Really? She's Treasurer of the Honolulu County GOP Committee? Has Anybody Checked the Bank Accounts Lately?

The Website for the Honolulu County GOP Committee lists the group’s Treasurer as Elizabeth Hata Watanabe.  Really?  Do they know Liz’s track record?

Liz, as she’s known in party/club circles, was the owner operator of a failed nightclub, the O Lounge.  Yes that enterprise failed as a business.

While Watanabe did a tremendous job promoting herself and her club among reporters, it would appear that the nightclub was not a financial success.  She shuttered the doors to the night club in the wake of escalating scrutiny by the Honolulu Liquor Commission – for additional insights, review the HLC agendas/minutes in 2008 & 2009 . 

Besides being cited and fined multiple times for serving alcohol to minors, Watanabe apparently hid her books from HLC investigators for four years – pretty suspicious don’t you think?  Especially considering her husband was a 20+ year veteran of the Honolulu PD. 

The adjudications against The O Lounge for three violations of 281-78(b)(1)(A), HRS (selling, serving or furnishing liquor to minors), for violation of Rule 3-84-78.52 (stacking) and for violation of Rule 3-81-17.54(d) (failing to make readily available for inspection its books and records for the last four years).  HLC – 7/24/08

The O Lounge pled no contest and was fined a total of $4,000 for two repeat violations of Section 281-78(b)(1)(A), HRS (selling, serving or furnishing liquor to a minor). The Commission also placed the licensee on probation for six months effective Sept. 11, 2008.  HLC - 9/11/08

[While on Probation] Allegations against The O Lounge were proved, and the licensee was fined $2,000 for a repeat violation of Section 281-78(b)(1)(A), HRS (selling, serving or furnishing liquor to a minor). HLC - 1/29/09

[While on Probation] Allegations against The O Lounge were proved, and the licensee was fined $2,000 for a repeat violation of Section 281-78(b)(1)(A), HRS (selling, serving or furnishing liquor to a minor). HLC – 2/5/09

Reviewed the six-month probationary period for The O Lounge and decided to continue the probation, suspension, age restriction (21 and over) and required that special events be approved by HLC enforcement before the event.  HLC – 3/19/09

As things were about to blow up, she closed down the bar and told her reporter friends that she was going to focus on her roles as a mother and wife, do something more family oriented, maybe a children’s TV program – and instead got herself involved in a short lived realty TV show, Hawaii’s Big Deal Poker Tournament.  That show lasted for several months and she lead people to believe there would be a second season of the show.

 Nothing ever materialized and it’s suggested the show didn’t pencil out.  Or perhaps investors said, “No” or “no more,” to a scam that had no ROI.

Then on June 14, 2011, Elizabeth Hata-Watanabe filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (Case: 11-01679).

The woman repeatedly allowed alcohol to be served to minors, hid her nightclub’s ledgers from regulators for four years and filed a personal bankruptcy; yet, the good people at the Honolulu GOP Committee think she’s the best person to be their Treasurer?  Somebody better check that organization’s books – if they can find them.  Better yet, somebody better go check the GOP Committee’s bank accounts.

Find related content by clicking on any "labels" located below the social media share buttons at the bottom of this post or consider these selected posts:

• She Said: Here's what Hata-Watanabe had to offer after a recent visit to TheVerifiableTruth.com
• Failed Nightclub Owner is a Shameless Self-Promoter
• Really? She's Treasurer of the Honolulu County GOP Committee?
• Hawaii's 'Citizens for a Better Way' isn't a 'Citizens' Group After-all
• Lobbyists Spent $40,000 Manufacturing So-Called 'Citizens' Group Support for Oahu Casino Scheme
• There Can Be No Doubt Detroiters' Hawaii Lobbyist John Radcliffe Created Pro-Casino So-Called 'Citizens' Group'

So far Ilitch Family and Mike Malik have contributed $143,300 to federal campaign committees in 2007

Since January 1, 2007, Mike & Marian Ilitch and their children have contributed almost $90,000 to three federal campaign committees:

• $57,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee*
• $23,000 to the re-election campaign of Senator Carl Levin (D-MI)
• $9,200 to the campaign committee of Rep. Candice Miller (D-MI 10th)

Their associate, casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr., has contributed $53,300 toward several federal campaign committees:

• $28,500 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
• $10,000 to the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee
• $4,600 to the campaign committee of Rep. Joe Knollenberger (D-MI 9th)
• $4,600 to the campaign committee of Rep. Candice Miller (D-MI 10th)
• $4,600 to the re-election campaign of Senator Carl Levin (D-MI)
• $1,000 to the leadership PAC of Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

The Ilitches and Malik contributed $27,600 to Senator Carl Levin's re-election committee this spring; and then in July the Ilitches turned around and contributed $57,000 to the NRSC which the GOP could use trying to unseat Senator Levin in 2008.

