More Gibbons Campaign Finance Shenanigans
The Las Vegas Sun had an interesting story about how messed up the campaign finance laws are in Nevada.
As an example, the story noted the Gibbons received $10,000 from a mysterious organization called "Arcadia Living Trust A." Turns out the Living Trust is run by one Paul Morabito.
The Gibbons campaign directed questions to Paul Morabito, the chairman and chief executive officer of Berry-Hinkley Industries, a large Nevada petroleum concern.
Morabito explained that he's behind the living trust, which for him is a real financial instrument and not a vehicle for giving anonymous contributions to political candidates.
In fact, Morabito favors more disclosure and opposes the practice of setting up companies with no purpose other than to give to candidates.
"I want to be absolutely open about my support for Jim Gibbons, and if the system is set up to make it appear otherwise, then that's wrong. If people are trying to hide their contributions, if they're setting up a company only to give money to a candidate, that's wrong."
By golly that would be wrong. Looking over Gibbons' campaign report (pdf) revealed the following interesting tidbits, however:
On p. 49 we find a P.A. Morabito, Inc., of Reno Nevada gave $10,000 to the Gibbons for Gube campaign. On the same day and from the same address, Gibbons also received $10,000 from Berry-Hinkley Industries. Remember, Mr. Morabito is the C.E.O. of Berry-Hinkley. Also, same day and same address again, an Art Hinkley gave Gibbons $10,000.
And if you look back on p. 22 of the report, where the Arcadia contribution is reported, you'll find that on the same day and from the same address, one Edward Bayuk of Baruk Petroleum gave Gibbons $10,000. A Google search revealed that a Paul Morabito is listed as the president of Baruk Petroleum--and gave Kerry $2,000 in 2004. Not to worry, he gave Bush $2,000, too.
Mr. Bayuk is also listed as the VP of Tibarom, Inc., which has the same address as Baruk Petroleum. A Paul A. Morabito from a different address, but who calls himself the president of Tibarom, gave $25,000 to the DNC in 2004. And one Salvatore Morabito, an executive of Tibarom, gave $25,000 to the DNC, too, and $2,000 to Bush.
Now, I invite you to visit the Dean Heller for Congress listing over at the FEC. You'll find a Paul Morasito [sic], who calls himself a general manager of Jiffy Lube, gave $4,200 to our erstwhile esteemed Secretary of State. That lowly general manager, however, has the same address as the C.E.O. of Berry-Hinkley. A Salvatore Morabito has been very generous to the S.O.S. as well.
Add it up, kids:
Arcadia $10,000
P.A. Morabito $10,000
Berry-Hinkley $10,000
Art Hinkley $10,000
Edward Bayuk $10,000
Total: $50,000 for the Gibbons for Gube Campaign
The maximum allowed contribution from an individual in Nevada elections to a given candidate is $10,000, 5K for the primary and 5K for the general election. I'd suggest the Secretary of State investigate the Berry-Hinkley contributions to the Gibster, but it wouldn't be in his interest to do so, would it? And he'd just turn a blind eye on the shenanigans since his predecessor set the precedent of ignoring the "bundling" of contributions. Bundling is where one guy makes multiple contributions to the same candidate but through several different corporations so that he, or she, can contribute over the limits.
A guy named Adelson makes these guys look like pikers anyway, according to Ralston. And all just to fund a mediocrity like the G-man. Amazing.
Still, the Nevada campaign finance laws are broken and desperately need fixing.
And an honorable man would give the money back, Congressman. Especially one who claims he is in favor of reforms.
And why didn't the Sun look into this Berry-Hinkley stuff before they wrote the story?
Damn, thats well done Scandal. Real journalism; lets see if anyone at the Sun or RJ follows up.
Its petty but a pet peeve of mine -- Dean Heller is still the SOS and so not "erstwhile". Next January he will be "esrtwhile."
Posted by: Not Bob | March 20, 2006 at 01:40 PM
Must have been wishful thinking, my erstwhile choice of words.
And dagnabit, journalism is not allowed on this site! My profile says I am not a journalist and that's a promise I intend to keep!
Posted by: Nevada Scandalmonger | March 20, 2006 at 02:03 PM
BUT NEVER EVER would you say something about your good friend Jim Gibson doing the EXACT SAME THING!!!
Why don't you look into American Nevada Company, a few examples:
Green Valley Commerce $5K
Green Valley Commercial $5K
Green Valley Corporate $5K
Green Valley Parkway $5K
GVR Back Office $5K
All have the exact same address, maybe different suites, but 901 N. Green Valley Pkwy Henderson, NV 89074.
How do you like them apples senor scandalmonger.
Posted by: The Gib Spin | March 21, 2006 at 11:40 AM
(a) I barely have time to keep up with GibBONS' goofiness let alone single-B man's. (b) Apparently you missed the big stop sign in the left corner asking for contributions to Titus. (c) You clearly haven't read much of this blog, 'cuz otherwise (d) you'd find out that I agree that GibSON ain't no democrat and that (e) Titus is the best candidate for Nevada Gube. And (f) I doubt GibSON counts me among his friends.
So, if you want to sling mud at single-B man, by all means sling away.
Note that blogs are free over at Blogger.com. You can have one for your very own--and there misinterpret others to your heart's content.
That's what I say to that.
Posted by: Nevada Scandalmonger | March 21, 2006 at 01:44 PM
http://sos.state.nv.us/000Contributions_and_Expenses_and_Financial_Disclosures/0002006_Reports/000Candidate-Incumbent_C_and_E_Reports_and_Financial_Disclosures/000Titus,_Dina/000Annual_Contribution_and_Expense.pdf
Interesting reading...
Posted by: Reader | March 21, 2006 at 03:04 PM
I agree. Nothing like reading campaign finance reports in bed on a cold night.
Posted by: Nevada Scandalmonger | March 21, 2006 at 05:09 PM
it's a dirty job...but we all should be doing it. The media (yes I know that's NOT you) gives a very broad brush look. It's in the details where it gets interesting.
Posted by: | March 23, 2006 at 12:02 PM
Can anyone get me some bullet points about why gibbons is a bad choice for Govenor. I just need some basic quick info that i can tell others without remembering too much information. Email me please, sta_photo123@yahoo.com
Thank you,
Andrew L. Smith
Posted by: Andrew Smith | September 18, 2006 at 10:24 PM
If you made as much money as Mr. Morabito does, you would have to find a way to get rid of some of it too. If you looked a little harder you would find Morabito and his partners not only give to political campaigns but to other charitable organizations as well. Of course everyone would love to see a land slide election in their favor but does it really label the best man for the job. By giving to multiple parties you are giving every candidate better opportunities to prove their cause. I believe it would be a pretty lopsided world without cases like these.
Posted by: MorabitoBacker | July 28, 2007 at 09:32 AM