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Ethics fines against Phil LeVota came down today . . . The response claims political persecution.
And provides a great many details . . .
Money quote: "This uncommon policy of targeting a minor city election from over two years ago and targeting an active democrat whose brother just coincidentally happens to be the Missouri House Democratic Leader is another example of politics gone bad in Jefferson City. Why would LeVota get this extreme and unusual effort from the Commission? Is it payback against his brother, State Rep. Paul LeVota for legislative actions? Who knows. What is clear is that it is simply dirty politics and this Commission is blatant in its arrogance and disregard for ethics in its own behavior."
Check it:
"There are many instances where high profile candidates and political organizations have openly and deliberately violated campaign finance law and while everyone knows about it and it is in the news, the Missouri Ethics Commission has sat idly by and done nothing. The common misconception is that the Missouri Ethics Commission cannot review a case without a complaint. That is not the case and the Commission can act whenever they believe there is a violation. But even though there are many examples in the media that call for the Commission to act, it does not do so. With that history, it is unfortunate that recently the Missouri Ethics Commission would target a specific individual in a municipal election from over two years on their own accord without even a public complaint.
"Phil LeVota was a candidate for municipal judge in Lee’s Summit, Missouri in April of 2008. By the Commission’s own accord and without a public complaint, the Missouri Ethics Commission started an investigation and review of this committee’s records. The Commission found that some disclosures were filed a few weeks later than they should and that some donations that were classified as monetary should have been classified as in-kind donations. In the Commission’s discretion, instead of giving the committee the opportunity to simply amend the reports as every committee is allowed to do, the Commission filed a complaint against this committee for these technical errors and asked for a fine. Most importantly, there was never any allegation of any misuse of campaign funds and every dollar was accounted for in the committee records. After receiving the complaint and finding the Ethics Commission was not allowing for any discretion, LeVota reviewed the file and amended all reports to correct the technical errors. This is usually the end to most Ethics issues but the Commission still forced him to pay a $1,500 fine.
"This uncommon policy of targeting a minor city election from over two years ago and targeting an active democrat whose brother just coincidentally happens to be the Missouri House Democratic Leader is another example of politics gone bad in Jefferson City. Why would LeVota get this extreme and unusual effort from the Commission? Is it payback against his brother, State Rep. Paul LeVota for legislative actions? Who knows. What is clear is that it is simply dirty politics and this Commission is blatant in its arrogance and disregard for ethics in its own behavior.
"And the rest of the story? And these are facts: Attorney Michael Kilgore was the chairman of the Ethics Commission that ordered the investigation and continued persecution against LeVota without a public complaint. Then Kilgore and the Commission would not give LeVota the opportunity to amend records to fix any late filings like they do for every other candidate, but instead pursued a formal complaint and a fine. Why this treatment? First, Ethics Chairman Michael Kilgore’s own law firm donated $20,000 against candidate LeVota in support of LeVota’s opponent in this exact election that the Commission investigated!! It is so unbelievable that it is almost comical. And second, Michael Kilgore is the brother-in-law to County Executive Mike Sanders whose seemingly life goal is to fight with the LeVota boys. So you be the judge, what’s going on here? Campaign finance enforcement or political back stabbing? And guess who the Ethics Commission hired to represent them in the complaint against LeVota? Attorney Jack Pletz, husband of controversial Karen Pletz, fired CEO from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences who herself has many more ethical issues going on. So the Missouri Ethics Commission decided to waste taxpayer money to hire this private attorney instead of using state attorneys and they made no explanation as to why. The red flags that this is an 'unethcial' act by the Ethics Commission are numerous.
"And for the record, LeVota paid the fine and updated the records for this closed committee from two years ago. And even though LeVota is not crying foul, everyone knows the real deal and should realize our own political watchdogs are acting on their own political agenda instead of enforcing ethics. It is downright disappointing that the Missouri Ethics Commission can turn their backs on blatant violations all across the state, but abuse their authority and target personal enemies to pursue their own vendetta."
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I hope everyone in the 52nd District sees what kind of SCUM the LeVota family is and why they should not vote for the LeVota family's hand picked successor, who is named Robbie Makinen.
ReplyDeleteLet's clean up government and support Chyanne Lockhart Cardarella!
Tell the LeVota's NO!
I do not know Mr. Makinen but if he is associated with the LeVota's he must be a crook. I wonder if he has any knowledge of a sex for pay house just up the street from Erotic City? We understand that the LeVota's control that "facility."
ReplyDeleteChyanne deserves to win.
Phil is not all there. Paul got the brains.
ReplyDeleteIt is clear that to really clean up government we need to elect women like Garza-Ruiz, Williams, Justus and Lockhart-Cardarella.
ReplyDeleteIt is my understanding that they have all been working together to undermine the LeVota/union corruption that puts old boys like Mr. Makinen up for election.
My my the spinners are spinning.
ReplyDelete1. If it is a grudge, Phil is the target, not Paul. Paul has a lot cooler head on his shoulders and therefor does not have nearly as many enemies.
2. Robbie is not a corrupt good old boy, but all he brings to the table is some great BBQ.
Robbie is a puppet, and Chyanne is a leader!
ReplyDeleteChyanne will put an end to the corruption that has marked the LeVota's reign over our district.
ReplyDeleteChyanne carry's a very interesting last name. Is she related in some way to "Put a tiger in your trunk" Cardarella?
ReplyDeleteNice touch Phil LeVota at 8:09, you fucking corrupt loser.
ReplyDeleteChyanne is sure to win with guys like you around to oppose her.
Wow the Makinen haters are out. Robbie Makinen works for Mike Sanders and is Sanders' handpicked candidate. What do the LeVotas have to do with it? I am sure LeVota and Sanders didn't sit down to agree on a candidate! It sounds like Chyanne's people are desparate and throwing mud. To Chyanne: I have met you and you are a decent person. You need to get your people reigned in. They might think that this kind of stuff helps you in your election but it is just bad.
ReplyDeletePhil LeVota just had a fundraiser for Teresa Garza Ruiz last week and the Jackson County good old boys don't like that! Teresa has been doing great work in Jackson County and they are going after anyone that supports her......that means you too LeVota.
ReplyDeleteTheresa has been doing great work. Robbie Makinen has been around a while and has done good work, I don't know this Chyanne person. Someone explain her experience.
ReplyDeleteHey, at least he didn't beat up an old man at a Jackson County Democratic meeting. Ethics violations are a step up for the LeVota's.
ReplyDeleteHey craig, reality check,that was not Paul or Phil, it was brother steve or cousin steve. Lots of Lavotas to keep track of.
ReplyDeleteAll the LeVotas love Robbie Makinen, so vote for Chyanne!
ReplyDelete