*Senator John Ensign (R-NV) is the chairman of the NRSC. The Michigan senate seat held by Democratic Sen. Carl Levin is on the ballot in 2008. AZ, CA, FL, NV, NY are among states that do not have any senate seats up for election in 2008.

WSJ Editors note Alaska's Sen. Stevens, Rep. Young may be headed for trouble

9.24.07

JOHN FUND ON THE TRAIL
North to the Future
The men who gave us the "Bridge to Nowhere" may be headed there themselves.

On Friday Alaska's Gov. Sarah Palin ordered the state to prepare a "fiscally responsible" alternative to the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere," which made the state a national laughingstock and shone an unwelcome spotlight on the pork-barrel greed of its all-Republican congressional delegation. The $398 million bridge would have connected Ketchikan (population 7,400) to its airport on a nearby island inhabited by 50 people.

The same day, the Associated Press reported that the FBI has recorded two phone calls between Sen. Ted Stevens, who sponsored the bridge, and Bill Allen, a Stevens patron who dominated state politics as the head of the oil-services firm VECO until he pleaded guilty to bribing state legislators this year. Mr. Allen has also testified in open court that he paid some of the bills incurred in the expensive remodeling of Mr. Stevens's Alaska home. Last month, FBI agents raided the senator's home to secure evidence about the remodeling work. Few expect Mr. Stevens, who has served since 1968 and rose to become chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, to survive politically.

An era is ending in Alaska politics. For decades the state justified its raids on the federal treasury because Washington owned so much of the state and had locked up so many of its natural resources to development (the oil underneath the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge being the most famous example). In what some called "compensation," the state made sure it became No. 1 in the nation for pork per person--$984.85 for each Alaskan in 2005.

The arrogance Alaska congressmen displayed in pursuing their taxpayer largesse was stunning. Rep. Don Young, the former Transportation Committee chairman and the state's lone House member, became famous for trying to secure funding for another dubious bridge near Anchorage, this one costing $223 million. Art Nelson, Mr. Young's son-in-law, is part owner of 60 acres of what he described as "beautiful property"--land that would be opened up to development by the new bridge. He admitted discussing the project with his father-in-law. Mr. Young said he saw no conflict of interest.

But Mr. Young is nonetheless highly sensitive about the projects he promotes. Earlier this year Rep. Scott Garrett, a New Jersey Republican, sought to trim $11.8 million from programs for aboriginal populations in Alaska and Hawaii. Mr. Young, who once threatened to chew off the ear of an opponent, turned on Mr. Garrett with similar ferocity: "Those who bite me will be bitten back." He bellowed against members who would attack his projects: "It's my money!" He then claimed that the GOP lost control of Congress in 2006 because of "members who want to cut spending."

Even many of Mr. Young's constituents seem to disagree. A poll conducted this summer by the free-market Club for Growth found that 66% of Alaskans disapproved of the "Bridge to Nowhere." When asked to choose between a prospective candidate who wants to cut federal spending "even if that includes cutting some money that would come to Alaska" and a candidate who is willing to increase overall federal spending "as long as more federal spending and projects come to Alaska," the vote was even more lopsided: 71% of Alaska's residents chose the skinflint.

Adding to Rep. Young's woes, The Wall Street Journal reports that he has become a target of the same federal investigation that's been looking into connections between Sen. Stevens and VECO. Mr. Young has a lot more to worry about than whom to bite on the House floor. The same can be said for Mr. Stevens, whose pork-barreling days are likely numbered.

Of course, politicians naturally want to take credit for dragging federal dollars home. But the GOP Congress let the situation go berserk. In 2005, Congress authorized a record 13,999 earmarks. The scandals surrounding just a few of them involving disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and ex-Rep. Duke Cunningham sent reporters scurrying to find what other nuggets of news might be buried in the remainder. Majority Republicans suffered most, even though Democrats routinely secured an estimated 45% of earmark spending.

Now it's Democrats who are championing earmarks and trying to hide them from the public, all the while proclaiming their desire for openness. House Minority Leader John Boehner took an important step toward reclaiming the party's fiscally conservative brand last week when he announced he would try to force a vote on greater earmark transparency.

It's time for Senate Republicans to step up to the plate. It's increasingly clear that their Sen. Stevens has ethically compromised himself and brought shame to the Senate. Will his colleagues continue to kowtow to him as a powerful Appropriations Committee member and allow him to serve on other key committees? Or will they send a signal that they are prepared to shun senators who abuse the public trust?

Plot to give balance of wastewater contract to another consultant coincides with introduction of Rep. McKeon's half-a-million-dollar earmark

Is it just a coincidence that these directly related actions were going on at the same time on opposite coasts:

• Barstow's GOP Mayor Lawrence Dale went public with his intention to re-award an important multi-million dollar contract mid-stream by firing HDR, Inc., the consultants retained two years ago to manage state mandated upgrades to Barstow's wastewater treatment facilities, and hiring a firm with no track record at all, MicroMedia Filtration Inc.; and
• GOP Congressman Buck McKeon slipped an additional half-a-million dollar earmark into the Department of Interior's FY 2008 Appropriations Bill designated for the balance of the same contract to upgrade the Barstow wastewater treatment facilities. The funds earmarked by Rep. McKeon would come out of Environmental Protection Agency, State and Tribal Assistance Grants.

