Val Kilmer tells KOB he's not running for governor.
Unless ...
No, he's not running.
Showing posts with label kilmer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kilmer. Show all posts
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Kilmer Owes Half Mill in Back Taxes
$538,858 in federal income taxes to be exact, at least according to The Detroit News' Tax Watchdog blog.
According to the blog, the tax lien was filed by the IRS in July 15 in Bergen County, N.J.
Kilmer early this year during the regular session of the Legislature paid several visits to the state Capitol, including at least one visit to Gov. Bill Richardson's office (as pictured at right.) He did little to discourage rumors that he was considering a run for governor.
However, in recent months, Kilmer, who has a home in Pecos. seems to have dropped off the face of New Mexico. One of the few times he's made headlines since the session was in April when it was revealed that he's trying to sell his ranch in Pecos for $33 million.
I'll update this if I can get Kilmer for a response.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Roundhouse Roundup: He's Not Your Everyday Detective
A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
June 25, 2009
Albuquerque private investigator Mike Corwin in recent years has been paid thousands of dollars by the campaigns of Democratic candidates in New Mexico. He's done background checks on campaign workers and "opposition research" (read: dirt digging) for candidates including U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, Attorney General Gary King, former Land Commissioner Jim Baca and most of all, Gov. Bill Richardson.
He's also done work for government agencies. He did some work for the city of Albuquerque when Baca was mayor. Corwin recently did background checks for employees of the town government of Edgewood. In 2007, he was contracted by the state Judicial Standards Commission to investigate Rio Arriba County Magistrate Judge Tommy Rodella. Rodella's lawyer claimed this was evidence that the judge was the victim of a political vendetta by Richardson. The next year, the state Supreme Court removed Rodella from office.
But could it be possible that Corwin's employers could have saved thousands of dollars if only they'd had access to an online publication written and marketed by Corwin?
The Everyday Detective Information System, which sells for $19.95, is a 135-page pdf document that promises to teach buyers "how to conduct background investigations of businesses, including day care centers and nursing homes, of people including nannies, home health care workers and rental tenants and of professional services, including remodeling contractors and physicians."
Says Corwin's Web site for the publication, "Once learned, these techniques will help you to better protect your family, your money and your home by helping you to identify risky people and businesses before you get involved with them." And there's a chapter on how to avoid being a crime victim — basic tips Corwin said he learned from working for criminal-defense lawyers.
In an interview Wednesday, Corwin said The Everyday Detective was not written as a "So You Want to be a P.I." book. Instead he said, it's just to allow regular citizens to learn how to find information. "There's so much information out there."
The chapters in The Everyday Detective include how to effectively interview people, how to search court records and other public information, how to locate people, how to do background checks and how to investigate auto accidents.
How to be your own best gumshoe: Some of the pitch on his Web site almost seems as if he's trying to use a self-help appeal. In fact, he calls The Everyday Detective "the first step to a more confident and proactive you."
"Imagine the sense of empowerment these new skills will bring to you as you realize that you have the know-how to minimize risks while handling the challenges that life throws your way," the Web site says.
While his main target audience seems to be those who want to check out nursing homes or prospective renters, there's another possible group Corwin says might benefit from his work: "Bloggers who want to take off and do their own political opposition research," he said.
He said he considered including a chapter on opposition research for this project. But he decided that would be the subject of a future book.
Background check: Corwin, a New York native transplanted to California, has been in the investigation biz since 1988. He said he became a detective because he didn't want to be a lawyer and he was tired of the construction business.
He said he graduated from the Nick Harris Detective Academy, which, according to its Web site, is affiliated with a Van Nuys, Calif., detective agency that was established in 1906. "The main thing they teach you is that detective work is not like what you see on TV," Corwin said.
Corwin said he's done more than 8,000 witness interviews and over 10,000 background investigations. He also says he's done investigative work for more than 100 political campaigns.
The detective took a stab at electoral politics himself, running for an Albuquerque state House seat in 2004. Corwin lost to Republican Greg Payne in that contest.
But despite his love for politics, Corwin sounds more excited when he talks about a case he worked early in his career — a multiple homicide in Hollywood involving a major porn star, drug dealers and various other L.A. underbelly denizens that became known as the "Wonderland Murders." Corwin worked for the lawyer of nightclub owner Eddie Nash, who was tried and eventually acquitted for planning the murders of four people.
There's a New Mexico political connection here. That case later was made into a movie called Wonderland which starred Val Kilmer as adult-movie star "Big" John Holmes. If Kilmer runs for governor — a prospect that's looking less likely as Kilmer has been avoiding the local limelight lately — who better to hire for opposition research than the detective who helped spring Eddie Nash?
June 25, 2009
Albuquerque private investigator Mike Corwin in recent years has been paid thousands of dollars by the campaigns of Democratic candidates in New Mexico. He's done background checks on campaign workers and "opposition research" (read: dirt digging) for candidates including U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, Attorney General Gary King, former Land Commissioner Jim Baca and most of all, Gov. Bill Richardson.
