Former Top Patrick Kennedy Aide Running for Congress in MA as Pro-Trump Candidate
Monday, October 03, 2022
In 2002, then-Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-CD2) was forced to push his chief of staff out the door due to a controversy about lobbying and proper reporting. Dean Martelli resigned after Kennedy's campaign opponent Republican Dave Rogers questioned Martilli's failure to disclose his congressional salary and previous work as a lobbyist.
That same Martilli is now running for Congress in Western Massachusetts as a pro-Trump Republican against one of the most powerful members of Congress — 32-year House veteran Richard E. Neal, (D-CD1) and chair of the Ways and Means Committee.
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Kennedy Controversy
Rogers, a former Navy SEAL, criticized Kennedy and Martilli for an arrangement under which Martilli was paid $97,300 by Kennedy's congressional office -- just under the threshold that required members of Congress and aides to file public statements disclosing their personal finances.
And, another $40,000 was paid to Martilli from Kennedy's campaign fund, according to a syndicated news story at the time.
Pro-Trump, Anti-FBI
Martilli, who has repeatedly stated he is a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, recently wrote, “This raid by the FBI is unprecedented in the treatment of a former president. It is beyond appalling to see this type of weaponization of the DOJ [Department of Justice]. This is beyond shameful. Again, we see the FBI being politicized under the guidance and leadership of President [Joe] Biden, Director [Christopher] Wray and Attorney General [Merrick] Garland."
"Recall that the Russian Misinformation Steele Dossier was the catalyst for the FBI to spy on then-candidate President Trump, was set into action it was by the Obama administration with Biden’s involvement. Segway [sic] to the Mar-a-Lago FBI raid, it is the Biden administration with Obama influence front and center. Coincidence or a pattern? If a president of the United States can be spied on then what about us? If a president’s family can be threatened and harassed then what about us?"
"The government has unlimited amounts of money to investigate private citizens but do you have the money to defend yourself? By going after the DC establishment President Trump has endeared himself to the hearts of many Americans who have felt the overreach of local, state, and federal governments. As President Trump has said, ‘They are not coming after me, they are coming after you,’” Martilli added.
In his bio, he acknowledges his time working for Kennedy. "Martilli served in Washington DC as Chief of Staff to a Congressman, Patrick Kennedy (D-RI). After years of seeing the Democrat party’s policies move further and further away from the American worker and American family, he had enough. He couldn’t agree with policies that don’t align with protecting American Families and appreciation of their hard work," according to his website.
Outside of his run for Congress, he runs a consulting firm, Martill and Associates.
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