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5 Questions for Bruce Rauner About Dennis Murashko
While A Scandal Brews, Rauner Remains Silent
Chicago, IL – Last week, reports surfaced about why former Rauner General Counsel Dennis Murashko was summarily dismissed from the administration and escorted from his office. The firing may have been associated with a memo Murashko wrote that questioned “whether the administration was properly keeping politics out of the office.” Another story also alleged that Rauner filled his administration with Illinois Policy Institute staff in exchange for $30 million in campaign donations from Dan Proft’s and Dick Uihlein’s networks.
Others have claimed that Murashko himself abused the powers of his office by handing out, “plum duties to someone with whom he had a personal relationship.” While allegations continue to swirl, Rauner has dodged questions on the controversy saying only, “I will not comment on rumors.”
Here are five questions Bruce Rauner should answer on the abrupt firing of one of his closest advisers:
* Why was Dennis Murashko dismissed?
* Bruce Rauner told reporters there would be no further departures from his administration before announcing Murashko’s departure later that day. What changed?
* When did Bruce Rauner learn about the allegations that Dennis Murashko abused the powers of his office, and what did he do to fix the problem?
* Did Dennis Murashko’s memo on the need for proper boundaries between Rauner’s political and government operations have anything to do with the $30 million promised to him by Dan Proft and Dick Uihlein?
* What has Bruce Rauner done to address the ethics issues raised in Dennis Murashko’s memo?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 9:45 am
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If the Murashko memo exists, I’m surprised someone hasn’t shared it publicly yet.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 9:58 am
Could the memo be posted here? Would like to see what Murashko alleged in full if possible.
Wonder when Senator Barickman will start demanding Audit Commission hearings on this subject, the outsourced $100 million Canadian health insurance portal, or the Barney’s Warehouse lease. Not holding my breath.
Comment by Sugar Corn Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 9:59 am
And: Did Murashko write the memo in order to retro-actively protect himself?
Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 9:59 am
The Pritzker Crew put down a marker.
They have the correct questions that need to be ask.
The story needs a bit more meat on the bone and seasoning in the soup to get the heat turned up, but it is important to put this marker down.
Now, if more spills out in the press or other places, the Pritzker Crew can “double down” on this marker.
This is what competent canpaigns do.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:00 am
Pritzker team’s response to Trib Blago piece is to open a new front vs Rauner and draw media attention to that story. These two campaigns are going to take negative campaigning to a whole new level…
Comment by Veil of Ignorance Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:01 am
To quote Gov Stevenson
“We can chart our future clearly and wisely only when we know the path which has led to the present.”
Rauner tells us the path that led to this termination
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:04 am
The Pritzker crew keeps hitting Rauner but eventually they’re going to have to win the primary. Beating up Rauner is great for the Dem party overall but when do they start making their move to separate from the other candidates?
Still haven’t seen any polling that shows Pritzker up.
Comment by DuPage Bard Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:15 am
have you ever noticed then when we can see Rauner live, or in public, there are no posts at that same time from OW?…… hmmm
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:16 am
To Team Kennedy. Stay focused on Illinois issues. This is the sort of rabbit dung that turns voters off. Stay above it all.
Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:19 am
===…when we can see Rauner live, or in public, there are no posts at that same time… ===
I don’t think I’m Governor Rauner.
If I get a 2nd confirmation that I’m not the governor I’ll pass that on.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:20 am
OW dont forget to refuse to respond to rumours :>
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:24 am
As always, any and all questions should be directed to - Norseman - unless otherwise indicated.
To the Post,
The biggest piece of the puzzle is the confirmed, actual, memo.
The memo, its contents, it’s timing, and if there are any email chains attached to the correspondence, that would be a great deal to configure, especially with the 5 questions Pritzker’s Crew is asking.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:29 am
Good questions. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for the Guv to answer them.
If you look at all the turnover in the legal staff, and you look at the people that are coming in, where they are coming from and the limited experience they have, it is not hard to come to the conclusion that the Guv ain’t looking for seasoned, well reasoned legal guidance, he’s interested in getting “legal cover” (no matter how thin, or weak the basis may be).
You can also look back on the many untenable legal positions his administraton has tried take (eg fair share withholding) and how many times they have lost when challenged in court. That also seems to support the conclusion that the Guv doesn’t look for his lawyers to tell him what the law is, the Guv tells his lawyers what he wants the laws to be, and they need to go out and make it happen.
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:33 am
With Sheldon, Director of DCFS, leaving with ethical problems this starts to build a pattern of corruption.