He's also done work for government agencies. He did some work for the city of Albuquerque when Baca was mayor. Corwin recently did background checks for employees of the town government of Edgewood. In 2007, he was contracted by the state Judicial Standards Commission to investigate Rio Arriba County Magistrate Judge Tommy Rodella. Rodella's lawyer claimed this was evidence that the judge was the victim of a political vendetta by Richardson. The next year, the state Supreme Court removed Rodella from office.
But could it be possible that Corwin's employers could have saved thousands of dollars if only they'd had access to an online publication written and marketed by Corwin?
The Everyday Detective Information System, which sells for $19.95, is a 135-page pdf document that promises to teach buyers "how to conduct background investigations of businesses, including day care centers and nursing homes, of people including nannies, home health care workers and rental tenants and of professional services, including remodeling contractors and physicians."
Says Corwin's Web site for the publication, "Once learned, these techniques will help you to better protect your family, your money and your home by helping you to identify risky people and businesses before you get involved with them." And there's a chapter on how to avoid being a crime victim — basic tips Corwin said he learned from working for criminal-defense lawyers.
In an interview Wednesday, Corwin said The Everyday Detective was not written as a "So You Want to be a P.I." book. Instead he said, it's just to allow regular citizens to learn how to find information. "There's so much information out there."
The chapters in The Everyday Detective include how to effectively interview people, how to search court records and other public information, how to locate people, how to do background checks and how to investigate auto accidents.
How to be your own best gumshoe: Some of the pitch on his Web site almost seems as if he's trying to use a self-help appeal. In fact, he calls The Everyday Detective "the first step to a more confident and proactive you."
"Imagine the sense of empowerment these new skills will bring to you as you realize that you have the know-how to minimize risks while handling the challenges that life throws your way," the Web site says.
While his main target audience seems to be those who want to check out nursing homes or prospective renters, there's another possible group Corwin says might benefit from his work: "Bloggers who want to take off and do their own political opposition research," he said.
He said he considered including a chapter on opposition research for this project. But he decided that would be the subject of a future book.
Background check: Corwin, a New York native transplanted to California, has been in the investigation biz since 1988. He said he became a detective because he didn't want to be a lawyer and he was tired of the construction business.
He said he graduated from the Nick Harris Detective Academy, which, according to its Web site, is affiliated with a Van Nuys, Calif., detective agency that was established in 1906. "The main thing they teach you is that detective work is not like what you see on TV," Corwin said.
Corwin said he's done more than 8,000 witness interviews and over 10,000 background investigations. He also says he's done investigative work for more than 100 political campaigns.
The detective took a stab at electoral politics himself, running for an Albuquerque state House seat in 2004. Corwin lost to Republican Greg Payne in that contest.
But despite his love for politics, Corwin sounds more excited when he talks about a case he worked early in his career — a multiple homicide in Hollywood involving a major porn star, drug dealers and various other L.A. underbelly denizens that became known as the "Wonderland Murders." Corwin worked for the lawyer of nightclub owner Eddie Nash, who was tried and eventually acquitted for planning the murders of four people.
There's a New Mexico political connection here. That case later was made into a movie called Wonderland which starred Val Kilmer as adult-movie star "Big" John Holmes. If Kilmer runs for governor — a prospect that's looking less likely as Kilmer has been avoiding the local limelight lately — who better to hire for opposition research than the detective who helped spring Eddie Nash?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Val's New Blog
Val Kilmer didn't show up at last weekend's Democratic State Central Committee meeting, unlike other Dems running (Diane Denish) or considering running (Michael Sanchez) for governor.
Maybe he was busy working on his new blog, Val Kilmer The Real Deal.
As Joe Monahan observed, there's not really any politics there, just deep thoughts on love, life, New Mexico and the Millennium Summit, which took place in Montreal earlier this month.
Update: (Tuesday 1:30 pm) Monahan tells me that The Real Deal is not the real deal. He passed along a message from a woman named Shelli Carlisle who says she's behind the blog:
"..there has been a misconception that val kilmer the real deal is val's blog. I am so sorry for the confusion, it is not val's blog, it is my blog, val has absolutley nothing to do with it, the quotes are from various past interviews. Please pass that along to your readers and i will clarifiy it on my blog, my apoligies."
Indeed, there's now a disclaimer there: "This blog is my personal blog. It is not affiliated or approved by Mr. Kilmer."
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Roundhouse Roundup: Grand Slam Dems & Other Fun With Politics
A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
April 9, 2009
Every time Santa Fe County Democrats get together to conduct business, they seem intent on affirming that famous Will Rogers quote: "I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat."
The local Dems got together Tuesday night at Santa Fe Community College to elect a new county chairman, vice chairwoman and 42 members of the state party Central Committee.
It was chaotic, long and frustrating — nearly causing me to blow my deadline — but, as always, it was fun to see who showed up and who didn't.
