Gingrich Finds Himself in Legal Hot Water . . . Again
Attorneys and the political community are asking questions about Mr. Gingrich and his influence over a “Super-PAC” that supports him. According to campaign finance law, candidates are not to have any influence over the activities of their Super-PAC’s. However, in a recent debate, Gingrich spoke of T.V. advertisements and videos currently under production in great detail.
Here is what Gingrich said that triggered the controversy:
“When the 27 and a half minute movie comes out, I hope it’s accurate. I– I– I– I can say, publicly, I hope that the Super PAC runs an accurate movie about Bain. It’ll be based on establishment newspapers, like the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Barron’s, Bloomberg News, and I hope it is totally accurate. And then people can watch the 27 and a half minutes of his career at Bain and decide for themselves.”
The Washington Post asks, “How did he know the sources cited for an ad that is not yet public?”
Gingrich has also said recently that he “told his Super-PAC only to produce positive ads.” Such guidance technically violates the law by instructing his PAC to do something.
This is not the first time Gingrich has ventured into legally detrimental waters. In the mid-1990′s, Gingrich left the House Speakership amid scandal after an investigation revealed that some of Mr. Gingrich’s activities were an “intentional or reckless disregard of House rules.” Mr. Gingrich was ultimately forced to pay $300,000 for ethics violations and forced to apologize to the U.S. House of Representatives and the American people for his activities.
James Cole, the lawyer who headed the investigation in the 90′s said this of Gingrich’s actions:
“Mr. Gingrich ran a lot of very yellow lights. Orange lights. There were bells and whistles going off. He was taking risks. . . Going right up to the edge.”
The Washington Post article concludes: “Gingrich’s activities were not random acts but part of a pattern of questionable behavior.”
If the allegations are true that Gingrich is influencing his Super-PAC and even directing them on what information to use in their advertisements, then it appears as though Mr. Gingrich is in violation of federal law.
Jeff Fuller contributed to this article.
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Not surprising—-Gingrich is always trying to tell us how smart he is and that he is the Ronald Reagan Conservative in the race. Every time I hear that, it is like finger nails down a black board!
I do not think Reagan would approve of Gingrich’s actions, but then he has always been a time bomb!! Not ready for POTUS, for sure and not qualified to go against Obama, and that is the brass ring we must get, Obama!!
Governor Mitt Romney is a far superior candidate, and GREAT to look at!!!
No surprise here. What surprises me is that any American would vote for this yahoo.
lol…Newt is just about done…there are so many reasons whey Newt won’t be the nominee…I think everyone knows why.
Newt Gingrich has gone overboard on this one. And the sad thing is, this is not the first time, in as many weeks. He behaves as if ‘We the People’ are not smart enough to vote for the candidate of our choice. Gingrich sounds as if to be the spokesman for Obama, in tearing down Gov. Romney. Newt has failed in his own defense, and ventures to take much of the credit of what happened under President Reagan’s leadership. As a Republican, I have seen yet another side of Newt, that I definitely DO NOT LIKE. He might be an excellent historian with cute little quips, now and then, but his current demeanor has soured my respect for him. I no longer consider him to be a viable candidate to be the Republican nominee. He has dug his own grave. R.I.P.
Thanks for the comments everyone. Tune in part 2 in a few days.
I am afraid nothing will come of this. Nothing seems to stick to the thrice married big government buffoon.