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Candidate claims foe received funneled donations - allegations of Democrat Corruption in Wash. State
Seattle Times ^ | Tuesday, July 27, 2004 | Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628

Posted on 08/04/2004 11:48:04 PM PDT by Murtyo

Peter Goldman with his wife

Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland yesterday accused a top Democratic Party donor of illegally funneling money to the campaign of Sutherland's Democratic challenger, state legislator Mike Cooper.

In a complaint to the state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC), Sutherland, a Republican, accused Seattle attorney Peter Goldman of violating contribution limits by sending $34,000 to the state Democratic Party, which then gave $40,000 to Cooper's campaign.

The complaint alleges the Democrats illegally earmarked Goldman's donations for Cooper, an Edmonds Democrat. It cites the timing of the transactions and statements made by Goldman, but offers no smoking gun.

Goldman called the complaint a baseless partisan attack and said he never told party officials how to spend his donations. "It was always up to the party," he said, adding that he is "deeply committed" to following campaign-finance laws.

Edie Gilliss, Cooper's campaign manager, said "we know nothing of any illegal earmarking."

Goldman and his wife, Martha Kongsgaard, are among the state's biggest political donors, using their wealth to back environmental causes. On April 12, Goldman and Kongsgaard each gave the maximum contribution of $2,700 to Cooper's campaign.

Having maxed out, "Mr. Goldman found an avenue to dramatically exceed the legal limits," Sutherland's complaint alleges. The next day, Goldman gave $20,000 to the state Democratic Party. The party then gave Cooper two $10,000 contributions within six weeks.

In late June, Goldman gave the Democratic Party $4,000. On July 6, he gave an additional $10,000. On July 7, the party gave Cooper's campaign $20,000.

Sutherland campaign manager Todd Myers, who filed the complaint, called the timing of the various donations highly suspicious — especially given some of Goldman's recent statements of dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party.

Sutherland's complaint also notes that Goldman did not make his big donations to the state party until a few days after the end of a fund-raising freeze that prevents state legislators, like Cooper, from accepting donations while the Legislature is in session.

"If he was interested in supporting general Democratic causes, why did he wait until after the freeze?" Myers said.

Goldman, firing back, criticized Sutherland for taking money from timber and mining interests who have a stake in the lands commissioner's decisions: "This is going to backfire as the public hears where Commissioner Sutherland's money comes from."

Sutherland, seeking a second term, has raised nearly $260,000 for his re-election bid through the end of June. Cooper has raised $121,000, with a third of that coming from the Democratic Party, according to PDC filings.

Sutherland is one of only two Republican statewide elected officials, so Goldman said it should be no surprise that the state Democratic Party has backed Cooper so strongly.

Goldman, 47, and Kongsgaard, 49, have used inherited family wealth to become among the state's top political donors. He runs a nonprofit environmental law firm and she heads a charitable foundation.

It is illegal to conceal contributions that exceed state limits by funneling them through political-party committees. The PDC can force political campaigns to refund illegal donations and can impose fines of up to $2,500.

A spokesman for the PDC said it would look into Sutherland's complaint to determine whether to launch a full investigation.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: campaigns; corruption; democraticparty; democrats; dougsutherland; petergoldman
this guy and the Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser are like local George Soroses in Seattle
1 posted on 08/04/2004 11:48:05 PM PDT by Murtyo
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To: Murtyo

Edie Gilliss, Cooper's campaign manager, said "we know nothing of any illegal earmarking."

Typical of the Democratic Party. They really do "know nothing".


2 posted on 08/05/2004 12:03:53 AM PDT by taxesareforever
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To: taxesareforever

what else is new....

Rick's in Lake City.


3 posted on 08/05/2004 12:15:50 AM PDT by BurbankKarl (Wish we had armor at LAX)
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To: Murtyo
I am SHOCKED.
4 posted on 08/05/2004 12:16:43 AM PDT by twntaipan (demonRATs ARE the friends of our enemies, which makes demoRATs our... (finish the sentence).)
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To: CyberCowboy777

ping


5 posted on 08/05/2004 8:48:18 AM PDT by Libertarianize the GOP (Make all taxes truly voluntary)
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To: Libertarianize the GOP; 007Dawg; 11B3; 123easy; 1911A1; 7mmMag@LeftCoast; A44MAGNUT; Abram; ...
Washington State Ping List

This is all known Washington State Freepers and interested parties as of 8/04/04 - 307 FReepers
Less those who opted out
If you want on or off this ping list Freepmail me.

