[Edit: 5pm: This story has been updated with additional information and a statement from the Secretary of State.]
When Rhode Island Board of elections chose to open only 144 of the state’s 419 polling stations for the April 26 primary, some cried foul. The move was seen by some as an attempt to stifle voters who might turn out for Bernie Sanders instead of Hillary Clinton. (On the Republican side, a Donald Trump victory was never in question.) RI Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Platform Committee, was cast as a political insider working for the Clinton campaign, though all polling locations were and are determined by local municipalities and the RI Board of Elections.
With the release of a giant crop of leaked DNC emails from Wikileaks, Gorbea appears to be exonerated from the charge of electioneering. However, the emails do seem to indicate that operatives within the Democratic National Committee were interfering in the election on a national level, placing more than a thumb on the scales in Clinton’s favor, even as they attempted to manage the public’s perception of their interference. Favoring one candidate over another is a violation of DNC rules.
The Wikileak emails show that ahead of Bernie Sanders’ big win in the Rhode Island primary, highly placed operatives in the Democratic National Committee were worried about the optics of the RI Board of Election’s decision to not open more than a third of the polling places, mistakenly believing that Gorbea was the one who made the decision.
On April 25 DNC Deputy Communications Director Eric Walker wrote to his boss, Luis Miranda, “Bernie leads Hillary by 4 in the latest poll. If [Clinton] outperforms this polling, the Bernie camp will go nuts and allege misconduct. They’ll probably complain regardless, actually. We might want to get out in front of this one with an inquiry to [Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo], even though she’s one of ours.”
By “one of ours” let’s assume Walker simply meant, “a Democratic governor”.
The next day was April 26, the day of the actual primary. Having been informed by DNC Northeast Regional Political Director Erin Wilson that, “We’ve got a pretty close relationship with Nellie,” Walker suggested contacting Gorbea directly.
“Was thinking a letter so that if press asks us about it, we can show we are responsive and active,” wrote Walker, “If we’re crying foul in AZ, we might need to do the same – at least nominally – in RI so we don’t look like hypocrites.”
This prompted DNC National Political Director Raul Alvillar to write, “I am fine with that. Before we do that we should talk to [Gorbea] to get all of the details.”
Walker responded, “I would like to be on this call, but first, I don’t think we even need a statement. We just need something to cover ourselves.
“I think when we start getting inquiries, if we have a letter to the [Secretary of State] that we can point to, it will show that we are engaged and that we don’t just pipe up when it’s a Republican administration closing poll locations.
“We can make the point to reporters individually off the record that it’s not apples and oranges: Arizona more serious because the state was covered under [Voting Rights Act] and has had a history of problems – Rhode Island doesn’t have those same historical issues.”
The primary in Rhode Island was in full swing just before 1pm when Erin Wilson came back with more information. “[Pratt Wiley, DNC National Director of Voter Protection] and I were reminded that in RI, the Secretary of State doesn’t manage elections, but they’re run by the Board of Elections that are appointed by the Governor. Apparently the number of polling locations they’ve opened are consistent with the numbers opened in 2008 and 2012, and they’ve also increased the number of poll workers, ballots and booths to accommodate any unexpected surges. For example they’re telling us that they printed 300K ballots for an expected turnout of 180K. Again, these decisions are made by the Board of Elections.
“The Secretary has been traveling to polling locations all morning/afternoon and they haven’t seen any issues. Apparently the longest wait they’re seeing is 25 minutes.
“So, if we do write a letter, it would need to be to the Board of Elections. I’d be a little cautious about pulling the trigger on it too soon. Can we give some of this info on background to show we’ve made inquiries to the state if we start getting calls and then punt it back to RI?”
Eric Walker, now having been in contact with Gorbea, writes, “To be clear – no inquiries yet, but RNC will be pushing it.
“Pratt just swung by my desk – [Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea is] ready to go on record with these points defending their approach, which is good.
