Dems file a complaint against Republican rep for mailing

[Judi Lynn]

Dems file a complaint against Republican rep for mailing
August 18, 2005, 4:06 PM


LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The Michigan Democratic Party on Thursday accused a Republican lawmaker of misusing about $6,100 in state funds for a legislative mailing Democrats say illegally asked recipients for their name and political affiliation.

Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer asked Attorney General Mike Cox, a Republican, to prosecute Rep. Tim Moore of Farwell for the newsletter his office sent last month to nearly 27,500 constituents in the 97th House District.

Brewer said the mailing violates the Michigan Campaign Finance Act because it asks recipients to give their political party affiliation and their name, address, phone number and e-mail address. State law prohibits the use of public funds to acquire and keep information about a person's political affiliation, Brewer said.

Brewer pointed out the criminal charges recently filed by Cox's office against two House Democrats for alleged campaign violations and argued that the attorney general should deal with Republican and Democratic lawmakers the same way.

"Moore's misconduct is a serious violation of well-established law," Brewer said in a letter to Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and Cox. "Will you prosecute Republicans as well as Democrats or will you abuse the prosecutorial discretion entrusted to you by the people of Michigan for partisan political purposes?"
(snip/...)

http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw120018_20050818.htm

[stepnw1f]

1. Good (nt)

[shaniqua6392]

2. As a Michigander....

I will be watching this one closely. Thanks for the heads up.

[davidinalameda]

3. I think that he'll

abuse the prosecutorial discretion

from what I understand this guy is highly ambitious and anything he can do to screw the Dems he'll do it

[loudsue]

4. Then we need to be all over him like a chicken on a June bug!

If we need to organize a letter-writing campaign, we should do it.

Let them know we're watching!

:kick: