"Put Braddock First" Funny Money

I got a copy of a couple of fliers from both Janet Oleszek and Megan McLaughlin's campaigns in the last few days and something interesting was pointed out to me . . . there was none of the usual "authorized by . . . " line at the bottom and it got me asking some questions.  It was apparently paid for by something called "Put Braddock First" then through the candidates committees.  I got no luck in either Google searching or VPAP searching "Put Braddock First."  It's weird because most of the time, its just routine to denote your own committee so the folks can see where your money comes from.  So I've done more digging and asking around and this is what I think I've been able to put together. 

In short, this Put Braddock First is basically a front for state Sen. Chap Petersen to funnel his campaign money and donations into Oleszek and McLaughlin without having to report it immediately.  This committee has apparently been bankrolling both O and M's entire campaign from literature to booths to day-to-day operations.  So what is the point of all this?  First off, methinks there is a lot of donors out there who would gladly support Sen. Petersen but want nothing to do with nutcases like Oleszek and McLaughlin.  Oleszek especially has such a bad reputation, even with Democrats, that backing openly a sinking ship is not something they want to do.  But giving money to Chap and letting him do what he wants - basically laundering their money to hide the fact that they are giving to a loser like Oleszek but still get their money to her campaign committee.  Wow. 

Now compare that with John Cook and Nell Hurley, we have a couple of candidates who have filed regular and on time reports with the state board of elections.  Transparency, which is something that I hear Sen. Petersen talk about a lot, is clearly something his candidates aren't willing to play by.   I mean, I can understand why this is being done since core Democratic constituencies in Fairfax like labor and environmentalists are flirting with supporting Supervisor Cook, and then attacked by her blogger/campaign manager.

This leads me to these questions:

1. Donors to Oleszek's campaign don't want to be associated with Janet Oleszek
2. Oleszek needs to hide sources of her money from public scrutiny
3. What else might Janet Oleszek and Megan McLaughlin have to hide?  Why not just use their candidate committees?
4. If Chap is paying for Oleszek and McLaughlin's entire campaigns, who will they answer to if elected?  The public deserves to know.

And while I am a blogger and a partisan and all that jazz - I am also now a resident of Braddock District and I think that perhaps other voters in this district might be interested as well.

Comments

[Loudoun Insider]

Good post - sounds pretty skanky.

[Whitney Wilson]

Chris,

How do you know that Senator Petersen is funding Put Braddock First? All you said in the post was that: "So I've done more digging and asking around and this is what I think I've been able to put together. " What did you find that supports your theory?

[Chris]

Oh its all hearsay, but the intel I've heard is that Chap Petersen is funding these candidates or finding ways to get money as to Janet without people having to admit they have.

So if I'm wrong, it can be easily proven . . . Put Braddock First should open up just like everyone else has too.

[Whitney Wilson]

I think Chap has been pretty upfront regarding his support for Janet Oleszek and Megan McLaughlin. I'm not sure I see the nefarious insinuations you are making about Chap in this post. Even if he is heavily involved in fundraising for their campaigns, so what?

[Ha Ha]

From what I hear, Chap! is actually using a front group to funnel money to Janet Oleszek so she, in turn, can pay Ben Tribbett.

[Chris]

Its not about Chap, its about the donors who don't want to be associated with Janet.

And its also about the issue of transparency - Democrats and liberals routinely throw this in Republicans faces. Why can't Janet Oleszek and Megan McLaughlin simply raise money through their committees where they have to file regular public reports open to the folks.

What are they hiding? Cook and Hurley submit their reports like everyone else . . . why does Janet Oleszek and Megan McLaughlin think they are above those rules?

[Not Larry Sabato]

None of this is accurate, especially the comment about me being paid by this committee.

Chris, there are a few trigger points for PAC's or joint committees in VA to file reports, and as soon as Put Braddock First hits those triggers, you will see them on VPAP within the time allowed for a committee to file.

Also, many others you haven't named (including Sharon Bulova) are part of Put Braddock First.

[Not Ben Tribbett]

Let's see if we can connect the dots here. Not Larry Sabato is the blog of Benjamin Tribbett. Ben Tribbett is the treasurer of Put Braddock First and campaign chair for Janet Oleszyk. Put Braddock First was registered with the Virginia State Board of Elections on 9/22/11, coincidentally shortly after this blog post was written. Their registered address is 1121 Arlington Blvd #839, Arlington, VA, and their phone is 571-312-7426. Google that address and phone and see where they lead. In my opinion, Put Braddock First is the sleazy side of their campaigns. For example, today they are making recorded phone calls "inviting" Democrats to a John Cook event while reminding them that if you support Ken Cuccinelli's vision then you must support John Cook.

[Moncler Jacket switzerland]

I thank thee that I am none of the wheels of power but I am one with the living creatures that are crushed by it.

[funny posts]

I am not sure but i think Chap has been pretty upfront regarding his support for Janet Oleszek and Megan McLaughlin.