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* Accusations way too often turn out to be confessions for these folks…
If you signed a petition to help put U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Illinois) on this June’s primary ballot, there’s a chance that a man convicted of luring a child for sex was the one who asked you to sign those campaign documents.
Congresswoman Mary Miller is facing new questions about her relationship with Brad Graven, a former state worker who pleaded guilty to luring a young boy to a drugstore parking lot for sex acts in 2005.
Photos, videos, and state election records show Graven was actively involved in helping the effort to re-elect Miller. Reached by phone, Graven claimed he was merely an unpaid volunteer for the Miller campaign. His name does not show up on the campaign payroll, but Graven enjoyed virtually unlimited access to Miller, served as her personal chauffeur at public events and raised money for her campaign. Miller trusted Graven with her family vehicle, which is adorned with campaign stickers and legislative license plates.
At several of those campaign stops, Miller encouraged voters to judge her and her colleagues in Congress by the company they keep.
“A politician is known by their votes and by who they hang around with,” Miller told supporters on Monday night in Quincy. […]
Miller’s closest ally on Capitol Hill is arguably U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Georgia Congresswoman hosted a fundraiser for Miller last summer and recently caused a stir among religious conservatives for claiming the Catholic church “harbored monsters.”
“I could not trust the church leadership to protect my children from pedophiles,” Greene said.
*** UPDATE *** Coincidentally…
YOU’RE INVITED TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THE ILLINOIS FREEDOM CAUCUS TRUMP HOTEL CHICAGO, MAY 5 12:30PM
The State Freedom Caucuse Network would like to cordially invite you to a private luncheon celebrating the launch of Illinois’ new Freedom Caucus! Come mingle and enjoy good company while supporting limited government in Illinois!
Join Illinois Freedom Caucus members—Chris Miller, Brad Halbrook, Dan Caulkins, Adam Niemerg and Blaine Wilhour — and select members of Congress, at our celebration.
Gotta figure US Rep. Miller is that “select” member. No relation, by the way.
…Adding… Washington Examiner…
Critics of the congresswoman argue that her rhetoric surrounding policies aimed at “protecting minors” is hypocritical. One source noted that a summer camp run by her family featured twice-removed Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore as a speaker. Moore came under fire during his 2017 GOP Senate bid after nine women accused him of inappropriate sexual or social conduct, some of whom were under the age of 18.
Additionally, campaign finance reports show Miller’s husband, state Rep. Chris Miller, donated $5,000 to former Illinois state House candidate Tom McCullagh, who dropped out of his race following accusations of grooming an underage person. McCullagh has publicly denied the accusations.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 8:45 am
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C’mon Rich, this case is different. The guy asked for forgiveness and is helping with her campaign. /s
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 8:51 am
I thought this kind of thing dropped on Friday?
This isn’t Friday, is it?
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 8:53 am
Wait, I thought Mary Miller was a Republican? This can’t be right.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 8:55 am
Once again her arrogance and hypocrisy are plain sight for everyone to see. Mark Maxwell is rewarding his new employers with this kind of reporting.
Comment by illini Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 8:57 am
= pleaded guilty to luring a young boy to a drugstore parking lot for sex acts in 2005. =
Not quite accurate. It was a Villa Park police officer *posing* as a 14-year-old boy.
Nevertheless . . .
Comment by JoanP Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 8:58 am
For Republicans, every accusation is a confession is my new favorite comment. Kudos and credit to whomever recently posted this. It’s a one size fits all thing.
Comment by froganon Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:07 am
I wish Republicans would explain what they mean by “family values.” I don’t think I want to be in that kind of family.
Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:08 am
What the left and Democrats fail to understand is that he’s a real American, like Trump, Madison Cawthorn, and the rest of the patriots. Pedophilia and admitted sexual assault, while regrettable, are less important than saving America from the woke mob and Democrats.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:09 am
Sir reel, I believe they mean “Manson Family” values. The GOP has become a cult.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:12 am
“I could not trust the church leadership to protect my children from pedophiles,”
Nor should you trust anyone who is still a member. This isn’t a one-off event. This is a consistent pattern to the point it is an identifying characteristic of the organization.
