"As our research shows…"

So said Coleman spokesman Tom Steward, in late June. And here’s the whole quote:

“As the senator indicated to the National Journal and further articulated last Friday, he is paying fair market value for his cramped bedroom in a basement of a home in D.C. As our research shows, this rent is comparable to other rent in the D.C. area,” Steward said. (emphasis added)(Star Tribune)

Now, keep in mind that all along, Team Smokescreen has been claiming, and again I’ll quote from a story just yesterday:

Sheehan noted that Coleman allowed National Journal and Star Tribune reporters to see his living quarters. “The senator has been incredibly transparent, honest and open about this entire situation,” he said.(Star Tribune)

Yeah, “right.” If Team Smokescreen has been so “incredibly transparent”, just where is that “research” that “shows” the rent is “comparable”??!?

Ladies and Gentlemen, that story where Team Smokescreen claims “our research shows” was published on June 30th – it is now August 15th.

It’s put up or shut up time for Team Smokescreen’s claim that “our research shows” – they either got it and it shows it, or they’re lying.

(originally published at MnBlue.com)

Who Is Paying Norm's Electric Bill?

Ladies and Gentlemen, the listing on the property is clear: Norm Coleman’s D.C. digs is a legally seperate rental unit, and licensed as such by the D.C. authorities. This has been verified. But the biggest verification just came from PepCo, the electric utility provider – and provider of electricity for the place Norm Coleman (allegedly) stays while in D.C. And that verification is a big one: there are two electrical meters. Yes, TWO. Therefore, somebody is paying for the electricity that goes to Norm’s digs, and only Norm’s digs.

What the utility will NOT verify, is who’s name those two meters are in.

So, who is pickin’ up the tab, for Norm’s electric?

I called Team Coleman, to ask just exactly that. But, Mark Drake wouldn’t take my call was unavailable, so the question was asked via Mark’s voicemail.

Why is this important? Sam Stein at HuffPost explains:

As for Coleman, the optics of having a big-time GOP insider, in effect, providing roughly a few thousand dollars a month in free cable, electricity, and Internet could prove equally problematic. On a more serious level, a utilities subsidy may present an ethics violation.

“This is a legitimate question to be asking in light of the fact that he is apparently renting from someone with an interest in his official actions as a senator,” said Mary Boyle of the good government group Common Cause. “It would be one thing if he was paying above market value and they could argue that it is included in his rent. But he is paying below market for this apartment. At a minimum [not paying utilities] would be a violation of the congressional gift ban. Certainly under no way is it okay for a member of Congress to be taking free or subsidized rent or benefits from anyone, particularly from someone you are working with.”(emphasis added)

Reaction from Coleman suggests that he too finds the utilities issue troubling. The Huffington Post placed more than two-dozen calls to his campaign spokesperson and Senate office over the course of several weeks. Despite leaving more than ten voice and email messages including the basic request to discuss the utilities bill, not one aide ever returned a request for comment. (Huffington Post)

Gee – now I don’t feel so bad; HuffPost is gettin’ ignored by the mighty Team Smokescreen, too.

But I digress. There really are two questions that are very important:

1 – In what name is the billing account for Norm’s rental unit in; and

2 – who is paying the tab.

So now it’s ‘fess up time, for Norm. And not only does he need to show a bill in his name, he needs to show a cancelled check, too.

(originally published at MnBlue.com)

Jeff "Landlord" Larson's Property Tax Problems

It seems that ol’ Smokescreen’s Landlord, the Chair of the GOPer National Convention, STILL has property tax problems. I just checked in with the W.D.C. property tax people, and Larson is still delinquent on property taxes for the place ol’ Smokescreen (allegedly) stays . I called, because here’s what the W.D.C. website has to say:

Property Detail – 0140 NORTH CAROLINA AV SE
SSL:0734 0085

Below is the most current billing information for the Real Property Tax on this property.

Current Balance $927.09

*The outstanding amounts displayed here reflect payments and credits which have been applied to this account as well as some Homestead Audit charges (emphasis added); however, the balance due may not include updated penalty and interest.
*For billing information contact OTR Customer Service at (202) 727-4TAX. (TaxpayerServiceCenter)

Well, well, well. The Chair of the RNC Host Committee, owing property taxes, because he in-fact was claiming a Homestead Exemption for his rental property that he was not entitled to.

And even though he knows about the problem, Jeff “Landlord” Larson doesn’t know enough that he ought to PAY HIS TAXES, and pronto.

Then again, republiCons are shameless, and Jeff “Landlord” Larson is simply proving again that:

“Hypocrisy, Thy Party Is GOP”

(originally published at MnBlue.com)