For instance, Secretary of State Mary Herrera, a resident of Bernalillo County, was there for a while. But Santa Fe County Clerk Valerie Espinoza, who says she's considering running against Herrera in the next primary, didn't show. Espinoza said Wednesday that she attended her Democratic ward meeting the week before but got too busy at work Tuesday to make the meeting that night.
The only declared candidate for lieutenant governor, Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano, showed up and spoke to the crowd. Later, he was elected to the state party's Central Committee.
Lt. Gov. Diane Denish was there. She got a laugh when she said party members must elect a strong Democrat as governor next year, "no matter who she is."
She was the only gubernatorial contender there. Actor Val Kilmer was nowhere to be seen.
Among the other past and present officials who showed up Tuesday were Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr. and his father, former PRC member Jerome Block Sr. Only hours later, both were indicted by a grand jury on multiple felony counts related to the younger Block's campaign finance reports from the last election.
Dems at Denny's: I had to leave to go write my news story after the results of the chairman's race was announced. Retired lawyer Richard Ellenberg defeated longtime Dem activist José Morfín in a bitterly-fought contest.
But apparently the Dems also were forced to leave shortly after I took off.
In his blog, Solano wrote, "The voting for State Central Committee lasted until 10 p.m. and the college then threw the Democrats out for the night. The elections committee took the ballots for State Central to Denny's to have breakfast and count the votes."
Should we call them the Grand Slam Democrats?
"I checked in on the vote counting at midnight and it was still ongoing," Solano wrote. The sheriff later told me he didn't find out until Wednesday that he won a position on the committee.
The reason it took so long to count the Central Committee ballots is because of the complex formula by which those members are chosen. The rules call for equal numbers of men and women, while one seat goes to someone from the small portion of the 1st Congressional District in Santa Fe County. (The vast majority of the county is in the 3rd Congressional District.)
Good words for Val: Speaking of Kilmer, I got a lot of response to a story I wrote a couple of weeks ago about a mysterious telephone poll from those who say he'd be a great asset to the state and some who just use half of that word.
Two positive letters stood out. One was from former American Indian Movement leader Russell Means, who quoted his old lawyer William Kunstler, who represented Means during the Wounded Knee trials in 1973: "When you are in a struggle, any news is good news."
Wrote Means: "This is good for the Kilmer Gubernatorial camp if there is one. Because if you are a threat, they come after you. I know I have been there. I for one am mis-quoted often. Remember the media doesn't tell the news they 'sell' the news!"
Means in 2002 unsuccessfully sought to get on the gubernatorial ballot in New Mexico representing a third party called the Independent Coalition Party.
Then there was an e-mail from Boulder clinical psychologist Mark E. Kilmer, the actor's brother, declaring Val Kilmer to be the man to fill "the enormous shoes" of Gov. Bill Richardson.
"Mr. Kilmer is morally and ethically righteous, creative, erudite, and passionate; both in his own private life, and in his ambitions and dreams for the great state of New Mexico," the e-mail said.
That would sound as if Val is running. But in fairness, I don't always know what my brother is up to.
April 9, 2009
Every time Santa Fe County Democrats get together to conduct business, they seem intent on affirming that famous Will Rogers quote: "I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat."
The local Dems got together Tuesday night at Santa Fe Community College to elect a new county chairman, vice chairwoman and 42 members of the state party Central Committee.
It was chaotic, long and frustrating — nearly causing me to blow my deadline — but, as always, it was fun to see who showed up and who didn't.
For instance, Secretary of State Mary Herrera, a resident of Bernalillo County, was there for a while. But Santa Fe County Clerk Valerie Espinoza, who says she's considering running against Herrera in the next primary, didn't show. Espinoza said Wednesday that she attended her Democratic ward meeting the week before but got too busy at work Tuesday to make the meeting that night.
The only declared candidate for lieutenant governor, Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano, showed up and spoke to the crowd. Later, he was elected to the state party's Central Committee.
Lt. Gov. Diane Denish was there. She got a laugh when she said party members must elect a strong Democrat as governor next year, "no matter who she is."
She was the only gubernatorial contender there. Actor Val Kilmer was nowhere to be seen.
Among the other past and present officials who showed up Tuesday were Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr. and his father, former PRC member Jerome Block Sr. Only hours later, both were indicted by a grand jury on multiple felony counts related to the younger Block's campaign finance reports from the last election.
Dems at Denny's: I had to leave to go write my news story after the results of the chairman's race was announced. Retired lawyer Richard Ellenberg defeated longtime Dem activist José Morfín in a bitterly-fought contest.
But apparently the Dems also were forced to leave shortly after I took off.
In his blog, Solano wrote, "The voting for State Central Committee lasted until 10 p.m. and the college then threw the Democrats out for the night. The elections committee took the ballots for State Central to Denny's to have breakfast and count the votes."
Should we call them the Grand Slam Democrats?
"I checked in on the vote counting at midnight and it was still ongoing," Solano wrote. The sheriff later told me he didn't find out until Wednesday that he won a position on the committee.
