Indicted Political Insider Donated Over $7k to Donnelly

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) today called on Congressman Joe Donnelly (D-IN) to return more than $7,000 in campaign contributions from indicted Democratic political insider Butch Morgan.

Morgan, one of Donnelly’s closest political allies, was indicted earlier this week on felony charges of forgery and conspiracy.  According to WNDU.COM, “the criminal charges stem from the wild 2008 Primary Election season in Indiana. It’s alleged that signatures were forged on St. Joseph County petitions designed to get Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on the ballot.”

“Joe Donnelly should immediately return the thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from his indicted friend, Butch Morgan,” said NRSC Spokesman Lance Trover. “From tainted campaign contributions to standing with President Obama on healthcare and the stimulus, Joe Donnelly doesn’t seem to understand Hoosier values.”

Since 2003, FEC records show Butch Morgan has contributed $7,230 in campaign contributions to Cong. Donnelly.

Press reports indicate this is not the first time Cong. Donnelly and Butch Morgan have run into questionable political practices.  In 2007, questions were raised by Donnelly’s former political opponent regarding aggressive voter registration and absentee ballot efforts.

DONNELLY & OWEN “BUTCH” MORGAN

Morgan Has Given $7,230 To Donnelly’s Campaign

On October 2, 2011, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $200 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On June 27, 2011, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $500 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On August 3, 2010, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $500 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On June 22, 2009, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $250 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On March, 31, 2008, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $1,000 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On November 12, 2007, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $250 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On August 25, 2006, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $250 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On June 25, 2006, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $500 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On March 15, 2006, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $1,000 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On May 31, 2006, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $250 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On September 23, 2005, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $250 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On August 30, 2005, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $280 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On May 20, 2005, Owen D. Morgan Jr. Gave $1,000 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

On December 31, 2003, Owen Morgan Gave $1,000 To Donnelly’s Campaign. (Federal Election Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed 4/3/12)

Allies
Morgan Has Been Described As A “Donnelly Ally.” “‘I think he was definitely a target,’ said St. Joseph County Democratic Party Chairman Butch Morgan, a Donnelly ally. ‘They spent a lot of money to defeat him last cycle – they couldn’t beat him, so now they’re trying to beat him this way.’” (Alex Isenstadt, “Redistricting squeezes Donnelly,” Politico, 4/14/11)

Donnelly’s Successful 2006 Congressional Campaign

Morgan Attended A Fundraiser For Donnelly. “A fundraising event Wednesday night for Joe Donnelly, Democratic candidate for Indiana’s 2nd District House seat, netted more than $40,000, Donnelly said. . . ‘It went excellent,’ said Butch Morgan, current party chairman. ‘There were almost 500 people there. We raised a good chunk of money. It certainly wasn’t $600,000, but we didn’t charge $4,000 for anyone’s picture, either.’” (“Donnelly Event Raises Cash,” South Bend [IN] Tribune, 3/31/06)

Morgan Endorsed Donnelly And Touted The Inevitability Of Donnelly’s Nomination. “Democratic congressional candidate Joe Donnelly has won the endorsement of Democratic Party chairmen representing nine of the 12 counties included in the 2nd congressional district. . . Morgan said the strong endorsement provides a signal to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee by showing a continuation of Donnelly’s momentum, and ‘formalizes what everybody knew anyway.’” (James Wensits, “Democratic Party Chairman Gives Endorsement To Donnelly,” South Bend [IN] Tribune, 4/30/06)

Donnelly Accused of Possible Election Fraud
Donnelly’s Campaign Was Accused Of “Possible Election Fraud” By Former Congressman Chris Chocola. “Chocola spokesman Brooks Kochvar then announced that the candidate had asked the U.S. attorney’s office for an investigation of ‘possible election fraud’ and suggested that Democratic opponent Joe Donnelly had been too aggressive in his registration and absentee ballot efforts.” (James Wensits, “Election Board Rules On Write-In Ballots,” South Bend [IN] Tribune, 10/11/07)

• “Donnelly Disavowed Any Knowledge Of The Situation.” (James Wensits, “Election Board Rules On Write-In Ballots,” South Bend [IN] Tribune, 10/11/07)