3rd Aug 2011 at 14:02 | By Brian Sikma
E-mails Raise Questions About Truthfulness of Pasch Denial
By: Brian Sikma
UPDATE: This article was updated at 10:09 AM on August 3, 2011 to include more emails between Rep. Sandy Pasch and Citizen Action of Wisconsin.
As the barbecue for votes scandal involving Wisconsin Jobs Now! draws significant media attention, Rep. Sandy Pasch has spent the early days of this week attempting to distance herself from the organization. Pasch serves on the board of directors of Citizen Action of Wisconsin, a liberal umbrella group that is the parent organization of Wisconsin Jobs Now! Interestingly, WJN is only operating within the 8th Senate District, where Pasch is attempting to unseat Sen. Alberta Darling in a recall election next Tuesday.
After Media Trackers brought to light Pasch’s connection with Citizen Action and WJN, questions were raised about whether or not Pasch and her campaign have coordinated with the liberal non-profit groups. Such coordination would be a violation of state election law. Speaking to the Milwaukee Press Club on Monday, Pasch denied having any involvement with the political activities of Citizen Action of Wisconsin, even though she serves on the group’s board.
The Journal-Sentinel reported that that Pasch “said she has had no contact with anyone at Citizen Action regarding any political activities.” A local reporter for the Foxpoint Patch news website quoted Pasch as saying:
“I have not had no [sic] contact with them about any political activities or any political plans that they’ve been making. I cut off contact with them.”
This theme was reiterated by Citizen Action of Wisconsin and Democratic Party of Wisconsin officials.
The truthfulness of Rep. Pasch’s statements are brought into question as a result of e-mails obtained by Media Trackers through an open records request on Rep. Pasch’s office. A number of the more than 1,500 e-mails obtained were from Robert Kraig, the executive director of Citizen Action, to his board members. Kraig used Pasch’s official e-mail address quite frequently when updating her on what Citizen Action of Wisconsin was doing, and what actions the board of directors needed to take.
One particularly fascinating exchange took place from June 1 through June 5 between a Citizen Action staffer, Jennifer Epps, and Pasch’s aide, Fred Ludwig. Citizen Action was looking to film promotional statements by liberal lawmakers opposed to Gov. Walker’s proposed reform to the Wisconsin Shares program. The exchange includes both sides working to nail down a time for Pasch to record the video statement, and also finds the Citizen Action staffer offering some helpful insight into a way Pasch could get on a radio show at WMCS to promote the issue.
Sandy Pasch announced her campaign to unseat Alberta Darling on May 6. The exchange about a promotional video and potential radio show appearance between Pasch’s office and Citizen Action of Wisconsin came nearly a month into the election. Clearly some measure of coordination was taking place, and it must be assumed that Citizen Action of Wisconsin was aware of the political value that Pasch could have put on having a video filmed by Citizen Action of Wisconsin shown to supporters.
Other e-mails discovered include talking points sent to Pasch’s office by Citizen Action of Wisconsin on February 12 outlining what Citizen Action believed to be effective ways of opposing the Budget Repair Bill. That e-mail also included a note that Citizen Action would be helping to lead the way on the massive protests that engulfed Madison in the following weeks.
Several e-mails were quick reminders about upcoming Citizen Action board meetings, including one hosted by WEAC. It also appears that the SEIU will be hosting a Citizen Action board meeting on December 9 at 260 E. Highland Avenue in Milwaukee.
One final e-mail of note was sent on March 18 to Rep. Pasch’s official e-mail address asking her to reply with her completed ballot regarding candidates that Citizen Action of Wisconsin should endorse in the Spring election. Robert Kraig reminded the board that, “You as the Board of Directors make the final decision on all endorsements.” Members were asked to include Matt Brusky, the treasurer of the dubious Wisconsin Jobs Now! group and political director for Citizen Action, on their reply.
Clearly the truth is not exactly as Rep. Sandy Pasch would have the public believe. Her statements to the press about her involvement with Citizen Action of Wisconsin would appear to be at best misspoken, at worst misleading. The e-mails obtained show a history of coordination between her official office and Citizen Action of Wisconsin, and they show the extent of the political duties involved in serving as a board member for Citizen Action.
The e-mails obtained by Media Trackers are only the tip of the iceberg. They only reveal a tremendous amount of communication between Rep. Pasch’s office and Citizen Action of Wisconsin. There is no way to judge, outside of a legal subpoena, how many e-mails are exchanged between Pasch, her treasurer Jackie Boynton, Matt Brusky, and Robert Kraig via personal or campaign e-mail addresses. Judging from the publicly available e-mails, it would appear to be incredible to believe that all of these parties have failed to communicate and coordinate on political activities.
UPDATE: See new emails below added at 10:09 AM on August 3, 2011.
