More than a food fight at NH GOP HQ - and only one standing up for Principle thus far? - Granite Grok

More than a food fight at NH GOP HQ – and only one standing up for Principle thus far?

Will he, Dr. Robert Scott, be that only one standing?  Or has he just been led in front of the firing squad wall – alone?

I received either the same or a similar email thread that was sent to Pindell over at WMUR.  Unlike him, who only put up excerpts (er, why?  He’s got that blog site and putting it up is almost a negligible marginal cost.), I’m putting up what I have and you can decide.  Will this prevent more from coming in?  Dunno, but here is one thing you can count on.  Over the years, the ‘Grok has ALWAYS been on the side of a more open and transparent Government.  Given that, why not be open about one of the Parties, especially since James has already started the email dump?  And yes, it seems like everyone is trying to dump on Robert Scott for trying to stand up and protect the assets / good standing / name / history / <insert “good stuff” name here>.

Why put them up?  Why yak about what is going on at the NH GOP E-Board level? After all, these elites “rule” Party since we elected them, right?  Why should we trouble our little heads, we who ARE State Committee Members (like most of us here at GraniteGrok)?  Turn that question around: why shouldn’t the State Committee Members know of the food fight (with what seems to be with embedded razor blades)?  And instead of “ruling”, shouldn’t they be governing the Party with our consent?  Should we not be holding them to the same standards that are espoused in our Platform?

A la Drudge, consider this “Developing”.  Interesting that Dr. Scott starts off with a “wait, you agreed to not sign” with a Ms. Horn immediate response on Dr. Scott concerning FEC reports – such a deal!  Seems from these emails to be a “I want what I want and here’s how I’m gonna get it” and if a sullying of Dr. Scott’s reputation is but a tool in which to get it, er, well, politics ain’t beanbags as Papa Smurf has been known to utter.  Well, we’ll take his other advise: “talk, talk, talk, talk, talk…talk to your family, talk to your friends, talk to anyone”.

Indeed; it is what we do at the ‘Grok!  Begin forwarded messages (emphasis mine):

****************************

ROBERT SCOTT FIRST LETTER TO STOP SIGNATORY

Fiscal Liability?

Dr. Robert Scott (wisdomteam@hotmail.com)
3/28/13
To: jennifer@nhgop.org

Good Morning,

It has come to my attention of your interest in becoming a signer on one of our GOP bank accounts which is directly contrary to our mutual agreement that we determined after receiving the advisement of our counsel, auditor and insurance agent in regards to your personal fiscal liability. We agreed that you would not sign anything.

Far more disturbing is the complete absence of professional consideration extended to me in discussing any changes in fiscal officers that would have signing rights on our accounts. It is my intention to foster a collaborative team in regards to our organization that operates with complete transparency. Therefore such behavior calls your judgment into further question.

I will be in New Hampshire on Monday and would like to avail you the opportunity to discuss this matter before I proceed to discuss this with other members of the NHRSC Executive Board. My direction from the general membership and executive board are most explicit in protecting the fiscal integrity of the organization. It took four years of very hard work and hundreds of thousands of dollars to correct past indiscretions of the chair.

You will find there is complete unanimous solidarity on this matter and I would advise no changes to anything until we can professional discuss this matter.

I am much too busy to engage this matter with any level of drama and please accept my letter in the spirit of my professional obligation that I am charged with by the committee. There is nothing personal here, it is just business and the mutual responsibility we possess to the trust and confidence of our general membership.

Best Regards,

Dr Robert Scott
Treasurer
NHRSC, INC

Translation #1 – “We had a deal – or so I thought….going around me?”

Sidenote:  “It took four years of very hard work and hundreds of thousands of dollars to correct past indiscretions of the chair.”  Umm, that goes backwards PAST Wayne MacDonald and Jack Kimball, doesn’t it?

 

**************************************************************

CHAIRMAN  JENNIFER  HORN,
BRYAN GOULD  CORRESPONDENCE

FEC Filing of December 31, 2012?