You may want to review these additional posts:

• Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale shotdown in first attempt at scheme to switch wastewater consultants mid-stream
• Rep. McKeon secures $500,000 for Barstow sewer improvement project
• Barstow Council gambles on young wastewater firm

Washington Post blogger Paul Kane reviews the dismantling of the GOP leadership the past two years

from a post 08.17.07 by Paul Kane at the washingtonpost.com's blog "Capitol Briefing:"

About This Blog | Meet Paul Kane

The House GOP Leaders' Precipitous Fall

The dissolution of a once proud House Republican leadership team is near complete.

Dennis Hastert (Ill.), the affable wrestling-coach-turned-House-speaker, and Deborah Pryce (Ohio), the former head of the GOP Conference, both announced this week that they do not plan to stand for reelection next year, ending political careers that total more than 36 years combined.

Taken in isolation, these announcements aren't earth shattering. Hastert's retirement was long expected. And Pryce's announcement, made yesterday in Columbus, is somewhat of a surprise given how aggressively she had been assembling a campaign operation. Her departure reflects the fact that her central Ohio district had become one of the most competitive in the nation.

Taking the long view, these announcements are the latest in a series of shattering blows to a House Republican leadership team that, prior to 2006, ran the chamber with an iron fist and a view that they would never lose their majority. Of the top six GOP leaders from the last Congress, only Rep. Roy Blunt (Mo.) remains in a leadership position ... (Complete Post)

* John T. Doolittle (Calif.): A DeLay acolyte, Doolittle's future as GOP conference secretary was already murky once the majority leader gave up his leadership post. Doolittle battled his own Abramoff allegations throughout 2006, barely defeating the underfunded Democrat Charlie Brown with less than 50% of the vote. Despite the near loss and Abramoff questions, Doolittle announced a bid for another leadership post after the '06 midterms -- a campaign he gave up in less than a day. Now a back bencher, Doolittle's home was raided by the FBI in April [Friday the 13th] as part of the Abramoff investigation. California Republicans are openly talking about ousting him in a 2008 primary.

The ties that bind Rep. Candice Miller to Mike & Marian Ilitch and their associated casino syndicator Michael Malik

In May, Rep, Candice Miller (R-MI 10th) joined with Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI 1st) to co-author Stupak’s bill, H.R. 2176, to provide for and approve the settlement of certain land claims of the Bay Mills Indian Community. Michael Malik and members of Detroit’s Ilitch Family (Little Caesars Pizza, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, MotorCity Casino, Fox Theater, etc.) have been backing various plans for a Bay Mills off-reservation casino for more than 15 years.

On June 28th & 30th, members of Detroit’s Ilitch Family and their associate Michael Malik contributed another $13,800 to the political committee of Rep. Candice Miller. Through Miller’s 2006 re-election campaign they had personally contributed more than $75,000 to Miller’s political committees and helped raised thousands more from their friends, business colleagues, vendors and suppliers.

That brings the total of their personal contributions for Rep. Miller to more than $88,000.00 since 2003 -- when Miller introduced her first bill in Congress to approve their Port Huron Casino scheme.

The Ilitches and Malik became major benefactors of Rep. Miller only after she introduced the bill to push their Casino scheme; they’d not backed her longtime political career previously.

On August 27th when their Detroit Tigers play the New York Yankees, the Ilitches and Malik will host a fundraiser for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign. Rep. Miller is the Chairman of Giuliani’s Michigan presidential campaign. Marian Ilitch and Malik have been bankrolling plans by a New York tribe to build casino on Long Island in the posh Hamptons resort area – plans that face tough opposition and cans use additional influential friends in New York. And recently the Shinnecock tribe has tried to get New York Governor Elliot Spitzer to cut them into lucrative video gaming operations under consideration for some of the state’s racetracks.

Neither the Ilitches nor Malik live nor have their primary offices in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District; but the Port Huron casino and Malik’s proposed $170 million, 380-acre Harsens Island housing development and man-made lagoon are in Rep. Miller’s 10th District.

Early in the 2006 election cycle, President Bush asked Rep. Miller to consider running against Michigan’s Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow who was considered by most people to be extremely vulnerable. The Ilitches, Malik and their spokesman/political operative Tom Shields certainly must have influenced Miller’s decision to reject the President’s suggestion:

• The Ilitches and Malik contributed more than $115,000 to Sen. Stabenow’s re-election efforts;
• The Ilitches and Malik contributed more than $75,000 to Rep. Miller’s committees;
• The Ilitches and Malik raised thousands more for both Sen. Stabenow and Rep. Miller;
• Tom Shields was loaned out for the first time to serve as a senior strategist/campaign consultant to Rep. Miller’s re-election campaign.

