"Dear Representative Halteman-Harwell: I read with interest this morning a news article about your recent letter to Governor Bredesen urging him to provide voters with 'real assurance that trust is being restored to their state government.' I’m sure he’ll take your comments under advisement as he addresses the longstanding political culture in the Department of Safety, which you ignored during your tenure as Governor Sundquist’s hand-picked chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.

 

"Meanwhile, as you publicly contemplate a bid for governor on the eve of the Tennessee General Assembly’s special session on ethics, I would urge you to step forward and explain to voters why you — during your initial tenure as Republican Party chairman in 2001 and 2002 — violated federal campaign finance law by misappropriating more than $335,000 in political contributions.  Specifically, the Federal Election Commission found your Party received more than $310,000 in contributions from 20 individuals and three political action committees (PACs) that exceeded legal limits. Moreover, your Party received a $25,000 contribution from what the FEC described as an 'apparent prohibited source.'

 

"In July of this year, the FEC said this violation resulted in the largest fine ever issued by the agency under its alternative dispute resolution program. Representative Halteman-Harwell: To date, you still have not stepped forward to explain the circumstances surrounding this situation. If, in fact, you are considering a run for governor, I would urge you to do so immediately.

 

"Furthermore, you have remained noticeably silent in recent weeks with respect to developments concerning political contributions to your Party by John Gregory and other individuals with close financial ties to King Pharmaceuticals Inc. As you know, the U.S. Justice Department in November announced that King Pharmaceuticals must pay $124 million to settle claims that it bilked federal and state Medicaid programs, including TennCare, under John Gregory’s leadership from 1994 to 2002.

 

"Representative Halteman-Harwell: John Gregory and other individuals with close financial ties to King Pharmaceuticals were major contributors to the Tennessee Republican Party during your initial tenure as chairman in 2001 and 2002. We view those contributions as taxpayer funds that were taken away from health care for the poor, the sick and the disabled. Again, if you are considering running for governor, I would strongly urge you to explain your views on accepting these funds from John Gregory and other individuals with close financial ties to King Pharmaceuticals.

 

"Thank you for your consideration of this letter. As you contemplate a bid for governor, we look forward to further discussion of these issues and a robust dialogue on the rest of your lengthy career in the Tennessee General Assembly. It’s my wish that you and yours enjoy a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Sincerely, Bob Tuke, Chairman, Tennessee Democratic Party."

                                                ###