From: “Jennifer Horn” <jenniferhornnh@gmail.com>

To: “Dr. ROBERT SCOTT” <think@robertscott.us.com>
Cc: “Bryan Gould” <gouldb@cwbpa.com>; “Bryan Gould” <bryangould@comcast.net>; “Andy Leach” <aleach030@gmail.com>
Received: 03-29-2013 10:08 PM

March 29, 2013

Dear Robert,
I am copying Bryan Gould, counsel to the NHGOP, on this email, and as such the contents of this email are considered legally privileged and are not to be shared. I am also copying Andy Leach on this e-mail in his capacity as Senator Ayotte’s designated representative to the NHRSC executive committee.

As you may be aware, it was reported in the Nashua Telegraph on Sunday March 24, 2013 that the FEC has filed yet another letter of sanction against the NHGOP in regard to the December 31, 2012 FEC filing made under your signature.

A number of the Executive Board members have contacted me expressing concern about a pattern of continued FEC mistakes over the past several years; their concerns are focused on both the financial risk we face as a party as we confront the potential of a new round of fines and fees, and their concern for the continued damage this does to our reputation among New Hampshire voters.  Unfortunately, they have specifically expressed their concern relating to the pattern of FEC issues under your tenure as Party Treasurer.

Like you, I prefer to avoid drama and public spectacle that will further damage the NHGOP and I have no doubt of your sincere desire over the years to serve the party.  However, I know you understand the serious nature of this issue and as such I need to hear from you as to what you believe is the best course of action to restore the full faith of the Executive Board and the general membership of our party in the office of Treasurer.

Respectfully,
Jennifer Horn, Chairman
New Hampshire Republican State Committee

Translation #2 – “I’m warning you – we gonna pin all the FEC screwups on you.  Go ahead, keep bringing up Signatory Authority”

Sidenote:  “ I prefer to avoid drama and public spectacle”  Too late, dear.

Sidenote: such a sideshow of politeness.  If it was only really meant….

QUESTION????   Why is Andy Leach, in his capacity of CoS to Kelly Ayotte, being copied on this kind of matter?  Yes, she may well be on the E-Board, but what does she OR Leach have to do with this internal governance spitting match?  Can someone tell me, your lowly blogger, the why of this, please?  After all, there are many folks out there that truly believe that I am of the dimmest bulb sort – I look to be enlightened!  Or is it as simple of what I have heard in rumor: simply one of a few whispers behind the throne?

**************************************************************

NHRSC TREASURER ROBERT SCOTT CORRESPONDENCE

Re: FEC Filing of December 31, 2012?

From: “THINK@robertscott.us.com” <think@robertscott.us.com>

To: “Jennifer Horn” <jenniferhornnh@gmail.com>; “foxfire21st” <Foxfire21st@aol.com>; “julianabergeron@gmail.com” <julianabergeron@gmail.com>; “eileen@nhgop.org” <eileen@nhgop.org>; “cspies@clarkhill.com” <cspies@clarkhill.com>; “jtyrrell@clarkhill.com” <jtyrrell@clarkhill.com>; “simons.jonathan@gmail.com” <simons.jonathan@gmail.com>; “tankerjeff@aol.com” <tankerjeff@aol.com>; “jacob@nhgop.org” <jacob@nhgop.org>; “meg@nhgop.org” <meg@nhgop.org>; “David Chesley” <davidchesley@hotmail.com>; “wayne macdonald” <elephantsmarching@msn.com>

Cc: “Bryan Gould” <bryangould@comcast.net>; “Andy Leach” <aleach030@gmail.com>; “Bryan Gould” <gouldb@cwbpa.com>

Sent: 03-30-2013 08:46 AM

Good Morning,

The best course of action is to discuss both issues at the April Executive Board meeting.

1,Your IRS Tax Lien Status and the liability it will create for the party if you sign any check or document of the NHRSC, INC as expressed by all of our professional partners which we discussed on the first day in your office as chairman.

You agreed to sign nothing and now have changed your mind to become a signer of our accounts. Jennifer you have a tax felony which impairs our D & O Insurance, diminishes our audit internal controls and is an enormous public relations liability. I do not care who you copy on this matter..it will not escape the fact that you are fiscal liability and a Tax Felon. I have been given explicit instruction be the general membership of this organization to protect their fiscal and legal liability. You are the greatest present liability that this committee possesses currently

2, The procedure of filing our monthly FEC Report and the team of people involved in the process.

