May 1, 2010

Association Ain't Nothing

Justin Katz

Ed Fitzpatrick takes a look at the controversy surrounding Central Falls Mayor Charles Moreau from the perspective of Attorney General Patrick Lynch's office:

... Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, a Democrat running for governor, is a longtime friend of Moreau's, and Moreau's spokeswoman is Lynch's girlfriend and former legislative director, Cynthia Stern. ...

Lynch, who is divorced, confirmed Stern is his girlfriend. "She is working for a mayor who needs a spokesperson," he said. "If behind that, there is a suggestion that I'm not doing the right thing, that's not true. I ethically, professionally and personally decided immediately that I shouldn't be involved in the case," he said. "I am as far away from it as I can be."

Well, as far away from it as one can get from one's closest group of friends. One can only hope that we don't wind up having to admit that "only in Rhode Island" can a politician be so intertwined with political corruption and remain a viable candidate for governor.

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"ethically, professionally and personally decided immediately that I shouldn't be involved in the case," he said. "I am as far away from it as I can be.""

lol

That's been clear from the beginning.

Posted by: Monique at May 1, 2010 7:47 PM

"One can only hope that we don't wind up having to admit that "only in Rhode Island" can a politician be so intertwined with political corruption and remain a viable candidate for governor"

This is a two term sitting ATTORNEY GENERAL. Patrick Lynch already is an "only in Rhode Island" embarrassment.

Posted by: Tim at May 2, 2010 9:31 AM

Its sad that he also tends to campaign as a reformer and attacking others for their corruption. If the teaparty had any use in this state, their first priority would be to get involved in the democratic primary and make sure that the joke AG doesn't have any chance at becoming the next governor. The man is a hack, and his governorship would be a total and utter failure/mess. Lynch is a disgrace, and his close ties to Moreau should give everyone pause

Posted by: steadman at May 2, 2010 10:09 AM

Give the guy a break - his biggest accomplishments in life were being good at basketball and born into a connected family. It's not his fault that he can't do the job.

Posted by: Dan at May 2, 2010 11:29 AM

I wonder if the AG is associated with Ed Achorn, who's wife stole scholarship monies from Providence's poorest children? How she got out of being charged criminally is beyond reason. I know this blog loves Achorn, but you really have to start to question your heros when stories like this come out.

Posted by: swazool at May 2, 2010 1:00 PM

That story "came out" two years ago. As far as I know, nobody accuses Achorn's wife of anything other than astonishingly bad management. Her personal gain appears only to have been her own salary — which, as with many executive positions in ostensibly non-profit enterprises, was ridiculously high.

The more germane point, though, is that our support for Mr. Achorn, such as it is, derives entirely from points that he makes in print. If we agree with something that somebody says, it's hard to see how a controversial business failure on his wife's behalf has much relevance.

Posted by: Justin Katz at May 2, 2010 1:11 PM

swazool why can't you Democrats ever stay on topic? Perhaps because you can't ever speak the plain truth on the subject at hand and seek to change the subject?
Uh huh!
BTW Spiderman Lynchie playing the I'm above "ethically, professionally and personally" reproach card regarding the current employment of Ms. Cynthia ~ I worked in the AG's office several years ago until Mrs. Lynch caused a scene ~ Stern as the current spokesman for Chuckie Moreau is beyond hilarious.
Let's ask the former Mrs. Lynch what and WHO prompted her split from the "ethcally, professionally and personally" challenged AG years ago.
Or perhaps we should just ask Ms. Stern?? lol

Posted by: Tim at May 2, 2010 2:18 PM

Swazool,

There is a big difference between bad management and criminal activity. For example, each year, RI sees lots of business declare bankruptcy, or simply terminate operations. In the vast majority of those cases, the proximate cause is insufficient cash flow, either from operations or an inability to roll maturing debt or attract new funds. And probably more than 50% of the time, those situations are also accompanied by bad accounting -- i.e., something that would get you flagged in an audit based on GAAP. No surprise there -- when an organization is struggling to survive, perfect accounting usually is one of the first areas that receives less time and attention than you would like. Sadly, the Education Partnership was no exception to these rules. But that is a far cry from criminal behavior -- e.g., looting a company for personal gain, securities fraud, etc. -- that is found only in a small minority of turnarounds and bankruptcies.

Of course, in true Rhode Island form, none of the above matters when you are trying to put some cheap political points up on the board. Then again, our here in the parallel universe we call the real world and you call the rapacious private sector, those distinctions still count for something -- which is why businesses are leaving RI, not coming here.

Not that you care, though. So have at it as the RITanic continues its accelerating decline.

Posted by: John at May 2, 2010 5:13 PM
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