The reason it took so long to count the Central Committee ballots is because of the complex formula by which those members are chosen. The rules call for equal numbers of men and women, while one seat goes to someone from the small portion of the 1st Congressional District in Santa Fe County. (The vast majority of the county is in the 3rd Congressional District.)
Good words for Val: Speaking of Kilmer, I got a lot of response to a story I wrote a couple of weeks ago about a mysterious telephone poll from those who say he'd be a great asset to the state and some who just use half of that word.
Two positive letters stood out. One was from former American Indian Movement leader Russell Means, who quoted his old lawyer William Kunstler, who represented Means during the Wounded Knee trials in 1973: "When you are in a struggle, any news is good news."
Wrote Means: "This is good for the Kilmer Gubernatorial camp if there is one. Because if you are a threat, they come after you. I know I have been there. I for one am mis-quoted often. Remember the media doesn't tell the news they 'sell' the news!"
Means in 2002 unsuccessfully sought to get on the gubernatorial ballot in New Mexico representing a third party called the Independent Coalition Party.
Then there was an e-mail from Boulder clinical psychologist Mark E. Kilmer, the actor's brother, declaring Val Kilmer to be the man to fill "the enormous shoes" of Gov. Bill Richardson.
"Mr. Kilmer is morally and ethically righteous, creative, erudite, and passionate; both in his own private life, and in his ambitions and dreams for the great state of New Mexico," the e-mail said.
That would sound as if Val is running. But in fairness, I don't always know what my brother is up to.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Means on Kilmer
I'm off work this week, but I just had to post this.
I got a lot of response to the story about the poll that asked pointed questions about Val Kilmer.
But the most interesting email I got was from another actor (well, that's just a part of his resume) who ran for governor here. That's American Indian Movement activist Russell Means, who in 2002 unsuccessfully sought to get on the gubernatorial ballot representing a third party called the Independent Coalition Party.
Here's what Means had to say about Kilmer:
I got a lot of response to the story about the poll that asked pointed questions about Val Kilmer.
But the most interesting email I got was from another actor (well, that's just a part of his resume) who ran for governor here. That's American Indian Movement activist Russell Means, who in 2002 unsuccessfully sought to get on the gubernatorial ballot representing a third party called the Independent Coalition Party.
Here's what Means had to say about Kilmer:
Steve,
I would appreciate it if you would print my statement in response to "Poll probes gubenatorial contenders' policies, past.
Having been in the news for over 40 years, let me quote the late great Civil Rights Attorney, William Kunstler who represented me during my Wounded Knee 1973 trials, "When you are in a struggle, any news is good news".
This is good for the Kilmer Gubernatorial camp if there is one. Because if you are a threat, they come after you. I know I have been there. I for one am mis-quoted often. Remember the media doesn't tell the news they "sell" the news!
I know the man and he's got my vote....Go Kilmer!
Russell Means
American Indian Activist, Actor, Author, Artist
http://www.republicoflakotah.com
http://www.russellmeans.com
Friday, March 27, 2009
All Things Val
I just saw in Monahan that he learned from Coleman about an article in London's Daily Telegraph about Val Kilmer that quotes from this very blog.
You can read it HERE.
And speaking of the star who would be governor, I talked Thursday morning with an Albuquerque woman who was called by a pollster who sounded suspiciously like the one Monahan blogged about a couple of days ago. She was asked questions about 2010 gubernatorial candidates, including some very pointed ones about Kilmer -- including some about his religion. (He's reportedly a Christian Scientist).
You can read that HERE.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Hail to the Chief?
Val Kilmer, in New Orleans, rehearses his 2013 inauguration as governor of New Mexico.
UPDATE: Check out this endorsement.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
There's No Law Against Beating a Dead Horse
So I'll continue with the latest in the Val Kilmer saga.
I've been trying to get hold of the author of the controversial 2005 interview in Esquire magazine that quoted Kilmer calling Vietnam vets punks and borderline criminals.
Meanwhile the management of the magazine contacted the Military Money Matters blog, which has been at the forefront of the outrage.
Here's what Esquire editor-n-chief had to say about Kilmer's statement that he was misquoted:
I've been trying to get hold of the author of the controversial 2005 interview in Esquire magazine that quoted Kilmer calling Vietnam vets punks and borderline criminals.
Meanwhile the management of the magazine contacted the Military Money Matters blog, which has been at the forefront of the outrage.
Here's what Esquire editor-n-chief had to say about Kilmer's statement that he was misquoted:
The quotes attributed to Mr. Kilmer in Mr. Klosterman’s story are
absolutely accurate. The interview was recorded and every quote used in the story was checked by our research department to insure that it was printed precisely as spoken.
It should be noted Mr. Kilmer did not dispute the validity of the quotations when the article was first published four years ago, nor did he dispute them when the article was reprinted in Mr. Klosterman’s fourth book, nor did he dispute them when the story appeared in Ira Glass’s anthology The New Kings of Nonfiction.
Sincerely,
David Granger
Editor in Chief
Esquire
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Roundhouse Roundup: Company at Club CDR
A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
February 1, 2009
Bill Richardson isn't the only Democratic governor being mentioned in connection with possible "pay-to-play" politics involving CDR Financial Products.
