Backroom Deals: You Can't Make This Stuff Up

Who knew what, when?

The delegates sent to the YRNF Convention in Alabama by the NYSYRs had their registration fees paid for them indirectly by "candidate for YRNF Chair" Jason Weingartner.

In a contested race (this one was until the last minute) it would create a conflict of interest if a vote-casting delegate receives any financial compensation or advantage from a candidate either directly or indirectly before casting his or her vote.

We have already chronicled the lack of any endorsement mechanism in the 3 NYSYR governing documents as well as the shady backroom endorsement of Mr. Weingartner by the current/past NYSYR officers so we won't go into any more detail on that in this post.

Before we get any hate mail or silly comments, let us be clear: This is just another example of the true nature of the current and recent past NYSYR leadership and their convoluted and poorly written governing documents. This is not necessarily about Mr. Weingartner (though he makes it so easy).

Someone with a spine should have objected to this series of transactions and from what we can tell no one did.

Pay to play?

Conflict of Interest?

Unethical?

Shady?

Money Laundering?

Violation of Election Law or at least the spirit of the Election Law?

Those are questions for you to ponder.

Here are the facts:

New York State Election Law

Sec. 14-120. Campaign contribution to be under true name of contributor

1. No person shall in any name except his own, directly or indirectly, make a payment or a promise of payment to a candidate or political committee or to any officer or member thereof, or to any person acting under its authority or in its behalf or on behalf of any candidate, nor shall any such committee or any such person or candidate knowingly receive a payment or promise of payment, or enter or cause the same to be entered in the accounts or records of such committee, in any name other than that of the person or persons by whom it is made.

So can someone tell us if the "contribution" to the YRNF was given in the true name of the person giving it?

Did anyone accept a payment or promise of payment for any purpose other than a legitimate contribution to a political organization?

On 7 May 2013 the NYSYRs made the following expenditure/contribution to the YRNF:

Payee/Recipient	Amt	Expense Code	Date	Disburser	Filing	Sched	Office	Dist
ANEDOT 450 LAUREL STREET, SUITE 2105 BATON ROUGE, LA 70810	2,000.00	OTHER - 2013 YRNF CONVENTION REGISTRATIONS	07-MAY-13	ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK STATE YOUNG REPUBLICANS	2013 July Periodic	F	N/A	N/A
Total Expenses	2,000.00

Then on 21 June 2013 the NYSYR received the following contribution:

WEINGARTNER, JASON 20-64 46TH STREET ASTORIA, NY 1105

2,000.00

21-JUN-13

ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK STATE YOUNG REPUBLICANS

$2000 out, $2000 in.

The money was used to pay the registration fees of the officers/delegates representing the NYSYRs at the YRNF Convention in Alabama where Jason Weingartner was (s)elected YRNF Chairman.

As in most (s)elections in which the NYSYR leadership are involved, the result was unanimous. 

We wonder why...

Cancelled: 2013 NYSYR Annual Saratoga Day at the Races

Saturday, August 10th & Sunday, August 11th 

Due to the recent changes in regards to political fundraising laws on NYRA property (including Saratoga Race Course), it is with deep regret that our Annual Day at the Races event has been canceled. 

We are working on a future fundraising and networking event and will provide information once the planning is complete.

____________________________________

Questions:

1) Why can't the NYSYRs still hold an event there? Just don't charge everyone double the price to make a "profit." Hold it as a social event and have everyone pay their own way. Sounds too republican for the NYSYRs though.

2) What are the NYSYRs (the officers) doing with all the money they already have? Meetings still cost a small fortune to attend, even the ones where elections are rumored to be allowed.

3) Shouldn't meetings where max participation is supposedly the goal be reasonably priced or free?

The NYSYRs have $15,919.15 on hand. 

Expenses:

The vast majority of the NYSYRs expenses (approved by who we ask) are for fundraising activities. Again, for what???

Here are a few examples

NYSYRs in Alabama

5/17/2013- $2000 for YRNF Registrations (Alabama)

Hypocrites? Expensive registration fees paid for by NYSYR (your $) funds.

5/1/2013- $288.78 for a "Chairman's Gavel." 

WTF?


SECTION 2:  The Governing Board shall set the policy of the NYSYR and bring business before the NYSYR. All withdrawals of funds, by check or otherwise, shall require the authorization of the Chair or the Governing Board. The Governing Board must approve all financial expenditures over $100. All expenditures must be presented to the membership for ratification as part of the Treasurer's report.

____________________________________

Food for thought:

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

Read More Here