CT Attorney General sending unsolicited emails to garner donations

WHILE INVESTIGATING THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE, AG RICHARD BLUMENTHAL USES THE SAME TACTIC TO RAISE MONEY

by Sharon Rondeau

(Mar. 31, 2010) — The Connecticut Attorney General has launched an investigation into whether or not Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz broke any laws by utilizing a taxpayer-funded database to solicit campaign contributions for her run for attorney general, but he is apparently doing something similar himself.

Bysiewicz is running for Blumenthal’s current position, while Blumenthal is running for the U.S. Senate.  Questions remain about Bysiewicz’s eligibility to serve as the state’s attorney general due to the statute which requires “ten years of active practice of law” in Connecticut.  Bysiewicz has six years of active practice as an attorney in the state  but claims that her 11 years of serving as Secretary of the State should count.

In February, Bysiewicz asked Blumenthal for a legal opinion on her eligibility.  The matter is being heard in Hartford Superior Court.

In November 2008, a Connecticut man filed a lawsuit against Bysiewicz on the grounds that she failed to validate that Barack H. Obama met the constitutional eligibility criteria for president.  Blumenthal successfully defended Bysiewicz  at that time, and the case was dismissed.

Now, a Connecticut resident has received and produced unsolicited emails from Blumenthal’s campaign asking for donations which indicates that  Blumenthal also is apparently maintaining a list of email addresses  for the same purpose as Bysiewicz.  There is no evidence that Blumenthal filed a Freedom of Information Act to obtain the list, as Bysiewicz did.

Several months ago, the citizen who received the emails had sent in comments to Blumenthal’s office  regarding a public case  on which Blumenthal had been working.  He stated that he had never indicated any political support of Blumenthal or his policies; rather, he opposed most of them and told Blumenthal so.  However, the citizen received  the following  unsolicited email from Blumenthal’s campaign on March 28, 2010:

If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view.

Dear Friend, This Wednesday marks a big moment for our campaign: our very first fundraising deadline. We have a tough race ahead with well-funded opponents who have nearly a year’s head start. We must demonstrate our campaign’s strength at this critical moment — and we cannot do it without you. Contributing today, before the end-of-quarter deadline, will help show our opponents, and all of Connecticut, that our campaign is starting strong! Will you stand with me and make a contribution today? I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness and support since the day I announced my candidacy for the United States Senate. I promise that as a Senator, I will do exactly what I have done every day as Attorney General: fight to make sure every resident of Connecticut has a voice. This battle is now more important than ever. Traveling across Connecticut, I have met people who are struggling to stay in their homes and to afford the most basic necessities of life. While the big banks have gotten their bailouts, middle class families are left wondering when they will get a fair shake. I will stand up to the special interests and stand for the people of our great state. I am not going to back down from a fight just because it’s hard. I think you know that about me — and so do the special interests. That is why your support is so important over the coming months. The special interests are mobilizing an attack with the kind of distortions and untruths that are far too common in politics today. I am relying on you to make sure we have the resources to set the record straight and make certain no attack goes unanswered. We know our opponents have a significant head start on us. But with your help, we can prove our campaign is ready to go the distance. Please help our campaign make a powerful statement by making a contribution today, before the end-of-quarter deadline on Wednesday! I know times are tough, and I wouldn’t ask if this challenge weren’t important. I am extremely lucky to have so many great friends and supporters. I know you have put great trust in me as your Attorney General, and I promise I will honor that trust as your next United States Senator. Thank you for all you do, Richard http://RichardBlumenthal.com If you feel you have received this message in error, we apologize. Click here to unsubscribe Privacy Policy

After receiving the above message, the Connecticut citizen sent Blumenthal the following message:

—– Original Message —–

From: gerry

To: info@richardblumenthal.com

Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 8:07 PM

Subject: Re: Big moment

it’s too bad you just did what your freind susan did.

you never got my “OK” to ask me for money from a list of emails that i sent asking you to do your job, but that was too much to ask.

it really is ashame none of you  can do your job.

the people in this state never seem to get any respect from the likes of you and the rest in hartford.

you are a waste.

A second email from Blumenthal’s office was sent three days later:

—– Original Message —–

From: Richard Blumenthal

To: gerry

Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 9:30 AM

Subject: Just Hours Away

Dear Friend,

There are just a few hours left before tonight’s big end-of-quarter fundraising deadline. I am counting on you to send a message that we have a campaign built on strong grassroots support.

We’re counting down the hours. Click here to contribute before the deadline at midnight tonight!

Thanks for all your help. Your support means the world to me.

Sincerely,

Richard Blumenthal

The complaint against Bysiewicz was launched by a Republican activist who received unsolicited emails from Bysiewicz’s campaign which the attorney general is now investigating.  To whom does this second citizen who also received unsolicited campaign emails from the attorney general report it?  Who is going to investigate Blumenthal?