After pointing out Daniel Mongiardo’s ethical lapse/campaign finance lapse earlier, his campaign staff decided to leave a comment suggesting that the event was private.

Here’s their message:

Author : whatever
E-mail : whatevergetagrip@gmail.com
Comment: Hmmm…on the KSHP website it looks like you had to register since people were getting continuing education to maintain their license. I doubt that was a public event like a pep rally.

Their IP address, of course, resolves to: HOLIDAY INN LEXINGTON KY NORTH HOLIDAY

So, which is it? A public event where the press was allowed to attend, for free, and Mongiardo’s campaign staffers were allowed to attend, for free? Or were state resources used to publicize a private campaign event that was closed to the public?

I smell an ethics complaint coming Daniel Mongiardo’s way.

Oh, and a funny: Mongiardo’s staff told the Conway folks they could only enter the event if they spent $200 per plate.

Thoughts: If Mongiardo were sending a press advisory – to the entirety of Kentucky media personnel – to alert them to open appearances… wouldn’t that mean they’re open to, you know, the public? And if not, why use state resources? Why allow Mongiardo campaign staff inside, for free, if there’s a $200/plate charge?

UPDATE: Joe Sonka also got kicked out of the public event in Lexington. Will update with a link as soon as he’s got the skinny up on the tubes.

Another Update:

Here’s this from Joe:

I decided to attend the Lexington event, as I recieved the press release too and am a member of the dirty librul blogger press.

As soon as I stuck my head in the door, a Mongiardo campaign staffer saw me and whispered to a woman named Angela Underwood. Angela made a bee line to me with a scowl on her face, saying I needed to leave the premises immediately.

I smiled and asked her why she was so angry. She repeated her line, stone faced. I explained to her that I am a member of the press, and showed her the press release that I printed out from the Lt. Governor’s office.

She told me that the event was totally private (and KY Kernel writer Richard Becker, who was with me), and that no press was allowed in the room to hear Dan Mongiardo speak. I asked her if any Kentucky press were inside the room right now, and she said no. I asked if any Kentucky press would be allowed there if they showed up, and she again said no, they would not be allowed in. She said that I would have to pay $200 to gain admission to the room.

-SNIP-

As I was walking out, yet another Mongiardo campaign staffer was walking in, and she waltzed right into the room, without paying anything.

Nice.

@ 3:07:

Oh, so it WAS a campaign function and state resources were used for political purposes!

From Lt. Dan’s website:

Ruh ro.

Thanks to Joe for pointing the calendar out to me.

Additional thoughts: I’m sure the Lt. Governor got signed legal releases from each and every participant at his fancy health care meeting, right? Because it doesn’t seem wholly legal to advertise a public meeting with state resources, film people, and then use their likenesses in a campaign ad. Right?

His London town hall was apparently at a members-only “premier private country club” – despite London having a community center. One would have to wonder whether or not Lt. Dan rented the private country club for an event he publicized as public? That definitely seems like a terrible use of state funds. Surely he wouldn’t pay to rent private property for a public event and then shut people out… right?