Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Attempts by Lugar Supporters to Silence Greg Wright Fails; Are there more skeletons waiting to come out of the Senator's closet?

CFE Greg Wright
Fighter pilots know they're over a target when they start taking flak, and it's much the same way in politics.  If the political flak that Greg Wright has encountered recently is any indication, he must be over a mighty big target.  

An unknown source, presumably from Senator Richard Lugar's political camp, recently filed an ethics complaint with the ACFE against Wright, claiming he violated policies of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. 

"Mr. Wright took it upon himself to conduct an investigation of Richard and Charlene Lugar to determine whether they own the property listed on their Indiana absentee ballots," read a portion of the complaint, which went on to allege that Wright's "investigation of Mr. and Mrs. Lugar's property ownership was wholly motivated by his personal political agenda."

The complaint was reviewed and immediately tossed out after it was determined that Wright did not breach the code of ethical conduct in any way, but was the real purpose behind the filing of such a complaint to intimidate Wright into stopping his investigatory activities before he uncovered even more damaging information?    

Wright, a Certified Fraud Examiner, recently produced documents proving that Senator Richard Lugar hasn't been a resident of Indiana for over 30 years, resulting in a nationwide media firestorm and plummeting approval ratings for the longtime Senator.  According to the Weekly Standard, Lugar's approval rating has recently fallen below 40% (See this link for details).
Senator Richard Lugar

Since the news of Lugar's residency problems has been public for several weeks, why file a complaint now?  Could it be that Lugar and his followers are aware of the fact that Wright has been receiving "tips" from anonymous sources that could lead to more politically-threatening information? 

Desperate times call for desperate measures, after all.  It's clear that filing a bogus ethics complaint with the ACFE is a desperate attempt to silence Lugar's critics and to cut the flow of information from its source.

Thankfully, Wright is not intimidated by this sophomoric attempt to silence a private citizen.  Members of the Tea Party have referred to Wright as "brave," considering the suspicious untimely death of Andrew Breitbart, another patriot who was adept at uncovering political corruption.

Another noteworthy point of interest is the fact that Abdul Hakim-Shabazz, the Indy blogger with a rather large ego and attitude to match,  knew about the ethics complaint before Wright was ever notified, which leaves one to wonder to what extent he is involved in the failed attempt to silence and intimidate a private citizen.  It's no secret that Abdul is a shill for many in the Republican establishment to the point that many have questioned his ethics over the years.  The complaint contained email copies only sent to a Lugar senior advisor giving him an opportunity to provide contrary evidence.

Maybe Abdul has wandered from his earlier self-proclaimed Conservative and Libertarian beliefs to a left of center position. When Abdul asked Wright to comment on the anonymous complaint, he did not print any of his responses. Why?

Wright said that he has not expressed an opinion regarding Senator Lugar's guilt or innocence of voter fraud. He said, "The Daily Caller, Associated Press and others contacted me, not vice versa, and I agreed to provide them with copies of documents. They arrive at their own conclusions."

Sit back and relax, folks.  If the paranoia in the Lugar camp is any indication, perhaps the rumors about Swiss bank accounts and political corruption are true.  If so, I can't think of a better person to dig up the facts than Greg Wright.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Could the Final Chapter In the Charlie White Saga Be a Full Exoneration by the Indiana Supreme Court?

Will White be exonerated by the Supremes?
Attorney-blogger Gary Welsh has had it right from the beginning concerning the political persecution of former Secretary of State Charlie White.  

Once again, Welsh hit it out of the ballpark with today's commentary of the oral arguments presented before the Indiana Supreme Court.  I couldn't have said it better myself, so rather than re-invent the wheel, I'll invite readers to conclude why Vop Osli shouldn't be measuring for drapes quite yet.  You can read the entire commentary at this link as well as my two cents worth below. 

The conviction of Charlie White was more than a miscarriage of justice.  It was a political witch-hunt run amok.  White and his family were mercilessly dragged through the mud for months to satisfy White's blood-thirsty political enemies.  

Charlie White kicked Vop Osili's butt at the ballot box, so rather than bow out gracefully, he decided to subvert the will of the people.  Well, I was one of those voters who sent White to the Secretary of State's office, and I will not sit by silently while the sore losers try to disenfranchise my vote and countless others. 

Why did it matter whether White was living with his ex-wife or wife-to-be?  A Secretary of State represents the entire state, not a particular district.  If Charlie White is a criminal, then so are hundreds, maybe thousands of other voters who are inbetween residences during election time.

