, he smiled.

He nodded “yes” twice, patted me on the back and said, “Good job.” And he walked away.

Why is this important? Because it wouldn’t be the first time Townsend has made outlandish fundraising claims. Last year he told Jody Richards he could raise $3 million for his gubernatorial campaign and weeks later he’d jumped ship, running quickly to the fundraiser I was responsible for at the lavish estate of John Schnatter.