Republican attorney general candidate Jack McMullen joined state GOP chair Jack Lindley’s call for an investigation into alleged coordination between Sorrell and a formerly active super PAC, turning the issue political with only three weeks left until Election Day.
McMullen said he detected “hypocrisy” in Sorrell’s prosecution of the Republican Governors Association for similar campaign finance violations, in a December 2011 lawsuit, while remaining inactive over allegations about his own conduct.
Lindley originally requested that the governor appoint a special counsel to investigate Howard Dean’s alleged role as an intermediary between the Sorrell campaign and the super PAC, funded exclusively by the Democratic Attorneys General Association.
After the governor’s office declined, Lindley asked Sorrell himself to investigate the allegations.
“This doesn’t have the feeling of the even-handed administration of justice,” said McMullen. “If there’s nothing to hide, then they should look into this and clear the air.” McMullen further alleged that “the highest law officer in our state appears to have broken the law. That doesn’t seem like an outstanding recommendation for re-election.”
In response, Sorrell called the allegations mere “unsupported complaints or suspicions,” though he would cooperate fully with a potential investigation. He added that he supported the rights of Lindley and others to request an investigation from a state’s attorney.
But, he said, “I know the laws. The last thing I’m going to do is be other than most vigilant about acting in accordance with those laws.” In the past Sorrell has consistently maintained that he hadn’t coordinated with super PAC the Committee for Justice and Fairness via Howard Dean, or in any other way.
Now Lindley is requesting that the Addison County State’s Attorney David Fenster look into the matter.
Fenster said he is still reviewing the letter and considering Lindley’s request, though he added, “This is not the kind of thing that we’re ordinarily called upon to do. This is unique for me.” He couldn’t be sure when exactly he’d issue a decision on the request.
Lindley denied that his request was politically motivated, insisting, “I didn’t just do it as a frivolous political move. My request is factual and to the point.” He expressed frustration at official responses to his efforts so far, describing them as arrogant attempts to dodge the issue.
Lindley’s letter reveals few fresh details aside from those reported on by the press during the primary.
It does note the Sorrell campaign bought ads from a company with the same street address as DAGA, which funded the super PAC. Closer examination shows that both groups are based in the same office complex in Denver, Colo., but in different suites and on different floors. Media Strategies and Research didn’t return requests for comment, with Sorrell calling their shared street address “a total coincidence.”
“There was no connection between that operation and the Democratic Attorneys General Association,” said Sorrell. “The truth of the matter is that firm in Denver was recommended to us by a Vermonter.”
McMullen reiterated that in absence of an official response, the point should be made political. “My thought was: If in fact nothing happens from all of these requests, then it should be made a political issue. There’s an election in 20 days,” he said. He hastened to say, though, that the political route wasn’t his preference.