The NHRSC Treasurer does not possess sole authorship of this document. It is a complex process that involves our Executive Director, Assistant Treasurer, Reps at Aristotle, Counsel at Clark Hill and the Chairman. Your simplistic, sophomoric, uneducated and unsupported statement of which you are part of the process reveals still further absences in your professional judgment. I have taken the liberty to copy my entire FEC Compliance Team which you have extended disrespect in your attempt to extort me in a pro quid pro quo situation. I will not be bullied by anyone and know how fortunate you are of my personal ethics that prevents me from c.c. long-term friends in the media. In my opinion, you owe an apology to our entire hardworking FEC Team for this misdirected email. This is the type of dirty politics and thuggery that has become what this organization is all about and why we will continue to lose elections.

Tomorrow as I consecrate the Eucharistic at the Divine Liturgy.. I will knell and pray especially for you and the misguided counsel that surrounds you….Forget about the drama Jennifer ..”For He exalts the righteous and He humbles the proud”…your judgment now is upon you and no one will prevent it from occurring.

Dr. Robert Scott

Translation #3 – “OK, let’s muddy the water and start bringing more people in here and bring it up at the next E-Board meeting.  Let’s not forget the Tax Lien Elephant and you AGREED to not sign a thing – you wanna raise our insurance rates.  You want to attack the FEC reports?  Bring it!”     You wanna bring threats – bring it!

Sidenote:  “I do not care who you copy on this matter” – me neither, being open and transparent means everybody should know – especially since I’m a State Member

Sidenote: “Your simplistic, sophomoric, uneducated and unsupported statement”  Nice line

Sidenote: “in your attempt to extort me in a pro quid pro quo situation”  Heh, brings back that old joke about pirates, brigands,  and politicians…..

Sidenote: “ I will not be bullied by anyone“.  Heh!  Cool Beans!

Sidenote: “c.c. long-term friends in the media” That’s ok, somebody else did it for you!

Sidenote: “you owe an apology to our entire hardworking FEC Team”  Yeah, not doing so will go over EVAH so very well at this point.

Sidenote:  “This is the type of dirty politics and thuggery that has become what this organization is all about and why we will continue to lose elections.”  Um, didn’t a lot of we Liberty and Freedom type folks say this a long time ago?

**************************************************************

Signatory Authority?

From: “Jennifer Horn” <jenniferhornnh@gmail.com>
To: “Dr. ROBERT SCOTT” <think@robertscott.us.com>
Cc: “Bryan Gould” <gouldb@cwbpa.com>; “Bryan Gould” <bryangould@comcast.net>; “Andy Leach” <aleach030@gmail.com>
Received: 03-30-2013 10:04 AM

March 30, 2013

Dear Robert,

I am copying Bryan Gould, counsel to the NHGOP, on this email, and as such the contents of this email are considered legally privileged and are not to be shared.

I am also copying Andy Leach on this e-mail in his capacity as Senator Ayotte’s designated representative to the NHRSC executive committee.

Thank you for your email expressing concern about the signatories for the New Hampshire Republican State Committee.  As you will recall, on January 28th , my first day on the job as the Chairman of the party, you came to the office and expressed grave concerns about my becoming a signatory for the party.  At that time I told you that my primary interest was to do whatever is best for the GOP and that, if necessary, I would be happy to name someone else as signatory.

Since then we have communicated with the liability insurance people who indicated that their only concerns were based in the fact that a member of the Board (you) had expressed concerns to them.  I have also consulted party counsel, Bryan Gould, who has assured me that there is no exposure for the party to have me as signatory.  He has further expressed that in fact I cannot abdicate that authority as I am ultimately responsible for the party.  As such, under the advice of our attorney, I will be transferring signatory responsibilities to myself and to the new Executive Director, Matthew Slater.

Respectfully,
Jennifer Horn, Chairman
New Hampshire Republican State Committee

Translation #4 – “I have appealed to a higher power – or, at least gone around around you.  And, I have a lawyer to back me up!”  Screw you – consider that I and the new guy (hello, Matthew, welcome to GraniteGrok – the Conservative (w/small “L” libertarian leanings) conscience of the Right.

