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* Tribune…
The Federal Election Commission has dismissed accusations by Sen. Mark Kirk’s ex-wife that he broke a series of campaign finance laws during his 2010 Senate race.
Kimberly Vertolli filed a complaint with the commission in 2011 against Kirk and others alleging they improperly hid payments to Kirk’s then-girlfriend and converted campaign funds for personal use.
Vertolli claimed the Kirk campaign paid Dodie McCracken through another company working for the campaign. Since the money was not paid directly to McCracken, her name does not appear in Kirk’s public reports outlining what he spent on the campaign.
In a letter to Vertolli on Tuesday, the election commission brushed aside each one of her allegations against Kirk, his Senate campaign, McCracken and Robert Vail Jr., owner of a Wilmette-based ad firm, The Patterson Group.
The commission agreed with Kirk’s position that money paid to McCracken did not have to be disclosed because she was a subcontractor to the Patterson Group.
Fury, scorned, etc. At least it’s over now.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 1:06 pm
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Divorces are nasty….
Comment by RonOglesby Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 1:09 pm
Which begs the question…
Was this strictly a woman scorned acting of her own volition?
Or did that woman scorned receive a “nudge” from affiliates of the Giannoulias campaign?
Doubtful the public will ever know with certainty.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 1:13 pm
According to the news feed, it seems an ugly matter is close to winding up for Joseph Berrios as well.
Difference is, that one will cost taxpayers about $500,000 for improper, politically motivated firings.
Fortunately, the cronies he hired will get to keep their jobs, perks and benefits.
As for the individuals he fired? They depart with a taxpayer funded settlement check amounting to roughly one year’s salary and the best wishes of one Mr. Berrios.
Cook County. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 1:18 pm
You know why divorces are so expensive? Because they’re worth it.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 1:43 pm
Hey speaking of ethics looks what Handout Andy reports today…
“Illinois ranks third in BGA-Alper Services Integrity Index, but it’s nothing to brag about.
Despite a multitude of scandals, jailed ex-governors and a sordid political history, Illinois ranks as a top-tier state in the Better Government Association’s (BGA) Integrity Index, when it comes to existing laws that enable regular citizens to fight corruption…”
Wow so this blowhard touts his survey in all his handout requests. IL does pretty well, but more handouts are needed.
Hang it up
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 1:47 pm
Word…I laughed out loud at that one!
Comment by Because I said so... Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 1:51 pm
Translation from the FEC: It’s OK for Kirk to have paid money to his “girlfriend” and converted the funds to her personal use, because she was paid as a subcontractor to the Patterson Group; for the same reason, he did not need to disclose this in his filings. This doesn’t exactly look good for Kirk, even if it was legal.
Comment by Kwark Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 1:58 pm
Does the ex expect every employee of every company a campaign hires to disclose all their employees? Seems a little excessive and a bit of an overreach.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 2:04 pm
Lady, you wouldn’t kick a man when he’s down would you? I didn’t think so…..
Comment by Rufus D Doofus Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 2:13 pm
“Handout Andy” does some decent work, especially within the confines of the BGA’s stated purpose.
Illinois could use more and stronger public integrity groups, not fewer and weaker.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 3:02 pm
=== You know why divorces are so expensive? Because they’re worth it. ===
it’s comments like these that make me look for the “like” or “plus” button
Comment by bored now Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 3:17 pm
Not getting married in the first place avoids the expensive divorce.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 3:44 pm
Thanks Word, now everybody in my office knows I’m not working on my spreadsheets. Or thinks that I find them diabolically funny.
Comment by Century Club Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 3:58 pm
“McCracken.”
Snicker.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 4:27 pm
To bad JJJ didn’t ahve Kirk’s advice on how to do it and funnel his campaign money thru Sandy J who by the way doesn’t have a “mental” issue in mitigation.
Comment by roscoe tom Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 4:34 pm
So that explains why the “former girlfriend” with whom Kirk was no longer “romantically involved” (during the investigation) is now being referenced again in interviews as the “long-time girlfriend.”
Hard to keep up with all of the descriptors in this situation. Best to follow Vertolli’s tip that Ms. McCracken never “goes away” and just ignore them all until Mr. Kirk’s terms (whenever they’re over are finally over).
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 4:51 pm
BTW, sorry for the unintentional typos in that last post.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 4:53 pm
So the “sub-contractor” route is another available tactic to fund your girlfriend, (or family member), with no disclosure? Add it to the giant list on the ways that campaign finance “reform” cannot be enforced.
Kirk didn’t deny he did it, just that it didn’t break any rules.
Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 4:57 pm
And roscoe tom, if JJJ had hired Ms. McCracken to do his “damage control,” he too would have known exactly how to handle his situation.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 5:00 pm
=Add it to the giant list on the ways that campaign finance “reform” cannot be enforced.=
Or the Senate cannot be disgraced based on perceptions of impropriety.
“Are you embarassed to be from Illinois?”
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 5:02 pm
Or add to the giant list WHO CARES?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 6:32 pm
Great “messaging,” Anon 6:32.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 7:15 pm
Accusation with great fanfare during the race…
Resolution quietly announced..
Political dirty trick accomplished.
Comment by plutocrat03 Wednesday, Jul 17, 13 @ 7:45 pm