Further investigation requested over Schaffer's contradictions
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Sent yesterday, apropos today's Denver Post:
Schaffer associate sentenced this morning
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 23, 2008
CONTAC Michael Huttner
(303) 931-4547 cell
Denver: ProgressNowAction called on Bob Schaffer to explain five contradictions related to his dealings with Scott Shires who was sentenced this morning in U.S. Federal District Court. Schaffer served as the "Director" of the Board of the National Alternative Fuel Foundation (NAFF). Shires was a fellow board member and also served as Schaffer's campaign treasurer. In addition, the Executive Director of the NAFF was found guilty of 23 criminal counts on May 30, 2008 and is due to be sentenced in October.
1. Why did Bob Schaffer initially deny that he was paid for his service on the Board? Why doesn't Schaffer report the payments in his personal financial disclosures?
On May 30, 2008 Bob Schaffer's campaign told the Denver Post that Schaffer "was not paid for his nearly six months of service."
On June 21, 2008, Schaffer admitted to the Rocky Mountain News that he was paid "$1,500 for his service on the board."
2. Why does Schaffer contradict his own disclosures on when he served on the Board?
According to Schaffer's own disclosure form, he served as the NAFF "Director" from "10/04" to "03/05." (Source: Schaffer's personal financial disclosure forms)
Now Schaffer claims he began his duties Dec. 1, 2004. Schaffer said he "toured the research facility, talked to scientists and read reports." (RMN, 6/21/2008)
3. Why did Schaffer resign from the NAFF Board?
On May 30, 2008 Schaffer denied any knowledge of fraud to receive the earmark and said he left the nonprofit when he found out Orr was under investigation. (Denver Post, May 30, 2008)
Yet Schaffer now claims he left the board at the same time the investigation became public knowledge, not before. (RMN, 6/21/2008)
4. Why would Schaffer make Shires the treasurer of his State Board of Education Campaign after Shires had been charged on three federal counts?
Schaffer claims that he left the NAFF after he learned that Shires and others were under investigation for possible criminal charges in March 2005. (RMN, 6/21/2008)
Yet in 2006 Schaffer made Shires his campaign treasurer for his State Board of Education Campaign after he was charged. (Schaffer's 2006 Campaign Disclosure, Colorado Secretary of State)
5. If Bob Schaffer did not get the $3.6 million dollar earmark for the NAFF, who did? Why would an out-of-state Congressman care about pushing for money for a local foundation?
Schaffer claims he had nothing to do with the $3.6 million dollar Congressional earmark for the NAFF and that it was just coincidence that he later served as the "Director" and his campaign treasurer, Scott Shires, served on the Board during the earmark.
Shires stated that the earmark was inserted into the bill by a key House committee staffer at the direction of a non-Colorado congressman, and that a "very expensive bottle of whiskey" changed hands. (RMN, 6/21/2008)
Why would an out-of-state Congressman care about the NAFF, when it was located in Denver, Colorado and had only a small Board which included a close associate of Schaffer?
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Schaffer associate sentenced this morning
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 23, 2008
CONTAC Michael Huttner
(303) 931-4547 cell
Denver: ProgressNowAction called on Bob Schaffer to explain five contradictions related to his dealings with Scott Shires who was sentenced this morning in U.S. Federal District Court. Schaffer served as the "Director" of the Board of the National Alternative Fuel Foundation (NAFF). Shires was a fellow board member and also served as Schaffer's campaign treasurer. In addition, the Executive Director of the NAFF was found guilty of 23 criminal counts on May 30, 2008 and is due to be sentenced in October.
1. Why did Bob Schaffer initially deny that he was paid for his service on the Board? Why doesn't Schaffer report the payments in his personal financial disclosures?
On May 30, 2008 Bob Schaffer's campaign told the Denver Post that Schaffer "was not paid for his nearly six months of service."
On June 21, 2008, Schaffer admitted to the Rocky Mountain News that he was paid "$1,500 for his service on the board."
2. Why does Schaffer contradict his own disclosures on when he served on the Board?
According to Schaffer's own disclosure form, he served as the NAFF "Director" from "10/04" to "03/05." (Source: Schaffer's personal financial disclosure forms)
Now Schaffer claims he began his duties Dec. 1, 2004. Schaffer said he "toured the research facility, talked to scientists and read reports." (RMN, 6/21/2008)
3. Why did Schaffer resign from the NAFF Board?
On May 30, 2008 Schaffer denied any knowledge of fraud to receive the earmark and said he left the nonprofit when he found out Orr was under investigation. (Denver Post, May 30, 2008)
Yet Schaffer now claims he left the board at the same time the investigation became public knowledge, not before. (RMN, 6/21/2008)
4. Why would Schaffer make Shires the treasurer of his State Board of Education Campaign after Shires had been charged on three federal counts?
Schaffer claims that he left the NAFF after he learned that Shires and others were under investigation for possible criminal charges in March 2005. (RMN, 6/21/2008)
Yet in 2006 Schaffer made Shires his campaign treasurer for his State Board of Education Campaign after he was charged. (Schaffer's 2006 Campaign Disclosure, Colorado Secretary of State)
5. If Bob Schaffer did not get the $3.6 million dollar earmark for the NAFF, who did? Why would an out-of-state Congressman care about pushing for money for a local foundation?
Schaffer claims he had nothing to do with the $3.6 million dollar Congressional earmark for the NAFF and that it was just coincidence that he later served as the "Director" and his campaign treasurer, Scott Shires, served on the Board during the earmark.
Shires stated that the earmark was inserted into the bill by a key House committee staffer at the direction of a non-Colorado congressman, and that a "very expensive bottle of whiskey" changed hands. (RMN, 6/21/2008)
Why would an out-of-state Congressman care about the NAFF, when it was located in Denver, Colorado and had only a small Board which included a close associate of Schaffer?
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