The circular firing squad is back in full swing, and, as usual, it may have some unusual consequences. In one of the most convoluted stories in some time, the allegedly conservative Campaign Integrity Watchdog is harassing Republican state Senate candidate Bob Gardner for a fine that a client he represented owes to the state in the form of an ethics charge. Here’s what Gardner told the Colorado Springs Gazette about Campaign Integrity Watchdog’s accusations:
Gardner, a Colorado Springs attorney, said the Alliance for a Safe and Independent Woodmen Hills was his client. Attorneys don’t pay the fees courts assess their clients, he said….
“I’m not liable for any fine,” Gardner said. “Anyone who says otherwise and knows better is simply lying, and I would suggest to you that many people who have made that statement know better.”
And, the question is whether they do know better. If they do, Campaign Integrity Watchdog and its founder and beneficiary Matt Arnold are working to elect national embarrassment Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt to the state Senate. See, Gardner is running in a primary against Klingenschmitt in Colorado Springs. Whether Arnold and his “legal expertise” are trying to help Klingenschmitt or just hurt Gardner out of spite remains to be seen. And, we’re not suggesting that it’s okay for folks violate campaign finance laws, but it’s clear that Gardner is simply the lawyer for the organization in question, not its operator.
Further, despite Campaign Integrity Watchdog’s claim that it is conservative, it appears to only harass conservative or right-leaning people and organizations. Colorado already has an organization that does that – Colorado Ethics Watch. It’s funded by some very wealthy Democrats. Perhaps Campaign Integrity Watchdog should focus its energy on busting Democrats for their transgressions, instead of needlessly harassing Republicans.
Speaking of lying:
the anonymous cowards at Colorado Peak Politics sling accusations of "harassment" (note that false accusations of criminal activity – and "harassment" is a crime – could qualify as criminal activity as well) without basis in fact.
Further, CPP's accusation that CIW "appears to only harass conservative or right-leaning people and organizations" is blatantly incorrect.
In contrast to the grossly misnamed "Colorado Ethics Watch" (or CEW), which is highly partisan and "funded by some very wealthy Democrats" Campaign Integrity Watchdog holds campaign crooks of ALL political affiliations accountable to the law.
In fact, of the cases prosecuted by Campaign Integrity Watchdog, the partisan breakdown is extraordinarily balanced:
9 cases filed against "Republican" candidates or groups (many attacking fellow R's)
13 cases filed against individual donors (failure to file reports as required by law)
9 cases filed against unaffiliated or "independent" groups
15 cases filed against "Democrat" candidates or groups
Perhaps Colorado Peak Politics can crawl out from under the rock and speak truth.
😉
Speaking of lying…
Bob Gardner is lying when he implies that Campaign Integrity Watchdog has stated that Gardner is personally liable for any fine; CIW has made no such allegation.
However, Gardner's paramour and partner-in-crime Sarah Brittain Jack IS liable for the fines and penalties, due to the fact (based on Bob Gardner's advice, per HER testimony) that the ASIWH political committee illegally commingled funds with her PERSONAL bank account – violating not only Colorado state campaign finance law, but also (since the 'ASIWH' organization is also filed as a 501c4) federal tax law.
BOTH Gardner and Jack are currently under investigation by the IRS for tax fraud.