Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

Minnesotans deserve to know whether the GOP candidate for governor took money intended for veterans

St. Paul (July 22, 2010) - In advance of Tom Emmer's town-hall meeting with veterans this afternoon, the DFL Party called on Emmer to disclose whether he took money from the United States Navy Veterans Association (USNVA), a fraudulent charity that collected money for veterans and gave it to Republican candidates instead. State Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:

"With so many Republican candidates implicated in this controversy, and another week before we can look at the campaign-finance reports, the questions on everyone's mind are: Did Tom Emmer take money from this fraudulent charity? If so, does he plan on keeping it?

"Tom Emmer has benefitted from NAVPAC donations in the past. Minnesota's veterans deserve to know if he will keep taking advantage of these despicable practices in the future."

Background:

Fraudulent charity solicited donations for veterans, gave it to Republican candidates and PACs instead. "Officials in other states are calling the United States Navy Veterans Association (USNVA) a fraudulent charity, and its founder and sole organizer, Bobby Thompson, has disappeared in the wake of investigations alleging the group diverted charitable donations intended for military veterans to Republican candidates and political action committees." [Minnesota Independent, 7/15/10]

Emmer benefitted from the USNVA funds in the past, as a member of the Minnesota House Republican Caucus. "At least $35,000 of donations from the group or its founder went to Minnesota politicians and entities, according to an investigation by the St. Petersburg Times (Fla.). In multiple gifts over several years, former Sen. Coleman took in $21,500, while Rep. Bachmann received the most recent contribution, $10,000 donated in April. The Republican Party of Minnesota received $2,000; the Minnesota House Republican Campaign Committee got $5,000, and Republican state House candidate David Carlson took in $500." [Minnesota Independent, 7/15/10]