Yet another pal of the Unindicted-Coconspirator-in-Chief has been swatted by the long arm of the law. Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Larry Rhoden, who stood smilingly next to sex offender Donald Trump just a week ago, is finally facing punishment for breaking the campaign finance law that he helped write. In a rare move, Secretary of State Shantel Krebs has fined Rhoden $200 for filing his campaign statement of organization seven weeks late.
Rhoden hasn’t tweeted much since going on the lam from the law, but his campaign lawyer, lobbyist and running mate Kristi Noem’s longtime supporter and swanky fundraiser host Matt McCaulley admits nothing:
Matt McCaulley, an attorney representing Rhoden for Lieutenant Governor, said the committee disagrees with Krebs’ decision but will pay the $200 fine rather than contest it [Seth Tupper, “Lieutenant Governor Candidate Fined for Campaign Finance Violation,” Rapid City Journal, 2018.09.13].
What is there to disagree with in the decision? Rhoden broke the law. Secretary Krebs has the power (and, we can argue, the duty) to punish those who break the law. Team Rhoden has already forgotten their own party chairman Dan Lederman’s oh-so-recent admonition to candidates that “laws matter” and that “in a civilized society, you don’t just get to say that you’re a candidate without following state law.” Like campaign promises and basic principles, laws matter to Republicans only as long as they help them cling to power.
For his failure to timely file, Rhoden still faces a possible Class 2 misdemeanor penalty of $500 and 30 days in jail and, with some intrepid lawyering, invalidation of his candidacy. Maybe he can get his friend Donald to grant him a pardon.
BAH. The Rhoden Rhangers will raise that much in breakfast change this weekend and donate it all to pay the fine.
Now, consequences for fraudulently pulling the fire alarm at the state capitol. (?)
If only, M.C.!
But on that issue, the message to the general public is that if you’re at the Capitol and really want to make a point about a bill, feel free to pull the fire alarm. You will face no consequences.
Has anyone filed a criminal complaint yet? Can a private citizen do that? Despite Snake Eyes Krebs’ fine imposition, justice has yet to be attempted here.
grudznick will give Mr. Rhoden a stern talking to so this doesn’t happen again.
Wouldn’t the fire alarm evacuate the building and summon Joe Lowe? I thought Mr. Rhoden turned on the Bat Signal. No penalty there.
It’s a very weak, minimal start to applying the law equally to all South Dakotans, including Pootiepublicans. But, it is a start. Now if they’ll just keep going.
[Not holding my breath.]
Snake Eyes…pretty funy 96