“I think that if DNC press office gets inquiries about hypocrisy between AZ / RI then we can direct them to RI [Secretary of State] comment, and explain on background that it’s not as dire as AZ and that RI doesn’t have the same VRA baggage.”
The final email on Wikileaks regarding the issue came from DNC National Political Director Raul Alvillar, who wrote, “Perfect. This is good.”
Of course, the entire issue of whether or not the Board of Elections declined to open more polling stations to favor Clinton in the primary went away when Sanders clobbered Clinton, taking 55 percent of the vote. This upset caught local machine Democrats completely off guard and surprised national pundits.
From reading the emails, it seems clear that Gorbea answered concerns from the DNC and coordinated a response to criticisms of the Board of Election’s decision as to the number of polls to open, but no evidence of outright collusion for the purpose of electioneering can be seen in them.
According to Nicole Lagace, Senior Advisor and Communications Director to the Secretary of State, “The DNC reached out to Secretary Gorbea on April 26 to inquire about the decreased number of polling locations in Rhode Island for the Presidential primary. We explained that we do not oversee polling locations and that was the end of that correspondence.”
[Andrew Stewart contributed to this reporting.]
]]>Despite the NRA paying a record fine for making illegal campaign donations to Rhode Island politicians, to date, not one current office holder in the state has seen fit to return the money.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) was fined by the RI Board of Elections for funneling illegal donations to RI politicians, including House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President M Teresa Paiva-Weed. One estimate puts the total amount of contributions at over $160,000, over a 10 year period from 2004 to 2014. Due to the detective work of Sam Bell, executive director of the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats of America, the NRA was fined $63,000 and the NRA’s Rhode Island PAC was formally dissolved.
Technically, any money received by any candidate in Rhode Island that comes from the NRA Political Victory Fund PAC before January 2014 was illegal. That doesn’t mean that it’s a crime to keep the money after the fact, and it’s likely that the politicians did not know that the campaign donations were illegal before Bell made his case.
That said, the bottom line is that the money these politicians accepted from the NRA is tainted, and the influence this money has on our General Assembly can be felt acutely when observing the legislature in action.
Are you still wondering why our General Assembly can’t seem to pass common sense gun control legislation?
Between 2004 and 2014, House Speaker Nick Mattiello received $2,975 from the NRA. All these donations appear to be illegal, tainted contributions. The Speaker has kept every penny. Seventeen other representatives have also taken thousands of dollars.
Joseph McNamara is the head of the RI Democratic Party, the same party whose national platform calls for banning assault weapons and strengthening gun laws to prevent violence. McNamara accepted $700 in illegal NRA contributions over the years.
During the same 10 year period, Senate President M Teresa Paiva-Weed has accepted, and kept, what appears to be $6,075 in illegal contributions from the NRA. Seventeen other senators took illegal NRA cash, including Senate Majority Leader Domenic Ruggerio, who raked in $3350 and Senate Judiciary Chair Michael McCaffrey, whose committee handles every bill about guns that comes to the Senate, to the tune of$3500.
Rep Jan Malik, who was recently challenged by his primary opponent Jason Knight to return his illegal donations, took $1075. On the last day of the most recent legislative session, Rep Malik voted for a House bill that would have made it easier to get concealed carry permits in RI before changing his vote after the fact.
I went through the campaign finance reports available here, and carefully made a list of all incumbents who have accepted NRA money between 2004 and 2014.
Here’s the list:
In addition to Representatives and Senators, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin has accepted $1150 in illegal donations.
Attorney General KILMARTIN, PETER F 03/30/2004 $200.00
Attorney General KILMARTIN, PETER F 03/07/2006 $250.00
Attorney General KILMARTIN, PETER F 04/27/2007 $200.00
Attorney General KILMARTIN, PETER F 12/31/2009 $200.00
Attorney General KILMARTIN, PETER F 03/04/2009 $300.00
Former Speaker of the House, William Murphy, now a lobbyist, raked in a series of illegal NRA contributions. He now rakes in even more as a lobbyist for gun interests.
