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* Thursday, August 24th Rauner administration press release…
General Counsel Dennis Murashko will leave the Administration at the end of August to pursue opportunities in the private sector. As part of the legal team’s succession planning, Kenton Skarin will assume the role of Acting General Counsel to the Governor.
That press release was issued not long after Gov. Rauner told reporters there would be no more major departures.
But Murashko’s departure didn’t happen at the end of August, which would’ve been a week later. It happened the very next day.
* Saturday, August 26th…
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s top attorney – whose end of August departure was announced Thursday – was escorted out of the governor’s office at the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago on Friday [August 25th], according to published reports, nearly a week ahead of his planned exit.
What happened? It’s been the object of much speculation.
But Murashko also authored a memo to the governor raising the question of whether the administration was properly keeping politics out of the office, sources with knowledge of that memo say.
That didn’t turn out to be totally true.
* I obtained a copy of the memo this morning. Click here to read it. It’s addressed to Gov. Rauner and his then-chief of staff Kristina Rasmussen as a response to their request for info on “best practices for interactions between employees of the Office of the Governor (including the Governor) (collectively, ‘Governor’s Office employees’) and members of the Governor’s 2018 reelection campaign.”
I’m told that the governor did not react well to these proposed restrictions, some of which were pretty strict.
* Some quick excerpts…
I’ve asked the governor’s office for comment.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Hmm…
.@JeanneIves calls for an Inspector General investigation into @GovRauner's firing of Dennis Murashko. pic.twitter.com/Y1f3J93XkK
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) December 8, 2017
*** UPDATE 2 *** Rep. Dave McSweeney…
I support Representative Ives call for an EOIG investigation of the overall Murashko situation. The EOIG needs to also immediately respond to the press report about an existing or closed potential investigation of Murashko alleging that he “abused the powers of his office.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** From the governor’s office…
You appear to have an internal document prepared for internal use — one of dozens of legal memos prepared to provide advice to the office on various topics.
As to Mr. Murashko, he resigned from our office. (see attached.)
The attachment is here.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Pritzker campaign…
“Bruce Rauner fired a senior advisor, spent months trying to hide the Murashko memo, and he refuses to answer any questions on the subject,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “As questions about potential ethics violations mount, it is time for Bruce Rauner to come clean to voters about why Dennis Murashko was fired.”
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 10:43 am
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Thanks for your unabashed journalistic integrity. I have a feeling that this might not be the last we hear of this said memo.
Comment by Thomas Stepp Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 10:49 am
It is unfortunate that the governor does not react well to people acting ethically.
Very unfortunate.
Comment by Winnin’ Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 10:52 am
===…a response to their request for info on “best practices for interactions between employees of the Office of the Governor (including the Governor) (collectively, ‘Governor’s Office employees’) and members of the Governor’s 2018 reelection campaign.”
I’m told that the governor did not react well to these proposed restrictions, some of which were pretty strict.===
So… Rauner, it appears from this, wanted better and more coordination being possible that this memo proposed which on its face is very restrictive.
Interesting and tasty… the response to the memo, if that was written, possibly “complaining” it’s too restrictive would be better fodder to make a case against, but I guess firing Murashko and the timing of the firing is interesting and tasty, but more reflective light and heat then actual burning?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 10:54 am
Sorry, “ - Anonymous -“ above is me.
Phone cycled out.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 10:56 am
Was Rasmussen looking for cover and received something she didn’t expect?
If so, why was she looking for cover?
Comment by Macbeth Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 10:57 am
BTW — So … this is like firing Comey to stop an investigation?
Comment by Macbeth Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 10:59 am
==but I guess firing Murashko and the timing of the firing is interesting and tasty==
Methinks there’s more to his firing than just a memo
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 10:59 am
1b kinda works against Rauner’s whole, “I’m not in charge,” claim.
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:01 am
George Ryan called, he wants the warning memo back
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:01 am
===Methinks===
Ugh.
No. You’re speculating at this point.
If “you think”, then you think it. It doesn’t mean you’re wrong, but it’s not been seen or shown that you’re right.
The memo, the timeline, today, it’s interesting and tasty. That’s all that is “known” now
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:02 am
1.b.ii — this seems to be at the heart of well … everything in Rauner’s world.
“Tell me I can’t do this? Then what am I doing here?”
Comment by Macbeth Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:05 am
No way he got escorted out of the building for this memo. This memo may have been the cover for the resignation. You don’t tossed for this. There was another reason for sure.
Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:06 am
Illinois ain’t ready for a reform governor
Comment by 100 miles west Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:07 am
I’m not sure what the Governor wanted, but I can attest that these restrictions are in place for numerous other political organizations. They’re not terribly onerous if you want to be ethical and above board.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:08 am
===No way he got escorted out of the building for this memo.===
I think the escorting is just for humiliation. That’s how a lot of longtime, loyal staffers were let go in the Great Purge of July: being escorted out by security, just to add insult to injury.
Comment by Nick Name Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:09 am
—
They’re not terribly onerous if you want to be ethical and above board.
—
… and *govern* instead of perpetually campaigning.
Comment by Macbeth Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:10 am
Dennis obviously gave Rauner what he needed to hear as opposed to what he wanted to hear. ‘You’re fired!’
Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:16 am
“interesting and tasty”
I agree with OW that speculation is dangerous when all that is known is that the memo was written. But General Counsels don’t draft such memos without reason, nor do Governors and Chiefs of Staff request them without such. There can be many reasons, of course. Best to bide one’s time until more is known. But yes, definitely “interesting and tasty.”
Comment by Flapdoodle Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:21 am
===did not react well ===
Do tell. Memo, in draft form, dated 8/21. He was gone days later.
“The ultimate decision making authority on all questions of the official state business lies with the governor in his capacity as the chief executive of the state.” Governors own. Not madigan. Not I am not in charge.
Comment by Langhorne Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:24 am
==No way he got escorted out of the building for this memo.==
That’s where I’m at. None of these recommendations are all that onerous, or even surprising. Something else was up.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:27 am
Drafting this memo, which is similar to many written in other offices, probably wouldn’t trigger a firing.
Perhaps he was directed to edit the memo, and refused?
Comment by northsider(the original) Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:28 am
Just a reminder that we have a former Governor currently in jail for violating all of the rules contained in this memo.
Comment by Not It Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:31 am
Anyone know where Murashko is working now?
Comment by Question Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:31 am
I really didn’t see anything in the memo that goes beyond common sense of how to conduct the business of a government office in the context of a campaign. So if the Governor did not react well, I find that to be a bit troubling for how things have been running for the past three years (though not shocking).
Rich, which prohibitions do you think are pretty strict?
Comment by Juice Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:31 am
==No. You’re speculating at this point.==
Not really. There are other issues that have been flagged/hinted at regarding him in the media. I’m sure it will all eventually come out.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:36 am
In light of Bruce “I will bury her” Rauner’s history, this seems like a very likely explanation.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:38 am
It might appear to many that “If you don’t like the message you have to kill the messenger.” Right?
Comment by illini Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:44 am
==In light of Bruce “I will bury her” Rauner’s history==
We commit perfidy when we quote allegations from legal complaints untested in the adversarial trial process. Let’s be better than perfiders, right?
Comment by Chris Widger Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:44 am
===Not really.===
Yes. Really. Ugh…
===There are other issues that have been flagged/hinted at===
Aren’t those the foundation of speculation? “Flagged” or “hinted at”? Nothing has been shown.
===I’m sure it will all eventually come out.===
Which means you’re speculating and eventually igcwill all come out.
So, let it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:45 am
- Chris Widger -
“I don’t want any $&@#% problems”…
… then McCann gets a primary opponent.
Rauner is petty. It’s who he is. Others got escorts that weren’t a threat to anything at all, and were only too close to people Bruce and Diana had a beef with.
Rauner is thin-skinned petty.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:49 am
==Which means you’re speculating and eventually igcwill all come out.
So, let it.==
You seem awfully defensive about speculating about this, compared to your normal willingnessn to painfully overthink and speculate about numerous other issues on here. Interesting.
Comment by Donnie Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:53 am
“We commit perfidy when we quote allegations from legal complaints untested in the adversarial trial process.”
If you wish to restrict your comments to only those matters tested in the adversarial trial process, you are perfectly free to do so.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:57 am
==Interesting.==
Is this hinting at an allegation that Oswego Willy is a Rauner supporter/defender? Now there’s a memo I’d like to see.
Comment by Chris Widger Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:57 am
Question for the political types, are these normal best practices or extreme?
Just curious.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:58 am
To me Rauner is a petty,thin-skinned, mean spirited, penny pinching miser. And that is on a good day.
Comment by Former Hillrod Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:58 am
I almost forgot… and perfidious.