It's also clear that White didn't get a fair trial as it's been reported that the jury was not allowed to see compelling evidence.  The jury foreman seemed perplexed as well and indicated that had White's attorney presented a defense, he likely would have been acquitted.   

I don't know Charlie White, but I do know injustice when I see it, and apparently a few Indiana Supreme Court justices do as well.

If  comments coming from the high court's bench are any indication, White could soon be restored to his rightful place as Indiana's Secretary of State.  That would be sweet justice in my book.  Until such time, count me as part of the public whose trust has been shattered after watching this man and his family being treated as if a capital crime had been committed. 

Justice Brent Dickson and company were right to question the process with very pointed questions and comments.  Those comments seem to bode well for Charlie White's exoneration and future should he decide to pursue it.

Retired Teachers Ask Governor to Investigate Alleged Corruption by Plymouth & State Officials

Will Governor Daniels respond to this citizen complaint?
The following letter and attachment was sent to Governor Mitch Daniels by retired school teachers, Mike & Dare Hawes, asking him to investigate alleged public corruption in Plymouth, Indiana and calling the governor into account for a lack of action on his part.  An official copy of the following documents can be obtained via a public access request with the State of Indiana.

719 South Michigan Street
Plymouth, IN 46563
February 20, 2012

The Honorable Governor Mitch Daniels
Office of the Governor
Statehouse
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2797


Public Corruption Unit Chief Richard Denholm II FBI --SSRA Dave Crawford
FBI --J Edgar Hoover Building 200 East Main Street—Room 1010
935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Washington, DC 20535-0001

Dear Governor Daniels:

Prior to your leaving office we respectfully appeal to you to investigate the public corruption by the Indiana State Police, assisted by the IDOE and IAG regarding the alleged cover up by the Marshall County prosecutor David Holmes and the Plymouth public school board of the alleged criminal act of computer tampering, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-1-4, a class D felony. We believe this alleged criminal act was willfully and with malice committed by PCS administrators John Hill and Dan Tyree on 10/4/2007, and that thereafter to avoid prosecution they and other public officials, with the legal assistance of their publicly retained attorneys, continued to act unethically and unlawfully, to this day.

This issue has been filed by the FBI under “White Collar Crime/ Public Corruption.” The FBI has no doubt public corruption has occurred—on your watch. This public corruption, Governor Daniels, cost at the very least over $25,000 in public monies protecting these self-serving administrators not our public school students and teachers. It has led to citizens properly (and persistently) seeking just redress to be threatened, intimidated, and slandered by these too powerful public figures. This gross public wrong’s failure to be justly resolved for the welfare of your constituency is a major stain on your administration. Over one-hundred (100) intelligent, respected citizens—with justified fear of retribution in our too small town-- have properly and exhaustedly appealed to our Indiana government officials to investigate this matter, and been irreverently, routinely dismissed or ignored by these public servants. . . 100 citizens’ pleas ignored by government officials. This is wrong.

The FBI has exhaustively reviewed for three years this alleged criminal act and related public corruption. The agent assigned has stated that he has no doubt public corruption has occurred, but that the FBI has to require a violation of a federal law—not just a state law-- “to come in on.” We continue to patiently await the FBI’s answers to our pertinent questions (and is why we also copied this letter to them) asking:

1. Can the FBI not investigate this believed corruption by the Indiana State Police, the IDOE, the IAG, Prosecutor David Holmes, and the Plymouth Public School Board (Todd Samuleson, Larry Pinkerton, Melissa Christiansen, Frank Brubaker, Larry Holloway—and formerly Attorney Ron Gifford, (who interesting enough is on house arrest for the commission of un-related crimes) ?

2. If the FBI can not investigate this alleged public corruption by these state and local leaders, and Governor Daniels refuses, who can?

3. If the critical computer/ records have in fact been destroyed by these school administrators, as suspected, is that not a violation of the Federal Records Retention Act—thus providing a federal law for the FBI “to come in on”?

We firmly believe, based on testimony, evidence, professional analysis and sound reason this incident is definitely a criminal act, Indiana Code 35-43-1-4, a class D felony. It is definitely NOT a civil wrong—as one too many in authority unethically seek to whitewash and dismiss it so as to avoid acting responsibly for the public’s sincere welfare.

