FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 1/17/06
CONTACT: LOREN SMITH, 202-254-3714, lsmith@osc.gov

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has filed a complaint for disciplinary action against Tom F. Phillips, the Sheriff of Jackson County, Missouri. OSC’s complaint, filed January 17, 2006, with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), charges Phillips with violating the Hatch Act by asking several Jackson County Sheriff’s Department employees, all of whom were his subordinates, to appear in a political commercial on behalf of Claire McCaskill when she was a candidate for Missouri Governor in 2004. The complaint also charges Phillips with violating the Act by asking several subordinate employees to attend his 2004 re-election campaign fundraisers/events.

Requesting subordinates to appear in a partisan political commercial and requesting their attendance at his campaign events violates two separate provisions of the Hatch Act—the prohibition against use of official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election and the prohibition against coercing or attempting to coerce employees to contribute anything of value, including personal services, to a person for a political purpose.

Phillips is covered by the Hatch Act because his principal employment is in connection with programs that are financed, in whole or in part, by federal loans or grants.

According to the complaint, Phillips approached four of his subordinate employees on August 29, 2004 and asked them if they would appear in a political commercial on behalf of McCaskill. He also requested another subordinate to come into work on this date so that she could open her office blinds to assist with the lighting for the commercial. The subordinate agreed and was rewarded with four hours of double overtime. The complaint further alleges that on the following day, Phillips asked another subordinate employee to ask other Jackson County Sheriff’s Department (JCSD) employees to appear in another taping or filming of Claire McCaskill political commercial. The subordinate did as Phillips asked, and three JCSD employees appeared in the commercial wearing their official JCSD uniforms. The complaint additionally alleges that Phillips asked several of his subordinate employees to attend his re-election campaign events/fundraisers, and accepted their uncompensated volunteer services to promote his re-election campaign by having these subordinates “work the polls” on Election Day.

Special Counsel Scott Bloch said, “One of the main reasons for the original Hatch Act was to prevent political coercion and influence by supervisors in the public workplace. This case shows why the law is still relevant even today. The workplace should not be a place for partisan political activity, and violators will be prosecuted.”

The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of individuals principally employed by state, county, or municipal executive agencies who have duties in connection with programs financed in whole or part by federal loans or grants. A covered employee may not use his official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of an election, or coerce or attempt to coerce covered employees to contribute anything of value to a person for political purposes. When the MSPB finds that a State or local employee has violated the Hatch Act and that the violation warrants removal of the employee, the employing agency must dismiss the employee or forfeit a portion of the federal funds, equal to two years’ salary of the employee. The employee may also not be reappointed to a state or local position in that state for the following eighteen (18) months.

Where is the outrage over this?
Where is the ACLU?
Where are the marches with the “police state” placards?

Has anyone seen a NY Times editorial or front page story about this? Please let me know!
It goes like this:
….in Missouri, Oba…

Sheriff Office:
SMeinberg@jeffcomo.org; DLassing@jeffcomo.org; RArnhart@jeffcomo.org; RBrown@jeffcomo.org; GBoyer@jeffcomo.org,

MO Reps:
KCarle@jeffcomo.org; PHawkins@jeffcomo.org; DWLassing@jeffcomo.org; DMarshak@jeffcomo.org; ddavison@jeffcomo.org; dallen@jeffcomo.org; Rod.Jetton@house.mo.gov; Bryan.Pratt@house.mo.gov; steven.tilley@house.mo.gov; Marilyn.Ruestman@house.mo.gov; Paul.Levota@house.mo.gov; JC.Kuessner@house.mo.gov; Connie.Johnson@house.mo.gov; pa@stlouisco.com

Senator Kt Bond,
Senator McCaskill, Claire,
Rep Rod Jetton,
Rep Bryan Pratt,
Rep Steven Tilley,
Rep Marilyn Ruestman,
Rep Paul LeVota,
Rep J.C. Kuessner,
Rep Connie Johnson,
Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce,
Robert P. McCulloch

And here is what I sent them:

This is to express my deep disappointment, distress and my anger at the despicable position that top prosecutors and sheriffs of Missouri have taken to prosecute “anyone that makes false statements regarding Obama”.

I would like to remind you, that as public servants you are to defend and protect both sides of the divide. Where were you when Sara Palin was accused of most heinous lies?

Disputing opponent’s statements is not breaking the law – and it shouldn’t. I honestly believe that Obama is not a Christian (or Muslim for that matter). I believe that he will not and cannot cut taxes for 95% percent of the American people and I believe that if it wasn’t for the 2nd amendment he would hurry to take that right away too. Should I be afraid to express my beliefs?

Is this America or a communist dictatorship? Is this a free country or a fascist regime? Are you not afraid to take the country that direction? Are you so blinded by your lust to win the election that you are ready to abandon the of the pillars of American freedom (free speech)?

You should be ashamed of yourselves. If you are an American, stand up against it. Openly and clearly. Face the ones with more power without fear.

I stood in the line of fire for my freedom. I was in the middle of a bloody revolution to rid of a communist dictator. Fear to express your beliefs, even if wrong, is the end of any liberty that we hold dear. You have no idea what it is to be filled with fear as a child when you see a uniform! Is that what you want? I will not let you! Where do you stand as Americans! You dare take sides in a political DEBATE!? Have you lost any guidance or understanding? You want a “truth squad”? Who holds the truth? A human?

Sheriff Oliver Boyer should lose his job in disgrace. Shame on Jennifer Joice, Bob McCullock and all involved. And the rest of us should stand up for this country. For our country and for our children.

Don’t you ever dare to take sides in a political debate when you hold so much power in your hands. Shame! Shame! Shame!

With disgust and anger at your abuse of power,

Florin Gheorghies
Atlanta GA

Oh, sorry, I meant to say “truth squad.” Guess I better watch what I say about The One, or I’ll be targeted by Missouri sheriffs and prosecutors. Looks like it’s the next logical step of Obama’s in-your-face initiative. So much for “a new type of…

This ‘otherizes’ Obama quite well IMO. This needs to be circulated, pronto!

http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/09/barack_obama_and_the_strategy.html

Watch this Video also

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/09/burning_down_the_house.html

and watch this video also

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/09/memory_lane_lynching_franklin.html