How many times does this lesson have to be taught.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:14 am
Check out her District Director’s background?
Comment by The Old Man Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:20 am
==Accusations way too often turn out to be confessions==
Now we know why Mary Miller has refrained from accusing Illinois educators of being ‘groomers’.
Comment by Jocko Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:23 am
Who says satire is dead?
Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:23 am
Problem isn’t confined to religion there Invisible Man, it’s more prevalent in families.
Comment by Emmerder Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:25 am
Not at all surprised.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:28 am
== Problem isn’t confined to religion there Invisible Man ==
Did I say it was?
As an organization, there is an obvious structural problem.
How common or uncommon it is in any other place is irrelevant to that reality.
I grew up in a catholic school. I’ve heard your victim-blaming excuse more times than I can count, and it is always used to deflect from the problems of the organization.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:28 am
He has a lot of Eastern Bloc “friends” on Facebook. Mrs. Bailey and all the usual characters. He’s putting in the work, “educate’n“ poll watchers and election judges. Poor guys friends list probably take a hit today.
Comment by Aaa123 Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:30 am
It’s all projection from the right. Everything is projection.
This isn’t surprising at all.
Comment by So_Ill Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:32 am
I now have to take a shower for the rest of the day, because I agree with MTG on something.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:40 am
These are the people who are supposed to protect America from grooming of children?
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:41 am
== No relation, by the way.==
Not to you, of course. But she is to Rep Miller. Which means he is also apparently ok with a convicted pedo driving the family vehicle around.
Comment by fs Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:42 am
“Join Illinois Freedom Caucus members”
Kids drinks are free.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:47 am
Matt Gaetz? Madison Cawthorn? “Gym” Jordan?
Comment by Amalia Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:51 am
Wonder if I could just swing by for the lunch, not far from the office….
Comment by OneMan Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:53 am
This is a fair hit for a congressional campaign. This is an especially fair hit for Mary Miller’s congressional campaign.
I personally struggle with these kinds of pieces because as a society we have a justice system which on paper is intended to allow the offender to “pay their debt to society” or something similar. We have imposed some specific life long requirements for sex offenders and have done other things to make it very difficult for them to operate within our society because of the possibility that they might offend again which seems to be a bit of a departure from what the stated intent of our justice system and incarceration is.
I think the fact that Davis’ campaign is directly involved with this story demonstrates that whatever views or ideals they hold regarding the concept of justice in our society are thrown out the window in order to pursue a hit piece against a candidate that they should be able to successfully campaign against on items and topics of merit.
Rodney Davis himself still serves in congress in the GOP caucus along side Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz. I know that Mary Miller is in that caucus too, but people that continue to allow child sex traffickers and people who enable multiple sexual assaults against their student athletes probably shouldn’t be trying to make a stir about a conviction from 2005.
I don’t feel good that these kinds of stories exist. I don’t feel good that this kind of opposition research would be pushed directly by a campaign. I like to imagine that someday I’ll live in a country where our politics operates above these kinds of things, but that’s probably not going to be possible so long as the GOP caucus in the United States House of Representatives is filled with members who are fine with child sex traffickers coming on their retreats.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 9:56 am
Is there a more sanctimonious name for a group than “Freedom Caucus”?
Comment by Curious citizen Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 10:26 am
Candy’s point is valid, however. The hit on Miller is just as much about her hypocrisy as it is about her driver. It’s not the crime, it’s the lying and hypocrisy that bothers me so much.
As stated before, in today’s GQP the accusation is the confession. Starts with Trump committing crimes in public, they all follow his lead.
Comment by wow now Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 10:26 am
When you admire Hitler why would a pedo faze you?
Comment by Big Dipper Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 10:42 am
Freedom caucus = F Troop
Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 10:59 am
“I believe they mean ‘Manson Family’ values. The GOP has become a cult.”
Please.
The Manson Family was a small but violent group of racist, antisemitic, survivalist-minded weirdos who mistreated women and wanted to inspire “helter skelter” (stochastic terrorism) and ultimately a race war from which they would emerge as the ruling cl⎯
Ok, I see your point.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 11:04 am
Everyone in Sullivan knows about Brad’s conviction for trying to pick up minor boys with a state-issued computer while serving as a contractor for State Treasurer Topinka at the time. Brad acts like nothing happened. So do the people of Sullivan so why should Mary care?
