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Michele Bachmann's PardonGate and Ponzi scheme donor yet to be addressed
by Joseph Earnest September 17, 2011
Newscast Media HOUSTON, Texas -- Even though Bachmann seems to have been successful in generating a national conversation about Rick Perry’s HPV vaccine and connecting it to a $5,000 contribution by pharmaceutical giant Merck, Bachmann is yet to address why she wrote a letter asking for a pardon to be extended to a convicted drug-smuggler involved in a Ponzi scheme who contributed over $25,000 to her campaign.
During the most recent CNN debate, Bachmann said, "We cannot forget that in the midst of this executive order there was a big drug company that made millions of dollars because of this mandate. We can't deny that," Bachmann charged.
When asked to elaborate, Bachmann said, "What I am saying is … the governor's former chief of staff was chief lobbyist for this drug company. The drug company gave thousands of dollars in political donations to the governor... The question is, is it about life or potentially billions for a drug company?"
If Bachmann is going to make such charges, perhaps the same standard should uses should be used against her. Frank Vennes Jr., a contributor to Bachmann’s campaign was in the Sandstone Federal Correctional Institution on money-laundering, drug and firearm charges in 1987.
He was released after doing time, however, this all changed when Vennes' homes were raided by federal agents in connection with a Ponzi scheme on September 24, 2010. In July 2011, he was charged with eight counts of securities fraud, six counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, three counts of bank fraud, and two counts of mail fraud. This according to Star Tribune. (pop-up)
In 2007, Bachmann wrote a letter requesting a presidential pardon for the convicted drug-smuggler and money-launderer, Frank Vennes. Vennes was convicted of money laundering in 1988 and pleaded no contest to a cocaine and weapons charge. In addition, he and his wife donated over $25,000 to Bachmann’s 2006 and 2008 election.
Here are just a few donations filed with the Federal Electoral Commission made by Mr. Vennes to Bachmann. One is a donation of $4,600 another is a donation of $10,000 right here. You may view all total contributions here. (pop-up)
If one uses the logic she used against Rick Perry, one could argue that for $25,000 the convicted drug-smuggler and money launderer was able to buy a pardon from Michele Bachmann. You may read or download the pardon letter Bachmann wrote here:
Just like Perry withdrew the executive order, Bachmann too later on realized that her connection to a drug-smuggler involved in a Ponzi scheme would ruin her political career. She then wrote a second letter admitting:"Regrettably, it now appears that I may have too hastily accepted his [Frank Vennes] claims of redemption and I must withdraw my previous letter."
Since she is questioning Perry’s judgment for far less money, Rick Perry too would be justified in questioning her judgment since she received over five times the donations that Perry received.
As far as being a fiscal conservative, it would be hypocritical for Bachmann to make such claims since she herself has from 2001-2006, proposed more than $60 million in earmarks, including a $710,000 “Bond For Centerville Local Improvements Around Highway 14″ and a $40,000,000 “Bond for Lino Lakes And Columbus Township Highway Interchanges," as reported here by The Daily Caller. (pop-up)
It seems Bachmann owes an explanation to her base for actions that are in contravention to what she claims she stands for. As for Frank Vennes, he will become Bachmann’s Tony Rezko if she doesn’t clarify the true and real reasons for her PardonGate. Add Comments>>
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