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* From WUIS…
Upon advice of his attorney, Treasurer Dan Rutherford is refusing to release a taxpayer-funded report probing allegations he sexually harassed an employee and forced the state worker to do his political bidding. Days since the investigation’s completion, Rutherford, who is running for the Republican nomination for Illinois governor, says he has yet to read it.
Listen to this exchange as journalists press him on whether the findings should be made public.
* Listen to the whole thing…
Man, that sure didn’t go well for Rutherford. If he thinks this is going away, he’s dead wrong.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:18 pm
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He hasn’t read it and won’t release it. Yeah, that’s believable.
Comment by MissSmartyPants Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:26 pm
He is likely getting bad legal advise in my opinion. I can imagine the media advisors rolling their eyes at the lawyers.
Comment by Liberty First Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:30 pm
Lawyers can advise their clients all they want, but clients can still do whatever they want to do. BTW, there is no Federal Rule that would prohibit Rutherford from releasing the report. Andjelkovich is full of it.
Comment by DuPage Rep Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:31 pm
Dan Rutherford hasn’t “read it”, and “won’t release it”.
If Rutherford doesn’t read it, Dan doesn’t have to accept “it’s over”. If Rutherford doesn’t release it, than others won’t expect Rutherford to withdraw.
Denial, denial, denial. Not in the fact or the report, let’s be very clear;
Denial in what the reports says, what the reports may “say” about Dan Rutherford, the man, the Treasurer, the Candidate, and the persona Staff sees, and the facade the voters get to see. That denial.
Rich is on it; it is not going away anytime soon.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:32 pm
He’s toast! Why wouldn’t he have read it? At the least his counsel would have given him the general findings of the report. He’s not very truthful!!
Comment by Union Man Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:32 pm
We paid for it, and there’s no legitmate reason such as national security or something preventing us from seeing it. He was probably gonna be my guy in this race, but no way now. He is dead wrong on this, and it only gives the impression that he has something to hide. (On the other hand, if it clears him it would be viewed as a whitewash.) As an attorney, I also don’t understand his attorney’s advice to keep it confidential as it will come out in the lawsuit for sure eventually. Rutherford should just drop out. No way he can save this politically or otherwise in the month before the primary, and maybe not ever.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:33 pm
His secretary, Rose Mary Woods, is still reviewing it.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:34 pm
Dupage Rep is exactly right!!!
Comment by MissSmartyPants Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:34 pm
I don’t think one reporter asked if he read an Executive Summary. They ask if he has read the “report,” to which he can honestly say no. The female reporter asked if had read a “briefing” I believe, but he was talking over her and she didn’t pursue the question further. I think if he were asked about the Executive Summary or briefing or whatever, it might illicit more information than his denials.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:34 pm
Treasurer Rutherford, I am so sorry. This must be tremendously painful. But at this point, you cannot win. This is not going to get better. You have a losing hand. Leave the table.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:35 pm
Where was his press people to get him out of there? I agree with Soccermom, it is time to go.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:36 pm
it’s 2014 and we have video that looks like what Jason Bigg used in American Pie 1. nice.
these debates have been productive though.
Comment by shore Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:37 pm
Rutherford sounds so evasive, mincing words - talking in circles etc. He is done. Rutherford needs to drop out so the other candidates and the voters can concentrate on the issues facing Illinois.
Comment by LinebackerII Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:41 pm
I think he’s probably getting very good legal advice, just sometimes good legal advice isn’t the best political advice.
Comment by Powell Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:41 pm
Cap Fax QOTD: describe the Rutherford campaign in one word. Answer: Delusional.
Comment by Emanuel Can't Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:41 pm
EC, I think I’ll kinda steal your idea. Thanks.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:43 pm
Rutherford has been in public life for quite some time. He should be perfectly capable of deciding on his own whether to follow the advice of his attorneys or the advice of his media people/campaign manager.
Maybe he knows he won’t be governor and now wants to do what he can to avoid anything more serious?
