At last week's finance committee, and again during the full meeting of NorCo Council, members John Brown and John Goffredo attempted to claim that Controller Tara Zrinski violated the Home Rule Charter, Administrative Code and even the state ethics act by accepting $13,425 in campaign contributions from Executive Lamont McClure and other county employees. These include several members of McClure's cabinet and the District Attorney. Her office audits all county departments, so this without question does tend to compromise her independence. But contrary to the assertions made by Brown and Goffredo, these donations are completely legal. Moreover, her willingness to take money from people employed by the county is precisely what Brown did when he was Executive. His hypocrisy is stunning.
Hate the game, not the player.
It's certainly true that Zrinski did accept $13,425 from county staff. The largest of these was McClure's $10,000. Eight other contributors include Human Services Director Sue Wandalowski ($600), Solicitor Missy Rudas ($750), Human Resources Director Mary Kaboly ($500), Public Works Director Mike Emili ($250), DCED Director Tina Smith ($250), Ass't Solicitor Mike Corriere ($500), and Deputy Controller Mark Aurand ($75). These are all exempt employees. They are political appointments. Nothing in the Home Rule Charter, Administrative Code or state ethics act makes these contributions in any way illegal.
In fact, the Home Rule Charter specifically authorizes political activity so long as it is done on an employee's own time. (Judicial employees are restricted as a condition of employment).
I've often referred to this type of donation as legal bribery. Back in 2008, Northampton County Council did consider a feeble attempt at campaign finance reform that went nowhere. Former Council member Diane Neiper said "I'm not in favor of this. It's my right to raise as much money as I want to run my campaign." Several other council members, including Peg Ferraro, John Cusick and Wayne Grube, agreed. And Ann McHale noted that, whatever limits are imposed, creative people will find a way around them.
The most meaningful change in NorCo came from Executive Lamont McClure, who on his own initiative directed that campaign finance reports be posted online so we can at least follow the money and connect the dots.
John Brown insisted that the donations made to Zrinski were illegal.
"It violates state ethics."It violates the home charter."It violates the administrative code."So I pointed that out. If that's not the case, then, too bad."
It's not the case. Brown should know this because it's precisely what he did in his failed 2017 campaign against McClure.
Brown's warchest included payments from county appointees who owed their jobs or titles to him. They included Dave Ceraul (Ass't Solicitor - $2,500); Dave Backenstoe (Ass't Solicitor - $1,000); Michael Snover ( Ass't Solicitor - $400); Robert Miklas (Assessment Appeals Board - $500); Dick McAteer (Assessment Appeals Board - $500); Tim Herlinger ($400, DCED); and $200 each from Dan O'Donnell (Ass't Solicitor), Dan Keen (Corrections Director), Ryan Durkin (Solicitor), Jim Hunter (Fiscal Affairs Director), David Dalrymple (Sheriff), Dan Trapp (husband of Human Resources Director Amy Trapp) and Public Works Director Stan Rugis.
There is nothing illegal or even unusual about an elected official who accepts campaign contributions from people who work for the county or who serve on county boards. It is only illegal if the payments are made as a condition of keeping the job.
Brown also accepted donations from current and prospective vendors.
- Christopher B Baily is President of Premier Healthcare Resources, which managed the county-owned nursing home. He contributed $970.70.
- Charlie Chrin had connections to Northampton County through his Route 33 TIF and landfill,
- Capital Blue administered the county's health plan, and Sales VP Vicki Doule donated $1,000.
- Thomas Boles works for C3, which had its tentacles throughout Northampton County, and was largely responsible for Brown's decision to cut medical benefits. He donated $1,000 to Brown.
There is nothing illegal or even unusual about an elected official who accepts campaign contributions from people who work for the county or who serve on county boards. It is only illegal if the payments are made as a condition of keeping the job.
Brown also accepted donations from current and prospective vendors.
- Christopher B Baily is President of Premier Healthcare Resources, which managed the county-owned nursing home. He contributed $970.70.
- Charlie Chrin had connections to Northampton County through his Route 33 TIF and landfill,
- Capital Blue administered the county's health plan, and Sales VP Vicki Doule donated $1,000.
- Thomas Boles works for C3, which had its tentacles throughout Northampton County, and was largely responsible for Brown's decision to cut medical benefits. He donated $1,000 to Brown.
If NorCo Council members John Brown and John Goffredo were seriously interested in campaign finance reform, they would have long ago introduced legislation that limit contributions and impose bans that would prevent vendors from doing any business with the county within a two-year time period after the donation.
