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* There’s more to this Northwest Herald story than first meets the eye…
The criminal record of the former campaign manager for McHenry County Sheriff candidate Bill Prim casts a pall on what he would do if elected, Prim’s challenger alleged Thursday.
Independent candidate Jim Harrison released police, court and witness records from two fights at two Iowa bars in one night in 2001 involving one-time campaign manager Matt McNamara. He grabbed one man by the throat in the first fight and punched two women in the second, dragging a third by the hair, according to documents Harrison mailed to Chicago-area media. […]
In the first, McNamara grabbed a patron by the throat, slammed him against a wall and threatened his life. Witness reports state McNamara was not provoked, appeared intoxicated and thanked people for separating them because he would have “killed that kid.”
McNamara and his companion went to another bar and got into another fight with a male patron, according to reports. Witness reports stated that McNamara punched two women in the face, and grabbed a third by her hair and dragged her through the parking lot.
The story goes on to say “McNamara, who lives in Huntley, is president of Liberty Elite Services, which specializes in executive protection.”
* The Quinn campaign notes this little nugget…
According to the State Board of Elections, the Rauner campaign has paid Matt McNamara’s Liberty Elite Services $2,400 ($1,200 Q1, $1,200 Q2) for “Security Consulting.”
Oy.
…Adding… The Quinn campaign also sent over this photo of what they claim is McNamara doing security for Rauner at an event the day before the March primary. “He has personally staffed Rauner all over Illinois,” they say…
…Adding More… That photo was a screen cap from this apparent tracker video…
*** UPDATE *** Statement from Rauner Spokesperson Mike Schrimpf…
Bruce met Matt McNamara on the campaign trail and learned that he had provided security for a number of high-profile individuals, including a presidential candidate in 2012 which involved clearance from multiple federal law enforcement agencies, and he had also worked for a number of local law enforcement agencies over the last two decades. While Liberty Elite Services has been used in the past, they will not be used for future events.
Background:https://www.linkedin.com/pub/matthew-w-mcnamara/19/5a2/7b
That’s a pretty impressive bio.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:25 am
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Contract to punch out the Quinn campaign Monopoly character?
Comment by Norseman Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:30 am
Liberty Elite Services, Morrison Security, etc. Rauner should list these on his D2s as “thug services.” Side note, I saw Liberty Elite Services for $2400 awhile back on Rauner’s disclosure. It does not look like he has hired any other security team other than this but Rauner has security with him constantly. Can anyone explain this?
Comment by anon Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:32 am
Hmm. 15 years ago. Hopefully he straightened himself out by now.
Was he part of the GOP anti-petition passer efforts?
Comment by walker Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:37 am
This may be a case of mistaken identity. I think that is actually Rick Grimes.
Comment by Fritz Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:37 am
Not every candidate can have State paid security detail be their campaign bouncers.
Comment by Anonymoiis Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:37 am
@Anon- I know that he has hired off duty State Troopers to handle security. If I understand correctly he is paying them from his own pocket. I am not 100% on how he is paying them but I thought that was what I was told by a member of his team.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:40 am
He assaulted three women? Time to cut ties.
Comment by Getsold Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:40 am
@walker- The DUI arrest, mentioned in the article, is from 2012, so maybe not.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:45 am
@JSMill- I know that he has hired off duty State Troopers to handle security. If I understand correctly he is paying them from his own pocket. I am not 100% on how he is paying them but I thought that was what I was told by a member of his team.
Interesting but if that is a campaign expense it needs to be on the D2s. Right?
Comment by anon Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:53 am
Boy, Bruce lives him some perks!
All he needs is the title he covets, and the State Police to pay for his hubris, lol.
He bought himself thugs, now he wants to be called governor, to be legit.
Pathetic way to get a “detail”.
When you build an entourage to play a part, (Carhartt, watch, motorcycle, Clouted Denied Daughter, wife Democratic donor…) you go all the way, Bruce.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:58 am
Gee, you’d think Bruce could afford to pay for higher quality goons.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 11:59 am
MrJM - that’s good. “Goon services.”
Comment by anon Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 12:03 pm
Did somebody say Ray Rice
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 12:12 pm
If background checks have not yet been completed on every Quinn campaign staffers and vendors, they are about to.
