Look, I'm sure David Nierenberg is a perfectly nice guy. His philanthropic activities alone count for something in this community. But what was missing from the Seattle Times profile is his selective invitation to a state lawmaker to his investment fund, D3 Family Funds.
In 2004, State Senator Don Benton (R-17) indicated on his F-1 filing with the Public Disclosure Commission that he had invested (as a SEP-IRA) over $75,000 with D3, while earning up to $2,999 in income through the investment. This is all detailed on Page 2 of Benton's F-1 filing found at the Center for Public Integrity.
Now I'm not suggesting that there's some kind of quid pro quo here, but it is interesting that until recently, Benton was the only Republican that Nierenberg contributed to on a regular basis. It's also reasonable to ask about the filing given that normal people are not invited to invest their retirement accounts with D3.
What's troubling as well is that Benton is just not on the straight and narrow enough to turn down this cozy relationship. In the light of those utterly depressing FBI surveillance tapes showing Alaskan state legislators taking bribes in exchange for tax breaks, it's high time for Washington State's newspapers to start asking some uncomfortable questions.
Ode to Cronkite
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And That’s the Way It Was
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Ode to Cronkite
Post from: Democracy for Vancouver
Ode to Cronkite
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3 comments:
This is excellent investigative
research! I would think that any good reporter would jump on this story. I hope there are still a few such people out there somewhere.
Rosy
This isn't research Rosy! All this bonehead did was give a biased opinion about the Seattle Times story. If he had actually done some research or was actually objective he wouldn't have lied about Benton being the only Republican Nierenberg gives to. He also contributes regularly to Republicans Sam Reed, Greg Kimsey, Joe Zarelli, Georg Bush and Mitt Romney. Also to Democrats Brian Baird, Deb Wallace and Christine Gregoire.
So what you are saying is that no candidate should ever do business with a campaign donor or is it that someone you do business with should never become a campaign donor...come on!
Friends and business accociates are the most likely to contribute to someone they know anyway. It is ridiculous to declare that people you know shouldn't contribute to your campaign.
Your comments are obviously motivated by a clear bias against Benton and a complete ignorance of how campaigns work.
By the way, Benton has plenty of integrity, just ask Martin Hash!
Actually, I did do some ORIGINAL research on Benton's F-1 filing.
You have to admit, that F-1 filing is a bit cozy, no?
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