Kelly Timilty must really be worried
The name-dropping governor's councilor has done what any Massachusetts pol with a sudden ethics issue would do: She's hired a well connected mouthpiece.
No, not George "Angel of Death" Regan. Even better: Larry Rasky, co-founder of Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications, which touts its ability to "aggressively fight to protect the image and reputation of individuals and companies facing unwanted, and often unwarranted, public exposure." Raskey is a confidant of Joe Biden, friend of Sal DiMasi (or, at least, frequent contributor to), in general, a regular Massachusetts fixer (oddly, the Globe refers to Rasky as a spokesman "who said he was representing Timilty," as if there's been a spate of fake spokesmen of late).
It turns out that making up an endorsement from a sitting governor and then forging his signature on it isn't just a memory lapse. It's a potential criminal offense. The statute mentions jail time.
The Globe quotes Rasky expressing remorse for "the terrible error" on behalf of Timilty (who sent out another card that would imply endorsements by Tip O'Neill, Joe Moakley and Ed King, but they're not complaining). However:
Rasky declined to say how it happened or to detail who sent out the 116-word letter and why.
Memo to Globe editors: It wasn't a letter; it was a post card.
Meanwhile, Tom Driscoll explains why Timility should do the honorable thing and just quit.
But why? That would deprive her of her weekly monthly chats with fellow councilor Marilyn "Curling Iron" Devany, who, come to think of it, could probably give Timility some legal tips, should it come to that.
Ad:
Comments
If she steps down...
would the Democratic Party have to call a district-wide caucus to replace her with another nominee on the November ballot? Middlesex County Democrats are about to do this for Register of Probate; I'll post more about that later today.
Good question
I'm betting she doesn't step down, though.
She'd Have to Get A Job
One where she needed to show up regularly. From the looks of things, she'd be the first person in her family in generations to have to do so.
Generational welfare cycles are difficult to break.
Larry Rascal
From today's Globe article:
Gee, Larry, they just "happen"? Nobody does them, they just "happen" ?
Unfortunate Oversight
If you can't tell an "unfortunate oversight" or a "simple mistake" from a baldface criminal act, then maybe you shouldn't be deciding about judicial appointments?
Why, exactly, does a campaign for a part-time job that is usually a done deal "move quickly"? I guess all these unwashed little people just don't understand how difficult it is for their political betters?
Will she have an opponent?
Is she unopposed for the general election? I am just sorry I did not know about this issue before the primary.
Timilty apologizes; Patrick accepts
The Globe has the lowdown:
Oh, and that forged signature?
From another document, on a made-up "endorsement" the governor never wrote, but hey, all's forgiven.
He thinks more of Timilty today
Mike Ball writes Timilty has risen in his estimation because she accepted full blame for the bogus endorsement, rather than trying to blame somebody else on the campaign or just stonewalling.
that Politicker quote was classic
Rasky says Palin is being fairly treated. Meanwhile, I just noticed on the Biden website that then-Senator Biden started dating his current wife in 1975. It also refers to her graduation from college in 1977. Talk about your "Sophomore Slump"s. I'm guessing Rasky will ensure this never get Palinesque attention.