Gemma Violates Pledge, Takes Lobbyist Money
Thursday, September 02, 2010
He has accused all of his Democratic primary opponents of taking those contributions. “Cicilline, Lynch, and Segal all claim to support the Fair Elections Now Act, yet all of them accept money from lobbyists, special interest groups, and/or PACs,” Gemma said in a campaign statement on August 30. “I, on the other hand, have not accepted a dime from them, and I never will.”
Gemma repeated his claim the next day at the ABC 6 debate.
However, Gemma accepted a $250 donation from John Gregory on June 27, according to his second-quarter finance report filed with the Federal Election Commission. Gregory is registered with the Rhode Island Secretary of State as a lobbyist for the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce in 2010.
“John Gregory donated to Anthony’s campaign because he is a close friend and has been so for over 10 years,” said acting campaign manager Dan Mercer. “Anthony, nor the campaign, for that matter, had any idea he was a lobbyist because their relationship is strictly friendship. John donated that money from his own personal funds.”
Mercer said the campaign would immediately return the donation—effective September 2.
Gemma also accepted $2,000 from Ray Rickman in June. Rickman was registered as a lobbyist in 2009. Rickman, who is president of the Rickman Group, now works as a political consultant for Gemma. His compensation from the campaign is not listed on the FEC report.
The fact that he was recently registered as a lobbyist does not disqualify Rickman from contributing to the campaign, Mercer said. “We define a lobbyist as someone who is registered as an active lobbyist with the Secretary of State of Rhode Island or the U.S. House of Representatives,” Mercer said. “Ray Rickman is not a lobbyist.”
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Comments:
Jesse Tuggle
2:08am on Thursday, September 02, 2010
Ugh - this is why people hate politicians.
John Smith
2:37am on Thursday, September 02, 2010
The picture above is priceless. Hang your head in shame Gemma. For you have lied time and time again to all the voters of CD1. "I will not accept money from lobbyists, PAC, or special interests. You furthermore stated that Lynch told three lies in 10 seconds? Your credibility is history. You have told the same lie scores of times over the course of months! The truth is now out about Mr. Gemma! Be prepared for the spin control from Team GEMMA. I am returning the money, only because I got caught lying! Look in the mirror when you discuss your enough is enough BS, cause your the one who has been lying to us all for months. Finally some good reporting!
John Smith
3:13am on Thursday, September 02, 2010
Also in reference to Jesse Tuggles comment above. Anthony Gemma has stated a "million" times that he is the only candidate who is not a politician. That would mean he is simply a liar for his own lack of morals. HOPE AND CHANGE ANTHONY, Really? Should be dope and shame with a side of liar!
John Smith
3:19am on Thursday, September 02, 2010
PANTS ON FIRE...Pay attention Politfact you have been scooped!!!
Chris Miller
8:32am on Thursday, September 02, 2010
Hmmm, this article tells me one thing. Well two things actually. John Smith is a Lynch supporter (or campaign staffer)and has an axe to grind and Gemma must be picking up in the polls so they are looking for everything they can on him to try and stop it. $250 bucks from a friend? Probably should have figured out he was a lobbyist or the friend should have told him but if this is all they can muster up than it's starting to look like we are going to have a suprise in the primary.
ed curtis
9:46am on Thursday, September 02, 2010
The "D" next to their names stands for deceit.
.
R. Parsons
10:10am on Thursday, September 02, 2010
___________________________
As for John Smith ... Well, it looks like the meds haven'g kicked in yet.
R. Parsons
10:11am on Thursday, September 02, 2010
______________________________________
Nice job, Mr. Beale. Your banner is worthy of Fox News.
The contribution was returned as soon as Gemma learned of the donor's lobbyist status.
So here's the truth:
David Cicilline's Money On-Hand from Lobbyists, Special Interests, and PACs: $50,000.
ANTHONY GEMMA'S MONEY ON-HAND FROM LOBBYISTS, SPECIAL INTERESTS,
AND PACs: $0.
Cicilline, Lynch: Call off the dogs. You're making fools of yourselves -- again.
Russ Lehman
10:19am on Thursday, September 02, 2010
I don't support Gemma. But this story really is much ado about nothing. It also illustrates what's wrong with so-called "digital media", like GoLocalProv, that lacks professional editors and reporters. Any even semi-responsible editor would have told Mr Beale, "Come back when and if you have a real story."
I disagree with R. Parsons, though. I don't think this originated from the Lynch or Cicilline campaigns. I think it's purely a GoLocalProv creation.
John Smith
10:44am on Thursday, September 02, 2010
What did I tell you the spin begins! It's priceless.
R. Parsons
3:32pm on Thursday, September 02, 2010
Mr. Lehman,
To be clear, I agree that the original "story" is purely the creation of Mr. Beale. And by the way, the story is straightforward and fair, but the headline stands as muckraking at the Hearst/Kane level.
As for John "Tell me About the Rabbits" Smith, I'll be happy to repeat what he calls "spin," and what the sane word knows as fact:
DAVID CICILLINE'S MONEY ACCEPTED, KEPT, and ON-HAND FROM LOBBYISTS, SPECIAL INTERESTS, AND PACs: $50,000.
ANTHONY GEMMA’S MONEY ACCEPTED, KEPT, and ON-HAND FROM LOBBYISTS, SPECIAL INTERESTS, AND PACs: $0.
Spin THAT, Johnny Boy (in the Scorsese sense).
Stacy Morretti
7:33pm on Thursday, September 02, 2010
So
Stacy Morretti
7:34pm on Thursday, September 02, 2010
So, I would have to agree with Mr. Smith-poor fake name btw- It certainly sounds like a save face move by Gemma. Politics is getting so frustrating. It's hard who to vote for in this election. You have the mayor of Providence-NO WAY. David Segel, too young and not ready to be a congressman-yet such a cutie
-Lynch who I don't know all that much about accept watching the tv debates he is the only guy who doesn't read or have to constantly look down, so he kinda is good I guess and Gemma-who now has grown into a politician overnight. He clearly lied but I like his message so I dunno. If it were today would say Lynch but tomorrow is another day?? Another TV debate or seeing them in person may help. I also find it strange that every plan gem has directly benefits his own interests or companies. Im still voting for candidate undecided until I see more.
R. Parsons
11:06pm on Thursday, September 02, 2010
________________________________________________________
Ms. Moretti,
A "save face move"???
I humbly suggest that you look at the facts and forgo the color commentary.
CICILLINE -- $50 K ACCEPTED, KEPT, AND ON-HAND FROM LOBBYISTS, SPECIAL INTERESTS, AND PACs.
GEMMA -- $0 ACCEPTED, KEPT, AND ON-HAND FROM LOBBYISTS, SPECIAL INTERESTS, AND PACs.
Respectfully: Where is your face-saving on the part of Gemma? The truth is in the numbers. One donation of $250 from a friend who, once identified as a lobbyist, gets a refund. Face-saving???
Gemma has put in a half-million dollars of his own money. Does it stand to reason that he needs $250 at any cost, let alone the risk of being exposed as a hypocrite?
Again: Where is the saving of face? Numbers do not lie.
The three politicians -- Cicilline, Lynch, and Segal -- take donations from lobbyists, special interests, and/or PACs.
The NON-POLITICIAN -- GEMMA -- keeps and uses ZERO DONATIONS from lobbyists, special interest, and PACs.
Please consider these facts as you make up your mind.
RP