I wonder if this investigation is subject to FOIA (with names redacted) since it was paid for by taxpayer dollars?
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:43 pm
Too bad Rosemary Woods was not available to help censor the report for Dan.
Comment by Upon Further Review Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:47 pm
@MrJM:
Next time, I need to read your post before I add my two cents. You beat me to it in reference to Rosemary Woods.
Comment by Upon Further Review Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:50 pm
Why in the world wouldn’t he read it? The statement makes no sense.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:57 pm
Perhaps I missed it, but why hasn’t anyone asked Rutherford about his duty and obligation to read the report? An Executive Officer should not be able to ignore a report that details an internal investigation regarding allegations of sexual harassment and improper political pressure within his own office. In my opinion, that would be, at best, a dereliction of his duties.
Moreover, by admitting that he has not read the report, doesn’t Rutherford give his legal and political opponents the opportunity to argue that he is not concerned about harassment in his office? All very questionable.
Comment by Abe Froman Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:01 pm
There is absolutely no legal, political, moral or logical reason for Dan to have not read the report.
If I would have been accused of doing things which I strenuously deny and which threatened to derail my campaign and tarnish my reputation and irreparably damage my career in public service and which I suggested, if not believed, were trumped up by my opponent and I ordered up an internal investigation at the taxpayer’s expense, then I couldn’t wait to READ, let alone release the report which would certainly exonerate me and expose the accuser as having made unsubstantiated slanderous charges against me.
Unless of course…..
But then again, that’s just me.
Comment by Tommydanger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:02 pm
If he doesn’t read the report, then it is not a final report. Therefore the reports stays in “draft” status possibly not subject to public release via FOIA requirements. That is my best guess as to why he won’t read or review it.
Comment by Patty O'Furniture Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:04 pm
“Anon” regarding the Executive Summary is dead on. Rutherform is a master at parsing words, and he’s doing it here. It’s unfortunate that these reporters let him get away with it. If only one had said, “Just because you say you haven’t read it doesn’t mean you do not know the significant points of information in the report. Has any of your counsel advised you in any manner as to any content contained in the report paid for by taxpayers.”
Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:10 pm
His stack of chips got glued to the table.
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:10 pm
Has anyone done a FOIA for the report yet?
Comment by Rufus Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:14 pm
Dan sorry but you are living in an alternate universe now. you are the Bizarro Rutherford now not making any sense. you want to release the report? then release it, it was paid by state funds. jeesh.
Comment by PoolGuy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:24 pm
Dan Rutherford Can Be Your Selectively Ignorant Governor - 2014
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:24 pm
The burning toast caught the toaster on fire, which got the house to burn down. What horrible responses to the reporters.
At the end, a female reporter was trying to get answers to the question that I have about his legal representation. Since he’s being sued in his official capacity, I thought the AG had to represent or authorize alternative counsel. Unless I’m misunderstanding the process, we haven’t heard any discussion from or with Lisa.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:30 pm
I feel like Dan has become the Illinois equivalent of Baghdad Bob.
Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:33 pm
To echo Rufus and others, I hope someone can FOIA this report. It’s impossible to believe not releasing it would be better than releasing it, but the only logical conclusion is that it comes down hard on Rutherford.
Comment by Lunchbox Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:34 pm
–I feel like Dan has become the Illinois equivalent of Baghdad Bob.–
Or the Russian Olympic hockey team. Somehow, I think there’s a couple dozen new workers at a salt mine in Siberia.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:39 pm
Public service announcement: Team USA v Team Canada, 10:45 a.m., Friday, in the semis.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:42 pm
I’m sure he read it and told his attorney..no way can we release this.
Comment by Bobo Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:45 pm
Wordslinger-
Current Athletic Correctness requires you to preface your scoreboard announcement with “Spoiler Alert”.
