* Tribune…
On the morning of Aug. 24, Rauner held a rare conference call with staff to explain the departure of his newly installed communications team, saying they were “good people trying to do good work” but ended up not being a “good fit,” according to a source who was on the phone call but was not authorized to speak publicly about it.
During that same call, Rauner said to expect more “rumors” about staff departures but told employees to ignore them, including talk that [chief legal counsel Dennis] Murashko was leaving the administration, the source said. Just hours later, Rauner released a statement saying Murashko was resigning effective at the end of the month “to pursue opportunities in the private sector.”
On Tuesday, Rauner was asked to explain why he told his staff that Murashko would not be leaving, only to announce his departure later the same day. The governor did not directly answer, telling reporters “you guys are trying to spin up something that doesn’t exist.”
* The governor’s office has already released a copy of Murashko’s resignation letter, which was dated August 23rd. The very next day, August 24th, Gov. Rauner told his staffers this…
During a morning staff conference call, Rauner sought to dispel controversy over the exodus, according to a source with direct knowledge of the call. He called rumblings of the departures of his chief of staff Kristina Rasmussen and chief legal counsel Dennis Murashko “rumors.” And he confirmed the communications staffers’ exits, saying they were not a “good fit.”
And he pointed the finger at “enemies” — everyone from Democrats, media, bloggers and “people who shouldn’t be our enemies, including people who used to work for this administration.” Rauner, too, vowed to go on the offense against attacks on his administration.
The governor told staffers his team would “fight every rumor and innuendo diligently,” calling them “disgusting,” the source said. The governor said his administration would “stand together” and squash rumors in every possible way and said some were coming because he’s trying to challenge the “status quo.”
* That same day, Rauner told reporters this…
“We announced some changes in the communications department, and that’s all the changes there are.”
* And then that very evening, his office sent out this…
General Counsel Dennis Murashko will leave the Administration at the end of August to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
The next day, August 25th, Murashko was reportedly escorted out of the building.
* Pritzker campaign…
“The General Counsel to the governor of this state abruptly resigned after producing what should be a standard ethics memo and no one knows why,” said Pritzker campaign communications director Galia Slayen. “Bruce Rauner refuses to tell voters what really happened and it is time for him to come clean and tell us why Dennis Murashko resigned.”
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 10:51 am:
The good news for Rauner is that after he’s out of office nobody will bother asking him any questions. Epic failure.
- Sugar Corn - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 10:53 am:
This palace intrigue will be lost on most voters, I think. But maybe it will erode Rauner’s case that he’s competent as his list of scandals grows…
Barney’s warehouse bonanza
100 million health portal screwup
20 billion overrun on Medicaid contracts
Quincy Vets Home deaths
What’s next?
- FDB - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 11:02 am:
Can Bruce Rauner use the restroom without JB’s press staff of 10,000 releasing a statement
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 11:03 am:
==Can Bruce Rauner use the restroom without JB’s press staff of 10,000 releasing a statement==
This is how we know it’s working.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 11:06 am:
“Can Bruce Rauner use the restroom without JB’s press staff of 10,000 releasing a statement”
I’d never compare a Rauner staffer’s exit to his flushing a toilet, but you do you.
– MrJM
- Fiercely Independent - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 11:06 am:
For crying out loud, would telling the truth just once kill this guy?
- cdog - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 11:08 am:
I get questioning whether the Murashko Test was rejected literally body and soul. (rules between governing and campaigning)
I don’t get questioning management about personnel changes, and the “need to know” of non-management employees.
- PJ - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 11:13 am:
===I don’t get questioning management about personnel changes, and the “need to know” of non-management employees.===
You don’t think reporters would be curious about why he specifically told staff Murashko would be staying, only to escort him out of the building the same day?
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 11:17 am:
“and the “need to know” of non-management employees..” So you don’t think knowing how your tax dollars are spent is important?
- WasAnon - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 11:41 am:
How does a billionaire become one with such a mess of a mind that couldn’t organize a 1 car parade? Spinning endlessly, literally and figuratively, but always with the pointer finger aimed at (take your pick). Terrible in all regards
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 11:50 am:
Do we actually know Rauner is a billionaire?
- anon - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 12:21 pm:
Check out the SBC Security Link deal where Rauner’s company made $500 million & the other key players were Bill Daley & Rahm Emmanuel
- WasAnon - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 12:23 pm:
No we don’t know. On paper he may only be a multi, multi millionaire. Offshore accounts? Anybody’s guess.
- Stumpy's bunker - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 1:11 pm:
I’ve hoped an investigative reporter could tally up the value of BVR’s real estate holdings. That would tell us a lot. I doubt that any of them are of the rustic-cabin-by-a-Wisconsin-pond variety.
To the post:
Right out of the Trump-mindset playbook.
- Anon - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 3:58 pm:
Why not ask Murashko? Did he sign a non-disclosure agreement?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 4:02 pm:
–The governor did not directly answer, telling reporters “you guys are trying to spin up something that doesn’t exist.”–
What exists are statements that contradict actions and a wack-a-doo timeline.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Dec 13, 17 @ 4:21 pm:
==The good news for Rauner is that after he’s out of office nobody will bother asking him any questions. Epic failure. ==
Federal prosecutors might still be interested in a conversation.