Worth starting some inquiries in the GA.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:34 am
Team Pritzker. Here is some advice. Demand a Special Prosecutor. Demand to see Rauners’ birth certificate. Demand to see the deleted emails. This will prove to the Illinois voters you understand the states problems.
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:39 am
So if the GC says we are breaking the law, and is fired, does that mean firing comey, er the GC, could be grounds for criminal complaint against the gov for obstruction?
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:59 am
Blue Dog Dem,
I’m confused. You think it is irrelevant whether the governor traded $30 million in exchange for officials actions despite a memo from his general counsel? Seems like if proven that’s the kind of quid pro quo for which other governors have gone to jail. No?
I mean I get that since the Pritzker campaign didn’t release and promote health care, economic development and early childhood education plans, that you have a point. Oh wait, they did release those plans. So nope, don’t get your point at all.
Comment by Anon0091 Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 11:13 am
In light of Blago, what would it take for the federales to open an investigation into Rauner? Are they tired of taking down IL guvs, or do they still get golden stars for taking down corrupt Big Dogs?
Comment by Ghost Whispering Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 11:16 am
Sorry, I’m late posting. I was meeting with some operatives who know how to work Facebook really, really well. Willy, I think we have a great social media plan.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 11:17 am
==If you look at all the turnover in the legal staff, and you look at the people that are coming in, where they are coming from and the limited experience they have, it is not hard to come to the conclusion that the Guv ain’t looking for seasoned, well reasoned legal guidance, he’s interested in getting “legal cover” (no matter how thin, or weak the basis may be).==
Perhaps, but remember that these really are high-stress jobs. Some of the recent turnover has been a *bit* quicker than normal, but people really can/do burn out.
That being said, between this and Sheldon, some ethical issues seem to be piling up (and there’s lower level stuff, too, like monkey business with agency salaries and weird hires and stuff). That’s not a trifling concern for Rauner. He got a lot of votes from disgust at cronyism.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 11:22 am
- Norseman -
“I love it”
To the “investigating” and such, wondering aloud, things like investigations have two very important components.
They take time.
They aren’t discussed if they are going on.
If the Feds want to pursue, they will, if they don’t, they won’t, and we might not know either way for a long while if they will.
The questions asked, way outside the legal scope, the politics to them there is more than enough to ask, the actual authenticated memo would move the story too(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 11:24 am
I don’t expect much here. It’s common practice of in house counsel to remind staff of the legal boundaries between political and government activities. As far as improper interpersonal relations? Maybe something remains to be seen.
JB establishes his eligibility for the ultimate prize by punching up. Cannot recall that being a losing strategy for a primary. Rauner did the same with Quinn, and let outsiders with big miner undermine his Republican opponents.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 11:28 am
Anon. The politics of the time bore me. Sorry. I am so tired of the Repubs and Dems playing gotcha. I want substance. I want details.
Now if JB only gets into details on how he plans on paying for these thingS I will be impressed. The dream of a progressive income tax will only be that. So he, and everyone else needs to quit making empty campaign promises.
But I also understand this is how folks get elected. Just like Rauner. But I am sick and tired of it. We, the state of Illinois, are running out of time.
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 1:15 pm
I’d tell JB to pound sand.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 1:36 pm
And here are 5 questions about 5 toilets in 5 bathrooms…
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 1:38 pm
===And here are 5 questions about 5 toilets in 5 bathrooms…===
Maybe question 6 could be…
“Why all those homeowner exemptions Rauner had?”
Rauner knows his way around property taxes, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 1:43 pm
Here’s what I’d love to know… What does Murachako’s memo, assuming it actually exists, say about Goldberg, Mahoney, Trover, and other former staff members’ dealings with the political side? Is the memo strictly about conduct going forward or does it shed light on past activities?
Comment by anon Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 2:36 pm
I doubt the memo ever becomes public. It is a lawyer advising his client.
Rauner could release it, but then it would help Rauner.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 3:59 pm
–And here are 5 questions about 5 toilets in 5 bathrooms…–
That’s going to sting, very badly, no doubt.
It’s the perfect material for a negative spot.
JB should have thrown a bookkeeper under the bus about that over the summer when no on would care.
Now, he’ll probably have to spend millions pointing out Rauner’s rich-dude problems to compensate.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 4:05 pm
Thanks Blue, but you still didn’t answer the question. Would it be irrelevant and a waste of your time if Rauner engaged in quid pro quo for campaign cash against the advice of counsel? It’s a legit question, especially around here.
Comment by Anon0091 Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 4:33 pm
0991. Again sorry. I for one thought Blago got a raw deal. Barely a politician alive who hasn’t been bought off.
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Sep 13, 17 @ 10:35 pm