Oregon GOP stiffs WW2 vet who made $20k loan
Kari Chisholm
I don't typically spend a lot of time hanging out on Oregon's right-wing blogs, but there's a fascinating story percolating over at NW Republican.
It seems that a few years ago, when the Oregon GOP was having some financial difficulties, they borrowed large sums of money from a number of supporters. And at least one of them is complaining rather loudly that he's not getting paid back as promised.
Don Malarkey is an Astoria native and WW2 veteran whose exploits were featured in the Stephen Ambrose book and award-winning TV series Band of Brothers. He was also elected Clatsop County Commissioner in 1954.
From a letter he sent to Bob Tiernan, the state party chair in February 2009:
I am scheduled to have open-heart surgery tomorrow and so I thought it appropriate to write you a note pertaining to the $20,000 loan I made to the Oregon Republican Party early last year. As you probably know, I am not a young man, so time is short for me. I would like to get this loan matter closed as soon as possible.
Over at NWR, they've got the full letter - along with further letters from January and April 2010.
Kinda sad and pathetic state of affairs over there. I'm sure we'll start learning how many other well-meaning senior citizens they've suckered into making loans that aren't getting repaid.
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8:05 a.m.
May 1, '10
Think of the goodwill Allan Alley or Chris Dudley could generate by writing a check to pay off the party's debt to this man, just in time for the primary.
8:31 a.m.
May 1, '10
The numerous contacts this proud Vet has made to get his money back has been ignored for over a year. His first appeal was just before he had open heart surgery. He finally got the Republican Chair, Bob Tierman's attention when he used the word "sue" in a letter to Tierman.
12:21 p.m.
May 1, '10
And they say they're the party of tort reform. But once again, someone proves that a lawsuit sometimes is the only way to get someone's attention.
11:15 a.m.
May 3, '10
A little bit of a stretch, Kari, since this is a contract dispute not a tort. No punitive damages or pain and suffering will be awarded here.
12:51 p.m.
May 1, '10
I'm impressed that Ted is covering the story, and seems to be covering it well.
Have they forgotten the civility to make a phone call? Especially to someone who's loaned them $20,000?
9:08 a.m.
May 2, '10
I was made aware of this story awhile ago--but not having many sources with the GOP of Oregon, couldn't get a hold of the documents. Good on Ted for doing it.
One of the facets to the story that I heard that Ted isn't reporting, is that Tiernan has been just flat refusing to pay Malarkey back because Tiernan says the debt is former GOP Chair Vance Day's responsibility, not his. If true, I find that particular notion fascinating. As if taking over the ORGOP Chair suddenly wiped any debt slate clean...truly strange.
Also, the comments at NWRepublican to the story are very interesting. One of them links to a Facebook page which includes an alleged letter from Tiernan to the ORGOP State Central Cmte dated April 29th. It talks about the loan...but what's interesting is..one of the State Central Committee Members comments that they've never seen the letter until it was linked from NW Republican.
It's like watching a train wreck. I can't help myself.
10:29 a.m.
May 2, '10
I'm surprised at all of you. I would think you're all use to hearing about the GOP rake in huge sums of debt and then pass it off to someone else. That's sorta the GOP MO.
3:57 p.m.
May 2, '10
I love republican math! Carla wrote "Tiernan has been just flat refusing to pay Malarkey back because Tiernan says the debt is former GOP Chair Vance Day's responsibility, not his." Does this mean in Tiernan's world the first $10 Trillion or so of the US debt that President Obama inherited from the previous administration is not his problem, and if Obama feels that Bush's insatiable thirst for borrowed money was not wise, then Obama is off the hook for that money? I wish he would share that philosophy with the rest of the wing-nuts.
9:49 a.m.
May 3, '10
Thanks for the update, I personally liked the Band of Brothers and the Mularkey portrayed was a stand up guy. I also noticed a whole lot of videos related to financial reform and protests against big banks, namely Wells Fargo. I only watched one, a rally montage set to "born free" punk rock. This was surprising to see at NWR.
10:56 a.m.
May 3, '10
This just sounds like a whole bunch of Malarkey!
11:30 a.m.
May 4, '10
This is shameful. The GOP should know better than to take money from senior citizens, most of whom are on fixed incomes (particularly to the tune of $20,000). I wonder if the laws governing senior fraud might apply here (since apparently there is no intention to repay what was initially positioned as a loan?)