Friday, October 22, 2010

Hatch Act Violators...how many are there?

Standard Examiner reporter Scott Schwebke (aka @TheChalkOutline) shares with us another potential causality of the infamous Hatch Act (See Here).  Apparently someone has filed potential Hatch Act Violations against Terry Thompson and his competitor Greg Haws, whom are both running for Weber County Sheriff.  Though Mr. Haw's violations have since been dismissed, Terry Thompson's are still in process.  Haws is now bringing this to light because the OSC (U.S. Office of Special Council) is dragging their feet in the investigation.

Haws is quick to point out he isn't using this as a campaign tool against Thompson but instead wants things to be finalized and done with so he can beat Terry the right way.  I find this hard to believe.  But you can read the quote for yourself:
"This isn't a campaign ploy," he said. "I want to beat him (Thompson) on the merits of what I can bring to the table."
It is hard not to think Mr. Haws isn't feeling the heat and wants to this to destroy Terry's campaign.  Heck I would probably do the same thing if I were in his shoes.  But the real question now is, Does Terry Thompson manage any type of Federal Funds and is he now in violation of the Hatch Act?  I brought this same argument up back in March after the caucus meetings.  A number of inside sources had told me both Mr. Haws and Mr. Thompson managed some sort of organization that received Federal Funds.  Apparently Haws has been exonerated in the accusations, but Thompson's violations are still up for debate. 

Two things need to happen.  Either we need to find out who is violating this Hatch Act across the board and kick them out of office or we need to scrap this whole Hatch Act thing.  Too many people are using the Hatch Act as a convenient way to remove someone the don't agree with.  I am betting there are tons of elected officials that are using Federal Funds and are in violation of this act.  They just haven't ticked off the right people yet.

Do you know someone who is violating the Hatch Act or what do you think if this law, feel free to comment?

4 comments:

TealWren said...

Maybe I don't really understand the Hatch Act, but it seems to me that it would apply when you have two jobs (aka Jon Greiner) and one of those jobs hands out and the other receives federal money.

Since the Sheriff is a full time job, I'm not sure how a sheriff could possibly violate the Hatch act. And if one Sheriff does, wouldn't they all? So confusing.

TealWren said...

Further research...
From Wikipedia
"The original Act forbids intimidation or bribery of voters and restricted political campaign activities by federal employees. It prohibits using any public funds designated for relief or public works for electoral purposes. It also forbids officials paid with federal funds from using promises of jobs, promotion, financial assistance, contracts, or any other benefit to coerce campaign contributions or political support.
The most restrictive measure was brought about by Republicans in the Senate. It dictates that persons below the policymaking level in the executive branch of the federal government must not only refrain from political practices that would be illegal for any citizen but must abstain from "any active part" in political campaigns."

TealWren said...

So, with that explanation, it would make sense that since Thompson is in the Sheriff's office now, and works closely (and supervises) many people, it's possible he could influence them. That's probably why it's taking longer to investigate Thompson's Hatch Act violation than it did to investigate that of Gary Haws.

BenJoeM said...

This Hatch Act Thing is Crazy weird. Essentially anyone who handles or manages federal funds can not hold office because they could influence those funds. I think you are right since Thompson is so heavily involved already it might be taking much longer to make a decision.