Washington Post blogger Chris Cilliza runs down the 'Endorsement Elite' among Michigan's GOP

from a post 7.10.07 by Chris Cillizza at the washingtonpost.com's Politics Blog "The Fix:"

About This Blog | Meet Chris Cillizza

Endorsement Elite: Michigan Republicans
It's a testament to the uncertainties still present in the Fast Track Campaign there are at least three potential dates still in discussion for Michigan's Republican presidential primary.

Currently, no primary date is set. Two bills are sitting in the state legislature -- one that would set the primary on Feb. 5 -- the new Super Tuesday --and the other that would hold it on Jan. 29, the same day that Florida and South Carolina are scheduled to vote. Still others in MIchigan want to move the primary up even earlier in an attempt to trump New Hampshire with whom Michiganders have long feuded about the nominating calendar.

Whenever the vote happens, it will be an important test for the Republican field. Despite its population losses over the past few decades, Michigan remains a large state in the politically crucial middle of America. And, it is also a state where two of the better-known Republicans in the race have political bases. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won the state over President George W. Bush in 2000 and former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.) was born in Michigan and his father, George, served as the state's governor.

Regardless of the exact date, it's a near-certainty that Michigan will again be central to the fight for the Republican nomination. With that in mind, we offer The Fix's Endorsement Elite -- the five individuals seen as most influential within the state's GOP. (For past Endorsement Elites, click here.) ...

Candice Miller. Miller is regarded as perhaps the most politically savvy of the Michigan Republican delegation (with the possible exception of Rep. Mike Rogers) and has her eye on a statewide race down the line. Miller represents roughly two-thirds of Macomb County, a fast growing population center in the state and has a reputation as a political brawler -- a necessity in a tough nomination fight. COMMITTED TO GIULIANI

GOP appropriations replacement under fire

posted at www.radaronline.com

D.C. CONFIDENTIAL

Former Hooker Sidekick To Control Federal Purse Strings

APPROPRIATE APPROPRIATOR? Calvert

It's good times for Republicans who love cheap hookers and shady land deals. Congressional Republicans are promoting ethically challenged fatcat politician Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) to the powerful committee that controls federal spending!

The highly coveted Appropriations Committee seat opened up last month when fellow Californian Rep. John Doolittle stepped down after the FBI raided his home in an attempt to learn more about his relationship with corrupt super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Calvert's involvement in several land dealsin his home state has raised the ire of a grand jury—and sane Republicans. Also raising eyebrows: a 2004 trip to Saudi Arabia Calvert took with disgraced ex-Rep. Duke Cunningham, a different convicted felon wrapped up in the Cunningham's bribery scandal, and a Saudi-American real estate developer whose father reportedly had close ties to Osama Bin Laden. Questions about Calvert's judgment first arose in 1993, though, following a run-in with police during which he tried to explain he was "just talkingwith a methadone-addled prostitute in the passenger seat of his car while covering his unzipped fly with his hands.

More sane Republicans are not so psyched about this impending new era of leadership. Conservative blog RedState has posted an "open declaration of war" on Republican leaders for their decision to elevate Calvert. For his part, Calvert's denied any wrongdoing, but RedState has concluded that House Republicans won't ditch their old business-as-usual ways without a muscular display of grassroots displeasure and is encouraging bloggers turn up the heat on the Republicans who supported Calvert's promotion: "We must scalp one member. That member's name is Ken Calvert."

YouTube: DCCC hammers GOP suspects with "Law & Disorder" TV spot

If you found humor in our previously uncovered post "Bad boys, bad boys" -- a take off on the FOX TV show "Cops" -- take a look at the latest out of the DCCC Rapid Response Team, it's a rip-off of NBC's hit show "Law & Order."

Law & Disorder

Detroit-based Barwest LLC fined $6,500 for violating CA Political Reform Act

Barwest LLC, an affiliate controlled by Detroiters Marian Ilitch and Michael J. Malik, Sr., was fined $6,500 by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) in late 2006.

Barwest LLC made a curious last minute $26,600 contribution to Rep. Richard Pombo's San Joaquin County GOP Committee in late October 2004. Under California’s Political Reform Act, Barwest LLC was required to file a “late contribution report” within 24 hours of making the 11th hour contribution. Further by making a campaign contribution of $10,000 or more in the 2004 calendar year, Barwest qualified as a "major donor" committee. Barwest LLC failed to file a semi-annual “Major Donor” report as of January 31, 2005 and failed again to file a semi-annual report on July 31, 2005.

Only after being confronted by FPPC officials did Michael J. Malik, Sr. file a major donor report on August 31, 2005 – seven months late.