Better buckle up as the downward spiral rages on.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 12:13 pm
It’s always know the going rate to hire quality goons…
…unless the goons are fleecing the Carhartt coat.
Wonder if Bruce has ever met this guy? lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 12:14 pm
Rauner: the next Vladimir Putin.
Comment by Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 12:20 pm
the gop is in a slug fest,bruce wanting to punch somebody,ditka`s punch happy advice,now this?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 12:26 pm
Sounds like just the right guy for security. Don’t any of these critics remember what a great job the Hell’s Angels did at Altamont?
Comment by Anon. Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 12:28 pm
For me, this story makes me sick, but the overriding fact is that Bruce Rauner loves perks, status, image, fame, and faux humility.
All Bruce is craving is that title; “Governor”
He bought the security detail.
He bought the staff.
He bought commercials.
He rents offices, with phones, computers, televisions…
Bruce wants to be loved, get a title.
The governing for us here in Illinois is collateral damage to ensue whatever real damage needs to be done to get a title.
…including the hiring of security.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 12:36 pm
Not qualified to be Governor. Go back to your job as a day trader in the mansion; with Betty serving you PB&J sammies for lunch Bruce.
Comment by Del Clinkton Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 12:48 pm
Again, Rauner lies.
Comment by Tim Snopes Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 12:50 pm
>>Witness reports stated that McNamara punched two women in the face, and grabbed a third by her hair and dragged her through the parking lot.
Ray Rice, anyone?
Comment by Anonymiss Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 12:52 pm
Who cares? 13 years ago some guy got into a couple bar fights and that is a story? Rauner has paid him 2400 dollars for security and that is a scandal? This is laughable. The never ending search for rock bottom continues in this campaign.
Comment by John A Logan Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 1:10 pm
John A Logan gets all upset about gay marriage, but is cool with somebody punching two women in the face.
Great job, dude.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 1:13 pm
At an event, I was told by Rauner staff and the gentleman the blog post/Quinn team identifies McNamara that he provided security for Newt’s failed presidential bid too. More digging should be done - how did a presidential campaign overlook all that stuff too? Is this mistaken identity or what?
Comment by Anon Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 1:34 pm
I heard a rumor somewhere that Gov. Quinn worked for a convicted felon! I’ve seen Rauner 5-10 times since the primary at events, and I don’t think he has been using security for awhile.
Comment by sangamon gop Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 1:39 pm
Maybe Rauner will suspend him for two games?
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 1:40 pm
===I’ve seen Rauner 5-10 times since the primary at events, and I don’t think he has been using security for awhile.===
So this is a “newer” sense of entitlement?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 1:41 pm
===and I don’t think he has been using security for awhile===
He does. Not everywhere, but he does.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 1:44 pm
McNamara did work security for Gingrich’s campaign:
http://www.triblocal.com/mchenry/2012/03/19/huntley-resident-protects-republican-presidential-candidate/
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2012/08/30/matt-mcnamara-newt-gingrichs-body-guard-at-gop-convention/
My impression is that this guy is part of the Tea Party Oathkeeper/right wing gun nut side of the GOP, and Prim is looking for the credibility with those folks. Or, he’s just really good at self-promotion.
Comment by Anonymouse Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 1:48 pm
Agreed, Rich.
Rauner didn’t need another punching women story.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 2:56 pm
==Who cares? 13 years ago some guy got into a couple bar fights and that is a story? Rauner has paid him 2400 dollars for security and that is a scandal?==
Smacking around women in a bar is indicates more of a chronic core problem that is difficult to cure.
Comment by Samurai Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 3:16 pm
Samurai
I don’t completely disagree but notice Des Plaines pd and Cook co. Sheriff’s office both hired and/or promoted him afterwards. Seems like he is rehabilitated himself.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 3:32 pm
So….. does Rauner throw his peeps under the van?
I saw the van spot again last night during the Steelers/Ravens game (no Ditka, that I saw).
Seriously, dude, regular people clean the bird stuff off their windshields. (Hat to have been the staffer that had to prep that).
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 3:41 pm
===I saw the van spot again last night during the Steelers/Ravens game (no Ditka, that I saw).===
Wasn’t going to say, but the Ditka Ad was on the NFL Network feed, not the CBS Feed.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 12, 14 @ 4:01 pm