Comment by Former Hillrod Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:00 pm
==Is this hinting at an allegation that Oswego Willy is a Rauner supporter/defender? Now there’s a memo I’d like to see.==
Moreso the seemingly overprotective nature of Willy regarding Murashko, not Rauner
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:09 pm
===You seem awfully defensive about speculating about this, compared to your normal willingnessn to painfully overthink and speculate about numerous other issues on here. Interesting.===
No.
What I’m doing is actually, here, today, seeing what HAS come out, and since the memo appears to be different that what was first… you guessed it… speculated…
To to use a quote…
“Don’t wait for it to happen. Don’ t even want it to happen. Just watch what does happen.”
It’s interesting that the memo is what it turned out to be.
===Is this hinting at an allegation … is a Rauner supporter/defender? Now there’s a memo I’d like to see.===
Meh, I guess I’ve been called, or speculated, to be worse.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:13 pm
===Moreso the seemingly overprotective nature of Willy regarding Murashko, not Rauner===
Nope.
How about that the memo that was speculated about turned out to be seemingly different that what others “speculated” and now that that premise is rebuffed, let’s see how what we now know is going to play out.
See… facts.. change premises… because facts…are facts.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:17 pm
This memo seems to be straight out of the annual ethics training State employees are required to take. Makes me wonder if someone needed a mid-year refresher from tutor.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:49 pm
Too much radical candor for Rasmussen?
Probably.
BTW — what happened to @RadicalCandor? No tweets for several days. This stuff is overripe — and this memo just adds to the rot.
Comment by Macbeth Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:59 pm
Anyone who has taken the mandated annual IL ethics test, as I have for many years, knows these are very basic, rudimentary requirements. Rasmussen may have had a tough time rectifying this with the IPI hat she was so used to wearing.
Comment by Politix Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 1:09 pm
To the update, what charge has Murashko leveled?
Comment by Juice Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 2:31 pm
Shrug. The only “strict” interpretation I see is not being able to talk political business over Taco Bell in the basement on a lunch hour.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 3:06 pm
EOIG?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 3:18 pm
The line is always long at that Taco Bell. But the Gov moved his operations out of the JRTC long ago.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 3:25 pm
That “resignation letter” is consistent with Murashko having been told: “you have 5 minutes to resign before you’re fired.” It sure doesn’t prove much.
Comment by Keyrock Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 3:41 pm
Rich - speaking as a long time reader and infrequent commenter, I think we should all Thank You for being the first reporter in this state to break this story. Great work. And thanks again.
Comment by illini Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 3:48 pm
–You appear to have an internal document prepared for internal use — one of dozens of legal memos prepared to provide advice to the office on various topics.–
That’s a feeble attempt of appearing to say something when not saying anything at all.
Your point being?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 3:51 pm
===when not saying anything at all. ===
Nope. Read it again. They publicly confirmed its authenticity.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 3:59 pm
== It sure doesn’t prove much.==
It proves he agreed to resign. I’m not sure he wants a lot of digging as to why.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 4:09 pm
The resignation letter notes his resignation is effective August 23rd but he was escorted from the building on the 25th. Did he continue to work after his resignation?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 4:14 pm
Anonymous-I’m sure there’s more to the story. But the fact that there is a “resignation letter,” doesn’t prove much, if anything.
Comment by Keyrock Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 4:15 pm
OW - “So… Rauner, it appears from this, wanted better and more coordination being possible that this memo proposed which on its face is very restrictive.”
That is also speculation as you call out other speculation.
Here is some other speculation -
So… Rauner, it appears from this, wanted to make sure his political activity was done ethically as he approaches the upcoming election cycle.
As to why Murashko was fired? One can speculate on that all day.
Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 4:23 pm
R-A-C-C-O-O-N… lol.
===“So… Rauner, it appears from this, wanted better and more coordination being possible that this memo proposed which on its face is very restrictive.”
That is also speculation as you call out other speculation.===
You forgot this…
===…a response to their request for info on “best practices for interactions between employees of the Office of the Governor (including the Governor) (collectively, ‘Governor’s Office employees’) and members of the Governor’s 2018 reelection campaign.”
I’m told that the governor did not react well to these proposed restrictions, some of which were pretty strict.===
That’s Rich’s reporting, and me responding to…
“which were pretty strict.”
… which was from the memo.
(Sigh)
===So… Rauner, it appears from this, wanted to make sure his political activity was done ethically as he approaches the upcoming election cycle===
Why would that make Rauner upset?
It’s Friday, go start the weekend early.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 4:28 pm