Reagan-fan Craig Shirley in the WaPo today:
On top of all the scandals, it has just come to light that the RNC paid millions* in legal bills to defend operative James Tobin, who was convicted with associates in an illegal phone-jamming scheme aimed at preventing New Hampshire Democrats from voting. In doing so, the GOP appears to sanction and institutionalize corruption within the party.
* Update those early reports of a mere $2.something million.
We now know that didn’t include RNC payments to defend against the NH Democrats’ civil suit* * on the phone-jamming.
According to SenateMajority.com, we’re now talking close to $6 million:
- Williams & Connolly (James Tobin Criminal Defense) $2,824,584
- Covington & Burling (RNC Civil Defense) $2,997,155
- Devine Millimet & Branch (NH Republican Party Civil Defense) $85,535
Irony of the day: Devine and Millimet was started by my grandfather, Maurice F. Devine, a staunch Democrat whose courage continues to inspire me.
* * In his criminal trial, Tobin was able to claim Fifth Amendment privilege to avoid testifying. In a civil suit, for the first time, Democrats can question Tobin under oath. Rumor says that
Let’s hope they don’t, because it seems like our nation’s best chance to get some actual answers.