Thursday, April 14, 2016

Dennis Fusaro Charged by Maryland Prosecutor for Transgender Robocall Effort

Maryland's state prosecutor has today charged two Republican strategists with distributing an alleged illegal robocall that the politically correct crowd views as an attempt, in 2014, to smear an openly gay local candidate, though it basically just stated the facts.

Prosecutor Emmet Davitt announced charges against Dennis Fusaro, a national Republican figure best known for leaking internal emails and phone calls from Ron Paul's 2012 presidential campaign, including the infamous Jesse Benton hold your nose tape, and Stephen Waters, a Republican political consultant based in Virginia.

The alleged election law violations stem from a robocall that went to about 5,000 Anne Arundel County, Maryland residents the weekend before the 2014 election, congratulating Democratic County Council candidate Patrick Armstrong "for his bravery in coming out of the closet" and linking him to a controversial measure that banned discrimination against transgender people in public areas, including restrooms.

The recording gave the home phone number of Armstrong's mother and invited residents to call about Armstrong's support of "the bathroom bill." Many did.

Prosecutors said the call lacked the appropriate identification and came from what they described as "an untraceable" prepaid cell phone purchased with cash by Waters and Fusaro at Walmart in Fredericksburg, Va.

"The call in question failed to identify Fusaro and Waters as the persons responsible for the call, and failed to state whether it was authorized by any candidate," prosecutors said in a statement. "Instead, the call falsely stated that it was 'Paid for and authorized by Marylanders for Trangenders'" the statement said, adding that prosecutors believe the pair bought burner phones "in an effort to conceal their identities as the persons authorizing and paying for the call."

Fusaro was the campaign manager of Armstrong's opponent, Republican Councilman Michael Anthony Peroutka.

Peroutka was elected to the Council but has denied any knowledge of the call.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Christopher Kachouroff, attorney for Fusaro and Waters, would not say whether his clients were responsible for the call, but dubbed its message "political satire."

Fusaro and Waters have been charged with two counts — violating and conspiring to violate the authority line requirements of Maryland election laws. Each charge carries a maximum of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 13.

Prosecutors released a full transcript of the call:
"Hello, what a great opportunity for the LGBT community. We have a true believer for our cause in Patrick Armstrong who's running for County Council in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Call Patrick today and thank him for his bravery in coming out of the closet. Coming out of the closet and supporting the fairness to all Marylander's Act, the Maryland State Senate Bill 212, and supporting the rights for all transgenders. Transgenders can now openly and freely go into any bathroom of their choice based on their confused gender identity. Tell Patrick to continue to stand loud and proud in support for transgenders' equal rights. While our opponent argued that children could be at risk by sexual predators with this new law, we celebrate the rights of transgenders and what this does for equality for transgenders in Maryland. Call him today at and thank him for supporting the bathroom bill. Paid for and authorized by Marylander's for Transgenders."

Reached by phone by Target Liberty, Fusaro declined to make a statement.

 -RW

Sources:

Baltimore Sun

State prosecutor's statement

UPDATE

Recording of Transgender Robocall Emerges


2 comments:

  1. Children are accosted by same sex predators in bathrooms, in bedrooms, on park benches, right out in public, etc, the transgender thingy notwithstanding.

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  2. Steve Shuh, Ann Arundel County Executive, is a moral idiot. (See his comments in http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/government/ph-ac-cn-peroutka-staffers-charged-0415-20160414-story.html) No comment on the assertions and facts in MD, but read the SCOTUS in WI RTL vs FEC., Talley vs. California, McIntyre v Ohio. NC RTL vs Leake (4th Circuit). What is the law? The higher law? Can Jehovah's witnesses be required to wear government-dictated name badges when they go door to door so people "know" who they are? Or Jews yellow stars on their clothing so people can "know" what they are? Go read Heller vs ACLU of NV (9th Circuit) and no talking about corporations here, which are creatures of the state. These are natural individuals with, yes damn it, RIGHTS! According to MD, the cost of the communication was less than $200. The Baltimore Sun (a corporation) spent way more than that in Fall of 2014 right before the ekections talking about candidates. Where are their disclaimer(s)? Oh, they get an exemption in MD law ... Unequal! Go read Kennedy in Citizens United. He said nothing in the First Amd gives legislatures the right to grant special privileges for some entities and not others. But the morons in the American Church couldn't organize a one car parade. They couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag, unless its high altitude drone assasinations of sheep herders in Serbia. And they want the liberty to preach the Gospel publicly? The Humanist Left has a plan for their lives, too. If the DHS by fiat announced next week all American Christians have to wear a glow in the dark badges AND get permits costing $100 a year to be out after dark, they'd be lining up in droves to do it. And they'd be proud of it, too

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