Sidenote: “and as such the contents of this email are considered legally privileged and are not to be shared.”  Certainly not by me – it came to me unbidden and unrequested.  Review the FAQs for GraniteGrok and you will see that I have stated, for YEARS, that anything coming over the transom is fair game and game for posting. Consider this a REAL dufus move – being a former radio host, you shoulda listened to Howie Carr’s advice to politican’s, right?  “Never write down that which you can speak, never…”  The modern corollary

**************************************************************

From: Dr. Robert Scott [mailto:wisdomteam@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2013 8:03 AM
To: Steve Lawlor; Jameson Meschino; eileen@nhgop.org
Subject: Internal Controls

Good Morning,

Steve,

I know that we spoke about this in January regarding our chairman’s IRS tax felony and lien. My concern was the impact on our internal controls if she was a signer on our bank accounts. Our counsel wants a written opinion from our professionals.

It is important to be both accurate and detailed in your response as this matter has the potential of becoming a public situation.

I have no opinion in this situation and desire to be directed by our professionals, whom I will reference to the Executive Board and the media when the time comes.

Even though I have thirty years of experience, this is all new territory and a unique situation.

This is time sensitive matter that requires a rapid response.

Best Regards,

Dr. Robert Scott
Treasurer
NHRSC, INC

Translation #5: “Looking for the flag of the cavalry cresting the top of the hill – where are they?  Until then, a stout defense is raised”

Sidenote: “potential of becoming a public situation”  Oopsies!  Er, this started just as soon as the Tax Lien news broke.  Lots of us gained the ability to see future history and saw this coming like the Mad Maxx horde (and looks as disgusting)….

**************************************************************

RE: FEC Filing of December 31, 2012

From: “Bryan Gould” <gouldb@cwbpa.com>
To: “THINK@robertscott.us.com” <think@robertscott.us.com>
Cc: “Jennifer Horn” <jennifer@nhgop.org>; “Andy Leach” <aleach030@gmail.com>
Received: 04-01-2013 12:11 PM

Robert:

Charlie Spies has told me that Clark Hill has not been asked for an opinion regarding whether Jennifer should have signatory authority and has not given such an opinion to anyone.

Again, we don’t see any legal reason that the NHRSC should withhold signatory authority from Jennifer.  It is important that we get this right, however, so if you are aware of any advice the party has received that contradicts our conclusion I would again request that you make us aware of the source and content of that advice right away.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards.

Bryan
Bryan K. Gould, Esquire
Cleveland, Waters and Bass, P.A.
Two Capital Plaza, 5th Floor
P.O. Box 1137
Concord, NH 03302-1137
Telephone:  603-224-7761
Fax:  603-224-6457

Translation #6: Glint in eye time?  Where’s your logistics column, Robert?  Ante up!

Sidenote: Again, if this is truly an internal NH GOP matter, why is Andy Leach (proxy for Kelly – or is it JUST to have Andy in on this?), Why isn’t JP Marzullo, the NH GOP VP in on this?  Or Diane Bitter, the NH GOP Secretary? Why is unelected Andy in on this?  Shouldn’t the new Exec. Dir be on the email thread rather than Andy?

Does this means that the official By Laws need to be updated?

**************************************************************

 4/02/13

To: ‘kreeves@crossagency.com’, ‘wisdomteam@hotmail.com’
Cc: Elizabeth Piche

Drawer:     ME
FileNo:     NHP649022

Dr. Scott,   I have been advised by the carrier on your inquiry of the Chairman Jennifer Horn.  See reply below:

From Underwriter:

There are some issues that could arise on our end.  Because she has tax issues, we could see claims from people saying it was a breach of fiduciary duty to even have her on the board, and giving her authority over bank accounts will only fuel that fire.  I have just read 2 articles online, so it has become public knowledge. I would like to specifically exclude her.

Please review and advise if you have any further questions.

Thanks
Dawn Marceau | Associate Broker     AINS, ASLI
Risk Placement Services
Phone: 207.482.2363 |  Fax: 207.775.6592
Dawn_Marceau@RPSins.com
www.RPSins.com/portland

Translation #7: “Because she has tax issues, we could see claims from people saying it was a breach of fiduciary duty to even have her on the board, and giving her authority over bank accounts will only fuel that fire.”  I am the gas lady – not seeing any tanks to fill, I just poured it onto the fire.

