Rep. Tom Emmer files complaints — a lot of them
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 3:12 pm
- 22 Comments
Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, was elected in 2004, and has spent a considerable amount of time over the last three years filing complaints against Democrats, none of which have amounted to much more than bad press.
The latest complaint, filed with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board against former House DFL Leader Matt Entenza and Conrad deFiebre, both of Minnesota 2020, on Jan. 4, came back after just one business day clearing Minnesota 2020 of wrongdoing, MNPublius reports. This complaint follows a half dozen other complaints targeting Democrats in the three years he has been in office. Not a single of Emmer’s complaints have resulted in punitive action.In October 2007, Emmer and Brod called on filed a complaint with the Legislative Auditor urging an investigation of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and alleging illegal use of public lists. The auditor concluded that Ritchie had done nothing wrong.
In May 2007, Emmer tried in vain to have the office of Attorney General Lori Swanson investigated for “improperly fired assistant attorneys general or violated AFSCME’s labor rights.” He filed numerous data practices requests and submitted motions in the House to have the office investigated. Despite those efforts and subsequent media attention, Swanson has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing and no investigation has been conducted.
In August 2006, Emmer, joined by Rep. Kurt Zellers, filed a complaint with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board against Rep. Denise Dittrich accusing her of having an undisclosed financial conflict of interest, and that she voted in such a way as to profit from her vote. After much media attention, the board concluded that Dittrich had done nothing wrong and dismissed the complaint.
In April 2006, Emmer filed a complaint with the state Board on Judicial Standards against members of the Minnesota Supreme Court for alleged conversations with then-Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson over whether the court would ever address the issue of same-sex marriage. The board found no wrongdoing by any member of the court, but the decision did prompt Johnson to apologize for lying about the conversations with Supreme Court justices.
Beyond filing numerous complaints against Democrats, Emmer earned the City Pages title of Best Gadfly in 2007 for the numerous strange and invasive bills he authored.
The complaints filed by Emmer inevitably end up on conservative attack blogs, notably Minnesota Democrats Exposed and the blog of Emmer’s uncle, Drew Emmer, and then are picked up by the media. Emmer has not filed a single complaint against anyone who is not affiliated with the DFL. Perhaps he could look into the campaign violations of Sen. Mike Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, or put some pressure on Rep. Mark Olson, R-Big Lake, to vacate his seat after being found guilty of domestic assault.
Or maybe he could resist using state regulatory agencies as part of his partisan attack strategy.
Correction: In October 2007, Emmer and Rep. Laura Brod filed a complaint with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board against Secretary of State Mark Ritchie alleging illegal use of public lists. That complaint was dismissed.
The complaint was filed by two Republicans, Mark Giga of the Taxpayers League and John Tomczak of Citizens in Charge.
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Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Source For Claims About Emmer Complaints Andy:
Do you have a source for this statement from your post:
“In October 2007, Emmer and Rep. Laura Brod filed a complaint with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board against Secretary of State Mark Ritchie alleging illegal use of public lists. That complaint was dismissed. Again in October, Emmer and Brod filed a complaint with the Legislative Auditor urging an investigation of Ritchie.”
Having followed this issue very closely, I am unaware that Representative Brod or Emmer filed any complaint with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board or with the Legislative Auditor’s office regarding Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
Thanks Michael! You are correct and the post has been updated to reflect that.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 4:55 pm
Source For Claims About Emmer Complaints #2 Andy:
Do you have a source for this statement from your post?
“In October 2007, Emmer and Brod filed a complaint with the Legislative Auditor urging an investigation of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and alleging illegal use of public lists.”
Having followed this issue very closely, I am unaware that Representative Brod or Emmer filed any with the Legislative Auditor’s office regarding Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
Source For Claims About Emmer Complaints #2 Andy:
Do you have a source for this statement from your post?
“In October 2007, Emmer and Brod filed a complaint with the Legislative Auditor urging an investigation of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and alleging illegal use of public lists.”
Having followed this issue very closely, I am unaware that Representative Brod or Emmer filed any complaintwith the Legislative Auditor’s office regarding Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.
(Please delete previous comment)
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
Complaint From Emmer and Brod’s press release which can be viewed here:
In response to Secretary of State Mark Ritchie admitting he took data from his elective office and provided it to his campaign, State Representatives Laura Brod and Tom Emmer renewed their call for a legislative investigation.