I won't hold my breath.
22 comments:
Fake news from a demonstrated liar. Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus.
Zrinski is someone that can never be trusted. Unfortunately her actions continue to prove that. She pretends to be a progressive but acts in a manner of a corrupt politician.
Everyone knows you hate Brown because he did not kiss the ring. You are a valuable member of team Tara as well. Why not lay out all the contributions received by McClure. Also how is he funneling ten grand into
Zirinskis pocket? Why throw Gofredo under the bus? He makes a lot of sense, and he asks the kind of questions council should ask.
And the only Council people with any guts to call them out for their lies were Keegan and Warren. Brown and Goofredo are shameless AND wrong. As Keegan stated, their strategy is the Illusory Truth Effect. Spew lies over and over again and after hearing it several times people believe it.
And Warren pointing out Brown's hypocrisy was epic! People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
I have no problem with her accepting $ from McClueless & Co. I have a problem with her Incompetence and lack of maturity as an Adult. Read Bernie's 10/27/20 post titled "Zrinski Unhinged" and I rest my case.
Brown took $25,000.00 from the late Charlie Chrin for his Auditor General campaign. Chrin was the County’s trash hauler at the time.
Meh. Nothing to see here.
And I know a little something about illegal campaign fundraising
Isn't it amazing that the people who rule over the unwashed masses can afford to throw hunderds, if not thousands, of dollars in the pursuit of remaining players at the top of the chain to suck hard earned moolah from the hands of tax-paying losers...
Brown accepted money from county vendors a clear violation of the hrc. I guess he forgot about these large donations because he lost
Pipe down Kelly.
Its amazing! Congress makes 174000 a year yet they’re all millionaires. Nancy Pelosi’s stock return is better than any hedge fund out there. The corruption is embedded in the system.
Correct me if I'm wrong Bernie......but isn't McClure "forbidden by law" to utilize his campaign war chest (left over from his County Race for Executive) for his now race for CONGRESS? If this is indeed the fact, it makes sense for him to pass those monies onto other candidates or donate those funds to charity or non-profits. As for Brown spreading his nonsense and lies, He is the shining example of a political whore.
Ken Kraft took a position at the jail as a nice little gift. Got a nice pension from the county. Great gift from Lamont. Why did you leave the jail again Kenny???
I love how you're all overlooking Brown and Goffredo lying. Even Brown knew that he was lying and that's why he said what he said. This is who you want on County Council? People who intentionally lie and spread misinformation and accuse people of doing things illegally when they're not??? They got to go. What a bunch of useless commissioners. Imagine if we all acted like that.
There's way too much money in these local-level elections; hundreds of thousands of dollars to support a person who wants a job paying $95K/Year. That reeks of corruption and backroom deals, likely Sunshine Act violations during executive sessions and unadvertised and unknown gatherings of quorum because those donors will have to be "rewarded" for their "generosity."
What's the old saying Ken. Two wrongs don't make it right. You lied to employees saying they would keep their job when McClure got in and you know what happened and on top of it allyou could have cared less.calling the kettle black by you is hypocritical.
He'd have to return $ to donors and ask them to cut his congressional campaign a check.
I give Goffredo the benefit of the doubt. He cited sections and at least spoke to the council solicitor. Brown knows better because he did it himself.
I will wait for them both to introduce a campaign finance reform ordinance for county candidates.
Ken, Campaign donations from county vendors are completely legal even if they do not pass the smell test. I will wait for you to join Brown and Goffredo with a campaign finance ordinance for county candidates.
Depending on how many people you want to reach, it costs about $20,000 to send out ONE county wide mailer.
People complain they don't know anything about local candidates but most aren't willing to take the time to find their websites.
People don't want to answer their doors when canvassers knock on it or their phones when phone bankers call, and even those activities aren't free.
It is ridiculously expensive to run for office if you want anyone to vote with any sort of information besides the party of the candidate, and I don't want the only people that represent me at the local level to be the ones that can afford expensive campaigns themselves.
What are we back in elementary school? So just because someone else does it, you can do it to? How about being the person that stops the cycle of inappropriate behavior instead, you know because the immature decisions made by this council only impact ENTIRE COMMUNITIES! That's all. Geesh. Age really is nothing but a number.
11:23, So what you are essentially saying is that it is the voters' fault that candidates engage in legal bribery and make all races more expensive? And those mailers usually don't tell you anything about the candidates bc they try to be all things to all people. In a local race, the most effective campaign strategy is meeting people one on one. Most candidates are too lazy.
Post a Comment