According to a story Wednesday in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell also has a CDR problem.
The state of Pennsylvania awarded nearly $600,000 in fees to CDR. In one of those strange coincidences that we're used to reading about in this state, CDR's CEO, David Rubin, donated $40,000 to Rendell's campaign committee.
According to a story last month in the Tribune-Review, CDR "won a contract in 2003 with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency that Rendell has said he wasn't aware of."
That's less money than CDR donated to Richardson, whose various political committees received more than $100,000 from Rubin and CDR. The company made nearly $1.5 million as part of a financial team for the state transportation-construction program known as GRIP, which stands for Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership. Both Richardson and Rubin have denied any pay to play.
Rendell and Richardson are similar in many ways. Both are gregarious politicians who have been frequent guests on cable news shows. As pointed out in this column a few years ago, both have gotten in trouble for ordering their state police drivers to exceed the speed limit.
Unlike Richardson, there's no indication that a federal grand jury is looking into Rendell's dealings with CDR.
However, CDR's dealings in the Keystone State have caught the eye of federal investigators before. Bloomberg reported that in 2001 CDR hired Philadelphia lawyer Ron White, who was chief fundraiser for Mayor John Street. The company paid White a $5,000 retainer to help CDR win work with the city.
"Rubin donated $15,000 to Street's election committee from December 2000 to June 2003, the records show," Bloomberg reported. "In addition, CDR gave White three tickets to the 2003 Super Bowl game in San Diego and also provided a limousine ride to the stadium. White brought Philadelphia Treasurer Corey Kemp to the event." The city of Philadelphia paid the firm $150,000 for financial advice, while banks paid CDR at least $515,000 from profits earned on transactions with the city, Bloomberg reported.
According to the Tribune-Review and other Pennsylvania papers, CDR is not Rendell's biggest headache. The Patriot News in Harrisburg reported Wednesday that the state auditor there is accusing Rendell's administration of "hiding the details of nearly $600 million in technology contracts with one company and is suggesting abuses ranging from vendor favoritism to no-bid contracts."
The paper says a draft audit report "indicates the administration stonewalled the Democratic auditor general's staff in its quest to unravel details that led to contracts with Deloitte Consulting and its affiliates for the years 2004 through 2007." Deloitte is a New York-based software company. A Rendell spokesman denied any lack of cooperation with the auditor.
The Pennsylvania Legislature is reacting. One bill introduced there would ban contracts from being awarded for one year to anyone who has made political donations to a state or local officeholder. Another would require competitive bidding for contracts of more than $100,000. Both were introduced by Republicans — which is the minority party in that state — and a Rendell spokesman has said the bills are politically motivated.
A Valentine from Val: Last Friday, I ran into actor and possible gubernatorial candidate Val Kilmer in the reception area of state Sen. Phil Griego's office at the Capitol.
That's about the last place in the Roundhouse I ever expected to see Kilmer. Back in 2003, when Rolling Stone quoted Kilmer as saying, "I live in the homicide capital of the Southwest. Eighty percent of the people in my county are drunk," Griego, a Democrat who represents the Pecos area southeast of Santa Fe in which Kilmer lives, was the most prominent official to express outrage. Kilmer claimed he was misquoted.
And right outside of Griego's office, Kilmer told me he was misquoted again — this time by Esquire magazine, which quoted Kilmer as characterizing Vietnam vets as mostly "borderline criminal or poor."
So why was Kilmer going to see Griego that day? "He just wanted to talk," Griego said. "We mainly talked about the prequel to Tombstone he's doing."
But besides yacking about the movies, Kilmer offered to support a bill Griego is sponsoring, SB379, which aims to tighten rules on off-highway vehicles. Kilmer offered to write a letter in support, Griego said, and on Tuesday he came through.
Kilmer's letter says the bill is a response "to the concerns of ranchers, like myself, environmentalists, parents and off-road vehicle enthusiasts ... "
"As a rancher and lover of the land I want it protected," Kilmer wrote. "As a parent, I want my children to be properly educated and safe. As a taxpayer I want our dollars spent in the most efficient manner. That is why I support this bill and I urge the Legislature to pass it and the governor to sign it."
Kilmer wrote than he "grew up riding both off-road vehicles, motor cross and horses with my family and friends."
The bill on Wednesday got a unanimous do-pass recommendation by the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee. It's doubtful that Kilmer's letter was the deciding factor. Griego said he still deplores Kilmer's 2003 quote as well as the comments from Esquire.
February 1, 2009
Bill Richardson isn't the only Democratic governor being mentioned in connection with possible "pay-to-play" politics involving CDR Financial Products.
According to a story Wednesday in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell also has a CDR problem.
The state of Pennsylvania awarded nearly $600,000 in fees to CDR. In one of those strange coincidences that we're used to reading about in this state, CDR's CEO, David Rubin, donated $40,000 to Rendell's campaign committee.