Comment by Sullivan Spotlight Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 11:18 am
The “Freedom Caucus” event being held in Chicago is a head scratcher. Isn’t Chicago equivalent to Sodom and Gomorrah to the downstate Eastern Bloc reps?
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 11:34 am
-Brad acts like nothing happened. So do the people of Sullivan so why should Mary care?-
That’s the standard now? If conservatives like the person and no one cares, don’t worry about it, but the politicians that associate with them can continue to demonize innocent people and pretend to be protecting children while associating with people who actually threatened them? That’s laughable.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 11:37 am
Please. This is nothing but the Democrats attempt to distract you from their baby eating. /s
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 11:42 am
Is this another example of evangelical Republicans’ mantra: “love the sinner, hate the sin?”
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 11:43 am
=That’s the standard now?=
I think it’s been the standard for awhile. And why not? There aren’t any particular consequences associated with these choices. And in fact more often than not folks like Mary Miller are able to leverage any outrage to portray themselves as victims. Whether it’s Bailey’s mask policy at the farm or Mary Miller using a pedophile as a chauffeur, tribalism and hypocrisy coexist really well together.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 11:52 am
=== It’s not the crime, it’s the lying and hypocrisy that bothers me so much. ===
This is a state focused blog, but I don’t think there’s a better horse in the race between Miller and Davis when it comes to integrity, especially on this issue given how their caucus has behaved towards it’s own members who have been directly involved in sex crimes, especially the one who has actually trafficked a child successfully and should be getting an indictment sometime in the near future.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 11:55 am
She probably met the guy at a pizza parlor in Washington D.C. How was she supposed to know he was a pedophile? /s
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 12:07 pm
Spotlight (so-called) is trying to settling local scores.
Reality check: Desk-bound detective lured Fortysomething Calvinist Closet Case to McD’s for a chit-chat.
Your use of the plural “boys” is doubly a lie.
Comment by Bareback the Blue Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 1:05 pm
Sir Reel & Mr.JM, well said.
Comment by InterimRetiree Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 1:05 pm
The Washington Examiner can hardly be called an unbiased source for news. It is very surprising that this very conservative publication is taking such a hard stand and is being openly critical of one of their own. Is this sending some kind of subtle message about how some are coming to view our Congresswoman?
Comment by illini Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 1:06 pm
-Reality check:-
He pled guilty to a sex crime. There’s a reality check. We’re lucky it was a cop on the other end.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 1:34 pm
“Reality check: Desk-bound detective lured Fortysomething Calvinist”
I’m not going to reply to the troll, but this does point out something interesting even if only by accident.
In the past few years a lot of local vigilante groups have started doing these stings, because the local police have mostly STOPPED doing this. It turns out, these stings kept turning up locally politically active people, so the police chiefs who are usually political appointments of the local mayor, no longer continued the practice - to avoid local embarrassment.
This shift to vigilante stings instead really accelerated about 10 years ago. The demand is still there, because the same predators are still there, but the people doing the stings now are different.
Just last year, a prominent local catholic teacher was busted in one of these vigilante stings. Something that had to happen because the local police were ignoring all the reports on this guy over the years, because that’s what happens when the catholic diocese shares the name of your city.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 1:58 pm
=Reality check: Desk-bound detective lured Fortysomething Calvinist Closet Case to McD’s for a chit-chat.=
So you think Brad knew that it was a cop and it was just role play? If that is the case, why the guilty plea and conviction?
Exactly. Brad.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 2:27 pm
Still no comment from Mary Miller’s campaign? Do they think this story is just going to go away if they ignore it? From what I can see it’s starting to pick up national news feeds.
Comment by fs Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 2:39 pm
Must be a republican thing… Here is a Cook County Commissioner who defended his employee for the same accusation.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/6/18/18367224/county-pol-defends-vouching-for-employee-charged-in-child-sex-case
Comment by Mike Ford Thursday, May 5, 22 @ 2:46 pm