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J 02/05/2004 $500.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J 02/05/2004 $500.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J 04/14/2006 $350.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J 04/27/2007 $1,000.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J 03/31/2005 $875.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J 02/22/2009 $1,000.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J 01/31/2008 $1,000.00
Representative MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS 11/05/2006 $250.00
Representative MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS 04/27/2007 $150.00
Representative MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS 04/01/2008 $150.00
Representative MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS 07/06/2010 $450.00
Representative MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS 04/04/2011 $450.00
Representative MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS 06/06/2012 $450.00
Representative MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS 02/13/2013 $800.00
Representative MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS 05/28/2009 $225.00
Representative CARNEVALE, JOHN M 06/05/2010 $200.00
Representative CARNEVALE, JOHN M 04/12/2011 $200.00
Representative CHIPPENDALE, MICHAEL W 10/15/2012 $500.00
Representative CORVESE, ARTHUR J 05/08/2004 $300.00
Representative CORVESE, ARTHUR J 05/16/2005 $300.00
Representative CORVESE, ARTHUR J 07/11/2006 $300.00
Representative COSTA, DOREEN MARIE 10/15/2012 $500.00
Representative DESIMONE, JOHN J 07/08/2004 $150.00
Representative FELLELA, DEBORAH A 08/20/2006 $250.00
Representative FELLELA, DEBORAH A 04/27/2007 $100.00
Representative FELLELA, DEBORAH A 01/12/2010 $150.00
Representative FELLELA, DEBORAH A 04/12/2011 $200.00
Representative JACQUARD, ROBERT B 07/19/2004 $300.00
Representative JACQUARD, ROBERT B 10/20/2004 $500.00
Representative JACQUARD, ROBERT B 10/12/2006 $350.00
Representative JACQUARD, ROBERT B 04/12/2011 $200.00
Representative KENNEDY, BRIAN PATRICK 07/19/2004 $400.00
Representative KENNEDY, BRIAN PATRICK 08/02/2006 $400.00
Representative KENNEDY, BRIAN PATRICK 06/11/2009 $400.00
Representative KENNEDY, BRIAN PATRICK 06/05/2010 $375.00
Representative KENNEDY, BRIAN PATRICK 04/12/2011 $375.00
Representative LIMA, CHARLENE 04/06/2004 $300.00
Representative MACBETH, KAREN 11/01/2009 $100.00
Representative MACBETH, KAREN 05/27/2010 $200.00
Representative MACBETH, KAREN 12/08/2011 $200.00
Representative MALIK, JAN 08/18/2004 $200.00
Representative MALIK, JAN 11/19/2004 $250.00
Representative MALIK, JAN 06/29/2005 $225.00
Representative MALIK, JAN 09/06/2006 $300.00
Representative MALIK, JAN 06/05/2010 $300.00
Representative MCNAMARA, JOSEPH 05/26/2004 $200.00
Representative MCNAMARA, JOSEPH 05/25/2005 $300.00
Representative MCNAMARA, JOSEPH 06/16/2011 $200.00
Representative MELO, HELIO 03/10/2010 $225.00
Representative MELO, HELIO 04/12/2011 $200.00
Representative NEWBERRY, BRIAN C 11/03/2006 $300.00
Representative NEWBERRY, BRIAN C 05/29/2009 $150.00
Representative NEWBERRY, BRIAN C 02/24/2010 $150.00
Representative NEWBERRY, BRIAN C 06/29/2011 $200.00