According to a story last month in the Tribune-Review, CDR "won a contract in 2003 with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency that Rendell has said he wasn't aware of."
That's less money than CDR donated to Richardson, whose various political committees received more than $100,000 from Rubin and CDR. The company made nearly $1.5 million as part of a financial team for the state transportation-construction program known as GRIP, which stands for Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership. Both Richardson and Rubin have denied any pay to play.
Rendell and Richardson are similar in many ways. Both are gregarious politicians who have been frequent guests on cable news shows. As pointed out in this column a few years ago, both have gotten in trouble for ordering their state police drivers to exceed the speed limit.
Unlike Richardson, there's no indication that a federal grand jury is looking into Rendell's dealings with CDR.
However, CDR's dealings in the Keystone State have caught the eye of federal investigators before. Bloomberg reported that in 2001 CDR hired Philadelphia lawyer Ron White, who was chief fundraiser for Mayor John Street. The company paid White a $5,000 retainer to help CDR win work with the city.
"Rubin donated $15,000 to Street's election committee from December 2000 to June 2003, the records show," Bloomberg reported. "In addition, CDR gave White three tickets to the 2003 Super Bowl game in San Diego and also provided a limousine ride to the stadium. White brought Philadelphia Treasurer Corey Kemp to the event." The city of Philadelphia paid the firm $150,000 for financial advice, while banks paid CDR at least $515,000 from profits earned on transactions with the city, Bloomberg reported.
According to the Tribune-Review and other Pennsylvania papers, CDR is not Rendell's biggest headache. The Patriot News in Harrisburg reported Wednesday that the state auditor there is accusing Rendell's administration of "hiding the details of nearly $600 million in technology contracts with one company and is suggesting abuses ranging from vendor favoritism to no-bid contracts."
The paper says a draft audit report "indicates the administration stonewalled the Democratic auditor general's staff in its quest to unravel details that led to contracts with Deloitte Consulting and its affiliates for the years 2004 through 2007." Deloitte is a New York-based software company. A Rendell spokesman denied any lack of cooperation with the auditor.
The Pennsylvania Legislature is reacting. One bill introduced there would ban contracts from being awarded for one year to anyone who has made political donations to a state or local officeholder. Another would require competitive bidding for contracts of more than $100,000. Both were introduced by Republicans — which is the minority party in that state — and a Rendell spokesman has said the bills are politically motivated.
A Valentine from Val: Last Friday, I ran into actor and possible gubernatorial candidate Val Kilmer in the reception area of state Sen. Phil Griego's office at the Capitol.
That's about the last place in the Roundhouse I ever expected to see Kilmer. Back in 2003, when Rolling Stone quoted Kilmer as saying, "I live in the homicide capital of the Southwest. Eighty percent of the people in my county are drunk," Griego, a Democrat who represents the Pecos area southeast of Santa Fe in which Kilmer lives, was the most prominent official to express outrage. Kilmer claimed he was misquoted.
And right outside of Griego's office, Kilmer told me he was misquoted again — this time by Esquire magazine, which quoted Kilmer as characterizing Vietnam vets as mostly "borderline criminal or poor."
So why was Kilmer going to see Griego that day? "He just wanted to talk," Griego said. "We mainly talked about the prequel to Tombstone he's doing."
But besides yacking about the movies, Kilmer offered to support a bill Griego is sponsoring, SB379, which aims to tighten rules on off-highway vehicles. Kilmer offered to write a letter in support, Griego said, and on Tuesday he came through.
Kilmer's letter says the bill is a response "to the concerns of ranchers, like myself, environmentalists, parents and off-road vehicle enthusiasts ... "
"As a rancher and lover of the land I want it protected," Kilmer wrote. "As a parent, I want my children to be properly educated and safe. As a taxpayer I want our dollars spent in the most efficient manner. That is why I support this bill and I urge the Legislature to pass it and the governor to sign it."
Kilmer wrote than he "grew up riding both off-road vehicles, motor cross and horses with my family and friends."
The bill on Wednesday got a unanimous do-pass recommendation by the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee. It's doubtful that Kilmer's letter was the deciding factor. Griego said he still deplores Kilmer's 2003 quote as well as the comments from Esquire.
Friday, February 6, 2009
KILMER BACK AT CAPITOL
While leaving a press conference in the Governor's Cabinet Room about an hour and a half ago, who did I run into, but possible future Gov. VAL KILMER.
He smiled for this photo, but went in the door of Gov. Richardson's office before I could even ask him about his comments on Vietnam vets.
Not sure yet what he was talking to Richardson about.
UPDATE: I just ran into Kilmer up in Sen. Phil Griego's office. (Griego and Kilmer tangled years go over that Rolling Stone statement.)
I asked him about his statements in the Esquire article.
"I didn't make that statement," he said. "I have nothing but praise and respect for veterans."
This is Kilmer's second visit to the Roundhouse -- that we know of -- in three days. He said he came for Native American Day and, as he said on Tuesday, "to say hi to some friends."