The FPPC charged Barwest LLC with two counts of violating California’s Political Reform Act and on October 24, 2006 (nearly two years later) Michael Malik on behalf of Barwest LLC was fined $6,500 for failing to report the $26,600 contribution.

Major Donor Reporting Violations

In the Matter of Barwest, LLC, FPPC No. 05/548. Staff: Chief of Enforcement Bill Williams and Political Reform Consultant Wayne Imberi. Respondent Barwest, LLC qualified as a major donor committee in the second six months of 2004. Respondent failed to file to timely disclose a late contribution in a late contribution report, in violation of section 84203, subdivision (a) of the Government Code (1 count); and failed to timely file a semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of section 84200, subdivision (b) of the Government Code (1 count). $6,500 fine.

The FPPC indicates, “Respondent Barwest LLC is a developer based in Detroit, Michigan, which is involved in the financing of an Indian gaming casino in Barstow, California.”

Barwest LLC had not previously made any contributions in California nor has it made any substantial contributions since. This was a unique and uniquely large amount by the Barwest principals’ standards.

Curious is that Congressman Richard Pombo hails from San Joaquin County. The GOP Committee there reports receiving three checks for $26,600 on October 25, 2004: Barwest LLC, Pombo’s RICH PAC (a committee that Barwest principals funded as well); and Jeff Denham for Senate (a committee Barwest principal Michael J. Malik, Sr. funded subsequently).

At the time Barwest made the contribution, Rep. Richard Pombo was chair of the House of Representatives’ Resources Committee which oversees Indian gaming matters. RICH PAC’s treasurer Barbara Bonfiglio had signed Malik (MJM Enterprises & Development) to a lobbying contract with her firm (Williams & Jensen). Barwest principals and their various affiliates and partners had various matters passing through the House resources committee.

Jeff Denham is currently vice chair of the California Senate’s Governmental Organization Committee and was on the committee in 2004 when Barwest made the contribution to the San Joaquin County GOP Committee. That committee traditionally takes up matters of Indian gaming compacts for review in the state Senate.

You may also want to review these posts:

• A Case of Abramoff-Lite: Pombo was doing favors for his Motor City Casino friends
• Team Ilitch has track record of poor compliance with lobbying and political disclosures
• Where there's smoke, there's fire: Attorney attempts to clean up FPPC mess created...
• Political cash for those who author SB 157 - the Barstow Casinos bill
• More Lobbying Irregularities related to Barstow Casino raisingmquestion...

Michigan’s Political Ménage à Trois

What do casino maven Marian Ilitch and Michigan Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-10^th) have in common?

The two powerful Michigan women share the same guy (political guru). (He’s attempted to deny the connection and says the only thing they have in common is their blonde hair color).

Tom Shields, GOP political/PR/advertising guy and the founder of Lansing, Michigan based Marketing Resource Group is:

• spokesman for Ilitch Holdings, Inc. and its various affiliates as well as for various casino syndications backed by Marian Ilitch in NY, MI & CA; and

• senior political and advertising consultant in the last two of three congressional campaigns for Rep. Candice Miller.

Shields & Illitch

Shields has worked with Marian Ilitch and her family for more than a decade, dating back to the 1996 statewide ballot measure that narrowly approved three commercial casinos in Detroit (GreekTown, MotorCity Casino and MGM Grand Detroit). Originally backed by money from Circus Circus (Mandalay Resort Group); now, it is said, Marian is the sole owner of MotorCity Casino. And her family owns, Little Caesars Pizza, Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings.

Shields & Miller

Shields wasn’t part of the team that got Candice Miller originally elected to Congress, but after she introduced a bill to get an Ilitch backed casino approved by Act of Congress, Shields replaced Miller’s primary political advertising consultant, at a fraction of their costs (19%), in Rep. Miller’s subsequent re-election campaigns.

Shields & Ilitch & Miller

The Ilitch Family didn’t back Rep. Miller’s first congressional campaign but after she introduced their casino bill they were gungho for Miller. A month after Miller introduced the casino bill (two months into her first congressional term), the Ilitch Family publicly joined the Miller bandwagon and put together one of the biggest fundraising days of Rep. Miller’s first two years in Congress (Shields hopped aboard and wrote a $1,000 check that day too). Since Rep. Miller introduced their casino bill, Marian Ilitch (her partner Michael J. Malik, Sr.) and her family have contributed $75,000 to Rep. Miller’s political committees.

TOM SHIELDS Marketing Resource Group, Inc. Lansing, Michigan

CASINO & ILITCH AFFILIATED CLIENT LIST

Atwater Casino Group

Atwater Entertainment Group

BarWest Gaming, L.L.C.

Bay Mills Indian Community

Big Lagoon Rancheria

re-elect Candice Miller for Congress

Circus Circus Michigan

Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Tigers

Four Winds Casino

Gateway Casino Resorts, L.L.C.

Hawaii Entertainment L.L.C.

Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

Little River Band of Ottawa Indians

Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians

MotorCity Casino

Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

Port Huron/Thomas Edison Inn Casino

(1996) Proposal E – allow 3 Casinos in Detroit

(2004) Proposal 1 – Prohibit future gaming expansion in MI

Renegade Charters L.L.C.

Shinnecock Indian Nation

partial list

More:

Tom Shields

Marian Ilitch

Candice Miller

Veteran Lansing-based GOP political consultant slams "The Verifiable Truth"

Lansing-based GOP political consultant slams ”The Verifiable Truth;” a blog that chronicles the activities and interests of Detroit-based casino syndicators exploiting circumstances and individuals in order to expand their empire outside the MotorCity.

Tom Shields, president of award-winning Marketing Resource Group, a Lansing GOP political/marketing agency, was compelled to confess he’s been franticly lurking around The Verifiable Truth and left this revealing backhanded endorsement (we do appreciate it) of what he most certainly recognizes as an effective, source backed, honest, internet Blog that tells the other half of the story he conveniently excludes:

uncensored

Marketing Resource Group, Inc Lansing, Michigan From the desk of Tom Shields The lies, misinformation and misrepresentations on this blog are too numerous to mention and don't deserve the time it would take [to] respond. Someone has obviously spent a lot of time and money in an attempt to malign the character of the people being attacked here. It's no wonder the author is anonymous. If you want the truth and the facts about the Barstow Casino resort project, the Shinnecock Tribe or the Port Huron Casino Resort proposal...you won't find them here. Go to barstowcasinosandresorts.com or contact me at toms@mrgmi.com. We won't hide behind some anonymous blog. Tom Shields

Tom, you’ve got it all figured out. You’re so smart. You're right, you (and Mr. Malik) can't hide any longer -- the world today is much too exposed and transparent. But you're a bonafide 21^st Century Communications Maestro and you know that already. …Now, about that static Website of yours with the outdated content and mostly broken links…

Typically Shields and company are able to make use of bullying, threats, intimidation and the Ilitch family’s bankroll and cache to “win friends and influence people.” But not here. Not anymore. The editors of TVT have come together with one common goal ... the desire to make sure the whole story is out there for people to consider.

It’s amusing that Shields would have us believe he is The Beacon of fact and truth dismissing the following representative sources and resources for verifying truth.

• Federal Election Commission

• Secretary of the U.S. Senate

• Clerk of the House

• The Library of Congress

• The Congressional Record

• Bureau of Indian Affairs

• Department of Interior

• National Indian Gaming Commission

• Securities and Exchange Commission

• Standard & Poor’s

• Moody’s

• Various state and local agencies responsible for elections, lobbying, corporate registration, natural resource protection, Native American Affairs, licensing and real estate

• Video footage and transcripts of public hearings

• Minutes of City Council meetings, Tribal Council Meetings and Gaming Commissions

• Marketing Resources Group’s static Web site and its reliable content

• Archives of local, regional and nationally respected media outlets from the New York Times to the Detroit News, Detroit Free Press and Crain’s Detroit Business; Newsday, Forbes and the San Diego Union Tribune; PRNewswire and the Bay Mills News

• Google Earth

• Mapquest

• Citizens for Responsive Politics

• Opensecrets.org

• SourceWatch

• PoliticalMoneyline for Congressional Quarterly

• Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)

• Center for Public Integrity

• And scores of TVT’s readers and sources from coast to coast who’ve forwarded documents, links, pictures and detailed information we’ve included in our posts

Tom Shields, Michigan’s conservative GOP political ad man who’s worked

• for school vouchers,

• against teachers’ unions,

• for privatization of K-12 education

• for mineral and mining interests

• against environmental protection

• for packagers and packaging manufacturers

• for aluminum smelters, and petroleum pipeline companies

• exploiting Native American interests

• but mostly as gatekeeper for Detroit’s powerful casino maven Marian Ilitch and her “bull dog” business partner & 21^st Century political “bag-man” Michael J. Malik, Sr.

Marketing Resource Group, Inc is described as:

“a full service communications firm, providing public relations, political consulting, marketing, advertising and crisis management. Our mission is to provide our clients with clear, effective communication that motivates consumers and influences public policy.”

"Michigan’s premier Republican full-service political-consulting firm. For over 20 years, hundreds of candidates for state and federal offices have trusted MRG …“

“MRG’s political consultants have managed the advertising campaigns of:

• Governor John Engler,
• Secretary of State turned Member of Congress Candice Miller
• Republican majorities in both the Michigan House and Senate.
• MRG has also managed the non-partisan campaigns of Michigan Supreme Court Justices Stephen Markman, Cliff Taylor, and Bob Young.

Note the trio of Engler, Shields and Candice Miller … Is it all coming together now? Did someone say political flip-flop and unprecedented effort to relocate yet a third casino for the Bay Mills Indian Community 350 miles away to Port Huron in Michigan’s 10^th Congressional District represented by Member of Congress and aspiring U.S. Senate candidate Candice Miller.