Sidenote: I guess Robert is of sound mind…..there is a flag coming over the hill!

**************************************************************

From: “Dr. Robert Scott” <wisdomteam@hotmail.com>
Subject: Chairman Horn Signatory Authorization
Date: April 4, 2013 7:36:47 AM EDT
To: “THINK@robertscott.us.com” <think@robertscott.us.com>
Cc: “jp@nhgop.org” <jp@nhgop.org>, “julianabergeron@gmail.com” <julianabergeron@gmail.com>, “sduprey@foxfirenh.com” <sduprey@foxfirenh.com>, “esmiglowski@comcast.net” <esmiglowski@comcast.net>, “ddbitter@aol.com” <ddbitter@aol.com>, “mattwenfran@myfairpoint.net” <mattwenfran@myfairpoint.net>, “tankerjeff@aol.com” <tankerjeff@aol.com>, “vickiodescalchi@aol.com” <vickiodescalchi@aol.com>, “jcoburn7268@gmail.com” <jcoburn7268@gmail.com>, “vincentmark@comcast.net” <vincentmark@comcast.net>, “navyjagcapt5926@yahoo.com” <navyjagcapt5926@yahoo.com>, “alan.glassman@gmail.com” <alan.glassman@gmail.com>, “jflec@roadrunner.com” <jflec@roadrunner.com>, “kate1day@msn.com” <kate1day@msn.com>, “eric.catman@gmail.com” <eric.catman@gmail.com>, “simards74@myfairpoint.net” <simards74@myfairpoint.net>, “rfchadwick@juno.com” <rfchadwick@juno.com>, “bryangould@comcast.net” <bryangould@comcast.net>, “rbirdsell@comcast.net” <rbirdsell@comcast.net>, “absoconnor@gmail.com” <absoconnor@gmail.com>, “specbowers@georgesmillscottages.com” <specbowers@georgesmillscottages.com>, “kerry@spectrummarketing.com” <kerry@spectrummarketing.com>, “winfantine@aspen-ins.com” <winfantine@aspen-ins.com>, “acernota@mcr-ip.com” <acernota@mcr-ip.com>, “geordiefoley@aol.com” <geordiefoley@aol.com>, “vs.svrw@myfairpoint.net” <vs.svrw@myfairpoint.net>, “davidhurst@manchesteryr.com” <davidhurst@manchesteryr.com>, “jwagner@anselm.edu” <jwagner@anselm.edu>, “senatorbragdon@myfairpoint.net” <senatorbragdon@myfairpoint.net>, “chandlr2@ncia.net” <chandlr2@ncia.net>, “frplett@gmail.com” <frplett@gmail.com>, “jencouture71@gmail.com” <jencouture71@gmail.com>, “drummond.tyler@gmail.com” <drummond.tyler@gmail.com>, “jennifer@nhgop.org” <jennifer@nhgop.org>, “meg@nhgop.org” <meg@nhgop.org>, “jacob@nhgop.org” <jacob@nhgop.org>

Attorney Gould,

I categorically disagree with your professional advisement in this matter and remain completely opposed to Jennifer Horn signing any fiduciary instruments or legal documents. My opposition is supported by my insurance agent, their general agency, the underwriters of the Directors & Officers Policy, our external auditor Nathan Wechsler which has served this committee for the past twelve years and the NHRSC, INC General Counsel that concurred with my opinion  (as you requested in writing and now attached) back in January when I first went to Jennifer Horn to discuss her IRS Tax Lien status on her first day in office as chair.

Her acquiesces to comply with my advisement was welcomed  and her understanding of the unique circumstances that she had placed our organization within was greatly appreciated. Her recent reversal of our mutual agreement, that she based on your legal opinion and support has created impairment, liability, potential expense and unnecessary risk for the NHRSC, INC.

The underwriters of our D & O Policy specifically states in their written opinion that Jennifer Horn should be“EXCLUDED” from any signatory authorization. This written opinion affirms the advisement of our local insurance agent in January which you and Jennifer Horn have rejected and decided to proceed over my strong objections.