THE KILMER BANDWAGON
A few years ago, before anyone was talking about Val Kilmer for governor, Rolling Stone quoted him saying, "80 percent of the people in my county are drunk." That of course caused an uproar and Kilmer said he was misquoted.
I wonder if he was misquoted in this 2005 Esquire interview drudged up by Matthew Reichbach at The New Mexico Independent:
Reichbach quotes a military families blog that calls Kilmer the "brass-balled moron of the year.”
UPDATE: The entire Esquire interview, by Chuck Klosterman, is HERE.
I wonder if he was misquoted in this 2005 Esquire interview drudged up by Matthew Reichbach at The New Mexico Independent:
(Question)You understand how it feels to shoot someone as much as a person who has actually committed a murder?
(Answer): I understand it more. It’s an actor’s job. A guy who’s lived through the horror of Vietnam has not spent his life preparing his mind for it. He’s some punk. Most guys were borderline criminal or poor, and that’s why they got sent to Vietnam. It was all the poor, wretched kids who got beat up by their dads, guys who didn’t get on the football team, couldn’t finagle a scholarship.
They didn’t have the emotional equipment to handle that experience. But this is what an actor trains to do. I can more effectively represent that kid in Vietnam than a guy who was there.
Reichbach quotes a military families blog that calls Kilmer the "brass-balled moron of the year.”
UPDATE: The entire Esquire interview, by Chuck Klosterman, is HERE.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
ROUNDHOUSE ROUNDUP: MORE ON VAL AT THE ROUNDHOUSE
A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
February 5, 2009
It's not that unusual to see Hollywood celebrities at the state Capitol during a Legislative session. Ali MacGraw, Shirley MacLaine and Marsha Mason — all of whom have homes in or around Santa Fe — have been spotted here in recent years.
But none of them are rumored to be running for governor in 2010. And Val Kilmer, who paid a visit to the state House of Representatives on Wednesday, is.
Kilmer, who owns a ranch near Pecos, sat on the rostrum of the House for a few minutes before he was introduced by House Speaker Ben Luján moments before the House adjourned for the day.
A few minutes before that, Kilmer was spotted by a television reporter, then me, outside the House Chambers.
What was the actor doing at the Legislature? "Just saying hi to some friends," he said.
Kilmer — who has portrayed Batman, Jim Morrison, Billy the Kid, Doc Holiday and "Big" John Holmes in the movies — would neither confirm nor deny that he's auditioning to play governor in a couple of years.
"No, I just don't have any plans. I'm looking to be more active in the many concerns I have and that we all do," he said.
"My kids are in high school now," Kilmer said, "and so I'm more available. I'm available to serve."
So how about that report by The Associated Press last year — when the Val for Gov rumors started surfacing — that Kilmer had never voted in New Mexico, at least not before the 2008 election?
He said the AP story wasn't exactly true. But, he admitted, "like a lot of Americans in this year's election, I've realized I need to be more responsible. I've done a lot of substantial work in a lot of areas, but it's true I haven't voted much, which I regret."
Wouldn't that hurt in a gubernatorial campaign?
"No, I think we're a forgiving people," Kilmer said. "But (we're) also very serious about the need to be more active. I think it's an invitation by President Obama in this new administration to be more responsible, and that's going to become a demand."
Then he got even more philosophical. In an almost New Agey way, Kilmer said New Mexico "already has a jump on the whole country, (in) working out race issues 100 years in advance." Kilmer said the state has an appreciation for the arts and "you've got a really strong acceptance of different lifestyles and spiritual outlooks. It's very real to us."
Summoned by the Lt. Gov.: Kilmer later went up to the Fourth Floor and spoke with Eric Witt, Gov. Bill Richardson's point man for the movie industry.
"What do I look like, The Riddler?" Witt joked when first asked about his meeting with Kilmer.
"We just talked about the movie industry and a couple of economic-development project ideas he has," Witt said. He said the projects deal with the arts, but he couldn't discuss details. Kilmer didn't meet with Richardson, Witt said.
At one point Wednesday afternoon, there was a page for Kilmer over the Capitol public address system, saying he was wanted in the lieutenant governor's office.
Some who heard the announcement assumed it was a prank page. Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is running for governor as a Democrat next election.
But, according to a spokeswoman for Denish, the lieutenant governor really did page her possible opponent.
Denish spokeswoman Danielle Montoya said her boss wanted to thank the actor for serving on Denish's short-lived transition team — put into place in December when Obama chose Richardson as his nominee for commerce secretary and dismantled after Richardson withdrew his nomination. Kilmer was on the Economic Stability Team, Montoya said.
But apparently by that time, Batman had left the building. The meeting didn't happen.
How does Denish feel about the possibility of running against Kilmer in the 2010 Democratic primary? Through Montoya, Denish sent in a prepared statement.
"I am committed to running for governor in 2010, and I'm focused on fighting for New Mexicans during tough economic times. I think that voters are smart and that they will elect someone into office who is clearly committed to New Mexico. I'm not going to speculate on opponents right now."
