Posted by Barton Lorimor (@bartonlorimor)
* One of the biggest lessons Rich tries to install in his interns, myself included, is “Rule #1″ - Assume everyone is wearing a wire.
That’s not supposed to make one paranoid, and unable to trust anyone. There are other lessons for that. Rule #1 taught us not to do anything we wouldn’t want our mothers to read about in the morning paper.
I keep thinking about Rule #1 as I read these stories about Derrick Smith…
Now, with his trial on bribery charges just months away, federal prosecutors have filed court documents alleging smith actually admitted to the scheme moments after he was arrested by FBI agents in 2012.
The documents read:
“At numerous times during the interview Smith stated ‘I f—ed up’… Smith stated that it was all about getting money to put money back out on the streets in the hands of his campaign workers.”
Smith’s attorneys are fighting to keep the alleged confession out of the trial, arguing Smith was falsely led to believe he was cutting a plea deal.
More…
According to the charges, the informant told investigators Smith started talking about needing help with fundraising almost as soon as he was appointed to fill a vacated House seat in March 2011 and was willing to accommodate reasonable requests from donors who wanted something in return for their contributions. The FBI had the informant tell Smith about the day care center, and Smith offered his help for $5,000, a figure he later raised to $7,000, prosecutors alleged. The day care center — while real — was not actually applying for a state grant, authorities said.
They’re out there, man.
* Rule #3: Friends aren’t necessarily the ones that buy steak dinners or always have a joke. Friends are the ones that would bring you chicken soup when you’re sick. Stick with your friends…
Lawyers for Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit by an ex-employee alleging sexual harassment and forced political work on state time.
The motion in U.S. District Court in Chicago seeks to end the lawsuit by Edmund Michalowski.
Michalowski worked for the former Republican candidate for governor for three years before leaving in January and filing the lawsuit
More…
In briefs filed in federal court this week, lawyers say Rutherford’s behavior toward an ex-employee “amount to nothing more than minor, offhanded comments … and innuendo” and do not form the basis of a legal case.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:02 am:
“Colleagues don’t shake hands, Colleagues hug!”
Never take the money. Ever.
If you are a Dope, and you are so ignorant to actually … take…the money, don’t count it with the informant sitting with you! How about just never get remotely that far.
The price is wrong, always, if someone asks a “price”… never, ever hang with anyone who likes the word “price” and ” favor” … together.
Enjoy your work friends, live your life with your real friends.
…. or so I was told.
- Darienite - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:20 am:
What’s Rule #2?
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:21 am:
“Always keep your mouth shut and never rat on your friends.”
Jimmy Conway
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:23 am:
===What’s Rule #2?===
Maybe…
Don’t get into a land war in Asia.
Don’t match wits with a Sicilian when death is on the line.
See “Rule #1″…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:25 am:
“I told them my usual; Zero.”
- Barton Lorimor - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:35 am:
Rule #2 is about relationships with interns.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:37 am:
Yikes. My bad…
- William j Kelly - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:43 am:
Some campaign workers aren’t smart enough to recognize a microphone in their face!;) http://youtu.be/cOz6oZGrPyA
- I B Strapped - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:47 am:
‘When a Rat says he is not a Rat, he’s a Rat.
Rev Al Sharpton
- Retired - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:50 am:
All these rules sound like an episode of NCIS and Gibbs’ Rules!
- Walker - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 9:18 am:
“behalf” above
- A guy... - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 9:44 am:
If you’re having a fundraiser, have one. No ‘personal’ fundraisers. Someone offers money, tell them the date of the next funder and have someone else accept, record and deposit the check in sunlight. If there are strings attached, either cut the strings or cut the check. If you cut the strings or the check, do so publicly. And for God sakes, your caucus is led by one of the shrewdest humans alive, surrounded by shrewd and experienced people. Ask for help when in doubt. Finally, always be in doubt!
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 9:56 am:
Rule 5: If a federales asks you a question, assume they already know the truthful answer to it.
- Toure's Latte - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 10:07 am:
A Guy cuts to the chase. Smith could have taken the cash above board as a donation, washed it, and expensed it; and if he had any questions Madigan is his floor leader and knows one or two things about staying legal.
- April Fool - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 10:10 am:
Sir, can you repeat that, but this time talk directly into the potted plant. - LOL
- MrJM - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 10:22 am:
“If nobody talks, everybody walks.”
“If you didn’t call the cops, the cops are not here to help you.”
“Yes, the cops will think you did it if you ‘lawyer-up’ — and they will also think you did it if you don’t.”
– MrJM
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 10:31 am:
Do we still wonder why Michael had so many “buffers” between him and Willy Cicci? (No Relation)…
- Shark Sandwich - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 10:37 am:
Rule #2: Don’t talk about fax club. (Specifically, the subscriber only password)
- Name Withheld - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 11:07 am:
New question of the day: What *other* rules for Capitol Fax interns should there be? (snark encouraged. Just a suggestion
- Sinister - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 11:49 am:
“I know nothing”