Despite the fully documented testimony, evidence, professional analysis, and sound reasoning that without any doubt in our minds declares that a criminal act* against the public’s welfare occurred, is the glaring fact that the tell-all 10/4/07 complete computer record, (which initially would have taken 20 minutes to run) has been adamantly, repeatedly refused access by PCS Superintendents John Hill and Dan Tyree. If they did no wrong—why do these public school administrators obstinately, repeatedly refuse (at colossal cost to the public!) that then-easy access to prove their innocence and put out the fire of public furor justly requesting answers? Why did their publicly-paid attorneys staunchly deny any access to this complete computer record, yet in the same breath threaten to sue these respected citizens (and intimidate their attorneys) for making this reasonable request to justly resolve this critical question, “Did Dan Tyree and John Hill on 10/4/07 illegally, maliciously tamper with this public school computer or not” ?

Why did the school board absolutely repeatedly refuse, as did prosecutor David Holmes, to ever once meet or discuss this alleged crime of our public school superintendents Dan Tyree and John Hill?

Why did these public school officials, through their publicly- paid attorneys, consistently seek to silence citizens with threats of a law suit------but yet they never filed such a suit? Why?

We’ll tell you why. If these public school administrators had filed a law suit—they would have been legally compelled to provide access to the tell-all computer.

Instead of initially easily and quickly resolving this serious charge of criminal acts by public school administrators, no one------no public official or the state police have ever once dared to investigate the crime scene, the Plymouth High School computer. No one—including the FBI. Why?

We’ll tell you why, Governor Daniels. We all want to believe the individuals we entrust

our children for at least twelve years of their lives are trustworthy, honorable educators. It is thus easier and far more comfortable to attack citizens’ who properly—and yes, persistently—dare to expose most scandalous public wrongs by public school officials than to address those issues justly for the welfare of all involved. It is far easier for all of us to do the easy wrong rather than the hard right.

Please do not turn your head or your heart to this most real public corruption in our state. Because of the ISP, IDOE and IAG’s failures, you are now the only one in our state who can dare to address this grievous public wrong, this glaring public corruption in Indiana. We, too, wanted to believe this gross public injustice was fed simply because of the bureaucratic nature of government. We now know, based on the fully documented facts, the willful misrepresentations of those facts, the staunch refusal to investigate “the crime scene”, the threats and the intimidation to seek to silence us------that this sad situation is not an issue that simply “fell through the bureaucratic cracks” but is willful corruption by public officials –and their publicly paid attorneys--who have chosen to serve one’s self interest, not the People’s.

Attached is a summary of just some of the corrupt actions of the Indiana State Police, the local prosecutor, the IDOE and the IAG—as well as the local school board. Their actions, or lack thereof, Governor Daniels, we firmly believe are willfully hiding this crime against our public school students, teachers, and entire educational community--at colossal public cost in more ways than just dollars.

In sincere prayer for just resolution,


Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hawes

Indiana Public School Teachers, retired

Attachment Addresses Actions of Plymouth School officials, Marshall County Prosecutor, Indiana State Police Official, IDOE, & the Indiana Attorney General
Partial summary of corrupt actions of public officials: Plymouth Community School Board,


Marshall County Prosecutor, Indiana State Police, IDOE

Plymouth School Board (Todd Samuelson, Larry Pinkerton, Melissa Christiansen, Frank Brubaker, Larry Holloway and formerly attorney Ron Gifford, on house arrest for embezzlement/ fraud)

--absolutely refused numerous proper requests by the victim/citizens to meet in good faith to seek just resolution. PCS attorney Joe Morris even wrote citizens it was illegal for the school board to meet with their constituents. (Hogwash!)

--absolutely refused to address the fully documented actions of PCS Superintendent Dan Tyree on 5/6/08 accessing a public school computer, selecting, and printing off 304 pages of 8 x10” color pornography (with the assistance of this publicly paid female secretary.) Tyree’s actions were malicious-- a manipulative effort to falsify records and further slander a former PCS employee. This filth is fully documented and signed with public school superintendent Dan Tyree’s signature. This school board was absolutely silent to citizens’ request for an investigation, which died for lack of a motion. The board immediately thereafter rolled over Tyree’s contract.

This public school boards’ staunch refusal to investigate these factual events, including refusing to speak with the computer expert,* is most scandalous and supports this public school board’s own corruption in this distressing public issue.