Rep. Candice Miller set to chair Giuliani's Michigan presidential campaign

excerpted from a post at Candice-Miller.com:

NEWS ROOM

---

2.09.07

Giuliani taps Miller to run campaign in Michigan - She says former New York mayor an easy sell in Macomb

By Chad Selweski
Macomb Daily Staff Writer

U.S. Rep. Candice Miller announced Thursday that she will serve as chair of the Michigan presidential campaign of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. The backing from Miller, a Harrison Township Republican, energized the Giuliani campaign because the former Michigan secretary of state is viewed as an influential political player in a major state, and from a key county. In making her endorsement, Miller reminded national political reporters that she’s from the "home of the Reagan Democrats."

"Macomb County is considered to be the bellwether county in a battleground state," she said during a conference call with the media. "And I think Rudy Giuliani will do extremely well in my county of Macomb. I think he’ll do well in my state." ...

Among the nine Republican members of the Michigan congressional delegation, Miller is the first to throw her support to Giuliani.

Reps. Joe Knollenberg of Bloomfield Hills, Dave Camp of Midland and Peter Hoekstra of Holland endorsed former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Rep. Fred Upton of St. Joseph supports Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Miller served as state co-chair of the George W. Bush campaign in 2000 and again during the president’s re-election effort in 2004. Both of those were losing efforts. Michigan remains a swing state because of its close elections, but the Democratic nominee has carried the state in the past four presidential votes.


You may want to review these additional posts:

• Washington Post blogger Chris Cilliza runs down the 'Endorsement Elite' among Michigan's GOP
• Detroiters bankrolling Shinnecock Indians' Long Island casino scheme, hosting fundraiser for former NY Mayor Giuliani
• The ties that bind Rep. Candice Miller to Mike & Marian Ilitch and their associated casino syndicator Michael Malik
• Rep. Candice Miller introduced HR 813 on February 13, 2003 to approve settlement of unsubstantiated land claims and a casino for Port Huron
• Bay Mills Indian Casino backers behind first fundraiser for Rep. Candice Miller
• GOP Congresswoman received at least $74,000 in bundled funds from Ilitch Family sources after introducing bill for syndicator-backed Indian casino
• "Candice Miller for Congress" failed to provide appropriate donor records for near-anonymous casino related contributions
• Michigan’s Political Ménage à Trois
• PR firm for Ilitch Holdings & Casinos loaned to Rep. Candice Miller’s re-election campaigns
• UPDATED: Donor's alleged mistress also gave $10,000 to two of his favorite candidates -- Rep. Candice Miller & Sen. Debbie Stabenow
• Ilitch administrative aide gives $5000 to Rep. Candice Miller

Irregularities in Lobbying Disclosures for Barstow Casinos bankrolled by Ilitch Detroit-based Syndicate

“Intermediaries” are bankrolling lobbying and political contributions for two Indian casinos in Barstow, Calif. but failing to disclose the truth about who’s really behind the unorthodox proposals for two off-reservation casinos. Attempts to hide behind their adopted tribal partners have likely contributed to major discrepancies in a series of lobbying disclosure reports required to be filed with the California Secretary of State.

Records available from the California Secretary of State at (cal-access) document that The Big Lagoon Rancheria tribe has reported paying $99,000 to Sacramento GOP politico turned lobbyist Keith Olberg (Capitol Ventures, Roseville) through September 2006.

Lobbying disclosure documents filed by Olberg with the California Secretary of State, under penalty of perjury, only report he received $62,036 from The Big Lagoon Rancheria.

Olberg also reported receiving $62,036 from Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla & Cupeno Indians, but in disclosure reports filed for the Los Coyotes tribe there is never a reference to Olberg or payments to Olberg’s firm. Further, there are no official documents to indicate Los Coyotes tribe has ever authorized Olberg’s activity.

The Los Coyotes tribe has reported it is represented by Governmental Advocates, and that firm was paid $102,012 to represent the Los Coyotes tribe. Although not disclosed by Los Coyotes, documents filed by Governmental Advocates suggest in a footnote that the Los Coyotes bills are being paid by a benefactor:

“**FEES RECEIVED THROUGH INTERMEDIARY BAR WEST,INC.”

Governmental Advocates also represents the Big Lagoon Rancheria. There are no apparent discrepancies between reports filed by the Big Lagoon Rancheria and Governmental Advocates but those reports do indicate the same benefactor footing the Los Coyotes tribe’s bills is paying the bills for the Big Lagoon tribe. The Big Lagoon tribe has never disclosed a third party may be paying its bills.

A third California lobbying firm headed by Nick Medeiros is acknowledged as representing the interests of the Big Lagoon Rancheria since August 2005 but reports filed by Medeiros and the tribe do not indicate he has ever been paid for its services.

