MN GOP Demands Franken 'Fess Up Over Boys & Girls Swindle

NOT FORGOTTEN

Air America Scandal And Franken Focus of New Attention







Did Al Franken really think he could run for office in another state without being called to account for his potential role in the sleazy Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club scandal?

That's where $875,000 in taxpayer funds were diverted from the Bronx-based charity and used to fill the liberal radio network's coffers.

Though we've never accused him of directly taking part in the scheme, we're convinced he knew the dirty money was being used to fund his bloated salary and did nothing to stop it. Only with public pressure did Franken even address the issue on the air, refusing to come clean with what he knew and when he knew it.

Now, the Minnesota GOP has had enough. Burdened with the alleged comedian as Senator Norm Coleman's opponent, they would like to know more about Stuart's antics in New York City. Will he come clean?

Don't hold your breath.

Today, they've issued this press release, pegging exactly the issue at hand:

Republican Party Of Minnesota Calls Franken To Divulge His Role In Air America And Boys And Girls Club Scandal



St. Paul- At a State Capitol press conference today, Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Ron Carey called on Al Franken to provide more detailed answers to his role in the cover-up involving nearly $900,000 that was stolen from the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club by Franken’s Air America company.

“Al Franken did nothing to help return nearly $900,000 to the New York Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club while his employer, Air America, continued to use the money to possibly pay Franken’s salary and benefits,” said Carey. “At a time when Franken’s temper tantrums and bad behavior could have been put to good use by publicly demanding and threatening to expose his employer’s role in this massive fraud, Franken remained silent. But, while he negotiated for a multi-million contract, he was well aware that his nearly bankrupt Air America employer had stolen money from the Boys and Girls Club and he did nothing and said nothing to get the money returned.”

In 2004, Air America, through a series of financial irregularities, and under the leadership of Franken’s former CEO, took an unauthorized “loan” of $875,000 from the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club to pay for operating costs, possibly including “operating costs” at the struggling radio network.

Franken, who repeatedly denied any role in the scandal, finally was forced to admit on-air that his company did indeed take the money, and that it was likely being used to cover the station’s operating costs.

At the time, Franken was also negotiating a huge salary increase, while Air America was continuing to delay returning the money to the Boys and Girls Club. And, Franken, who was caught misrepresenting when he was aware of the scandal, never called on the station, or the management of the company to return the money.

According to Chair Carey, while Franken may not have been involved in taking the money in the beginning, his lack of effort to get the money returned raises questions about what his role was after the fact.

“Al Franken said his company had no legal obligation to pay back the money they stole. So, while kids, senior citizens, and thousands of people who were looking for services from the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club weren’t getting them, Al Franken remained silent – and never once called for an audit, or an investigation or any type of oversight in the matter. Why did Franken stay quiet? Was he afraid of jeopardizing his contract negotiations? Or, was it because he didn’t want to raise any suspicions about how deeply involved he was in the station’s financial situation? He needs to answer these questions.”

Chair Carey also raised questions about Franken’s signature on a document that clearly showed that Air America owed money to the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club.

“Franken claims he never saw the list of creditors that were owed money by Air America when it filed bankruptcy, and therefore, couldn’t have known that Air America still owed $875,000 back to the Boys and Girls Club.

Isn’t it ironic that once again Al Franken has a sudden loss of memory when it comes to financial irregularities with a company and business that he is involved in. He didn’t know he was supposed to pay taxes – he didn’t know he was supposed to pay workers compensation premiums – and he claims he didn’t know Air America stole money from poor kids. There’s a pattern here, and it’s one that has dogged Al Franken for years.”

The Minnesota GOP has nailed it: Franken towed the party line for a bunch of crooks, all so that his bloated paychecks would continue to arrive.

That's an important distinction, as his defenders have sometimes tried to blur this issue, accusing critics of claiming he participated in the theft itself.

Even if one didn't take part in the heist, or drive the getaway car, taking a share of the loot is still a crime. While Franken may have escaped punishment in New York City, Minnesota voters may yet have something to say about it.


FOR New England regional talk radio updates, see our other site.



Amazon orders originating with clicks here benefit The Radio Equalizer's ongoing operations.

Your Honor System contributions keep this site humming along. Thanks!



Technorati tags: talk radio al franken show al franken air america air america gloria wise al franken minnesota gop gloria wise boys and girls club scandal air america scandal

Classic AAR images: David A Lunde for the Radio Equalizer, AAR Scandal logo: Darleen Click