Blog Bonus:
Here's an audio clip from our short talk with Val Kilmer Wednesday.
February 5, 2009
It's not that unusual to see Hollywood celebrities at the state Capitol during a Legislative session. Ali MacGraw, Shirley MacLaine and Marsha Mason — all of whom have homes in or around Santa Fe — have been spotted here in recent years.
But none of them are rumored to be running for governor in 2010. And Val Kilmer, who paid a visit to the state House of Representatives on Wednesday, is.
Kilmer, who owns a ranch near Pecos, sat on the rostrum of the House for a few minutes before he was introduced by House Speaker Ben Luján moments before the House adjourned for the day.
A few minutes before that, Kilmer was spotted by a television reporter, then me, outside the House Chambers.
What was the actor doing at the Legislature? "Just saying hi to some friends," he said.
Kilmer — who has portrayed Batman, Jim Morrison, Billy the Kid, Doc Holiday and "Big" John Holmes in the movies — would neither confirm nor deny that he's auditioning to play governor in a couple of years.
"No, I just don't have any plans. I'm looking to be more active in the many concerns I have and that we all do," he said.
"My kids are in high school now," Kilmer said, "and so I'm more available. I'm available to serve."
So how about that report by The Associated Press last year — when the Val for Gov rumors started surfacing — that Kilmer had never voted in New Mexico, at least not before the 2008 election?
He said the AP story wasn't exactly true. But, he admitted, "like a lot of Americans in this year's election, I've realized I need to be more responsible. I've done a lot of substantial work in a lot of areas, but it's true I haven't voted much, which I regret."
Wouldn't that hurt in a gubernatorial campaign?
"No, I think we're a forgiving people," Kilmer said. "But (we're) also very serious about the need to be more active. I think it's an invitation by President Obama in this new administration to be more responsible, and that's going to become a demand."
Then he got even more philosophical. In an almost New Agey way, Kilmer said New Mexico "already has a jump on the whole country, (in) working out race issues 100 years in advance." Kilmer said the state has an appreciation for the arts and "you've got a really strong acceptance of different lifestyles and spiritual outlooks. It's very real to us."
Summoned by the Lt. Gov.: Kilmer later went up to the Fourth Floor and spoke with Eric Witt, Gov. Bill Richardson's point man for the movie industry.
"What do I look like, The Riddler?" Witt joked when first asked about his meeting with Kilmer.
"We just talked about the movie industry and a couple of economic-development project ideas he has," Witt said. He said the projects deal with the arts, but he couldn't discuss details. Kilmer didn't meet with Richardson, Witt said.
At one point Wednesday afternoon, there was a page for Kilmer over the Capitol public address system, saying he was wanted in the lieutenant governor's office.
Some who heard the announcement assumed it was a prank page. Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is running for governor as a Democrat next election.
But, according to a spokeswoman for Denish, the lieutenant governor really did page her possible opponent.
Denish spokeswoman Danielle Montoya said her boss wanted to thank the actor for serving on Denish's short-lived transition team — put into place in December when Obama chose Richardson as his nominee for commerce secretary and dismantled after Richardson withdrew his nomination. Kilmer was on the Economic Stability Team, Montoya said.
But apparently by that time, Batman had left the building. The meeting didn't happen.
How does Denish feel about the possibility of running against Kilmer in the 2010 Democratic primary? Through Montoya, Denish sent in a prepared statement.
"I am committed to running for governor in 2010, and I'm focused on fighting for New Mexicans during tough economic times. I think that voters are smart and that they will elect someone into office who is clearly committed to New Mexico. I'm not going to speculate on opponents right now."
Blog Bonus:
Here's an audio clip from our short talk with Val Kilmer Wednesday.
|
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
VAL VISITS HOUSE
I just ran into actor -- and rumored gubernatorial candidate -- Val Kilmer on the first floor. He said he was in the Capitol just to "visit some friends."
A few minutes after our encounter, Kilmer appeared on the rostrum of the House, where House Speaker Ben Lujan introduced him.
Kilmer, who has portrayed Batman, Jim Morrison, Billy the Kid and "Big" John Holmes in the movies -- would neither confirm nor deny that he's planning on a run for governor. "I don't have anything planned," he said, "I'm just looking to be more active."
Asked about that Associated Press story, which revealed Kilmer had never voted in New Mexico before 2008, Kilmer said, "It's true I haven't voted much, which I regret." Would that hurt him in a political race?
"No, I think we're a forgiving people," he said.
A few minutes after our encounter, Kilmer appeared on the rostrum of the House, where House Speaker Ben Lujan introduced him.
Kilmer, who has portrayed Batman, Jim Morrison, Billy the Kid and "Big" John Holmes in the movies -- would neither confirm nor deny that he's planning on a run for governor. "I don't have anything planned," he said, "I'm just looking to be more active."
Asked about that Associated Press story, which revealed Kilmer had never voted in New Mexico before 2008, Kilmer said, "It's true I haven't voted much, which I regret." Would that hurt him in a political race?
"No, I think we're a forgiving people," he said.
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