Key E-mails
Citizen Action of Wisconsin Board activities regarding Spring elections: PaschCitizenActionBoardPoliticalActions
Coordination between Rep. Pasch’s office and Citizen Action of Wisconsin: E-mailPaschCitizenActionVideoCoordination
Rep. Sandy Pasch Is Notified Of A Citizen Action Board Meeting on May 13, at WEAC Offices: Citizen Action Board Meeting On May 13
Rep. Sandy Pasch’s Office Received Talking Points From Citizen Action During the Budget Repair Battle: Citizen Action Talking Points On Budget Repair Bill
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Discussion | 21 Comments on "E-mails Raise Questions About Truthfulness of Pasch Denial"
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mjo said
Aug 3, 2011 at 4:19 PM
mediatrackers–how do we get this out in the public?
the dems need to keep this under wraps until after the recall elections. there’s the shame shame shame.
Graeme Zielinski said
Aug 3, 2011 at 6:29 PM
You know who also served on a board? Alberta Darling. She was on the board of Planned Parenthood and yesterday claimed that she didn’t know what the organization did, and quit as soon as she found out.
You guys didn’t report on that, nonsense though, did you? Or did you check and see the Club for Growth, AFP, and ALEC talking points that were given out to Republican legislators?
No? Didn’t think so. That’s because the idea that you guys are a “nonpartisan” “watchdog” is a fiction. You were created by the same greedy special interests that fund and fuel the Republican Party of Wisconsin and will work with them hand-in-glove.
Oh, and as for your breathless accusations against Rep. Pasch? They involve scheduling, and not political coordination. Your water-carrying for Alberta Darling is just part of the general desperation on your Republican side.
Fine if you want to make political arguments to support the desperate Darling. But please, let’s not pretend it’s nonpartisan or even reporting, for that matter.
Jason J said
Aug 4, 2011 at 9:17 PM
What was done here is a criminal offense and of course will be swept under the rug until after the elections by the media. What I see from true conservatives is that they bash their own and are not afraid to call out their own if they do something unethical and they should be called out for unethical behavior. You dems act like you are so squeeky clean and never do anything wrong. Just once I would like to see one of your candidates do something the honest way but you cant because you know the only way you can win is to cheat.
Graeme is a Scumbag said
Aug 4, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Graeme Zielinski, democrat slimebag extraordinaire, certainly gets around online.
If he isn’t trolling Scott Walker’s facebook page, he is out spinning for his democrat pals.
You are scum of the earth, Graeme…..just like your criminal brother.
Brian Sikma said
Aug 3, 2011 at 6:41 PM
Graeme,
The facts are facts and whether or not anyone agrees with our analysis of them is certainly a topic for debate. However, you cannot look at those e-mails and say those are not facts. You cannot look at the block parties hosted by Wisconsin Jobs Now! and the barbecue that they handed out to voters and say that didn’t happen.
Graeme, facts are important and you can’t say that the facts here are irrelevant or off-topic.
As for the charge we carry the GOP’s water, explain why we’ve praised some things done by Democrats. Not sure the GOP would want us to do that.
Regards,
Brian Sikma
Jason J said
Aug 4, 2011 at 9:14 PM
What was done here is a criminal offense and of course will be swept under the rug until after the elections by the media. What I see from true conservatives is that they bash their own and are not afrain to call out their own if they do something unethical and they should be called out for unethical behavior but you dems act like you are so squeeky clean and never do anything wrong. Just once I would like to see one of your candidates do something the honest way but you cant because you know the only way you can win is to cheat.
Warner Saunders, Jr. said
Aug 3, 2011 at 7:11 PM
The same Graeme Zielinski who advocated for violence on conservatives and had a tarnished past at the Journal-Sentinel for his biased reporting.
http://americanglob.com/2011/07/03/wisconsin-democrat-party-spokesman-calls-for-violence-against-republicans-used-to-write-for-the-washington-post-and-the-onion/
Graeme is a Scumbag said
Aug 4, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Yes, it is the same dirtbag Graeme Zielinski.
Anyone who supports these liberals should be forced to live in the most extreme tax hell welfare state possible.
If Scott Walker fails, Wisconsin fails. And stupid private sector unions like the machinist unions would rather support their idiot dummycrat pals who have destroyed their jobs while pointing fingers at republicans.
I don’t know anyone in their right mind that would locate their business to any liberal state or any state with the possibility to even lean that way…. no wonder Texas is outperforming everywhere else.
Mike Tate Watch said
Aug 4, 2011 at 2:25 AM
We are seeing the WI Dems along with Citizen Action move fast and furious to cover their tracks. The good guys at Media Trackers got ‘em running.
Andrew said
Aug 4, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Wow, that Graeme guy is one ugly beast; physically and emotionally. Liberals tend to be ugly people and not just skin deep ugly; ugly through and through.
Graeme is a Scumbag said
Aug 4, 2011 at 10:12 PM
Bingo. It is nice to see that other people see that clown for who he is.
somebody said
Aug 4, 2011 at 7:35 PM
A Democrat that will do or say anything to get power. I’m so shocked.
R. Feran said
Aug 6, 2011 at 8:09 PM
any body that doesn’t think that Sandy Pasch ISN’T collaborating with Citizen Action for Wisconsin and their associtated foundations SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO VOTE as they are to dumb to see the truth.