Did Democrat Candidate For Congress Draw A Salary From War Kids Relief?
No big surprize, but the Buffalo News did a much better job reporting on Democratic candidate for Congress Jon Powers’ violation FEC guidelines than the Democrat and Chronicle — maybe they are less committed to affirmative action than the D&C and hire the best reporters.
According to the Buffalo News:
Powers’ spokesman made the announcement after reporters asked about Powers’ campaign statements showing the rental payments.
“The campaign may not pay for mortgage, rent or utilities for the personal residence of the candidate or the candidate’s family even if part of the residence is being used by the campaign,” according to the Federal Election Commission’s campaign guide for Congressional candidates.
Powers campaign treasurer Ann Marie Glaser received a letter from the commission on March 13, saying that more detail was needed for the expenses that Power listed on his election forms.
(snip)
Gerken denied that Powers, who was a substitute teacher but is now a full-time candidate, is using campaign funds to pay for his personal expenses. That also would violate election law.
“He has savings and he’s going into debt,” Gerken said when asked how Powers is supporting himself.
But he also said the Powers campaign will show if someone who is not independently wealthy can be elected to Congress.
“This campaign is going to be a case study on whether or not Mr. Smith can still get to Washington,” Gerken said.
He said the payment will show up in Powers’ June election report.
Gerken said Powers is traveling today and unavailable for comment.
Three things jump out at me. First, in Mr. Smith goes to Washington, I’m pretty sure Mr. Smith had a job and didn’t try to get others to pay his mortgage.
Second, Powers was traveling and unavailable for comment — I’d like to know where he was and why his cell phone (probably paid for by his campaign) didn’t work there.
And finally, did he ever draw a salary from that charity he set up — War Kids Relief. If he thinks his campaign account can be used to pay his mortgage — why not dip into the “charity” for personal expenses? If he was a substitute teacher, what kind of savings is he living off of? I don’t think the Army pays enough to accumulate savings so you can be a full time candidate for congress for over a year. Take a look at our previous post on his “charity”.
One final thing. Take a look at Rochesterturning.com’s post on this. Would it be the same if Randy Kuhl did something like this? They are outrageous.
Come on Jon! Come clean on this “charity” and explain your role in it and why it doesn’t appear to be in existence anymore. It’s starting to look like this was nothing more than a ploy to show your compassion when you decided to try and be a full time politician
5 Responses to “Did Democrat Candidate For Congress Draw A Salary From War Kids Relief?”
Discussion Area - Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Come on be serious! How could he draw any money from his charity. It doesnt exist!
Ok here is the deal if someone can please tell me where to send the check, I will donate $50. Be careful though Jon Powers. If you cash that check and its a fraud, I will have the legal right to pursue where the funds went. This is exactly how John Loftus a former federal prosecuter started the ball rolling against eventual convicted terrorist Sami Al-Arian http://www.john-loftus.com/complaint.asp
Al Arian is now in jail for running a fradulent charity. The organization supposedly helped Palestinain school children. The federal government did not see it as an oversight. Even though many left wing blogs tried to say it was.
Equalizer,
Thanks for keeping on this story. If we had to depend on the D&C we would never hear a thing. I myself have noticed that the buffalo media is carrying all the water. Someone should forward these posts to the local rabbit cage liner.
psst,
Follow the money
;|
The D&C missed the point that Powers can return the money, just as a shoplifter can return the scarf, but neither act of contrition reverses the crime. He will be sanctioned by the FEC. By the way, War Kids Relief is not registered with the state, or at least I could not find it. Still tax-deductable? Hmmm.
Maybe Jon Powers used up all the money donated to this organization to pay for the mortgage on his house?
When it dried up, that’s when he started dipping into his camapign account.
Slick. Greedy and illegal… but slick.