Local Prosecutor (David Holmes): emailed ISP he had investigated and found no wrong doing; Fact--Holmes never once--not once-- communicated with victim/citizens; refused receipt of certified mail; he never once investigated the crime scene/ the computer; is known friend/ neighbor of Dan Tyree

Indiana State Police Officers (Don McCay, Scott Schuh, Dr. Paul Whitesell):

--initially upon interview directed/ provided copy to citizens of Indiana Code 35-43-1-4: advised victim to file a formal complaint; received said complaint on 4/23/09; requested victim take a lie detector exam, he agreed--but ISP unexpectedly without explanation canceled exam (this is documented fact)

--the ISP (as did the PCS board) refused to discuss expert/ independent computer analysis of incomplete record with professional Gary Brooks* indicating computer tampering on a scale of 10 at 9+

--ISP sent email/ publicly stated in South Bend Tribune there would be no investigation after conferring with prosecutor. (Note: strong political/ social ties between the Bremen ISP and Plymouth officials exist)

--ISP Officer Scott Schuh stated ISP could NOT investigate without PCS Board’s permission/ ISP could be sued by PCS. This is false. All needed was “probable cause” ------testimony, documentation, and professional analysis provided abundant probable cause. ( Note: Does the ISP cower in fear of law suits threatened by alleged criminals?)

--ISP Officer Schuh wrote dismissal letter willfully misrepresenting the taped phone conversation legally supporting the need for an investigation

--ISP Officer Don McCay emailed citizens to NOT contact him again regarding this issue

--ISP Director Whitesell was mute to appeals re: this issue and ISP officers’ conduct

IDOE (Dr. Tony Bennett): consistently “lost” citizen appeals (thereafter painstakingly replaced by citizens)

-- totally ignored 7/3/08 proper, written appeal to investigate this alleged crime by PCS Superintendents John Hill and Dan Tyree

-- yet on 7/5/08 IDOE authorized a SECRET investigation of victim, without his knowledge ----this secret government investigation cost taxpayers a minimum of $25,000

--when victim accidentally learned of this secret investigation four (4) months later, he was denied opportunity to refute slanderous statements against himself and others

--IDOE even denied victim a copy of this damning report on himself!

This secret investigation by the IDOE is frighteningly corrupt!!!

-IDOE attorneys stated the IDOE has authority to (secretly) investigate teachers, but no authority to investigate administrators. This is false.

--IDOE later secretly investigated a Bremen administrator--also without their knowledge! The result of both these secret-then-public IDOE investigations maligned these respected educators, who had no recourse to confront these wrongs by government officials.

--IDOE stated this (slanderous) investigative report by law was “confidential and non-disclosable” YET was distributed unrequested to nine (9) citizens & a Ft. Wayne judge

--but denied to the victim!

IAG (Greg Zoeller): continually “lost” appeals even sent by certified delivery

-- USPO inquiry determined signatures on mail receipts were manipulated (forged?)

--purposefully tried to dismiss citizen complaints by stating IAG can investigate everything in Indiana EXCEPT for “academia” and sought to pass buck back to the IDOE

--stated IAG could do nothing

Do note political connections between Dr. Tony Bennett, IAG Greg Zoeller and the prestigious Indianapolis attorney Thomas E. Wheeler II is well documented. It is most apparent Wheeler was publicly retained by PCS Superintendents John Hill/Dan Tyree to protect themselves “at all costs”--NOT to protect our students/teachers/educational community.

These assertions regarding the corrupt acts of the ISP, IAG, IDOE and local government are significant and substantiated with exhaustive documentation; this summary is greatly abbreviated for your benefit in this most disturbing issue. Do know that more than once we as citizens requested to discuss this public corruption with you, Dr. Bennett, and/or IAG Zoeller face to face, and our earnest requests were always ignored. Please do remember that over one hundred (100) Indiana citizens have requested an investigation of this matter, and been disregarded. As citizens of this State, Governor Daniels, we respectfully plead with you yet again to responsibly address this public school corruption immediately, prior to your leaving office. The integrity of your administration demands such.

No doubt our character and motivation to persist will again be maligned by those public “servants” we dare to properly confront. We exhaustively persist seeking to bring this deplorable public corruption in Indiana to the attention of responsible leadership for, as stated before, we know full well that injustices are fueled by the silence of men intimidated by the assertion of power. Whether that power is social, political, financial, or empty legal rhetoric makes no difference.

Injustices unchecked result in the devastation of our freedoms. It costs to speak out.