Representative NEWBERRY, BRIAN C 04/15/2013 $250.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 04/02/2004 $100.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 04/05/2004 $500.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 04/06/2004 $200.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 04/07/2004 $100.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 04/22/2004 $150.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 06/29/2005 $200.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 06/15/2006 $300.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 07/24/2007 $300.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 05/17/2008 $300.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 05/29/2009 $300.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 06/05/2010 $300.00
Representative TRILLO, JOSEPH A 04/12/2011 $200.00
Representative UCCI, STEPHEN R 11/19/2004 $500.00
Representative UCCI, STEPHEN R 08/21/2006 $250.00
Representative UCCI, STEPHEN R 11/02/2006 $200.00
Representative UCCI, STEPHEN R 07/27/2007 $300.00
Representative UCCI, STEPHEN R 06/29/2009 $200.00
Representative UCCI, STEPHEN R 06/29/2009 $200.00
Representative UCCI, STEPHEN R 06/25/2011 $200.00
Representative UCCI, STEPHEN R 06/15/2010 $200.00
Representative WINFIELD, THOMAS J 08/22/2004 $200.00
Representative WINFIELD, THOMAS J 06/15/2006 $200.00
Representative WINFIELD, THOMAS J 11/06/2006 $90.00
Representative WINFIELD, THOMAS J 08/10/2007 $225.00
Senator PAIVA WEED, M TERESA 02/24/2011 $1,000.00
Senator PAIVA WEED, M TERESA 02/02/2012 $1,000.00
Senator PAIVA WEED, M TERESA 08/12/2013 $800.00
Senator PAIVA WEED, M TERESA 04/22/2004 $375.00
Senator PAIVA WEED, M TERESA 05/14/2007 $500.00
Senator PAIVA WEED, M TERESA 05/17/2008 $400.00
Senator PAIVA WEED, M TERESA 02/11/2009 $1,000.00
Senator PAIVA WEED, M TERESA 02/24/2010 $1,000.00
Senator CICCONE III, FRANK A 07/10/2004 $150.00
Senator CICCONE III, FRANK A 05/25/2005 $225.00
Senator CICCONE III, FRANK A 06/21/2006 $300.00
Senator CICCONE III, FRANK A 11/03/2006 $300.00
Senator CICCONE III, FRANK A 05/07/2007 $300.00
Senator CICCONE III, FRANK A 04/15/2008 $300.00
Senator CICCONE III, FRANK A 06/03/2009 $300.00
Senator CICCONE III, FRANK A 06/12/2010 $300.00
Senator CICCONE III, FRANK A 06/21/2013 $400.00
Senator COTE, MARC A 03/23/2004 $200.00
Senator COTE, MARC A 05/16/2005 $200.00
Senator COTE, MARC A 06/15/2006 $200.00
Senator COTE, MARC A 04/16/2008 $200.00
Senator COTE, MARC A 04/06/2010 $200.00
Senator DAPONTE, DANIEL 02/24/2010 $200.00
Senator DAPONTE, DANIEL 04/12/2011 $200.00
Senator DOYLE II, JAMES E 06/17/2006 $150.00
Senator DOYLE II, JAMES E 03/31/2008 $300.00
Senator FELAG JR, WALTER S 07/04/2004 $200.00
Senator FELAG JR, WALTER S 09/01/2006 $300.00
Senator FELAG JR, WALTER S 06/15/2008 $300.00
Senator FELAG JR, WALTER S 03/03/2010 $300.00
Senator FELAG JR, WALTER S 04/12/2011 $300.00
Senator FOGARTY, PAUL W 05/13/2004 $100.00
Senator FOGARTY, PAUL W 07/01/2005 $150.00
Senator FOGARTY, PAUL W 09/21/2007 $150.00
Senator FOGARTY, PAUL W 01/10/2008 $150.00
Senator FOGARTY, PAUL W 06/11/2009 $200.00
Senator GALLO, HANNA M 06/01/2004 $150.00
Senator GALLO, HANNA M 05/24/2005 $150.00
Senator GALLO, HANNA M 05/17/2008 $150.00
Senator GALLO, HANNA M 08/05/2009 $200.00
Senator GALLO, HANNA M 04/28/2011 $200.00
Senator GALLO, HANNA M 04/12/2011 $200.00
Senator GOODWIN, MARYELLEN 08/16/2004 $150.00
Senator GOODWIN, MARYELLEN 07/09/2010 $200.00
Senator GOODWIN, MARYELLEN 05/13/2011 $200.00