“Our concerns with the actions of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie have been elevated,” said Representative Tom Emmer. “Illegal use of public data is a violation of the state’s data privacy act. The improper use of this data by a state constitutional officer casts a shadow of doubt on not only Mark Ritchie but the entire Minnesota Secretary of State Office. A thorough investigation will shed light on the activities taking place and ensure the office is operated in a nonpartisan, transparent manner that complies with state law.”
Brod and Emmer made their first investigation request after allegations that Secretary of State Mark Ritchie or someone in his office used data from a nonpartisan public meeting for political fundraising. In response to a data information request submitted by Brod and Emmer, the Minnesota Secretary of State Office confirmed that no data information request was made. The Office also denied having any knowledge of how that information was entered into the Mark Ritchie campaign database.
“Public trust in safety and security of information related to oursystem of elections is crucial. Any breach or perceived breach of that trust is serious and warrants immediate response,” said Representative Laura Brod. “Now that the original allegations related to the transferof public data to the Secretary’s campaign have been confirmed by Secretary of State Mark Ritchie himself, the integrity of the Minnesota Secretary of State Office is no longer in question but at risk.”
Brod and Emmer said they will submit a second data information request to Secretary of State Mark Ritchie today and will renew their request for a legislative hearing with the House Government Operations Committee.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
Correction Still Needed Andy:
Contrary to your “reporting”, only one complaint was filed with the Legislative Audtior’s office regarding Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and that complaint was filed by Mark Giga and John Tomczak. Representative Brod and Emmer did not file a complaint.
The “source” you provided isn’t a source. It’s actually a link to my post were I wrote that Brod and Emmer renewed their call for the House Government Operations to investigate this matter. This isn’t the same thing as the legislative auditor.
You claimed:
“In October 2007, Emmer and Brod filed a complaint with the Legislative Auditor urging an investigation of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and alleging illegal use of public lists.”
Brod amd Emmer did not file a complaint with the Legislative Auditor’s office. Your post needs an additional correction.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 5:38 pm
Request, Complaint, Called on Either way, they were instrumental in the investigation which cleared Ritchie.
“Republican State Representatives Tom Emmer of Delano and Laura Brod of New Prague Wednesday called on the auditor Nobles to launch a separate investigation, into whether Ritchie violated the Data Practices Act by creating and mailing the civic engagement directory.” Source
“Brod and Emmer said they would submit a request to the Chairman of the House Government Operations Committee and the Auditor on Tuesday.” Source
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
You Wrote “Files”, Not Request, Complaint, or Called On Andy:
The point of your post was to highlight and complain about the complaints filed by Representative Emmer. The titled of your posted included the word “files.”
Brod amd Emmer did not “file” a complaint with the Legislative Auditor’s office.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
Thanks Michael Your feedback is appreciated, and I have changed the inaccurate wording you pointed out.
We can quibble on symantics (did he file a complaint? Did he file a request? Was he complaining about Ritchie in the request thereby making it a complaint? Did the auditor “file” anything away that Emmer sent to him “complaining” about Ritchie?) which is exactly what you are requesting I do (or is it complaining?).
Does Rep. Emmer have a record of coming down on political opponents, using government entities, which overwhelmingly result in no punitive action? Yes or no?
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
Wow. I’ve got a more appropriate title for this bit of “reporting” MiniMoni publishes factual errors — a lot of them.
Comment posted January 16, 2008 @ 12:50 am
Thanks Swiftee Your comment is noted. I admit my facts were incorrect. Out of an estimated 520 some posts I’ve written for this site, I got one wrong.
Feel free to gloat, I deserve it; but I also http://www.eleventh-avenue-south.com/archives/2007/10/on-gays-men-and.html“> know what your factual accuracy is.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 10:28 am
Source For Claims About Emmer Complaints Andy:
Do you have a source for this statement from your post:
“In October 2007, Emmer and Rep. Laura Brod filed a complaint with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board against Secretary of State Mark Ritchie alleging illegal use of public lists. That complaint was dismissed. Again in October, Emmer and Brod filed a complaint with the Legislative Auditor urging an investigation of Ritchie.”
Having followed this issue very closely, I am unaware that Representative Brod or Emmer filed any complaint with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board or with the Legislative Auditor's office regarding Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 10:47 am
Thanks Michael! You are correct and the post has been updated to reflect that.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 10:55 am
Source For Claims About Emmer Complaints #2 Andy:
Do you have a source for this statement from your post?
“In October 2007, Emmer and Brod filed a complaint with the Legislative Auditor urging an investigation of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and alleging illegal use of public lists.”