It costs more not to.

(The other 19 PCS former employees maligned by these administrators, the Black Mold issue, and the roofing scam are not even mentioned in this debacle—but corruption unchecked always escalates…..)

Saturday, February 25, 2012

DNC Latest to Comment on Lugar's Political Self-Destruction

From the Democratic National Committee's Website:

Lugar Doesn’t Know What Address Is On His Driver’s License? REALLY!?


The ballooning controversy surrounding Dick Lugar’s Virginia residency just won’t go away. This weekend, Lugar finally answered for having moved out of Indiana in 1977 and just like his campaign spokesman, he proceeded to stick his foot in his mouth twice. First, Lugar admitted that his lack of an Indiana residence has been an “issue for the whole time” he has served in the Senate. But even worse, he told an Indianapolis T.V. station that he didn’t know what address was listed on his Indiana-issued driver’s license.

“Talk about out of touch. Who on earth doesn’t know what address is listed on their driver’s license?” asked Shripal Shah, spokesman for Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “After moving out of Indiana more than three decades ago, Lugar has shown time and again he has simply lost touch with Hoosier voters. Whether he’s voting to bloat the federal debt by trillions or explaining how he hasn’t lived in Indiana since 1977, Dick Lugar is proving everyday why he’s part of the problem in Washington.”

When asked this weekend why he left Indiana permanently for the D.C. suburbs in 1977, Indiana Senator Dick Lugar didn’t do himself any favors, telling an Indianapolis TV station, “We've had the issue for the whole time I've served in the Senate.” That’s true – Lugar hasn’t lived in Indiana since 1977. But Lugar’s response to questions about the address on his Indiana-issued driver’s license was even worse, with Lugar telling RTV6 that“he isn't sure what address is on his Indiana driver's license but presumes it was from the house he” sold in 1977. The comments come after his campaign previously compared Lugar’s Virginia residency to serving in the military.

Lugar is in the fight for his political life, facing a formidable Republican challenger in Richard Mourdock. Mourdock, who has the support of the Tea Party and grassroots conservative activists, has also received endorsements from more than 75% of Republican county chairmen across the state and has received a slew of endorsements from deep-pocketed conservative groups like the Tea Party Express and the Club For Growth. The Club for Growth as well as Mourdock's campaign have already spent thousands on television railing against his record in Washington.

National News Media Predicts Lugar's Political Demise and Indiana's Attorney General Can't Protect His Good Friend Dick From That

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Tea Partiers Ask Barbara Boxer to Investigate Lugar's Use of Senate Office for Personal Use


Greg Wright
Greg Wright, the Indianapolis resident and Certified Fraud Examiner who first uncovered the fact that Senator Richard Lugar may have committed voter fraud, has asked Senator Barbara Boxer to launch an investigation into allegations that Lugar is using his Indianapolis Senate office for personal business.  [See Gary Welsh's blog post for details.]

On behalf of fifty-five Indiana Tea Party organizations, Wright sent the following letter via fax to Ms. Boxer today:

W. Gregory Wright
2255 Fox Hill Drive
 Indianapolis, IN 46228
317-908-4899
February 19, 2012

Chairman Barbara Boxer Sent Via Fax: (202) 224-7416
Senate Select Committee on Ethics
220 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Regarding: Senator Lugar’s Use of his Official Office for Personal Use

Dear Honorable Barbara Boxer,

Leaders representing fifty-five Indiana Tea Party organizations have asked me to request that you investigate this important matter. Some individual members may contact you.

As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, we request that you investigate Senator Richard Lugar’s use of his official Indianapolis office for personal use.

 Whereas, Senator Lugar’s taxpayer paid Indianapolis office is located at Suite 1180, 10 West Market Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Please see: http://lugar.senate.gov/contact/central/

Whereas, Indiana Secretary of State Certified Documents state that Richard D. Lugar is the President of Lugar Stock Farm Inc. and is its current Registered Agent. See attached copy.

Whereas, Indiana Secretary of State Certified Documents state that the address of the Registered Agent of Lugar Stock Farm Inc. is: Richard G. Lugar, 10 West Market Street, Suite 1180, Indianapolis, IN 46204. See attached copy.


Therefore, I respectfully petition the Senate Select Committee on Ethics to promptly conduct an investigation into the aforementioned allegation and refer any violations to the appropriate body.


Sincerely,


W. Gregory Wright

Certified Fraud Examiner