Just sayin’
Comment by Tommydanger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:48 pm
Sorry, Tommy, didn’t think of that. My bad.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:50 pm
No problem Wordslinger. I’m saving space on my DVR for the upcoming production of “The Rutherford Tape Letters”.
Comment by Tommydanger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:58 pm
Dan allowed himself to become burnt toast. Sad.
Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:00 pm
Dumbest answer of all time = “all of the above”, when asked if taxpayers are funding the report or the campaign.
Comment by One ofthe 35 Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:08 pm
“Look it was a traffic study I tell you, and no, I haven’t read the results”…
Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:26 pm
=I don’t think one reporter asked if he read an Executive Summary.=
I believe FOX reported that a Rutherford spokesperson said Rutherford might have read one.
But then again, it could be part of a disinformation campaign–all the “might have/might not have” statements or “understandings” with the media.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:26 pm
Sorry. lol that obviously should have been “…’misunderstandings’ with the media.”
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:28 pm
Go get ‘em Amanda!
To the Post, Dan should have exited stage right pronto with Rauner. If he’s going to hold out, he should go all the way. He just dragged himself down a bit further with that exchange.
Don’t put words in my mouth. Indeed.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:33 pm
You go, Dan! I mean it…….go. Be gone.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:42 pm
Maybe, Dan can have Former President Clinton-who looked the camera and waggled his finger- “I didn’t have sex with that woman” give him some pointers. Enough of the gullible public believed him.
Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:45 pm
Maybe Rutherford shouldn’t, shouldn’t have, and/or doesn’t have access to the report.
After all, it’s supposed to be an “independent, internal investigation” conducted by the State (not Rutherford personally).
If would seem that if he has access to it, the same rules would apply to the Plaintiff, and possibly even those who were interviewed. It all depends on how the report is viewed within the context of funding, the “internal investigation,” and the lawsuit.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:46 pm
=Maybe Rutherford shouldn’t, shouldn’t have, and/or doesn’t have access to the report. =
Sheesh. Sorry. “Maybe Rutherford shouldn’t, shouldn’t have HAD, and/or doesn’t have access to the report.”
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:49 pm
I can see not reading the report b/c Rutherford doesn’t want to be confronted with stuff he’s ashamed of and in denial about.
But if he’s got a credible claim of no significant wrongdoing, it seems like he’d want to read the report.
And why does it make more sense to Rutherford to say he hasn’t read the report than to say he’s read it and is declining to comment due to pending litigation?
Rutherford needed things to break his way to have a chance at winning the nomination.
Now it seems implausible for Rutherford to win.
And he’s embarrassing himself along the way. What’s the goal at this point?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 3:04 pm
If the report is favorable to Rutherford, how does it damage the state’s interests to release the report?
Is Rutherford open to releasing most of the report w/ some key information redacted?
Is Rutherford willing to release an outline of the report? What are the sections? How long are they?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 3:06 pm
Carl, Rutherford’s position is incomprehensible.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 3:08 pm
How can Rutherford’s attorney advise him about the report if he hasn’t read it? Does he believe the public collectively have the word STUPID tattooed on their foreheads?
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 5:09 pm
Now lets get some goods on the others and then we can start over with better candidates.
Comment by Drama Queen Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 5:09 pm
It’s amazing how arrogant and condescending he still is- but I guess that’s what got him in this trouble in the first place.
Comment by Wow Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 7:38 pm
Sadly Dan’s “cover up” started years ago (probably when he was a child), and is just now culminating in his political downfall. Transparency is always better than concealment. He wants to head a $35 billion dollar enterprise, but because of his failure to level with us he is vulnerable to the worst kind of coercion and blackmail.
Comment by Catrike Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 8:29 pm
The whole issue of him using public money to finance an investigation, then giving the report to his PERSONAL attorney is just mind boggling to me. He clearly can not differentiate between his personal/campaign life and responsibility as Treasurer.
Comment by Right Field Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:07 pm
He’s starting to remind me of someone who kept going around saying he wanted all the tapes released.
Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 7:37 am