Kentucky: Dem politician’s staffers forced to make campaign donations, ex-employees claim – IOTW Report

Kentucky: Dem politician’s staffers forced to make campaign donations, ex-employees claim

A Kentucky politician has drawn the ire of his subordinates for his quick temper and expectation of political support from employees in the form of their cash. These contributions, according to some, are the product of a pattern of coercion and retribution that is unethical and a “blatant violation of the law.”

Four former employees of Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell have described to Fox News a culture of duress in O’Connell’s office, where they witnessed him consulting donor lists before considering employees for promotions.

Glenda Bradshaw, a high-ranking former prosecutor in the office, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against O’Connell after she was fired, claiming in the suit that some employees donate to his campaign out of fear of “his wrath.”

All employees who spoke to Fox News detailed similar expectations of loyalty to the Democrat in the form of cash or check.

In an emailed statement responding to this article O’Connell said through a spokesperson: “I am thankful for the campaign support I have received from all walks of our community. I am humbled that some of my staff have supported my re-election because they know firsthand the good work we perform daily.”

Before his 2008 appointment to the position, O’Connell served as both a district and circuit court judge in Kentucky.

Kara Lewis, a former attorney in O’Connell’s office, claims she was fired for no reason beyond her refusal to contribute to O’Connell’s campaign. Her firing, during which she was pulled from a courtroom and told she would no longer be working cases, threw her family’s plans into tumult and doubt.

“It affected my career, it affected my family,” Lewis said. “It had a horrible effect on my life. … It had a horrible impact on us financially.”  more here

7 Comments on Kentucky: Dem politician’s staffers forced to make campaign donations, ex-employees claim

  1. Common, openly practiced on both sides of the aisle. Patronage was the rule from the inception of US Government. No questions, it was a rule.
    Comes with the territory. Suitcase politics, when there was a change in administration many state workers were terminated and the new administration filled state positions with party workers.

    Rules of the game:
    Money (contributions), selling tickets, attend fund raisers & rallies, walking precincts, putting up campaign signs, mass mailings, working phone banks and governmental favors.

    Patronage, hiring, promotion, transfers and contributions “changed” after RUTAN vs Republican Party of Illinois https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/497/62/case.html.

    The underbelly of Government, It still happens, under the radar and scrutiny of the law.

    Speaking from experience of having been sued three times under RUTAN provisions of the law.

    4
  2. As far back as xe can remember, xe always wanted to be a gangster. Now that xe’s got the big score, the Don expects some kinda “respect”! What the fnck is that?

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