Al Franken must feel like he’s got big red bullseyes painted on his back and chest. Just when he was hoping his troubles were over, the Minnesota Republican Party is asking for an explanation of his role in the Gloria Wise scandal:
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.”
I remember this scandal because it was so despicable in nature. I remember thinking that it was pretty repulsive that Franken would negotiate a big contract when Air America was financially strapped and likely appropriating funds from the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club. I remember thinking that Mr. Franken didn’t have a shred of integrity.
To re-inforce Chairman Carey’s statement that “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”, I refer you to Brian Maloney’s initial post breaking this scandal. Of the many questions Brian Maloney asks in his article, this one stands out the most:
Are the network’s hosts, such as Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo, willing to apologize for the severe damage done to community programs for inner-city youth and seniors, as a result of this sleazy scandal?
Here’s another noteworthy question several updates later:
Did any of Air America’s hosts address the scandal today, or are they trying to pretend this didn’t happen?
Thirty-eight months later, I’m confident in answering that at least one Air America host didn’t address the scandal then because he’d rather ignore it now.
At this point, I have to think that Al Franken feels like the character from Li’l Abner who has the rain cloud permanently positioned overhead. Franken must think that he’ll never get out from underneath this cloud of scandals.
The good news for Franken is that these clouds will lift a day after Norm Coleman defeats him. That defeat will free Franken to return to being one of the least funny comedians in show business.
This is the most damaging part of Chairman Carey’s official statement:
“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.”
Here’s what Maloney posted on January 25, 2006 about Franken’s contract negotiations:
Happily waltzing through the middle of this mess nearly unscathed, however, is Franken himself. Fawning press coverage almost everywhere was the result of his recently-completed book tour.
And why shouldn’t Franken be smiling? While repayment was delayed until it was too late to save Gloria Wise and its afterschool programs for disadvantaged youth, Al got everything he wanted and then some.
Did his greed greatly contribute to the problem, by keeping Air America financially-drained and unable to return the money? Quite possibly, according to newly-obtained documents.
Not only does Al Franken owe the people of Minnesota an explanation but he also owes the disadvantaged children who otherwise would’ve benefited from the programs that should’ve been run as a result of the initial $875,000. That isn’t all, either. Mr. Franken also owes the seniors who would’ve benefited from the programs that were supposed to be part of the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club.
At minimum, it’s safe to say that Mr. Franken isn’t a man of integrity. It’s equally safe to say that this information puts into question what Mr. Franken’s priorities would be if elected. It isn’t a stretch to think that Mr. Franken puts Mr. Franken first, everyone else second.
Mr. Franken’s record can’t be compared with Sen. Coleman’s record of compassion and integrity and putting Minnesota first.