Move along, nothing to see here — but send money

America's creepiest governor, in a statement that is somewhat unnerving in its disregard for reality, urges everyone to just never mind about the questions about his legal defense fund because it's all on the up and up, which presumably is code to suckers to resume pouring cash into it. The full statement, in all its disturbing glory, is after the jump. More, probably, after the morning chores.

For Immediate Release:  March 14, 2007                                                          

governor gibbons released the following statement regarding legal defense fund

“Over the past two weeks, certain individuals in the media and certain political opponents have created an uproar about my use of a "legal defense fund." That fund was created to help defray the costs of responding to allegations by Chrissy Mazzeo and Patricia Sandoval that have been shown to be untrue.

“The uproar over this legal defense fund is completely driven by a few individuals to make an issue where none exists. The fund was established, on the advice of pre-eminent and experienced lawyers, to comply with all rules during the campaign. It was not then, and is not now, a campaign fund. It did not solicit or accept political contributions. Rather, the funds were used as intended -- to pay legal and accounting expenses related to the allegations at the time.

“Because I believe that the people of Nevada have a right to know about this fund, I have reported the donations and expenses of the fund, even when it was not clear that I had to do so. I received advice on this matter from legal experts and in no way have anything to hide by using a fund-raising process, used by many public officials, that is permitted by law. I will continue to report on that fund as bills are paid for previous legal issues surrounding the now-discredited allegations. As was the intention all along, the legal defense fund will then formally be closed down. That closing and a final report on the fund should occur in the near future.

“I realize that there are some media and political naysayers who will try to create a story or controversy every day, to defeat the goals of my administration or just for the sport of it. The people of Nevada should know that I am committed as ever to carrying out the pledges I made during the campaign. I will not be distracted or derailed from those goals, which include enhancing public education for our children, promoting excellent health care for all of our citizens and increasing employment opportunities in our state.

“An honest review of the real facts of all the allegations that have been made will lead to the conclusion that I have been and remain a hard-working, honest public servant who has never violated the public trust. To those who keep trying to make a controversy where none exits, I say "enough" and let the business of the people of Nevada be done.”

Comments

[bmt]

Well, that's that. I'm convinced of his innocence now. Let's all move on....

[Jaded]

Nevada aka the Bullshit State.
Bullshit can be used to grow plants, make explosives and is an alternate fuel. We have a steady source coming daily from Gibbons, Nevada's own village idiot. Does this mean we go Brown instead of Green? Brown makes sence and matches the air we breathe daily.

Gibbons said the best and brightest advised him (and where did the money come from for that advise and who did you pay it to?). Regardless, 2USC 439(a) and 11 CFR 113.1 have definitions that will prove useful to those of us following events at home;
1. Funds Donated; means all funds including gifts which are donated for the purpose of supporting the activities of a federal or state office holder;
2. Federal Officeholder; an individual serving in the office in the House of Representatives;
3. State Officeholder; an individual elected to serve in any elected office within a State;
4. Dues; Oh, Gibbons paid $6,000 in dues one year, if it was for a non-political organization (Safari International?), that would not be cool;
5. Gifts; gifts of nominal value and donations of nominal value made on special occassions such as holiday, graduation, marriage are not personal use, unless made to member of family;
6. Third Party Payments; payment of personal use by any other person other than the candidate or campaign committee shall be a contribution under Subpart B of part 100.

And from the FEC advisory opinion 2005-11, funds spent on issues such as Sandoval and Mazzeo are prohibited "personal use" and thus limited to "100% of legal fees and expenses incurred in preparing press releases, press conferences or talking to reporters and cover 50% of other press-related expenses." And, the "campaign must maintain appropriate documentation of any disbursements made for legal fees." Trepp defense would be okay with prior approval, but would be an "operating expense", not a prohibited "personal use".

I just don't see where he closely/loosely followed any law or regulation, its intent or spirit in this debacle.