Sen. Dick Day in REALLY Hot Water
Right after I finished reading the Winona Daily News article about Sen. Dick Day's staff's illegal smear tactics against SD28 candidate Steve Drazkowski, I checked to see if there had been any action on Drazkowski's Fair Campaign Practice complaint. There has been.
For those who aren't up on this stuff (which I have to assume is everyone), once you file a complaint with the Office of Administrative Hearings, the office makes a determination of a "prima facie" (on first appearance) violation - in other words, whether or not there's enough evidence presented up front to proceed with the process. If the office determines that there is such evidence, the case goes forward, if not it is dismissed. A big chunk of the complaints with the OAH seem to be rejected immediately for one reason or another, particularly because there's no prima facie evidence. However, Drazkowski's complaint against Daniel Nelson, one of Sen. Day's staffers, has been found to present a prima facie violation and will be heard by the OAH. The three-judge panel that will hear the case within 90 days could impose a fine of as much as $5,000 or refer the case for criminal prosecution. Of course, I will continue keeping up and posting on this matter.
Sen. Day could find himself in a world of hurt for this one. If he directed Nelson to send out the flier, his career, or at the very least his position as Senate Minority Leader, could be over. I'll be awaiting the results of this case. It could be the perfect example of the culture of corruption right in our backyard.
The OAH's order itself can be found here.
Technorati Tags: Dick Day Daniel Nelson Steve Drazkowski Minnesota Senate Winona Wabasha Owatonna
For those who aren't up on this stuff (which I have to assume is everyone), once you file a complaint with the Office of Administrative Hearings, the office makes a determination of a "prima facie" (on first appearance) violation - in other words, whether or not there's enough evidence presented up front to proceed with the process. If the office determines that there is such evidence, the case goes forward, if not it is dismissed. A big chunk of the complaints with the OAH seem to be rejected immediately for one reason or another, particularly because there's no prima facie evidence. However, Drazkowski's complaint against Daniel Nelson, one of Sen. Day's staffers, has been found to present a prima facie violation and will be heard by the OAH. The three-judge panel that will hear the case within 90 days could impose a fine of as much as $5,000 or refer the case for criminal prosecution. Of course, I will continue keeping up and posting on this matter.
Sen. Day could find himself in a world of hurt for this one. If he directed Nelson to send out the flier, his career, or at the very least his position as Senate Minority Leader, could be over. I'll be awaiting the results of this case. It could be the perfect example of the culture of corruption right in our backyard.
The OAH's order itself can be found here.
Technorati Tags: Dick Day Daniel Nelson Steve Drazkowski Minnesota Senate Winona Wabasha Owatonna
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