The apparent attempts to conceal payments for lobbying and political activity seem contrary to the intent of California’s political reforms. This activity suggests there is something worth hiding.

Driving the tribes’ quest to relocate casinos to Barstow is a Michigan casino syndicate headed by gambling maven Marian Ilitch owner of Detroit’s MotorCity Casino. She and her husband Mike Ilitch are co-founders of Little Caesar’s Pizza and owners of the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. Ilitch controls at least 110 acres in Barstow and after approaching the City about a possible casino in 2001-2002, Ilitch and her partner Michael J. Malik, Sr. were introduced to leaders of the Los Coyotes tribe. After failing to get a stand alone casino approved by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2004, the Ilitch syndicate was introduced to the family that makes up the Big Lagoon Rancheria.

In September 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed agreements with both tribes that could allow them to open casinos in Barstow, Calif., since then the tribe’s and their lobbyist have failed to develop support for their plans in the state legislature. Last summer a state Assembly committee rejected the agreements. The agreements must be ratified by both California’s Assembly and Senate in order for them to be valid. Absent concurrence in the state legislature, the agreements are set to expire in 2007.

Ilitch tapped Olberg to head her casino syndicate’s lobbying effort in Sacramento during 2006. Ilitch’s team racked up more than $400,000 in fees to Sacramento Lobbyists in 2006 trying to build support among lawmakers. Since 2002, Ilitch, her partners and affiliates have paid Capitol Hill Lobbyists almost $3 million for similar support.

Olberg is a former GOP Assemblyman and candidate for Secretary of State and Congress. He is also president of the 527-political organization, Economic Freedom Fund; a group TPM Muckraker referred to as a “GOP Attack Group.” Olberg’s wife, Delette Olberg, was employed as Governor Schwarzenegger’s director of scheduling during 2006.


You may want to review these additional posts:

• Where there's smoke, there's fire: Attorney attempts to clean up FPPC mess created when he failed to report $63,805 arrangement with lobbyist
• It appears the Big Lagoon Rancheria failed to file lobbying disclosures for 2nd Quarter 2007
• Lobbyist failed to report $66,677 from Big Lagoon Rancheria
• By Bankrolling lobbying expenses behind the scenes, Casino Syndicators were free to flow political cash
• Detroit-based Barwest LLC has paid more than $613,439 for casino lobbying support in Sacramento the last 18 months
• Amended lobbying registration suggests contracts with California tribes are being managed in Detroit, Michigan
• More Lobbying Irregularities related to Barstow Casino raising question about who's paying the bills and why they are hiding
• Ilitch Casino Lobbyist Keith Olberg is also president of a GOP attack committee funded by "swift-boat" founders
• Lobbyist indicates Senator Wiggins would sponsor Ilitch Family's Barstow casinos legislation
• SF Chronicle editors warned Willie Brown commands a high price and leaves little paper trail
• What was Willie Brown's role with Barwest's original Barstow casino proposal?
• Wife of Lobbyist returns to position in Governor's Office

Richard Pombo's former patrons might shed light on his future

RICH Political Action Committee is Rep. Richard Pombo's "leadership committee." As described by Recordnet.com in March 9, 2006 story:

it is "a kind of extra campaign committee that many lawmakers maintain. Pombo calls his Rich PAC. The money raised for these accounts can be used for nearly any purpose other than to directly get the law-maker re-elected."

Generally reporters and others look at PAC contributions but using g data available from the Federal Election Commission and additional analysis available from PoliticalMoneyLine for Congressional Quarterly (2004 & 2006 ), The Center for Responsive Politics, this analysis looked at individual contributions to RICH Political Action Committee for the 2004 & 2006 election cycles, covering the period of time Rep. Pombo served as chairman of the House Resources Committee.

RICH Political Action Committee

Individual Contributions Cumulative '04 & '06

(couples combined)

Contributors	Total
1. Bridges, Lowell & Kimberly (WA)	$15,800
2. Barnett, John (WA)	$10,000
3. Weinberg, Joseph & Debra (MD)	$10,000
4. Barnett, David & Kristine (WA)	$9,000
5. Malik, Michael (MI)	$9,000
6. Dacey, Scott (VA)	$8,000
7. Furman II, Harold (DC)	$8,000
8. Mattoon, Jane (VA)	$7,000
9. Ilitch, Mike & Marian (MI)	$6,000
10. Abramoff, Jack (DC)	$5,000

The following sources were among those accessed during October 2006 in preparing this report: U.S. Federal Elections Commission; PoliticaMoneyLine by Congressional Quarterly; Center for Responsive Politics; CampaignMoney.com.

click for: RICH PAC's top 100 individual donors 2004 + 2006

You may also want to review these posts:

• Progressive 11th (C.D.-CA): Pombo in Talks to Become a Lobbyist?
• Hank Shaw @ Recordnet.com: Pombo Emerges
• David Roberts @ Gristmill: Pombo goes through the revolving door