Robert Asher, a Montgomery County businessman convicted of securing a $300,000 bribe to the GOP in return for a contract in 1986, is raising money for Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews. Asher, now a member of the Republican National Committee, was caught in the political corruption case along with State Treasurer Bud Dwyer who committed suicide on a live television news conference rather than go to prison. That's one segment you won't see on "Hardball."
You won't see this story on the MSNBC show either because it's host Chris Matthews, is Jim's brother. It did make The Philadelphia Inquirer this morning based on an article I wrote here Friday. The unfortunate political fallout is hitting Matthews' running mate Bruce Castor, the Montco District Attorney. Because Matthews and Castor are running as a team his responses to my story might be painted as turning on his team mate. Castor is trying to distance himself from the Asher money because of his beliefs no one should accept political contributions from a man already convicted of political corruption. That's the high road and he should be commended for it.
I've heard nothing from Matthews since my story. Not a peep. I asked that he return all the money Asher gave and/or raised. Two separate fund raising events were hosted for Matthews by Asher according to Castor's emails. That money is tainted and should be returned. If Democrats' contributions from Norman Hsu are bad so are Asher's.
Some Republicans are arguing, according to Tom Fitzgerald's Inquirer article, that he paid his debt to society and his money is now good. Let's remember what it was he was convicted of: political corruption. He solicited a major bribe. He didn't defraud someone in a business venture, he didn't attack an ex or something unrelated to politics, as bad as they may be. He was convicted of POLITICAL corruption. How any politician, be it Attorney General Tom Corbett, presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani or Jim Matthews can accept money and help from Bob Asher is beyond my comprehension.
Jim Matthews should return the money. Better yet donate it to worthy charities, I'd suggest the Montgomery County Victims Assistance Center which does such marvelous work helping crime victims and their families. That would be a worthy and deserving, even appropriate, place to send the cash. If Matthews fails to stand up and do the ethical thing voters should hold him accountable on November 7th. Ruth Damsker and Joe Hoeffel are running to return majority control in Montgomery County to Democrats for the first time in over a century.
I attend a lot of County Commissioner meetings in my county and I'm quite familiar with the bodies. When I met Ruth Damsker at a Montco Victim's Assistance function for the families of homicide victims last spring we chatted at length about her race and the position. I was astounded when she told me one of their two weekly meetings is closed to the public. When Montgomery Commissioners, which Republicans control (Matthews is an incumbent), discuss public business the meetings are closed to the public. This is a very serious violation of the Sunshine Act.
There are a lot of reasons to vote for Damsker/Hoeffel in November and if Matthews refuses to donate the dirty money Montco voters have a very clear choice. I urge all those who are outraged over these contributions by Asher to counter them by giving to Ruth Damsker and Joe Hoeffel.
The Democratic candidates are holding a press conference at 1 pm today to discuss this issue at the Montgomery County courthouse's press room. I'll be there.
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