Carnahan Ethics Complaint Dismissed

CLEARED =

Win, Then Give In?

It's much easier to acknowledge your opponent's point after you've beaten them, than during the heat of the fight.

So it goes in life, sports and even politics.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Robin Carnahan has been cleared of an ethics complaint involving her husband's finances, according to the documents provided to The Notebook.

Back in June, Missouri Republican Party executive director Lloyd Smith charged that Carnahan failed to disclose a business owned by her husband, Juan Carlos Antolinez. The party filed state and federal complaints.

But in a letter dated September 14th, Senate Ethics Committee Chief Counsel John Sassaman writes that Smith's allegations set forth in the complaint "lack substantial merit and no further action is appropriate."

Smith said that Carnahan had not properly registered the Antolinez's business, Antolinez International Trade. But the Carnahan campaign maintained that the business was never formed, only considered.

Ethics complaints are commonly filed and often, just as swiftly dismissed. The usual goal is to make a broader point about a political opponent, not win an official complaint case.

Still, the Carnahan campaign filed new campaign disclosure forms just to cover its bases as the 2010 campaign season moves into full gear.

"To address any concerns the Missouri Ethics Commission might have, we have amended the relevant reports, which should close the matter," said Carnahan spokesman Tony Wyche.

And, predictably, the Missouri Republican Party declared victory.

"Robin Carnahan was forced to come clean and report Juan Carlos Antolinez’s company, which three months ago she claimed didn’t even exist," said Smith in a statement sent to The Notebook. "Her new filing raises more questions about her response to our initial complaint, the nature of the business, and why it was absent from her disclosure forms for so many years. You would expect better from the person whose job it is to maintain business records in the State of Missouri," Smith concluded.

MoGOP Comes After Carnahan For Not Disclosing A Business Never Formed

NIT PICKY . . . NUANCE . . .

or Both?

UPDATED 9:17 P.M.

GOP points to registration doc that says Antolinez "is doing business."

UPDATED 10:25 P.M.

Team Carnahan reiterates: Antolinez never formed the business

The Missouri Republican Party filed state and federal ethics complaints against Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Robin Carnahan Wednesday for failing to disclose a business owned by her husband.

State party head Lloyd Smith charges that Carnahan has not properly disclosed Antolinez International trade, which is owned by her husband, Juan Carlos Antolinez.

"Mrs. Carnahan has not registered the business of her spouse. We'd like to know why it's not been done," said Smith. "It's transparency required by the law to show where income comes from. It does raise the questions: What is the business? What does it do? What's the income level?"

But the Carnahan campaign said the business in question was never formed.

"In 2006, Robin’s husband reserved a name with the State, thinking that he might want to create a business at some point in the future. He never formed a business, however. Consequently, there was no income to file on a disclosure report," said spokesman Tony Wyche.

UPDATED 9:17 PM The Missouri GOP said the above statement is "not factual," because a "fictious name" filing (necessary to do business under something other than your exact name) states that Antolinez "is doing business" under the name "Antolinez International Trade" at 3615 Olive Street in St. Louis.

Spokesperson Jonathan Prouty points out the document also states that the registration gives "no protection to the name being registered." In essence, the argument is that Antolinez didn't need to register just to protect the name, because there's no provision in the law that prevents someone else from using the exact same name.

UPDATED 10:25 PM: After checking back in with Wyche, he said that while Antolinez was thinking about a future business, he never took the formal step. "This company does not exist and has not existed," Wyche said.

It may be that the wording "is doing business" on the form is more a formality, in case the person begins the business. Prouty acknowledged that could be possible.

Complaints about the business disclosure were filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission and the Select committee on Ethics for U.S. Senate. But at least on the state level, a majority of complaints filed end up being dismissed.

Smith said the disclosure was important because "it's required by law," but did not label the complaint "serious." He also did not try to answer his own question of "why" Carnahan would potentially omit the business.

He said the disclosure was relevant because as a Senator, Carnahan may have to vote on a government contract that could involve the company. "If her spouse would benefit from that . . . that would obviously have some issues," Smith said.

When Smith was asked whether Carnahan would have to disclose the business if it produced no income, Smith said that he believed she did.

But Wyche labeled the complaint as a "silly smear."

"This ham-handed effort at a political smear is a perfect example of the type of silly, unfounded, partisan, and untrue political attack that voters are tired of," Wyche said.

Missouri Dems Say Blunt Flyer Violates Ethics Laws

VIDEO BELOW: HOSMER'S PRESSER

ISSUE PIECE OR CAMPAIGN FLYER?

The Missouri Democratic Party is filing ethics complaints against Congressman Roy Blunt for sending a flyer to his constituents that defends himself against attacks for opposing cap and trade energy legislation.

Party chair Craig Hosmer said Friday that the four page mailer, (pictured above), paid for by Blunt's Congressional office, is a misuse of taxpayer dollars. Hosmer said the flyer violated House Franking Commission rules, which approves mailings sent by members of Congress.

"It's clear that this mailer is a direct response to a political ad that Congressman Blunt has repeatedly talked about in his Senate campaign," said Hosmer at a news conference. "Quite frankly, this mailer raises serious questions about what Congressman Blunt is doing in his Washington, D.C. Congressional office." **WATCH Q&A with Hosmer BELOW**

The mailer is clearly designed to combat a League of Conservation Voters television ad that attacked Blunt for campaign contributions from oil and other energy interests.

"Don't Be Fooled -- I Don't Work For The Interests Of Bil Oil Or The Energy Industry," blares Blunt's flyer.

Blunt deputy chief of staff Burson Snyder pointed out that the Franking Commission already approved Blunt's flyer and provided The Notebook with a Dec. 10th letter signed by Jack Dail of the commission's staff.

"When you follow the rules, you don't have to worry about these kinds of false political charges. Nancy Pelosi's employees on the Franking Commission approved this mailer, and it is unfortunate that the Democrats do not want Missourians to know the truth about this job-killing cap and tax bill. Unfortunately we cannot communicate with Southwest Missourians for free, but Congressman Blunt believes it's important to make sure the people he works for know where he stands on the issues, like his opposition to the national energy tax.," Snyder said in a statement.

Hosmer called on Blunt to reimburse taxpayers for the expense of the mailer.

"This is a campaign expense and it should be paid for by his campaign and not Missouri voters," Hosmer said.

A few hours after the Democratic Party's complaint, the Missouri Republican Party announced a similar complaint against Democrat Robin Carnahan.

GOP Executive Director Lloyd Smith said Carnahan "abused taxpayer dollars by airing self-promotional radio advertisements" in Wyoming and Mississippi.

But earlier this year, Carnahan's office noted that the money used for those public service ads come from fines paid by those convicted of securities fraud and that no tax dollars are used.

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