6 posted on 08/05/2004 7:51:20 PM PDT by CyberCowboy777 (Veritas vos liberabit)
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To: Murtyo

democrat corruption?

I am shocked and appalled!


7 posted on 08/05/2004 7:54:16 PM PDT by sport
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To: Murtyo

HERE is Peter Goldman again....also...they neglected to say he is an ENVIRONMENTAL Attorney....he was "shocked, frightened" that children were shown not wearing bicycle helmets in a Leave It To Beaver movie.....gee, I wonder when he's going to call for the depiction of certain behaviors as the cause of AIDS ...

Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute


Bicycle Helmets in the Movies



Advocates Press Movie Studio

News Update
For immediate release
For information, call Peter Goldman
(206) 223-4088

September 23, 1997
Seattle, WA

Children's Safety At Stake:
Coalition Calls for a Response
Members of the Coalition for Children's Use of Bicycle Helmets in Film and Television held a press conference today to urge the movie and television industry to show children wearing helmets when they are seen riding bicycles in movies and on TV programs. The coalition came together in response to concern over the poor and dangerous example that is set for kids by the Universal/MCA movie, Leave It To Beaver, which shows children riding without helmets. Today's press conference drew reporters and concerned parents and citizens. Following are comments made by Peter Goldman, an attorney, father of three young children and an avid bicyclist.
"Three weeks ago, I took my three kids to see the new Universal/MCA movie, Leave It To Beaver. Bicycles are a major theme in the movie. The plot revolves around Beaver's bicycle being stolen, and dozens of children are depicted riding bikes to school and around the neighborhood.

I was shocked--frightened, even--that none of the dozens of children shown riding bikes were wearing helmets. Leave It To Beaver is a recent--but by no means the only--example of studios dangerously depicting helmet-less children riding, racing or doing tricks on bicycles. I suspect that someone connected with the movie made the artistic decision that helmets don't look good on film. Because I am aware of the tremendous number of children who die or are grievously injured because they were not wearing helmets, I decided that someone had to direct the public's attention to this critical children's safety issue


8 posted on 08/05/2004 8:53:09 PM PDT by goodnesswins (FREEDOM is a terrible thing to waste.....and it AIN'T FREE!!!!!!)
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To: goodnesswins

Cooper was my state rep until I was redistricted into a much more liberal 32nd district. Cooper makes slime look apppealing. He is an A**! He is stupid, a horrible public speaker and a pawn of public service and teacher unions. Looking at his PDCs, he receives heavy union support from around the country. He is a fireman, but looking at him, it is amazing that the guy can even climb a ladder. He is obese...I was at a candidate forum and I asked him point blank if he can even run up to a fire any more. Needless to say, he didn't appreciate my candor.
Somehow he manages to keep the fireman job while collecting another state check as a state rep. Why he is running for Commissioner of Public Lands and his qualifications to do so are beyond me, but if he is elected, he will be another pawn of the unions. Lucky us.

As for if he is crooked and the donations received are dirty...I would have to say....YES, just knowing the man's reputation...


9 posted on 08/09/2004 10:43:28 AM PDT by Abram
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To: goodnesswins

Cooper was my state rep until I was redistricted into a much more liberal 32nd district. Cooper makes slime look apppealing. He is an A**! He is stupid, a horrible public speaker and a pawn of public service and teacher unions. Looking at his PDCs, he receives heavy union support from around the country. He is a fireman, but looking at him, it is amazing that the guy can even climb a ladder. He is obese...I was at a candidate forum and I asked him point blank if he can even run up to a fire any more. Needless to say, he didn't appreciate my candor.
Somehow he manages to keep the fireman job while collecting another state check as a state rep. Why he is running for Commissioner of Public Lands and his qualifications to do so are beyond me, but if he is elected, he will be another pawn of the unions. Lucky us.

As for if he is crooked and the donations received are dirty...I would have to say....YES, just knowing the man's reputation...


10 posted on 08/09/2004 11:05:58 AM PDT by Abram
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