Senator LYNCH PRATA, ERIN P 06/08/2009 $200.00
Senator LYNCH PRATA, ERIN P 06/10/2010 $200.00
Senator LYNCH PRATA, ERIN P 04/12/2011 $200.00
Senator MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J 07/21/2004 $500.00
Senator MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J 07/21/2005 $750.00
Senator MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J 08/06/2006 $750.00
Senator MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J 08/07/2007 $750.00
Senator MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J 06/24/2008 $750.00
Senator MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J 06/05/2009 $750.00
Senator MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J 06/15/2010 $750.00
Senator MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J 05/20/2011 $750.00
Senator MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J 06/28/2013 $400.00
Senator PICARD, ROGER A 07/19/2004 $200.00
Senator PICARD, ROGER A 08/03/2005 $200.00
Senator PICARD, ROGER A 05/15/2006 $250.00
Senator PICARD, ROGER A 06/20/2009 $300.00
Senator PICARD, ROGER A 06/12/2010 $150.00
Senator RAPTAKIS, LEONIDAS P 05/10/2006 $300.00
Senator RAPTAKIS, LEONIDAS P 07/24/2007 $300.00
Senator RAPTAKIS, LEONIDAS P 06/30/2008 $300.00
Senator RAPTAKIS, LEONIDAS P 02/26/2013 $250.00
Senator RAPTAKIS, LEONIDAS P 07/19/2004 $300.00
Senator RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J 05/19/2004 $300.00
Senator RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J 05/25/2005 $300.00
Senator RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J 05/10/2006 $300.00
Senator RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J 04/27/2007 $300.00
Senator RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J 05/17/2008 $300.00
Senator RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J 02/21/2013 $500.00
Senator RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J 05/29/2009 $300.00
Senator RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J 02/24/2011 $450.00
Senator RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J 02/08/2012 $500.00
Senator SERPA, PATRICIA A 07/01/2009 $150.00
Senator SERPA, PATRICIA A 06/05/2010 $150.00
Senator SERPA, PATRICIA A 07/18/2011 $200.00
Senator SERPA, PATRICIA A 03/30/2013 $250.00
Senator SHEEHAN, JAMES C 05/04/2004 $150.00
Senator SHEEHAN, JAMES C 07/08/2005 $150.00
Senator SHEEHAN, JAMES C 07/24/2007 $100.00
Senator SOSNOWSKI, V SUSAN 07/28/2004 $200.00
Senator SOSNOWSKI, V SUSAN 10/18/2004 $100.00
Senator SOSNOWSKI, V SUSAN 04/08/2008 $200.00
Senator SOSNOWSKI, V SUSAN 03/02/2010 $200.00
Senator SOSNOWSKI, V SUSAN 06/16/2011 $200.00
Senator WALASKA, WILLIAM A 04/26/2004 $300.00
Senator WALASKA, WILLIAM A 04/05/2005 $300.00
Senator WALASKA, WILLIAM A 09/01/2006 $300.00
Senator WALASKA, WILLIAM A 05/02/2007 $300.00
Senator WALASKA, WILLIAM A 05/17/2008 $300.00
Senator WALASKA, WILLIAM A 06/07/2009 $300.00
Senator WALASKA, WILLIAM A 06/05/2010 $300.00
Senator WALASKA, WILLIAM A 04/12/2011 $300.00
RI HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE 04/29/2004 $300.00
RI HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE 09/15/2005 $300.00
RI HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE 04/06/2006 $200.00
SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE 04/21/2004 $625.00
SENATE DEMOCRATS 2004 PAC 08/16/2004 $600.00