Having followed this issue very closely, I am unaware that Representative Brod or Emmer filed any with the Legislative Auditor's office regarding Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 10:57 am
Source For Claims About Emmer Complaints #2 Andy:
Do you have a source for this statement from your post?
“In October 2007, Emmer and Brod filed a complaint with the Legislative Auditor urging an investigation of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and alleging illegal use of public lists.”
Having followed this issue very closely, I am unaware that Representative Brod or Emmer filed any complaintwith the Legislative Auditor's office regarding Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.
(Please delete previous comment)
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Complaint From Emmer and Brod's press release which can be viewed here:
In response to Secretary of State Mark Ritchie admitting he took data from his elective office and provided it to his campaign, State Representatives Laura Brod and Tom Emmer renewed their call for a legislative investigation.
“Our concerns with the actions of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie have been elevated,” said Representative Tom Emmer. “Illegal use of public data is a violation of the state's data privacy act. The improper use of this data by a state constitutional officer casts a shadow of doubt on not only Mark Ritchie but the entire Minnesota Secretary of State Office. A thorough investigation will shed light on the activities taking place and ensure the office is operated in a nonpartisan, transparent manner that complies with state law.”
Brod and Emmer made their first investigation request after allegations that Secretary of State Mark Ritchie or someone in his office used data from a nonpartisan public meeting for political fundraising. In response to a data information request submitted by Brod and Emmer, the Minnesota Secretary of State Office confirmed that no data information request was made. The Office also denied having any knowledge of how that information was entered into the Mark Ritchie campaign database.
“Public trust in safety and security of information related to oursystem of elections is crucial. Any breach or perceived breach of that trust is serious and warrants immediate response,” said Representative Laura Brod. “Now that the original allegations related to the transferof public data to the Secretary's campaign have been confirmed by Secretary of State Mark Ritchie himself, the integrity of the Minnesota Secretary of State Office is no longer in question but at risk.”
Brod and Emmer said they will submit a second data information request to Secretary of State Mark Ritchie today and will renew their request for a legislative hearing with the House Government Operations Committee.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 11:21 am
Correction Still Needed Andy:
Contrary to your “reporting”, only one complaint was filed with the Legislative Audtior's office regarding Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and that complaint was filed by Mark Giga and John Tomczak. Representative Brod and Emmer did not file a complaint.
The “source” you provided isn't a source. It's actually a link to my post were I wrote that Brod and Emmer renewed their call for the House Government Operations to investigate this matter. This isn't the same thing as the legislative auditor.
You claimed:
“In October 2007, Emmer and Brod filed a complaint with the Legislative Auditor urging an investigation of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and alleging illegal use of public lists.”
Brod amd Emmer did not file a complaint with the Legislative Auditor's office. Your post needs an additional correction.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 11:38 am
Request, Complaint, Called on Either way, they were instrumental in the investigation which cleared Ritchie.
“Republican State Representatives Tom Emmer of Delano and Laura Brod of New Prague Wednesday called on the auditor Nobles to launch a separate investigation, into whether Ritchie violated the Data Practices Act by creating and mailing the civic engagement directory.” Source
“Brod and Emmer said they would submit a request to the Chairman of the House Government Operations Committee and the Auditor on Tuesday.” Source
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 12:13 pm
You Wrote “Files”, Not Request, Complaint, or Called On Andy:
The point of your post was to highlight and complain about the complaints filed by Representative Emmer. The titled of your posted included the word “files.”
Brod amd Emmer did not “file” a complaint with the Legislative Auditor's office.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
Thanks Michael Your feedback is appreciated, and I have changed the inaccurate wording you pointed out.
We can quibble on symantics (did he file a complaint? Did he file a request? Was he complaining about Ritchie in the request thereby making it a complaint? Did the auditor “file” anything away that Emmer sent to him “complaining” about Ritchie?) which is exactly what you are requesting I do (or is it complaining?).
Does Rep. Emmer have a record of coming down on political opponents, using government entities, which overwhelmingly result in no punitive action? Yes or no?
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
Wow. I've got a more appropriate title for this bit of “reporting” MiniMoni publishes factual errors — a lot of them.
Comment posted January 15, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
Thanks Swiftee Your comment is noted. I admit my facts were incorrect. Out of an estimated 520 some posts I've written for this site, I got one wrong.
Feel free to gloat, I deserve it; but I also know what your factual accuracy is.
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