The following is a letter I sent requesting that the secretary of state and the Macomb County Clerk look into why Fred Miller, Brian Brdak, and former Macomb County Commissioner Bob Gibson appeared to have attemtped to not disclose that the Democratic Socialists of America conducted a fundraiser held on their behalf on May 14, 2004.
July 22, 2010
Ms. Terry Lynn Land
Secretary
Michigan Department of State
Lansing, Michigan 48918
Ms. Carmella Sabaugh
Macomb County Clerk
40 North Main
Mount Clemens, 48043
Re: Campaign Finance Report Query:
Dear Ms. Land and Ms. Sabaugh:
On or about February 6, 2007, the Democratic Socialists of America published an online account of a fund raiser held on Friday, May 14, 2004, for State Representative candidate Fred Miller and Macomb County Commissioner candidates Brian Brdak and Bob Gipson.
To the best of my knowledge, and after a review of online campaign finance documents provided by each of your offices, I have not been able to confirm that the fundraiser, sponsored by the Democratic Socialists of America, was directly reported by State Representative Fred Miller, Commissioner Brian Brdak or former Commissioner Bob Gibson.
This letter is a request that your offices investigate whether the fundraiser and the donations derived from the fundraiser were reported to your respective offices as is required by law.
To aid in your response to this request for a formal investigation, please be advised the following was posted on the Democratic Socialist of America’s website on February 6, 2007:
“DSA Hosts Successful Fundraiser for Macomb County Democrats
On Friday, May 14th, Detroit DSA hosted a wine and cheese fundraiser for three Macomb County Democrats: Brian Brdak and Bob Gibson (who are running for the Macomb County Commission) and Fred Miller (who is running for the state legislature). The three are protégés of former U.S. Representative David Bonior. Our support for them is part of a strategy of creating a "farm system" for developing progressive candidates in Macomb County. The fundraiser was held at the home of David and Teena Green. We collected a total of $5980 from 36 different contributors.”
Prior to that, on the same Democratic Socialists of America website, the following announcement of the impending fundraiser was published:
“Our local will also be hosting a wine and cheese fundraiser for these candidates on Friday, May 14th from 5-8 PM. The fundraiser will be at the home of David Green (28292 Harwich Drive in Farmington Hills--near the intersection of Middlebelt and Twelve Mile Roads). Please plan to attend-- and bring your checkbook. Those unable to attend the fundraiser may still contribute to these campaigns. Simply make out separate checks to Brian Brdak for County Commissioner, Friends of Bob Gibson, and Friends of Fred Miller. Write "DSA Fundraiser" on the memo line of each check, and mail to:
Detroit DSA
28292 Harwich Drive
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334.”
Mr. David Green, then and current chairman of the Detroit Democratic Socialists of America, allegedly resides at the above referenced address. His phone number, as published at the time, was 248-761-4203. His number has also been posted as 248-855-3169.
Mr. Green is reported on Brian Brdak’s 2004 campaign finance report as an individual donor only in the amount of $500.00. Mr. Green is also reported on Mr. Gipson’s campaign finance report as having only individually donated $500 to Mr. Gipson’s campaign. The date for those donations is May 14, 2004. A review of filings on the Macomb County Clerk’s website reflects that neither Brian Brdak nor Bob Gibson filed the requisite “Fundraiser Schedule 1F” form as utilized by the Macomb County Clerk.
Additionally, to the best of my knowledge, there is no reference to a Democratic Socialist of America fundraiser held by Mr. Green at his residence on State Representative Fred Miller’s finance disclosure reports filed for the correlating period. Mr. Miller does have a fundraiser listed on the state’s campaign finance website, the address for which is listed as “Need To Know, MI” for that same date, but it unclear as to whether that fundraiser was actually sponsored by the Democratic Socialists of America and held at Mr. Green’s residence in Farmington Hills. Also, I have been unable to find a city called “Need to Know” in the state of Michigan.
It would be greatly appreciated if your offices could look into this matter.
Respectfully,
Gregory Murray
