3. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) $8,000
Donors: W.M. Rickman Construction Co., River Sandy Landing
...
8. Del. Sheila E. Hixson (D-Montgomery), chairwoman of Ways & Means Committee $2,750
Donors: Ocean Downs (racetrack), Cambridge Plaza, Rickman Travilah
9. Del. Eric Luedtke (D-Montgomery), chairman of Ways and Means subcommittee $2,500
Donors: Ocean Downs (racetrack), W.M. Rickman Construction Company
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| Delegate Luedtke is also a MCPS middle school teacher. |
...One recipient, Del. Eric D. Luedtke (D-Montgomery), was unsure of the legality of a $500 contribution he received last fall from Ocean Downs, the Rickman-controlled company that runs the racetrack where Rickman’s casino opened in January 2011.
So Luedtke contacted the Maryland attorney general’s office for advice about whether he could accept the money. He was told that nothing in the 2012 law prohibited him from accepting the track’s contribution, and he decided to keep the money. In May, Luedtke, who chairs a Ways and Means Committee panel with jurisdiction over gaming issues, also received a $2,000 check from Rickman’s construction company.
Luedtke said he’s not entirely comfortable with forbidding donations by specific industries. “Why just casinos? Why not banks?” he asked. “If we’re concerned that contributions can affect policy, then why not a broader ban?”...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/despite-2012-law-casino-cash-finds-its-way-to-candidates-in-maryland/2014/08/04/db88aeaa-17f9-11e4-9e3b-7f2f110c6265_story.html
Frequently Asked Questions
ReplyDeleteCan the Attorney General's Office give me legal advice?
The Attorney General's Office is the attorney for the state and its agencies and cannot offer legal advice to individuals. If you need help with a personal legal matter you may want to contact a private attorney. The Office does assist individuals with consumer problems through the mediation service offered by the Consumer Protection Division.
Precisely!
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing new about this. There are literally MILLION$ of dollars of campaign contributions made each election cycle to DOZENS of politicians from racetrack and casino owners. Leggett, Duncan, O'Malley and many more have been receiving these contributions for years. Many of the "donations" are masked using the LLC loophole (i.e. Rickman, Angelos, etc. given millions via "paper companies," which is technically legal under Maryland election law.) The "Golden Rule" Those with the gold, rule.
ReplyDelete"Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power."
ReplyDelete- George Bernard Shaw
The troubling problem is the hypocrisy of our politicians.
ReplyDeleteBefore the primary they were on board with Councilmember Andrews' concept of public financing of elections. Now, after a dismal turnout and no public outrage regarding contributions by wealthy powerful people and organizations, they are happy with the status quo....get the money from where ever and be beholding, 'cause the voters aren't paying attention.
Once in office these politicians truly like to be coddled and stroked, and the average citizen does not have time for that. The lobbyists are paid to do that and bring checks too. It is a win-win.
DeletePower, Corrupts, Unlimited
"In the United States, though power corrupts, the expectation of power paralyzes."
John Kenneth Galbraith
“Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.”
DeleteJohn Adams
FACT: 3 out of every 4 dollars of all contributions made to Montgomery County candidates come from the development industry.
ReplyDeleteWow. How brave of the Post and Mr. Wagner to come out with this information -- AFTER the election.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Mr. Wagner and the Post have been aware of the 75% from developers and gambling money into MC campaigns for years.
DeleteNothing like adding insult to injury.
DeleteAnd we wonder why the County is fast becoming one giant parking lot?
ReplyDeleteVisionary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWwUJH70ubM
Delete