The underwriters proceed further and questioned the legitimacy of Jennifer Horn even serving as an officer of the Executive Board due to “ potential claims as a breach of fiduciary duty ”  that will be only “fuel on the fire” if she is given access to NHRSC bank accounts. Your decision to proceed may result in the cancellation of our policy and will make obtaining a new D & O policy that much more difficult and of course expensive. Please review Exhibit A.

Our auditor at Nathan Wechsler advises that we immediately have all bank statements mailed directly to my home as treasurer so that they can be verified and independently certified before being returned the NHRSC offices. This is an unprecedented action which is necessary to maintain our internal controls and the complete trust of our audit partner. Please review Exhibit B.

Still more distressing, is Chairman Horn’s email of March 29, 2013 that you and Mr. Leach were party to, which attempts to threaten, bully and extort me into stopping to proceed in doing my treasurer’s duties in blocking her accesses to NHRSC bank accounts due to the fiscal and legal liability that her IRS tax lien has created. I have taken the liberty to copy the entire NHRSC Executive Board on this matter as I plan to discuss this at our April monthly meeting.

I am profoundly disturbed by the criminal quality of this entire affair and the personal abuse that I have had to endure in my attempt to protect the best interest of the NHRSC. The recent development of this criminal sub culture of bullying and extortion in our organization, as was done during this current chairman’s election (in which Jennifer Horn was elected) in January 2013 to our past chairman, vice chair and now has been done to me must be openly challenged and cannot be allowed to perpetuate.

These criminals (threats and extortion are illegal) and their thuggery has no place in the NHGOP. If we come to accept this type of psychological violence as standard operating procedure in the NHGOP;what is the next logical step? We are the party of Ronald Reagan not Mario Puzo.These practices must stop immediately and the responsible parties must stop living with this fantasy that one individual or family possesses sole ownership of the NHGOP. This pathological  mythology is destroying our organization  and making  it increasingly difficult to maintain  our financial and operational vitality.

This sociopathic philosophy  is the source of all this recent criminal behavior and is diametrically opposite of the philanthropic  leadership of  former Chairman Duprey and Executive Director Arlinghaus, where we were a community of friends that believed in a common cause,sought to do the general good, helped each other in an environment of kind respect. While many of these relationships remain, they have been replaced with an environment of hostile mistrust and now criminal intrigue. We do not have to spent $10M to know why we cannot win our elections. People are looking for trust-integrity and not this kind of nonsense…..this is not rocket science.

With the preponderance of evident now presented to you in the attached exhibits will you cease and desist in affirming our chairman misguided desire to possess any form of signatory authorization and will you renounce your association with our chair’s attempt to bully and silence me for daring to oppose her efforts?

Furthermore, I possess little if no interest in a long series of dialogs with anyone. Bryan, your simple yes or no will do just fine. I have known you for twenty years and am astonished at your association with such matters. I personally believe you have been misled and were not given all the facts….so let us work together.

Madame Secretary, please accept my correspondence in anticipation and in its entirety as part of the Treasurer’s Report for the April 2013 Meeting.

I appreciate everyone’s time in reading my long email…Thank You

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Scott.
Treasurer
NHRSC, INC

Translation #8: “The army has arrived – and they all are saying “stupid move”, Slick”

Sidenote: “People are looking for trust-integrity”  Well spoken, Dr. Scott!

Sidenote: “We are the party of Ronald Reagan not Mario Puzo.”  Nice line

Sidenote:  “ former Chairman Duprey”  Yeah, that’ll work out well, using him as a fine example of comradeship

And the Lord said to Abraham “Perhaps there are 50 righteous ones within the city. Will you actually destroy it and not forgive the place for the sake of the 50 righteous that are found there? …The LORD said, “If I find 50 righteous people within Sodom, I’ll forgive the whole place for their sake…Finally, Abrahamv inquired, “I hope my LORD will not be angry if I speak only once more. What if ten are found there?” He replied, “For the sake of those ten I won’t destroy it.”

Update:  I’ll have more to say later, but this came in as I was setting up this post:

I am being told that Duprey has asked for Robert Scott to resign

If I were to take these as the truth and in full context, somebody out to be resigning, but who?  I ask but one question to answer:  who is trying to gain power and who is trying to put the best interests of the Party forward?  Answer that one and….

>